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Spanish eco-warrior arrested in Cambodia
A Spanish environmental activist was arrested in Cambodia Monday and will shortly be deported, officials said, a move described by a rights group as the government’s latest attempt to stifle dissent .Alejandro Gonzalez-Davidson, cofounder of the outspoken advocacy group Mother Nature, has led a campaign against plans for a dam in a protected forest area in the southwestern province of Koh Kong. He will be expelled from the kingdom after refusing to leave when his visa renewal application was refused, interior ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak told AFP. "We have asked him to leave the country (voluntarily) but he has refused to do so. Therefore we must expel him," Sopheak said, adding the activist's previous visa expired Friday. Gonzalez-Davidson, a fluent Khmer speaker who has lived in Phnom Penh for years, has been lobbying to halt the construction of Stung Cheay Areng hydroelectric dam. His organisation claims it would flood a valley home to around 1,500 ethnic minority people, destroying a unique ecosystem. Sopheak said the activist's visa was not renewed because of complaints filed against him by the energy ministry and the Koh Kong governor. But Am Sam Ath of local rights group Licadho said the move to expel GonzalezDavidson was directly linked to his vocal
opposition to the proposed dam. The Spaniard was arrested at a restaurant in the Cambodian capital and is being detained at the immigration department, he added. "The arrest will harm the government's reputation," Ath said. Gonzalez-Davidson was detained hours after strongman premier Hun Sen warned the defiant activist to leave Cambodia voluntarily or face being blacklisted from the country. Hun Sen, who marked 30 years in power in January, has said the economic benefits of a series of controversial dams outweigh environmental concerns in a country where a quarter of the population still lacks electricity. Nine dams, including several funded by China, are set to open by 2019. Once they are operational the government has said they will together generate more than 2,000 megawatts, serving all of Cambodia's provinces. Source: thelocal.es
The King Cuts His Own Salary In Austerity Drive
Martin Shortland While his sister has had to relinquish her monarchist nor republican," Professor Barcelona home and is now preparing Varela said, "They consider both are for what could be a long court battle forms of government and, pragmatically in Majorca, King Felipe has slashed his speaking, they think that if one or the salary as head of state by 20% for 2015, other works, either one is good." a move in line with his pledges for a more The abdication of his father turned moderate, fewer-frills monarchy. a page in the volatile history of the A palace statement on Tuesday monarchy in Spain, marked in the past detailing the royal household's 2015 by a string of anti-royalist revolts. Juan budget said Felipe, 47, would receive Carlos won respect for his role in the 234,204 euros, a fifth less than his father country's transition to democracy after and predecessor received as monarch the death of General Francisco Franco before his abdication. Juan Carlos, who in 1975. But experts warn that for many retains his honorary title of king, will Spaniards, tolerance of his constitutional receive 187,356 euros per annum.
The palace budget, which has been frozen or cut since 2009 as Spain suffered hard economic times, remains unchanged in 2015 at 7.8 million euros. Felipe has striven to improve the monarchy's image, which has been tarnished by a number of scandals in recent years. In particular, his father was criticised for hunting elephant in Botswana at a time when ordinary Spaniards were suffering a severe economic crisis. Last year, Felipe banned royals from accepting expensive gifts, including free flights and luxury holidays. The historian Professor Jose Varela Ortega says that Spain differs from other monarchies such as Britain in not having a deeply-rooted attachment to the monarchy. Long in training to succeed his father, crown prince Felipe military-trained, internationally educated and multilingual - had a serious image. If he is to re-popularise the monarchy now as king, he must win over a people traditionally ambivalent towards the royals. "Most Spanish citizens are neither
monarchy does not stretch much further. King Felipe clearly has a tough job on his hands in order to turn things around, if he is able to and his cause is not being helped by the long running saga of his brother-in-law and sisters fraud trial. At a time when the country has been rocked by huge political corruption scandals, peoples mind inevitably turn to the scandals which have, and are currently cursing the royal household. Those scandals have reignited a debate that had not arisen seriously for many years: the question of a republic. Historically speaking, the shift in attitudes to Juan Carlos in his later years has not been surprising, especially amongst the younger generation. Looking back in history, the pre-war republican revolt was seen by observers both inside and outside Spain as a foregone conclusion; you could see it coming, was a view held by many. Present day commentators are now saying it could happen again, at any moment.
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The King Of Spain’s Sister Forced To Sell Her Barcelona Mansion Martin Shortland The sister of King Felipe VI of Spain, has been forced to sell her multi-million pound mansion in Barcelona’s exclusive Pedralbes district in order to raise funds for a court battle. Cristina de Borbón - known as the Infanta Cristina and her husband Iñaki Urdangarin, have promised the judge in their trial for tax fraud that they have a buyer for the house, which they bought in 2004 for 6 million euros. They need the money to cover bonds required by the court in Palma de Mallorca. In December, Judge José Castro decided that the 49 year-old Princess Cristina would become the first member of Spain’s royal family to face a criminal trial. She is the second daughter of Juan Carlos I, who abdicated last June after a series of scandals, one of which was his daughter’s indictment for tax fraud. Juan Carlos was restored to the Spanish throne by the dictator General Franco, shortly before his death in 1975. He was widely liked by the Spanish people and helped to reunite the country after the Franco years. He lost popularity in the last five years though, when details of his lavish private life were revealed. Miquel Roca, a lawyer for Princess Cristina, said last week that she is “upset” about having to sell her Barcelona home because it was, ‘something in which she had invested her hopes’. Mr Urdangarin is accused of embezzling public funds, fraud and money laundering, among other offences while he was in charge of a supposedly non-profit company which organised sports and leisure events for several regional governments in Spain. Both Princess Cristina and her husband have denied any wrongdoing. The couple and their four children moved to Switzerland in 2013. Last Thursday, Judge Castro accepted the sale of the house, half of which is under a court embargo related to the bonds Urdangarin has to pay the court in order to cover any liabilities arising from the trial. In total, Urdangarin has been ordered to pay 13.5 million euros, while Cristina also faces a liability bond of 2.6 million. The judge has reportedly agreed that the couple should pay off the 4.4 million outstanding mortgage on the property and send what remains after taxes and costs to the court. Improvements to the house as well as parties and events were allegedly paid for with funds from Mr Urdangarin’s sports foundation.
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Spanish Supreme Court Says Ryanair Jibe Not Libelous Spain’s Supreme Court has rejected card and on one occasion
a libel case brought by Ryanair against a consumer association that described the budget airline as, ‘the lowest of the low,’ which, ‘swindled and mocked its passengers’. Ryanair had taken issue with a series of press statements, articles and comments aired on radio shows in which various spokesmen for the Facua consumer group criticised the treatment received by the airline’s customers. But last Tuesday, a panel of judges ruled that the association had made reasonable use of its right to freedom of expression in defending consumers and was therefore justified in discussing the airline’s shortcomings. Despite Facua once having described Ryanair as the, ‘worst company of the year,’ and accusing the airline of ‘inflating prices’ in a fraudulent manner, the court said that such, offensive comments were justified because the company’s commercial practices have generated a notorious degree of dissent among consumers. Ryanair was also ordered to pay costs. It was the airline’s second appeal against an initial verdict in Facua’s favour from a court in Sevilla, where it was argued that the association had a right to defend consumers by highlighting complaints which the company had not been able to disprove. In 2012, the Andalusian court said that Facua had demonstrated abusive practices on the part of Ryanair, including additional charges for services such as printing a boarding
when passengers at Seville airport were held on a plane without air conditioning for a long period of time. Ryanair also lost a separate defamation suit against Facua in 2013 after the association had criticised the carrier in relation to a series of emergency landing incidents at Spanish airports. On several occasions in 2012 the airline’s pilots were forced to request priority landings, reportedly due to fuel shortages. On that occasion, Facua was sued by Ryanair over a statement criticising the airline for a policy of saving money in areas related to safety which put the lives of its passengers at stake. However, Ryanair said that the flights concerned had complied with EU safety regulations, and that the appeal was withdrawn. The company said in a statement that, ‘All Ryanair flights depart with planned extra fuel that exceeds EU guidelines’. In 2013, Ryanair was both the largest European airline by scheduled passengers carried, and the busiest International airline by passenger numbers. The airline has been characterised by its rapid expansion, a result of the deregulation of the aviation industry in Europe in 1997 and the success of its low cost business model. It operates around 300 Boeing 737-800 aircraft and has a route network serving 28 countries in Europe and Morocco. by Martin Shortland
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Outrage over Enrique Iglesias music video ad
The Galician regional government has come under fire for paying €300,000 for Enrique Iglesias to film his latest music video in the northwestern Spanish region. Noche y día (Night and day), released on Friday, February 20th, was filmed in the four provinces of Galicia, in northwestern Spain but has been criticized in local media for featuring the region “in less than a fifth” of the video despite the price tag. Regional newspaper, La Voz de Galicia, pointed out that, while the music video does feature around ten recognizable
ort
locations, they take up only one minute of the four minute 43 second clip. The newspaper also complained that the majority of shots of the region appear at the very beginning and end of the video, without music, so are likely to be cut when the music video is broadcast on television. The move was criticized across Spanish media, with daily newspaper,
20 minutos, running a blog post with the title, “Enrique Iglesias and the presumed theft of 300,000 Galician euros”. Galicia’s tourism agency paid Universal Music Spain €302,500 ($342,000) to film the music video in the region, a sum that, for many, seems too high considering how little time the video dedicates to showing off the region. The beginning of the music video features shots from around Galicia, including the Sil Canyon, the Cabo Home lighthouse and the roman walls in Lugo. It also shows the famous cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, destination for thousands of pilgrims who walk the Camino de Santiago each year. The majority of the video, however, depicts a rave taking place inside a monestary, which could theoretically be anywhere. Opposition politicians were outraged when it was announced late in 2014 that the Galician government had paid over €300,000 for the music video to be filmed in the region. The regional government maintains, however that it was an “investment” that will generate tourism and publicize the region the same as a conventional publicity campaign that “by conservative estimates” would have cost well over €1.2 million. Source:thelocal.ws
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Presentation from Rojales Pantomime group Pictured at a recent presentation are President and members of the Rojales
Pantomime group handing a cheque to the Mayor of Rojales at the Town Hall. The Mayor was receiving the cheque on behalf of 'Caritas'. Also pictured a donation given to S.A.T dog rescue centre. The aim of the group is to donate to the smaller local charities. They have already donated to Adismon (disabled children, Los Montesinos) and Caritas Los Montesinos. They donate a small amount to the Escuela de Musica towards new instruments for the children as a thank you for the use of the School for their performances of Pantomime. The last one being Cinderella. Further donations are in hand for two more local charities and will be presented later.
Spain to hunt tax dodgers via Twitter
Spain’s main tax collecting body is planning to use information available through social networks such as Twitter and Facebook to spy on people it believes are involved in financial fraud. Spain’s Inland Revenue agency will use the sites to discover further information relating to alleged tax dodgers and their malpractices. According to online daily Cinco Dias, the organization headed by Spain’s Minister of Finance and Public Administration will only access data made public by social network users. Using algorithms, Hacienda – as the agency is known in Spanish – will add extra details to taxpayers’ case files such as online transactions and who they’re in contact with via the internet. Montoro has already confirmed that 100,000 ‘inspections’ were carried out in
2014, 6.8 percent more than the previous year. The tax body is likely to publish its new set of digital footprint regulations in the following week, Cinco Dias reported. Whistleblower Herve Falciani’s recent revelations about how banking giant HSBC helped wealthy clients squirrel away funds in secret accounts to evade taxes could have spurred Hacienda to tighten its grip on taxpayers. Information shared by Spain´s digital newspaper El Confidencial show the extent to which some wealthy Spaniards were helped by international banking giant HSBC to squirrel away funds in secret accounts to evade taxes. An estimated €1.8 billion ($2.8 billion) was concealed by Spanish citizens in Swiss bank accounts between 2006 and 2007.
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Sheikh dupes art conmen with photocopied money
An Arab sheikh gave two Spanish brothers a dose of their own medicine by paying them with photocopied money for a fake Goya painting they tried to flog him. It’s a story that any dark-humoured scriptwriter would jump on without hesitation. It all started in 2003, when the two brothers in question first came across the alleged portrait of Don Antonio Maria Esquivel, purporting to be painted one of Spain’s greatest artists: Francisco de Goya. They presumed it was authentic, paying a deposit of €20,000 on the full €270,000 the ‘art dealer’ was asking for. But when an authenticity certificate couldn’t be provided, becuase experts refuted that it was an original Goya, a Girona judge ruled they could keep the artwork without having to pay the remaining €250,000. Seven years after the court ruling, the brothers decided they would try their own luck at selling the painting of dubious origins. They found a potential buyer in an Arab sheikh, willing to pay €4 million for what he believed was a Goya masterpiece. A meeting was arranged in the northern Italian city of Turin with a representative of the sheikh’s. In return for the Goya and its certificate of authenticity (which they'd forged) they were to receive a first instalment of 1.7 million francs
(€1.5 million). The brothers also hired a moneylender to meet in their home city of Girona with the middleman who had arranged the deal with the Arab buyer. Once they received the money in Turin, they called the loan shark and allowed him to pay the intermediary €300,000 as promised for setting up the sale. The complicated transaction was finalized and for some time the siblings must have thought they were going to get away with it. Then they arrived at a Geneva bank to deposit the 1.7 million francs into a Swiss bank account, Spanish news agency Europa Press reported. It was there tha they were informed their fortune was nothing more than photocopied bank notes. To make matters worse for them, customs in the French city of Avignon informed Spanish police that they’d come across two of their countrymen with a suitcase full of fake money. On arrival in Spain the brothers were arrested and are now facing fraud charges. As for the €300,000 they paid the intermediary, the money was real and borrowed from a local businessman who’s unlikely to ever see it again. Presumably it ended up in the hands of the Arab sheikh, too smart to be outwitted by two rather mediocre conmen.
Tweeter fined €60,000 over football fan death
A man who posted a message on Twitter celebrating the death of a football fan has been fined over €60,000 ($68,000) for his "threatening and offensive" behaviour. Spain’s Secretary of State for Security, part of the Interior Ministry, has fined a Twitter user €60,001 for posting an offensive message celebrating the death of a football fan in November 2014. "I want to express my most absolute and sincere happiness at the death of the Deportivo fan. A son of a bitch who won’t be fighting ever again. Hopefully many more will die," the man posted on social media, according to Spanish daily, 20 minutos. As well as being fined, the man has been banned from attending sporting events for a period of five years under Spain’s Law against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Sport. The law aims to eradicate violence in sport, as well as preventing, controlling and sanctioning any demonstration or
inciting of violence, such as on social networks. Lifelong Deportivo fan, Francisco Javier Romero Taboada, died after violent clashes broke out between the 'ultra', or organized hooligan supporters, of Deportivo La Coruña and Atlético Madrid on November 30th 2014 outside Atletico Madrid’s Vicente Caldarón stadium. Taboada, aka 'Jimmy', 43, died after being beaten and then thrown into the river Manzanares. A video taken at the time captured the moment Taboada, member of the Deportivo hardcore fan group, the Riazor Blues, was thrown into the river. To date, 43 people have been arrested in relation to the brawl, among them a police man and a soldier. thelocal.es
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Almeria Almond Sales Increased Substantially Last Year
Martin Shortland The almond growers of Almeria Kingdom, Austria, Algeria, Sweden and province have had a bad few years, with Lebanon are other countries which low rain fall and desease contributing import smaller quantities of almonds to a decrease in crop yields. But that’s from Almeria. all in the past now, because figures just Almeria province is the largest producer released by the growers association – of almonds in Andalucia and the third representing over 200 companies – show largest in Spain, with a national share of that last year, the region increased its 6.4%. The largest exporter is Alicante, annual sales by 108% compared to the followed by Tarragona and Albacete. same period in 2013. On a visit to the province last week, the That represents a turnover of Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, approximately 51.3 million euros and Jose Manuel Ortiz, said the latest figures is 141% higher than in 2013. Most of showed an important upward turn in the almonds produced in the area go what he called, ‘An extremely important for export, with Italy taking the largest industry, not only in Andalucia, but in share; that represents 15.8 million euros Spain as a whole.’ and a market share of 30%. Germany Although the Spanish almond industry bought more almonds last year and is a big one, it still buys substantial comes second in the table with a 25% amounts from other countries; the vast share, followed by France with 18%. majority – 94% - come from the United Greece is the fourth best customer States of America. Australia, Morocco with 9% of imports and the United and Portugal supply the remaining 6% of States comes fifth with 5.5%.The United Spanish imported almonds.
Steve has at last got the bottle
In January local presenter and quizmaster Darren James assisted the Torrevieja Costa Lions Club by making the draw for the Lions Festive gallon of Scotch whisky at his regular Tuesday evening quiz night at Bar Monte in Los Montesinos. The name drawn out was that of Steve Carroll who has a holiday home in Los Montesinos. Steve bought his ticket on Boxing Day and had returned to his home in Liverpool with his wife Sue to celebrate New Year. Steve was back in Los Montesinos this week and met up with Lion President Iain Bennett to receive his prize. Thanks to all the staff at Bar Monte for selling tickets to their regulars and friends. All monies raised from the Lions festive fundraising, 2,800.00 euros, have already been presented to ALPE in Torrevieja.
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Almonds are native to the Mediterranean region of the Middle East, explaining their requirement of mild winters and long dry summers. Almonds were domesticated at least by 3000 BC, and perhaps much earlier since wild almonds have been unearthed in Greek archeological sites dating to 8000 BC. The almond was spread along the shores of the Mediterranean in northern Africa and southern Europe by Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. In Greek mythology the almond tree is represented by the beautiful princess Phyllis. Left at the altar on her wedding day, Phyllis waited for years before finally perishing of a broken heart. In sympathy, the gods transformed her into an almond tree, as a symbol of hope. When Phyllis' fiancee returned to find her as a leafless, flowerless tree, he embraced it and the tree burst into bloom. Flowering & Fruiting Almond flowers are nearly identical to peach and other Prunus flowers, but are more fragrant and tend to be either light pink or white. The almond tree is not selfpollinating and must be cross-pollinated. Because of this, honeybees or other pollinators are essential to fruit production. However, there is a lot of work being done on developing a prolific nut producing, self-fertile almond. In the meantime, it is possible to buy grafted compatible varieties of almonds to reduce the need for two trees.
