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ISSUE 403

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11 - 17 nov

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Three million Spanish workers made less than €1,000 a month in 2014

Despite an apparent economic recovery, Spanish salaries did not experience any noticeable rise last year, while the difference between top and bottom earners increased, as did the breach between men and women, according to figures released by the National Statistics Institute (INE) on Friday. The 2014 Active Population Survey additionally shows that 4.37 million workers in Spain made less than gross €1,221.10 a month last year, with another 2.9 million failing to even reach the €1,000 mark, coming in at a monthly €972.80 or less.

November 2015

by a member of the public who wrote a letter to the editor of EL PAÍS, to describe the countless highly skilled young Spaniards who made no more than €1,000 a month despite a booming economy. Now, many people talk about nimileuristas, or not-even-one-thousandeuro-earners. There are around three million Spaniards in this situation. And that is just looking at gross salaries. After deducting income tax and Social Security payments, and factoring in two extra payments a year that most salaried workers receive, there are more than four million Spaniards who make less than €1,000 a year, out of a total of 14.2 million included in the INE study.

Those with lower salaries experienced the smallest increases, widening the gap between those who make the most and those who make the The lower salaries experienced the smallest increases, widening the gap between those who make the most and those who make the least least. There is also a gender disparity, with women’s salaries dropping In 2005, the term mileurista (one-thousand-euro-earner) was coined an average €3.50 a month to €1,618.10, while men’s monthly checks rose €23.80 to €2,125. The INE notes that one of the main reasons for this disparity is that more women work parttime, on temporary contracts and in lowerpaying sectors.

'New' crocodile species dating back 75 million years found in Cuenca

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A SPECIES of crocodile hitherto unheard-of and living on earth over 75 million years ago has been discovered in a prehistoric dig in the province of Cuenca. Archaeologists working on the Lo Hueco site in the centre-eastern province, which dates back to the High Cretaceous Period, found the fossilised skull of a crocodile with two-inch-long teeth, disproportionately large when compared with the size of the head. It has been named the Lohuecosuchus Megadontos – 'Lo Hueco' after the name of the site, suchus meaning 'crocodile', dontos for teeth and mega for large. The species found is said to bear very close relation to one discovered in Romania at the start of the 20th century, denominated the Allodaposuchus, but the shape of the nose is different with an additional, horizontal nasal passage seen in the Lo Hueco version. Palaeontologists Francisco Ortega and Iván Narváez of the Evolutive Biology unit at Spain's distance-learning university, the UNED, worked with other specialists in the pre-historic eras from the University of Iowa in the USA, and their findings have been published in the highlyrespected science periodical PLOS One. Ortega describes Lo Hueco as 'a window on a landscape from 72 million years ago', which he says would have been a coastal marshland littered with sauropods roaming around in a very warm, humid climate. In practice, though, the Lohuecosuchus Megadontos would have been on the planet around 75 million years ago, in the High Cretaceous Period – a time typically thought to be the dinosaur age swansong, although later species have been found. Crocodiles are among the oldest species on earth and are the closest creatures to dinosaurs around today. The picture shows Henry, the current most elderly croc in the world – a longterm resident of the Crocworld Conservation Centre in Scottsburgh, in the eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, he turned 114 years old this year, making him almost levelpegging with the oldest human. thinkspain.com

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Mysterious space object found by shepherds in Murcia field

Civil Guard investigators say 20-kilo artifact could have fallen from rocket or satellite

ALL pregnant women in Andalucía will be vaccinated against whooping cough after a two-week-old infant lost her life from catching the disease because she was too young for her routine injection. From January 1 next year, regional health minister Aquilino Alonso says women expecting babies will be inoculated against the condition, which causes persistent coughing and violent drawing in of breath, preventing the sufferer from breathing for as long as the coughing fit lasts.

Residents of the normally tranquil Murcia countryside had their peace disturbed on Tuesday when a strange object showed up out of nowhere. Shepherd brothers Francisco and Juan Espín del Amo, who were tending their flocks in the area as usual, stared in amazement at the grayish, oval-shaped thing that looked like nothing they had ever seen before. The object weighed around 20 kilograms and measured about a meter in diameter. It was wrapped in a black material that appeared to provide isolation The Civil Guard immediately activated its protocol for nuclear, radiological, bacteriological and chemical threats “It must have dropped from the sky,” they concluded, according to local media reports. The object could also have been a military device – given that the army was conducting training exercises in an area known as Llanos del Cagitan, within the municipal limits of Mula (Murcia) – or an anti-hail rocket launched by an airplane. The Civil Guard immediately activated its protocol for nuclear, radiological, bacteriological and chemical threats, and sent officers in hazmat suits to inspect the artifact. It was later confirmed to be an aerospace industry device, possibly an auxiliary fuel tank for a rocket or a satellite. This is not the first time that such objects have landed on Earth, said Civil Guard explosives experts.

Pregnant mothers to be inoculated against whooping cough

“A couple of years ago, similar items were found in Australia and Brazil,” said one source. By the time it was identified, Francisco and Juan’s brother-in-law, a community manager whom the brothers contacted as soon as they found the strange object, had already done his own online research and reached his own conclusion. “The sphere looks very much like a composite overwrapped pressure vessel (COPV), possibly from a space station,” he said. “These objects are made from such resilient materials that they can survive Earth re-entry, and even catastrophic explosions, nearly intact.” On Wednesday morning, Murcia authorities were continuing to assess potential environmental risks in the area. A radioactive facilities inspector has been analyzing the site with an ionization chamber, and tests have turned up negative for higher-than-normal alpha, beta and gamma emissions. The object is now at Civil Guard facilities, waiting for somebody to claim it. elpais.com

Regional health bosses have been studying the incidence of whooping cough in Spain and internationally, and found the number of cases has been going up – largely because it is so rare to catch it these days. Around 70% of children and adults who catch it have to be taken to hospital and are in a serious condition, and lactating mothers can pass the virus to their babies even if they do not show symptoms of it. An MP in opposition, Esperanza Oña, had previously slammed the regional government, saying that if all women expecting a child had been duly vaccinated in Andalucía, the infant in Málaga would not have caught the respiratory condition because her mother would have been injected against it. The inoculation keeps babies immune from the condition until they are weaned, and they are then given their own vaccine when they are old enough, usually in early infanthood. Already, seven regions out of Spain's 17 have decided to inject pregnant women as a routine part of their treatment, following government health service recommendations, but Andalucía has not been one of them until now. SEach region decides to vaccinate its women according to the extent of whooping cough suffered in their geographical area, and those with a lower incidence often do not do so. Andalucía was among them, and the patients' ombudsman intends to bring a private prosecution against the regional health service over the death of the infant who caught it from her mother.

November 2015

Anti-domestic violence march brings 21,000 people to Madrid

A MASSIVE national demonstration filled the streets of Madrid yesterday (Saturday) calling for an end to domestic violence, thought to be the main cause of murder in Spain. A total of 380 associations, charities and social groups, many with no specific connection to domestic violence but who support the cause, descended on the capital after 268 coaches were thrown on from all over the country and the national rail board, RENFE, gave discounted train tickets to Madrid. Some were from as far away as the Costa Blanca, with dozens of groups from the northern half of the Alicante province – even housewives' associations of small villages –

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taking part. According to the manifesto, a total of 1,392 women have been murdered by their current or ex-boyfriends and husbands in 20 years, of which 84 were recorded this year alone – just in the summer of 2015, a total of 37 women and eight children were killed either by the women's partners, in some case the youngsters' fathers, although among the eight were teenage girls killed by their boyfriends. The figures are 'just the tip of the iceberg' and government statistics do not reflect the true magnitude of the situation, the manifesto claims. Over 21,000 people joined the protest – mostly women, but a significant minority of men, also. Statistics are not available for the numbers of women murdered by their wives or female partners, men by Onto existing ground, terraces, pool surrounds etc. their husbands or

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Twitter user lauding Federico García Lorca's murder faces criminal action

A TWEET in praise of the assassination of one of Spain's most famous national playwrights and poets Federico García Lorca has sparked an inquiry by the Catalunya regional hate-crime prosecution board. The Twitter user wrote that the writer, part of the abstract and angst-ridden early 20th-century artists' group known as the Generation of '27, deserved to be murdered 'from minute one' for 'being a maricón, which is an offensive word in Spanish meaning 'homosexual man'. Hatred and discrimination are considered criminal offences in Spain under a wider legal description that encompasses exaltation of terrorism or other forms of violence, sexism, racism, and aggressive language against politicians or Royalty on social networks – but in Catalunya the regional law is more specific and each of these offences, including homophobia,

Alberti, Dámaso Alonso, Gerardo Diego, Luis Cernuda, Vicente Aleixandre, Manuel Altolaguirre and Emilio Prados, although the Generation of '27 is widely considered to include other friends of the group including poets Rubén Dario from Nicaragua, Pablo Neruda from Chile, Sevilla-born Antonio Machado, and Argentinian short storywriter and poet Jorge Luis Borges. Among Lorca's best-known plays are Blood wedding, The house of Bernarda Alba, and Yerma ('barren', in the feminine). Lorca's death Lorca spent a few years travelling through London, New York and parts of Cuba, but although he was warned by the embassies of Colombia and México upon his return to Spain that he may become victim of a terrorist attack due to his job as a Republican civil servant, the artist turned down both countries' offers of political asylum, a decision which cost him his life. In practice, Lorca had no political views and one of his best friends was a Falangist, largely considered to be a fascist outfit, saying he considered everyone to be human whatever their values. One of dictator Franco's guards admitted to being one of the armed group who shot Lorca at 04.45hrs on his way back to his parents' home, and said the writer's homosexuality was one of the reasons for doing so. British author H. G. Wells wrote to the military authorities in Granada saying he was 'anxious' for news of his 'highly-esteemed friend' and would very much appreciate the 'courtesy of a reply'. But by then, Lorca was buried in a common grave somewhere between Víznar and Alfacar along with two anarchists and a teacher. The exact whereabouts of his remains have been one of Spain's greatest historical mysteries and searches are ongoing today for his body, at the instigation of his family.

is a crime in its own right, especially since the recent law on 'LGB phobia' and 'trans-phobia' was launched this year. A regional association reported the Tweet by user Diego Celtibero to the Hate and Discrimination Crime Prosecutor, Miguel Ángel Aguilar, who has agreed it falls within the what the legislation outlaws and has announced he will launch a full investigation, which could lead to criminal charges against the writer. Lorca's life Federico García Lorca (pictured), born in June 1898 in Fuente Vaqueros just outside Granada city – where his early childhood home is now a museum open to the public (photo by Fuente Vaqueros town hall) – was shot halfway between Víznar and Alfacar (Granada province) on August 18, 1936, during the coup d'état which marked the start of Spain's Civil War. Living in Granada city from age 11, he was better known for his musical talent at university than his love of literature, the latter having been influenced by his mother Vicenta, a school teacher who was Federico's father's second wife. The artist, also an accomplished painter later in life, studied two degrees – in law and in humanities with philosophy – and found his feet in the art world in his early 20s when he moved to Madrid with many of his student friends to carry on his education at the so-called Students' Residence, a hotbed of intellectuals which had also been the college of choice for the likes of Albert Einstein, John Maynard Keynes, Madame Marie Curie, film director Luis Buñuel, Rafael Alberti and surrealist painter Salvador Dalí. Lorca's dip into the performing arts came with his return to Granada after two years and his newfound friendship with electric systems composer Manuel de Solar Falla, best-known for Solar hot water systems his frantic piece Danza de Fuego, or 'dance of Buy direct - no middle men fire'. tractors Dalí was also a no sales people - no subcon very close friend of Quality European products Lorca's, who encouraged the Guarantees backed by 10 years of training in Spain painter in his writing, and Complete solar systems from only 1500€ including installation Lorca was one of the group 10% price beater promise of poets and like for like price who first met in we will beat any other December 1927 in Sevilla and continued to influence each other for the next decade and a half. They included poets Jorge Guillén, Pedro Salinas, Rafael

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How drinking TEA can keep your bones strong: Just three cups a day cuts risk of fracture by a third

• Black tea contains chemicals called flavonoids which prevent brittle bones • Flavonoids are already linked with lowering cancer and heart disease risk • Each cup of tea drank lowered the risk of a hip fracture by 9%, study found • Drinking three cups of tea a day could slash the risk of hip fractures by almost a third, a new study has found.

Scientists say the humble brew could become a powerful weapon against osteoporosis - a condition where the bones become brittle and fragile. The study suggests healthy plant chemicals called flavonoids in black tea could help an ageing population ward off the bone-weakening illness. For years, scientists have suspected these antioxidant chemicals help to reduce the risk of major illnesses like cancer and heart disease. But the latest breakthrough points to drinking tea as a potent new way to protect the body’s bones during the ageing process. One in three women and one in 12 men in the UK develops osteoporosis at some point in their lives - and it already affects around three million people. Women who use steroid drugs, smoke, drink heavily and have a family history of the disease are most at risk. But diet is also crucial and poor eating habits during youth are thought to increase the dangers of the disease later in life.

