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Merry Christmas
December 2016
Brits in Spain returning for Christmas warned of strikes at 18 UK airports
EXPATS in Spain travelling to the UK to spend Christmas with family and friends should try to change their flights to earlier in the week if possible – workers at 18 airports, including the main London terminals, will be on strike on Friday, December 23 and on Christmas Eve, a Saturday. Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton employees are among the 1,500 or so planning to down tools as a 'last resort', according to their union. Their salaries have been frozen since 2014, despite the cost of living rocketing even since then and housing now out of reach of the budgets of most first-time buyers. Unite, representing the workers, has rejected proposals to increase wages by 4.65% in three years. Swissport luggage-handling staff have joined the strike, meaning flights are likely to be delayed or even cancelled. Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Edinburgh are other airports affected. Additionally, pilots on the British airline Virgin Atlantic are negotiating through their union, PPU, and say they will be working 'the bare minimum to comply with
their job contracts' in protest over job conditions. To cap it all, around 2,000 British Airways (BA) cabin crew members have voted to strike in protest over their own frozen salaries, although they have not yet given a date to do so. It is likely, however, to be over the Christmas and New Year period, since other than summer, this is when British airports are at their busiest. The ground staff strike at the 18 UK airports could continue indefinitely, says Unite spokesman Oliver Richardson, unless company bosses agree to open discussions with them on equal terms. Brits living in Spain should keep a close eye on the websites for their airlines if they are due to spend Christmas and New Year in their country of origin. Extra time should be allowed when travelling back to Spain, particularly from the main London airports where the requisite two hours before take-off is frequently not enough time to check in and get through security on a normal day. thinkspain
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Merry Christmas
112 manages 151 incidents due to rain and snow in the province
37 municipalities have recorded incidents due to the storm. In the video, images of the Andarax River after the storm last weekend Emergencias 112 Andalusia has managed more than a hundred incidents, specifically 151, in the province of Almeria in relation to the adverse meteorological event of rain and snow that is affecting the province since the
ort
afternoon yesterday and throughout the morning of today Sunday, As reported by the Emergency Coordination Center 112. The majority of notices refer to flooding in garages, basements, ground-floor houses and the public highway (79), as well as anomalies in basic services (29), such as incidents in the network (20) and incidents of traffic and in the provincial road network due to the accumulation of
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water, stones and mud. The Delegation of Government in Almería has maintained for more than twelve hours Situation 1 of the Plan of Emergencies before the Risk of Floods. This level refers to the occurrence of flooding in localized areas whose attention can be ensured through the use of local resources and resources. However, the activation of the plan has involved permanent communication with the Emergency Coordination Center (CECEM 112) to inform at all times the situation and request the support and necessary resources of the autonomous administration, as it is being done. More than thirty municipalities in Almeria (37) have recorded, so far, incidents due to the storm; Although most of the notices have been concentrated in Almeria capital (25), Níjar (14), Vera (11), Roquetas de Mar (9), Cuevas de Almanzora (7) and Pulpí (6), while in the rest Of locations have coordinated four or fewer incidents. Top issues The most relevant cases, for the moment, refer to the preventive eviction last night of the areas of Puerto Rey and Pueblo Laguna, in Vera, before possible rises in the mouth of the river Antas, as well as the rescue of people as in The El Ejido Summit, where about 40 workers were aided by the Civil Guard after leaving a warehouse whose exit roads were flooded. Emergency services have also carried out more than fifteen rescues. Local Police of Nijar has attended a person of a vehicle stalled by a water ramp at the exit of San Isidro, also has been helped to the occupants of two vehicles in the road of Ruescas to Cabo de Gata (Pujaire- Níjar), as well as two people from other tourism near the cemetery of Roquetas de Mar. During the afternoon of yesterday also rescues
December 2016
and rescues were taken care of in San Juan de los Terreros, in Cortijo Vizcaíno and in the street Ferrocarril, in Pulpí. The Almerian capital and the municipalities of Bédar, Níjar, Villaricos and other pedantic centers of Cuevas de Almanzora have suffered intermittent and intermittent light cuts. Activation of the Plan The delegate of the Government of Almeria, Gracia Fernández Moya, activated at 9 pm yesterday the plan and moved that same night to the municipality of Vera, place from which, from the first moments, has remained in permanent contact with the mayors and councilors Of the affected municipalities. The City of Pulpí also activated the day of Saturday its Municipal Emergency Plan (PEM). Gracia Fernández has deactivated Situation 1 of the Emergency Plan at 0930 hours on Sunday after having been in charge of the coordination of the interventions, together with the territorial delegate for Environment and Spatial Planning, Antonio Martínez Rodriguez, and the Fomento, Joaquín Jiménez Segura. The delegate has put in value the coordination of all the emergency operations and especially the work developed by service 112, Local Police, Civil Guard, Fire and Civil Protection, among others; While appealing to citizens to remain alert to the warnings of Civil Protection and 112 in relation to meteorology and urged to follow the self-protection advice of the emergency service as "security and prevention are essential In situations like these since citizenship is the first link in the chain of resolution of emergencies. " voz de almeria translate by google
CEREMONIES FOR YOU …….your ceremony your way
What wonderful events are you planning for 2017? Are you planning a wedding, a special anniversary or a renewal of your marriage vows? Not sure where to start or who you can ask about your ceremony? No matter what occasion you are marking, I offer a fully Bespoke Service, from finding out what it is you’d like to communicate - right through to delivering a memorable ceremony experience which you will treasure for years to come. As a Qualified Celebrant I will discuss with you all your requirements, ideas and to find about more about yourselves. I will then create a beautiful and unique ceremony just for you, with readings, music and vows tailored along with special touches like unity candles or sand ceremonies for your special day. Afterwards I will present you with a pack containing highlights of your ceremony which you can keep as a keepsake. I promise never to use a “one size fits all” approach and I will take as much time as we need to create your perfect day. January is a very busy time for bookings and I only book one ceremony each day so if you have the date, don’t wait! Contact me Facebook~Lynda Gibson Celebrant
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Feliz Navidad
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Merry Christmas
Hotel maids in Spain rebel against low salaries Spain is enjoying a surge in visitors,
but hotel maids are not reaping the rewards and are rebelling against their low salaries, which can be as little as two euros to clean a room. The country, which welcomed over 68 million foreign tourists last year -- its third consecutive year of record numbers -- employs around 100,000 hotel maids, according to union estimates. Over the past two years more and more maids have been challenging their contracts in courts and coming out in the press with tales of exploitation in the world's third most visited country. Pepita Garcia Lupianez, who has worked for 40 years in the seaside resort of Torremolinos on the Costa del Sol, is one of the leaders of the fight despite enjoying better conditions than most. She had a full-time contract and earns 1,300 euros ($1,400) per month, far above the minimum wage of 764.40 euros. "I am almost ashamed when I meet with colleagues employed by subcontractors who have contracts of four to six hours and work in reality eight or ten hours," said Lupianez, 59, a representative with Spain's biggest union, Comisiones Obreras (CCOO). "Their employers tells them: 'Until you have finished, you can't leave!'". Lupianez took part in a protest in the southern city of Malaga Thursday against a reform of Spain's labour code in 2012 which maids say has led to lower salaries. The reform made firing workers easier and cheaper and weakened collective bargaining agreements. Outsourcing
of cleaning to less expensive firms has since become widespread. "In numerous hotels directly-hired staff have been replaced" by employees of service firms, said Ernest Canada, the author of a book on hotel maids. Maids who work for such firms are not governed by the collective labour agreement for housekeeping staff, but the one for the cleaning sector, and are paid up to 40 percent less than their peers, according to the CCOO. - 400 rooms per month "We say: 'Enough exploitation!', said Carolina Martin, a 46-year-old maid in the southwestern city of Seville who has filed a complaint against her previous employer."I earned just 700 euros to clean 400 rooms per month, they gave us more or less two euros per room we cleaned," she said. She now works 30 hours a week at a four star hotel in Seville, earning 618 euros a month. The schedule leaves her in "constant stress" with no time to go to the bathroom during her shifts, she said. The maids often win their legal battles. Of the 58 collective agreements which have been contested since May 2015, 46 have been annulled, according to Spain's two largest unions, CCOO and the UGT. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's conservative government defends its reform of the labour code, crediting it with a drop in Spain's jobless rate to below 20 percent from a record high 27 percent in 2013. Spain's hotel and retail sector accounted for nearly half of all jobs created this year, according to a study by Adecco, the world's biggest
temp agency. But most new jobs are temporary. One in three Spaniards is employed on a fixed-term contract and the International Monetary Fund on Tuesday identified this large proportion of short-term contracts as a weakness. It urged Spain to increase incentives for employers to award staff permanent contracts in a preliminary annual review of Spain's economy. - Change hotel star ranking Maids on short-term contracts are becoming more and more common at hotels at PortAventura, one of the largest theme parks in Europe, near the northeastern city of Tarragona, said Esther Rodriguez, a maid who works there on a permanent contract. They are "young girls, sometimes from Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria, who earn 300 euros less than us," the 54-yearold said. The president of AC Hotels
December 2016
by Marriott, Antonio Catalan, made headlines last month when he publicly criticised the labour law reform and its impact on hotel maids. "Today I can fire someone by paying them compensation equivalent to 20 days' pay for each year worked and then start to outsource. This is what those who exploit maids do," he told a business forum. The Spanish hotel federation declined to comment on the issue. Some maids are distributing fliers to hotel clients to explain their plight. "It's the best way to put pressure on hotel owners," said Angela, 54, who was fired from a big hotel chain for refusing to be outsourced. She is lobbying to ensure staff working conditions are taken into account when awarding a hotel star ranking, along with criteria such as bed size. expatica
Cigarette price hike due to government tax rise
CIGARETTE brands manufactured by the firm Philip Morris will go up in price by 10 cents as a result of the government's decision to increase the tax element on tobacco products. This will include the likes of Marlboro, Chesterfield and L&M.
This comes just after manufacturer JTI increased cigarette packet prices by 20 cents to cover the tax hike, affecting brands such as Winston and Benson & Hedges, and 10 cents extra
on Coronas Black Soft.
Minority producers including Promotobacco will add between five and 10 cents on the cost of some brands including Burton, Black Devil and Manitou, as will Artobacco on Desert, Mecánicos and Herencia Palmera, whilst Compañías de Tabacos del Mediterráneo (COMET) has added up to 10 cents to Bravo and Omé cigarettes. expatica
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French and Spanish police arrest five over ‘Basque Eta arms cache’
French police officers stand outside a house during a search operation in Louhossoa, south-western France, Friday, Dec 16, 2016Image copyright AP Image caption French and Spanish officers carried out the raid late on Friday French and Spanish police have arrested five people following the discovery of a suspected weapons cache of the militant Basque separatist group Eta. The guns and explosives were found in the town of Louhossoa, near Bayonne in south-west France, officials said. However, French human rights lawyer Michel Tubiana said those arrested were activists who wanted to destroy Eta weapons and hand them to authorities. Eta declared a ceasefire in 2011 but has refused to give up its weapons. Mr Tubiana, honorary president of the Human Rights League of France, said he had initially intended to be with the activist group, but did not attend the meeting.
“We didn’t hide, our plans were clear from the start,” he told French media. “There is a total blockage in the Eta disarmament process, a blockage which comes from the French and Spanish governments’ side. Several
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Feliz Navidad
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civil society members wanted to relaunch the process, by carrying out a first destruction of weapons.” He added: “This police operation is clearly political.” Map locator Sources close to the case said those arrested were to be transferred to Paris to be questioned by anti-terror prosecutors. French Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux said on Saturday that “nobody has the right to proclaim themselves a destroyer of arms”. He said in an earlier statement that the arrests were “the result of excellent co-operation” with Spanish authorities and “a new blow to Eta”. The Spanish government has refused to negotiate with Eta. In 2014 the group said it had put some of its weapons “beyond use” but the government dismissed the statement as “theatrical”. Eta was formed more than 50 years ago in the era of Spanish dictator General Franco to fight for an independent Basque homeland. It killed more than 800 people over four decades of violence BBC
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Merry Christmas
December 2016
Christmas Irwin International Removals
Paul the Plumber
Teddy Bear Builders
Wishing all our customers old and new a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
Paul would like to wish everyone a Great Christmas and a Happy New Year
Wish all clients new and old a Very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
965 726 544 spain@irwinremovals.com
634 326 804 paultheplumber@hotmail.co.uk
English: 680 851 376 Spanish: 618 214 713
F M Transport
Spanish Number Plates
Digby’s Removals
Fred wishes all customers new and old a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
Graham would like to wish everyone safe driving for 2017.
Would like to wish all our customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
(0044) 1582 499 836 / (0044) 7977 754 389 www.fmtransport.co.uk
605 319 889 / 966 753 375
(0034) 676 582 333 - (0044) 1268 728 865 sales@digbyremovals.co.uk
Rainbow Satellites
C & M Cleaning Services
Lords Removals
Alan wishes everyone an exciting Christmas and a relaxing New Year.
Charlie would like to wish all clients a fantastic Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Steve and all the team wish everyone a Very Merry and a fantastic New Year.
636 358 475 For all your TV needs
966 789 370 / 660 718 259 cm.cleaning1@yahoo.com
(0044) 7709 557 109 - (0034) 608 061 072 lordsremovals@hotmail.com
Mist Jewellery
Brian Jones Maintenance
G.T.Autos
Christine would like to thank all her customers and wish them a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 966 782 785 www.mist-jewellery.co.uk
Brian would like to wish all his customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year. 646 705 021 bjworks@hotmail.co.uk
Tyres Direct
Algorfa Chiropractic Clinic
Would like to wish all their customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Al would like to wish all his customers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Quesada 965 701 106 Guardamar 966 726 641
965 071 898 / 618 337 616 www.chiropractorspain.com
638 323 499
Spencer wishes all his customers a Very Merry Christmas and looks forward to seeing everyone in the New Year. 637 090 665 / 672 532 758
Mobile Auto Electrician
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Feliz Navidad
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Greetings Beauty Chamber
Mail Point Michael would like to thank all his customers for their support in 2016 and wish them all old and new a very Happy Christmas. See you all in 2017.
617 500 876 / (0044) 7722 779 062 www.coast2coastremovals.com
Laura wishes all her customers a very relaxing Christmas and looks forward to seeing you all in 2017. 968 175 000 www.thebeautychambers.com
Helens Trucks
Pinada Blinds
Nick the Tiler
Helen and her team would like to thank all their customers for their support and wish them a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous 2017 965 400 616 helenstrucks1@yahoo.co.uk
Wish all their customers a Blinding Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all his customers.
