Calida 370

SOLTIMES

Property Supplement

Go to pages 17-24 to pull out & keep our useful Property Supplement To advertise in this section Telephone 902 750 190

SolTimes your free weekly newspaper

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

page 29

diy projects page 36

The X Factor Live Tour 2015 Michael McIntyre

Happy & Glorious Tour

We Have Moved Office !

Now find us on Camposol Sector B next door to Happy Pets

The Open 2015

968 592 679

misterprintgraphics.com

www.camposolproperties.com

Pool Cleaning: +34 646 476 911 camposolproperties@hotmail.com

UK

LORDS REMOVALS EUROPEAN

s posol Propertie Relax with Cam

+34

www.soltimes.com

LWB Sprinter van

easter in spain

Camposol Properties

Property Rentals:

25 - 31 mar

CK ME UP’est. SINCE 2005 YOUR ESSENTIAL WEEKLY ‘PI

remember to set your clocks ahead 1 hour before on saturday night CP

COSTA calida

ISSUE 370

To Book Tickets for These Events Plus Many More Other Offers Log on to www.soltimes.com

The English Funeral Director Over 25 years’ Professional Service

Funerals - Funeral Plans - Funeral Insurance

For more information, call Tony Smith on 650

631 719 (24 hours)

www.EnglishFuneralDirector.com

OVER 20 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE SINGLE ITEMS TO FULL LOADS FULL AND PART PACKING SERVICE AVAILABLE STORAGE FACILITIES AVAILABLE WE ALSO TRANSPORT PETS let us take the stress OUT OF YOUR MOVE

THE PRICE WE QUOTE IS THE PRICE YOU PAY SPAIN(0034)608 061 872

UK (0044)7709 557109

lordsremovals@hotmail.com www.lordsremovals.com

2

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES march 2015

ban on putting down abandoned pets

Mandatory euthanasia for abandoned pets that end up in pounds and shelters across Madrid may soon end now that regional lawmakers have decided to study changing the local animal protection law.

Last week, the Madrid regional parliament unanimously voted to back a proposal presented by the United Left (IU) grouping calling for, among other things, an end to the sacrificing of abandoned animals. The initiative was begun by animal protection society El Refugio through a campaign to push for changes to the local pet laws.

Catalonia is currently the only Spanish region to prohibit the euthanization of abandoned animals. There is no national legislation regarding this issue.

The draft bill in Madrid also calls for mandatory sterilization of all pets whose owners do not plan on breeding them and fines of up to €3,000 for people who abandon animals. Lawmakers will debate the bill during the next parliamentary term, which will begin after May’s regional elections.

Under Madrid’s 1990 Animal Protection Law, all abandoned pets picked up off the streets by municipal pound workers can be sacrificed after 10 days if their owners do not claim them.

Around 130,000 abandoned dogs and cats in Madrid were euthanized in the six years leading up to 2012, according to El Refugio figures. But the number of abandoned animals found on the streets dropped by 12 percent during the first nine months of last year (5,458 animals picked up) compared to the same period in 2013 (6,206). source: http://elpais.com/

SOL News

Nowhere to hide on Spain's Costa del Crime

British police are determined to keep up the pressure on fugitives hiding out on Spain's Costa del Crime.

The Local speaks to the head of the NCA about tracking down the most wanted.

The Local talked to Hank Cole, Head of the International Operations for the National Crime Agency (NCA), while he was in Madrid launching an appeal for Britain’s most wanted criminals thought to be hiding out in Spain.

This is the ninth Operation Captura appeal to be made since 2006, and the previous eight have so far resulted in 65 out of 76 wanted fugitives being apprehended. How are people caught?

We get some through confidential tipoffs made to Crimestoppers. The sort that comes because someone recognizes a bloke on the wanted list as a neighbor or regular at the pub down the road and makes the call.

But we also sometime gets criminals who hand themselves in because they are sick of being on the run. One of the latest was a guy in Tenerife who walked into the local police station and said who he was. He had had enough of the constant psychological pressure of being a fugitive and just wanted to go home to England.

Then there are other criminals who get caught while they are involved in carrying out a crime.

Who gets on the Operation Captura most wanted list?

There are always a high proportion of drug traffickers on the list simply because there are just a lot of drug traffickers around and they are drawn

to Spain because they can carry on their trade.But there's a rapist on the list and an alleged sex offender.

They are all fugitives who we believe there is a good chance that they are hiding in Spain.

There are lots that don’t get on the list because we know where t h e y are and we are watching them.

We are being quiet about it because we want to watch them and wait till we can swoop in and dismantle the criminal network they are involved in.

Last year alone, we arrested 54 British criminals in Spain. Things have changed since the era when so many crime bosses hid out here before there was an extradition treaty but does the Costa del Crime concept still exists?

Yes it does. Spain is a popular spot for criminals and although Operation Captura has a great deal of success there are obviously quite a few we don’t catch right away.

Spain holds the same attractions for a Brit fugitive as it does anyone. Spain had 15 million British visitors last year and has a sizeable permanent expat community.

If you want to eat British food and sit in British style pubs talking to Brits all year then Spain is a great place to hide out.

We have run similar campaigns in Cyprus, the Netherlands and will soon do one in South Africa.But Spain is the top spot because its close, its cheap to get to with hundreds of flights a day and it sits

on the cocaine route from South America and the hashish route from N Africa.

What do the British police do about tackling the gangs and dealers peddling drugs to summer tourists in places like Ibiza?

We are working closely with the Spanish police on this problem and are sending officers over during the busy season. Some of the UK police forces are lending officers so there will be visible policing in the resorts that have the biggest problems. The NCA will also be sending out officers but they will be running covert operations to bring down the big networks. You won’t see us but we will be there.

We are sending a message that if you are a criminal, Spain is a hostile environment to operate in. source:thelocal.com

koal a furniture s.l SOFAS - MATTRESSES - GARDEN FURNITURE RECLINER SOFAS LEATHER SOFAS - PACKAGES

FURNITURE

quality rattan luxury furniture at great prices Solar electric systems Solar hot water systems Buy direct - no middle men no sales people - no subcontractors Quality European products Guarantees backed by 10 years of training in Spain Complete solar systems from only 1500€ including installation 10% price beater promise we will beat any other like for like price

monday to friday 10:00am to 19:00 saturday 10:00am - 14:00 POL.IND.EL REAL C/VENTE VACIO E-14 04628 ANTAS - ALMERIA TEL: 950 392 307 MOVIL: 627 215 345

facebook.com/koalaFURNITURE

SOLTIMES march 2015

www.soltimes.com SOL News

Socialists win in Andalusia but party still falls short of majority

The Socialists were re-elected in Andalusia on Sunday night in a hotly contested regional race that weakened Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s Popular Party’s (PP) control in the local parliament and propelled Spain’s growing antiausterity Podemos into third place.

Premier Susana Díaz — who took over the job when her predecessor José Antonio Griñán suddenly resigned in 2012 — validated her leadership with voters by retaining the 47 seats the Socialists had previously held in parliament.

Díaz validated her leadership by retaining the 47 seats the Socialists had previously held in parliament But she is still shy of a 55-seat majority in the 109-member body based in Seville, and will have to reach deals with minority parties to pass legislation. It was still unclear on Monday morning who that partner will be. Early in the campaign, Díaz ruled out any pacts with the PP or Podemos.

“It has been an historic and undisputed victory,” said the 40-year-old Díaz, who is

expecting her first child.

Sunday’s vote was seen as a bellwether to the national elections, with other key races scheduled in Madrid and Valencia in May that will also test the PP’s strength.

Podemos, which has been gaining ground in national polls as an antiausterity movement, captured 15 seats. It marked the first time the far-left party had taken part in a regional election since its strong debut performance in last year’s European Parliament race.

Juan Manuel Moreno of the PP casts his vote on Sunday.

Ciudadanos – another fast rising party which started out in Catalonia and also appears to be challenging Spain’s more than 40-year long bipartisan system – captured nine seats in its first ever regional parliamentary election, thus becoming the fourth political force in Andalusia.

The United Left (IU) coalition – which has claimed the region as its stronghold over the past decade, thanks to a partnership government with the Socialists – obtained its worst results and only retained five of the seven deputy seats it won in 2012.

Díaz broke off with the IU in a coalition government in January after a series of differences and called early elections.

But it was the PP whom Andalusians punished most at the polls. The party suffered a major defeat by hanging on to

special winter offer 360€ class a + mdv 3d inverter

free installation

maintenance contract for 2 years latest 2014 Model

2014 Model 19 Decibels

inverter

inverter

inverter

H5500 9

P09RK Silver Deco

KIT.UE 09QKE

510€

latest 2014 Model

510€

540€

2014 Model 19 Decibels

inverter

inverter

inverter

H5500 12

P12RK Silver Deco

KIT.UE 12QKE

540€

530€

570€

C/San Luis 61 - Torrevieja - Tel: 966 799 815 Mobile: 687 234 502 www.reliable-clima.com ● email: info@reliable-clima.com

just 33 of the 50 seats it held since the last race in 2012.

Podemos Teresa Romero speaks to supporters following the race results.

PP Andalusian leader Juan Manuel Moreno was set to meet with national party officials on Monday to review the race results.

Voter turnout was 51.4 percent – 4.2 points higher than the previous 2012 elections.

Political observers believe that the Socialists – many of whom have publicly shunned Podemos’ radical proposals – will look to form a pact with Ciudadanos.

But its national leader, Albert Rivera, announced Sunday night that Ciudadanos will not join the Andalusian government.

“We will remain in the opposition forming other concrete pacts,” said Rivera, citing the fight against corruption.

Andalusians punished the PP by allowing them to keep only 33 of the 50 seats it held since the last race in 2012 Ciudadanos leader in Andalusia Juan Marín, who shares governing power with the Socialists in Sanlúcar, Cádiz province, said his party was surprised by the outcome.

“Andalusians have said they want change, but sensible change,” he said The mood at the Podemos headquarters was euphoric but the party’s regional leader, Teresa Rodríguez, reminded her supporters there was still work to be done, “because tomorrow we will see 45 home evictions.” http://elpais.com/

Spanish victims

3

Two Spaniards were among the 19 people killed in Wednesday’s gun attack at the Bardo Museum in Tunis, according to Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel García-Margallos. While the head of Spain’s diplomatic branch did not want to reveal the names of the dead until their families were advised, other sources confirmed that the victims were a retired couple from Catalonia, Antonio Cirera Pérez, 75, and Dolores Sánchez Rami, 73.

Last night the Foreign Ministry was still searching for two other Spanish tourists, who had not returned to their cruise ship.

In a brief appearance before the media in Valencia, Margallo warned of the “huge confusion” surrounding the failed attack against the Tunisian parliament, which ended with the attackers taking hostages at the nearby museum. “The Tunisian authorities are completely overwhelmed,” explained the minister.

The Spanish victims lived in the Barcelona neighbourhood of Camp de L’Arpa, near the Sant Pau hospital.

Antonio Cirera Pérez had worked until his retirement as a chemist at the Moritz brewery. The couple had two sons, Alfonso Congostrina reports. “He was a very active person and loved sports,” explained a neighbour who wanted to remain anonymous. “Every Wednesday he went for a walk in Collserola,” a mountain outside the city.

Margallo explained that both were part of a group of 90 tourists who had arrived in the Tunisian capital on board two cruises operated by the companies Costa Cruceros and MSC. More than 25,000 Spaniards traveled to Tunisia “without any problems” in 2013, according to ministry data.

4

ort

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES march 2015

Oklahoma! News from Studio32

SOL News

The dates for Studio32’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma have now been set for Thursday 4th, Friday 5th. And Saturday 6th. June curtain up 7.30p.m. at the Cardenal Belluga Theatre San Fulgencio.

As previously reported, heading the cast in her first principal roll as Laurey will be 17 year old, Studio32 debutant Verity Jo Spencer Hall. Verity has already appeared as Georgina in the film “The Cucaracha Club,” and played the leading role as Samantha in a radio play, “The Numbers Game”.

Verity is looking forward to this new challenge and with the expert guidance of Show Director Susan Wilson and support of the more experienced members of the cast is confident of meeting the expectations of the role.

Verity has ambitions to work in musical theatre in the future and sees this role as an important stepping stone to her achieving her aims.

As well as the cast learning lines, dances and songs, the backstage crew are at full stretch building the set, making costumes and props. Carpenter John Murrell has been making an impressive full size Surrey with a fringe on top, whilst wardrobe

manager Jean Wilkinson and her team and small props manager, Paula Whitbread are busy making the 40 costumes and small props required for the cast. For more information about Studio32 visit the web site www.studiothirtytwo.org or e-mail studiothirtytwo2013@ gmail.com Tickets will be on sale at; Tourist Information La Marina 966790021 Cards and More La Marina 966790954 The Card Place Benijofar 966713266 The Post Room Benijofar 966712382 Cathys Curiosity Corner Benijofar622899906 Diamond Flores Quesada 966716553 BH Stores Catral 966787891 The Post Box Doña Pepa 966731928 Kennnedy Supermarket Los Montesinos 966720006

DONATION THANKS

Paul Cunningham Nurses Charity, wish to say thank you to the owners and all the staff at The Stray Sod, at La Fuente Commercial Centre, for their very generous donation of 100 Euros.

Sadly one of their regulars and much loved client, Pat Prescott, recently passed away after a short illness. Pat requested no flowers at the funeral and that the money go to a charity. We also wish to express our sorry to Pat´s husband Norman

INTERESTED IN SOLAR????

WANT IT INSTALLED LEGALLY????

THEN WE HAVE THE “SOLUTION” FOR YOU......

As part of the “Sunlife Solutions Group S.L “, we install tailor made Solar Systems for your property, with a professional service from start to finish.

Initially, an experienced Surveyor will conduct a full site visit at your property; offer you honest information and advice, so you personally can make your own decision as to whether Solar is beneficial for you.

Using only Solar Registered Engineers to complete your installation, who are then accredited to provide and process the documentation necessary to comply with the Ministry of Industry?

Important factors to help you decide who to deal with......

ARE THEY A LEGALLY REGISTERED COMPANY? (WE ARE) DO THEY HAVE BUSINESS PREMISES YOU MAY VISIT? (WE HAVE) DO THEY USE REGISTERED SOLAR ENGINEERS FOR YOUR INSTALL? (WE DO) DO THEY COMPLETE AND PROCESS THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION? (WE DO) DO THEY OFFER YOU TO SEE COMPLETED INSTALLS YOU MAY VISIT? (WE DO ) DO THEY TELL YOU IBERDROLA WILL PAY YOU FOR YOUR ELECTRICITY AND TELL YOU THAT YOU WILL SAVE 100% OF YOUR ELECTRICITY BILLS????

(WE DO NOT!!!!!)

Depending on your bespoke installation, you will save between 50% and 70% of your electricity bill and at this moment in time there is NO feed in tariff offered to residential customers by there supplier.

So, if you would like a FREE survey, HONEST advice and a PROFESSIONAL service from start to finish contact “ Sunlife Solar Solutions “ on 965 27 17 17.....

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES march 2015

5

6

SOLTIMES march 2015

Holy Week...

Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is elaborately celebrated each year in Spain. This is the week preceding Easter Sunday or Pascua. Despite the serious symbolism of the week, the city is extremely vibrant and busy throughout. Regular department stores and little shops are often closed for the week's events, but the restaurants and bars of Sevilla remain full of people. Everyone comes out for the festivities of Semana Santa. Each afternoon during the week, 17th century

floats bearing imagenes of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, emerge from the old Sevillan churches and process through the streets for hours and hours until finally snaking their way back to the church from which they came. Costaleros bear the weight of these enormous floats, while penitentes, both large and small, lead and follow the float bearing traditional capirotes and candles. The eerie and sorrowful flamenco hymns, written in minor keys, are played by the Semana Santa bands to set the desparing tone of the processions. The hymns of the band, the wailing saeta singers, and the cries of the pregoneros who bring the story of Jesus's crucifixion, can be heard from miles away. Sharing in the deeply rooted Christian traditions on this very special week is definitely worth your while.

Los Procesiones During the processions, a man or woman will often burst out in a saeta, and the entire procession comes to a halt until the song is finished. The singers are sometimes part of the procession but other times they stand on the balcony of a second story and sing over the massive crowd below. The Cofradias must plan the procession so that the timing of the saeta and the stopping of the floats are perfectly coordinated.

The music of Semana Santa is usually in minor keys and is obviously extremely sorrowful. The brassy instruments like trumpets and saxophones help most in creating this sound.

Cofradías-The Organizers Cofrades or Cofradías, "brotherhoods" in English, are religious associations that care for the images of Jesus Christ and Mary throughout the year while planning the next Semana Santa events and celebrations for their city.

These associations meet both

Why the Scary Outfits...?

Preparation

The preparation for Semana Santa is much more in-depth than meets the eye. Thousands of visitors come from all over the world to see the Holy Week processions of Spain, and especially in places like Sevilla and surrounding areas of Andalucía.

There are official mapped out routes for each procession of the week, and someone is in charge of organizing police and other security to work throughout this holiday to maintain the peace. Also important, are the cleaning crews each night that come through after each procession and clear litter from the streets.

Seating is another aspect. Some municipal authorities provide special theatre type seating for certain processions whose routes follow main streets. This seating must be booked well in advance and can be quite costly. Members of the Cofradias also coordinate groups of men to carry the crosses and lanterns of the procession and most importantly, to carry the huge floats upon their backs. Weeks and even months before Easter, it is not uncommon to run into a group of 30 men walking closely together in sync, bearing heavy replica floats upon their backs, practicing intently for the real week to arrive.

individually and separately throughout the year. They can be considered the heart of Holy Week. The cofrades were formed in the 16th century to plan Holy Week. They abide by strict regulations that ensure they are true Catholics and do not include pagan traditions in their Holy Week events.

Each of these groups takes their

task extremely seriously, as they organize themselves into groups with hierarchy and committees.

They guard the elaborate figures of Jesus and the Virgin Mary and other saints. Each year, tedious care is used to prepare the best new custom clothing for the figures.

The “Nazarenos” or “Penitentes” may initially catch Americans off gaurd, as their costumes resemble those worn by the Ku Klux Klan. These costumes actually have no sinister meaning. The Spanish reasoning for wearing these costumes is completely different than that of the KKK. The coneshaped “capirote” symbolizes a rising toward the heavens. The Penitentes are seeking forgiveness for their sins, and the shape of the capirotes signify their penance and yearning to be closer to the heavens. They hide their identities as they mourn the pain and suffering of Jesus Christ on the cross. On Easter Sunday, each person removes his capirote in jubilation of Jesus's resurrection from the dead. Nazarenos are traditionally all male, but in recent years, many young girls and women have begun to wear the costumes. No one can decipher between males and females behind the disguise.

http://web.schc.sc.edu/

Semana Santa

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES march 2015

www.soltimes.com

Rojales mayor helps rescue abandoned pony

A pony found tangled in ropes and wandering along the river in Rojales has been rescued with the help of Rojales mayor Antonio Perez.

The Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre at Rojales was alerted to the case on March 1 by a member of the public, who spotted the abandoned pony and untangled her before calling police.

In a stroke of luck, Mayor Perez and several councillors were out on a women’s solidarity walk in the same area and quickly offered to help find the pony.

The pony was eventually located and, after gaining police permission, Sue and Rod Weeding collected the pony and brought her back to their Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre, where she will live permanently. We have named her Antonia in honour of the Mayor and for all the help he has given the Rescue Centre.

The centre now cares for more than 90 horses, ponies and donkeys saved from abuse and neglect.

Donations and sponsorships to help continue this important work are gratefully welcomed. Every cent donated or spent in the rescue centre’s network of eight charity shops across the Alicante

province goes toward the feeding and care of these animals.

Donations of furniture, clothing and bric-a-brack to stock the shops are welcome.

Please call 652 021 980 for more information about furniture pick-ups and volunteering.

A fund raising event has been organised by Roger Drew from the Campoverde Reef Band for the Rescue Centre on Saturday 21st March at the New Asturias restaurant Punta Prima.

Doors open at 7.30pm, tickets €5.00 each. There will be a bar, and food is available in the ground floor restaurant.

You can reserve your ticket at any of the Easy Horse Care charity shops, at the restaurant or at http://reefband. yolasite.com.

The Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre opens to the public for free on the first Sunday of every month from 1pm to 4pm. The first horse tour begins at 2pm.

Carrots and apples welcome.

The centre is located just outside Rojales at Partido Lo Garriga, 59. For more information and details on how to sponsor horses, please visit www. easyhorsecare.net.

7

Paris imposes car restrictions to fight pollution

A picture taken on March 18, 2015 shows the Eiffel tower and Paris' roofs through a haze of pollution, as the city is experiencing a periodic pollution peak On Wednesday last week Paris was covered in a thick haze obscuring the Eiffel Tower. Car ban imposed in polluted Paris The French authorities have introduced measures to combat a sharp increase in pollution affecting Paris and other cities in northern France.

On Monday the number of cars on the road in Paris will be cut in half - only motorists with odd-numbered plates will be allowed to drive.

Public transportation will be free as well car-sharing and bike-sharing programmes. ,Similar measures were put in place last year when pollution soared in Paris. The city saw a severe spike in smog on Wednesday last week and briefly had the world's dirtiest air, AP news agency reported quoting Plume Labs, a monitoring company. The mayor's office announced at the weekend that alternating number plate measures would be implemented on Monday, with exceptions for electric or hybrid vehicles as well as emergency vehicles.

A police officer checks the documents of a driver during the enforcement of pollution control measures in Paris on March 23, 2015. About 750 police officers are enforcing the restrictions in Paris, local media said Public transport is free on Monday in Paris and surrounding towns to try to entice drivers to leave their cars at home. About 750 police officers were being mobilised in the city and We have a drop off point for items to help its suburbs to enforce the Elche Children’s Home traffic restrictions which Benijofar C/Rambla 5 went into effect at 05:30 from Quesada turn right after Citroen Garage local time (04:30 GMT), Le Monde newspaper reported. Other cities are also imposing various Email: tcscuriositycorner@hotmail.es Facebook: cathy’s curiosity corner restrictions.

Cathy’s curiosity corner

The place to buy, sell & display your household furniture

OPENING TIMES:

Mon - Fri 10am-4pm Sat Closed

Tel: 622 899 906

TOP QUALITY ARTIFICIAL GRASS Installed by Qualified Professionals WEEKLY SERVICE SPAIN - UK - SPAIN

Onto existing ground, terraces, pool surrounds etc.

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

Call NEIL SMITH on 693 496 510 or 968 543 077 mands24@googlemail.com

WWW.ARTIFICIALGRASS.PRO

S W

NE FLASH

TEL 0034 603 336 463 - 0034 603 342 697 UK 0044 (0) 7860 529 052

8

SOLTIMES march 2015

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

Rock Ur Bootie for Alzheimers

After helping AFA raise a tremendous 465 Euros at Night With The Stars, Let Rock Shows will be again be inviting the charity to “Rock Ur Bootie” show at Quesada Country Club on Thursday March 26th.

AECC donation from Marathon Runner

The evening will be packed with Rock n Roll all the way for the energetic band “Frankie and The Booters” who have gained huge popularity during their Thursday afternoon rock n roll sessions in the venue.

Formed by lead vocalist and exuberant front man Francis Symons, the 4 piece band are all talented musicians in their own rights. Audiences who have attended have been amazed and delighted by the “brilliant entertainment” and superb sounds from Frankie and The Booters. They now have their own Facebook page and are being managed for future events by Jax Lawson of Lets Rock Shows.

AFA – Alzheimers Association are completely funded by charitable donations, and support sufferers and the carers of those affected by this cruel disease.

Volunteers are so devoted that they take no expenses, so that every cent goes to the cause.

They are desperately looking for more helpers who could spare a few hours or more of their time to help this worthy cause raise money. If you can help in anyway please call Matilda Sanchéz on 966 702 500/ 636 110 251 Tickets for the show are 13 Euros for Gold (main hall) and 12 Euros for Silver (Restaurant) and include meal with bread, salad and ali oli. Available from Quesada Country Club, Card Place Benimar, Cards and More La Marina or www.lrshows.com, email letsrockshowslive@gmail.com or call 697501992

Casa Mia Bar-Restaurant in El Chapparal has again raised money for AECC in Torrevieja. The WeighIn group that meets at the bar has raised a considerable amount for the charity but now Mark Daughtry, the owner of the bar, has raised an equally valuable €375 by running in the recent Torrevieja Half-Marathon.

Sponsorship money was shared with the S.A.T animal rescue charity, with AECC's share being handed to AECC Hospital Volunteer Ann Bissett. A large bag of uncounted coins was also handed over at the same time, but the amount of that is unknown at the present time. Thanks go to Mark, his generous sponsors and the anonymous donor of the coins.

SOLTIMES march 2015

www.soltimes.com

9

SOL FEATURE

TSB accepts Sabadell takeover deal

Operation will allow Spanish lender to follow in the footsteps of Santander and BBVA Spanish lender Sabadell in takeover talks with UK bank TSB

Local Walking Group

Are you interested in walking as a group within a radius of 55 minutes of Camposol and around the local area, we are running free group walks for people on Camposol and the local area. The walks are graded so you can choose which walks you would like to take part in.

We walk on a Friday and walks are listed on our group web site, for more information go to our website http://dramblers.yuku.com.

Our last walk was a moderate walk in the Aledo area “Cocon Del Enebro”; this was a 3:30hr moderate walk through some fantastic country side followed by a Menu Del Dia at a local Restaurant. We have over 100 walks both Moderate and Easy, you choose.

The management board of Banco Sabadell on Friday unanimously approved a takeover bid for TSB, the sixth-largest bank in the United Kingdom, according to a statement sent by the Spanish lender to the CNMV market watchdog. To cover the cost of the operation, Sabadell will undergo a capital increase of €1.6 billion.

The bank announced last week that it had made a preliminary offer that valued the British lender at €2.35 billion (1.7 billion pounds), for which it would pay €4.80 (340 pence) a share. The offer has been granted approval by the management board of TSB. At the same Sabadell meeting to approve the operation, the board agreed to a capital increase of €1.6 billion. The rest of the funds needed to seal the deal will come from the bank itself.

According to the statement sent to the CNMV, the Spanish bank has guaranteed part of the operation after reaching a deal with Lloyds Banking Group, the

main shareholder in TSB with a 40% stake. Sabadell will buy 49,999,999 shares in TSB, equivalent to 9.99% of its capital, and Lloyds has given an irrevocable undertaking to sell the rest of its shares. Lloyds is one of the current reference shareholders of Sabadell, with a 2% stake.

The operation will allow Banco Sabadell to follow in the footsteps of Santander and BBVA, and enter the British market via a retail bank. It would become the sixth biggest lender in the UK, with €30 billion of assets.

Since the negotiations between the two sides were made public, shares in the Spanish lender have been punished in the markets, losing around 8%. In contrast, TSB shares shot up yesterday to 326 pence, taking them very close to the offer from Sabadell.

Source: http://elpais.com/elpais

10

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES march 2015

Plastic £5 bank notes

A Scottish bank has beaten its rivals to become the first to produce mainland UK plastic banknotes.

Clydesdale Bank’s polymer £5 notes go into circulation from today, well in advance of the Bank of England following suit in 2016. Plastic notes on the Isle of Man had a short-lived existence between 1983 and 1988.

Apart from that, only millennium year commemorative £5 notes in Northern Ireland have been produced in a polymer version. The new notes are expected to last much longer and stay cleaner than their larger paper equivalent, while also being more difficult to counterfeit.

Clydesdale’s move has been timed to coincide with the 125th anniversary of the opening of the Forth Bridge, which features on the back. A total of 2million commemorative notes – worth £10million – will eventually enter circulation, the bank said yesterday.

As well as new security measures, the fivers carry a portrait of prominent engineer Sir William Arrol, whose company was responsible for construction of the Forth Bridge and other famous Scottish landmarks.

Clydesdale sought the help of Young Engineers and Science Clubs (YESC)

Scotland and its Bearsden Academy branch, along with YESC ambassador and former TV weathergirl Heather Reid, to stress test the new notes under conditions akin to them being in circulation.

Debbie Crosbie, the bank’s acting chief executive, said: “We take our responsibility as an issuer of banknotes seriously and are extremely proud to once again be leading the way in innovation.

“Our new polymer notes are more durable and secure, which will deliver a positive impact for the public and businesses.

“We have achieved that while also creating a striking and beautiful design, which celebrates an iconic Scottish landmark.” Clydesdale is the largest issuer by volume of notes in Scotland.

It introduces around £400million of new notes annually and reached the milestone of having more than £2billion-worth in circulation on a single day earlier this year.

The new £5 note is unlikely to be accepted in vending or self service machines to start with but this is expected to change in the coming months as machines are updated to recognise it..

More than 20 countries have introduced polymer for some – or in some cases all – of their banknotes. pressandjournal.co.uk

TRADE STANDS NOW AVAILABLE FOR THIS WEEKEND

Contact Anne on 650077882 teamharmony@icloud.com or pm me.

or

This promises to be a fantastic weekend which will include daytime demonstrations with professional Spiritual Mediums, entertainment with Martin Ross Lawford and Suzy G and her dancers plus trade stands including private readings, jewellery, cards, gifts and much more.

Entrance just €5 on each day only.

Opening times 12 till 5. Pay at the door.

Evening shows with one of the worlds greatest Spiritual Mediums the amazing COLIN FRY. These shows are strictly

ticket only and tickets will be available from FEBRUARY 25TH from www.colinfry. co.uk at a very special price of only €20pp each night.

Hotel accommodation is available at LACUMBRE hotel at an event special from €25pppn when booking a double room and includes a superb buffet breakfast. So why not join us for the weekend.

Colin along with his partner Mikey are Patrons of the animal charity ACTIN and all proceeds from this weekend will be going to this outstanding charity. www.teamharmony.com

Welcome GO SATELLITE!

g a reliable and informative company is vital.

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

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

3 49€

USUAL PRICE 399€

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

1.4 metre dish with HD receiver

one off payment

Come and visit us in our office based at: Calle Los Arcos No 7, Ciudad Quesada Open: Monday – Friday

Tel: 965 725 670 www.freetvspain.com all major credit & debit cards accepted

SOLTIMES march 2015

www.soltimes.com

Buying a Funeral Plan with

IBERIAN FUNERAL PLANS

will save you and your loved ones the heartache of dealing with Spanish red tape at a most vulnerable time.

Plans can be bought safe in the knowledge that we are legally registered not only in Spain but also Portugal & the U.K.

Plans start at only 3390€

and offer the facility to pay over a 60 months period without interest or VAT

Things you should know before buying a funeral plan!

Is the company fully Operative, Legal and Above Board?..................OURS IS (Spain, U.K. and Portugal) Is the money held in a “ring fenced” Funeral Directors Account.......OURS IS (B.B.V.A. and H.S.B.C. Banks) Is the company contracted with a Professional Funeral Director?.....OURS IS (Grupo A.S.V.) Is the company policy ethical and no hard sell?................................OURS IS

For a no obligation chat with a professional caring company contact

IBERIAN FUNERAL PLANS

Iberian Funeral Plans is a fully licensed and registered company in Spain, Portugal and the U.K www.iberianfuneralplans.com T: 965 993 498 – 951 203 994 – 952 491 788

11

12

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES march 2015

SOL health & beauty

Look Good

Feel Great

Tel: 950 121 936 sales@soltimes.com

Fatigue – 8 energy stealers!!

to sleep.

Solution: stretch often, get up and walk around, away from your desk or sofa.

Not sure what’s causing your fatigue? Here are some common energy zappers Frequent breaks will keep your body alert! that may be to blame – and tips on how to overcome them.

Poor posture wastes energy Being a couch potato A lot of your energy goes on keeping you upright. Bad posture – such as hunchSitting in one position for long periods of time can sap your energy, even if you’re ing forwards and slumping in your seat – puts your spine out of alignment. The watching the TV or using the computer. Your body equates the stillness with going more out of balance your spine is, the more your muscles have to work to compensate.

Solution: whether you're moving, sitting or standing still, try to make sure that your head is lined up over your body – not sticking out in front of it. Aim for your ears to be directly over your shoulders. benefits consultancy Crash dieting makes you tired Do you suffer from mobility problems, breathlessness/pain or falls/stumbles?

While it will boost your energy to lose excess weight, going on a crash diet isn’t helpful. Very low-calorie diets, especially ones that give you less than 850 calories Do you need help washing / dressing or a day, will make you feel even more tired and can damage your health in other supervision? ways.

You could be entitled to extra income by claiming UK Solution: lose weight by eating healthily, cutting out junk and sugary foods, and sickness / disabililty benefits while living in Spain reducing your portion size. Aim to lose no more than 2lbs a week.

Cabin fever For advice or to book a consultation call 950 169 729 or 663 297 568 It’s all too easy to become homebound, especially if you have a young child, you or visit www.ukbenefitsinspain.com work from home or you’ve been driven indoors by the cold days and long, dark nights of winter. However, lack of light and fresh air is a key cause of tiredness.

Solution: get out for a 10-minute walk at least once during the day, or when you're most tired. Even if it’s cloudy, you’ll be exposed to more natural light than inside and you’ll feel more alert. If you simply can't get out the door, a few minutes in a room filled with natural light may also help.

Urb. La Marina

Kim Clar k

Beautiful You Clinic Fully Qualified Aesthetic Practitioner

Line Filler Dermapen Micro Needling Semi -Permanent Make Up Laser Skin Rejuvenation Red Vein, Skin Tag, Wart, Mole removal.

Cosmetic Surgery Consultations Fractional co2 lazer & much more....

Sugary breakfast cereals Sugary breakfasts, such as processed cereals, pastries, muffins and toast with sugary spreads, will give you a quick surge of energy as your blood sugar peaks.

But your sugar levels will slump just as quickly a couple of hours later. The result?

You crash as you run out of energy.

Solution: to get a steady release of energy all morning long, eat a breakfast that’s based on unrefined starch. For example, home-made porridge with semiskimmed milk and a little honey, wholemeal cereal with fruit sliced over it, or an egg with wholemeal or granary toast. Try to choose breakfast cereals that are wholegrain and low in salt and sugar.

Constant worrying drains energy If you’re fretting about something all day long, your heart rate and blood pressure rise, and your muscles tighten, leading to fatigue and aches.

Solution: set some time aside to concentrate on your worries. Try to think of positive solutions, then put the worries out of your mind. Schedule that dental appointment for first thing in the morning, so you don't spend all day fretting about it.

Exercising too much Regular exercise is good for you, but working out intensively every day may not be good for your energy levels, especially if you’re a beginner or trying to get back in shape.

Solution: take a day off between strenuous bouts of exercise. Beware of leaving more than two or three days between sessions, or you might fall out of the habit.

Winter days increase fatigue The shorter days of winter disrupt your sleep/waking cycle, leading to fatigue.

Less sunlight in winter also means your brain produces more of a hormone called melatonin, which makes you sleepy.

Solution: Get outdoors into natural daylight as much as possible, do some exercise every day and eat the right foods for energy, such as fruit and veg.

AREA

in mAZARRON d e r i u q e staff r Est. in Spain over 10 years

Call Lynne on 965419906 or email beautifulyouclinic@hotmail.co.uk

KAMAGRA ORAL JELLY`S VIAGRA IN 50 SHADES OF BLUE

country club

Cuts from

5€

Modern & Traditional Gents Hairdressing

Call Darren The Barber Tel: 616 592 887 Opening Times: Mon-Fri 10am- 5pm OUT OF HOURS BY REQUEST

for all your bedroom products & ENHANCING PRODUCTS CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE

www.viagrasextoys.com All major credit cards Excepted Posted in plain Packaging

Promoting Wellness & Healthy Ageing Full Body Diagnostic Scan

EU Approved Medical Technolgy - Computerised Non-Invasive - 96% Accurate Detailed Analysis of all Body Systems & Organs Detection of viruses, bacteria, fungi & parasites Diagnosis of Diseases & Complications Detection of Toxins • Non - invasive Blood Test Allergy Test • Analysis of Chromosomes Identification of Personal Genetic Risks Recommended Natural Healing • Diet & Lifestyle Counselling

Only €120.00 - 10% Discount for Couples Appointments Only Free Follow - up Mini Scan & Consultation Call Dr Machi Mannu:

965 071 745

tel 0044 7462620003 text or call for any enquire`s agents required all area`s contact james

Email: johnwilliams38@hotmail.com

Clinic at 1161 Punta Marina Punta Prima, Los Altos In partnership with Sensitiv Imago Technology

n-332 alicante Centro Commercial



medb



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.

IS GOOD FOR YOU TOO



n-332 cartagena Punta Prima Rounabout Corte Chino

quesada



at the

SOLTIMES march 2015

www.soltimes.com

bicycle hire on the Costa Blanca

Bicycle holiday’s, tours and Bicycle hire Contact Gary Telephone: (0034) 646 879 289 and UK mobile 07583684019

Web: www.yourholidaybike.com Email: info@yourholidaybike.com “Your holiday bike formerly bikes 4U was established in April 2009, offering you bicycle hire for you and your family, we offer free drop off and collection service within 30KMS of our base Benejuzar.

Your holiday bike formerly bikes 4U is a web based company in the Vega Baja Valley in Costa Blanca south we can pre arrange your bicycle hire delivery before your arrival also arrange bicycle tours for all grades of fitness.”

