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April 2016

Tenerife block collapse death toll rises to seven

SEVEN lives have been claimed by the block of flats collapsing in Los Cristianos, near Arona in Tenerife.

The last of the missing tenants was found beneath the rubble today (Saturday), two days after the building crumbled away, most of whom had been crushed to death.

Four women – two Spanish, one Italian and one Moroccan – and three men, a Spaniard, an Italian and a Finn, are now confirmed as having perished in the disaster.

Details of the victims' identities have not been revealed, other than one Spanish woman, Flor González González, 70,

The four neighbouring blocks, Bruno, Linares, Chicharro and Porlamar have been emptied of occupants as a precaution. originally from Avilés (Asturias), whose As yet, the cause of the collapse has body was the first to be found. not been investigated, as authorities are Two of the injured parties remain in more concerned with rescue efforts and hospital with broken bones and multiple bruising.

In the meantime, over 200 emergency workers including medical staff, rescue forces, police and counsellors remain on site, and the mayor of Arona has declared three days of mourning.

An emergency response centre has been set up at the Cultural Centre in Los Cristianos, and surviving tenants – as well as others evacuated nearby – have been put up in hotels and holiday parks in the area.

ascertaining the state of the surrounding buildings and their risk of crumbling.

A nearby resident reported the sound of an explosion and a strong smell of gas split seconds before the block fell apart.

By: thinkSPAIN

Spanish 'Costa Concordia' cruise ship victims to be paid €12,000 each

CRESCENDO INTERNATIONAL CHOIR SINGS FOR CARITAS BENIJOFAR

On Sunday 3rd April Crescendo International Choir were pleased to give a free concert in aid of Benijofar Caritas. The choir also donated a large quantity of goods ranging from dry foods to bedding.

A varied programme was presented and songs sung in Italian, Maori, Spanish and English. It was held in the beautiful Cultural Centre, Benijofar. After the bucket collection Crescendo choir were delighted to present E270.50 to Caritas.

Regarding our concert on May 7th when we join forces with Chivenor Military Wives if any members of

the public have requested tickets and given a telephone number but not received their tickets could they please contact Lesley: 659 892 479 Tickets are still available and can be obtained through any choir member.

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SPANISH passengers who survived the Costa Concordia capsizing off the Italian island of Giglio have been awarded €12,000 in compensation for the anxiety and stress they suffered.

A total of 22 Spaniards spent the night in the wreckage or on the rocks on the shores of the island waiting to be rescued, having swum to dry land.

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Spain's Supreme Court has rejected the compensation application filed by the Association of Spanish Costa Concordia 2012 Victims, which called for €60,000 for each of the 22, or a total of €1.32 million.

The court considered that the amounts should not be the same for each and every affected passenger, since some of them came off far worse than others.

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Far-right anti-corruption crusader arrested on extortion charges

The head of an obscure far-right organization involved in several high-

a labor union for Spanish public service employees with a mission to root out corruption in the country.

Ausbanc was set up as a consumer rights organization focusing on the finance and banking sector. In 2000, it won a case brought against banks for “rounding up” interest rates.

profile court cases in Spain over recent years has been arrested in Madrid on extortion charges.

Miguel Bernad, head of Manos Limpias (Clean Hands) was detained on Friday morning along with Luis Pineda, the president of Ausbanc, a financial consumer association.

Both men are thought to have been lodging complaints against a number of individuals, institutions and businesses and then demanding money in return for withdrawing legal action, say judicial sources.

The suspects are being investigated for extortion, subsidy fraud, tax crimes, money laundering and criminal association.

Police expected to make around 14 arrests in connection with the case; the offices of Ausbanc and Manos Limpias were also searched on Friday morning.

Both Bernad and Pineda have been involved in the past with shadowy neofascist groups. Bernad set up Manos Limpias in the mid-1980s, ostensibly as

Manos Limpias has brought several private prosecutions over the last decade, the most recent against Princess Cristina, who was charged with tax fraud in the Noos case and became the first Spanish royal to take the stand in a criminal trial.

High Court sources said Manos Limpias allegedly asked Banco Sabadell and La Caixa for three million euros in exchange for dropping the charges against Cristina de Borbón.

Friday’s arrests follow a number of leaks to the media about the judicial investigation into Ausbanc and Manos Limpias, which has been ongoing for several months.

Several Spanish banks had complained that they have been “obliged” over the last two decades to place advertisements in Ausbanc’s magazines to avoid the publication of articles criticizing them.

Caja Madrid and BBVA finally spoke out about the alleged blackmail, prompting a number of abusive articles in Ausbanc publications. In 2007, Crédit Services reported Ausbanc’s chairman, Pineda, to the authorities, accusing him of extortion. http://elpais.com/elpais

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April 2016

Criticised castle restoration wins top architecture prize

A CONTROVERSIAL castle restoration which was even criticised in the British press has won a modern architecture award.

The ninth-century Matrera fortress in Villamartín (Cádiz province) was in a poor state and its walls crumbling after torrential rain damaged its foundations three years ago, but the studio Carquero Architecture's repairs received harsh criticism from around the world.

A smooth, blank concrete wall was built behind each of the existing ones, which were embedded into it so they look like a relief pattern.

ort

The Guardian newspaper's headline on the restoration was: “What the hell have they done?”, and residents in Villamartín say the castle is now 'embarrassing'.

In fact, the British newspaper compared it with the botched – or allegedly incomplete – restoration of the Ecce Homo fresco in the church in Borja (Zaragoza province) by 81-yearold parishioner Cecilia Jiménez.

Carquero Architecture denied any similarities, since the Ecce Homo has now been left as it is and has become an international tourism attraction,

with even Ryanair offering flights to Zaragoza for €1 in the beginning.

But the studio may have spoken too soon: a prestigious global award has landed in its hands.

The Architizer A+ Prize, in the 'Preservation' category, has been given to Carquero for the repairs. thinkspain

First Driverless Bus Launched in Spain

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The first driverless buses in Spain have taken to the roads in the Technology Park of San Sebastian.

First Driverless Bus Launched in Spain 1 The small, ten-seat shuttle bus is operating a pilot scheme in the park and will be running under test conditions and at a maximum speed of 12 kilometres per hour for the next three months.

The trial has been running in six other cities across Europe, including in Trikala in Greece, where it has been running for six months and carried 11,302 passengers over a total of 3500 kilometres. Significantly, during the Greek test, the bus has never been involved in a road traffic incident, other than once riding onto the pavement, although safety devices operated preventing the bus from moving further.

The first bus in Spain took to its route this week carrying a variety of dignitaries,

photographers and journalists on its inaugural journey. The cabins, which rest on four wheels, give a sense of strength and stability, and are equipped with high-precision technologies and safety systems to ensure safe driving in the environment. The three units are connected to a control centre which monitors the vehicles through WiFi, allowing real time itineraries and updates.

The bus is free to use and will run over its two kilometre route in the technology park, with 10 stop-off points, from Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 19:30 continuously. The aim is to connect the businesses in the technology park and to facilitate easier mobility, whilst operating efficiently and protecting environmental resources. In order for the test service to operate, 160 car parking spaces have been removed from the site. http://n332.es/

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pause for thought

Having, written last time of the need for Christians to attend church together, I’ve been reminded that in scripture, ‘Church’ referred to the people who attended and not the building in which they met. We, of course, are so used to seeing Churches as, often impressive or elaborate buildings, spending much of their time empty, that we tend to equate Church with Building, but this indeed, is not what the Apostles meant when they spoke of the Church.

And when we criticise a Church, we’re again probably not complaining about the building, but the people who attend. I recall some years ago, whilst running a Youth Group where there was a lot of complaining about the Church, I asked them to say who or what, at the very centre of Church could be most influential in its success or failure. After many unsuccessful guesses they sought my answer and I simply replied “You Are, the two central letters of the word ‘Church’, and it is you yourselves that make up the Church and it is your faith and your lives that could be absolutely critical to the direction it takes in the future.”

So never mind the building (few, if any of the British Churches in this part of Spain own the building in which they meet), my intention in writing my last item in the Sol Times was not to encourage

attendance in any fancy building, but simply that as Christians we should want to meet together (as the Church, rather than in the Church) for love, development, encouragement and support as well as in memory of the great sacrifice made Jesus Christ as we celebrate the Lord’s Supper (Communion or Eucharist) together. And if we feel a Church is less than perfect, well that’s what we’d expect as it’s made up of folk who, like me suffer all the usual human imperfections, but who, in serving Christ are constantly trying to be more like Him, forgiving each other as He has forgiven us.

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

LEGAL CORNER WITH MICHAEL DAVIES, ABOGADO/SOLICITOR

If you wish us to print an article about a particular topic, please e-mail info@daviessolicitors.com - www.daviessolicitors.com Q. I would love to purchase a property in Mojacar but I am concerned: Is the procedure 100% safe? Could I lose my money? If only I could be certain that it can be done safely I would buy.

A. You are not on your own. Almost all buyers are concerned to some degree or another about this jump into the unknown. Like all buyers you are faced with many dilemmas which swirl around in your head and make decision-making difficult. You are not the first person to have these questions: • Could I lose my money?

• How to choose a lawyer.

• How do we know he is independent and will protect our interests?

• I feel uneasy because the lawyer has been recommended by the agent, but I am unsure how else to choose one.

• Do I give the lawyer power of attorney?

• How to open a Spanish bank account.

• NIE numbers.

• Deciding to become a Spanish resident or not.

• Will I have health cover in Spain?

• Will I miss the children and grandchildren?

• Future tax obligations in Spain (resident or non resident tax, 720 declaration of assets abroad etc) • Spanish wills and the different things I keep hearing about a thing called Directive 650/2012.

• Spanish inheritance tax.

• Spanish probate process.

• Future capital gains tax when I sell.

It is very easy to let all these questions paralyse you, but in reality thousands of northern Europeans purchase property in Spain every year without any problems whatsoever.

Any solicitor (Abogado) accustomed to handling conveyancing will be able to clarify all these questions, including explaining how, if things are done property, it is not possible to lose your money (for example). We feel that this is probably the most logical question to ask your solicitor even though it is not often asked.

I will start by saying that it is perfectly possible to purchase a property without assuming any risks whatsoever and that your solicitor will know how to do this. Most of the English speaking solicitors (in Spain we are called Abogados) in the Mojacar area will make sure that the purchase takes place with 100% safety and will also be able guide you through the rest of the queries expressed above.

I would also like to say that Mojacar is a great place to have a property and that it is a great time to buy, as I doubt the prices will ever be as good as they are at present because the market definitely seems to be turning around after a few years of slump.

Go for it. It is the perfect time to make the move.

Michael Davies is a Spanish Abogado and has been practicing law in Almería since 1993. He is member of the Law societies of Almería and Madrid and has offices in Mojacar and Almeria High Street.

April 2016

Guatemalan ex-president tied to Spain corruption case

Former Guatemalan president Otto Perez, who is in jail awaiting trial on corruption allegations, now also faces charges of accepting millions of dollars in bribes from a Spanish port company.

Perez, who took office in 2012 but was forced out after mass protests last year, used his position as president "to facilitate negotiations where he would obtain direct financial benefit in detriment to the interest of the nation," said prosecutor general Thelma Aldana on Friday.

Perez is accused of heading a "criminal network" that helped the Terminal de Contenedores Barcelona (TCB) firm win a 25-year contract to operate a new container terminal in Puerto Quetzal on Guatemala's Pacific coast.

Perez and former vice president Roxana Baldetti are in jail awaiting trial for allegedly heading a vast tax fraud network, which allowed companies import goods tax-free. According to the new allegations, the contract with the

Spanish company was signed in April 2012 and included $30 million (€26.5m) in commissions for local and international negotiators.

Perez and Baldetti allegedly walked away with $4.2 million each.

This was "a criminal group with clearly defined roles" led by Perez and Baldetti, Aldana said.

Spanish businessman Juan Jose Suarez, head of TCB's local affiliate, was also arrested, along with eight Guatemalans including a former cabinet official under Perez.

Perez and Baldetti are accused of conspiracy, passive bribery, money laundering and fraud, said Interior Minister Francisco Rivas.

Both Perez and Baldetti, scheduled to appear in court next week, deny the charges. http://www.thelocal.es/

Boris, Brexit and Britons in Spain

Boris Johnson, with his straw-blonde hair and instant name recognition, is now the de facto leader of the campaign to leave the European Union. A former Eton schoolmate and long-time rival of David Cameron, the Mayor of London and MP is unique in being culturally formed by strong European antecedents all while rejecting the EU: he was educated in Brussels, covered the European Commission as a journalist and has English, Russian, Swiss, Turkish and French ancestry (the latter which links him to most of Europe’s royal families).

If Cameron loses to a Brexit vote then, as surely as if he’d lost the Scottish independence vote, his position as PM would become untenable. Johnson’s public profile (or ‘Boris’, thanks chiefly to his repeated Have I Got News For You appearances) means he could tip the balance against the EU debate and might very well succeed Cameron before 2020.

There is, however, a lingering suspicion that Johnson may be playing politics with his Brexit support given that Sonia Purnell’s 2011 biography claimed friends said he was sympathetic to European federalism.

So if his Vote Leave endorsement is a populist ploy to assume the premiership, does it make a difference for the 319k British expats living and

working in Spain?

Even with a political severance from the EU, expats would gain international property and individual rights under the Vienna Convention of 1969. This might preclude land grabs but, depending on how vindictive the Spanish governments feels, could mean higher taxes for property owners. This might also extend to EU healthcare and benefits, but given that expats have to pay their own way in host taxes anyhow the change would likely be negligible.

Where the plot thickens is for future expats. After Britain has left the ability to live and work in Spain will depend on the new agreements the Johnson government negotiates. What should be the measure of Johnson, however, is this: whatever Spain does to British citizens, Johnson could enforce the same conditions for the estimated 150,000 Spanish living in the UK. Over Christmas Johnson visited the Alhambra and concluded that the Moorish palace was a reminder of the artistic accomplishments of ancient Islam and the historical diversity of Spain. Given Johnson’s rhetoric and history, a commitment to the cultural ties over the bureaucracy of Europe seems likely.

ALASTAIR STEWART www.darrow.org.uk

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www.soltimes.com

Spain ranks among worst for kids at risk of poverty

A new report reveals that Spain is among the worst developed countries for childhood inequality, with more than a third of children at risk of poverty.

Spain was ranked the sixth worst developed country for childhood income inequality, according to a "report card" by Unicef released on Thursday.

More than one-third of Spanish children (36 percent) live at risk of poverty or social exclusion and inequality there has grown more in Spain than in most other developed countries, with the income gap exceeding 60 percent, according to the report.

Only Romania - at the very bottom Bulgaria, Mexico, Greece and Israel were ranked worse than Spain.

"This measure of bottom-end inequality captures how far the poorest children are being allowed to fall behind the ‘average’ child in each country," the report states.

Researchers analyzed 41 countries from the European Union and within the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) for changes in inequality over time.

Denmark was at the top of the charts for the lowest levels of inequality in income, health, education and life satisfaction. Israel fell at the very

bottom.

Spain in particular has been hit hard by the global economic crisis with one of the highest unemployment rates in Europe and this has trickled down to impacting the well-being of its youngest citizens.

"The financial and economic crisis of the recent years has impacted in particular boys and girls in developed countries," the Unicef report on Spain states.

