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September 2015

TOP QUALITY ARTIFICIAL GRASS Installed by Qualified Professionals

Onto existing ground, terraces, pool surrounds etc.

8 Year manufacturers Warranty For a FREE, no obligation, inspection & quotation

Artificial Grass is the inspired, maintenance- free answer to a lush green lawn in Spain.

Neil started his business in 2007 and has since transformed hundred´s of neglected, dusty gardens into attractive, green lawns.

With Neil´s experience he can create a green haven in any location; • onto rough ground • tiled-terraces and patios • private/Urbanisation pool surrounds • Communal garden areas Why chose Artificial Grass?

The advantages are endless; no more hefty water bills or tedious mowing. the grass is extremely resilient, able to endure UV rays and extreme temperatures, with a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years. The various grasses

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Welcome GO SATELLITE!

g Getting British TV here in Spain can be a confusing and daunting task and findin ABOUT US GO SATELLITE was set up 10 years ago by husband and wife team Ian and Deborah. Ian has more than 20 years experience, having spent 10 years with SKY In Home Services in the UK, where he worked on the specialist heights team as well as SKY´S Prestigious VIP Team which caters for the “stars”, therefore the quality of his workmanship is extremely high!

After leaving SKY, Ian set up his own business in the UK and ran this very successfully for 5 years before moving to Spain.

SERVICES WE OFFER We are here to help!!!! We can arrange Installation of TV direct from the satellite with no monthly subscription. We are able to make repairs to existing satellite systems, potentially saving you from additional costs. We are

a reliable and informative company is vital.

suppliers of Sky and humax receivers direct from the UK. You will find we are the cheapest on the Costa Blanca.

Ask us about Sky cards and subscriptions as well as Al Jazeera cards for bars enabling viewing of Premier League Football matches.

WHERE ARE WE? GO SATELLITE is based in Ciudad Quesada and covers most of the Costa Blanca.

WHY ARE WE DIFFERENT? Ian said “Being a small company has its advantages. We offer a personal service and get to know all our customers by name. It’s important to us that people fully understand and are happy with the service we are providing. We realise that the technology involved can be confusing but we are happy to spend time with our customers to ensure that they get the best system for their needs”.

CUSTOMER SERVICE Any concerns or queries are dealt with in a clear and professional manner and clients can call Ian at any point if they have any queries. This ensures that all of their customers have complete peace of mind throughout the lifetime of the service. Added to that is the fact that GO SATELLITE is a fully legal, Spanish registered business that provides individual, company and community installations with a free no obligation site survey.

Go Satellite is going from strength to strength!

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communities. The Go Satellite system uses highest quality Portuguese-manufactured dishes and requires NO monthly payments. Packages are available to suit everybody´s requirements and budget. GO SATELLITE offer expertise, reassurance and a proven track record, which can be backed up by many a satisfied customer.

OTHER SERVICES Go Satellite not only provide television but are also able to provide internet and telephone services. Packages are available to suit all with a switch on/off service available for non residents.

COME AND MEET US! We have an office in the Business Centre Calle Los Arcos No7 Ciudad Quesada, so you can now come and meet us and we will endeavour to help you with all of your TV queries.

DISH ISSUES? Here at Go Satellite, we use only Top Quality Portugese dishes and Invacom LNB’s. Sky Packages are also available. If you do not have room or do not wish to have a dish, give us a call as we have a solution!

At Go Satellite, we will endeavour, to provide TV for everyone.

So, if you are fed up of missing your favourite programs or you have lost your TV signal and do not want to lose out any more, then call on 965 725 670 or call into our office to find out more about GO SATELLITE and its services. Alternatively check out the website:www.freetvspain.com

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SPAIN PODEMOS CHIEF HAILS BRITISH ‘ALLY’ CORBYN

The leader of Spanish protest party Podemos Monday hailed the British Labour Party’s newly elected leader Jeremy Corbyn as a left-wing “ally” in the fight against economic liberalism.

Pablo Iglesias said the victory of the hard-left candidate Corbyn was a sign the anti-austerity movement was getting stronger in Europe.

“At last we will have an ally in the United Kingdom with whom we share conclusions and a plan to defend social rights through policies that fight inequality,” Iglesias wrote in an opinion piece in centre-left newspaper El Pais.

He said Corbyn’s victory reflected “the failure of social-liberalism” in workers’ parties that have shifted to the centre in recent decades.

Iglesias compared the divisions in Labour to the plight of the two big parties that have dominated Spanish politics since the 1970s: the Socialists and the conservative Popular Party.

In just over a year and half, Iglesias has led Podemos to third place behind those two parties in the opinion polls, threatening to carve up the vote in December’s general

election.

He likened criticism of Corbyn to the treatment of another of his allies, the Syriza party in Greece.

Like Corbyn and Syriza’s leader Alexis Tsipras, Iglesias has vowed to defend the poor and has protested for an end to austerity measures passed in the economic crisis.

“We are hearing the same insults that the Greek government and we ourselves have received; the same condescension by those who say his role will be merely to draw attention but that he will never govern,” Iglesias wrote.

But in the anti-austerity political camp, Iglesias insisted, “there are more and more of us in Europe and we are getting stronger.”

Digitaljournal.com

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4

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS FLOOD STREETS OF BARCELONA TO CALL FOR INDEPENDENCE

Watch out for update to IWatch

Apple has recently also announced an upgrade to its smartwatch operating system that will be released on 16 September.

Watch OS 2 will allow third-party apps to run natively on the device rather than relying on a linked smartphone’s processor.

Apple announced new versions of its smartwatch and a software upgrade In addition to loading faster, the apps

ort Pro-independence supporters gathered by the hundreds of thousands in Barcelona on Friday afternoon to hold a march that has become an annual tradition on September 11, but which takes on added meaning this year because of upcoming regional elections that could lead to Catalonia’s secession from Spain.

Throngs of crowds in white t-shirts had completely filled the four traffic lanes of Meridiana Avenue by 5.14pm, when the main event of the Diada – Catalonia Day – got started.

FC Barcelona player Gerard Piqué was another famous face on view at the march As demonstrators chanted “Independence!” and waved esteladas (the unofficial flag of an independent Catalonia), a giant yellow arrow was carried five kilometers by a group of athletes from the northernmost point of Meridiana Avenue to the Catalan parliament, along a route christened Via Lliure (Liberty Road).

Prominent pro-independence politicians marched at the head of the group, including Catalan government official Francesc Homs and the three top candidates in Junts pel Sí (Together for Yes), the secessionist bloc that is running in the September 27 elections: Raül Romeva, Muriel Casals and Carme Forcadell.

FC Barcelona player Gerard Piqué was another famous face on view at the march.

Friday was day one of the campaign to regional elections on September 27, which the regional

September 2015

will also gain the ability to play video and access the Watch’s microphone and sensors.

GoPro is taking advantage of this to allow users to see live streams from its action cameras on Apple’s wearable.

Facebook also revealed it is bringing its Messenger app to the platform.

-BBC News

premier is casting as a de facto plebiscite on independence Conspicuously absent from the march was Josep Antoni Duran, leader of Democratic Union of Catalonia, a Catalanist party that ruled the region almost uninterruptedly for 37 years in tandem with Democratic Convergence of Catalonia, as CiU. Through his Twitter account, Duran called on Catalans to “defend the land” using “dialogue, cohesion and common sense.”

The CiU coalition broke up in June due to disagreement over the independence drive, which Duran does not support.

Meanwhile, the Spanish government said that the Diada’s pro-independence acts have become “a campaign event for [Artur] Mas,” referring to the fact that Friday is also day one of the campaign to regional elections on September 27, which the regional premier is casting as a de facto plebiscite on independence.

In a press conference with international media outlets, Mas reasserted that if his Junts pel Si bloc wins an absolute majority of seats in the Catalan parliament, he will feel legitimized to press on with his secessionist drive – even if he does not technically obtain a majority of votes.

Elpais.com

HELP US TO HELP YOU FAST responders and support workers come from all walks of life. Such as Police officers, Nurses, the Armed Services, Engineers, Teachers, Bankers and Accountants.

Whatever their background they give their time freely to help the residents of and visitors to Camposol.

All the responders are fully trained by our own training team. To provide this service we do need more responders.

We also have a great team of supports but we are always looking for more.

Since January 2015 to the end of August FAST have responded to 151 calls for help, resulting in the attendance of 86 ambulances.

Without your support in giving so generously we would not be able to provide this service. The response and support that the “Nurses” have had is great. All those smiling faces on a Tuesday morning by the garage on Camposol.

The Camposol fiesta was another example of how the community here on Camposol can and does work and play together. FAST were on duty as normal over the period that the fiesta took place. We also had a

team of supporters on the Saturday and Sunday with our book stall on the football field.

FAST upcoming events, There is a coach trip to Benidorm on the 18th November tickets €15.

Available at the Friday market or give us a ring on the information line.

FAST Christmas draw tickets are now on sale on the second and last Friday each month outside Euronics on Camposol. 1st prize; €400 Leroy Merlin voucher. 2nd prize; A Panasonic micro system. 3rd prize; A Christmas hamper. The FAST Christmas event will be on the 28th November at Marianos, make a note in your diary, it will be a fun day.

If you would like more information regarding this fantastic organisation why not call into the Cultural centre on sector B, at 11.00 every Tuesday and speak to one of us, or check out our web site www.fastcamposol.com In a medical emergency call 112 then call FAST on 968 970 626 Call our information line on 634 309 899 or e mail secretary@ fastcamposol.com

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September 2015

THE PAIN IN SPAIN FALLS MAINLY ON… THE BRITISH • Spanish government begins paying out after thousands of Britons with holiday homes were wrongly hit by “discriminatory” Inheritance Tax charge

Reclaims, a Barcelona-based law firm which specialises in helping non-residents to reclaim overpaid tax.

• British holiday homeowners were taxed up to a third of Luis Cuervo, CEO of Spanish Legal Reclaims, comments: “Losing a their property’s value when inheriting, yet residents paid loved one is hard enough, but to then receive an unfair tax bill rubs salt in the wound. Yet for years this is what happened to thousands almost nothing of Britons inheriting holiday homes in Spain.

• Spanish authorities now forced to reimburse millions in “Spain’s authorities have agreed that non-residents who inherited a overpaid tax following a landmark ruling by the European Spanish property during the past four and a half years can claim back Court of Justice the tax they paid – but doing so is a complex and daunting task, as Barcelona, 25th July 2015 – The Spanish government has started to repay millions of Euros to British holiday homeowners who were hit with punitive Inheritance Tax charges.

The tax charge – which in many cases was as much as a third of the property’s value – has been levied on up to 30,000 Britons inheriting a holiday home in Spain, according to research by the Spanish solicitors Spanish Legal Reclaims.

The Spanish government has now hastily changed its Inheritance Tax law after the European Court of Justice ruled the legislation which exempted residents from the charge - was discriminatory.

Under the law, Spanish residents were exempted from up to 99% of the tax charge, while homeowners living abroad had to pay the full amount within six months of inheriting.

With more Britons owning holiday homes in Spain than any other nationality, UK citizens were disproportionately affected.

The average repayment is €25,000, according to Spanish Legal

there is no single form to fill in.

“Inheritors can only claim once and there are time limits for claiming, so it’s essential they seek expert legal advice to ensure they get it right first time.

“Spanish Legal Reclaims is representing hundreds of families from across the EU who find themselves in this position, and since the ECJ’s landmark ruling our firm has had a 100% success rate, securing a full refund of tax in every case.”

For more information about claiming back your inheritance tax contact: Donna Knight Spanish Legal Reclaims Tel Spain: (0034) 936 804 563 UK: 0845 680 3849 Email: info@spanishlegalreclaims.com www.spanishlegalreclaims.com

7

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MAN ‘KILLED U.S. WOMAN ON SPAIN PILGRIM TRAIL’

A Spanish judge Monday charged a man with killing a US woman on a pilgrims’ hiking trail as authorities sought to identify a body thought to be hers, officials said.

A judge in the northern town of Astorga ordered the suspect to be held in custody without bail, the court said in a statement.

“He is charged with homicide.

When questioned by the judge, he pleaded his innocence,” the statement said. The identity of the man was not given.

Police arrested the man on Friday after months of investigations and found a body resembling that of Denise Pikka Thiem, 41, from Arizona, Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz said at the weekend.

Thiem disappeared in April while walking the Camino de Santiago or Way of Saint James, a pilgrim trail in northwestern Spain.

Hundreds of thousands of tourists and Roman Catholic pilgrims hike the trail each year, staying at hostels on their way to the cathedral city of Santiago de Compostela and the shrine of St. James.

Thiem was last heard from on

April 4 when she sent a message to a friend saying she was at a point on the trail near Astorga in the Galicia region.

Police intensified their search last week, deploying 300 officers and sniffer dogs backed by a helicopter.

The man was arrested at a property near Astorga, officials said, without identifying him.

Spanish media reported that he was a 39-year-old man.

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Officials said experts were carrying out tests to identify the body, which was found largely decomposed and hidden under branches.

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September 2015

WINTER WARMERS Top tips for using a wood-burning stove this winter Whether you’re the proud owner of a shiny new stove, or you’ve got one that’s been sitting in the front room for decades, there are a few things that you need to know to really get the most out of that metal box in the fireplace.

DON’T BURN WATER

This is the most fundamental thing to get right when you’re burning wood. It might be surprising, but green wood is around 50 per cent water.

That means that for every kg of green wood you add to the fire, you’re effectively adding around 500ml (a pint) of water.

This means that you will need to make sure that your fuel has been dried properly. There are a few ways of doing this, but the simplest are:

• Find green wood and dry it yourself – probably the cheapest option, if you’ve got the space to dry your logs properly, but do bear in mind that it will take a while. As a minimum, you’ll need to make sure that you’ve given your logs at least one summer to dry properly (two is better).

• Buy kiln dried logs or briquettes. There can be sustainability issues with this sort of material, as energy has been added to dry the fuel before it reaches you, though some (but not all) suppliers use wood-fired kilns. This is usually the most expensive (but simplest) way of fuelling a stove.

MANAGE THE AIR As far as your stove is concerned, air comes in two flavours. Primary air feeds the bed of the fire, and secondary air feeds the flames above it. Nearly all the energy from wood comes from burning

gases released when it is heated – which means that secondary air is much more important than primary. The golden rules are: • Never completely close the secondary air vent. Never (I really mean it). It’s the easiest way to create soot and tar and completely coat the glass on the front of your stove with gunk (a technical term).

• Don’t leave the stove door open, unless you have been specifically instructed to by the manual when lighting the fire.

You are crippling your stove’s efficiency and allowing all the lovely warm air in the room to shoot off straight up the chimney.

• Remember you’re always looking for a hot, fast burn, as this will be the cleanest, most efficient way of running the stove. A small hot fire is much more efficient than a large slow-burning one.- telegraph. co.uk

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Storing Your Pellets If you heat all or part of your home with pellets, purchasing and stocking up on fuel is a periodic ritual. Protecting your investment by storing them properly is important. In fact, with proper storage, pellet fuel can have an indefinite shelf life.

We’ve put together some simple, but very important guidelines for storing pellets.

There’s also a safety element to consider, so read on…

• The best place to store pellets is indoors, such as in a garage or basement. The area should be free from moisture and humidity, and should not be susceptible to flooding. It’s best to store the bags off the floor on pallets or cardboard slips.

• If you don’t have an indoor storage area, the next best thing is a shelter or shed that stays dry. In this environment, it’s especially important to stack the bags on pallets off the ground. While stacking, inspect the bags for any holes and repair them with duct tape or another water-proof tape. To further protect the fuel from water, cover the stack of bags with a tarp and securely fasten it.

• Because we burn pellets inside our homes, it’s important to keep them as clean as possible. Be sure to protect your pellets from dust and other contaminants.

• It has been reported that stored bags of pellets can release carbon monoxide gas (CO), especially when kept in warm environments.