Your Holiday Bike bicycle hire on the Costa Blanca

Table tennis tables darts pool tables snooker tables tel: 666 933 726 www.spainpool.com Operating in Spain for more than 13 years, San Luis Computers offer a full range of sales and services for all your computer needs. The company currently has new English laptops from 359€, and towers with Windows 7 from 359€ including IVA. Specialists in computer repairs including virus removal, upgrades etc. Telephone 966 785 625 or 619 963 018 or call into our shop at Zona Comercial 3 - La Siesta - San Luis - 03180 - Torrevieja - Alicante

YOUR FIRST STOP COMPUTER SHOP

In spain for over 13 years Commercial zone 3, San Luis www.sanluiscomputers.com john@sanluiscomputers.com tel: 966 784 286

Dr Hans C. Madsen DC (over 22 years experience with lasers) Member of the Danish, Spanish & European Association

SHOCKWAVE TREATMENT FOR ARTHRITIS

• PAINFUL FEET • BACK PAIN • SPORTS INJURIES • SPINAL INJURIES

LASER THERAPY SPECIALIST

www.chiropractor-benijofar.es info@chiropractor-benijofar.es C/Federico Garcia Lorca, No.90 –L8, 03178, 966 185 242 Benijofar (Opposite the Citroen Garage)

Monday & Wednesday 10am - 1.30pm 3pm - 6pm

693 371 616/617 Tuesday & Thursday 3pm - 6pm Friday 10am - 1.30pm

e u n e V Bar

The

Villamartin Plaza •“Geordie”/NUFC Supporters Bar •Loyalty Card & Drinks Offers •live sport on 6 screens Tel: (+34) 665 756 934 Email: venuebar@outlook.com Find us on Facebook

CARS R US is a family run business, we want to buy your car - for cash!

They also have over 30 cars for sale at their premises at CARS R US on the Lemon Tree Road between El Raso Roundabout and Moncayo Market, as well as offering a wide range of mechanical services such as tyres, air con regassing and engine diagnostics.

CARS R US will also help you to dispose of scrap vehicles legally, with all the paperwork.

CARS R US - Tel Tim on: 662 211 193

r

s “R“

All Vehicles Wanted for Cash

Cars Motor Homes Boats

US

SAN LUIS COMPUTERS

one for the boys

Ca

Your Holiday Bike

13

Wanted Cars for Cash

All Vehicles Wanted for Cash Tel: Tim On 66 22 11 993

Email: timcarsrus@yahoo.com

Re-Platemate has been established for a number of years in the Vega Baja area of Alicante District and our sole purpose is to enable the registration of foreign plated cars brought into Spain. Our aim is to provide a simple, stress-free and timely service, so that your vehicle is fully Spain-legal. We want you to be so satisfied with the service, that you would be happy to refer us to a friend or relative. As with any business, there is always somebody cheaper. Our aim is to provide a high quality, value-for-money service at competitive rates. Whilst the majority of our clients are British, we have also successfully re-plated vehicles from many other EU countries including Ireland, Germany and France as the process is essentially the same irrespective of the country in which the car is presently registered. Our service is designed to successfully take your vehicle through all of the phases necessary to make you a fully legal vehicle owner in Spain.

This specifically includes a matriculation engineer’s inspection and report (to satisfy the Spanish authorities that your vehicle is what it says it is on your present log book), ITV (MOT) inspection, presentation and exchange of your documents with various Spanish government departments in Alicante or Murcia, depending upon where you live. Also included in our flat- fee charge are the new number plates for your vehicle.

EU legislation states that vehicles must be registered, taxed and inspected (MOT) in the same country as which the owner normally lives. If your vehicle is in Spain for more than 6 months, then you need to re-register the car in Spain and drive on Spanish licence plates.

Contact: Alan 662 249 159 www. replatematecostablanca.com

“RE-PLATE” MATE GB

E

Don’t take a chance!

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

Alan 662 249 159

www.replatematecostablanca.com

14

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES MARCH 2015

LEGAL CORNER Hello and welcome to CanDu Computer a folder called ‘Trev’ Bytes. Over the time that we have (CanDuComputing is a discussed your computer needs and trade name), and one wants, we have talked about backing up for anyone else using your data. I would like to think that over this time, you have seen the wisdom of the server, including a the suggestion and made a safe copy of ‘Public’ folder where anyone can share. important pictures, music, videos and Then create folders inside ‘Trev’ called documents. If you have done that then ‘Videos’, etc. Repeat this for everyone you would have probably used a Memory using the server and don’t forget the Stick or external Hard drive as your chosen ‘Public’ folder as well. storage media (place).

4. Here is where it gets a little more Let me say, right now, that if you have difficult.

You will have to change the taken either of the options then you are in the brilliant minority (just as long as you access of each of the folders. You will have have taken the advice and time to make a to change the access of any folder to allow backup of your system and data)! Today’s the user to get to it. You have 4 choices suggestion is a little ‘left field’, a tad ‘out- – Share or Not Share and Total Access or there’! I’m going to suggest storing all Read Only. We want to share and have your data to a separate computer! “What!

More expense!!” (I am an honorary total access.

4. Now you have to go to ‘Trev’s computer’ Yorkshireman after all). “Don’t panic, Mr and search the network for your server.

Manwearing”! The process is reasonably Now you just ‘map’ your folders to a drive inexpensive and dead easy to do.

As with ever good recipe, you need an letter. You will also need to ‘map’ the ingredients list, and here is yours: 1 old ‘Pubic’ area to another letter.

P.C. (a new one is far more expensive From here you have complete access and far more power than will be needed to your space on the server. This is the to do the job!); A copy of windows XP (with passcode – although there are ways simplest possible way to store your around that!); A network connection (so information and offers little protection from you will be able to connect to it) and finally anyone else accessing your information. one or more internal hard disk drive(s) that There are tools that can help and Windows can store HUGE amounts of information 7 does provide much more in the way of (this is where you are going to store all restricting access to unauthorised users! you important information).

There are many other ways to store and Now for the ‘How To’.

1. Connect the Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor ensure the safety of your data and the one used by over 80% of the world’s internet and Network cable to the computer.

2. Install Windows XP if the computer servers is the Operating System (OS) doesn’t already have it installed. Get your called Linux! But that is far more difficult neighbour’s 10 year old to do it if you have to install and configure, but once done, is any worries (Chocolate or Cash makes for infinitely more stable and safe! a great bribe).

Contact me for free advice concerning 3. Decide how you are going to store your information! Look at your computer and your computer or tablet at the address or you will see in your documents folder are phone number below. folders for music, pictures, For further information or advice on videos and documents. computing,contact Trevor on 689 892 745 or Copy this idea (it works so canducomputing@hotmail.co.uk why not?). I would create

The American War

As a very late 40 something westerner; over the years American news stories and Hollywood films have drip fed me the story of the 'American' War (we call it the Vietnam War) from USA’s own (losing) point of view. In Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon as it’s also known, stands the War Remnants Museum which paints a different picture from my earlier diet of Platoon, Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket etc. The museum is set over 3 floors and to do it justice at least 4 hours are needed. The stories and facts are so harrowing that time needs to be taken to take it all in.

It’s refreshing and tearfully poignant to hear the 'home' sides account.

America was involved financially from the 1950’s supporting the French as they struggled to keep hold of Vietnam or Indochina as they called it. Vast mineral wealth was at stake and American leaders are on record saying they were happy to pay millions of dollars to France to keep their supply routes open. Successive American governments were also terrified that ‘commies’ would slowly

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

NON-RESIDENT INCOME TAX We are still receiving many enquiries about n o n - res i de n t income tax.

(What is it? / Do we really have to pay it if we do not rent out our property? / What do you recommend we do if we have never paid it?)

To avoid any doubts: If you are non resident of Spain and own a property you must file a non resident income tax return every year even if you have never rented out the property.

Please note that the tax office has no obligation of informing you of

this. Do not confuse this tax with rates (IBI), which is a local tax and nothing to do with non-resident tax. If you have never paid it I recommend you approach a solicitor like ourselves to take care of putting things back into good order, before they claim it with surcharges or worse still consider that if you are not filing it you must be a tax resident and come after you for your worldwide income and fining you for not filing a 720 declaration of worldwide assets obligatory for residents.

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.

Enjoy Stephens musings? Pop over to http://findmeahomeinspain.wordpress.com as the articles are posted on there too...and they’re a bit longer too! Findmeahome are always looking for quality homes for their sales and rental portfolios, please contact Stephen for a valuation: stephen@findmeahome.eu Telephone: 636 266 641

take over that part of the world.

By the time France was defeated; America was paying 80% of their military budget. Then in 1965 CIA it’s now acknowledged; faked an attack in the Gulf of Tonkin on an American Warship by the North Vietnamese navy which led to America initially sending 20,000 ground troops to Vietnam. By 1969 at the height of US involvement; 540,000 US Troops were in Vietnam. All in all over 8 million US troops served in the war.

The devastation the US led coalition had and still has on Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia by way of deaths, injuries, environmental damage and side effects caused by the bombing and use of chemical weapons was and is awful. About 3 million Vietnamese were killed during the war; most of them civilians. Agent Orange we have heard of but maybe not its deadlier cousins Agents’ Blue and White. Over 9 years America sprayed 75 million litres of defoliant. In the process they destroyed 5 million acres of mangrove forest and millions of acres of farmland. Soldiers were told that

by spraying they were stopping the enemy from eating when in fact all it did was starve civilians. Figures by the Red Cross show that a million people in the country still have health problems due the terrible health effects these herbicides cause.

The then leader of Vietnam Ho Chi Minh told America that they were not afraid to die fighting to free their country war and for every American death they would suffer ten deaths but America would tire first of the losses. In all over 58,000 Americans died with another 300,000 injured.

The Viet Cong were not Commies that was a rude nickname thought up to paint them in a bad light across the world. In fact they were a collection of all sorts of social and intellectual groups including socialist and yes communists; fighting basically to reclaim their homeland from first the French (1945-1954) then again from France/America until 1973. In fact the Viet Cong had less part in the conflict as time went on as the conventional

N o r t h Vietnamese Army took over military actions.

Of course the museum’s story is weighted against America and France – that’s how all victors write history but in this case there is something more. A sense of just how wrong the deeds of the colonial powers were. There’s a lot of space given over to thanking the vast support network worldwide that campaigned for the war to stop.

On the top floor is a huge photographic exhibition honouring the lives of all the photo journalists that documented the war in its various stages. Robert Capa (co - founder of Magnum) is immortalised here as in 1954 he died from a landmine, as did many others. In the corner of the gardens is a mock up of Coconut Tree Prison on Phu Quoc Island. But that is a story for another time.

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MARCH 2015

15

16

SOLTIMES MARCH 2015

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

PROPERTY supplement

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES march 2015

17

SOLTIMES PROPERTY SUPPLEMENT THE ONLY PROPERTY SUPPLEMENT ON THE COSTAS!!!!

LOOKING TO BUY OR RENT? FIND YOUR DREAM HOME INSIDE!

Rental Housing Prices Rose by 1.3% in February

The average price of housing for rent in Spain increased by 1.3% in February, month-on-month, to stand at 6.85 euros/m2 per month, according to the most recent data published by property portal, fotocasa.es. With regard to the year-on-year decline registered in February, of -0.7%, it is the smallest decline recorded in a month of February since February 2008, which shows that the decline in the price of rental housing is slowing month-by-month.

The property portal stated: “In recent months we have gone from registering declines in rental prices throughout almost the whole of the country, to registering monthly increases in most regions and in more than half of the provinces. This demonstrates that rental prices in Spain are tending towards stabilisation.”

Since the record rental prices reached in May 2007, of 10.12 euros/m2 per month, the price of rental housing has accumulated a decline of -32.3%. In fact, eight regions have registered declines in excess of -30% since the maximum prices of six years ago. The greatest reduction in rental prices relates to the

region of Aragón (-42.5%), followed by Cantabria (-37.6%), Valencia (-37%), Castilla-La Mancha (-35.8%), Murcia (-35%), La Rioja (-32.1%), Asturias (-30.4%) and Andalucía (-30.2%).

A total of 13 regions recorded rental price increases in the month of February, ranging from 1.6% in Catalonia to 0.1% in Cantabria and Galicia, while two regions registered declines – Valencia (-0.3%) and La Rioja (-0.4%).

The Basque Country remains the most expensive region, with the average price for renting a home standing at 10.05 euros/m2 per month, followed by Catalonia (9.14 euros/m2 per month) and Madrid (9.13 euros/m2 per month).

In contrast, the most affordable regions with regard to rental housing are Extremadura (4.48 euros/m2 per month) and Castilla-La Mancha (4.65 euros/m2 per month).

With regard to the Spanish provinces, some 29 of them recorded increases in the price of rental housing in February, compared with the month of January, with the increases ranging from 1.7% in Lleida to 0.1% for Cantabria and Málaga, while rental prices fell in 18 provinces, with declines ranging from -1.5% in Soria to -0.1% in Toledo and Valencia. Moreover, rental prices remained stable in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Burgos and Murcia.

Source: http://news.kyero. com/

Jim Mellon: Now is the time for Britons to buy European property

Jim Mellon, Britain's answer to Warren Buffett, says the euro has hit the bottom and now is the time for Britons to buy property in Germany, Finland or even Spain Entrepreneur and investor Jim Mellon has reportedly amassed a fortune of £850m by making the right calls and identifying various key trends or "money fountains".

He built his reputation after making spectacular amounts during Russia's transformation in the 1990s and more recently has seen his bold views on biotech pay off. Sometimes called Britain's answer to Warren Buffett, he co-authored Cracking the Code three years ago, which correctly predicted biotech investments would take-off.

In a new series of video interviews with Telegraph Money, he shares his views on the best investments today, how he built

his fortune and his worst investment mistakes.

Mr Mellon, who founded fund manager Charlemagne Capital in the Nineties and today has various interests including his own investment company Burnbrae, based in the Isle of Man, correctly called the slump in the euro a year ago ("my Jack Russell could have forecast the euro would fall") and explains why now is great time to buy property in northern Europe, and even Spain.

His calls don't always come on, having seen the value of his German property portfolio slide in the 2007/08 property crash.

The themes of his new book, Fast Forward, focus on how younger people can prepare for the quickening pace of disruption in the world, and how investors can profit.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

18

SOLTIMES march 2015

PROPERTY supplement

Home Rental Prices Fell by 0.6% in February

The average price of rental housing in Spain fell by 0.6% in February this year, compared to the same month in 2014, according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), published last week by the Spanish National Statistics Institute.

With this latest figure, rental prices have now accumulated 23 consecutive months of declines. This drop in rental prices is, however, less pronounced than the decline registered in the general CPI (-1.1%).

El Mundo reported that home rental prices fell in all regions, year-on-year, except for Catalonia, where they increased by +0.3%, and the Balearic Islands, where they

remained stable.

The regions where home rental prices registered the greatest declines were: Murcia (-1.9%); Navarra (-1.8%); La Rioja (-1.5%); Madrid (-1.3%) and Valencia (-1.3%), while the lesser declines were registered in: Castilla-La Mancha (-0.8%); Andalucía (-0.7%); the Basque Country (-0.6%); Asturias (-0.4%); Extremadura (-0.4%); Aragón (-0.3%); Galicia (-0.3%); the Canary Islands (-0.2%); Cantabria (-0.2%) and Castilla y León (-0.2%). With regard to the autonomous cities, rental prices rose in Melilla (+1%) and fell in Ceuta (-0.3%). keyero.com

Spain is Europe’s 2nd Most Attractive Country for Investors

According to a recent study carried out by leading commercial property and real estate services consultants, CBRE, 15% of European investors placed Spain as their favourite investment destination, behind only the United Kingdom, which was chosen by 31% of the investors surveyed.

This demonstrates that the improvement in the Spanish economy is being reflected in the opinion of real estate investors, which puts the country at the same level as Germany for the first time, and indicates that real estate investment in 2015 will consolidate the trend of the previous year, when the investment in Spain exceeded 10 billion euros.

The main reason for this positive trend is that the demand is no longer focused only on prime products in the major cities but has now spread to a broader spectrum.

Diversification into new locations and alternative products makes it more likely that this trend will be maintained, said the experts from CBRE. As part of this strategy of diversification, 32% of the investors have directed their interest towards real estate debt, which has established itself as the most popular alternative sector, reaching a volume of 49 billion euros in 2014, compared to 10

billion in 2012, while 27% of the investors opted for investment in student residences, followed by the leisure and health sectors, both with 17%.

Another of the conclusions of this report is that Madrid remains in second position, after London, with regard to which cities are most attractive for investment, and stands ahead of Paris, Berlin and Milan, while Barcelona takes the eleventh place in this ranking.

Moreover, ABC News reported that the increase in diversification due to the positive economic outlook has resulted in the

interest in investing in cities outside of the ranking top ten rising from 9% in 2013, to 19% in 2015. keyero.com

Home Sales Fell by 11% in January, Say Notaries

The sale of homes in Spain dropped by 10.9% year-on-year in January, to a total of 21,320 transactions, according to the most recent data from the General Council of Notaries. However, the Notaries stated that “despite the drop in the monthly figures, the data reflects a stabilisation in home sales”.

By type of dwelling, apartment sales showed a year-on-year reduction of 11.5%, mainly due to the sharp drop in sales of new apartments (-31.8%), while sales of second hand apartments fell by 7.6%, year-onyear, and sales of individual family homes reduced by 8.4%. With regard to prices, the average price per square metre of the homes purchased in January was 1,234 euros, which represents a decrease of 6% over the month of January 2014. This reduction is due both to the drop in price of apartments (-5.6% year-on-year), as well as to the reduction in the price of family homes (-6.4%). Within the category of apartments, the price per square metre for second hand apartments stood at 1,347 euros (-3.2% year-on-year), while the price of new apartments plummeted by -12.5%, year-onyear, to 1,624 euros per square metre.

In January there were also 5,230 transactions on other types of real estate (-20.1% year-on-year), of which 37% of

the transactions related to land or building plots. The average price per square metre of these transactions reached 167 euros (+9.9%).

The number of mortgage loans for the acquisition of a property increased by 9.9% in January, to 9,657 loans granted, due mainly to the increase in the granting of loans for the acquisition of a dwelling (+11.4%). The average value of the mortgage loans for the acquisition of a home reached 126,989 euros (+9.2%) and the average capital loaned for the rest of the real estate transactions amounted to 164,838 euros (+0.8%).

In addition, mortgage loans earmarked for construction registered growth of 21.8% in January, year-on-year, to 291 new loans.

The average value of these loans was 256,381 euros, which represents a yearon-year decline of 5.6%, due to the sharp drop in the average capital loaned for the construction of buildings other than housing (-58.8%).