600 424 619
Sammy Fitzsimmons
Amanda’s Unisex Hair
Cars R Us
Sammy would like to wish everyone a joyous Christmas and an uplifting and spiritual New Year.
Wishes all her customers a Holly, Jolly Christmas and a Bubbly New Year
Tim wishes all his clients a fabulous Christmas and a speedy New Year
680 786 694
662 211 993
Moda la Finca
PM Properties
Paul would like to thank all his customers for their support and wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
Helga and her team wish all their customers a Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you all in 2017.
Would like to wish all our clients a Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year
966 363 176 / 622 154 380
966 729 544
693 455 807
Eurospas
We Will Move It
Beauty Palace
Gez, Sue and Ben wish all their customers a Happy Christmas and New Year.
Rod wishes all his customers and friends a fantastic Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous 2017.
Meta wishes all her customers a jolly Christmas and looks forward to seeing you all in 2017.
650 722 905
(0044) 7783 222 251 / (0034) 634 360 846
966 760 133 / 688 388 272
Coast 2 Coast Wayne wishes all his customers and friends and a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
965 725 424
Leddy Contractors
966 783 555
605 305 405
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Merry Christmas
Cartagena Christmas Activities
December 2016
There are lots of exciting activities and events in Cartagena during the 2016/17 Christmas season. The main events have been translated below for you. Children's Inflatable Play Park There will be a collection of giant inflatable rides for children to enjoy in the Parque Heroes de Cavite. They will be open from the 23rd December until the 4th January during the following times Everyday 11:00-14:00 & 17:00-21:00 December 24th & 31st 11:00-14:00 Friday 23rd December 19:00 Concert by the Asociacion Musical Sauces in the Plaza San Francisco Saturday 24th December 12:30 & 17:00 Concert and Traditional Dancing by the Tardebuena in the Plaza San Francisco Monday 26th December 19:00 Folk Parade through the centre of Cartagena Tuesday 5th January 11:30 Arrival of the Three Kings by boat into the Port 12:30-14:00 Three Kings greet the children in the Plaza Ayuntamiento
18:30 Three Kings Parade along Alameda de San Antón, Plaza de España, Paseo Alfonso XIII, Juan Fernández, Juan XXIII, Santa Florentina, Carmen, Tolosa Latour, Sagasta, Puerta de Murcia, Mayor finishing in the Plaza Ayuntamiento.
Best Wishes
Total Services
Bolnuevo Cars S.L
Would like to wish all customers a Very Happy Christmas and a Great 2017
Merry Christmas to all our customers and a Prosperous New Year
968 199 295
966 845 400
968 150 979
Auto Trans 88
Murcia Property Services
Michael the Gardener
Sean would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Andy wishes all his clients new and old a Great Christmas and a booming New Year.
Wishes everyone a fantastic Christmas and would like to thank everyone for their support. Have a Happy New Year.
633 810 666
658 318 438 www.murciapropertyservices.es
656 851 785
Malcolm and his team would like to wish all our customers a fantastic Christmas and a Happy 2017.
Jardineria Alcayna
Watermaid Europe
Gigi’s Boutique
Would like to wish all our customers past and present a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Dave and Mark wish all their customers a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
Sue wishes all her customers a fabulous Christmas and looks forward to seeing everyone in 2017. Happy New Year to you all!
680 374 230 www.jardinerialaalcayna.es
646 705 088 / 636 698 501
966 390 169
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Feliz Navidad
2017 Opening times: 11:00-14:00 and 17:00-21:00 Closed in the afternoon on Satuday 24th and Saturday 31st December Santiago de la Ribera Market Large Closed all day on Sunday 25th December and Sunday This large market is held every Wednesday morning 1st January from 09:00-14:00. San Javier Market Large Murcia Artisans Christmas Market This large market is held every Thursday morning The 32nd Artisans Christmas Market will take place in the City of Murcia from the 2nd December 2016 until the from 09:00-14:00. 5th January 2017. The market will be located on Paseo Murcia Christmas Activities Alfonso X El Sabio and there will be some 70 stalls There are lots of exciting activities and events in representing more than 30 types of crafts, with lots of Murcia during the 2015/16 Christmas season throughout great products which will make ideal Christmas gifts for the city. your friends and family, or even yourself! The stalls will Grand Christmas Tree be offering ceramics, jewellery, natural honey products, lace items, meats, cheeses, presentation boxes, cane This is located in the Plaza Circular and has activities and bamboo furniture, natural cosmetics, hand-bound everyday for the children from 11:30-14:00 and 17:00books, candles, soaps and of course nativity figures and 19:30. It also has a 10 minute audio visual display scenes. everyday at 20:00 and 21:30. Thursday 2nd December 2016 - Sunday 5th January Municipal Nativity This is located in the Palacio Episcopal in the 662 679 467 main Cathedral Square. is open during the Spain’s Leading Rubber Surfacing Company info@acticesurfaces.es Itfollowing hours from the December until the Covering the entire Costa Blanca activesurfaces.es 3rd 6th January: Monday to Friday 09:00With seamless and 13:30 & 17:00-22:00 colourful wet lay rubber Saturdays, Sundays & surfacing you can enhance your pool Fiestas: 10:00-13:30 & or play area, whilst 17:00-22:00 offering protection Christmas Eve & New to your children and Years Eve: 09:00-13:00 clients.
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Ice Skating, Toboggan & Santa’s Grotto Located in the Plaza del Cuartel de Artilleria from the 2nd December to the 6 January is a 500m2 ice skating rink, a 45 meter long toboggan and Santa’s Grotto. It is 6€ for 1 hours of ice skating and 4€ for 3 goes on the toboggan, or 8€ for both. The attractions will be open: Everyday 10:00-14:00 & 16:00-22:00 Christmas Eve & News Year 10:00-14:00 & 16:00-19:30 Luz del Segura Show of lights and water on the river in front of the Ayuntamiento every half an hour from 18:30 to 21:00 from 1st to the 4th January Thursday 22nd December 18:00 Father Christmas arrives into the Plaza Cardenal Belluga Friday 23rd December 20:00 Christmas Rock in the Plaza Circular Saturday 24th December 12:00 Grand Father Christmas Parade. Route: C/ Proclamación, Sacerdotes Hermanos Cerón, Alameda de Colón, Av. Canalejas, Puente Viejo, Pza. Martínez Tornel, C/ Tomás Maestre, Glorieta de España, C/ Arenal, Cardenal Belluga, Pza. Apóstoles, Isidoro de la Cierva, Pza Cetina, Alejandro Séiquer, Plaza Santo Domingo, C/ Santa Clara Monday 26th December 12:30 Christmas Concert in the Plaza Romea Saturday 31st December 23:30 New Years Eve party and ringing of the Cathedral bells in the Plaza Santa Domingo Thursday 5th January 10:00 Roscons (3,000 Christmas Biscuits) plus presents and prizes will be given out in the Glorieta de Espana 12:30 Welcoming of the Three Kings at the Town Hall 18:00 Three Kings Parade. Route: Paseo Corvera, Alameda de Colón, Pza. Camachos, Pza. Martínez Tornel, Gran Vía Salzillo, Avda. de la Constitución, Pza. Circular, Alfonso X el Sabio y Avda. Gutiérrez Mellado. They finish at the nativity scene where they make a symbolic offering of their gifts as well as collecting the present cards which have been written by the children from the post box in the Plaza Santo Domingo h t t p : / / w w w . eurotourguide.com
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Merry Christmas
December 2016
unisex salon qualified staff Staying Healthy During Party Season
hair by
carol
"Part of a healthy lifestyle is aiming to remain consistent and balanced throughout the year without missing any of the fun - especially during party season," says Calgary Avansino. "I know December is tough when mince pies are in abundance, your social calendar is packed with alcohol-fuelled Christmas parties and the finale promises to be a feast laden with meat, stuffing, potatoes and decadent puddings. However, when it comes to alcohol there are a few simple measures you can take to help you survive the festivities and feel much better afterwards too." See her advice here.
Make A Plan I know this may not sound like a particularly spontaneous way of enjoying your Christmas season, but nobody has to know. Decide what you intend to drink, how much you plan to drink (one drink per hour is always a good guide - sipped, not gulped), and what time you plan to go home - and book a minicab to ensure it. Having a plan in your head will make it much easier to stay on track and make you less inclined to fall into temptation and inevitable regret.
Wishing all our customers old & new a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year
tel: 968 974 989 opening times: 9am - 5pm Unit 1, theworkplace Business Centre, Urb. Camposol B, Mazarron
Beautiful You Clinic
Balance Out The Booze While it might be your routine to have a glass or two of bubbly while you are getting ready to go out, these are quite often forgotten units of alcohol and calories. If you know that you will be going out and having more drinks later on, then use this time before to balance everything out with some goodness. Nibble on some healthy fat and protein, which will stabilise your blood sugar levels and prevent alcohol from being absorbed too quickly into your bloodstream. Why not try a few slices of chicken breast, some olives, a small plate of veggies with hummus, or a handful of almonds, all washed down with a large glass of water and freshly squeezed lemon?
Choose Your Poison Wisely The decisions made when looking at a drinks menu should be similar to those made when reading a food menu. How healthy is it? Can I find a better alternative? Will I stick to just one or am I going to end up wanting more? Of course, all alcoholic drinks are highly calorific, but you can make smart choices. The best advice I could give is to keep your choices simple. Sticking to a glass of wine (red has lower sugar content on average than white), which contains anywhere between 100 and 150 calories, is much better than a mixed drink, which can be loaded with hidden sugars and unwanted calories. If you're not a wine lover, then a light beer or a mixed drink with a clean mixer (sparkling water, fresh lemon juice, diet
Urb. La Marina
Fully Qualified Aesthetic Practitioner
What is a skin tag? The medical term for skin tag is acrochordon. Other synonyms that have sometimes been used to refer to skin tags include soft warts, soft fibro as, fibro epithelial polyps (FEP), fibroma pendulans, and pedunculated fibroma. Skin tags are very common and an acquired (not present at birth) benign skin growth that looks like a small piece of hanging skin that projects from the surrounding skin from a small, narrow stalk. Although skin tags may vary somewhat in appearance, they are usually smooth or slightly wrinkled and irregular, flesh-colored or slightly more brown. Early or beginning skin tags may be as small as a flattened pinpoint-sized bump around the neck. Some skin tags may be as large as a big grape.
Where do skin tags occur?
Skin tags can occur almost anywhere there is skin. Tags are thought to occur in characteristic locations where skin rubs against skin or clothing. Including the neck (where jewellery may rub), underarms, eyelids, and under the breasts (especially where under wire bras rub directly beneath the breasts). They can also be found on the upper chest and groin folds.
Who tends to get skin tags?
Nearly half of the population is reported to have skin tags at some time, they are much more common in middle age and they tend to increase in prevalence up to age 60, and because of friction occur often in overweight people. Children and toddlers may also develop skin tags in the underarm and neck areas. Hormone elevations as seen during pregnancy may cause an increase in the formation of skin tags. Skin tags are a benign condition and not directly associated with any other major medical conditions and are commonly found on healthy people.
Is a skin tag a tumor?
Skin tags are a type of growth or tumor, albeit a completely benign and harmless one. Tags are not cancerous (malignant) and not found to have potential to become cancerous if left untreated.
What problems do skin tags cause?
These tiny skin growths generally cause no symptoms unless they are repeatedly irritated as, for example, by the collar or in the groin. Cosmetic removal for unsightly appearance is perhaps the most common reason they are removed. Occasionally, a tag may require removal because it has become
Est. in Costa Blanca 13 years
irritated and red from bleeding (hemorrhage) or black from twisting and dying of the skin tissue (necrosis). Sometimes they may become snagged by clothing, jewellery, and seatbelts, causing pain or discomfort. It has been known for a tag to spontaneously fall off without any pain or discomfort. This may be because the tag has twisted on itself at the stalk base, cutting the blood supply to the tag.
How are skin tags treated? And what do you do at Beautiful You? There are several medical ways to remove a skin tag, including removing with scissors, freezing (using liquid nitrogen), and electric cautery. I use electric cautery, also known as diathermy as it is easy and very quick and without bleeding in most cases. Usually small tags may be removed easily without anesthesia while larger growths may require some local anesthesia (injected lidnocaine) prior to removal. Application of a topical anesthesia cream prior to the procedure may be desirable in areas where there are a large number of tags. There are also home remedies and self-treatments, including tying off the small tag stalk with a piece of thread or dental floss and allowing the tag to fall off over several days. This works by cutting the blood supply to the skin tag which then dies and falls off. However this can be painful. The advantage of scissor removal is that the growth is immediately removed and there are instant results. The potential disadvantage of any kind of scissor or minor surgical procedure to remove tags is minor bleeding. Possible risks with freezing or burning include temporary skin discoloration, need for repeat treatment(s), and failure for the tag to fall off. There is no evidence that removing tags causes more tags to grow. Rather, there are some people that may be more prone to developing skin tags and may have new growths periodically. If you are unsure about any changes in your skin or growths arising on the skin, and you want a professional opinion I work with a plastic surgeon and dermatologist in where they can check your area of concern and can help you decide whether skin abnormalities should be removed.
Prices from â‚Ź50.00, depending on amount to be removed.
Call Lynne on 965 419 906 or email beautifulyouclinic@hotmail.co.uk
www.soltimes.com tonic) is a lot better. Steer well clear of mixing anything with fruit-juice concentrate, sweet creams, non-diet soda, anything caffeine-laden and flavoured syrups. Whatever you decide to drink, stick to the same choice throughout the party and ensure you finish one drink before ordering a refill so that you can keep close track of everything you consume. Finally, try to pace yourself by alternating between one alcoholic drink and a glass of water. Staying hydrated will really help you drink less alcohol, and if you can, snack throughout the night on the healthiest options available.
Post-Party Detoxing
It has been clinically proven that alcohol inhibits sleep, yet when you get home from a fun-fuelled party, often your bed is the first place you want to go. Before letting your head hit the pillow, there are a few important things you need to do to kickstart the detoxification process and help the morning's hangover. The most important thing to remember is that a hangover is caused by dehydration, so now is the time to give your body everything required to prevent this from happening. Firstly, brew some detox tea - any that contain herbs such as artichoke leaf, dandelion root and burdock root will all help to protect and restore your liver. Secondly, eat a banana to help restore your potassium levels. The loss of this mineral when drinking alcohol contributes to the dehydration symptoms of a hangover. Thirdly, pop a few homeopathic hangover pills from The Organic Pharmacy, and finally, pour yourself a large glass of water with the juice of a whole lemon and take it to bed to drink before you go to sleep.