The almond tree is one of the first trees to flower at the close of winter and in February large parts of Spain are dressed with light and colour. The "Almendros" (almond trees) are in bloom, a fact that marks the beginning of spring. It lasts approximately 3 weeks, and is a spectacular sight. The almond tree (Prunus dulcis) is a small to medium sized deciduous fruit tree within the rose (Rosaceae) family, along with other tree fruits such as peaches, apples, pears, plums, cherries, and apricots. Within the genus, almonds are most closely related to the peach, and hybrids of the two are used as rootstocks.
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The soft, fuzzy almond tree fruit is called a drupe. When almond trees are first planted, it is important RIENCE EXPE 2 S 0 R A Y E Garden Maintenance Prior to “ripening”, the hull dries and splits, reveal- to give them a boost with superphosphate, following ing the nut, within which lies the kernel that we love up with a balanced plant food in autumn and spring Construction of COMING SOON to eat. There are two types of almonds trees, the thereafter. Although mature trees can survive on litNew range of Pergolas bitter, used for almond essence, and the sweet al- tle water, to produce a maximum crop of nuts they wooden sheds and mond tree, grown in home gardens and perfect for need regularly watering. Fencing Terraces summer houses eating. The bitter almond is a cousin to the sweet Pruning The Almond Tree Gazebos come in & see our spring offers almond, but contains traces of lethal prussic acid (Hydrogen cyanide) in its raw state. The toxicity is The almond tree are trained to an open centre Many Pots and Tel: 680 374 230 destroyed by heat, so it is safe to eat any dish pre- shape in the first year to allow sunlight and air to PlantsSoils - Compost penetrate the tree. Maintain the almond tree by Abon’s Email: calidagarden@gmail.com pared with bitter almonds, but unprowww.jardinerialaalcayna.es cessed bitter almonds pruning the branches every year. This is best done in late winter or early can be lethal. spring before the new Almond trees growth appears. When require at least pruning, cut off dead and 2 to 3 years unhealthy branches first to produce and then thin out areas fruit, with where growth is bushy. maximum nut produc- Almonds have been used tion in 6 to as a valuable food source ancient Greek 10 years. Un- since times. The healthiest like its shortlived cousin the of all the nuts, almonds peach, almond contain protein and contrees can produce centrations of important f o r 50+ years. Thinning is vitamins and minerals, unnecessary; a high proportion of flowers they are low-carb and must set fruit for normal cropping. Like so many rich in unsaturated fat tree crops, rainfall damages fruit production once (good for the heart), and trees begin to bloom. Frost can be equally damag- also have the highest fiing, with both the blossoms and young fruits sus- bre content of any nut or seed. In India, consumpceptible to frost damage. tion of almonds is considAlmonds are harvested in summer when the outer, ered a nutritive for brain fleshy hull starts to split open. Collect the nuts from and nervous system and the outer canopy of the tree first, by spreading a is said to induce high intarp on the ground below and knocking the tree. A tellectual level and loncouple of weeks later the nuts on the inner canopy gevity. So go ahead and will have ripened and can be harvested in the same eat a handful a day… way. Almonds can be stored for months either inOnto existing ground, terraces, pool surrounds etc. Marc Vijverberg shell, or shelled if dry, or for years when frozen. 8 Year manufacturers Warranty Planting & Care Almond trees should be For a FREE, no obligation, inspection & quotation planted early in the year, when low temperatures prevent leaf buds from Reforms growing - this gives the Architectural Service & Plans roots time to regenerate Painting before budding. Almonds Construction & Maintenance Decorating do best in deep, well- Legally registered family business Interior Design drained soil that is rea- Quality workmanship guaranteed Tiling, Flagging, Electrics, Plumbing, Aluminuim, Swimming pools, sonably fertile, but will teddybearbuilders@yahoo.com Key-holding & Maintenance tolerate poor soils. Pick a sheltered position that 680 851 376 616 214 713 receives full sunlight.
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SOLTIMES february 2015
Spain’s Podemos denies Latin American financing
A founder of Spanish anti-establishment party Podemos on Friday rejected claims the party was financed by left-wing Latin American governments and said he had been the victim of a “witch hunt.” Juan Carlos Monedero also refuted reports that he sought to benefit from lower tax rates related to payments made to him by Latin American countries for consulting work. Monedero has been under fire since Spanish media reported last month that he received 425,000 euros ($480,000) in 2013 from Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Venezuela. Monedero, a political science professor and former adviser to late Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, has provided much of the ideological underpinning for Podemos, which has soared in opinion polls ahead of elections later this year. It is allied with Greece's Syriza, the leftist party that won elections there in January. The reports said Monedero set up a firm called Caja de Resistencia to take payment of the funds, allowing him to pay a lower tax rate. They also suggested the money could have been used to illegally finance Podemos, which was formed in January 2014. "Not a single euro went from Caja de Resistencia to finance Podemos. Not one euro. It is a witch hunt," Monedero said at a press conference. Monedero said he received the money from a development bank
belonging to the Bolivarian Alliance bloc, or ALBA, a nine-nation grouping of Latin American and Caribbean countries including Venezuela, to prepare a report. He denied his goal was to pay less tax when he set up the firm and accused Budget Minister Cristobal Montoro of being responsible for the release of his personal tax information to the press. Monedero said he would file a complaint with prosecutors over the alleged release of his personal financial data. The news that he received a sixfigure payment, even if it was taxed properly and was not used to finance the party, hurt Podemos' claim that it is fighting for Spain's underclass against a "caste" of privileged politicians and bankers. The link with Venezuela's far-left government also risked turning off centrist voters.
Germany measles: Toddler death fuels compulsory vaccination debate
An 18-month-old boy has died of measles in an outbreak of the disease that has seen authorities in Berlin register more than 500 cases since October. The boy died in hospital and it was not clear how he contracted the disease, Berlin’s health senator Mario Czaja said on Monday. The outbreak has sparked a debate over whether vaccinations against the disease should be made compulsory. US authorities are also reporting more than 120 new cases in California. The death of the young boy showed that measles continued to be a serious disease, Mr Czaja said. The disease is treatable but can weaken the immune system and cause lung and brain infections. Authorities in Berlin also confirmed that a secondary school was closed on Monday after a measles case was
reported there. Since October, the authorities have registered 574 cases, the worst outbreak in more than a decade. The federal health ministry recommends vaccinations but has not made them compulsory. The jabs are usually administered together with vaccines against other diseases. There have been claims in the past - later discredited - that the vaccines could be linked to autism. Medical professions and governments around the world say vaccination is safe and recommend it as a preventive measure. In California, the Department of Public Health has reported an outbreak of measles with 123 registered cases so far. Most of those showing symptoms of the disease were not vaccinated. bbc.co.uk
SOLTIMES february 2015
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SOLTIMES february 2015
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With Cuts starting from as little as 5 Euro, why not pop along and visit Darren the Barber for a tidy up soon at The Quesada Country Club Barbershop, 16 Calle Toledo, Ciudad Quesada, postcode 03170 for sat nav´s. Further information can be found by visiting the facebook page h t t p s : // w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m /q u e s a d a c o u n t r yc l u b. barbershop?fref=ts
Things are definately going well for this time served Barber with over 20 years experience running businesses both here and in the UK, Darren can offer a wide range of cutting styles from the latest modern cuts to traditional male Barber cuts using top quality products. The Barbershop offers a relaxed and friendly welcome, set in a modern, air-conditioned comfortable surrounding, so why not pop in for a chat and a trim up soon The Barber Shop is Open Monday - Friday, 10am - 4pm (out of hours are available on request) with a walk in service, no appointments necessary.
The effects of alcohol on your sleep 1. You wake in the middle of the night Perhaps a couple of glasses of wine make you fall asleep faster than usual, but they don’t help you sleep better. Research shows that after drinking alcohol there is a greater risk of sleep being interrupted in the middle of the night.
2. Alcohol cuts short the REM stage of sleep This is the deepest sleep phase and is essential to epair cells and gain quality rest. Alcohol has an important impact on the REM sleep stage and can affect memory in the long term and makes us more irritable. The more alcohol we drink the less REM sleep we get.
3. Alcohol produces stomach acid that wakes you up early. The more drinks you have , the more difficult it is for your stomach to keep its pH balance right. What’s more, alcohol is well known for its relaxing effect on the oesophageal sphincter which increases the burning sensation in your stomach that keeps you awake. 4. It makes you get up to go to the bathroom
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Alcohol is a diuretic that creates a need to go to the toilet that will wake you up in the middle of the night. Our body is designed to produce less urine at night, so that you can rest through the night without having to get up. Except that is, if you have been drinking alcohol.
5. Alcohol and sleeping pills are a dangerous mix
If you need pharmacological help to sleep and have been drinking alcohol it’s probably a good idea to skip the medication for a night. This is because alcohol and sleep-inducing drugs act on the same neural system and mixing them can strengthen their effect, which can be dangerous and in some benefits consultancy cases lethal.
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Drive through Quesada Arches up main street, take left fork at Parque Acuatico sign. Continue to Consum sign and turn right onto Avenida Costa Azul, continue uphill and take right turn onto Calle Toledo. Country Club / Barber is 200mtrs on right - Look for Childrens Play Area.
SOLTIMES february 2015
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Earthquake shakes central Spain
Earthquake measuring 5.4 on Richter scale shakes central Spain. An earthquake measuring 5.4 on with this ad only the Richter scale has shaken central Spain. The tremor, which had its 250€ per couple epicenter in Albacete province, in including notary fee the southeast of the country, took this offer cancels any previous offers place at 5.16pm on Monday and was other services inheritance felt in several provinces, including translations at notary Madrid, Spain’s National Geographic title deeds conveyancing Institute has confirmed. fiscal registration The epicenter was located in Call 609 656 056 or 96 535 2552 Email: info@costamedconsulting.com Ossa de Montiel, 10 kilometers www.costamedconsulting.com from El Bonillo and occurred at a office: C/Gabriel Miro, 1, 1D, pilar de la Horadada depth of 14 kilometers, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, which stressed the provisional nature of its data. The tremor occurred along the same fault line as two 5.4 and 4.5 quakes that caused extensive damage in the town of Lorca, in Murcia, in May 2011. So far it is unknown what damage today’s quake may have caused. Memories of the Lorca earthquake come flooding back to many in the region.
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Spanish crowned world’s happiest language
French may reputedly be the language of love but Spanish has been judged internationally to be the most positive-sounding lingo on the planet. If you’ve always loved the way Spanish sounds, there’s now scientific proof to back up those feelings of yours. A team of scientists from the University of Vermont and research group MITRE Corporation have found the language of Cervantes to be the happiest-sounding out of a total of ten languages reviewed (English, German, Brazilian Portuguese, Korean, French, Chinese, Russian, Indonesian, Arabic and Spanish). They took the 10,000 most frequently used words from each language and hired 50 native speakers to rate each word from 1 to 10 on a happiness scale.
Perhaps obviously, words such as ‘laughter’ and ‘love’ received positive ratings in all the lingos while ‘terrorist’ received a negative one. All of the languages scored above the neutral 5 overall, backing up previous research that argued that human language is naturally skewed towards positive sentiment. However, once all the scores were added, Spanish came up on top, followed by Portuguese and English. At the low end of the scale were Russian, Korean and Chinese. The research is part of a larger online project to rate words on their happiness called the hedonometer, currently only available for English. thelocal.es
Welcome GO SATELLITE!
g Getting British TV here in Spain can be a confusing and daunting task and findin about us GO SATELLITE was set up 10 years ago by husband and wife team Ian and Deborah. Ian has more than 20 years experience, having spent 10 years with SKY In Home Services in the UK, where he worked on the specialist heights team as well as SKY´S Prestigious VIP Team which caters for the “stars”, therefore the quality of his workmanship is extremely high! After leaving SKY, Ian set up his own business in the UK and ran this very successfully for 5 years before moving to Spain. SERVICES WE OFFER We are here to help!!!! We can arrange Installation of TV direct from the satellite with no monthly subscription. We are able to make repairs to existing satellite systems, potentially saving you from additional costs. We are
a reliable and informative company is vital.
suppliers of Sky and humax receivers direct from the UK. You will find we are the cheapest on the Costa Blanca. Ask us about Sky cards and subscriptions as well as Al Jazeera cards for bars enabling viewing of Premier League Football matches. WHERE ARE WE? GO SATELLITE is based in Ciudad Quesada and covers most of the Costa Blanca. WHY ARE WE DIFFERENT? Ian said “Being a small company has its advantages. We offer a personal service and get to know all our customers by name. It’s important to us that people fully understand and are happy with the service we are providing. We realise that the technology involved can be confusing but we are happy to spend time with our customers to ensure that they get the best system for their needs”. CUSTOMER SERVICE Any concerns or queries are dealt with in a clear and professional manner and clients can call Ian at any point if they have any queries. This ensures that all of their customers have complete peace of mind throughout the lifetime of the service. Added to that is the fact that GO SATELLITE is a fully legal, Spanish registered business that provides individual, company and community installations with a free no obligation site survey. Go Satellite is going from strength to strength! SATISFIED CUSTOMERS! Over the past 8 years the company has installed hundreds of satellite TV systems for individuals, companies and
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communities. The Go Satellite system uses highest quality Portuguese-manufactured dishes and requires NO monthly payments. Packages are available to suit everybody´s requirements and budget. GO SATELLITE offer expertise, reassurance and a proven track record, which can be backed up by many a satisfied customer. OTHER SERVICES Go Satellite not only provide television but are also able to provide internet and telephone services. Packages are available to suit all with a switch on/off service available for non residents. COME AND MEET US! We have an office in the Business Centre Calle Los Arcos No7 Ciudad Quesada, so you can now come and meet us and we will endeavour to help you with all of your TV queries. DISH ISSUES? Here at Go Satellite, we use only Top Quality Portugese dishes and Invacom LNB’s. Sky Packages are also available. If you do not have room or do not wish to have a dish, give us a call as we have a solution! At Go Satellite, we will endeavour, to provide TV for everyone. So, if you are fed up of missing your favourite programs or you have lost your TV signal and do not want to lose out any more, then call on 965 725 670 or call into our office to find out more about GO SATELLITE and its services. Alternatively check out the website:www.freetvspain.com
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SOLTIMES february 2015
Hello and welcome to CanDu Computer Bytes. Whoever said that music calms the savage beast obviously didn’t listen to Punk Rock or Thrash Metal, although this anger filled music is, in reality, a safety valve from an emotion viewpoint! As I’ve grown older, if not wiser, I’ve learned to appreciate a wide variety of genre’s of music! In years gone by, music was played from a wax drum, then a wax disk and finally the wax was replaced by more durable materials. In those days music was as it had been created, analogue. Analogue music is the pure sound created by a melodic Oboe or a bow drawn across a Cello. It is either in the form of a wave or audio pulses depending on how you were taught Physics at school. In either case the sound, with all its imperfections and inflections, reaches the ear, is translated to nerve impulses at which point we hear the music. Most of the music we hear today is prerecorded and by definition is digitised. So what is digitising? Imagine a single note on an oscilloscope. A pure sine wave. To create a digital signal, this pure sine wave has to be sliced into sections. The term slicing isn’t accurate in as much as the position of the wave at a given time is recorded as a number. For example, at the bottom of the wave we can give it the number -255; at the top of the wave we can give the number 255; so by default the middle of the sine wave must be 0 (zero). If you look at the wave you can now see how my simple number system works. In reality, the numbers used are many time larger! Now you have a string of numbers relating to a single note. The length of the string depends on how many ‘slices’ you have taken. The greater the number of slices the more accurate the sound reproduction will be. Digital music has a variety of formats
some ‘Lossy’ and some ‘Lossless’. Music files can be huge! The size depends on how many samples were taken for each seconds music – more samples equals bigger file size! ‘Lossless’ file formats generally have most of the information. ‘Lossy’ formats such as MP3 uses a calculation to determine what sound you are unlikely to hear and remove that. There are other mathematical techniques use to further reduce the data string without reducing the quality of the overall sound. This technology is used in music CD’s. As music files that are ‘Lossless’ can be huge, what good are they? A good question! Apart from the quality of the music that is reproduced and the ability to then compress or convert to a ‘Lossy’ format, probably none. Although when I convert music from LP or Audio tape to be put onto a CD for someone, I always use a ‘Lossless’ format to get as much of the original sounds as possible. After that the cleaning process (removing clicks, hiss and other unwanted noise) which also removes some of the data, still leaves me with a cleaner sound, without too much loss, before compression or conversion. CD’s and Digital music will always be inferior to it’s analogue cousin because no matter how many samples you take, no matter how close together the samples are, there will always be gaps where the music slips through. In the next article I will try to clear-up what digital file formats are and which ones are the best. So until then, have a safe and successful week and chat to you in the next article. Contact me for free advice concerning your computer or tablet at the address or phone number below.
