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Another two possible cases of haemorrhagic fever in Madrid
TWO other cases of the Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever have been reported following the death of one man aged 62 and a nurse who treated him being admitted to isolation. One of the new cases is in the Carlos III hospital (pictured) in Madrid, where Spain’s three Ebola patients – including nurse Teresa Romero, who survived and is now back at work – were treated, and another is in an isolation ward in the Gómez Ulla hospital in the city. The National Centre for Microbiology is currently analysing samples taken from the latest two in order to confirm that they are in fact suffering from the condition. Madrid regional health
authorities realised barely 24 hours ago that the two patients met the criteria for testing, possibly because of having come into contact with the man who died or the nurse being treated, although this has not been confirmed. As yet, they are not thought to be displaying any symptoms or, at least, do not appear to be in danger, meaning their isolation may simply be as a precaution. Around 200 people are being closely monitored for at least three weeks in accordance with the usual procedure for infectious or contagious diseases, as they are known to have been in contact with the patient who died and the nurse who caught it from him. The nurse being
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September 2016
treated in the Carlos III remains ‘stable but serious’, having spent a night with high fever and blood-clotting problems when first admitted earlier this week, and is said to be conscious, lucid and helping the doctors and nurses attending to her by providing information. Hers is the second confirmed case of Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (EFHC) in western Europe. Tick bite, fever and ‘alarming’ blood test results. She caught it at her workplace, the Infanta Leonor hospital in Madrid, after treating a man who entered A&E after having been bitten by a tick whilst walking through the countryside in the province of Ávila, Castilla y León. His blood test results were ‘very strange and alarming’, according to the hospital, and
he was suffering from fever, so he was taken straight to the Gregorio Marañón hospital in the city and admitted to intensive care. At that point, medics did not know what they were up against and were only able to control the harmful effects, whilst carrying out lightningquick research to find out what was wrong with him. His fever descended into total liver failure, and he died within four days of attending A&E. The nurse herself checked into A&E at the end of her working day with a fever, and her own blood tests results came back with the same worrying results as her patient. thinkspain
SPAIN had sweltering weekend last (Saturday) and Sunday, with temperatures set to rise to up to 38ºC across the country thanks to an anticyclone heading in from the Portuguese islands of the Azores. The east coast, Ebro delta in the northeast, the land-locked western region of Extremadura, and inland Andalucía in particular will feel the heat, with the mercury hitting the highest numbers in the provinces of Jaén, Sevilla and Córdoba. Storms in the highest of Spain's mountains accompanied by showers are forecast for today or tomorrow, but elsewhere, conditions remain stable. But Mother Nature will have her 'back-to-school' hat on by the middle of next week – temperatures will drop 'significantly' between Tuesday
and Wednesday, says the State meteorological agency, AEMET. Thermometers will register a fall of around 5ºC, but by Thursday, most of the country will see temperatures down by around 10ºC from those set to be experienced this weekend. By around Thursday, the areas of Spain typically the warmest in summer – the coasts except the north, the islands and the centre – will settle at around 25ºC, the normal figure for early to mid-September. Some isolated storms may occur in various areas on or around Thursday, with light winds in the Canary Islands, which tend to stay warmer for longer than the rest of the country. thinkspain
Mercury soared to 38ºC last weekend, then plummet 'significantly' on Thursday
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Endesa accuses Costa Brava hotels of tapping into street electricity supply illegally
ELECTRICITY board Endesa has accused a Costa Brava hotel complex of ‘illegally’ hooking itself up to the street power supply after its own was cut off a year ago due to non-payment. The four-star Sun Village resort in Lloret de Mar (Girona province) had run up a debt with Endesa of €150,000 by summer 2015, and the utility board cut off the supply. This week, when Endesa was carrying out repairs on a power fault in the building which backs onto the hotel, it had to cut off the electricity serving the street and other public areas in the vicinity. As a result, the generator which the hotel was using in addition to its alleged illegal supply had to provide power for the entire resort and, as it was overloaded, burst into flames. Emergency services, including 10 fire engines, had to evacuate 238 guests and put them up in other hotels belonging to the same chain. Firefighters had a difficult and dangerous challenge on their hands, since the electricity and gas supply on the roof terrace was surrounded by huge vats of diesel which did not comply with safety regulations. By ascertaining that the overloaded generator had caused the fire, and that the overload started at the point when Endesa cut off the street supply, suspicions were already raised about what was happening. And Endesa claims it has photographic evidence that the hotel had hooked up directly to the street supply and says the Mossos d’Esquadra, Catalunya’s answer to the Guardia Civil, have launched a