"The past few years have become a laboratory for the effects of inequality for the most vulnerable members of society."

Since 2008, Spanish children's median income fell, but the poorest 10 percent saw an even sharper drop, "leaving the poorest children increasingly lagging behind," according to Unicef.

But despite Spain's youth facing steeper challenges when it comes to battling financial struggles, the

A Time 4 A Change, one of the biggest buyers and sellers of quality pre-owned furniture on the Costa Calida are pleased to announce the opening of their second store in Los Alcazares on 2nd May. Danny and his wife Kerry, owners of the existing store in El Algar, said 'since we took over the shop, business has gone from strength to strength, so much so that we decided it would be a good idea to branch into Los Alcazares, so that many more customers can benefit from quality used furniture at reasonable prices, as well as pictures, cushions, lamps, mirrors and everything needed to complete your home' We have many repeat customers and a good relationship with several property managers. The feedback we are receiving is that whether you have a permanent home or a rental property, it is more economical to furnish with second hand furniture whenever possible. That way, if something gets damaged, it is not too costly to replace. We appreciate that our customers may prefer brand new mattresses on their beds, which is why we stock them. Our summer/winter mattresses start at €120 and we have memory foam from €180. We also have new pillows, duvets, sheets and pillowcases.

Find our new shop at 199 Avenida De La Libertad, Los Alcazares, telephone 608 016 880. We shall be offering exactly the same quality and service as in El Algar. As well as furniture, we sell greeting cards for all occasions from €1.75 and English books are 3 for only €1.

We take this opportunity to thank all our existing customers for their continued support and we very much look forward to meeting new customers and, hopefully, friends.

country has been able to improve conditions for health and nutrition for all children.

Spain was in the top ten for having a low inequality gap when it came to health, and took 12th place when it came to education.

In fact, Only Spain and the United States showed improvement in all health indicators since 2002.

Still, in the category of life satisfaction Spanish children fell in the bottom third, meaning there was a sizeable gap between how happy kids reported feeling.

Unicef called on the Spanish government to make a pact to fight against childhood poverty.

"The Report Card provides a clear reminder that the well-being of

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e t n e u F a L e r t n e C l a i c r me

Situated next to Campoamor Golf Club and very close to Las Ramblas is the cosmopolitan commercial centre of La Fuente.

Most the bars and restaurants enjoy lovely views towards the cost and the Mar Menor is clearly visible with the mountains beyond.

Follow Calle Cabo Creus inland from the large pharmacy at the end of the Cabo Roig strip, La Fuente is just over the canal.

The centre has everything, you can enjoy shopping and beauty treatments whilst contemplating lunch and dinner or enjoy a relaxing drink on the terrace without venturing anywhere else for the whole day. The centre not only caters for your food, drink and retail therapy desires, but you can also find anything for you home, home maintenance and garden needs, including buying a new home!

You will enjoy a fabulous fulfilling day at La Fuente, it’s that good Liam Neilson recently visited the centre when filming on the Costa Blanca for the movie Taken 3.

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April 2016

your local tradesman BUILDING YOUR HOME

If you want to be far from the madding crowd, you can buy a plot of land (parcela) and have an individual architect-designed house built to your own design and specifications or to a standard design provided by a builder. However, building a home in Andalucía isn't recommended for the timid. Spanish red tape and the eccentric ways of doing business in Spain can make building your own home a nightmare and it's fraught with problems.

The cost of land varies considerably depending on the area, e.g. from 30 - 120 Euro per square metre. Building costs range from around 300 to 700 Euro per square metre in resort areas, depending on the quality and location.

The cost of land and labour have fallen considerably in recent years in many areas and it's possible to buy a plot of land and build a bigger and better villa for less than the cost of a secondhand property. You can not only design your own home but can ensure that the quality of materials and workmanship are first class. When planning to build

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your own home, take into account all the associated costs including the cost of extended services such as water, electricity and telephone to the property.

Note that most quotes are estimates only and that the cost can escalate wildly due to contract clauses and changes made during building work. If you want a home built in Andalucía exactly to your own specifications, you will need to personally supervise it every step of the way or better still employ a technical architect or engineer to do it for you.

You must take the same care when buying land as you would when buying a property. The most important point when buying land is to ensure that it has been approved for building (land classified as a finca urbana can usually be built on). In the past, it was accepted practice to build without obtaining the necessary licence in advance. A fine would subsequently be imposed which was a relatively low sum. This situation has changed and fines these days can run into thousands of Euro.. T here is also a possibility of the authorities embargoing the property or even knocking it down, so this risk is definitely not worth taking. Ensure also that the plot is large enough for the house you plan to build. Check also that it's suitable for building as it may be too steep or require prohibitively expensive foundations. Always obtain confirmation in writing from the local town hall that land can be built on and approval for road access. Discuss your requirements with a surveyor or architect and your legal advisor before signing a contract or paying any money. Some companies offer a building surveying service for around ten per cent of the building price.

Foreign architects from EU countries can now work in Spain and there are a number operating in the main resort areas of Andalucía.

Note that if planning permission is flawed, you may find that you're responsible for improving roads, adding pavements, street lighting, electricity installations and sewage disposal. Spanish law requires a builder to guarantee his work for 10 years following construction and an architect is also responsible for 10 years for defects due to instructions given to the builder or problems relating to a plot of land, eg. subsidence.

However, if you do have problems you must usually be extremely patient and persistent to obtain satisfaction. Your best insurance when building a property is the reputation of the builder. There are many excellent builders in Spain who will build an individually designed house on your plot of land, or will sell you a plot and build a house chosen from a range of standard designs.

Josephine Quintero reports http://www.andalucia.com/

11

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LOOK GOOD FEEL GREAT Tel: 950 121 936 - sales@soltimes.com

Summer Hair Care

Just as the doing the breaststroke, chlorine is stripping your hair of sun damages its natural protective oils. If you're a blonde, you may your skin, it can find your locks taking on an unflattering greenish cast. damage your hair, That's caused by the copper molecules and other pool too. Saltwater and chemicals that bind to the protein in the hair shaft. chlorine also take A dip in the ocean stresses hair in another way. The a toll on our tresses. heavy salt content in seawater draws water out of your The not-so-pretty hair and skin, Krant says. We end up with prune-y outcome: A few weeks fingers and parched hair. into summer, hair that was Tips for Healthy and Gorgeous Summer Hair shiny and easily managed looks and feels fried.

Fried hair isn't just a figure of speech. Jessica J. Krant, Summer doesn't have to be the season of bad hair MD, MPH, a New York dermatologist, says the ultraviolet days. With some extra TLC, your hair can look great rays of the sun actually "cook the hair shaft." The on the steamiest days. Here are some hot-weather damage is most obvious when we see color-treated hair tress-taming tips from Krant and Julia Papworth, becoming faded, bleached, and brassy. a celebrity hairstylist who Even hair that isn't colored will suffer from sun-induced has worked with stars stress. Those UV rays dry out hair and rough up the including Cameron Diaz, normally smooth cuticle, or outer layer, of the hair shaft. Elijah Wood, and Sarah Frizz Factor Silverman. Start summer The dryer hair is, the more likely it is to suffer from with a trim. You'll get rid a summer malady that's even more irksome than mosquito bites: frizz.

That's because parched benefits consultancy hair soaks up the extra Do you suffer from mobility problems, humidity in the air, causing breathlessness/pain or falls/stumbles? the shaft to swell and Do you need help washing / dressing or leading to breaks in the supervision? cuticle. Hair puffs up and You could be entitled to extra income by goes every which way but claiming UK smooth. sickness / disability benefits while living in Spain Swimming Damage For advice or to book a consultation Swimming beats up your call 950 169 729 or 663 297 568 hair, too. Take a plunge or visit www.ukbenefitsinspain.com in a pool and while you're

Kim Clar k

of split ends and refresh your style. You might need a mid-season cut, too. Hair really does grow faster in the summer. That's because there are more hairs in the anagen, or growing, stage during late spring and summer than in the dead of winter, Krant says.

Shield your strands from the sun. Make a daily habit of applying a hair care product that contains UV filters (these can be in spray, gel, or cream formulas). These products protect hair from sun damage and help keep color-processed hair from fading. If you'll be spending lots of time outdoors, wear a wide-brimmed hat. Not only will it keep your strands from getting scorched, it will also protect your scalp and ears, areas that are vulnerable to skin cancer.

Saturate strands before taking a dip. If your hair is drenched with clean water or leave-in conditioner, it won't absorb as much saltwater or pool chemicals, Papworth says. It's also a good idea to try to rinse your hair after a swim. If there isn't a shower nearby, keep a spray bottle filled with fresh water. http://www.webmd.com/

12

April 2016

home & garden

Contact 950 121 936 or email sales@soltimes.com to Advertise in this section Almost every gardener will have a dictionary of plants on his or her shelf giving useful facts about flower colour, height of growth and soil requirements etc. so there is really no need for us to repeat all that. This plant list is a collection of ‘in the garden experience’, both positive and negative, of plants well-known to the authors. Members of the MGS are invited contribute to this page where they can share their personal experience of plants in a Mediterranean garden.

Mediterranean Gardens

Aloysia gratissima Syn. Aloysia lycioides, Lippia lycioides Whitebush In Southern Spain, in Cordoba the plant is called LA FAVORITA, and we saw it in many gardens during the AGM in Carmona. This semi green, 6 to 9 inches tall, irregularly upright to rounded much branched shrub is native to South Texas and New Mexico. The leaves are linear, oblong, elliptic or lanceolate.

The flowers that come in the Spring are vanilla scented, racemed. It likes good drained soils.

You can grow it on a sunny wall, in espalier, as the picture in the patio or cut it round. I love it, the way it smells in the patio, it is delightful.

Artemisia lanata Syn. A. caucasica, A. pedemontana Evergreen/semievergreen low perennial from Central Europe Cistus x argenteus 'Blushing Peggy Sammons' Hybrid These two plants have done exceptionally well without any summer water. As described in TMG 50, we are in the process of making a dry garden in Provence. The plants must get through even their very first summer without any watering, for the simple reason that we are not there in summer to help them. In November 2004 we planted various cistus cultivars. Of these, Cistus x argenteus ‘Blushing Peggy Sammons’ has done outstandingly well. It has quadrupled in size since planting and this year (2007) flowered profusely for more than six weeks in May-June. Another great success is the lovely silver mat-forming Artemisia lanata.

A 4-inch plant in November 2004 now measures about 20 inches across and looks handsome and unstressed.

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Cistus x argenteus ‘Blushing Contact 950 121 936 or email sales@soltimes.com Peggy Sammons’ to Advertise in this section Hybrid Crithmum maritimum - Samphire Crithmum maritimum, a protected plant, derives its botanical name from the Greek word 'krethmon', used by the Greeks to denote a succulent plant that grew by the sea. Its English common name, samphire, in turn derives from the French '[herbe de] Saint Pierre', or St. Peter's herb - an earlier form of the name was 'sampiere'. It will grow in pure sand. I've been growing samphire for the last two years. I love its decorative evergreen foliage and its greenish-white flowers that are produced all summer long, until October. This umbelliferous plant, growing to a height of from 20 to 50cm, is one of the most characteristic species of the

home & garden

Berberis thunbergii cultivar Small, deciduous shrub from Japan.

Despite its non-Mediterranean origins this plant can do well with very little irrigation once established. The problem is that the red leaves, although attractive in their own right, can look fake if not integrated into the garden colour scheme. By chance I found that a B. thunbergii in a mixed bed reflects the blood-red flowers of a nearby rose and of a Cestrum elegans and makes them more vivid. It also complements a brown glazed urn and the shiny brown fruits of a Punica granatum variety. Its other quality is its prickliness - I grow it against a pinkish stone wall lining the pavement to deter graffiti artists.

Capparis spinosa - The tale of a caper "Once upon a time in Languedoc…….no, better not.

But it was a magical story!

One of our very good friends from the village turned up six years ago with two root cuttings. He said "You’re going to need this plant in your garden as you love to cook." So he planted them just where you can see them in the photo. Both the cuttings rooted, although we did give them a little tender loving care. The surprise was that the following year another "câprier" suddenly appeared in another part of the garden as if by magic, almost as if it wanted to support the new arrivals. Quite

coastal flora of the Channel, the Atlantic seaboard and the Mediterranean. They are sheathed in a thick, transparent envelope which serves as a very effective protection against drought. Sometimes cultivated as an ornamental plant at the foot of walls, between paving stones or in light soils, samphire does very well in soils whose sodium chloride content is no greater than that of ordinary garden earth. It is a forgotten wild vegetable whose aromatic, slightly piquant and salty leaves may be eaten raw in salads, cooked like spinach or pickled and served as a condiment. In past centuries samphire also travelled on long sea voyages, eaten by sailors to prevent scurvy. If you plan to grow samphire, choose the planting site carefully for it makes deep roots. Plants should be spaced 40cm apart. Once or twice during the growing season you may add a good spoonful of salt. http://www.mediterraneangardensociety.org/

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Hello and welcome to CanDu Computer through, you can uninstall it.

Bytes, If you don’t know how to get hold of But that doesn’t help much me by now then you have been incredibly if an update is stuck in the pipe. Here’s how you can fix that issue lucky or going to the wrong person :-) Today I am going to tell you what to do when it happens.

First try the windows troubleshooter. The when windows gets it wrong. I know, many of my die-hard fans will be saying “When does it easiest way to find it is use the magnifying ever get it right?”. As a coder (programmer) glass and type in ‘Troubleshooting’ and I’m aware of the extremely complex nature select the first option. You can also find it in of programs. I have spent months looking the control panel!

So what does it do? It shuts down Windows at the code for the Linux Operating System (Windows – anything, is trademarked with Update Services. It renames the \Windows\ enough legal lock-downs to impress even the SoftwareDistribution folder to \Windows\ NSA). I can tell you that it is an immensely SoftwareDistribution.old, essentially clearing the Windows Update complex and brilliant, piece of coding! Having said that, even something that brilliant and download cache so that it can start over and finally It restarts the Windows Update ‘wander off’ from time to time.

Any Operating System (OS) will have ‘holes’ Services. Search the page for ‘System in it! The standard solution is to plug these and Security’, ‘Fix problems with windows holes with code that by-passes the problems. update’. After that, it goes to work finding Every OS worth it’s salt will send out updates the problems.

When it has identified the problems and to fill in these unplanned for weaknesses. appropriate solution, You will need to click on Windows is absolutely no different!

What if the update fails? It does occasionally the button marked next BUT before you do, happen. You will get a message along the I would suggest clicking on the box marked lines of “There were some problems installing ‘Apply Repairs Automatically’ and then ‘Run updates, but we will try later….. Yada Yada”. as Administrator’.

The troubleshooter works through its Let’s make one thing clear, we are talking about a tiny percentage chance of there ever process and then lets you know whether it being a failure. For the most part, Windows could identify and fix the problem. Most of Update works silently in the background. It the time, the troubleshooter can successfully downloads updates automatically, installs the remove a stuck update from the queue. Go ones it can, and saves others to install when ahead and try running Windows Update you restart Windows. Sometimes, though, an again. Even if the troubleshooter says it update installation fails and that can prevent couldn’t identify the problem, it’s possible that the actions of starting and stopping the other updates from being installed, too.