Make sure your storage area is well ventilated, install a CO detector and be aware of symptoms of CO poisoning.-harmanstoves.com

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WINTER WARMERS

Winter days are generally sunny, although the evenings can be cold.

If you have a north or east facing home, you’ll probably need some form of heating between November and March.

It’s easier to warm a house up than cool it down, I prefer to heat the place in the winter and enjoy the coolness for the rest of the year.

If your property has air conditioning, this can also be used as a heater. However, it’s not all that efficient in a large room, and it can be expensive to run. Should you have breathing problems or suffer from asthma, air conditioning can exacerbate your difficulties.

You can buy slim, panel radiators which are economical to run, but they are mainly for background heat. Oil filled radiators are more efficient, and again are economical to run, but are rather bulky and unattractive.

LOG FIRE

Many Spanish homes, even new builds, have open fireplaces, so you may fancy having a log fire. Wood burning stoves in Spain are very reasonable, starting from around EUR 600, but I would recommend trying a log basket and open fire first, as a wood burner may make your room too hot. Depending on your taste, you can pay anything from €30 up to €300 or more for an individually made cast iron log basket.

Ballaster’s, on the CV951 between San Miguel de Salinas and Torremendro is self service. Drive onto their weighbridge before and after loading your logs, and pay around €1 per 10 kilos. Check local community website business directories and the classifieds in the English press for your nearest suppliers.

I hope I’ve given you some options for keeping warm in Spain without having heating bills which make you hot under the collar. Keep cosy! for eight hours a day.

BOTTLED GAS HEATERS Another option is bottled gas heaters. These are on castors, so can be moved from room to room. Again, there are some attractive models available for around €70, though you’ll have to pay more if you want a heater with variable heat controls.

Cost is only around €15 in Spain. A bottle should last at least 4 weeks, so it’s an economical option. Buy your first bottle from a Ferreteria.

You’ll have to pay about a deposit on it, and you’ll also need to show your passport or some other form of identity.

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September 2015

APPLE TV

The device uses a remote control that features a touch-sensitive panel and a microphone that allows it to be voiceoperated.

It uses the firm’s Siri virtual assistant to let owners ask what shows or movies based on their desired themes or favourite actors are available, and can bring back results from a range of services.

In addition, it can play video games.

“The future of TV is apps,” declared Mr Cook. The firm had previously described its TV boxes as a “hobby”.

Apple was one of the first tech companies to offer an internet-connected TV box, but Amazon, Roku and several smart TV-makers beat it to offering an appfocused experience.

Mr Cook acknowledged it had taken his company several years to introduce a TV app store.

“I don’t think they have missed an opportunity by waiting until now,” commented Ian Maude from Enders Analysis.

“There’s a lot of people out there who want to watch content that is only available online from the TV, and if Apple can show its device does things better than the alternatives you would expect them to start winning market share pretty quickly.”

Apple did not unveil a rumoured TV shows and movies subscription package of its own for the box, but Mr Blaber suggested that might follow next year.

“Broadcast content remains the challenge but growth in Apple TV will ultimately leave content providers with little option,” he said.

The new Apple TV offers an alternative to dedicated video game consoles Much of the Apple TV presentation was dedicated to the video games it can play. The remote is motion sensitive, and works in a similar fashion to Nintendo’s Wii controllers.

The US firm has already had huge success with video game sales on its iPhones.

But one industry watcher questioned how disruptive the new box would be as a gaming device.

“There are already plenty of examples of set-top boxes and micro-consoles that play games, but none of those has had a dramatic impact on the market,” commented Piers Harding-Rolls from IHS Technology.

“That’s not to say that Apple entering the market won’t be significant.

“But when you think of what the highend consoles can do - allowing things like Sony’s forthcoming Morpheus VR headset - what they offer can’t be replicated in terms of power.”- BBC News

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT TEMPORARILY HALTS PLANS FOR A CATALAN TAX AGENCY

Spain’s Constitutional Court has temporarily suspended part of a Catalan law aimed at setting up a regional tax agency that would constitute a key step in the bid to create an independent Catalonia.

The country’s top court has agreed to hear an appeal filed by the Madrid government, which argues that the Catalan legislation aims to turn some national Tax Agency workers into employees of the Catalan executive.

Developing a Catalan Tax Agency has been a cornerstone of Artur Mas’s plan for an independent Catalonia In response to the court’s decision to put two articles of the law on hold, the Catalan government on Monday called an urgent press conference to criticize what amounts to the blocking of the first “state structure” that Catalan premier Artur Mas wants to create on his path to independence.

The articles under appeal would allow some national Tax Agency workers stationed in Catalonia to voluntarily switch over to the future Catalan collection body.

The Constitutional Court is now giving Congress, the Senate, the Spanish executive and the Catalan parliament 15 days to file claims, and will keep the Catalan articles on hold for a maximum of five months. After that, the court will say whether the freeze will continue until a final decision on the matter is reached, or whether the Catalan government may apply its legislation in the

meantime.

Spain’s Mariano Rajoy: “Catalonia will never be independent in any way” Developing a Catalan tax agency has been a cornerstone of Artur Mas’s plan for an independent Catalonia, which he is planning to keep pursuing if his secessionist bloc Junts pel Sí (Together for yes) wins the regional elections on September 27.

This body would collect the property transfer tax and inheritance and gift taxes; it would also attempt to get Catalan taxpayers to entrust it with tax information that is in the state’s hands.

The plan for a regional tax agency was built on the Swedish and Australian models of “cooperation with the taxpayer,” in the words of Artur Mas. This is not the first time that Madrid and Barcelona have become entangled in a legal wrangle over the issue of independence. Last November’s informal referendum on independence was preceded and followed by legal appeals filed by the conservative government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

Elpais.com

AGE CONCERN “HELP US BUY A NEW BUS” APPEAL The President of Age Concern, Maureen Payne, was delighted to receive a cheque for 4,000 Euros from Peter and Margaret Stent towards the Age Concern "Help Us Buy A New Bus" Appeal.

Thank you to Peter and Margaret for this very generous donation which brings the Appeal total to 24,350 Euros and brings us closer to our 35,000 Euros target.

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COULD FISH BE NATURE'S ANTIDEPRESSANT? DIET RICH IN SEAFOOD 'SLASHES RISK OF DEPRESSION' People who eat a lot of fish are less likely to be depressed, study found Men saw their risk reduce by 20% and women saw it reduce by 16% Researchers suggested omega-3 fatty acids may alter the brain's structure They may modify activity of chemical messengers linked with depression

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11

which component of the dietary pattern would be responsible for the protective effect..

He added that fish, as an important source of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), which may play important roles in the structure and function of brain and nerve cells, have been reported to be associated with depression in several studies.

However, other studies did not find an association between fish consumption and the risk of mental illness.

The new study looked at all relevant worldwide research examining the association between fish consumption and the risk of depression published between 2001 and 2014.

Only the European studies backed up the link between high fish consumption and lower depression define how much fish should be eaten weekly or risk.

Professor Zhang how it was prepared. said eating fish The study was published in the Journal of may be beneficial Epidemiology & Community Health. in in preventing depression, but more http://www.dailymail.co.uk/ studies are needed to investigate whether this association varies according to Benefits Consultancy the type of fish.

Do you suffer from mobility problems, The exact biological breathlessness/pain or falls/stumbles? mechanisms by Do you need help washing / dressing or supervision? which a high intake You could be entitled to extra income by of fish reduces the claiming UK risk of depression is not fully understood, sickness / disabililty benefits while living in Spain he continued.

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‘In addition, highquality protein, vitamins and minerals may have a protective effect on depression,’ he said.

‘Finally, high-fish consumption may also be related to a healthier diet and better nutritional status, which could contribute to the lower risk of depression.’

The specific mechanisms will require large studies to confirm, he concluded.

The findings were based on 16 articles that included 26 studies and involved a total of 150,278 participants.

The analysis did not

People who eat a lot of fish are less likely to be depressed, new research shows.

Men who had a diet rich in fish saw their risk of depression reduce by a fifth (20 per cent) while women saw their risk decrease by a sixth (16 per cent).

Researchers suggested the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish may alter the structure of brain membranes.

They may also modify the activity of the neurotransmitters (chemical messengers), dopamine and serotonin, both of which are thought to be involved in depression.

The high quality protein, vitamins, and minerals found in fish may also help stave off the disease, while eating a lot of fish may be an indicator of a healthy and more nutritious diet.

However, the researchers cautioned that further studies are needed.

Depression affects an estimated 350 million people worldwide, and is projected to become the second leading cause of ill health by 2020, according to the World Health Organisation.

Diet has been recognised as playing an important role in the risk of getting depression, with regular consumption of fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains thought to have an impact.

But no studies have so far looked at the individual components, and the link between fish and depression risk has remained controversial.

Professor Dongfeng Zhang at the Medical College of Qingdao University, Shandong, China, said: 'The association between fish consumption and risk of depression is controversial.

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www.soltimes.com ADVANTAGES OF GROWING OWN large pots, an old bath, grow bags, bilders plastic buckets, a growing table, and a small raised bed.

VEGETABLES IN SPAIN: The advantages of All are possible on an apartment terrace, in a patio growing your own vegetables are numerous garden as well as a corner of a larger garden. and include the following. 1. You can grow the Purchase plantlets of to save the bother of sowing types of vegetable that you most like. 2. You can from seedsseeds. Potatoes can also be grown in experiment with the growing of old heritage and large pots. heirloom varieties that are no longer grown B.LARGER SCALE: commercially. 3. By Develop a traditional crop rotation one can vegetable patch. Start or harvest a wide diversity expand a compost heap of vegetables 365 days to produce an annual a year. 4. You can supply of humus and harvest just sufficient beneficial micro organism for a meal or each day rich compost for enriching and not have to wade the soil. Garden weeds, through the contents shredded prunings and of a partially used and green kitchen waste can aging large pre-packed all be usefully recycled. bag or tray. 5. You can Keeping a couple of hens reduce the weight of and rabbits that love to shopping carried back eat many waste leaves from the shops or to from the vegetable garden and from the car. 6. You are also a good source can feed unexpected guests easily and well. 7. By of organic manures, especially if you feed them using natural fertilizers, insect control methods natural rather than processed foods. And of course and fungicides you will have no need to resort to you will have a home source of organic meat and manufactured inorganic chemical solutions. Both eggs.Work in well rotted compost into the soil on the garden and garden shed become less smelly the basis of up to 1:2 of the original soil if you and healthier places to work in. 8. Include herbs have a poor soil. Add well rotted manure according within the vegetable plot and you have culinary to the needs of particular groups groups of and medicinal herbs that are more potent when vegetables as advised in our book . The following fresh than when dried. 9. Involve the family in examples indicate the need for added manurs. growing the vegetables, even establish a children’s HIGH: Potatoes, tomatoes, courgettes, beans, garden, and you may find it easier to persuade every one to eat more salads and vegetables.

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WHAT CAN BE GROWN IN SPAIN? Almost anything and more than one sees in most greengrocers. All can be grown from seed, but in many cases it is more convenient for beginners and those with only a small growing area to purchase young plantlets ready for planting out.

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September 2015

BRABEN’S BLOG...

Hello and welcome to CanDu Computer to get rid off. Be careful not Bytes. Are you as bored with the topic of to select “Clear Data” is this windows 10 as I am? I know that windows will remove ant passwords 10 is the latest greatest incarnation of the and important information that world´s most used domestic OS (Operating you might want leaving on!

System) but don´t you just fancy something So now you have removed all those different? unused apps and cleared the wasteful It might surprise you that, per device, internet rubbish, so what is next? If you windows isn´t the most used OS. Android constantly run out of space then you might is! When you consider that Android is on want to think about increasing the amount most ´smart phones´ and tablets that adds of space available for you apps and data up to a number several times that of all the by buying and installing a SD card. Many windows machine!

Android devices still ship with microSD Android isn´t perfect! Just like every other (same thing as SD cards only smaller – I OS it can quickly get filled with downloaded know “Too much information” but) card apps, fill them with media files, and cache slots, although they are becoming less and data for use offline. The less space you less common on newer devices. have, the more time you’ll have to spend The storage you gain can’t usually be used micromanaging the internal storage. If you for apps and other system files, but you can find yourself regularly running out of space store music, videos, pictures, and other and needing to manage it, you might want media files there. Some apps may allow to get rid of some of those unused apps you to move their cache locations to the SD and clear up the device. When you realise card, too. that these devices usually only have a few Some Android phones allow you to move gigabytes of storage, filling them up is apps to the SD card to free up space. quickly and easily done!

Google has moved away from this feature Over the years I have shown you what for performance, stability, and security programs to use and how to use them, to reasons in modern versions of Android. It remove the programs that no-longer have seems that this feature was removed in a place on your computer and the internet Android 4.4 ´KitKat. Just check your device rubbish that comes down, excessively. Now to see if you have the option — you never it is time to do the same with your Android know. devices.

If it’s possible to move apps to the SD card The good news is that Android has build in on your device, you can open the Settings methods to remove this junk AND I´m going screen and tap Apps, App Manager, or to share! Modern versions of Android have whatever it’s called on your device. On a Storage pane that will show you exactly an app’s details page — the same screen what is taking up storage on your device. To where you’ll see the Uninstall button — you find this, open the Settings screen and tap may see a “Move to SD card” button under Storage. You can see how much space is the Storage section. If you don’t, your used up by apps and their data, by pictures device doesn’t support this or you haven’t and videos, audio files, downloads, cached installed an SD card. To move the app back data, and miscellaneous other files. to the built-in storage, tap “Move to device Tap on any of the options and see just how storage.” much space is used. Tapping on your browser Contact me for free advice concerning your app will let you know just how much space computer, or to arrange an appointment, is being used. There is a button marked at the address or phone number below or “Clear Cache” that will get rid of those pesky search “saiminja” on ´Skype´. ´temporary´internet For further information or advice on files that just won´t go and any cookies computing,contact Trevor on 689 892 745 or canducomputing@hotmail.co.uk that you really want

MUNCHING NUMBERS

If you’re not sure a b o u t any thing, u s e statistics t h e n , everyone thinks y o u ’ r e a genius! You can make those numbers mean almost anything and nobody will have a clue what you’re talking about. Some people earn their living by collecting then making sense out of statistics. What’s the point?

Those numbers they come up with are usually meaningless, but they can be scary.

I don’t want you to think I’m saying all this because I’m feeling especially grumpy today-although my day didn’t start too well when the postman sped past me as I was driving to work this morning. In my defence, he does have a new bicycle and we were going downhill at the time.

But, that embarrassment aside, I’m still not convinced by statistics. Just the other day I saw a claim that proudly announced, over half of American men don’t shave every day. I don’t live there, so can’t say this with 100% confidence, but I strongly suspect that those researchers didn’t ask every single male in America if they shaved. Even if they did, and here’s the real point, who’s interested in the shaving habits of American men, or indeed in most of the

things that statisticians see fit to report on? I’d say, after careful consideration, we’re talking about, approximately… nobody at all!

And as far as I can see, that’s the thing with statistics, they are, on the whole, senseless.

For example, I read something recently claiming that the longest ever Monopoly game, played in the bath, lasted for 99 hours. Why would we need to know this?

But, it is harmless.

Harmless is not something you can safely say about all statistics. There is a well known antibacterial spray that you may use at home. I can’t give away the name, but it starts with a Det and ends with tol-no more clues. The makers of this spray claim that their product kills 99.9% of all household germs.

The thing is, now this worries me greatly, and it should worry you too, if all the other bacteria are massacred by the stuff, what does this say about the remaining 00.1%?

Exactly! Think microscopic “Jaws” lurking somewhere in your kitchen.

Perhaps we shouldn’t worry; a statistician once said, “Statistics are a way of never having to say you’re certain about anything”. They were his last words, seconds later he was swallowed by a microbacterial mutant!

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

THE BASQUES: NOT QUITE AS ANCIENT AS WAS ONCE BELIEVED Former Basque premier Juan José Ibarretxe, who led the northern Spanish region between 1999 and 2009, was fond of saying that the Basque people were “7,000 years old.”