El Economista reported that the percentage of home purchases which were financed through a mortgage stood at 41.5%, and that, in this type of transaction, the average amount of the loan was 76.2% of the property value.

www.soltimes.com

Plenty to gain in Spain!

Infographic reveals

Catalonia is the best place to buy a holiday home if you want to make a profit Spanish region's cottages will offer more in the long-run to buyers Orlando in Florida and New York not far behind in the running order Important to consider 'rentability' of cottage, as well as the local laws If you are looking for somewhere to buy a holiday cottage abroad, Catalonia has been named the best place to buy, with high rental yields and great tourism.

The Spanish region ranked high for return of investment alongside Orlando in Florida and New York City both in the US. Online holiday home insurance provider Schofields have compiled the most visited countries 2013, based on tourism figures and looked into the costs of purchasing property suitable for a family holiday let.

They took into consideration house prices of the most popular destinations, the average rental income to work out

When looking into the best places you can buy a holiday home abroad, the research found that Catalonia in Spain ranks top for return of investment. Spain consistently sees high tourist numbers year after year, coming in third place in 2013 with 60.7 million visitors to the country.

They also looked at the most popular regions for tourism in Spain for 2013 which were; Andalucia, Balearic Islands, Catalonia and Canary Islands. In Catalonia they found you could get 18.59 per cent return of investment on a holiday home property, the highest return of investment (ROI) Investors could see a potential gross rent each year of £26,215 which is based on occupancy over 25 weeks. This equates to an average of £1,048 weekly rental price, taking into consideration high and low season.

The average two bed property suitable for a holiday let in Catalonia will cost in the region of £140,981 (€177,000). The final figure does not include expenses for maintaining the property or local property charges in the region.

In second place was Orlando, in Florida with a ROI of 16.7 per cent and potential rental income (gross) of £9,510 and an average weekly rental price of £380.

The USA saw the second most visitors

return on investment for such a property.

Phil Schofield of Schofields Holiday Home Insurance said: ‘For those looking to invest in property, a holiday home is a great choice, especially abroad. Not only can you make money from rental incomes, but it also offers you an option to have somewhere to stay when you want a holiday.

‘The returns of investment we found were good, especially when you consider how long you keep the property. Obviously when looking for property abroad, you need to be aware of local laws and any costs that might be incurred in the country you’re buying in.’

in 2013, with 69.8 million and the most popular states in the US for tourism include; Los Angeles, Miami, New York City and Orlando. In Orlando you would only need to spend around or £56,791 ($91,000) for a two-bedroomed property suitable for a family holiday rental.

Although France saw the most tourists in 2013 with 84.7 million visitors their return on investment was not as favourable, with the best region for rental yields is Provence (Marseille) with ROI being 9.67 per cent.

The worst place for rental yields was China, although it saw 55.7 million tourists in 2013, possible rental income for its most popular regions is significantly lower than many other places. For maximum return of investment in China you would have to buy in the Xian region which offers 3.79 per cent ROI. The data was collected using tourism figures from 2013, average house prices for two bedroom, houses or apartments (depending on the region) and return of investment made before expenses for the holiday home being occupied for 25 weeks of the year. The figures also don’t include any possible tax being charged for the property or profits made. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/

PROPERTY supplement

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MARCH 2015

calida homes

The Name You Can Trust Established In Arboleas For 15 Years New office opening 2nd April 2015 at Calle Mirador, Arboleas, (the old Sophia’s gym) For the first time in Arboleas a combined property sales and legal team all under one roof.

Calida Homes, the longest established estate agents in Arboleas, are, along with Ivan de Backer (legal consultant) opening a new office on the main street of Arboleas.

Give us a call or come and see us to see how we can help you. For the competitive commission rates that we charge we do more than any other agent in the area or on the coast to get your property sold Price 98,000€

cla 6477

Absolute bargain Arboleas, 3 bed 1 bath huge bespoke swimming pool and jacuzzi calida homes

Price 74,950€

cla 6388

Valle del Este Golf Resort 2 bed 2 bath, lovely views communal pool

Calida Homes at the Second Home Exhibition Ghent March 2015 showcasing the area and some fantastic properties to prospective Belgian buyers

Calida homes property Consultancy s.l calidahomes@hotmail.com www.calidahomespropconsult.com

Office: 0034 950 430 763 Richard: 0034 634 302 801 - Andrea: 0034 697 875 717 Administration Guidance and legal consultancy for more than 15 years in the area

Coming soon new premises in Arboleas in association with Calida Homes Property Consultancy S L

Services will include: *Free property paperwork checks for sellers looking to sell their property.

bring your paperwork along to our legal clinic for a free check and make sure that the sale goes smoothly. *Fiscal identification number (NIE) *Fiscal representation *Wealth tax* Property tax *Inheritance tax *Assistance in purchasing or selling property *Wills *Vehicle matriculation We speak English

wij spreken Nederlands

On parle Francais

Tel: 950 430 763 Ivan L. de Backer (+34)670 65 08 23

multiserviceproperties@yahoo.es

19

20

PROPERTY supplement

SOLTIMES MARCH 2015

www.soltimes.com

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

€115,000

Beautiful sea facing 2 bed / 2 bath Apartment with private parking. Terraces of 25 m² & 6 m².

Fully furnished. Ref.1595

Turre

€149,950

2 bed / 1 bath one level Villa with pool on plot of 400 m² in Agua Nueva. Roof solarium. Mature garden. Ref.1620

mojacar Playa

€199,950

Mojacar Playa

€90,000

2 bed / 2 bath ground floor Apartment set near Las Ventanicas beach & promenade. Terrace of 15 m² & patio of 27 m². Ref.1625

€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 Mojacar Playa

€199,950

vera

€240,000

3 bed / 3 bath semi detached Villa with sea views on small community with pool near amenities. Terraces & solarium. Ref.1137

3 bed / 2 bath detached Villa near beach, amenities & promenade. Air con & fire place.

Car port . Partial sea views. Ref.1560

Opportunity! 3 bed / 2 bath Villa +1 bed / 1 bath Annex. Plot of 5.851 m². Few minutes to town.

Landscaped gardens & olive grove. Ref.1200

Mojácar playa

turre

Mojácar Playa

€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

€299,999

Fantastic opportunity! 4 bed / 4 bath Villa with pool & basement on plot of 10.648 m² near village. Mature garden. Ref.1551

Mojácar playa

€120,000

Nice southeast facing 2 bed / 1,5 bath Townhouse with sea views near promenade & amenities. Large sunny terrace. Ref. 1572

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

€249,950

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

€550,000

3 bed / 2 bath Villa with sea views & sea salt water pool near promenade on amazing plot of 1285 m². Mature garden. Ref.1623

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.

O www.soltimes.com

PROPERTY supplement

SOLTIMES MARCH 2015

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...it’s all in the detail

BEDAR

375,000 €

OLV928

This beautifully appointed 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom villa is located just below the picturesque village of Bedar. The property is just minutes from the village, easily walking distance, however it feels private and secluded.

LUBRIN

119.950€

OLV790

MOJACAR

370,000€

OLV539

This spacious and private property sits in its own grounds in a quiet location minutes from the coast of Mojacar. There are 3 / 4 bedrooms in this beautiful property and it also boasts a separate large studio apartment.

ALFAIX

115,000€

OLV831

This great duplex is light and spacious and has a large front terrace, parking and a private back courtyard garden. There are 3 beds, 2 baths and a lovely communal pool shared by only a handful of properties.

TURRE 45,000€ OPEN TO OFFERS

VALLE DE ESTE

OLV906

OLV830

78,000€

A detached 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom character Cortijo, surrounded by approx 1 hectare of land, The property has benefited from being updated by the present owners, retaining much character and charm.

This second floor apartment is located in the town of Turre, less than 10 minutes to the coast. The property boasts 2 bedrooms and large living room and two terraces, Furniture included.

This two bed, two bath apartment top floor is on of the most sought after developments in Valle de Este golf course. With impressive views and quality fixtures and fittings throughout this is a great apartment with many extras.

MOJACAR PUEBLO 102,000€

LUBRIN 279,000€ OPEN TO OFFERS

SORBAS 135,000€ recently reduced

OLV946

OLV864

This lovely, modern 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment is newly built and located in the very pretty town of Mojacar pueblo, 5 minutes from the coast and beaches. Its boasts a very large terrace of 40m2 with panoramic sea views.

TABERNAS

ONLY 95,000€

OLV922

This good sized 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom villa is situated in the countryside, 5 minutes from the historical town of Tabernas and just 25 minutes to the city of Almeria. The property boasts a large swimming pool and 10,000m2 of flat land planted with many Almond and Olive trees.

This fabulous property consists of a cortijo, separate little annex, private pool and numerous outbuildings. It has been beautifully restored and boasts a little “cottage” in the grounds with a new roof ready for conversion to a guest annex. This is a beautiful property in a lovely location approximately 30 minutes to the coast.

OLV747

This 3 bed , 2 bath villa is a rare find situated in a beautiful and scenic location, just a 25 minute drive from the stunning coastal resort of Agua Amarga in the Cabo de Gata National Park.

BEDAR ( Los Pinos) 175,000€

BEDAR

OLV889

OLV822

This very interesting property is quirky in style and located in the pretty village near Bedar. The property has lots of interesting features and would make a very good permanent home or holiday lock up. The property has room for a plunge pool also.

365,000€

This wonderful and established 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom property is situated just outside the beautiful and picturesque village of Bedar, and only a 20 minute drive from the coastal resort of Mojacar. It boasts a private pool, 3 garages and a separate apartment , all on 20,000 m2 of land.

21

22

SOLTIMES march 2015

PROPERTY supplement

www.soltimes.com

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

● VH757 €55,000 CEE E38 24

● VH121 €148,000 CEE E46 24

● 1 / 2 bed, 1 bath Village House

● 4 bed, 3 bath Village/Country House

● Full of character & small garden

● 1,135m2 walled garden

● Ideal 1st foot on the ladder

● 8m x 4m heated swimming pool

● 10 mins drive to San Juan

● 12 mins drive to Huercal-Overa

URGENTLY WANTED PROPERTIES FOR OUR DUTCH & BELGIAN CLIENTS IN THE HUERCAL-OVERA, ZURGENA, LA ALFOQUIA & TABERNO AREA

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK VH749 VILLA HUERTA - ONLY €89,000 ABSOLUTE BARGAIN, 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom villa on a 449m2 plot on the edge of a village in a quiet close, walking distance to a restaurant, bar, shop, school and doctors.

The furniture is also for sale.

This lovely villa comprises of a covered front porch, large living room / dining room with log burning fireplace and pre-installation for air con, fully fitted kitchen with white goods. 2 double bedrooms, both with hot & cold air con. Bedroom 1 has an en suite and walk in wardrobe, bedroom 2 has large fitted wardrobes. There is then a family bathroom with bidet and a shower over the bath.

Outside is a walled and gated garden with driveway, fly free conservatory, secure block built storage shed and a wooden garden shed.

The A7 motorway and major town of Huercal-Overa with its twice weekly market, shops, restaurants and hospital etc is less than 10 minutes drive away and the coast at San Juan de Los Terreros and Mojacar is 35 minutes away.

URGENTLY WANTED long term rental PROPERTIES IN THE HUERCAL-OVERA, ZURGENA & LA ALFOQUIA AREAS

● VH752 €425,000 CEE TBC

● VH751 €189,950 CEE F57 77

● VH649 €239,950 CEE E26 12

● 5 bed, 3 bath Luxury Country Villa

● 3 / 4 bed, 3 bath Country House

● 5 bed, 3 bath 250m2 County House

● 324m2 build / 65,000m2 of land

● 1,230m2 fenced garden

● 26,000m2 of land

● 8m x 5m swimming pool

● Swimming pool

● Swimming pool

● 12 mins drive to Huercal-Overa

● 12 mins drive to Huercal-Overa town

● 12 mins drive to Huercal-Overa town

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

www.vosshomesspain.com

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

www.soltimes.com

Beware underlying fees on offshore bonds

PROPERTY supplement

SOLTIMES march 2015

23

Home Sweet Home

s.yimg.com

Property Services

Many investors are unaware of high charges that can eat into their wealth, according to finance experts Expat investors using offshore bonds as a way to boost their wealth could be paying nearly £89,000 in fees on a £100,000 investment over 20 years, it has been claimed.

This would leave them with an annual investment return equivalent to less than 0.1 of a percentage point.

Analysis by financial services firm AES International has found that many offshore bonds being sold to expats are potentially inappropriate, and “will struggle to make money for clients because they are weighed down by heavy and undisclosed underlying fees paid to advisers, product providers and investment managers”, according to chief executive Sam Instone.

He added: “Unfortunately there is a lack of transparency within the offshore investment bond market, and many clients are therefore unaware that these plans can be opaquely loaded with high charges. This makes it very unlikely they will see any real returns.”

The figures calculated by AES International sugggest that on an offshore bond, an investor can expect to pay between 0.5pc and 1.5pc of the investment value annually to the bond provider, a fixed £400 annual charge and a 0.5pc to 1.5pc "establishment charge" for the first five to 10 years, paid to the adviser. In addition, they may also pay an initial commission to the fund manager of 4-8pc and an annual management charge ranging from 1-3pc.

Mr Instone said: “To illustrate the point: a portfolio of £100,000 growing at a rate of 5pc per year for 20 years would only actually achieve a return of 0.08pc per year, due to the typical underlying charges. This would leave the portfolio at a value of £107,768 after the 20-year term and mean charges of £88,698 were paid.

The lack of regulation in the offshore market place can

BUY SELL RENT MAINTAIN

make it extremely difficult for expats to identify exactly how much they are paying in fees for their investments, according to Anna Sofat, founder of Addidi Wealth. She recommended that expat investors ask their adviser to explain all of the charges applicable to any investment product in full so that they are clear at the outset.

While many offshore advisers are unregulated, the UK adviser market is heavily regulated, and it is possible to find a UK-based adviser that specialises in offshore advice, said Ms Sofat, so you can effectively have the best of both worlds.

Sorce: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

VERA APARTMENT FOR RENT SHORT-TERM/HOLIDAY RENTAL

TREE SURGEON & GARDENER EST. OVER 25 YEARS Tel: Nick (+34) 634 396 327 (+34) 699 107 072 Email: rockatree@hotmail.co.uk

RENTALS?

Short and long term lets available, in & around Camposol.

More properties also needed.

For more info, contact Tracey Tel: 0034 699107072 Email: camposolvillas4rent@yahoo..co.uk Web: camposolvillas4rent.co.uk

2 BEDROOM, 2 BATHROOM, pENTHOUSE APARTMENT IN VERA PLAYA ALL MOD CONS, BALCONY & ROOF TERRACE OFFERING FANTASTIC VIEWS

cALL 663 977 230 EMAIL: gedfab@yahoo.com Vera Playa Apartment

detatched cortijo reduced

bargain

€125,000

20 mins from mojacar, 4 beds, 2 baths, Open plan living areas, kitchen & diningroom as well as a workshop, courtyard front & back & room for a pool. Mountain views.

649 186 107

or email thunderpaul2003@hotmail.com

CALL 950 121 936 EMAIL: SALES@SOLTIMES.COM

3 bed park home for sale

price €59,000

Situated a short walk from the village of Los Lobos, the property comprises of 3 bedrooms, 1 with en suite bathroom, a large lounge/diner, fully fitted kitchen, shower room, private garden and parking.

The rear terrace benefits from a spacious lifestyle enclosure with mountain views.

Tel: 634 351 907

24

PROPERTY supplement

SOLTIMES march 2015

www.soltimes.com

Inditex profits surge in European recovery sign

The rise brought its net profit to 2.5 billion euros ($2.65 billion), the group said in an earnings statement on its 2013-2014 financial year ending in January.

It said net sales rose eight percent to 18.12 billion euros. Inditex is the biggest clothing firm in the world by sales.

Europe accounts for two thirds of Inditex's sales but it is expanding worldwide.

It opened 343 new stores in 2014 including in Shanghai and Miami, bringing the total to 6,683 stores worldwide include high street brands such as Massimo Dutti and Bershka.

It said it hired more than 8,700 new staff last year, including 1,800 in its home market and logistic base Spain, which is gradually recovering from an economic crisis "We continue to see huge growth opportunities in both western and eastern Europe," said its chief executive Pablo Isla. " W e believe Repairs to Washers, Dryers, t h a t Electric Cookers, Dishwashers, Inditex Fridges and Freezers is in an All makes, Torrevieja and surrounding e xc e ll e nt position areas 20 years experience to take Call Stewart on fast reliable service office advantage of global 966 785 451 / 654 939 202hours 10 - 4 growth FREE CALL OUT Small call out on Fridges

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

Internet anywhere

the Pro be bab ly s on t ser Co the vice sta s

DOMESTIC APPLIANCE REPAIRS

Liberty Seguros

Urb.Camposol Sector A C.Center

20M Internet from €29.90 - No phone line required!

• Pc Sales & repairs • Virus Removal • Data Recovery • We come to you

• Denia to Mazarron & Inland

• Save money with our VoIP telephone service • Why pay more for less?

Call Clive NOW on 966 260 403 / 648 883 202 or visit www.clivegraycomputers.eu

We will move it!!

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

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

Email: wewillmoveit@hotmail.co.uk

COAST 2 COAST

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

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

coast2coasttransport@hotmail.com www.coast2coastremovals.com

Harriett Richardson Insurance Broker

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

Est. 2006

opportunities," he told a news conference Wednesday at Inditex's headquarters in northwestern Spain.

The company said it planned to further expand this year by opening up to 480 new high street shops, including a flagship store in New York's SoHo district and one in London's Oxford Street.

Inditex shares were 2.31 percent higher in mid-morning trading Wednesday on the Madrid stock exchange, whose key index was slightly down overall.

The results come a few days after the fortune of Amancio Ortega, founder of the Zara clothing store chain, reached a new financial milestone.

The fortune of Spain’s wealthiest man surpassed the €60 billion mark for the first time on Monday thanks to the rising share price of Inditex. when his fortune moved past the €60 billion mark for the first time on Monday.

Spain´s wealthiest man is now even richer thanks to the rising share price of Inditex, the textile giant he created in 1985.

The Galician-born creator of the textile company that was started in 1985 holds a 59.29 percent stake in the group, whose shares were trading at a historic high of €28.81 on Monday in anticipation of Wednesday's year end results.

Source: http://www.thelocal.es/

CURTAIN & BEDDING STORE

large selection - great quality - great prices

SARAH & TONY TURLEY T: 966 848 980 or 642 308 654 C/C Los Dolses, Villamartin

Next to the card shop near the canal.

www.readymadecurtainoutlet.com

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

Full bathrooms or just makeovers and handyman service.