Windows Update is pretty different in service and clearing out the cache did the Windows 10 than it was in previous versions. trick.

There are, of course, other ways of dealing Since, in theory, Windows 10 will be the “last” version (did you pick up on the jock there?), with a faulty download but these have to be Windows Update has gotten a bit more done manually and would take a number of aggressive about ensuring that computers articles to explain. So as the teacher puts in get updated. All available updates (not just your school text book “See Me!”.

Until next time, I hope your computers the critical ones) are now downloaded and installed by default. The good news is that you offer you no problems, but if they do “See can prevent Windows 10 from automatically Me”. downloading updates For further information or advice on and, should a computing,contact Trevor on 689 892 745 or bad update come

April 2016

THE ASSOCIATION OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL TOWNS AND VILLAGES OF SPAIN FORMS A SOUTHERN REGIONAL ASSEMBLY

On April 11, the first meeting between mayors and representatives of the municipalities that make up the Southern Region of the Assembly of the Most Beautiful Towns and Villages of Spain took place in Lucainena de la Torre. At this principal meeting, the Mayor of Lucainena de la Torre, Juan Herrera, was appointed Chairman and Emmanuel Agüero, Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Tourism of Mojácar, was appointed Secretary.

During the last national assembly of the Prettiest Villages of Spain, held in Santillana del Mar, regional assemblies were created in order to devolve the work and the responsibility to committees that deal with local aspects and specific topics. This will allow each area to focus their own territorial and social needs, yet keeping in line with the general interest of the national view.

The most beautiful villages in the new southern region and members of this assembly are: Castell de Guadalest, (Alicante), Frigiliana (Málaga), Lucainena de las Torres (Almería), Mojácar (Almería), Tejeda (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria), Véjer de la Frontera (Cádiz) y Zuheros (Córdoba). Representatives of all these municipalities were present in Lucainena de las Torres for this first meeting, except Frigiliana, that unfortunately was unable to attend due to scheduling problems.

Emmanuel Aguero, Deputy Mayor of Mojácar and Secretary of the new Southern Regional Assembly, stressed Mojácar’s and other members satisfaction with the important promotional work and impact that the organization is having in the media all around the world. "The Prettiest Villages of Spain initiative opens new doors and places Mojácar and the rest of the towns directly in the eye of the potential tourist. With its full schedule of plans and new ideas, it represents an invaluable benefit for the promotion of a sector that otherwise, the municipalities could not afford," says Emmanuel Agüero.

On 15 April, at the Palace of Linares in Madrid, the High Commissioner of Brand Spain presented an official Prestige Guide in book format, published in three languages. It contains complete information of the member’s municipalities including: maps, photos, local food specialities, fiestas and town news, among other things, making it one of the most complete guides for travellers.

The next meeting of the Southern Regional Assembly is set for October, at which members will be preparing items to be discussed at the National Assembly, scheduled for late November in Tejeda, Las Palmas.

Mojácar will host the National Assembly in 2017.

canducomputing@hotmail.co.uk

johnny Depp’s wife Amber Heard avoids Australia dog-smuggling conviction Actress Amber Heard has avoided a conviction for illegally taking her dogs into Australia.

Ms Heard, married to actor Johnny Depp, had pleaded guilty in court to making a false statement on her immigration card about the couple's Yorkshire terriers.

But the Queensland judge gave her a one-month good behaviour bond with no conviction recorded.

If she breaks the bond she must pay A$1,000 ($770; £540).

The authorities also released an unusual video apology from the couple.

In the video, which was shown in court and made public by the Department of Agriculture, the couple expressed remorse and advised travellers to respect Australian quarantine laws.

Ms Heard and Mr Depp both attended Southport Magistrate's Court in Queensland state, amid a media scrum.

Her guilty plea meant Mr Depp was excused from giving evidence to the court.

Two illegal importation charges against her were dropped earlier.

They had carried a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail or fines of up to A$265,000.

It had been dubbed Australia's War on Terrier. In the end it concluded rather more amicably.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard arrived in court looking relaxed, if a little jet lagged, having reportedly flown in by private jet from Hawaii. It was a long way to

come for a very short court case.

At the time the incident provoked a war of words with Australia's then-agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce (now deputy prime minister), who said the dogs should "bugger off back to the United States" or risk being put down. Mr Depp fired back referring to Mr Joyce as some kind of "sweaty, big-gutted man from Australia".

In court, though, proceedings were much more civil and perhaps even dull. Mr Depp appeared close to dozing off on several occasions.

As the sentencing was read out, the couple embraced, perhaps with relief. Ms Heard got off relatively lightly.

And after a case that has likely cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees, some will be asking if it was all really worth it.

Ms Heard brought the dogs, Pistol and Boo, to Queensland in a private jet in May 2015 to visit Mr Depp, who was filming Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.

The dogs' presence in the country was noticed after a local dog groomer posted a photo of them on social media.

Ms Heard, 29, had pleaded guilty to declaring "No" on her immigration card under the section asking if she was bringing anything, including animals, into the country.

Her lawyer argued that the actress had done so because she thought Mr Depp's assistants had already

sorted out the dogs' travel documents.

The dogs were quickly taken out of the country and Ms Heard vowed never to return to Australia.

Australia's tough quarantine laws are designed to keep disease at bay. Dogs entering from the US must spend 10 days in quarantine.

Australia's quarantine laws Live animals and plants, plant material, animal products and some food from overseas cannot be brought into the country without government permission because they can introduce some of the world's most serious pests and diseases.

Those who flout the rules face fines of more than A$66,000 ($51,000; £36,000) and risk 10 years jail.

As an example of how serious it can be, in 1995 a 500km (310-mile) by 200km quarantine zone was established in northern Queensland just to control foreign fruit fly maggots.

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April 2016

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SOLTIMES PROPERTY SUPPLEMENT THE ORIGINAL PROPERTY SUPPLEMENT ON THE COSTAS!!!!

LOOKING TO BUY OR RENT? FIND YOUR DREAM HOME INSIDE! House Prices Up 2.9% in the Eurozone and 3.8% in the EU According to figures published this (+10.3%) and the United Kingdom

week by the European Union statistical office, Eurostat, house prices, as measured by the National Statistics Institute’s House Price Index, rose by 2.9% in the eurozone and by 3.8% in the EU in the fourth quarter of 2015, compared with the same quarter of the previous year.

Quarter-on-quarter, house prices remained stable in the eurozone and rose by 0.2% in the EU in the fourth quarter of 2015, compared with the third quarter.

Among the EU Member States for which data are available, the highest year-on-year increases in house prices in the fourth quarter of 2015 were recorded in Sweden (+14.2%), Hungary

(+7.1%), while declines were registered in Croatia (-2.1%), Italy (-0.9%) and Cyprus (-0.6%). Spain registered a year-on-year increase in the fourth quarter, of 4.3%.

The highest quarter-on-quarter increases were recorded in Bulgaria (+3.1%), Latvia (+2.3%) and Sweden (+2.0%), and the greatest declines were registered in Cyprus (-4.2%), Lithuania (-2.1%) and Austria (-1.7%).

House prices remained stable in Spain in the fourth quarter of 2015, compared with the third quarter. kyero.com

Spanish House Prices Rose by 0.8% in March and by 2.2% in Q1

According to data from the latest IMIE General and Large Markets Index published on Monday by property appraisal company, Tinsa, the average price of finished housing in Spain (new and second hand) remained stable in March registering an increase of 0.8% year-on-year, bringing the accumulated increase in the first three months of the year to 2.2%.

The ‘Balearic and Canary Islands’ and the ‘Mediterranean Coast’ were the two geographical areas analysed

by Tinsa to register the greatest yearon-year price increases in March, of 4.3% in both cases, while in the ‘Metropolitan Areas’, prices rose by 2.8% year-on-year. In contrast, the average house prices in the ‘Other Municipalities’ and the ‘Capitals and Large Cities’ fell in March, by -1.6% and -0.3%, respectively.

El Economista reported that, since January, the ‘Balearic and Canary Islands’ recorded the largest accumulated increase in house prices, with growth of 5.1%, followed by the ‘Other Municipalities’ (+3.4%), the ‘Mediterranean Coast’ (+3.1%), the ‘Metropolitan Areas’ (+2.2%) and the ‘Capitals and Large Cities’ (+0.6%).

Tinsa pointed out that the average accumulated decline in house prices in Spain since their peak levels of 2007 remains at 41%. The ‘Mediterranean Coast’ is the area which has registered the greatest accumulated decline since then, of -46.5%, followed by the ‘Capitals and Large Cities’ (-45.1%), the ‘Metropolitan Areas’ (-43.8%), the ‘Other Municipalities’ (-36.1%) and the ‘Balearic and Canary Islands’ (-29.1%). kyero.com

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Sareb Selling Coastal Homes from 32,000 Euros The Bank Assets Management Society (Sareb) announced in a press release last week that they are continuing with their campaign “Tu Casa a Toda Costa” by offering up for sale some 2,337 second residence homes on the Spanish coast. It is the second year the company has promoted this campaign, in which the cheapest apartment, with one bedroom, and located in Torrevieja (Alicante), is priced at 32,100 euros.

The most expensive property included in the campaign is a detached villa of over 342 square metres located in Calviá (Balearic Islands) which is for sale at a price of 866,000 euros. The so-called “bad bank” are looking to take advantage of the increased activity in the second home market given the approaching summer season.

The apartments and houses are spread throughout nine regions, with a major presence in Valencia, which accounts for half of the properties for sale. Specifically, the Valencian province of Castellón has the largest number of properties on offer, with 791 homes.

On the Mediterranean coast there are properties available in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, Murcia and Andalucía. In the Canary Islands there are 49 properties for sale, while across Galicia, Asturias and Cantabria on the Cantabrian coast, there are a further 129 properties being offered for sale in the campaign.

Sareb’s micro-website, www.tucasaatodocosta.com, will be live up until 30th August, to enable potential investors to search for homes by a specific province and town. Each property listing gives information such as type of property, size in square metres, number of bedrooms and bathrooms and also includes some photographs. There is also a link to a map which highlights the location of the property, and there is the option of requesting additional information directly from the trading platform that manages the property.

The four real estate servicers assisting the Sareb with the marketing of the assets included in the campaign are Altamira Asset Management, Haya Real Estate, Servihabitat and Solvia. kyero.com

April 2016

Rental Housing Prices Up 4.3% in First Quarter

The price of rental housing in Spain increased by 4.3% during the first quarter of this year, bringing the average price per square metre up to 7.4 euros per month, according to a price report published this week by property portal, idealista.com. Year-onyear, the increase stands at 5.2%.

According to the portal’s head of research, Fernando Encinar, data from the report indicates that there is currently a huge demand for rental housing, with the supply also rising strongly, and that monthly rents are increasing in a uniform manner throughout the country, resulting in robust and stable growth in the market. Encinar points out that, with the interest rates at zero and banks giving historically low returns on savings, many small investors are now finding the returns they are looking for by buying homes and putting them on the rental market.

Quarter-on-quarter, all of Spain’s regions registered rental price increases except for the Basque Country, where prices fell by 4%. The Balearic Islands registered the biggest increase, of 11.2%, followed

by Madrid (5.2%), Valencia (5%) and Catalonia

(4.7%). In contrast, the regions to register the lowest increases were Extremadura (0.3%), Cantabria (1%), the Canary Islands (1%) and Castilla-La Mancha (1.2%).

Madrid remains the most expensive region for home rentals, with average prices standing at 11.5 euros/m2, followed by Catalonia (11 euros/m2), the Balearic Islands (10 euros/m2) and the Basque Country (9.6 euros/m2). In contrast, the regions with the most affordable rental prices are Extremadura (4.1 euros/m2), Castilla-La Mancha (4.4 euros/m2) and La Rioja (4.9 euros/m2).

Some 38 provinces noted rental price increases over the previous quarter, the greatest being the increase registered in the Balearic Islands, where prices climbed by 11.2%. Significant increases were also recorded in Valencia (6.7%), Pontevedra (5.9%), Huelva (5.5%) and Madrid (5.2%), while the biggest reductions in home rental prices were registered in Tarragona (-8.6%), Vizcaya (-6.1%) and Cáceres (-1.8%).

Barcelona lead the ranking of the most expensive provinces in which to rent a home (12.6 euros/m2 per month), followed by Madrid (11.5 euros/m2) and Guipuzcoa (10.2 euros/ m2), while Jaén is the cheapest province at 3.7 euros/m2 per month, followed by Cáceres, and Ávila (both 3.8 euros/m2). kyero.com

19

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Everything you need to know about the Alcazar of

Cordoba

There are few landmarks that have come to feature in iconic photos of the city of Cordoba. The Mezquita is one of them, and the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos (Castle of the Christian Kings) is another.

However, whereas the Mezquita is known all over the world, the Alcazar is more of an underdog. Is this medieval castle worth a visit? Let's find out.

History of the Alcazar

The Alcazar has always been an important place in Cordoba because of its location right next to the Guadalquivir river. It used to be the residence of Roman governors and Moorish caliphs, and in 1328 it became the home of the Spanish kings when they were in Cordoba.

It is known as the Alcazar of the Reyes Cristianos because the Christian Kings Fernando and Isabella lived in the castle for over eight years while they orchestrated the reconquest of Granada. It was in the Alcazar that Christopher Columbus pitched his idea of looking for a Western route to reach India.

After the reconquest of Spain was complete, Fernando and Isabella donated the building to the church of Cordoba, who made it the site of the Courts of the Holy Offices (the feared Inquisition).

In the centuries after that, the castle was used as a civil prison, and later as a military one.

Nowadays the building is an Historical Monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It doubles as a museum and a place for public and private events (concerts, weddings ...).

Highlights of the castle

When you enter the castle, you can climb the Torre de los Leones (Lions' Tower). Although it is a bit of a climb, the view is worth it: you can see all of the city and the surrounding countryside.

From the Torre de Leones you can access the Torre del Homenaje (Tower of the Tribute). The other towers are not open for the public.

In the gallery downstairs, various artifacts that were recovered from the Alcazar are displayed.

There are Roman, Moorish and Catholic finds, representing the evolution of Cordoba and Spain throughout the centuries. There is also a ceremony hall in the gallery. Its walls are partly covered in Roman mosaics, which gives the room a very interesting added element.

Another highlight of the Alcazar can be seen outside the building: its stunning patio and garden. The big interior patio boasts some remains of the old structure that was constructed when the Moorish caliphs reigned Cordoba.

The large garden was added by the Christian Kings Fernando and Isabella, but its style was influenced

by Moorish gardens and patios. When wandering about the garden, it is hard not to think of those other famous Arabic gardens of the Generalife in Granada.

Practical information

Entrance fees Adults: €4.50 Children up to 13 years old: free The Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos is an amazing Students (with student card): €2.25 building were history was made. Next time you're in You can also buy the Touristic Bracelet Cordoba, don't miss out on it! which gives you access to the Alcazar, Museo de Julio Romero, the Arabic baths of the caliphs and the Museo Taurino.

Price: €8.40 (free for people over 65).

Opening hours - Tuesdays - Fridays: 08:30-20:45 - Saturdays: 08:30-16:30 - Sundays and holidays: 08:30-14:30 These opening hours may change overtime depending on the season, so check the website of Cordoba Tourism if you are not certain.