For further information or advice on computing,contact Trevor on 689 892 745 or canducomputing@hotmail.co.uk
The Pot and the Kettle
The Islas Chafarinas are three small islands located just 3.5km off the coast of Morocco, they have been occupied by the Spanish since 1847 with the only residents being a 190 strong military garrison. There used to be a colony of the world’s second rarest seal the Mediterranean Monk Seal living there but by 1990 they had all been murdered by fishermen for ‘stealing’ their fish. The Alhucemas islands consist of three islands all within hailing distance of Morocco. The Penon de Alhucemas at just 200m off the Moroccan coast is the largest with a Spanish fortress housing a garrison of 30 men on it. The other two islands are Isla la Mar at 207m away and the Isla de Tierra is closer still being just 93m from its African neighbour. Next we have Penon de Velez de Gomera; this island is so close to Morocco that in 1934 a huge storm washed so much sand between them that it created an 85m beach to connect them. It’s classed as the
Most wanted fugitive arrested in Amsterdam A suspected drug trafficker for fugitives. The NCA will
from Liverpool has been captured in Amsterdam after being on the run for 12 years. Scott Coleman, aged 40, from Walton, who was arrested as part of a Police Scotland investigation in February 2003, was charged with possession with intent to supply heroin but failed to appear for trial at Edinburgh Crown Court and fled to Spain. Coleman was detained by officers from Amsterdam Police last week on George Gershwinplein in the Stadium area. They were able to confirm his identity as a result of joint working with the National Crime Agency. He is due to appear in court next Monday when extradition proceedings will begin. Coleman is the 65th fugitive to be located out of 76 publicised through Operation Captura – the multi-agency initiative between Crimestoppers, the NCA and the Spanish authorities. Hank Cole, Head of International Operations for the NCA, said: “We know Coleman was in Spain for a while but like many fugitives he wrongly believed he could evade c a p t u r e by moving around. “There is no safe haven
continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners across the world to pursue these individuals and return them to the UK to face justice.” Founder and Chairman of Crimestoppers, Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC, said: “The arrest of Scott Coleman is pleasing for two reasons. Firstly, he has been on the Operation Captura list since 2008, so his arrest is welcome news. And secondly, his arrest takes the success rate of the campaign to over 85%. “This figure cannot be underestimated. We are talking about individuals accused or convicted of serious crimes, and it gives me great pleasure to see another one removed from our streets, thanks to the work of Crimestoppers, law enforcement, and the public.” Originally fled to Spain 12 years ago, and who is 65th to be located out of 76 “most wanted” who have been publicised through the joint UK-Spain Operación Captura. www.nationalcrimeagency. gov.uk
Enjoy Stephens musings? Pop over to http://findmeahomeinspain.wordpress.com as world’s shortest land the articles are posted on there too...and they’re a bit longer too! Findmeahome are border. A Spanish garrialways looking for quality homes for their sales and rental portfolios, please contact son is stationed on the Stephen for a valuation: stephen@findmeahome.eu Telephone: 636 266 641 fort that’s built on the 100m high rock. Last the terrified teenagers who gave the only statue summer the Committee for the libup on the spot without firing a of Franco still eration of Ceuta and Melilla which shot. Even the Spanish Legion got on Spanish soil. included the local mayor managed involved. The spat was deemed King Juan Carto scale the rock and plant Morocso important that the great warlos visited in 2007 causing massive can flags before getting arrested. rior Colin Powell brokered a peace 1790 was the last time there was protests in Morocco. I remember deal which still leaves the island a military attempt to get it back Charles and Di’s visit to Gibraltar in disputed by both sides. The island from Spain. It looks like a ‘Mini-Me’ is again empty apart from some 1981 causing a similar stir. of another place that’s been in the goats with Moroccan nationality. Lastly there is Ceuta; 18 miles news recently – Gibraltar. Melilla is part of the European from Gibraltar and three times the The Isla de Perejil is uninhabited Union and lies in east Morocco. It’s size with a population of 85,000. lying 250m off the coast of Mobeen won and lost by the SpanInvaded by the Portuguese in 1415, rocco, about 13 km from mainland ish many times since they first a treaty signed in 1668 gave it to Spain with ownership disputed beinvaded in 1497. The last conflict tween the two countries. Morocco Spain just a few years before the ended in 1926. It is twice as large placed some Army cadets there in of Gibraltar, with the population of Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 gave GiJuly 2002 to stop illegal immigrants about 75,000 fiercely holding on to braltar to the British. Ten thousand and smugglers using the island. their Spanish identity. Melilla was Moroccans cross the border each Spain was having none of it and a where the Spanish Civil War started day to work there; it has a low tax week later sent a major invasion with a military revolt against the regime, a strong military presence force consisting of the Air Force, Republican officers in July 1936. and is notorious for smuggling. the Navy and their elite commando The first concentration camp by Morocco wants it back but Spain unit across the Straits of Gibraltar the Nationalists was also built here to valiantly retake the island from and infamously the town boasts ain’t budging. Sound familiar?
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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2015
GO ON A CRUISE - YOU’LL LOVE IT!
If you haven’t been on a cruise, you don’t know what you’re missing. My wife and I have been on four in the last eight years and we’ve enjoyed everyone. Nowadays, the cruise ships - or liners if you prefer - are quite superb, equipped with facilities aplenty including gymnasiums, saunas/spas, beauty parlours, casinos, swimming pools, golf ranges, table tennis areas, dance halls, theatres, several shops (selling an array of goodies) and plenty of bars/restaurants. And, of course, there is ample space to lie on a deck lounger and get a terrific sun tan, stroll round the perimeter of the boat (four laps is roughly one mile), take part in casual
fun quizzes, attend talks, watch a film, check out art exhibitions and sit in on an auction, witness an ice-cutting
show, and you can even participate in talent shows (including karaoke), go on a treasure hunt, try to win at bingo, enjoy live music sessions (from various artists) in located places on board and, of course, there is an internet service, allowing you to keep in touch with loved ones wherever you might be in the world. You might think you are enclosed inside a large floating hotel when you’re at sea for a couple of days. That’s far from the truth. There is always something to do - you’ll never get bored or fed up on board a cruise ship. And there is a huge chance that you will make friends, even meet someone from your town or city. Whilst on one cruise, my old football club secretary was in a nearby cabin. Without going into detail as to where I’ve been on a cruise, suffice to say the Caribbean and Far East are included, but you may want to travel to Alaska, t h e Norwegian fjords, to the USA and Canada, even float round the Med. In fact, several cruise lines go from
LEGAL CORNER
WITH MICHAEL DAVIES , ABOGADO/SOLICITOR If you wish us to print an article about a particular topic, please e-mail info@daviessolicitors.com - www.daviessolicitors.com
Inheritance tax : we will have to pay the full inheritance Teething problems with tax (and perhaps claim back the fund the application of the using the courts), telling us that the 6 Sentence issued by the ECJ month deadline to make the payment on the 3rd of September is up next week. of 2014 (Case C-127/12 ). The Answer: difference for this reader There is no problem, you will not would be 34000 euro in tax. have to pay any inheritance tax. Question. Our article was correct. You are I am desperate. My sister and myself entitled to the exemption. What your are non residents in Spain. Our father solicitor is saying is also correct. has left us an estate in (Mojacar) The government in response to the Spain valued at 300,000 euro (one sentence created the new forms that, hundred and fifty thousand euro like most tax forms nowadays, are each for of us), nothing in the uk. filled in online. The problem is that Our solicitor initially said that as non for some reason the new forms do residents we where only entitled to not work correctly and presently can an exemption of sixteen thousand not be filled in online. We have also euro each resulting in a total tax bill of just under thirty four thousand had this problem and have discussed euro. When we read the article it with the tax office. All he needs to about the sentence on your blog we do is press the download button. He asked him and he said that indeed will be able to see the form with the we were lucky as the system had document number on this screen just changed and that we would be even though he can not fill it in. He able to claim the exemption of one then needs to print it out and write hundred and seventy thousand euro the document number by hand on the each, resulting in no inheritance tax form. He will then need to fill in the for us . Suddenly out of the blue he rest of the form by hand in the good yesterday called us to inform us that old fashioned way. The tax office will the new forms which allow for us then accept it without any problem as to claim the exemption available to they are aware of the problem. If he residents is not yet available and that has any problem he can call me. Michael Davies is a Spanish Abogado and has been practicing law in Almería since 1993. He is member of the Law societies of Almería and Madrid and has offices in Mojacar and Almeria High Street.
Almeria, Malaga and Marbella, and there are some great offers available right now, depending on what you want. I didn’t go for a posh cabin... no way... you’re only in there to sleep really! Food is available on board most ships from 6am until 2am the next day and with 2,650 passengers and 1,100 crew members to cater for, especially on the bigger ones, I was intrigued to learn from the head chef himself, as to the amount of produce he has to order, prepare and cook. It’s amazing. Listed below are details of the average amount of food which comes out of (or goes through) the kitchen on a cruise ship on a daily basis. Yes, every single day. * 4,500 eggs (31,500 a week, 128,000 a month, 1.5 million a year); 80,000 loaves of bread, rolls, cobs and baps); 6,000 lbs of meats (including 2,500 steaks and 2,500 hamburgers); 1,700 lbs of fish; 5,000 sausages (various sizes); 5,000 tomatoes; 1,600 lbs of salad; 400 lbs of shrimps; 13 gallons of mayonnaise; 500 lbs of pastas; 2,700 lbs of potatoes; 2,500 lbs of mixed vegetables; 550 gallons of soup; 6,000 pastries, 1,500 sandwiches (prepared); 300-350 large cakes/pies; 100 gallons of ice cream; 1,500 lbs of flour, plus all the beer, wine, shorts, tea and coffee which is drank (1,000 gallons in total). And oh, there is fresh, drinkable water - literally thousands of gallons of it... and there are people who have to wash 70,000 dishes and 21,500 glasses every day and also do the
laundry. Elsewhere, stewards will ensure that each cabin has at least four toilet rolls in position every day, along with four or five towels, cups and saucers and fresh water with a handful of chocolates thrown in for good measure. And most of the time you are on board, there are some 100 waiters available, with tray in hand, checking on whether you want a drink (or two, or three) as well as some more food! And remaining on food, you can have breakfast at 7am, midmorning coffee/tea at 11am, lunch from 12 noon, afternoon tea around 4pm, evening meal from 6.30pm and even fish and chips from 11pm. It’s simply eat, eat and be merry... there is something available every minute of the day. Nowadays, a large cruise liner (with 3,750 people on board) is approximately 950 feet long and 125 feet wide. It is powered by diesel electric/gas turbine engines, with 9,000 horse power thrusters. When full, the tanks contain 3,300 tonnes of fuel (750,000 gallons) and once at sea, a liner averages 16-17 knots per hour (top speed is 20.1 knots), gobbling up a gallon of fuel every 50 feet! I had never contemplated going on a cruise until 2007... but now I am ready to book my fifth. By Tony Matthews
Spain making efforts to attract Chinese tourists
Spanish five-star hotels are serving up white rice for breakfast as Spain offers quicker visas and seeks more direct flights from China to tap into the surging wave of Chinese tourists. When Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy visited China in September, he announced that visa applications from the country’s travelers would be processed within 48 hours. The government is also in talks with Asian airlines to boost traffic through Madrid’s underused airport by offering reduced fees and promoting Spain as a hub for travel to Latin America. So far only one airline, Air China, offers direct flights between Spain and China seven times a week. In contrast, Italy has 28 direct weekly flights to China, France has 70 and Germany 87. While Chinese travelers usually visit several countries during a trip to Europe, they are unlikely to include Spain if they land in another country because of its geographic location, said University of London lecturer Keven Lathan, author of a book on Chinese tourism in Europe. “Spain’s location is less central. You have to add two to three days to make it feasible. There is not much you can do about it,” he said at a recent tourism fair in Madrid. China has been the world’s fastestgrowing source of tourists over the past decade due to rising incomes and the easing of restrictions on foreign
travel, according to the Madrid-based U.N. World Tourism Organization. Over 100 million Chinese are expected to make trips abroad this year. Spain is the world’s third-most visited country after France and the United States and has long been a favorite sunshine destination for Europeans who flock to its beaches. But the country received just 288,000 visitors from China last year, according to tourist board Turespana. By comparison the United States welcomed 1.8 million Chinese visitors in 2013, the last year figures are available, while France received over 1.2 million Chinese tourists that year. “We are clearly missing the train of Chinese tourism,” said Hilario Alfaro, the president of the Madrid Business Forum, a lobby group. While travel industry leaders welcomed Spain’s moves to attract Chinese tourists, they lamented that Madrid was lagging behind other Western nations. Spain has just three consulates in China that can issue entry visas, compared to eight in France, said Alfaro. chinapost.com
PROPERTY supplement
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SOLTIMES february 2015
17
SOLTIMES PROPERTY SUPPLEMENT THE ONLY PROPERTY SUPPLEMENT ON THE COSTAS!!!! LOOKING TO BUY OR RENT? FIND YOUR DREAM HOME INSIDE!
buyers to benefit from stamp duty changes
The Nationwide Building Society has claimed that changes to the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) announced in the Autumn Statement may help stimulate housing market activity. The slab structure was completely abolished, with purchasers paying the marginal tax rate on the relevant elements of the purchase price. 98% of buyers will pay the same or less tax; only those purchasing homes costing between £937,500 and £1,000,000 or more than £1,125,000 are set to pay more. The Nationwide said the new marginal SDLT should help to remove the distortions caused by the slab structure, which led to a clustering of transactions. The greatest impact is likely to be for homeowners looking to buy property just above £250,000, who could save around £5,000 in tax (or c2% of the purchase price).
house prices are higher and thus a higher proportion of transactions are liable for stamp duty. We estimate that 86% of transactions in London and the South East government office regions would benefit from the changes, compared with around 50% across the North East, North West, and Yorkshire and The Humber.
A marginal system should also help to remove the distortions caused by the previous thresholds, which led to a significant bunching in transactions, the Nationwide said.
The London region sees the highest proportion of transactions benefiting, but also the highest proportion paying more stamp bestadvice.co.uk duty. This reflects that house p r i c e s in the capital are substantially h i g h e r FOLLOWING AN AMAZING SALES YEAR IN 2014, than elsewhere, meaning almost all PROPERTY URGENTLY REQUIRED transactions in the With large stands at both the London capital are liable for and Birmingham A Place In The Sun stamp duty. Only a very small proportion of purchasers in England & Wales will pay more stamp duty under the new system and the majority of these
Based on 2013/14 transactions data from the Land Registry, nearly 590,000 purchasers in England & Wales would benefit under the new regime, with an average benefit of around £1,600. Using this data the Nationwide was also able to examine the impact of these changes at a parliamentary constituency and government office region (GOR) level. The average SDLT PROPERTY paid is expected to SALESPAÑA be lower in 97% of constituencies under Office: 965 999 059 the new system. Barry: 662 404 334 It said the benefits tend to be greater in areas where average
are in London. Nonetheless, most people buying property in London will benefit from the changes (an estimated 100,000 would benefit based on 2013/14 transactions), with only those buying properties above £937,500 facing a higher tax bill (an estimated 8,400 would pay more tax in London).
Glyn: 634 341 302
info@propertysalespana.com www.propertysalespana.com
exhibitions in the UK, a 400% budget increase in online marketing and with ever more northern European agents deciding to send their buyers to us, there has never been a better time to SELL your property via Coast and Country Spain. With buyers now waiting to invest in properties from the Mar Menor area to the Orihuela Costa, both coastal and inland, contact us now for free, no-nonsense marketing advice. Don´t miss out and become one of our happy vendors in 2015.
sold
El Carmoli
sold
Roldan
sold
valle del sol
www.coastandcountryspain.net info@coastandcountryspain.net C/Mayor 135, Pilar de la Horadada
Tel: 966 347 966
18
PROPERTY supplement
SOLTIMES february 2015
O
Bedar, 04288 (next to Miramar Restaurant)
Tel: 607 705 085 or 687 938 466
Olive
Email: info@olivehouse-es.com
www.olivehouse-es.com
Monday - Friday 10am - 3.30pm
Sales office now open in Bedar
OLV927
BEDAR (El Campico)
...it’s all in the detail bedar
OLV941
This traditional village cortijo boasts 3 bedrooms in
This fine looking property is located in the hills above
the main house and another bedroom en-suite in a
the beautiful village of Bedar boasting 3 bedrooms, 2
separate annex next to the refurbished courtyard garden
bathrooms, larger than average kitchen and substantial
with plunge pool. The property is situated between the
living dining room. The property sits on a wonderful plot
popular villages of Bedar and Lubrin and is a short walk
of over 10,000m2 of beautiful terraced land with a fine
away from a very good bar/restaurant .
selection of trees.
new to the market
115,000€
Sorbas
OLV853
This charming 5 bedroom village cortijo has been sympathetically restored retaining many of it’s original features and boasts terraces to the front and rear as well as a beautiful garden area. The property is located in a small hamlet under 10 minutes from the popular and historical market town of Sorbas.
170,000 €
new to the market
299,000€
OLV911 ANTAS (Los Raimundos)
This very spacious village house has been restored to a high standard. It has 4 double bedrooms , 2 bathrooms and is situated between Bedar and Antas in a small village. The property also includes a small piece of land with fruit trees. This property would make an excellent holiday home or permanent residence being in great condition and with a very attractive price.
only 85,000 €
COMPLETE HOLIDAY HOLIDAY CARE CARE COMPLETE MOJACAR PLAYA
RENTALS - SALES -MANAGEMENT - MAINTENANCE
We urgently need more properties for sale & rental for waiting clients
Ref: SP/LS - Beautiful, furnished 2 bed apart with aircon, private parking, pool & gardens. Terrace, mountain views, spacious lounge/diner with UK satellite channels.
Ref. OA/RJ – Stunning 3 bed, 2,5 bath, 130 m2, duplex in renowned complex Oasis del Mar 1, terraces & solarium with sea views, fantastic pools/gardens, private parking, a/c.
Ref. CB/SK - Beautiful, modern, 3 bed, 2 bath villa with garage & large terrace with Jacuzzi with outstanding panoramic views of Mojácar Playa beach and mountains.
Ref. ALB/MB/14 - Beautiful & modern, 2 bed, 2 bath apart. Private com pool, terr with sea views, air con, private parking space.
MOJACAR - €99,950
MOJACAR – REDUCED - €249,950
MOJACAR PLAYA - €149,950 Mojácar REDUCED- €275,000 Paseo del Mediterraneo 19, Mojacar Playa, Almeria (near the Hotel Best Indalo) Tel: 950 478 612 / 610 808 631
info@almeriaholidays.com
www.almeriaholidays.com
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Start your mortgage research early - IT HELPS! If you are serious about buying a property in Spain then you should start arranging your Spanish mortgage almost before you do anything else. Leaving the financial side of your Spanish property purchase until the end does you no favours whatsoever. If you leave it too late, and have to arrange your Spanish mortgage in a rush and under pressure, it is likely that you will get an expensive and inflexible Spanish mortgage. And never forget that Spanish mortgages run for many years so you will have to live with the consequences of you decision for years to come. The advantages of arranging your Spanish mortgage at the start of your property search are as follows: It costs you nothing to start early Forward planning helps you clarify the advantages and disadvantages of taking out a mortgage in Spain and make the best decision as to how much, if at all, to borrow Arranging your Spanish mortgage in good time allows you to find the mortgage in Spain that best suits your requirements and avoid overpaying By taking steps to arrange your Spanish mortgage at the start you will have a better idea of how much you can spend on your Spanish property and can work out the likely future financial implications of your purchase Having your Spanish mortgage in place reduces the risks of you loosing a Spanish property that it has cost you so much to find, and means one less source of anxiety and pressure when you are trying to close on a Spanish property
Mortgages in Spain Mortgages in Spain are offered by banks and savings banks (know as ‘cajas’ in Spain) and sold either directly by the lenders or through mortgage brokers. Several international banks, including British banks like Barclays and Lloyds TSB, offer mortgages in Spain alongside the national banks and cajas. And just like any other developed mortgage market there are big differences in the costs and terms of the Spanish mortgages on offer, ranging from inflexible and expensive mortgages to cheaper and flexible ones. Although the interest charged on all Spanish mortgages is calculated as a function of the base rate set by the European central bank, beyond that mortgage lenders in Spain are relatively free to set the charges and terms they offer. This translates into significant differences in costs and conditions. Not only do Spanish mortgages vary from bank to bank, they also vary within the same bank, from branch to branch. So, in normal times (not during a credit crunch), there are lots of good and bad mortgages on the market, and it is up to you to shop around to ensure you get the best deal. Otherwise you risk paying thousands of Euros more than you need to over the lifetime of your mortgage.