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

Call David on 634 286 590

G.T.AUTOS LOS DOLSES S.L

THE ONE STOP CAR CENTRE

WANTED

BEST PRICES PAID CARS FOR CASH

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

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

Tel.. 605 305 405

SOLTIMES MARCH 2015

www.soltimes.com

25

John MacDonald (El Sordo) www.caratacus.eu

viewpoint

The Plot Thickens

Rodriquez, after his defeat at the polls and subsequent loss of control over the affairs of Alqueria tried to break the coalition party of Manuela and Loco Paco. After attempting to ingratiate himself with Paco, which led to failure and the annihilation of a regiment of Saharan Dung Beetles, Rodriquez decided to start a sleaze campaign against the Prime Minister Manuela.

Rodriquez’s politics are ultra right-wing as is his outlook on life, although he only applies his standards to others and never himself. He therefore thought that starting rumours about Manuela’s private life and in particular her prowess with the opposite sex would force her to resign.

Unfortunately for Rodriquez he couldn’t even begin to imagine the antics Manuela got up to with her retinue of men friends.

His rumours fell far short of the actual truth. Manuela, feeling that his accusations lessened her kudos with the opposite sex took him to one side to ‘mark his card’. After a torrid and worryingly detailed account of her latest sexual liaison Rodriquez decided that her truth was certainly stranger than his fiction.

These two failures to break the new Alquerian leadership convinced Rodriquez that he should remove the ‘velvet gloves’ and take more direct action. He mooted the problem with his evil associates in the back room of the La Golondrina Verde.

The taberna is exclusively used by the Hillpeople and therefore ‘friendly territory’.

The ‘Achilles Heel’ of Alqueria was sought.

The one thing that the entire population relied on and would therefore be dissatisfied if deprived of it. A dissatisfied population would ultimately blame the

spring forward

government. Rodriquez would then restore whatever it was and be the saviour of the Village Republic.

After several nights without sleep Rodriquez found his answer. Remitroot, he would somehow stop the supply of Remitroot. The fact that this solution was so obvious gives some clue as to the man’s intellect. Without Remitroot and the range of products derived from it Alqueria could not function.

Remitroot Whisky and wine kept half the population in a state of permanent intoxication. Loco Paco relies on ‘Remitroot a la Plancha’ to feed himself and his pet Saharan Dung Beetle Benjy. In this form Remitroot is an hallucinogenic, this of course explains a great deal. Antonio Poyato not only drinks, eats and wears Remitroot products he lags his water pipes with it as well. Manuela relies on Remitroot’s properties as an aphrodisiac to keep her men friends in tiptop condition, while an occasional libation of the liqueur loosens her up ready for a night of concerted action.

Will Rodriquez succeed in his dastardly plan?How will the not so gentle folk of Alqueria survive without Remitroot?

We shall see?

Each year, in the wee hours of a Sunday morning in March, 60 minutes vanish from the clock and the time reappears each year in November! No, it’s not a magic trick — it’s Daylight Saving Time!

Daylight Saving Time (or “Summer Time,” as it’s known in many parts of the world) was created to make better use of the long sunlight hours of the summer. By “springing” clocks forward an hour in March, we move an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening. On the first Sunday in November, we “fall back” and rewind our clocks to return to Standard Time.

But where did Daylight Saving Time come from?

And how is it useful?

The idea was first suggested in an essay by Benjamin Franklin in 1784, and later proposed to British Parliament by Englishman William Willett 1907. However, it did not become a standard practice in the United States until 1966. Daylight Saving Time was originally instituted in the United States during World War I and World War II in order to take advantage of longer daylight hours and save energy for the war production.

In the years after World War II, individual states and communities decided whether they wanted to continue observing Daylight Saving Time and when to do so. This meant some cities were an hour behind others even though they were only separated by a few miles on a map.

In order to minimize the confusion, Congress passed the Uniform Time Act in 1966, which standardized the length of Daylight Saving Time for the country.

Daylight Saving Time is most helpful to those who live farther from the equator, where daylight hours are much longer in the summer than in the winter.

In locations closer to the equator, daylight hours

Prima Donnas The laptop started it. It decided, for no apparent reason, that it would censure my sent emails. It was quite happy to allow me to receive emails from the entire world and his cousin, and to reply to the entire world and his cousin as well as his aunts and uncles. But it refused to countenance communication to 2 perfectly blameless friends. 4 Times I sent emails to these honest and upright citizens, only for them to come back as ‘undeliverable’.

Eventually, however, I wore down its resistance, and it suddenly decided that it could, after all, allow me to make contact. But did it explain itself, or apologise? No. Then the printer had an attack of the vapours. It willingly printed out something for Pete, yet minutes later, when I wanted it to do the same for me, it announced that it couldn’t possibly!

Why not? I asked.

Because my magenta’s empty, it replied pictorially.

I only want black, and you’ve got an almost full black. I pointed out.

It pursed its lips and tossed it’s hair, or would have, if it had had lips and hair. I’ve got to have pink. It insisted. How can you expect me to print black if I haven’t got pink? So unreasonable!

I stared at it, lost to it’s logic. It went Tch, and sighed heavily.

All right, I’ll get you pink!

I got pink. It printed, though I still fail to see why pink is essential to black. Now it was the laptop’s turn again. I turned on the power on the plug, pushed its own integral power button, and waited

and nighttime hours are nearly the same in length throughout the year.

That’s why many equatorial cities and countries do not participate in Daylight Saving Time. In the United States, there are only a few places that do not observe Daylight Saving Time, including parts of Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa.

There are currently about 70 countries that participate in Daylight Saving Time, though not necessarily on the same schedule as the United States. Determining who recognizes Daylight Saving Time and when can sound like a very complicated math word problem.

In Europe, Daylight Saving Time runs from the last Sunday in March through the first Sunday in October. In the southern hemisphere, where the summer season begins in December, Daylight Saving Time is recognized from December through March. Kyrgyzstan and Iceland observe Daylight Saving Time year-round; equatorial countries do not observe Daylight Saving Time at all.

Advocates in support of Daylight Saving Time suggest that in addition to reducing crime and automobile accidents, extended daylight hours also improve energy conservation by allowing people to use less energy to light their businesses and homes. Opposing studies argue the energy saved during Daylight Saving Time is offset by greater energy use during the darker autumn and winter months.

- See more at: http:// wonderopolis.org

By Jos Biggs

josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk while it reluctantly got out of its metaphorical bed and put its clothes on.

The signal that it is dressed and ready is picture of a cute kitten, under which I have to type in my password.

I checked the mouse was on, pulled out the keyboard and typed in my password. It ignored me completely – the kitten remained cute, and the password box remained blank.

Maybe it hadn’t heard me, I thought. So I typed my password again. Actually I typed it in half a dozen times, but each result met with the same blank silence.

Now what was the matter with it?

‘Pete’ I called. ‘The laptop is ignoring me. Have you done something to it?’

‘Have you remembered to plug in the keyboard?’

Oh. No, I hadn’t.

Well, it could have told me, couldn’t it? Blooming Prima Donna machines!

dont forget to put your clocks forward on saturday night before you go to bed

Sol PUZZLE pages

26

The X Factor Live Tour 2015

The Open 2015

Michael McIntyre Happy & Glorious Tour Following the successful “Showtime” tour 2013

Now is your chance to see The X Factor live

Experience The Open at the Home of Golf.

Practice day tickets from £10

BOOK YOUR TICKET PLUS MUCH MORE - LOG ON TO WWW.SOLTIMES.COM

1

sol logo quiz ! can you name these famous brands?

2

3

4

5

wordsearch

ANSWERS

1. Land Rover 2. DELL 3. RBS 4. Nestle Birds 5. Porsche

on this day March 31

627 - Battle of the Trench: Muhammad undergoes a 14-day siege at Medina (Saudi Arabia) by Meccan forces under Abu Sufyan.

1492 - Queen Isabella of Castille issues the Alhambra Decree, ordering her 150,000 Jewish and Muslim subjects to convert to Christianity or face expulsion.

1889 -The Eiffel Tower is officially opened.

1942 - W W II: Japanese forces invade Christmas Island, then a British possession.

1985 - The first WrestleMania, the biggest wrestling event from the WWE (then the WWF), takes place in Madison Square Garden in New York.

soltimes golf Quiz

1. What was Geraldine Rees the first to do in 1982?...................

Computer Jargon

Find all of the computer words that are hidden in the grid.

The remaining letters spell an additional computer word.

soltimes International Cuisine Quiz

2. Who was Britain’s first million pound footballer?.........

cold?...................................................................

3. Who is the only Olympian to have won gold medals in four different summer Olympic

2. What forms the base of the Indian dish raita?...

Games?..................................

1. What is the name of the Spanish soup served

4. Brad Friedel of the USA was the first goalkeeper in the 2002 world cup to do what?..............

3. Which fish is the traditional ingredient of the Scandinavian dish called Gravad Lax?..................

4. Which vegetable (in cooking it is a vegetable,

5. Who, in 1980, was the first overseas player to win the World Snooker Championship?........................

by definition it is a berry and a fruit) do Americans call Eggplants?....................................

5. What name is given to the Japanese dish of

6. Where, in 1896, did the first Modern Olympic Games take pl ace?.........................................

thinly sliced meat, vegetables and seasoning all cooked together quickly, usually at the table?......

6. Which vegetables, popular in Chinese dishes,

7. Which country were the first ever winners of football’s World Cup?........................................

9. If you saw canard on a French Menu, what type of meat would be on offer?...................................

10. From which country did the dish chilli con carne originate?...................................................

Brain Teasers Answers 10. USA

5. Sukiyaki

9. Duck

4. Aubergine

8. Turkey (Thanksgiving)

3. Salmon

7. Cheese

2. Yoghurt

6. Water Chestnut

CRYPTIC crossword

CROSSWORD

1. Gazpacho

SOLUTIONS

DR IVER E MOTICON E THER NE T FAQ FIRE WIRE FONT FREE WARE G IG ABY TE HACK ER HAR DWARE INPUT JAVA JPEG K E YBOAR D LINUX

wordsearch answer

MENU MODE M MULTIMEDIA NE TIQUE T TE OPEN PA SSWOR D PCI PER IPHER AL PORT PR INTER REBOOT RESOLUTION SAVE SCROLL SERVER

standard SUDOKU

the fourth Thursday in November?.......................

A SCII BANDWIDTH BIOS BUG C ACHE CHIP COPY CPU CR A SH C YBER SPACE DATABA SE DESK TOP DISK DOCUMENT DOWNLOAD

easy SUDOKU

8. Which meat is traditionally eaten in the USA on

SMILE Y SOUNDC AR D SPY WARE TER AFLOP TROJAN HOR SE UPLOAD USB USER NA ME VIRUS WEB BROWSER WINDOWS ZIP FILE

MOTHERBOARD

have been offered?..............................................

8. Which famous race between two teams, was first staged in 1829?.......................................

9. How old was Lester Piggott when he won his first Epsom Derby on Never Say Die?...........

10. What was the first city in the Southern Hemisphere to host the Olympic Games?.........

Answers

squiggle SUDOKU

Dunlop or Excelsior, what type of food would you

6. Athens 7. Uruguay 8. University Boat Race 9. 18 10. Melbourne

7. If you were offered a choice between Brick,

1. First woman to complete a Grand National 2. Trevor Francis 3. Steve Redgrave 4. Save a penalty 5. Cliff Thorburn

are the bulb like stems of the bulrush?................

27

Sol PUZZLE pages

Sales Vehicles always in Stock • 2006 • 99,000 km• One Owner Servicing & Repairs all makes & models from new Opening Hours: • some service Mon~Fri 9.30am - 7pm & history Sat 10am - 2pm Workshop: 950 459 209 3995€

car of the week

Antas Across 1. Oversight (5) 6. Stadium (5) 7. Teach (7) 9. Soaked (3) 11. Chart (3) 12. Taxi (3) 15. Pay close attention to (4) 17. Large and scholarly book (4) 18. Mistake (5) 19. Frozen region (5) 20. Railroad track (4) 22. Exude (4) 23. Small vegetable (3) 24. Was seated (3) 26. Obtain (3) 27. Sweepstake (7) 30. Type of farm (5) 31. Stingless male bee (5)

opel corsa 1.7 CDTI

phone or check our website for more cars

Sales: 950 459 136 Email: costacoches@mail.com

www.costacoches.net

Down 1. Man or boy (3) 2. Type of starch (4) 3. Nut (5) 4. Break suddenly (4) 5. Consume (3) 7. Endless (7) 8. Branch of biology (7) 9. Pup (5) 10. Spooky (5) 13. Astound (5) 14. Cloth cap (5) 16. Female deer (3) 17. Also (3) 21. Paved area (5) 24. Celestial body (4) 25. Small gull (4) 28. Peculiar (3) 29. Cereal grass seed (3)

STANDARD CROSSWORD

STANDARD CROSSWORD CLUES

Parque Ind El Real, Antas 04628 Tel: 950 459 136

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

ACROSS

easy

squiggle

1 School - first time for every one! (5) 4 By embracing a half-kernel, make bread here (6) 8 Those making crosswords taking in late-starting colonists (8) 9 They could come after tea or dessert (6) 11 Not quite jubilant about wild boar it’s complicated (9) 12 Should get nothing, losing first name (5) 13 Animal brings back oil before final presentation (4) 15 Smell of wine or flowers? (7) 18 He’s Adam - possibly regretful (7) 20 A long time in savage Shanghai (4) 23 Good king - and impressive! (5) 24 Economical Fife collapses - I come into a little money (9) 26 A lesser thoroughfare, perhaps, in a foreign country (6) 27 Flier that could come before carrier (8) 28 Card game from some cities - even Shanghai! (6) 29 Played a part in cadet’s production (5)

Down

1 Threw to south-east in empty stand (6) 2 Asia’s first - a cult destroyed what’s real (6) 3 Greeting some brothel locations (5) 4 Place to get drinks and profit - a great deal! (7) 5 Multiply mostly red fruit and veg, perhaps (9) 6 Pause at his tee, perhaps (8) 7 Mixing of lungs is melodious (7) 10 A partly proverbial sort of word?

(4) 14 I mindlessly start to intercede without delay (9) 16 Polish, for example, words? (8) 17 New rate in the place of performance (7) 19 Act both ways? (4) 20 Matters arising from liaisons? (7) 21 Go away and die! (6) 22 Washington, for example, is dead-end, it’s said (6) 25 Nut-producing palm tree comes before a drink (5)

28

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES march 2015

SOL food & drink

Instead of pushing them to the side of the plate, try incorporating greens into your favorite drinks and dishes.

Bring Them to Breakfast

nutrients.

Leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and arugula are bursting with reduce body, your detoxify help to shown been Eating more of them has make them the inflammation, and fight disease—but we’re not always eager to that make star of our plate. Here, we’ve gathered up our favorite healthy recipes greens shine in tasty new ways. your body with Starting your day with a serving of greens ensures you’re fueling blank slate for great a are Eggs ants. antioxid and s, mineral s, essential vitamin greens—they pair well with just about any variety.

Toss Into Pasta

Kale, spinach, and arugula all taste great stirred into pasta dishes. Even if the recipe doesn’t call for it, greens can be easily tossed in at the end of the cooking time for added nutrients, color, and flavor.

Use As a Wrap

Instead of reaching for a tortilla or flatbread, use a leafy green as the base for your wrap. Bibb lettuce, romaine, and cabbage all work well—just fill with toppings, roll, and enjoy!

Sneak Into Smoothies

Adding a handful of spinach into a fruit-based smoothie is an easy and tasty way to get a serving of leafy greens. To begin, try our Green Machine: 1 cup fresh baby spinach leaves + 1 ½ cups chopped fresh honeydew + 1/3 cup nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt.

Ingredients 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 cups sliced leek (about 2 large) 12 ounces fingerling potatoes, cut in half lengthwise (about 4 cups) 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 1/4 teaspoons Spanish smoked paprika, divided 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper, divided 4 cups thinly sliced trimmed Swiss chard (about 1 bunch) 4 large eggs 1/4 cup (1 ounce) shredded Gruyère cheese method Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add oil to pan. Add leek; cook 8 minutes, stirring frequently. Add potatoes and garlic; cook 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add chard; cook 4 minutes, stirring constantly.

Using a spoon, push potato mixture aside to make 4 egg-size spaces. Crack 1 egg into each space; sprinkle remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon paprika over eggs. Cover and cook 3 minutes; sprinkle cheese over potato mixture.

Cover and cook 2 minutes or until egg yolks are lightly set.

Stack Onto Sandwiches

Whether you’re pressing a panini or assembling a pita, there’s plenty of room for greens of all sorts. If your sandwich is cold, try crisp arugula or romaine, while hot sandwiches pair well with spinach and kale.

Pile Onto Pizza

Pizzas are made for piling on the toppings—but instead of pepperoni, try a handful of spinach.

Whether you bake it under the cheese or scatter it on top, it’s a tasty way to get your greens.

Pack Into Pesto

Use tender, silky greens in soups and stews, especially during the winter when comfort foods are a dinnertime staple. Kale works well in Italian soups, while chard gives bean-based broths a boost.

Put In a Potato

Baked spuds and sweet potatoes are endlessly customizable, but it’s easy to reach for the cheese and the bacon. Adding wilted spinach to the assortment of toppings ensures every potato gets a nutritious boost

Bake Into Chips

Kale chips make a healthy, delicious snack, and they can take on all sorts of fun flavors. Keep it simple with olive oil and salt, or go bold with chipotle chile powder.

Add to Appetizers

From crostini and tartines to smooth and creamy dips, leafy greens can spruce up any app. Spinach is an obvious choice, but Swiss chard and arugula work beautifully as well

Stir Into Soup

Use tender, silky greens in soups and stews, especially during the winter when comfort foods are a dinnertime staple. Kale works well in Italian soups, while chard gives bean-based broths a boost.

Mix Into Stir-fries

Stir-fries and sautés are great for using up odds and ends from the week, so throw in leftover greens and enjoy a hear ty one- dish mea l

Ingredients 2 1/2 tablespoons lowersodium soy sauce 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar 1 1/2 tablespoons dark sesame oil 1 tablespoon gochujang sauce (such as Annie Chun's) 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, thinly sliced 1 cup uncooked long-grain brown rice 2 teaspoons canola oil 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds 12 Bibb lettuce leaves 24 English cucumber slices 4 green onions, diagonally sliced method Combine first 6 ingredients in a large zip-top plastic bag. Place 2 tablespoons soy sauce mixture in a small bowl; set aside. Add chicken slices to remaining soy sauce mixture in bag; seal. Refrigerate 2 hours.

Cook rice according to package directions.

Remove chicken from bag; discard marinade. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add chicken; cook 2 minutes on each side or until done. Sprinkle sesame seeds over chicken. Place 3 tablespoons rice in each lettuce leaf; top each lettuce leaf with 1/3 cup chicken mixture, 2 cucumber slices, and about 1 1/2 teaspoons green onions. Serve with reserved 2 tablespoons soy sauce mixture.