Garden of the Alcazar

SOL Y MAR

20

PRIME LOCATION

ALMANZORA

SM022 REDUCED PRICE 110,000€ ALMANZORA

Delightful detached villa in a prime location walking distance to the local bars, cafes and the many amenities of the beautiful village of Almanzora. Features 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom , stunning mature garden setting , fully fenced/walled and at the recently reduced price represents fantastic value for money.

April 2016

Tel: Tel:950 950064 064584 584 609199 199394 394 609 fantastic value for money

SM042

Spacious 3 bed 4 bathroom detached traditional cortijo with much charm and character and many original features. Most attractive and desirable location as short drive to the nearest village and just off main access road. This large property offers scope for minor renovation hence the fantastic price. This home comes with many extras including 4 outbuildings, garage and a new fitted kitchen. Set in a small hamlet of country houses in a setting yet so close to amenities. A short drive to the traditional village of Almanzora with all amenities you would require including bars, cafes, medical centre and banks.

Only 5 mins drive to the nearest main market town of Albox.

Mountain Views

LIMARIA

LOW PRICE

sM046 NEW LISTING 175,000€ ALMANZORA

Detached villa with stunning mountain views in mature garden setting Features 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms , 700m2 plot, 8x4 swimming pool and is in excellent order Walking distance to a local bar/cafe and in ideal location as only 15 minute drive to either Albox one way or Huercla Overa the other way. Early viewing advised as popular location.

100,000€

sM048

NEW LISTING 47,500€

This house is a tardis must be seen to be appreciated Detached traditional cottage set in hamlet of homes, short distance to the busy village of Almanzora with bars, cafe, medical centre, shop and many other amenities Features 2.5 bedrooms, one bathroom , land to the front , large roof terrace and front courtyard.

In good order and fantastic value for money

21

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Avenida Avenida2828dedeFebrero FebreroNºNº44,44,Albox Albox Email: Email:info@solymarspain.com info@solymarspain.comwww.solymarspain.com www.solymarspain.com fantastic value for money

STUNNING HOME

ORIA

SM047 NEW LISTING 157,500€ Cucador

Well appointed detached home on the outskirts of Oria , short drive or walk into town Featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms , log burner, private swimming pool , aircon and under floor heating as well as many other extras.

In immaculate order and represents good value for money

SM049

120,000€

Detached 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom home on 1000m2 of land in prime location in Cucador.

Walking distance to local bar, restaurant and shop. Being sold as is hence fantastic value for money and must be viewed to appreciate.

RENTAL SECTION rsm020

arboleas

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RSM003

400PCM RENTAL alfoquia

Mid terrace villa with large terrace in a prime location on the outskirts of Almanzora.

Walking distance to all amenities of Arboleas including bars, shops and supermarkets.

Features 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, large terrace, garage and log burner.

Available for long term rental, in excellent order and furnished.

Please note this property does not allow pets.

walking distance to all amenities

450€ PCM RENTAL

Attached, end of terrace, corner townhouse in immaculate order available partially furnished and long term.

Features 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, upstairs balcony, terrace to the front, off street parking and walking distance to Alfoquia with it’s many cafes, bars, doctor’s surgery and many other amenities.

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

22

April 2016

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT BUYING A PROPERTY IN SPAIN

LEGAL FORMALITIES & COSTS INVOLVED IN PURCHASING PROPERTY IN SPAIN Panorama always recommends that purchasers of property in Spain retain a qualified solicitor to represent them and qualified financial advisors to deal with tax issues.

Purchasing property in Spain is a relatively straightforward procedure. The “last word” in property ownership is the property registry, which will show immediately if the seller owns the property free of liens and encumbrances. Most frequently, unless an immediate payment of the full purchase price is made, a private contract of purchase is drawn up wherein the details of the purchase are reflected – the legal description of the property, purchase price, form of payment, date of completion, date of possession, etc. Upon signing the private contract, a payment on account of the purchase price is always made which can vary substantially according to the terms of the sale and the date of completion. A quite normal deposit for completion within 30 to 60 days would be 10% of the agreed purchase price.

New properties which are unfinished obviously are paid for over the construction period, and all payments on account before finishing must be guaranteed, according to the BUILDING ORDENANCE LAW (LOE), LAW 38/1999, by a bank or insurance company: if the property is not finished by a certain date, a purchaser has the right to reclaim the monies paid, plus legal interests. Additionally, this law obliges the property developer to arrange a TEN YEAR insurance policy with respect to any basic building defects with the purchasers as beneficiaries.

When the entire purchase price is paid for the property, the seller will issue the public deed of conveyance (escritura) to the purchaser, free of liens and encumbrances. This deed is issued before a Spanish Notary, is passed from the notary to the tax office to be assessed for Transfer Tax if the property is a resale or second hand property, or assessed for Stamp Duty if the property is sold directly by the developer. Is then presented to the Property Registry

for inscription. A provisional inscription in the registry is made immediately upon issuance of the deeds.

PROPERTY PURCHASE COSTS Transfer Tax (I.T.P.) scaled at 8%, 9% & 10% - Payable by the buyer for the purchase of any real estate (villas, flats, land, commercial premises, garages), provided the vendor is not a developer or normally trading in the business of resale properties.

If the “minimum fiscal value” of the property, as per the Regional Government, is greater than the price, then the minimum fiscal valuation applies: 8% is applicable up to the amount of 400,000€ or 30,000€ in the case of garages except those belonging to the dwelling and with a maximum of two; 9% is applicable to the amount between 400,000€ and 700,000€ or between 30,000€ and 50,000€ for garages; 10% is applicable to the amount exceeding 700,000€ or 50,000€ for garages.

Example: For a property of 1,250,000€ Up to 400,000€ - 8% = 32,000€ On 300,000€ (400,000€ to 700,000€) - 9% = 27,000€ Excess 550,000€ (700,000€ to 1,250,000€) – 10% = 55,000€ Total 114,000€ VAT at 10% and STAMP DUTY at 1.5% - For any VILLA or APARTMENT, or GARAGE that is annexed to an apartment, where the vendor is a developer, promoter or habitual trader for BRAND NEW PROPERTIES. VAT at 21% and STAMP DUTY at 1.5% - for PARCELS OF LAND, COMMERCIAL PREMISES or COMMERCIAL GARAGE SPACES, where the vendor is a developer, promoter or habitual trader. This covers virtually all NEWLY URBANIZED LAND PARCELS and NEWLY BUILT COMMERCIAL PREMISES. This only covers resale properties when the vendor falls into one of the above categories.

NOTARY FEES AND PROPERTY REGISTRY INSCRIPTION FEES Notary fees can cost up to approximately €1.750

although the cost increases according to the number of pages or complexity of the title deed (e.g. transcription of statutes, payment in stages, property partially finished, etc.). As an example, an apartment costing €300,000 will cost around €546 in notary fees, whilst a property costing €600,000 will cost around €678 in notary fees. Any higher than this amount, the fees go up marginally. The property registry inscription fees also depend on the complexity of the transaction. For example, fees for an apartment costing €600.000 to be registered in the name of one person and purchased without a mortgage loan, will cost around €300. For an apartment with the same sales price to be registered in the name of 2 persons and purchased with a mortgage loan, will cost around €800.

MUNICIPAL ADDED VALUE TAX (PLUSVALÍA) This is an “added value” tax based upon the increase of the Town Hall index value of the land only, from the prior (vendor’s) purchase to the present sale.

It is usually not a significant amount with respect to apartments or townhouses – less than €1000 for the most part for an apartment or townhouse which last changed hands five or six years ago – but can be more in the case of villas with a large tract of land.

This tax corresponds, by its nature, to the vendor who is responsible for its payment, unless otherwise negotiated. As there are several variable factors used in calculating this tax, especially the length of time of ownership of the property, the amount payable can vary substantially and should be verified before proceeding with the purchase.

SUMMARY The total official costs involved in purchasing a constructed residential property should be around 9-10% for resale properties or around 12% for new properties if VAT is paid on the purchase price, plus lawyer's fees

by Christopher Clover http://www.andalucia.com/

How to Get a Mortgage in Spain The lending landscape changed irrevocably after the downturn, but how easy is it to get a mortgage in Spain and how much does it cost?

How do you get one?

This year the Spanish property market is bouncing back in a big way after a few tough years in in many popular areas of the Costas. We don’t need to spell out the reasons why Spain has so many things to offer, but with the pound so still so strong and excellent property deals it’s a great time to buy a home there.

Whilst many of you may be thinking of paying in cash, others may be keen to learn that the opportunities to borrow money in Spain have increased in the past couple of years so do research this option too.

Mortgage lenders in Spain Taking out a mortgage from an experienced Spanish lender comes with a lot of added benefits.

Firstly it should be mentioned that Spanish lenders are authorized by the Bank of Spain (Banco de España) and subject to its supervision.

From the offset you will be working with an institution that knows the country and how things work. Their staff – some of whom will be trained to deal with buyers from overseas - will guide you through the home-purchase process in your own language.

Their property survey will give you some added reassurance about what you are buying. Their due diligence on the property will ensure it is legal and unencumbered.

Their lawyers will accompany you to the notary to guarantee there are no gremlins in the paperwork and that everything is signed correctly – and that the ownership of your new property is registered correctly Having said that, of course taking on a mortgage is a big decision. For everything to work out seamlessly, both parties – the client and the entity – need to be responsible and conscious about all the implications of a mortgage. It’s important to get all the information you need in order for you to make the right decision.

Here are some basics: Finance up to 70 per cent of the house purchase value Fixed Rate Mortgage or Variable Rate Mortgage Long-term mortgage, of up to 25 years Maximum age at end of the loan of 75 years Total loan repayments should not exceed 35 per cent of your net monthly income Home insurance mandatory by Spanish law Mortgages for new-builds: Each builder has negotiated with his own bank mortgage conditions for the buyers. Nevertheless, the buyers may arrange a mortgage with another Spanish lender if they can get better conditions.

The builder generally provides a mortgage offer but it is not mandatory. Mortgages for new-builds will share the characteristics above outlined above.

How much does it cost to arrange a mortgage?

House valuation fees: maximum €500 Up to 4 per cent mortgage registry fees, notary fees, bank solicitors, mortgage tax Opening fee, up to 2 per cent Redemption fee, up to 0.50 per cent So allow in total up to 4 per cent on top of your other closing/purchase costs The 6 steps to getting a mortgage: Do you know how much you can borrow? Your mortgage expert will advise you Provide the requested documentation to apply for a mortgage With the bank’s approval you will agree a deposit to purchase your home Apply for your NIE number in the police station (a required Spanish identification number) Sign all the pre-contractual documentations requested by the Banco de España (Bank of Spain) confirming you understand and agree to all the conditions Sign the mortgage deeds at the notary along with the house purchase deeds. https://www.aplaceinthesun.com

23

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Day Out Murcia City The city of Murcia was founded by the Arabs during the 1st century. Since then, it has been a crossroads for different civilizations and core of the Mediterranean as it occupies an important location on the Rio Segura.

The impressive Basilica (Cathedral), which sits opposite the modern Tourist Office, makes a great starting point right in the heart of the city. From here, explore the colourful, lively, little plazas that nestle in between the narrow streets. Murcia has an overwhelming array of museums, art galleries and centres and beautiful historic buildings, so if it is culture that you crave you will certainly enjoy your time here.

Murcia has the largest out of town shopping complex in the area as it consists of two malls and Ikea, not to mention the football stadium of Real Murcia. Parking is free in all car parks, so you can really take your time! The Nueva Condomina mall is set over two floors. It has shops throughout including the hugely popular Primark as well as some small boutique-like outlets. Outside there are many large stores such as the electrical giant Media Markt and the DIY store Leroy Merlin.

The Thader Mall also has two stories of much the same stores. The mall is open air in style and has a Ten Pin Bowling Alley. Ikea is just the same as all the other Ikeas! However, apart from weekends, fiestas or rainy days you’ll hardly ever bump trolleys!

There is also the Terra Nature and Aqua Natura Theme Park where you can easily enjoy a whole day out. Terra Natura Park is divided into two areas; African Savannah and the Iberian Peninsula and has over 300 animals and 50 species of trees and plants. Aqua Natura is a water park and has pools and slides for children and adults as well as a lazy river.

Places of Interest in Murcia Tourist Office: more information about the museums, cathedral and buildings, as well as the walking routes, a summary of which is after the Ideas of things to do in Murcia section. Remember that most museums are closed on a Monday and for siesta which is generally 14.00-16.00 in the winter and 14.00-17.00 in the summer.

Shops: many boutique style shops as well as the usual collection of well known high street names in the centre plus the out of town shopping malls called the Nueva Condomina, Thader and a massive Ikea.

Rio Segura: path either side of the river and botanical garden a short walk from the city centre.

Murcia Football Stadium: watch Murcia’s football team play their home matches.

Train Station: trains to Cartagena, Elche and Alicante.

Ideas of things to do in Murcia To get to know the city in one day we suggest starting from the underground car park (charged for by length of stay) with a visit to the tourist office. Relax with a coffee in the square to admire the impressive Cathedral before spending some time wandering around inside it. Then follow our Murcia city walking route for a great introduction to the city and its narrow streets and quirky plazas,

stopping where you please. Visit some of Murcias many museums, art galleries and churches whilst they are open in the morning, enjoy lunch and sample some typical Murcian food, during the afternoon take a stroll beside the river Segura and relax in the botanical garden.

Spend the morning admiring Murcia City and then head to the two massive out of town shopping malls of the Nueva Condomina, Thader (with a multi lane bowling alley) and the huge Ikea for some retail therapy.

Take a look at the website for Murcia's Football Club and watch one of their home games. The Spanish are very passionate about their football, like all of the European nations, so enjoy the atmosphere at the ground and then spend some time in the city.

Visit Murcia by train, the station is a flat 15 min walk out of the centre of town (head for the river) or a short cab ride away. Trains run from San Isidro, Orhiuela and Balsicas to Murcia.

The Tourist Office for information about the museums and other places of interest Salzillo Museum: holds the most important processional religious images by the world-famous wood carver, Francisco Salzillo, 550 Christmas Crib figures and the platforms bearing groups of life-size Biblical figures, which are carried down the streets on the shoulders of the faithful in the Easter Processions.

Fine Arts Museum: displays paintings by Spanish artists from the 16th to the 20th century.

Archaeological Museum: houses a collection of Iberian, Roman, Greek and Moorish artifacts.

Cathedral Museum: has a great collection of religious art, including sculptures and altarpieces.

Museo de la Archicofradía de la Sangre: housed in El Carmen Church is an exhibition of the religious sculpture works known as the ‘most precious blood of Christ’.

City Museum: in Junterones Palace there are interactive displays about the city's 2000 year history.

San Juande Dios Church Museum: houses a permanent exhibition of religious imagery from the 16th to the 19th centuries including various woodcarvings.

Museum of the University of Murcia: exhibitions on

different subjects like science and art.

Aquarium of The University Of Murcia: A research facility that has been opened to visitors it has tanks of reefs with corals and fish from the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Red Sea, the Caribbean Sea and of course the Mediterranean and the Mar Menor.

Ramón Gaya Museum: set in a beautiful mansion, the Palarea house, it holds the works of Ramon Gaya one of the best contemporary Murcian artists.

Science and Water Museum: with water as its main theme, it also has a children's planetarium, science square and perception modules.