Ibarretxe, of the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), used this claim to defend the creation of an independent state whose origins allegedly went all the way back “to the Mesolithic.”

But this is not the case, an international team of scientists has confirmed.

Researchers looked at the genes of eight early farmers who lived in Atapuerca (Burgos) between 3,500 and 5,500 years ago. Their analysis shows that “these individuals showed the greatest genetic affinity to modern-day Basques,” meaning that the latter are around 5,000 years old.

We inhabitants of the Iberian peninsula share a pretty common, relatively recent origin” “Basques are descended from the early farmers that we studied in Atapuerca and from other regions, as demonstrated by a near-simultaneous study based on an individual from Catalonia,” says the biologist Cristina Valdiosera, of the UCMISCIII Center for Human Evolution and Behavior.

Valdiosera is the co-author of the study, which was published in the US scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

“I don’t know whether [the Basques] were already living in what we call Euskadi these days,

but we can say that they have been in Atapuerca for at least 5,000 years,” says Valdiosera. “We can also say that Basques have no genetic link to the hunter-gatherer populations of the Mesolithic, and thus that their origin is not as old as once believed.”

The ancient origins of the Basque nation were first posited nearly a century ago, and have been a cornerstone of nationalists’ claims for an independent state.

In his 1923 book El problema etnológico vasco y la arqueología (or, The Basque ethnological problem and archaeology), the prehistorian Pedro Bosch wrote that “we can confidently formulate the hypothesis that the Basque people are in fact descended from the ancient peoples of the Pyrenean culture, whose own origins go back to the indigenous people of northern Spain during the Upper Paleolithic.”

Bosch, a native of Barcelona, thus went even further than Ibarretxe, placing Basque roots in the early Stone Age, over 10,000 years ago.

“The Paleolithic origin of the Basques is an urban legend that makes no sense these days and was forgotten long ago,” says José María Bermúdez de Castro, co-director of the archeological sites at Atapuerca.

Instead, the new studies paint a picture that may be less desirable from the nationalist viewpoint, but not entirely devoid of an epic dimension,

either.

Farming and husbandry began around 11,000 years ago with the Neolithic revolution in the Fertile Crescent, a region covering modern-day Israel, Syria and Iraq, among other countries. Those early farmers migrated across Europe, mixing with the local populations of hunter-gatherers. In modern-day Spain, this genetic mixture increased over the next 2,000 years, according to the new study.

“We inhabitants of the Iberian peninsula share a pretty common, relatively recent origin,” says Bermúdez de Castro. “What is true is that Basques, in their mountainous areas, did not receive as much [outside] genetic influence during historic times, as was the case in Andalusia with the Muslims or along the Mediterranean with the Romans. In that sense, the Basques preserved their Neolithic purity to a greater degree.”

“The resemblances between modern Basques and these early farmers tell us that Basques remained in relative isolation for the last 5,000 years, but not much more,” says Torsten Günther, a researcher at Uppsala University in Sweden, who also co-authored the PNAS study.

“It is likely that the Basque language, euskera, is a descendant of the language used by those early farmers, or perhaps one of the languages that the latter used,” says Valdiosera. “But the origin of the language is an unconcluded affair.”

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LOOKING TO BUY OR RENT? FIND YOUR DREAM HOME INSIDE! INVESTMENT IN STUDENT RESIDENCES ON THE RISE IN EUROPE

Students residences have become a popular real estate product in Europe, accounting for 3 out of the 10 largest real estate investment transactions registered in the European continent, according to an analysis carried out by leading commercial real estate consultants, CBRE. Although the Spanish market is not as established as the English or German markets, real estate transactions relating to student accommodations have certainly been attracting investors’ interest, due to the higher level of returns achievable, compared with offices or retail properties, and in fact Madrid and Barcelona will soon have two new projects with a value of 52 million euros that will represent a total of 940 new keys (student homes).

According to CBRE, Spain has a stock of some 94,000 keys, of which approximately 52,000 are located in the five main university cities: Madrid, Barcelona, Salamanca, Valencia and Seville.

Of the total student residences in Spain, El Economista reported that only 20% are privately owned and run by their owners, while the remaining 80% of the properties are publicly owned and belong to universities, or are religious institutions and are managed on a concession basis.

Over the next few months, CBRE foresees a number of transactions in this segment, given the high interest of investors and international

management companies seeking to expand their businesses in Spain, which still has 4 of the 10 cities ranked most in demand by European students wishing to gain access to the Erasmus programme.

By volume, the biggest transaction registered in the first six months of the year in the Spanish market was the acquisition of a portfolio of two residences in Barcelona’s Melon District (Poble-Sec and Marina) by The Student Hotel.

In addition, two major concessions in the Ciudad Universitaria in Madrid have changed ownership, while construction has started on the ‘El Faro’ residence in Isaac Peral (Madrid) which will have 370 keys and which will be managed by The Student Housing, which is also to manage another project of 570 keys in development in Barcelona. Together these represent an investment of 52 million euros.

Within the European market, England recorded transactions last year worth 2,950 million euros, volume that has already doubled in the first half of 2015.

Germany is expected to double the 220 million euros invested last year, while in the Netherlands the five big university cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Groningen and Eindhoven accommodated a total of 375,000 university students kyero.com

18

NUMBER OF NEW COMPANIES UP 1.4% IN JULY

The creation of new companies in Spain registered a year-on-year increase of 1.4% in July, over the same month of 2014, with a total of 8,074 new companies, while the number of company dissolutions decreased by 8.7%, with the closure of 1,432 businesses.

According to the Mercantile Companies Statistics published this week by the National Statistics Institute, the creation of companies has now registered two consecutive months of year-on-year increases.

El Economista reported that the capital subscribed for the constitution of the new companies exceeded 505 million euros, representing an increase of 33.8% year-on-year, while the average capital subscribed was 62,561 euros, up 32%.

With respect to the company dissolutions, 65.6% were voluntary, 8.3% were due to mergers and the remaining 26.1% were for other reasons.

In July, a total of 2,510 companies extended their capital, which is 5.5% less than in the same month of last year, with the total capital subscribed amounting to over 3,127 million (15.6% less year-onyear) and an average capital subscribed of 1.24 million euros (down 10.7%).

With regard to the various sectors of

activity, the most dynamic in terms of the creation of companies were trade and construction, which represented 21.2% and 17.9% of the total, respectively. They were also the sectors most affected by the company dissolutions, with 20% and 21.5% of the total, respectively.

The regions where most new companies were created in July were Madrid (1,773), Catalonia (1,703) and Andalucía (1,359), while in contrast, the regions with the least new companies constituted in July were La Rioja (35), Navarra (36) and Cantabria (59).

In relative terms, the regions with the highest rates of company creations in July, year-on-year, were La Rioja (45.8%), the Canary Islands (17.5%) and Murcia (16.8%), while the regions which registered the greatest decreases were Navarra (-35.7%), Extremadura (-27%) and Asturias (-16.7%).

The greatest number of company dissolutions in July were recorded in Madrid (368), followed by Catalonia (174) and Andalucía (170), while the lowest numbers of dissolutions were recorded in Navarra (10), La Rioja (11) and Cantabria (13). Year-on-year, the highest increase in company closures was recorded in the Basque Country (31.3%) and the greatest decrease was recorded in Murcia (-35.3%). kyero.com

September 2015

NEW VIETNAM PROPERTY LAW SLOW TO TAKE OFF HO CHI MINH CITY — When Vietnamese sell houses, the machine they bring along for transactions is used to count money, not swipe credit cards. Property expert Marc Townsend said that’s indicative of Vietnam’s real estate market: people pay with cash, not loans.

Some expect that to change, as Vietnamese real estate opens up to foreigners who are more inclined to get mortgages than fork over cash.

A real estate law that took effect July 1 was supposed to be a game changer, giving foreigners most of the same property rights as Vietnamese. But more than two months out, people haven’t exactly been scooping up condos and villas.

The hesitation is fueled by uncertainty, as foreigners wait to see how officials will implement the new law. In Vietnam, new regulations tend to stir little change until the government publishes guidelines on how to use them. People who work in the

HOME SALES ROSE BY 13.9% IN JULY

The sale of homes in Spain increased by 13.9% in July, over the same month of 2014, and reached a total of 32,714 transactions, the National Statistics Institute reported earlier this week.

However, the July year-on-year increase is 3.1% lower than the figure registered in June, when sales grew by 17%. The statistical agency’s data corresponds to sales registered in the Property Registers of transactions carried out in months prior to the period of reference.

With the July increase, home sales accumulated their eleventh consecutive year-on-year increase, due exclusively to the 43.1% increase in sales of second hand housing, which amounted to some 26,319 transactions, since the sale of new homes dropped by 38.1% compared with July 2014, to a total of 6,395 transactions.

In the seven months to the end of July, home sales accumulated an increase of

10.5%, with a 36.6% reduction in the number of transactions on new housing and a 42.9% increase in those on second hand housing, while month-on-month (July over June), home sales rose by 7%, which is 2.9% lower than the previous year.

El Economista reported that some 90.3% of the home sales carried out during the seventh month of the year were for free housing, with a year-on-year increase of 14%, reaching a total of 29,551 transactions, whereas the number of transactions on subsidised housing totalled 3,163, with a rise of 12.2% compared to July 2014.

In July, the highest number of home sales per 100,000 inhabitants was registered in Valencia (125), while in absolute terms, Andalucía remained in the lead for the number of home sales in July, with a total of 6,749 transactions, followed by Catalonia (5,267), Valencia (4,908) and Madrid (4,460).

In relative terms, the regions where home sales increased most year-on-year were the Balearic Islands (+37.4%) and the Basque Country (+25.3%), while the largest declines were registered for Extremadura (-9.8%), Asturias (-7.9%) and Murcia (-7.5%). kyero.com

property sector say they’re surprised that after two months, those guiding decrees and circulars are nowhere to be seen.

No one wants to be first “This is a no-man’s land,” said David Blackhall, managing director of VinaCapital Real Estate. He said nobody wants to be the guinea pig to test out the new law.

One source of uncertainty is the transfer of money, especially across borders. The real estate law lets foreigners obtain mortgages, rent out their homes, and hold ownership certificates for 50 years, which can be renewed another 50 years. But if they sell property, it’s unclear how they can send the money back to their own countries.

Anti-money laundering rules have made cross-border transactions notoriously difficult in Vietnam, especially for outgoing transfers. Banks typically require people to prove their source of income and limit transfers to that monthly amount, in addition to other documentation requirements and fees.

Townsend, managing director of CBRE Vietnam, said that when traveling to neighboring places like Tokyo, he’s encountered groups of foreign buyers scouting out opportunities. That isn’t happening in Vietnam.

“We haven’t seen busloads of Chinese,” he said last week at a property seminar run by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Townsend said there’s a similar reluctance among foreign real estate developers and investors from Singapore and Hong Kong.

“These people haven’t got on the plane yet.”

More reforms needed More people might come from abroad if Vietnam relaxed some restrictions in the law, according to Le Hoang Chau, chair of the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association.

He said at the seminar that policymakers could incentivize foreigners by giving buyers multi-entry visas for one to three years. The law says anyone with a valid visa to enter Vietnam, even for one day, can buy property.

But a bigger sticking point is the limit on foreign ownership to 30 percent of an apartment building, or 250 houses in a ward.

Chau said the government should leave this to the discretion of local officials because demand varies widely. In Ho Chi Minh City, for example, Districts 2 and 7 are famously saturated with foreigners, as well as Binh Thanh District and District 4.

“We just want to have a level playing field for locals and foreigners,” Chau said. http://www.voanews.com/

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Many more properties on our website: www.solymarspain.com NEAR ALBOX - VILLA SM021 - 169,000€ NEW LISTING

ALBOX - VILLA SM019 - 139,995€

Old millhouse tastefully renovated featuring two separate houses one 4 bed and one 2 Great views over rambla and surrounding countryside.

A stunning villa of very high standard.The villa has an immaculate garden with lovely pool area. Consisting of 3 bedrooms, 1 opening onto patio area. Call today to view!

ARBOLEAS / ALMANZORA SM010 - 85,000€

ALMAZORA - VILLA SM020 - 200,000€

Two for one opportunity, unfinished houses ideal project in beautiful setting on 3000m2 of land with fantastic views.

Charming & quirky villa for sale in the heart of the village.

Features 2 seperate living quaters, 2 bedrooms in each & a pretty garden with pool.This is a must see property!

Detached 4 bed 2 bath country villa on 2400m2 of land , close to albox , appointed to a high standard

ALBOX VILLA SOL144 - 130,000€

STUNNING - URRACAL VILLA SOL307 - 299,999€

ALBANCHEZ - TOWN HOUSE SOL530 - 180,000€

This detached 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom villa is around 10 years old and on a mature plot of 2750m2 in a private position offering great rural views. It features a pool and is only a few minutes drive to Albox.

This amazing villa overlooks the village of Urracal.

Featuring 4 beds, master with ensuite & dressing room.

Spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

This beautiful Town House just off the square in Albanchez has been reformed to a very high standard.

Featuring 5 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

ALMANZORA - CORTIJO SOL726 - 89,995€

ALMANZORA - VILLA SOL150 - 119,000€

VILLA IN CERRO GORDO SM016 - 159,950€

Beautiful cortijo restored to a very high standard. It features 3 bedroom, 2 bathrooms and 1000m2 of land.

Beautiful villa in tranquil setting only minutes from the busy village of Almanzora , 3 bed , 2 bathroom

Detached modern bungalow featuring 3 bedrooms, games room & 2 bathrooms, 1 en-suite. Also features central heating throughout and swimming pool.

WE URGENTLY REQUIRE PROPERTIES BETWEEN ALBOX & THE COAST FOR OUR GROWING SALES PORTFOLIO.

ALMOST ALL OUR RENTAL PROPERTIES ARE OCCUPIED AND WE HAVE MORE CLIENTES TO SATISFY! CALL US 950 064 584 ARBOLEAS RSM002 ALMANZORA LA ALFOQUIA RENTAL ALBOX RENTAL ONLY 200€ PCM EX. MAR989 RENTAL RSM003 RSM001 - ONLY 350€ PCM BILLS ONLY 450€ PCM ONLY 450€ PCM

Traditional detached cortijo with own pool .Set in idyllic setting, secluded but close to amenities.

3000m2 land.

Seperate 1 bedroom fully self contained attic conversion in traditional cortijo.

4 bedroom modern townhouse, close to all amenities, tastefully decorated throughout.

Traditional cortijo with many original features in a semi rural setting only 7km to Albox.

Featuring 2 beds, own pool and private terrace areas

20

September 2015

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

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

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK - €99,950

VH256 - VILLA ANTONIO is a spacious 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom fully furnished villa with room for extension for another bathroom or bedroom if required on a large 600m2 walled & gated plot in enviable, non-estate location walking distance to a shop, 2 restaurants and a bar, doctors, pharmacy and a school.

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.

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

Properties Urgently needed in Arboleas/Albox area for our next exhibition in Belgium

115.000€

159,000€

Cerro Gordo, Nice villa with 3 bed, 2 bath and a jacuzzi.

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

136,000€

175,000€

Oria, Beautiful villa with 2 bed, 2 bath, pool & a great garden!!

Arboleas, Stunning villa with 3 bed, 2 bath, garage, pool & a big plot.

149,950€

180,000€

Zurgena, Fantastic villa with 3 bed, 2 bath & pool. Ideal holiday home.

Limaria, nearly new villa with 3 bed, 2 bath & guest house.

Office: 950 102 191 • Carlos: 648 505 938 • Gavin: 671 293 942

21

www.soltimes.com

reveals that the average expenditure was around 1,128 euros.

