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COSTA blanca
09 - 15 nov
SolTimes lest we forget
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November 2016
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British 'Game of Thrones' actress poses with young Spanish fans
...but hopes they mistook her for Elsa from 'Frozen' BRITISH actress Emilia Clarke who plays Khaleesi in Game of Thrones posed for a photo with four little Spanish girls who claimed to be 'her biggest fans'. One of them carried a sign reading, in English: “We are your best fans! We want a photo with you.” Emilia says she got out of her car to hug the girls and take a selfie with them, although she says: “I'm certain
this was a ploy by some cunning mums and dads who watch Game of Thrones.” Given that the series containes a lot of sex and violence, the actress said: “Hopefully they thought I was Elsa from Frozen instead!” The little girls she met whilst filming in Spain are now famous worldwide, since the photo now sits on Emilia's Instagram site. thinkspain
DONATION TO AGE CONcERN
Maureen Payne chairman of Age Concern accepted a donation of 800 Euros from Rascals who raised the money at their Summer show. This will go towards the purchase of a new industrial iron said Maureen. A previous donation was given to Los Montesinos who purchased 2 hoists with the money and next week Alzheimers will be the beneficiary of the last donation from this show. All ticket sales monies are donated to local charities. If
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November 2016
Spain’s retail sector sets its sights on another record Black Friday
ort Companies are stockpiling ahead of the starting pistol for the Christmas shopping season Last year’s event saw record sales, and forecasters are predicting that this time around will be even bigger. El Corte Inglés says that it will be offering bargains in most of its departments, but won’t be releasing any details until a few days before November 25. French-owned megastore Carrefour and Germany’s Media Markt are putting the finishing touches to their advertising campaigns. Inditex, which owns fashion retailer Zara, will probably repeat its strategy of saying nothing until the day before. The online retailer Amazon says it has been gearing up for Black Friday since September. A company spokesman says that it sold 560,000 items last year in Spain, equivalent to 392 sales per minute. As a US company, Amazon knows
and understands Black Friday well. It says that it has seen rapid growth in Spain and Italy and as such is investing in ways to attract more customers and companies to its platform. eBay, one of its main competitors in the burgeoning online retail sector, will also be taking part in Black Friday, and says that around four out of 10 Spanish SMEs will be selling their goods at discount prices on November 25. Thinking big Due Home, with a workforce of 11, is one such small Spanish company with high hopes for Black Friday. Xavier Martínez, the manager of the home decoration and furniture company, which moved online in 2013, says that it will be looking to increase sales on last year. “We’re thinking big this year. We’ve got between 5,000 and 6,000 products,” he says, adding: “For us it’s a giant showcase. People who discover us that day will buy other things from the catalogue, and this creates a snowball effect that leads into the Christmas period.” elpais
Spain breaks summer tourism record with British tourists dominating figures
September alone saw two million Brits visit Spanish shores.
SPAIN has broken its record for the amount of visiting foreigners in the summer period. Tourism numbers were up 10.2% year on year in September, hitting 7.9 million people. Combined with July and August, the total figure for international visitors rose from 25.2 million to 27.6 million. The figures show that Brexit and a weaker pound have yet to spell an end
for Britons’ love affair with Spain.
September alone saw two million Brits visit Spanish shores, 12.8% more than last year. Out of the staggering 60.3 million people who visited Spain in the nine months up to September, Brits make up a lion’s share with 14.4 million. Tourism authorities predict that by the end of the year, some 74 million tourists will have visited Spain, the equivalent of the entire UK population. expatica.com
Manufacturers recommend new windscreen wipers every year for cars used in Spain CAR manufacturers in Spain say windscreen wipers should be replaced annually – and now is the right time of year to do so. Accumulation of dust, flies and grease, which spread all over the windscreen when the wipers are first used, can end up scratching the glass and do not swish away the rain sufficiently, reducing visibility by between 20% and 30%. The summer heat causes the rubber to dry out, crack and shrink, meaning there is little point replacing wipers at this time of year or in spring, says car parts maker Bosch, which supplies windscreen wipers for numerous makes and models of vehicles. Bosch’s head office in Spain says drivers should clean their wipers with a damp cloth or sponge, but no chemicals, before they set off if it looks likely they may need to be used, and to keep them working effectively, should place a strip of cardboard between them and the windscreen during periods of frost and ice, and never to use them on icedup windows. Whilst very rare on the Mediterranean and south coasts, frost,
ice and snow are a frequent feature of winter inland and in the north, often to extreme levels rarely seen even in the UK – several feet of snow for several weeks in winter, and frosts and ice from early autumn are common in northern parts and at higher altitudes. Windscreen wipers move about half a million times across the glass during their useful life, and are a driver’s best friend in wet weather, where the number of accidents rises by 15%, Spain’s traffic authority, the DGT, reveals. In fact, poor visibility and accidents go hand in hand – 82% of car crashes happen at night, according to DGT figures. Car owners should place anti-freeze in the windscreen washer compartment if they live in parts of the country which suffer harsh winters, to prevent the rubber freezing and breaking. Manufacturers in Spain recommend carrying a spare set of windscreen wipers in the car at all times just in case one breaks or fails whilst driving in the rain. thinkspain
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Basque separatist group leader nabbed in France
The most senior ETA leader still at large was arrested Saturday in southwest France, Spanish authorities said, dealing another major blow to the embattled Basque separatist group. Mikel Irastorza, 41, was found in a home in the French town of Ascain, in the Pyrenees region bordering Spain, the interior ministry said in a statement. The couple housing Irastorza -- a 59-year-old Basque exile and his 56-year-old wife -- were also taken into custody, French sources said. Anti-terrorism prosecutors in Paris authorised the arrests and the three are due to appear before a judge in the French capital. On Friday French authorities opened a preliminary investigation into alleged criminal association with a terrorist organisation. The Spanish statement said the raid, led by French security forces working with Spanish police, was aimed at the "leadership structure of ETA". Irastorza was described by the ministry as "currently the most senior leader of the terrorist group ETA still at large". Spain said other arrests could follow. Founded in 1959, ETA waged a violent decades-long campaign for an independent Basque homeland in northern Spain and southwestern France, and is blamed for the deaths of more than 800 people. It declared a ceasefire in October 2011 but has refused to give up
its weapons, and is seeking to negotiate its dissolution in exchange for amnesties or improved prison conditions for the roughly 350 ETA members held in both countries. Spain's new Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido, who was only appointed on Thursday, welcomed the arrest. "As long as the terrorist group fails to give up its weapons for good and refuses to dissolve itself, the Spanish government will continue to fight the scourge of terrorism," Zoido told reporters. About 200 people protested against the arrest of Irastorza in Ascain in the evening, heeding a call by several Basque national movements. On October 12 France and Spain announced the discovery of an ETA weapons stockpile in Carlepont, 120 kilometres (75 miles) from Paris. Six days later, ETA accused Spain and France of not wanting to "seek reasonable solutions" for peace in the Basque region. ETA's influence has waned in thea Basque region, its ranks thinned by arrests over the years on both sides of the border. Most ETA members are in prison and only about 20 are still at large, according to French and Spanish authorities. Public support has also dwindled as many Basques view the armed campaign for an independent homeland as belonging to the past. expatica
November 2016
Smog-hit Madrid mulls ban on non-residents’ cars in city center
Draft traffic plan would see downtown converted into a pedestrian priority zone. Madrid City Hall has unveiled new measures aimed at combating chronic pollution in the Spanish capital. Under a new 30-point draft plan announced on Wednesday, the city center would be converted into a pedestrian priority zone (see here) with restrictions on private vehicles that would limit traffic along the city’s iconic Gran Vía. Residents and non-resident drivers would have free access into the city center only if they were traveling directly to a private or public parking space under the draft Quality of Air and Climate Change plan, put together by the city’s leftist government. Other measures on the table include a 70km/h speed limit on city access roads, including the all-important M-30 ring road, where the current speed limit is 90km/h. Non-residents would be barred from the city center if all car parks were full. “This is a European Union requirement imposed on Madrid for systematically exceeding [pollution] limits and exposing people [to potential health risks],” said environment councilor Inés Sabanés. Madrid has been exceeding the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) threshold set by the European Union since the creation of the monitoring system in 2010. Besides the serious health issues this raises, the city could also face a hefty fine from Brussels if it fails to address the problem. Nitrogen dioxide, which originates chiefly in diesel engine emissions, had been decreasing in Madrid for a couple of years, then spiked again in 2015 due to a rise in traffic (itself, presumably, the effect of
Spain’s improving economy). City residents have become used to pollution-control measures, with speed limits and parking bans in metered areas imposed during a period of heavy smog in the fall of 2015. Earlier this year, the city council approved stringent new anti-pollution rules, which could see all vehicles banned from entering the downtown area on days of persistent and acute air pollution. Madrid City Hall wants major roads redesigned to become more bike friendly. Madrid City Hall wants major roads redesigned to become more bike friendly. /Jaime Villanueva ` Such restrictions could become normal under the plans, with one proposal being the removal of blue (visitor parking) zones in the city center in favor of green (resident only) zones. The new parking rules would mean non-residents could only use public parking garages, with access to the city center cut off once those locations were full. Exceptions would be made, however, for vehicles using greener technologies. Madrid City Hall is also looking at extending its new parking meter system (SER) beyond the M-30 ring road and creating a network of parking garages in the greater metropolitan area to discourage people from parking in the center. A scheme criticized by the conservative Popular Party, which believes it would lead to greater traffic volumes and increased parking costs, but supported by other opposition groups, would see a redesign of major arterial roads around the capital to discourage car use and promote bicycles and public transport. elpais
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SOLTIMES – 153mm x 225mm
9th November
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7 Two Minute Silence
Each year at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we observe a Two Minute Silence. Armistice Day on 11 November marks the end of the First World War and is a day to remember and honour those who have paid the price for our freedom.
Why the Act of Remembrance Matters
Great Britain still believes strongly in remembering those who fought not only in World Wars, but the more than 12,000 British Servicemen and women killed or injured since 1945. The Royal British Legion supports silences observed during both Remembrance Sunday services and on 11 November, Armistice Day, itself. The act of Remembrance rightly has a place in - and impact on - our lives, no matter which day of the week it might fall upon. When 11 November falls on a weekday, the Legion hosts ‘Silence in the Square’. The event, held in Trafalgar Square, London, sees members of the public placing poppy petals into the capital’s famous fountains after observing the silence. This year, The Royal British Legion is asking the nation to Rethink Remembrance by recognising the sacrifices made not just by the Armed Forces of the past, but by today’s generation too. For many people, Remembrance is associated with the fallen of the First and Second World Wars. While we will always remember them, the Legion wants to raise awareness of a new generation of veterans and Service personnel that need our support.
Rethink Remembrance this Poppy Appeal.
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November 2016
THE STORY OF THE POPPY
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Gigi’s Boutique Sue
During the First World War (1914–1918) much of the fighting took place in Western Europe. Previously beautiful countryside was blasted, bombed and fought over, again and again. The landscape swiftly turned to fields of mud: bleak and barren scenes where little or nothing could grow. Bright red Flanders poppies however, were delicate but resilient flowers and grew in their thousands, flourishing even in the middle of chaos and destruction. In early May 1915, shortly after losing a friend in Ypres, a Canadian doctor, Lt Col John McCrae was inspired by the sight of poppies to write a now famous poem called 'In Flanders Fields'. McCrae’s poem inspired
an American academic, Moina Michael, to make and sell red silk poppies which were brought to England by a French woman, Anna Guérin. The British Legion, formed in 1921, ordered 9 million of these poppies and sold them on 11 November that year. The poppies sold out almost immediately and that first ever 'Poppy Appeal' raised over £106,000; a considerable amount of money at the time. This was used to help WW1 veterans with employment and housing. The following year, Major George Howson set up the Poppy Factory to employ disabled ex-Servicemen. Today, the factory and the Legion's warehouse in Aylesford produces millions of poppies each year.
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www.soltimes.com The demand for poppies in England was so high that few were reaching Scotland. Earl Haig's wife established the 'Lady Haig Poppy Factory' in Edinburgh in 1926 to produce poppies exclusively for Scotland. Over 5 million Scottish poppies (which have four petals and no leaf unlike poppies in the rest of the UK) are still made by hand by disabled ex-Servicemen at Lady Haig's Poppy Factory each year and distributed by our sister charity Poppyscotland. This year, The Royal British Legion is asking the nation to Rethink Remembrance by recognising the sacrifices made not just by the Armed Forces of the past, but by today’s generation too. For many people, Remembrance is associated with the fallen of the First and Second World Wars. While we will always remember them, the Legion wants to raise awareness of a new generation of veterans and Service personnel that need our support. Rethink Remembrance this Poppy Appeal.