full inquiry. Sun Village’s management, however, say the €150,000 debt with Endesa was run up by the previous owners, and that the new proprietors had been using a generator for the last four months for all their power. Lloret town council initially closed the hotel as a precaution after technicians concluded that the electric and gas supply system did not meet safety requirements. Its trading licence has since been withdrawn until such time as the police, Endesa and the gas company can confirm everything is above board. Endesa has also cut off the supply to another hotel in Lloret, it says – the three-star Savoy, 200 metres from the Fenals beach and with 164 suites. The utility board claims the Savoy had also tapped in to the public supply to avoid paying for its power. According to Endesa, ‘less than 1%’ of electricity supply fraud in Spain is carried out by families or households who are too hard-up to pay their bills. The firm detected over 83,522 cases in 2015 alone – an increase of nearly 25% on figures from 2014 – which meant they were able to stop fraudulent use of 600 million kW per hour. In tapping into the street supply, offenders cause the electricity board to lose power it generates and it therefore has to increase its prices, meaning the ordinary householder or trader is forced to pay much higher bills. thinkspain
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Cartagena Fiesta
September 2016
Romans & Carthaginians Cartagena is a fascinating city to visit at any time of the year, but it is particularly interesting during the Romanos y Carthagineses Fiesta. This re-enactment of the battles between the Romans and the Carthaginians is well worth seeing, as it has been declared as being of National Tourist Interest. It takes place annually, this year it will be held between the 16th and 25th September 2016. A little bit of history so it makes it easier to understand the re-enacted battles and events. From about 600BC the area was inhabited by the Carthagnians. Originally from modern day Lebanon, they fled their homeland after it was invaded, and settled in the area to become seafaring traders around the Mediterranean. The head of the main family was the Hamilcar Barca and he renamed the settlement Kart-Hardath which over time evolved into Quart-Hadast and then Cartagena. By 300BC the Romans had become very powerful and wanted to take control of these trading routes so embarked on the 1st Punic War. They didn't succeed and agreed to a truce. Peace reigned for a further 80 years, until 219BC. It was broken when the Carthagnians, lead by Hadrubal the son in law of Hamilcar Barca, decided to attack one of the Roman settlements. The Roman waited. Then Hannibal, after getting married to Himilce, departed in 217BC on his famous journey over the Alps with his 37 elephants, 100,000 infantry and 12,000 horsemen to attack Rome and claim it for the
Carthagnian. The Romans took their chance, invaded and conquered a relatively undefended Cartagena during the 2nd Punic War. Each day during the fiesta various parts of this story are re-enacted, so you'll need to visit everyday to get the whole story or return every year on a different day!! The acts for the fiesta take place in two main locations; one at the port and the other at the football ground. The 'Festival Camp' is located in the football stadium and is a great place to visit as there is lots going on. It is the site for some of the re-enactments and the headquarters for each association, the location of the artesian and craft market and the place to enjoy locally produced traditional food and drink! The port is the site for many of the battles, including the big one when the Romans arrive by boat and take control of the city.
The programme for the 2016 Cartagineses y Romanos in English is: Friday 16th September 18:45 Arrival of the Sacred Fire at the Port. 20:30 Lighting the Sacred Fires at the Archaeological Park el Molinete. 21:30 Opening Speeches in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. 22:30 March towards the Festival Camp. Route: Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Mayor, Puerta de Murcia, del Carmen, Plaza de Espana, Alameda de San Anton, Puente Carthago Nova finishing at the Festival Camp. 23:00 Inauguration of the Festival Camp. Saturday 17th September 20:00 1st Act of the Founding of Qart-Hadast at the Port. 21:15 2nd Act of the Founding of Qart-Hadast in the Plaza de Juan XXIII 22:15 3rd Act of the Founding of Qart-Hadast in the Parque de Los Juncos. Sunday 18th September 18:30 The Roman Senate in Session on the stage at the Port. 20:00 Destruction of Sagunto on the stage at the Port. 21:00 The century Assembly on the stage at the Port. Monday 19th September 21:00 Wedding of Hannibal and
Himilce on the stage at the Port. 22:30 Wedding Celebrations at the Festival Camp. 23:30 Carthaginian Weddings at the Festival Camp. Tuesday 20th September 21:00 Oracle of the Goddess Tanit on the stage at the Port. Wednesday 21st September 17:00 Opening of the Artisian Market at the Parque Vallejo Alberola 18:00 Grand Children's Parade in the Plaza de Espana 21:30 Roman Comedy on the stage at the Festival Camp 22:00 Great Latino Fair and Gastronomic Tasting at the Festival Camp. Thursday 22nd September 20:00 Landing of the Cartaginian Navy and the hiring of mercenaries on the stage at the Port. 21:30 Hannibal Marchs to Rome. Route: Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Mayor, Puerta de Murcia, del Carmen, Plaza de Espana, Alameda de San Anton, Puente Carthago Nova finishing at the Festival Camp. 00:00 The Plans of the Gods (women of town ask the Gods to aid their men in the battle) at the Festival Camp. Friday 23rd September 10:45 Maritime Battle in the Port. 12:00 Landing of the Roman Army at
the Port. 12:05 Parade of the Roman Army and Legions 18:00 Great Battle to conquer Qart-Hadast at the Cuesta del Batel. 20:15 Great Military Victory Parade after the surrender of the city. Route: Plaza del Ayuntamiento to the Festival Camp. Saturday 24th September 13:30 Tribute to the Romans fallen in the battle at the Monumento Funerario
Torreciega. 19:00 Great Parade of the Troops and Legions. Route: Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Mayor, Puerta de Murcia, del Carmen, Plaza de Espana, Alameda de San Anton, Soldado Rosique, Puente Carthago Nova finishing at the Festival Camp. Sunday 25th September 18:00 Roman Circus at the Festival Camp. 20:45 Roman Victory at the Festival Camp 21:15 Extinguishing of the sacred fire and Grand Firework display at the Festival Camp
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September 2016
hea l th & b e au ty
ort Are the health claims about
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apple cider vinegar true?