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It progresses when osteoclasts, cells that break down old bone by removing the calcium and phosphorous that gives it strength, start to outnumber osteoblasts, rival cells responsible for making healthy new bone. Right the way through life old bone is being destroyed by osteoclasts and new bone is formed by osteoblasts. But after the ages of 30 to 35, there are fewer osteoblasts than osteoclasts. Osteoporosis develops when the balance tips too far in favour of the osteoclasts. This dramatically increases the risk of fractures to major joints like the hip. British consumers get through an estimated 165 million cups of tea every day. Flavonoids are also found in a variety of fruits and vegetables. They protect plants against disease and some also provide the bright colours found in everyday fresh foods.

Previous studies, for example, have suggested tomatoes – another rich source – can also prevent weakening of the bones. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk

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November 2015

home & garden

Contact 950 121 936 or email sales@soltimes.com to Advertise in this section DISPLAY A GREAT COLLECTION ON A DINING ROOM TABLE In the living room of an Atlanta house by designer Beth Webb, an elm plank table from Clubcu, which often doubles as a dining table, dramatically displays a collection of Chinese porcelains. "The pieces don't have to match, but they do have to play together well," Webb says.

Decorating Hacks From wallpapering a window shade to reupholstering furniture with old curtains, these fast and easy makeover tips make a big difference.

HANG AN INTERIOR CURTAIN In the kitchen of the same Atlanta house, a linen curtain runs on a track spanning the room and can be pulled “to conceal the mess of preparation,” Webb says. Steel-andglass casements frame views of the pool and garden. MIX AND MATCH YOUR BEDDING “The mix-and-match nature of the patterns and faded batik prints make it feel like it’s a collection of old textiles brought back from a journey at sea.” Antique cage lights hang

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PUT AN ANTIQUE IN THE BATHROOM The guest bath in Fulk’s vacation home “feels authentic to the period of the house, but also clean and modern,” he says.

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PAINT AN INEXPENSIVE PIECE OF FURNITURE WHITE This Kansas City house's dining room, a former loggia, is "light, bright, and airy," homeowner and designer Zim Loy says. "I accomplished that with lots of white paint." She bought a beat-up old $60 table at an estate sale and gave it a fresh new look by the painting the base high-gloss white. COVER A WALL WITH PLATES Loy discovered Hackerware on eBay — “there’s tons of it, and it’s so cheap!” — and started collecting it for the dining room. Covering the whole wall with plates has the same effect as “one big piece of art.” WALLPAPER YOUR VINYL WINDOW SHADES “I had a roll of wallpaper in my office that was left over from a photo shoot we did, and I was about to put it in the trash when I thought, ‘No, I can do something with this,’ “ Loy says. “Then I thought of the vinyl shades

in our guest room. So I wallpapered them. You gotta go for it.” The canopy bed was painted black to show off its silhouette. DRESS UP HALLWAYS WITH TURKISH RUNNERS In the second-floor hallway of a California house, designer Betsy Burnham overlaps Turkish runners from Rugs & Art, drawing the eye to a Moroccan-inspired reading nook. The vintage carpets “can transform a plain hallway into a decorated space,” Burnham says. “A really faded, tattered rug is instantly Bohemian.” The window seat is covered in Tibet woven silk from S. Harris. MOVE SEATING AWAY FROM THE WALLS “Float furniture away from the walls: It creates more intimate seating,” designer Betsy Burnham says. She did just that in the living room of this California house. The console table separating back-to-back sofas is decked with vintage goddess figurine lamps and Chinese monkeys “for a Tony Duquette, William Haines flavor.” Sellarsbrook rug, the Rug Company. Rectangular Cocktail Table, Baker. h t t p : / / w w w . housebeautiful.com/

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November 2015

Hello and welcome to CanDu Computer Bytes. made up of memory chips. Nearly everyone one of my readers, in Spain, The advantage of these uses a laptop. The benefits are obvious: Spain’s is there are no moving power supply can be very erratic, and there is parts and are incredibly fast when nothing more annoying than being stopped compared to there older (but sturdy) cousins! half way through a Skype call to the grand-kids or anything that you have been working on for A conventional HDD has a number of moving hours, just because the electricity is gone off. parts and motors. These motors have to ‘spin up’ to a working speed before they can start God Bless battery backup! We all know that batteries are hundred’s to have data written to, or read from, them. of time better than they were 10 or 15 years There is now a circuit board that plugs into ago. They last longer between charges, have a you motherboard that, within 5 years will make cleaner, steadier output, in fact better in every even these SSD’s obsolete! Currently there are way! BUT (I know you don’t start a sentence limited in size (512Gb) and extremely expensive with a ‘but’ – but …) they are still limited in the ($415) but there speed more than makes up for time that they can be use before a recharge is needed. So, today, I plan on giving you some these drawbacks! Trick number 4 might be the most obvious tricks, and reasons for them, to extend the but often the most neglected. Change all your battery life even longer. Trick number 1 – Turn off you screen saver. settings. Within Window, Linux and I believe In the days when we had cathode ray tube Apple products are ‘Settings’ that will turn monitors there would, eventually, be left an off the display and / or adjust the screen impression of the background on the screen brightness, put the computer into ‘sleep mode’, (called burn-in). To prevent that, “screen and a host of other methods that will increase savers” were devised as a way of constantly the life of your battery and the time between moving an image to ensure that the whole screen got the same exposure and therefore charges. Search them out and if you seriously prevent burn-in. With Liquid Crystal Displays want to extend you battery life, use them! Trick number 5 does require you to consider and now Light Emitting Diode displays, ‘Burnin’ is a thing of the past. Don’t waste your what you are doing. If you are going to play valuable precious memory and processor cards, turn off your WIFI on your laptop / power on something that isn’t needed. tablet / phone. This, although it has become Trick number 2 – Don’t leave your computer an integral part of all of our lives, sucks the running all day. I know that it sounds obvious life out of your battery! When I first got my and I know that it is a time consuming pain in the bum turning it off and back on again, smartphone (after months of kicking and but leaving it running whilst doing nothing is screaming and refusing to join the 21st plain wasteful! You have, built in to most OS’s, century!) I noticed that without the WIFI a function to sleep or hibernate. For those connected, I would get a week of ‘standby’ who don’t know, a quick recap. Sleep mode time from a single charge, but when the WIFI shuts everything in your computer down apart was connected, this dropped to a little more from the memory that is holding your work. than 3 days! I have to accept this to have the The advantage of this is that within seconds convenience of WIFI connectivity! (and I really do mean seconds) you are back Well that’s it for today – as always you can where you were, ready to continue. There is goto the guy that has always looked after your a little power used but it is so small that you can almost discount it. The second option is computer or come to someone who has proven Hibernate. This mode simply copies everything expertise and get only what you asked for from that you are doing to a file on the hard disk and a professional! If this interests you, Meet me then shuts down completely – no power used at Olivers Bar in Albox on Friday´s 1200-1600 at all! It does take a longer to restart but, you for free advice concerning your computer. To again, are exactly where you were before you arrange an appointment, use the Email address went into hibernate. or Phone number below. Trick number 3 – Consider upgrading For further information or advice on to a Solid State Drive. computing,contact Trevor on 689 892 745 or These are Internal canducomputing@hotmail.co.uk storage disks that are

Watch Out Watch Out I remember getting my first bike aged 4; a red and blue machine with stabilisers. I grew out of it quickly but money was tight so I had to walk until my 8th birthday. Then I got my next one which was bought second hand for £7. It was really heavy, had no gears and curious brakes that operated with metal bars instead of cables and I painted it bright blue. I remember dad teaching me to ride it in our back garden. Having a bike meant freedom; my mates and I had a large scale map of Guildford on which we proceeded to draw the boundaries of our imaginary kingdom on each time we returned from a faraway adventure. We could be gone from early morning till dusk, parking our bikes in distant woodlands and playing ‘war’ or Hide N’ Seek. I don’t remember us ever taking sandwiches or drinks as we lived on fresh air and exuberance. My best friend Paul Cox and I used to earn a decent living helping the local Unigate milkman with his deliveries. Saturdays and holidays we would jump in the cab or perch on the back of the float at the beginning of his round and zoom off. The milkman smoked fags whilst he pootled along giving instructions to his two nimble assistants for what was required at each doorstep. This was in the days of Corona (every

pause for thought

How short, I often remind myself, is my memory? Do any of us, for example remember the name of Laurence Binyon? Or know anything about him? A renowned artist and scholar he is probably best known as a poet, with one of his works recognised around the World and frequently quoted by a great many of us. And indeed last Sunday, 8th November as well as today, Wednesday 11th, when Soltimes is published, many, many people recited a part of one of his poems, for in 1914 he wrote “For the Fallen”, which contains the lines: They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the Sun and in the morning, We will remember them. Famous and very moving words indeed; central to all our recollections at Armistice, on Remembrance Sunday and at other times too as we remember all who selflessly gave their lives to protect and sustain others. How important that verse has been down the years to so many who have lost loved ones, friends or colleagues in service of their Country. That pledge to remember; to spend some time each year in recognition of their sacrifice is surely the least we can do in the circumstances. But as the years pass and memories fade, the keeping of these special days can so easily be missed, especially

here in Spain, where there’s so much else for us to do, and so little to remind us of just how different our lives would have been without the selfless commitment of so many. And so we are asked to remember. And whether or not we were able to attend a service these past few days, we should nevertheless make time to pause and reflect. And for those of us who count ourselves Christian, that reflection must necessarily take on an additional dimension as we also remember the sacrificial death of Jesus, who gave his life to overcome the ultimate enemy. Details of a number of English Language Churches are given in Sol Noticeboard for any who wish to Worship, but further information about the Anglican Church and details of forthcoming events may be seen on the web site www.mojacarchurch.org Duncan Burr is Licensed Lay Reader for the Anglican Chaplaincy of Costa Almeria and Costa Cálida and may be contacted at djburr@ avired.com

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

bubble’s passed its fizzical) and we would each be rewarded by a litre bottle of whatever we fancied. Cream Soda was my preferred tipple in those days yet now my stomach churns at the thought of all the sugar and goodness knows what else that I glugged down. The prestige of the milkman reached a nadir in the 70s; Unigate discovered that the Humphreys were stealing people’s milk and came up with the slogan ‘watch out watch out there’s a Humphrey about!’ Telly adverts starring Muhammed Ali, Sid James, Barbara Windsor and Rod Hull warned us kids about the milk snatchers that wanted our milk. We in turn went mad for the free red and white bendy straws, badges, stickers and other Humphrey paraphernalia we could lay our hands on. Being Unigate helpers of course put us first in line for the freebies. In 1970 Ernie was the fastest milkman in the west, Benny Hill wrote the song in 1955 as a tribute to his time as a milkman on a horse drawn cart in Eastleigh Hampshire. The lyric ‘he galloped into Market Street’ probably happened as the street does exist. He performed the song on the Benny Hill Show; it was later released as

a single becoming the 1971 Christmas number1 and staying there for 4 weeks. Two Ton Ted the bread delivery man was Ernie’s love rival for the widow Sue and they had a ‘wild west’ style shoot out with Ernie being killed by a combination of a well-aimed rock cake and stale pork pie. Ernie the milkman went to heaven where ferocious dogs are banned, Two Ton Ted married Sue but Ernie came back to haunt them on their honeymoon with the ghostly rattling of his milk bottles. Although I enjoyed delivering the white stuff, I stopped drinking milk at a young age. The dreaded ¼ pint bottle of free school milk did it for me as it was always warm and tasted horrid. In 1971 Margaret Thatcher gained the nickname the ‘milk snatcher’ for stopping free school milk for 7 to 11 year olds and for her kindness I will be forever in her debt!

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November 2015

Joint Remembrance - The Royal British Legion & La Bridgada de la Legion A very unique ceremony took place at the Military Base in Viator last Wednesday hosted by La Brigada de la Legion. 150 members from several Branches within District North Spain were able to accept the invitation to participate in the joint Parade and Remembrance Service to honour the fallen of both nations and to cement a relationship between an active Spanish Brigade and The Royal British Legion.

On the parade itself the Spanish Legion was represented by the war Band, the Music Unit, a sappers Squad and an Honour Guard comprising the Colonel of the Third Legion regiment, the Colonel of the Base Support Unit, all the Lt. Colonels commanding Legion units and their subordinate Officers and NCO’s. Having taken their places on the parade square they were joined by the RBL Standard Bearers who marched on carrying their Standards under the direction of the Parade Marshal Neil Pavitt. The Chairman of District North Spain Nigel Hails made a short speech paying tribute to those who answered the call of duty and selflessly gave their all in order that future generations may enjoy peace, security and freedom. The General de Brigada Excmo. Sr.D Juan Jesus Martin Cabrero, Commandante en Jefe de la Brigada de la Legion “Rey Alfonso X111”

responded thanking Members for attending and praised the work of the Royal British Legion . Following the National Anthems of both nations, the Last Post and Reveille the General and the RBL Chairman each laid a wreath as they both paid tribute to the fallen. After the Ceremony a visit was made to the Legion Museum which Members found interesting and during the luncheon in the Officer’s Mess a presentation was made to the General. The Protocol Officer Major Alfonso Pedro Ruiz de Ona and many of the other Officers who had been involved in the Ceremony mingled with the guests. It was a very poignant and memorable occasion. The Royal British legion standard bearers (Ian Stewart of Albox Branch pictured) proudly carried the standards, standing to attention for more than half an hour as the service progressed and the wreaths laid at the foot of the Base’s memorial to the fallen (pictured). The RBL visitors enjoyed tapas and many drinks following the service as well as a tour of the museum on the base. The event closed and the RBL visitors returned to their coaches for the return trips, many were fast asleep before leaving the base!