IN FLANDERS FIELDS In Flanders' fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place: and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders' fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe; To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high, If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders' Fields
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November 2016
ia c lú L ta n a S e d a ir F e th f o History
The earliest known date for the Fira is 1786. This date is a reliable indicator of both the celebration of the Fira and of its importance, as two very trustworthy sources record it. The first of these is found in the writings of Rafael Amat, a Catalan writer of the 18th century (1746-1818), also known as Baró de Maldà. In the 60 volumes of his diary, Calaix de Sastre, he says: "13 December, Saint Lucy virgin and martyr. There were festivities in the Cathedral, in the chapel and the altar where the
image of the Virgin was venerated; and outside, with the fair opposite, many stands with Nativity scenes, clay and cardboard figurines, images of saints, shepherds, animals... so there were a great many people (...) and in the Cathedral, people were attending mass and praying to the Virgin to preserve their eyesight and clarity." The second source comes from the great folklorist and author of the Costumari Català, Joan Amades (1890-1959) who confirms 1786 as the earliest known reliable date. Not even calamities, such as the terrible epidemic of yellow fever which struck the city of Barcelona in 1860, could halt the celebrations. Joan Amades mentions St. Lucy as the patroness of seamstresses, tailors and all needleworkers, and of the blind; this is why she is popularly known as the "defender of eyesight". It is also said that the fair was known as the “girls' fair” as it was thought that unmarried girls went there in search of possible husbands. The girls of the area would attend, accompanied by their mothers, in their best clothes and jewellery, to find an admirer. On St. Lucy's day, in some places in Catalonia, in the 19th century and well into the 20th, the girls who studied needlework would celebrate and run around the village or town singing songs or psalms. People called them "llucietes". In other places we know that the girls would gather to attend mass, and then go in a group around the houses collecting donations. One of them would be dressed as St. Lucy, with a crown of flowers, and the girls accompanying her were the "cardenales". In Barcelona, the seamstresses would gather in the Ciutadella park for a big party. In some sources we read that throughout the 19th century, in the Fira of crib scene figures, there would be people selling cardboard dolls which were animated by pulling on a string. Although they were
not related to the Nativity scene, children were fascinated by them, which brought more people to the Fira. Amades writes that in the 19th century the crib scene fair was held for three days: for the Blessed Virgin and for St. Lucy, in the Cathedral square; and for St. Thomas' day, in the Plaça del Pi, Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol and Plaça del Born squares. These fairs sold figures, little houses and other constructions and pieces for Nativity scenes, such as bridges, fountains, mills, wells, birdhouses, and so on. The raw materials such as moss, corl and other plants could be found on the steps of the Cathedral. Our grandparents knew very well the difference between the two fairs, one for crib scenes and one for plants. As Nativity scenes became increasingly popular, the number of stands at both fairs grew until they merged together. In those days it was already the custom for children to stroll around the fair with their parents, despite the winter cold, to breathe a little Christmas spirit and enjoy the skills of the sellers. When they arrived home with everything they had bought at the Fira, families would construct their Nativity scene, which would entertain the children and delight their elders. Some pre-20th century sources note that the true pessebrist or Nativity scene maker would not create the scene before Christmas Eve, as it was considered irreverent to recreate the mystery of Christ's birth before the event. In the earlier 20th century, on St. Lucy's day all Barcelona would flock to the small chapel dedicated to the saint to prevent eye problems. The area around the chapel would be swarming with people, and the stall-holders would sell their best pieces. The installations of the Fira de Sta. Llúcia have changed considerably over time. In the early 20th century, according to the photographs which remain, the stands consisted of a large wooden board set on simple shelves, protected by a rudimentary canvas waterproofed with linseed oil, and lit by oil or acetylene lamps when it got dark. Now, in contrast, the stands are wooden, well equipped and solid, and lit by electricity. Parallel to the stands of figures, cork objects and decorations, there were the so-called green stands, selling moss, broom, bayleaves, pine branches, cork bark and mistletoe. The Fira de Sta. Llúcia is one of the oldest and most firmly rooted Christmas traditions of the city of Barcelona As well as the above we should also mention some of the many craftsmen and women from the world
of Nativity scenes who made the Fira possible over its more than 200 years. The enthusiasm for crib scenes in Catalonia and the rest of Spain has produced outstanding artists in this field. Four notable figures from the past of this craft were Francisco Salzillo (1707-1783) of Murcia, Ramon Amadeu (1745-1821) of Barcelona, Damià Campeny (1771-1855) of Mataró, and Domènech Talarn (18121902) of Barcelona. We know, thanks to different sources, that the Barcelonese Ramon Amadeu had a stand at Sta. Llúcia. As we can read in one of his biographies, Amadeu was born near the Church of El Pi and was of humble stock. He worked as a potter and made many crib figures, which as a young man he sold himself in the Fira. From a modest artisan he rose to be considered the best artist of his period, and it is known that when King Charles III came to Barcelona he would always visit his workshop. His works show a gentle Baroque, closer to the French style than the Italian or even Murcian. Unfortunately, the Napoleonic Wars, the Tragic Week and the Civil War meant that most of his work was lost or destroyed. The extant pieces can be admired in the Museum of the History of Barcelona, the Museum of Olot and in various private collections. Later, notable modellers and workers with cork would show their wares in the Fira de Sta. Llúcia, often doubling as salesmen. These include: Daniel José Ursueguía (Santander 1909-Barcelona 1990); Carratalà, small figures of a Catalan type; the Muns family, known for their original figures; the Castells family, with the grandchildren of MartíCastells continuing in the trade begun by their grandfather; the Bertrán family, specialising in plants and lead and clay figures; the Colomer brothers, with plastic and clay figures and artistic work in cork; Fernández Carbonell, very complex cork work; the Deulofeu family, specialists in caves and landscapes; Montserrat Ribes, who has been showing her figures in the Fira since 1997; Barceló, caves made of cork; Artesania Bonet, making cork articles with their own lighting; and many more: Abella, Anell, Joan Bel, Anna Blesa, Lluí s Boix, Antoni Cendra, Francesc Costa, the Escoda brothers, Fabregat, Fernández Puigmacià, Ferrer, Gil, Gisbert, Joan Hernández, Ivars, Teresa Llort, Pasqual Macià, Gerard Marí , Anna Maristany, Marinel.lo, Aurora Mas, Miquel Moreno, Oliver, Pañellas, Puig Llobera, Riera, Semis, Silvestre, Taulé, Vidal, Vila, etc. These days, the Fira begins in late November or early December, with more than 280 stands ordered by sectors depending on what they sell (Nativities and figures, greenery, and crafts) and located in front of the Pla de la Seu (the Cathedral square), on Avinguda de la Catedral. The sellers offer you, as they have for time out of mind, all the products you need to decorate your home for the Christmas season, and will give you a warm welcome in the hope that you will visit the Fira as often as you want as cheerfully and enthusiastically as them. The cold is coming and Christmas too, wrap up warm and see you soon.
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Five ways to stay healthy this winter
If you find yourself craving a sugary treat, try a juicy It may be cold outside, but winter needn't be the clementine or satsuma instead, unhealthiest time of year for you and your family. or sweet dried fruits such as dates or raisins. 1. Eliminate your sleep debt "On average we sleep six-and-a-half hours a night, much Winter vegetables such as Tel: 950 121 936 - sales@soltimes.com parsnips, swede less than the seven to nine hours recommended," says carrots, Jessica Alexander, spokesperson at The Sleep Council, and turnips can be roasted, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of a mashed or made into soup for a comforting winter meal for the good night's sleep for health and wellbeing. Winter is the perfect season for porridge. Eating a warm But in winter, we naturally sleep more because of the whole family. Explore varieties of fruit and veg that you may bowlful on a cold morning isn't just a delicious way to start longer nights. "It's perfectly natural to adopt hibernating not normally eat. your day, it also helps boost your intake of starchy foods habits when the weather turns cold," says Jessica. "Use 4. Try new activities for the whole family and fibre. the time to catch up." Don't use the cold winter months as an excuse to stay in and 2. Drink more milk lounge around. Instead, get out with the whole family to try http://www.nhs.uk You are 80% more likely to get a cold in winter, so out a new activity – maybe ice skating, or taking a bracing making sure your immune system is in tip-top condition winter walk on the beach or through the park. is important. Milk and dairy products such as cheese, Regular exercise helps control your weight, boost your yoghurt and fromage frais are great sources of protein immune system, and is a good way to break the tension and vitamins A and B12. that can build if the family is constantly cooped up inside the They're also an important source of calcium, which house. helps keep our bones strong. Try to go for semi- 5. Have a hearty breakfast skimmed or skimmed milk – rather than full-fat – and low-fat yoghurts. 3. Eat more fruit and veg When it's cold and dark outside, it can be tempting to fill up on unhealthy comfort food, but it's important to ensure you still have a healthy diet and include five portions of fruit and veg a day.
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November 2016
Wonderful autumn gardens in Spain
A sunny Spanish autumn continues What an amazing autumn we are having with midday temperatures still to hot to walk or toil. Gardens are wonderfully colourful and it’s a good time to take cuttings from perennials. Amazingly stews still cook on the solar cooking in a few hours and salads harvested by grazing around the garden still contain twenty five types of edible leaves and flowers. Some shrubs have taken off unusually fast after the little September rain we had and have had to be trimmed to walk along a couple of pats. With luck any autumn storms will be few and short so that we can look forward to an exceptionally colourful Christmas and year end garden before starting the annual winter cutback. Jungle Seeds included some semi-temperate/sub tropical varieties of ginger plants in their autumn sale. Had advice today that they are at the post office to collect tomorrow. Some will overwintered on a covered terrace and others in the greenhouse. Vegetables germinate and plantlets put down roots fast Early November sowings have been up in a couple of days and seedlings have got off to a good start with a watering every two days. Received some Canary
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Island potato tubers from a gardening contact. Unfortunately they took two months to arrive but they were healthy and strong shoots had formed. I case we get a frost this year , none last year, they are now planted in a potato barrel in a cool green house. Using the mini area vegetable growing chapter of Growing Healthy Vegetables in Spain we have coached several new enthusiasts in recent months to start the productive growing of ecological vegetables in small spaces including apartment terraces.
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Will the rains come soon? At present that is anyone’s guess every where along the Mediterranean coast. So far rain has been patchy and short lived although inland Spain has had a fair amount of rain. But for sure it will eventually come so for now an hour a day dosing in the sun to top up tans and vitamin D is a priority. http://gardenspain.com
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The Small Hand by Susan Hill blue-white lightning. Some of the bends were coiled like snakes. Flashed indelibly on his mind was the image of a child dashing across the road during this storm. He braked hard thinking he had hit the child. When he got out of the car to see whether he had injured the child he found himself standing precariously on the edge of a precipice, almost losing his balance and falling to his death…. He suffers panic attacks and night horrors where he imagines himself being sucked lifeless under the water. When he is near water of any kind he feels a strong force, a tremendous terrifying strength which he finds irresistible. The monastery visit represents Adam’s days of light before the darkness that plunges him into the depths of hell. He feels safe in this place of sanctity, protected by the prayers of the monks but he has to return to the real world and confront his demons. He contacts Hugo his brother when he returns to the UK and finds out about his brother’s panic attacks. Hugo suffered madness as a result of something disturbing in his youth and had two years of treatment before appearing to have been successfully cured. Adam is worried it is a genetic condition. Adam’s discovery of a photograph with Hugo and a boy when they were children links them to The White House and its tragic history. What is this connection? And what is the connection between the statue of a young boy playing with a dolphin and a golden ball with James Harrow? Who was James Harrow and more importantly, what happened to him? It’s a long story but it will always haunt Adam: And it did change things for ever. Tragically.The final confession wrecks Adam’s peace of mind for ever. The debt has finally been paid but Adam remains guardian of a grisly secret which he must take to his grave and never ever disclose to a living soul! Read it if you dare. Publisher: Profile Books. ISBN: 9781846682407.
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Hello and welcome to CanDu Computer Bytes. If you need professional computer help that comes from over 37 years experience, you can contact me to make an appointment to see me at my workshop or I can come to you! Some weeks are harder than others when it comes to writing these articles. This week has definitely been one of those as I haven’t had much feedback in the form of emails this week. So I will tell you about a small project that has interested me for several months. This project came about because when I arrived in this country, I brought with me a Sat Nav that has served me well for over 8 years, but now unfortunately, has become obsolete as the maps can’t be undated. Being a thrifty ‘naturalised’ Yorkshireman, I couldn’t see the sense in buying a brand new Sat Nav when I had a perfectly good tablet! So the project was to turn my inexpensive tablet into a Sat Nav, come Video Player, come Book Reader, come Internet Link. What follows is how I did it and the total cost involved. Having sat down and analysed the problem I realised that I needed: A GPS compatible tablet (tick); and because it is an Android tablet I would need an Android GPS route planner program (an App just wouldn’t cut it!) that uses free maps and is itself preferably free! The software (program) that I used is called ‘MapFactor GPS Navigation Maps’. Here are some of the reasons that I chose this as opposed to another. First it is FREE! I know, Trev’s on one about free software LOL. It uses Open Street Maps which is a project that allows you to use maps that have been created, and are updated, by ordinary people like you and me. The program gives you ‘Turn by Turn’ directions just like any good ‘paid for’ Sat Nav device with a human voice. It can take you from your current position to a postcode that
you want to get to. Once the maps are download (and regularly updated – usually every month for FREE (oops – said it again)) you can use it as a standard Sat Nav with out having to have access to the internet! Finally it has the location of all the currently known speed traps and speed cameras (not that I think any of my readers would exceed the specified limits!). In short, it has just about everything that you will need and even might want out of a Sat Nav. So the list of tasks are as follows: 1. Acquire a tablet with GPS built in. 2. Using the ‘Google Play Store’ find, download and install ‘MapFactor GPS Navigation’ 3. Once this has been installed You need to do a first run in which it will be asked your choice of language (the default option is the system default language, make things really easy). 4. Then it will ask for the countries that you want the maps for and finally you will be asked whether you would like the speed traps / camera’s (if you have a lead right foot, this might be a really good option to chose). Now you will have a list of boxes ticked showing what you have asked for. At the bottom of the screen is a button that starts the download. This might take some time as the data files can be quite large. You have completed the project and will find that you have a Sat Nav that is worth having at the incredible price of NOTHING! All it has cost you is a little of your time and the wise words of someone who has already done it! That’s it for this week. When you need me I can be contacted at canducomputing@ hotmail.co.uk or on the phone at 689 892 745 (as the people at SolTimes have forgotten to put my details at the bottom of the page. Have fun with your project and we will find another topic for next week.