Restore Your Body
Because alcohol has a diuretic effect, you can lose a lot of vitamins and nutrients while drinking it - most importantly, vitamins B and C. It is important to restore your body with these the next day. Start by taking a
13
Feliz Navidad
health & beauty Tel: 950 121 936 - sales@soltimes.com
high quality vitamin B complex; one of Faust's Potions (Cultbeauty. co.uk) works really well when mixed in with water. When it comes to what you should eat, nutritionists are divided in opinion. While some believe eggs are a good option, others suggest fructose-containing foods like apples, bananas and pears. Another camp believes bland, simple carbohydrates such as rice and toast are the best option. Whichever food you choose, ensure it is as nutrient-dense as possible. Stocking up on a stodgy full English breakfast might feel good at the time, but it will leave you feeling bloated and lethargic afterwards. Finally, although it may be the last thing you
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want to hear when you have a hangover, light exercise (a brisk walk or yoga) will make you feel better faster. It increases the flow of oxygen to your cells, raising your metabolic rate, and therefore speeding up the detoxification of harmful compounds in your body. http://www.vogue.co.uk
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Merry Christmas
December 2016
Farrel’s Last Case by Gerald R Wright.
“Four years of celibacy had weighed heavily upon him. It was like being a starving man, close to death having a sumptuous meal set before him. Would the man choose to starve?” Ian Farrel is considered as being a good, small-town cop. He started out as a beat officer, giving out parking tickets which was rather tedious for an ambitious guy like him. Promotion to the Criminal Investigation Department allowed him to gain respect as well as a fearful reputation. As his career soared his marriage floundered. His excessive work schedule seemed to be the main reason why his wife left him four years before the action begins. When she realised that his job came first she wanted out. He was twenty when he joined the force and had almost completed twenty-two years of service. Described as grumpy and on the tetchy side, Farrel didn’t suffer fools gladly. He had a tendency to become cynical and pessimistic although he liked his women a bit like 007 as well as his drink. D.S. George Preston was his loyal side-kick, D.C. Alan Parkins was reliable, then there was D.C. Dick Johnson, newcomer D.C. Richard Copley, nephew of the Assistant Chief Constable, who proves to be an asset to the squad. D.C. Peter Rowles had a tendency to become petulant. We are told that he was still bitter about being passed over for promotion. Tommy Acton was simply a deep little crook well-known to Farrel and squad. Rumours indicate that he has been murdered. He was “told to swim home, so to speak,” having been dropped off somewhere between Dover and Calais. An euphemism of course-the rumour suggested he had been tied to something heavy and drowned, pumped full of heroin. His body eventually turns up in the canal. It seems that he had got himself involved with a large criminal operation and he was in it too deep for comfort. His girlfriend was also well-known to Farrel, Jill Franks and she goes missing. She holds the key to Tommy’s diary with detailed accounts of the criminal underworld. Dangerous information. In the underworld there seems to be unhealthy competition between Big Mick’s criminal activities with “some big boys{who} have moved into the area and muscled in on his action.” Farrel soon discovers that the “big boys” East Europeans have been operating in an industrial estate: units 5 and 6. Rumours suggest they are dealing in drugs, people
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smuggling and running guns, enough to keep Farrel and his men busy for quite some time! Surveillance is set up and when Farrel drives around he meets up with Julie the prostitute on her patch. She has witnessed some strange things going on and becomes the star witness in what proves to be a messy case. His paternal nature of wanting to protect her conflicts with his need for sexual gratification, something that is second nature to Juliet and they have a fling. She was able to “awaken feelings that for so long he had missed and that had lain dormant.” Farrel enjoys the “therapy” that she provides but has moments of guilt because she is a “whore” after all and half his age. Another factor which is equally significant is that he enjoys making love to Elizabeth, widow of criminal Harry Coulter who was murdered. Wright presents us with an interesting love triangle. “You may have seen things that you shouldn’t have,” he tells Julie and decides to move her into his home the second time he meets her on her patch looking pale and scared. It’s not long before Julie’s name is on a “ list of some damned foreign criminals.” Farrel realises his place isn’t safe for Julie so he arranges for her to stay with Liz. Convenient for Farrel. Both under the same roof. Inside information reveals the global organisation operating throughout the world known under code name Hydra, a crime syndicate, a multi-headed monster. “Cut off one head and another grows.” Powerful and extremely dangerous. Inspector de Large was coordinating the Hydra operation in France and works through Copley before liaising with Farrel. Criminal activities spread to Cranton Court and Court Farm with white vans coming and going. A number of unsuccessful hits of the units are suspicious-too squeaky clean for comfort until Farrel and Copley realise they have a mole in their operation and the criminals have been warned in advance. We have an exciting car chase, abductions followed by a shoot-out, a lot of noise of gun fire with an acrid smell of cordite, followed by a scene of mayhem. Is Farrel down and out as he passes through the tunnel of death? After all, this is his last case, isn’t it? Read it and find out for yourself. Recommended reading.
Hello and welcome to CanDu Computer Bytes. The only professional computer help that comes from University education and over 38 years’ experience, you can contact me to make an appointment to come to my workshop or I can come to you, by calling 689 892 745 or by Email: canducomputing@hotmail.co.uk. I started a tradition of writing a short story with a Christmas / Technology theme. I would like to offer this for you entertainment (I must warn you that I am no Wordworth!!!). Sarah was a bright, vivacious 7 year old who you might have thought, by the way she spoke, was 27! Even though she was only 7 years of age, she was old! The word “precocious” was only one of the many words used to describe her, some of them far less complimentary! Although it was the day before Christmas, she had no idea that there was anything special about the coming days! It was unusual but she had no idea who Santa was, but knew exactly where, the North Pole was! She knew nothing of the goings-on surrounding Christmas Eve or Christmas Day or even what the day was supposed to be celebrating. Snow was a blessed rarity in Southern Spain, so the image of Spruce and Pine covered in the lightest dusting of snow was as alien as ET (for those of us old enough to remember that ground breaking film). She knew nothing of the different belief systems that have brought so many people, who share a common land, to wars over the centuries in the name of this God or that Prophet. “Santa” was a word
just like “Yule” and “Jesus”, without meaning or any kind of emotional content. Yes, she was naive, but typically for a 7 year old, constantly questioning! Like all children her age, she would follow the rules in her own individual way. Finding her way to the shops and back was a piece of cake! The journey into town was no more difficult than the visit to the local shops, and having completed the journey many times, she found short ways to get there or ways around obstacles. Given a choice Summer time was her favourite. Long drives to the countryside or coast, picnics where everyone ate a little too much and drank lots of ginger beer (the type the children were allowed to drink), laying on the sand on the beach or the long, lush green vegetation in some forest. Then after a long day in the sun, the youngest of the children would fall asleep in the back of the car on the long journey home. Sarah was always watching, she didn’t want to miss anything! Only when everyone was safely back home would she finally be able to also turn off and go to sleep. Today was different! She checked her Calender and saw that it was the 25th of December and know that today was the day when the whole family made the long journey to see relatives miles and miles away. As always she know how the get there, how to avoid the many problems people face ding this journey and was very quick to tell you when you were going in the wrong direction. I really hate these cocky, know-itall SatNav’s, Don’t You?
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14 Book Review
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Feliz Navidad
15
16
Merry Christmas
December 2016
12 cracking Christmas gift ideas from Spain for those back home Wondering what to buy your loved ones at home? The Local has rounded up a dozen of the very Spanish best gift ideas for everyone from foodies to fashionistas.
For the everything
person
who
has
Spanish leather products are generally of excellent quality and great value for money too. With everything from belts and purses to handbags on offer, you're bound to find something for the man or woman who has it all.
Saffron, one of the world’s most expensive spices, is a key ingredient in several typical Spanish dishes including paella, and you can pick it up in Spain for roughly half the price of UK supermarkets. The thread-like spice, derived from the flower of the Crocus sativus, is used in dishes around the world, from saffron bread to curries. Soak the threads in hot water before use to release all the flavour.
For the fashionista
For the foodie
Espadrilles have been made in the Pyrenees since the fourteenth century and there are shops in the Basque country than have been selling the rope-soled canvas shoes for well over a century. Recently espadrilles have exploded onto the fashion scene, being made from everyone from designers like Missoni and Valentino to almost every shop on the high street. Why not buy the fashionista in your family the real thing: a pair of Spanish espadrilles that will be much cheaper and more authentic than the designer option.
For party lovers
cook after slaving over a hot stove.
For the joker
In one of Spain’s strangest festive traditions, many people decorate their Christmas cribs with the mysterious figure known as caganers, or 'crappers'. Traditionally the crappers were peasants from one of Spain's Catalanspeaking areas in red 'barretina' caps. But the modern versions feature wellknown figures from the world of sports, politics and the movies, including this year's best seller President-elect Donald Trump.
Spain is one of the largest three wine producers in the world, along with France and Italy, and has the most land dedicated to winemaking of any country. Famous wine-producing areas include La Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Jerez, home to sherry. Spaniards also love to crack open some cava to celebrate special occasions, so you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing which bottle to take home.
For the bookworm
What better present for kids than a classic fairy tale like Snow White (Blancanieves) - in Spanish? Not only do they have a beautiful object to enjoy, but they can learn a few words in a foreign language at the same time. If you want to pump up the educational element, there are even bilingual picture dictionaries for kids like My First 100 Words.
For those that need cooling off!
Ranging from highly elegant to very kitsch indeed, fans (abanicos) are an essential feature of summer in Spain, and while Christmas might not seem like the ideal moment to give someone a Spanish fan, there’s bound to be someone who could do with some cooling off after a family meal, not least the
For the fruity minded
From a farm in Valencia comes a truly original gift idea, and a much needed boost of vitamin C, in the form of a box of fresh oranges delivered within hours of being picked from the tree. Naranjas del Carmen delivers across Europe.
For the art lover
Museum shops are a great place to buy a last minute gift and a lasting memento of a favourite masterpiece. Whether it be a tie with emblems taken from Hieronymus Bosch's Garden
For the souvenir junkie Spain's new king and queen have brought a heavy dose of glamour to the royal palace, and a whole new range of royal family merchandise to boot. From mugs and badges to t-shirts and commemorative plates, something is bound to fit the bill. Long live the king!
For the carnivore
Huge legs of ham are an enduring symbol of Spain, hanging in bars and restaurants around the country. They also make a seriously impressive present for a die-hard carnivore. Jamon Ibérico is one of the finest hams in the world and is cured for at least 12 months. Include a ham stand and extra sharp knife to ensure the slicing of extra thin, melt in the mouth authentic taste of Spain. For the footy mad Spain is home to some of the biggest football clubs on the planet and its national team is one of the best in the world. Most football teams have their own shops, but there is football merchandise to be found in every tourist shop across Spain, so popular is the national sport.
of Earthly Delights from the Prado, a Gaudi-style tiled paperweight, or even a tree decoration inspired by the disastrous restoration job of Ecce Homo. thelocal
www.soltimes.com
17
Feliz Navidad
SOLTIMES PROPERTY SUPPLEMENT
US interest in Spanish property up by a quarter
Since the United States Presidential Election there has been a surge in interest for Spanish property from American investors. The number of searches for property for sale in Spain on the LucasFox.com website from the United States increased 25% in the four weeks following the US elections on 8 November compared to the previous four weeks. Barcelona City has been the most sought-after destination – the number of enquiries received from US citizens looking for homes in the Catalan capital went up by 175% in the month after the elections, whilst enquiries for Madrid properties went up by 50%. Lucas Fox co-founder Alexander Vaughan says, “It is still early days to see whether this will be a consistent trend. The US elections seem to have provoked a similar spike in interest for Spanish property as the EU referendum result did for Brits. In the weeks following that result, Lucas Fox received numerous enquiries from disillusioned British citizens contemplating relocation to Spain for either personal or business reasons”. In 2017, Americans will also be able to take
advantage of cheap flights from the West coast of the US thanks to four new routes being offered by Norwegian Airlines. They can also currently benefit from the ‘Golden Visa’ scheme, legislation introduced in 2013 which grants non-EU nationals Spanish residency in exchange for property investment of at least € 500,000. Benefits include free travel within the 26-country Shengen area and the right to work in Spain. Among those benefitting is 44-year old American lawyer Robert Edwards, who bought a country home in Northern Catalunya via Lucas Fox to obtain the Golden Visa early in 2016. “I received quite a few desperate texts in early November requesting extended visits,” he says “Spain offers a richness of culture and architecture. The lifestyle, the food, the wine, endless festivals, evening strolls and street life. And you won’t find ancient stone villages or Romanesque churches in America. Prices are also shockingly low, especially once you leave Madrid and Barcelona.” Lucas Fox transactions in Spain rose 30% yearon-year from January-November 2016. Barcelona province has seen the most significant increases. Sales transactions in the Catalan capital went up by 81% and in Maresme, (the region just north of Barcelona city), by 150%. The number of sales
transactions rose 140% in Madrid.
Madrid, Barcelona and Alicante have seen the most sales activity in the first three quarters of 2016Data from the Spanish Institute of Statistics (INE) show that overall, the volume of sales in the first three quarters of 2016 went up by 13% in Madrid, 21% in Girona and 28% in the Balearics and Barcelona. Alexander Vaughan says 2016 has been a phenomenal year for the Barcelona property market and 2017 is set to see price rises of up to 10%. “With prices in the city still averaging around 20% below the peak of 2008, a strong local economy, low interest rates and the city’s ever-attractive lifestyle benefits, Barcelona property offers excellent potential for capital appreciation. “There is particularly strong demand for new and newly renovated homes. Not only do these turnkey properties have the potential for decent capital gains, they can generate both long-term and short-term rental income throughout the year. In Barcelona, we expect to see steady price increases of around 4% and, in prime districts such as Eixample, the Old Town and the Zona Alta, we expect prices to rise as much as 10% over the next 18 months.” http://www.opp.today
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December 2016 Merry Christmas Lloyd’s of London leads business Brexodus from Britain
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Market has become one of the first financial outfits to firm up plans to shift operations out of London. The business Brexodus is beginning and Lloyd’s of London is leading the charge. The venerable insurance market is one of the City’s great survivors. It has come through innumerable disasters, both natural and man-made, from the San Fransisco Earthquake to the 9.11 terror attacks on New York. It has also survived economic and financial disasters and managed to emerge from one of this country’s biggest financial scandals in the late 1980s and early 1990s. That was sparked by unexpectedly large damages awards in the US linked to asbestosis. The market and its underwriting syndicates racked up huge losses, while a can of worms about its operations was unearthed. Some very famous names who were also Lloyd’s names were bankrupted in the process. Lloyd’s came through that bloodied but still in business. It has also seen off attempts to form rivals in US cities, and coped with an exodus to Bermuda’s (virtually) tax free insurance haven. The London part of its name was never been seriously threatened. Lloyd’s has now become one of the first British businesses to firm up plans to shift at least part of its operations out of its long-time home. The market has compiled shortlist of five cities that could host an EU subsidiary, which will have regulatory clearance to operate around the bloc through the “passporting” deal that allows the financial institutions of one EU country to conduct business in all the others. Does this mean we will see Lloyd’s of Paris, or Lloyd’s of Dublin, or Lloyd’s of Frankfurt, or wherever else is on the shortlist (and I’ve no inside knowledge). Why not? If the shoe fits. The new subsidiary will, of course, require people to be moved from London to staff it. The taxes they pay (and the taxes the subsidiary pays) and the economic contribution they make, will therefore be lost to the UK. Probably for good.