The Observatory considers that, in general, all summer activities have increased with respect to 2014, with the most popular activities this year being: eating out at restaurants (57.8%); shopping (51.4%), and travelling within Spain and staying in an apartment (40.8%), followed by going to the movies (40.8%) and cultural visits (29.4%). Caravanning and camping (both inside and outside of Spain), were the least practiced activities, according to those surveyed kyero.com

SPANIARDS’ SUMMER HOLIDAY SPENDING RISES

Data from the latest survey from the Cetelem Observatory on comparisons (2014-2015) between declarations of intent and the actual expenditure in relation to summer holidays, reveals that Spaniards spent more this year on their holidays than in 2014. Specifically, 23.4% of those surveyed declared having spent more during this summer holiday period, compared to the 19.8% who stated they had done so in 2014. In contrast, El Economista reported that the number of Spanish citizens who

declared having spent less in this holiday period dropped from 47.8% in 2014 to 34.2% in 2015, while the number who spent the same as last year stood at 42.4%.

The survey highlighted that when Spanish citizens were questioned in May on the approximate amount they planned to spend on their summer holidays this year, the amount was around 977 euros, while in late August when questioned again on what their actual spending amounted to, the data

Almeria Property Finder’s office is located in the Organic Garden Centre, next to Longo ferreteria on the Albox industrial estate. With many years experience, this Anglo Spanish team has a wide knowledge of the area and, due to successful collaborations with other key estate agents, access to a vast range of property.

Whether our clients are looking for a coastal apartment, a mountain retreat or a country villa, we are here every step of the way to help them find and buy their dream Spanish home as easily as possible.

We actively promote the area and the properties we have for sale by advertising both in the local press and internationally via the major property portals. Following a successful exhibition earlier this year in Belgium, we are now getting a steady stream of Belgian and Dutch clients looking to buy in the area. Alongside these are French buyers and, with the improvement in the exchange rate, a higher number of keen buyers from the UK. July and August have been extremely busy and we urgently need new properties to replace those sold recently, ready for the Autumn rush of buyers.

If you are looking for a property or want to sell one, please call into the office or call/email us and Cathie, Laura, Kate and Antonio will be happy to help you.

Are you looking to sell your property? Following a very busy summer, we urgently require well priced legal properties for sale in all areas

D

SOL

ARBOLEAS

ER UND

ER OFF

PUERTO LUMBRERAS

D

SOL

PARTALOA

D

SOL

VERA PLAYA

D

SOL

D SOL ALMANZORA

CUEVAS DEL ALMANZORA

ER

FF O R E

UND

ARBOLEAS

D

SOL

YOUR HOUSE !!

Find our office at the Organic Garden Centre next door to Longo’s Email: info@almeriapropertyfinder.com

Tel: 950 431 624

Mob: 658 811 628

almeriapropertyfinder.com

22

September 2015

PROPERTY GROUP

Paseo del Mediterraneo 197 - Mojacar - Almeria

Tel: 950 472 430 / 610 053 563

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

PALOMARES

€80,000

Fantastic 3 bed / 2 bath Townhouse with big garage on basement. Walking distance to all amenities. Terraces & solarium. Ref. 1629

MOJACAR PLAYA

€110,000

Opening hours.

Monday to Friday 10.00 am to 6.00pm Saturday 10.00 am to 1.30pm

DUE TO INCREASE IN SALES WE URGENTLY NEED PROPERTIES IN MOJÁCAR, GARRUCHA, VERA AND TURRE. FREE VALUATION. NO FEES FOR ADVERTISING. NR MACENAS

€137,000 MOJACAR PLAYA

Charming reformed semi-detached House with garage and terrace with nice views. Plot 1,589 m². Few minutes drive to beach. Ref.1116

2 bed / 2 bath Apartment with large terrace with sea views and underground parking place set across the road from promenade. Ref. 1596

MOJÁCAR PLAYA

MOJÁCAR PLAYA

MACENAS

3 bed / 2 bath light-filled and spacious Townhouse with underground garage within 2 min walk to beach. Sea views.

Air con Ref.1511

€220,000

3 bed / 2 bath semi-detached Townhouse with garage near commercial centre & beach. Central heating & air con.

Ref.1632

€188,000

Reduced! 3 bed / 2 bath detached Villa near beach, amenities & promenade.

Air con & fire place. Car port . Partial sea views. Ref.1560

€260,000 GARRUCHA

3 bed / 3 bath luxury fully furnished Townhouse with private garden of 110 m², terraces & solarium. Communal pool. Ref.1638

€99,000

Ready to move into! 2 bed / 1 bath top floor Apartment with terrace & private parking in Pueblo Salinas. Ref.1597

€155,000 MOJACAR PLAYA

3 bed / 1 bath southeast facing Apartment with sea views and walking distance to beach, promenade and amenities. Ref.1562

€200,000

VERA PLAYA

€375,000

4 bed / 2 bath Villa with pool and garage on plot of 450 m². Superb location, very close to amenities, promenade & beach. Ref.1549

www.soltimes.com

MURCIA WEBCAMS

WWW.SENSOLGOLFVILLARENTALS.COM

CAMPOSOL LOWER C HOLIDAY LETS FROM €450 PW

Ref No: 087

• 3 bed/2 bath luxury villa.

• Large private pool.

• AC throughout.

• Close to golf course.

CAMPOSOL B HOLIDAY LETS FROM €750 PW

Ref No: 0172

• 4 bed/4 bath ext Neptuno Delux • Amazing private pool area.

• Furnished to high spec.

• Free wifi & games station etc CAMPOSOL D LONG TERM LET €475 +BILLS PCM

Ref No :0079

•2 bed/2bath Rosa style villa.

•8m Freeform pool.

•Log fire Plus much more.

•Well furnished.

LAS CABILLAS, ALHAMA LONG TERM LET €600 + BILLS PCM

Ref No: 0183

•4 bed/2 bath semi detached finca.

•6m x 5m private pool.

•Fully fenced.

•Spanish campo living.

OFFICE SPAIN: (0034) 968 970 614 MOBILE: (0034) 608 631 700 CAMPOSOL UPPER C LONG TERM LET €575 + BILLS PCM

Ref No :0195

• 3 bed/3 bath Neptuno Delux Villa • Furnished to high standard.

• Log fire plus much more.

• Close to Camposol Club De Golf CAMPOSOL D HOLIDAY LETS FROM €560 PW

Ref No: 0181

• 2 bed/2 bath Carmen style villa.

• Furnished to high standard.

• Fantastic pool area.

• Great holiday villa.

MAZARRON COUNTRY CLUB LONG TERM LET €550 + BILLS PCM

Ref No: 0201

•2 bed/1 bath detached villa.

•8m x 4m private pool.

•Furnished to very high standard.

•Fully gated community.

CAMPOSOL UPPER C LONG TERM LET €300 + BILLS PCM

Ref No: 0184

•2 bed/1 bath Classico style villa •Fully furnished.

•Never lived in.

•Close to Camposol Club De Golf.

BOLNUEVO LONG TERM LET €450 + BILLS PCM

Ref No: 0147

•2 bed/2 bath detached villa.

•Full central heating throughout.

•Log fire plus much more.

•Amazing views of the Bahia.

CAMPOSOL D LONG TERM LET €650 + BILLS PCM

Ref No: 0127

•3 bed/2 bath Cibeles style villa.

•Large 650sqm plot.

•10m x 5m private pool.

•Can be let unfurnished.

CAMPOSOL D LONG TERM LET €650 + BILLS PCM

Ref No: 0012

•3 bed/3 bath Neptuno Delux Villa.

•9m x 4m private pool.

•Log fire, AC and much more.

•Huge games room.

CAMPOSOL D HOLIDAY LETS FROM €400 PW

Ref No: 0023

•3 bed/3 bath Neptuno Delux villa.

•8m Freeform pool.

•AC, Internet + much more.

•Bespoke outside dining area.

MANY MORE PROPERTIES CAN BE SEEN ON OUR WEBSITES

23

24

September 2015

CHINA ECONOMY: NEW SIGNS OF ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN

SHANGHAI SKYLINEIMAGE COPYRIGHTAFP

FOR BUSINESS SAN MIGUEL de SALINAS

SECOND HAND WAREHOUSE UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

WE BUY AND SELL SECOND HAND FURNITURE AND WHITE GOODS. FROM HOUSE CLEARANCES TO SINGLE ITEMS

CALL US FOR A NO OBLIGATION QUOTE

Tel: 662 395 756

email: jrsxo@hotmail.com PLAZA CONSTITUCION, OPPOSITE NUT HOUSE BAR

Growth in China's investment and factory output in August has come in below forecasts, in a further indication that the world's second-largest economy is losing steam.

Factory output grew by 6.1% from the year before - below forecasts of 6.4%.

Growth in fixed-asset investment - largely property - slowed to 10.9% for the year-to-date, a 15-year low.

Growing evidence that the world's economic powerhouse is slowing down has caused major investment market falls.

Other indications that the economy is weakening can be seen in falling car sales and lower imports and inflation.

Chinese manufacturers cut prices at their fastest pace in six years, largely on the back of a drop in commodity prices, which have dropped sharply over the past year as demand from China faltered.

25-year low Last week, the Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang, said China remained on track to meet all its economic targets for this year despite the economic data.

NICK THE TILER Call Nick for all your tiling & laminate floor requirements.

Tel.. 605 305 405

COAS T 2 COA ST

REMOVALS Over 25 years experience Regular trips SPAIN-UK-SPAIN

Call NOW for a 617 500 876 competitive quote 0044 7722 77 9062 Pets also carried - Fully Insured

coast2coasttransport@hotmail.com www.coast2coastremovals.com

G.T.AUTOS LOS DOLSES S.L

THE ONE STOP CAR CENTRE

WANTED

BEST PRICES PAID CARS FOR CASH

Call Spencer on 637 090 665 MECHANIC WORKSHOP PHONE JAMES on 672 532 758

WE WILL MOVE IT!!

Pets, boats, caravans, trailers Full and part loads. Full roof-rack for long loads 3 long wheel-based vans/twice per month Travelling to South/North UK Based in Mar Menor, Murcia

SPAIN-UK-SPAIN Tel: (0044) 7783 222 251 / (0034) 634 360 846

Email: wewillmoveit@hotmail.co.uk

DAVID THE PLUMBER Prompt and reliable service, no job too small.

Full bathrooms or just makeovers and handyman service.

24 hour call out Boilers: 80 litre fully installed from 160€

Call David on 634 286 590

China has already cut interest rates five times since November to encourage lending and spur economic activity, along with other measures to boost growth.

Premier Li pledged that China would take more steps to boost domestic demand and that it would implement more policies designed to lift imports.

China recently revised down its 2014 growth figures from 7.4% to 7.3% - its weakest showing in nearly 25 years.

For this year, the government is targeting annual economic growth of about 7%.

Meanwhile, the Chinese authorities said they would take new steps towards a more market-based economic system by offering shares in state-owned businesses to private investors.

The move, which they said would help improve corporate governance and asset management, is planned to take place before 2020.

China's industrial economy is dominated by 111 conglomerates which are state owned. http://www.bbc.com/

Liberty Seguros

Urb.Camposol Sector A C.Center

Harriett Richardson Insurance Broker

Telf: (0034) 669 046 167 / 968 199 121 Email: h.richardsoninsurance@gmail.com

UK - SPAIN - UK

From A Parcel To A Small House Move • Professional • Friendly & Caring • Fully Insured • Scheduled Monthly Door To Door Service • Removal Van allsortedcs@hotmail.com http://fmtransport.myfreesites.net +34 617 319 651 +44 (0)7977 754389 Skype +44 203 289 7827

NEW BUSINESS? 2 WAYS TO ADVERTISE RING 950 121 936 OR EMAIL YOUR ADVERT TO blancasales@soltimes.com

JOHN MACDONALD (EL SORDO) WWW.CARATACUS.EU

www.soltimes.com

EL MOLINO ROJO

To say that all politicians are corrupt would be an exaggeration, there is certainly one on Baker Island in the north Pacific who is honest and sincere. Manuela, however uses her position to further her own ends. As Minister of Culture in the Alquerian Government she has wide scope to indulge her little flights of fancy.

Built on the site of one of Rodriguez’s defunct olive groves is a huge gaudy red windmill. Built of wood and probably contravening building, fire and Sunday spitting regulations, if such regulations existed in Alqueria that is, is Manuela’s new enterprise. El Molino Rojo, the premier night-spot of Alqueria, southern Spain and the Iberian peninsular. People from far and wide risk arrest being smuggled into Alqueria just to spend an hour or two in the pink painted interior of the establishment.

Sacerdote del Semblante Lánguido the village’s reluctant and existentialist priest spends his evenings at the bar, drinking Absinthe and cheerfully disgracing himself with Manuela’s ‘working’ girls. The entertainment is second to none. Ernesto Muyinestable the one legged flamenco dancer dazzles with his thundering displays.

Although falling over frequently his stamping and whirling is not only hypnotic but quite remarkable for a monopede.

Blythe Gruntmore, the village’s resident Englishman particularly enjoys Sanchia Sústomore and her haunting cantes.

He will sit, lost in the emotional and melancholy tones while nursing a glass of wormwood flavoured Remitroot Liquor.

Unfortunately his grasp of Spanish is such that she could be singing about a broken vacuum cleaner. Perhaps the wormwooded Remitroot enhanced his linguistic ability or it may simply have paralysed him from the

VIEWPOINT

neck up. The majority of Manuela’s clientèle however didn’t know whether to applaud or offer the singer firstaid.

Another devotee of wormwood Remitroot is one Teruel la Caminata an extremely short bearded individual who regards himself as something of an artist. He captures the bawdy scenes from El Molino Rojo on his canvases during the evening and hawks them around the streets of Alqueria during the day. Painting and consuming vast quantities of Remitroot aren’t compatible with good hand to eye coordination, with the result that his canvases are infantile daubs. Teruel has only ever sold one painting, to Blythe Gruntmore who was also drinking the Remitroot liquor at the time.

The finale is a Spanish version of the Cancan, choreographed and starring Manuela herself. Under her careful guidance this energetic and racy dance is transformed into a pornographic and gratuitous display or riving bodies and discarded clothing.

Only a mind such as Manuela’s could have conceived such a salacious and exhausting routine. It always leaves the audience stunned and disturbed.

It is however the main attraction and caused a riot when left out of one performance after Manuela suffered a groin strain.

CONFUSION BY KEYBOARD

I have just joined the Albox Computer Club. This is a foreign environment for me, and a bit of a shock to the system. It is a well-known fact that I am a technological Troglodite - I am neither embarrassed nor apologetic about this; I pre-date the computer and the mobile phone – in fact many of the things without which modern day life would be unthinkable, so I believe that I am deserving of a bit of leeway when it comes to the age of digital know-how.

However, there are so many silly little things that I can not manage to do on the computer, although many of the things which I can’t do I don’t know I can’t do until I discover that I can’t do them. I felt I needed expert guidance, hence my rash and ground-breaking decision to seek out the company of those who have left the days of yore behind them, and embraced the here and now in all its complexity.

I was sitting in the Parilla in Albox, earnestly endeavouring to appear as if I knew what the speaker was speaking about, when my mind and one ear lost concentration and wandered off, leaving me with only one ear on listening duty.

That ear, however, was taking its job seriously. Suddenly it sprang into action and summonsed the brain and the other ear back to duty. It had heard that it was not necessary to change the keyboard if you required it to type in another language, you could change it, I think by clicking Alt and Shift. Or somehow!

I have a feeling that there’s more

25

By Jos Biggs

josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk to it than that – in my experience nothing to do with computers is that simple, but this gem was followed up by the information that a keyboard doesn’t actually take any notice of what is written on the keys. I suppose that this means that you could be typing, for instance, ‘how now brown cow’, and if the keyboard felt so inclined it would come out as ‘jpe mpe ntpem vpe.’

Apparently the keyboard has its own internal brain, presumably complete with its own foibles and peccadillos. I find this strangely comforting – it accounts for why the words that come out on the page bear so little resemblance to the words, or at any rate, the spelling, that my fingers dictated.

So it’s not my bad typing after all, it’s a mere whim of the keyboard!

There! I feel better now!

PUZZLE PAGES

26

September 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

SOL PICTURE QUIZ!

