Calida 394

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

ISSUE 394

COSTA CALIDA

09 - 15 SEP

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September 2015

SPAIN ARRESTS 18-YEAR-OLD MOROCCAN WOMAN SUSPECTED OF ISIS LINKS

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Spanish police said they arrested an 18-year-old Moroccan woman on Saturday (Sept 5) accused of preparing to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

She was the latest in a series of suspected ISIS sympathisers detained in Spain since last year over security fears.

Police said she was suspected of recruiting other women via the Internet to the group, also known as Daesh, which has claimed numerous kidnappings and executions.

At the time of her arrest in the coastal town of Gandia near Valencia, she "was making the last preparations for her journey" to Syria, a police statement said.

She was not the first woman arrested in Spain for allegedly recruiting women and girls for the armed group; another was detained on the island of Lanzarote in July.

More than 100 people from Spain are suspected of having joined militant fighters in Iraq and Syria, and the authorities fear they may

return to launch attacks.

In March 2004, Al-Qaeda inspired bombers blew up four packed commuter trains in Madrid, killing 191 people.

More than 20 people including various Moroccans were convicted of that attack.

Police said the woman detained was Moroccan but had lived for a long time in Spain.

Officers arrested her "for suspected links with jihadist terrorist activities".

"She spread jihadist ideology on the Internet, justifying terrorist acts and spreading videos that glorified executions of people," it said.

"She had focused her online activity on recruiting women to go and swell the ranks of Daesh." straitstimes.com

Welcome GO SATELLITE!

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

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

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

a reliable and informative company is vital.

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

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

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

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

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

Go Satellite is going from strength to strength!

SATISFIED CUSTOMERS! Over the past 8 years the company has installed hundreds of satellite TV systems for individuals, companies and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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worked in Spain for over 13 years assisted by Stuart a FULLY SKY TRAINED engineer giving quality service and satisfaction. A 1.4 dish is needed in our area of Costa Blanca but we always say BIGGER is BETTER in Spain because of the reduced signal.

We have between us a wealth of knowledge regarding all types of installations, from single dishes, Spanish Tdt, German French or Scandinavian TV. We also specialise in installing community systems large or small from as little as 200€ per property or upgrade a badly installed system ask for references.. If you want any Sky TV PACKAGES in English German French or Spanish Polish Russian Scandinavian ask if we can supply it. We also supply IPTV, internet protocol television. We are iptvinspain, We supply Android Boxes for smart tv. NO DISH REQUIRED TOTALLY FREE TV. We are android-tvspain. We can also Supply Telephone and Internet via a National Trusted Company. THE SKY IS THE LIMIT when it comes to TV at aa free english tv we have no limits just lots of options. Visit to our web now for further information or better still ring Pete on 606297825 for a free quotation now. Re alignments from only 25€ www.aafreeenglishtv.com - www.iptvinspain.com www.android-tvspain.com

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SPANISH PENSIONER OFFERS 5,000 EUROS TO ANYONE WHO WILL EMPLOY HIS SON The unnamed retiree took out an advert in a local paper

seeking a job for his 39-year-old son, a 'desperate' unemployed father of one "Pensioner offers 5,000 euros to company who hires his unemployed son, qualified, responsible and hard-working with good references, pay negotiable according to contract, absolute discretion," the advertisement in El Heraldo de Aragon newspaper said.

Concerns about Spanish unemployment, the second-highest in Europe at 22.4 percent, are at the centre of the campaign for a general election to be held in December.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, ahead in polls but expected to fall short of a majority, is seeking to overcome scepticism that an economic recovery is truly filtering down. The pensioner, a retired lawyer, told the newspaper he could not watch his son suffer without doing anything.

"The advert might look undignified, but I lost my sense of shame a long time ago," said the pensioner, who did not want to give his name. His son has been unemployed for several months. Many families are like his - they have ridden out a six-

ort

EURO

year economic crisis thanks to the pensions of older members.

Spanish pensions rose 8.3 percent between 2008 and 2012, government statistics show.

By contrast, incomes of people WE BUY aged 30 to 44 --the biggest group in the working-age USED population-- fell 2.8 percent as SPAS millions lost their jobs or took wage cuts.

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September 2015

REAL MADRID JOIN DRIVE TO HELP REFUGEES

Spanish giants Real Madrid will donate one million euros (US$1.1m) to help support projects for refugees in Spain, the club announced on Saturday.

"Real Madrid states that it will donate one million euros to help refugees that will be hosted by Spain," they said in a statement.

"Loyal to its compromise to charity, the club has taken this decision with the objective to help the men, women and children that have been obliged to abandon their homes to flee war and death."

Madrid announced earlier in the week the club's turnover reached a record €660.6 million last season.

The club will also provide sports kits for young refugees and make some of their facilities available to the commission charged with overseeing the hosting of those welcomed into Spain.

The gesture is one of many by the world of sport in recent days to react to the European wide crisis.

Bayern Munich said on Thursday they would also give one million euros and work with Munich authorities to set up training camps for children to receive German lessons, meals and football kits.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has also pledged to donate two million dollars in emergency funds.

AFP (news@thelocal.es)

"In the newspaper classified section, Mariano Rajoy's recovery," Pablo Echenique, a leading member of the antiausterity party Podemos, said in a message on Twitter accompanying a photo of the ad.

The pensioner, who could not immediately be reached for comment, told the newspaper that he had got around 20 calls, and most had not mentioned the money he offered. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

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Tenants purchase their use of the Air Con through pre-paid cards, which contains an amount of credit. When this credit runs out, the tenant must purchase another card, similar to a pay-as-you-go system. 99% of the time, tenants will not want to purchase another card, meaning they are more energy conscious with your Air Con system and electricity bill looks much better.

Price is only 220€ plus IVA

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URGENTLY REQUIRED HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, BUSINESS LIQUIDATION, VEHICLES FOR IMMEDIATE CASH PAYMENT WE COLLECT SAME DAY WE OFFER FREE COLLECTION OR TURN UP WITH YOUR GOODS AND WE WILL PAY YOU IMMEDIATE CASH.

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www.soltimes.com

EVERYDAY SPANIARDS TO STAR IN ‘LIFE IN A DAY’ IN SPAIN ON THE BIG SCREEN

Got any plans on October 24th? The celebrated film director, Isabel Coixet, wants people across Spain to contribute to a documentary that will capture one day of life in Spain.

The documentary inspired by Ridley Scott’s Life in a Day will be compiled of short video snapshots of people’s lives on one particular day of the year, Residents of Spain and Spaniards living abroad can submit a video of no more than 15 minutes of their day, reflecting on their passions, their fears, their beliefs and their dreams.

Participants will be asked to all film on Saturday October 24th this year, just as the Life in a Day project was all filmed on July 24th, 2010.

Una película con 47 millones de protagonistas Coixet and a number of Spanish actors promoted the project, called Spain in

a Day, at a press conference on Friday.

“It is a movie that is going to be made from the fragments of the lives of everyone,” Coixet told broadcaster RTVE, which is also part of the project. “Births, w e d d i n g s , baptisms moments of loneliness, moments of happiness. After sex, before sex, sex well, I don’t know, that, too.

“We are trying collect the lives of all Spaniards in a way that is real, authentic, entertaining, dramatic. But above all, it has to be true.”

Videos must be submitted to RTVE by November 15th. Coixet will then begin to view and select which videos will make it into the film.

The movie will first premiere at the San Sebastian film festival next year before hitting move theatres and later being broadcast on TVE. English filmmaker Ridley Scott’s LIfe in a Day project received more than 4,500 hours of footage in 80,000 submissions from 192 nations. The same format has been copied in the UK, Japan and Italy. thelocal.com

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September 2015

A is for...

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Both individuals and businesses can support local businesses, all you have to do is: ...whenever you can, buy from a local business as opposed to buying outside of your region.

Office in Bolnuevo (near Farmacia) next to Cafe Colonia

E is for...

EVERY WEEK BE SEEN BY OVER 30,000 READERS ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE CALL: 950 121 936 E: BLANCASALES@SOLTIMES.COM

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J is for...

These days, when most people do the majority of their shopping in giant supermarkets, out of town shopping complexes or city centre malls, it can be difficult to draw attention to a small business trading locally. But with concerns being raised over community cohesion, social inclusion and the environment, the local business has never been more important. It’s down to enterprising business owners like you to promote the importance of supporting local businesses so that the public understand why it matters and how it can benefit whole communities.

In order to tackle the trend toward supermarket shopping, it’s important to understand why people choose it.

Research indicates that the reasons they most frequently cite are the variety of products available and the convenience of having them all in one place.

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UK

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U is for...

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call us NOW WE WELCOME YOU 7 DAYS A WEEK

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W is for...

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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

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www.soltimes.com

DO YOU SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES? Challenge this directly through poster campaigns and advertisements which emphasise the variety offered by small independent businesses, contrasted with the way that monopolies tend toward homogenisation.

Remind people how convenient it is to have a lot of small shops offering different products and services located in the area, and how convenient it is to be able to shop close to home.

It’s okay to admit that big business has the edge in some areas if you stress that there’s a cost to this.

For instance, you could have a poster featuring a pint of milk which acknowledges that it’s cheaper in the supermarket but points out how much less time is spent if it can be picked up nearby, so that it still pays to shop locally.

If your business purchases its products locally, it’s worth emphasising this - shopping with you means supporting local producers and cutting down on the environmental costs of long distance transport. If you sell food, it also means getting fresher produce.

You can also point out that local businesses mean local jobs and increased opportunities for local people, encouraging the young to stay in the area and become positively involved with the community. It cuts out the daily commute for many people and makes their working lives more pleasant........................................................................

C is for... Cycling Your Holiday Bike Bicycle hire on the Costa Blanca

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British and International Goods Available SOMETHING FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY SO WHY NOT COME ALONG & SEE WHAT’S HERE!

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September 2015

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Toni Jones reviews the new high intensity 'Rumble' boxing classes at London's 1Rebel gym Boxing is hot right now.

Seriously hot. Everyone from Gisele to Millie Mackintosh and Ellie Goulding are taking to the punch bag to tone up, trim down and unwind. And having just completed my first 1Rebel ‘Rumble' class as a beetroot red and sweating mess I can confirm that yes, it is hot, very hot indeed.

Rumble is the latest fitness phenomenon from London's hip 1Rebel gym (St Mary Axe, near Aldgate), whose hardcore high intensity spinning and ‘reshape’ circuit classes have proved to be a massive hit with body-conscious Londoners.

I was there on opening day to try out the brand new boutique boxing workout.

WHAT THEY SAY Rumble burns hard, incorporating explosive speed, footwork and strength but most of all willpower. It's a survival of the fittest battle, taking place in an immersive space filled with 45 minutes of sound and energy. Punch, kick and move.

It's between you and your bag.

WHAT'S INVOLVED The combat-themed Rumble sessions are 45 minutes of HIITbased exertion. After ‘gloving up’ (you’ll need to purchase wraps and hire gloves unless you have your own) I am led into a dark and perfectly round basement room straight out of the Hunger Games and allocated a punch bag.

The class of 20 is a 50/50 mix of men and women, of varying ages and sizes, but the one thing they do all have in common is a high level of fitness, and possible anger issues.

But that’s ok, because anger is encouraged here: “WHO HAS REALLY ANNOYED YOU TODAY? WHAT DID THAT IDIOT DO TO YOU? WHOSE UGLY FACE ARE

BOUTIQUE BOXING: THE LATEST FASHIONABLE WAY TO GET FIT

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Do you suffer from mobility problems, breathlessness/pain or falls/stumbles?

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YOU SEEING ON THAT BAG RIGHT NOW?” snarls the instructor, a petite and pretty blonde who then proceeds to lead us through a gruelling but exhilarating series of punches, kicks, burpees, 'knife slices' and sit-ups.

The bad news is that there are no breaks (any 'rests’ involve skipping on the spot, preferably with high knees). The good news is that the 45 minutes fly by and we are cooling down in hi-tech Avda del Romero changing rooms with tri-temperature towels, heated seats and luxe toiletries before we know it.

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BY APPOINTMENT ONLY Yes. Rumble is demanding and intense but the HIIT-style format of the workout (high intensity AP7 Junc 745 interval training) means that as soon as one muscle group gets tired you move on to the next, so can at least last the session without fear of throwing up. Plus, being given individual punch bags instead of the more standard partner work in boxing means that you can go at your own pace and not worry about getting punched by some angry banker.

Creating an immersive studio space is a big part of the 1Rebel experience, and the clever lighting and banging soundtrack definitely helps you achieve more than in a standard circuit session. I’m not convinced it’s the best thing to do before breakfast ('rumbling' starts at 6am during the week) but an evening class might be the perfect stress buster.

And of course one shouldn’t be so superficial as to choose a fitness plan based on how cool the gym is, but nobody leaves a 1Rebel session looking pretty so it helps that the industrial chic changing rooms are super stylish. Also, the bosses like to give out free beer after evening sessions http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

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Things are definately going well for this time served Barber with over 20 years experience running businesses both here and in the UK, Darren can offer a wide range of cutting styles from the latest modern cuts to traditional male Barber

cuts using top quality products.

The Barbershop offers a relaxed and friendly welcome, set in a modern, airconditioned comfortable surrounding, so why not pop in for a chat and a trim up soon The Barber Shop is Open Monday - Friday, 10am - 4pm (out of hours are available on request) with a walk in service, AT THE no appointments necessary.

With Cuts starting from as COUNTRY CLUB little as 5 Euro, why not pop along and visit Darren the Barber for a tidy up soon at Modern & Traditional Gents Hairdressing The Quesada Country Club Barbershop, 16 Calle Toledo, Ciudad Quesada, postcode 03170 for sat nav´s.

Opening Times: Further information can be Mon-Fri 10am- 5pm found by visiting the facebook Closed Sept 11th + 14th page OUT OF HOURS BY REQUEST ht tps://w w w.facebook.

Drive through Quesada Arches up main street, take left fork at Parque com/quesadacountryclub.

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Costa Azul, continue uphill and take right turn onto Calle Toledo.

Closed September 11th & Country Club / Barber is 200mtrs on right - Look for Childrens Play Area.

14th for holiday

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September 2015

THE ULTIMATE IN CONCRETE DESIGN

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The interior design expert on mixing textures, ignoring trends and four other tips to make your home feel more personal IGNORE TRENDS Buy pieces that give you an emotional connection, that make you instantly feel happy or tranquil, have a narrative or increase your heart rate. The more you follow your heart, the more individual your house will be. Being unique is also not about having the oneoff statement piece from a French antique market. Smaller accessories, such as vases, candles, flowers and throws, can make your space feel personal because they are totally about taste – they are the five-minute facelift of the decorating world.

Observe the rule of three Putting the eclectic pieces that you love together in a space without it looking crazy can feel quite daunting. The simplest trick is to rein in your colour palette. For each space stick to only a few different colours – in my rooms I have no more than three – and then vary the tones from light to dark.