Strictly 2015 Week 7

We are already halfway through this years competition and so far have had a different leader every week. You could say that it could go anyway but who will lift that coveted glitterball trophy this year? Have you picked out your winner yet? I still like Jay but of course there’s Helen, Georgia, Kellie and for me one of the dark horses has to be Anita. I really wouldn’t like to call it at this stage of the competition. Opening the show this week was Peter Andre and Janette with the Charleston. Wow! what an opening this was a Charleston packed with tricks, great swivels and kicks and full of energy. Peter took this weeks leaderboard with a score of 38 and won my 10 this week. Following was Jamelia and Tristan with a Viennese Waltz. Jamelia is one of this years celebrities I just don’t like and yet the judges seem to. She gave a mediocre performance with a lot of gapping and bumping with very poorly retained frame and it wasn’t particularly elegant - you could say I didn’t really like her and gave her 5 with the judges a generous 28. Next to dance was Carol Kirkwood with Pasha and an American Smooth. Oh dear Carol! time for you to go. No core, no frame, no finesse and poor Pasha looked like he was lifting a sack of potatoes on her lifts. I gave her 3 and the judges bottom slot with 17. Helen George and Aljaz were next to perform their Rumba. Beautiful elegant feet and legs but just lacking her weight carriage a little further forward to prevent the stiff legged look. This performance split the judges, I gave her 9 but the judges only 31. Jay McGuinness and Aliona then performed an Argentine Tango. Jay always manages to produce a very strong male lead and gets into

character but just lacks drive on his walks. I think he would benefit from acting lessons as he tends to be an excellent dancer but clinical lacking passion. I gave him 9 and the judges 34. Next to dance were Katie Derham and Anton with a Quickstep. Much better than her Latin dancing (but due to Anton not Katie) unfortunately, this was peppered throughout the performance with errors in what could have been a really great performance. Anton’s ballroom choreography is always superb (pity he can’t do the same with his Latin) The errors led to much of the frame and core falling apart, she just about managed to hold this performance together to the end. I gave her 7 and the judges 26. Anita Rani and Gleb were next to perform a Jive. This was energy packed and with some super tricks. The kicks and flicks could have done with a little more retraction and her stance was a bit too upright but excellent nontheless. I gave her 9 and the judges 34. Kellie Bright and Kevin were next to perform a Waltz. As always Kellie turned in a very good dance. She always retains the top line and was elegant throughout. What a pity the music was a bit too fast. I awarded her 8 and the judges 32. Jeremey Vine and Karen then danced a Tango. It was in typical ‘Jeremy’

style. I always enjoy his performances despite the fact that the dance quality isn’t there, he is definitely a tryer. I awarded him 4 and the judges 21. Closing this weeks show were Georgia May Foot and Giovanni with a Samba. Nice to hear some traditional style music but it was extremely fast. I don’t know how Georgia managed to keep up with some very tricky steps. Her performance was a bit patchy with some bits much better than others but I gave her 9 with the judges 35. So in the judges bottom 2 this week were Carol and Jeremy with the public having Carol and Kellie (what!!!!) in the bottom 2 with Carol finally going out after the dance off. I can’t wait to see what will happen next week as the loser will miss out on a visit to the Blackpool Tower Ballroom in two weeks time and the one show no one wants to miss. Who will survive? Tune in next week but if you want even more gossip come and join us at one of our new classes. In the meantime Keep Dancing! Class Info 635 584 431

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Cultural routes Andalusia has been an object of desire for the most advanced cultures and civilisations since the beginning of history. Iberians, Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans laid the foundations of many of the cities that amaze us today with their artistic and historic heritage. In its time under Arab control, Andalusia's major cities played a unique role in the world, which continued for centuries more with the discovery of America. The coming and going of accents and voices left behind a catalogue of culture and monuments that constitute the principal asset of Andalusia, which today conserves an historic and artistic heritage that is unique in the world.

In search of the Holy Grail. Jaén According to tradition, the search for the grail used by Jesus at the Last Supper covers large parts of Mediterranean lands, from Palestine to the Atlantic, and links up with similar traditions in other cultures, such as the Ark of the Covenant of the Israelites. The Holy Grail is the vessel able to transmit divine qualities to all it holds. Its remotest origins may be found in cave paintings representing the vulva, symbol of fertility and recipient of the mystery of life, that afterwards is transformed into an inverted triangle and, later still, into a goblet or a chalice. In Central Europe, the search for this sacred object gave rise to the Knights of the Round Table, whose exploits killing dragons and saving damsels in distress occupy a large part of European collective imagination throughout the Middle Ages. In Andalusia, the search for the Holy Grail is concentrated above all in Jaén and the surrounding area. The journey begins in the quarter of La Magdalena in Jaén, where, according to legend, a terrible dragon terrified the neighbours. The monster appeared through the archway of La Magdalena and it was slain by a man condemned to death, who traded his pardon in exchange for freeing the town of this danger. Juan Eslava attributes to the dragon the role of guardian of a cave on the hill of Santa Catalina, which housed a table of gold and precious stones. This was the Table of Solomon, another of the treasures linked with the Holy Grail in mythical tradition. There is a monument to the legendary

dragon in a fountain in this quarter, and what is said to have been its skin is on view at the church of San Ildefonso. Other aspects of magic are also frequent in Jaén, which owes its name to the Arabic Xauen, or sanctuary. In the same quarter of La Magdalena, there are many houses with the Knot of Solomon, a triangle formed by the union of three circles, secret emblem used for recognising each other by the followers of the wise author of the Song of Songs. This ode to love, as the generating and fertilising principle, is the source of an old tradition, persecuted by the hierarchies of all established religions, which appears here and there under different forms. One of them is the Galactotrofusai, the Virgins of the Milk, who, while suckling their child, transmit the divine essence. Our Lady of Soterraño belongs to this style, which is the image of the Virgin now called of La Antigua and venerated in the main chapel of the Cathedral of Jaén. The Table of Solomon, the Holy Grail, gold and precious stones... Jaén is full of legends of hidden treasures. In the city of Jaén, there is one tale about such a treasure, hidden in the house where the niche of Jesus of the Three Eggs is found. Also in the city´s surrounding districts, in the hamlets of Mariblanca and Pilatos, and on Pitas Hill, a name which alludes to hens - and their Golden Eggs - that find the spot where the treasure is buried when pecking. We now leave Jaén towards the south, to seek the Sierra de Otíñar, a centre of archaeological

finds. On Veleta Hill, there is a very, very ancient dolmen and to the south, in La Tinaja gully, the cave of Los Soles, with prehistoric engravings representing Venus - once again a goddess of fertility - surrounded by suns. Back to Jaén and out northwards on the local Cuevas Road, towards Perulera Hill. There, by a farm of the same name, on the hilltop by an old ilex, there is a large partly sunken stone, nearly perfectly round. Who and how it was put there is part of the mystery. But this acquires another significance when these points, together with others like the hills of Pitas and Canteras, and the fountains of La Peña and Virgen Blanca are placed on a map. In doing so, we see that they form a perfectly straight line 12 kilometres long, flanked by three symmetrical equidistant points similar to the shape of the tree of the cabala. Many other places in the province of Jaén have magic traditions and legends deeply rooted in the collective memory, such as Bélmez. Here, a short way away from Mágina peak, a conical hill that has been a place of worship since olden times, mysterious faces began appearing in the kitchen of a private dwelling 20 years ago, and they have remained until present time. These Faces of Bélmez, which appear again and again on the cement floor, have been examined by several investigators, and they have not yet been able to find a scientific explanation for this phenomenon. http://www.andalucia.org/

November 2015

House Prices Register Second Quarterly Barcelona Meeting Point Notes Huge Rise in Demand for Rental Housing Rise Since 2007 The 2015 edition of Barcelona Meeting Point, which took place from 21st to 25th October, registered triple the number of visitors interested in homes for rent than on previous occasions, with 22% of those who attended the real estate fair saying they were looking for a home to lease, compared with 8% of the visitors to the last show who were looking for rental housing. However, buying a home was still the top choice among the visitors to the fair, with 68% of them indicating they were looking to purchase, although this represents a decline compared to the previous show, when potential buyers made up 85% of the attendees. These figures are from a survey carried out by Servihabitat over the course of the show, by questioning over 500 visitors, in order to analyse any changes in opinion, needs and trends in the demand for housing. The study also reveals that 10% of those who came to the Barcelona Meeting Point

The average price of second hand housing for sale in Spain stood at 1,646 euros/m2 in September, according to the latest real estate index prepared by fotocasa.es, and registered an increase of 0.7% in the third quarter of the year. This represents the second quarterly rise, and the lowest year-on-year increase registered in a quarter, since 2007. House prices in Spain reached their maximum levels in April 2007 with a value of 2,952 euros/m2. Since then, prices have accumulated an average decline of -44.3%. The regions which have registered greater than average declines in house prices since their peak levels are La Rioja, with an accumulated decline of -54.1%, Navarra (-51.3%), Aragón (-51.3%), Castilla-La Mancha (-51%), Murcia (-48.1%), Valencia (-46.9%) and Catalonia (-46%). In contrast, the regions which have accumulated lower price declines are Galicia (-31.4%), the Balearic Islands (-33.1%) and the Basque Country (-35.9%). In the month of September prices registered a year-on-year decline of -0.1%. However, this is the lowest decline registered in a quarter of a year since November 2007, when a year-onyear price decline was registered for the first time. The portal highlighted the fact that prices rose in July, by

0.1% year-on-year, which represented the first rise since October 2007. Compared to June 2015, eleven regions recorded quarter-on-quarter increases, the greatest being for the Canary Islands (+3.4%), Cantabria (+1.4%) and Murcia (+1.3%), while six regions registered quarter-on-quarter declines, lead by Aragón and the Basque Country (both -2.1%), followed by the Balearic Islands (-0.9%), La Rioja (-0.7%), the Canary Islands and Castilla y León (both -0.6%). In terms of average prices, in September the most expensive regions for second hand housing were the Basque Country (2,818 euros/m2), Madrid (2,235 euros/m2) and Catalonia (2,087 euros/m2), while the regions with the most affordable second hand housing were Castilla-La Mancha (1,085 euros/m2), Extremadura (1,138 euros/ m2) and Murcia (1,193 euros/m2). On a provincial level, 28 of the 50 analysed registered quarter-onquarter price increases, the greatest being Almeria (+3.8%), followed by Las Palmas (+3.5%) and Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Malaga (both with +3.2%), while the province with the greatest decline in prices in this quarter was Toledo (-6.3%). kyero.com

were interested in renting a home with the option to buy, which is 4% more than the previous fair. Moreover, 40% of those surveyed were attending the show with a view to purchasing or renting their first home. As for the type of residence sought, 59% were searching for a second hand home, while 41% preferred new builds. 33% were interested in buying property to replace their current home, another 14% were searching for a second residence (6% more than in 2014), and 13% were intending to purchase a property as an investment.

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In terms of the evolution of prices, El Mundo reported that 26% of the visitors surveyed indicated they considered that the market has bottomed out, and 47% believed that prices will rise in the next two years, which is almost double the 24% of visitors who predicted a price increase a year earlier. In contrast, only 12% of the respondents felt that there is still a possibility that housing prices will fall further, compared to 36% who were of this opinion a year earlier. kyero.com

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VOSS HOMES ESTATE AGENTS

WELCOMING HANNAH TO THE TEAM

Voss Homes the British, family run estate agency with an office in the thriving market town of HuércalOvera.is very excited to welcome local girl Hannah Smith to the team. It will be Hannah´s job to organize the team and look after the administration and reception which will help Voss Homes sell even more properties. Voss Homes concentrate on selling properties and long term rentals in just the Huercal-Overa, Taberno, Zurgena, La Alfoquia and San Juan de Los Terreros areas.Their belief is that by focusing on a smaller area in which they live, shop, eat out, buy goods and socialise they can give both buyer and seller a better, more focused service. Andy & Anna Voss and their daughter Jess look after property sales and Adele Newlove is in charge of long term property rentals. All the team have lived in the Huercal-Overa area for over 10 years. Voss Homes prefer to give a more “honesty is the best policy”, straightforward, no sale / no fee, no fancy tricks or gimmicks, professional and friendly service to their property owners and buyers. Having an impressive, well located office gives both property sellers and buyers more confidence, shows long term commitment and gaurentees more sales. The Voss Homes office is just 1km off exit 553 of the A7 motorway, 100m past the Lidl

Voss Homes would like to thank our property owners and buyers for their loyalty and support.

supermarket. There is plenty of parking.