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Book Review
“We stood for a time, which was out of time, held as closely together as the hand of a father and his child.” When you read Susan Hill you know exactly what you’re getting-a superb ghost story, atmospheric, full of terror and fear for the characters who are mysteriously involved in the occult. The truth unfolds slowly and the intrigue and suspense is expertly eked out before the final shocking revelations at the finale. The settings and actual places complement this remoteness and abandonment, a strong sense of isolation reminiscent of the great Hitchcock. And with Hill you can guarantee the expertise and fluidity of the style which makes for great reading. You just can’t go wrong, can you? Adam Snow is an antiquarian bookseller with extremely rich clients in the UK wanting rare book collections such as first folios with contacts in the States and Europe so he is constantly travelling. One time, as he is leaving a client and heading back to his home in London,he takes a few wrong turns and ends up at The White House and gardens. In its heyday it had been regarded as a national treasure, visited by royalty and foreigners from far afield. Now it was abandoned and decaying. His curiosity got the better of him and he felt compelled to do some exploring although he perceived that he was an unwelcome intruder amidst a strange quietness, an unearthly silence, an inexplicable eeriness and what he simply experiences here, a young child holding his hand, will terrorise him for the remainder of his days. This is the place that becomes an obsession and he is hypnotically drawn to the place to discover the secret of the small hand. A stroke of luck enables him to purchase a First Folio of a works by Shakespeare for his wealthy client, Sir Edgar Merriman. Excitement all round. Discrete enquiries assure Adam that the edition is housed in a monastery in a remote area in France where the Resistance was active. A treacherous journey to Saint Matthieu des Etoiles, climbing high into mountainous regions with a storm raging, incessant rain, sulphurous looking skies and
November 2016
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SOLTIMES PROPERTY SUPPLEMENT
Planning approvals up 36% in first eight months of year
The latest figures from the Government confirm that the home building business is gradually coming back to life. Planning approval was given for 42,869 new homes between January and August, up 35.7% compared to the same period last year, reveal the latest figures from the Ministry of Public Works. This figure is interesting because it shows that home building in Spain is gradually coming back to life after a brutal crisis that saw home building volumes crash 95% from peak to trough. Residential building activity has now grown for two consecutive years, but is still a shadow of what it was in the boom years, when Spain was starting more new homes each year than France, Italy, and Germany put together. Planning approvals, known as visados in Spanish, declined for seven consecutive years until turning the corner in 2014 (+1.7%), and then jumping 42.5% in 2015, albeit from a low base. Of the planning approvals so far this year 31,751 were for flats and 11,109 for single-family housing, showing that the Spanish preference for apartments is as strong as ever. by Mark StĂźcklin Everything you need to know about property in Spain http://www.spanishpropertyinsight.com
London house prices: Brexit will 'stop property price growth in 2017'
Brexit set to take its toll on London's property market Carl Court/Getty Images Brexit will stop the growth of London house prices in 2017 with an expected sales slump to follow, new research has found. Property firm Savills predicts that Brexit uncertainty will put the brakes on four years of house price increases ushering in a period of flat house prices as Britain triggers formal negotiations to leave the European Union. London house prices are expected to increase by 7 per cent this year but will remain flat in 2017, it is claimed. Savills predicts a 16 per cent decrease in transactions to just over 1 million in 2018. Lucian Cook, head of residential research at Savills said: "A realisation that Brexit feeds into the wider economy, people's prospects for earnings, people's prospects for employment and then that beginning to filter through into the hard economic reality ... is likely to make buyers more cautious," The report also forecasts that the flat property market will put more pressure on the rental market causing rents to increase. Meanwhile, average London rents are precicted to increase by 24.5 per cent by the end of 2021, compared to
a 19 per cent increase in the rest of the country. This will make life even harder for young people living in the capital, where getting on the housing ladder is particularly difficult. The renewed pressure on rental prices will be caused by would-be first-time buyers being forced to rent as housing market conditions get tougher as well as recent tax changes for buy-to-let investors, which may put investors off buying rental properties and suppress the levels of homes in the private rented sector, according to Savills' predictions. Savills expects house price growth to be largely flat over the next two years as Brexit negotiations leave home buyer sentiment "fragile". But expectations that interest rates will remain low for some time yet, keeping borrowing costs cheap, should prevent house prices from falling across the country generally, it said. Despite the gloomy predictions, the average property value in London, currently ÂŁ481,000, and is expected to increase by 11 per cent over the next five years. That means the average property in the capital by the end of 2021 is expected to be worth ÂŁ533,400. http://www.standard.co.uk
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November 2016
Theresa May rejects calls to raise Indian visa quota
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Theresa May has rejected calls to relax Indian visa rules, saying the UK has a “good system” for applications. The prime minister, who is in Delhi to pave the way for the UK’s first post-Brexit trade deal, said the UK was already able to attract “the brightest and the best” from outside the EU. “Nine out of 10 visa applications from India are already accepted,” she said. But she said the UK could give ground if Indians who overstayed their visas could be returned more swiftly. “The UK will consider further improvements to our visa offer if, at the same time, we can step up the speed and volume of returns of Indians with no right to remain,” she told reporters. Her government also intends to make it easier for wealthy Indian business executives to come to the UK. A small group of high-net-worth individuals and their families will be offered access to the Great Club a bespoke visa and immigration service - to make visa applications smoother. Thousands of Indians on work visas will also be able to join the Registered Travellers Scheme which will mean they can get through UK border controls more quickly. “As we leave the EU, we want to ensure that the UK remains one of the most attractive countries in the world to do business and invest,” Mrs May said. The prime minister flew into Delhi late last night to be greeted by the worst smog this city has seen in nearly 20 years. Where better to get a taste of life beyond the EU - than India. With such deep historical links between the two countries - surely the UK can cut through the bureaucratic smog
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that saw Brussels spend nearly a decade negotiating, but ultimately fail to agree a deal with the world’s fastest growing economy. But Indian business leaders are confused. No-one knows what the UK’s relationship with Europe will eventually look like, and many are unsure about how much can be usefully discussed until the UK has withdrawn from the EU - a point that is at least two years away. Some things are clear and all too familiar. Trade and immigration are linked. If the UK wants better access to Indian markets, the government in Delhi wants a looser approach to UK work and student visas. This week saw Britain’s visa rules for foreign visitors tightened. Specific deals will be announced over the next 24 hours but more clarity around a trade relationship that has stagnated or even declined in recent years is likely to remain enveloped in the Delhi smog. Visa issues risk dominating Theresa May’s first trade trip since becoming prime minister. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi told a technology summit in Delhi he wanted to encourage “greater mobility” for its young people in education. He said: “Education is vital for our students and will define our engagement in a shared future. “We must therefore encourage greater mobility and participation of young people in education and research opportunities.” Cobra Beer founder Lord Bilimoria earlier said restrictions on staying in the UK after their studies meant the number of Indians attending UK universities had halved in the past five years. He said “movement of people” would form a key part of any trade negotiations. Bbc.com
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British expats forced to hand over holiday home after Spanish neighbour buys it at ‘secret’ auction
EXCLUSIVE: The €50,000 property was sold off after neighbour Adoracion Gonzales submitted a complaint about damp in her house AN expat couple have been given 30 days to vacate their dream holiday home after the town hall sold it at auction without them knowing. British pensioners Adrian and Margo Campbell have been ordered to hand their two-bed home over to their Spanish neighbour in Tozar, Granada, after she bought it at auction. The €50,000 property was sold off after neighbour Adoracion Gonzales submitted a complaint about damp in her house, resulting from works carried out at the Campbell’s adjoining property. It led to a Granada Court ruling that they had to pay Gonzales €43,000 in damages. However, as they were back in the UK and did not know about the ruling, they were unable to defend themselves and did not know about the result. The first time they heard about the auction was in June this year and after a failed appeal in Granada’s courts, they have no choice but to hand over the keys. “It is an absolute travesty,” Glaswegian Adrian, 65, told the Olive Press. “We didn’t know about it until it was too late to do anything. “It is so sad, we have so many memories here, bringing our kids here when they were young, we even spent Christmases and New Years here.” The former IT technician added: “It is quite clear the courts did not try sufficiently hard to contact us when they knew it was a holiday home we rarely visited. “But the court didn’t agree which is devastating.” Despite now appealing to the High Court in Madrid, they are still being told to hand over the keys while they await a hearing. http://www.theolivepress.es
Legal formalities & costs involved in purchasing property in Spain Panorama always recommends that purchasers of property in Spain retain a qualified solicitor to represent them and qualified financial advisors to deal with tax issues. Purchasing property in Spain is a relatively straightforward procedure. The “last word” in property ownership is the property registry, which will show immediately if the seller owns the property free of liens and encumbrances. Most frequently, unless an immediate payment of the full purchase price is made, a private contract of purchase is drawn up wherein the details of the purchase are reflected – the legal description of the property, purchase price, form of payment, date of completion, date of possession, etc. Upon signing the private contract, a payment on account of the purchase price is always made which can vary substantially according to the terms of the sale and the date of completion. A quite normal deposit for completion within 30 to 60 days would be 10% of the agreed purchase price. New properties which are unfinished obviously are paid for over the construction period, and all payments on account before finishing must be guaranteed, according to the BUILDING ORDENANCE LAW (LOE), LAW 38/1999, by a bank or
insurance company: if the property is not finished by a certain date, a purchaser has the right to reclaim the monies paid, plus legal interests. Additionally, this law obliges the property developer to arrange a TEN YEAR insurance policy with respect to any basic building defects with the purchasers as beneficiaries. When the entire purchase price is paid for the property, the seller will issue the public deed of conveyance (escritura) to the purchaser, free of liens and encumbrances. This deed is issued before a Spanish Notary, is passed from the notary to the tax office to be assessed for Transfer Tax if the property is a resale or second hand property, or assessed for Stamp Duty if the property is sold directly by the developer. Is then presented to the Property Registry for inscription. A provisional inscription in the registry is made immediately upon issuance of the deeds. http://www.panorama.es
Choice Rentals
4 bedroom town house with under build in Dona Pepa. Available for long term let immediately. No pets, fully furnished. 650€ plus utility bills.
2 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 2nd floor apartment in San Miguel. Lift, roof terrace. Available for long term let. No pets 325€ per month plus utility bills.
3 bedroom terraced house furnished in EL Galan. Available for long term let. 400€ - 450€
WANTED PROPERTIES TO RENT We are looking for all types of properties for rental opportunities for holiday and long term lets. We have a list of clients waiting.
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950 121 936 - sales@soltimes.com
sM045
SOL Y MAR fantastic value for money
November 2016
• ESTATE AGENTS • RENTALS • PROPERTY MANAGMENT
NEAR Arboleas
65,000€
Traditional detached cortijo in small hamlet of homes and only a short drive to Arboleas. Features 4 bedrooms , 2 bathrooms , and 800m2 plot. (Option available to buy additional land) Requires some renovation hence the amazing price for such a large quality home, must be viewed to appreciate
sM040
viewing highly recommended
zurgena
99,000€
Detached 2 bedroom property set in a small hamlet of houses in a peaceful location. Lovely views. 2 beds, 2 well appointed shower rooms, inner and outer lounges, large well fitted kitchen with centre island unit & breakfast bar. The master bedroom has en-suite shower room. The garden is paved with planted mature borders. The separate garage (with additional covered parking) is accessed from the garden. Viewing is highly recommended.
sM022
PRIME LOCATION
ALMANZORA
REDUCED PRICE 110,000€
Delightful detached villa in a prime location walking distance to the local bars, cafes and the many amenities of the beautiful village of Almanzora. Features 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom , stunning mature garden setting , fully fenced/walled and at the recently reduced price represents fantastic value for money.
sM020
immaculate home with guest accomodation
almanzora
200,000€
Detached two storey house set in the lovely village of Almanzora close to the shops and bars. This villa has two separate entrances, one from the top and one from the bottom. The lower area has a separate living space, ideal to rent or for guests. In addition both properties have 2 large double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and own luxury kitchens. The house also features under floor heating and air conditioning throughout. Must be viewed to appreciate.
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950 064 584 609 199 394 SM010
Avenida 28 de Febrero Nº 44, Albox
Email: info@solymarspain.com │ www.solymarspain.com 85,000€
two for one opportunity almanzora/Arboleas
Two for one opportunity. Unfinished houses ideal project in beautiful setting of 3000m2 of land with fantastic views. Prime location between Almanzora and Arboleas.
sM043
Two houses in one
CELA
260,000€
Very large and attractive 256m2 house on the edge of Cela. Presently set out as two separate properties on individual floors with shared garden and large pool. Each floor has 8 bedrooms, large lounge with wood burner, kitchen, 4 bathrooms, individual patio etc. Large well managed garden has separate alfresco bbq and dining area with fantastic views, store room, raised planting areas and a large unusual and very attractive pool. Completely enclosed and walled property. Ample parking space. Ideal for extended family, B&B or rental possibilities.
WE URGENTLY REQUIRE LEGAL PROPERTIES FROM COAST TO COUNTRY
WE ARE LOOKING FOR ALL TYPES OF PROPERTIES FOR RENTAL OPPORTUNITIES. CLIENTS WAITING CALL US 950 064 584
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mar971
stunning views
mAR907
peaceful location
ED ENT R
partaloa
550€ PCM RENTAL LOS HIGUERALES (ARBOLEAS) 450€ PCM RENTAL
This villa has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms with an additional guest house that consists of 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, kitchen and living area...perfect for guests. Great location with stunning views across the valley. This home also features a private terrace area with swimming pool. Based in Retamar in the Partaloa area, very close to all local amenities. This property is unfurnished and is available for long term rental and will allow pets. Must be viewed to be appreciated.
Modern, detached villa features 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, lounge/diner, seperate kitchen, swimming pool and additional garden room. Tranquil setting with magnificent views. Terraced area outside kitchem doors and an imitation lawn adjacent to the patio and 8x4 pool. Easily maintained garden mainly set to gravel with shrubs and fruit trees. There is a parking area inside double gates. The rear garden is generally private. Available furnished or unfurnished.