Variable and fixed rate mortgages in Spain The vast majority of mortgages sold in Spain (to both Spaniards and Foreigners) are variable rate mortgages, meaning that mortgage repayments vary according to the base rate set by the European central bank. Borrowers with variable rate Spanish mortgages cannot be certain what their mortgage payments will be in the future. If the interest rate falls they will pay less, but if it rises they will pay more. Most lenders also offer a fixed rate mortgage, though these are not popular in Spain (less than 3% of borrowers have a fixed rate mortgage). These mortgages tend to have higher interest payments in the short term, but if interest rates rise a fixed-rate Spanish mortgage holder might end up paying less than would be the case with a variable-rate. The great advantage of fixed rate mortgages is the certainty they give borrowers, who know exactly what their mortgage repayments will be for a set time into the future. Some lenders also offer a mixed mortgage that involves a certain period (for instance 5 years) of fixed interest payments, and a floating rate thereafter. During the boom some lenders started offering interest only mortgages, but that was before the credit crunch and falling property values. You would be very lucky to get one now, and if you did it wouldn’t come cheap.
Other mortgage terms The mortgage you get will depend upon your financial profile. Lenders will want to know how much you earn and what your other financial commitments are (your personal balance sheet). As a general rule they will lend according to earnings multiples whereby your loan repayments on all your worldwide borrowing do not exceed 35% of your net annual income. However, if they think you have excellent career prospects, and that your income is likely to increase in the future (something that you would have to convince them of) they may be prepared to lend you more. They also take into account the kind of property you want to buy. If you are buying a holiday home they will consider this riskier than a main home. They will assume you will default on your holiday home loan first if you get into difficulty. So, generally speaking, loan to value ratios for holiday homes are lower and conditions are more expensive. What kind of a loan to value can you expect in Spain? Typically 60% to 70%, though during the boom it was possible to get more than 100% using inflated valuations. Today, after the credit crunch, you might not get more than 50% to 60%, if at all. It all depends on your creditworthiness. How many years can you expect? It depends upon your age, but most mortgage terms in Spain run for 20 to 25 years, though during the boom lenders starting offering 40 years or longer. The longer the term, the smaller the monthly repayments, but the more the mortgage will cost you over the lifetime of the loan. Posts credit crunch, mortgage terms are falling. (Scorce: Spanish Property Insight)
PROPERTY SECTION
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SOLTIMES february 2015
19
ACACIA VILLAS P RO P E RT Y SA L E S
info@acaciavillas.net 610 323 541 - www.acaciavillas.net Lovely compact villa, 2 bed & 2 bath being sold with all furniture, only 5 mins walk into the village, this is a bargain being sold at half it's price, fully landscaped gardens, and plenty of room for a pool. Build size 80 mtrs - Plot size 580 mtrs Price 96,000€ - Area, La Alfoquia.
This villa is set in orange and olive groves, very peaceful area, only two villas next door to each other, good sized plot and plenty of room for a pool, this villa is a great size. you are only 5 mins away from the villages of La Alfoquia & Zurgena. Build size 120 mtrs - Plot size 600 mtrs Excellent price of 95,000€
Another bargain, 3 bed & 2 bath, only 3 mins walk into the village, being sold with all furniture, and this villa is larger than most of the surrounding villas has been extended by another 6 sq mtrs floor area Build size 106 mtrs - Plot size 450 mtrs Bargain price 115,000 €
This villa is in an ideal spot for the village of Arboleas & Zurgena at the end of a small cul-de-sac, fields to the rear & side, orange & olive groves surrounding the villas. within walking distance to the villages, & only 3 mins by car, 8x4 mtr pool, sold furnished. Build size 117 mtrs - Plot size 580 mtrs - Price 139,000€
This is a new cortijo,built from the old footprint, This is 3 bed & 2 bath, large through lounge, good sized landscaped garden with 8x4 mtr pool, out in the countryside but only 5 mins by car to the village's. Build size 140 mtrs - Plot size 480 mtrs Just reduced from 160,000 to 125,000€
This villa is in a perfect spot for views of the countryside & mountains, ultra modern with it's fittings & furniture, part furnished, 5 mins by ca rto Zurgena & La Alfoquia. The converted garage/utility room, can easily be a 4th bedroom. Kidney shaped pool Build size 110 mtrs - Plot size 667 mtrs Just reduced from 175,000 to 169,950€
Full description of all properties can be seen on our website
Your Belgian estate agent at the coast ! API-M0120 79500€ MOJACAR 2 bedrooms & 1 bathroom Terrace & roof terrace of 57 m2 with sea views furnished Airconditioning Excellent rental potential 2 outdoor pools
API-PDE0100 169950€ POZO DEL ESPARTO 3 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms Covered terrace, sea views Roof terrace (79 sqm) with jacuzzi & BBQ Air conditioning in bedrooms Partly furnished No community fees REDUCED TO SELL
API-V0169 105000€ VERA PLAYA 2 bedrooms & 1 bathroom roof terrace of 47 m2 furnished Airconditioning Underground parking space Excellent rental potential outdoor pool 100 m to the beach
API-V0165 199000€ VERA PLAYA 3 bedrooms & 3 bathrooms Front terrace with garden (188 m2) roof terrace with sea views 5 outdoor pools 100 m to the beach First line beach complex
API-V0170 155000€ VERA PLAYA 2 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms terrace and roof terrace Airconditioning Underground parking Excellent rental potential outdoor pool 50 m to the beach
www.almeriapropertyinvestments.com
sold
After a very successful first year we still are looking to extend our portfolio with coastal properties from Mojacar to San Juan
ANN 666 260 792 ISMAEL 670 596 085
ann@almeriapropertyinvestments.com
RONDA DE LAS BUGANVILLAS nº 42 (next to Luces & Bar Cactus)
20
PROPERTY SECTION
SOLTIMES february 2015
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property group
Paseo del Mediterraneo 197 - Mojacar - Almeria
Tel: 950 472 430 / 610 053 563
www.veritashomes.co.uk info@veritashomes.co.uk You can find us on Mojácar Playa
€79,950
3 bed / 2 bath Apartment with nice sea views in Marina de la Torre. Front covered terrace. Fully furnished. Ref. 1559
Mojácar Playa
€112,000
3 bed / 1 bath Apartment with private parking, store room & large terrace with partial sea views near promenade. Ref.1609
Turre
€149,000
2 bed / 1 bath one level Villa with pool on plot of 400 m² in Agua Nueva near amenities. Terrace & solarium. Ref.1620
Mojácar playa
€170,000
3 bed / 2 bath nice semi detached House with private plot of 230 m² on gated community with pool near beach. Sea views. Ref. 1618
Mojácar playa
€249,000
3 bed / 2,5 bath charming Villa on plot of 530 m².Solarium. Separate dining room. Residential street. Very private.Ref.1558
Jauro
€90,000
3 bed / 1 bath charming Village House with 2 plots of 121 m² & 437 m² and garage. Traditional features. Ref 1082
€95,000
Mojácar village €111,000
3 bed / 2 bath Townhouse on quiet residential street near amenities. Private plot, court yard & terraces. Ref.1063
Opportunity! 3 bed / 2 bath charming Village House with sea views near square. Roof solarium. To restore. Mortgage. Ref.1616
Turre
DUE TO INCREASE IN DEMAND WE URGENTLY NEED PROPERTIES IN MOJÁCAR, GARRUCHA, VERA AND TURRE. CALL US NOW ON 950 472 430 Or 610 053 563
FREE VALUATION Mojácar playa
€199,950
Mojácar playa
€199,950
3 bed / 2 bath detached Villa near beach, amenities & promenade. Air & fire place. Car port & terraces. Partial sea views. Ref.1560
3 bed / 3 bath semi detached Villa with sea views on small community with pool near amenities. Terraces & solarium. Ref.1137
Mojácar playa
Mojácar Playa
€249.950
3 bed / 2 bath newly renovated Villa with pool . Plot of 246 m² within 1 min to beach. Air con. Roof terrace with sea views. Ref.1610
Mojácar playa
€115,000
Beautiful sea facing 2 bed / 2 bath Apartment with private parking. Terraces of 25 m² & 6 m². Fully furnished. Ref.1595
Mojácar playa
€155,000
2 bed / 2 bath Apartment with large terrace, store room & under parking. Nice community lift, pool & gardens near promenade. Ref. 1556
vera
€240,000
Opportunity! 3 bed / 2 bath Villa +1 bed / 1 bath Annex. 5.851 m². Few mins to town. Landscaped gardens & olive grove. Ref.1200
€250,000
Amazing sea views. 3 bed / 2 bath Villa with garage, utility room, roof solarium & terraces on plot of 417 m² near beach. Ref.1062
Please visit our office or refer to our website for more “bargains”. Vendors: If you are seriously considering selling your property please visit our office to discuss effective ways of achieving your goal. As per decree 218/2005 the “Documento de Información Abreviada” (D.I.A) for any property sold by Veritas Homes is available at our office.
PROPERTY SECTION
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SOLTIMES february 2015
21
Mojacar Playa
Mojacar Playa
Mojácar Playa
Mojacar Playa
3 bed, 2 bath, ground floor apartment of 99m2 on a beautiful front-line complex. Storeroom & garaging. Impressive community gardens & pool. A1049
3 bed, 2 bath, ground floor, frontline, apartment of 116m2 in the Marina Golf. Uninterrupted sea views, FGCH, garaging, storeroom, community gardens & pool. A1132
2 bed, 1 bath, penthouse golf apartment of 57m2 + terrace & solarium. Fantastic sea views. A/C. Community pool & underground parking. Beaches in walking distance. A1212
1 bed, 1 bath, 4th floor apartment of 64m2 on a high quality urbanisation. 12 m2 terrace. Underground parking. Superb community pools & gardens. A1151
Mojacar Playa
Mojacar Playa
Mojacar Pueblo
Mojacar Playa
3 bed, 2 bath, penthouse apartment of 100m2
2 bed, 2 bath, apartment of 64 sq m. Sea & mountain views. Underground parking. Beautiful community pool & gardens. Short walk to the beach. A1218
3 bed, 1 bath, 3rd floor apartment of 78m2 near the fuente in the village. Enclosed balcony. In walking distance of all amenities. Short drive to the beach. A1217
1 bed, 1 bath, apartment of 60m2+ sea views on a secure complex. Furnished. Community pool & in walking distance of the beach. Underground parking & storeroom. A1197
Mojacar Playa
Los Gallardos
Mojacar Playa
Mojacar Playa
3 bed. 1 bath, semi-detached furnished house of 104m2 on a plot of 1,589m2. Sea & mountain views in a rural setting less than 5 mins. drive from Mojácar. SDV699
2 bed, 2 bath, townhouse of 83m2 on 141m2 + & private parking. Furnished. Community gardens & pool. Short drive to local beaches & towns. SDV72
2 bed, 1 bath, furnished bungalow of 77m2 on 193m2 less than 5 minutes drive to the beach terraces, garden & roof terrace. Community gardens & parking. LV656
3 bed, 1.5 bath, furnished townhouse of 86m2 on 117m2 less than 400m from the beach. Terraces, garden & off street parking. Community gardens & pool. LV654
250,000€
+ 56m2 of terraces. Superb views. Community pool & gardens. Walking distance of beaches & amenities. A1220
195,000€
137,000€
Mojacar Playa
210,000€
79,000€
89,950€
Arboleas
3 bed, 2 bath newly built detached villa of 120m2 on 874m2. Superb sea & mountain views. Garage, pool & solarium. Kitchen furniture not included. DV1338
350,000€
110,000€
65,000€
125,000€
Villaricos
3 bed, 3 bath, villa of 154m2 on a level plot of 1,025m2. Roof terrace, carport & private pool. Excellent quality & lovely views. Short drive to local towns. DV1332
254,995€
69.000€
65,000€
125,000€
Zurgena
3 bed, 2 bath, villa of 85m2 on a corner plot of 264m2 with sea views. In walking dstance of restaurants & beaches. Community pool. DV1331
155,000€
3 bed, 2 bath, villa of 110m2 on a plot of 857m2. Lovely terraces, private pool & great country views. 30 minutes drive to the coast. DV1330
178,500€
22
PROPERTY SECTION
SOLTIMES february 2015
Euro property bargains up for grabs in Spain
British buyers are leading the pack when it comes to snapping up properties in Spain encouraged by a weak euro and a property market at rock bottom. Spain tops the wish-list for potential second home-owners living in Britain proving that neither the economic crisis nor the planning corruption scandals of recent years have put them off. House sales went up for the first time in 2014 since the construction bubble burst with foreign buyers accounting for almost one in every five houses sold in Spain last year, an increase of over 19 percent from the year before. Official statistics from Spain published last month record that French purchasers made up 10.48 percent of the market, German buyers accounted for 6.45 percent of sales and Belgians 6.19 percent. By far the biggest percentage of buyers were the Brits at 18.6 percent and it’s no wonder. Spain has now overtaken France as the destination of choice for holiday homes for British buyers of a second home, a survey published by Rightmove Oversees in January revealed. Some 37 percent of Brits looking to buy abroad said they would choose Spain with only 23 percent opting for a property in France. With the euro at an eight year low against the pound, estate agents in Spain are already seeing a rush from British
Social Security Contributors Fell by 2.36% in January
buyers eager to snap up a bargain.
“We’re seeing British buyers eyeing up cut-price properties across Spain in high numbers right now, as they can get so much more for their money than they could a few years ago,” Martin Dell, the director of leading Spanish property portal Kyero.com told The Local. “But what’s interesting is the number of buyers looking to snap up properties with heftier price tags too.” For example,a new build three bedroom villa with pool in Benijofar, Valencia, which is on the market for €335,000 would cost a British buyer £250,000 at the current exchange rate, while back in 2009 it would have cost £310,000. “With the exchange rate looking so favourable, it really is a case of the more you spend, the more you save at the moment,” observed Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España. “There are some incredible bargains on the market at the moment, particularly in popular areas like the Costa Blanca,” he said. n Alicante, for example, this a two-bedroom apartment in the newly constructed La Recoleta III development is going for just €142,000, not bad for a holiday pad just a few metres from the beach Source: thelocal.es
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The number of foreign contributors to the Spanish Social Security system stood at 1,516,056 in January, which is a decline of 2.36% compared with the previous month, representing 36,583 contributors less, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Employment and Social Security. However, El Economista reported that the number of foreign contributors increased by 0.08% compared to January of last year, with an additional 1,235 contributors, and represents the first year-on-year rise since 2008. The Ministry also highlighted in their statement that this is the first time in their comparable historical statistics that an increase has been registered in the number of foreign affiliates in this month. In the previous months of January, foreign membership has declined year-on-year, and even registered a decline of -6% in 2009. The January figures show that a total of 902,521 of the foreign contributors came from countries outside of the European Union and 613,535 came from EU countries. Catalonia is the region with the most foreign social security contributors, with a total of 341,762 workers, followed by Madrid (323,116), Andalucía (191,992), and Valencia
(172,157).
Compared with January 2013, the number of foreign contributors increased in six regions (the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Murcia, Navarra, the Basque Country and La Rioja) and decreased in the remaining regions. Of the total number of foreign citizens contributing to the Spanish Social Security system, the greatest numbers come from Romania (263,158), Morocco (186,858), China (91,134) and Ecuador (69,164), followed by Italy (63,652), Bolivia (57,178), the United Kingdom (53,193) and Colombia (50,852). http://news.kyero.com/
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www.soltimes.com Some 13.01% of all of the home purchases carried out in Spain in 2014 were made by foreigners, more than the figure registered in 2013, when they accounted for 11.15% of all transactions, according to the latest data from the College of Registrars. In fact, this 13.01% figure for transactions carried out by foreigners last year represents a new year-onyear record and accumulates five consecutive years of growth. British buyers were once again the major investors, with 16.72% of all the home purchases made by foreigners, followed by the French, with 10.27%, and the Russians, with 7.47%. Completing the top ten of idealista.com’s ranking are the German buyers, in fourth place with 7.34% of the housing transactions, followed by the Belgians (6.90%), Swedes (5.97%), Italians (4.73%), Norwegians (3.98%) Chinese (3.67%) and Romanians (2.66%). Kyero.com’s latest enquiry report shows a different mix of nationalities, but still with British buyers in the majority at 51% of all foreign interest in Spanish property. According to the College of Registrars, the strengthening in demand for housing by foreigners demonstrates their great confidence in the Spanish housing market, and that they consider Spain as not only an attractive tourist destination, as it has traditionally been, but also an opportunity, as a result of the attractive price levels of recent years. The organisation predicts that the high level of demand by foreigners will be maintained for the next several quarters. The majority of the foreign buyers come from the eurozone, so in relative terms, the drop in the value of the euro does not affect them as they use the same currency. However, the Registrars pointed out that the nationalities whose countries’ currencies have benefited from the change in the value of the euro could see this as an additional incentive to purchase property in Spain, which could lead to an even greater increase in the already outstanding current figures Source: http://news.kyero.com/
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HSBC blames ‘challenging year’ as profit falls 17%
HSBC has said 2014 was a “challenging year” after reporting a 17% drop in profit to $18.7bn (£12.2bn).
The bank blamed the negative effect of fines and settlements and UK customer redress for the sharp drop. The results follow allegations, which emerged earlier this month, that HSBC had helped people evade UK tax using hidden HSBC accounts in Geneva. HSBC chief executive Stuart Gulliver saw his overall pay for the year fall to £7.6m from £8.03m in 2013. The lower total reflects a smaller bonus of £3.4m for the year, compared to £5.5m in 2013. Chairman Douglas Flint’s total pay increased to £2.5m from £2.4m for the year, but he did not receive a bonus.