All the team speak Spanish and also have a very large number of Belgian, Dutch, French, German and Scandinavian clients who generally speak excellent English but we have a number of translaters to help out when needed. They even have a Russian translater. As well as extensive newspaper and magazine advertising they have their own website and advertise on the major portal websites such as Right Move, A Place in the Sun, Kyero & Zoopla etc in various languages to attract more buyers from all over the world. They also work with many other trusted estate agents to make sure all properties get maximum exposure. If you are serious about buying, selling or renting a property in these areas please contact Voss Homes now. Voss Homes Estate Agents, 155a Carretera Estacion, Huércal-Overa, 04600, Almeria Office Tel: 0034 950 616 827 Mobile: 0034 678 002 006 or 667 891 741 Website: www.vosshomesspain.com Email: info@vosshomesspain.com

Hannah Carey Welcome to the team

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK - €139,950 VH846 - Villa Michel

An absolute WOW 2 bed, 2 bath quality villa with 7m x 3m teardrop shaped pool and huge fly free enclosure covering the pool & terrace on a 610m2 private plot with country views. Walking distance to amenities and 8 mins drive to Huercal-Overa.

For more information and to arrange a viewing contact us asap.

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

www.vosshomesspain.com

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

20 -

SOL Y MAR

Avenida 28 de Febrero Nº 44, Albox unique location cantoria sol137 - 108,000€

Delightful 2 bed, semi-detached villa with pool, set in a fenced plot of approx 611m2. In a unique location, not part of an urbanisation, only 4km from Cantoria where all amenities can be found.

w Ne ting Lis

Walking distance Almanzora sM022 - 125,000€

A lovely, detached bright villa in a great location. Well maintained gardens and room for a swimming pool. Walking distance to the local amenities, must be seen to be appreciated.

Beautiful Detached villa near albox sol161 - 169,950€

Well presented 3 bed, 2 bath vill a with a pool in the popular village of Limaria and within easy reach of the shops and amenities of Albox.

w Ne ting s Li

former millhouse arboleas sM015 - 165,000€

Former Millhouse converted to 2 houses in tranquil setting. Features 6 beds, 3 baths, swimming pool and many original features.

Tel: 950 064 584 609 199 394

Email: info@solymarspain.com www.solymarspain.com w Ne ting Lis

Immaculate Home near albox sM021 - 169,000€

Detached 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom country villa with 2400m2 of land. Close to Albox and appointed to a high standard.

w Ne ting Lis

Traditional Spanish House near albox sm024 - 119,950€

Traditional attached Spanish house with lots of character. Features internal courtyard, idyllic setting and 5 bedrooms plus 3 cave rooms, 2 bath & short drive to Albox

Quality villa (127m2) located just 10 minutes drive from the town of Albox & features 3 bed, 2 bath, private pool & jacuzzi. The walled corner plot is 710m2 & has a carport & garden shed (10m2)

cLOSE TO ALBOX SOL069 - 149,950€

November 2015

w Ne ting Lis

separate apartment Arroya albanchez sM007 - 116,000€

Traditional attached 3 bed, 2 bath cortijo in idyllic setting. Features separate apartment, solar heating and swimming pool.

w Ne ting Lis

Albox TOWN CENTRE SM025 - 119,950€

Traditional townhouse in prime location walking distance to all amenities to Albox. Features 3 bed, 2 bath, fully enclosed patio & available furnished.

w Ne ting s i L

detached townhouse Cantoria town centre sm009 - 186,500€

Detached 6 bed , 2 bath , 3 storey house on the edge of town. Easy walk to Cantoria , fully insulated roof , enclosed patio and roof terrace.

w Ne ting s Li

large country house Cerricos SM011 - 225,000€

Extensive detached 6 bed country house , ideal potential for family home , hotel or retreat.

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PROPERTY OF THE WEEK

SM030 NEW LISTING 3 BED,2 BATH DETACHED FAMILY HOME 950M2 PLOT 10 MINS WALK TO CANTORIA 120,000€

WE URGENTLY REQUIRE LEGAL PROPERTIES FROM COAST TO COUNTRY WE ARE LOOKING FOR ALL TYPES OF PROPERTIES FOR RENTAL OPPORTUNITIES. CLIENTS WAITING CALL US 950 064 584 w Ne ting Lis

Superb family home smo16 - 159,950€

RENTAL SECTION

SOL Y MAR

RENTAL OF THE WEEK Detached modern villa featuring 3 bed, 2 bath, games room. Central heating throughout and swimming pool.

w Ne ting s i L

open to offers sM018 - 130,000€

Lovely house with 2/3 bed , 2 bath in a beautiful mature garden setting with swimming pool and only a short drive to town.

w Ne ting s Li

FANTASTIC VIEWS mAR620

superb family home arboleas SM028 - 179,950€

350€ PCM

town living cantoria RSM009 - 260€ pcm

IMMACULATE ATTIC CONVERSION CLOSE TO aLBOX RSM002 - 200€ pcm

Traditional 3 bed 1.5 bath Spanish town cottage very clean and tidy walking distance to town, parking nearby.

Separate one bed fully self contained attic of Spanish cortijo. Fully furnished with many traditional features.

STUNNING DETACHED VILLA CLOSE TO ALBOX

IMACULATE CASITA

N Beautifully maintained 3 bed, 2 bath detached extended house and garden. Short drive to town.

TRADITIONAL CORTIJO 3 BEDS, 2 BATHS, LOGBURNER MANY ORIGINAL FEATURES STUNNING VIEWS SHORT DRIVE TO ALBOX

N RE

Stunning 3 bed, 2 bath villa. Close to Albox.

close to albox RSM010 - 350€ PCM

N RE

Fully furnished 2 bed, 1 bath casita available for 6 month rental. Close to Albox.

Traditional 2 bed Cortijo in the lovely village of Limaria, close to Albox. Fully furnished & walking distance to local bar

November 2015

property group

Paseo del Mediterraneo 197 - Mojacar - Almeria

Tel: 950 472 430 / 610 053 563

www.veritashomes.co.uk info@veritashomes.co.uk

Mojácar playa

€69,999

Recently redecorated 54m2 1bed /1 bath apartment on the front line. Close to bars, restaurants and supermarket. Communal pool. Air con. Comes furnished. Ref. 1605

Mojácar playa

€188,000

Detached villa in quiet cul de sac a few minutes’ walk to the beach The plot measures 500m2 and the house 111m2. The house is light and airy, the kitchen and sitting room open planned. There are three double bedrooms upstairs. Close to shops and restaurants . Ref.1560

Mojácar playa

DUE TO INCREASE IN SALES WE URGENTLY NEED PROPERTIES IN MOJÁCAR, GARRUCHA, VERA AND TURRE. FREE VALUATION. NO FEES FOR ADVERTISING. Cabrera

€285,000 Cabrera

A detached villa with 3 bedrooms and 2.1/2 bathrooms. Private swimming pool and lots of terracing with stunning panoramic views. The villa has a total built area of 154.95m2 on a freehold plot measuring 1,000m2. Your castle in Spain! Ref.1651

€155,000 Mojácar playa

Large 2 bed / 2 bath frontline apartment on a lovely, very well maintained gated development. Fabulous pool and gardens, across the road from promenade and beach. Underground parking space. Ref. 1596

Opening hours. Monday to Friday 10.00 am to 6.00pm Saturday 10.00 am to 1.30pm

Lovely top floor studio apartment with roof terrace. a private, secure lock up garage. It has a total built area of 51.15 meters square plus terraces. The studio has a built area of 27.51 mts2 and the garage 19.30 mts2. It also has a secure lock up garage. Ref. 1520

€149,000

3 bed / 2 bath townhouse in Turre with built area of 143m2. The property has a spacious living room and small courtyard off the kitchen. 3 double bedrooms, 2 of which have terraces leading off them and off street parking for one car. Ref.1644

€165,000 Antas

2 bed / 2 bath detached villa part of a small and very well kept complex in Sierra Cabrera comprised of 8 properties sharing a communal swimming pool and gardens. The property itself is built on a plot of 130 m2 and has a built area of 82 m2. It offers stunning panoramic mountain views. Ref. 1652

€59,999 Garrucha

Turre

€175,000

Extremely well kept 3 bed / 2 bath house in El Real de Antas with a built area of approx. 159.47 m2 built on a freehold plot of approx. 259.12 mts2. Exposed beams, wood burning stove, outdoor kitchen and gas central heating are part of the properties’ charm and comfort. Ref.1532

€60,000 Pueblo Salinas /Vera Playa €99,000

Great opportunity. 3 bed / 1 bath 1st floor apartment within a short walk from the beach and amenities in Garrucha. The total built area is 75.25mts2 (64.20 mts2 for apartment and 11.05 mts2 for underground parking space). The building benefits from a lift. Ref.1646

Reduced! Fully furnished – ready to move in, top floor apartment with sea and mountain views with a built area excluding terraces of 72.09 mts2 comprised of 2 double bedrooms. Communal pool, air con, carport and entry phone. Ref.1597

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murcia webcams

www.sensolgolfvillarentals.com

CAMPOSOL LOWER C HOLIDAY LETS FROM €450 PW

Ref No: 087

• 3 bed/2 bath luxury villa. • Large private pool. • AC throughout. • Close to golf course. CAMPOSOL B HOLIDAY LETS FROM €750 PW

Ref No: 0172

• 4 bed/4 bath ext Neptuno Delux • Amazing private pool area. • Furnished to high spec. • Free wifi & games station etc

office spain: (0034) 968 970 614 mobile: (0034) 608 631 700 CAMPOSOL D LONG TERM LET €650 + BILLS PCM

Ref No :0191

•3 Bed/3 Bath Neptuno De Lux Villa. •10m x 5m Private Pool. •Oil Fired Central Heating. •Furnished to high standard.

CAMPOSOL D LONG TERM LET €575 + BILLS PCM

Ref No: 0204

•3 bed extended Fortuna style villa. •2 bed annex. •Private freeform pool. •Oil Fired CH + much more.

CAMPOSOL D LONG TERM LET €475 + BILLS PCM

Ref No: 0205

•3 Bed/! Bath Ext Fortuna Villa. •Additional 1 bed/1 bath Extension. •8m x 4m Private Pool. •Oil Fired Central Heating.

LA CHACA / TOTANA LONG TERM LET €750 + BILLS PCM

Ref No: 0176

• • • •

Luxury 3 bed/2 bath detached villa. Situated in the prestigious La Chaca Estate. 12m x 6m Infinity pool with jacuzzi. Must be viewed.

MAZARRON COUNTRY CLUB CAMPOSOL D MANY MORE PROPERTIES ON OUR WEBSITE LONG TERMCAN LET €550 +BE BILLS SEEN PCM LONG TERM LET €650 + BILLS PCM

CAMPOSOL D LONG TERM LET €475 +BILLS PCM

Ref No :0079

•2 bed/2bath Rosa style villa. •8m Freeform pool. •Log fire Plus much more. •Well furnished. LAS CABILLAS, ALHAMA LONG TERM LET €600 + BILLS PCM

Ref No: 0183

Ref No: 0201

•2 bed/1 bath detached villa. •8m x 4m private pool. •Furnished to very high standard. •Fully gated community. CAMPOSOL UPPER C LONG TERM LET €300 + BILLS PCM

Ref No: 0202

Ref No: 0191

•3 bed/3 bath Neptuno Delux Villa. •Private pool with large sun terrace. •Furnished to high standard. •Large storage area. CAMPOSOL D HOLIDAY LETS From €400 PW

Ref No: 0023

Covering, Al Alamillo, Puerto De Mazarron, El Alcolar, Bolnuevo, Isla Plana. Urgently require villas and apartments for Long Term or Holiday Rental.

(0034) 610 152 682 Website: www.BahiaVillaRentals.com •4 bed/2 bath semi detached finca. •6m x 5m private pool. •Fully fenced. •Spanish campo living.

•2 bed/1 bath Classico style villa •Furnished to a good standard •Full size upper solarium with great views. •Close to Camposol Club De Golf.

•3 bed/3 bath Neptuno Delux villa. •8m Freeform pool. •AC, Internet + much more. •Bespoke outside dining area.

November 2015

Telefonica's Spain Sales Rebound Fails to Reassure Investors

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Latin America posts declines amid Colombia, Brazil slowdown Spain earnings slip even as sales rise for 1st time since 2008 Telefonica SA’s stemming of a seven-year revenue decline in Spain failed to convince investors a rebound is sustainable, while earnings from Latin America slipped as regional currencies weakened against the euro during the third quarter. The stock fell. Operating income rose 2.9 percent to 3.69 billion euros ($4 billion) excluding depreciation and amortization, the Madrid-based company said in a filing Friday. Sales climbed about 11 percent to 11.9 billion euros. Analysts had on average predicted Oibda of 3.69 billion euros on revenue of 11.7 billion euros, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Revenue in Spain increased 0.2 percent, the first gain since the third quarter of 2008 amid the financial crisis, while Oibda slipped 2.9 percent, compared with a drop of 1.9 percent in the previous quarter. A steeper decline in earnings in Spain overshadowed Telefonica’s "narrow return" to domestic sales growth, Jefferies Group LLC analysts including Jerry Dellis said in a note to clients. Jefferies rates

the shares underperform. The stock fell 1.8 percent to 12.14 euros at 11:07 a.m. in the Spanish capital, giving the company a market value of 59 billion euros. Improving domestic sales contrast with weaker contributions from Latin America, as all the region’s major currencies declined against the euro and as Brazil -- Telefonica’s second-largest market -- continues to grapple with an economic recession. Operating income there declined 5.7 percent, while the rest of the region posted a 2.1 percent fall. The weakest performance was in Colombia, where Oibda dropped 30.5 percent. The Brazilian unit on Wednesday

NICK THE TILER

reported a 16 percent decline in net income. Telefonica has repeatedly said that it favors consolidation in Brazil. That could gain traction again after Russian billionaire Mikhail Fridman offered to invest as much as $4 billion in a deal that would see a combination of Tim Participacoes SA, Brazil’s second-largest wireless carrier, with Oi SA, the No 4. Telefonica, which sells services under the Vivo brand, is the market leader. The German division raised its earnings outlook this week after beating analysts’ estimates. The unit posted a gain in Oibda of 28 percent, excluding restructuring costs.