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You can’t criticise the market’s managers for taking this step. Even though the project will cost the institution millions, and increase its operating costs when it’s complete, Europe accounts for 11 per cent of its turnover. Not huge, but far too big a slice of cake to give up. If this is what Lloyd’s is doing to protect that, just imagine what other businesses that are more reliant on Europe will be doing. There are already reports that nearly half London’s sizeable corps of US bank are investigating similar moves and no wonder. It is for this reason that talk of “transitional arrangements” to keep things ticking over, and for several years, after the UK’s exit has heated up. MPs, peers, regulators, business lobby groups, and more besides have been campaigning hard for these, amid warnings that the UK economy will tip off a cliff edge without them. That would require co-operation from Europe, but of more immediate concern, it would also require an outbreak of common sense among the UK’s ministers. Against that backdrop, it is disturbing that the chair of the EU financial affairs subcommittee Baroness Falkner has expressed concern that the Government has not been making it enough of a priority. “He did not seem as seized of the matter was we might have expected him to be,” she said archly of City minister Simon Kirby. It just isn’t politic, you see, to describe someone as a bloody fool. Lloyd’s keeps saying that its plans are precautionary and that they aren’t set in stone. If the UK secures a deal that allows it to carry on more or less as it does now, no harm done beyond a few quid spent on preparing the ground. But here’s the thing. The BBC is reporting that the UK’s ambassador to the EU has privately advised that a free trade deal between this country and the EU could take ten years and might still fail even after the ‘I’s have been dotted and the ‘T’s crossed because it will have to be ratified by the parliaments of each individual EU member state. bbc.com
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Feliz Navidad
What happens to the Spanish property market in December?
What happens to the housing market in December? Is there any activity? Read what the professionals have to say. I asked some estate agents in my network of professionals what to expect of the market in December, when Christmas is distracting people, and many of Spain’s beach destinations are offseason. It turns out December is a good month to go bargain-hunting, as vendors are more open to offers with less buyers around. Savvy buyers should be out house-hunting in December. But the situation varies by region. Here is the feedback I received on various regions from professional agents in my network who were able to respond to my question at short notice. We start with Tenerife in the Canaries, where the market is explained in more depth because December is high season in the Canary Islands.
Tenerife in the Canary Islands Andy Ward, Owner of Tenerife Estate Agents December in Tenerife is a very busy month for property sales. Enquiries pick up after Summer with lots of clients arriving in October and November to view properties. Many of those who manage to find the right property at the right price will be completing their purchases in December. The second week of December can be somewhat difficult with 2 public holidays meaning a 3 day week at the busiest time of the year! By the 2nd week of December rental occupancy is up around 80% as the “Swallows” from Northern Europe arrive for their annual 2 to 12 weeks in the Canarian warmth. With the temperature on the coasts rarely dropping below 20C, the Canary Islands have one of the best Winter climates in Europe, and rental income over this time peaks with demand. With so many people here, all generally over 50 and many with money to spend, sales rise and rise with enquires peaking in January right after New Year. These are real buyers who want to ensure that they have their own place here in the sun which gives them their guaranteed holiday accommodation every Winter as opposed to competing for what is essentially a limited supply of holiday rental properties. My advice to sellers is that the best time of the year to list your property is September / October. This gives them two solid opportunities to sell – once before Christmas and another right after. During the holidays themselves – from around 18th December until 7th January, enquiries do still continue to come in and those fortunate enough to be spending Christmas and New Year on the island are keen to view and make offers. The “Buyers Market” in Tenerife is very much over these days as demand from Belgian and Italian
clients has driven demand up to the point where they seriously compete with British buyers. If selling in Tenerife then ensure your agent is catering to the British market and definitely also to the Belgian / Dutch market. If you are selling anything around 100,000€ or less – the Italian buyers are snapping up these budget offerings.
Barcelona François Carriere, Managing Director of Coldwell Banker in Spain and Andorra. The property market in Barcelona is generally busy until the 15th of December and then decreases significantly until it picks up again after the holidays in January. This December, after a strong year, we see a significant shortage of good opportunities for buyers, especially in Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, and the Balearics.
Costa Blanca & Murcia Paul Payne, Sales & Marketing Director of Masa International.
North Costa Blanca We have noticed the buying season has become a lot more even throughout the year over the last 2 to 3 years. Strangely, December last year was our best month of 2015, and so far this December has been an average month for the year in terms of sales in the Costa Blanca and Murcia. We still have viewing trips and appointments in December, but things tend to be very quiet from the third week in December until the second week of January. I should add that December is great time for buyers to experience the area at its quietest. This gives a real insight to what it is like to live in Spain during the winter months. There are less people around but still lovely, warm weather and plenty of sunshine. Paul M Killick, Managing Director of Design Home Sales in La Manga
La Manga Club December is slower than other months in La Manga, but those clients who do view are more serious about buying a property, and negotiate harder hoping that a vendor will accept a lower price than in more buoyant times such as Easter. This makes sense because vendors are more likely to accept an offer in December, or make a counter offer in an effort to compromise and not turn away an opportunity. So the months of November to
January are better for bargain-hunters than April to June.
Marbella, Costa del Sol Christopher Clover, Managing Director of Panorama Properties in Marbella. Marbella has had a 12-month season unlike any other resort city on the Mediterranean Basin. With this 12 month season, there is far more activity here than in most other Spanish resort areas off season, and consequently, there are enquiries for properties and clients for viewing even in these months like December. Given the substantial increase in tourism in 2016, we have seen more tourists (including homeowners) present in December than ever before. All of this is a positive note for our market, since it is well known that quality tourism is a major source for real estate sales. And even though a buyer is less likely to come in the winter months, it is probably the best time to place a property on the market to allow the property to be included in advertising and promotion when the market gets going again in February.
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Juan Hernández, Head of Inmonieve It’s the high season so not a bad month, especially if there is good snow like this year. Serious buyers who know how to buy well come in summer, when vendors aren’t getting good rental income and are keener to sell. But there are also buyers in December, and it’s a good month for marketing, getting enquiries that will end up buying at a later date. Spanish Property Insight by Mark Stücklin Everything you need to know about property in Spain http://www.spanishpropertyinsight.com
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Merry Christmas
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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.
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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.
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22
Merry Christmas
December 2016
For sale: Iconic Madrid landmark on the market for €272 million
China’s property-to-entertainment conglomerate Wanda on Friday said it will sell a landmark building in Madrid for €272 million ($284 million), due to political and market uncertainties in Spain. The 25-storey building, once the tallest in Spain at 117 metres (384 feet), will be sold to Spanish property developer Baraka Global Investment, a statement released from Wanda’s Hong Kong-listed hospitality arm said. The disposal was due to “the market and political environment in Spain and the resulting uncertainties on the... development potential of the Madrid property project,” Wanda Hotel Development Co. said in the statement. Wanda bought the historic Edificio Espana, completed in the 1950s under the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco, in June 2014 for €265 million ($277 million).
FOREX NEWS: The season of good cheer for Sterling
foreign exchange currency forex for Spanish property Luke Trevail, a currency exchange specialist at forex brokers TorFX, looks at the factors driving the pound’s exchange rate this week. As Christmas is upon us, it’s a good idea to look back and reflect on what has gone before us this year. To be thankful might be a step too far, but as the markets wind down the pound does seem to have found some common ground finally. Although the markets do open over the Christmas period, there is little in the way of fundamental data releases that will move the market significantly. At the time of writing, the pound has reached €1.1930 which is near to the average price we’ve seen this week. As the mistletoe is being dangled, sterling has flirted with €1.20 a couple of times already and next week could see us break above this significant level once again. This would provide a massive opportunity for you to take advantage with an early Christmas present. This week has been light in the respect of new releases, but inflation data on Tuesday did impress and posted a figure representing the highest we’ve seen since October 2014. The Bank of England have linked a rise of inflation with when they are looking to raise interest rates again. This would strengthen the pound. Although we’ve a long way to go until Mark Carney and the rest hike rates, inflation being where it is should mean that they are satisfied with the progress
Astounding Facts You Didn't Know About Madrid
that the economy is making and ensuring that we’re moving further and further away from an interest rate cut, something we weren’t so confident of in the months immediately after the referendum. Just a short update this week, as the market is doing the talking in lieu of any significant data. Looking ahead however, be mindful of the scope for change on Europe and confident in the resilience of the pound to dig in when the times are tough and give some of you a modicum of festive cheer with the promise of prosperous 2017. Happy Christmas. This article is written by a foreigncurrency broker working for TorFX, a forex broker established in 2004 to provide foreign exchange and international payments to both individuals and companies. TorFX is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Payment Service Regulations 2009 for the provision of payment services. Their FCA number is 517320. To verify their authorisation, you can visit the Financial Services Register and search the register using their FCA number. SPI is not responsible for the opinions of guest contributors. Spanish Stücklin
Property
Insight
by
But its plans to develop the property into a hotel and shopping centre have encountered hurdles from the local government. Madrid’s new antiausterity mayor Manuela Carmena has put investors on edge by vowing to sternly scrutinise big building projects approved by the former conservative council. According to Spanish reports, city authorities refused to let Wanda, which has been on a high-profile overseas acquisition spree in recent years, demolish the building’s facade before reconstructing it. The company, owned by China's richest man Wang Jianlin, burst into the international spotlight in 2012 by buying US cinema chain AMC Entertainment for $2.6 billion. Wang owns more than 200 malls, shopping complexes and luxury hotels across China. thelocal
Mark
Everything you need to know about property in Spain http://www.spanishpropertyinsight.com
Often esteemed less mentionable than flamboyant Barcelona, Madrid keeps its secrets hidden for those who do not deliberately look for them. Discover some of the amazing facts that will completely change your image of the captivating capital of Spain! Madrid is the third biggest city in the European Union Right after the spectacular demographics of London, home to around 8.5 million people, and the 3.6 million inhabitants of Berlin, Madrid comes in third in terms of peaking population numbers of the European Union. In 2015, an estimate of 3.1 million people were living in the buzzing capital of Spain – virtually the entire population of Armenia! Counting in its massive metropolitan area, Madrid would also attain the bronze medal in the category ‘Greatest Metropolitan Area of the EU,’ its vast district of 5,335 square meters currently housing a baffling 6.2 million people.
Madrid is not only a city, but a ‘state’ Often escaping notice is the fact that ‘Madrid’ is not only the name of the world-famous capital, but also one of the 17 autonomous communities of Spain. Once, these prestigious provinces were established to divide the Spanish territory into its proud historical regions in order to facilitate a centralized government. Having no true administrative power when they were classified in 1833, the communities today can be seen as politically autonomous provinces or federal states of Spain.
Madrid lies at around 700 meters of altitude There might be palm trees in Madrid, but fact is that the voluptuous city of Madrid lies at an astounding 667 meters above sea-level, many places in the north even surpassing the 700 meters mark! Consequently, the only humid breezes you might sense would have to be the gusts of air escaping the Metro shaft. The climate is instead defined by mountainous winds and a dry and clear air, enchanting with clear autumn days as well as blazing summers. This means, however, that in winter temperatures should not be underestimated, as they can easily drop below the frosty minus-celsius mark.
The Coat of Arms of Madrid – a Bear and a Tree? Standing broad and clear in the middle of Puerta del Sol, it can be seen: the statue of a cuddly bear reaching up to the branches of a tree. These two emblematic figures represent the official Coat of Arms of Madrid. Apparently, the bear, also adorned with the 7 stars of the zodiac sign Ursa-Mayor (the Great Bear), had represented the council of Madrid since the year 1212. The tree was added ten years later as the symbol of a treaty, which settled the ongoing dispute between the clergymen and the council over the use of the local fields and forests. It is carefully suspected, however, that the use of a strawberry tree, of all trees, had rather less to do with historical accuracy, and more with the fact that its Spanish botanical name, madroño, sounds a lot like Madrid and madrileño...
Madrid is students
a
city
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Madrid is home to an astonishing amount of students. Not surprisingly, this is due to the fact that Madrid is one of the unsurpassed hot-spots of university education in Europe. Various of its many universities and business schools are counted as being some of the oldest and most prestigious learning facilities worldwide. The economical Masters program of the University Charles III, for example, is ranked on the list of the ‘global top-50,’ whereas the founding of the Universidad Complutense, for instance, dates back as early as the year 1293.
Madrid was founded around the year 860 A.C. When the Romans walked the Spanish lands 200 years B.C., no signs of Madrid were to be found. For more than a 1100 years the mountains of the Castilian Central Plateau were only scarcely inhabited, until Muhammad I, ruler of the Arabic reign of Córdoba, chose to build a small castle in the region in the late 9th century. On a majestic hill with an excellent surveillance view over the valley and in convenient proximity to the Manzanares river, this little citadel developed into a fortress with rapidly growing importance. Thus, the origins of the Madrid we know today lie in the village surrounding this ancient Arabic-then-Spanish military defence-post in the Castilian mountains.
Madrid was – and is – a European Cultural Capital When Madrid became the European Capital of Culture in 1992, few people who have actually been to the city will have been surprised, for the city offers a stunning variety of cultural venues and activities in all shapes and sizes. Undoubtedly, the city might first win you over with its overwhelming museums like the world-famous Prado, museum of 12th-19th century European and Spanish art, or the Reina Sofía Museum of Modern Art. However, it might also enthral on another level, for example through the numerous philosophical book clubs or the alternative meeting places for social and cultural debates.
Pet pig attracting attention in Parque del The name ‘Madrid’ might be over 2,200 years old The most ancient mention of the name ‘Madrid’ is found in Arabic records: Mayrit or Magerit is taken to mean ‘place of abundant water.’ This does not necessarily mean, however, that the name was an Arabic invention. Its true origins remain the source of heated debates between linguists. While the
suggestion that the name developed from a folkloric myth has now been generally discarded, there are more plausible theories that Madrid’s name actually has Roman ancestry. This is based on the fact that there had indeed been a Roman settlement called ‘Matrice’ right at the Manzanares River over 2,200 years ago!