GIVE SOME INTEREST Your aim should be to create intrigue, friction and tension in a room. It’s my secret. Do this by juxtaposing objects. Play around with scale: if everything Reforms Architectural Service & Plans is perfectly proportioned Painting your room can read as quite Construction & Maintenance Decorating formal. Try putting a really Interior Design Legally registered family business large vessel on a small taTiling, Flagging, Electrics, Plumbing, Quality workmanship guaranteed Aluminuim, Swimming pools, ble, a big lamp on a pile of teddybearbuilders@yahoo.com Key-holding & Maintenance small books or supersizing art. It will give your 680 851 376 616 214 713 your room an exclamation mark

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and when it is held together with a restrained colour palette the space will look beautiful and harmonious. Lighting is also a good way to add drama.

BUILD UP TEXTURES Another way to create friction is to mix textures, as it adds another layer of intrigue for the eye. Texture is under-considered. When every surface is the same, or when everything matches, it can make a space feel boring and one-dimensional. Don’t buy a velvet cushion for a velvet sofa. Buy a fluffy wool cushion or a metallic leather one. Unlike with pattern, you can never overdose on texture.

CHOOSE COLOUR THAT YOU LOVE Take inspiration for your wall colour from your wardrobe. Have a look at the colours you enjoy wearing and gravitate to. If you wear a lot of grey and black there is no reason why you shouldn’t apply those colours to your walls.

Choose a more saturated paint than you normally would, as it can make a space feel cocooning and relaxing. Colour is the most important thing in a room, and it’s the easiest thing to change if you hate it.

CREATE MOOD When I decorate I do not try to achieve a certain style, for example a French kitchen. Instead I try to nail a mood. Ask yourself, “How do I want to feel in this room?” and come up with a list, including, for example, tranquil, invigorated or chilled, then decorate to conjure that feeling. In my make me feel chilled out when I walk in. Decorate a small and hallways the same attention as your lounge, as they bedroom I wanted to feel relaxed so I decorated with tex- room in a dark colour with squidgy and luxurious textiles tend to be ignored and left merely practical. tures aplenty, including big fluffy rugs, that immediately to make it feel cosy. Don’t forget to give your bathrooms http://www.telegraph.co.uk

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

14

September 2015

BRABEN’S BLOG...

Hello and welcome to CanDu Computer Bytes. that does better against You have Windows 10 and are now stuck with the collection of obscure it. So the next question should be “how do I malware samples used to make it secure”. Well if you have been following test antivirus software. I would suggest my advice you will be 100 times more secure than you were. How then, do you make it more that you use an anti-exploit program like the free (did I really use the F word again – sorry) secure? By adding an AntiVirus program to it!

There will be some clever clogs out ‘Malwarebyte Anti Exploit’. Quickly, an Antithere that will immediately say “Ahh but Trev, exploit programs provide an additional layer of Windows 10 comes with it’s own antivirus / security by blocking the techniques attackers antimalware programs”. 10 out of 10 for being use to ‘kick in the back door’ of your computer’s so pedantic. Yes it does, but it will allow another Operating System (and they all have them BUT AV priority should you have one.

Maybe the question should be “is they are always improving!).

What’s the Best Antivirus? Okay, Windows Defender really the best for protecting your PC — or even just good enough?”. so maybe you aren’t happy with Windows Microsoft suggest that it is baseline protection Defender. You might want to select another for all windows. Baseline??? So what out there antivirus instead. If you’re looking for a paid could be better? Antivirus is already running out antivirus product, ‘Kaspersky’ and ‘BitDefender’ of the box. Windows Defender automatically are consistently ranked up there at the top of scans programs you open, downloads new definitions from Windows Update, and provides the various antivirus tests. You might want to an interface you can use for in-depth scans. But do a bit more research or examine the latest how good is this? Well, truth be told, Microsoft’s versions of the tests yourself and see which antivirus is a bit behind the others when it antivirus programs are doing the best. But comes to comparative antivirus software tests. Kaspersky and BitDefender are both solid, wellDon’t get me wrong Windows Defender has a respected options, as is ESET if you’re prepared lot of advantages. It’s built-in, won’t harass you to open your wallet. with pop-ups and requests for money, and is

If you’re looking for a free antivirus lighter than some competing antivirus solutions.

It won’t attempt to harvest your browsing data solution, Windows Defender really is fairly solid. and make money from it, as some free antivirus I would also recommend AVG and COMODO, programs have started doing in an attempt to But, and its a big “BUT”, if you want something make a profit. else, be sure to avoid installing whatever toolbar

Despite the low “scores” offered or browser extensions the antivirus wants to to Windows Defender by ‘AV-Test’ (0.5 out install. Free antivirus companies have turned to of 6 - one half point out of 6!) for protection — Windows Defender caught 95% of the bundling software and harvesting data to pay “widespread and prevalent malware” in June for those “free” antivirus solutions.

So lock all the doors and bar the 2015, along with 85% of the zero-day attacks.

‘BitDefender’ managed 100% and 100% of the windows 10 (sorry for the pun) and enjoy safe tested samples, while ‘Kaspersky’ managed and secure working on your computer but 100% and 99%. So, despite the wide difference always remember ‘caveat emptor’ or in this in scores, Windows Defender STILL DOES a case. Keep both eyes open for anything that SOLID JOB.

Windows Defender should probably just doesn’t seem right.

Contact me for free advice concerning be fine for most PCs, along with a little common sense and maybe a few other good your computer, or to arrange an security practices. However, if you’re regularly appointment, at the address or phone downloading pirated applications and engaging number below. Or get your bum to Olivers in other “higher-risk” behaviours (and we all do bar in Albox on a Friday after-noon for it – especially me when I need to test some free advice and sensibly priced solutions program or other to write about it), you For further information or advice on may want to skip computing,contact Trevor on 689 892 745 or Windows Defender canducomputing@hotmail.co.uk and get something

A HISTORY OF MOORISH SPAIN (PART 2)

The green and white flag of modern Andalucía dates from 756AD and Abd-er-Rahman; before the battle he won against Al-Fihri to take the prize of Cordoba and therefore Al-Andalus his army had not prepared a flag. So a green turban was hastily wrapped around a white spear with the green signifying hope and the white peace.

Abd-er-Rahman became Emir of Al-Andalus and started construction of the Mezquita around 785AD. According to legend he proclaimed “Let us build a Mosque which will surpass that of Bagdad, that of Damascus, and that of Jerusalem, which shall be the greatest temple of Islam and become the Mecca of the Occident.”

The mosque was similar in style to the great mosque of Damascus, the city where Abd-erRahman had escaped from 30 years previously.

Christian slaves constructed the mosque using stones from razed churches; the Emir also got stuck in, working for an hour a day. The work continued for nearly 300 years with each subsequent ruler adding further to the building.

In 788AD Hisham the First succeeded as Emir; born in Cordoba he called for Jihad and Moslems flocked from abroad (sound familiar?

IS?) In 793AD with his new army he waged war against the far northern enclave of the Kingdom

MOBILE PROBLEMS

n

Doesn’t e w

technology m o v e quickly?

Sometimes you have to stand open mouthed and just acknowledge that new stuff is really good. I think that’s the sort of language scientists would use!

What got me into the standing open mouthed position this week was an article I read about the X-51 development. I’m pretty sure that I used to catch the X-51 home from school some nights, except that was a Ribble bus. This X-51 couldn’t be more different; it’s a plane, but one that goes quite considerably faster than those we would normally come across.

The X-51 apparently travels at Mach 5, which is so fast that it could almost get you to the front of the supermarket queue when a new till opens. Almost! In the X-51 you’d be able to fly from London to New York in an hour, supposedly.

Sounds great! But, because it would be so popular, the planes would be bigger than they are now, with more of them. Can you spot the problem? Precisely! It means the time spent in the air is minimal, but the time spent waiting to get through passport control and then for your bags would be

equal to the length of the ordinary flights. Still some work to do there I think.

Then another great idea.

Nivea have produced a doll that turns a vivid shade of pink in the sun, to help all parents who battle to get their children to apply that nasty sun block stuff. If you don’t smother the doll with sunscreen in short order, it will start to show symptoms of third degree burns!

That must be a sure fire winner, but in these days of equality for all, expect a backlash from the Barbie Fan Club. Yes there is one, and they may take umbrage at such cruelty to one of Barbie’s distant relatives!

No piece about advances in technology would be complete without selfies!

Believe it or not, scientists are now working on smellovision. Okay, that’s my word, but through selfiessmelfies ?- posted on social media, they’re creating smelly maps of cities, so you can plan for the most aromatically pleasing tour possible!

Social media users will have a dictionary of smells that they can use to colour code the ones they come across when posting selfies, ranging from lavender to skunk. I wonder if FIFA HQ would possibly be rat coloured?

Graham is married to Helen and has a daughter, Alice. He lives part of the year near Albox, but works in Qatar, teaching. If you wish to contact Graham regarding this article email: helenandg@yahoo.co.uk

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

of Asturias where Christians had flocked to after the initial Moorish invasion around 720AD. He won that battle but was then defeated by the Frankish King William the First when he attacked the County of Toulouse in what is now France. He died in 796AD. Al-Hakam the First was Emir from 796-822AD and founded the first university in Cordoba. This was an enlightened time and both Jews and Christians were given more religious freedom in Al Andalus than anywhere else in the world. The price was a special tax or Jizya meaning people of the book. The alternative was to convert to Islam or if one preferred; execution (familiar again?). Moslems were allowed to marry Christians with their offspring called Muwallad nowadays known as Mulatto.

During the period 807-811AD Emir Al-Hakam had many victories in the north against the Frankish Christian King Charlemagne and took Gascony in 809AD. Charlemagne had the title Emperor of the Romans given to him by Pope Leo the Third after quelling a rebellion against the Pope in Rome in 800AD. Charlemagne was also a learned man and set up the first ever Christian library. Paradoxically the two leaders

fought against each other whilst both encouraging spiritual and intellectual enlightenment.

They did however forge a peace treaty in 816AD. Al-Hakam earned the title Al-Muzaffar meaning great warrior.

There were rebellions in Al-Andalus during this whole period; one in Toledo in 800AD meant 300 prominent people were put to death. The largest revolt was by Moslem clerics in Cordoba which was crushed around 817-818AD with Al-Hakam ordering 300 people to be crucified on the banks of what was then called al-wādi al-kabīr ‘The Great River’. We now know it as the Guadalquivir. 800 survivors were expelled with some going to Fez where they set up the Andalucían quarter which can still be seen today and others fled to Alexandria. In 827AD they moved again to Crete where they set up an emirate which survived until the beginning of the Byzantine reconquest in 961AD.

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September 2015

NATURALPOOLSINAND AROUND SPAIN THE SEVEN MOST SS MI T NO DO R TE WA H ES FR R EFE PR U IF YO CIA AMAZING NATURAL POOLS OF ANDALU

Andalucia is a land that is not only the home of beautiful beaches, but also of excellent natural pools and ponds where to go for a dip in fresh water. Natural surroundings full of vegetation where you can also enjoy the sun and the peace and quiet this summer. Grab pen 3. CHILLAR RIVER, NERJA and paper and jot down the ten (MALAGA) natural pools that you should not The nature lovers are well aware of miss. Charming places to swim in the route through the Chillar River the middle of nature. near Nerja, where sports and contact 1. EL CHORRO (MALAGA) with nature are its main attraction.

El Chorro is a village belonging In one of the ascents of the river is to Alora next to a dam on the a large water reservoir where the Guadalhorce River, in the province daring hikers make a stop to bathe in of Málaga. It is one of the main this natural pool covered with rocks. rock climbing centers in Europe as In the top part, almost at the end, it is located next to Los Gaitanes is another reservoir with waterfalls to Gorge where you can also find cool down in after the exercise. Do

2. BOLONIA (CADIZ) Bolonia is a place best known for its fine sand beach and crystal clear waters, what few people know is that a few meters away there is also a natural fresh water pool completely isolated from the world. If you decide to go, do not forget to bring some snacks because there are no facilities and no service areas there. You will have to access walking and on the way you will find this spectacular place surrounded by dunes.

Where are these hot springs located?

Andalucia is quite big and has more than one natural hot springs.

Close to Estepona there are a roman baths called “Baños de la Hedionda” (stinky baths, literally). To get there you have to have your own vehicle or find a local transport to Manilva (it’s the nearest village). From Manilva you can walk (there are some interesting trekkings around there) or go by car.

If you have a GPS go to: (WGS84) 36.396483 -5.2614660 If not, in Manilva, just ask for “Camino de los baños” (a nice paved road to the place you are looking for).

5. LA PLAYITA IN GRAZALEMA (CADIZ)

Please, note that usually the bathers don’t use swim suit here, it’s not officially a clothes optional place, but nobody cares about if you have or not your swimsuit. So be tolerant.

In Zahara de la http://travel.stackexchange.com Sierra, at 20 minutes from Grazalema, is La Playita, a fresh water lake created to enjoy the beach on a field day. The Grazalema mountain range, in Cadiz, is one of the most important natural treasures of Spain both for its environmental value and for its great tradition and culture, an enclave where some of the most beautiful white villages seasons of the year between 22ºC and of Andalusia are located. Its 24ºC. These waters have medicinal vegetation and fauna wealth give properties for different types of the place an enviable environment diseases. The neighbors have been where, in addition to being in responsible for fixing it up with all the contact with the purest nature, details and it even has some stairs to you will be able to give yourself a access it. This natural pool goes from refreshing dip.

50 centimeters to 2 meters deep.

6. LA BALSA DE CELA, (ALMERIA)

1.EL CHORRO (MALAGA) El Caminito del Rey, known for being notoriously dangerous and also for its beauty. Here you can give yourself a relaxing bath surrounded by breathtaking views.

While browsing for a decent travel guide for Andalucia, I stumbled upon one that quite enthusiastically mentioned the existence of natural hot springs, close to Estepona. Albeit their penetrating smell, bading was supposed to be a real treat. I thought, I bought that specific guidebook, but unfortunately not.

not miss this place that will leave you with your mouth open.

4.

MOUTH GUADALHORCE MALAGA

OF

THE RIVER,

It is a thermal water spring located on the boundary of the municipality of Lucar, and at an altitude of 720 meters above sea level. The waters emerge naturally with a constant flow of 42 liters per second and a temperature that is maintained in the different

7. FUENTE DEL RÍO, CABRA (CORDOBA)

IN

Fuente del Río is a natural spot catalogued as a Property of Cultural Interest. The Cabra River is born there, and on its way forms a series of waterfalls, accompanied by artificial fountains and a raft where you can take a relaxing bath. The natural character of a typical spring of the karstic system of the Cabra mountain range, with the ornamental value of gardens and trees, converge in this place. There is no better way to lower the temperature than to swim in these fresh waters that charm all those who visit them.

The Guadalhorce River is a stream full of orange and lemon scents that runs through the heart of Malaga, it gives water to terraced fruit trees and plantations of vegetables and flows into the sea. With its Access on the part of Guadalmar, this natural pool is one of the most comforting of Malaga with a great extension, possessor of great emotions. That final extension makes it possible to swim in a unique atmosphere.