Apple cider vinegar is a traditional folk remedy that has been around for many centuries. But is it beneficial for our health, asks Michael Mosley. Cider vinegar is made by mixing choppedup apples with water and sugar, then allowing the mixture to ferment, turning some of it into acetic acid. Despite being acidic and definitely something of an acquired taste, in recent years cider vinegar has become incredibly popular. At least a part of that is because of claims that it can help with everything from obesity to split ends and arthritis. But which, if any, of the many different health claims made on its behalf stand up to scientific scrutiny? For Trust Me, I’m A Doctor we teamed up with Dr James Brown from Aston University to find out. We started by testing a claim which does seem to have the most scientific credibility - the claim that drinking a couple of tablespoons of vinegar, diluted in water, before a meal
will help you control your blood sugar levels. To see if there was substance to this idea we recruited healthy volunteers and asked them to eat two bagels, after having fasted overnight. We measured their blood sugar levels before and after eating and, as we expected, bagel consumption was followed by a large and rapid rise in their blood sugar levels. The next day we asked them to consume another two bagels, but this time we asked them to knock back a diluted shot of apple cider vinegar just before doing so. Finally, we repeated the test a few days later, but this time we got our brave volunteers to gulp down some dilute malt vinegar before the bagel. It turned out that the cider vinegar, but not the malt vinegar, had a big impact, reducing the amount of sugar in the volunteers’ blood by 36% over 90 minutes. Drinking dilute apple cider vinegar appeared
to bring blood sugar levels down. This could be because the acetic acid in the cider vinegar suppresses the breakdown of starches, which means that if you consume it before a carb-rich meal, less sugar will get absorbed. We expected the malt vinegar to have a similar effect to the cider vinegar, but in our small study it didn’t. Next, we wanted to see whether cider vinegar lived up to claims that it helps with weight loss, lowers cholesterol and reduces inflammation (which might help with conditions like rheumatoid/ inflammatory arthritis and eczema). We recruited 30 volunteers and divided them into three groups. Our first group were asked to drink two tablespoons of cider vinegar diluted in 200ml of water twice a day, every day, before a meal. The second group were asked to do the same with malt vinegar and the final group were given a placebo consisting of coloured water. Two months later I met up with Dr Brown and our volunteers to find out how they had all got on. Most were very positive about the experience. A few thought they might have lost a bit of weight, with one saying she didn’t feel as much craving for sweet things. Another volunteer with mild arthritis told me: “I have had less aches and pains in my joints, especially after exercise.” Yet another thought it had improved her eczema. But what did Dr Brown’s tests reveal? “I’m sorry to say,” he told his expectant audience, “that none of you lost any weight.” That was disappointing, though not entirely surprising. So what about the alleged anti-inflammatory properties of vinegar, which could explain
improvements in arthritis or eczema? As part of the testing Dr Brown had measured our volunteers’ blood levels of something called C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker for inflammation in the body. Again, unfortunately, we didn’t see any changes. We did see a small fall in the CRP levels of some of those taking cider vinegar, but it wasn’t enough to get excited about. So far things had been rather disappointing for vinegar guzzlers. Dr Brown, however, had the results for one final test to reveal - the effect on blood fats. In neither the placebo nor the malt vinegar group was there any change. But those consuming cider vinegar saw an average 13% reduction in total cholesterol, with a strikingly large reduction in triglycerides (a form of fat). And this was a particularly impressive finding because our volunteers were all healthy at the start, with normal cholesterol levels. “Bringing cholesterol levels down like this”, Dr Brown told me, “can significantly reduce your chances of having a heart attack in the future. So we were really excited to see that finding.” So cider vinegar probably won’t help anyone slim down, but it may help those who struggle with their blood sugar or cholesterol levels. Because it is acidic I would only drink it diluted or use it sparingly in food. http://www.bbc.com/
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August unemployment up by 14,435 people in Spain
But seasonally adjusted figures show a drop in jobless numbers, even as Social Security affiliations fell by 144,997 individuals Spain’s registered unemployment grew in August, going up by 14,435 people from the previous month. This increase in joblessness is smaller than the figure for August 2015, but greater than for the same month in 2014 and 2013. As of the end of August, the total number of people registered as unemployed in Spain was 3.69 million, according to the LaboUr Ministry. But August typically means job cuts in the hospitality industry as the tourist season starts to wind down. Seasonally adjusted figures provide a more optimistic scenario, as the number of people out of a job actually fell by 24,462 individuals. Meanwhile, there were 144.997 fewer contributors to the Social Security system, considered a measure of job creation. This was the biggest August drop since May 2008. Broken down by sectors, most of the new jobs were in health and social services and the hospitality industry. Education, manufacturing and construction fell, although these activities typically pick up again in September. elpais
Spanish café offers cut-price coffee to those with manners
A café owner at a beach resort in Catalonia is encouraging good manners by charging customers less if they mind their p’s and q’s. Marisel Valencia Madrid, the owner of the Restaurant Blau Grifeu in Llança on the Costa Brava, became so fed up at being barked at by customers that she has introduced a pricing system to penalize those who are impolite. Those who demand a coffee will find they are charged an extortionate €5, those who say please will pay a more affordable €3.50, and those courteous enough to greet their server first with a “Buenos días” will be charged a mere €1.30 “I put a sign in the window with the price system and it has made all the difference. People are now super polite in all matters and it has really improved daily life,” she told The Local by telephone. “Yesterday some children even told their parents to say please, so it’s working!” she laughed. The 41-year-old is originally from Colombia and has run the restaurant with her husband for the last nine years. “I’m not singling out Spanish people as rude,” she insisted. “We are just off the seafront so have a lot of tourists here well, French, German and British, and I think generally people could just be more polite.” A customer took a photograph of the sign with the
September 2016
house rules and posted it on social media sparking a nationwide debate on politeness. “I’m surprised at the attention but it’s good to remind people to be polite to everyone, even when ordering a coffee,” she said. And she admitted that since putting up the sign she hasn’t had to charge anyone the full whack. “The normal price of a coffee is €1.30 and thankfully I haven’t had to charge more because everyone is giving me a greeting and saying please,” she said. “Some even say thank you now too!” thelocal
Spanish towns seek to repeat success of Tomatina festival
Spain's Tomatina festival, dubbed "the world's biggest food fight", has given the small town of Bunol a huge economic boost -- and now other Spanish towns with quirky fiestas are seeking to mimic its success. At the annual Tomatina fiesta on Wednesday 160 tonnes of ripe tomatoes were offloaded from trucks into a crowd of over 22,000 half-naked revellers who packed the streets of Bunol for an hour-long battle. Locals and visitors pelted each other with tomatoes, leaving the streets of the eastern town which is home to just 10,000 people awash with red pulp.