The Spanish King does not reside in the Royal Palace in Madrid Visitors who have already entered the grand Royal Palace in Madrid might have guessed: the King of Spain does not actually inhabit these ostentatious halls. Even though the Palacio Real is still the official royal residence, the members of the royal family have been living and receiving guests in the petite Palace of Zarzuela since 1962. Situated at the outskirts of the city, all ceremonial events and official meetings with the current
King, Felipe VI, have taken place in this rather modest royal mansion.
Madrid became the capital of Spain in the 16th century Until the reign of Felipe II from the royal house of Austria, the seat of the Spanish monarchy had not been permanently settled. Because of the central geographical position of Madrid and the abundance of water and game in its surroundings, it seemed to him the worthiest and most useful place in which to settle his royal affairs. Some historians have suggested, however, that this decision might have been inspired more by the persuasions of the French beauty Isabel de Valois, Felipe’s third wife, rather than pragmatic reasoning, as she had apparently fallen in love not only with the King, but also with Madrid. https://theculturetrip.com
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Merry Christmas
Nature Inspired Holiday Decor
With the holiday season upon us, it’s that time of year again when we transform our homes from the everyday and fill it with our festive favourites. As much as we may love our seasonal favourites, bringing the beauty of nature indoors for the holidays can give an organic, all-natural aesthetic. Christmas Mantel with Greenery From garland to wreaths to a table centrepiece, incorporating greenery cut from trees around the home is the most easy and inexpensive approach to layering
Murcia Property Services Sales, Rentals, Management & Insurance Services Contact Andy 658 318 438 email: andyh.mps@gmail.com www.murciapropertyservices.es “Properties urgently required, we have clients waiting”
December 2016
nature into your holiday décor. Cut greens, from a fir, pine, and/or cedar, can be perfect for the mantel, table, or door. Festive Natural Tablescape Birch branches are accessible elements in nature. Arrange a cut birch log on a mantel or table as the base for a tablescape. Layer in evergreens, pine cones, and twigs of red winter berries - real or artificial - to instantly create a beautiful all-natural arrangement like this one. Citrus Paired with Cloves Citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, and oranges are the perfect pairing with seasonal décor. Against the bright hue of the fruit exterior, cloves can be added to make interesting and unique patterns. Combine fruit with greenery or fresh herbs to create a dynamic and festive focal point. Whether for an ornament on the Christmas tree, like the decorated lemon or grouped with other fresh finds, fruit can be an easy and inexpensive element to decorate with this holiday season. Christmas Ornaments Adding cut wood can truly bring the outdoors in to create a rustic, organic aesthetic. From the table to the tree, wood slices - small or large - can be a beautiful layering element. Use small cut wood slices to make an adorable tiered Christmas ornament for the tree. Add simple embelishments like bows or beads to give unique, one-of-a-kind flair. Winter Wonderland Ornaments As much as we may love our seasonal favourites, bringing the beauty of nature indoors for the holidays, creates for a warm and welcoming rustic aesthetic. Decorating the tree with ornaments that reflect the outdoors is a beautiful way to create a winter wonderland. Using glass ornaments, DIY Inspired filled the centre of a terrarium-style decoration using elements found in the great outdoors. http://www.bhg.com
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Feliz Navidad
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Alqueria in Song and Dance
Of the three traditional folk cultures of the Iberian continent perhaps Alqueria’s is the least known. It could be due to its highbrow content, its sophistication or it could be due to it being ruddy awful. Spain has the Flamenco which has the audience stamping and clapping, Portugal has the Fado in the most melancholy of moods and Alqueria has the ‘Ohno’ making people wonder why the hell they even bothered. The name Ohno is an abbreviation of the ovation that precedes every performance, which is ‘Oh no not that caga again!’ The two most celebrated exponents of song and dance in Alqueria are Pilar del Redondorodillas on vocal and Ernesto Muyinstable on foot. I use the singular as poor Ernesto has only one leg. He is in fact a uniped which may appear at first sight to be somewhat of a drawback for a Flamenco type dancer, in fact it is a great drawback, S e ñ o r Muyinstable falls over a lot. Pilar sings the Ono with gusto which doesn’ t however distract from the awfulness of the
performance. The traditional Ono is a song of varying tempos. It starts with high pitch wailing, followed by a series of low frequency and drawn-out grunts. The grunt is followed by a period of sobbing which is supposed to show emotion, this impression is reinforced by the performer holding the heart. It was during this part of the performance that an itinerant doctor in the audience thought Pilar was having a coronary and advanced intent on mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. When he was close enough to Pilar to see her in all her glory he opted for sending a ‘get well soon’ card. The much welcomed conclusion is accompanied with the revolving of eyeballs, a remarkable feat of muscular control when performed properly. Unfortunately Pilar has a glass eye which on her last performance shot out like a sabot anti-tank round, poleaxed the cat, ricocheted off the ceiling and landed down the cleavage of Carmen the barmaid where it was retrieved by a grateful and grinning Loco Paco. Ernesto Muyinstable, on the other hand is always sure of warm applause. Not because of his act, which can only be described as ‘sad’, this is what one would expect from a performer who is supposed to gyrate and twirl putting any self-respecting Dervish to shame, having only one leg. The applause is one of sympathy. Ernesto however, believes it is for his hoofing prowess and is prompted to ever more complicated routines causing him to fall over even more. This attracts more sympathy which leads to ever more complicated routines causing, etc. etc. etc. So why not visit Alqueria and enjoy the song and dance or one could simply paddle in boiling fat, perhaps a more worthwhile alternative.
pause for thought
Wow – Christmas is here already, and so much yet to do! It seems no time since last Christmas, when I promised that next year I’d prepare earlier; and now, with just a few days to go, I’ve still got letters to write, cards to send and presents to buy and panic seems close. How important preparation is. And how easy to delay; putting preparations off ‘til a more convenient time. For the sending of cards, the writing of letters, the buying of presents and the acquisition of food and drink for a bumper celebration, good though these may be, are only a part of the preparation needed for Christmas. And sadly, the other aspect, which actually is the most important part of Christmas - the preparation of ourselves, is the part that so often gets missed. For to celebrate properly and really get the most enjoyment out of those celebrations, we need to pause awhile and reflect on exactly what we’re celebrating. To consider the amazing obedience and trust, in indescribably difficult circumstances, of Mary and Joseph as they journeyed to Bethlehem, where no room could be found for Mary to give birth. To listen with awe, to the incredible message the angels gave the Shepherds. To journey in spirit with the wise men as they followed the star, bringing
Jos & Barbara’s Jolly Big Adventure pt 2
gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And to bow in homage as we join with them in worshipping the Son of God, born in such humble circumstances to give his life so humanity with all our faults and failings can be acceptable to his Father. If we can really get our heads round that, then our celebrations of his birth will be truly amazing and we’ll really be ready for Christmas. So I wish all my readers a truly joyous Christmas and should you see me at one of the various Carol Services I hope to attend, then please introduce yourself so I can wish you a Happy Christmas in person. 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
To fill in the gap of silence while 112 cogitated on the problem I repeated that our car was stuck in a tiny rambla, and we needed to be rescued. ‘Where is the rambla?’ ‘I don’t know. It’s somewhere between Albox and Locaiba.’ ‘Guardia Civil will phone you.’ 112 stated comfortingly. Next phone call: ‘Guardia Civil. What is your problem?’ I repeated - car – stuck – rambla – rescue, and to forestall the obvious question I added that I didn’t know where we were. In my best effort to give them a clue as to our whereabouts I detailed how we got there. ‘We are sending a Patrulla.’ It started to rain. Barbara began to give signs that this was not the most enjoyable evening of her life. I began to feel the need of a pee. Better pee now, I thought. I don’t want the patrulla to find me with my knickers down. I got out of Henry and started to walk a modest distance away. ‘Jos, where are you going?’ Barbara’s plaintive bleat rang out in the rainy dark. ‘You can pee right here next to the car.’ She added anxiously, and began to scan the sky. ‘Will they send a helicopter?’ ‘I doubt it. But if they did, then we could be winched up securely strapped to a burly aviator. That would be exciting.’ Barbara was not in agreement. Next phone call: ‘This is the Patrulla. Where are you?’ ‘I don’t know.’ I added all the information previously given
By Jos Biggs editor@soltimes.com
including how we got there. Next phone call was an English lady. ‘Where are you?’ ‘I don’t know’ followed by a repetition of the previous information, but in English. Next phone call: ‘What can you see?’ When you are lost it is inevitable that you don’t know where you are, else you wouldn’t be lost. When it is dark it is quite difficult to see anything of your surroundings, but I did my best. ‘We are between 2 steep hills.’ ‘Can you see canes?’ ‘Yes, lots of them. Tall ones.’ ‘Put your lights on high beam and honk your horn.’ I did. No more than 3 minutes later I saw headlights. I blasted Henry’s discretely upper-class horn for all it was worth. An enormous 4X4 rounded the bend at racing speed. I knew that there was no way it could stop it was going to hit us. My brain computed instantaneously how squashed Henry, with us inside, was going to be.
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
26
Christmas Puzzles
December 2016
To advertise in this space Contact our sales advisors on 950 121 936 or email: sales@soltimes.com
Our puzzle page is one of our most popular pages. You can advertise accross our group of newspapers (Roquetas de Mar, Costa Almeria, Costa Calida & Costa Blanca) for as little as €75pw
8. John Pulman
3. John Surtees
2. John Herschel Glenn 7. John Galsworthy 1. John Adams
CRYPTIC crossword
3
4
SHEPHERDS SKATES SLEIGH SNOWFLAKES SNOWMAN STABLE STAR STOCKING THREE WISE MEN TOBOGGAN TOYS TREE WREATH
soltimes World Cup quiz
1. Which city comes next in this list: Munich, Buenos Aires, Madrid, Mexico City, Rome, Pasadena, Paris...?................... 2. Who scored Germany’s winner against Argentina in the 1990 World Cup Final?.............. 3. Name the defender shot dead after scoring an own goal during the 1994 World Cup. 4. Poland beat Brazil to finish third at the 1974 World Cup. True or false?............................ 5. When Brazil’s team-sheet was first issued for the 1998 World Cup final, the name of Ronaldo was absent. Minutes later, a second, definitive teamsheet was issued that included Ronaldo. But who was the player originally named as Ronaldo’s replacement?........... 6. Which debutants gave Scotland a 1-0 thrashing at the 1990 World Cup?...................... 7. Who were the only European debutants at the last World Cup?........................................ 8. Hungary’s Laszloz of Hungary still holds the record for what feat achieved in seven minutes against El Salvador in 1982?....................................... 9. Uruguay won the first World Cup in 1930 ? but in which country was that competition held?....................................... 10. How many times have Italy won the World Cup?..................
Answers
squiggle SUDOKU
9. John Masefield
4. John Wayne
6. John Leyton
CROSSWORD
GOLD GREETING CARDS HOLLY ICICLES JESUS JOSEPH LIGHTS MANGER MARY MISTLETOE MYRRH ORNAMENTS POINSETTIA SANTA
standard SUDOKU
10. John Cabot
5. John Noakes
SOLUTIONS
ANGEL BELLS BETHLEHEM CANDLES CANDY CANE CAROLS DECORATIONS EGGNOG FAMILY FRANKINCENSE FRIENDS FRUITCAKE GABRIEL GIFTS
easy SUDOKU
Answers
2
wordsearch
soltimes John the first Quiz
1. Who was the first man named John to become president of the United States of America and also the first president to reside in the White House?................. 2. Who was the first man named John to go into space?........................................ 3. Who was the first man named John to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award as well as being the first John to win the F1 world championship title and a motor cycling world title?....... 4. Who was the first man named John to win a Best Actor Oscar (clue: it was in 1970)?................................................... 5. Who was the first man named John to present the kids television programme ‘Blue Peter’?........................................... 6. In 1961 who became the first man named John (NOT Johnny or Johnnie) to top the UK singles chart?........................ 7. Which British writer was in 1932 the first man named John to win the Noble Prize for Literature?................................ 8. Who was the first man named John to become World Snooker Champion?........ 9. Who was the first man named John to hold the post of Poet Laureate in the UK in the twentieth century?........................ 10. Who in 1497 was the first explorer named John to land in North America?....
name the characters
1. Donkey Kong 2. PAC Man 3. Sonic the Hedgehog 4. Super Mario
e ur t pic 1 sol ! z qui
6. Costa Rica 7. Slovenia 8. Fastest HatTrick 9. Uruguay 10. 4
on this day 21st December
1. Yokohama 2. Andreas Brehme 3. Andres Escobar 4. True 5. Edmundo
1124 – Pope Honorius II is elected. 1872 – Challenger expedition: HMS Challenger, commanded by Captain George Nares, sails from Portsmouth, England. 1968 – Apollo program: Apollo 8 is launched from the Kennedy Space Center, placing its crew on a lunar trajectory for the first visit to another celestial body by humans. 1995 – The city of Bethlehem passes from Israeli to Palestinian control.
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27
Feliz Navidad
To advertise in this space Contact our sales advisors on 950 121 936 or email: sales@soltimes.com
Our puzzle page is one of our most popular pages. You can advertise accross our group of newspapers (Roquetas de Mar, Costa Almeria, Costa Calida & Costa Blanca) for as little as €75pw Across 1 Wealth (7) 5 Put on clothes (7) 9 Pernicious (9) 10 What fish breathe with (5) 11 Inner spirit (7) 12 Dawn (7) 13 Crystal (9) 15 Secure or fasten (5) 17 Loose temporary stitches (5) 19 Space for movement (9) 22 Unsinkable ship (7) 25 Inate skills (7) 26 Pulsate (5) 27 Cover with zinc (9) 28 Courage (7) 29 Dragged the bottom of a harbour (7) Down 1 Not succeeding (7) 2 Repeat payments to performers (9) 3 Take one’s clothes off (7) 4 Soften and moisturize skin (9) 5 Writing tables (5) 6 Causing the improvement in offspring (7) 7 Ragout (5) 8 Tropical starchy tuberous root (7) 14 Beset with controversy or conflict (9) 16 Existing in abundance (9) 17 Basin (7) 18 Give a title to someone (7) 20 Government financial assistance (7) 21 Give false information (7) 23 Latin for “Earth” (5) 24 Clever (5)
standard CROSSWORD
SUDOKU PUZZLES
easy
squiggle
name the landmark
CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
ACROSS 7 Vessel - old English vessel (5) 8 Stunned is spurred, perhaps (9) 10 Number of a horse (6) 11 Royal Navy throne transported from Newcastle, perhaps (8) 12 Mixes since Mob collapsed (8) 13 Besides Alex is love (4) 15 Gets away from garment in English ship (7) 17 Moved quickly, without joint being transported (7) 20 Limbo toy (4) 22 Exercise in movement? (8) 25 Making a mistake with spin - force outside edge (8) 26 Allow devil to come inside mollusc (6) 27 Yield split, being more certain without (9) 28 Creep in three directions before a King (5) Down 1 Her famous new building (9) 2 Records of American city? (8) 3 Equip vase to hold fish? On the contrary! (7) 4 Move towards a very quiet little creature (8) 5 That woman comes into Women’s Institute’s desires (6) 6 Rents the first organs (5) 9 Turning up mad shock (4) 14 Well-mannered chap giving information on broken mantle (9) 16 Some coming up, coming outside, into strange feelings (8) 18 Where you might walk with Father - forcible? Not he! (8) 19 Embroiled with fish in empty tankard (7) 21 Sell abroad some Rolex - Portugese (6) 23 Speak of the Force, say (4) 24 Pair the French brought up audibly (5)
famous birthdays on this day
standard
1937 – Jane Fonda, American actress, producer, and activist 1938 – John Quayle, English actor 1951 – Steve Perryman, English footballer and manager 1965 – Andy Dick, American comedian, actor, producer, and screenwriter
Quote of the week...