FIND AND CIRCLE ALL OF THE WORDS THAT ARE HIDDEN IN THE GRID. THE REMAINING 30 LETTERS SPELL AN ALBERT EINSTEIN QUOTATION.

with the slogan “If you see sid, tell him”?..

Titanic?.................................................. has not been lowered since 1969?.......... corresponds to -273.15 degrees Celsius..

6. Who was the first Englishman to win the US Open after World War II?......

6. Which is the longest month in the year?.....................................................

7. Who was the first German to win the German Open?....

10. Who won the US Masters in 1986 for a record sixth time?...................................

ANSWERS

SQUIGGLE SUDOKU

STANDARD SUDOKU

EASY SUDOKU

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

5. Absolute Zero 6. October 7. Mount Everest.

8. Scafell Pike .

9. Vichy.

10. High Street.

CROSSWORD

YOU NEVER FAIL UNTIL YOU STOP TRYING

1. Winfield.

2. The sale of British Gas shares 3. Queenstown, Ireland .

4. On the moon.

SOLUTIONS

9. Who won the English Amateur Championship in 1975 aged 18?......................

6. Tony Jacklin

WORDSEARCH ANSWER

MASS MECHANICS MOMENTUM NEWTON OPTICS PASCAL PENDULUM POWER PRINCIPLES QUARK REFRACTION SOUND

7. Bernhard Langer

ANSWERS

ENERGY ENTROPY EXPERIMENT FARADAY FREEZING POINT FULCRUM GRAVITY HAWKING IMPEDANCE ISOTOPE KELVIN LAWS LENGTH LEVER

8. Gary Player

common street name in Britain?.............

ACCELERATION ACOUSTICS AMPLITUDE ATOM BLACK HOLE BUOYANCY CENTRIPETAL COLD FUSION CONVECTION DENSITY DISPLACEMENT DOPPLER EINSTEIN ELECTRON

8. Who was the first nonAmerican postwar winner of the US Masters?..................

9. Nick Faldo

alternative names for what?...................

10. Jack Nicklaus

7. Chomolunga and Sagarmatha are

10. What is reputed to be the most

2. Who is nicknamed ‘The Great White Shark’?.............

5. Who was involved with John Daley in the 1995 British Open play-off?..........

5. Which theoretical temperature

French government from 1940 to 1944?..

1. Who headed the European Order of Merit between 1971 and 1974?......

4. Who opposed the US in the Ryder Cup between 1973 and 1977?............................

4. Where is there an American flag that

9. Which spa town was the seat of the

SOLTIMES FOOTBALL QUIZ

3. Who is ‘The Golden Bear’ ?.........................................

3. What was the last port of call for the

8. What is the highest peak in England?.

4

1. Peter Oosterhuis 2. Greg Norman 3. Jack Nicklaus 4. Great Britain and Ireland 5. Constantino Rocca

2. What was advertised in the 1980’s

2

WORDSEARCH PHYSICS 1

1. What did the W stand for in the name F W Woolworth?......................................

3

ANSWERS

SOLTIMES POT LUCK QUIZ

1

IDENTIFY THESE FAMOUS FACES

1 Kathe Kollwitz 2 Pablo Picasso 3 Vincent Van Gogh 4 Andy Warhol

ON THIS DAY 17TH SEPTEMBER

456 – Remistus, Roman general (magister militum), is besieged by a Gothic force at Ravenna and later executed in the Palace in Classis, outside the city.

1787 – The United States Constitution is signed in Philadelphia.

1987 – Pope John Paul II embraces an AIDS-infected boy while visiting San Francisco.

2001 – The New York Stock Exchange reopens for trading after the September 11 attacks, the longest closure since the Great Depression.

2006 – Fourpeaked Mountain in Alaska erupts, marking the first eruption for the long-dormant volcano in at least 10,000 years.

www.soltimes.com

PUZZLE PAGES

27

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE

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

STANDARD CROSSWORD

1 A representative (8) 5 A country in Africa (6) 9 Brazilian monetary unit (8) 10 Container (6) 12 Source of illumination (2 words) (5,4) 13 Short choral composition (5) 14 Plate (4) 16 Glowing (7) 19 An expert in the analysis of Scriptures (7) 21 50% (4) 24 Ownership shares (5) 25 Collection of stories (9) 27 Prisoner (6) 28 Word game played with tiles (8) 29 Beat hard (6) 30 A quorum for a Jewish religious service (8)

DOWN

1 Tame (6) 2 A public waiting room (6) 3 Fantastic (5) 4 From end to end (7) 6 Olympic winner’s prize (2 words) (4,5) 7 Bedtime alcoholic drink (8) 8 Footnote (8) 11 Ski lift (1-3) 15 Hockey players wear these (2 words) (3-6) 17 A close-fitting pullover shirt (3-5) 18 Activist (8) 20 Panache (4) 21 Electronics brand name (7) 22 Candy (6) 23 Secondary school (6) 26 Female organ (5)

SUDOKU PUZZLES

EASY

SQUIGGLE

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 Draw in Student’s Union with heartless crook (4) 3 I’m OK, said Monty’s song (10) 10 Put to use a branch of mathematics? (7) 11 Display of bravery in not ending rave in graduate party (7) 12 Outermost, almost additional key setter (7) 13 Is set out without 6 coming back (6) 15 Drink up in hearltess, rocky sort of race (5) 16 Came after University College entered second church with new deed (9) 18 Not permitted, because offered (9) 21 Power for church (5) 23 Fights second game (6) 25 Part of Gavin’s tan thrilled for a very short time (7) 27 Nothing in house ruler playing number 2? (7) 28 One more heron at wreck (7) 29 Wrongly screwed in new part of car (10) 30 Requests a king on board ship (4) DOWN

1 Vehicle which accepts far travelling? (10) 2 A large letter starts to cause a problem in the American law (7) 4 Naked university dean surprisingly lacks acceleration without woman’s garment! (9) 5 Starts to believe in Brian, like endlessly famous book? (5) 6 See that lies are bad (7) 7 Modified dead Pat, perhaps (7) 8 Be acquainted with some punk? No way! (4) 9 Rise anew in my wretchedness! (6) 14 Escapades coming with sure failure (10) 17 Someone running or standing? (9) 19 A 100-company in Ronald’s creature (7) 20 If your letters are in this, they’re probably leaning to the right! (7) 21 Union somehow independent of NUS! (6) 22 Stretches pain in insides of dress (7) 24 Sweet stuff you reportedly put in flipping newspapers! (5) 26 Demonstrate how to follow a point (4)

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS ON THIS DAY

STANDARD

Charles the Simple, French King (879-929) Stirling Moss, English race car driver (1929) Tessa Jowell, English politician (1947)

Anastacia, American singer-songwriter and producer (1968)

SOLTIMES MINION MOMENTS

28

September 2015

FOOD & ENTERTAINING...

AUTUMN SOUPS FOR RAINY DAYS

p u o S t o r ar C d e t s a Ro r ves 4 ) ( Se

Recipies - Finecooking.com

METHOD:

Put the carrots in a medium baking dish (any dish that will hold the carrots in a single layer without touching) and drizzle them with the olive oil. Toss them to coat well and roast, stirring once halfway through roasting, until they’re tender, blistered, and lightly browned in a few places, about 1 hour.

Melt the butter in a medium (at least 3-quart) heavy saucepan set over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until it’s translucent and fragrant, 2 to 3 min.

Stir in the celery and ginger and cook until the celery

INGREDIENTS: 450g. carrots, peeled and cut into 3-inch lengths 1 Tbs. olive oil 1 Tbs. unsalted butter 1/2 medium onion, cut into medium dice 1 large rib celery, cut into medium dice 1 Tbs. minced fresh ginger 475ml homemade or low-salt chicken stock 1 tsp. kosher salt 1/8 tsp. ground white pepper Chopped fresh chives or chervil for garnish (optional) Heat the oven to 375°F/190°C

softens a bit and the onions start to brown, 4 to 5 min.

Add the roasted carrots, chicken stock, salt, pepper, and 2 cups (approx. 475 ml) of water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium low, and cover. Cook at a lively simmer until the carrots are very tender, about 45 min. Turn off the heat and let the liquid cool somewhat (or completely).

Purée the soup in a blender in batches, never filling the blender more than a third full, and bearing down firmly on the towel-covered lid so the soup doesn’t come flying out. If serving immediately, return the soup to the pot and reheat; garnish with the chives or chervil if you like. Otherwise, refrigerate for up to five days; reheat gently and taste for salt before serving.

METHOD: Pulse the garlic and ginger in a food processor until chopped. Add the fennel or celery, carrot, parsnip, and shallot and pulse until coarsely chopped.

Melt 2 Tbs. of the butter in a 4-qt.

Curr ied

Lenti l Sou ( S er p ves 4 )

saucepan over medium-high heat.

Add the chopped vegetables and cook, stirring, until softened, about cook, stirring, until the curry powder is fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the lentils, broth, salt, and pepper. Bring the soup to a boil over high heat, simmer, cover, and cook until the lentils are tender, 25 to 30 minutes.

Transfer half of the soup to a blender or a food processor and purée until smooth. Stir the purée back into the soup along with the remaining 1 Tbs. butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and adjust the consistency with water, if you like.

Serving Suggestions: Garnish with a dollop of plain wholemilk yogurt and chopped fresh mint or cilantro, or both.

Simple ingredients For a versatile stock, the basics are water, bones, trimmings or giblets (for meat and fish stocks), celery, onion, carrot and a few "aromatics" such as parsley stalks, a bay leaf or thyme sprigs (or ideally all three tied in a bundle), plus six or so peppercorns. Stock isn't salted, to avoid over-seasoning your finished dish.

Meat stocks can take a few hours, so big batches are most economical. Save bones and trimmings in the freezer, or buy cheaply from the butchers.

I rarely use a recipe, simply adding enough water to cover the main ingredients (1.5kg bones will make roughly 1 litre of unreduced stock), and following these four key steps: Boil then skim All stock is boiled once to begin with, bringing froth to the surface of meat and fish stocks. Sweep a large spoon across the pan to remove as much as you can.

Eke out the flavour

3 minutes. Add the curry powder and

reduce the heat to maintain a brisk

THE PERFECT STOCK

INGREDIENTS

1 large clove garlic 1 piece peeled fresh ginger 1/2 small bulb fennel, cored and cut into large chunks, or 1 small rib celery, cut into large chunks 1 small carrot, peeled and cut into large chunks 1 small parsnip, peeled and cut into large chunks 1 large shallot, cut in half 3 Tbs. unsalted butter 2 tsp. curry powder 1 cup brown lentils, picked over and rinsed 1 qt. homemade or lowsalt canned chicken or vegetable stock 1/4 tsp. kosher salt; 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper;

Good, clear stock is simmered slowly and gently. Once it boils, reduce the heat until bubbles bob lazily to the surface, then cover the pan. It won't need much attention, except a top-up with boiling water now and again. A slow cooker is perfect for this, and can be left all day to simmer, if you like.

Strain it Lift the veg and bones from the stock, then pass it through a sieve and cool completely. Scoop away any fat.

Reduce and store To boost flavour and to save space, boil strained stock down by half (you can always add water back again). Chill and use within 3 days, or freeze.

-The Guardian.Com

29

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FOOD & ENTERTAINING...

Clas sic T o Soup mato ( S er

ves 8

)

INGREDIENTS: 2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil 1 Tbs. unsalted butter 1 large white onion, finely chopped 1 large clove garlic, smashed and peeled 2 Tbs. all-purpose flour 3 cups lower-salt chicken broth 28-oz. can whole peeled plum tomatoes, puréed (include the juice) 1-1/2 tsp. sugar 1 sprig fresh thyme Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 3 Tbs. thinly sliced fresh basil, chives, or dill, or a mixture of all three (omit if using one of the garnishes below) TIP: Be sure to purée in small batches and crack the blender lid slightly (or remove the center cap from the lid). Steam can build up once you start blending, and if the lid is on tight or the blender is overfilled, it will spray hot soup all over you and your kitchen. For protection, cover the top with a dishtowel while puréeing.

METHOD: Heat the oil and butter over mediumlow heat until the butter melts. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft but not browned, about 8 minutes. Add the flour and stir to coat the onion and garlic.

Add the broth, tomatoes, sugar, thyme, and 1/4 tsp. each salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat while stirring the mixture to make sure that the flour is not sticking to the bottom of the pan. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 40 minutes.

Discard the thyme sprig. Let cool briefly and then purée in two or three batches in a blender or food processor.

Rinse the pot and return the soup to the pot. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Reheat if necessary. you bring it to a boil every two days. Or you can stash it in the freezer for up to three months.

Ingredients: 4 slices bacon, cut crosswise into 1/4inch strips 1 medium shallot, minced 1 large jalapeño, seeded and very finely chopped (about 2 Tbs.) 2 Tbs. all-purpose flour 370g chopped clams, clams and juice separated (about 1 cup juice) 385ml clam juice 1 cup heavy cream 225g unpeeled red potatoes (about 2 medium), scrubbed and cut into 1/2inch dice 1/2 tsp. dried thyme 110g. skinless haddock or cod fillets Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

METHOD: In a saucepan or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, about 8 min. Transfer the bacon to a small dish lined with paper towels, leaving the fat behind in the pan.

Add the shallots and 1 Tbs. of the jalapeño to the bacon fat and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are softened, about 2 min. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 1 min.

Gradually stir in all the clam juice.

Add the cream, potatoes, and thyme, and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring

Cream y Seaf Chowd ood er ( S er v e

s 4)

occasionally. Reduce the heat as necessary and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender, about 10 min.

Add the whole fish fillets and cook for 3 min.

Stir in the clams and continue stirring until the fish has broken into chunks. Cook until the fish is cooked through and the clams are heated, about another 2 min.

Season the soup to taste with salt and pepper. Portion into warm soup bowls and sprinkle each serving with the reserved bacon and the remaining jalapeño.

INGREDIENTS: 8 slices bacon, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch strips 2-1/2 lb. butternut squash (about 1 medium), peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch dice (to yield about 6 cups) 1 small Granny Smith or other tart-sweet apple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch dice (to yield about 1 cup) 1-1/2 Tbs. finely chopped fresh sage leaves 1 tsp. kosher salt 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 945ml homemade or low-salt chicken or vegetable stock

METHOD In a large stockpot set over medium heat, cook the bacon, stirring occasionally, until crisp and golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels.

Increase heat to medium high. Add the squash to the pot with the bacon fat and cook until lightly browned, 4 to 6 minutes (resist the urge to stir it too often or it won’t brown). Stir in the apple, sage, salt, and pepper and cook for about 4 minutes (you’ll see more browning occur on the bottom of the pot than on the vegetables). Add the broth, scraping up any browned bits in the pot with a wooden spoon. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat to maintain a simmer, and cook until the squash and apples are very soft, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool somewhat.

Add about half the bacon to the soup and purée, using a stand or immersion blender (you’ll need to work in batches if using a stand blender). Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.

Reheat the soup and garnish each serving with the remaining bacon.

30

September 2015

Cooking with seawater – is it the best way to season food?

GARY RHODES: CELEBRITY CHEF'S @ THE DOME RESTAURANT GIVEN ZERO RATING BY FOOD HYGIENE INSPECTORS The last British restaurant to bear the name of celebrity chef Gary Rhodes has suffered a blow by receiving a zero rating by food hygiene inspectors.

The Rhodes @ The Dome restaurant in Plymouth received the lowest possible score out of five in the inspection by the Food Standards Agency.

The Dome’s managers said a new head chef was being trained at the time of inspection, meaning no one was available to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the food hygiene act. A company statement said: “Rhodes @ The Dome operates to the highest environmental health standards and probably has one of the most advanced food technology kitchens in the region – the low score relates to not having a head chef in post at the time.”

In Spain, seawater is being marketed as la sal perfecta – the perfect salt. But does it really improve the flavour of food? And is it any healthier than regular sodium chloride?