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Hello and welcome to CanDu Computer Bytes. If you need professional computer help, you can contact me to make an appointment at my workshop or clinic (which is at Maloan’s bar in Albox). Last week we learned how to use an Android mobile phone / Android tablet to take photos of documents and turn them into PDF documents. In part 2 we will discuss what to do if something goes wrong but first the completion of the process after you have taken your snap. It’ll take a few seconds to load, and you can confirm it got the entire document in the picture. When the preview loads, there are a few options at the top: Crop: If the image is too big, you can cut off the excess. Colour palate: Black and White is the default option, but you can also scan in colour. There are a few options here (None, Black & White, Colour, Colour Drawing), so just select the one that best applies to what you’re scanning. Overflow button: The overflow menu houses all the other stuff—Delete, Rename, Rotate, and Settings. While the first three are self-explanatory, the Settings menu has some options to help you get the most of your scan. Things like automatic image enhancement, paper size, orientation, and image quality are all found here. There are also three buttons at the bottom: a plus sign, “retake” button, and a Tick character. The plus is to add another page to the same PDF, the centre is to re-scan the document if it didn’t turn out right, and the tick mark confirms that the scan is good and you want to save it. Once everything is good and you’re ready to save the document, just tap
the tick mark. Drive will automatically open the folder where you told it to save and upload it. Once it’s finished syncing, you’ll be able to grab the scanned document from any other device with Drive installed.
The Belmez Faces
Best of all: the contents of the saved PDF are also searchable in Drive. So, let’s say you saved a recipe for Gourmet Chocolate Oatmeal Balls and you’re ready to make them seventeen months later. Just fire up Drive, search for some keywords—like “chocolate oatmeal”—and Drive will kick back all the applicable results. This PDF will definitely be among those, so you can start cooking. Also, call me any time so that I can come over and help you eat those Oatmeal Balls. Those sound pretty good. While Google Drive isn’t the only “scan with camera” option on Google Play—there are a slew of others, in fact—it’s easily the most useful. Since it automatically uploads to Drive, you essentially have an instant backup, the file can immediately be emailed or shared, and the text is searchable. Most of the other offerings out there only offer one or two of those features (at most), so Drive is definitely the way to go. Now, get to scanning all those receipts you’ve been saving for the last twelve years. My constant war cry is “Don’t leave anything on an online drive if you need to feel secure.”. There are people out there that are constantly testing the defences of these places for weaknesses. There is no weakness to having them on a memory stick! Just a thought! See you next week.