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November 2016
Around half of homes in cities such as London and Manchester are leasehold
Leasehold properties, which can take longer to buy and come with additional costs, are alive and well in England and Wales, particularly in London and Manchester, new research shows. Indeed some 53% of homes in London are leasehold and 46% in Manchester while overall in the country just 15% are leasehold, according to a report from provider of home conveyancing services My Home Move. It points out that recently developed inner cities have the highest proportion of leasehold properties, making up more than 90% of housing stock in some of these areas. With leasehold properties usually taking longer to purchase and coming with additional legal obligations and costs compared to freeholds, the findings will help home buyers know whether the area they are targeting is a leasehold hotspot. My Home Move’s analysis of Land Registry’s price paid data, found areas that have experienced extensive redevelopment like London’s N1C postcode and the M15 and M50 postcodes in Manchester top the list of leasehold hotspots and can have a leasehold proportion above 90%. Overall, the centres of large cities also have a much higher proportion of leaseholds than freeholds. While the top 20 hotspots are dominated by parts of London and Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle and Birmingham also have areas that make the list. The report explains that increasing property prices and a high population density make property development a profitable enterprise in these areas which has led to an increase in the number of leaseholds as houses are split into flats and new apartment blocks are built. ‘The redevelopment of England and Wales’ towns and cities over the last 30 years means there are more leasehold properties on the market, as new build apartment blocks are constructed and old warehouses are converted into flats,’ said Doug Crawford, chief executive officer of My Home Move. ‘Controversially, even some new build houses in suburban and rural areas are now sold as leasehold properties. The investment has given the countries’ housing stock a very welcome boost, but it also means that buyers are more likely to encounter a leasehold property than ever before,’ he explained. ‘While the high proportion of leaseholds in the centre of major cities will shock few developers and estate agents, would be buyers may be surprised. Leaseholds make up almost
all of the housing stock in some of our cities’ redeveloped districts, and the proportion of leaseholds could grow even more as additional new developments come onto the market,’ he added. In London more than 60% of residential properties in the central WC, EC and W postcodes are leaseholds but none of the Greater London postcode areas have an average leasehold density greater than 40%. West London postcodes have a slightly higher proportion of leaseholds than Eastern ones, which may be because of historically higher property prices in these areas attracting more investment. Not all areas in the UK’s major cities have a high proportion of leaseholds, however. In Manchester just 14% of properties in the M21 postcode are leaseholds while in London only 14% of properties in the SE2 postcode are leaseholds. In North Birmingham’s B21 region just 3% of all properties are leaseholds while Berwickshire and rural Wales are among the areas that have the lowest proportion of leaseholds in the country. ‘Although the distribution of leaseholds may not be even, it is important that knowledge of the differences between the two types of residential tenure is universal. Home buyers need to understand that while purchasing a leasehold means they own the property, they won’t necessarily own the building or ground on which it is located. As a result of this, leasehold buyers often have to pay ground rent, service charges, and buildings insurance to the building’s owner,’ Crawford pointed out. ‘Before buying a leasehold, would be owners need to make sure they know how long is left on the lease and when this will need to be reviewed, and ensure they factor any additional charges into their financial planning. By doing so, buyers can save themselves from any potential shocks further down the line,’ he concluded. propertywire.com
Rajoy appoints EU-friendly Cabinet
Spain’s leader Mariano Rajoy, starting a second term after months of political paralysis in his country, formed a new cabinet last night (3 November) that looks set to maintain controversial economic reforms and cement EU ties. At the helm of a minority conservative government with little parliamentary support, Rajoy faces a daunting task as Spain grapples with separatism in Catalonia, seeks to consolidate its economic recovery and reduce its deficit under EU scrutiny. Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo, a stalwart of Rajoy’s Popular Party (PP), left the government and was replaced by Alfonso Dastis, 61, until now Spain’s permanent representative to the European Union. An experienced diplomat, Dastis was already in Brussels in 2012 when the EU decided to rescue Spain’s financial sector at the height of the crisis, thus avoiding a full sovereign debt bailout. Economic ‘continuity’ In a move likely to reassure the markets, Economy Minister Luis de Guindos remained in his post, according to a government statement. The 56-year-old helped lift the country out of the economic crisis with sweeping spending cuts that met with criticism and mass protests. He has stressed that more efforts will be required to reduce Spain’s deficit as required by Brussels. Labour Minister Fatima Banez, who oversaw the implementation of much-criticised labour reforms, also remains in her post. The PP credits the reforms for helping reduce unemployment, which came close to 27% in 2013 and now stands at 18.9% – still the second highest rate in the European Union after Greece. The reforms reduced the amount of compensation companies must pay workers they fire and created a new open-ended contract with a one-year trial period. But the opposition says most of the jobs created are temporary and unstable. “We have opted for continuity on the economic team… a team that was crucial in reversing the economic situation that Spain was going through five years ago,” Rafael Hernando, parliamentary spokesman for the PP, told reporters. euractiv.com
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23
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New politics’ and a minority government: Spain’s recovery is looking a lot like Ireland’s
After months of hard negotiations and two elections this year, Spain have finally formed a government – and their approach to economic recovery is looking more and more like Ireland’s. In the aftermath of the recession, both countries have faced the same difficulties: both have borrowed exorbitant amounts of money to keep the country afloat, both have a housing crisis and are tackling unemployment, and both are trying to reform their respective political systems. ‘A new way of doing politics’ Last week, Mariano Rajoy was re-elected as Spain’s prime minister after ten long months of negotiations, much like Enda Kenny’s renewed term as Taoiseach. Rajoy kicks off his second term after a ten-month period of political limbo marked by two elections that produced no clear winner – much like Ireland’s election this summer which saw 70 days of negotiations and a surge in support for independent politicians. The result of the negotiations is a minority government which must ‘negotiate every bill’ with the opposition - and a focus on ‘a new way of doing politics’ (sound familiar?). With little parliamentary support and after ten months of almost no political action, Rajoy has a daunting task ahead of him: securing the economy, reassuring the public that the country is recovering, as well as strengthening ties within the
EU. In a move likely to reassure the markets, Luis de Guindos was one of the few people kept on by Rajoy in his post as Finance Minister. De Guindos imposed austere spending cuts in reaction to the economic crisis that sparked criticism and mass protests. He has stressed that more efforts will be required to reduce Spain’s deficit as required by Brussels, and has credited the reforms for helping create jobs by increasing flexibility. Jobs Minister Fatima Banez, who oversaw the implementation of muchcriticised labour reforms, also remains in her post. Its measures like these by what are viewed as the ‘political elite’ that have seen the support for so-called ‘populist’ left-wing party Podemos. Podemos, which has an affiliation with Sinn Féin and Greece’s Syriza party, came in third with 5.18 million votes and 69 seats (in a in the 350-seat parliament). Both Ireland and Spain are also extremely sensitive to Brexit’s influence. In the wake of Britain’s June referendum on EU membership, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon raised the notion of a second independence referendum. Scotland voted to remain in the European Union – as did Northern Ireland – and Sturgeon took this vote as an opportunity
to leave the United Kingdom, which has long been an ambition of her party, the Scottish Nationalists. If Scotland were to leave the UK, this would have serious implications for both Ireland and Spain: the whole construct of the Union in Britain would collapse, and would stir up what exactly would happen in Northern Ireland. In Spain, the situation would be even more dramatic – the eastern region of Catalonia has long-been fighting for independence as its own country, and it’s widely considered that Scottish independence would inflame relations and spark a vote on the matter. But with homelessness figures at 23,000 in 2015, and with political tensions on a knife’s edge, the country’s leaders – much like Ireland’s – will be concentrating on upholding the electorate’s vote and maintaining a functioning government for as long as possible. With reporting from AFP
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preventing Rajoy’s spain can halt europes slide to the right for return to power.
Democracy is often on a collision course with economic elites, sometimes in less subtle ways than others. Spain’s current plight is one such example. Last month, the country’s Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez was toppled in a party coup, paving the way for his fellow MPs to abstain in a vote to allow the conservative Mariano Rajoy to resume office as Prime Minister. For many traditional Socialist voters, Rajoy’s Popular party is the political wing of a venal, corrupt right-wing establishment: allowing them to form a minority government was an act of betrayal. But Sanchez’s subsequent revelations exposed the machinations of powerful Spanish interests. After two elections that marked the collapse of the country’s two-party system, but failed to produce a governing majority, Sanchez had attempted to assemble a left-wing alliance, much like the one that governs in neighbouring Portugal. His ambition had been to form a government alongside Podemos — a recently-formed party that emerged from movements protesting against cuts that have devastated Spanish society — and backed by Catalan nationalists. But last week, Sanchez revealed that he was blocked by powerful corporations, including banks and Spanish telecoms giant Telefonica. These interests run El Pais, the country’s largest newspaper. Unless Sanchez allowed Rajoy to return to power, or accepted a new round of elections, El Pais would launch a vicious campaign against Sanchez. A coalition with Podemos was simply intolerable. Here was direct interference in Spanish democracy by unaccountable vested interests to stop a progressive government from taking power. “Sanchez has recognised the pressure of the oligarchic powers and that it was a mistake not seeking an agreement with us,” says Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias. Indeed, Sanchez is a man riven with regret. He had attempted to form an alliance with the centre-right Citizens’ party — another beneficiary of the implosion of the two-party system. But it was all a ruse: Podemos was asked to back such an alliance, even though it meant signing up to right-wing economic policies that would have been impossible to accept. It was nothing more than an attempt to blame Podemos
Spain’s Socialists are now in a terrible situation. Their grass roots are alienated, while the triumphant conservatives know they can coerce the Socialists to back their regressive budgets, threatening a snap election that would decimate their rivals if they refused. The Spanish Socialists were already halfway to suffering the fate of their Greek sister party, Pasok, which so alienated its natural supporters that they defected en masse to Syriza. The Catalan socialists are enraged by the party leadership’s actions, and could even split. Podemos can now position itself as the real opposition. But that is of little comfort to Podemos’ base, who could now endure years more of a conservative government that they had every hope of overturning. What is happening in Spain is revealing about events far beyond the country’s borders. In Britain, Jeremy Corbyn’s internal opponents quite legitimately point to the Labour party’s abysmal poll ratings. It says much about the state of European social democracy that Labour’s polling is higher than almost all of its sister parties across the Channel. When Tony Blair won his landslide 1997 victory, social democrats were on the march across the European continent, including in Germany, France, Italy and Scandinavia. Today’s social democratic parties are haemorrhaging support to the new Left, the populist Right and civic nationalism. The German social democratic leadership may be committed to the sort of “third way” politics some would like Labour to adopt, but in the latest poll they languish at 22 per cent. The French Socialists face being beaten by the far-right Front National in the first round of next year’s presidential elections. Sweden’s social democrats hang on to power by their fingernails, while their Nordic allies are exiled from power. Italy’s centre-left is a rare exception, but its only hold on power is precarious and challenged by the rise of the populist Five Star Movement . The core base of European social democratic parties has fragmented: Between younger and older voters; university-educated and working-class voters in small towns; between those hostile to immigration and those who are not. The fury exchanged between centre-left and radical Left forces across Europe is, all
November 2016
too often, a deflection from an uncomfortable truth: That neither has so far produced a convincing answer to how these multiple divisions can be straddled, and how a viable electoral coalition can be produced that would win power. It is frustration at unaccountable elites that produced Podemos in the first place: Its whole narrative has been vindicated. Five years ago, millions of Spaniards who were disillusioned with the political establishment and determined to make it pay for a crisis not of their making mobilised across the country. Without these so-called indignados, Podemos and its allies would never have emerged as mass political forces. Podemos has much to teach other European leftists about how to communicate beyond traditional comfort zones. But Podemos’ results in June’s elections were disappointing: It had expected to eclipse the Socialists as the second party, and was traumatised when it failed to do so. In other local elections it routinely underperforms its opinion poll ratings. The party is now engaged in profound soul-searching, debating how to democratise the party’s own internal structures to re-engage with the mass movements that produced it. If Podemos capitalises both on disillusionment with the Socialists and the Popular party, it could provide an example for the Left across Europe. If it fails to do so, there could be terrible consequences across the continent. Right-wing populism is on the march and it is making considerable inroads into working-class communities that traditionally opted for the Left. If discontent continues to sweep the western world — or if there is another crash — then the populist right will be well placed to gain. The old social democratic model is crumbling, but there is no guarantee that progressive forces will fill the vacuum it leaves. In Poland, the Left has effectively ceased to exist: Politics is a debate between former British prime minister David Cameron-style liberal conservatives and right-wing populism. If the left fails, Polandisation beckons for European politics. No pressure, Spain: But Europe’s future may depend on you. — Guardian News & Media Ltd
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The Howling
José Cabrasilbido listened intently to Manuela’s story. The girl was out of breath. She had run all the way from the banks of the Río Verde. It was two in the morning. The policeman was in no mood for sectarian tricks but Manuela was not prone to hysterics and she was certainly shaken. She was interrupted during some nocturnal activity of which she was vague but it appeared to involve two local lads and a tub of Remitroot degreasing gel. An unearthly howling ‘aymelaysheengang’ had echoed through the village. Manuela’s two companions had taken to their heels. They were last seen passing through Mojácar white faced, sweating and trouser-less. Now José, Alqueria’s local policeman is not the wisest of men. He had mastered joined-up writing but was still baffled by his car’s gear-lever. The Mayor had confiscated the bullets from his ‘glock’ after he accidentally shot the Inspector Jefe in the foot. At least it is assumed it was an accident. José was however tenacious and set about dragging the river. He feared the howling was the last desperate gasps of a drowning man or woman. The dragging turned up a stone plinth inscribed ‘Atlantis’, an earthenware amphorae containing the fleece of a winged ram, gold in colour and a suitcase with ‘Property of Lord Lucan’ etched across the handle. “Nothing of interest here” he muttered as he threw the items back. Finding no tangible cause he b e g a n l o o k i n g for a more unworldly solution.
viewpoint
The gallant policeman set about an all night vigil. A lonely watch over the village and its people. Settling himself in Manuela’s much used clearing, he waited and listened. Darkness fell and the bars emptied. Giggling couples and arguing youths made their way home. A fragile tranquillity fell upon Alqueria as it prepared for slumber. Hours passed. José could feel those troublesome neck hairs start to rise. ‘Aymelaysheengang’ pierced the still night. The terrible wailing continued ‘weeepastfooorkupradstannning’. José plucked up whatever courage he could muster and headed in the direction of the lament. ‘It is human’ he thought ‘but either in great pain or greatly demented’. ‘Horweslotsoadsanassesallwlingaces’ it continued. Along the Calle Horne José walked. Not looking back, nor right, nor left but grimly straight on. The light from an open window attracted the policeman. He wondered what sights would greet him. What carnage must await discovery. Blythe Gruntmore the village’s resident Englishman, stood knee deep in empty Newcastle Brown Ale bottles, afloat on a sea of nostalgia. He pined for the Tyne and its fog shrouded banks. He raised his head and burst into song. “Ah me lads, ye shud only seen us gannin’, We pass’d the foaks upon the road just as they wor stannin’; Thor wes lots o’ lads an’ lasses there, all wi’ smiling faces, Gawn alang the Scotswood Road, to see the Blaydon Races.” José, not wanting the night to be a complete waste decided to pay Manuela a visit, he was sure he could find a suitable pretext.
pause for thought
When in the mid 70’s I spent some months in Beirut working away from my family, my apartment was fairly littered with photos of my wife and daughters – not that I was in danger of forgetting what they looked like, but simply that in those days, before email or text, when phone calls had to be booked in advance, this was simply the best way of keeping them close, with continuous reminders of them. And I’m sure I wasn’t alone, for I guess we all have photos we particularly cherish, or music that immediately reminds us of someone and/or some special occasion. For those little mementos that remind us of people are really important, I suspect, to all of us. And so it was that before he died, Jesus gave his followers a memento they could use to remember him. The bread and wine, which formed an essential part of every meal, could, he told them, be used to remind them of his broken body and blood spilt in his death on their behalf. A memento still regularly used of course by his followers today as we celebrate his self-giving for others in the Communion or Eucharist. And at this time of year we have in the poppy another memento, which similarly serves to remind us of the self-giving of others.