28
Merry Christmas
food & entertaining Tel: 950 121 936 - sales@soltimes.com
The best Christmas turkey
Soaking the turkey in salt water is one of those tricks that is well worth the effort, making better-flavoured meat that is easier to carve. Received wisdom is that it should be rock salt, which has fewer or no additives. Cheap table salt is a fraction of the price. I’ve tried this recipe with both and there was no noticeable difference in flavour – so up to you. Pomegranate molasses (available from big supermarkets and delis) gives a mellow, gentle richness which I think is worth the extra cost, but leave it out if you can’t get hold of any.
INGREDIENTS
1 turkey 750g salt, ideally rock salt A 300g bottle of pomegranate molasses
METHOD
In a large watertight plastic box – mine has a capacity of 14 litres and once held the children’s Lego – dissolve the salt
Ruby’s 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
in 4 pints/2 litres of boiling water, stirring well. This will take a while if you are using rock salt. Add 9 pints/5.5 litres of cold water and the pomegranate molasses, and leave to cool. Submerge the turkey, breast side down, in the liquid. Cover with a lid and put in the fridge if you have space or else outdoors, in which case tape up the box and weigh down the lid (foxes!). Leave to brine for 24 hours. The next day, tip away the brine and pat the turkey dry. If you want to stuff under the skin, ease your fingers under the skin over the breast, gently breaking the membranes that secure the skin to the breast meat. Push stuffing or chorizo-spiced sausage meat underneath, being careful not to pack it too tightly. Or just fill the neck cavity with stuffing. At this point you can wrap the bird in baking parchment and keep it in the fridge overnight. To roast the bird, take it out of the fridge at least a couple of hours before cooking. Pop it on a rack in a roasting tin, rub with oil and salt and roast at 190C/375F/Gas 5 for nine minutes per lb/20 minutes per kg (weight including any stuffing) plus 90 minutes, or until a thermometer plunged into the fattest part of the thigh reads 75C/167F – be warned, this may be much sooner. My 4kg turkeys were done in 1 hour 40 minutes. Remove from oven and cover with foil. Leave to rest for at least half an hour while you reheat the potatoes, cook the veg and make the gravy. To make the gravy, tip all fat and juices, bar a tablespoonful, out of the pan into a bowl. Put the roasting tin over a medium heat and stir in a generous tablespoonful of flour. Cook, stirring and scraping at the bottom of the pan vigorously, until the flour starts to smell nutty and turns a golden brown. Add about a pint/500ml stock and the reserved juices (spoon off the excess fat first) and simmer, stirring, until the gravy thickens to a consistency that suits you. Taste and season with salt and pepper, then pour through a sieve into a warm serving jug.
Crispy traybake stuffing
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
If your favourite part of the stuf crispy bits, you'll love this recipe.fing is the prepped up to two days in adv It can be ance, then baked on the day
Ingredients
2 tbsp butter 2 onions, halved and sliced 1 Bramley apple, peeled, cored and diced 2 x 400g packs Cumberland sausages, skins removed small pack sage leaves, chopped, a few whole leaves reserved to serve 100g breadcrumbs 100g cooked chestnuts, roughly chopped
Method
Heat the butter in a large, nonstick pan over a medium heat and cook the onions for 10 mins until softened. Add the apple, cook for 2-3 mins more, then set aside. Tip the sausagemeat into a large
Bread sauce
bowl, and combine with the onion and apple mixture, all the other ingredients and some seasoning. Use your hands to mix everything really well. Can be kept in the fridge up to two days before baking. While the turkey crown is resting, spread the stuffing into a large shallow roasting tin and cook in the oven with the turkey legs for 30-35 mins until the top has formed a crust. Serve immediately with the reserved sage leaves scattered over.
A traditional Christmas sauce to serve with your roast
INGREDIENTS
Full Main Menu 6pm - 9pm Sunday Lunch Available 2pm - 7pm 3 Course 9.95€ / 2 Course 7.95€
December 2016
50g butter 1 onion, chopped 6 cloves Cloves 6 peppercorns 2 garlic cloves 1 bay leaf 3 thyme sprigs 100g white breadcrumbs 4 tbsp single cream or mascarpone pinch nutmeg, freshly grated
Method
Simmer the milk, butter, onion, cloves, peppercorns, garlic and herbs in a pan for 20 mins. Strain and return the liquid to the pan. Add the breadcrumbs and simmer for 3-4 mins. Stir in the cream or mascarpone. Add nutmeg, season and serve. Can be made up to 3 days in advance and heated up on the hob or microwave on Medium for 3 mins.
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TALK OWFN THE TO
29
Feliz Navidad ST1
Argentinean beef is considered the best in the world because it’s the purest beef. The cattle are reared in a completely natural way that hasn’t changed in centuries. The cows are basically “FreeRange” and fed on green pastures and on flat land. They do not build muscle having to walk for miles. They really do have a SOL TIMES 14th DECEMBER 2016 73mm high x 111mm wide peaceful, non stressed life. They are NOT placed in cages and fed additives to speed up growth and fattening them up unnaturally. Free range chickens and their eggs taste better, so does beef! Not to mention it’s a more humane and natural way of rearing the meat we eventually eat! Come and taste the difference at Patagonia Steak Houses in Quesada, El Raso and La Marina. For reservations please call 618 864 296.
AVAILABLE IN THE FOLLOWING RESTAURANST • QUESADA 865 679 736 • LA MARINA 965 992 144 • EL RASO 865 661 277 All open from 5pm
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
ebbie o D & Sara me you t Welco
Cat’s Bar CHRISTMAS EVE 1-5PM MARTIN ROSS ALL YOUR CLASSIC CHRISTMAS SONGS “The Best for Food, Drinks, Entertainment And Sports”
Camposol sector A
Tel: 634 322 729
Plaza de la Constitución, Benijófar 03178
Stephen & Alex wish you a very Merry Christmas We are now fully booked for New Year’s Eve and will be closed December 25th, 28th & 29th and New Year’s Day OPEN 26th DECEMBER for our Traditional Boxing Day Buffet Pre-book and pay €9.95pp see our facebook page for details TRADITIONAL SUNDAY LUNCH with great roasts & extended menu 2 courses €9,95 or 3 courses €11,95 both include a drink BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL: Tel: 865 775 171 email: oasisbenijofar@outlook.com
30
Merry Christmas
What's it like to win Spain's bountiful Christmas lottery?
Two years ago, a district in Madrid got lucky in Spain's hugely popular Christmas lottery, with people working or living there winning prizes of between 120,000 and 3.0 million euros. As Spaniards gear up for the next windfall from the world's richest lottery known as el "Gordo", or the "Fat One", AFP asked the 2014 winners in the Almagro area -- and people who know them -- how their lives had changed. The answer? Some retired early, others opened a new business and one football betting addict lost all his money. But, by and large, many kept going steadily on in the same job. Their profiles vary widely, from 32 workers at Madrid's Wax Museum -80 percent of whom continue to work there -- to employees of the exclusive Genova Financial Club, shopkeepers, insurance brokers and nuns. People like Arturo Aguirre, owner of the Kalko stationery store, who won 320,000 euros ($335,000) two years ago on December 22, the day each year when the lottery is drawn. Unlike other big lotteries that generate just a few big winners, Spain's Christmas lottery aims to share the wealth, with thousands of numbers getting a prize. "On the Wednesday I signed for a bank loan (to buy the store), on the Thursday the lottery ticket seller gave me a ticket as a gift, and on the
Monday I won," Aguirre told AFP. The father of two teenage boys said winning the money had had a hugely soothing effect, "as if they operated on the nerves." - A so happy birth The man behind this lucky turn of events was Lino Cuervo, the local lottery ticket seller whose shop is just a few metres away from the stationery store. That year, he became Father Christmas, earning his customers 416 million euros in winning tickets out of a nationwide total of 2.2 billion euros. He and his family also profited from winning tickets, prompting such an outburst of merriment and partying that his daughter went into labour and gave birth the next day. The Christmas lottery has been held uninterrupted in Spain since 1812, even during the 1936-39 civil war when each side held its own draw during the conflict. It has become a popular Christmas tradition in Spain with friends, colleagues and bar regulars banding together to buy tickets. - 'Postpones bankruptcy' The decision of many winners to continue with their normal lives is not surprising. A 2005 study by Sweden's University of Gothenburg found that 62 percent of those who won the lottery in that
country had continued to work. Another study published in 2010 by three US researchers analysed the evolution of close to 35,000 lottery winners in Florida between 1993 and 2002. They found that the windfall did not solve their money problems in the long term. "The results indicate that giving $50,000 to $150,000 to people only postpones bankruptcy," the study said. "Specifically, while these recipients are 50 percent less likely than small winners to file for bankruptcy immediately after winning, they are more likely to file for bankruptcy three to five years after winning," it added. Javier Gaite, a financial adviser specialised in income management, said the best option was to save money, pay off any existing debt and "invest carefully". - 'Still haven't touched it' Many of those interviewed by AFP did just that, including some of the 25 employees of the El Mentidero de la
December 2016
Villa restaurant. Then chef Jose Ynglada won big -3.5 million euros. "I still haven't touched it. It's in my daughters' fund, in the bank," said Ynglada, who now works in another restaurant and has no intention of quitting as chef. It's the same story -- albeit with only around 100,000 euros -- for Daniel Drouet, an Ecuadorian waiter at El Mentidero de la Villa. He has placed his winnings in a fund at an international bank, with a view of potentially opening his own business later. "I don't want to hurry, I want to think about it and see," he said. One man who did quit his job was head chef Daniel Domingo. Instead, he opened a shop selling -- guess what? Lottery tickets. The business was financed along with his wife and another colleague using their combined winnings of 360,000 euros. http://www.expatica.com
VELVETONES VOICES AT CHRISTMAS
Christmas came early for charities AECC (cancer) & ALPE (disadvantaged) when the Velvetones contributed â‚Ź800 to the ladies following their early sell out fun Christmas concert. The harmony chorus will restart rehearsals 4th January at 10am and welcome anyone interested to join them for coffee. Where? El Paraiso Torrevieja near Carrefour. Call Mary-Anne for details on 966 71 49 73 or follow them on Facebook or www.velvetonesharmonytorrevieja.com You can make new friends and have fun at the same time!
Community News
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COSTA COBRAS RFC
I n t e r n at i o n al SPIRITUALIST BENIJOFAR
new rugby club training on Guardamar Christian Assembly beach in front of the restaurants. Junior and senior training on Monday evangelical church, 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
50+ SOLOS
La Bamba's Ballroom Modern / Latin / Argentine Tango / Sequence Dancing
Los Rosales Restaurant, Guardamar CV895 [near Lemon Tree Sunday Market] Monday - SOCIAL DANCE 8pm 10.30pm - Starting Monday 9th January 2017. Friday - New Beginners Class [new beginners welcome every Friday] 8pm - 9pm - Starting Friday 13th January 2017 Intermediate Class 9pm - 10pm Starting Friday 13th January 2017 Andrea Murphy [0034] 616 478 157
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.
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
Friends after Bereavement. F.A.B for short
We are a mixed group of people who meet on a Saturday afternoon between 2 to 4pm. The club is run by Joan. We are a very friendly group with a lot of chat but with plenty of time to listen. We try to help bereaved people to take their first steps to new friendships, we understand bereavement as each and everyone of us has been bereaved. For more information please contact Joan on phone number 634 336 103 where she will give you information on any questions you have, and where we hold our meetings. We look forward to seeing new friends and old friends alike.
CENTRE,
Meets at Hamilton´s Bake House, 62 Calle Vicente, Blasco Ibañez, Benijofar 03178. We hold a Sunday Service at 11.30 a.m., a Tuesday Evening of Mediumship at 7 p.m. And every alternate Thursday from 22nd September, there is an Development/ Awareness Circle where you can develop your skills commencing at 6.30 p.m. Spiritual healing is available every Sunday and Tuesday after the service. The Divine Service with Mediumship, on Sunday, 27th November, will be taken by Annette Rogers. Anna Marie will take the Evening of Mediumship on Tuesday, 29th November. The Divine Service with Mediumship, on Sunday, 4th December will be taken by Ray Bailey. We will be holding our Carol Service on Tuesday 6th December. Tickets only. AFTER THIS SERVICE WE ARE CLOSED UNTIL TUESDAY, 10TH JANUARY, 2017. Contact Wendy on 965323028. www. spiritualistcentre-benijofar.com New email is phoenixchurch23@gmail.com or info@spiritualistcentre-benijofar.com Identificacion Fiscal G54713789.