LA PLAYITA IN GRAZALEMA (CADIZ)

http://blog.fuertehoteles. com

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SOLTIMES PROPERTY SUPPLEMENT

THE ONLY PROPERTY SUPPLEMENT ON THE COSTAS!!!!

LOOKING TO BUY OR RENT? FIND YOUR DREAM HOME INSIDE! HOUSE PRICES FELL IN 11 REGIONS IN AUGUST The price of second hand housing in Spain registered a decline of 0.6% in August, over the previous month, to stand at 1,577 euros per square metre, according to the latest real estate price index from idealista. com. Compared with the data for August 2014, when the price of second hand housing stood at 1,603 euros/m2, the year-on-year decline is 1.6%.

House prices rose in four of Spain’s regions in August, with the greatest increase being registered in La Rioja, where prices rose by 0.7% over the previous month, followed by Castilla-La Mancha and Madrid (both up 0.2%), and Navarra (+0.1%). In Andalucía and Castilla y León the prices remained unchanged, and 11 regions registered reductions in the price of housing, with the biggest declines being recorded in Aragón (-1.4%), Murcia (-1.2%) and Cantabria (-0.6%).

The Basque Country remains the most expensive region, with an average price per square metre of 2,573 euros, followed by Madrid (2,379 euros/m2) and Catalonia (1,863 euros/m2). In contrast, the most affordable regions for housing in August were Castilla La Mancha (976 euros/m2), Extremadura (981 euros/m2) and Murcia (1,056 euros/ m2).

A total of 16 Spanish p r o v i n c e s recorded positive price variations during the month of August, with the greatest increases being registered for Zamora (+2.6%), Guadalajara (+1.9%) and C a s t e l l ó n (+1.8%).

In contrast, the greatest decline was recorded in Lleida (-4.8%), followed by Huesca (-2.6%), Teruel, Lugo and Córdoba (all -1.9%).

The Basque Country provinces of Guipuzcoa and Vizcaya remain at the top of the ranking of the most expensive provinces, with average prices per square metre of 2,917 euros and 2,634 euros, respectively, followed by Madrid (2,379 euros) and Barcelona (2,165 euros), while Toledo is the cheapest province, with a price of 876 euros per square metre, followed by Lleida (892 euros) and Cuenca (893 euros). kyero.com

HOME MORTGAGES GREW BY 26.3% IN JUNE

The number of new mortgages constituted on homes in Spain listed in the Property Registers stood at a total of 21,454 in June, which represents an increase of 26.3% over the figure for the same month of 2014, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Institute, which pointed out that the data relates to transactions carried out in previous months.

With the data for June, home mortgages have now accumulated thirteen consecutive months of double digit increases and, notably, the figure for June exceeds by more than fifteen points the rise registered in May, when the constitution of new mortgages on homes rose by 10.9%.

In June, the average loan value of the new mortgages on homes reached 103,626

euros, which is 4.2% more than the same month of 2014, while the capital loaned for these mortgages increased by 31.7% yearon-year, to over 2,223 million euros.

Month-on-month (June over May), the number of new mortgages on homes rose by 8.7%, representing their greatest increase in this month in the past five years, while the capital loaned grew by 8.4%, compared to the decrease of 4.6% experienced a year earlier.

El Mundo reported that, in the first six months of the year, the constitution of new mortgages on homes accumulated an increase of 21.1% over the same period of 2014, with a 25.3% increase in the capital loaned and a 3.4% increase in the average mortgage loan value. kyero.com

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September 2015

HOUSE PRICES ROSE 5.1% IN Q2

The price of housing in Spain increased by 5.1% year-on-year in the second quarter of the year, according to the latest statistics from the Association of Property Registrars. This increase is almost double the increase recorded in the first quarter of the year (2.65%), which the Registrars point out “consolidates and intensifies the change in trend which began in 2014”.

Quarter-on-quarter, the increase in housing prices amounted to 2.8% in the second quarter over the first. Thus the pace of growth of the past few quarters has softened the decline since the peak levels reached in 2007, to 29.2%.

A total of 87,187 home sales transactions were registered in the second quarter of the year, which is 11.1% more than in the same period of 2014, and the second highest number of transactions recorded in the last nine quarters, although the figure is 3.7% less than that recorded in the first three months of the year.

In the last twelve months a total of 335,163 home sales transactions have been registered, which is 2.7% more than the accumulated figure up until the first quarter of the year.

Once again, a great difference was noted between the number of new and second hand home sales in the second quarter.

While a total of 18,482 transactions were recorded on new homes, representing a decline of 18.5% over the previous quarter, some 68,705 transactions were carried out on second hand homes, representing an increase of 1.2%.

The region which registered the greatest number of homes sales transactions in the quarter was Andalucía, with 17,751 transactions, followed by Catalonia (13,228), Valencia (12,760) and Madrid (12,514).

According to El Economista, foreign demand for Spanish homes remains strong and accounted for 12.8% of the total home purchases in the second quarter, rising from the 12.2% recorded in the first quarter, which shows a certain level of stabilisation in the percentage of purchases by foreigners, at around 13%.

The foreign nationalities leading the ranking for home purchases in Spain are the British (19.8%), French (8.1%), Germans (7.6%), Belgians (6.5%), Swedish (5.6%) and Italians (5.3%).

The Russians rank in seventh position, with 3.9%, confirming the downward tendency of recent quarters.

kyero.com

REAL ESTATE JOB OFFERS SOAR IN SPAIN

The number of job offers in Spain increased by 21% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2015, according to the latest study by the HR consultancy, Robert Walters. The Spanish market once again registered the largest increase in job applications in Europe so far this year, and the real estate sector recorded a ‘boom’ of offers, with an increase of 340% over the same period in 2014.

While the average growth in job offers in Europe was around 11%, in Spain they increased by 21% year-on-year. Also exceeding the European average were Ireland (19%), the United Kingdom (18%) and Luxembourg (16%).

During the last quarter, May was the month in which most vacancies were published,

with 72,000 jobs on offer, from a total of 210,913 advertised between April and June, representing an increase of 21% year-on-year and 9% more than in the first quarter of 2015.

By areas of expertise, idealista.com reported that the largest volume of professional ads in Spain were in sales, with a total of 51,694 offers, followed by the information technologies, with a total of 32,923 jobs offered.

The real estate sector, however, registered the highest year-on-year increase, with 340% more offers between April and June, rising from 448 job applications in the second quarter of 2014 to a total of 1,974 in the same period of this year.

Real estate job vacancies in the whole of Europe increased by 37.7% year-on-year to a total of 42,309 requests, with the United Kingdom (25,198), France (12,262) and Germany (2,047) leading the numbers of vacancies available in the sector.

According to Marco Laveda, Director of Robert Walters Spain, “the Spanish labour market shows signs of an increasingly healthy economy. Companies have focused on investment, growth, and recruitment, and therefore more work opportunities have arisen in most of the professional sectors. We expect an even more active third quarter of the year, taking into account the natural cycle of Spanish employment”. kyero.com

SPAIN PROPERTY RENAISSANCE GIVES LIFE TO STOCK TURNAROUND

Sergio Berdion lived his whole life in Madrid until 2012, when Spain’s real estate collapse drove him to Chile in search of work.

Last year he came back. “Things are definitely better,” said Berdion, 36, who works as an intermediary between architects and building contractors. “I don’t know if we’ll ever get back to the boom days, but there’s more and more work.”

The pickup that allowed him to return home is helping pull Spain’s economy out of its deepest hole in decades. Property prices are headed for their first annual increase since 2007, after slumping about 40 percent, while the construction industry added jobs for five consecutive quarters.

Stock investors betting Spain’s real estate market is finally turning the corner are being rewarded with some of the best returns in Europe.

“More and more investors are becoming convinced that Spain is for real,” said Bart Gysens, an analyst at Morgan Stanley in London. “The fundamentals are improving, and we are also seeing signs the rental market is improving. We think we are at the beginning of what could well be a multiyear recovery.”

Merlin Properties Socimi SA, which owns real estate ranging from office buildings to shopping malls and hotels, climbed 33 percent this year, the best performance in the Stoxx Europe 600 Real Estate Index of 26 companies.

Hispania Activos Inmobiliarios SA, Lar Espana Real Estate Socimi SA and Axiare Patrimonio Socimi SA are firms that also stand to benefit from rising property prices and rents, Gysens said. Valuations in Spain are still attractive.

Merlin, a Madrid-based real estate investment trust that had its initial public offering last year, serves as the preferred proxy for Spain’s property recovery because its shares are more liquid than those of rivals, according to Paul Van de Vaart, who oversees holdings that include Merlin shares at Aviva Investors in London.

Improving Outlook “The macro outlook is improving, the Spanish opportunity is high on the agenda and Merlin is one of the companies that can get you that exposure,” said Van de Vaart.

Real estate companies will benefit as the value of their underlying assets and rents increase, he said.

Merlin agreed in June to acquire Testa Inmuebles en Renta SA, becoming Spain’s largest real estate company by market value. Adding Testa’s holdings improves Merlin’s asset quality, and, because the properties are mostly apartments and hotels in Madrid, they stand to gain the most in a recovery, Morgan Stanley said

VERA APARTMENT FOR RENT SHORT-TERM/HOLIDAY RENTAL

in an Aug. 15 report. The firm rates Merlin overweight, the equivalent of a buy.

Spain’s government changed the law governing REITs in 2013 to reduce taxes for investors and spur property deals, leading to the creation of Merlin and other socalled socimis. The reform attracted funds from investors including Pacific Investment Management Co., George Soros’s Quantum Partners and billionaire John Paulson.

Fair Value “Our project to create Merlin coincided with great timing in relation to the recovery of the market,” said Merlin Chief Executive Officer Ismael Clemente in a telephone interview. “This helped us attract capital but more importantly it has helped us buy quality assets just as the recovery is beginning, which will benefit our investors.”

Spain’s real estate market was considered at or below fair value by 95 percent of respondents in a Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors survey of 1,294 companies linked to the industry, conducted between June 10 and July 3. By contrast, the survey showed 66 percent of respondents viewed German properties as expensive, while 50 percent said prices in London were rich.

That signals that property stocks such as Germany’s Deutsche Wohnen AG -- the second-best performer in the Stoxx 600 real estate index this year -- may have less room to climb than Spanish shares, said Simon Rubinsohn, chief economist at RICS. “Those markets that recovered early and have had really fantastic runs, they’re looking richly priced,” Rubinsohn said.

“Investors have been looking for other options. Spain, with its growth outlook this year and next, paves the way for rental growth, and that’s reflected in the stock market.”

The Spanish economy is forecast to expand 3 percent this year and 2.6 percent in 2016, the fastest pace in Europe, driven in part by the building industry.

Construction represents 5 percent of Spain’s gross domestic product, compared with 11 percent in 2007.

Berdion said he now has a steady flow of work, with two projects currently on the go.

“I left out of necessity, not because I wanted to,” he said over tapas in the Spanish capital. “It’s great to be back.” http://www.bloomberg.com/

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19

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ALBOX-VILLA SM019 - 139,995€ NEW LISTING

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ALBOX VILLA SOL144 - 130,000€

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

Beautiful 3 bed 2 bath detached private villa featuring swimming pool and walking distance to lively local village.

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

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

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20

September 2015

COMPLETE HOLIDAY HOLIDAY CARE CARE COMPLETE MOJACAR PLAYA

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We urgently require Rental Properties for waiting clients Casa Rosario IA1755

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Three bedroom town house in the heart of Albox.

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NEW MOJACAR PLAYA €99,950 MOJACAR REDUCED €69,950 Paseo del Mediterraneo 19, Mojacar Playa, Almeria (near the Hotel Best Indalo) Tel: 950 478 612 / 610 808 631 

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21

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EUROPEAN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT AT HIGHEST LEVELS SINCE 2007

Real estate investment in Europe has grown by 25% since January, compared to the same period of last year, and is the best six months data recorded since 2007, according to a recent report published by the international consultants, Savills.

The volume of investment recorded in the first half of the year reached some 102,500 million euros, and the organisation forecasts that European investment will exceed 230,000 million euros by the year end.

The United Kingdom, Germany and France will be the countries that together shall account for more than two-thirds of the total volume of investments to December, says Savills, which will grow in the secondary markets, due to the “strong investor interest in still-attractive prices and the highest quality of the product on the market”.

The segment that continues to lead the investment activity in most of the 16 European markets analysed in the study, is that of offices, with an average of 39%.

However, El Economista reported that the retail segment (supermarkets or warehouses) outperforms offices in certain markets, such as Spain, with 53% of investment, Germany (42%), and Norway (62%). Portugal, with 83%, is the market with the largest volume

of investment in the offices, supermarket s and warehouses segment in the last quarter.

The study highlighted the “notable activity” of American investors and the “growing interest” of investors from Asia and the Middle East, while at the same time it also emphasised the “shift toward larger transactions” seen in Europe, with a focus on emblematic office buildings and portfolios.

The study concludes that portfolio transactions, most significantly in the German and Scandinavian markets, have led to a “marked increase” in activity in the regional markets of each country.

In the Spanish market, however, the study notes that the growth is mainly concentrated in Madrid, which accounts for 60% of the total investment, and the expansion of other areas through this type of transaction is “less noticeable” than in other European countries.

For the remainder of the year, Savills’ report forecasts an increase of between 10% and 20% in investment activity, and a greater compression of ‘yields’ (dividends per share in the stock exchange) in most of the European markets kyero.com

BARCELONA AND MADRID HAVE SPAIN’S TOP SEVEN SOUGHT-AFTER PROPERTY DISTRICTS

BARCELONA and Madrid are dominating the property popularity tables as much as La Liga.

The most sought-after property districts have been unveiled and all of the top seven are split across those two cities.

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L’Eixample in Barcelona is Spain’s most sought-after area when buying a home, according to agent Fotocasa.

Just behind is central Madrid, followed by Salamanca (Madrid), Sant Martí (Barcelona), Chamberí (Madrid), Sants-Montjuïc (Barcelona) and Ciudad Lineal (Madrid). h t t p : / / w w w . theolivepress.es/

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22

GREAT THINGS TO DO IN MADRID

September 2015

PART 2

Festivals, culture, cuisine… discover all the capital has to offer!

In Gau&Café, smack in the Lavapiés barrio, you can have dinner while you admire ruins from an 18th-century building or the ‘corralas’ - apartment buildings with a central courtyard and balconies running around each floor that each flat opens onto - very typical of Madrid’s residential architecture, especially in this neighbourhood. If you’re looking for something a bit more central, try the Hotel de las Letras or the Urban (with a swimming pool), which are just a short walk from the Puerta del Sol. The lookout point from the Basílica de San Francisco el Grande or the one behind the Templo de Debod show a lesserknown side of the capital, while if what you’re after is more of a bird’s-eye view, head for the Teleférico de la Casa de Campo. Going out for a few beers (or glasses of wine, or soft drinks) is one of the locals’ preferred pastimes. And it’s made even better when the weather’s nice and all the bars and restaurants open up their terraces. Among the favourite areas to whet their whistle are La Latina in Plaza de la Cebada, a meeting point for many, especially younger crowd. At weekends it’s near impossible to make your way through streets like Cava Baja or Cava Alta, where you’ll find most of the bars and restaurants.