Not of course the one Lord of all, but the many ordinary folk who gave their lives, and are still all too often giving their lives even today, as a part of the continuing struggle to ensure our freedom. So we remember them: both on Armistice Day, Friday 11th and also on Remembrance Sunday, which this year is 13th November, using these poignant opportunities to give a few minutes of our lives to remember those who gave the whole of theirs. So this year, I do hope that you will feel able to join with me and numerous others at one or other of the special services in this area as we in silence remember them. 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
25
Don’t Try This at Home
Despite the doom-mongers of the Web, who suggested that driving after a mastectomy would be out of the question for at least 6 weeks, or possibly the rest of my life, whichever came sooner, I have had no trouble piloting Henry around the local highways and byways. I have not thrust him through the hurly-burly of Spanish city streets – there has been no need. Albox, which has all the requisites for daily life in one shop or another, has been as exciting as it gets. Henry has 5 gears and reverse on the extreme right underneath 5th. He also has a smart gizmo for reversing. This is a moving display of the world behind, complete with green, yellow and red lines, and a sequence of attentiondemanding beeps, the frequency of which increases as he regards the possibility of rear-end contact. This is most helpful – it allows me, should I wish it, to observe myself having a slow-motion collision with the world behind me. I reverse him out of the carport, bring the gearstick over to the extreme left and forward, and off we go. Straight back, 2nd. Up and over to the right, 3rd. Straight back 4th. Up and over to the right again, 5th. To come back down again, simply reverse the process, unless I want to go straight from 5th to reverse, which is not recommended. Then a little glitch appeared. I could go up the gate, no problem. I could go down the gate, no problem – until I had to go from 3rd to 2nd. That smarted a bit! However, I was not going to be defeated by such a minor issue! I
By Jos Biggs knocked the stick into neutral, took the steering wheel in my right hand, reached over and clicked the stick into 2nd with my left hand. After all, I have been engaging 2nd with my left hand for years, what’s the problem? Pete was not happy. ‘I’m sure that’s not legal.’ He protested. I am sure he’s right, but it seems to work well enough. ‘Let me help.’ So we evolved a strategy. I say ‘Ready’ and disengage 3rd. Pete grabs the now neutralised gearstick, and while I keep my foot firmly on the clutch, he clicks it into 2nd. It is co-ordination of the highest degree,
a
poetry
of
mechanical
harmony. But is it legal? I doubt it! Whatever, don’t try this at home! And don’t tell anyone, especially if they are wearing green!
Enchanting Spain - out now
From Santiago de Compostela in the north-west to Granada in the southeast via Madrid in the centre, Enchanting Spain reveals the fascinating breadth and depth of this exuberant country. The Moorish Alhambra, Toledo’s Jewish quarter, the Roman amphitheatre at Mérida and Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia, the famously unfinished cathedral, each show a different aspect of Spain’s complex history, now intermingled with fabulously contemporary museums and art centres. The major towns sparkle with life, which visitors can share through the vibrant night scene, the delicious food and wine, the flamenco performances and the abundant festivals. The landscape is diverse and dramatic, whether you are discovering the sundrenched beaches of Andalucía, hiking in the Picos de Europa or taking a trip down the Guadalquivir River. Enchanting Spain is a portrait in words and images of both the familiar and the unexpected pleasures of this vibrant country. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------John MacDonald has written for many Spanish and international publications and has a special interest in Spanish history. He studied journalism, photography and archaeology at the University of Exeter and UCL. He shares his time between the UK and Spain. Patricia Díaz Pereda studied at the Complutense University of Madrid, and has worked as a television director and for a media publication. She is passionate about her homeland and has written many articles for magazines as well as contributing to Descubrir España, a National Geographic publication on the subject. She lives in Madrid. ISBN 978-1-909612-70-9 £9.99 paperback
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November 2016
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1. Can a Test Match end in a tie?.....................................
times?................................. 3. Which county side did Fred Trueman play most of his cricket for?..................... 4. Which two counties did Dickie Bird play for?............. 5. In which country do Sheffield Shield games take place?................................. 6. Which international teams contest The Ashes?... 7. In LBW what does the B stand for?............................
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1. Adolf Hitler’s mother 2. W. C. Fields 3. b. Geography 4. Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler 5. Shoes
10. Antonio Salieri 9. Sarah Bernhardt 8. Josiah Wedgwood 7. U Thant 6. Bob Hope
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1. Who was Klara Pölzl?.......................... 2. The hard drinking William Claude Dunkenfield was better known as?......... 3. Eratosthenes is the ‘father’ of what?... 4. Which film couple had a daughter named Bonnie Blue?.............................. 5. Manolo Blahnik, Louis Vuitton, Ferragamo, Roger Vivier, Jimmy Choo, Bottega Veneta and Escada are all names associated with very expensive what? .................................................... 6. Which London born actor has hosted the Academy Awards a record 18 times?. 7. What was the name of the Burmese UN Secretary General between 1962 and 1971?..................................................... 8. Which famous English abolitionist, whose name is now an eponym, created the famous anti slavery medallion “Am I Not A Man And A Brother”?..................... 9. Which French woman was the most famous actress in the world in the late 19th and early 20th century?.................. 10. Who was Mozart’s great rival in Amadeus?..............................................
Name the board game
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soltimes People Quiz
SOLUTIONS
ture ic p l so quiz!
6. Australia and England 7. Before 8. Brian Johnson 9. Caught and bowled 10. Cork
1729 – Spain, France and Great Britain sign the Treaty of Seville. 1861 – The first documented football match in Canada is played at University College, Toronto. 1907 – The Cullinan Diamond is presented to King Edward VII on his birthday. 1967 – The first issue of Rolling Stone magazine is published. 1998 – Capital punishment in the United Kingdom, already abolished for murder, is completely abolished for all remaining capital offences.
1. Yes 2. Yorkshire 3. Yorkshire 4. Yorkshire and Leicestershire 5. Australia
on this day 9th November
1. Cranium 2. Pictionary 3. Game of Life
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Quote of the week...
28
November 2016
food & entertaining
A quick guide to wild mushrooms
Ou de Reig - the romantically named ‘royal egg’ or ‘kings testicles’ is the star of the autumn with its regal chestnut cap and pretty yellow gills. If slowly roasted whole, it makes a perfect partner to lightly grilled ducks liver sprinkled with sea salt. Ingredients Llenega (wax cap) 9 1/2 proliferates in the Bages tablespoons region from September to butter, divided December. Its cap is the colour of arbequina olives 1 1/2 pounds and can grow up to 10cms fresh wild across with milky white mushrooms gills. You’ll find it beneath 7 cups (about) pine trees in low mountain low-salt areas. chicken broth Ceps (porcini) are easily 1 tablespoon recognisable for their dark flesh and plump, dumpling extra-virgin like bodies. The taste is olive oil mild, but shaved like truffles 3/4 cup finely and drizzled with a fruity chopped leek olive oil they make the most 1 1/4 cups delicate carpacchio. arborio rice (8 Rovellóns (bleeding white to 9 ounces) cap) emerge in early 1/4 cup dry September and last through December. They among the white wine most popular mushroom in 1/4 cup Catalonia, a pretty sunset dry white colour flecked with green. vermouth Grill them with a little olive 1/4 cup grated oil, garlic and parsley and Parmesan plenty of of salt. Camagrocs or rossinyols in 1/4 cup grated (fleshy, peachy-hued Parmesan cheese, chanterelles) grow between if using. Transfer August and October. risotto to serving They thrive in pine forests bowl.
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Wild Mushroom Risotto
Directions:
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over mediumhigh heat. Add 1/4 of mushrooms and sprinkle with salt. Sauté mushrooms until tender and beginning to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer mushrooms to medium bowl. Working in 3 more batches, repeat with 6 tablespoons butter, remaining mushrooms, and salt and pepper. Bring 7 cups chicken broth to simmer in medium saucepan; keep warm. Melt remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons butter with olive oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add leek, sprinkle with salt, and sauté until
tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Add rice and increase heat to medium. Stir until edges of rice begin to look translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add white wine and vermouth and stir until liquid is absorbed, about 1 minute. Add 3/4 cup warm chicken broth; stir until almost all broth is absorbed, about 1 minute. Continue adding broth by 3/4 cupfuls, stirring until almost all broth is absorbed before adding more, until rice is halfway cooked, about 10 minutes. Stir in sautéed mushrooms. Continue adding broth by 3/4 cupfuls, stirring until almost all broth is absorbed before adding more, until rice is tender but still firm to bite and risotto is creamy, about 10 minutes. Stir
Ruby’s
particularly in the mossy areas at the foot of the tree. They grown in clusters, are trumpet shaped with gills turned inside out in shades of yellow and orange. Pinetells (delicious milk cap mushrooms) can grow up to 15 cms in diameter with a cap like Saturn: think red and orange concentric circles dotted with green. The stem is white with orange spots and it grows everywhere from the coast to the Pyrenees, from late August to early January. Múrgules (morels) are the most distinctive looking wild mushrooms with their conical, honeycomb cap. They are unbeatable in a foie and cream sauce and tossed over tagliatelle or sourdough toast. Fredolics (grey knight mushrooms) have a short season from September to November and are distinguished by bluish-grey colouring. The cap is knobbly, the gills a dirty white colour. It thrives in pine forests and comes out in force after a cold snap. The Carlet (panther cap) is a pretty, rose coloured mushroom with Bordeaux blushes over the cap. It has a good meaty flesh, and is sweetish providing it isn’t picked too big when it gets bitter. Trompetes de Mort (black trumpets, trumpets of death or horn of plenty) far from being deadly are delightful in a creamy pasta sauce. They are in season from August through December and look just like black chanterelles so they are difficult to mistake. http://www.foodswinesfromspain.com
Ricotta Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT NEV & PAT WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME ALL CUSTOMERS, NEW AND OLD URBANISATION EL RASO, CAMPO DE GUARDAMAR, JUST OFF THE CV895 LEMON TREE ROAD, 03140
TEL 865 662 543 Opening times 10am till Late daily
Full Main Menu 6pm - 9pm Sunday Lunch Available 2pm - 7pm 3 Course 9.95€ / 2 Course 7.95€ Ha p p y Ho u r 4 p m - 6 p m Wednesday is quiz night with Nick Marshall
with our great 5€ meal deals for quiz players Last person standing, winner takes all
GREAT FUN NIGHT OUT
Ingredients
6 Large Mushrooms 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil 3 Tablespoons Finely Minced Onion 3 Garlic Cloves, Peeled & Minced 3 Tablespoons Fresh Chopped Parsley 1 Red Hot Chile Pepper, Minced (Optional) 3 Oil Packed SunDried Tomatoes, Finely Chopped 1 Cup Full Fat Ricotta Cheese Salt & Pepper 5 Tablespoons Freshly Grated Pecorino (or Parmesan) Cheese Olive Oil For Brushing
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Remove the stems of the mushrooms and chop them finely. In a heavy frying pan heat the olive oil and then add the mushrooms and onion, and cook until softened. Add the garlic and chile pepper and cook another minute or two. Allow the mixture to cool and then add the parsley, tomatoes, and ricotta cheese, then season with salt and pepper. Lightly oil a baking sheet and place mushroom caps cut side up. Brush the caps lightly with olive oil and then spoon the filling in. Sprinkle with the grated cheese and then bake for about 20 to 25 minutes or until the mushrooms are tender when pierced with a knife and the tops are lightly browned. Serve immediately.
29
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Andalucia drafts bill to tackle obesity crisis as figures reveal almost 20% are severely overweight Restaurants and bars will be required to offer healthy menus ANDALUCIA has approved a draft bill to battle its obesity crisis. Some 18.7% of the region’s population are obese, leading the Junta to create a law that promotes healthy living and a balanced diet. Restaurants and bars will be required to offer healthy menus while hotels will be required to offer free bottles or jugs of fresh water. It will also guarantee free water access in schools and public places and it will be mandatory for vending machines to make chilled water available for free.
andThe draft bill, which will be debated in Parliament within six months, will also ban foods in schools that have high calories, saturated fat, salt and sugar levels. Initiatives will also be set up to encourage students to exchange fruit and vegetables and create school farms so they can grow their own. If the bill becomes law, anyone who violates it will be fined. The most severe sanctions will be placed on schools caught selling or giving unhealthy foods to their students. http://www.theolivepress.es
Food & Drink
Meals are an extremely important social activity in Spain, whether that means eating out late at night or having large family gatherings for lunch. Although Spain is faster paced than it once was, few Spaniards race through a meal on the way to an appointment. The food in Spain is varied; portions are immense, but the prices, by North American standards, are high. Whenever possible, try the regional specialties, particularly when you visit the Basque Country or Galicia. Many restaurants in Spain close on Sunday, so be sure to check ahead. Hotel dining rooms are generally open 7 days a week, and there’s always something open in big cities, such as Madrid and Barcelona, or in welltouristed areas, such as the Costa del Sol. Generally, reservations are not necessary, except at popular, top-notch restaurants.