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On Monday, HSBC reiterated its recent apology for the conduct of its Swiss private bank, saying the historical practices and behaviour were “unacceptable”. “We deeply regret and apologise for the conduct and compliance failures highlighted, which were in contravention of our own policies, as well as
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expectations of us,” it said. The bank said restoration of trust in the industry “remains a significant challenge as further misdeeds are uncovered but it is a challenge we must meet successfully”. “When commentators extrapolate instances of control failure or individual misconduct to question the culture of the firm, it strikes painfully at the heart of our identity,” it added. Mr Gulliver’s Swiss bank account The revelations come after Mr Gulliver himself was dragged into the Swiss tax furore on Sunday, with HSBC confirming he uses a Swiss bank account to hold his bonuses. HSBC said he opened the account in 1998 when he was living and working in Hong Kong and full tax was paid in Hong Kong on the bonus payments. The bank was responding to a report in the Guardian that Mr Gulliver has £5m in the account which he controls using a Panamanian company. The Guardian article does not suggest any wrongdoing on Mr Gulliver’s behalf, but it will add to the questions over HSBC’s activities in the tax advisory business. The Financial Conduct Authority, HMRC, Swiss prosecutors and MPs on the Treasury Committee are looking into the allegations that HSBC helped people evade UK tax using hidden HSBC accounts in Geneva. The former director of public prosecutions, Lord Ken Macdonald, has warned that HSBC has left itself open to criminal charges in the UK over the tax-dodging scandal. The QC said there were strong grounds to investigate the bank for “cheating” HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). bbc.co.uk
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John MacDonald (El Sordo) www.caratacus.eu
viewpoint
Not til February
Election: The Campaign
Election time in Alqueria and the whole community is thrown into a frenzy of high powered inertia. The interest that the election invokes is akin to a mermaid’s enthusiasm for mountain climbing, such is the apathy of the Alquerian people. The whole affair is simply an excuse for getting the upper-hand over the opposing barrio, excessive drinking, and civil unrest. Three main parties will contest the ten seats which form the government of the Village Republic. The largest party is the Vested Interest and Libellous Entrepreneurs or V.I.L.E. led by Fernándo Rodriquez. The next in size is Manuela’s Bona-fide Organisation for National Karma also known as B O.N.K. The smallest, the Democratic Alliance of Fellow Twits or D.A.F.T. is led by the dynamic but clinically insane Loco Paco. The V.I.L.E. party is standing on the ticket of privilege, hereditary influence and conning every possible cent out of the population of Alquerian. Rodriquez thinks he has a divine right to govern irrespective of his motives, honesty or personal hygiene. He believes a sweeping victory is in the offing based solely on conceit, arrogance and a grotesque sense of self importance. Manuela has the most interesting policies, even if many are physically impossible or at the very least extremely demanding. Her belief is in people, their ability to control their own lives and destinies without the need for external authority. All that is required is to keep the internal authority in the form of morale at its highest peak. To this end she proposes a series of measures. These include introducing Viagra into the drinking water and subsidising certain latex products usually ordered via catalogues and delivered in plain brown wrappings. Loco Paco stands on the free food for
Saharan Dung Beetles platform. This is not because of Benjy, his very own beetle but because he is a total loony. He lives in a world where Saharan Dung Beetles sing close harmony and giant two metre rodents dance the Lambada. One can only wonder about the sanity of his followers of which he has a respectable number. I suppose is says something about the Alquerian mind, what exactly it is difficult to say. Paco thinks he will lead the next government because, well Paco still believes the British Tory party cares about the ordinary people. The road to the ballot box promises to be a difficult one. Canvassing is prone to problems, verbal abuse, total indifference and airborne projectiles are among the most common discomforts. We will continue to follow these hopefuls to the ballot box. We will listen to their debates. We will report the final vote and the subsequent count.
Birds, Dog, Birds, Dog by Paul Martin
One o’clock and it’s lunch time for my sparrows. And how well they’re all looking - fit as little fiddles! I reckon there’s about thirty of them, although it’s not easy to count, because they move around so quickly. I feed them three times a day and like all creatures of habit, they know the timetable. The first feed takes place after I get back from walking the dog – around 9 o’clock, by which time they’re all waiting in the tree, on the balcony rail and even clinging like acrobats to the side of the house. Now the dog, being a dog and also in his opinion, the king of this particular castle, has a routine as strict as the birds. As soon as we get back, he races into the kitchen, drinks a couple of litres of water, then paces up and down as I prepare his food, which he wolfs down in about 20 seconds. Then . . . da, da, da, da, it’s mega excitement time. Before I give the birds their seed, I break up some of yesterday’s bread and scatter it on the pavement below; the dog, being a dog and king of the castle etc, etc., and not wanting to be left out, has
acquired a big taste for bread. So it’s a handful for the birds and a chunk for the dog; birds, dog, birds, dog. It keeps him happy. There’s definitely a pecking order, with a ‘matriarch’ who virtually lives on the balcony, she’s very tame and always has first choice at the seed dish. Last year’s youngsters hang off the wall, or perch in my tree, or down below and await their turn as the grownups feed first. Anyone who steps out of line gets a good peck. It’s very funny to watch, very verbal and often, very physical. Now here’s an interesting thing; some months ago, I decided that as the colony was getting so large, I would use a bigger dish as the one I was using was small and couldn’t accommodate the flock. So, on the first morning I proudly put out the seed in a new and much bigger dish, thinking, ‘they’ll be happy little fellows when they see this.’ More food, more room. Normally, as soon as I turn away, the dish is inundated, but not on this day. A few birds arrived, took one look and flew off again. Some more turned up and did the same
The winter had hardly got under way when the cheerful little chappie who sold us our last load of logs made his annual appearance at our gate, hoping to sell us some more. I showed him the ample supply left over from his sales pitch of four years ago, and firmly insisted that we needed no more logs until February. He departed with a Spanish ‘I call you in February’ and a merry wave. On January 31st he could wait no longer – he rang. The conversation, in Spanish, went something like: ‘I have your logs.’ ‘I said February. It’s not February yet.’ ‘Pues.’ (This is the Spanish equivalent of a shrug, delivered verbally.) ‘I have your logs. I will bring them this afternoon.’ ‘I don’t want them this afternoon. I still have logs.’ ‘I have them on the lorry. I will bring them this afternoon, at one o’clock.’ ‘I have enough logs for another month. I don’t want them yet.’ Pause. ‘I will bring them on Tuesday.’ I sensed a micro-victory – I had managed to defer the delivery date for 3 days, and while I still had this marginal advantage I sprang to the attack with: ‘I don’t want a big lorry, and I don’t want big logs. I want small ones, and a small lorry.’ His parry was swift, and deadly. ‘A big lorry is more economical. A small lorry is more expensive.’ I’m sure he was talking about the contents of the lorry, rather than the actual vehicle itself. ‘But I only want a small lorry. And small logs. I can’t lift big logs.’ I
thing; not one touched the food. I left it in place for the rest of the day, but there were no takers, they sat in the tree in the road and looked mournful. So what was their problem? Were they suspicious of the change? Are they such creatures of habit? I don’t know. All I know is that as soon as I changed the new dish for the old one, they were back in their normal fashion, feeding and fighting and generally having a good time. You learn something new every day. And that’s what they’re still eating from - the old small dish; it obviously suits them. It’s no more than two inches across, but I’ve often counted up to twelve of
By Jos Biggs
josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk emphasised. Another pause. ‘I will bring you small logs. I will cut them myself. But if you want small logs, you must have a big lorry.’ The logic of this escaped me completely, but I knew that I was beaten; I had achieved as much of a victory as I was ever going to, so I gave in. ‘OK, big lorry, small logs, Tuesday one o’clock.’ On Tuesday at 12.30 a veritable behemoth reversed up our drive and tipped a load of logs so daintily cut that each log would hardly look out of place on a porcelain cake stand next to the cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off. We now have: logs in the woodshed; logs in the useful bits of timber shed; logs in the kindling shed; logs under the mimosas; logs under the big palm, and logs against the back wall of the house. All of them are small – but perfectly formed!
them crowded round it at a time, with another dozen poised in the trees, rather like planes stacked up over Heathrow, waiting for their turn to land. T h e lu nc ht i me frenzy is over now, but Georgina - the matriarch - is sitting in my tree, with her feathers puffed up, one leg tucked in and I think she might be having a snooze. And the dog? Same thing almost; he’s curled up in one of the balcony chairs, about two feet away from his feathered friend – they make a lovely couple.
26
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752 BC - Rome’s first colonies were established. 1476 - Forces of the Catholic Monarchs engage the combined Portuguese-Castilian armies of Afonso V and Prince John at the Battle of Toro. 1815 – Napoleon returns to France from his banishment on Elba. 1893 – Nikola Tesla gives the first public demonstration of radio in St. Louis, Missouri. 1946 – The Bank of England is nationalised. 2002 – The peseta is discontinued as official currency of Spain and is replaced by the euro.
SolPUZZLES wordsearch
Songs From the Year 2003
Find and circle all of the songs that are hidden in the grid. The remaining 22 letters spell an additional song title.
soltimes sports records Quiz 1. Ian Botham first played for which county?................ 2. Eddie Merckx was a record breaker at which sport?.........
soltimes on this day 1 march quiz
3. Which team set a record
1) OTD (on this day), it is the feast day of which
as rugby league champs in
patron saint of where?............................................
the 90?s?............................
2) Born OTD 1810 Frederic Chopin in which
4. In which sport was Mark
country?.................................................................
Spitz a record breaker?........
3) Born OTD 1910, the actor who wrote the books
5. Who won the first
The Moon’s a balloon and Bring on the empty
15 world pro snooker
horses, who?.........................................................
championships?..................
4) Born OTD 1945, the lead singer with The Who,
6. Which team won soccer’s
who?......................................................................
world cup for a fourth time
5) Born OTD 1940the first Briton to become a
in 1994?..............................
World Champion at show jumping, who?................
7. Sean Fitzpatrick played for
6) Died OTD 1988 the actor Joe Besser, which of
which international team?....
the 3 stooges did he play?.....................................
8. Billy Meridith was playing soccer for which country
10) OTD 1990 what did the Navy abolish? ..............
Brain Teasers Answers
CRYPTIC crossword
6) Curley 7) Archbishop Makarios 8) Pennsylvania 9) Charlie Chaplin 10) Rum rations
CROSSWORD
1) St David of Wales 2) Poland 3) David Niven 4) Roger Daltry 5) David Broom
SOLUTIONS
wordsearch answer
RAIN ON ME RIGHT THURR SAY YES SENORITA SO GONE SOMEDAY STAND UP STUCK SUGA SUGA SUNRISE SUPERMAN TROUBLE UNWELL
when aged 45?.................... 9. Gillian Clarke made record England appearances in which sport?.................... 10. Who became the first player to score over 500 in first class cricket?................
Answers
squiggle SUDOKU
Swiss grave?..........................................................
standard SUDOKU
9) OTD 1978 whose coffin was stolen from its
easy SUDOKU
abolish slavery?.....................................................
I CAN I WANT YOU I’M WITH YOU IGNITION IN DA CLUB INTO YOU INTUITION LANDSLIDE LIKE A STONE LIKE GLUE MESMERIZE MISS YOU PICTURE
HOW YOU GONNA ACT LIKE THAT
8) OTD 1880 which US state became the first to
ALL I HAVE ANGEL BABY BOY BEAUTIFUL CLOCKS COME OVER DRIFT AWAY FIGHTER FRONTIN’ GET BUSY GET LOW GOSSIP FOLKS HEADSTRONG
6. Brazil 7. The All Blacks 8. Wales 9. Badminton 10. Brian Lara
Cyprus?..................................................................
1. Somerset 2. Cycling 3. Wigan 4. Swimming 5. Joe Davies
7) OTD 1959 who ended his exile and returned to
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To advertise in this space Across
Down
2. Portion (5) 4. Capricious (9) 6. Copious (5) 7. Type of orange (7) 9. Infinity (8) 10. Curriculum (8) 13. Wanderer (7) 15. Evaporating water (5) 16. Seabird (9) 17. Imbibe (5)
1. Courageous (8) 2. Sagacious (7) 3. Decree (5) 4. Imminent (9) 5. Exuberant (9) 6. In front (5) 8. Scrapbook (5) 11. Face veil (7) 12. Boring (8) 14. Attempted (5)
STANDARD CROSSWORD
STANDARD CROSSWORD CLUES
Contact our sales advisors on 950 121 936 or email: sales@soltimes.com
SUDOKU PUZZLE s
Sudoku is a placement puzzle. Enter the numbers 1 to 9 in each row and column of a grid, made up of 3 x 3 subgrids. The catch is that each row, column and grid must contain only one instance of each number or letter.
CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
standard
easy
squiggle
ACROSS
Down
7 She’s following a famous sporting competition (5) 8 Selling vessel in meeting without European leader (9) 10 Has transformation when getting married outside and cleaned (6) 11 Gun-holders lets horse nearly run free (8) 12 Keep up primary train, lacking final car (8) 13 Starts to trade illegally doubtless you’ll clean up! (4) 15 Business interest (7) 17 More annoyed with new earring (7) 20 This could produce strikes (4) 22 Something small from animal? Funny clue! (8) 25 Art of self-defence gives king small change on inside - half-full (4,2) 26 Flying cyclone? (9) 27 Turn red as British leader’s luxuriant (5)
1 It’ll help you get to the next level! (9) 2 Making me chain Chinese leader to garage worker (8) 3 Airline object to cleaning (7) 4 Framework could come before key (8) 5 Shanghai’s first well-known gallery delays opening, it’s said (6) 6 Debut attempt after 10 doesn’t start (5) 9 Thought of an estimate? (4) 14 Food angle of sea creature (9) 16 Look into her cares, perhaps (8) 18 Put money in trust not very long ago (8) 19 Think of a drink in topless fruit (7) 21 If you are one of twelve people in court, you might be hurt (6) 23 In jail, I keep the same (4) 24 Less negative? (5)
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SOLTIMES february 2015
st davids
day m
arch 1st
On St David’s Day we wear the leek to celebrate winning a battle against the Saxons in a field of leeks. Lucky it wasn’t a field of cows!
On 1 March each year we celebrate our patron Saint, Dewi Sant or St David who died on that day in 589AD. To mark the day, Welsh people around the world wear one or both of our national emblems - a daffodil or leek -and celebrate at special concerts and processions. Dewi was educated in Cardiganshire and then went on pilgrimages, founding religious centres across Wales and England, including one at Glastonbury. He even travelled as far as Jerusalem, where he was made an archbishop. He eventually settled at Glyn Rhosyn (now St Davids), in south west Wales, where he established a religious
Welsh food and drink
We love our food in Wales and so we should. We pride ourselves on supplying some of the finest produce in the world. Our landscape reflects freshness, quality and variety. Fresh and local are two words you’ll often hear to describe
the food available here today. There’s meat fresh from the farm, fish fresh from the coast and vegetables dug up that morning. We’re also pretty good at cooking. Having great ingredients helps, but all over our country you’ll discover innovative cookery by award-
winning chefs using quality local ingredients.
Laverbread, not actually bread at all but seaweed, is often fried into crisp patties with eggs, bacon and fresh cockles for a traditional Welsh breakfast.
Creamy scrambled egg with cockles and laverbread
ad, made from Enjoy a taste of the seaside, Laverbre les cock and seaweed, h west Wales. are both particularly popular in sout
Ingredients:
Serves 1 1 tbsp/15g laverbread 1 tbsp/15g cooked cockles Toast (if desired)
community. Many miracles have been attributed to him. The most incredible being when he caused the ground to rise beneath him when preaching so that everyone could see and hear him. When David died he told his devoted followers to: "Be cheerful and keep your faith and belief, and do the little things that you have heard and seen through me." The Cathedral of St Davids in Pembrokeshire, where his remains are buried, became a popular place of pilgrimage. It was said that two pilgrimages to St Davids equalled one to Rome and three equalled one to Jerusalem.
2 large eggs Coarse salt & pepper 1 tbsp/15g butter 1 tbsp/15ml double cream
Method
the butter over a In a small non stick saucepan melt heat ium med dry with a Drain and rinse the cockles well, pat paper towel ns water; In a bowl, beat eggs with 1 tablespoo season with salt and pepper. frequently Pour into pan; cook, scraping bottom set, 2 to 3 just l unti ula, spat f proo with a flexible heat minutes. cockles and cream and heat to ad, rbre lave the in Stir out over cooking the eggs with warm through to a plate. sfer Tran t, if desired toas Serve with
Tradition roast Welsh Lamb
with braised potatoes and roast grav y The Sunday roast is a great British trad ition – and there’s nothing quite like Roast Wels h lamb – on any day of the week!
Ingredients
Serves 8 Clove of garlic vegetable stock 1 Leg of lamb Sprig of rosemary 30g butter, 1 onion Lamb stock melted 1 carrot For the potatoes 1 stick of celery Seasoning 500g old 1 leek - salt & potatoes Sprig thyme 100g onions pepperTraditional Bay leaf 500ml chicken or roast Welsh lamb
Method
Pre-heat the oven to 200°C Roughly chop vegetables and plac e in a roasting tin with the herbs, garlic and leg of lamb Baste the leg with a little oil and salt and cracked black pepper, plac season well with e in the hot oven for 40 minutes until well coloured Meanwhile peel and finely slice the onion, do not place in water or was potatoes and after slicing. In a large bowl add salt h the potatoes in casserole dish arranging the top & pepper. Place and barely cover with stock, brush layer decoratively with melted butter Turn down the heat to 160°C and onto the potatoes to finish roasting place the leg minutes or so depending on the size for a further 60 20 minutes per ½ kilo as a guide. of the leg, allow By cooking the lamb on top of the potatoes the juice s provide extra flavour and it becomes a one pot dish remove from the oven and wrap in . In all cases warm for at least 15 mins before carv foil and keep ing to allow the joint to rest The roasting tray with the vege glazed with a little lamb stock, re-btables can be deoiled to give a nice roast gravy to accompa and strained ny the lamb.