IS open to ladies and gentlemen who find themselves on their own but would like to get out and meet people through 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 CHESS club area. We have run this little group for Friendly Chess group looking for 1.00 PM some 10 years and more such events more players. FRIDAYS - REFLECTIONS BAR SAN LUIS are needed, 966 789 063. (Lakeside) Tele: John 966 786 774 ‘Strictly Dance’ or 634 658 506 (M)
A u t u m n / W i n t e r ALMORADI MONDAY CLUB The “Almoradi Monday Club” meet every Schedule Every Monday Emerald Isle Rock & Roll Beginners & Improvers Tuition 6:307:30pm Every Tuesday, The Country Club, Quesada, Beginners & Intermediate Ballroom & Latin Tuition 8-10pm Every Thursday, The Madhouse, Pueblo Principe, Beginners & Intermediate Ballroom & Latin Tuition 8-10pm Christmas Dinner Dance QCC Saturday 17 December, New Courses every 3 weeks, Singles Welcome. You’ve seen the show now come and learn how its done with the professionals and join in the ‘strictly’ gossip. For futher information contact Lyn on 635 584 431, 966 188 430 or email strictlydancelyn@ gmail.com
Amigos Group
Friendship
FIRST and THIRD MONDAY of the month at 4PM in “ The Centro Social Rooms, The Plaza, Calle Antimo Illescas, off Calle Comunidad Valenciana in Almoradi “ which is the same road as the Theatre Cortes in Almoradi. The idea of this modern and progressive club is that people who speak ENGLISH and live in Almoradi or the surrounding area can meet one another on a regular but informal basis to talk together and enjoy life in this Spanish community. The club activities will include social events, club lunches and evening meals in and around the local area, with guest speakers at meetings and entertainment when possible. We will also try to associate ourselves with other local clubs that hold other events including coach trips and anything that may be of interest to members. If you are interested and would like to have a wider circle of friends then come along to one of our meetings. For more information contact davedanie@gmail. com The Almoradi Monday Club is an ENGLISH speaking club and is open to people of every nationality living in or just visiting Spain
We meet at Rayz Bar El Raso every Wednesday at 3.00pm. For a social get together and fun quiz. We arrange lots of activities including day trips, meals out walks and holidays. You are welcome to join us and widen your circle of friends. Just turn up and The Royal British Legion you will Spain District North be made welcome • The Royal British Legion provides lifelong support or for for the Armed Forces community – serving men and f u r t h e r women, veterans and their families. • If you feel we can help you, please ring 676 451 780 info Call Ann (9-5 weekdays) or email assistance.rbl.dns@gmail.com. tel. 642 • Any general enquiries to 648 860 251 (10-4 weekdays) 774 399 or Ken tel. 642 To the memory of the fallen and the future of the living 703 488
31
ANGLICAN CHAPLAINCY OF ST PETER AND ST PAUL TORREVIEJA
ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS SERVICES 2016 In addition to the normal Services (see Footnote) the following special Services are planned over the Advent and Christmas period: LA SIESTA Sat 24 Dec 16 Midnight Mass – Holy Eucharist 11:30 pm LOS BALCONES Sun 25 Dec 16 Christmas Day - Holy Eucharist 10:30 am LAGO JARDIN Sat 24 Dec 16 Vigil Mass with Christmas Carols 6:00 pm CAMPOVERDE Sat 24 Dec 16 Midnight Mass – Holy Eucharist 11:30 pm Sun 1 Jan 17 Service of Nine Lessons and Carols 6:00 pm LA MARINA (SAN FULGENCIO) Sun 25 Dec 16 Christmas Day - Holy Eucharist 10:15 am LA MANGA (OWNERS CLUB – LA MANGA CLUB) Sat 24 Dec 16 Christmas Eve – Holy Eucharist 6:00 pm CRISTO RESUCITADO (LA REGIA) Thu 22 Dec 16 Holy Eucharist 11:00 am FOOTNOTE For more information on the workings of the Chaplaincy - and other planned activities and events – please view their web-site: - http://c-of-e-torrevieja.com/ The specific location of the various Church Centres together with their normal Services can be found here: http://c-of-e-torrevieja.com/where.php Also follow them on their Facebook pages too: https://www.facebook.com/Chaplain cyOfStPeterAndStPaul?ref=hl and more specifically here: https://www. facebook.com/CampoverdeChurch The Anglican Chaplaincy extends a very warm and friendly welcome to all denominations who live in or are visiting our area and our Church Centres
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.
Ruby’s
URBANISATION EL RASO, CAMPO DE GUARDAMAR, JUST OFF THE CV895 LEMON TREE ROAD, 03140
TEL 865 662 543
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32
Christmas Classifieds
SOL CLASSIFIEDS For sale
personals
ADVERTISE YOUR UNWANTED ITEMS UP TO 300€ FOR FREE EMAIL:SALES@SOLTIMES. COM BY TUESDAY 5PM
“Readers of a sensitive disposition may find some of the ads in this section offensive”
December 2016
Call: 950 121 936 or 950 680 007 Extn: 1342 locksmith
ELEGANT slim, sexy, naughty Italian lady available home/house visits. Torrevieja, La Manga, Torre Pacheco & Mazarron, Quesada plus all other areas. Speaks 3 languages. Escort available home & house visits. Tel: 693 357 526 2 Spanish ladies Playa Flamenca near new Carrefour before La Florida. 37 years, attractive, classy lady, private house, parking. Offers all erotic services, massage, sexy lingerie, prices from 40€. Full discretion. Tel: Ana 865 646 437
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Polly came to the Goats Of Anarchy animal sanctuary four months ago with some very serious problems, according to manager Leanne Lauricella. “When she was born, she was tiny and blind and couldn’t nurse,” Lauricella told The Huffington Post. “Her owners worked away from home and didn’t have time to bottle-feed her.” Lauricella soon discovered that Polly had many issues, including severe anxiety and repetitive
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34
Strictly Grand Final 2016
By Lyn Aspden of ‘Strictly Dance’
Merry Christmas
Singing in the Rain. This was improved from the first performance but I’m sorry I don’t see what
Class Info 635 584 431 It’s that time of the year again already when one of the 3 had to lift the coveted glitterball trophy. With 3 dances to contend with a very tough week for all the finalists to have to contend with. Opening were Ore Oduba and Joanne with the judges choice their American Smooth to
the judges are seeing. Ore’s core is not strong enough and his ankles are always sickled whenever he does kicks and flicks. I agree that he has come a long way from a so called non dancer but for me this is a dance competition not an entertainment show. I awarded him 9 and the judges 39. Next were Louise Redknapp and Kevin with their Cha Cha Cha to flashdance. Sorry her action was very stilted and her hip action sadly lacking. She also looked uncomfortable and off balance. I gave her 8 and the judges 38. Closing the first dance were Danny Mac and Oti,, with their Quickstep. This was Danny at his best but unfortunately he made an error in the choreography on one of the kick sections which stuck out like a mile. For that reason only a 9 and the judges 36. Showdances were the next on offer. From Ore and Joanne another Hollywood style similar to their opening number covering several dances from the show. It was very entertaining, fast and energetic but I still saw the same problems as his first
December 2016
dance. Another 9 and the judges a full house 40. Louise and Kevin’s showdance was performed to ‘one moment in time’. This was a very emotional performance peppered with lifts and nicely danced, however, it did look a little heavy in places, something that would have been improved enormously by a bit more core lift. Another 9 and the judges 38. Danny and Oti’s number was fiery, strong and passionate based on Paso Doble and Argentine Tango. It was full of lifts, creative intensity and drama. Danny at his best and well worth 10 and 40 from the judges. The third and final dance was the couples favourite from the show. Ore and Joanne selected their Jive. Another great energetic performance but brought out his twine toes in abundance with the kicks and flicks something the judges chose not to hightlight?! I gave him 9 and the judges 40. Louise and Kevin picked their Argentine Tango. I loved this the first time around and this was even better. The leg lines were superb and lifts effortless. A worthy 10 and the judges 40. Danny and Oti closed with their Argentine Tango. What can you say about this boy other than he looks like one of the professionals. He has been my favourite from week one and continued to be so through to the final. A deserved 10 and the judges another 40. So who lifted the glitterball trophy? You will have guessed if you read my report from last week Ore and Joanne. To add insult to injury Louise was second and Danny third. So I think you can firmly say that it did end up being the Clifton show. Thank goodness Len will be gone and hopefully there will be no favouritism from the judges next year. From a disappointed reporter, can I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and here’s to a happy, healthy and prosperous 2017 to one and all. Until next year Keep Dancing!!
35
Feliz Navidad
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BBVA to close 132 branches in February and lay off 500 employees
A HIGH-STREET bank present in nearly every town in Spain plans to shut 132 branches in one fell swoop in February due to the ever-increasing use of online channels. The Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) says far fewer customers attend branches in person nowadays except to draw cash out or pay bills via the cashpoint machine, with more and more turning to online banking, meaning customer-facing staff are not needed so much these days. The entity with the second-highest number of branches in Spain – a total of 3,173 – the BBVA assures it will retain a 'physical presence' in all towns of 15,000 or more inhabitants, although it has not said how many branches per residents it will keep meaning customers in very
large towns may have to travel some distance to reach their nearest office. Chairman Francisco González claims the shut-down is 'the fruit of the BBVA network's dynamic management' which involves 'permanently analysing its network of branches in Spain' in order to 'develop plans that allow the company to offer a better service to its customers and become more efficient'. “This is a continued effort carried out year-round in Spain and in all the other countries [mostly in Latin America] where we are based,” says chief executive Carlos Torres. But this has come at the expense of workers' quality of life: some 500 employees are set to lose their jobs before the end of the year. thinkspain
Spanish siesta to get the boot as Spain dumps ‘Nazi time’ for GMT The government is General Franco showed disruption or confusion
considering replacing the ‘Nazi time zone’ it currently operates in with Greenwich Mean Time. THE Spanish siesta is in danger of getting the chop. The government is considering replacing the ‘Nazi time zone’ it currently operates in with Greenwich Mean Time. Spain abandoned GMT some 70 years ago as
his allegiance to Hitler’s Germany. And after years of talk about returning to the previous time zone, Minister Fatima Banez is now leading the charge to move Spain’s clocks back an hour. The move would see the famous Spanish midday nap given the boot, with the working day ending at 6pm in line with the rest of Europe. “There would be no
for citizens under this proposed change,” Banez said. “I will be talking with employers and unions for their opinion on finishing the working day in line with the rest of Europe.” She added: “The proposals I have put in place will help employees achieve a better workfamily balance.” expatica
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36
Merry Christmas
The International League 2016
The final round of the International League was celebrated at the Las Colinas Golf and Country club last Sunday. With all the inclement weather of the previous days we were a little worried that the umbrellas would be called upon for the first time this year. We had a fine turnout of 96 players and with the atmosphere decidedly tense as both divisions were up for decision, the rocket was fired at 9am precisely. In the Poniente division the title was contested by two newcomers to the league, El Valle Golf Society and Sportsman Nomads Golf Society. This was a closely contested division and the final lived up to all expectations. The two captains Mike Pearce and Mike Wyatt put out their strongest teams and El Valle came out on top with a three matches to one victory. Congratulations to El Valle and The Sportsman Nomads for a really entertaining match. Before we get on to talking about the Levante section, we must congratulate the winners of the first Presidents’ Trophy. The Novices, lead by their Captain Kevin McBride who managed his selection to perfection. Congratulations Kevin on your muchmerited victory. The Plate final was won by the Sportsman Nomads Golf Society again under the guidance of Mike Wyatt, not a bad return Mike for the first year. Congratulations to the winning teams. Well if the Poniente was tight the Levante section was even tighter still with three teams all fighting for the
right to call themselves champions of The International League. The Celtic Tigers and holders had a one point lead over The Falcons and a twopoint lead over Bonalba European Team. The Tigers were playing the Celt Nomads and no quarter was given or expected. The Falcons and Bonalba European Team played each other, with the victor of this match hoping the Celt Nomads would do them a favour. You could not write the script, The Nomads pulled out one of their best performances all season and defeated the Tigers. Tension was palpable as the committee waited on the other match. The Falcons needed a victory to be crowned champions and Bonalba needed a victory to force a play-off with the Tigers. News was slowly filtering in and the match result was a tie. Now we had a play-off between The Tigers and The Falcons. Hole 19 was beckoning for the four players. As luck or otherwise would have it it was down to two putts, John Fordham had the slightly easier if a little longer uphill attempt. It came up short but was conceded. Then Jim Hayes had the putt we all dream about, to win the title. A fine effort was made and the ball passed agonisingly close to the hole, but just kept going and going. It left a very tricky return putt and unfortunately it too slipped past the lip and The Tigers held onto the title for another year. What excitement what tension. Logan could be heard, stating you could not write such a script and organise such a tense conclusion. Well done to The Tigers and congratulations to The Falcons on an excellent effort. On behalf of the Federation I would like to congratulate all teams in the two divisions for a superb year and we look forward to next year with two expanded divisions of 10 teams already entered for the first event at Alicante Golf on the 21st of January.
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December 2016
SPORTS SHORTS by Tony Matthews
• Andy Murray was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year for the third time last Sunday – and ex-boxer Lennox Lewis presented him with the trophy in Miami. Triathlete Alaster Brownlee was second with showjumper Nick Skelton third. • The Team of the Year award went to Leicester City whose manager, Claudio Ranieri was voted Coach of the Year. • Teenage Paralympic swimmer Ellie Robinson won the Young Sports Person of the Year prize. • The ‘Unsung Hero’ award went to boxing coach Marcellius Baza; runner Ben Smith (401 marathons in 401 days) won the ‘Helen Rollason’ award and American swimmer, Michael Phelps was presented with a Lifetime Achievement award. • Chelsea, on a run of 11 successive Premiership wins (only Arsenal 14 and Manchester United 12 have better sequences) go into Christmas as PL leaders. • In the chasing pack we have Manchester City (2-1 winners over Arsenal), Liverpool (who met Everton in the Merseyside derby on Monday), Spurs and Manchester United. • Southampton won the south coast derby, beating Bournemouth 3-1. • Just three points now separate the bottom four in the PL: Crystal Palace (17th), Sunderland (18th), Swansea (19th) and Hull (20th). • Newcastle (49 points), Brighton (48) and Reading (40) sit 1-2-3 in the Championship but Rotherham are bottom on 10 points out of 66. • The top three in FL1 are Scunthorpe (47 points), Sheffield United (44) and Bolton (43) while Plymouth (44), Carlisle (42) and Doncaster (42) hold the first
three places in FL2, while table-toppers Celtic have an 11-point advantage over rivals Rangers in the SPL. • Last weekend, Cristiano Ronaldo scored another hat-trick as Real Madrid beat Kashima Antlers 4-2 after extratime to win the World Club Cup. • Boxing Day fixtures include ArsenalWBA, Chelsea-Bournemouth, HullManchester City, Leicester-Everton, Liverpool-Stoke, Manchester UnitedSunderland and SouthamptonTottenham in the PL; BrightonQPR, Derby-Birmingham (now managed by Gianfranco Zola) and Newcastle-Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship; Bradford CityScunthorpe in FL1 and Crewe-Carlisle and Plymouth-Wycombe in FL2. • In the European Champions Cup, there were wins for Leicester 18-16 v Munster; Connacht 20-18 v Wasps; Leinster 60-13 v Northampton and Exeter 20-12 in Bordeaux. • Ospreys 71-3 v Grenoble and Harlequins 75-3 v Timisoara, both recorded victories in these European Challenge Cup. •Northampton play Sale in the Aviva Premiership on Friday, followed on Saturday by Exeter-Leicester, SaracensNewcastle and Wasps-Bath. • Olympic equestrian show-jumping/ dressage champion, Valegro, ridden by Charlotte Dujardin, has been officially retired. • Formula One chief Toto Wolff has hinted that he wants Valtteri Bottas to partner Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes next year. • And finally to all Sol Times readers everywhere, I wish you a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous ‘sporting’. New Year.