Other recommended areas for going out for a tipple include Malasaña, where modern bars with vintage decor co-exist with gritty taverns that have stood their ground for generations; Alonso Martínez, neighbour of one of the richest areas in the capital; Tribunal, where you want to head if you're planning to be out till the wee hours; Moncloa, a favourite among university students; and Chueca, with the best gay nightlife in the city. You might not realise it, but Madrid has a lot of green spaces. The biggest one is the Casa de Campo, with 1,700 hectares (6.6 sq mi) - five times bigger than New York's Central Park. The interior features a large lake where you'll find small boats and where schools practice kayaking for competitions. There's also a funfair, the Madrid Zoo, a youth hostel, sports facilities and more than a few spaces for concerts and events, including Madrid Arena.

A bit smaller but more central is the Parque del Buen Retiro, also known simply as 'El Retiro', with a pond, tree-linded walks, fountains, monuments such as those to Alfonso XII and the statue of the Fallen Angel, and there's even a space for puppet shows.

You'll also find find a lot of the city's residents out for a jog, skating or walking their dogs along Madrid Río, the green promenade that's a happy result of the excavation of ring road M-30. The Jardines de Sabatini, near the Palacio Real, are a bit more off the beaten path, but definitely worth a visit. The Paseo de la Castellana is the axis that passes through the city from north to south along the Paseo del Prado and the Paseo de Recoletos. This is where you'll find Madrid's

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financial centre, exclusive shops and hotels, and even the Spain's most-visited stadium, the Santiago Bernabéu, home to the Real Madrid football club.

The Natural Science Museum, the Nuevos Ministerios area, the Kio Towers and Plaza de Castilla with its huge obelisk are just some of the attractions that dotted along this seemingly endless avenue. At the north end are four skyscrapers - Torre Bankia, Torre PwC, Torre Espacio and Torre de Cristal - that together form the well-known economic complex aptly called Las Cuatro Torres. Whether you're in town for three days or three weeks, you must visit at least three essential spots before you leave. The first is Plaza Mayor, where you can relax with an expensive cup of 'café con leche', study the equestrian statue of Felipe III is in the centre of the square and do some pretty good people watching around the Tourist information Centre.

With its own song and everything, the Puerta de Alcalá is another must on your list of sights to see. In Plaza de la Independencia, next to El Retiro park, this ancient neoclassical-style gateway to Madrid is at its best at dusk, when lights shine on its arches. You'll also want to have a look at the Royal Palace, next to the Catedral de la Almudena, the official residence of the Spanish royal family, although they now live in the Zarzuela Palace. Die-hard football fans will want to check out the Plaza de Cibeles, where Real Madrid fans celebrate their team's wins, or Plaza de Neptune, territory of Atlético Madrid followers. Every Sunday it seems like the whole of Madrid is in one place: C/Ribera de Curtidores, in the Embajadores neighbourhood, where dozens of stalls are set up selling secondhand clothes, vinyl records, jewellery and just about any object you can imagine.

This is El Rastro, the most famous and oldest flea market in town.

Get there early in the morning unless you're really into crowds, because later in the day the street turns into a raging river of shoppers trying to elbow their way against the current as the vendors wage a shouting war over who has the best deals. Bar and café owners have taken advantage of the draw El Rastro has and have opened up nearby, so you can always find a place to duck out for break or an energy boost. And don't forget to visit the antiques shops down the side streets.

Back in the day, Gran Vía was nicknamed 'the Broadway of Madrid' thanks to the sheer quantity of cinemas and theatres that lined the street. Even though many of those have since closed, the strip from Plaza de Callao to Plaza de España keeps the culture alive and draws long queues at the box office. Dating back to 1944, the Teatro Compac Gran Vía is one of the oldest theatres in the city, and its stage has held dance performances, musicals and more.

The Teatro Lope de Vega has hosted the best and most successful musicals on the Madrid stage, including 'The Lion King', 'The Phantom of the Opera', 'Mamma Mia!', 'Jesus Christ Superstar' and 'Les Miserables', while the Rialto was home for nearly two years to the wildly popular Spanish musical 'Hoy No Me Puedo Levantar' ('Today I Can't Get Up'), based on the songs of Mecano, the best-selling Spanish band of all time that was active in the 1980s. At the foot of Gran Vía is the Teatro Coliseum, built in 1932 as a cinema. It's welcomed such works as 'Cats', 'My Fair Lady', 'Saturday Night Fever' and 'Chicago', among many others. Over a century ago this chocolatier's opened its doors in a hidden alleyway between Puerta del Sol and Plaza de Ópera. Today San Ginés serves up the most famous churros in Madrid, and it's a popular meeting point for clubbers heading home after a serious night out.

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23

24

September 2015

EASYJET RAISES PROFIT FORECAST AFTER RECORD MONTH

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Easyjet has raised its full-year profit forecast to between £675m and £700m after enjoying better-than-expected trading in August.

The airline said that it carried 7.06 million passengers in August - the second consecutive month above the seven million mark.

The load factor was a record 94.4% up 0.2 percentage points from August last year.

Easyjet had previously predicted annual profits of between £620m and £660m.

Some of the most popular destinations for holidaymakers included Malaga, Alicante, Faro, Palma and Barcelona.

Paul Moore, an Easyjet spokesman, said: “People have realised that the strong pound against the euro is really making their money go further on holiday.”

Sterling has surged against the euro over the past year and is worth €1.36, having reached as high as €1.44.

The airline said the strong August had more than offset additional costs faced by the carrier, including disruption from French air traffic control strikes in April and the impact of two fires at Rome Fiumicino airport.

Shares in Easyjet rose 6.4%, or 117p, to £17.88, making it the top riser on the

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FTSE 100.

The company’s shares have gained almost 30% over the past 12 months, valuing it at more than £6.6bn.

Easyjet’s load factor was just short of the 95% figure reported by Ryanair for August.

The Irish airline said on Wednesday that it carried 10.4 million customers in August, up 10% from the same month last year.

Bbc.com

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THE LANGUAGE

Some languages are heavily laden with nouns, some have complex and bewildering verbs, the Alquerian tongue however is singular in that it has myriad expletives. Although originating from an ancient Iberian dialect it is as similar to Spanish as Tory Party policy is to common sense. Although designated a language proper it is virtually useless as a form of communication.

The first known mention of the Alquerian tongue was in 1605 with the publication of ‘Don Quijote de la Mancha’

by Miguel de Cervantes. Here Cervantes describes his two heroes as meeting a man “whose ignorance and stupidity approached an art form while his bodily cleanliness proved upsetting even to Sancho’s donkey”. Cervantes went on to describe the meeting, the gallant knight reported the man’s utterances as being foul and his language specifically designed for fools and simpletons, which is a fair description of Alquerian.

Since then the idiom has been studied by a regiment of linguists but they soon tire, become depressed or are admitted to high security mental institutions muttering and dribbling.

Just how the language came to have so many expletives is one of the rather simpler mysteries of the tongue. During the turbulent history of Spain, Alqueria was until recently a part of the Spanish Kingdom many invaders have settled leaving their mark on the culture and landscape of the Peninsular. These invaders naturally wanted to know what sort of country they were invading and therefore Alqueria also received their unwanted attentions. Phoenicians first then the Romans arrived. Although their

VIEWPOINT

comments are not on record hearsay evidence suggests it went something like this, “What a ****** ****** **** of a place” in Latin of course and so the first expletives became part of the Language.

This became common practice with each wave of marauders, as they came and went so the expletives became more colourful and succinct.

The Alquerian language, in general has remained stagnant due the inert population. However the expletive content has evolved as each new disillusioned group visited the Village, swore profusely then rapidly left. Modern influences in the Alquerian tongue include the utterances of Blythe Gruntmore, Alqueria’s resident Englishman and Geordie. His musical but completely incoherent form of GeordieSpanish fitted naturally into the language giving it a strange guttural twist unique in Spain.

Alquerian nouns, although few in number do become more numerous when referring to the police, most not repeatable in polite company however.

These gentlemen with blue lights on their cars have been frequent visitors to the Village over the years, albeit on official matters.

The Language continues to baffle the experts, foreign visitors and the Alquerians themselves.

STRICTLY LINEUP FEMALE CELEBRITIES 2015

Well we are at that time of the year again when our favourite show is almost upon us. This week and next I will give you an insight into the celebrities taking part this year and a little of their background information along with their chosen partners and any sneaky peaks I have discovered along the way.

Our first celebrity is 39 year old Kellie Bright better known as the current Queen Victoria Landlady Linda Carter who will be partnered by Kevin Clifton from Grimsby who incidentally married fellow USA dancer Karen Hauer during the Summer this year. She has acted since the age of 11 appearing in a couple of musicals and also attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School so will have some knowledge of dance albeit perhaps not ballroom but this always helps. She should survive at least a few weeks with this dance knowledge.

Anita Rani 37 year old presenter of Countryfile and The One Show will be partnered by one of this years new professional dancers Gleb Sevchenko.

Anita was born in Bradford and studied broadcasting at Leeds University.

There is no record of any dance training so we will see how she gets on.

Gleb was a Latin specialist and attained a position in the worlds top 12 during his competition career.

53 year old weather girl Carol Kirkwood will be partnered by Pasha Kovalev

TAT

The situation was more than fraught.

I had lost the keys, and I was standing in the Last Refuge of the Desperate – Andy’s kitchen.

‘I’ve lost the keys, they must be in the garden, probably by the cactus.’ I gushed in tones panicky.

‘Would you like me to shin over the wall and look?’ He asked in the tone that suggested that shinning over garden walls was part of his daily routine.

With that he departed, spurning the offer of my ladder. By the time my ladder and I had reached the scene of the crime he was back over the wall, keys in hand.

Thanks are not sufficient for such a noble deed.

My blood pressure returned to normal, but Pete was not going to let me forget the incident. The worst of it was that he was right, it was my fault.

Next day we gave the postbox its weekly inspection, and found in it a letter from the Bank, which was duly stashed in Henry the car’s glovebox.

We continued on to Mercadona, or wherever, and the day passed uneventfully.

Overnight a ferocious wind lambasted Limaria, filling the porch and the pool with leaves roughly torn from their parent branches.

Next morning Pete asked ‘What have you done with that letter from the Bank?’

‘Nothing. You had it in the glove box.’

‘Didn’t you bring it in?’

‘No. The glove box is your side. Didn’t you bring it in when you got out of the

25

By Jos Biggs

josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk car?’

‘Well, it’s not here. I expect you have forgotten where you put it, like you did with the keys.’

‘I never had it.’

‘If I had taken it out of the car, I would have put it here.’ He indicated the kitchen table. ‘But it’s not there, so you must have had it. Keys.’ He added cuttingly.

‘I’ll go and look in the glove box. I bet it’s still in there.’ I offered.

Then Pete looked out of the window.

‘Oh.’ he said, with the merest hint of apology. ‘I must have taken it out and put it on the car roof while I shut the door.’

I looked. There, by some miracle still sitting on the car roof was the letter.

How in the heck it had remained there while all around was a scene of windswept devastation I’ll never know.

‘You don’t mention the keys again, and I won’t mention the letter.’

Deal. Harmony exists once more in the Biggs household.

and by the look of the little dancing on the launch show I think he will have his work cut out trying to shape Carol into a dancer. That said if anyone can do it Pasha can! She was educated at Napier University and has been a presenter for most of her working life.

Georgia May Foote more commonly recognised as Katy Armstrong (Chesneys squeeze) in Corrie will be dancing with another new professional Italian champion Giovanni Pernice and at 27 one of the younger celebrities this year. She has had some dance training with Ballet as a little one and later hip hop so she should have rhythm and flexibility. I would expect her to do well in this competition so will be watching her closely.

Another actress Helen George of Call the Midwife fame will partner Aljaz Skorjanek. 30 year old Helen was trained in musical theatre at the Royal Academy of music so will be yet another possible contender. She has appeared in a couple of musicals and has also been a backing singer with Elton John on tour.

34 year old ex Pop singer, TV presenter and one of the current TVs loose women Jamelia will dance with Irish professional Tristan MacManus. She gained a recording contract soon after leaving school and has gained many accolades in her field. Being a singer she will have rhythm and timing so should do well in the early rounds.

Katie Derham 45 year old BBC Proms and Radio 3 presenter will partner Anton du Beke. Educated at Cambridge University Katie has worked for both the BBC and ITV networks. There is no record of any dance training in her profile so with Anton I would not expect her to go very far unless she is hiding something?

Sports News presenter Kirsty Gallacher and daughter of golfer Bernard Gallacher will dance with Brendan Cole. At 39 she trained at the London College of Fashion and wanted to be a fashion journalist but as the daughter of Ryder Cup Captain Bernard, was offered a break as a production assistant at Sky TV. Again there is no record of any dance interest prior to Strictly but if any of the Professionals can bring anything out it has to be Brendan. Another celeb I will be watching with interest but only time will tell.

Next week I will look at all the Male celebrities for series 13 and a little of their background. In the meantime come and join us at one of our classes for the latest ‘Strictly’ gossip and remember -Keep Dancing!

By Lyn Aspden of Strictly Dance Class Info 635 584 431

PUZZLE PAGES

26

September 2015

JIMMY CARR

WWE LIVE

NEW ORDER

Formed in 1980 the Manchester band have regrouped & are touring the UK

Funny Business Tour, TVs Funnyman is on the road in another side splitting tour.

Watch your favorite stars in action in the UK. John Cena, Big Show & Sheamus

GET YOUR TICKETS TO THESE PLUS MANY OTHER EVENTS AT WWW.SOLTIMES.COM

2

Iberian peninsula?

3. What was the value of a rugby union try prior to 1971?

4. Which county formerly had Abingdon as its county town?

5. What shape is the trunk of the cotton wood tree?

6. What does the word mono mean in the words; monocle or monorail?

7. What nationality was Marie Curie?

8. How many people are portrayed in Da

10. In the old testament which book directly follows psalms?

ANSWERS

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

7. Polish 8. 13 9. Cliff Michelmore 10. Proverbs CROSSWORD

1. Lily 2. Spain 3. 3 Points 4. Berkshire 5. Square 6. Single

SOLUTIONS

ERASER EXAMS FIRST DAY GYMNASIUM HALLWAY HOMEWORK INTERCOM JANITOR LANGUAGE ARTS LEARNING LIBRARY LOCKER LUNCHROOM

WORDSEARCH ANSWER

STANDARD SUDOKU

on BBC1?

ASSIGNMENTS BACKPACK BATHROOM BELL BINDER CAFETERIA CHALKBOARD CLASSROOM CLOCK COURSES DESK DOORS ENROLL

EASY SUDOKU

9. Who was the first presenter of holiday

MATH NEW FRIENDS NOTEBOOK NURSE OLD FRIENDS PADLOCK PAPER PENCILS PENS PRINCIPAL QUIZZES ROLL CALL RULES

I HAVE NEVER LET MY SCHOOLING INTERFERE WITH MY EDUCATION

Vinci’s the Last Supper?