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Welsh Rarebit
Ingredients
There are many versions of this dish. However many chefs have taken to using the rarebit mixture for more adventurous dishes such as a topping for fillet of Welsh beef, or for fillet of roasted cod. The following recipe is a basic rarebit mix, but the application is definitely a contemporary version of the toasted sandwich. You can add various flavourings to the rarebit base such as herbs, fresh chilli, garlic, cooked leeks, chopped ham, crispy bacon or chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
Welsh Cakes
baked on a griddle and with a Welsh cakes are a bit like a scone, lly sprinkled with caster sugar distinctive flavour and texture, usua native you can try them with alter an As er. and served hot with butt ical fruit. trop mixed dried fruit or
Ingredients:
225g/8oz plain flour 100g/4oz butter 75g/3oz caster sugar 50g/2oz currants ½tsp baking powder
Method
To make the rarebit: (serve 6) For the rarebit Melt butter in pan, add 25g/1oz butter the cheese, stir over a low heat until melted. Pour in 375g/12oz ale or milk, mustard & any Mature Welsh other flavouring you wish. Farmhouse Season to taste. Bring cheese mixture to nr boiling point, 100ml/4floz ale remove from the heat. or milk To prepare the sandwich: 1/2 tsp mild Either toast of fry the mustard bread (use a little light Salt and pepper olive oil, and drain off any excess after cooking For the sandwich on some kitchen paper). Assemble a three tier 18 medium size sandwich with the sliced circles of bread tomatoes, herbs and 6 large, ripe seasoning between the tomatoes sliced layers. Place on a baking thin sheet, pour over a good Fresh flat leaf helping of rarebit mixture parsley or basil and brown either under a Salt and hot grill, or in a hot oven pepperWelsh (preheated at the highest Rarebit setting).Serve immediately
¼tsp mixed spice 1 egg A pinch salt A little milk to bind
Method
powder, mixed spice) Sift the dry ingredients (flour, baking er and rub into the butt the up Cut l. bow ng together into a mixi and mix to form a egg the in r flour. Stir in the sugar and fruit, pou Roll the dough dry. little a is ure mixt the if dough, use a little milk of a biscuit. ness thick the t out on a lightly floured surface to abou a greased on s cake the k Coo ds. roun out Use a pastry cutter to cut be too not ld shou heat The bake stone or griddle until golden. not in and kly, quic too ide outs the on high, as the cakes will cook e with serv and r suga er cast the middle. Once cooked sprinkle with ical trop or fruit dried d mixe try can butter. As an alternative you sual unu An . good rind is also fruit. \Some grated lemon or orange e som with ers flow nder lave of but delicious addition is 1 teaspoon e som to r suga , zest and icing citrus zest. Add a little orange juice cakes. soft butter to serve with the Welsh
29
Food Festivals Nearly every weekend, there's a food festival somewhere in Wales. There are small local festivals as well as large international ones. Our most well known festival is the Abergavenny Food Festival, held each September and described as "a wonderful energy and individuality that no other food festival can recreate". If you like great fresh fish and shellfish, you’re in for a treat! Each summer Pembrokeshire Fish Week celebrates the West Wales County’s first class fish and seafood, spectacular coastline, wonderful beaches, great angling, culture and fascinating maritime heritage. We like the Cardiff International Food & Drink Festival that attracts food producers and suppliers from Cardiff’s twin towns of Nantes, Stuttgart and Hordland, alongside Welsh produce. There are lots of food festivals in Cardiff throughout the year, including the Cardiff Vegetarian Festival. Another popular festival is the Anglesey Oyster and Welsh Produce Festival in September. Eat oysters and other local produce and enjoy the Welsh music, singing and dancing. The festival promotes oysters and other seafood in pubs and restaurants across Anglesey. Each October Gwledd Conwy Feast offers two days and nights of the very best of food, music and art. Sample Welsh produce, pick up professional tips from top chefs and gain practical advice on growing your own. For food festivals and events in North Wales, see the Food North Wales website. Also in October the award winning Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival sees the town at its most vibrant. Enjoy a weekend of culinary excellence and all round family entertainment. You’ll find great local Welsh food at many of our other events including the Royal Welsh Show that takes place each July. It is the best attended agricultural event of its kind, with a food hall that offers an array of produce including Welsh meats, dairy products and many famous Welsh cheeses. You can also enjoy fruits, preserves, honey and many more products of the land and sea and learn more about Welsh food and drink. Source: http://www.wales.com/
30
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES february 2015
Oscars 2015
British actor Eddie Redmayne has won the best actor Oscar for The Theory of Everything, while Julianne Moore picked up best actress for Still Alice. Redmayne thanked his "staggering partner in crime", co-star Felicity Jones, and his "ferocious but incredibly kind director James Marsh". Dark comedy Birdman won best film and best director for Mexican film-maker Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu. It also won best cinematography and best original screenplay. The film sees Michael Keaton play a former movie superhero actor, who hopes to revive his washed-up career by putting on a Broadway play. Moore used her speech to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s disease - in Still Alice, she plays a 50-year-old who has early on-set Alzheimer’s. “I’m so happy, I’m thrilled that we were able to shine a light on Alzheimer’s disease,” she said. “So many people who have this disease feel marginalised. People who have Alzheimer’s disease deserve to be seen so we can find a cure.” Redmayne was honoured for his portrayal of physicist Stephen Hawking, who has motor neurone disease (ALS). Accepting his award, he thanked the Hawking family, including Jane Hawking on whose book the film is based, and said his award belonged “to all of the people around the world battling ALS”. Read more: http://www.bbc.com/
Some of the winners for the 87th Academy Awards Best picture Winner: Birdman American Sniper Boyhood The Grand Budapest Hotel The Imitation Game Selma The Theory of Everything Whiplash Best director Winner: Alejandro G Inarritu, Birdman Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel Richard Linklater, Boyhood Bennett Miller, Foxcatcher Morten Tyldum, The Imitation Game Best actor Winner: Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything Steve Carell, Foxcatcher Bradley Cooper, American Sniper B e n e d i c t Cumberbatch, The Imitation Game Michael Keaton, Birdman Best actress Winner: Julianne Moore, Still Alice Marion Cotillard, Two Days, One Night Felicity Jones, The
COSTA BLANCA MOBILITY NEW & USED WHEELCHAIRS, SCOOTERS & MOBILITY EQUIPMENT THE NEW MOBILE SCOOTER IN STOCK ASSEMBLES & FOLDS AWAY IN 5 SECONDS
RENT OR BUY SCOOTER SERVICING & REPAIRS BATTERIES WE BUY GOOD QUALITY USED WHEELCHAIRS & SCOOTERS
Tel: 659 167 047
Theory of Everything Rosamund Pike, Gone Girl Reese Witherspoon, Wild Best supporting actor Winner: JK Simmons, Whiplash Robert Duvall, The Judge Ethan Hawke, Boyhood Edward Norton, Birdman Mark Ruffalo, Foxcatcher Best supporting actress Winner: Patricia Arquette, Boyhood Laura Dern, Wild Keira Knightley, The Imitation Game Emma Stone, Birdman Meryl Streep, Into the Woods Best adapted screenplay Winner: The Imitation Game American Sniper Inherent Vice The Theory of Everything Whiplash
HIRE CENTRE
. Hedge Cutters . Garden Vac Blowers . Jet Washers . Strimmers . Chainsaws . Water Pumps . Ladders & Scaffold . Industrial Heaters TEL: 966 786 225
SOLTIMES february 2015
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Talks & Workshops
31
COMMUNITY NEWS
MABS Murcia North East - Sew’n’So’s - Sewing Group Every Mon Fortuna Taking place every other Monday at Urb. Las Kalendas from 14:00. For further information email: mabsmurciane@gmail.com
Archaeological Museum
Every Day, Open from 10:30-14:00 and 17:00-20:00. Closed Monday mornings. At C/ Conde de Aranda. Tel: 968 493 287. Entry: Individual €1.20 Groups €0.60
The Mar Menor is a huge (135 square kilometres) salt-water lagoon, separated from the Mediterranean by the 24 kilometre long La Manga del Mar Menor (The Strip). The average depth of the Mar Menor is four metres and at its maximum it is seven metres which means that the seabed slopes very gradually and you have to get several hundred metres in before the water is of any depth.
A parkinsons Support Group
The Mar Menor’s salinity provides buoyancy so it is, supposedly, one of the safest places to swim in the world. The mineral-rich waters are said to have therapeutic effects and because of this the area has a significant spa tourism industry. The sludge in the salt pans is also credited with beneficial effects on the health, so there are often dozens of mud people wallowing in it at any one time.
CHURCH OF ENGLAND COSTA CALIDA & ALMERIA Priest: Reverend Pauline Williams 950
Playa Paraiso beach on a summer weekendThe beach at Playa Paraiso is very popular, partly because it has road access right onto the beach. On summer
On Tuesdays at 11am At bobbie jo·s, los montisinos For a chat and a cup of tea For further information contact wally Williamson On 966 770 871
956 166 / 687 250 860
pals events
Wish your Friends or Loved Ones Happy birthday, Anniversary 14th/20th May Coach trip to PORTUGAL half board or just send them a special message. and visiting fabulous locations 510 Euros pp sharing Send details to double. production@soltimes.com For information please call 626 460465 or visit
www.pals.sm4.biz or see us at La Ratatouille on a wednesday from 1 till 3 or at The Trevi on a Saturday welcome events 11 till 1.30pm Wednesday March 4th - Ladies Evening, with fashion
weekends it will be packed with Spanish families, who move most of their house onto the beach. The sea is very shallow, with netted off areas to exclude watersports, fishing and jellyfish. The jellyfish are mainly harmless and much reduced in numbers from previous years, apart from the summer of 2006 when they were back with a vengeance. Playa Honda beach During the week the beach is quiet.
learn to paint
Every Mon, Fri Using watercolour, pastels or acrylics these are small classes on Monday and Friday afternoons at Playa Paraiso, La Manga. For further information contact Bee Tel: 968 564 416 or 670 353 738
St. Nicholas Ecumenical Church
We hold services each week at 10.30am on show, the usual stalls, bingo, and dancing to the Camposol, Mazarron. Everyone is welcome to join Day Trip to Benidorm Wednesday 25th March, us. For further details, call Rev. Maureen Kent 968 popular Woody. €3. leaves Camposol B at 9am. 15€. 970 637 Wednesday March 25th - Monthly dance, with from Spring Fayre Saturday 18th April, 11am at Mariano’s LOS CANOVAS PLAYERS PRESENT – Benidorm, Time Warp, and the talented Karen Noble. Restaurant, Camposol “A” entry 1€.
fast events
Spring Dance Saturday May 9th, at Marianos €8. restaurant 8pm with Barrington. 6€. Sunday March 29th - Annual Treasure Hunt. See Tickets for events or to book a table at The Fayre parts of our area that you normally wouldn’t go to, are available from The FAST Bookstall, Camposol B, 2nd & Last Friday of the month or phone Jean 646 answering questions on the way, and with a buffet at 73 74 79 or Brenda 680 17 44 99 our final mystery destination. €8.
New Golf Shop
Wednesday April 22nd -Monthly dance, with the lovely
Costa Calida Golf Tours will open their new golf shop Shirelle and also Paul Christie. €8. on Sunday 1st March at 10am. All golfers are invited 2015 TRIPS to join the celebrations and can enjoy a glass of cava Monday May 11th - 4 days 3 nights in Cordoba for the whilst browsing the fantastic range of men’s & ladies’ “Patio Of The Flowers” festival. See all the patios in the clothing, shoes, clubs, balls and other golf accessories. old city dressed with colourful displays of blooms - a As a SPECIAL OPENING DAY OFFER they are also sight not to be missed. B&B in a 4-star hotel, coach, offering 25% discount off any full price items. The and a trip to Ubeda for just €260. shop will also have a sale rail plus 3 for the price of Our May 27th Mediterranean cruise is now fully booked. 2 across the entire clothing range, mix and match
Monday September 14th - Trip to Salamanca, staying men’s and ladies’ with the lowest priced item FREE! 2 nights at Hotel Exe Hall, close to the old city centre, With leading brands such as TaylorMade, Callaway, University, etc, 2 nights in Leon, and 1 night in Cleveland, Footjoy, Calvin Klein, Adidas Golf and Cutter Valladolid. All B&B. €295. & Buck amongst others you will be spoilt for choice. For more details, call Rosemary on 620 105 179. You can, of course, book your tee times on all your favourite courses with our dedicated Discounted Green Fee Staff who are relocating from the office presently in Villamartin. To celebrate the opening day they will also have some amazing “giveaways” including FREE greenfees from La Manga Club, Lo Romero, Roda Golf, IRM Nike Golf, Hacienda del Alamo plus other golfing goodies...so, head down and join the fun on Sunday 1st March from 10am. You will find the new golf shop 3 doors from Paddy’s Point Centro Commercial Zenia Golf Local 10 TEL – 966 318 518
MARKET DAYS IN THE AREA
Monday - San Pedro del Pinatar Tuesday - Los Alcazares / Alhama de Murcia Wednesday - Santiago de la Ribeira / Fuente Alamo / Totana Thursday - San Javier / Camposol Sector A / Lorca Friday - Isla Plana (Summer only) Saturday - Mazarron Pueblo / Aguilas Sunday - Puerto de Mazarron / Mar Menor / Cabo de Palos
“HALF A DOZEN OF THE OTHER”
By popular demand, Los Canovas Players are pleased to announce another evening of six short comedy plays and sketches to be performed in the Salon Theatre at Los Canovas on Thursday April 16th, Friday 17th and Saturday 18th. As usual curtain up will be at 8pm each night. The plays deal with a shipwrecked mariner alone on a desert island (or is he?), an undertaker with a transport problem, a couple struggling to reach their destination despite – or because of – the use of their sat-nav, Snow White and Cinderella meeting for the first time in years, a dramatic meeting in a barn of sweet, innocent Patience Undercroft and her wicked admirer, and not forgetting another Nursery Crime, when Puss in Boots is handed a set of files belonging to the late Humpty Dumpty. Tickets are on sale now and can be booked/reserved by contacting Roger by phone on 968 151149, mobile 602 643169 or e-mail at loscanovasplayers@gmail. com. We look forward to entertaining you.
Luz del Sol
new properties s.l.
Call us on 968 199 068 www.luzdelsol.co.uk
Centro Comercial #34, Sector A, Urb. Camposol, Mazarron 30875, Spain
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SOLTIMES february 2015
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SOLTIMES 950 121 936 www.soltimes.com see us online everyday
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...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES Call Kate on: 950 121 936 or 902 750 190 Ext 330 or email: sales@soltimes.com
for sale
insurance
pets
Advertise all your unwanted items for sale in this section
asssa medical
pet taxi
Any single item up to insurances Asssa Mazarron, 300€ is free of charge Diane Nolan, 968 153 396 email: blancasales@ mazarron@asssa.es soltimes.com
pool tables
snooker tables, table tennis tables, darts. Tel: 666 933 726 www.spainpool.com New Cream 2/3 seater sette 2mts long.100€. New Dining table and 4 chairs 50€, both came with furniture pack on Polaris just delivered never used. Both ono. 3 fold shower screen, glass panels with gold frame 25€ ono. I can email photos of any of above. Camposol Area.Tel: 676 028 725 100 + BOOKS v.g.c. 20€, Tap Shoes Black Size 5, Tap Shoes Black Size 5 ½ excellent condition 25€ per pair, Tel: 966 716 599 LITTLE USED husqvarna petrol engine strimmer complete with harness. cost over 700€ will accept 100€, Single phase deep submersible water pump (as used in a domestic well). Can be seen running 100€, Tel: 634 334 532 Murcia region.
business opportunity
“Internet Millionaire Reveals Secrets Of Making £1,000 A Week & More Without Any Previous Experience” If you would like to start earning extra money now! Then the internet is definitely the place to do this. You can earn money whilst relaxing by the pool or even earn whilst you’re sleeping. This is the reality for people that are making money online. Read why you should be cashing in on today’s booming economy and discover for yourself how you can turn your passion into a large monthly wage, every single month. For Free Information Visit
www.howtomakemoneyfrommembershipsites.co.uk
electricians
Electrician available for all works Small or large. Call Dave 693 251 562
davendonc@aol.com
TRAVELLING IN AIR CONDITIONED VEHICLE DELIVERED TO DOOR PETS STAY IN PET FRIENDLY HOTELS. ACCOMPANIED TRAVEL AVAILABLE
(0034) 667 235 205 (sp) (0044) 7850 575862
jewellery
GOLD WANTED English jeweller wishes to buy broken or unwanted Gold jewellery, silver and coins
IMMEDIATE CASH PAYMENT Call Peter
664 890 990
Member of the National Association of Goldsmiths
personals “Readers of a sensitive disposition may find some of the ads in this section offensive”
Spanish lady Playa Flamenca near new Carrefour before La Florida. 37 years, attractive, classy lady, private house, parking. Offers all erotic services, massage, sexy lingerie, prices from 40€. Full discretion. Tel: Ana 865 646 437
BELLA Bella is a lovely friendly little girl who is very affectionate and placid towards people. she loves people and wants to be with you at all times, She is fine with other dogs. Bella is a small dog about the size of a spaniel, She has been Spayed. D.O.B OCTOBER 2012 APPROX.
Please contact K9 or PHONE: 600 84 54 20 for more info
www.k9club.es
ELEGANT slim, sexy, naughty italian lady available home/house visits. Torrevieja, La Manga, Torre Pacheco & Mazarron, Quesada plus all other areas. Escort available home & house visits. Tel: 693 357 526
Bella is a gorgeous, loving 2 yr old Podenco cross, she lost sight in her right eye while living on the streets but this doesn’t affect her at all. She is good with other dogs and cats, sterilised and is ready for her forever hom
Call: 645 469 253 info@petsinspain.info
www.petsinpain.com
want to know whats in the news?
go online: www. SOLTIMES.com
SOLTIMES february 2015
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Call Kate on: 950 121 936 or 902 750 190 Ext 330 or email: sales@soltimes.com
www.soltimes.com removals
property for sale / rent
VERA APARTMENT FOR RENT
SHORT-TERM/HOLIDAY RENTAL
De Lima’s
removals Local, National & international REMOVALS & STORAGE Quality Second hand furniture showroom
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Only 15€ per week!
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fortnightly SERVICE TO & FROM UK FULL OR PART LOADS
* * * Storage
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* Europe *
for all your TV needs with clients all over the Murcia Region. Contact Matt or Alan on 686 358 475 or
rainbowsats@gmail.com spas
Papers arranged
email: beechdale@hotmail.co.uk
UK - SPAIN - UK
From a parcel to a small house move Professional,Friendly & Caring Fully insured, scheduled monthly door to door service
ONE WAY
self drive removal service
UK to Spain or Spain to UK
*Local *National *European
* Collection & delivery *Storage *Long & short term available * Wanted UK & Spanish cars & vans bought etc
TEL: 667 235 205
Pick up/drop off locations Throughout UK, France and Spain
To advertise your business here in
SOLTIMES
Tel: Kate 950 121 936
James & Son
Removals / Storage euro spas UK, France & Spain Spas at factory prices.