Call Nick for all your tiling & laminate floor requirements.

Tel.. 605 305 405

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

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DAVID THE PLUMBER Prompt and reliable service, no job too small. Full bathrooms or just makeovers and handyman service. 24 hour call out Boilers: 80 litre fully installed from 160€

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From A Parcel To A Small House Move • Professional • Friendly & Caring • Fully Insured • Scheduled Monthly Door To Door Service • Removal Van allsortedcs@hotmail.com http://fmtransport.myfreesites.net +34 617 319 651 +44 (0)7977 754389 Skype +44 115 888 2106

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

John MacDonald (El Sordo) www.caratacus.eu

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A Las Barricadas

The lovely Manuela, of whom we have already heard, was indirectly responsible for events which were to become of international importance. An incident spiralled out of control, as Alquerian incidents often do and brought Alqueria to the attention of the world community. The main protagonists were as we have already said the lovely Manuela and one Alberto Gropo from the opposing barrio. Manuela, with her natural elegance and ability to dress seductively without having to try very hard was the recipient of Gropo’s unwelcome attention in the form of his hand on her nether regions. Manuela, who happened to have a pair of rusty sécateurs handy threatened to do to his ‘manhood’ what she had just done to her roses. Manuela being a determined girl pursued Alberto through the byways and highways of Alqueria while opening and closing her garden pruners in a menacing and eyewatering manner. Alberto headed for the high sierra and was never heard from again apart from a card postmarked Isconahua, Peru asking for his back copies of ‘Little Breast, Big Breast, Bigger Breast Monthly’, which he gets for the articles to be forwarded care of the local post-office. The ‘handy’ Alberto belonged, before his flight to South America to the Newcomer’s Barrio, the deadly rivals of Manuela’s Hill People’s. This rivalry was the driving force in the telling and retelling of the details relating to the incident which became increasing lewd and salacious at each iteration. ‘The Incident of Manuela’s

viewpoint

Bottom, 2015’ as it became known, the year was needed as there had been similar incidents although not always related to her bottom, became the sole topic of conversation in the Village. The Hill People labelled Alberto Gropo a ‘Viejo Verde’ and the Newcomer’s stamped the lovely Manuela as a ‘wanton Woman’ which may be true but to have it said by one of the Newcomers was tantamount to a declaration of war. That is exactly how it was seen and the battlelines were drawn. This may seem a trifling cause for civil unrest but the people of Alqueria didn’t need a reason only an excuse. Civil unrest had become known as the ‘Alquerian pastime’, the neighbouring villages marvelled at the stamina and dedication to all things relating to riots and rioting by the Alquerian people. There was by now a well rehearsed plan by each barrio for the preparation of such conflicts. It has been said that the cobblestones that pave the Pueblo have two numbers engraved upon them. One number relates to the stone’s place in the street and the other its position in the barricade. So it was that Alqueria prepared itself for the destructive yet reassuringly familiar conflict which was surely inevitable.

I Didn’t Expect That

I had just survived a surprisingly pain-free breast biopsy, and the Chief Puncturist had done his job and moved on to – who knows – leaving Nursie with the task of ensuring that I was put together in such a way that I didn’t leak from the several small holes left behind by the process. She stuck me up with a number of state-of-the-art Elastoplasts, but her Latex gloves seemed to have formed a pact with the dressings whereby glove would unite to plaster, never more to part. However, her persistence paid off, and after rejecting several spoiled plasters and ripped gloves, I was eventually plastered to her satisfaction. Then it got a bit weird. She took a piece of gauze, which she formed into a little bag, and into which she inserted a Latex glove, screwing the neck of the so formed bag tight. This was obviously meant to provide padding to my tender boob - I said nothing, though I did wonder at the cuts in the Health Service which had apparently made the provision of cotton wool out of the financial question. The glove was giving her quite a bit of trouble – it did not want to stay within its gauze bag; and more than once it was dropped on the floor and rejected. Eventually she got the glove secured within the gauze. Now all she had to do was attach the bag containing the glove to me. This involved more adhesive tape, which stuck to her gloves with more determination than a limpet

By Jos Biggs

josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk to a rock. Between us we employed subterfuge, and managed to trick the tape into sticking to me, not her. I unrolled and held the tape taut, she cut the required length, and between us we stuck it in place before it had time to realize what we were up and to form its own plan. All proceeded without incident until bedtime, when, according to instructions, I was to remove the little gauze bag. There was no way that it was going to come gently, so I decided to cut it off. I fetched the kitchen scissors and boldly cut. The glove immediately unravelled itself and released a small but unexpected gush of water onto the bathroom floor – it was only then that it dawned on me that the water-filled glove was essential to provide the degree of padding necessary for my comfort. I then understood the advantages of a water-filled glove over cotton wool, but it was a bit of a surprise!

puzzle pages

November 2015

To advertise in this space Contact our sales advisors on 950 121 936 or email: sales@soltimes.com

2002 – Iraq disarmament crisis: Iraq agrees to the terms of the UN Security Council Resolution 1441. 2012 – A total solar eclipse occurred in parts of Australia and the South Pacific.

wordsearch

Answers

CRYPTIC crossword

1. Paw Paw 2. Sweetbread 3. Fish 4. Five Spice 5. Couscous

6. Delia Smith’s 7. Fromage Frais 8. Hot Pot 9. L’escoffier 10. Souffle CROSSWORD

ROLLER COASTERS!

Find and circle all of the roller coasters that are hidden in the grid. The remaining 20 letters spell a Ernest Hemingway quotation.

AFTERBURN ALPENGEIST BALDER BIZARRO COLOSSOS COMET CYCLONE DESPERADO DIAMONDBACK EL TORO GHOSTRIDER GOLIATH GRIFFON

RAGING BULL RAPTOR RENEGADE ROAR SHEIKRA TATSU THUNDERBOLT TITAN TREMORS TROY TWISTER VIPER XCELERATOR

HADES INTIMIDATOR JUPITER KATUN LEVIATHAN MANTA MAVERICK MIND BENDER MONTU NEMESIS NITRO PHOENIX PROWLER

wordsearch answer easy SUDOKU

1. What is another name of the Papaya or the Tree Melon?................................. 2. When served as a dish, how is the pancreas of an animal normally referred?................................................ 3. Rick Stein, the TV chef from Cornwall, is known for his recipes containing mainly what?......................................... 4. How is the combination of Anise, Pepper, Cinnamon, Cloves and Fennel better known?........................................ 5. Which name is given to a type of hard wheat semolina, originating from North Africa, which is soaked in water and served with spicy meat and vegetables? 6. Whose restaurant would you be visiting if you dined at the City Brassiere in Norwich?............................................ 7. What name is given to smooth yoghurt, which translated from the French, literally means ‘fresh cheese’?... 8. What is the most popular dish served in the Rovers Return?............................. 9. Which chef is credited with inventing more dishes than anyone else?.............. 10. From the French word meaning ‘blown’, what name is given to a light sponge baked dish made by mixing egg yolks and either cheese or fruit with stiffly beaten egg whites?......................

SOLUTIONS

Answers

soltimes Cookery Quiz

soltimes sport Quiz

1. Where was the Derby held during the two World Wars?. 2. Which course celebrated 100 years of racing in July 1987?.................................. 3. Which European flat race is run annually on the first Sunday in October?............. 4. Which gossip columnist was owner of My Purple Pro se?.................................... 5. Which Grand National winner of the 80s was named after a lighthouse?... 6. Which horse gave Lester Piggott his first Royal Ascot winner?............................... 7. Which horse was the first to win both the Derby and the St Leger?....................... 8. Which horse, in 1977, became the first to win the Mackeson and Hennessy in the same season?................ 9. Which is the oldest British flat classic race?....... 10. Which jockey had most Classic wins before Lester Piggott?..............................

Answers

squiggle SUDOKU

Death.

standard SUDOKU

Washington, D.C. stage a symbolic March Against

LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST

1969 – Vietnam War: Anti-war protesters in

6. Malka’s Boy 7. Champion 8. Bachelor’s Hall 9. St Leger 10. Frank Buckle

1887 – Bloody Sunday clashes in central London.

1. Newmarket 2. Wolverhampton 3. The Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe 4. Nigel Dempster 5. Corbiere

Champagne.

IDENTIFY THEse FAMOUS trophies

sol picture quiz!

1 Ren Magritte (Ceci n’est pas une pipe / This is not a pipe) 2 Francisco Goya (Naked Maya) 3 Auguste Rodin (The Kiss) 4 Henry Moore (Recumbent Figure)

on this day 13th november

1160 – Louis VII of France marries Adela of

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puzzle pages

UK Motorhomes Wanted

Contact Karl on 0044 7976 662395

email: carlskitt@live.com

across

STANDARD CROSSWORD

9 Fortified wine (7) 10 Boorish (7) 11 Collective farm (7) 12 Commit (7) 13 Card game (9) 15 Fifty-eight in Roman numerals (5) 16 Photographic equipment (7) 19 Not the sixth (7) 20 Form of Japanese poetry (5) 21 Never stopping (9) 25 Hotel employee (7) 26 Having passed (7) 28 Found in mouths (7) 29 Easing of tensions between nations (7)

Down

1 Cigarettes (slang) (6) 2 Pertaining to a clan or family (6) 3 Hawaiian island (4) 4 Japanese cheer (6) 5 Nighttime footwear (8) 6 European country (10) 7 Relating to Sicily (8) 8 Nagging (8) 14 From first to last (10) 16 Lives together (8) 17 Not on an island (8) 18 Person who is habitually sullen (8) 22 Religious doctrines (6) 23 Crazy (6) 24 Contraptions (6) 27 Fifth book of the New Testament (4)

SUDOKU PUZZLES

easy

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CRYPTIC CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Some of those party pestering sorts! (5) 4 Put on grand soiree, losing concerning disruption (9) 8 Did our credit damage one inside? (7,3) 10 One time round a fancy clerical part (5) 13 Fight quarters resulting in grazes (7) 15 Follow the course (5) 18 See 21 Down 20 Figure independent one inside (4) 22 I, with hesitation, follow returning parts for antimony (7) 23 Undecided on including gym (4) 25 The two make a mess of copyright withdrawal (4) 26 Face impudence (5) 30 Continually annoying bird? (7) 33 Great-grandparent’s first appearance in “Real Deal” (5) 36 Nose saint’s ill-feelings (10) 37 In a decade when northeast lost pointless things (9) 38 Fly to new high! (5)

Down 1 Hear DJ Folds (5) 2 Universal first raise put in for each cleaner (5) 3 Blue little devil within containing little excess (6) 4 Most senior Celts do without key change (6) 5 Insect fan finally put on a tank top (3) 6 Instant decapitation is uncertain (4) 7 Be up for wickedness! (4) 9 Part of member’s posh second-class sodium (4) 11 In part of Saatchi collection? (4) 12 Bridge player ran off with Garner! (4) 14 Clearly defined policeman takes important person back (5) 16 Take away in bird (5) 17 Join the French out of stroke (4) 19 Lead a timeless beginning (4) 21/18 Man’s in on time to get married, replaced by daughter - hush-hush! (2,3,4) 23 Morally, part of a hole in the face (4) 24 More recent name taken for vessel (4) 27 Come out slowly, or half-ounce egg starter will follow! (4) 28 “Fashion centre in setback” is a dissertation (6) 29 Cruel but right within a lake (6) 31 Potter’s danger of being in one new figurehead? (2-3) 32 Nearly manage pen, lacking practice (5) 34 One shifting after a long time (4) 35 Good one in a foreign bird (4) 36 Ready for some games? (3)

famous birthdays on this day

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1957 – Nick Baines, English bishop 1975 – Quim, Portuguese footballer 1979 – Subliminal, Israeli rapper and producer 1980 – Monique Coleman, American actress, singer, and dancer 1986 – Kevin Bridges, Scottish comedian and actor

soltimes famous quote

November 2015

FOOD & ENTERTAINING... A taste of the Mediterranean Embrace local flavours with this selection of tantalizing recipes from BBC Food

Mediterranean Lamb Chops

Piedmontese Peppers

Bring the flavours of the Mediterranean to your plate with this mouth watering meal of lamb chops, fresh herbs, roasted veg and crumbly feta .

Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 5. Using a pestle and mortar or wooden spoon and bowl, pound together the fresh mint, fresh rosemary and the garlic, then mix with 1 tbsp olive oil. Smear over four lean lamb Ingredients chops or cutlets. Serves 2 4 lean lamb chops or cutlets Place the aubergine, courgette and red or yellow pepper on to a baking sheet. Drizzle 1 tbsp, fresh mint with 1 tbsp olive oil and place the lamb 1 tbsp, fresh rosemary chops on top. Bake in the oven for 20-25 2 cloves garlic 2 tbsp olive oil minutes. 1 small aubergine, sliced Top the chops with feta cheese and add 1 courgette, sliced the cherry tomatoes to the pan. Cook for 1 red or yellow pepper, cut in a further 10 minutes until the cheese just large chunks starts to brown. 50g/2oz feta cheese, crumbled Serve the chops with the roasted vegetables, 250g/9oz cherry tomatoes toasted ciabatta bread and mixed leaf salad.