Bullfighting Museum of Murcia: Founded in 1919, it contains posters, bullfighter's costumes and utensils, it also has a specialist library and video collection.

Los Molinos del Río Irrigation Museum: displays everything to do with flour milling.

Almudi Palace Arts Centre: this 18th century building was originally the city’s corn store it now houses two exhibition halls and the towns historical archives.

Regional Craft Centre: displays work of artisans from all over Murcia, also has items for sale.

Casino of Murcia Building: built in 1847 it boasts of a beautiful library, an enigmatic powder room, a magnificent Arabic Patio and a splendid neoBaroque dance hall.

Episcopal Palace: made up of two parts, the ‘bishops view point’ which gives views over the river and the ‘main body’ which looks out onto the cathedral square.

Romea Theatre building: built on the site of a convent in 1862, it has been burnt down twice, the present day theatre is named after the Murcian actor Julián Romea.

Rio Segura: a path runs either side of this river through the city centre.

Walking Routes: There are four self guided walks for different areas of the city all of which are described in the Murcia Square by Square booklet which is available in various languages from the Tourist Office. http://www.eurotourguide.com/

24

April 2016

building a fire pit

property services

Outdoor fires are so hot right now.

Seriously. Mankind has called the hearth home for the centuries, it's true, but these days people are going ultra-retro and getting their heat from stone-walled pits set into the earth. And, why not? On cool summer nights, you can melt marshmallows and nibble s'mores while you lounge in an Adirondack chair, feet propped up on the rock ledge. So if you really want to light up right, do it in style. Take a few days to build your very own ring of fire.

Overview A built-in fire pit is a glorified campfire, with sturdy walls of stone that help contain the flames and heat. That’s especially important in the parts of the country where there’s a risk of brush fires. So the first task in building any fire pit is checking local codes on open flames. The pit must be located far from overhanging trees, the house, and any other flammable structure.

To make building stone walls easier, you can use blocks made from cast concrete and molded to look like

real stone (available at any home center). They’re flat on the top and bottom so they stack neatly, and some interlock for added strength.

Glue them together with masonry adhesive. Choose a block with angled sides, meant to form curves when butted against each other. The optimal size for a fire pit is between 36 and 44 inches inside diameter.

That will create enough room for a healthy fire but still keep gatherers close enough to chat.

As an added precaution, the fire pit should be lined with a thick steel ring like the ones used for park campfires. These protect the concrete in the blocks from the heat, which can cause them to dry out and break down prematurely.

A fire pit should sit low to the ground, with walls rising no more than a foot off the ground. But for stability, the base of the wall must be buried below ground in a hole lined with gravel, providing drainage and protecting against frost heaves in winter. the gravel also creates a level base for the stones to rest on.

Most concrete blocks are about 4 inches high, so if the first course and a half sit underground, and there are two and a half Prompt and reliable service, courses above ground no job too small. with a cap on top, you’ll end up with a footFull bathrooms or just makeovers high wall—just right and handyman service. for resting your feet 24 hour call out on while sitting in an Boilers: 80 litre fully installed from 160€ outdoor chair.

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viewpoint

¡The Sanity Board!

Committee for the Terminally

Loco Paco’s behaviour had been giving cause for concern. Manuela, Antonio Poyato and Rodriquez, the remaining three incumbents of the Alquerian Government decided to seek professional help. Well Manuela and Poyato were. Rodriquez was all for driving him to a small village just outside Reykjavik, leaving him on the doorstep of the first bar they came to and heading south at great speed.

Poor Loco Paco’s grip on reality has always been a trifle tenuous. He once mistook a Benedictine Monk for an itinerant kangaroo and tried to force feed him eucalyptus leaves.

Paco’s knowledge of the dietary habits of antipodean fauna was sketchy to say the least.

On another occasion he hid in the basement of the town hall for three weeks simply because someone told him that Poyato had aimed a kick at his friend Bert. Bert is an imaginary five foot tall rodent with whom Paco converses at depth with on a variety of topical and esoteric subjects.

A psychiatrist was duly commissioned to visit Paco and prepare a report as to his mental state. The interview was an awe inspiring experience for Carmen Daftajobba, never had she met anyone like Paco. She was mesmerised by his ramblings and phobias.

She likened being in his presence to being in a cage full of semi-literate monkeys with persecution complexes and ‘Walter Mitty’ fantasies. Carmen was asked to keep the report simple and to use layman’s terms. She was true to her word, it simply read ‘As crazy as the maracas of Machin’.

It was decided to test his sanity once and for all in front of a judge from the European

Balmy with Alquerian citizens from both barrios invited to give evidence.

What could go wrong?

The hearing started with due formality and reverence, apart from Paco wishing everyone ‘Happy first of May’ and signing The International, everyone joined in however apart from the judge who took numerous notes.

During the course of the hearing it became apparent that the evidence from each barrio differed. The Hill People were sympathetic to Paco’s needs while the Newcomers saw their chance of removing one of the opposition.

People began challenging the evidence of others and arguments broke out, the judge made more notes. Fights started and missiles started to fly. The worthy judge took refuge under his desk while frantically making further notes.

The ‘courtroom’ was total Bedlam with unconscious citizens strewn among the debris. Some semblance of order was eventually restored and the verdict delivered.

Loco Paco, who took no part in the affray was declared sane and issued with a certificate to that effect. The judge implied that it was in fact the remaining dysfunctional inhabitants of Alqueria who needed professional help.

Loco Paco is now the only officially sane person in Alqueria. His certificate hangs proudly over the cage of his pet Saharan Dung Beetle Bengy.

That’s How You Do It

‘I want to go to Huercal-Overa.’

I begged the indispensable Andy.

‘Now.’ I emphasised, holding up an object that faintly resembled an arm.

We took the last available seats in the waiting room at HuercalOvera Urgencias, and hadn’t been sitting long before the inter-com summonsed ‘Yosefeen-Mari’. They never use Biggs, the best a Spaniard can do with a double G is a throaty hiss like a snake with a heavy chest cold.

A Celador – a person who takes you from A to B, appeared from nowhere and whisked me to X-ray, where the X-ray Lady very gently laid what had been a perfectly normal left arm at start of day but which was now an elegantly curved appendage reminiscent of a swan’s neck under the cross hairs of the X-ray machine.

From there it was immediately to the Plaster Room, where Plaster Man examined my mangled member with a sympathetic smile and delicate touch.

Pete was then shoo’d out, and Plaster Man explained that he was going to give me a local anaesthetic.

‘It will hurt,’ he said.

It did! I did my best, and there was a good deal of vocalisation on my part, but throughout a caring and sympathetic Nursie held my hand and spoke soothing words, like ‘Nearly finished.’

I realised then why Pete had been turfed out!

Plaster Man then took my now oblivious arm and with nothing more than an air of calm competence and his bare hands manipulated it back

25

By Jos Biggs

josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk into shape, which was heralded by a loud but fully anaesthetised ‘clack’.

Another X-ray, but Plaster Man was not satisfied. He put my upper arm behind a heavily padded post, then took 2 lengths of light webbing, tied one around my thumb, and the other round my first and second fingers, leaving the loose ends dangling like Isadora Duncan’s scarf.

I know what happens next, I thought - Traction. Thank goodness my arm is unconscious!

However, I didn’t expect him to tie the loose ends around behind his back. Neither did I expect him to then slowly but remorselessly lean back while continuing to manipulate my still not quite satisfactory arm.

However, a combination of his not inconsiderable weight and a deep knowledge of human anatomy did the trick, and my arm was restored to straightness.

But I now know that that’s how you do traction in Hospital La Inmaculada!

puzzle pages

26

April 2016

jimmy carr

wwe live

new order

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

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

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

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

Answers

wordsearch

1. In which country was a vine variety called ‘vegetable dragon pearls’?...........

2. In which part of the United States is

soltimes sport Quiz

REFRIDGERATOR

Find and circle all of the refrigerator items that are hidden in the grid. The remaining letters spell an additional item found in many refrigerators.

the Zinfandel grape chiefly cultivated?...

3. In which South American country is Casablanca Valley?.................................

4. Retsina is native to which country?.....

5. What are the three styles of port?.......

6. What colour are most English wines?..

7. What colour are most of the wines from France’s Anjou region?...................

8. What is a crate of twelve bottles of

Ms Robinson?........................................

Answers

5. Ruby, tawny & vintage 10. Jancis 9. Champagne

4. Greece

8. Case

3. Chile

7. Rose

2. California

CRYPTIC crossword

6. White

CROSSWORD

1. China

SOLUTIONS

GRAPES ICE CUBES JAM JUICES KETCHUP LEFTOVERS LEMONS LETTUCE LIGHTBULB MAGNETS MAPLE SYRUP MAYONNAISE MEAT

wordsearch answer

standard SUDOKU

10. What is the first name of wine writer

easy SUDOKU

9. What is Moet et Chandon?..................

APPLES BACON BANANAS BREAD BROCCOLI BUTTER CAKE CARROTS CHEESE COLD DRAWERS DRINKS EGGS

MILK MUSTARD OLIVES ORANGES PEAS POULTRY PRODUCE SHELVES SPINACH STRAWBERRIES WATER YOGURT BARBECUE SAUCE

wine called?...........................................

1. Which Geordie played for England and managed the Republic of Ireland?.............

2. Which ground hosts the FA Cup Final?.......................

3. Which Joe managed Everton when they won the 1995 FA Cup?.......................

4. Which Lane do Sheffield United play at?....................

5. Which London side did Ruud Gullit join in 1995?......

6. Which London striker has played for Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Queen’s Park Rangers, Spurs, Chelsea, West Ham and Millwall?.......

7. Who was England’s manager for the 1990 World Cup in Italy?........................

8. Who was Ian St John’s partner on TV?.....................

9. Who was the England manager when the side failed to reach the 1994 World Cup Finals?................

10. Who was the first Footballer of the Year in England and Scotland?........

Answers

squiggle SUDOKU

soltimes wine Quiz

6. Clive Allen 7. Bobby Robson 8. Jimmy Greaves 9. Graham Taylor 10. Gordon Strachan

NAME THE GAME!

sol picture quiz!

1. Jack Charlton 2. Wembley Stadium 3. Royle 4. Bramall 5. Chelsea

on this day 20th april

7. Monopoly 8. Ludo 9. Trivial Pursuit 10. Risk

1810 – The Governor of Caracas declares independence from Spain.

1828 – René Caillié becomes the first nonMuslim to enter Timbuktu.

1926 – Western Electric and Warner Bros. announce Vitaphone, a process to add sound to film.

1939 – Adolf Hitler’s 50th birthday is celebrated as a national holiday in Nazi Germany.

1986 – Pianist Vladimir Horowitz performs in his native Russia for the first time in 61 years.

www.soltimes.com

puzzle pages

27

UK Motorhomes Wanted

Contact Karl on 0044 7976 662395

email: carlskitt@live.com

across

STANDARD CROSSWORD

1 Dissenters (14) 10 Metal bar (5) 11 Glades (9) 12 Midday meals (7) 13 Raise up (7) 14 Confused (5) 16 Catch (9) 19 Plant adapted for limited water (9) 20 A type of floral leaf (5) 22 Reverses the tape to the beginning (7) 25 One who examines processes (7) 27 Not extreme in climate (9) 28 Sporting venue (5) 29 In accordance with fundamental law (14)

Down

2 Arranger (9) 3 Nab (5) 4 Required (9) 5 Overweight (5) 6 Killers (9) 7 Ringworm bush (5) 8 Temporarily expel (7) 9 Worked the soil (6) 15 One who relies on another’s support (9) 17 Encountered generally (9) 18 An abnormal condition of the lungs (9) 19 Dry (7) 21 Capable of killing (6) 23 Adult females (5) 24 Intelligent (5) 26 San Antonio fort (5)

SUDOKU PUZZLES

easy

squiggle

famous bithdays on this day

standard

1953 – Sebastian Faulks, English journalist and author 1961 – Nicholas Lyndhurst, English actor 1964 – Andy Serkis, English actor and director 1972 – Carmen Electra, American model and actress

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1/18 Painful, sore fools oddly see red after this (12,4) 9 Keen queen surrounds age (5) 10 Attacking marshes, 05 outside (9) 11 Stenchy? It could be man-made (9) 12 Drug (Ecstacy) moved and encouraged (5) 13 Language of two blokes? (7) 15 Guy with lots of money? (4) 18 See 1 20 Little bit of one from Poland’s larval frog (7) 23 Additional former partner returned art (5) 24 Holds dear precious things (9) 26 Tricky, fitful CID astray (9) 27 Musical drama often following soap (5) 28 Famous Day’s autonomy (12) Down 1 USA leper could produce delight (8) 2 Instrument is eastern set up (8) 3 Ground planet (5) 4 Abridge, quiet or return net (7) 5 One in position of authority of French rice (cooked) (7) 6 Declared new can undone (9) 7 Merges British loans (6) 8 Flanks gain good Samaritan, initially (5) 14 Estrangement is a lotion, strangely (9) 16 Number of backward tenure moved (8) 17 Win support for, for each reported material (8) 19 The French cutback in the heartless plant (7) 20 That heat reduction hides place of performance (7) 21 Rarely does elm (without starting) move (6) 22 Second quarrel is rigid (5) 25 Was upright street nothing (zero), daughter? (5)

soltimes minion quote

28

FOOD & ENTERTAINING...

Pesto Lasagne Preheat the oven to 175°C. Butter a 13 by 9 by 4 baking dish and add a thin layer of white sauce. Cover with a layer of lasagna sheets, and then another thin layer of white sauce. Gently spread about 4 tablespoons pesto across the surface, and then top with about 2 tablespoons Parmesan. Repeat until you finish layering the lasagne. Top with a final layer of lasagne sheest and spread a final very thin Ingredients layer white sauce, pesto, Parmesan cheese (Serves 8) and a little butter to help the cheese 1½ boxes dried lasagne sheets crisp-up when cooked in the oven. Cook 250ml freshly grated Parmesan the lasagne for about 30 minutes. Serve dressed with some Parmesan and a drop of cheese extra-virgin olive oil.

Butter, for baking dish, plus more for topping Fresh pesto: For the pesto Combine the basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, 1000ml fresh basil leaves and olive oil in a mortar and pestle and 1/3 cup pine nuts pound until paste forms. Add the Parmesan cheese, Pecorino cheese, salt and pepper 3 cloves garlic 125ml extra-virgin olive oil, plus and stir until smooth.Keep the pesto in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it. more for sprinkling 65ml (¼ cup) freshly grated For the white sauce: Parmesan Cheese Melt the 1/2 cup butter in a pan over 65ml freshly grated Pecorino medium heat. Stir in the flour with a Sardo or Romano wooden spoon. Cook's Note: This is an Salt and freshly ground black important moment, as you have to slowly pepper, to taste toast the flour without burning it. This will help you lose the floury taste. Warm up For the white sauce the milk and gradually ladle into the pot 115g butter with the butter-flour mixture, whisking ½ plain flour constantly while bringing the mixture to 1125ml whole milk a boil. Reduce the heat, and simmer for Pinch freshly grated nutmeg about 15 minutes. Season the sauce with Salt and freshly ground black freshly grated nutmeg, salt, and pepper. pepper

Ruby’s

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

HEY PESTO!