At the Baeza-Rufete restaurant, 30 miles south of Benidorm on the east coast of Spain, the rice is served smokingly hot, lightly caramelised on the bottom and with a white, fleshy prawn displayed in the centre. Unlike many of the tourist-orientated paellas along the coast this is a proper rice dish, rather than just the base for a pile of seafood. It’s also well-seasoned, without actually tasting salty.

The secret, says, Joaquín Baeza, who won Spain’s “Chef of the Year” contest in 2014, is that there’s no table salt added at all. Instead, he cooked the rice in a diluted seawater solution.

It’s a tradition that has been practised in coastal villages for centuries, and espoused, particularly for seafood, by big-name Spanish chefs such as Ferran Adrià and Quique Dacosta.

Baeza, however, goes further, describing it as “the future of cuisine” for its ability to improve the flavour of food and its alleged health benefits.

According to the six Spanish companies now selling filtered seawater to chefs and consumers, it’s a way to season food while using less sodium chloride and boosting our consumption of trace minerals. His supplier, Alicante based Mediterranea, source their water, currently around 60,000 litres a month, from a pipeline off the relatively unspoiled coastline on the northern Costa Brava. Mediterranea claims that its product is better for you and better tasting than, not just table salt, but also granular sea salts.

“Sea salt is a salt that’s been through a process of purification and lost a large part of its minerals,” says marketing director Albert Fernández. “Some 98% of sea salt is sodium chloride. In seawater, 86% of the minerals are sodium chloride. The other 14% are minerals such as potassium, magnesium and calcium.”

After being micro-filtered to remove bacteria and impurities, its water sells for €2.55 for a 1.5 litre pack in the high-end department-store chain El Corte Inglés. In Spain, where restaurants and home cooks generally add more salt than they would in the UK, it’s being marketed as la sal perfecta – the perfect salt.

However, one of the earliest firms to sell culinary seawater, a Scottish company called Acquamara, gave up in 2013, partly because, according to owner Andy Inglis, supermarkets and chefs were alarmed by the health implications of the product’s salt content. Cash (Consensus Action on Salt and Health) spokeswoman Katharine Jenner said in 2010: “To use a product like Acquamara is very irresponsible considering the health problems associated with eating too much

salt.”

It’s a warning that Mediterranea’s American partners are taking seriously. They expect to start selling the product in the United States in June 2015, before eventually sourcing their own water from the Pacific. “The slogan ‘the perfect salt’ wouldn’t work here,” says Seawater Solutions’ boss Joe Cisneros. “Salt has had terrible publicity. Large manufacturers such as Kraft and Campbell’s have teams of people in their organisations who are dedicated to reducing the amount of sodium in their products, without reducing the taste.”

Instead, he’s trying to convince big-name chefs and food manufacturers on the west coast that seawater can be “the solution to salt”. “Of course it’s salty,” he admits. “But you apply it in the same way that you would granular salt, with the massive difference that you’re immediately reducing your consumption of sodium chloride.

Plus you’re adding the 96 minerals that seawater contains. I’m convinced that you use less salt because the seawater makes the food very, very tasty.”

Cash nutritionist Sonia Pombo is not so convinced. “Even if it is 13% lower in sodium than regular sea-salt, it still has a fair amount of sodium,” she says. “I wouldn’t recommend it for cooking. Salt raises your blood pressure and high-blood pressure is the biggest risk factor for heart disease and strokes. Reducing salt has been shown to be the most cost-effective health strategy. You save so many lives and it’s so simple to do.”

It is true, though, that while salt consumption in the UK has declined significantly over the past 10 years, many recipes still include the ambiguous command “season well” and salt is added to a huge number of products. Could Mediterranea, or its competitors, really replace it? Perhaps the strongest argument is the so-called “taste test”.

“Cook half a potato in a seawater solution (one part seawater to two parts fresh) and the other half in ordinary salted water,” recommends Mediterranea’s MD Jorge Díaz-Crespo. “You’ll notice the difference.” He’s right. In a blind taste-test, the potato cooked with seawater does have a fuller, more rounded flavour. As Díaz-Crespo puts it: “The potato doesn’t taste salty. It just tastes more of potato.” That is what “season well” is supposed to mean. While it may be a while before cartons of water replace the salt cellar, we’d all be better off if our paella, potatoes, and everything else, tasted a bit less salty.- Guardian.com

The restaurant is working with Plymouth City Council to remedy any issues that pose a risk to public health and said it expects to score “five out of five” in a retest.

Rhodes, who fronted the BBC’s MasterChef and Rhodes Around Britain, moved to the Middle East three years ago after ending his involvement in a string of restaurants including Tower 42 in London.

“I like to leave places when they are on a positive,” he said.

He set up four venues in the UAE but described Plymouth as an emerging city with a growing reputation for restaurants and made Rhodes @ The Dome his flagship UK operation last year.

The restaurant is operated by a company called The Dome (Plymouth) Limited.

One of his UAE restaurants, Rhodes 44 at the St Regis Abu Dhabi, shut its doors last year. He has since opened Rhodes W1 at Grosvenor House, Dubai, the namesake of his former London restaurant.

The chef is working on a new television series which will spotlight regional cuisine in the Middle East, and he also promotes British food across the world for the Visit Britain tourism agency.

CELEBRITY CHEF DISASTERS: Heston Blumenthal was forced to temporarily close Dinner, his exclusive Knightsbridge eaterie, after two diners and three staff went down with the norovirus winter vomiting bug, last year. Environmental health officers told staff at the double Michelin starred restaurant to wash their hands more often. The same bug hit the chef's Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire in 2009.

Jamie Oliver’s exclusive butcher’s shop Barbecoa, near St Paul’s Cathedral, in London, had to temporarily close last year after inspectors found serious hygiene problems including mouse droppings, mould on carcasses and out-of-date wagyu beef. Barbecoa shut for 24 hours after public health officers scored it one out of five.

Two-star Michelin chef Marcus Wareing failed a routine hygiene inspection at his restaurant at London’s five-star Berkeley Hotel in 2013. Inspectors said pest control experts should be called in to control a “fly infestation”, warned of E.coli risks and told Wareing to buy a new vacuum-packing machine.

The Marco Pierre White Steakhouse, the chef’s flagship Birmingham restaurant, was given a “bad” rating for food hygiene and safety in 2014.-independent.co.uk

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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 Wednesday 11am Castillo Restaurant, 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

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.

Celebrating 10 years of bringing Modern Jive to all our local areas on the Costa Blanca Saturday 26th September 2015. 7pm till late CASTILLO RESTAURANT Av San Fulgenio (Forest Rd) La Marina Urb Only €10.50 meal with a small wine or beer. Entertainment with yours truly Maxine Trudie and Dance Junction Disco.

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

16th Lynden B The Park Quesada 8pm 16th Steve Clarke Arches Cafe Bar Los Alcazares 16th Andy Jones El Mundos Benimar 17th Las Vegas Tribute Show The Park Quesada 17th Samantha Curtis La Vida Sunset Bar Dona Pepa 18th Soul & Motown Party POSH Club La Marina 18th Terry Jay La Manga Camping La Manga 18th Samantha Curtis Bar Carmens El Chapparal 19th Lynden B Arches Cafe Bar Los Alcazares 19th Rob Bonovox Vistabella Golf Entre Naranjas 19th JJ Soulman Tavern Lo Crispin 19th Gemma La Campana El Eden 19th Angie McKay PALS Social Club La Siesta 19th Samantha Curtis Bar Sioux Gran Alicant 19th Andy Jones El Mundos Benimar 20th Lynden B La Taberna Entre Naranjas 20th Cherry K The Snug Torre de la Horredada 20th The Cages YOLO Cabo Roig 10.30pm 20th Paul Harris So Bar Benimar 22nd Lynden B Arches Café 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.

SPIRITUALIST CENTRE, BENIJOFAR Meets at Hamilton´s

Bake House, 62 Calle Vicente, Blasco Ibañez, Benijofar 03178. We hold a Sunday Service at 11.30 a.m., a Tuesday Evening of Mediumship at 7 p.m. And every Thursday there is an Open Circle where you can develop your skills commencing at 6.30 p.m.

Spiritual healing is available every Sunday and Tuesday after the service.

The Divine Service with Mediumship, on Sunday, 20th September, will be taken by Ray Bailey. Trainees will also take the Evening of Mediumship on Tuesday, 22nd September. Oscar Villegas, Columbian Medium will take the Divine Service, with Mediumship, on Sunday, 27th September. Contact Wendy on 965323028. www. spiritualistcentre-benijofar.com New email is phoenixchurch23@gmail.com or info@spiritualistcentre-benijofar.com Identificacion Fiscal G54713789.

SAT ANIMAL RESCUE

We are holding a charity night on Sat Sept 19th 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.

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Phoebe, Piper and Prue are the Charmed ones, they were rescued from the streets in Valencia and brought to us last week. They are approx 6 months old and are Yorkie cross. They are all great with other dogs, cats and children and very loving.

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

33

www.soltimes.com

Call Paulette on: 950 121 936 or 902 750 190 Ext 330 or email: sales@soltimes.com

www.soltimes.com PROPERTY FOR SALE / RENT

VERA APARTMENT FOR RENT

SHORT-TERM/HOLIDAY RENTAL

2 BEDROOM, 2 BATHROOM, PENTHOUSE APARTMENT IN VERA PLAYA ALL MOD CONS, BALCONY & ROOF TERRACE OFFERING FANTASTIC VIEWS CALL 663 977 230 EMAIL: gedfab@yahoo.com Vera Playa Apartment

DETATCHED CORTIJO REDUCED

BARGAIN

20mins from Mojacar, 4 beds, 2 baths, Open plan living areas, kitchen & diningroom as well as a workshop, courtyard front & back & room for a pool. Mountain views. €125,000 649 186 107 oremail thunderpaul2003@hotmail.com

MOTORING SECTION

SAT/TV SERVICES RAINBOW SATELLITES for all your TV needs with clients all over the Murcia Region. Contact Matt or Alan on 686 358 475 or rainbowsats@ gmail.com

SPAS EURO SPAS Spas at factory prices.

Used & Ex display models.

Spares & repairs.

Part exchange Telephone 650 722 905

FOR SALE

LOOKING FOR A CAR

We have a good selection of LHD & RHD vehicles for sale or exchange QUALITY CARS PURCHASED ALL PAPERWORK LEGALLY UNDERTAKEN Telephone 600 726 221 or 965 687 976

www.fwreurocars.com

DO YOU HAVE VEHICLE, BOAT OR MOTOR BIKE FOR SALE TEL: 950 121 936 Removals

Removals / Storage

PERSONALSHOPPINGFROMTHEUK (Argos,Screwfix,Wickesetc) Pet Transportation & Competitive Rates

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

UK, FRANCE & SPAIN 0034 627 968 434 0044 7874 638 330 Email: jsinternational@mail.com

€8,450

€8,450 www.fwreurocars.com

FORD FIESTA

SUZUKI G. VITARA 7-SEAT HAND CONTROLS Nov ‘04 - AUTOMATIC 2.7 V6 Twin-Cam 4x4 89,000 kms, 3 owners Fully serviced A/C, Cruise, Roof rails PAS, ABS, Alloys Front fog lights E. windows/mirrors CD, Heated seats Remote locking Rear head restraints Metallic silver

600 726 221 965 687 976

1.25 Trend, June ‘12 5 door hatch, 46,000 kms, 1 owner, Full service history, A/C, PAS, ABS E. windows/mirrors, CD player, Remote locking, Rear head valet, Metallic silver

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

www.delimas.biz

FORTNIGHTLY SERVICE TO & FROM UK FULL OR PART LOADS

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

SITUATIONS VACANT

SOLTIMES NEWSPAPER GROUP

Require a Sales Manager for the Quesada area.

You will have proven sales ability, can work to sales deadlines. You will be dealing with current advertising businesses but have the confidence to build new business. You must have a computer to work from a distance, own car and driving licence.

High commission package and bonus, contract and mobile phone and expenses. Full training at our head office in Albox Almeria will be required. This is an exciting opportunity. If you have what we are looking for,

Call Paulette on 950 121 936 or email your CV to sales@soltimes.com

FORD FIESTA 1.25 Trend, June ‘12, 5 door hatch, , 43,000 kms, 1 owner, Full service history A/C, PAS, ABS, E. windows/mirrors, CD player, remote locking, rear head restraints, Metallic blue, Just serviced!

Four new tyres!

www.fwreurocars.com

restraints, Awaiting full

REMOVALS

JAMES & SON De Lima’s

RENAULT GRAN MODUS 2010 - 5 door hatch 1.5 DCi Dynamique 87,500 kms, 2 owners Full service history A/C, Alloys, PAS, ABS Cruise, Front fog lights E. windows/mirrors High spec model CD player, Isofix Rear park sensors Parrot bluetooth Light metallic blue Chrome mirrors

600 726 221 965 687 976

€8,350

€7,250

www.fwreurocars.com

www.fwreurocars.com

600 726 221 965 687 976

600 726 221 965 687 976

SELLING YOUR CAR?

Top prices paid for nice cars. all paperwork professionally undertaken.

Telephone 600 726 221 or 965 687 976

www.fwreurocars.com

AUDI TT TURBO 2002 - Coupe 1.5 5v Turbo (180bhp) 135,000 kms 3 owners Fully serviced New camblet & tyres A/C, Alloys, PAS, ABS E. windows/mirrors CD player Remote locking Rear head restraints Met silver, black leather

HYUNDAIATOS RHD SPANISH REG 2000 - 5 door hatch Amica 122,000 kms, 2 owners Full service history A/C, Alloys PAS, ABS, CD player Remote locking Rear head restraints Awaiting full valet White

€6,750

€2,250

www.fwreurocars.com

www.fwreurocars.com

600 726 221 965 687 976

600 726 221 965 687 976

VEHICLES REGISTRATION

WANTED

“RE-PLATE” MATE

CASH CASH CASH

GB

E

Don’t take a chance!

Don’t break the Law! Let us take the hassle away from you and re-register your vehicle on to Spanish plates 490€ plus Road Tax plus CO2 Emission if applicable WE PROMISE TO BEAT ANY GENUINE QUOTATION For a full service contact:

Alan 662 249 159

www.replatematecostablanca.com

Email:info@replatematecostablanca.com

For re-registration of cars, motorbikes and motor homes contact Graham Shelton Who after re-registering over 1000 vehicles will put you on the right side of the road.

605 319 889 or 966 753 375 www.spanish-number-plates.com info@spanish-number-plates.com

Same day collection

We pay instant cash same day for cars, vans, bikes, quads, caravans, trailers, absolutley anything!

From 1€ to 10,000€

Call Phil: 607 848 332

WANTED CARS FOR CASH

BEST PRICES PAID SPANISH ENGLISH ANYTHINGCONSIDERED

TEL: TIM ON 662 211 993

34

September 2015

ANIMAL CORNER

To advertise here call : 950 121 936 EXTERMINATION OF A COLONY OF FERAL CATS IN PILAR DE LA HORADADA !!

Members of Animal Charities ADAM (Assistance and Defense NOW BOARDING AT GATE 1: YOUR DOGS, CATS of Mistreated Animals) and Patas Unidas (United Paws), on AND OTHER SMALL PETS the evening of Friday 11th September recovered nine bodies of dead cats inside garbage containers adjacent to a ruinous chapel located in the seaside neighborhood of El Mojón of Pilar de la Horadada, prov. of Alicante.

Cats, all neutered (identifiable by a small surgical incision in one ear) showed that they were cats from a protected colony, fed and cared for by volunteers of the said charities. Recently, and under threat of fines, the current PSOE government rescinded the “Cat feeding Cards”, that the previous government of the PP, under the umbrella of the charities had granted to the volunteers. Each card contained the name and ID of the authorized person, and carried the seal of approval of the Ayuntamiento, (Town Council) of Pilar de la Horadada.

We believe that the recent WITHDRAWAL of the feeding cards together with the PROHIBITION under threat of sanctions by the Town Council could have been the trigger for some unscrupulous neighbours deciding to end the life of these free spirited and unfortunate animals.