Ruby’s

Explore Mediterranean flavours with Simon Hopkinson’s recipe for roast peppers – per fect for antipasto or a light lunch

Ingredients

Serves 4 8-12 ripe plum tomatoes 4 red peppers, stalks left on (for decoration), cut lengthways in half, seeds removed 4 garlic cloves, sliced 5-6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil salt and freshly ground black pepper 8 large canned anchovies, cut in half lengthways small handful fresh basil

Sea Bream With A Courgette Salad Mediterranean flavours pack in punch here and would work just as well with sea bass or tuna. .

URBANISATION EL RASO, CAMPO DE GUARDAMAR, JUST OFF THE CV895 LEMON TREE ROAD, 03140

TEL 622 434 912

Opening times 10am till Late Tuesday - Sunday Ingredients

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Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas 5. Pour boiling water over the plum tomatoes, leave for 10 seconds, carefully remove from the water and refresh in a bowl of cold water. Peel off the tomato skins. Place the halved peppers into an ovenproof dish (preferably one that will be nice enough to present later), cut-side up. Place the garlic inside the peppers and then fit the tomatoes inside too, pushing them gently into the space. Add a small pinch of salt and a grinding of freshly ground black pepper. Spoon over the olive oil and then place into the oven. Bake for about 45 minutes to one hour, turning the heat down a little if you notice any excessive scorching of the peppers. Once they are nicely softened and have slightly collapsed, remove the peppers from the oven. Criss-cross each pepper half with an anchovy, baste with the oily juices and allow to cool to room temperature. Top with basil leaves and serve.

Serves 4 For the sea bream 4 x 200g/7oz sea bream fillets 1 lemon, juice only 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 tbsp capers 4 anchovies 200ml/7floz white wine 300g/10½oz cherry tomatoes, halved, deseeded salt and freshly ground black pepper 150g/5oz black olives, pitted 1 handful parsley, finely chopped 1 pinch oregano For the courgette salad 125ml/4fl oz extra virgin olive oil 4 tbsp balsamic vinegar 1 garlic clove, finely chopped handful fresh mint, finely chopped 4 small courgettes 2-3 handfuls of rocket leaves

For the bream, place the fish fillets in a bowl, squeeze over the lemon juice and leave to marinate for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan, add the garlic, capers and anchovy fillets and cook over a medium heat for five minutes, until the anchovies have dissolved. Add half of the wine and simmer until it has evaporated, then add the tomatoes, squashing them slightly. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and cook for five minutes, then add the olives and continue to cook for a further 10 minutes. Place the fish in an ovenproof dish and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add the parsley, the remaining white wine, the sauce, a drizzle of olive oil and the oregano and cover with foil. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes, removing the foil halfway through cooking. Meanwhile, make the salad. Whisk the olive oil and vinegar together with the garlic and mint in a small bowl and set aside. Trim the ends of the courgettes and, with a potato peeler or mandolin, slice them lengthways into wafer-thin slices. Add the courgette slices to the dressing, mix well and leave to marinate for at least 10 minutes. Mix the rocket with the courgettes and place on serving plates. When the fish is cooked, let it rest for one minute then serve alongside the salad.

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FOOD & ENTERTAINING...

Griddled Artichoke & Red Onion Paella An easy vegetarian paella recipe. Tr y using it as a template and substituting your favourite seasonal vegetables.

Ingredients

Serves 4 4 tbsp vegetable oil 3 red onions, finely sliced 2 garlic cloves, crushed 400g/14oz paella rice, such as calasparra 1 tsp ground turmeric 1 tsp smoked paprika 800ml/1 pint 7fl oz hot vegetable stock 1 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary 200g/7oz cherry tomatoes 150g/5½oz fresh peas 125ml/4fl oz good quality extra virgin olive oil, preferably Spanish 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, to serve 1 x 400g/14oz can artichoke hearts in water, drained and rinsed

In a frying pan, heat one tablespoon of the vegetable oil over a medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and fry for 2-3 minutes, or until softened. Add the paella rice, ground turmeric and smoked paprika and stir well to coat the vegetables in the spices. Add the hot stock and chopped rosemary and bring the mixture to the boil, stirring well. Reduce the heat to a simmer and simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, for 18-20 minutes, or until the paella rice has absorbed most of the liquid. Add the cherry tomatoes and peas and continue to simmer for a further 4-5 minutes, or until the rice is just tender. Remove the pan from the heat and drizzle over the olive oil, then stir until well combined. Stir in the chopped parsley. Meanwhile, heat a griddle pan over a medium heat. Rub the drained artichokes all over in the remaining three tablespoons of vegetable oil. When the pan is hot, add the oiled artichoke hearts and griddle for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until goldenbrown griddle marks appear on both sides (NB: Do not stir the artichoke hearts as you griddle them). To serve, spoon the paella into the centre of four serving plates. Place some of the griddled artichokes on top of each serving.

Mediterranean Chicken With Potatoes This easy chicken recipe is a great meal to have bubbling away on the stove for a simple supper with friends or a family-friendly mid-week meal. This is designed to be a low cost recipe. .

Heat a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the oil and, once hot, add the chicken thighs, skin side down. Brown the chicken on each side for 3-4 minutes, or until nicely golden-brown Ingredients all over. Remove the thighs from the pan and set to one side. Serves 4 Add the onion and carrot with a pinch of salt to the saucepan and stir over the 1 tbsp olive oil heat. Fry for 6-7 minutes, or until the 400–500g/14oz-1lb 2oz chicken onions are soft and translucent. Add the garlic and continue to cook for two thighs, skin on and bone in more minutes. Add the browned chicken back to the 1 onion, diced pan along with any juices from the meat. Pour over the tomatoes, stock 1 carrot, finely diced and mixed herbs and mix well to make 2 garlic cloves, sliced sure everything is evenly distributed. Season with a little salt and pepper, 400g tin tomatoes cover with a lid and gently simmer 250ml/9fl oz chicken stock for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce 1 tsp dried mixed herbs thickened slightly. Meanwhile boil the potatoes in a 600g/1lb 5oz potatoes, cut into saucepan of boiling water for 10-12 minutes, or until tender and cooked bite-sized pieces through. Drain and serve alongside the salt and pepper cooked chicken.

Braised Fennel Sausages

Fideuà

The per fect sausages for this dish are those from specialist Italian or Continental delicatessens, luganega, which come in one long length. If you are using ordinar y sausages, add a teaspoon of fennel seeds to the onions when fr ying.

Ingredients

Serves 4 450g/1lb luganega sausages (available from specialist Italian or Continental grocers), or other nice meaty pork chipolatas 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 small onion, halved and thinly sliced 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 750g/1½lb small waxy potatoes, peeled and each cut into quarters ½ lemon, pared zest and juice only 4 fresh bay leaves 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped salt and freshly ground black pepper 120ml/4fl oz water

Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Twist the sausages into 7.5cm/3in lengths and separate them into individual sausages. Heat one tablespoon of the oil in a 26cm/10in shallow flameproof casserole dish. Add the sausages and fry until nicely browned all over. Lift them onto a plate and set aside. Add the onion, garlic and another tablespoon of oil to the casserole dish and fry until soft and lightly golden. Stir in the potatoes, browned sausages, lemon zest and juice, bay leaves, half the chopped parsley, ½ teaspoon salt and ten turns of the black pepper mill. Pour over the rest of the oil along with the water, cover tightly with the lid and bake for 30-40 minutes until the potatoes are tender. Remove the lemon zest and sprinkle with the rest of the parsley before serving.

This gorgeous Valencian dish is a one-pot wonder similar to paella that ’s a hit all over Spain and fur ther afield.

Ingredients

Serves 6 For the stock 6 tomatoes, grated, 3 garlic cloves, skins left on, crushed, 2 onions, roughly chopped, 2 dried ñora peppers, monkfish head and bones (or other white fish bones), 1.5 litres/3¼ pints boiling water, 1 lemon, juice only, pinch salt For the fideuà 4 tbsp olive oil, 1 whole monkfish tail, cut into large chunks, 12 king prawns, 2 onions, finely chopped, 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped, 2 squid, cleaned, spines removed, flesh roughly chopped, 2 dried ñora peppers, finely chopped (available from Spanish delicatessens and online specialists), 500g/1lb 2oz short vermicelli noodles (called ‘fideo’ in Spain), 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 400g/14oz mussels, scrubbed and de-bearded (discard any mussels that do not shut tightly when tapped firmly) salt and freshly ground black pepper For the picada 100g/3½oz almonds, 4 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 2 lemons, cut into wedges, to garnish

For the stock, place the grated tomato skins in a large saucepan, reserving the flesh for later, with the rest of the stock ingredients and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat until the mixture is simmering, then continue to simmer for 30 minutes. Strain the stock and reserve the liquid. For the fideuà, heat half of the oil in a paella pan or large, heavy-based, shallow frying pan over a medium heat. Add the monkfish and prawns and fry for 1-2 minutes on each side, until browned on both sides, adding more oil if necessary. Remove from the pan and set aside. Heat the remaining oil in the frying pan, add the onions and fry for 3-4 minutes, or until softened. Add the garlic, tomato flesh and squid and continue cook over a low heat for 6-7 minutes, or until the squid is opaque. Add the ñora peppers and the noodles, mix well, and continue to cook for a further 2-3 minutes, or until the noodles are covered in the oil. Sprinkle over the smoked paprika. Pour in the stock and bring the mixture to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes. Return the monkfish and the prawns to the pan, then arrange the mussels over the top of the fideuà. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then cover the pan tightly with aluminium foil or greaseproof paper and continue to simmer for a further 4-5 minutes, or until the mussels have opened (discard any mussels whose shells do not open during cooking). Meanwhile, for the picada, grind the almonds and the chopped parsley in a mortar and pestle as finely as possible. To serve, sprinkle the picada over the fideuà, garnish with lemon wedges and spoon onto serving plates.

November 2015

Spanish Chorizo Consortium

New Organization to Champion the Chorizo Industry The newly formed Consorcio del Chorizo Español seeks to represent the interests of this important Spanish food industry in the export market.

things, this mechanism will take the form of a certification and special label that will identify those authentic Spanish chorizos that meet a certain set of quality parameters.

Eighteen companies from the Spanish meat industry have banded together to form the Consorcio del Chorizo Español, an organization that was created for the purpose of defending the quality and origins of authentic Spanish chorizo in foreign markets.

Although still in its early stages, this organization has already received the support of ICEX Spain, Trade and Investment, as well as membership petitions from another three companies in the Spanish meat sector. Spain exported approximately 30,000 tons of chorizo in 2014

All eighteen member-companies export their products and, through this organization, hope to create a mechanism through which they can protect real, made in Spain chorizo from imitation, non-Spanish products that are often sold at c heap prices a n d called “Spanish c h o r i z o”. Among other

Countries that drink the most alcohol in the world revealed

http://www.foodswinesfromspain. com/

ICEX Chefs in Northern Spain

Navarre, La Rioja and Basque Country The ICEX chefs departed Catalonia for Navarre yesterday, embarking on the next leg of their journey, which will take them through part of northern Spain. Tudela was the first stop in Navarre for the twelve international chefs participating in this year’s edition of the ICEX Training Program in Spanish Gastronomy, who are currently enjoying a tour of different areas of Spain. Here, the chefs attended a cooking demonstration featuring this region’s famous vegetables, put on by Chef José Aguado of Restaurante Topero, in collaboration with Reyno Gourmet (Navarre Government promotion agency for Navarra foods & wines) and the Regulatory Council of Protected Geographical Indication Espárrago de Navarra. After spending the night in Tudela, the chefs got off to an early start today with a visit to El Navarrico, a prestigious vegetable preserves company in the town of San Adrián, very near the boarder of La Rioja, their next destination. After a midday visit to famed Rioja winemaker Bodegas Marqués de Riscal, followed by a tapas lunch at the winery, the chefs will head towards the coast, and the Basque city of San Sebastián. Tonight the chefs will dine at the Sidrería Roxario in Astigarraga, an authentic Basque cider-house experience. Then, on Friday, the chefs will begin the day with a visit to Yurrita e Hijos fish preserves company in Mutriku, followed by a tour of renowned culinary school the Basque Culinary Center in San Sebastián. Their time in Basque Country will end with a lunch spent feasting on this city’s famous pintxos in the stunning historic district. http://www.foodswinesfromspain.com/