What to Drink
Water -- It is generally safe to drink water in all major cities and tourist resorts in Spain. If you're traveling in remote areas, play it safe and drink bottled water. One of the most popular noncarbonated bottled drinks in Spain is Solares. Nearly all restaurants and hotels have it. Bubbly water is agua mineral con gas; noncarbonated, agua mineral sin gas. Note that bottled water in some areas may cost as much as the regional wine. Soft Drinks -- In general, avoid the carbonated citrus drinks on sale everywhere. Most of them never saw an orange, much less a lemon. If you want a citrus drink, order old, reliable Schweppes. An excellent noncarbonated drink for the summer is called Tri-Naranjus, which comes in lemon and orange flavors. Your cheapest bet is a liter bottle of gaseosa, which comes in various
flavors. In summer you should also try an horchata. Not to be confused with the Mexican beverage of the same name, the Spanish horchata is a sweet, milklike beverage made of tubers called chufas. Coffee -- Even if you are a dedicated coffee drinker, you may find the café con leche (coffee with milk) a little too strong. We suggest leche manchada, a little bit of strong, freshly brewed coffee in a glass that's filled with lots of frothy hot milk. Milk -- In the largest cities you get bottled milk, but it loses a great deal of its flavor in the process of pasteurization. In all cases, avoid untreated milk and milk products. About the best brand of fresh milk is Lauki. Beer -- Although not native to Spain, beer (cerveza) is now drunk everywhere. Domestic brands include San Miguel, Mahou, Aguila, and Cruz
Open 7 Days a Week 12noon till 10pm
QUESADA FISH & CHIPS
Menu of the Day 12noon till 5pm
Cod or Haddock Chips, Peas, Bread and Butter
€7,00
Sunday Special Fish, Chips & Peas
€6,00
All Day
Takeaway Also Available Quesada Villamartin Plaza
966 719 136
966 764 441
F O K L A T N W O T E H T Dining Secrets of Andalucia is back and bigger and better than ever
Andalucia's leading restaurant portal has hundreds of the best places to eat THE most comprehensive and incisive guide to dining in Andalucia has had a makeover. Dining Secrets of Andalucia is now a foodie’s delight after relaunching its website with a fresh sprinkling of up-to-date content. Spending the last year updating the site, writing new reviews and uploading food and drink news and features, the state-of-the-art website is now ready to be unveiled. With reviews of the best restaurants in each of Andalucia’s eight provinces, Dining Secrets of Andalucia is a must for any restaurant-lover living in or visiting the region. With an interactive map, finding the perfect place to chow down has never been so easy. The site also includes several Top 5 lists ranging from best terraces in Andalucia to most romantic spots. And Dining Secrets also wants to know what its readers think: with a new review system added to each restaurant featured. To take a look by visiting www.diningsecretsofandalucia.com Blanca. Wine -- Sherry (vino de Jerez) has been called "the wine with 100 souls." Drink it before dinner (try the topaz-colored finos, a dry and very pale sherry) or whenever you drop into some old inn or bodega for refreshment; many of them have rows of kegs with spigots. Manzanilla, a golden-colored, medium-dry sherry, is extremely popular. If you're not too exacting in your tastes, you can always ask for the vino de la casa (house wine) wherever you dine. The Ampurdán of Catalonia is heavy. From Andalusia comes the fruity Montilla. There are some good local sparkling wines (cavas) in Spain, such as Freixenet. One brand, Benjamín, comes in individual-size bottles. Sangria -- The all-time favorite
refreshing drink in Spain, sangria is a red-wine punch that combines wine with oranges, lemons, seltzer, and sugar. Be careful, however; many joints that do a big tourist trade produce a sickly sweet Kool-Aid version of sangria for unsuspecting visitors. Whiskey & Brandy -- Imported whiskeys are available at most Spanish bars but at a high price. If you're a drinker, switch to brandies and cognacs, where the Spanish reign supreme. Try Fundador, made by the Pedro Domecq family in Jerez de la Frontera. If you want a smooth cognac, ask for the "103" white label. http://www.frommers.com
30
November 2016
11 of the most ridiculous pieces of fast food ever created 1. The Windows 7 Whopper
That’s right, the glamorously named Windows 7 Whopper, a special edition burger released in Japan to celebrate the launch of the latest Microsoft operating system.Featuring all your favourite Whopper ingredients – tomato, lettuce, ketchup, nion, pickles – oh and seven whole burger patties. (Burger King)
4. The McLobster Roll
The McLobster Roll Made of 100% North Atlantic lobster, the McLobster had a very short lifespan. Costing $7.99, McDonald’s ended up binning off the lobster roll due to problems with supply. (McDonald’s) 7. The Hula Burger
The Hula Burger Launched in the 60s as an alternative to the Filet-OFish, the Hula Burger was a piece of pineapple wedged between two buns with some cheese and salad. Unsurprisingly this never took off. (Picture: McDonald’s) 10. Berry Kristmush
2. The Hot Dog Stuffed Crust from Domino’s
The Hot Dog Stuffed Crust from Domino’s
It divided opinion upon release, but I’m sure we can all
agree it was a monstrosity both in appearance, and in
taste.
(Domino’s)
5. The KFC Double Down
. The KFC Double Down Obviously this works if you can’t decide between fried chicken or hot dogs, but then again who has ever had to decide between a hot dog or fried chicken? (KFC) 8. The Spinach Muffin from Starbucks
The Spinach Muffin from Starbucks Apparently this is a normal item in Hong Kong’s Starbucks. We’re not too sure why. (Starbucks) 11. Katsu Burger
3. Mince Pie Krispy Kreme
Mince Pie Krispy Kreme A special edition Krispy Kreme doughnut that thankfully was never given another run. (Krispy Kreme) 6. The McSpaghetti
The McSpaghetti A regular item on the Philippines McDonald’s menu, the
McSpaghetti is simply spaghetti in a tomato sauce, with a side order of fried chicken. (McDonald’s) 9. The black Burger King burgers
The black Burger King burgers Dyed with bamboo charcoal, the black burgers from Japan looked quite cool in their promo shots, but looked horrible in real life. (Burger King)
Some fantastic and tasty offerings from some of our favourite food outlets! Have you had a freak y food experience? Let us know where and what it
The most unappetising marketing campaign ever conceived, the Berry Kristmush burgers from Burger King included the Mush ‘n’ Cheese burger which featured chopped mushrooms for the mush and a slice of cheese. There was also the Premium Berry burger, which is strangely finished off with cranberries.
Katsu Burger Made of a pork cutlet, stuffed with cheese which is then deep fried, the Katsu Burger is the latest item to hit the Japanese market, and while it looks unbelievably fatty and calorific, we bet it’s actually pretty tasty. (McDonald’s)
is and we will publish the most interesting meals... Send to editor @soltimes.com
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COSTA COBRAS RFC
new rugby club training on Guardamar beach in front of the restaurants. Junior and senior training on Monday and Wednesday 18.30-20.00. Calle Urbano Arregui 23, Torrevieja For more details contact Garry 692 767 03185. Meets every Sunday, 11am, 242, or Whatsapp, includes Sunday School for children. or Robert on 697 286 416 Prayer meetings, craft and computer ROYAL BRITISH LEGION, clubs, Bible study groups. Also house Orihuela Costa Branch, covers the groups at La Siesta: Tuesdays, 3pm. area from Punta Prima to San Javier Call 674552754 for details. La Zenia: and inland. The branch meets on the Wednesdays, 3pm, call 620318964. 3rd Thursday of every month at the Torrevieja: Thursdays 5.30pm. Call Olympia Restaurant in Mil Palmeras 608283661, and in church building, at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. You do Tuesdays, 6pm call 617591399 and not have to be ex-military to attend Thursdays, 5.30pm call 608283661. For or to join. Everyone is welcome. More other church matters call pastor, Rafael information can be found at the branch Restrepo, on 966799273 or mobile website - http://branches.britishlegion. 660127276. org.uk/branches/orihuela-costa
7pm-8.30pm. They finished last season on a high and want to continue this by inviting new players, coaches and umpires to join them. If you are age 14+, enjoy team sports and have a basic understanding of netball (or even better if you are an experienced player) then get out those trainers and come along to Quesada. We are a group of ladies of differing ages and playing ability but all with the same aim of enjoying ourselves on the netball court. If you require any further details contact Claire 680 300 637 or Tracey 679 539 995.
Friends after Casa Tom Community 50+ SOLOS IS open to ladies and gentlemen who Choir: Bereavement. F.A.B for Casa Tom Community Choir meets find themselves on their own but would every Monday at 2.00pm for 2.30pm. like to get out and meet people through short 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.
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.
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
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
Table Tennis Torrevieja.
31
I nternational WANTED NETBALL La Siesta Evangelical Church and Ladies Christian Assembly PLAYERS Rojales Netball Club are back in training Friendship Group evangelical church,
at
Held Tuesdays and Thursdays 13.30 to 17.30 at Casa Ventura. Equipment and coaching provided if required. All standards catered for. If more information required contact Del on 653564831
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
TABLE TENNIS AT PILAR DE LA HORADADA
Sports Centre every Monday at 10am Five tables equipment supplied, coaching given if necessary, all standards welcome. Contact George on 965 326097 or Gordon on 966 848304 or e-mail drewgeorge49@yahoo.com.
INVITE YOU TO “FOLLOW THE STAR” TO A SPARKLING CHRISTMAS FAYRE at LA SIESTA CHURCH on SATURDAY 26th NOVEMBER at 10.30 a.m. Bric-a-brac, jewellery, raffle, home baking, mulled wine, hot dogs, auction, linen, books, games, tombola, tea & coffee etc.
Paul Cunningham Charity Event
The fabulous Graham Alexander will be performing his unique Neil Diamond/ David Bowie tribute evening at Casa Ventura on Saturday 12th November at 8.00 p.m. Graham will be singing all the favourite songs from these two great artists. Tickets 12 Euros and to include hot and cold buffet. Plus there will be a charity raffle. To book your seat, please telephone 966 789 247
We are a mixed group of people who CHESS club meet on a Saturday afternoon between Friendly Chess group looking for 2 to 4pm. more players. FRIDAYS 1.00 PM The club is run by Joan. We are a very - REFLECTIONS BAR SAN LUIS friendly group with a lot of chat but (Lakeside) Tele: John 966 786 774 with plenty of time to listen. We try to or 634 658 506 (M) help bereaved people to take their first Football steps to new friendships, we understand Walking bereavement as each and everyone of us teams on the Costa ‘Strictly Dance’ has been bereaved. Blanca A utumn / W inter For more information please contact We are considering forming a friendly Joan on phone number 634 336 103 league, to be played on a home and Schedule Every Monday Emerald Isle Rock & Roll where she will give you information on away basis. Beginners & Improvers Tuition 6:30- any questions you have, and where we should you wish to put your club forward hold our meetings. We look forward to to joining this friendly, Non-profit, league 7:30pm Every Tuesday, The Country Club, seeing new friends and old friends alike. please contact in the first Quesada, Beginners & Intermediate instance Bill Whitehouse by email Ballroom & Latin Tuition 8-10pm PASO A PASO MODERN billwhitehouse1@hotmail.co.uk Every Thursday, The Madhouse, Pueblo DANCE FUSION if you are reading this and you feel that Principe, Beginners & Intermediate JIVE this is for you please notify your club Ballroom & Latin Tuition 8-10pm VENUE AND TIME INFO Christmas Dinner Dance QCC Saturday Tuesdays and Thursdays our two main management. 17 December, New Courses every 3 evenings with classes and social freestyle if you would like to join a walking football weeks, Singles Welcome. You’ve seen dancing till late with Dance Junction team please contact the above for more the show now come and learn how Disco. information in your area. its done with the professionals and PLEASE NOTE Villa Salada Class and join in the ‘strictly’ gossip. For futher Social Resumes Tuesday 1st November La Bamba’s - Ballroom information contact Lyn on 635 584 431, due to restaurants holidays. Modern / Latin / 966 188 430 or email strictlydancelyn@ THURSDAYS AND MONDAYS CONTINUE AS NORMAL. gmail.com Argentine Tango / Tuesdays 8pm Beg / Int classes and SPIRITUALIST CENTRE, social freestyle till late. Sequence Dancing Meson Villa Salada, CV 905 main Papas Bar & Mini Golf, Rojales 02170 BENIJOFAR Crevillente to Torrevieja Road, San Luis. [near Thursday Market] Meets at Hamilton´s Bake House, Thurdays 8pm Beg / Int classes and Monday - SOCIAL DANCE 8.00pm 62 Calle Vicente, Blasco Ibañez, social freestyle till late. 10.30pm Benijofar 03178. We hold a Sunday Restaurante El Paraiso, Diez Martinez, Urb Jardin del Mar 3. near Wednesday - New Beginners Class [new Service at 11.30 a.m., a Tuesday Carrefore / Habanaras, Torrevieja. 03180 beginners welcome every Wednesday] Evening of Mediumship at 7 p.m. And Mondays 12.30pm Absolute beginners / 11am every alternate Thursday from 22nd improvers class and practice. Improvers Class 12pm; Sequence Dance The Club (bowls) Calle El Pino / Calle El September, there is an Development/ Abedul, Quesada 03170 Class 1pm Andrea Murphy [0034] 616 478 157 Awareness Circle where you can We also hold regular dinner and develop your skills commencing at 6.30 members p.m. Spiritual healing is available every dances. Halloween facy dress Sunday and Tuesday after the service. dinner and dance. The Divine Service with Mediumship, 7.30pm Saturday 29th URBANISATION EL RASO, CAMPO DE GUARDAMAR, JUST OFF THE CV895 LEMON TREE ROAD, 03140 on Sunday, 6th November, will be taken October at Restaurant Los Rosales, cv895, Guardamar by Danny Lewis (visiting UK Medium). Please call to reserve you Danny will also take the Evening of place. €10.50 includes Opening times 10am till Late Daily Mediumship on Tuesday, 8th November. a two course meal and The Divine Service with Mediumship, on dancing till late with Dance Sunday, 13th November (Remembrance Junction Disco. Call Maxine 670711408. Day Service) will be taken by Len Cox. Adam 638330342 Contact Wendy on 965323028. www. Or follow us on face book Have A Drop Off Point Here For spiritualistcentre-benijofar.com New Paso A Paso Modern Jive Payments Private Or email is phoenixchurch23@gmail.com We are more than just a Trade Advertisers, dance club lots of social or info@spiritualistcentre-benijofar.com events and organised trips Birthdays Or Other Announcements throughout the year. Identificacion Fiscal G54713789 a difficult time. No Fees or Subs just a get together normally twice a month for a meal. chat and perhaps a quiz at different locations in the Torrevieja area. We have run this little group for some 10 years and more such events are needed, 966 789 063.