April 2016

Mix up your pesto dishes with recipes from Food Network UK

Fresh Pesto

Combine the basil, pine nuts, garlic, and oil in a food Ingredients processor and blend until a paste forms. Add the (Serves 6) Parmesan cheese, Pecorino cheese, salt, and pepper 100g fresh basil leaves and pulse until smooth. This is a crucial moment for 35g pine nuts, toasted your pesto, as you need to season with salt and 3 cloves garlic, peeled pepper. Keep in mind that Parmigiano and Pecorino 125ml extra virgin olive oil are both dry and salty cheeses, you have to taste your sauce a few times in order not to go overboard 65g freshly grated Parmesan cheese when you are seasoning it. Cover the pesto and 30g freshly grated Pecorino Sardo or keep in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.

Romano Mix the pasta and the pesto, serve garnished with Salt and freshly ground black pepper some grated Parmesan (just a touch), fresh ground Serving suggestion: Cooked pasta pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.

Tarragon & Walnut Pesto Ingredients (Makes 170g)

Add the parsley, tarragon and walnuts to a mortar and pestle. Add the breadcrumbs and grind to a paste.

Season with salt and pepper and slowly drizzle the olive oil in while stirring.

Serve with good crusty bread.

2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley leaves 2 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon leaves 4 tbsp roughly chopped walnuts 1 tbsp breadcrumbs Salt Freshly ground black pepper 60ml olive oil

Baked Salmon with Chilli Pesto Preheat oven to 190°C/375°F Place the fillets in a lightly oiled backing dish. Cover the fillets in the pesto, sprinkle with chilli and layer the sliced tomato on top. This can be prepared in Ingredients advance and kept in the fridge.

(Serves 2) Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until 2 skinless boneless salmon fillets the salmon is cooked through. ½ red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped 1 tomato, sliced Saucy Chef’s tasty tip: Serve with a 3 tbsps of basil pesto crisp green salad.

Swordfish With Citrus Pesto For the swordfish: Place a griddle pan over medium-high heat or preheat a barbecue or griddle.

Brush both sides of the swordfish fillets

Menu Del Dia 12.30pm - 4pm Tuesday - Friday 4 Course 7.95€ Full Main Menu 6pm - 9pm Sunday Lunch Available 2pm - 7pm 3 Course 9.95€ / 2 Course 7.95€ Happy Hour 4pm - 6pm Wednesday is quiz night with Nick Marshall with our great 5€ meal deals for quiz players PLUS Karaoke with guest singers Last person standing, winner takes all

GREAT FUN NIGHT OUT

with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Griddle the swordfish about 3 to

Ingredients (Serves 4) For the swordfish

Extra-virgin olive oil 4 (170g) swordfish steaks Salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the citrus pesto

1 bunch fresh basil, stemmed 60g pine nuts, toasted 1 clove garlic 1 lemon, zested and juiced 1 orange, zested and juiced 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper 140ml extra-virgin olive oil 180g grated parmesan

4 minutes on each side for a 2.5cm thick fillet. Transfer the grilled swordfish to serving plates, top with the citrus pesto, and serve.

For the citrus pesto: Blend the basil, pine nuts, garlic, zests, juices, salt, and pepper in a food processor until the mixture is finely chopped. With the machine running, gradually add the olive oil until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Transfer to a bowl and stir in the Parmesan.

29

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il 2016 (5 of 7) 73mm high x 111mm wide,

F O K TAL N W O T E H T

Plaza de la Constitución, Benijófar 03178. Open Daily from 9.30am

Combine & Save on Summer Evening Drinks and Dining* A bucket of 5 ice-cold Mahou cans with large plate of Patatas Bravas €8, or litre of Sangria and small Spanish platter for €12 For lovers of tapas, enjoy the warmer evenings on the Oasis sun-drenched terrace with our range of International tapas starting from just €1.50. Or select three tapas from the deal menu and include a bottle of wine or litre of beer for €12 or, three tapas and litre of Sangria for €14 Tel: 603 169 090 / email: oasisbenijofar@outlook.com / www.oasis-benijofar.es *From 7pm Thurs to Sat until end April. Then Tues to Sat from May until October

QUOTE ‘SOL TIMES’ FOR THIS OFFER

PERFECT STEAK EVERYTIME AT THE HOT STONE The Hot Stone, Urbanisation El Raso has become well known now for quality food.

Their signature Argentinian steaks are the most tender and succulent cuts of meat you will find on the Costa Blanca. Each steak is presented to you on an individual hot volcanic rock, heated to optimum temperature. Every piece you cut will be almost instantaneously cooked to your own personal perfection. The pure quality of the meat is realised within the very first bite. Due to the high temperature of the stones, each cut of meat is sealed ensuring that all the flavours and juices get trapped inside, making the steak truly succulent.

This team believe that top quality meat is fundamental in making the dining experience one to remember and have imported the very best cut of Argentinian meat, which is globally renowned as being the most tender and flavoursome, giving you the finest quality meat, without having to go to Argentina! Prices start from only 12.40 for an Argentinian rump steak, including any side order and 3 sauces.

If you are not quite the carnivore, chicken, pork and local seafood dishes are also all available on the stone. Vegetarian options are available. They also serve other house specialities off the stone.

The Hot Stone, El Raso is open Tuesday to Sunday: 12.30pm – 10pm (Menu del Dia 12.30pm-4pm).

For more information or reservations, please call 656 613 356.

EAT IN OR TAKEAWAY

Daily Specials Freshly Battered Cod Home Made Doner Kebab Kentucky Style Chicken Piri Piri Wraps Sirloin Ribeye & Rump Steak

Evening Special Steak 3 or 2 course meal 3 course €12.50 2 course €10.50 Sunday 1-4pm Homemade Steak pie Veg and Roast potatoes Only €6.50 TakeAway Whole Roast Chicken Veg and Roast Potatoes enough for 2 to 3 people Only €10.50

Shorty’s Diner, Alley Palais, Camposol B Tel 642 011 266

BUY 2 MAIN MEALS GET THE CHEAPEST HALF PRICE Valid until 31ST MAY 2016 (not to be used in conjunction with any set menu or other offers)

Call 656 613 356 for Reservations OPENING HOURS: Tuesday-Sunday:12:30 to 10pm

Urbanisation El Raso, just off the Lemon Tree Road, Guardamar

Open 7 Days a Week 12noon till 10pm

QUESADA FISH & CHIPS

Menu of the Day 12noon till 5pm

Cod or Haddock Chips, Peas, Bread and Butter

€7,00

Sunday Special Fish, Chips & Peas

€6,00

All Day

Takeaway Also Available Quesada Villamartin Plaza

966 719 136

966 764 441

30

April 2016

public & trade sales Calle Mar Cantabrico, Sector VIII San Fulgencio, 03177, Alicante (Off the N332 between Guardamar and La Marina near Lidl, next to Iceland)

San Javier Under new management we speak english & spanish

Calle Mallora, 42, Poligono Industrial, Alto del Villar, San Javier 30730 (behind Mercadona facing the AP7, Near Junction 784, San Javier)

C/Jose Carreras, Torrevieja 03184 (on the CV905 next to Sara’s Petrol Garage, opposite the ITV & La Hoya Hermosa Light Shop

air conditioning suppliers - trade and public. for great prices please contact us.

Trade enquiries welcome

3 wheeled scooter from 695€

We supply a wide range of Batteries for mobility scooters

Pellets & Briquettes in Stock

Wheelchairs self propelled and transit

FROM 195€ * NICO 29B

2 Seater Mobility Scooter Range 45km

3300€

over 25 different models in stock special offer electric bikes

from 895€

Top Of The Range Mountain Bike

now in stock cast iron & pellet fires

* Scout Mobility Scooter

Easy to Assemble Range 13km Max user weight 130kg

1050€

* NICO 38

SR013 6kw to 6.5kw 325€ SR031-2 13kw to 6.5kw 720€

e in or rom l h f g Cblets 5€ k 5 Ta 1

we supply public and trade including Retail we are the official distributor

pellet fires, various models available

SR0032 12KW 580€

kg ne 25 lori from s Ch let 5€ b 6 Ta

WE ARE THE BIGGEST MOBILITY SCOOTER DISTRIBUTOR ON THE COSTA BLANCA OVER 200 MOBILITY SCOOTERS IN STOCK! WE OFFER 2 YEARS GUARANTEE AND A FULL AFTER SALES SERVICE UNBELIEVABLE QUALITY, THE BEST ON THE MARKET. WE WON’T BE BEATEN ON PRICE!

13km/h Mobility Scooter Range 30km

2300€ 3 Wheel Shopping Bike

100% FINANCE 0% INTEREST

ON SELECTED PRODUCTS

hot seller

*NICO 22 High Quality 10km/h Mobility Scooter Unisex Bike Range 30km Folding Bike

1800€

Battery testing & rejuvenating Mobility scooter servicing from 40€

Head Office: TORREVIEJA OFFICE: 865 670 022 - Open Mon - Fri 10am - 6pm - Sat 10am -2pm SAN FULGENCIO: 966 728 199 - Open Mon - Fri 10am - 6pm - Sat 10am - 2pm SAN JAVIER OFFICE: 968 193 267 - Open Mon - Fri 9:30am - 6pm - Sat 9:30am - 2pm www.homesandgardenimports.jimdo.com-homesandgardenimports@gmail.com

www.soltimes.com

Tel: 950 121 936

MABS MAZARRON EVENTS

- community news -

CLUB HIPICO MAIPE,CARTAGENA,HAD 65 DRESSAGE RIDERS IN THE RING ON SUNDAY

sales@soltimes

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

Riders from Finland , Holland ,Belgium, Ireland , USA , England...

CHURCH OF ENGLAND COSTA CALIDA & ALMERIA

every member of Federación. Tests are from level 1 to Intermedia I.

Priest: Reverend Pauline Williams 950 956 166 / 687 250 860

Archaeological Museum

Every Day, Open from 10:30-14:00 and 17:00-20:00.

Closed Monday mornings. At C/ Conde de Aranda.

Tel: 968 493 287. Entry: Individual €1.20 Groups €0.60

TABLE TENNIS AT PILAR DE LA HORADADA

competed on level regional whit the Spanish riders . It was a start of a “LIGA” regional of Federación Hipica Murciana. Liga has 9 faces, one in

Elena Carcia Clinton , who is riding in Club Hipico Maipe whit her sister, took part on level 1 whit pony Randy. She was very nervous whole morning before the test. Elena did well and won her sección and took a winners cup at home.

Next time LIGA goes to San Havier on day 8 of May. Look more on Facebook of Club Hipico Maipe.

welcome events Sports Centre every Monday at 10am Five tables Welcome Group Events equipment supplied, coaching given if necessary, all standards welcome. Contact George on 965 326097 Wednesday May 18th. - Dance the night away this or Gordon on 966 848304 or e-mail drewgeorge49@ month to the music of the ever popular Woody & yahoo.com.

The Peckers. Book early as always a sell out. €8 15th June. - Ladies Afternoon at The St. Nicholas Ecumenical Church Wednesday Club House, Camposol - Fashion show, Stalls, Bingo We hold services each week at 10.30am on plus a Cold Buffet. Dancing to Terry J. €10 Camposol, Mazarron. Everyone is welcome to join Wednesday June 22nd. The Welcome Summer Ball us. For further details, CALL the church on 665 302 at La Cumbre Hotel, Puerto de Mazarron. Start the 019 evening with a champagne reception, followed by a 6 course meal including drinks, and then dance the A parkinsons Support Group night away with Rob Sweeney. Rooms are available On Tuesdays at 11am At Bobbie Jo·s, Los Montisinos for €50 if you would like to stay the night or book a For a chat and a cup of tea For further information seat on the coach for €5. This is always a very popular event so book early to avoid disappointment. €30 contact Wally Williamson On 966 770 871 November 3rd. Benalmadena & Gibraltar. Due to Roman Catholic Church popular demand this trip returns for 2016. Staying Saladillo, Mazarron ( close to Camposol) 3 nights at Hotel Mac Puerto Marina on half board inc. wine & water with dinner. A trip to Gibraltar and Mass in English every Saturday at 4.30 pm an evening Ricky Lavazza show included. €200 p.p.

Mass in Latin every Sunday at 4.030pm For further information please contact Father November 9th. We are off to Benidorm Market for Octavio on 676 219 445 or Father Carlos on 628 824 a morning of shopping and then on to the Rich Bich show for an afternoon performance. More time for 555. shopping and dinner before returning home. ONLY €15 Talks & Workshops MABS Murcia North East - Sew’n’So’s - Sewing November 24th. Madrid & The Races. Staying 4 Group Every Mon Fortuna. Taking place every other nights at the city centre 4* Tryp Cibeles on B&B. Monday at Urb. Las Kalendas from 14:00. For further Shop on Black Friday for bargains and enjoy a trip information email: mabsmurciane@gmail.com to the horse races on Sunday. Also included a trip to the beautiful Palace of San Lorenzo on Saturday. €350 p.p.

NEW December 23rd. Welcome Christmas at The In 2016 we aim to expand our teams of listeners Helios Hotel Benidorm. Join us for 4 nights on full board including a Gala Christmas Lunch. Don’t be around Spain. lonely or worry about cooking this Christmas. Coach If you are resident in the Mazarrón área and would travel included. €260 p.p. like to hear how you can join us as a Listener or spare For more information or to book your tickets, a few hours a week to help with fundraising / other call Rosemary on 620 105 179 events held in the area please contact our General Manager stephenrbaker@outlook.com to register interest in attending an initial group meeting locally.

Ex-Servicemen’s Association www.samaritansinspain.com Mazarrón District (Founded 1 May 2006) Also on Facebook and Twitter. (Volunteer positions are unpaid but certain expenses can be claimed) events 2016

SAMARITANS IN SPAIN -

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

Friday 6th May - Annual General Meeting - The Clubhouse Rear Room - Camposol “C” - 11.30am Wednesday 11th May - Costa Celbracion Rooms Mazarron Town - 10th Anniversary Dinner Dance with Grand Raffle and Live Entertainment - 7.30pm for 8pm Wednesday 8th June - Spice Villa - Camposol “B” 7.30pm for 8pm Membership and enquiries, Ian 629818611 or esamd.espana@gmail.com

31

HAVE YOU BEEN TO CHATTERS?

Chatters is an informal social group, free of charge and open to all without membership. Just turn up, join in and enjoy. We are sponsored by Help At Home Mar Menor. We meet on the third Wednesday of each month at The Pasty Shack, Rio Nalon, near to the Mercadona in Los Alcazares.

Free refreshments are served between 10.15am & 10.45am before we start the meeting at 11am. This includes a Quiz and Picture Quiz with the opportunity to win modest prizes, after which we always have a different Guest Speaker talking about and answering questions about a range of topics of interest and use to Expats. The Speaker at the next Chatters on Wednesday April 20th will be from Coach Trips sl, aka Dave’s Coaches. He will be telling us about all the places they visit, and which trip would best meet you own particular interests.

Why not come along and join in? Meet old friends and perhaps make new ones? After the meeting several people regularly stay on to enjoy the Pasty Shack’s delicious range of snacks and lunches. Attendance is growing, and more and more attendees are coming regularly, so be sure to put the date in your diary and to arrive early.

Help At Home Mar Menor is a local charity who makes no charge for providing a little temporary help to those in need. We rely solely on fundraising and donations.