OECD data shows Lithuania had the highest consumption, followed by Austria, Estonia, and the Czech Republic In some countries, people drink a lot. In others, not so much. In their latest report, the OECD showed in which countries people consumed the most alcohol for 2013, and compared it to the amount people consumed back in 2000. According to their data, Lithuania reported the highest consumption of alcohol at around 14 liters per capita per year. It was followed closely by Austria, Estonia, and the Czech Republic, with each around 11-12 liters per capita. On the flip side, the lowest alcohol consumption was reported in Indonesia at nearly 0. It was followed closely by Turkey, India, and Israel, all of which hovered between 1-3 litres per capita. Notably, some groups of people in the aforementioned countries limit their consumption of alcohol due to religious or cultural reasons. In most countries people consumed less alcohol in 2013 than in 2000. However, consumption in countries like Lithuania, Poland, and Russia actually rose over that time period. “OECD analysis based on individual-level data show that hazardous drinking and heavy episodic drinking are on the rise in young people and women especially. Men of low socioeconomic status are more likely to drink heavily than those of a higher socioeconomic status, while the opposite is observed in women,” according to the report. Interestingly, the report also notes that, “alcohol consumption is highly concentrated, as the large majority of alcohol is drunk by the 20% of the population who rink the most ... The 20% heaviest drinkers in Hungary consume about 90% of all alcohol consumed, while in France the share is about 50%.” Notably, the OECD defined “alcohol consumption” as the annual sales of pure alcohol in litres per person aged 15 years and up. That means their data excludes things like moonshine, which actually makes up a large percentage of the total alcohol consumed in some countries. http://www.independent.co.uk/

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welcome events

Welcome Group Events Wednesday November 18th. Enjoy and dance the night away to the ever popular Woody and The Peckers at Mariano’s. €8 Wednesday December 9th. - Book now for Christmas Party at Mariano’s. Truly excellent night with Ricky Lavazza and Time Warp. €12 Christmas in Benidorm - Wednesday December 23rd. 4 nights full board at The Helios with Christmas Day Gala Lunch, price includes coach travel. €250 Thursday December 31st. - New Years Eve Dance. Three great artists, Rob Sweeney, Dan Davy and Christine will help you welcome in the New Year with all your friends. Fabulous night to include excellent buffet and champagne at midnight. €20 Welcome Cruise March 6th 2016. - 10 nights aboard Norwegian Epic, fully inclusive including drinks package from Barcelona calling at Madeira, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Tangier and Malaga. Price also includes Insurance, Coach travel, Taxes and overnight stay in Valencia. More info call Rosemary. Saville Trip Monday May 2nd 2016 - 4 nights staying in the heart of the city at the newly refurbished 4* Hotel Melia Sevilla on B&B. Price Includes coach travel, day trip to Tio Pepe Factory, Jerez and hopefully another trip to the Jerez Horse Show. €350 p.p. NEW June 6th Trip to Cuenca, Toledo & Aranjuez staying in the 4* Hotel Ciudad in Cuenca for night of 6th June then at 4* Hotel Eurostars in Toledo for nights of 7th & 8th June, all B&B. Also a trip to Aranjuez. €190 (€25 Deposit when booking) For more information or to book your tickets, call Rosemary on 620 105 179

TABLE TENNIS AT PILAR DE LA HORADADA

- community news HUMANISTS REMEMBER

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A non-religious remembrance ceremony is to take place on 11 November at Mazarrón’s Peace Garden at Plaza Miguel Ángel Blanco La Via Mazarrón. Starting at 1045am, the ceremony will include appropriate thoughts and readings and observe the two minutes silence, which have become associated with these occasions but will not include hymns, prayers and other religious references. The Humanists of Murcia are organising the event with permission from Mayoress of Mazarrón Alicia Jimenez. They will plant a tree as a permanent, living, growing memorial to all who have given their lives in war. Everyone is invited to attend the ceremony and participate in this secular act of remembrance. Humanists are non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. Locally, The Humanists of Murcia, have regular programmes in their walking, gardening, philosophy and discussion groups. They use the solstices and equinoxes as a good excuse for a For further details please contact humanistgroup. murcia@gmail.com or go to www.bolnuevo.com/ humanists.

The Mar Menor is a huge (135 square kilometres) salt-water lagoon, separated from the Mediterranean by the 24 kilometre long La Manga del Mar Menor (The Strip). The average depth of the Mar Menor is four metres and at its maximum it is seven metres which means that the seabed slopes very gradually and you have to get several hundred

dozens of mud people wallowing in it at any one time. Playa Paraiso beach on a summer weekend. The beach at Playa Paraiso is very popular, partly because it has road access right onto the beach. On summer weekends it will be packed with Spanish families, who move most of

MABS MAZARRON EVENTS

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

Sports Centre every Monday at 10am Five tables CHURCH OF ENGLAND COSTA CALIDA & equipment supplied, coaching given if necessary, all ALMERIA standards welcome. Contact George on 965 326097 or Gordon on 966 848304 or e-mail drewgeorge49@ Priest: Reverend Pauline Williams 950 956 166 / 687 250 860 yahoo.com.

St. Nicholas Ecumenical Church

CARING FOR YOUR TEETH

We hold services each week at 10.30am on The Guest Speaker at the November Chatters will be a Camposol, Mazarron. Everyone is welcome to join leading Los Alcazares Dentist. He will be advising how us. For further details, call Rev. Maureen Kent 968 to look after our teeth as well as detailing what we 970 637 can do here in Murcia if things start to go wrong, and answering individual questions. Ex-Servicemen’s Association Mazarrón District (Founded 1 May 2006) The November Chatters will take place at The Pasty Shack, in Rio Nalon, Los Alcazares, near to the Mercadona on Wednesday 18th November. Starting at Saturday 12th December - 7.30pm for 8pm 10.30 for 11am, those attending will be able to buy Restaurant Bar Med - Puerto De Mazarron. Tickets for the Chatters Christmas Lunch which will Christmas Evening Meal with Music by Christine take place at the Pasty Shack in December. Wednesday 13th January 2016 - Hotel La Cumbre Chatters is sponsored by Help At Home, a local charity EVENTS - 2015 & 2016

metres in before the water is of any depth. The Mar Menor’s salinity provides buoyancy so it is, supposedly, one of the safest places to swim in the world. The mineral-rich waters are said to have therapeutic effects and because of this the area has a significant spa tourism industry. The sludge in the salt pans is also credited with beneficial effects on the health, so there are often

their house onto the beach. The sea is very shallow, with netted off areas to exclude watersports, fishing and jellyfish. The jellyfish are mainly harmless and much reduced in numbers from previous years, apart from the summer of 2006 when they were back with a vengeance. Playa Honda beach During the week the beach is quiet.

Archaeological Museum

Puerto De Mazarron, Winter Dance and Grand Raffle providing just that, free of charge, to Ex-Pats who Every Day, Open from 10:30-14:00 and 17:00-20:00. might be needing a little temporary help in their own Closed Monday mornings. At C/ Conde de Aranda. 7.30pm for 8pm Tel: 968 493 287. Entry: Individual €1.20 Groups home. Find out more about us by visiting €0.60 Membership and enquiries, Ian 629 818 611 www.helpathome.es 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

Roman Catholic Church

Saladillo, Mazarron ( close to Camposol) Mass in English every Saturday at 4.30 pm Mass in Latin every Sunday at 4.030pm For further information please contact Father Octavio on 676 219 445 or Father Carlos on 628 824 555.

Talks & Workshops

MABS Murcia North East - Sew’n’So’s - Sewing Group Every Mon Fortuna. Taking place every other Monday at Urb. Las Kalendas from 14:00. For further information email: mabsmurciane@gmail.com

MARKET DAYS IN THE AREA

Monday - San Pedro del Pinatar Tuesday - Los Alcazares / Alhama de Murcia

Wednesday - Santiago de la Ribeira / Fuente Alamo / Totana Thursday - San Javier / Camposol Sector A / Lorca Friday - Isla Plana (Summer only) Saturday - Mazarron Pueblo / Aguilas Sunday - Puerto de Mazarron / Mar Menor / Cabo de Palos

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personals “Readers of a sensitive disposition may find some of the ads in this section offensive”

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pets

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

Computer Tower LG 500 GB

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November 2015

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removals

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November 2015

animal corner

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Pets In Spain Autumn Dinner & Dance Fundraising night.

La Marina based animal rescue charity Pets In Spain held there autumn dinner and dance fundraising evening on Monday 2nd November at the La Marina Sports Complex and raised an amazing 500 Euros to help rescued animals. The evening was enjoyed by over 70 attendees and after a delicious two course meal they were entertained by the wonderful sounds of Diverse Duo who very kindly gave there services for the night on behalf of the charity. A

does especially likes girls. Can anyone offer this boy a home so that he does't spend yet another Christmas in kennels. For more information contact Santa Clara (Margaret) Tel: 697 495 315

raffle was held on the evening with prizes including a free meal provided by the Big Eat restaurant in La Marina. Pets in Spain are committed to the rescue and re homing of abandoned and displaced animals, and also run a very successful feral cat sterilisation program in the La Marina area. The charity is registered with the Valencia Regional government and provide the best of care with a great team of foster carers and all necessary veterinary treatment and rehabilitation for an animal. The charity also has amazing success with reuniting lost pets with there owners , this is done thanks to their long established Europe wide networking connections and collaboration with many other animal rescue organisations. The charity run two modern charity shops in the area to provide much needed Fully house funds to continue their work, any donations of clothing , trained, household items and furniture good with are very gratefully received and collection can be arranged for other dogs large furniture items. and cats. Formore information about the Pets In Spain registered charity loves his and the many different animal cuddles and rescue and welfare projects please call playtime. 645 469 253 or For more information contact 600845420, 865776348 or visit our email info@petsinspain.com. web site at www.k9club.es Website: www.petsinspain.com

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Book Review

The Small Hand by Susan Hill

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

“We stood for a time, which was out of time, held as closely together as the hand of a father and his child.” When you read Susan Hill you know exactly what you’re getting-a superb ghost story, atmospheric, full of terror and fear for the characters who are mysteriously involved in the occult. The truth unfolds slowly and the intrigue and suspense is expertly eked out before the final shocking revelations at the finale. The settings and actual places complement this remoteness and abandonment, a strong sense of isolation reminiscent of the great Hitchcock. And with Hill you can guarantee the expertise and fluidity of the style which makes for great reading. You just can’t go wrong, can you? Adam Snow is an antiquarian bookseller with extremely rich clients in the UK wanting rare book collections such as first folios with contacts in the States and Europe so he is constantly travelling. One time, as he is leaving a client and heading back to his home in London, he takes a few wrong turns and ends up at The White House and gardens. In its heyday it had been regarded as a national treasure, visited by royalty and foreigners from far afield. Now it was abandoned and decaying. His curiosity got the better of him and he felt compelled to do some exploring although he perceived that he was an unwelcome intruder amidst a strange quietness, an unearthly silence, an inexplicable eeriness and what he simply experiences here, a young child holding his hand, will terrorise him for the remainder of his days. This is the place that becomes an obsession and he is hypnotically drawn to the place to discover the secret of the small hand. A stroke of luck enables him to purchase a First Folio of a works by Shakespeare for his wealthy client, Sir Edgar Merriman. Excitement all round. Discrete enquiries assure Adam that the edition is housed in a monastery in a remote area in France where the Resistance was active. A treacherous journey to Saint Matthieu des Etoiles, climbing high into mountainous regions with a storm raging, incessant rain, sulphurous looking skies and blue-white lightning. Some of the bends were coiled like snakes. Flashed indelibly on his mind was the image of a child dashing across the road during this storm. He braked hard thinking he had hit the child. When he got out of the car to see whether he had injured the child he found himself standing precariously on the edge of a precipice, almost losing his balance and falling to his death…. He suffers panic attacks and night horrors where he imagines himself

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being sucked lifeless under the water. When he is near water of any kind he feels a strong force, a tremendous terrifying strength which he finds irresistible. “It was like a magnetic pull. It was there when I slept and when I woke, it was there at the back of my mind all day and it was there even within my dreams.” The monastery visit represents Adam’s days of light before the darkness that plunges him into the depths of hell. He feels safe in this place of sanctity, protected by the prayers of the monks but he has to return to the real world and confront his demons. He contacts Hugo his brother when he returns to the UK and finds out about his brother’s panic attacks. Hugo suffered madness as a result of something disturbing in his youth and had two years of treatment before appearing to have been successfully cured. Adam is worried it is a genetic condition. “There is sometimes the shadow of a shadow. My psyche was turned inside out and shaken.” Adam’s discovery of a photograph with Hugo and a boy when they were children links them to The White House and its tragic history. What is this connection? And what is the connection between the statue of a young boy playing with a dolphin and a golden ball with James Harrow? Who was James Harrow and more importantly, what happened to him? It’s a long story but it will always haunt Adam: “My last carefree, guiltfree, blithe moment. Aren’t there always these moments just before the blow falls that changes things forever?” And it did change things for ever. Tragically. The final confession wrecks Adam’s peace of mind for ever. The debt has finally been paid but Adam remains guardian of a grisly secret which he must take to his grave and never ever disclose to a living soul! Read it if you dare. Publisher: Profile Books. ISBN: 978-1846682407. REVIEW it by Carol Naylor. www.carolnaylor.blogspot.com/www. carolesleynaylor.wordpress.com naylorcl@hotmail.es

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motoring

November 2015

review

Audi A4

The A4 saloon, the estate-shaped Avant and the rebadged A5 coupé are virtually omnipresent in the car parks of the nation’s clubhouses.

in the news Speeding fines: Bedfordshire force to adopt zero-tolerance approach towards motorists travelling above 70mph

The controversial plans are intended to raise millions of pounds in revenue which will enable the cash-strapped force to retain 25 officers it could otherwise not afford A new zero-tolerance approach to speeding on the motorways could raise millions of pounds for the police. All drivers travelling at more than 70 miles per hour on the motorway may face the prospect of a financial sanction under radical new plans being considered. The proposals, reported in The Daily Telegraph, would mean speed cameras were switched on permanently on the motorway network to catch anyone exceeding the speed limit. Drivers caught out by the camera would be forced to fork out for a £100 fine with points on their licence or pay £90 to attend a speed awareness course. The controversial plans are intended to raise millions of pounds in revenue for the police. The A4’s lower, wider and more chunky-looking grille represents an otherwise formal-looking car’s best attempt at boldness The model, specifically the saloon, has not only been the firm’s mainstay for more than four decades but is also one of the primary reasons why Audi has managed to force its way into a buyer reckoning that previously included only BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Its family name has changed since then. It was originally the Audi 80, a car that moved through four generations (each of them a showcase for the innovations that would later become common traits of the four rings) before it was superseded by the A4 in the mid-1990s. The brand didn’t need all of the second two decades to shift five million examples. Its huge success and instant familiarity have meant that Audi doesn’t strain itself in straying far from the script.