SOLTIMES FOOTBALL QUIZ

1. Who was the first Scot to make 100 appearances for his country?

2. Who was the first soccer manager to manage all three Birmingham clubs Aston Villa, Birmingham and West Brom?

3. Who was the manager when England won the 1966 World Cup? 4. Who went to Newcastle from Man Utd in the Andy Cole transfer deal?

5. Who were Asia’s two representatives in the 1990 World Cup Finals?

6. Who were the first club last century to win the FA Cup and the FA Amateur Cup? 7. Who were the first country to win the World Cup four times?

8. Who won the European Cup in the first five seasons from 1955 to 1960?

9. Who won the World Cup in 1958, 1962, 1970 and 1994?

10. With whom did Alan Ball begin his playing career?

ANSWERS

SQUIGGLE SUDOKU

FIND AND CIRCLE ALL OF THE SCHOOL RELATED WORDS THAT ARE HIDDEN IN THE GRID. THE REMAINING LETTERS SPELL A MARK TWAIN QUOTATION.

4

United Arab Emirates 6. Wimbledon 7. Brazil 8. Real Madrid 9. Brazil 10. Blackpool

WORDSEARCH BACK TO SCHOOL

1. Which family of plants does garlic 2. Which is the largest country on the

3

ANSWERS

SOLTIMES POT LUCK QUIZ

belong to?

1

IDENTIFY THESE FAMOUS FACES

1. Kenny Dalglish 2. Ron Saunders 3. Alf Ramsey 4. Keith Gillespie 5. South Korea,

SOL PICTURE QUIZ!

1 Telly Savalas 2 Patrick Moore 3 Robin Day 4 Russell Harty

ON THIS DAY 10TH SEPTEMBER

1798 – At the Battle of St. George’s Caye, British Honduras defeats Spain 1974 – Guinea-Bissau gains independence from Portugal.

1987 – Pope John Paul II starts his 11-day papal visit to Fort Simpson, Canada and afterwards to several southern and western cities in the United States.

2001 – Antônio da Costa Santos, mayor of Campinas, Brazil is assassinated.

2003 – Anna Lindh, the foreign minister of Sweden, is fatally stabbed while shopping, and dies the following day.

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PUZZLE PAGES

ACROSS

STANDARD CROSSWORD

8 Canoe (4) 9 Submits (5) 10 Gremlins (4) 11 Missile (6) 12 Male chickens (8) 13 Hatred of women (8) 15 Hangman’s knots (6) 17 Subjugate (7) 19 Got away (7) 22 Scholastic scores (6) 24 Occasionally (8) 26 The provision of things (8) 28 A frenzied woman (6) 30 Past tense of “To be” (4) 31 A group of south Pacific islands (5) 32 Coagulate (4)

DOWN

1 An African parrot (4) 2 Finance (8) 3 In large part (6) 4 Double crosses (7) 5 Amazes (8) 6 Restaurant (6) 7 Box (4) 14 Not outer (5) 16 Each and all (5) 18 Unusual largeness (8) 20 Group of spectators (8) 21 Regards highly (7) 23 Drenches (6) 25 Not a reptile (6) 27 Litigated (4) 29 Berserk (4)

SUDOKU PUZZLES

EASY

SQUIGGLE

27

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 7 Aims to leave Al second (5) 8 Tasty slice I demolished with duo (9) 10 Temporary setback in greeting China’s leader with trophy? (6) 11 I, in Paris, with a very bad, mistrustul vigilance (8) 12 Number reportedly in favour of new leader embracing support (8) 13 Go up to rebel leader that is without final profits (4) 15 Hung up, returning without a river in China (7) 17 Not much to eat as a snack? (7) 20 Examine Shanghai’s first prison (4) 22 6 sit, or initially stand, for guests (8) 25 Fastened together cadet with hat perhaps (8) 26 Bite gently for two business leaders in long river (6) 27 Having control over poor inn taken in by heartless gang (9) 28 Find some of ammo under a pile (5) DOWN

1 Funny looking oily ‘Quo’ lads lacking commercial speech (to oneself) (9) 2 Particle as America decided to do in 1980 and 1984? (8) 3 Living outside Japan’s first island city (7) 4 Awful East takes up gas to be different (8) 5 Flies with small (but important) number before large number? (6) 6 Explode, but outside of river banks finally (5) 9 Part of church, or part of chap’s empire? (4) 14 Bird taking cat’s tail is shocking! (9) 16 Hitting the drink in middle-age (8) 18 Bet on coming back OK, having taken nothing for writing in (8) 19 Funny dive into new net is obvious (7) 21 Persuades company with weapons (6) 23 Dynasty’s first storyline’s almost gone awry! (4) 24 Endured first parts of Shanghai’s trade orders on demand (5)

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS ON THIS DAY

STANDARD

Maria Theresa of Spain (1638 - 1683) Cyril Connolly English author and critic (1903-1974) David Pountney, English director and manager (1947) Matt Ritchie English footballer (1989)

SOLTIMES MINION MOMENT

28

September 2015

FOOD & ENTERTAINING...

Sichuan pork, broccoli & cashew stir-fry

A Chinese-inspired one-pan supper with crunchy greens and nuts, and a rich chilli and soy sauce INGREDIENTS 1 tbsp vegetable oil 500g pork fillet, cut into thick slices 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced 300g Tenderstem broccoli, cut into 3cm pieces 2 red onions, cut into thick half moons 50g toasted unsalted cashews FOR THE SAUCE 1 tbsp dark soy sauce 1 tbsp Chinese black or red wine vinegar 1 tbsp rice wine or sherry 1 heaped tsp chilli bean sauce or chilli sauce 1 tbsp liquid chicken stock 1 tsp golden caster sugar 2 tsp cornflour dissolved in 2 tbsp water

METHOD In a small bowl, mix together the sauce ingredients and set aside. Heat the oil in a large wok.

Season the pork and sear in batches, then remove and set aside.

Fry the garlic until golden – about 30 secs – then add the broccoli and onions. Stir-fry for 2 mins, then add the pork and cashews along with the sauce. Keep stir-frying for another 2-3 mins until everything is hot and simmering.

Chinese roast duck

Stir-fried beef with cashews and broccoli A Thai-inspired stir-fry, quick to make and great served with either noodles or rice

INGREDIENTS

2 tbsp soy sauce 3 tbsp sherry 1 tsp sugar 2 tbsp sunflower oil 1 red onion, thinly sliced 300g beef steak, cut into thin strips 300g broccoli florets 25g roasted cashews nuts, or more if you like METHOD Mix the soy sauce, sherry, sugar and 2 tbsp water in a small bowl. Heat the oil in a large frying pan or wok, add the onion and beef, then stir-fry quickly until the beef is lightly browned. Tip out onto a plate.

John Torode's whole crispy duck with oriental marinade makes for an impressive centrepiece

Add the broccoli and cashews to the pan, stir-fry for 1 min, then add the soy mixture. Bring to the boil, then cover and simmer for 5 mins until the broccoli is just tender.

INGREDIENTS

Fried rice with egg & ginger

Tip the beef and onion back into the pan and heat through briefly before serving with noodles or rice

2 ducks 140g caster sugar 6 star anise seeds large piece ginger, sliced small bunch spring onions, roughly chopped 2 tbsp malt syrup or maltose (available in most Chinese supermarkets) 3 tbsp red wine vinegar METHOD The day before, soak 4 wooden skewers in water for 20 mins. Wash the ducks inside and out with cold water, drain and pat dry with kitchen paper. Mix together the sugar, star anise, ginger, spring onions and a few good pinches of salt, then use this to fill the cavities. Close the cavities with wooden skewers and set aside.

In a small bowl, mix the maltose and 2 tbsp of the vinegar. Add the remaining vinegar to a jug of boiling water and pour over the ducks.

(The boiling water opens up the pores, while the vinegar helps to strip some of the waxiness from the skin, so it will be more receptive to the maltose, which adds sweetness and a lacquered

caramel colour.) Smear the maltose mixture over the ducks, then place them in a large plastic container and put in the fridge overnight, uncovered.

To cook, heat oven to 220C/200C fan/ gas 7.

(Fan ovens are particularly effective for roasting duck.) Put a little water in the bottom of a large roasting tin, place the ducks on a rack over the top and cover with foil. Roast for about 45 mins.

Take off the foil and roast for another 45 mins – the duck must be well done, there is no such thing as a rare Chinese roast duck! Take the duck out of the oven and let it rest for a good 20 mins before carving.

INGREDIENTS

3 tbsp sunflower oil 100g ginger, finely sliced 50g garlic, finely sliced 100g small peeled cooked prawns bunch spring onions, whites and greens separated and sliced 3 eggs, beaten 600g cooked rice (300g/11oz uncooked) 50ml rice wine or dry sherry 50ml light soy sauce

METHOD Heat the oil in a wok. Add the ginger and garlic, then stir-fry briefly until just coloured.

Add the prawns and the whites of the spring onions, and cook for a further 3 mins. Pour in the beaten egg, let it set for a couple of secs, then break it up and stir well to scramble. Add the cooked rice and stir-fry everything together for 10 mins. Add the rest of the spring onions, rice wine and soy, then toss everything together well. Serve immediately.

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5 Most Weirdest & Unique Chinese Dishes

Chinese pride themselves on eating a wide range of foods, and Chinese cuisine often has an interesting history. This article lists five unique Chinese foods, which you can taste when traveling in China.

Our Chinese food tours let you taste the essence of genuine Chinese food. You also can contact us to have us tailor-make a tour including tasting Chinese foods you’re intereted in.

1. BEGGAR’S CHICKEN If you are planning to travel to Hangzhou, Begga’rs Chicken is a highly recommended dish.

Features: It is a typical Zhejiang dish, with savory aroma and tender chicken meat. The chicken is served on a lotus leaf, and tastes fresher and less greasy.

Origin: Once upon a time, a beggar arrived at a village of Changshu Prefecture, Hangzhou. He had a chicken, and wanted to cook it. But he had no thing but a knife and a fire. He solved his difficulty by slaughtering and gutting the chicken, wrapping the chicken with yellow mud (without plucking it), and roasting the potatolike chicken. When he peeled off the dry mud, the chicken’s feathers were also taken off.

Though the modern cooking of beggars chicken is largely identical to the beggar’s, it has been improved a lot, being much cleaner, more technical, and heathier.

2. BAMBOO RICE Bamboo rice is always cooked with rice and pork, which is cooked in a section of fresh green bamboo till the bamboo is seared. This food is delicious with the fresh fragrance of bamboo.

3. PRESERVED EGG Shiny dark grey or black with s snowflake pattern, this unique egg product was created

by Chinese people in the Ming Dynasty (13681644). Besides its unique taste, it is said that the preserved egg is useful for on curing hoarseness and dispelling the effects of alcohol.

Ways to eat: Many traditional Chinese restaurants serve dishes made with preserved eggs. Soup cooked with preserved eggs and mustard leaves, minced pork congee with preserved egg, which can be found in KFC in China during breakfast time), and braised preserved eggs with tofu are the most popular ways of eating preserved eggs.

Attention: Do not eat too many preserved eggs, especially children, because they may contain a little lead (like popcorn). Certified leadfree preserved eggs are available.

4. STINKY TOFU Stinky tofu, or strong-smelling preserved tofu, is really smelly, with an “ugly” appearance.

However, once you have tried it, you should enjoy its taste. The stinky tofu in Changsha is the most famous type, with crispy skin and a fresh and spicy taste.

Where to taste it: Changsha’s stinky tofu enjoys the most fame in China, followed by that of Nanjing and Shaoxing. The production and tastes of the stinky tofu in these three cities are quite different, but they share a common point: smelling bad but tasting nice. Stinky tofu has become a traditional Chinese snack throughout China, and it is easy to find in the most-traveled cities (like Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Guilin, and Hangzhou).

5. FRIED BEE PUPAE Bee pupae are rich in nutrition (with high protein and low fat), and are used as an ingredient for cooking dishes in Zhangjiajie, Fenghuang Ancient Town, Southeast Guizhou, and Yunnan Province.

Dishes: The most common way to eat bee pupae is to fry them golden. There are many other ways of eating bee pupae, such as steamed bee pupa, stir-fried bee pupa, crispy bee pupa cake, and cold fried bee pupa in sauce. http://www.chinahighlights.com/

FOOD & ENTERTAINING...

Lychee & ginger sorbet

This refreshing make-ahead dessert is a cooling way to finish off a Chinese-themed dinner party METHOD Drain the syrup from two cans of lychees into a small pan. Add the sugar and dissolve over a gentle heat. Bring to the boil for 1 min. Blitz the drained lychees, fresh ginger slices and lychee syrup in a blender until very finely chopped. Pour through a sieve. Tip into a 1-litre container and freeze for at least 6 hrs until solid.

Break up the frozen mix, then put in a

INGREDIENTS 2 x 400g cans lychees in syrup 2 tsp caster sugar thumb-size piece ginger, sliced 1 egg white 2 pieces stem ginger in syrup, shredded plus some syrup to serve

food processor. Tip in the egg white and whizz until thick, pale and smooth. Return to the container and freeze again, ideally overnight. Serve in scoops with slices of stem ginger and syrup poured over, with Chinese fortune cookies or thin butter or almond biscuits.

Custard Tarts All Ingredients should be prepared before you start cooking this will save time and make cooking the dish easier and more enjoyable.

INGREDIENTS 3 cups (750ml) all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon (5ml) salt 1 cup (250ml) vegetable shortening or lard 4 to 6 tablespoons (60 to 90ml) hot tap water 3 eggs 1/3 cup (80ml) sugar 1 1/2 cups (375ml) milk

METHOD Combine flour and 1/2 teaspoon (2ml) of salt in mixing bowl.

Cut in shortening until mixture resembles bread crumbs. Mix in enough water to form a dough ball. Cut in half.

Roll out each half on lightly floured surface until 1/8 inch (0.5cm) thick. Cut 12 circles from each half 3 inches (8cm) in diameter.

Fit pastry circles into greased muffin cups, pressing sides so they reach rims.

Beat eggs. Stir in sugar and remaining 1/2 teaspoon (2ml) salt.

Gradually blend in milk. Spoon about 2 tablespoons (30ml) egg mixture into each pastry.

Bake in preheated 350F (180C) oven until knife inserted in center of custards comes out clean. 25 to 30 minutes. Remove tarts from pan. Cool on wire racks.