Find out more about what we do and upcoming events by following us on Facebook or by visiting - www.helpathome.es

AGE CONCERN SPRING FAIR

SATURDAY 23rd APRIL 11am – 2pm MARIANO’S RESTAURANT CAMPOSOL, A SECTOR BAR & RESTAURANT OPEN ALL DAY 1€ ENTRANCE INCLUDES DRAW TICKET Lots of market & fun stalls: TOMBOLA, GARDEN PRODUCTS, SWEETS, PIES, CERAMICS, BAGS, BLING, CARDS, JEWELLERY, SPICES, CURRY MIXES, CLOTHING AND MUCH MORE! Stallholders contact: 634 336 484

Luz del Sol

new properties s.l.

Call us on 968 199 068 www.luzdelsol.co.uk

Centro Comercial #34, Sector A, Urb. Camposol, Mazarron 30875, Spain

SolTimes

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

32

April 2016

animal corner

To advertise here call : 950 121 936

HOME NEEDED

Pets In Spain

Nikita is 1 of 3 puppies abandoned in the campo. She is around 8 weeks old and was covered in ticks and fleas but has now been treated and in good health. She is a very happy little girl and will be small/medium size when fully grown.

SMUDGE

Call: 645 469 253 www.petsinspain.com info@petsinspain.info

Smudge is about two and

Mountain View

a half, very affectionate

Cat hotel Hondon de las Nieves/Frailes

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

and loves cuddles.

Once he gets to know you he will readily approach you for attention and sing

Pick up & delivery service offered for coastal areas

his little heart out.

If you would be interested in adopting Cassandra

Answerphone - we will call back: Mobile 654 155 473

Please contact K9 or PHONE: 600 84 54 20 for more info

Telephone: 966 195 816

SOL CLASSIFIEDS AIRPORT PARKING

ADVERTISE YOUR UNWANTED ITEMS UP TO 300€ FOR FREE EMAIL:SALES@SOLTIMES.COM BY THURSDAY 5PM

pool tables snooker tables, table tennis tables, darts.

Tel: 666 933 726 www.spainpool.com

Gas Fire & Bottle 35€, Roof Bars & Top Box to fit Ford Fusion 35€, Fold up put u up Bed 10€, Gas BBQ little used 25€, Tel: 865 774 401/653 561 952 Sam s ung programmable electronic w a s h i n g m a c h i n e approx.

5 years old 150€.

4 x wooden d i n i ng cha i r s , good clean condition. 20€, 4 x childrens mountain bikes, ages 4 to 6 years.

30€, Fridge

freezer clean w o r k i n g condition 60€, Can deliver reasonable distance at cost Tel: 606 075 644.

Gas fire & Bottle 55€, Roof Bars & Top Box for Ford Fusion 50€, Fold up Double Bed 20€, Gas BBQ Little used 45€, Tel: 865 774 401 or Mob: 651 563 952 G a r d e n Gate round top steel gate with aluminium privacy panel 1,760 cm high x 98.5 cm wide 50€. Tel 966 713 297

B r a n d new white slate shower tray 80 x 70 95€, Wrought iron DB headboard in cream 35€ Headboard - DB size in white with black inset 35€, Pair of bedside cabinets in white 25€ Tel: 966 713 707 Quesada area.

F RID G E FREEZER w WHIRLPOOL size 170 –60 –60 white no frost fast freeze option can be seen working ex condition 75€, Tel: 966 716 646 Quesada.

4€ 1 DAY

30€ 10 DAY

60€ 1 MONTH

Annual contracts from 229€

• New Indoor parking too • 100% secure and insured • Cheap car repairs & MOT • Meet & greet valet parking service • Only 2 mins from the terminal (closest airport parking) • 24hr short/long term parking

Tel: 615 374 404 info@europarkingalicante.com www.europarkingalicante.com

alternative power

www.ecocorpshop.com are you getting frustrated at ever increasing electricity bills do you want a clean, reliable energy alternative if so call ecocorp on 671 716 597 or 950 930 187 for a no obligation quotation

For more info

Contact Santa Clara, Margaret 697 495 315

www.k9club.es

www.mountainviewcathotel.webs.com

For sale

LOLA is begging for a home.

This is the face we see every day at the shelter. She simply is craving human company and would be a loyal, loving pet. lola is 2.5 years old, 12kgs, healthy , vaccinated and gets on well with dogs.

Can you resist that face and give her that well deserved home?

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

electrician

B BETTER B BUILDING COMPANY C

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

ALL WORK FULLY GUARANTEED

insurance

email: betterbuilding@hotmail.com

asssa medical

Extensions - Terraces Tiling - Patios - Roofing Brickwork - Plastering Balustrades - Gates - Grills 968 030 674 642 321 472

business opportunity “Internet Millionaire Reveals Secrets Of Making £1,000 A Week & More Without Any Previous Experience” If you would like to start earning extra money now! Then the internet is definitely the place to do this. You can earn money whilst relaxing by the pool or even earn whilst you’re sleeping. This is the reality for people that are making money online.

Read why you should be cashing in on today’s booming economy and discover for yourself how you can turn your passion into a large monthly wage,

insurances

Asssa Mazarron, Diane Nolan

968 153 396

mazarron@asssa.es personals “Readers of a sensitive disposition may find some of the ads in this section offensive”

every single month.

ELEGANT slim, sexy, naughty Italian lady available home/house visits. Torrevieja, La Manga, Torre Pacheco & Mazarron, Quesada plus all other areas. Escort available home & house visits.

www.howtomakemoneyfrommembershipsites.co.uk

Tel: 693 357 526

For Free Information Visit

33

www.soltimes.com

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

www.soltimes.com legal

SERVICES WE OFFER ● INHERITANCE ● fiscal representation ●TITLE DEEDS ● CONVEYANCING •SPANISH WILLS CALL 609 656 056 - 965 352 552

Email: info@costamedconsulting.com www.costamedconsulting.com Office: C/ Gabriel Miro 1, 1D, Pilar de la Horadada

pools

All Swimming Pool Reforms, Re-grouts and ReTiling, Pumps Repaired and Replaced, New Roman Steps, New Sand Filters and Sand Changes, New or Repairs to Skimmers, Jets, Hoovers, Bottom Drain, etc... Structural Repairs, Leak Detection Tests.

Fully Legal in Spain 24h rs a servicre e 10 Y Over erience E xp Covering all areas from Miraira to Mazarron

Call 634 186 710 or 638 175 699

Pets- Transport

removals

Pet transportaion service UK|Spain|UK

LWB Sprinter van going from south to North of the UK & back every 2 weeks, based near Murcia Airport. Tel: 610 846 260/ 0044 7519 186 355. or email:

TRANS-PET 600 55 20 30 r Doo 965 96 06 58 2 00 44 7801 272 162 or Do

Kennels & Cattery Passport service-DEFRA authorised Fully insured- Vehicles inspection certificates www.trans-pet.co.uk sharon@trans-pet.co.uk

van.man@hotmail.co.uk

DEADLINES All adverts Friday at 5pm prior to publication

sat/tv services

spas

SAT MART

euro spas Spas at factory prices.

Used & Ex display models.

Spares & repairs.

FOR ALL YOUR TV NEEDS FULLY LEGAL & PROFESSIONAL QUOTATIONS SPARES & REPAIRS 1.4M HIGH GAIN DISH FULLY INSTALLED HD OFFER OR STANDARD BOX NO MONTHLY PAYMENTS OVER 250 TV & 60 RADIO

299€

FULL SKY TV PACKAGE 150€ PER YEAR HOLIDAY PACKAGE UNLIMITED INTERNET 19€/MONTH. FREE TO TURN ON/OFF SO YOU ONLY PAY FOR THE MONTHS YOU USE PLEASE CALL JOHN / MIKE 693 969 872 MOBILE 965 319 830 LANDLINE WWW.SATELLITETVTORREVIEJA.COM SATMARTINSTALLATIONS@GMAIL.COM Rainbow Satellites for all your TV needs with clients all over the Murcia Region. Contact Matt or Alan on 686 358 475 or rainbowsats@gmail.com

Part exchange Telephone 650 722 905

SITUATIONS VACANT

AGE CONCERN

Require an experienced volunteer driver for Tuesday mornings, 10am - 1:30pm.

You must have a Spanish Driving Licence.

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“By focusing on weight savings and aerodynamics, we’ve taken the V8 Vantage to an entirely different level of agility and aggression.”

Aston Martin boss Andy Palmer revealed that deposits have been taken for the 150 GT8s scheduled to be built. The car retails at £165,000 and will not be available in the U.S. market.

The GT8 follows the motorsport-derived GT12 version of the V12 Vantage and Vulcan track-day car. Palmer said there would be a further special edition Aston to follow later in the year.-autoweek.com

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Book Review

The Seamstress by Maria Duenas

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His kiss was so intense, so carnal, so prolonged that my body was startled by it, ready to melt and be transformed into a puddle of honey.

This wonderfully exciting story is set during the Spanish civil war and moves into the second world war. Duenas spent some time researching the period thoroughly and she has successfully managed to integrate historical characters such as Franco, Beigbeder and Serrano Suner into a compelling fictional novel about a young seamstress known as Sira which chronicles more than six turbulent years in which her mettle is tested and she develops a resilience and courage to outwit adversity. An incredible transformation from a naïve 12 year old living in the poorer quarters of Madrid with many constraints placed on her, fatherless, growing into a wiser, self-assured woman with determination to succeed as a business woman.

Within the novel, the protagonist Sira proves a testimony to bravery and determination. By the end of this epic novel, she feels more in control of her life, no longer allowing herself to be manipulated like a puppet or like someone moving a pawn on a chessboard. People are NOT political pawns.

In the early days her life seems mapped out-apprenticed as a seamstress which she describes as her logical fate. Her talent was soon recognised by the owner Dona Manuela Godina and Sira’s “greatest joy” was in taking the finished garments to exclusive residences in Madrid where Sira witnessed lavish and affluent surroundings, trappings of wealth which contrasted sharply with the poverty that surrounded her. She refers to it as the “incongruity” that existed in society.

The reader is made to feel that Sira will yearn for life’s riches too once she becomes an accomplished seamstress owning her own atelier and dressing wealthy European women which in fact is what will eventually happen.

Ignacio was the first man in her life and because Sira was unambitious and without any professional expectations, girls like her had few options other than getting married, settling down and having children. She did feel intense affection and described him as “sweetly gentle as a pillow” but she had not discovered passion until her engagement and imminent wedding.

It was in the shape of seductive and alluring Ramiro Arribas that she tasted the forbidden fruit.

Their first meeting is sensual and evokes passion. Sira was unaware that he was scrutinising her body: “He had absorbed the outlines of my body and the slow cadence of each of my movements.”

She is naïve and still chaste although she recognises the dangerous signs when she compares him to a wolf that scented food or danger in the way he imposed himself on her. His caresses gave her goosebumps and she felt on the “threshold of paradise” but simultaneously and worryingly perhaps heading towards the “slaughterhouse?” She became so obsessed with his powerful

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seduction that instead of opting for comfortable domesticity she chose to launch herself into the void out of desire, nothing more.

He desired me, he revered me and clung to me as though my body were the only mooring in the turbulent oscillations of his existence.

Unbounded love is how Sira describes it.

When the political situation is about to explode, Sira and Ramiro relocate to Morocco. It is March 1936. Amidst the height of their passion, Sira’s soul becomes battered and an unscrupulous con man emerges, one who can disappear and reinvent himself to take advantage of other unsuspecting victims like Sira. She is left devastated during those penurious times: useless, unfit to face life, unable to survive.

Candelaria Ballesteros known as the Matutera offers a sanctuary followed by a dangerous plan to escape from their poverty trap and salvation. But everything comes with a price. A heavy one.

The story then takes on a different dimension with espionage: Discreet campaigns of resistance. Observing. Infiltrating. Obtaining information and strengthening a network of underground collaboration. The civil war divided and destroyed the peninsular causing starvation, broken families, mistrust, suspicion and people prepared to sell their souls to the devil to survive and feed their already emaciated and helpless families. It gave the Germans and British an opportunity to exploit and infiltrate into political activities. Some of this was achieved by undercover agents acting as spies.

What are the options for a metamorphosed Sira to continue surviving and surviving well? Should she play with fire and get mixed up with espionage, throw caution to the wind? Yes, she certainly grows up and learns to profit from this dirty art of war but she compromises her integrity and risks her life. Once the story moves from Morocco to Madrid then Lisbon you will find it riveting and it ends on a sentimentally, romantic note!

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36

April 2016

motoring

N332 - Driving In Spain

Advice and information about driving in Spain.

New Motorbikes Arrive in Torrevieja

This week, the Torrevieja traffic department of the Guardia Civil took delivery of their new motorbikes, which will take to the roads within the next two months.

These new motorbikes are adapted versions of the powerful Yamaha FJR 1300, which is replacing the traditional and trusted BMW. We went along to the garage this week to check them out and show you what these new vehicles mean for the officers.

The standard BMW R1200RT was first introduced in 2005 to replace the R1150RT model and features a 1,170 cc flat-twin engine with a six-speed gearbox, with 109 hp and a top speed of around 200 kilometres per hour.

The Guardia Civil in Torrevieja currently use the BMW R850RT, an 848 cc, a four stroke, two-cylinder, horizontally-opposed Boxer engine equipped motorbike, offering 73 hp and a top speed of 186.2 kilometres per hour. From a cruising speed of 60 kilometres per hour, the bike can stop in just 14.2 metres and from standing can go from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in just 5.8 seconds.

By comparison, the FJR 1300 has a 1,298 cc inline-four liquid-cooled, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, electronic fuel injection engine, offering 141.5 hp. The bike under normal conditions has a top speed of around 240 kilometres per hour, although is considered more fuel efficient under normal road speed conditions.

The vehicle is factory adapted with a single seat and panniers to carry the equipment needed on their daily patrols, and has adapted handlebars to enable the rider to sit upright, rather than in the stopped, racing position.

Over the next few months they will gradually be seen on the local road network, but not before a trip to Alicante, one by one, to have new windscreens and radios fitted.

The bikes are equipped with sirens and lights and carry a fire extinguisher. They also have fixed holders and brackets for the PDA personal digital assistant and printers, so that nothing moves whist the bike is in motion. In addition, the officers carry documents to enable them to make reports when there is a minor accident.

The helmets are equipped with Bluetooth which is connected to a radio in the rear of the bike so the officers can communicate with both the central control centre to enable them to request information such as number plate identification whilst riding, as well as checking the status of the ITV, insurance and driving license of the vehicle owner.

The radio also allows direct communication with their colleagues.

Traffic Officers Catch Bank Robber

Traffic officers from the Guardia Civil based in Orihuela arrested a man who had robbed a bank at gunpoint, then knocked down two women as he tried to escape.

The man made off with the bank with 12,000 euro in cash after robbing a bank in the Murcia town of Santomera, before returning to the Orihuela area.

The traffic officers noted the vehicle and were suspicious of the driver and subsequently attempted to ask the vehicle driver to stop.

The driver resisted and attempted to escape at speed, knocking down the two women who were on separate streets in the city of Orihuela.

Minutes later, the officers caught up with the vehicle and detained the

driver. A subsequent inspection of the vehicle revealed a large amount of cash and a firearm, although this was later discovered to be a fake pistol.