As you’ll have probably noticed, the new, fifth-generation model pictured is a dead ringer for its predecessor, and the claims made for it – an increase in size, dynamism, efficiency, luxuriousness and technology – were all trumpeted the previous time around, too. However, that does not make them insignificant. Much like Volkwagen’s approach to the Golf (software code notwithstanding), Audi tends to be incredibly diligent with its endless strategy of improvement – and, as we are about to find out, there is a tremendous amount going on beneath the skin, not least the kind of weight loss that might just make good the engineers’ long-standing promise to make the A4 more compelling to drive. Either way, the car will sell big. Classy, demure and very technologically savvy, the new Audi A4 is a better car in all of the ways that Audi owners would have requested. It feels like it has been created by a company that has already discovered what its expanding customer base wants and needs only to tweak a winning formula at the margins to keep the orders rolling in. An even smarter, better way to travel than before, but still ordinary to drive The car’s dynamic character hardly departs at all from the previous A4’s in making high-speed stability and ease of operation clear priorities over driver involvement,We’d also warn prospective buyers that realworld fuel economy could be an unusually long way off advertised claims and that rival saloons are markedly more dynamically compatible with British roads. But those who don’t care about such reservations will very much approve of the bubble of high-quality, techladen, chrome-accented calm they find in the A4 and continue to consider its obvious substance and sophistication the ultimate expression of everyday premium motoring. Even so, the Audi A4 still falls short of the Jaguar XE and the BMW 3 Series, which both excel due to their driver appeal, while the Ford Mondeo provides easier boot access and feels better to drive than the new A4 saloon. http://www.autocar.co.uk/

This new approach is the brainchild of Bedfordshire Police and would be trialed on a busy stretch of the M1. Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Olly Martins, said he hoped the scheme would be up and running by next April generating much-needed funds for his force. independant

Continental Tyres make driving a gripping adventure

Stewart Smith finds that great tyres between you and the road makes driving top of the range cars even more of a thrill. I’ve just returned from what petrolheads would give an arm and a leg to experience – driving six toprange, high-performance cars on a 300-mile motoring adventure in southern Spain. The invitation came from Continental Tyres, Europe’s biggest makers of the black rubber stuff, to test their latest compound called Black Chili. It has been specially designed for top-end ultra highperformance cars and the company’s new ContiSilent tyre. And what a line-up of gleaming performance machines greeted us at Conti’s venue for the event, the La Cala Resort near Marbella. How’s this for a dream team of motors: Jaguar F-Type, Mercedes CLA AMG, BMW M4, Porsche Macan S, Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray and Tesla Model S. All were fitted with ContiSport tyres, including the latest SportContact 6, and the all-electric Tesla boasted the ContiSilent. Over the years, I’ve attended several tyre testing events, which are usually held at centres under strict, controlled test conditions. The Conti event was held under real-life conditions, with all the driving taking place on public roads in twisty, demanding, mountain routes and hardly a straight to be encountered. To say it was great fun is an understatement! Driving to near the limit on such roads can be a bit nerve-wracking but the new Black Chili tyres gave us confidence when tackling the hundreds of hairpin bends over the two-day event. The grip was amazing and only, when pushed a little too hard, did we feel any rear end slippage or over or understeer. Continental engineers said the Black Chili rubber compound is designed to mesh with the roughness of the road. At the same time, temporary atomic connections between the tyre compound and the road surface ensure high adhesion, acting like small suction pads. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/

www.soltimes.com

Imanyo Golf Society “Phil Ward Carers Cup”, 4th November at Altorreal

This is the second time this cup has been played for, many thanks to Phil and Margaret Ward for sponsoring the day. We had defending winner, Eamon Murphy, playing off a lower handicap than last year and he just managed to retain it by winning on count back. We all arrived early at Imanyo’s where the day started with the traditional full English breakfast. The format was full handicap stableford and we held a blind drawn for four holes for double points after the games were completed. On arriving at the course we found Antoinio and staff, as usual, very accommodating. Over Sunday and Monday they had heavy rain which washed the bunkers out, but by the time we arrived on Wednesday 90% had been repaired, great work by the ground staff. The weather was perfect for golf although some of the men wore trousers for the first time. Winner of the ”Phil Ward Carers Cup” was Eamon Murphy with 36 points on count back, runner up was Donald Main with 36 points, the Endeavour award went to Mo Chaplin, but we won’t mention how many points, only three nearest the pins were won, hole 2 Eamon Murphy, hole 5 Brian Court and hole 14 Donald Main. The presentation was held at Imanyo’s and was followed with the usual good food and drink, thank you to Antonio, Norma and all the staff for looking after us once again. The football card was won by Jack Day with Bolton Wanderers winning €20 and raising €20 for this year’s charity, Parkinson’s.

VEGA BAJA PREMIER GOLF LEAGUE

SOUTH DIVISION – 6th NOVEMBER 2015 at La TORRE GOLF RESORT The Vega Baja Premier Golf League second fixture of the season at La Torre Golf Resort one of the IRM Nicklaus Golf Trail the course was in good condition, this coupled with the super weather conditions bode well for the players in the Leagues. Unfortunately, four of the La Manga Residents Golf Association team

were involved in an accident on the AP7 motorway; the other members of the team went to their aid. It was agreed with the El Valle G S that their match would be cancelled and rearranged at a later date. The match between La Manga North G S and Rockets G S continued as planned RESULTS La Manga North 3½ (146 points) vs. Rockets G S ½ (120 points) Bonus points went to:- La Manga North To add more competitiveness, to the matches, as if there wasn’t enough already it has been decided to introduce Nearest The Pins and Ladies and Men’s Longest Drives. The updated League table for the 2015/16 season is: The highest pairing scores came from La Manga North G.S. Martin Jones/Robin Fish with 42 points, the team also took the Nearest The Pins and Longest Drive with Patrick Field winning the Longest Drive on Hole 7 and Nearest The Pin Hole 15 and

Spanglish Golf Society

For the latest meeting the Spanglish Golf Society and a group of 21 players visited the established course at Vistabella taking advantage of the excellent society deal obtained from Costa Blanca Green Fee Services. The course was in good condition despite the bunkers and waste areas being badly damaged by the recent heavy storms. Today was our Captains Day and we thanks Graham Hall for his year of service and generosity on the day along with Paul Cawte from Spanglish who laid on a superb post game buffet. Our Captain in his wisdom decided to play a 4 club and putter game but despite this there were some very good scores. The winners on the day were as follows: 1st – Ray Muttock – 37 points 2nd – Jim Speakman – 36 points 3rd – Bob Hewiston – 34 points

4th – Mike Probert - 34 points 5th – Andy Drinkall - 34 points Nearest the Pin – Ray Muttock Longest Drive (20 handicap plus) – Brian Proctor After the game we returned to the Spanglish bar, which is located at Dona Pepa, Quesada for a welcome buffet prepared by the bar and the prize presentation and we give our thanks for their support. Our next fixture is the monthly fixture at Font del Llop on Wednesday 18th November 2015 is already almost FULL. If you are interested in joining the society call Paul Cawte on 966731223 or Graham Hall on 664692638 or better still pop into the bar. Report by Mike Probert of Costa Blanca Green Fee Services on 966 704 752 or 661 345 931 or see us at our web-site at www.costa-blanca-greenfees.com.

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team mate Stewart Harris Nearest The Pin Hole 5. We all wish a speedy recovery to the members of La Manga RGA team, from the trauma of the accident. The second round matches of the season for the North Division is on Friday 13th November at Alicante Golf; the next South Division is on the 4th December at Roda Golf Resort. You will also be able to see updated Vega Baja Premier Golf League fixtures, tables, and news on the website www.vegabajapremiergolfleague.com and on Facebook, throughout the season For more information on the Vega Baja Premier Golf League, contact The Secretary; Ivie Davies 669 211 410 or golfdavies@gmail.com

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November 2015

LA MARINA GC AT ALICANTE

T h e won de r f ul October weather continued for our game this m o n t h held at the Alicante GC in the centre of the city of Alicante. We were joined by some new members and guests on the day but luckily all found their way without too many problems. The course seemed a little ‘scruffy’ compared to its usual pristine condition but this in no way affected the play of anyone and the friendly welcome from Marife never changes. After the usual coffee and tostada in the square, play commenced. For some it was a very timely round but for others, the play was very slow. No doubt a reminder about slow play will be forthcoming from the Captain shortly! The results on the day were:Nearest the Pins Hole 3 Les Pirie Hole 6 Graeme Buchanan Hole 12 Barry Thorogood Hole 17 Les Pirie Gold Division

32 pts

Alan Craig

Silver Division

33 pts

Carol Marriner

Best Guest

30 pts

Mark Pope

As usual members and guests re-assembled at the La Marina Sports Complex where, following the wonderful taps supplied by Paolo & Helena, the prize giving was held. From the results, you can see that the new members and guests were well represented. Our next games is at Vistabella on November 12th. when we shall be playing a Texas Scramble for the Mike Barbour Trophy. An entry sheet is on the notice board in the Social Centre or you can call our Secretary, Alan Craig on 634 347788 for full details about this game or any other topic concerning the Society.

BRADLEY BREAKERS

965 723 270 607 848 332

COSTA COBRAS RFC

Britain, France, Ireland, Spain, Portugal and the Valencian regional team. On Friday the matches are from16.00 to 20.00, and on Saturday from 10.00 to 15.00. The tickets for Friday are 8€, Saturday 12€ or for both days 15€. So come along and watch some rare live international rugby in the area. For more information and tickets contact Garry on 692 767 242, on whatsapp, or at Costa Cobras training on Monday and Wednesday at Daya Vieja. Also on Friday 19 November with the help of Victorias Tearooms in Almoradi to raise money for, DEBRA, the Butterfly Children the club are auctioning off rugby memorabilia international and club shirts as well as other items that have been donated. For more details you can connect the tearooms or myself. We also have Dennis Christian been the auctioneer for the event, so looking at plenty of people coming down to support this event. Costa Cobras RFC are also still training on Monday and Wednesday from 18.00-19.30 for the juniors and 20.00-21.30 for the seniors in Daya Vieja at the sports ground. So come a long and join the revolution with this new rugby club from the start and be part of something new in the area. 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. 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. 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 09.0013.30, so come on down and find more out about the club and rugby in the Sol Times Calida and Sol Times Blanca are independent of political parties, private investment and government. Our policy is to provide readers with a news and information service that is fair, accurate area. Also for all of your and balanced. Sol Times Calida and Sol Times Blanca are independent publications. Published weekly and rugby branded clothing produced exclusively in Murcia & Blanca. Sol Times News Group cannot be held responsible for claims and gear including made by advertisers, nor can it be held responsible for errors in advertisements caused by poor quality text, photographs or layout instructions. Furthermore, no responsibility can be accepted for any loss or Canterbury casuals and damage resulting caused by any error, inaccuracy or non-appearance of an advertisement. Deposito Legal Cotton Traders shirts. Sol Times Calida AL 851-2010. Sol Times Blanca AL 852-2010 With new players at both junior and senior level coming the club are moving forward againand welcome everybody to the club regardless if you have experience or not, so come and join in the fun. Also in less than a weeks time Elche RFC will be holding another international rugby 7’s tournament at Campo Jose Diez Iborra, just behind the Elche RFC rugby stadium, on 13 and 14 November in Elche with teams that will be participating in the 2016 Olympic Games in Brasil. The teams taking part for the men are:- France, Ireland, Spain and Portugal Teams for the women are:- Great

SOL TIMES

COSTA BLANCA

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

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SOLTIMES november 2015

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ford focus

motorcycles

vw golf 1.6tdi, bluemotion, 2011, 5 Doors 67,000 kms €13,450 2.0TDI DSG, 2006 AUTO, SPORTBACK, ALLOYS, 149,000kms

ford s-max

1.8tdi, diesel, 2003, 240,000kms

€2,950

Citroen xsara 2.0 TDi, Diesel, 2003, 139,000KM.

€2,950

AUDI A4

1.9TDI DIESEL, AUTO, 1997, 319,000KM

€2,450

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