All cats were taken to the Veterinary Clinica Sureste of Pilar de la Horadada (where cats had been sterilized) to clarify the cause of death.

The Animal charities ask the cooperation of all neighbours to be vigilant so that criminal acts of this kind do not occur.

They also call for the involvement of the local authorities and the Police to find the culprits, and to provide the resources to ensure that this type of brutality does not happen again in the municipality.

P.S. Since writing this report today, 3 more cats have been found dead.

APAH

SPACE FOR A LITTLE ONE? Due to the neglect of Ellie’s previous owner, she lost a leg, but to see her running and playing you wouldn’t think so. She is a typical L a b r a d o r, lively and very friendly.

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

People fly first class, so why not pampered pets?

That’s the idea behind the specially designed travel compartments designed for small dogs and cats on select transcontinental American Airlines flights popular with business travelers and entertainment industry VIPs. The pet cabins—two per plane— are at the front of the first-class section of the 17 Airbus 321 aircraft the carrier uses on flights between New York’s JFK International and both San Francisco and Los Angeles International Airports.

The planes’ full lie-flat seats in first class don’t allow for under-theseat storage of a pet carrier during takeoff and landing. Still, “we knew the clientele on these flights would love the ability to travel with small pets in that cabin,” said American spokeswoman Barb Delollis. “So during the design process, our team created a ventilated compartment certified for a pet carrier.”

For $125 each way,

WWW.APAHRESCUE.ORG

may reserve a pet compartment for their furry companion. While pets traveling first class on these flights won’t get an amenity kit, Champagne or an oxygen mask in case of emergency, their tickets cost the same as those pets traveling under the seat in coach.

“Obviously, the airline understands the

needs

of

their

[first-class]

passengers and has compromised by allowing a special space for their pets,” said Susan Smith of PetTravel. com. “I think it’s great.

Cnbc.com

PETS IN SPAIN SIMBA

Simba is now 5 weeks old and was rescued with his siblings from a rubbish bin they were just a few days old. They are now on solids and ready for new homes.

We think they are Labrador cross and will be medium to large when fully grown.

Snowball is a beautiful blue eyed kitten with a soft and gentle nature.

She is one of many of the kittens currently being cared for in APAH’s Cattery.

There are lots of different kittens with different personalities, but they all need loving homes. To meet them please call 630 422 563 or 616 210 850.

passengers booking first-class tickets

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

MOUNTAIN VIEW

CAT HOTEL Hondon de las Nieves/Frailes

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

Pick up & delivery service offered for coastal areas

Telephone: 966 195 816

Answerphone - we will call back: Mobile 654 155 473

www.mountainviewcathotel.webs.com

POPPET Poppet is a gentle and loving Pointer who craves human company.

Because she had a bad start in life, she bonds very strongly with her carer and will want to be with you at all times. She loves to go out in the car, enjoys walking and gets on very well with other dogs. Poppet makes an ideal companion who will return the love given to her, 10 times over.

For more information contact 600 845 420 / 865 776 348 or visit our website, www.k9club.es

Full Circle Removals Spain - UK Full or Part Loads Pet Transport Tel: 965 071 956 / 659 420 862 UK Mobile: 0044 750 337 1438 www.fullcircleremovals.com email: fullcircle.removals@hotmail.co.uk

www.soltimes.com

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

Book Review

NIGHT MUSIC

“There was nothing gentle about grief. It launched itself at you like a rogue wave on the seafront, flooding you, threatening to pull you under.”

This is Moyes’ sixth book. She has an unusual Christian name doesn’t she? Her parents were artists and named her after a famous Beatles’ song. But I’m sure you probably knew that! The two main female characters are strong and tough although we see their vulnerabilities and plenty of tears. They are meant to be very different, one more Mother Earth, typically a home-maker, the other a professional musician who has chosen a career before her husband and family.

Do they have anything in common? The Spanish house and betrayal by the men they loved. After a lot of soul-searching and intensity they both have second chances. Isabel moves on at an alarming rate unlike Laura who relished the opportunity to be loved by a faithful and honest man only to be drawn back to her pathetic, unfaithful wreck of a husband.

Laura McCarthy is a wonderful woman, late thirties, handsome, lean and agile. She had been married to Matt for 18 years. Her mother had disapproved of the marriage. She had warned Laura that he was unsuitable and Laura had invested a lot of money into the marriage to enable them to buy property and land. She loved Matt in spite of his flings. They had a level-headed and decent boy called Anthony who disliked his father’s lies and philandering.

Laura had been looking after Samuel Frederick Pottisworth for 9 years, running after him and cooking for him. He was a despicable man who leered and made suggestive comments about her clothes and figure. He had promised the McCarthys his Spanish house when he died to show his gratitude and this kept Laura and Matt going.

Matt had already had plans drawn up concerning renovation and extensions. As for Laura she had mentally dressed the windows and recovered every inch of the floor. She knew exactly how the house would look when it was hers. Being able to move into this grand house would be enough to show her parents that she had made the right decision in marrying Matt. Everything would be okay.

An unexpected stroke of luck meant that Pottisworth died sooner than later. At his funeral, just as the

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35

BY JOJO MOYES

McCarthys were celebrating their good fortune, the solicitor, Derek Wendell drops the bombshell-the old man had not made a will and there was one remaining relative who would inherit the house. Laura’s world seem to fall away “ like the segment of an orange.”

Isabel Delancey was a professional violinist, in fact she had worked her way up to become lead violinist in the City Symphonia. Music had been her obsession and had taken priority to boys, marriage and families.

Whilst trying to establish her career at the age of 20 she had unexpectedly fallen in love with a French man 12 years her senior, recently divorced. Like Laura, her parents disapproved. Even the vicar made remarks about the number of mistresses she would have to tolerate. You’ll understand the irony of this remark once you read the book. Impulsively she married and became pregnant after her honeymoon. Kitty was born then later, Thierry. She wasn’t cut out to be a mother and persuaded Laurent to employ Mary as a nanny, cook and general housewife. This released her from the guilt and pressures of domesticity so that she could travel to Europe and play.

Laurent had died suddenly in a car crash more than 9 months ago and Mr Cartwright, her solicitor informed her that her late husband had had debts and that downsizing might be the only option. Or perhaps she would sell her precious violin? Isabel’s choice? Sell the house and break her children’s heart or sell her violin and break her own? Not easy. Kitty was now 15 and Thierry 8. They had had a privileged lifestyle, having had every affordable luxury possible. That was going to change.

Isabel felt a sense of amputation as she tried to blot out the encroaching grief. Mountains of bills, unopened letters gathered dust. Her grief was so consuming she couldn’t deal with practical matters. Kitty opened one of the letters and thought someone was playing a joke on them. She told her mother that someone had left Isabel a house! Would this solve Isabel’s financial difficulty or would it create more heartache?

The house was in Norfolk. Isabel had fond memories of visiting this glorious place when she attended a garden party as a child. She did not know the history behind that house particularly McCarthy’s obsession to own the house to get revenge for the way the Pottisworths had destroyed his father. Isabel Delancey proves to be an easy target for a determined Matt. But there are surprises in store and some happy endings.

I call it pure unadulterated delight.

ISBN: 978-0340-895962.

PAUSE FOR THOUGHT

‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness; Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun’ was, as we will probably all remember from our school days, how the poet John Keates described this time of the year in his Ode to Autumn. How heavily we rely on that fruitfulness of autumn, even now when food can be rapidly transported around the World, is illustrated by the desperate plight of so many people living in Countries where crops have failed.

Sadly we rarely show gratitude for this amazing fruitfulness we enjoy, often taking for granted the vast variety of food we have available, thinking little of the considerable effort and sacrifice that goes into harvesting or preparing it, nor contemplating our absolute reliance on the fertility of the soil and correct balance of weather.

I sometimes feel that just as children seem to require regular reminders of the need to say ‘please’ and ‘thankyou’, so we, their parents and grandparents similarly often need reminding of the many blessings we have, for which we should show our appreciation. So, many of us will recall, perhaps with a little nostalgia, celebrating Harvest in our younger days, at school or the local Church, singing hymns like ‘We plough the fields and scatter’ and seeing the place decorated, often piled high with the fruits of the harvest,

given as a token of thanks, for later distribution to the elderly, or poorer members of the community.

But nostalgia aside, many Churches here in Spain actually do celebrate Harvest, combining gratitude to God for His amazing provision, with practical giving to local food banks.

So whether or not we have opportunity to attend such a service (known options being Llanos-del-Peral on 20th and Aljambra, Albox on 24th September, as well as Mojacar on 25th October, all at 11.00 a.m.), I do believe we could all benefit from pausing to consider the amazing blessings we have received; to voice our thanks and to show our gratitude in a practical way by giving to those less fortunate than ourselves.

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

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36

MOTORING

September 2015

ROAD TEST: AUDI A3 E-TRON SPORTBACK

WHAT IS THE POINT OF A HYBRID? I have often found myself asking this question as I sat inside a Honda Insight or Toyota Prius.

Yes, a petrol engine that can charge an electric motor seems a good idea. But the drawback with both of the above is that they can only be driven at around 30mph for a short period on the battery before it gives up the ghost and needs recharging by the petrol engine. In short fine for crawling around town for a mile or two but that’s it. To me they are about as appealing as a dynamo on a bicycle.

Not vastly eco-friendly and expensive in my opinion, not only to buy but to run.

And then I was presented with the Audi A3 Sportback etron. Was I going to be equally underwhelmed?

The facts are that on a full tank that costs over £30 at present the 1.4-litre petrol engine will travel around 280 miles. My 13-year old diesel Ford Fiesta will travel twice as far for this price.

The Audi’s battery will cover around 25 miles depending on speed. So things here have improved, thank goodness. And the Audi will allow the driver to travel at up to 80mph while

using the ev mode (battery) but obviously if travelling at this speed five or six miles is more likely. Even this is a vast improvement on what Toyota and Honda have been offering to date. There’s a fairly sizeable box of tricks in the boot (which can be removed to free up storage space) that enables the car to be charged externally, too – even from a standard plug socket in the house. All of which makes the A3 an attractive proposition to the affluent motorist who just wants to pootle about locally. It’s also pretty fast; 0-60mph in 7.6 seconds.

The low profile tyres do mean that the cabin is a little noisy.

But overall the interior is well laid out as you can see in the video at testdrives.biz and the seats are supportive and comfortable.

Driving in the fog does see me fiddling around trying to turn on the fog lights; the switches for which are unhelpfully hidden by the steering wheel. The ev mode (battery) is located in the centre of the dashboard and is a faff to operate because I find myself taking my eye off the road to operate it. When the battery runs out it does not seem to automatically start recharging without driver intervention which is irritating; I drive some distance wondering why the battery is not automatically recharging. When the battery is charging driving can feel a bit clunky at times and when switching

from battery to petrol mode. The car seems to automatically start in ev mode and then as soon as the accelerator is pushed down too far starts using the petrol. This annoys me because I like to use either one or the other but perhaps this isn’t the best way of driving such a vehicle.

I drive to Devon and wish to use the sat nav, only to discover that it is the most unfriendly system I have come across. Turn the dial to input Dalwood near Axminster and it insists on taking me to Liverpool. My wife and I, at first, patiently repeat this request many many times before utterly exasperated, we return to map reading and asking locals.

We do finally reach our destination and park up. In the morning we notice a vain Great Tit has taken to sitting on the wing mirror and looking at himself. It is so funny to watch but whenever I try to take a photo or video it flies off.

I like the styling and the glass on the front of the roof is attractive but this area is prone to stone chips. While stone chips on paint can be touched up, chipped glass is another matter altogether.

The A3 has always been a joy to drive and even though this new hybrid is a big improvement and has won accolades, I would still plump for the diesel. At over £35,000 being eco-friendly is still an expensive pastime and hybrids need to improve still further for me to be impressed.

New price: circa £35,000 Top speed: 138mph 0-60mph: 7.6secs Economy: Audi claims it will deliver 176.6mpg! In reality you’re lucky to get 30mpg or even less. It has a small tank that seems to need constantly refilling.

Power: 201bhp

www.soltimes.com

ATLETICO MADRID 1 BARCELONA 2

Messi makes the difference at the Calderon FC Barcelona got the three points against Atletico Madrid thanks to a goal from the Argentine star and another by Neymar, which served to overcome the first Torres goal.

The match was really demanding and FC Barcelona passed the exam with flying colors. Luis Enrique´s players went out totally focused and they showed it in a first half marked by the possession of the ball by the Catalans: 70% vs. 30% of Atletico Madrid.

The midfielder had an excellent performance throughout the match.

Iniesta was present at all times in the danger actions by the Catalans.

He gave freshness and movement to the “Culé” side and despaired the rival defense.

Despite a poor start of the match, the players from the Madrid team went out to the field with a new disposal after the break. Atlético de Madrid managed to get an early lead with a goal from Fernando Torres, a master to score against Barcelona with 9 goals in his personal account.

The Brazilian did not need much time to score the equalizer. Just four minutes later, Neymar made the 1-1 on the scoreboard after a superb freekick, before which Oblak could not do anything.

Lionel Messi started the match on the bench. In the second half, Luis Enrique put the Argentine on play and in the 77 minutes, Messi scored the winning goal for Barcelona after a pass from Luis Suarez.

Club Atlético de Madrid: Oblak, Filipe Luis, Godin, Giménez, Juanfran, Koke, Gabi (Vietto 81’), Oliver (Ferreira Carrasco 60’), Tiago, Griezmann, Fernando Torres (Jackson Martínez 62’) Fútbol Club Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Jordi Alba, Vermaelen (Mathieu 28’), Mascherano, Sergi Roberto, Sergio Busquets, Rakitic (Messi 60’), Iniesta, Rafinha, Neymar, Luis Suárez

T.M.G.S. AT LA FINCA

lfp.es

32 members and guests descended upon this very popular course, after the recent rain it was pleasing to play in sunshine but without the high temperatures. Surprisingly the golf course stood up well to the downpours only the greens seemed to be a little on the slow side but that didn’t affect the scoring too much.

Today’s format was Medal, as this was the 1st round of our Annual Medal trophy competition which is played at 5 different courses over the next 6 months and where we calculate the best 4 from 5 cards. Regular readers will know that we are a multinational Society and last week I appealed for a few more Brits to help fend off the Vikings, well your response has been overwhelming, apart from a number of Brits taking up membership this week we have also attracted a few Dutchman who have also seen the advantages of becoming a member, we even have an Argentine member and no he doesn’t mention the Falklands.

With a number of visitors today the committee decided that we would issue prizes to the top 3 places, the Vikings were a little low on numbers so Long boat Captain,Ole Rong brought along his “grandson” as a visitor and as you would expect he managed to finish in the prizes taking 3rd place with a net 76, in 2nd place with net 74 and playing off handicap 4 was Adam Brown, top of the shop in this category with the best score of the day was another Viking, Carsten Dybrand with a net 69 playing off 6. The Silver category also returned good scores with the Argentinian, Claudio Torres in 3rd place with a net 74, Captain Ole returned a par 72 to take 2nd place, but in 1st place and encouraging to see that his lessons are paying off was Dutchman Fred Kras net 71. Gold

37

ST LEGER: SIMPLE VERSE APPEAL DELAYED UNTIL NEXT WEEK

The appeal against the decision Simple Verse, trained by Ralph to demote Simple Verse to Beckett, to the race as a late second place in the St Leger will supplementary entry. She would have been the first filly to win be held next week.

Originally earmarked for for 23 years.

Prize money for first place is Thursday, the hearing has been postponed to tie in with the £393,000 while the runner-up’s team receives £149,000. availability of lawyers.