Used & Ex display models. Spares & repairs. Part exchange Telephone 650 722 905
*
Pets Welcome
* * Local Arranged Moves * * Caravans & Motorbikes * * tel brian torrevieja: 965 326 920 or 666 847 648
Van hire
Rainbow Satellites
for sale Porsche Boxster Cabriolet RHD (SPANISH REG) July '02 Cabriolet 3.2 S Flat Six 84,000 miles, 2 owners Full Porsche history A/C (Full climate) ABS, Porsche CD Cruise control E. windows/mirrors Multi Airbags, PAS Navy power hood Silver with navy leather
Hyundai i20 2011 - 5 door hatch 1.4 Edition, 32,000 kms 1 owner Full service history Red PAS, ABS, Front fog lights E. windows/mirrors, CD player A/C, Remote locking, Multi airbags Rear head restraints, Isofix Leather steering wheel
Ford Focus Sep '11 - 5 door hatch CURRENT MODEL 1.6 Trend Ecotec 52,000 kms 1 owner Full service history A/C (Climate) PAS, ABS, Cruise Front fog lights E. windows/mirrors, CD Remote locking Rear head restraints Dark metallic blue
Hummer H2Auto 2006 - 4x4 6.0 Automatic 67,592 kms, 2 owners Full service history A/C (Full climate) ABS, Cd player E. windows/mirrors Front fog lights Multi Airbags PAS, Remote locking Rear head restraints Sunroof Black
beechdale◄►Removals
+44 (0) 1582 499 836 +44 (0) 7977 754 389
sat/tv services
LWB Sprinter van going from south to North of the UK & back every 2 weeks, based near Murcia Airport. Tel: 610 846 260/ 0044 7519 186 355. or email: van.man@ hotmail.co.uk
Personal friendly door 2 door service - very competitve rates spain - uk & return
uk@fmtransport.co.uk www.fmtransport.co.uk
lineage from only 45c per word Call Kate TODAY on 950 121 936
motoring section
2 BEDROOM, 2 BATHROOM, pENTHOUSE APARTMENT IN VERA PLAYA ALL MOD CONS, BALCONY & ROOF TERRACE OFFERING FANTASTIC VIEWS cALL 663 977 230 EMAIL: gedfab@yahoo.com Vera Playa Apartment
263 Paseo del Mediterraneo Mojacar Playa, Next to Sal Marina Hotel Mon-Fri: 10am-3pm sat 10am-2pm Tel: 950 615 364 Call Marc on 647 006 183 or Brian on 674 280 268 or e-mail enquiries@delimas.biz
33
personalshoppingfromtheUK (Argos,Screwfix,Wickesetc) Pet Transportation & Competitive Rates
0034 627 968 434 0044 7874 638 330 Email: jsinternational@mail.com
Call Kate TODAY on
950 121 936 wigs
Salon Mar ga r e tha s 24 years in Torrevieja hair / wig specialist for medical illness and hair loss problems. We offer different hair replacements, top fillers, hair prostheses, toupees & wigs. Natural & artificial hair & much more. Also fashion /festival accessories. TV/TS are welcome to our service. Call Margaretha on 966 921 846 for an appointment.
€8.750
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600 726 221 965 687 976
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600 726 221 965 687 976
motorhomes
Looking for a car Quality LHD & RHD cars bought & sold all paper work undertaken Telephone 600 726 221 or 965 687 976
www.fwreurocars.com
Vehicles registration
wanted
“RE-PLATE” MATE
CASH CASH CASH
GB
We pay instant cash same day for cars, vans, bikes, quads, caravans, trailers, absolutley anything!
E
Don’t take a chance! Don’t break the Law! Let us take the hassle away from you and re-register your vehicle on to Spanish plates 490€ plus Road Tax plus CO2 emission if applicable WE PROMISE TO BEAT ANY GENUINE QUOTATION For a full service contact:
Alan 662 249 159
www.replatematecostablanca.com
For re-registration of cars, motorbikes and motor homes contact Graham Shelton Who after re-registering over 1000 vehicles will put you on the right side of the road.
605 319 889 or 966 753 375 www.spanish-number-plates.com info@spanish-number-plates.com
Same day collection
From 1€ to 10,000€
Call Phil: 607 848 332
wanted cars for cash
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tel: Tim on 662 211 993 wanted uk
cars & vans bought for
cash
Telephone
667 235 205
34
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SOLTIMES february 2015
animal corner
To advertise here call : 950 121 936
Runaway dog visits sick owner in hospital
A woman battling cancer in hospital was overjoyed to receive an unexpected visit - from her runaway dog. Sissy dashed from home and wandered 20 blocks into the lobby of the Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The miniature Schnauzer belongs to Nancy Franck, 64, who has been at the facility for about two weeks following surgery. Her husband, Dale Franck, 66, had been looking after Sissy and her brother Barney at home. After the dog went missing, Mr Franck went searching for her everywhere. He got a call from the hospital when they found the family's number and house address on the dog's collar. Surveillance footage had captured the dog following her nose around the corridors. Mr Franck told ABC News: "She was on a mission that night to see her mom, but she couldn't find the right elevator to take." Hospital staff allowed Sissy to be taken up for a few minutes to see a delighted Mrs Franck. She told KCRG: "That was great just being able to see her. That was perfect. I'm glad she thought of it." It is not clear whether Sissy's visit was just a coincidence or another example of the incredible bond between humans and canines. Mr Franck says the dog has sometimes joined him in the car when he drives to pick up his wife from work, next door to the Mercy Medical Center, but they have never walked the route. He says his wife has been undergoing chemotherapy as she fights off uterine cancer. Source: http://web.orange.co.uk/
5 Ways to Exercise With Your Pet Dogs may be the best workout partners ever, but too many of them aren't getting enough exercise. Nor are cats. Experts estimate that nearly 35 percent of pets today are overweight, which increases their risk for many serious conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes, breathing problems, and heart disease. Blame the pudgy pet problem on too many treats and not enough leash time. According to our friends at Active.com and celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson for Petfit.com, here are some great behavior modification tips to help make sure you and your pet are getting the exercise you need! 1. Interval Walk "So many pet owners consider walking their pets a chore, like making the bed," says Peterson. "Instead, think of it as a way for you both to get exercise, as an essential part of your pet's good health." A quick walk down the block to pee and back isn't enough activity, he says. Multiple short walks a day may be best for very young, very old, or physically challenged dogs, but for other pets, take longer strolls that increase your pet's heart rate (at least 15 to 20 minutes), which will boost his metabolism. 2. Fetch Tease for Abs Crunch and tone your tummy while your dog sprints to play fetch. How to: Grab your pet's favorite fetch toy and get down on the floor in sit-up position. Hold the toy as you do a sit-up, and pretend to toss it as you reach the top. Fido will chase after it, only to realize you still have his toy. Do another sit-up, and pretend to toss the toy again. Try to get in as many reps as you
APAH
Space for a little one? Born in October 2012, Martha and her 8 brothers and sisters were found as puppies in a cardboard box. 5 of them are still being cared for by APAH and waiting for their first loving home. To meet the family, please call 630 422 563 or 616 210 850.
Lovely little Emily was rescued with her brother George when they were p u p p i e s . George was lucky to find a home, but APAH are still looking after Emily and hoping for a home for her. To meet her and the other APAH dogs, please call 630 422 563 or 616 210 850.
If you are looking for a cat or kitten, APAH has lots of beautiful, affectionate cats and kittens living in its Cattery, many of whom have never known a loving home. Could you be someone who could change a life forever? To visit the APAH Cattery, please call 630 422 563 or 616 210 850.
S w e e t natured and af f e c t i o nat e, Lucylou is one of the many cats and kittens being cared for in APAH's Cattery. Most of them have never known what it's like to have a loving home. To arrange to visit them, please call 630 422 563 or 616 210 850.
Martha
kipper
Emily
Lucylou
www.apahrescue.org
can until your dog stops chasing and playing along. 3. Squat Tease Firm your butt and thighs while your dog gets his jump on. How to: Stand with legs shoulder-width apart. Squat and tap your dog with his favorite toy. As you rise, lift the toy above your head; your dog will jump up for it.
4. Dogstacle Course This is circuit training for you and your pet. How to: Place fitness gear throughout your backyard, as though you're creating an obstacle course (only do this in a fenced-in area). Think fitness step, bosu ball, jump rope, hula hoop, etc. Place your dog on a leash and briskly walk through the course together. At each station, stop and do a specific exercise, like modified push-ups on the step or balancing moves on the bosu ball. Some well-trained dogs may sit still while you work out, but if he doesn't, no biggie. If your pooch runs off, that's part of the fun — you'll both get a good sprint when you chase him to bring him back. Your dog will love the quality time with you and the fast-paced walking between your stations. 5. Dog Tag Just like the game you played as a kid, this is good sprinting exercise for you and your pooch. How to: You're it: "Tag" your dog, then start running around your backyard and let him chase you. After a few minutes, you'll both get your heart rates soaring. Source: http://blogs.discovery.com/
Tidy paws
over 15 years experience in dog grooming
All breeds and sizes welcome
Call Anna for appointment
619 277 654
Villamartin area EDUARDO’S PETS Call Eduardo for appointment
Tel: 663 726 474
Commercial Centre Rioja
Mountain View
Cat hotel Hondon de las Nieves/Frailes
Centrally-heated houses with large individual runs Love and care will be lavished during your cat’s stay My 29 years of experience in animal and veterinary care will give you piece of mind
Pick up & delivery service offered for coastal areas
Telephone: 966 195 816
Answerphone - we will call back: Mobile 654 155 473
www.mountainviewcathotel.webs.com
SOLTIMES february 2015
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film review
“Solitude is a thing you learn, the knack of being alone. Time is relentless, that helps.” This was Stephen Brown’s directorial debut based on John Banville’s 2005 Booker Prize winning novel. The film is a British-Irish collaboration filmed entirely in Co. Wexford, Ireland and premiered at the Edinburgh Film Festival in June 2013. It boasts of renowned actors such as Ciaran Hinds, Sinead Cusack, Charlotte Rampling, Rufus Sewell and Natasha McElhone. The film explores grief and abandonment over three different time lines using frequent flashback techniques to connect with the distant past, the recent past and the present. We see the young Max Morden as a 12 year old during a vacation spent in Ballygarrett, a middle aged Morden (Hinds: Road to Perdition, Harry Potter and the Deathly Harrow Part 2) when his wife Anna (Sinead Cusack) is diagnosed with terminal cancer and the present which represents Morden revisiting a scene of excitement, sexual awakening and tragedy. Highly significant and disturbing. Morden chooses to visit Ballygarrett after Anna’s death. He is uncertain of his motive and admits this to Miss Rose Vavassour (Charlotte Rampling: The Duchess 2008,The Eye of the Storm2011 and Season 2 Broadchurch 2015). His daughter Claire (Ruth Bradley) drives him to the boarding house where he plans to stay, but reluctantly so. He knows it’s hopeless but he still goes: “Fleeing one’s sadness by revisiting the scene of an old one doesn’t work.” It makes you wonder why he needs to return here. “This is
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The Sea
ridiculous,” Claire tells him, “The past is the past. You can’t go back to it.” Morden copes badly with news of Anna’s death sentence and feels stranded, completely deserted. He is an art historian although he calls himself a dilettante and he travels light when he arrives; research on the French painter Pierre Bonnard does not prove to be the distraction he needs from his grief and loss. Inevitably, it is the booze that temporarily numbs the pain and we see Morden frequenting The Schooner until he is barred for violent behaviour and drunkeness. The boarding house and the owner, Vavassour have strong links with Morden’s past. Her appearance suggests a 1920-30s style, Bohemian with a sophisticated and an aloof air about her. She is a lover of solitude and the reasons become obvious as the film draws to a close. The boarding house is significant because this is where the unconventional clan of Graces stayed during the summer when young Max was 12. Max was from a working class family, simple Irish folk who rented a chalet. He was excited the first time he saw this Bohemian family on the beach and was drawn into their exciting fold, being adopted as one of the family especially by Connie (McElhone) who knocks back bottle upon bottle of vino, squealing excitedly, playing hide-and-seek and leaving the terrible twins, Chloe and Myles to an inexperienced and incompetent nanny who seems infatuated with Connie and suspicious of young Max. The twin were volatile, ill-disciplined and down-right rude and offensive. However, this was all the more exciting for young Max
who seems to have been sheltered. Connie enchants him physically with her warmth and sensuality although his growing sexual awareness is because of precocious Chloe who has the knack of manipulating his feelings to suit her pleasure. When she informs a besotted young Max that the holiday is coming to an end she is ruthless with him and acts in an Estella-like way as if he was unimportant and would be quickly forgotten. The poor lad is devastated. We also experience Chloe’s unstable mind when she observes the nanny reading, close to the shore, wishing she would drown. The adult Morden constantly resurrects images of Anna’s dying moments as well as remembering that summer vacation with the Graces. He laments Anna’s passing to his daughter: “This wasn’t supposed to happen to us. Your mother and me. Misfortune, sickness, early death only happens to the good folk, the humble ones, the salt of the earth, not to Anna and me.” He admits to Miss Vavassour that they “rubbed along the way people do” when asked if his marriage had been happy. Rather evasive. Yet his grief is real. Even Anna asked the same question before she died. “Happy beyond words,” had been his response. When she then asks suspiciously: “You wouldn’t lie to me?” he laughs, on one of the few occasions and then tells her: “Of course I would.” Regardless of how happy a marriage they had, her death devastates him and this is the reason why he turns to the bottle to survive until his parole officer takes him away.
Closure of Basque association marks end of anti-ETA movement
The beach is obviously the central location with frequent images of the sea, with waves rolling towards the shore-line, where past and present combine to show us the powerfulness of nature, the frailty of mankind and the potential for doom and gloom. It’s also the place where a drunken Max stumbles, falling into the water and lying there inert, at the mercy of the sea. The abrupt end to young Max’s childhood is more akin to a Susan Hill tale, or even George Eliot or Virginia Woolf, filled with horror and shocking to the core. Now you’ll have to watch it, won’t you? To maintain a mournful, soul-searching mood tune into the music of the violin virtuoso, Hilary Hahn, a recurrent motif, simply appropriate and moving. REVIEW it by Carol Naylor.
assassination of a young local councilor in 1997, which decided to stop its activities. Many of Basta Ya’s founders decided to go into politics and created Unión Progreso y Democracia (UPyD). The evolution of the Basque social movements has been an accurate reflection of the evolution of Basque society in the face of terrorism. When Gesto por la Paz first called a street demonstration on November 26, 1985, ETA had killed 465 people.
With the terrorist group’s activities seemingly over, civic groups say their job is done. The last remaining Basque association created to help bring ETA to an end will cease to exist in March, in acknowledgment that the terrorist group appears to have ended its violent activities for good. Lokarri was part of a social movement that sprung up in the northern region at the height of ETA’s murderous activities, but which has been slowly disappearing since the Basque separatist group announced a definitive cessation of armed violence in October 2011. While ETA has yet to turn in its weapons and officially disband, Lokarri leader Paul Ríos said that his association’s main goal, the end of violence, has been achieved.
The evolution of the Basque social movements has been an accurate reflection of the evolution of Basque society in the face of terrorism. Pending issues such as disarmament or the return of ETA prisoners to the fold of society are jobs that fall to political parties and Basque institutions, Ríos said. Lokarri was created in 2006 to help legalize the “abertzale left,” the name traditionally given to radical left-wing nationalists, and give it a political channel for its aspirations. Other civic society bodies have been dissolving over the last decade as ETA’s violence has come to a gradual end. In June 2012, the largest of the anti-terrorist movements, Gesto por la Paz, ceased to exist. Before that, in 2008, it was Basta Ya, a prestigious association created after the
“It took us a while to react because we were coming out of a dictatorship and many Basques erroneously justified ETA’s rebelliousness against oppression,” explains Ana Rosa Gómez Moral, a member of this group. “It took us a long time to realize that we were now living in democracy and that there was no possible justification of terrorism.” José María Calleja, one of the sponsors of Basta Ya, recalls how they were trying to push all Basques who rejected terrorism into civic engagement “with the goal of taking away the fear that permeated our society and take back the streets from ETA and its friends.” Between 2003 and 2010, ETA’s assassinations were reduced drastically, numbering 11 in that entire time. Since Franco’s death in 1975, ETA has killed more than 800 people. elpais.com
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SOLTIMES february 2015
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EUROGOLF SOCIETY AT LA MARQUESA
On Thursday 19 February the Eurogolf Society played the monthly Stableford competition, and in celebration of the Feast of Saint Valentine we combined a Valentine’s hidden partners. Congratulations to the overall Stableford trophy winner, Jenny Cheetham with an excellent score of 41 points. The best male score went to Malcolm Foskett coming in with 39 points. A good day for Jenny, coming in first place with her hidden partner Sue Gillett scoring 77 pts. In second place the pairing of Phyllis Venables and Paul Manning with a score of 70 pts and in third place John Holland and Malcolm Foskett with 68 points. Nearest the pins were 5th John Holland 11th Debbie Weedon 15th Robin Richards 17th Dave Nicholls Football drawer winners: Frances Buckeridge, Bill Martin, Ken Brett, Paul
Manning The results of the TOFFS weekly Stableford competition played on Tuesday, were as follows: Gold Division: 1st Terry Sharley 37 pts 2nd David Gregson 35 pts 3rd Colin Daye-Gretton 35 pts 4th Pino Perito 34 pts Silver Division: 1st Dave King 38 pts (overall winner) 2nd Debbie Weedon 34 pts 3rd Tony Stead 33 pts 4th Terry Sayers 32 pts Bronze Division: 1st Ian Stewart 37 pts 2nd June Caithness 35 pts 3rd Chris Stanley 34 pts 4th Phyllis Venables 33 pts N.T.P’s 5th Bryan Fenwick 11th Angelika Berndt 12th in 2 Marilyn Eckersall 15th Terry Sharley 17th Bruce Gordon Best front nine Ray Porter 18 pts and best back nine Angelika Berndt 21 pts Details of our friendly society can be found at www.eurogolf-quesada.co.uk
Spanish Masters Winter National Swimming Championships
Club Natacion Torrevieja are pleased to share the news from their Masters Beth Altabas and Vicki Connolly returning from another successful Spanish National Championships yesterday. The two girls had spent 5 days in Pontevedra, Galicia, in the “XXI Campeonato De Espana “Open” De Invierno Natacion Masters” 19 – 22nd February. Two weeks previous the girls were in Sabadell in the Masters National 3km Championships returning with a gold medal for Beth and a hard earnt 4th place for Vicki. This weekend they brought back 5 gold medals. Starting the championships on Thursday afternoon with the longest race of the competition, the 800m freestyle, Beth triumphed with a gold (70-74yrs category) and Vicki 5th place (45-49 yrs) in the same event. On Friday both swam the 400m Freestyle and results repeated themselves, gold for Beth and 5th for Vicki, similar results followed in the afternoon in
the 100m medley, gold once again for Beth and another 5th place for Vicki in the 200m freestyle. Saturday’s races followed in the same manner, gold for Beth in the 100m freestyle and 50m Butterfly and Vicki 5th and 7th the the same races for her age group. These results amassed a total of 153 points for the club and the girls were placed 41st out of 107 clubs in the female category, and overall, 76th out of 136 clubs. These championships took the record for the most participants ever in any of the summer or winter masters championships, a total of 1,272 swimmers. Another record would have been made if Beth was Spanish as she would have take the records for her age in four of her 8 races. For more information regarding Torrevieja Swimming Club please contact Rosa 665 454 126, President Felipe on 609 418 776 or Vicki 669 637 015 or by email on info@ clubnataciontorrevieja.com Beth & Vicki
Ten Pin Bowling League
Furniture First Rojales Tuesday Night Trios Week Eighteen played 17th February 2015 It was back to league points this week and Belgas Torrevieja 2 were looking to extend their winning streak, when they took on Med Bistro & Bar El Raso. After sneaking the first game by 9 pins, BT2s spirits were up but MBB took advantage of some low games by BT2, and with Mirja Hakonen bowling the ladies high series scr and h/c with 505 and 565 MBB came out 6 = 2 winners. After losing in the cup to Split Happens last week, Juans Warriors had hoped for better fortune looking for points. It didn't take long for SH to stamp their authority, with Neil Pipkin leading the way with a high series h/c on the night of 630, which ensured SH took a comfortable 8 = 0 win. Mixers were disappointed to lose in t he cup last week and took on Caballo Negro, determined to take maximum points. However, with Paku Hakonen rolling the mens high game h/c on the night of 241 and, Eija Suomis' ladies high game scratch of 176, the team taking high h/c game and series with 619 and 1750, CB made it another lose for Ms, with a 73 pin overall win and a
6 = 2 victory. You would of expected Team Finland to ease past Los Lobos, especially with the way they had bowled over the league season so far but, after two very average games, LL had taken both games and, were on for a shock win. Again though, when their backs were to the wall, TF rallied and managed to win game three and, take the overall pinfall by 17 pins, meaning a 4 = 4 draw. It wasn't a very high scoring game when Crazy Pinz took on The Dreamers but, it came down to the last ball to decide the overall pinfall. TD captain Don Galley had the final say and, with a converted spare and 9 pins claimed the overall points and a 4 = 4 draw. After winning in the cup last week, Right Move Insurance were back on the points trail and with Jane Hamil's ladies high game h/c of 208, RMI did what they have done more times than any other team this season, and managed to draw 4 - 4 with Los Bandidos. Finally, Splash took on Lucky Strike and with Diego Munos' celebrating his 65th birthday with a fine 618 h/c series and the team claiming high scr series of 1577, Sp edged past a disappointed LS 6 = 2.