For further information or advice on computing,contact Trevor on 689 892 745 or canducomputing@hotmail.co.uk
Which Way Up 790,000 years ago; what is now magnetic north was the magnetic south. Convection from the huge molten ball of iron which sits in the centre of the earth helps determines magnetic north/south. This change or ‘flip’ happens every half million years or so, it’s called a Geomagnetic Reversal and one is overdue. When the magnetic poles flip; the strength of the earth’s magnetic field drops for years whilst everything rebalances. The magnetic field normally prevents dangerous space radiation reaching the planet so there’s a big chance that life on earth would be affected. The field has weakened15% since the 1800’s; at the poles in the last 15 years it’s dropped a further 10%. Animal migration patterns would be disrupted when the next flip occurs as they would move in the opposite direction. GPS satellites would fail and power grids may collapse, the ozone layer would thin. Scientists believe the flip is about to happen again. About 40,000 years ago during the last Ice age, the magnetic poles flipped in what is known as the Laschamp Event taking about 200 years to do so. During that time the magnetic field was just 10% the strength it is now which meant the earth’s atmosphere was largely unprotected and large amounts of radiation reached the earth. 200 years later it flipped back again. Australians were warned 30 years ago to wear extra sun factor and to avoid the sun’s rays when
In 1971, in the small Spanish village of Belmez, Maria Pereira claimed a human face spontaneously appeared on her cement kitchen floor. It wasn’t long before she destroyed the floor and replaced it - and a new face promptly appeared. More and more faces continued to appear on the floor of Maria Pereira’s kitchen, attracting thousands of visitors every day. Some were male, some female, some large, and some small. In time, she discovered that the house, built around 1830, stood above a graveyard used by the Romans, Spanish Muslims and then Medieval Christians. Did Maria Pereira paint the faces herself? If so, she never benefited
financially from all the attention. She lived a simple life in that same house and eventually died in 2004, after which the house was put on the market. Besides ghostly apparitions, paranormal experts suggest a second theory - that the faces were manifested on the floor by telekinesis. Apparently, the expressions on their faces used to change with the mood of Maria Pereira. However, sceptics point out that it is possible to analyse the molecular changes in the whitewash and prove that some level of fakery was involved. Many believe that the paintings were actually created by Maria’s son, Diego Pereira... http://www.phenomenalog.com
Enjoy Stephens musings? Pop over to www.findmeahome.eu as the articles are posted on there too...and they’re a bit longer too! Findmeahome are always looking for quality homes for their sales and rental portfolios, please contact Stephen for a valuation: info@findmeahome.eu Telephone: 636 266 641
CFCs in the atmosphere had created a hole above them in the ozone layer. This could happen on a much larger scale with some areas really badly hit. Planet Mars is barren; its atmosphere has boiled away into space. One theory has it that as Mars lost its magnetic field the increased solar radiation heated the planet up. Scientists here on earth are worried that the same could happen here. So in 2013 three satellites were launched to measure the gravitational field to try and assess what’s happening. Nicknamed Swarm the satellites look like giant rats as the sensitive detectors are located on long thin tails so they’re not affected by any magnetism off the main body of the satellite. The magnetism in rocks and tidal movements also affect the north/south polarity and it’s hoped all factors can be mapped and a theory worked out. With almost three years of data; the satellites have shown how the magnetic field is like a heartbeat. Strengthening in places like Asia yet weakening in North America. The position of Magnetic North Pole (and so by definition the South Pole) is also changing, for 20 years it was moving about 6 kilometres south east a year. Then in 2005 it changed course and it’s now heading towards Siberia at 50 km a year. Magnetic Pole’s moved by up to 55 degrees in our planets lifetime,
once it sat between Iceland and Norway and another time in Hudson Bay Canada. This is called Pole Shift and when these changes happen slowly the change is unnoticeable. In the case of a Sudden Pole Shift, the Poles locations change quickly with earthquakes, volcanic events and tidal waves. Pole Shift describes the earth’s outer crust moving not the whole planet tilting differently on its axis. Rather like rubbing the tissue wrapped around a Christmas Satsuma. Albert Einstein supported the theory of Sudden Pole Shift; there are ancient writings that support this thinking. Mammoths in Siberia have been discovered frozen solid with clover still in their mouths. Sudden Pole Shift would have meant that these Mammoths were happily eating their meadow grasses somewhere warm. Then the earth’s crust slipped suddenly and they and the land they were on were transported hundreds or thousands of miles north where they froze to death. The film 2012 is based on a Sudden Pole Shift Event!
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Strictly Series 14 Introduction By Lyn Aspden of ‘Strictly Dance’ (See advert for class details) I can’t believe that we have reached this part of the year again already? Hope you’ve all had a great summer. Last night’s show was a real ‘wow’ factor with the judges and professional dancers arriving in a space rocket! Coupled with some fantastic dance numbers and a fairly good celebrity opener I think we are going to be in for another fantastic season. As there will be no more shows for the next couple of weeks to give the partnerships time to get some serious training done, the next couple of reports I will let you know who is involved in this series show and who may be the contenders.
TV NEWSLETTER
September 2016
Last night was the pairing of celebrities to their professional partners for the first time. 15 celebrities and no less than 6 new professionals joining the team and Natalie Lowe returning to the show. Here’s a list of the pairings we can look forward to watching this season: TV Presenter/Singer Louise Redknapp paired with Kevin Clifton. This could be interesting Actress and the oldest ever celebrity at 70 Lesley Joseph dancing with Anton Du Beke. As ever the joker! TV Judge Robert Rinder and new Ukrainian born professional Oksana Platero. Oksana moved to the US and was US champion, she has also been on the American version of Strictly Dancing with the Stars for five years and has choreographed in several movies and other dance shows so let’s see what she is made of? Olympic Gymnast and the youngest celebrity at just 18 and the smallest at just 4’7” Claudia Fragapane has been partnered with the youngest new male professional AJ Pritchard at just 21. He is British and European Youth Champion and I’ve discovered I used to compete against his parents! It will be interesting to see if his youth can cope with the demands of the show - time will tell. Actor/Singer Will Young has been partnered with Karen Clifton and I would think this is another partnership to keep an eye out for. Breakfast TV presenter Naga Munchetty has been lucky enough to bag Pasha Kovalev so with his expertise you can expect her to go the distance Ex Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls has been partnered with new Russian professional Katya Jones World Amateur Latin Champion. This I’m afraid has got to be the joker in the pack? Singer Anastacia is lucky enough to have bagged Brendan Cole and with his training skills another celebrity to watch with interest.