Chinese desserts

Chinese desserts are sweet foods and dishes that are served with tea, along with meals or at the end of meals in Chinese cuisine. The desserts encompass a wide variety of ingredients commonly used in East Asian cuisines such as powdered or whole glutinous rice, sweet bean pastes, and agar. Due to the many Chinese cultures and the long history of China, there are a great variety of desserts of many forms. wikipedia.org

30

September 2015

TO CUT FOOD WASTE, SPAIN’S SOLIDARITY FRIDGE SUPPLIES ENDLESS LEFTOVERS

HOW SALAD BECAME THE STAR: CHEFS ARE TAKING COLD FOOD TO STRATOSPHERIC NEW HEIGHTS Salads are emerging from the sidelines to become the main event on modern menus – and that means sprucing up. So it's out with austere lettuce and tomato and in with delicious roasted vegetables, fresh herbs and exotic grains and spices, says Sophie Morris When is a salad a salad, and when is it not a salad? The Collins English Dictionary defines a salad as a dish of raw vegetables "such as lettuce or tomatoes, etc"; a dish of cold vegetables or fruit, such as a potato or fruit salad; or any green vegetable used in a dish, "especially lettuce". The word comes from the Old Provençal "salada", which in turn comes from the Latin "sal" and "salar", meaning salt and to season with salt.

The Oxford English Dictionary offers a little more detail: a salad is a cold dish, it claims, which can be a mix of raw or cooked vegetables, and is usually seasoned with oil, vinegar or another dressing.

Note that there is no mention of iceberg lettuce paired with slices of woolly hothoused tomato, shards of grey, cold boiled egg and a few shreds of grated carrot. And increasingly, that is not the way we think about salad.

A number of eating trends have somehow come together and exploded into an effusive love of salad on these shores, despite our unchanging weather. There’s the renewed interest in health foods (including obsessions with green foods and raw diets); greater access to specific ingredients from the Middle East and South-East Asia; the determination to eat with the seasons; and a dedicated approach to trying out new grains such as quinoa and freekeh. Arguably, Yotam Ottolenghi is to thank for much of this. The London-based, Jerusalem-born chef opened his first eponymous deli in 2002, and his best-selling books Plenty, Jerusalem and Plenty More have popularised his style of salad across the country: crisp, roasted butternut squash and scorched, soft aubergines smothered in tahini yoghurt, fresh herbs and pomegranate seeds dressed in a few leaves and a tangy vinaigrette are now menu regulars in all types of establishment.

“Ottolenghi said it’s OK to have salads,” says Chris Honor, an Australian chef whose north London neighbourhood cafe, Chriskitch, has grown remarkably quickly in stature, if not in eating space, since he opened a little over two years ago. “He’s made the vegetable and the humble lettuce leaf the stars of the meal. We kind of do the same, but we do it on more of an advanced level,” he adds, somewhat boldly. But then, Honor’s own CV includes training with Gordon Ramsay before managing a team of more than 100 chefs at The Dorchester.

“Ottolenghi’s salads are very much Middle Eastern-based in terms of style and ingredients. With [his restaurant] Nopi, he moves on a little bit, with South-East Asian ingredients as well, but we take other elements of cooking and put them all together. We take traditional French techniques, such as slowbraised celery, and we convert that, which is often used as a complement to a protein dish, into a salad.” http://www.independent.co.uk/

At a Basque restaurant nestled in the green hills just outside the Spanish city of Bilbao, head cook Itziar Eguileor gestures toward a dumpster out back.

“This all used to go into the garbage,” she says, lugging a huge pot of leftover boiled artichokes. “But now, these artichokes, we pack them in Tupperware, load them into our old Land Rover and drive them over to Solidarity Fridge.”

Deliveries like Eguileor’s arrive several times per day at the Solidarity Fridge, a pioneering project in the Basque town of Galdakao, population about 30,000. The goal is to avoid wasting perfectly good food and groceries.

In April, the town established Spain’s first communal refrigerator. It sits on a city sidewalk, with a tidy little fence around it, so that no one mistakes it for an abandoned appliance. Anyone can deposit food inside or help themselves.

“The idea for a Solidarity Fridge started with the economic crisis — these images of people searching dumpsters for food — the indignity of it. That’s what got me thinking about how much food we waste,” Saiz told NPR over Skype from Mongolia, where he’s moved onto his next project, living in a yurt and building a hospital for handicapped children.

Saiz says he was intrigued by reading about a scheme in Germany in which people can go online and post notices about extra food and others can claim it.

But Saiz wanted something more low-tech in his hometown of Galdakao — something accessible to his elderly neighbors who don’t use the Internet. So he went to the mayor with his idea for a Solidarity Fridge.

Europeans throw away 90 million tons of food each year, including these vegetables pulled from waste bins of an organic supermarket in Berlin. A new German website aims to connect surplus food with people who want it.

There are rules: no raw meat, fish or eggs.

Homemade food must be labeled with a date and thrown out after four days. But Javier Goikoetxea, one of the volunteers who cleans out the fridge, says nothing lasts that long. http://www.npr.org/

THE CONFLICT CAFÉ: THE LONDON DINER BREAKING BREAD AND BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER Everyone understands the power of a feast to banish bad feelings and bring people together, but how far can the uniting power of shared meal go? A popup café created last year is returning, to show that good food can help to resolve international conflicts.

The Conflict Café, organised by the NGO International Alert, will serve food from the areas where it runs peacebuilding projects, including Syria, Nepal, Colombia, Armenia and Turkey.

Appropriately, the month-long series of events starts with Syrian cuisine.

Charlotte Onslow, who works for International Alert, has adapted the tools used by the charity’s work overseas to operate in the café, which is near Waterloo station in London: “We want to make sure you don’t talk only to the person you came with, so we have long tables and materials on them that generate questions; there will be specialists who explain a bit about the conflicts,” she said.

http://www.independent.co.uk/

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AGE CONCERN

Age Concern Centre will be closed from 24th July and reopening on Monday 31st August. The shops in Torrevieja and Los Montesinos will be closed from 31st July and reopen on 31st August. The telephone answering service will be manned every few days, and we will reply to any messages as soon as possible.

- COMMUNITY NEWS -

WELCOME EVENTS

SALES@SOLTIMES

Welcome Group Events THURSDAY October 1st. - Dance the night away to one of the top acts on the Costas, Andy McBride & Co, fantastic Rod Stewart & Faces. First time in this area and NOT to be missed. €10 WEDNESDAY October 21st. - Dance this evening at Mariano’s and enjoy two top acts, the duo Diverse and the lovely Lucinda, a good night for all. €8

Wednesday 9th September - Black & White Ball SORRY, SOLD OUT! Tickets from: Camposol Cultural WEDNESDAY December 9th. - Book now for Centre Wed/Thu 10am to 1pm, Friday 12.30 to 2pm. Christmas Party at Mariano’s. Truly excellent night with Ricky Lavazza and Time Warp. €12 Telephone: 634 310 215 Other areas: 634 336 484.

THURSDAY December 31st. - New Years Eve TALKS & WORKSHOPS Dance. Three great artists, Rob Sweeney, Dan Davy MABS Murcia North East - Sew’n’So’s - Sewing Group and Christine will help you welcome in the New Every Mon Fortuna Year with all your friends. Fabulous night to include Taking place every other Monday at Urb. Las excellent buffet and champagne at midnight. €20 Kalendas from 14:00. For further information email: Welcome Cruise March 6th 2016. - 10 nights mabsmurciane@gmail.com aboard Norwegian Epic, fully inclusive including drinks package from Barcelona calling at Madeira, ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM Every Day, Open from 10:30-14:00 and 17:00-20:00. Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Tangier and Malaga. Price Closed Monday mornings. At C/ Conde de Aranda. also includes Insurance, Coach travel, Taxes and Tel: 968 493 287. Entry: Individual €1.20 Groups overnight stay in Valencia. More info call Rosemary. €0.60 NEW Seville Trip Monday May 2nd 2016 - 4 nights staying in the heart of the city at the newly MAZARRON LIONS refurbished 4* Hotel Melia Sevilla on B&B. Price The lions Club meets 1st Monday of every month Includes coach travel, day trip to Tio Pepe Factory, at 4 pm upstairs in the Trevi bar Camposol Sector Jerez and hopefully another trip to the Jerez Horse B all are welcome Contact Nigel 605 111 205 Show. €350 p.p. mazarronlions@gmail.com For more information or to book your tickets, If you are interested in joining the Lions please call Rosemary on 620 105 179 contact Nigel barker or Visit us at our stall every Friday outside Oscars camposol B 11 to 3 pm Tel 696 827 525

CHURCH OF ENGLAND COSTA CALIDA & ALMERIA Priest: Reverend Pauline Williams 950 956 166 / 687 250 860

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

EX-SERVICEMEN’S ASSOCIATION

Mazarrón District (Founded 1 May 2006) EVENTS - 2015 Wednesday 16th September - 7.30pm for 8pm -Restaurante La Meson, Isla Plana Evening Meal.

Wednesday 14th October - 1.30pm for 2pm - Viggos, Puerto de Mazarron, Lunchtime Meal Sunday 8th November - 1.30pm for 2pm - Restaurant Trevi, Camposol “B”.

Remembrance Sunday Lunch following the Service at St Nicholas Church.

Membership and enquiries, Ian 629 818 611 or esamd.espana@gmail.com

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

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

MABS MAZARRON EVENTS

31

SEPTEMBER Friday - 25TH CANCER COFFEE MORNING – MABS Information Centre, Avda de los Covachos, Camposol B. 11.00am – delicious home-made cakes and savouries. A chance to meet the MABS Team and what they do.

Saturday - 26TH SEPTEMBER SORT OUT – La Pasteleria, Centro Commercial, Puerto de Mazarron.

9.00 till 15.00 Collecting all your unwanted items of clothing and bric-a-brac to be sold in our Charity Shop on Totana.

Tuesday - 29th SEPTEMBER – Volunteers Meeting – TREVIS Bar, Camposol 11.30 all welcome OCTOBER Friday – 9th OCTOBER – Charity Quiz Night – The Clubhouse hosted by Camposol Golf Association.

Sunday - 25TH OCTOBER – MABS RACE for LIFE – walk, run or skip around the 4km of 8km course.

Entry 10€ for Adults 5€ for Children under 12years includes T-shirts and medals for FINISHERS. Trophies for winners. ****New this year – MABS Race for Life Sheild awarded to winning Team******* Forms available from – MABS Charity Shop; MABS Information Centre, TREVI, ALI PALLAIS, EURONICS,COSTA CAFÉ, BEST WISHES, TEL´s Bar, CAT´s Bar, TROPICANA´s, VISTA Bar, Tuesday - 27th OCTOBER – Volunteers Meeting – TREVIS Bar, Camposol 11.30 all welcome NOVEMBER Tuesday - 24th NOVEMBER – Volunteers Meeting – TREVIS Bar, Camposol 11.30 all welcome Saturday - 28th NOVEMBER - MABS CHRISTMAS EVENT AND GRAND RAFFLE – at OSCAR´S, Camposol. ********Order your Christmas cakes now to avoid disappointment********* **DON´T FORGET TO VISIT OUR CHARITY SHOP IN TOTANA LOADS OF BARGAINS!!!! ** Donations always needed and welcome REGULAR EVENTS CRAFT GROUP - every other Wednesday from 1.30 at the MABS Information Centre – restarts 9th September after the summer break BOOK SALES – every 3rd Friday at Commercial Sector B Event tickets on sale at the book stall between 10.00am and 1pm or from the MABS Information Centre on Sector B Camposol or by Calling 620 582 418

Wish your Friends or Loved Ones Happy birthday, Anniversary or just send them a special message

Send details to

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32

SOL CLASSIFIEDS

SOLTIMES 950 121 936 WWW.SOLTIMES.COM SEE US ONLINE EVERYDAY Advertise all your unwanted items for sale Any single item up to 300€ is

FREE OF CHARGE Deadline thursday 5pm

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or EMAIL US Send your advert or lineage to

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DEADLINES All adverts Friday at 5pm prior to publication

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Call Paulette on: 950 121 936 or 902 750 190 Ext 330

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PAYMENT VISA ,PAYPAL, BANK

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LEASE FOR SALE Bar in Puerto Mazarron Large Terrace Area Fully Equipped Kitchen Store Room Was €34,000 Reduced to €29,995 For more information Tel: 634 027 986

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DO YOU HAVE A GARAGE TO RENT?

Looking for a single (family car) lockable garage to rent within 15km radius of Benijofar/Quesada area.

Needed from end August 2015.

Email: info@chiropractor-benijofar.es or call 602219502 with details

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PERSONALS

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ELECTRICIANS

ELECTRICIAN AVAILABLE for all works Small or large. Call Dave 693 251 562 davendonc@aol.com

INSURANCE

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services, massage, sexy lingerie, prices from 40€. Full discretion. Tel: Ana 865 646 437 ELEGANT slim, sexy, naughty italian lady available home/house visits.

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PETS

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

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

33

www.soltimes.com

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

www.soltimes.com PROPERTY FOR SALE / RENT

VERA APARTMENT FOR RENT

SHORT-TERM/HOLIDAY RENTAL

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

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

MOTORING SECTION

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

SPAS EURO SPAS Spas at factory prices.

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FOR SALE

LOOKING FOR A CAR

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

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FORD FIESTA

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

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REMOVALS

JAMES & SON De Lima’s

HUMMER H3 - 4X4 2006 - 3.5 Automatic 85,000 with 2 owners Full service history Petrol, Met black, cream leather PAS, ABS, Cruise, Front fog lights E. windows/mirrors, Side steps A/C (Climate), Alloys, Heated seats CD, Rear privacy glass, Roof bars E. seats, Sunroof, Chrome mirrors

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FORTNIGHTLY SERVICE TO & FROM UK FULL OR PART LOADS

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

SITUATIONS VACANT

SOLTIMES NEWSPAPER GROUP

Require a Sales Manager for the Quesada area.

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

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

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

SELLING YOUR CAR?

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

Telephone 600 726 221 or 965 687 976

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HYUNDAI I20 1.2, 2011, 5 door hatch 66,000 kms, 1 owner Full service history, A/C, PAS, ABS, Front fog lights E. windows/mirrors CD player Remote locking Rear head restraints Isofix Light metallic green

PEUGEOT PARTNER RIGHT HAND DRIVE 2007 - Combi Van 1.6, 79,000 miles 3 owners, Full service history A/C, PAS, ABS Electric windows, CD Full length roof rack Large rear door Two sliding side doors MOT’d & Taxed Metallic grey

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VEHICLES REGISTRATION

WANTED

“RE-PLATE” MATE

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GB

E

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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

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Email:info@replatematecostablanca.com

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

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

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34

September 2015

ANIMAL CORNER

To advertise here call : 950 121 936

WHY WE SECRETLY ENVY A CAT’S INDEPENDENCE

MILLIONAIRE LEAVES $100K TO PET COCKATIELS

The will states the birds' aviary must be cleaned every Monday and Thursday and they should be fed seeds, carrots and popcorn. The will states the birds must remain at her New York mansion. Pic: File

A Manhattan millionaire has left a $100,000 (£66,000) trust fund to her 32 pet cockatiels.

Leslie Ann Mandel's will states her beloved birds should "continue to live in the aviary" at her $4m home in East Hampton, New York, according to the New York Post.