The two w o m e n were treated at the scene with one of them being taken to hospital as a result of injuries sustained in the incident.

In order to keep the bikes in premium condition, they are serviced by the official garages, BMW or Yamaha, every 5,000 or 10,000 kilometres depending on what the motorbikes need. In addition, the wheels are changed every 7,000 kilometres for safety reasons. Some of the bike had been fitted with cameras in the past, but these were part of a testing scheme for Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), they were not hidden speed cameras or radar detectors as some people thought. Although if you think that means they can´t test your speed, think again, the Guardia Civil have a range of speed detectors, so you never know when or from where you are being watched.

Although highly trained on the machines, in fact the training scheme is one of the most highly respected across European police forces, one of the unusual characteristics of the Guardia Civil traffic police is that all of the officers ride motorbikes and drive cars as part of their routine duties, so it is quite normal for the officers to be using different modes of transport on a daily basis.

The Torrevieja department also took charge of a new Fiat multipurpose car this week, which also replaces an older version of the same model, and is fitted with a computerised breathalyser system for performing alcohol tests at the roadside anywhere on the network.

These vehicles are also fitted with a range of safety equipment to enable to officers to respond to any of the challenges they face on a regular basis whilst keeping the roads safe for us all.

Prison for Number Plate Manipulation

The Provincial Court of Málaga has confirmed the sentence of nine months in prison and a 2,100 euro fine for a motorcyclist who manipulated his number plate with black tape.

The incident occurred in November of 2015 when the police stopped the motorbike on the N-340 in Torremolinos.

The officers found that the number plate had been manipulated using black tape so that a letter “C” was made to look like a “G”.

The officers were of the opinion that the rider himself had placed the tape on the number plate in order to avoid detection and identification.

The man appealed the sentence as he claims it was an unnamed individual, a “funny man” who had placed the tape on the number plate in his place of work.

The court didn´t believe this version of events and rather believed the evidence of the officers who state that upon stopping the vehicle, the man attempted to remove the tape and made gestures which were thought to have been as a distraction.

Therefore, the court dismissed the appeal and confirmed the sentence given in the first instance of nine months in prison and a fine for fraud.

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EUROGOLF ANNUAL CAPTAIN V VICE CAPTAIN CHALLENGE

On Thursday 14th April Eurogolf played a stableford in teams picked by the Captain David Gregson and the Vice Captain Debbie Weedon. The format was in 4 balls with 2 players for each team playing against each other. It was a close fought match and at the end it was a draw with equal wins and losses so the total points were added up and the Vice Captains team managed to be the eventual winners with 812 points to the Captains team 793 points. The best pair of the day were Paul Manning and Mike Gillett who scored a magnificent 69 points followed closely by Vince Tocker and Geoff Evans with 68 points. In 3rd place was Bob Buckeridge and Brigid Foran with 67 points. The Best female was Jan Shorley with 35 points and the best

male was her husband Bob Shorley with 38 points. NTP´s 5th Ian Pegg 11th Bob Buckeridge 13th Pino Perito 15th Damien Levy 17th Denise Jenkins Football draw Ian Turner Pino Perito Maralyn Mell and Steve Sayers. It was a super day and after the match we had a super lunch in the Clubhouse where the presentations were made.

TUESDAY TOFFS On Tuesday 12th April Toffs played their normal stableford and with the course and weather being superb for golf there were some great scores recorded. Cat 1 (0-15) 1st John Barraclough 36 2nd George McCallum 35 3rd Bill Martin 35 Cat 2. (16-24) 1st David Blanchette 40 2nd Robin Richards 39 3rd Hedy Paeligh 34 Cat 3 (25-31) 1st Mary Sanderson 37 2nd Frances Buckeridge 34 3rd Bev Fairhurst 34 Cat 4. (32+) 1st Lauraine Walker 35 2nd Peter Sanderson 35 3rd Clare DayeGretton 30 Best front 9 Ian Pegg 19 Best back 9 Maralyn Eckersall 20 Overall winner David Blanchette 40 NTP´s 5th P Haring 11th John Fairhurst 15th Robin Richards 17th Bob Buckeridge Football draw Steve Sayers Colin Peck Joy Gray and Alan Venables.

Congratulations to all the winners. If you would like to play with Eurogolf on Tuesdays and Thursdays at La Marquesa please visit the website www.eurogolfquesada.co.uk.

SOL TIMES

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Sol Times Calida and Sol Times Blanca are independent of political parties, private investment and government. Our policy is to provide readers with a news and information service that is fair, accurate and balanced. Sol Times Calida and Sol Times Blanca are independent publications. Published weekly and produced exclusively in Murcia & Blanca. Sol Times News Group cannot be held responsible for claims made by advertisers, nor can it be held responsible for errors in advertisements caused by poor quality text, photographs or layout instructions. Furthermore, no responsibility can be accepted for any loss or damage resulting caused by any error, inaccuracy or non-appearance of an advertisement. Deposito Legal Sol Times Calida AL 851-2010. Sol Times Blanca AL 852-2010

37

38

San Miguel Golf Society at Vistabella. April 13th, 2016

A fairly early start found 46 members and 6 guests taking part in a stableford competition at a course members tend to either struggle at, or dominate, with little in between. Beautiful weather bathed a course in good condition, although with the fairways a little dry and tightly cut, and with greens which were perhaps not quite as slick as they often are, but still fast enough to cause major problems for anybody putting from above the hole. Whilst several Gold category players wreaked havoc, with stand-out scores coming from Darren Hancock (40) and winner Steve Higgins (41), only Ken Flaherty (40) achieved something similar from the Bronze and Silver divisions, where a mere 5 players of the 31 covered by the two categories beat 30 points.

One SMGS singles match play duel took place, with Ben Price narrowly seeing off Norman Cahill, 2&1.

The day’s stableford competition results, by category and in reverse order, were the following: Bronze Category: 5th Phil Birtwistle

(28), 4th Norman Padmore (29), 3rd Keith Stevenson (32), 2nd Norman McBride (33), and 1st Grattan Forber with 35 points.

Silver Category: 5th Mike Stone (29 on CB), 4th Paula Hagart (29 on CB), 3rd Paul Wainwright (30), 2nd Keith Wickham (34) and 1st, with a superb 40 points, in-form Ken Flaherty.

Gold Category: 5th Roger Webb (36), 4th Richard Wale (37 on CB), 3rd Tony Smale (37 on CB), 2nd Darren Hancock with what would normally be a category win with an excellent 40 points, but pipped by an even better score of 41 from Steve Higgins.

The Abacus was won by John Hagart who continued his recent trend of taking home a good bottle of vino tinto for his sufferings.

Nearest the pins on the par 3’s (open to all), of which there are only three on this course, went to Ben Price (4), Matt Newman (8), and Roger Webb (15).

The best guest prize went to Lee Parsons, winning on count back with 28.

Our thanks go to the staff at Vistabella golf course for their contribution to a long and enjoyable day.

Keep up to date with all SMGS matters by logging on to our website www.smgs. org or simply give Barry Roehrig a call on 966 731 033 to find out more about the society and its weekly golf get-togethers.

Next Wednesday, April 20th, we will be at Roda.

April 2016

Barcelona-Valencia La Liga 2016 Full-Time Barça 1 - 2 Valencia Valencia restored some pride at Camp Nou against a Barcelona who have quite inexplicably and quite spectacularly fallen asunder. Loose passes, miscontrol, imprecision, crosses over the bar, chances a-begging.

Just when you think you know something about football, everything changes completely. La Liga had been given up as gone just two weeks ago, Barça were going into their 40th unbeaten match and were heavy favourites to lead Real Madrid on a merry dance at Camp Nou. The aura of invincibility and air of

inevitability has cleared over the culés and now they are level on points with Atlético Madrid and one point ahead of Real Madrid with five games to go.

Paco Ayerastaran has brought a rare moment of levity in a season that has weighed heavily on the club che, yes they rode their luck, but also might have won by more with cooler heads in front of goal.

At very least, Valencia fans can take away some belief in the future from this performance.

It's all very hard to believe. http://en.as.com/

Lime Bar Golf Society, Los Altos

The Golf Societies venue for the 14th April 2016 was held at the Roda Golf Course.

On a very warm and sunny morning 32 members teed off. The course was in good condition and a pleasant round of gold was enjoyed. In fact the scores proved that and 44 points was about the highest in our monthly competitions.

The competition was played in the stableford format and the scores recorded are as follows:Nearest the pin on the 2nd hole was Les Thwaites

BRADLEY BREAKERS

Nearest the pin on the 7th hole was Bob Adair Nearest the pin on the 11th hole was Colin Taylor Nearest the pin on the 13th hole was John McGregor The longest drive on the 17th hole was Ken Farrow Best guest Allan ( from the Bar Next Door) Silver Class in 3rd place was Gordon Anders with a score of 28 points Silver Class in 2nd place was Eddy Allen with a score of 30 points Silver Class in 1st place was Vidar Fjeld with a score of 44 points Gold Class in 3rd place was Tam Spence with a score of 30 points Gold Class in 2nd place was Jon Williams with a score of 32 points Gold Class in 1st place was Mike Heighway with a score of 34 points A very good day in pleasant company and thanks to the committee for organising the event also to the Lime Bar staff for arranging the meal and the ladies for selling the football draw.

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39

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•rENAULT gRAND mODUS 1.5DTI, DIESEL, 2012, 23,000km... .€10,950

€12,950

d4d, 2010, 60,000km,

2012, 23,000kms

•toyota hilux, 2.5 diesel, 2004, 105,000 miles......................€5,450 •Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0 CRDi, Auto, 2004, 128,000 miles.........€3,450 •Ford Mondeo 2.0i, 2004 127,000 miles.................................... €2,450 •Honda Accord 2.2 VTEC, Auto, 1996, 130,000 miles..............€1,950

Toyota Hilux

2004, 2.5D4D 168,981 kms

€5,450

Citroen xsara

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

€2,950

•Citroen Picasso HDi Diesel, 2001, green..........................€1,950

~ RHD / LHD Taken in Part Exchange / purchased for cash ~ Full procurement service

Visit our website Over 40 cars in group stock

www.specialistvehicles.com

N-332 km carretera, Call us: 968 146 18 158 or 618 628 511

pilar de la horadada

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

40

SOLTIMES APRIL 2016

www.soltimes.com

Advance Moves backs Loris Ford-Dunn in Spanish Supermoto.

15 year old Loris Ford-Dunn has had a busy winter testing his new ktm Supermotoland.com SMR 450cc race bike as he hops up from the youth Supermoto championships of Spain and into the highly competitive adult classes for 2016. But Loris is no stranger to Supermoto racing where racers battle on circuits made of asphalt, with off road jump sections thrown in to make some of the most spectacular and close racing seen in Spain.

Last year Loris finished in 4th place in the Spanish Youth championships for 85cc machines in his first year of racing. He knows that he is now stepping up to the top class, against many racers that have much more experience than himself but he is relishing the opportunity to learn from the best.

This year will essentially be a learning year as he gets used to the more powerful bike and the tougher competition.

With Loris competing under the wing of the Supermotoland.com race team with continued Sponsorship from Advance Moves International Removals he is guaranteed the backing and support that he needs to get himself up to speed.

His season starts in Alicante on Saturday 30th April at the Albaida circuit near Alcoy, with the first round of the Spanish championships on one of the toughest supermoto tracks in

Spain. The very next day on Sunday 1st May the world’s best Supermoto racers will be racing at the same circuit for the 2nd round of the world championship Grand Prixs, so some incredible racing will be on show over the weekend. Tickets are available on the gate at around 12 Euros each and the action kicks off from 10.00 hrs on both days. So if you want to see a great weekends racing action then head for www.motoalbaida.com where circuit directions and further details can be found.

Tel 902 750 190

SPORTS SHORTS by Tony Matthews

• Leicester (despite having Jamie Vardy sent-off) drew 2-2 with West Ham to stay in control as leaders of the Premiership.

• Arsenal drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace while Manchester City (with a Sergio Aguero hat-trick) won 3-0 at Chelsea. Tottenham visited Stoke on Monday.

• At the bottom, there were wins for Sunderland and Newcastle and Manchester United sent Aston Villa down with a 1-0 win at Old Trafford.

• Liverpool won 2-1 at Bournemouth and Watford 1-0 at West Brom.

• Middlesbrough, Burnley, Brighton, Hull, Derby and Sheffield Wednesday occupy the top six places in the Championship.

• Wigan, Burton Albion and Walsall stand 1-2-3 in FL1 and Northampton are champions of FL2.

• Last weekend, Real Madrid beat Getafe 5-1; Barcelona lost 2-1 at home to Valencia and Atletico Madrid ( defeated Granada 3-0… leaving it mighty close at the top of La Liga.

• The Champions League semi-finals are Manchester City v Real Madrid and Bayern Munich v Atletico Madrid.

• The Europa League semi-finals are Liverpool v Villarreal and Shahktar Donetsk v holders Sevilla.

• This weekend’s FA Cup semi-finals feature Everton v Manchester United on Saturday and Crystal Palace v Watford on Sunday.

• The Scottish Cup final will be between Hibernian and Rangers who

both won their respective semi-finals on penalties against Dundee United and Celtic respectively.

• Nico Rosberg made it six victories in succession by winning last Sunday China Grand Prix in Shanghai.

Sebastian Vettel was second and Daniil Kvyat third. Lewis Hamilton, who started at the back of the grid, finished seventh The next race is in Russia on 1 May. • Rafael Nadal beat Gael Montfils in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters final - his ninth victory.

• Marc Marquez can complete a Spanish double by winning the MotoGP on home soil in Jerez on Sunday.

• 2015 winner Stuart Bingham was knocked out in the first round of this year’s World Snooker Championships

by Ali Carter.

• Notts and England cricketer James Taylor (26) has retired due to a serious heart condition.

• On Sunday 38,000 runners will compete in the London Marathon.

• This weekend’s semi-finals of Rugby Union’s European Challenge Cup are Saracens v Wasps on Saturday and Leicester v Racing 92 on Sunday.

• Christian Wade ran in a record six tries as Wasps beat Worcester 54-35 in the Premiership last Saturday.

The King of Clay is back - Rafa reigns again in Monte Carlo Spain's Rafael Nadal captured his ninth MonteCarlo Masters crown on Sunday with a 7-5, 5-7, 6-0 victory of Frenchman Gael Monfils.

It was the 29-year-old's first Masters 1000 title for nearly two years and takes him back onto level-pegging with World No.1 Novak Djokovic with 28 ATP 1000 crowns apiece.

It's was Nadal's first victory in the principality since Djokovic ended his eight-year, 46-match winning streak in the 2013 final.

After two fiercely-contested sets, Nadal stepped up a gear to race through the final set, showing signs of his former clay-court glory.

Monfils, who has had his best start to the season ever, caused Nadal no end of trouble with his incredible defence and point-clinching shotmaking.

But the Frenchman’s legs ultimately ran out in

the decider as Nadal’s continued pounding from the baseline eventually took its toll. The Spaniard fell to his knees as he celebrated a longed-for victory after a trying 18 months on the ATP World Tour.

"I had a tough season last year, but I've had better preparation this year - even with a tough start to the season," said Nadal after the match, describing the victory as "so special".

"It's great to win a Masters title again. I hope this week will help me a lot." thinkspain