Model/Actress Daisy Lowe has been partnered with Aljaz and again as one of the best professional coaches should stay the course. Hollyoaks heartthrob actor Danny Mac is coupled with Oti Mabuse, we haven’t really seen a lot of her so will have to wait and see. Athlete Long Jumper Greg Rutherford will partner returning Natalie Lowe and with his athletic stamina should be interesting. TV Presenter Laura Whitmore has been partnered with Italian Giovanni Pernice another promising partnership. Radio DJ Melvin Odoom is to dance with Janette Manrara who is one of my favourite professional girls Presenter Ore Oduba is with Joanne Clifton my least favourite of all the professionals so we’ll have to wait and see And finally Eastenders actress Tameka Empson has been partnered with new Spanish professional Gorka Marquez who reached the semi-finals of a world cup competition and has toured extensively with the show ‘Burn the Floor’ He doesn’t appear to have the championship credentials of some of the other professionals so again I will watch with interest. Well over the next couple of weeks, I’ll try to do some research into this year’s celebrities to see who has had any dance training and may be telling porkies!! In the meantime, out new classes will be starting again at the Emerald Isle and at the Madhouse next week (12th) and as ever at the Quesada Country Club so if you’ve always wanted to learn to dance don’t delay learn with the stars. Until next week Keep Dancing!
TV NEWSLETTER – SEPTEMBER 2016 Writing this in mid August I have to say “aint arf ‘ot mum” ! With temperatures in the high 30’s it seems tooooooo hot to do anything. Work days we have to just get on with it – rest days it seems too much effort to get off the chair and go to the pool ! The dogs laze around all day in any shade they can find but then want to “play” in the cool of the night – much like the residents of Madrid who are all down at the coast – beach , eat , siesta , beach and night out !!!! TV NEWS ........... again , as last month , not much new news to report in the TV world so I thought we would have a look at fault finding and quality of reception issues. For various reasons UK TV reception is often not as good in southern Spain as it is in the UK. The first point to appreciate is that the whole UK TV system is designed for reception in the UK – forget the legal arguments of viewing a countries TV system outside of that country – and there are legal agreements forbidding this – rightly or wrongly – agree or disagree they do exist – but the systems are designed for TV reception in the UK and the fact we can get some UK TV here must be considered as a bonus of living in Spain and not a right ....... with that in mind reception will not always be 100%. You will be getting your UK TV by one of two systems ........ satellite via a dish or the internet. Now with internet TV systems there is not a lot the end user can check or adjust to improve quality ........ the BIG factor is internet supply quality ....... if you getting a whole new system I would ask the TV supplier who to use for internet supply ..... they should know who their system works well with. The router should be adjacent to the TV and IPTV digibox and both should be rebooted on a regular basis (depower , wait 30 seconds or more and repower router followed by digibox a few minutes later – this will set boxes / software to original) and use quality cables to connect all the “bits” together. The Ethernet cable connecting the router to the
digibox can be one of three standards – cat 5 , 5e or 6 – use 5e or 6 ........ 5 can give problems especially over longer runs. Use a good quality HDMI cable to connect digibox to TV although this is less critical. Finally tell your internet supplier what you are doing and they can often optimise the supply to you. Then there is the “minefield” of satellite TV reception ! The signals that are available to us in southern Spain are extremely weak – the main beam being focused on the UK – where it is intended for – and we just get “the edge bits”. Signals being so weak you must have the best of equipment that has been installed 100% correctly ...... it can still surprise us when we go to a new client the errors in installation that can be made by amateur installers. The only real way to check your system is to get a professional (and many are not!) installer to check it over. All these can be critical factors – dish size/ make/model and its alignment , LNB type/make/model and its alignment, cable type/grade/condition , satellite receiver type/make/model. All these factors can significantly affect the quality of the picture that finally gets to the TV and it needs an expert eye with industry knowledge to assess a system. We often see clients have who have spent a “fortune” on the “latest” TV available only to be disappointed with the picture quality ........ but they are driving it from a cheap digibox connected to the dish with sun damaged cable and an inferior LNB ! or some other bad combination. Get it checked out professionally. Article sponsored by RAINBOW SATELLITES the company for all you TV needs in the region of Murcia in southern Spain. Contact us for free friendly advice ---- email rainbowsats@ gmail.com phone (0034) 686358475 or look at our website www.rainbowsats. org .
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September 2016
SOLTIMES PROPERTY SUPPLEMENT
Home Buyers Still Offering 20.9% Below Asking Prices
During the month of July, home buyers in Spain continued to make offers on homes at well below the prices set by the owners. At the month end the average reduction requested was 20.9%, according to data from a study by property portal, idealista.com, which analysed over 2,100,000 offers presented by potential home buyers to the sellers via their portal since January of 2010. This figure is only slightly lower than that recorded in July of last year, when the average discount requested was 21.6%. Looking at each of Spain’s regions, the greatest gap registered between buyers and sellers was in La Rioja, where buyers demanded, on average, a discount of 23.6% off the selling price, followed by Cantabria (-23.5%), Murcia (-22.7%), and Valencia (-22.6%). In contrast, Madrid is the region where both parties were closest, with the difference between the
amount offered and the purchase price reaching just 16.5%, followed by Navarra and the Basque Country, both requesting discounts of around 19.7%.