She listed each of the birds - Wheetie, Port, Blackie, Zippy, Tara, Zara, Shasha, Pigeon, Victory, Alie, Zack 12, Dart, Cubby, Max, Baby, Ruthie, Pumpkin, Tattoo, Susie, Tracy, Margie, Sammy, Angel, Inky, Sara, Tundra, Tanteleah, Eva, Cody, Nicki, Avis and Dragon

- in her legal papers.

The will also says: "It is my wish that the birds be fed and the building cleaned each Monday and Thursday and their food shall be purchased from Avi-Cakes, carrots, water and popcorn."

Ms Mandel, who was married to sci-fi author Arthur Herzog, named her stepson, Matthew Herzog, as trustee of the fund, which will also care for a cat named Kiki and a rescue dog named Frosty.

The direct mail entrepreneur died in June aged 69 after amassing a $5.3m fortune.

In 2007, hotel magnate Leona Helmsley left $12m to her dog, Trouble. A judge later reduced the bequest to $2m. http://news.sky.com/

APAH

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

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

The aloof indifference of a feline is so much more attractive than a pet dog’s pathetic neediness "Faithless trollop!”, yelled my husband from the window. I would have flushed red, if his gaze weren’t fixed grimly on the next-door garden. I immediately knew exactly what scandalous scene was unfolding there. Our golden-red Maine Coon cat, Aubrey, had clearly been caught sidling out of our elderly neighbour’s house. There, doubtless, she had been employing her gamut of gullible human seduction techniques: rubbing her silkysoft fur against Gladys’s naked calves, fixing her amber eyes in wide, hypnotic stare and purring at a frequency guaranteed to activate dopamine and other feel-good chemicals in the brain. A routine that’s inevitably rewarded with slices of chicken or ham (too rich for a cat fed mostly on dried food) that are then regurgitated all over our quilt. Such are the reliable joys of cat ownership.

You wonder if any of these profs have ever read Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories, or paused for a nanosecond to consider why the best known is called The Cat Who Walked By Himself. Or why wags have posted a video called “Cats welcoming soldiers home” as a riposte to all the films of dogs hurling themselves in joyful frenzy at their returning masters. The felines, needless to say, ignore the

PETS IN SPAIN SIMBA

Simba is now 5 weeks old and was rescued with his siblings from a rubbish bin they were just a few days old. They are now on solids and ready for new homes. We think they are Labrador cross and will be medium to large when fully grown.

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

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

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

WWW.APAHRESCUE.ORG

Call: 645 469 253

info@petsinspain.info www.petsinspain.com

MOUNTAIN VIEW

CAT HOTEL Hondon de las Nieves/Frailes

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

Pick up & delivery service offered for coastal areas

Telephone: 966 195 816

Answerphone - we will call back: Mobile 654 155 473

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heroes.

In fact, ask pretty much any cat-lover what quality they most prize in their pet and they will cite independence. If you wanted a needy, neurotic, whimpering, love-struck, pathetically dependent whipping boy, you would have bought yourself a dog. Look in to a dog’s eyes and you see a plea to “Love me!”; look in to a cat’s and you begin to drown in an ocean of indifference. "Eight cats have passed through our house in 20 years of marriage and they’ve all been studies in treachery."

The fact is you don’t own cats so much as enable them. True, you might lay down some cash for your feline friend, but you’d be wise to think of it as a transfer fee – or a deposit on their future disloyalty.

You provide an abode and they graciously accept to share some of it with you (though woe betide the human who thinks they have first claim on the chairs or beds), until they find somewhere more comfortable down the street. Eight cats have passed through our house in 20 years of marriage and they’ve all been studies in treachery. Our halfBurmese tabby Emma decamped to a couple of neighbouring spinsters, who had a clause in their rental contract that didn’t allow them to keep pets.

So they lured our only-too-willing beast in with cream and fish, and lied about it.

Our first Maine Coon, Wavell, wandered for miles whenever an east wind blew, his thick red tail held aloft like a pennant. People would phone us from all corners of Cambridge, saying they’d found our cat plaintively mewing at their front door. I once had to pick him up from the porters’ lodge at Robinson College, close to dawn, where he was purring like a lawnmower on the night porter’s lap and gave me a cursory glance that said, “Do I know you?”

His cousin Minerva cared for no one, slept outside and stalked the street’s back gardens like a vicious wraith, seeking winged things to murder.

I can only conclude we cat-owners actively thrive on regular doses of rejection – rather like those ardent Romeos who redouble their amorous efforts when treated cruelly. The freedom cats symbolise is a freedom we envy: a little loosening of the ties that bind. Why live in one house, when you could live in 10? Why eat one dinner when you could have a dozen? Then there’s the places you spy them, spying on you: rooftops, trees and fence posts.

Dogs, by contrast, are so containable. Pen a hound in your garden and you become aware of how easily your own movements can be curtailed. But when your cat wanders, a bit of your soul travels with it. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

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

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

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

www.soltimes.com

Book Review

TIGERS IN RED WEATHER

35

BY LIZA KLAUSSMANN

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

“ Houses, husbands, and midnight gin parties. Nothing’s going to change. Not in any way that really matters. It will be like always.”

This is post-war America, full of expectation and excitement for the likes of cousin Nick and Helena seeking The Great Gatsby life of endless parties and self-indulgence galore. Both women were married: Helena had sadly lost Fen after 2 months of marriage but remarried in haste and moved to Hollywood with its glitz and glamour whilst Nick married Hughes out of love and desire hoping to lead an exciting life. Yes, hoping!

The story interestingly, darts back and forth over two decades so you need to be on your toes and there are multiple narrators-in total five: Nick, her daughter Daisy, Helena, Hughes and Ed, Helena’s son. There are overlaps which serve as reminders to the readers of the events taking place as well as indicating the innermost thoughts and feelings of the characters. The characters are presented very much as a dysfunctional family, sad, lonely and unhappy. Too many lies, too many secrets.

Tiger House is central to the plot because this is where the main characters unite to spend their long hot summers entertaining, dancing to the blues, indulging in excessive drinking and flirtatious behaviour and endless rounds of gossip. With all this apparent excitement and the passion of the heat and moment, boredom and disillusionment destroy the fervour. And, of course a brutal murder. Klaussmann has cleverly used Wallace Stevens’ poem Disillusionment At Ten O’ Clock, a lament, to illustrate the monotony of life starved of imagination in the title and at the end of the novel. We see this disillusionment particularly in Nick who hides her feelings and is grossly unhappy at discovering her husband’s betrayal. He was supposed to love her.

Instead he made everything blank and turned her life gray. Excessive drink and one-night stands are the consequences. But does this fulfil her needs? Of course not. She hides her loneliness and unhappiness, admitting to making a mess of things. Badly damaged.

Ed is the creative one but as a paradox one can perhaps say that creativity could also lead to destruction. There’s a fine dividing line between the two.

He is different and has a distorted and unhealthy view of life and love. He believes that love is brutal and sudden causing permanent damage. He is creepy, following people, listening into private conversations to educate himself about people and what’s inside them. Hughes worries that there’s something seriously wrong with the kid. His behaviour is psychotic and he is dangerous.

We are presented with a gruesome image of a mouse that he has trapped in the basement. He has crudely sliced it open and inserted a small toothpick which was sticking out of one of its eyes. If he does this to animals could he do this

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to human beings? That’s the worrying factor.

1959 is a significant time because a violent murder is committed and witnessed by Ed. He then admits to having had some kind of inkling of the work he wanted to do in the future which sounds ominous doesn’t it? He describes this murder as some “kind of joy released, the closest thing to love.”

Helena believes she is an innocent, easy prey because of her vulnerability mistaken for her gullibility. She believed that the world was cruel to innocents like herself. She grows to hate cousin Nick, alias the Bitch and deludes herself into thinking that Nick has prevented husband Avery from having contact with her. Avery supplies his wife with an abusive level of drugs to subdue her so that he can take advantage of her before abandoning her. Once weaned off the drugs she envelops herself into a boozy cocoon which basically has the same effect as losing touch with reality. She sees herself as a prisoner and she is trapped unable to escape.

I have the most sympathy for Hughes. His betrayal happens on the spur of the moment during the war. Three precious liberty days spent in London and a chance encounter with a lonely WREN called Eva destroyed his peace of mind and he was saddled with guilt at betraying his young wife. “ He had promised to love and protect Nick and instead he had betrayed her. He was disgusted.” He blamed the war for turning everything upside down. He admits to having done things he isn’t proud of but he does love Nick and asks for forgiveness. He is a strong presence in the novel and protective of his wife and daughter.

Nick also felt trapped. Hughes wanted life to be good and safe. She disliked the stuffiness and respectability. “Sometimes I want to rip my clothes off and go running down the street stark naked and screaming my head off.” She wanted them to be different and saw marriage like jumping off a cliff. “They were not supposed to be careful people.”

Another reminder of F. Scott Fitzgerald. There’s an interesting discussion about monotony, that life isn’t always going to be full of adventure or excitement. All the little things one has to do every day can make life tedious. And I suppose we are talking about getting the right balance here aren’t we? They got it wrong and lived to regret it. Makes for powerful reading though…Don’t you agree???

Publisher: Picador. ISBN: 978-1-4472-1207-2

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36

MOTORING ROAD TEST: VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG ESCAPE

September 2015

IN THE NEWS

MOTORISTS SNAP UP NEW CARS AS SALES BOOM CONTINUES

Buyers are still snapping up new cars with sales accelerating in August despite coming registration plate change

VW’S POWERFUL PACKAGE. BY DAVID WILLIAMS You would be forgiven for not having noticed the latest upgrades to VW’s big, beefy Touareg; it’s a case of “blink and you’ll miss them”. But they’re enough to mark it out from its predecessors.

I’ve always liked VW’s big, bluff SUV for its combination of relaxed, long-distance onroad manners, high build quality, spacious accommodation — and the fact that if you want to, you can venture some way off-road, too, especially in the Escape model.

So what are the latest changes? Sleeker bumpers, Xenon lights across the range, a revised four-bar grille and eye-catching LED running lights front and rear.

Volkswagen Touareg Escape Top speed: 137 mph; 0-62 mph: 7.6 secs; Combined MPG: 40.9: CO2: 180g/km; Price: £45,605

On the road, the big, smooth, solid V6 TDi — choose 201 or 258bhp — is very much at the heart of the car, the more powerful unit in particular providing impressive waves of power for long journeys, safe overtaking or towing duties. Inside, the fit and finish are evident; there’s every reason to feel cosseted driving this one.

Handling is nicely composed for a tall, heavy vehicle with well-controlled body-roll and tons of grip. The eight-speed auto gearbox is slick; you’re always in the “right” gear. A superb all-round package — if pricey. http://www.standard.co.uk/

GOODWOOD REVIVAL:

A magical step back in time for modern-day motor racing fans Blast from the past: the Goodwood Revival promises many attractions For some, it’s the glamour. For others, the party atmosphere. But for most, the reason for attending the glittering On the face of it, it’s a bizarre proposition. No vehicle younger than 1966 is allowed on to the historic West Sussex motor racing circuit, which effectively travels back in time for the duration of the three-day event packed with races, shows and personalities.

About 150,000 visitors will attend from September 11-13, and as many as possible are encouraged to dress up in appropriate vintage attire. While the main attraction is, of course, the racing, sideshows will include a Fifties funfair, bands performing period hits, actors strolling the grounds in vintage clothing and a stirring aerial display.

For many, the simple pleasures are the best and browsing hundreds of old cars lined up in the paddocks will come top of the list. www.standard.co.uk/

Sales of new cars have continued to climb, racking up their 42nd consecutive monthly rise as the boom in motoring continues its record-breaking run.

In August – traditionally a quiet month for the sector ahead of September’s change in the licence plate – registrations of new cars rose by 9.6pc on the same month last year to 79,060, according to data from industry trade body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Registrations – a proxy for sales figures – in the year to date have now hit 1,634,369, up 6.7pc on the same point last year.

Industry experts have attributed much of recent gains to fleet buyers such as a taxi firms updating their motoring pools but the SMMT figures showed rises across all segments.

In August, sales to private buyers rose by 7.2pc, business purchases were 11.8pc higher and fleet buyers increased by 12.1pc.

The current low interest rate environment is allowing car makers to offer attractive deals that have been fuelling the market. Britain remains a popular destination for auto companies, with UK consumers still buying new cars compared with weaker markets in Europe.

Registrations of alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFVs) continued to race ahead, with the sector reporting a 52.3pc year-on-year gain. Environmentally conscious buyers drove away 1,918 cars powered by electricity or gas last month. AFVs now represent 2.4pc of the overall market.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “August’s strong performance has again been driven by attractive finance deals and a diverse range of technologically advanced models.

“Britain’s budget-conscious buyers are taking advantage of low regular monthly payments that provide certainty and affordability.‎ With September’s new 65-plate now in full swing, we expect UK showrooms to be as busy as ever.”

Once again the Ford Fiesta remained Britain’s bestselling car, with 4,753 models purchased in August as motorists look for small, economical vehicles. Ford also took the number two spot with its Focus, with 2,673 sold.

Despite the market continuing to accelerate, Howard Archer, chief UK and European economist at IHS, warned that sales could hit the brakes at some point.

“Despite August’s strong gain, it is unrealistic to expect car sales to keep churning out strong year-on-year growth rates given that they have now risen for a record 42 consecutive months and are now coming from a high base,” he said.

“Private car sales should be supported by elevated confidence, improved earnings growth, negligible inflation, high employment and low interest rates. The Bank of England is now highly unlikely to raise interest rates until 2016, and they will then only rise gradually and by a limited amount.” http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

37

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COSTA COBRAS RFC KEEP MOVING FORWARD

The club will be training on Guardamar beach on Monday and Wednesday this week at 20.00. All being well will be back at Daya Vieja as the fiestas should have finished by then. We will be back there training until we can find a more permanent ground to train and play on as well as hold tournaments.

So the club is continuing to look for a more permanent base to do all of the above, so if anybody knows of any town halls in the area of Guardamar to Cuidad Quesada or surrounding area, that would like to have a rugby club based there, please contact us on 692 767 242.

We will be on the beach regardless of the weather with all the new training gear that has been donated to the club and with a few more players to join the club we can start looking for friendlies to play to give the majority of them some game experience ready for next years tournaments and touring teams.

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

Also remember the rugby World

Cup starts on 18 September so come and get a taste of what all of the excitement is all about.

All ages, gender and nationalities are welcome, from beginners to experienced players, the more the merrier, as we are based on the true traditional ethics of the sport. So come along and join the newest rugby club on the Costa Blanca. Also team bonding after training in the nearest bar for a drink and chat, just how rugby should be. Training still takes place on Monday and Wednesday from 20.00-21.30 at Guardamar beach in front of the restaurants.

For more information about the club contact myself, Dutch, on 692 767 242. Also I am back down at Zoco market on Sunday again from 09.00-13.30, so come on down and find more out about the club and rugby in the area. Also for all of your rugby branded clothing and gear including Canterbury casuals and Cotton Traders shirts.