MORE RECIPES ON: http://www.myrecipes.com/

SOLTIMES march 2015

www.soltimes.com

29

SOL food & drink

This “sweet” is traditionally eaten during Lent, the 40-day period before Easter. It is believed that torrijas originated in Andalucian convents during the XV century as a way to use up stale bread. Although today it is associated with the cuisine of Madrid, it is a popular breakfast food all over.

The British might call torrijas bread pudding, while the Americans would probably see it as a variation of “French Toast.”Although torrijas are a popular breakfast food, they can be eaten any time of the day. There are many variations of this treat – some soften the bread by soaking it in wine, while other variations use milk or water and honey. In Spain, the typical bread would be a French-style baguette, but today pan de molde or white bread, such as Wonder bread can be used. Most variations serve it with sugar and cinnamon.

THE SWEET TASTE OF EASTER IN SPAIN Once the joy of Carnival has passed, Spain sinks enthusiastically into the spirituality and fervour of Easter. This traditional festivity, in commemoration of the death of Jesus Christ, fills tables with the most exquisite delicacies. Now is your chance to enjoy a unique, gastronomic Easter with one especially delicious protagonist: the sweets.

Food is a vital part of Spanish culture. Typical foods and dishes are just one more way for people to join in celebrations, festivities and get-togethers. The rich flavours of traditional sweets and desserts are a vital part of Easter. These are deep-rooted, traditional, simple family recipes, enjoyed by people all over Spain at this time of year.

Ingredients 4-6 Slices of Stale White Bread* 3/4 cup Milk 1 Egg Vegetable Oil for frying, such as Canola or Corn Oil, NOT olive oil 1/8 tsp vanilla extract (optional) Sugar and Cinnamon Honey

You should definitely try torrijas at Easter. They are eaten all over Spain and consist of slices of bread soaked in milk, sugar and egg, fried in olive oil. According to what they are dipped in, and the way they are presented, there are other, delicious varieties: with wine, syrup, honey or sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon. Monas de Pascua are another classic sweet, especially in Catalonia and on the Valencia coast.

They are chocolate shapes which usually have a surprise inside. Children love them and in Catalonia it is traditional to give them to the little ones on Easter Monday.

Flores de Semana Santa are just as attractive on account of their unusual shape.

They are large and delicate with a sweet, crunchy texture. If you happen to be in the Castile-Leon area, you will discover a delicious tradition on Easter Sunday: the hornazo. It is a big pie filled with things like egg, pork loin and ham. There is also a sweet version made with almonds, sugar, aniseed and egg.

method Serves Four.

Preparation Time: 10 minutesCooking Time: 10 minutes* TIP: If you do not have stale bread on hand, lightly toast the sliced bread so that it dries out enough to soak up the milk and not turn to mush. spanishfood.about.com Basically hornazo is a sausage and egg-stuffed bread – a clever, very moreish, all in one sandwich! Some variations of this bread contain morcilla (traditional Spanish blood sausage) and if you feel inclined, you can substitute half the chorizo with morcilla.

Ingredients 750 g (5 cups) bread flour 10 g (3 tsp) dried yeast 1 tsp salt 125 ml butter, cubed 440 ml water 1 egg, lightly whisked 1 egg yolk whisked with 2 tsp water, to glaze Filling 200 g bacon rashers, rind trimmed and coarsely chopped 350 g chorizo, cut into 1cmthick slices 3 hard-boiled eggs, quartered method

On el Viernes Santo, (Good Friday), meat is not eaten. That is why dishes for this day are made with fish and vegetables. Popular foods for Good Friday in Spain are sopa de ajo (garlic soup) and potaje de vigilia ( a stew of cod, chick peas and spinach.)

During the period of Easter in Spain, torrijas are eaten. These are thick slices of bread, soaked in milk and beaten egg, fried in olive oil and served with sugar or honey. Another Easter food is un pestiño. This is a plain and simple little fritter. A flour mixture is fried in olive oil and then sprinkled with honey or sugar. Sesame is often added to the flour mixture. popular cake of celebration to eat on Easter Day is called La Mona de Pascua. It is decorated with coloured feathers and big chocolate figurines.

Cake shops compete to see who can make the most impressive monas to place in their shop windows! Nowadays, the monas are so ambitious and wonderful, that they even talk about them on the television news! Some monas look like sculptures carved out of chocolate.Traditionally, godparents give una mona to their godchild as a gift for Easter Day. During the happy days of Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, it is the tradition to eat lamb. Lamb, el cordero, is the traditional meat for Easter Day in Spain. Paella is also popular.

On el lunes de Pascua (Easter Monday) families like to go out for the day, to parks or to the countryside, where they have a picnic. They make sure to take una mona with them. For this reason, Easter Monday in Spain is very often called el día de la mona.

There are some more traditional foods to eat in Spain at Easter: Hornazo is a pie filled with pork, eggs and ham. There is also a sweet version, filled with almonds, egg and aniseed. Leche frita is a dessert, meaning 'fried milk.' Rosquillas de Semana Santa are Easter doughnuts.

Source: http://www.euroclubschools.org/

Combine the flour, yeast and salt in a large bowl. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the water and heat until just lukewarm. Add to the dry of the ham and sausage mixture and the quartered eggs over the centre third of the ingredients with the whisked egg and use a wooden spoon and then your hands to dough. Fold the right-hand third of the dough over the filling to cover. Top with the remaining ham, chorizo and egg. Fold in the remaining third of dough over the top to mix to a soft dough. cover the filling and press the edges together to seal.

Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 minutes or until smooth and elastic (see Note). Lightly oil a clean large bowl, add the dough and turn to coat the Line a large baking tray with baking paper and transfer the loaf to the tray. Cover with dough in the oil. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm, draught-free place a slightly damp tea towel and set aside in a warm draught-free place for 30 minutes for 1 hour or until doubled in size. or until doubled in size.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frying pan and cook the bacon over medium-high heat until starting to crispen. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to a bowl. Add the chorizo Preheat oven to 200°C. and cook over medium high heat until golden. Transfer the chorizo to the bowl with When ready, use a very sharp knife to diagonally slash the top of the loaf 4-5 times. the bacon.

Brush with the egg wash mixture to glaze and bake for 35 minutes or until cooked When ready, punch the centre of the dough down with your fist and turn onto a well- through and sounds hollow when tapped on the base. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. floured surface. Knead for 2-3 minutes or until smooth. Use your hands to pat the Serve warm or at room temperature cut into thick slices. dough into a rectangle about 20 x 50 cm with a long side closest to you. Use a pastry brush to brush the outside edge of the dough with a little water. Spread about half http://www.sbs.com.au/

30

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES march 2015

g the Si erra Espu n i r o l ña Exp

Murcia

http://guialias.com/

Murcia is well known for the beaches of its Costa Cálida coast and for the beneficial properties of the waters of the Mar Menor. Nevertheless, beyond the coastal areas, in inland Murcia you will find an area of countryside and contrasts: Sierra Espuña Regional Reserve.

In south-east Spain, washed by the Mediterranean Sea, you will find Murcia, a great destination for lovers of the beach and also for those who prefer to be surrounded by forests and mountains. For this last group, the Sierra Espuña Mountains await in the inland part of the region. These are the region's "green lungs", where you can enjoy countryside, history and sports in the open air.

Located less than 40 kilometres from the city of Murcia, the wide range of landscapes to be found here is just the first reason for visiting. http://www.yachtmollymawk.com/

The Snow Wells

Between castles

http://murciatoday.com/

Natural mosaic Exploring the Sierra Espuña Mountains will reveal a wide range of environments: from high-mountain areas, luxuriant forests and steppe, to rivers and reservoirs, dry crop and irrigated farmland. Nevertheless, it is the rugged, mountainous scenery that stands out most, offering stunning, unusual views. This is the case, for example, of the Paredes de Leyva, an impressive area of limestone walls; the Barrancos de Gebas canyons, a unique “lunar” landscape; the deep Barranco de la Hoz canyon, or the Barranco de Malvariche canyon.

http://murciatoday.com/

In Sierra Espuña there is an especially unusual place to see: the Pozos de Nieve (snow wells). These are 26 circular structures, dug out of the ground, which once served as refrigerators.

They date back to the 16th century, and are located between 1,100 and 1,400 metres above sea level. Every winter, local workers would head up to the mountains to store and compress the snow they had previously collected.

With the arrival of spring, they would go up again to remove the blocks of ice, that they then supplied to nearby cities such as Murcia and Cartagena.

In the Sierra Espuña region there are also interesting monuments to discover, with castles and fortresses dating from the HispanoMoorish period, such as Los Fajardo Castle in Mula, Las Paleras Castle in Pliego, the Keep at Aledo, and the castle in Alhama de Murcia. The tourist offices in each town/village will also give you information on other cultural attractions in the region. There are the Roman baths in Alhama de Murcia, with more than 2,000 years of history; the 16th century Santiago Church in Totana; “Los Villaricos” archaeological site in Mula and the museum of Iberian art in Cigarralejo. These are just some of the visits not to be missed.

Information for visits Visitors can find information on the Sierra Espuña area and about the activities and guided routes on offer at the “Ricardo Codorníu” Visitor Centre near Huerta Espuña-Fuente del Hilo.

The mountain region of Sierra Espuña is one of the most accessible in Murcia.

The Sierra Espuña Regional Reserve is located in the central part of the Murcia region, between the districts of Alhama de Murcia, Totana and Mula. It is an area full of contrasts, where visitors will find everything from forests, steppes and high-mountain scenery; to rivers and reservoirs, and dry or irrigated agricultural areas... It has an average altitude of around 800 metres, and reaches a maximum height of 1,583 metres.

http://static.panoramio.com/

The uneven relief of the Sierra Espuña range is precisely one of its main attractions, as this is what gives it its unique and imposing landscapes such as the Paredes de Leyva cliff faces, the Cuchillos de El Bosque, the Muela plateau, and the ravines of Gebas or la Hoz.

Environmental information

Sport and activities The Paredes de Leyva are considered one of the best climbing areas in Spain on account of their profile and quality of rock. The area is 3 kilometres across with a vertical drop of 150 metres, and attracts climbers from all over Europe. You can also do other sports in the area, such as kayaking on the Barranco de Gebas Reservoir, or paragliding in the Sierra de la Muela Mountains, close to Alhama de

Sierra Espuña is home to almost one thousand different plant species, over a third of the flora to be found in the region. Typical species include the Aleppo pine and various types of juniper. The local fauna includes 185 recorded species, among which are curious endemic species such as the Espuña squirrel. There are also significant numbers of birds of prey such as eagle owls, peregrine falcons, goshawks and golden eagles.

Murcia. For those who prefer to explore the region more peacefully, there are well-signed hiking and mountain biking routes. The “Ricardo Codorníu” Visitor Centre, the Las Alquerías teaching room and the office in El Berro are good places to get information on the reserve's characteristics, as well as the activities and routes available.

SOLTIMES march 2015

www.soltimes.com

Talks & Workshops

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

A parkinsons Support Group

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

CHURCH OF ENGLAND COSTA CALIDA & ALMERIA Priest: Reverend Pauline Williams 950

956 166 / 687 250 860

pals events

14th/20th May Coach trip to PORTUGAL half board and visiting fabulous locations 510 Euros pp sharing double.

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 11 till 1.30pm

fast events

Saturday April 18th Spring Fayre at Marianos Restaurant Camposol A

welcome events

Wednesday March 25th - Dance with Time Warp and the talented Karen Noble. €8.

Sunday March 29th - Annual treasure hunt.

See parts of our area that you normally wouldn’t go to answering questions on the way. €8 including a barbecue at our final mystery destination.

Wednesday April 22nd - Dance with Shirelle and Paul Christie. €8.

2015 TRIPS Monday May 11th - Trip to Cordoba for the “Patio Of The Flowers” festival. See all the patios in the old city dressed with colourful blooms. 4 days 3 nights B&B in a 4-star hotel. €260 including a trip to Ubeda.

Our Mediterranean cruise on May 27th is now fully booked.

Monday September 14th - Trip to Salamanca, staying 2 nights at Hotel Exe Hall, close to the old city centre, 2 nights in Leon, and 1 night in Valladolid. All B&B in 4-star hotels at just €295.

HOT NEWS Christmas shopping in Gibraltar. Leaving our area on Wednesday 2nd December and staying half-board at the Mac Puerto Hotel, Benalmadena.

1 full day in Gibraltar with all the British shops. 1 day in Malaga, and an evening at Ricky Levazza’s Christmas Show. book now as this will sell out fast at just €175.

Christmas in Benidorm. We are going again to Hotel Helios, leaving on December 23rd for 4 nights full board. €250 including Gala Christmas Day lunch. For details, call Rosemary on 620 105 179.

campoverde fancy dress night

Fancy Dress Country Night in aid of Caritas at the Rusty Saturday May 9th Spring Dance at Marianos Nail on Saturday 28th March, Music supplied by Restaurant with Barrington Tickets 6 euros Brian Jenkins (Campoverde Elvis) free of charge. There Wednesday June 17th Coach Trip and tour of is a FREE BUFFET, CASINO NIGHT, RAFFLE, PLAY the 43 Factory Cartegena 18 euros YOUR CARDS RIGHT. Prizes for Best Cowboy/Cowgirl To reserve seats/tickets visit us at our bookstall the & Indian & Squaw. Come along Dress up & join in the 2nd and last Friday of the month on Camposol B fun. Starts at 21.00 (9pm) Remember every Euro or outside Euronics or telephone Jean 646 737 479 0r Cent we get goes to CARITAS and everybody who Brenda 680 174 499. is working that night are all volunteers. Please come along and help the NEEDY PEOPLE in THIS AREA we Ex-Servicemen’s Association do need your support badly Eddie Templeman CoMazarrón District (Founded 1 May 2006) EVENTS - 2015 ordinator CARITAS Campoverde.

Wednesday 15th April - Gula Gula - Puerto learn to paint De Mazarron - Menu Del Noche.

Friday 8th May - The Clubhouse Camposol “C” Every Mon, Fri - Using watercolour, pastels or acrylics these are small classes on Monday and - AGM and Lunch.

Wednesday 10th June - Costa Celebracion Friday afternoons at Playa Paraiso, La Manga. For Rooms - Mazarron Town - Summer Dinner Dance further information contact Bee Tel: 968 564 416 or 670 353 738 and Grand Raffle with music by Martin Ross Membership and enquiries, Ian 629 818 611 or esamd_espana@yahoo.co.uk

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

31

St. Nicholas Ecumenical Church

We hold services each week at 10.30am on Camposol, Mazarron. Everyone is welcome to join us. For further details, call Rev. Maureen Kent 968 970 637

TELL THE WORLD ABOUT YOUR LOCAL EVENTS CONTACT

EDITOR@SOLTIMES.COM WITH FULL DETAILS

Culture Vultures

I am hoping to be able to organise a coach to Swan Lake on Ice on April 22nd in Murcia at the Congress Hall.

There will be pick up points at Lidl in Puerto Mazarron, Camposol and the Alhama de Murcia Poligono. The coach will cost €14.

If you would like to join the coach please contact Annie on 968 599 031 or by e-mail, culturevultures. mazarron@gmail.com

LOS CANOVAS PLAYERS PRESENT – “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.

St Josephs Catholic Church, Saladillo - a few minutes from Camposol in the direction of Mazarron

April 2nd Holy Thursday Mass at 4.30pm in English April 3rd Good Friday at 3pm Staions of the Cross and confessions April 4th no mass April 5th mass at 11 am in English and at 4.30 pm in Latin.

For further information please contact Father Octavio on 676 219 445

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

SolTimes

Have A Drop Off Point Here For Payments Private Or Trade Advertisers, Birthdays Or Other Announcements

32

SOLTIMES march 2015

SOL CLASSIFIEDS

SOLTIMES 950 121 936 www.soltimes.com see us online everyday

TELEPHONE 950 121 936

Monday to Friday Between 10am & 5pm

or EMAIL us Send your advert or lineage to

sales@soltimes.com

DEADLINES All adverts Friday at 5pm prior to publication

PAYMENT VISA ,Paypal, bank transfer & Cheques made payable to

MATHEWS mEDIA s.l

...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 300€ is free of charge email: blancasales@ soltimes.com

pool tables

snooker tables, table tennis tables, darts. Tel: 666 933 726 www.spainpool.com QUAD LNB. Westron neweb for satellite dish 10€, Cisco ADSL router with all connections and disc. 10€.

Tel: 965 724 183/616 883 103 CADDY MATIC 3 WHEEL ELECTRIC GOLF TROLLEY in very good Condition. Included with the Trolley is a new 18 hole Battery, still in the Box with the purchase receipt. For a quick sale 250€ Tel: 693 056 227 for more details What Sapp Viber MARKS AND SPENCER “HARRIET” 3 PIECE SUITE, removable seat & back covers, 4 matching scatter cushions. v.g.

Condition and comfortable high back. 295€ o.n.o.

Tel: 686 356 893 EXERCISE BIKE FS 300F MAGNETIC, Monitors calories used, distance, speed, pulse etc, full working order, 35€ o.n.o. Cabo Roig Area, Tel: 966 761 589 GEL CUSHION, heavy duty, ideal wheelchair, helps pressure sores, cost 70€, selling 35€. Tel: 690 772 178 (San Fulgencio) Tap Shoes Black size 5, Tap Shoes Black size 5 ½ excellent condition 25€ per pair, Black & Decker Drill, 10€, Extending Garden Loppers, 10€, Tel: 966 716 599

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

insurances Asssa Mazarron, Diane Nolan, 968 153 396

mazarron@asssa.es

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

Baby Small Chihuahua cross about 6 year old. Has a very sweet nature and is good with other dogs, adults and older children.

She has had no contact with the young. House trained and loves cuddles and to play ball.

“Readers of a contact K9 or sensitive disposition PHONE:Please 600 84 54 20 for more info may find some www.k9club.es of the ads in this section offensive” Spanish lady Playa Flamenca near new Carrefour before La Florida. 37 years, attractive, classy lady, private house, parking. Offers all erotic services, massage, sexy lingerie, prices from 40€. Full discretion. Tel: Ana 865 646 437 ELEGANT slim, sexy, naughty italian lady available home/house visits.

Torrevieja, La Manga, Torre Pacheco & Mazarron, Quesada plus all other areas.

Escort available home & house visits. Tel: 693 357 526 Torrevieja, The desire to please and the plaesure to desiring, stunning, tall dutch woman. massge at my beautiful discreet villa in Los balcones tel: 609 418 948, you wont be disappointed, explore your wildest fantasies Mon - Frid 10am - 2pm

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, vaccinated and is ready for her forever home. Call: 645 469 253

Call: 645 469 253 info@petsinspain.info

www.petsinpain.com

want to know whats in the news?

go online: www. SOLTIMES.com

SOLTIMES march 2015

www.soltimes.com

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

www.soltimes.com property for sale / rent

VERA APARTMENT FOR RENT

SHORT-TERM/HOLIDAY RENTAL

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

detatched cortijo reduced

bargain

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

Only 15€ per week!