SOLTIMES february 2015
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Las salinas winter petanca league
The draw took place on Sunday 22 February for the semi finals of the cup and plate. In the cup Amigos Belgas 1 have been drawn against Rocajuna and Blagul 2 v Buccaneers. The plate draw is Falcons v Danish Dynamite and Dominos red v Blagul 1. The games will be played on Wednesday 4th March. We are now nearing the end of the winter league season, with 1 more match to play, there has been a few surprises with the results. In division 1 Amigos Belgas 1 came away from Rocajuna with a 5-2 victory, and they stay top of the table, but with Buccaneers winning away also they remain 2nd. In division 2 Los Bandidos with good away win at XPS stay top of the division, closely followed by
Danish Dynamite, Lakeside Hellcats and Breeze Bar Cannons.In division 3 Amigos Belgas 2 lost to second place Blagul 1 so both teams will have to fight for who will be the champions. In division 4 Pumas and Amigos Belgas 3 fought out a hard match to decide who would be champions and runners up, Amigos Belgas 3 winning the match by the narrowest of margins 4-3. In division 5 Guardamar have secured the championship by defeating Escorpiones. With the last match of the season to come Falcons and Dominos McCoys are fighting for 1st and 2nd. Thanks to all our sponsors Casas Manuel, Rapid Repairs, Dominos Bar EDP (electric) Press sec Linda S Haymes.
BULL FLANAGAN GOLF SOCIETY
For their February meeting 24 members of the Bull Flanagan Golf Society headed the short walk from their home base to the local course at La Marquesa. Members met at Bull Flanagan prior to the game and were briefed as to the course rules as this was the Society first visit to the course and this was made possible due to the course now being prepared to do reasonable deals with visiting societies. The course was in average condition and there was many improvements being carried to various holes at the course however these did not interfere with play on the day After the match all players returned to the Bull Flanagan in Quesada for the prize winner’s presentation where members and guests could also take the opportunity to sample a refreshing drink before having a choice of a free lunch. Only six players managed to get a score greater than 30 points leaving the chasing pack behind on 29 or less and todays winner was the Secretary Bill Fantom scoring a creditable 35 points. Second and third places went to Barry Grinsell and Barrie Hopkinson
scoring 33 and 32 points respectively. Nearest the pin winners on the par three holes were Phil Harris on hole 5 and 11, Barry Grinsell on hole 15 and John Horton on hole 17. Bill Fantom won the football card with Burnley and winner of the 28ers draw was Trevor Forbes. The Captain was not in attendance so the Vice Captain Mick McGrath assisted the Secretary with the presentation ceremony and made comment on the success of the days event and how well it had been supported and he also thanked Chris and his staff and asked members to show their appreciation in the usual manner for their continued support and excellent service and quality of meals available on match days. The Secretary reflected on another successful society day’s golf and thanked everyone for their attendance and concluded reminding members that the March match would be one week earlier and would be at Bonalba were many improvements had been made and that there would be a 09-30 start.
TORREGOLF.EU at Font del Llop
Friday 20th.and a full turn out of members to this beautiful course and what a great day to be there as well, because the weather followed by the course were both perfect for our day. Have said it before and will say it again this course is probably now the best here on the Costa’s, with a great lay
out to challenge any golfer and in great condition. The only problem to-day, as far as all were concerned, was the number of lost balls not to the water but in the brown grass right of all the fairways but surely one is supposed to keep the ball on the fairways!! However, our normal Stableford
25’95 €
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SOL SPORT & MOTORING
competition to day was in 3 Categories with all the competition money collected being returned in prize money with the President putting up a sleeve of TORREGOLF.EU embossed balls for all the Par 3’s remember there are 5 at FdL and for a change we also had a 3rd. shot NTP on Hole 6 which surprisingly no one got anywhere near and we only had 3 NTP winners Hole 8. Roger Twigg, Hole 16. Babs. Watson, Hole 17. Will Hadlow. The Full Monte today in support of our football club CD Montesinos going to Steve James and the Scratch Card to win 20 Euros going to Eric Garside not for the 1st. time this season!. The results for the main competition showed 13 players breaking the 30 points barrier so it turned out to be a very close result. With the winners
being Category 1. 1st. Geoff Betts 36 points 2nd. David Watson 34 and 3rd. Mike Jenkins 30 points. Category 2. 1st. Peter Kerr 39 points 2nd. Dorian Brooksby 36 and 3rd. Bernard Ball 34 points. Category 3. 1st. Tony Jeff 32 points on c/b 2nd. Peter Sands 3rd. Roger Twigg 26 points. Our next game is Saturday 28th. at Vistabella followed by Altorreal on Tuesday 3rd. March, then El Plantio Monday March 9th. Vistabella again on the 14th.March. If you would like to play more competitive golf in a friendly environment on a regular basis then call David Winder 0n 626 774 157 or email him at davidwinder.torregolf@ gmail.com
Direct rivals meet in the Ciutat de València Levante and Granada draw a close on matchday 24 in the Liga BBVA with a relegation scrape. The curtain closes on matchday 24 of the Liga BBVA with a bottom of the table clash between Levante UD and Granada CF, two sides that have only won one of their last five games and urgently need to start putting points on the board. Whichever team comes out on top will be able to put some distance between themselves and their direct rivals in the race to climb out of the drop zone. Team news Nabil El Zhar and Pedro López are out injured for Levante for this important match. Meanwhile, Abel Resino’s Granada will travel to the Ciutat de
València without five of the players who featured in their last game, as Emanuel Insúa, Jhon Córdoba, Piti and Fran Rico are all suspended. Impressions from the dugouts "We are only focused on the Granada match because each game that passes sets a trend. You have to concentrate on the next game, which is always the most important one", pointed out Lucas Alcaraz, the home team’s manager, on the topic of the importance of this meeting. Meanwhile, Abel Resino also expressed the significance of the upcoming encounter for his side’s aspirations: "We are really going to be up for this because this is a crucial match".
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Ford Focus, motoring review
Less is more for this ubiquitous car. But you knew that Price £23,520 Engine capacity 1.5-litre petrol Power output (bhp@rpm) 182@6,000 Top speed (mph) 138 Fuel economy (mpg) 51.4 Co2 emissions (g/km) 127
Despite its challengers – and there are many – the Ford Focus is still ubiquitous on British roads today. Look back 20 years and that automotive honour was held by its big brother, the Ford Mondeo, which was made famous by Tony Blair, Mondeo Man and some ideas about Middle England that now seem slightly misguided. By the end of the Blair era, however, the Mondeo's sales figures were dropping, as Britain opted for imported crossovers instead of traditional saloons. Quietly, though, the Focus (along with its smaller sister, the Fiesta) has continued to put Ford at the top of new-car sales charts. And, not content to rest on its laurels, Ford has just released its latest model. The formula is much the same as with previous revamps, with streamlined yet familiar looks, and a selection of increasingly efficient engines, plus a few technological advancements, including some self-parking wizardry and lane-departure warning (radar to cover your blindspot) in the more expensive models. My test model was the top-of-the-range Titanium X model, the most powerful petrol model, with alloy wheels, LED running lights, heated seats, a
touchscreen display with DAB and (fiddly) satellite navigation. It's fairly standard practice for car companies to load journalists' test cars with goodies, too, so mine also got metallic paint, privacy glass, key-free entry, the lane-departure warning and even a heated steering wheel. This pushed the price up to a £26,100 – which seems a lot for a Ford Focus. That said, the pokey 1.5l petrol engine is a revvy delight, especially when combined with Ford's chassis set-up and suspension. Frankly, there are few modern family cars that are as composed as the Focus in a straight line or as nimble in the corners. Sure, Hyundai and Skoda make cars with marginally better infotainment systems and arguably plusher entry-level cabins, but they don't drive like a Ford. As if to prove this, a week after driving my test model I came across a basic model at a hire-car counter (bonus points to the hire company for getting it so quickly). The truth is, I preferred its simplicity, lack of expensive gadgets and keen price. When it comes to the Focus, less is more. But judging by Ford's sales figures, you knew that already. Sorce: http://www.independent.co.uk/
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Jose Mourinho on Sky Sports:
Chelsea manager shunts James Beattie off Goals on Sunday to go on the attack Chelsea manager risks more disciplinary trouble with surprise appearance to criticise Burnley player Ashley Barnes and referee Martin Atkinson, call for wider use of video technology and question Sky’s integrity Jose Mourinho, the Chelsea manager, on Sunday went out of his way to risk more disciplinary action by going on television to escalate his attack on what he called Ashley Barnes’ “criminal c h a l l e n g e ”, for which the Burnley player went unpunished while the recipient, Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic, was sent off in Saturday’s 1-1 draw. Sky Sports’ m o r n i n g programme Goals On Sunday’s live guest was scheduled to be James Beattie, but Mourinho replaced the former striker at the last minute, with Sky announcing his appearance only 20 minutes before the programme began. The Portuguese had already been outspoken about the Barnes incident immediately after the game, returning to his recent theme of how officiating decisions constantly go against his side, denying them a larger lead at the top of the Premier League table. On the show, Mourinho was back on the attack, despite being fined £25,000 and warned as to his future conduct less than a month ago after his claims in December that there was an orchestrated campaign aimed at destabilising Chelsea. He accused the referee Martin Atkinson of making “four mistakes” and also hit out at Sky. Then on the Barnes challenge he said: “I can’t find the word to describe what that player did. I can clearly understand that football is about emotions and sometimes you lose emotions. Clearly, Matic had a reason to lose his emotions. What could be the consequence of his push for the other player? Nothing. The consequence for Matic could be end of career. “This [tackle] could be end of career. Because I can’t find another adjective stronger. I just say this is end of career. Matic is a lucky guy.” He then compared Sky’s immediate reaction to Diego Costa’s alleged stamping in last month’s game against Liverpool (the Chelsea striker was later given a three-match ban). “When I finished at the game against Liverpool, I went to the dressing room and the first thing I saw on the big screen, reading non-stop – ‘Diego Costa crimes’. I would like to know how to you, Sky Sports, describe the actions of the Burnley player yesterday? My English is not good enough to find a word. “When you think ‘Diego crimes’ after
he puts his boot on a hand, when this is ‘Diego crimes’, the minimum you have to say is ‘criminal tackle’.” Diego Costa has a three-match ban. Matic will probably get three. You tell me how many games you think they deserve.” Mourinho highlighted four incidents which he believed shaped the outcome of the match against Burnley. He is convinced Barnes should have been dismissed for a knee on Branislav Iva n ov i c in the 31st minute and said Chelsea should have been awarded penalties in the 34th and 44th minutes. The last incident was the Barnes challenge on Matic and Mourinho questioned the performance of Atkinson. “The best players in the world make mistakes. This gentleman [Atkinson] is one of the top referees in European football, he can also make mistakes,” Mourinho said. “He clearly made four important mistakes yesterday. He is like the lawyer who is consistent because he lost 15 of 15 cases. You don’t want that lawyer.” However, the manager added: “I’m not attacking the honest or dignity of anyone, I’m not trying to bring the game into disrepute – which is always [the phrase] they use when they want to punish me. I’m just trying to be honest. I can only remember one decision all season which went in our favour. Now I am risking my dugout in the final because I am having this conversation. “I speak about these incidents week after week, because they happen week after week. My players are not getting the respect they deserve and it is too much.” Mourinho then called for referees to be aided with video technology. “If I was a referee I would welcome it, the same as goal-line technology. I am so comfortable with goal-line technology now, whereas before it came in I was not comfortable. But now I am. “They [referees] are trying but they are not doing well. If the referee cannot see, some official in front of a screen cannot miss it. We want to protect the integrity of the game. “If the referee cannot see a penalty three metres in front of him, some official in front of a screen cannot miss it,” Mourinho added. “If we want to protect the integrity of referees and believe the mistake is a consequence of misinterpretation or a bad position or the unpredictability of the game, I think technology can help.” Sorce: http://www.independent.co.uk/
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Real Madrid consolidate their lead
Real Madrid consolidate their lead in the Martínez ValeroGoals from Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo secured an important win for los blancos to extend their lead at the top of the table. Real Madrid beat Elche CF 0-2 on matchday 24 of the Liga BBVA. It was an important win for Carlo Ancelotti’s men, who extend their lead over secondplaced FC Barcelona to four points. Meanwhile, Fran Escribá’s charges saw their good run of two back-to-back victories come grinding to a halt. The Alicante side were able to withstand the wave after wave of attacks from a very fired-up Real Madrid in the first half. Cristiano Ronaldo tried to put his team ahead on numerous occasions, the clearest chance of which came in the 4th minute when his right-footed strike crashed off Tytoń’s crossbar. The
Portuguese forward kept looking for a way of breaking the deadlock but Madrid were unable to find the back of the net before the half-time break. Elche had a great opportunity to go ahead in the second half but Iker Casillas denied Aarón’s effort with an assured save. That scare woke Real Madrid up and they got into their stride once again and made it 0-1 thanks to Karim Benzema. The Frenchman finished off his chance with ease after a Cristiano cross was parried away by the keeper to his feet. Following that, a great pass from Isco found Ronaldo who headed the ball home to grab the Madrid team’s second of the night. From that point on, it was one-way traffic in the visitors’ favour, although the result remained 0-2 until the final whistle. Sorce: http://www.lfp.es/en/news
Fernando Alonso: McLaren driver faces further hospital tests
McLaren driver Fernando Alonso will have further medical checks on Monday before doctors decide whether to release him from hospital. The twotime world champion, 33, is in intensive care after crashing during testing in Barcelona on Sunday. Alonso suffered concussion in the accident at the Circuit de Catalunya but is "fine", according to McLaren. He hit the wall on the exit of the 150mph Turn Three but Sebastian Vettel estimated his speed at around 90mph. The Ferrari driver was following the Spaniard at the time of the accident. Alonso's presence in intensive care is normal in such circumstances and no reason for concern, sources said. "He is well and I don't think there will be any problems," Alonso's manager, Luis Garcia Abad, told Spanish media on Sunday. "The impact was quite strong but fortunately it was nothing. He was conscious and able to speak. Garcia Abad also dismissed reports that Alonso had been feeling dizzy prior to the crash. “I deny that Fernando was feeling unwell prior to the incident,” he said. “The car had grip, there was tremendous wind and he went into the wall. The rest is speculation. “The car telemetry has stated that he was correcting from left to right. Fernando was hitting the brake and changing gears until the moment of impact.” McLaren have given no information on what caused the crash,
which happened at 12:35 local time on Sunday, shortly before the lunch break on the final day of the second of three pre-season tests. He was airlifted to hospital where CT and MRI scans were carried out. McLaren racing director Eric Boullier said: “Fernando’s accident was just one of those things that happens in testing. “Fortunately, he’s fine, but was concussed during the accident, which therefore required an overnight stay. “While the car wasn’t particularly badly damaged, it was enough of an impact to warrant quite a lengthy check of the gearbox and power unit systems. “Given the time needed to carry out such an analysis, we decided to bring the curtain down on our test a few hours earlier than anticipated.” German four-time champion Vettel said the crash was unusual. “The speed was slow, maybe 150kph,” he said. “Then he turned right into the wall. It looked strange.” Alonso left Ferrari at the end of last season, negotiating an exit from his contract two years early, because he believed McLaren and new engine partner Honda gave him a better chance of winning a third world title. But McLaren’s preparations have been troubled, with repeated engine reliability problems restricting their mileage in testing. Sorce: http://www.bbc.com/