EUROGOLF FIRST COMPETITION OF THE SEASON After the normal 2 month summer break, on Thursday 3rd September Eurogolf held their monthly medal on their home course La Marquesa.

The lack of playing was reflected in the results as nobody managed to break par. Gold division 0-19 1st John Barraclough 74, 2nd David Gregson 75, 3rd Terry Sharley 77, Silver division 20+ 1st Mary Sanderson 79, 2nd Clare D Gretton 80, 3rd Bob Shorley 82 Overall Medal winner John Barraclough Best front 9 Colin D Gretton 36 Best back 9 Phyllis Venables 38 Nearest the pins 5 Morag Turner, 11 Angelika Berndt, 15 no winner, 17 Tony Stanley Football draw David Valentine, Tony Stanley, Malcolm Foskett and Mark O'Williams On Tuesday 1st September Toffs played their first competition and the results were Gold division J Barraclough 35 points, 2nd David Gregson 35 points c/b, Silver division H. Armstrong 39 points, 2nd B. Shorley 33 points, Bronze division 1st Joy Gray 32 points, 2nd J. Hill 29 points Best front 9 M. Foskett 17 points, best back 9 J. Fairhurst 19 points Football draw J. Weston, J. Hill and G. White Nearest the pins 5 J. Barraclough, 11 P. Perito, 15 H. Armstrong 17 K Brett Eurogolf are 25 years old this year and are holding lots of special

events to celebrate this, the first being a buffet evening in the Chillout lounge at the Golf club on Saturday 19th September, so members make sure you get your name down for this ASAP. If you are interested in becoming a member in one of the most established golf societies on the Costa Blanca please contact Sue Gillett on 96 6715838

BRADLEY BREAKERS

965 723 270 607 848 332

WALES STILL ON COURSE

Wales manager Chris Coleman is adamant Euro 2016 qualification “is coming” despite being held to a goalless draw by Israel in Cardiff.

Victory would have sealed Wales’ place at their first major tournament since 1958 with two games to spare.

However, Coleman’s side need just one point from an away game in Bosnia-Herzegovina on 10 October or at home to lowly Andorra on 13 October.

“It’s a shame we didn’t do it.

It’s an anti-climax but a good point,” he said.

“The expectation was that we would win, but now we have to wait longer.”

Wales remain top of Group B, one point ahead of second-placed Belgium and five in front of Israel in third with the top two guaranteed qualification.

They were held 0-0 at home by Bosnia-Herzegovina on 10 October 2014, having won 2-1 in Andorra the month before.

And Coleman remains convinced his players can end Wales’ 57-year wait for an appearance at a major tournament.

“The players were a little bit disappointed, you could sense it on their faces,” he said.

“We all wanted to do it and make the Welsh public happy.

“They are a bit frustrated but if we

do the same again it’s over. We only need one point now.”

Denied by ‘blatant handball’ Wales and Reading defender Chris Gunter: “We wanted to do it for ourselves and for the fans.

“But we’ve waited such a long time [ t o qualify for a major finals], we can wait another few weeks probably.

“It’s mixed emotions.

We all know what could have happened if we did get that goal, but we’ll respect the point and we’ll move on.

“We’re very close now and it’s been a good week - four points is a good return from two difficult games.”

Wales and Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey: “We showed out there what we’re capable of doing [winning 3-0 in Haifa] and maybe they didn’t want the same to happen again.

“They probably just thought about coming here and getting everybody behind the ball and frustrating us.

“If you don’t score in the first 20 minutes in those sort of games it’s quite difficult to break them down.” bbc.com

38

September 2015

SAN MIGUEL GOLF SOCIETY AT ALICANTE

Twenty-three members and 8 guests made there way to Alicante Golf for what was quite an important day of the society’s year, with the final round of the 2014/15 Order of Merit, the final of this year’s singles match play, and the first of what is to become an annual event, i.e. a match play competition against the Sledgers and Shankers Society from the Javea area playing for the kindly donated by Alicante Golf Club and consensually named Alicante Cup. A normal weekly stableford competition was thrown in for good measure! The course was in excellent condition, although the greens very slow, and the weather finally somewhat cooler than of late.

end, and to all those waiting back at the bar for hanging on for the day’s delayed presentation ceremony.

Taking things as listed above, Robin Eastman, having had an excellent year, confirmed his long held position of Order of Merit leader to win the main prize, with Barry Roehrig taking the runners-up place ahead of Mike Jordan in 3rd, who just managed to hold off the long time competition from Tony Smale.

And last, but not least, to the day’s stableford competition results which were, by category and in reverse order:

The singles match play final saw Mike Jordan (16) take on John Osborne (6) for the trophy. With full handicap difference being taken in to account John had to concede ten shot holes to Mike, which led to a very balanced and close fought match. All square after 9 and with never more than one in it until the 16th, when John went two up, Mike managed to take the last 2 holes to force a playoff. With the first extra hole halved, both decided to make a mess of the 2nd, with John making a lesser mess to finally take the trophy at the 20th hole. Well done John!! Thanks should go to the President and his wife for accompanying the pair to the very

Amongst those waiting were the 16 players who took part in the match held between SMGS and SAS. With SMGS’s former Captain and continuing member Steve Davis being the common link, with Steve turning out for his more recently joined society, it was agreed by all that the match was held in the very best of spirits, keenly contested, and that the challenge should most definitely be repeated.

SAS took the inaugural Alicante Cup 2.5 to 1.5. Congratulations to them and we look forward to taking it off them next year!!!

Silver Category: 4th Marg Birtwistle (33 on CB), 3rd Norman McBride (34), 2nd Ray Ewings with a very good 38, and 1st, appearing to have recovered pretty well from a recent operation, Mr Treasurer Keith Stevenson with the day’s best score of 39 points.

Gold Category: 4th Mike Frankish (32), 3rd John Osborne (34 on CB), 2nd Barry Roehrig (34) and 1st, Ivan Hanak playing to his handicap with 36 points.

QUESADA GOLF SOCIETY Last Wednesday the Society travelled inland from Elche to play the “Good Value for Money” course Alenda. The course was generally in decent condition with the greens being a little on the slow side. Again the weather forecast leading up to the day were not too promising with rain expected but it never materialised with conditions being good with sunshine and a slight breeze. The competition was a “chosen” pairs with players choosing their partner and the score determined by totalling the best 9 scores on each partners scorecard. The results were quite close with some of the more favoured pairings surprisingly not ending up on the podium. The winners on the day with 45 points was Tom Taylor ( not the ex-West Ham player) and “Rock & Roller” Bert Morl. In second place with 44 points was the Little & Large partnership of Gordon McGregor and Mick Rowan who was absolutely chuffed on making his his podium finish and getting among the prizes.

In 3rd place with 42 points was the husband & wife partnership of young Trevor Hobbs and Annie “ throw your clubs” Hobbs who pipped the Welsh

husband & wife partnership of Mike & Glenys Thomas on C/B. “Nearest the Pin” winners were John Dunnion, Gordon McGregor, Brian Airey and Tom Taylor. Tom had an excellent day as he also had a 2 on one of the par 3´s and went home with an extra 50€ in his pocket. Well done Tom. After the game, the golfers returned to the Quesada Country Club for the presentations and a well earned drink or two and a hot and cold buffet kindly laid on by mine hosts.

There is a members meeting at the Quesada Country Club on Tuesday 8 September at 11.00 am.

The next game is an Individual Stableford competition at Mar Menor on Wednesday 16 September.

Anyone in the Quesada area looking to join a very friendly golf society and play golf once a fortnight at a wide variety of courses at very reasonable cost, should contact the Membership Secretary Les Pancott on 966716723.

The Abacus was won by Mick Roscoe.

LA MARINA GOLF SOCIETY

Nearest the pins on the par 3’s (open to all) went to Taff (the Slice) of SAS (3), Keith Wraithmell (6), Brian Page, Vistabella Golf Club was the venue also of Sas (8), Taff again (12), Darren for our latest monthly Stableford Hancock (15) and Barry Roehrig (17). competition. An early start meant that members could enjoy the cooler Two best guest prizes, with Mike weather conditions. The course had Boyle (36) beating Keith Lockyer on CB. recently been hollow tined but this Our thanks go to the staff at did not appear to affect the play of Alicante golf course for their anyone. In fact the greens, whilst a little ‘woolly’ , ran true and the slower contribution to an excellent day. speed suited quite a few players.

Keep up to date with all SMGS The course itself is still not the most matters by logging on to our popular with our membership but the website www.smgs.org or simply organisation of the Pro shop staff is give Barry Roehrig a call on 966 amongst the best anywhere.

The final semi final of the Annual 731 033 to find out more about the society and its weekly golf Singles Knockout competition was get-togethers. Next Wednesday, completed and the final between Peter Wootton and Carol Marriner is Sept 9th, we will be at Villamartin. scheduled to take place next month.

It is sure to be a close contest!

25’95 €

Results

Nearest the PinsHole 4:Alan Craig. Hole 8: John Lywood. Hole 15:Carol Marriner.

Silver Division: 35points Sarah McCabe Gold Division: 35pointsAlan Craig The 2’s pot was rolled over.

The presentation of prizes was held at the La Marina Sports Centre where, yet again, a generous buffet was provided by Paolo and Helena.

Our next game is at Bonalba GC on September 17th. First tee time 10.00a.m. . An entry sheet is on the notice board in the Social Centre or you can call our Secretary, Alan Craig on 634 347788

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MAZARRON FC 0 SANGONERA UCAM CF 2

Mazarron's first game in the Preferente Autonomica following promotion last season ended in a 2-0 home defeat against Sangonera. Mazarron were equal to their much fancied opponents for more than two thirds of the game but two goals in the closing stages were enough to secure the points for the visitors.

Fielding only three of the players who figured in last year's promotion team, Mazarron took some time to settle and there was little action until the 23rd minute when Sangonera had the first shot of the game which looped over the bar.

At the other end, Enrique who was having an excellent game in midfield latched onto a loose ball and, from just outside the box, drew an outstanding save from the Sangonera keeper. Then just before the interval, Jose just failed to make contact with an excellent cross from Alfonso.

Both goalkeepers were kept busy in the early stages of the second half. Mazarron started the brighter and almost took the lead when a free kick was deflected goalwards only to be cleared off the line. Two minutes later the Sangonera keeper made an excellent save following a Mazarron corner.

On 59 minutes it was Sangonera who came close with a quick interchanging of passes only thwarted by an excellent save from Antonio, Mazarron's new keeper.

Then Palote went close for Mazarron and had two shots saved in quick succession.

The game continued to flow from end to end with Sangonera being denied again

by Antonio before, at the other end a Mazarron corner was headed just over the bar by Juanma.

Sangonera took the lead with just over 20 minutes remaining when Alvaro's free kick from the edge of the penalty area took a wicked deflection and sailed over the stranded Antonio.

At this point Mazarron threw caution to the wind and the visiting keeper pulled off

a number of fine saves to deny them. Mazarron's best chance to rescue the game came in the 86th minute when a delightful free kick from the right was cleared off the line. Unfortunately, with Mazarron committed to attack they fell to the classic "sucker punch" . As the ball was cleared off the line it was hacked forward and Miguel gave the Mazarron keeper no chance to make the score 2-0.

Team: Antonio (GK); Juanfran; Juanlu; Enrique; Alfonso; Palote; Jose; Juanito; Santi; Mounir; Juan Andreo.

Substitutes used: Cristian; Juanma; Silverio.

Man of the match: Antonio

F1: TYRE CRITICISM FORCES BOSSES TO RECONSIDER POLICY

Drivers' dissatisfaction with Formula 1 has forced bosses to reconsider the sport's current philosophy.

F1 has, for five years, been following an approach pioneered by commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone of deliberately fragile tyres that promote multiple pit stops.

But, following consistent criticisms by leading drivers of the tyres provided by Pirelli, bosses are to discuss whether F1 should head in a different direction.

The debate will form part of ongoing talks about plans for faster cars in 2017.

What do the drivers want?

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said: "The drivers want consistent tyres on which they can push every lap."

Their dissatisfaction is combined with concerns about tyre safety, which reemerged following two high-speed failures at last month's Belgian Grand Prix.

Outspoken criticisms of Pirelli from multiple world champions Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, as well as Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg, led to the four being called to a meeting at last weekend's Italian Grand Prix with Ecclestone, Pirelli, Horner and the bosses of the Ferrari and Mercedes teams.

Ecclestone said the drivers were told at the meeting to keep their concerns about the tyres out of the public eye in the future.

Pirelli motorsport boss Paul Hembery said: "It is pointless some drivers wanting this, the sport wanting something else and the public wanting something altogether different again.

"That needs to be an open discussion while we are defining what is going to happen in 2017.

"Somebody might not like what has been decided but if that is the way we are going then you have to buy into what F1 is."

What is the current F1 philosophy?

Since Pirelli's entry into the sport in 2011, it has provided tyres with a deliberately limited life, with the intention of forcing drivers to make at least two pit stops in each race.

Ecclestone believes this is the right approach to keep the audience interested throughout a grand prix.

The six Pirelli tyres used for this years F1 calendar F1 teams have six different Pirelli tyres to choose from But drivers have complained that they can hardly ever push to the limit in races - the need to manage the tyres to ensure they last for the optimum amount of laps for the best strategy means they are rarely driving as fast as possible.

Even with the harder tyres that have accompanied the more conservative approach Pirelli has taken this year to choosing rubber compounds for races, which has led to a decrease in the number of stops, the drivers still have to manage the tyres, lapping within the car's ultimate performance.

Horner said: "One-stop races are not particularly exciting. So you have to have that balance of two to three stops and with a variance of strategies being able to work.

"But it is finding that balance. It is not an easy job for Pirelli."

What will happen next?

A leading driver who did not want to be identified confirmed they had agreed to keep talking to Pirelli about whether to change the design and behaviour of the tyres.

However, he said there was scepticism about whether Pirelli was technically capable of designing a tyre on which the drivers could push flat out throughout a race stint even if it was asked to do so.

F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone talks to Pirelli Motorsport director Paul Hembery Paul Hembery (right) is motorsport director at Pirelli But Hembery insisted: "If you go back to when they were doing, let's say, qualifying sessions (in races), they were doing fuel stops, so you had tyres that lasted 15 laps flat out.

"If you tell me we are going to do 15 laps, change, 15 laps, change, we'll give you tyres they can do that with.

"We can do that and we're happy to, but then the comment came back: 'That was the most boring F1 we ever had; there were two overtakings per race.' So the important thing is we all need to agree."

Will there be a new tyre supplier?

Many drivers and senior team insiders believe that the only way to have tyres durable enough for drivers to race flat out at all times would be for Ecclestone to choose Michelin rather than Pirelli as the sport's next tyre supplier from 2017.

The 84-year-old is currently weighing up the commercial aspects of bids from both manufacturers, after governing body the FIA approved both companies on technical and sporting grounds.

However, Ecclestone expressed strong support for Pirelli over the Italian Grand Prix weekend and insiders believe the company is almost certain to be chosen to continue into a new contract.