Madrid is also the region where the discounts demanded off the asking price of homes reduced most, falling from 19.3% in August 2015 to the present 16.5%, followed by AndalucĂa (down from 21.7% to 19.9%) and Castilla-La Mancha (from 21.8% to 20.6%). In contrast, a total of seven regions registered demands for discount greater than those recorded 12 months ago. In Cantabria the average discount requested on homes rose from 18.8% last year to reach 23.5% last month, followed by Asturias (up from 18.9% to 22.5%), Galicia (up from 19% to 21.4%) and Balearic Islands, where the average discount requested rose from 21.3% to 22.5%. kyero
Registrars Place Increase in House Prices at 7.5% Y-o-Y in Q2
Average house prices in Spain rose by 7.5% in the second quarter of the year, compared to the same period of 2015, while the volume of sales climbed by 23.7%, with a total of 107,838 transactions being recorded in the property registers, according to data published in a press release this week by the Association of Registrars. Compared with the first quarter of the year, home sales increased by 8.5% and prices rose by 2.2%. The Registrars pointed out that these price increases are continuing to reduce the decline accumulated since 2007, which has fallen to 26%, and consolidates the change in trend which began 2014, also with regard to the number of transactions. Moreover, El Economista reported that, after a long period registering record lows, the volume of transactions on new housing have now accumulated two consecutive periods of quarter-on-quarter rises (0.8%), while in the second hand market, the increase registered was 10.3% compared to the first quarter of the year. The number of transactions on second hand homes in Spain reached a total of 80,042, representing an increase of 11,380 transactions over the previous quarter, which according to the Registrars is the best data recorded in the last eight years. Foreign buyers accounted for almost 14,000 of the house purchases, representing 13.4% of all the housing transactions carried out, compared to 12.9% in the first quarter of the year. In year-on-year terms, the volume of home purchases carried out by foreign buyers reached over 51,500 transactions, representing around 13.4% of the total housing transactions. With regard to the nationalities of the foreign buyers, British buyers made the greatest number of purchases, accounting for 19.73% of the foreign transactions, followed by: the Germans (7.38%); French (7.5%); Swedish (6.95%); Italians (5.99%) and Belgians (5.63%). kyero
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Alicante Still Has Most Unsold New Homes
Eight years after the start of the housing crisis, Alicante still ranks as the province of Spain with the greatest number of unsold new homes, even surpassing such areas as Madrid or Barcelona. Although the province is the leader for home sales to foreign buyers, neither the buoyant pace of housing sales registered over the past two years nor the foreign demand have been enough to reduce the level of unsold housing stock. This contrasts with the reactivation noted in the market for new housing on the coast. According to the latest report on the situation from the Spanish Confederation of Associations of Manufacturers of Construction Products (Cepco), up until the end of the first quarter of this year Alicante accumulated a stock of 42,912 unsold new homes. No other province has as many new and ready for sale homes in their municipalities. For example, Madrid has some 40,724 unsold new properties, while in Barcelona the total unsold stock stands at 42,074.
El Mundo reported that the large number of unsold new homes remaining in Alicante reflects the difficulty the real estate sector is faced with in reducing this excess stock, which is a result of the housing boom years and whose construction was finished right at the beginning of the crisis, when the market slowed to a near stop. According to sources in the real estate sector, the majority of these unsold homes are located in less attractive areas, away from the coast, and despite their reduced prices, it has still been almost impossible to find either buyers or any demand for rental. The banks holding the majority of these unsold homes are resisting slashing their prices in expectation of a more consolidated improvement
in the economic climate, and while most of these properties are located in inland areas, there are in fact very few unsold homes on the coast. Developers have even suggested demolishing the unsellable housing – second hand properties located in inland towns and rural areas of little interest to buyers – with the hope this could increase prices and normalise the market.
propert y services
However, according to Cepco, the current figure of 42,912 unsold homes is the lowest registered in Alicante since 2010, when the province had some 50,500 new houses for sale, so in effect the excess stock has reduced by 15% during this period. The levels of unsold housing in the other provinces of the region are 26,509 in Castellón, and 24,662 in Valencia. Cepco’s report also listed the extent of the housing stock in relative terms, noting the number of new homes remaining unsold per 100,000 inhabitants. A ratio of below 1,000 homes in a province is considered to be a figure that can be absorbed without too many problems for the market within a reasonable period of time. In the region only the Valencia province registered a ratio below this level, with 977 unsold homes per 100,000 inhabitants, while in Castellón the ratio is 4,615, and in Alicante it stands at 2,329 per 100,000 people. At the end of the first quarter of the year, the Valencia region as a whole showed a total stock of 94,083 unsold new homes. The only other region to register a greater amount of unsold stock in the first quarter was Andalucía, with a total of 95,306. kyero
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SM042
SOL Y MAR
EXCLUSIVE TO OUR AGENCY SM033
Modernised Cortijo, Low price
September 2016
• estate agents • rentals • property management
ALMANZORA
99,000€ offers
Delightful character home at a fantastic price. 3 bedroom, 4 bathroom home in need of some modernisation hence the low price. Highly sought after location on the outskirts of the many amenities of Almanzora and a short drive to the market town of Albox. Features many extras including 3 outbuildings, 8000m2 of land including your own mountain backdrop and a garage. Must be viewed to appreciate the value for money and the opportunity.