Ruby’s
TEL 865 662 543
SolTimes
32
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Ladies & Gents
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Ideally you will have business to business sales experience and be able to work to weekly deadlines in a fast paced environment. Strong communication and administration skills are required for this role. You will need to be self-motivated, success driven & able to achieve weekly targets. In return we offer-Basic salary, Commission, Mobile telephone and Flexible hours. In-House training will be given. If you tick all of the boxes above send your CV to
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Call Jane on: 950 121 936 or 950 680 007 or email: sales@soltimes.com
www.soltimes.com motoring
For re-registration of cars, motorbikes and motor homes contact Graham Shelton Who after re-registering over 1800 vehicles will put you on the right side of the road.
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animal corner RUFO, black male, 8 months old, 17kgs, healthy and vaccinated. Good on the lead , dog and cat friendly. This super loving boy is in foster and is good in the house but he is now ready for his forever home.
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Sapphire is a beautiful, 5 month old white long haired kitten. She was abandoned in a cardboard box with her ginger brother and sister when she was just a few days old. Sapphire is one of many kittens currently in APAH’s care who need to start their new life in a loving home.
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November 2016
Strictly Come dancing
week 7
With the competition really starting to hot up and with only another couple of weak celebrities left, it is still all to play, for that coveted glitter ball trophy. Opening the show were Danny Mac and Oti with a Jive. I have to say that my favourite left me disappointed again this week despite him receiving his first tens from the judges. I found his basic jive flat footed, heavy and laboured despite good knee lift as a result I awarded him 9 and the judges 38. Next were Daisy Lowe and Aljaz with a Viennese Waltz. I found her posture perched forward too much this week but she showed nice flow and characterisation. I gave her 9 and the judges 34. Ore Oduba and Karen then danced a Salsa. Lacking in basic salsa moves and despite working all week on hips they were only evident on stationery moves. I awarded 8 and the judges 34. Ed Balls and Katya were next with a Quickstep. Yet again a very entertaining performance with a lot of good basic steps with kicks and flicks well performed. He surprises me every week, that said he is the weakest dancer of all the celebrities and I gave him 7 and the judges 27. Samba was the next dance from Laura Whitmore and Giovanni. A lot of basic steps shown here but some suited Laura others didn’t. Unfortunately Giovanni decided to showcase himself in a couple of places (not the thing
to do) and it left me thinking that Laura was incapable of doing the same steps. I gave her 8 and the judges 32. Another Quickstep this time from Judge Rinder and Oksana. A
really good frame which was retained throughout with a nice flat Quickstep and togetherness throughout a good job. I gave him 9 and the judges 33. The first Argentine Tango of the show this year was then danced by Louise Rednapp and Kevin. A moody performance with some very difficult tricks and kicks superbly danced. I awarded her 10 and the judges 39 and
the top of the pile this week. Greg Rutherford and Natalie and Viennese Waltz was next. Nicely danced with an improved frame and upper body shape with good movement across the floor and dominant lead. I gave him 7 and the judges 32. Closing this weeks show were Claudia Fragapane and A J with a Paso Doble. Great intensity, speed and complexity were well portrayed in this dance. Unfortunately she was wearing a dress which dwarfed her frame, far too full in the skirt which made her look tiny against A J and marred all line shaping. I awarded 8 and the judges 33. The bottom 2 were Ore Oduba and Laura Whitmore with Laura leaving the show after the dance off and a unanimous judges vote (I disagree, I think Ore has been consistently overmarked for several weeks, but Giovanni didn’t do Laura any favours with his solo!). Not long now before they head for Blackpool so who will get there and who won’t? Next week will tell. Keep up with the weekly strictly gossip by joining one of our classes or our Christmas Dinner Dance on 17 December.
Until then Keep Dancing! By Lyn Aspden of ‘Strictly Dance’ Class Info 635 584 431
www.soltimes.com
950 121 936 - sales@soltimes.com
star trek beyond on dvd now
There’s a scene from Jason Reitman’s “Thank You For Smoking” that’s impossible to erase from your mind when watching “Star Trek Beyond,” the third entry in the rebooted film franchise. Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart), a lobbyist for the tobacco industry, is pitching Jeff (Rob Lowe), a Hollywood super-agent who never sleeps, on bringing cigarettes back to the movies. Jeff envisions a science-fiction romance where Catherine ZetaJones and Brad Pitt light up in space — in between ravishing each other’s naked bodies, that is. Nick likes the idea, except for one problem: “Wouldn’t they blow up in an all-oxygen environment?” Jeff is prepared for this question. “It’s an easy fix,” he says. “One line of dialogue: ‘Thank god we invented the… whatever… device.” “Star Trek Beyond” is a movie full of whatever devices, where an outdated ship that crash-landed on a hostile planet a century ago can be easily fixed up with a little TLC and an attack of killer bees is neutralized by blasting the Beastie Boys. The film’s own logic is so casually convoluted that, like Ellen Page in “Inception,” the characters have a way of narrating the action to the audience, just to make sure you’re following along. (You still may not be.) “Beyond” is the first “Star Trek” film to be penned by Simon Pegg, who co-wrote the cult comedy Cornetto Trilogy (“The World’s End,” “Hot Fuzz” and “Shaun of the Dead”) with his frequent collaborator, Edgar Wright. Pegg’s script is a nonsense, but it is a spirited one, the closest in tone of the recent trilogy to the original “Star Trek” series. Created by Gene Roddenberry, the show was expansive with ideas about man’s existential fate, and subsequent instalments only expounded on its philosophical
the previous entry (why did Carol take off her shirt again?) by giving the series its best female character in ages: Jaylah (Sofia Boutella), a warrior who seeks vengeance for her people. She also lacks an understanding of basic social graces. Sporting an accent straight out of “The Fifth Element,” Jaylah repeatedly refers to Capt. Kirk as “James T” and sits in his chair — feet up — without asking. Charmingly unpredictable, she’s my kind of vigilante. Jaylah will get her chance at revenge when the Enterprise is attacked by Krall, a tyrannical despot who commands a swarm of mechanical bees to attack the ship. Like the trio of vampyric models in Nicolas Winding Refn’s “The Neon Demon,” Krall feasts on the young in his quest for immortal life. He purges the Enterprise of its crew, who will be taken hostage and harvested. Krall is played by Idris Elba, one of the finest actors of his generation. You might remember him from Cary Joji Fukunaga’s “Beasts of No Nation” or “The Wire,” where he portrays a warlord and a gangster, respectively. Both of these men prey on youth in different ways. The Commandant needs child soldiers for his army, while Stringer Bell relies on truant teenagers to run his drug enterprise. While Elba, a fearsome and volatile presence, adds dramatic heft to the role, he is wasted underneath pounds of prosthetics that make him look like Ivan Ooze. (Bryan Singer’s most recent “X-Men” film shared this issue.) The actor is virtually unrecognizable until the final third, where he is finally unmasked. “Beyond” is undoubtedly messy, like a Starfleet ship that’s taken its fair share of beatings, but it is frequently a reminder of how good the series can be when all its engines are in working order. Opening a box left behind by Commander Spock, Spock the younger finds a photo of the original crew. That nostalgia, both for its source material and time gone by, is both reverent and earned. Given the losses of both Nimoy and Anton Yelchin, who plays Chekhov, since the previous feature, it’s hard not to share the film’s wonder as the destiny that awaits us all. The film may not go boldly, but it’s a welcome homecoming for the beloved series. http://www.salon.com/
Research, professors of psychology, and, of course, Ed and Lorraine Warren. In real life, the Warrens were much less involved than their cinematic counterparts, arriving “uninvited,” according to one source, and staying for less than a day. A few of the investigators most heavily involved in the Enfield case included Guy Lyon Playfair, John Beloff, Maurice Grosse, and Anita Gregory. Both Grosse and Gregory even found their way into the film version. While Grosse and Playfair maintained the veracity of the haunting, they also found reason to doubt some of the c l a i m s . Along with the skeptical Gregory and Beloff, other authorities chimed in to “debunk” many of the events. This led many people to dismiss the entire case as a hoax. Gregory later described the Enfield case as “overrated,” stating that several incidents had been staged. Whether real or faked, the events were apparently chilling to witness. Aside from banging on the walls, bending silverware, and furniture moving on its own, 11-year-old Janet Hodgson was said to have levitated above her bed, and to have spoken in a voice purportedly belonging to a man named Bill Wilkins, who had died in the house before the Hodgsons moved in. “Just before I died, I went blind,” the malesounding voice emanating from Janet’s mouth said, “and then I had an ‘emorrhage and I fell asleep and I died in the chair in the corner downstairs.” The voice was recorded by Maurice
Grosse, and can still be heard today. The son of Bill Wilkins later confirmed that the events described were accurate. While some claimed that Janet was simply practicing ventriloquism, and magician Bob Couttie later reviewed the tapes and found “nothing in what I had heard that was beyond the capabilities of an imaginative teenager,” it’s difficult to listen to that recording and not feel a chill up your spine. Even after the poltergeist activity tapered off, following a priest’s visit in 1978, Peggy Hodgson still claimed to hear noises in the house. Her youngest son Billy said that he always felt like there was someone in the room with him. After Peggy Hodgson’s death in 2003, Clare Bennett moved into the house at 284 Green Street with her three sons. Like Billy, she reported that she always felt like someone was watching her, and her sons reported hearing voices from downstairs in the middle of the night. When her 15-year-old son Shaka woke up and saw a man coming into his room, the family moved out after staying for only two months. While we’ll probably never know what really happened, the story remains one of the most documented and studied paranormal cases in history, and with the success of “The Conjuring 2”, interest in the Enfield Poltergeist has only increased. This story was originally featured on TheLine-Up.com. The Lineup is the premier digital destination for fans of true crime, horror, the mysterious, and the paranormal. reuters.com
the Enfield Poltergeist
By: Orrin Grey (THE LINEUP) – Those who have seen the 2016 hit film “The Conjuring 2” know that it opens with the Amityville case—possibly the most famous paranormal case in history, thanks to the various books and movies that it spawned. That said, the majority of the film is actually occupied with the case of the so-called “Enfield Poltergeist.” While the Enfield Poltergeist may not be as familiar as the Amityville case, news of the haunting caused a media frenzy, with stories appearing in newspapers and on television. So what really happened in that small rented house at 284 Green Street in Enfield, England between 1977 and 1979? In August of 1977, Peggy Hodgson called the police to come to her house after her four children had reported furniture moving on its own, and knocking coming from inside the walls. Carolyn Heeps was one of the officers who arrived at the home, and later signed an affidavit that she had seen a chair levitate and move almost four feet without being touched. Of course, poltergeist activity is somewhat outside the purview of the police, so there was little they could do. However, the story drew the attention of paranormal investigators, such as members of the Society for Psychical
35
optimism. “It is the struggle itself that is most important,” waxes Data in “The Next Generation.” “We must strive to be more than we are. It does not matter that we will not reach our ultimate goal. The effort itself yields its own reward.” At the opening of “Beyond,” a sense of fatigue has set in over the Enterprise, and perhaps the films themselves. Kirk (Chris Pine), now three years into his mission to explore the vast recesses of the galaxy, tells his captain’s log that the infinitum of space is both beautiful and despairing: While it means anything is possible, the indistinguishable days turn punishing. “Things have started to feel a little episodic,” Kirk bemoans in a strong monologue that’s often quite pretty. That kind of self-referential humour permeates “Beyond,” directed by Justin Lin (“Fast Five”) with a sense of rollicking adventure missing from the previous entry, “Into Darkness,” weighed down by dour ballast. “Star Trek Beyond,” more than anything, is designed as a course-correct from the previous film. “Into Darkness” was hampered by its own super-seriousness and an Uhura-Spock romance that felt ripped from a Katherine Heigl movie, but “Beyond” focuses on the real romance of “Star Trek” — the relationships between its crew members. Spock (Zachary Quinto), following the destruction of his homeland, is contemplating leaving the Enterprise to carry on the work of the recently-deceased Commander Spock (Leonard Nimoy), his alter-ego from another universe. But as his team reminds him, Spock is needed on the ship — especially by Kirk, who wouldn’t be able to function without his righthand man. The fraternal banter between the Enterprise crew is the film’s strongest aspect, reminiscent of the jocular energy of Pegg’s earlier screenplays. After Spock decides to part ways with Uhura, he gives her a necklace as a token of his affection. He refuses to take it back, saying it would be against Vulcan custom. It turns out that the stone embedded in the jewellery is not only radioactive but easy to detect via the ship’s scanners. “You gave your girlfriend a tracking device?” Dr. McCoy (Karl Urban) concludes. Spock might be appalled by the suggestion, but he can’t fault the validity of the doctor’s logic. “Beyond” undercuts the unfortunate sexism of
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November 2016
SPORTS SHORTS by Tony Matthews
• Andy Murray, the first Brit to become number one in the world of tennis, celebrated by winning his eighth title of 2016 by beating John Isner in the Paris Masters Open. • GB’s tennis star Johanna Konta will end the year in the women’s top ten. • The annual ATP World finals will take place in London (13-20 November). • In recent PL games, Chelsea hammered Everton 5-0 (to go to the top the table temporarily); Liverpool then crushed Watford 6-1 to leap frog the Londoners; the games between Manchester City and Middlesbrough, Arsenal and Spurs and West ham and Stoke all ended in 1-1 draws; WBA ended Leicester’s 20-match unbeaten home run, winning 2-1; 10-man Sunderland gained their first win of the season with a 2-1 victory at Bournemouth; Manchester United won 3-1 at Swansea; Burnley pipped Crystal Palace 3-2 and Hull hit back to beat Southampton 2-1. • Championship leaders Newcastle beat Cardiff 2-1; Leeds won 3-2 at Norwich; Brighton (with a 50yard lobbed goal by Steve Sidwell) beat Bristol City 2-0; Derby won 3-2 at Wolves (who now have Paul Lambert in charge); Aston Villa defeated Blackburn 2-1 and after drawing 1-1 at Nottingham Forest, QPR sacked manager Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink. • In the FAC first round, nonLeague Macclesfield won 1-0 at Walsall while the ties between Eastleigh and Swindon and Curzon and Westfields, the lowest-ranked team in the competition finished 1-1. • Celtic beat Inverness CT 3-0 to go 10 points clear in the SPL; Edinburgh City won their first-ever League game in Scotland, beating Montrose 1-0 and Berwick (reduced to eight men) drew 1-1 with Cowdenbeath.