Simple Verse’s jockey Andrea Bondi Beach, who passed the post second at Doncaster on Atzeni won the race immediately Saturday, was awarded the race after the Leger, on Captain after a stewards’ inquiry into Morley, but said he was in tears interference during the closing in the stalls. stages. bbc.com The British Horseracing Authority said the hearing would now be held On Thursday 10th September Eurogolf played their either next Tuesday, first team game of the season. The temperature was Wednesday or Friday. perfect for golf at first as it was a little overcast but did become humid later. Some of the greens are still Saturday was the suffering from the storms over the weekend and in first time a horse fact the 13th is still a temporary. Also as the course had been disqualified is wet the balls don’t get any run. from first place in the Anyway it was a hard fought battle with only 0.1 Classic since 1789. dividing 1st and 2nd places. In first place with a score Owners Qatar of 62.2 was the team of Bob Buckeridge, Morag Racing had paid a Turner, Mary Sanderson and Mike Gillett. In second fee of £50,000 to add place with a score of 62.3 was David Gregson, Chris

category results; Swedish member Arne Hansson net 76, in 2nd place Englishman Gary Turner with net 75 and again taking first place was Chris Gray with a net 73. In the members “2’s” pot, well no one made a 2, so the kitty will roll over to next week’s Competition at Alenda Golf. In the N.T.P.’s competition this week the lucky winners were; hole 3 Derek Newell, hole 6 Lasse Hagstrom, hole 13 Ole Rong and hole 16 Lasse Hagstrom.

Photo; Silver category winners.

Fancy a game with a very diverse group of players that are out there to enjoy a competitive day’s golf and have a little banter, our member’s handicaps range from scratch to the maximum of 36 under the Spanish Golf Federation handicapping rules and with different categories everyone has a chance to win, visit our website www.tmgs.org to get a feel of what we’re like and how we function, or follow us via our Facebook page, Facebook/TMGSGOLF, are you on twitter?

Tweet or follow us @TMGSGOLF, still in age of cans and string then you can still contact our Secretary on 661 524 101

EURGOLF TEXAS SCRAMBLE

Stanley, Gordon Bourne and David Gelsthorpe.

Nearest the pins 5th N/A, 11th Alan Venables, 17th Stan Low. Football draw Robin Richards, Debbie Weedon, Bev Fairhurst and Gordon White.

Toffs results for Tuesday 8th September Gold division 1st David Gregson 33 pts, 2nd Pino Perito 33 pts c/b, 3rd John Barraclough 32 pts. Silver division 1st Tony Stanley 32 pts, 2nd Dave King 30 pts, 3rdHadge Armstrong 30 pts c/b Bronze division 1st Mary Sanderson 2nd Geoff Evans 31 pts 3rd Clare Daye-Gretton 30 pts Overall Winner David (im having a purple patch) Gregson 33 pts Nearest the pins 5thDave Curtis, 11th Tom Corbett, 15th Pino Perito, 17 Gordon White Best front 9 David Valentine 18 pts best Back 9 Bob Buckeridge 18 pts Football draw Debbie Weedon, David Gregson, Bill Martin and Francis Buckeridge

BRADLEY BREAKERS

965 723 270 607 848 332

38

SAN MIGUEL GOLF SOCIETY AT VILLAMARTIN

Thirty-three members and 3 guests made it to Villamartin to take part in a stableford competition. The day also saw the 2015 final of the pairs match play trophy, fought out between Darren Hancock and John Osborne (the Wizard and Oz) and Ken Flaherty and Phil De Lacy (Ken and Barbie). Heavy rain the day before had seriously dampened the course and this, coupled with poor greens yet to anywhere near recover from recent hollow tining and tee boxes where the original grass has lost out to weed varieties, led to fairly average scoring, somewhat lower than during our normal monthly visits.

Taking the doubles match first, John (only last week crowned the 2015 singles champion) and Darren fell behind to a first hole birdie from Ken, but soon made up the deficit and pulled away on the back nine to finally win by a very convincing 6 up with 4 to play. Congratulations to them, with both clearly playing well and doing enough to appear in the stableford competition’s Gold category prize list.

Commiserations to Ken and Phil who, we hope, will agree next year on which one is to be known as Barby (one would have thought it obvious but apparently not!!!!).

With regard to the day’s members’ competition results, by category and in reverse order, were the following: Bronze Category: 4th Phil

Birtwistle (32), 3rd Keith Stevenson (33), 2nd Norman Padmore (34), and 1st Keith Wraithmell with 35 points.

Silver Category: 4th Mike Fearnehough (33 on CB), 3rd Eva Pettersson (33 on CB), 2nd Alan MacDonald (35) and 1st, playing to his handicap, Gordon Wilson with 36 points.

Gold Category: 4th Darren Hancock (34 on CB), 3rd Tony Smale (34 on CB), 2nd Bjorn Pettersson (35), and 1st, with the best score of the day and the only one to break par, John Osborne with 37 points.

The Abacus was won by Ian Dutton.

Nearest the pins on the par 3’s (open to all) went to Norman Padmore (6), Bjorn Pettersson (9 and 17) and Paula Hagart (13).

The best guest prize went to David Ottway who scored a very commendable 35 points.

Our thanks go to the staff at Villamartin golf course for their contribution to the day.

Keep up to date with all SMGS matters by logging on to our website www.smgs.org or simply give Barry Roehrig a call on 966 731 033 to find out more about the society and its weekly golf get-togethers. Next week we will be at Las Colinas.

LOS AMIGOS GOLF SOCIETY (LAGS) MAZARRÓN

Over the course of the last 7 years and thanks to the generosity of the society’s sponsors (Luz del Sol, Kia, Euronics, Alpha Pools ets), LAGS have raised in excess of €18, 000, a level unparalleled in the region. The main recipient has been the Aspadem School in Mazarron; a school for children and young adults with disabilities and LAGS have been able to provide financial support enabling the school to purchase badly needed equipment and services to enhance the development of their pupils.

LAGS have also supported, MAD (to purchase school books for disadvantaged children in Mazarron), Murcia Dance, Escuela de Futbol de Mazarron, Camposol Children (to help fund the development of a playground and sports facilities), ‘Kids from Camposol’ and many others.

On Monday 5th October at Hacienda Del Alamo Golf Club, LAGS are holding their 2015 Charity Day. The event format is a Texas Scramble for teams of 4 players and there are chances to win BIG

prizes. On one of the par 3’s and thanks to the generosity of one of our key sponsors Kia, there is a chance to win a Kia car for a hole in one!!!!

Additionally there are team prizes for the first 3 teams and nearest the pin prizes on all of the par 3’s.

If you want to enter a team or if you would like to become one of our fantastic sponsors please get in touch through our website below, you will all be most welcome.

For further information about the society, it’s fundraising, 2015 Charity Day and future events please go to www.losamigosgolfsociety.es.

September 2015

BENIAJAN CF 1 MAZARRON FC 1

Mazarron gained their first point of the season with a hard fought 1-1 draw away to Beniajan.

Mazarron’s much changed team showed signs that they are beginning to gel together and had the better of the first half against a Beniajan side who were promoted along with Mazarron last season.

On 20 minutes a fierce free kick by Jose from 20 yards out was pushed aside by the home keeper. The ball fell to Alberto whose follow up shot was deflected into the net by Silverio but Mazarron were denied an opening goal by the linesman’s offside flag.

Two minutes later Beniajan could have equalised when a left wing corner was headed over the bar. After 32 minutes a superb through ball found Jose racing down the left wing and his cross found Juanito whose shot on the turn was blocked on the goal line. Three minutes later Santi went close with a free kick from the left which went just over the bar.

Rollon replaced Enrique at half time for Mazarron but Beniajan took the lead just two minutes into the second half. A long ball out of defence found Sergio in a suspiciously offside position but he was allowed to run on and place the ball past Antonio in the Mazarron goal.

The goal spurred Beniajan on and they came more

into the game for the next 20 minutes without really troubling Antonio. However Mazarron, inspired by young substitute Rollon, then began to get back into the game and deservedly equalised after 70 minutes with the best move of the game. Silverio raced down the right wing and his perfect cross found Jose who calmly steered the ball past the Beniajan keeper to the delight of the large contingent of Mazarron supporters.

A minute later Jose, Juanito and substitute Cristian all had long range efforts blocked in the same move and five minutes from time Rollon’s shot from 25 yards was just over the bar. Mazarron might have snatched all three points in the last few minutes when Jose just failed to reach Champi’s cross from the right.

Overall it was an encouraging performance by Mazarron as they begin to adjust to life in the higher division.

Team: Antonio; Mounir; Juan Fran; Juan Andreo; Alberto (Juanma); Juanito; Juanlu (Champi); Enrique (Rollon); Santi (Cristian); Silverio; Jose Man of the Match: Jose

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SPORTS SHORTS.... by Tony Matthews

• Serena Williams, chasing all four major tennis titles in the same year, was brought down to earth by outsider Roberta Vinci in the semi-finals of the US Open. Vinci then lost to Italian Flavia Pennetta in the final.

• In the men’s final, Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer in four sets, but GB’s Jamie Murray lost in the men’s doubles while Martina Hingis won two prizes, the mixed doubles and women’s doubles.

• Australia won cricket’s ODI series 3-2 after hammering England by eight wickets in the final game at Old Trafford.

• Yorlkshire have retained cricket’s County Championship and Notts wicket-keeper Chris Read has become the first to claim 1,000 victims for 18 years.

• In football, and Manchester United (with a great goal by the world’s most expensive teenager, Anthony Martial) beat Liverpool 3-1... reigning champions Chelsea were bumped off 3-1 at Everton for whom Steven Naysmith became the first player to score a PL hat-trick against José Mourinho... unbeaten leaders Manchester City beat Crystal Palace 1-0 and there were also wins for Watford, Spurs, Norwich, Arsenal and Leicester, who came back from 2-0 down to beat Aston Villa 3-2.

• Brighton, Gillingham and Leyton Orient topped the Championship and lead Leagues 1 and 2... Aberdeen ended Celtic’s unbeaten run to go top of the SPL and Rangers are still undefeated in the Championship.

• Cristiano Ronaldo is now Real Madrid’s all-time record goal scorer after netting a five-timer in a 6-0 win over Espanyol... Leo Messi scored Barcelona’s winner at Atletico Madrid (2-1).

• Goalkeeper David de Gea was set to leave Old Trafford for Real Madrid,

but has now signed a new four-year contract with Manchester United, worth £200,000 a week (€272,000).

• Champions League football returned this week with Manchester City-Juventus and PSG-Manchester United and tomorrow it’s Ajax -Celtic, Bordeaux-Liverpool and SpursQarabag in the Europa League.

• Former England goalkeeper Ron Springett has died, aged 80. He made 478 League appearances for QPR and Sheffield Wednesday.

• Rugby’s World Cup starts a week on Friday with England taking on Fiji at Twickenham (9pm).

• WBC/WBA welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather has equalled Rocky Marciano's record of 49 successive wins with victory over Andre Berto in Las Vegas and has now retired.

• GB boxer George Groves lost a third world title challenge, this time against WBC super-middleweight champion Badou Jack.

• New Zealand's Lydia Ko (18) has become the youngest winner of a major with a six-stroke victory at the Evian Championship in France.

• Last Sunday’s San Marino MotoGP was won by Spain’s Marc Marquez with Bradley Smith and Scott Redding second and third - the first time two Brits have been on the podium for 36 years.

• On Sunday, we have the Singapore day/night F1 Grand Prix.

• Joint favourite Bondi Beach (ridden

by Colm O’Donoghue) won the St Leger after Simple Verse was disqualified following a steward’s inquiry.

• Italy’s Fabio Aru (Team Asanta) won the Vuelta a Espana.

• Mo Farah won the Great North Run last Sunday when 57,000 athletes participated.

EL PLANTIO 2 GOLF SOCIETY This week’s competition was a Texas Scramble, there were 18 players and we went out in teams of three.

Given that we had very heavy rain overnight and over the past week, the course was surprisingly firm, the greens had been hollowtined the previous week and were in need of a good mowing as were the Tees, as a consequence a long putt need about the same power as a full golf shot .

The day started cloudy but as the match progressed the weather warmed up and the clouds moved away. The match was very close with only 3 shots between the Winning team and the team that came last.

Friday the 18th the Society is having an away-day at Torrepacheco par 3 course, if anyone would like to join us for this please call Ian on 966 716 616 or 636 116 230 The results this week: Nearest the pin: Hole 2; Dave Swann & hole

4; Martin Rickman.

3rd place: Laurence Wanty, George Stanhope & Gordon Wayne with nett 49 2nd place: Keith Smith, Graham Blakeway & Kenton Wanty with nett 48.7 1st place: John Wilby, Dave Swann & Mel Hope with nett 47.5 The next competition is on Tuesday15th September at El Plantio.

Put your name on the list in the club house by Sunday, if you would like to play. Be sure to be there well before 9am on Tuesday.

New members are welcome to join the El Plantio Golf Society, where special membership price is available for anyone who joins the Society. Visitors are always welcome, contact Ian Henderson, Tel: 966 716 616 or Mob: 636 116 230

COSTA COBRAS RFC

39

Costa Cobras RFC will be continuing to train on the beach regardless of the weather until the town hall has finished resurfacing the pitch at Daya Vieja or we find a permanent ground, whichever comes first.

We will be continuing to train on Guardamar beach in the meantime until everything has been sorted out with the training pitch. New training gear that has been donated to the club

by Ian Roberts of the club will be there to help with it.

With a few more players joining the club we can start looking for friendlies to play to give the majority of them some game experience ready for next years tournaments and touring teams.

I have also been presented with a signed 2015 Baa Baas v England shirt as a thank you from them for all of the work and respect shown to them after a mix up with the original name of the club, before it was changed to Costa Cobras RFC. This was done to shown respect to the club and myself.

We have now formed a new, experienced committee, with many years experience in the game with the same goals of bringing back the traditional ethics of the sport. So if this is what you are after come along and join us.

The club is continuing to look for a more permanent base to train, hold matches and tournaments as well as having touring teams over, so if anybody knows of any town halls in the area of Guardamar to Cuidad Quesada or surrounding area, that would like to have a rugby club based there, please contact us on 692 767 242.

Also remember the rugby World Cup starts this Friday 18 September, so come and get a taste of what all of the excitement is all about. I will

be in the Bridge Bar, one of many that will be showing the opening game, England v Fiji at 21.00.

This was the first time as a society that we have played Alto Real since it was acquired by its new owners, in all fairness to the owners of the course, I had previously played it a couple of months ago and I was surprised at the vast improvement, newly concreted paths, repaired areas around the greens and many more changes for the better. However I am sorry to say that when we played there on Friday 4th September the course had had its problems, I was told that the cause of this was a broken water pump that caused the greens to be without water for five days.

I expressed mine and our members feeling about this situation regarding the sanded greens and saturated fairways, but the manager was obviously aware of it and without any hesitation gave us vouchers allowing our members a reduction in our next outing there in November, also he assured me that the course would be back to scratch in plenty of time for our next meeting. The poor conditions (greens covered in sand, fairways very wet) but this didn’t affect all of our members as some finished with very respectable scores, and in one case more than

respectable.

Our winners were as follows only two players got our nearest the pins, they were on the fifth Helen Kinsella and on the sixteenth Phil Pettican, both received sleeves of golf balls, our best front nine was taken by Brian Ead with eighteen points and our best back nine (overall winners excluded from winning BF9 or BB9) Barry Grinsell who had nineteen points they received cash prizes.

Tying in third place but losing to a BB9 was Bill Peters the second place winning with a BB9 was Nikki Ead both players scored thirty four points and also received cash prizes but our winner on the day playing off a handicap of sixteen scored an excellent thirty four points, yes his handicap has already been reduced by one point seven, very well done Phil , our soccer card this week was won by Gordon Barclay.

We returned to the Mini Golf bar a few minutes away from the Quesada arches for some very welcome snacks, sausage chips with bread and butter followed as usual by a quantity of the bars excellent beers.

Barry Grinsell

We are looking to be able to put a team in at all levels in the league this time next year so come along and join the newest rugby team on the Costa Blanca and join the rugby revolution.

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 18.00-19.30 for the juniors and 20.00-21.30 for the seniors 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.

BUSTERS GOLF REPORT

40

SOLTIMES SEPTEMBER 2015

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