Another Hole-in-One at El Plantio 2
Yet again the club day's Competition, this time a 'Joker', on Tuesday 13th December
saw another Hole-in-One. This time it was David Swann who became the 4th to succeed in 16 days, this time on the 102 metre 9th hole. A good turnout of 21 members jokingly bemoaned
3rd Place - Handicap 6, Ian Craig - 41 Points 2nd Place - Handicap 10, Keith Smith 41 points on C/B. 1st Place - Handicap 9(not for long) Ray Housley - 45 points If anyone would like to join our Society, we play at El Plantio Golf Club
the fact that they seem to be forever forking out the Euro for the achievement.
on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. We use both courses - the Par 3 nine hole
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37 Feliz Navidad San Miguel Golf Society’s Jingle Balls Christmas Competition. Las Colinas, Dec 14th
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to all our Golf Societies
Marabu Lounge Golf Society
(in association with Costa Blanca Green Fee Services) at Las Colinas on 15th December 2016
For this month’s meeting a group of 28 players visited the established course at Las Colinas taking advantage of the excellent society deal obtained from Costa Blanca Green Fee Services. This was SUPPOSED to be our Christmas competition but the weather put FUBAR to our plans. Firstly heavy overnight rain meant that no buggies were allowed on the fairways but after some persuasion some of our more fragile members were allowed blue flag access to the fairways and after some mince pies and buzz fizz we were underway only for the heavens to open again after only 4 holes. Some 16 players headed back to the warmth of the clubhouse while three brave team continued to play the 18 holes in ever changing conditions until everything including under pants were wet. We played a best 2 from 4 stableford and despite the horrendous conditions the winning scores were: 1st – Muttock,Drinkall,Goulder and Cooper – 79 points 2nd – Jones,Robson,Hanaway and Bartlam – 75 points. The winning scores on the day were as follows:
Nearest the Pins – Muttock (2),Hanaway and Goulder Football Card Winner– Ray Muttock Later that evening we returned to the Marabu Lounge, which is located at Pueblo Brava, Quesada for our Christmas Dinner and annual prize presentation and we give our thanks for their continued support under the new owner Lorraine and why not pop into the bar and see for yourself. We presented the following annual prizes: Player of the Year – Mike Probert Runner Up Players of the Year – Andy Jones Senior Player of the Year – Jack Fanning Most Improved Player of the Year – Lynden Bartlam We were entertained for the evening by the lovely Rebecca Holt. Our next interim game is at Lo Romero on 29th December 2016 before we launch into our 2017 fixtures with some excellent venues this year. Report by Mike Probert of Costa Blanca Green Fee Services on 966 704 752 or 661 345 931 or see us at our web-site at www.costa-blancagreenfees.com.
T.M.G.S. @ La Finca 14/12/16
As the year draws to a close so do our monthly visits to this well liked course. It has been decided by the management of the Quara group that due to market forces they need to increase our green fees by almost 50%! Of course this is not affordable for most members. We, as a Society have played both La Finca and Villamartin every month for the last 4 ½ years and personally I have arranged other Societies golf days at these venues for more than 15 years, so the time has come to move on. For our 2017season our competition calendar will present some new challenges to our members, new courses and courses that they haven’t
After all the recent rain, with more on the way, a fine day greeted the 41 members and 2 guests for SMGS’s 2016 Jingle Balls Competition, a singles/team event played under stableford scoring. Accustomed to this being held at Las Ramblas, by majority committee consent the event was switched to the new venue, with dinner to be held in San Miguel afterwards. The aforementioned rain led to a very damp course. Whilst the greens were in reasonably good condition, although pock-marked with pitch marks, many left unrepaired when the author’s team passed through, and for which some SMGS members quite clearly have to shoulder part of the blame, the fairways were far from their usual standard. The short cropping of the fairway grass had led to a lot of surface mud being present, balls rapidly being covered. Unfortunately SMGS was not playing winter rules so players had to wait till they got to the green in order to clean them up. One outcome of the day has been for the winter rule to now be introduced until February. The conditions did not stop some players from scoring well, with Tony Sims taking first prize in the singles with 38 points, closely followed by Alan Gilbert on 37 and Bjorn Pettersson and Chris Hamblett on 36. Things were tight in the team event also, with the exception of one team who trailed the winners by a mere 32 points. Following the round players spruced up, with many being joined by their other halves, to gather at Meson El Prado for the society’s Christmas Dinner and the day’s prize giving, as well as a raffle, musical entertainment and general merrymaking. Thanks to Captain Theo Boelhouwer and his wife Debby for organising the event. Team scores were based on two players’ individual scores to count on holes with Stroke Index 1-6, 3 on SI holes 7 to 12, and all four on those with SI 13 to 18. Eleven teams
played so often. I hope that that they take up these challenges with a new invigorated spirt and the Society moves forward from strength to strength. Our last day at La Finca greeted us with overcast skies but no wind, the course played long with most tees being moved back, this was probably due to the final of Miguel Angel Jimenez’s junior nation circuit being played here this coming weekend. Fittingly for my last game here I had the pleasure of one of our more senior members in my 4 ball, it could be due to such good company that I actually played some of my best golf in recent years, thank you Tom Jones (86 years young) you are always a pleasure to play with. Results; N.T.P.’s Hole 3 Joe Dean, Hole 6 Sverre Sonesen, Hole 13 Alex Goslan and Hole 16 Tove Roed. The “2’s” pot contained €26 and there being no winners this week it will be carried over to La Marquesa on Monday next. Best visitor was O. Growe 22pts. Bronze category; 3rd S. Twentyman 30 pts. 2nd M. Skipperud L/H 30 pts. 1st B. Wylie 32 pts. Silver category; 3rd J. Davidson 27 pts. 2nd A. Kilnes L/H 27 pts. 1st J. Hettrick 31 pts. Gold category; 3rd I. Brown 33 pts. 2nd S. Sonesen L/H 33 pts. 1st J. Dean 35 pts. For further information about our Society please visit www.tmgs.org or www.facebook.com/TMGSGOLF or call the Secretary on 661 524 101
participated. Results, in reverse order, were the following:-
3rd (104 pts): Jamie Rorison, Hugh Reilly, Steve Sims and Mick Roscoe 2nd (105 pts): Barry Roehrig, Phil de Lacy, Eva Leidstrom and Gerry Connybear 1st (107 pts): Theo Boelhouwer, Tony Smale, Alan Gilbert and Bo Leidstrom The Team Abacus was won by Robin Eastman, Brian Staines, Steve Grundy and Alan Bassett Prize winning best individual scores were, in reverse order: 5th Phil de Lacy (35 on CB) 4th Chris Hamblett (36 on CB), 3rd Bjorn Pettersson (36 on CB), 2nd Alan Gilbert (37), and 1st Tony Sims with 38 points who also won the coveted Jingle Balls Trophy the Mooning Santa. Nearest the pins (open to all) on the par 3’s were won by Tony Sims (Hole 5), Steve Higgins (Holes 7 & 10), Hugh Reilly (15) and Eva Pettersson (17). Our thanks go to all at Las Colinas golf course for their contribution to an enjoyable day, and to those at Meson El Prado for the evening event. Next week we are at Lo Romero. For all the latest news go to www.smgs. org or give Barry Roehrig a ring on 966731033. Keep up to date with all SMGS matters by logging on to our website www.smgs.org or simply give Theo Boelhouwer a call on 966723630 to find out more about the society and its weekly golf get-togethers. Next week, December 21st, we will be at Lo Romero.
Bradley Lowerys Fight Bradley Lowrey is 5 year’s old. At the age of 2 he was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma and battled with it for over 2 until he was successful in beating the Cancer. He went into remission. In July 2016, Bradley relapsed. A very sad moment for us all. Specialist and progressive treatment for this kind of Cancer is not available in this country and to send Bradley abroad for specialist treatment we have started fundraising again. After hearing of Bradleys fight an Everton fan took it upon himself to create a campaign to send Bradley as many Christmas Cards as possible this year. If you want to send a card to Bradley, you can. Send them to 5 Attlee Avenue, Blackhall Rocks, Hartlepool TS27 4BY You can also donate to his campaign at www.bradleylowerysfight.org.uk
38
Merry Christmas
Rossi was ‘very close’ to switching to F1
Milan - Valentino Rossi’s father has revealed that the MotoGP superstar came close to moving to Formula 1 on numerous occasions. Rossi first tested an F1 car alongside Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher back in 2004. In the years that have passed, he has driven F1 cars on a number of occasions and speculation of him making the switch continued to be reported over and over again. Rossi refused a move to F1 Rumours of a potential move from competing in the MotoGP to F1 was at its height in 2009 when Rossi was considered to be a replacement for the injured Felipe Massa at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Massa ended up being ruled out for the remainder of the season, but Ferrari opted to bring in Luca Badoer initially before calling up Giancarlo Fisichella. Rossi’s father, Graziano, said in a video that was posted on the MotoGP website: “Valentino was very close to driving in F1.
December 2016
Bobsleigh and skeleton World Championships: Koenigssee replaces Sochi as hosts
compensation after being stripped of the event.
Because the only thing which is comparable to a MotoGP bike is a F1 car, and [competing in] other motorsport [categories] would be taking a little step down. “Valentino refused [a move] – his love for MotoGP was too big. If the day after tomorrow he still wants to go fast in a rally car, for example, or in a touring car race, or something other than F1, then he can. But only after he has ended his mission to be number one in the world.” In the recently concluded MotoGP season, Rossi finished in second place for the third year in a row. In the 2016 campaign, the Italian won two races – in Jerez and Barcelona. wheels24.co.za
The 2017 bobsleigh and skeleton World Championships will be held in the German resort Koenigssee after the event was taken away from Sochi following claims of doping. The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation said it is not “prudent” to hold the event in Russia. A report claimed more than 1,000 Russians benefited from a doping cover-up between 2011 and 2015. Russia said it might seek
The German venue was picked because of its location, suitability for the athletes who will be racing, organisers’ experience and track availability at such short notice, the IBSF said. Latvia became the first nation to say they would boycott Sochi while South Korea, host of the 2018 Winter Olympics, and skeleton athletes from the United States had also been considering withdrawing. The event takes place between 13 and 26 February. Bbc.com 21 points and fourth Shoestring Uno with 21.75 points. For the non-mathematicians that’s just 1.75 points between second and forth, about as close as you can get. Congratulations to all who took part.
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As Group owned boats they were all sailed by different skippers and crews so the trophies for the top three places were presented to a representative of each. Diane Hardwick for Cuatro, Terry Chapman for Sirocco and Tim Clarke for Dos, pictured from right to left in the photograph.
A Very Close Finish The final results showed just how close the racing had been during the SAMM Autumn Series 2016. Five race days were completed the other three were unable to be held because clashing events made sailing impossible. The results are calculated using the ‘low points’ system, with best six results to count. The clear winner was Shoestring Groups Cuatro with 13.75 points. Second was the Balaton Groups Sirocco with 20.5 points, closely followed in third place by Shoestring Dos with
The Spring Series 2017 will start in March and all comers, not just SAMM members, are welcome. For information have a look at the ‘Racing’ section of the website at www.sailingmarmenor.com
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andy murray wins sports personality
Andy Murray says he is determined to keep improving so he remains world number one after winning BBC Sports Personality of the Year for a record third time. Murray collected the main award from Miami where he is training for 2017. "It's possible everything doesn't go perfectly next year and I need to be prepared," the 29-year-old said. "I know staying at the top is a really difficult thing to do. I'm not taking anything for granted." He added: "I'm sure Novak [Djokovic] will be wanting to get back to the top spot but it's taken me so long to get here that I want to stay there as long as I can, and that's why I'm over here now. "I'm working on my game and trying to get myself in shape so I can start 2017 as best as possible." Murray, the 2013 and 2015 Sports Personality winner, took Olympic gold, claimed his second Wimbledon title and became tennis' world number one in a remarkable 2016. He received 247,419 votes to claim the prize, with triathlete Alistair Brownlee second and show jumper Nick Skelton third. In his acceptance speech, Scot Murray said: "I'd like to thank everyone who voted. I really appreciate your support. And I'd like to thank my team - they make a lot of sacrifices for me; they're away from their family at times of the year like this." He received the award from British boxing world champion Lennox Lewis and later said the replica trophy he was presented with had been damaged. He will be presented with
the actual trophy at a later date. He added: "It's kind of stuck down with tape where the top bit of the camera is. "They didn't tell me how it got broken, and to hold it close to my body. After the problems me and Lennox had the last time [a botched handover when he was third in 2012], I listened to them." Runner-up Brownlee, 28, said Murray was "an incredible sportsman". The Yorkshireman, who became the first man to retain the Olympic triathlon title at Rio 2016, added: "In tennis, which is very competitive, his consistency - especially this year - has been very impressive. "He focuses and does his best in the Olympics and that shows someone who is a real, genuine sportsman." Third-placed Skelton, 58, who became Britain's second oldest Olympic gold medallist at August's Games, said of Murray: "He's had a great year and worked hard to get where he is. To win it three times, you've got to be pretty good, haven't you?" Record-breaking Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, won the Lifetime Achievement award and also had some words of praise for Murray. "Watching what he's done on the court is insane," the 23-time Olympic gold medallist said. "He's really shown he's the best player in the world and it's been fun to watch him on his mission." Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri won Coach of the Year and said: "He's amazing. He deserved to win. He's a champion and I hope he can repeat his success this season."
39
EL RASO GOLF SOCIETY AT LAS COLINAS
On Friday 16 December 24 members of the El Raso GS played the monthly Stableford at Las Colinas. The heavy rain of recent days had left the course not up to its normal standard. The fairways were soggy and the greens were in poor condition with many pitch marks! Buggies had to stay to the paths, leaving us with much walking and club selection problematic. Well, we thought we had got away with the forecasted rain, but halfway round the back nine down it came in force. Then followed rumbles of thunder and a flash of lightening, resulting in several of the later groups having to withdraw from the course that consequently reflected in the scores.
The final results were as follows: NTP’s: 5th Jeff Lynch 7th David Valentine 10th Terry Sharley 14th Linda Lynch 17th Lauraine Walker. Alan Venables won the best front nine with 17 pts and best back nine went to David Valentine 13 pts. It was a day for the ladies taking the top three places. Third was Bev Fairhurst with 29 on c/b, second Jan Shorley also with 29 and winner of the day, Lauraine Walker with a super 32 points. After the game we travelled back to the Olde 9th in Quesada where we were treated to a welcome hot snack. Our next scheduled game is on 27 January at our home course La Marquesa.
40
SOLTIMES December 2016
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