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

www.delimas.biz

fortnightly SERVICE TO & FROM UK FULL OR PART LOADS

beechdale◄►Removals

Personal friendly door 2 door service - very competitve rates spain - uk & return

* * * Storage

Full or part loads

* Europe *



From a parcel to a small house move Professional,Friendly & Caring Fully insured, scheduled monthly door to door service

+44 (0) 1582 499 836 +44 (0) 7977 754 389 Van hire

sat/tv services Rainbow Satellites for all your TV needs with clients all over the Murcia Region.

Contact Matt or Alan on 686 358 475 or

rainbowsats@gmail.com spas

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

Papers arranged

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 garetha 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.

We have a sales position to work in and around the quesada area

newspaper group Do you enjoy a fast paced working environment?

are looking for Bright, enthusiastic sales people

Send your CV to blancasales@soltimes.com or call Paulette on 950 121 936

*

email: beechdale@hotmail.co.uk

UK - SPAIN - UK

SOLTIMES

Pets Welcome

* * Local Arranged Moves * * Caravans & Motorbikes * * tel brian torrevieja: 965 326 920 or 666 847 648

uk@fmtransport.co.uk www.fmtransport.co.uk

lineage from only 45c per word Call Kate TODAY on 950 121 936

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



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

situations vacant

removals

De Lima’s

33

If you have an outgoing personality with bags of enthusiasm & enjoy the pressure of weekly deadlines then we would love to hear from you.

Experience is not essential as full trainning will be given

motoring section

ecu remapping

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

Best prices paid Spanish English Anythingconsidered

tel: Tim on 662 211 993 wanted uk

cars & vans bought for

cash

Telephone

667 235 205

34

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES march 2015

animal corner

To advertise here call : 950 121 936

Introducing Your Dog to a New Dog

Adding another dog to your household can bring you and your current dog more fun and companionship. However, it’s important to realize that your current dog, might feel similar to how you might feel if your parents picked your friends and then told you to share your toys with them. In the long run, things will probably work out fabulously, but in the beginning it’s a very smart idea to take a few extra steps to make everyone feel good about the new arrangement. This article provides some guidelines for making smooth and safe introductions

Tiny lizards make a big impression An Australian zoo says its first baby chameleons for more than five years are making a big impression on keepers.

Sydney's Taronga Zoo has welcomed more than 20 tiny Veiled Chameleon hatchlings which are small enough to sit comfortably on a pencil or fingertip.

The hatchlings are currently housed in a special temperature-controlled area behind the scenes at Taronga's Reptile World.

The tiny lizards have begun feeding on crickets and turning on a bright green colour display for keepers.

Reptile supervisor, Michael McFadden said the chameleons, which are native to Yemen and Saudi Arabia, would be able to showcase their full colour palette within a year.

"Veiled Chameleons are a visually amazing species that we're fortunate to have at Taronga," he said.

Normally a shade of green or brown while at rest, Veiled Chameleons can change colour when frightened, courting or defending territory.

"However, they don't change colour to match a particular background like you see in cartoons," added Mr McFadden.

Up to four of the hatchlings will go on display to visitors once they reach maturity. The rest will go to other Australian zoos and wildlife parks.

Source: h t t p:// w e b . orange. co.uk/

and ensuring that your dogs’ relationship gets off to a great start.

Maximizing the potential for a great relationship between your new dog and your current dog is a twostep process. It involves the actual introduction and then management of the new dog in your home.

Introductions Leave your current dog at home when you pick up your new dog. One of the worst things you can do is to just throw the two of them together in your car and hope for the best!

Introduce your dogs on neutral territory, like on a short walk through your neighborhood, in a nearby park or in a friend’s yard. Have two people, one to handle each dog, while keeping the dogs on leashes. To minimize tension, try to keep the dogs’ leashes loose so that they’re not choking or feeling pressure on their throats.

Don’t force any interaction between the dogs. If the dogs ignore each other at first, or if one dog seems reluctant to interact with the other, that’s okay. Give both dogs time to get comfortable. They’ll interact when they’re ready.

Make the introduction positive and light-hearted. As the dogs

APAH

Space for a little one?

Sweet little Gerry is a typical little Spanish dog, ginger with a curly tail. He was rescued

by APAH and is currently being cared for in their kennels.

Happy and friendly he will be a great dog for someone looking for a little dog. To meet Gerry, please call 630 422 563 or 616 210 850.

Gerry

Born in April 2011, Rosie is a lovely To r t o i s e s h e ll cat who has lived in the APAH Cattery since she was rescued as a tiny kitten.

She is one of the many cats being cared for

by APAH who have never had a loving home.

To meet Rosie and the rest of APAH's cats, please call 630 422 563 or 616 210 850.

Rosie

www.apahrescue.org

sniff and get acquainted, encourage them in a happy tone of voice. At first, allow just a few seconds of sniffing. Then gently pull the dogs away from each other and let them walk around with their handlers. After a minute or two, you can lead the dogs back together and allow another several seconds of sniffing. These brief greetings help keep the dogs’ interactions calm and prevent escalation to threats or aggression. You can also interrupt their interactions with simple obedience. After a brief sniff, lead the dogs apart, ask them to sit or lie down, and then reward them with treats.

Closely observe the dogs’ body language. Their postures can help you understand what they’re feeling and whether things are going well or not. Loose body movements and muscles, relaxed open mouths, and play bows (when a dog puts his elbows on the ground and his hind end in the air) are all good signs that the two dogs feel comfortable. Stiff, slow body movements, tensed mouths or teeth-baring, growls and prolonged staring are all signs that a dog feels threatened or aggressive. If you see this type of body language, quickly lead the dogs apart to give them more distance from each other. Again, practice simple obedience with them individually for treats, and then let them interact again—but this time more briefly. Please see our Canine Body Language article for illustrations of dogs showing what various feelings look like in dog body language.

Once the dogs’ greeting behaviors have tapered off and they appear to be tolerating each other without fearful or threatening behavior, you’re ready to take them home. Before you take them inside, walk them together around your house or apartment building.

Be patient. Bringing a new dog home requires that everyone make some adjustments, especially your current pets. And it will take time for your dogs to build a comfortable relationship. www.aspca.org/

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

pet taxi 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

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 march 2015

www.soltimes.com

The Casual Vacancy by J.K.Rowling

Film Review “We are the guardians of something unique. We are the custodians and the stewards of a shining principle. We do not turn our backs and look away from people in need.”

The tv drama was written by Sarah Phelps and produced by Ruth KenleyLetts. Rowling herself was one of four executive producers. Set in what seems an idyllic setting, fictional Pagford turns out to be a village divided between the privileged do-gooders, the hypocrites in society with the trappings of middle-class affluence compared to the working class and their dodgy deals and drug abuse living in the Fields, a council estate on the doorstep of middle England.

It might be said that Phelps and Rowling share a passion for social justice which is a myth in “The Casual Vacancy.” Don’t expect any. The story is heart-breaking.

Phelps rewrote the ending which was bleak and too devastating for words. She went in search of a redemptive moment after the tragedy. Just compare the film with the novel and you will realise what I mean by bleak and grim.

“We have but a short time to live. Like a flower we blossom and then wither.

Like a shadow we flee and never stay. In the midst of life, we are in death.”

The only honourable man, Barry Fairbrother, a solicitor who believes in the vision of Sweetlove House which was bequeathed by Sir Phineus Sweetlove 150 years ago to the people of the Fields. More recently the Fields has become synonymous with drug abuse and petty crime. Howard and Shirley Mollison, pretentious snobs but extremely influential through their bullying tactics represent the Parish

35

Council and want the house to be turned into a hotel and spa. It is virtually dismissed as AOB on the agenda and Barry goes ballistic and is supported by two other council members, Tess Wall and Dr Jawanda. They want a proper discussion on the use of the house. He accuses the Mollisons of “herding people into ghettoes because they don’t fit the aesthetic” and even compares it to fighting fascism. This is nakedly political and dirty.

We see evidence of Barr y’s humanity (played by Rory Kinnear) and social conscience when he collects Terri Weedon from the police cell and drives her home.

He cares for Krystal, her vulnerable and damaged daughter who is the chief carer for her heroin addicted mother and her young brother Robbie, a seemingly tough and precocious 16 year old, encouraging her to go to school for maths and counselling then offering her an apprenticeship working for him where she’ll have her own desk.

When Terri breaks down the bedroom door, stealing house-keeping money, some of Krystal’s clothes and her little telly, to refuel her addiction, Barry repairs the door and gives Krystal money to get something to eat. When Krystal feels she cannot go on any longer it is Barry who pulls her through. He also forks out £600 for a new door.

On the evening to celebrate his wedding anniversary he collapses after suffering an aneurysm and dies.

There were warnings at the start when he crashed to the floor after cleaning his teeth, unconscious. He thought it was the beer that was making him feel ill. An election is then held to fill this casual vacancy and initially there are 3 candidates, Barry’s step-brother Simon, an obnoxious man who bullies his children and who is involved in petty crime. He withdraws as soon as word gets round about his criminal activities.

Colin Wall, the deputy head is a serious contender up against Miles Mollison, referred to as a “ventriloquist’s dummy sitting on Howard’s lap.”

Sadly he is manipulated by his parents and made to be a laughing stock.

His wife Samantha has been branded a failure by Shirley, her in law, as a wife as well as a mother.

She enjoys telling her that her two daughters haven’t bonded with her and they have never loved her: “You couldn’t even sell whore’s knickers in that ridiculous shop.” There’s nothing nice about Shirley played by Julie McKenzie and even when she turns into a dithering wreck at the end she is still pathetic.

Michael Gambon plays Howard, a meanspirited, uncharitable hypocrite who owns the local delicatessen and despises the plebs as he calls the working class: “They choose to stick needles in and rob decent folk.” He objects strongly to these junkies streaming through his

village suggesting: “We must raise the drawbridge and lower the portcullis.”

He has a weight problem with overindulgence as well as a heart problem.

A premonition of death on a number of occasions start to shake his confidence.

He sees the ghost of Barry with his wingman, the Grim Reaper asking what his legacy will be. Howard’s answer is cheese and we are left with images of maggots crawling through the cheese in the shop. One gruesome image of Barry is with worms crawling through his eye holes. It reinforces death as being the greatest mystery which “yawns open briefly and then it is filled by us. Dead meat. It’s dark and it’s lonely. So lonely.”

The ghost of Barry dominates the run up to the election with unflattering remarks on the council website, unearthing the skeletons rattling in people’s cupboards.

Robbie Weedon is the biggest victim.

His mother is a heroin addict and he is neglected. He has to rely on Krystal for his own survival. Treats are chips from the chippie and a slice of bread. He is surrounded by syringes and has to be locked in his room at night for his own safety. What kind of a life is that for a little boy? None. Yes, the dark undercurrents in this drama are worryingly frightening and show alarming shortcomings in social justice. Is this really a microcosm for English societies?

The tv drama is available from Amazon.

Publisher: Sphere.

ISBN: 978-0-7515-5286-7. Novel.

REVIEW it by Carol Naylor. www.carolnaylor.blogspot.com / www.carolesleynaylor.wordpress. com naylorcl@hotmail.es

www.ecocorpshop.com

Special Offers Visit:

Oil may last a few years or a few hundred Oil is a child of the fossil fuel age and prices will trend upwards.

Solar is a child of the electronics age and prices will trend downwards. years. The sun will last a few billion years.

All of the oil coal and gas known to humans has the same energy as 20 days 3kw power Swimming of sunshine reaching earth!

1 x Victron Multiplus 5Kw inverter/Charger 1 x Victron BlueSolar MPPT 150/70 Solar charge controller 4 x 12V/250Ah Deep cycle batteries (48V/250Ah) 12 x 250W Eurener panels (25 Year guarantee @ 80%) 1 x Inox aluminium Mounting frame for 12 panels.

Cables, connectors, fuses and breakers.

This system is normally 11,495€ installed.

systems with pool heating batteries installed from From 1995€ 4995€ 5Kw power systems with batteries installed from 5995€

The latest in auto-consumo technology!

Grid tie solar power systems from

3995€

These systems can have more panels added to as and when required. Self-monitoring so as no power is fed back to the grid!

Which one would you choose?

Solar water heaters 200L 1995€ fitted

If you are getting frustrated at ever increasing electricity bills and want a clean, reliable energy alternative that can run in conjunction with your mains electricity. A system that you can add to, as and when you or your budget requires. free consultation and survey.

With solar power systems that can pay for themselves in around 6/7 years. No more power cuts, we can supply and install a system to provide your whole home with a UPS system.With some of the highest sunshine in Europe, it is a great time to consider solar energy to reduce your electricity bills.

Call Ecocorp on

La Meseta, Bedar, Almeria

for a no obligation quotation

WWW.ECOCORPSHOP.COM

671 716 597 or 950 930 187

Victron Energy Official Installers for Almeria and Murcia 5 year warranty Spanish qualified Installers Eurener, Sharp, Senersun official Installers Servicing, repairs and surveys Grid tie systems Off grid systems Water heating Swimming pool heating

36

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES march 2015

SOL FEATURE

Home & Garden

DIY Decor Projects That Will Make You Proud Kraft paper, scissors, vinyl, and gold leaf pens are all it took to make this DIY zebra rug.

Color us impressed!

There are few things that are as satisfying as pulling off a successful DIY project, especially when a guest asks where you purchased it. We've rounded up 50+ of our favorite tutorials that show you how to organize, entertain, and decorate with style, without spending a fortune. So, roll up your sleeves and get cracking!

You can do it !!!

Ugly cords become decorative accessories thanks to this washi tape DIY!

HOUSE CLEARANCE BAR CLEARANCE

1 HR COLLECTION CASH WAITING TEL 669 723 709

www.auctionlosmontesinos.com

The Mosquito Screen & Window Co

Serving the Coast and Inland for over 10 Years

Glam up your bar cart with these geode bottle stoppers.

Turning a simple bath mat into a cool wall hanging is actually easier than you'd think.

Soft Furnishings & Re-Upholstery

Fabric Flair

• 39 years experience in soft furnishings & re-upholstery • Gazebo COVERS made in a waterproof canvas from customers own template • FOAM (All densities) superior quality cut to any shape & size • BESPOKE CURTAINS AND BLINDS all made to measure • All types of RE-UPHOLSTERY • EXQUISITELY MADE LOOSE COVERS tailor-made to fit as good as upholstered furniture indoor and out • Hundreds of fabrics to choose from

Opening Hours Mon-Fri 10am to 4:30pm Sat - 10am to 1:30pm All our work is professionally made in our premises in The Interior Centre 1 Calle Portugal Las maromas Pol. Ind Estate. Almoradi 03160 Contact Kim & Rick on: 625 716 063 Email: fabricflair.kb@gmail.com fabricflair.kb@gmail.com

Creations of Gardens and Re-style Garden Maintenance Construction of Pergolas Fencing Terraces Gazebos Many Pots and PlantsSoils - Compost - Abon’s

Manufacturers & Installers of Insect Screens, Aluminium & UPVC Windows & Doors Tel: 966 716 329 or Spanish Mob: 722 763 055 email: the.mosquito.screen.company@gmail.com

Find us at Moncayo Market on Saturdays & we are pleased to announce we are now at Lemon Tree Market on Sundays

Jardinería ALCAYNA

NCE ERIE 20 YEARS EXP

march madness

spring flowers now in stock

come in & see our spring offers

Tel: 680 374 230

Email: calidagarden@gmail.com www.jardinerialaalcayna.es

Established 40 years in the UK

Create adorable succulent planters with these handmade clay pots.

Get a seaside vibe going with these dip-dyed candles.

http://www.popsugar.com/

Britannia pool covers & safety fencing

400 MICRON COVERS 500 MICRON COVERS 500 geo BUBBLE COVERS 6x3m...................180€ 6x3m................250€ 6x3m...........340€ 8x4m...................290€ 8x4m................385€ 8x4m...........440€ 8x5m...................360€ 8x5m................450€ 8x5m...........525€ 10x4m.................360€ 10x4m..............450€ 10x4m.........525€ 10x5m.................460€ 10x5m..............550€ 10x5m.........640€ Small Roller.......220€ Large Roller 370€ All the above prices include supply and fitting protect-a-child pool safety fencing available

Reforms Architectural Service & Plans Painting Construction & Maintenance Decorating Interior Design Legally registered family business Quality workmanship guaranteed Tiling, Flagging, Electrics, Plumbing, Aluminuim, Swimming pools, teddybearbuilders@yahoo.com Key-holding & Maintenance

680 851 376

616 214 713

For more prices & information Ian 966 765 378 : 664 367 512

trade enquiries welcome www.britanniapoolcovers.com www.poolsafetyfencing.es

SOLTIMES march 2015

www.soltimes.com

TMGS Match Report

The day started with overcast skies and a threat of the wet stuff, but we got lucky and although one or two drops fell, we played without the need for brollies, but in a chilly wind.

Once again, the fairways at this course were in top class condition, which can be more than said for their greens, but due to a recent hollow tinning, it is to be expected.

Today was the last round of the Medal Trophy for those in the Gold Division and the best 3 of 5 rounds were to count towards the inaugural trophy and was won by the current Captain, Steve Higgins with a score of 228 . The Runners-up prize goes to Kjell Aasebo with 236 and 3rd place goes to S. Sonesen with the same points total but beaten on the lower handicapping system.

On the day, no golfer bettered or achieved their handicap but Dag Lovas came very close with a nett score of 73 to take the Gold Division. Steve Higgins took 2nd place with a 77 and 3rd place went to Norbert Spaniol with a 78.

The Silver Division struggled a little bit and it only needed 30 points for Sandra Twentyman to take the honours in that Division. Runner up with 28 points was Shelia Dean and 26 points saw Alex Goslan take 3rd.

The Best Visitor prize went to L. Zelman

SOL SPORT & MOTORING

with 30 points 5 of the 6 NTP’s were claimed and Gerd Cromm, Joe Dean, Mike O’Regan, Hermes Woedermann and Dag Lovas took away a bottle of wine from the cellars of the Captain!

We had one player claiming a Two to take the Two’s pot of 20€ and that was Mike O’Regan. Photo: Silver category winners.

Our next game, Wednesday 25th March, see’s us at Villamartin which is the venue for our final eclectic series so if you fancy a game just look at our website www. tmgs.org or call the Match Secretary on 966719604.