• Vital World Cup qualifiers coming up include England-Scotland and Northern Ireland-Azerbaijan on Friday and Austria-Republic of Ireland, Spain-Macedonia and Wales-Serbia on Saturday. • In Rugby Union, Ireland pulled off a memorable 40 points to 29 victory over New Zealand before 62,300 fans in Chicago last weekend - their first-ever win over the All Blacks in 111 years. • In other internationals, the Barbarians drew 31-31 with South Africa and Australia beat Wales 32-8 while in the Pro12 League, there were wins for Munster 33-0 over Ospreys and Edinburgh 2817 against Ulster. This weekend’s ‘friendlies’ include England-South Africa, Ireland-Canada, ScotlandAustralia and Wales-Argentina. Five days ago, in the ‘League’ code, England beat Scotland 38-12 in the first-ever international between the countries. • The first of five cricket Tests between India and England starts today in Rajkot. • On Sunday, Valencia stages the final MotoGP of the year and we have the Brazilian F1 Grand Prix which, again, Lewis Hamilton must win! • Manny Pacquiao beat Jessie Vargas to reclaim his WBO Welterweight title. • GB cyclists Katie Archibald and Manon Lloyd won the Madison gold in Glasgow. • Racehorse Highland Reel won the 2016 Breeder’s Cup. • And a fund, in aid of jockey Freddie Tylicki who was paralysed after a fall at Kempton Park ten days ago, has now topped £150,000. DID YOU KNOW? The oldest footballer currently playing in the English PL is WBA defender Gareth McAuley who will be 37 next month.
MAZARRON FC 0 CD BALA AZUL 1
An 81st goal from former Mazarron player Jose Da gave Bala Azul a narrow victory in the local derby in front of the largest crowd in recent years at the Estadio Municipal. Bala had the better of the early exchanges and it was 15 minutes before Mazarron threatened the visitors goal when Raul Torrano's free kick was snatched off the onrushing Raul's head by Bala keeper Gregorio. Six minutes later Raul Torrano's long throw found Jimmy who hit a fierce shot just over the bar. As Mazarron came more into the game Chino's cross from the left was headed down by Raul into the path of Jimmy but his left foot shot was well over the bar. Andreo than made an excellent break down the right but his cross, intended for Raul, was cut out by Gregorio. At the other end Juan Pedro was troubled by a dipping shot which he managed to claw away and then Diego had a shot which was deflected wide for a Bala corner. The visitors had a penalty appeal turned down and then, on 41 minutes, Boudia conceded a free kick just outside the penalty from which Juan Pedro made an excellent diving save. The half time interval was marred by the actions of the Bala supporters who were throwing fireworks on to the pitch despite the fact that both teams' substitutes were warming up and that there were many children playing their own games on the playing area during
the break. Bala started the second half like a house on fire. Diego's free kick was superbly saved by Juan Pedro who then had to make another stunning save to keep out another long range shot. After 58 minutes Salvador's shot from 25 yards beat the diving Juan Pedro but, fortunately for Mazarron, went just outside the far post. Mazarron were relying on breakaways at this stage and Chino's long throw caused panic in the visitors defence before the ball was headed over the bar for a corner. The on 61 minutes Koko controlled a left wing cross before turning inside and shooting straight at the Bala keeper. After 71 minutes it was Juan Pedro in action again with another excellent save to keep out former Mazarron player, Diego. The deadlock was finally broken after 81 minutes when Jose Da was allowed to run at the Mazarron defence and hit an excellent shot from just outside the penalty area which gave Juan Pedro no chance. Mazarron were denied what seemed to be an obvious penalty for handball in the closing minutes but the referee indicated only a corner kick to the dismay of Mazarron players and supporters. Bala Azul just about deserved their victory on the balance of play and went to the top of the league with Mazarron still occupying a mid table position.
Team: Juan Pedro; Raul Torrano; Boudia, Juan Andre; Chino; Raso; Andreo; Koko; Ruben (Steven); Raul (Cesar); Jimmy. Man of the Match; Juan Pedro
T.M.G.S. @ Campoamor 2/11/16
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47 members and a few guests were greeted by a warm calm autumn day to play the 2nd round of our Eclectic Stableford competition. The golf course is now showing signs of heavy traffic from this extremely busy high season, added to that Campoamor is the only local course that over seeds the Bermuda grass at this time of year, so that when it goes dormant the golf course retains its green fairways. The results of this work will be seen during the next few months when the temperature drops. That said, the scores were on the high side with many of our Viking members reducing their handicaps which they might regret in a few weeks when we play them for the “Viking Trophy” at La Manga. Note: Karen Smith (wife of Graham) is extremely happy that Graham won the N.T.P. on the 15th; the prize was a bottle of Vodka which she said would come in very handy during her duties as his full time nurse and maid .Today’s results, N.T.P. competition: hole 4 I. Brown, Hole 6 Nada, Hole 10 S. Sonesen, Hole 15 G. Smith, Hole 17 D. Cranston. €40 swelled the “2’s” pot but this had to be shared between 4 lucky winners one of whom had 2 (Sverre Sonesen). Our best visitor this week was local member Gerry Gibson with 28 pts. Bronze category; 3rd L. Jernberg
34 pts. 2nd O. Haubner 38 pts. 2nd C. Marsden 38 pts. L/H Silver category: 3rd L. Jernberg 34 pts. 2nd A. Kilnes 36 pts. 1st H. Kyvag 39 pts. Gold category: 3rd N. Spaniol 35 pts. 2nd L. Sandgren 39 pts. 1st D. Cranston 39 pts. Photo: N.T.P. winners. L/H. For more information about our Society log onto www.tmgs.org and download our new app. Or visit us at www.facebook.com/ TMGSGOLF
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Andy Murray beats John Isner in Paris Masters final to take title
Britain's Andy Murray celebrated his rise to world number one by beating American John Isner 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 to win his first Paris Masters title. The victory brought Murray his sixth ATP title of a memorable 2016. The Scot, 29, also added his second Olympic and Wimbledon titles on his way to the top of the rankings. On Monday he will be officially confirmed as Britain's first singles number one since computerised rankings were introduced in 1973. Murray's ascent was confirmed by Milos Raonic's withdrawal from Saturday's semi-final with a leg injury, but the hype around his accomplishment did nothing to knock his concentration. He now heads to the seasonending World Tour Finals as top seed for the first time - but if previous number one Novak Djokovic wins every match at the Finals he will reclaim the top ranking he held for 122 weeks. After double-faulting on the first point of the first game, Murray soon clicked into gear,
breaking for a 4-2 lead, and showing watertight defence to close the door on Isner when the American created two break points of his own in the next game. Murray managed only six points on his opponent's serve in the set, but that was enough to take it in 35 minutes. The unseeded Isner continued to put pressure on Murray in the second, showing an increasing deftness at the net to take the second set to a tiebreak. And the 6ft 8in 31-year-old had too much for the Scot in the decider, serving imperiously to take the breaker 7-4. Twice in Isner's first two service games of the third set Murray saw break points snatched away by his opponent's huge serve. But Murray was not be denied, and he finally forced a break at 5-4, firing in a rapid backhand that Isner could only dig into the net, to take the third set and the match. Bbc.com
Lionel Messi: Barcelona forward celebrates 500th club goal
Barcelona are celebrating another Lionel Messi landmark, after the Argentina forward scored his 500th goal for the club on Sunday. The 29-year-old netted Barcelona's first in a 2-1 win over Sevilla. That took Messi to 500 in 592 games for the Catalan club, including friendlies, with 469 of those in official fixtures. Messi is now 105 goals clear of second all-time top scorer Paulino Alcantara, who played for Barcelona in two spells between 1912 and 1927. In April, the forward scored his 500th career goal, including internationals, in Barcelona's 2-1 defeat by Valencia. Messi's first senior goal for the La Liga club came as a 17-year-old against Albacete in May 2005. The Argentine has now scored 320 goals in Spain's top flight, to add to his 90 in the Champions League. The rest of Messi's official Barcelona goals have come in Spanish cup competitions, the Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup.
He broke Barcelona's goals scored in official matches record previously held by Cesar Rodriguez, who played for the club in the 1940s and 1950s - in 2012. Bbc.com
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Harry Kane & Jack Wilshere named in England squad to face Scotland and Spain
minutes under his belt. It’s good to Spurs striker Kane has recovered from the ankle injury that saw him bring him back into the squad.” miss the matches against Malta and England face Scotland on Friday Slovenia. at Wembley Stadium and then play Wilshere is a player that we Spain on Tuesday, 15 November. feel has a lot of class and is now England’s 25-man squad to starting to get more 90 minutes face Scotland and Spain: Forster under his belt (Southampton), Hart (Torino), Manchester United’s Chris Smalling Heaton (Burnley); Bertrand and Luke Shaw are not in the (Southampton), Cahill (Chelsea), squad. Clyne (Liverpool), Jagielka Both defenders were declared unfit (Everton), Keane (Burnley), for United’s 3-1 win at Swansea. Rose (Tottenham), Stones (Man Spurs midfielder Dele Alli also City), Walker (Tottenham); Dier misses out having twisted his knee (Tottenham), Drinkwater (Leicester), during training in the build-up Henderson (Liverpool), Wilshere to Tottenham’s 1-1 draw against (Bournemouth), Lallana (Liverpool), Arsenal on Sunday. Burnley’s Michael Keane is included Lingard (Man Utd), Rooney (Man Utd), Sterling (Man City), Townsend again, having received his first call(Crystal Palace); Walcott (Arsenal), up as injury cover for last month’s Kane (Tottenham), Rashford (Man games. Full-back Nathaniel Clyne Utd), Sturridge (Liverpool), Vardy and midfielders Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling also return to the (Leicester) set-up after overcoming injuries. “Over the last few weeks we’ve been LOS DOLSES S.L looking at as many games as possible and keeping track of all BEST of the players,” said PRICES interim England boss Gareth Southgate. PAID CARS FOR CASH Call Spencer on 637 090 665 “Wilshere is a player that we feel has a lot MECHANIC WORKSHOP of class and is now PHONE on 672 532 758 starting to get more 90
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Bale helps leaders Real see off Leganes the second on the stroke of halftime, just beating Serantes to the loose ball from close range. Real's Spain striker Alvaro Morata, standing in for the injured Karim Benzema, rounded off the win in the 76th minute.
A first-half double from Gareth Bale helped Real Madrid cement their position at the top of La Liga with a 3-0 win at home to Leganes on Sunday. Reeling from a chaotic midweek 3-3 draw at Legia Warsaw in the Champions League, Real got off to a slow start against neighbours Leganes, but Bale put them in charge in the 37th minute. The Wales international, who netted a sensational half volley against Legia, raced onto a through ball from Isco that split the visiting defence and rounded goalkeeper Jon Serantes to tuck the ball inside the near post from a tight angle. Bale then cashed in on poor defending from a free kick to hit
Real talisman Cristiano Ronaldo had a quiet game and frequently strayed offside, but nearly set up a third for Bale, who was denied by Serantes, who leapt to his left to claw away the Welshman's header. Midfield maestro Luka Modric received a rapturous reception from the Bernabeu crowd when he came on in the second half to mark his return from injury after more than a month out.
November 2016
PLEASANT BUT NOT EXCITING RACING
So many members of the Balaton Group arrived for the SAMM race day on Sunday 30th October that two of the founder members had to stand down so three new members could experience racing for the first time in the group’s three day boats. They were joined by four Shoestring Group dinghies and one independent boat. The morning race was delayed by lack of wind but at 12 noon it had come in at 4 knots and the Balaton boats started. Sirocco made a poor start and crossed the line with the dinghies at 12.05pm but made up her deficit and was the first day boat to finish. The conditions suited Don Clark in his Hartley. He soon led the fleet and finished the first lap in a slow 29 minutes, Sirocco took 52 minutes. This slow pace forced the Race Officer to shorten the race to 3 laps which all the dinghies finished by 2.45pm. The Balaton boats needed a stronger wind to sail their best so took around 45 minutes longer.
As the clocks had gone back and it would get dark earlier the second race was kept at three laps and started at 15.00 hours. The wind had increased to 6 knots and again Don was in the lead by the end of the first lap and held it to the finish. Mistral had sailed badly in the first race coming in last and it was apparent from the Committee boat during the second race that something was amiss as she was crabbing sideways on the beat. Her rig and keel need urgent investigation to locate the problem. There was some close racing at times, especially when a dinghy overhauled a day boat and the results were. First race: Harltey, Shoestring Dos, Shoestring Uno. Second race: Hartley, Shoestring Cuatro, Shoestring Dos For more information about SAMM see their web site at www.sailingmarmenor.com
Morata further delighted supporters by latching onto a Toni Kroos pass to score the third, moving ahead of Bale and Ronaldo as Real's top scorer this season on eight goals in all competitions.
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