TORREGOLF.EU

La Serena Wednesday 18th.March A few members did manage to survive St.Patricks Day and turn up to play golf on a day that was predicted to be a complete wash out with rain all day but someone took pity on us and even though it was very cold, yes it is still winter, and though extremely windy some even wearing shorts, we all managed the conditions and the water of La Serena. When ever I looked back during play there were members scanning the edges of a lake being just 1 of 16 that help to make this course a challenge at all times and it has to be said only 4 members managed to break our 30 barrier.

Our Stableford competition in just 2 Categories to-day saw the winners as follows: Category 1. 1st. Alan Searle 34 points

2nd. Alan Moody 31 and 3rd. on count back Mick O’Brien 26.

Category 2. 1st. Alan Darby out of the blue with 9 points on the front 9 and completed a brilliant back 9 of 22 points 2nd. Bernard Ball 31 and Roy Middleton again on count back 29 points.

Nearest the Pins Hole 3. Sue Owens. Hole 9. Paul Hurrell. Hole15. Alan Moffett and Hole 17. Alan Darby The Full Monte supporting our Associates the Full Monte and CD Montesinos going to Ron Matthews.

After the game some members returned to Tilleys Bar in Mar Azul where we go following games in the South for results, presentation of prizes and also where David Gill is good enough to supply us with snacks. For this we are extremely thankful and would also like to thank all the Staff for their reception and hospitality.

Our picture to day, yes it was cold! Shows some of the winners and members outside Tilleys Bar. For more information visit our web site www.torregolf.eu.

SOL TIMES

37

COSTA BLANCA

KATE- : 902 750 190 (EXT: 330) email: blancasales@soltimes.com

COSTA CALIDA/MAR MENOR PAULETTE : 902 750 190 (EXT: 332) email: calidasales@soltimes.com

Sol Times Calida and Sol Times Blanca are independent of political parties, private investment and government. Our policy is to provide readers with a news and information service that is fair, accurate and balanced. Sol Times Calida and Sol Times Blanca are independent publications. Published weekly and produced exclusively in Murcia & Blanca. Sol Times News Group cannot be held responsible for claims made by advertisers, nor can it be held responsible for errors in advertisements caused by poor quality text, photographs or layout instructions. Furthermore, no responsibility can be accepted for any loss or damage resulting caused by any error, inaccuracy or non-appearance of an advertisement.

Deposito Legal Sol Times Calida AL 851-2010. Sol Times Blanca AL 852-2010

Spanglish Golf Society

in association with Costa Blanca Green Fee Services at Alenda on 18th March 2015.

This was the third meeting of the new year for the Spanglish Golf Society and a group of 18 players visited the established course at Alenda taking advantage of the excellent society deal obtained from Costa Blanca Green Fee Services.

The weather forecast was for rain but thankfully we avoided this on the but the winds were biting,making scoring difficult and wind cheaters were the order of the day.

To speed things up a little under the threat of rain later in the day we played a 2 from 4 team stableford BUT unfortunately 2 players failed to arrive at the course leaving 2 players to play an individual stableford.

The winners on the day were as follows: 1st – Team Evans – 82 points 2nd – Team Cawte – 72 points

3rd – Team Probert – 68 points 4th – Team Howard – 63 points Nearest the Pins – Mike Probert and John Goulder After the game we returned to the Spanglish bar, which is located at Dona Pepa, Quesada for a welcome meal prepared by the bar and the prize presentation and we give our thanks for their support.

Our next fixture is at Font Del Llop on Wednesday 15th April 2015 and visitors and guests are welcome because this is very much a social golfing group rather than a formal golf society.

If you are interested in joining the group call Paul Cawte on 966731223 or better still pop into the bar.

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

La Zenia Golf Society

Considering the weather there was a good turn out on Thursday for our trip to Hacienda de Alamo. It was decided by the members in Gogarty's that we should go and play. Such a beautiful course, a long course, the only draw back was the very strong winds, at least the rain did not appear.

Many of the members did return with wind burnt faces. Ray Pryce won the day with 30 Pt's , seems he can cope with the wind.

There were no winners for the two's pot which will roll over to next week, due to the weather conditions there were no n/t/p's. We did run a raffle which was won by John Mackay. Thanks to James who sponsored the raffle, also thanks to his staff at Gogarty's for their great hospitality.

All future games ,dates and Matchplay championship results are now updated on the website, this is normally updated on a Sunday night after the week end games. you can also check your correct handicap on the site. There is a notice with venue and date for this years captains day. Please read the notice board on the web site, this maybe

of interest for you, regarding the end of season members day. Please note that the AGM will follow the members day game. All meeting times are 1 and 1/2 hours before tee time at Gogarty's. Guest's are invited to all our games, clubs can be hired. All information on the notice board outside Gogarty's.

Contact numbers Eric 667 196 178, Maurice 690268711

BRADLEY BREAKERS

25’95 €

965 723 270 607 848 332

38

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES march 2015

SOL SPORT & MOTORING

LOS AMIGOS DE MAZARRON FC 6TH ANNUAL GALA EVENING AND DINNER

Sporting celebrities Alan Kennedy, John H Stracey, Tony Currie and David Hirst flew into Spain last week to take part in a number of events as part of the Los Amigos de Mazarron FC Gala week in support of Mazarron Football Club.

The Celebrity Golf day at Camposol Club de Golf on Tuesday was a huge success.

The competition was sponsored by Expat Pensions and 64 players including all the celebrities and former Charlton Athletic midfielder Peter Reeves took part. The Competition was won by the Celebrities “A” team of Tony Currie, David Hirst, John Hutchinson and Stuart Fearn.

Afterwards some Los Amigos members joined the golfers for lunch in the Club House and over 100 people enjoyed a two course carvery meal before the presentations were made to the winning team and to the winners of the longest drive and nearest the pin competitions, Sue Brew, Lee Harrington and Eugene Toye, by Expat Pensions Director Andy Skinner and Los Amigos President Gerard Mulligan.

Later that night there was a social evening to welcome the celebrities to Mazarron again at the Club House, Camposol Club de Golf

Former Barnsley, Sheffield Wednesday Southampton and England International David Hirst gave a talk on his career and then invited questions from the audience aided and abetted by ex Sheffield United’ Leeds, QPR and England International Tony Currie. Former WBC World Welterweight Boxing Champion John H Stracey entertained with a selection of songs from his repertoire before David Hirst acted as compere for a hilarious Mr & Mrs Competition.

Then on Wednesday, was the highlight of the week the 6th Los Amigos de Mazarron Annual Gala Evening and Dinner at the Hotel La Cumbre, Puerto de Mazarron. Former Newcastle United, Liverpool and England International Alan Kennedy and John H Stracey were the speakers at this glittering event which was jointly sponsored by Ibex Insurance and the Club House, Camposol part of the Mazarron Entertainments Group.

Guests enjoyed an excellent five course meal with drinks and musical entertainment was provided by Martin Ross. The usual auction of Football Memorabilia was conducted by John H Stracey and the proceeds from the various events are expected to be in the region of 3000€.

PLAN 1-2-3

I YEAR’S FREE INSURANCE 2 YEAR’S WARRANTY 3 YEAR’S SERVICING www.autosdirect.es Tel: 966 723 718

201,6

per m 6€ onth

Opel Meriva - 2012 1.7CDTI Enjoy - 11.995€

15

1,1 per m 4€ onth

Smart Four Two - 2007 1.0 Automatic - 5,995€

15

251,9

1,1 per m 4€ onh

Peugeot 107 - 2006 1.2 Petrol - 5,995€

per m 8€ onth

Suzuki Grand Vitara - 2006 1.9 DDiS - 9,995€

Finance terms and conditions apply, full details including APR on request.`

SOLTIMES march 2015

www.soltimes.com

39

SOL SPORT & MOTORING

new fords available

Calle Mallorca, San Javier Call us: 968 146 158 or 618 628 511

www.specialistvehicles.com

bmw m1

2011, 3.0l, petrol, 9,000kms

€poa

• ferrari f430, challenge car, 4.3l, v8, 2008, 7,000kms.......................................................................€89,950 • bmw 530d, touring, automatic, 2009, 69,000kms....... .........................................................................................€21,950 • mercedes vito 111cdi, 2008, diesel, 9 seater, 173,000kms....................................................................€10,950

BMW M5 touring

• kia ceed, 1.6crdi, 2011, 63,000kms, grey........€10,950

€27,950

• Peugeot 308 1.6 HDi, 2008 204,000KM.....................€6,950

BMW X1 Auto

• opel corsa 1.7 cdti, 2003, diesel, 3 door 97.000 km

• renault clio 1.2 2011, petrol, 31,000km..........€9,950

5.0V10 petrol • ford mondeo, 2.0tdci, 2007, (new shape) blue, .....

2007,110,000 kms ...........................................................................................€7,950

2.0s, diesel 27,000 kms,

€21,950

audi a3

peugeot 3008 1.6 hdi 2011, auto, premuim, 65,000kms

€14,950

VW Caddy

Wheelchair Adapted 2007, 82,000kms

€14,950

Renault Fluence

1.5DCi, 2011 55,000kms

€11,950

Audi A1

2011, 1.2 TFSA Petrol 80,000kms

€11,950

2011, 1.6 TDi 95,000kms

€11,450

Mercedes CLK55 AMG 2001 83,000kms

€poa

• bmw 530d touring, automatic, 2002, blue.........€4,950 ...........................................................................................€3,950 • Ford focus estate, 1.6 automatic, 2002............€3,950 • citroen picasso, 2.0hdi, 2000, diesel, 160,000kms..... ...........................................................................................€3,450 • mgf 1.8 cabrio 2001, 104,000kms, red.................€3,450 • HYUNDAI GETZ, 1.1 PETROL, 195,000KM 2004........€2,950

auto, 1.6, tdi, • ford ka 1.3, 2002, 69,000kms...................................€2,950 2012 • opel corsa 1.2, auto, 2001, 91,000kms...............€2,950 32,000 kms,

€18,950

Seat Leon Copa

• Mitsubishi Carisma 2000, a/c, 143,000kms.........€2,950 • kia sportage, 2.0l petrol, 2000, 4x4 144,000kms...... ...........................................................................................€2,950 • nissan cargo 2.3, d, 1997, 160,000kms................€2,450 • Jaguar S-type 3.0L V6, 1999, 241,000kms...............€2,450

motorcycles

• honda vt750 shadow, 2005, 17,000kms............€3,950 • kawasaki eliminator 125cc, 2007, 1,400kms............. ..........................................................................................€1850

Right hand drive vehicles

• rolls royce silver spirit, rhd, 51,000 miles....€13,950 • bmw 120i, msport, 2006, 54,000 miles...................€8,950 • peugeot 407 sw, 2010, 2.0l hdi, estate 54,000 miles, blue, sat nav.............................................................€8,950 • vauxhall astra, 1.7cdti estate, 2009, blue........... ............................................................................................€5,950 • KIA SEDONA 2005, 2.9 TD, DIESEL, 113,000 MILeS...€4,250 • renault laguna 2.0i, extreme, 83,000 miles 2006... ............................................................................................€3,450 • citroen c3, xtr, 1.4, hoi, 2004, 90,000 miles.......€2,450

Right hand drive - spanish reg

• renault kangoo 1.6i, automatic, 2008, rhd, wheelchair adapted............................................€8,950 • ford ka, 2004, 63,000 miles....................................€1,950 • nissan primera 1998 2L petrol auto.............€1,950 • Ford focus estate 1.6, 143,000 miles.............€1,450 • peugeot 405, 1.9 diesel, 1996, estate..................€950

~ RHD / LHD Taken in Part Exchange / purchased for cash

~ Full procurement service

Mercedes vito 9 seater, 173,000kms

€10,950

hyundai Tucson 2.0CRDi (Diesel), 2005, 133,000kms

€7,950

Alfa Romeo 156 SW 2005, 1.9 JTD 84,000kms

€5,950

Opel Corsa 2005 1.3 CDTi 114,000km

€4,950

Peugeot 206 cc 2002 2.0i, diesel, 69,000km €4,950

Peugeot 806 Auto 7 Seat 2L petrol 125,000km €3,950 Visit our website Over 40 cars in group stock

www.specialistvehicles.com

Call us: 968 146 158 or 618 628 511

●Re-registration service available ●no obligation test drives ●we bring the vehicle to you

40 SOLTIMES march 2015

Tel 902 750 190

www.soltimes.com

SAMM Starts Racing Again

LA HOYA LORCA CF 5 MAZARRON FC 1

Sunday March 15th was the opening day of the SAMM, Sailing Association Mar Menor, Spring 2015 Series racing at Los Narejos on the Mar Menor. A disappointing 5 boats came to the line for the start of the first race which was delayed till 12.30pm due to lack of wind but this was probably because many members had not returned to their Spanish homes.

Under the overcast sky, in SE winds of 5 to 8.5 knots the race was very close fought at times but the final result on corrected time was 1st the Sailfish 18 ‘Sirocco’ crewed by Robert Hudson and Julian Pering, 2nd the Faversham of David Belcher and 3rd the other Sailfish 18 ‘Mistral’ crewed by Mick Burgess and Ernie Foster.

The second race started at 2.30pm in similar cold conditions with ‘Sirocco’ and the Faversham again placed first and second and the Hartley 12.2 of Don Clarke third.

Want to know about SAMM then visit www.sailingmarmenor.com

Mazarron were well beaten by a La Hoya side who moved up into second place with this victory.

The game was marred by a serious injury to a La Hoya player after just seven minutes following an accidental clash with Mazarron youngster Stevens. There was a hold up of over 30 minutes until the ambulance arrived to take the unfortunate player to hospital.

A few minutes after the restart La Hoya took the lead.

Mazarron lost the ball on the edge of their penalty area and a deflected shot looped over Carrasco into the net. La Hoya continued to put pressure on the Mazarron defence and Carrasco had to make a good save to keep the score at 1-0.

Mazarron just could not get into the game and did not have a shot on target until the 30th minute when Tolo broke clear but shot straight at the onrushing La Hoya keeper. It was to be Mazarron’s only real threat in the first half.

Chema replaced Antonio Clares at half time and almost equalised after 49 minutes when he headed Liders’ excellent left wing free kick just wide. A minute later La Hoya increased their lead when right back Alfonso was beaten for pace and the La Hoya forward easily slotted the ball past Carrasco.

After 62 minutes Carrasco had to make another good save from a fierce shot but two minutes later he was left floundering when a La Hoya free kick from the left completely deceived him to make the score 3-0.

Mazarron pulled a goal back in bizarre fashion after 67 minutes when a clearance from La Hoya was charged down by substitute Juanillo and, from

New Zealand will relish semi-final

New Zealand will not be overawed by the chance to win a first World Cup semifinal, says captain Brendon McCullum.

The Black Caps, losers in six semi-finals, will have home advantage in Auckland when they meet a South Africa side who have also never made a final.

“The way we’ve been playing is pretty exciting,”

said 33-year-old McCullum.

“For us to win World Cups in crunch games, we need to remain true to that and I wouldn’t expect that it will change on Tuesday.”

New Zealand are one of only two teams in the tournament, along with defending champions India, to have won all seven matches they have played.

In the co-hosts’ quarter-final win over West Indies, Martin Guptill made a World Cup record 237 not out, while their total of 393-6 was the highest in a knockout game.

“We talk a lot about this being the greatest time of our lives and the trip that we’ve been on so far has been one that we’ll all remember,” said opening batsman McCullum.

“The game is meant to be fun. Go out there, express yourself, enjoy the occasion, put our best foot forward, and we’ll see where the cards fall after that.” South Africa lost twice in the group stage but won their first World Cup knockout match by defeating Sri Lanka by nine wickets in the quarter-finals.

Proteas captain AB de Villiers said he has paid no attention to New Zealand being deemed the favourites for the clash at Eden Park, which begins at 01:00 GMT on Tuesday, 24 March. “It’s silly to focus too much on the cricket they’ve played,” said the 31 year-old batsman. “I believe if we play to our full potential, nobody is going to stop us in this tournament.

“If we play a good game of cricket we’ll come out on top. We’re that confident in our abilities as a cricket team. We’ve played some really good cricket in New Zealand. In the last five ODIs we’ve come out on top, and that’s what we focus on now.”

The winners will meet either Australia or India in the final in Melbourne on

an acute angle, the ball rolled slowly into the net.

The rest of the game was dominated by an excellent La Hoya team who scored twice more in the last five minutes to complete a comprehensive victory, their ninth successive win. Mazarron, however, have now taken only one point from their last five games and appear to be in freefall.

Team: Carrasco; Alfonso; Antonio Jose; Antonio Clares (Chema); Mateo; Stevens (Juanilo); Enrique (David); Liders; Dani; Diego; Tolo.

Man of the Match: Mateo Next Sunday (29th March) kick off 18.30, Mazarron have a must win local derby game against Sporting Camposol. Admission to the Estadio Municipal will be free of charge in the hope of encouraging a bumper crowd to cheer the team on.

Sunday. New Zealand will be without pace bowler Adam Milne, who has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament with a heel problem.

Matt Henry takes his place in the squad, with Mitchell McClenaghan most likely to come into the Black Caps XI. “It’s obviously disappointing because Adam has been outstanding for us in that third seamer role throughout the tournament,” said McCullum.

South Africa still have a minor injury concern around seamer Vernon Philander, who has had a hamstring injury. But Philander was able to bowl in the nets on Sunday and might play at the expense of Kyle Abbott.

New Zealand beat South Africa at the quarter-final stage four years ago in a heated contest that resulted in three players being fined for their part in a verbal clash.

McCullum said both teams have “grown up” since then, while De Villiers said he “didn’t have any grudges” and preferred to focus on his team’s continued efforts to banish their “chokers” tag, having ended a 23-year wait for a knockout win by beating Sri Lanka.

“I’m not putting emphasis on that at this World Cup at all,” said De Villiers.

“I’m the guy who’s got to answer those questions, and I don’t mind doing that, but I know the squad is in a really good space.

“We’ve been through a lot of hardship in the past with our World Cup games, but we feel very fresh and ready for tomorrow and very excited.”

Former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock: “The South Africans were under pressure against Sri Lanka and ticked all the boxes. Now they have the challenge of beating New Zealand on their home ground. I know they have match-winners, but it’s about they perform on the day.”

Cricket World Cup 2015: Graeme Swann on New Zealand Ex-South Africa captain Graeme Smith: “The Eden Park ground may actually be greatest challenge facing the Proteas on the day. The smaller field aided by a nation swept up in the euphoria of their team’s success will undoubtedly serve to disrupt the visiting team.”

Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming: “As the captain that led New Zealand to the semi-finals in both 1999 and 2007, what advice would I give McCullum? Just keep doing what you are doing. The aggressive style of cricket the team is playing is a joy to watch and remains the way to go.”

Ex-India captain Rahul Dravid: “The concern for South Africa is that lack of a fifth bowler. New Zealand will be able to put the fifth bowler under pressure and so that is likely to be key.” bbc.com