El Margen, near oria
60,000€
Traditional refurbished cortijo with many original features retained. The house is set in the heart of the village with stunning views, and features 3 bedrroms, 2 bathrooms. To the front of the property there is a parking space and to the side a courtyard, also to the front is approx 400m2 of very fertile land currently used for growing vegetables. Overall the property has been finished and maintained to a high standard. Fantastic value for money
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
SM060
New listing SM059
new listing
Arboleas
139,950€ offers
This property is in a very quiet location away from the main road in in the residential area of Los Llanos which is some 3 Kms south of Albox. Near the Asian Restaurant of “Happy Garden” and a bar. Further south, just 2 Kms, there is the Amigos Bowling alley, a petrol station and a few tapas bars. The Villa has two gated entries. One for vehicle and the other a personal entrance. Outside to the front is the main entrance with a staircase leading to a roof terrace. To the rear there is an 8 x 4 swimming pool with a roman end and an outside shower. The pool area is paved with a metal Gazebo. The rear of the property is part enclosed with an aluminium fly screen enclosure. Inside there are three generous bedrooms, two bathrooms, one en-suite and air-conditioned, a large lounge with installed wood burning fire and air-conditioning. Next to the lounge is the kitchen with modern fitted units and white goods.
near albox
85,000€ offers
Traditional and fully renovated two storey cortijo with elevated views across the countryside. Features 2/3 beds and 1 bath. This home is in an ideal location based in a small hamlet of homes with elevated views across the rambla yet is only a 10 minute drive to the many amenities of the market town of Albox. This house has many original features including a stable style split door entrance, traditional fireplace with log burner, beams on the ceilings and many others. Downstairs there is a decent sized double bedroom, bathroom, separate dining room and a fully fitted modernised kitchen with a belfast sink. Upstairs there is a larger double bedroom and an open upper mezzanine area that could be easily converted into a 3rd double bedroom at very little cost. Enjoy fantastic elevated views across the rambla from the large rear terrace. Recently renovated and repainted this home also features a new roof, repainted throughout and two separate cave rooms that could be used for additional outside storage. Must be viewed to appreciate the setting, original features and value for money.
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950 064 584 609 199 394
Avenida 28 de Febrero Nº 44, Albox
Email: info@solymarspain.com www.solymarspain.com zurgena
SM052
99,000€
Detached 2 bedroom property set in a small hamlet of houses in a peaceful location. Lovely views. 2 beds, 2 well appointed shower rooms, inner and outer lounges, large well fitted kitchen with centre island unit & breakfast bar. The master bedroom has en-suite shower room. The garden is paved with planted mature borders. The separate garage (with additional covered parking) is accessed from the garden. Viewing is highly recommended.
viewing highly recommended
partaloa
sm041
169,950€
Large detached 4 bed villa with extensive grounds and log cabin, in a quiet location. Ample parking. Large walled patio with fixed BBQ, great views of distant mountain range. Large enclosed porch forms summer living room and dining. Large lounge with pellet burner, doors to the covered porch. Fully furnished kitchen. 4 double bedrooms two with fitted wardrobes. A/C & CH radiators in most rooms. Good quality log cabin with lounge/kitchen, bathroom, double bedroom and loft space could provide sleeping for another two. Outside is a porch overlooking the pool and country views. The pool is set in its own private walled patio with country views. Fully walled garden has many aspects affording a variety of views and peaceful spots where you can enjoy life in Spain.
new listing
RENTAL SECTION rsm013
near albox
LOW RENTAL OPPORTUNITY
rsm016
300€ PCM RENTAL near albox limaria
Traditonal semi detached cortijo in original style, fantastic value for money 3 bedroom, 3 living areas, 2 bathrooms large family home. Features large plot of fully fenced land ,off street parking, spacious rooms , furnished and walking distance to a local bar and cafe Basic home in need of minor tlc hnce the low rental Must be viewed to be appreciated
prestigious rental listing
650€ PCM RENTAL
Stunning home with many extras. Prime location with elevated views across the countryside, idylic setting yet close to amenities only 10 minutes to the nearest market town of Albox. Features 4 bedrroms, 2 bathrooms, separate kitchen / dining room, central heating, air conditioning, swimming pool, mature garden and outdoor fly screened eating area Finished to a high standard, part furnished and available for long term rental.
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
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September 2016
Filbee Shaw
Best Valued Properties on the coast Contact us for more details
CHEAPEST 4 BED APARTMENT 200M FROM THR BEACH
CHEAPEST DETACHED VILLA IN BOLNUEVO
BEST VALUED PROPERTY WITH SEA VIEWS AND WALKING DISTANCE TO THE BEACH!!
CHEAPEST BRAND NEW APARTMENT IN MAZARRON
JUST ON THE MARKET 2ND LINE TO THE BEACH !!!
Avenida Costa Calida, 10 Edificio Bahia Mar Blq.14, Esc.2.Bajo 30860 Puerto de Mazarron (Murcia)
Phone: +34 868 058 750 Email: info@filbeeshawrealestate.com www.filbeeshawrealestate.com
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Since 1995 PLAYA FLAMENCA Upstairs apartment in sunny and central location with seaviews, glazed-in terrace, furnished, gated complex, community pool, walking
Top Property
distance to amenities.
€69,900
LA ZENIA
CABO ROIG
Terraced house, 3 bed, 2 baths, guest-WC, lounge, fireplace, large kitchen, garden front + rear, double-glazing, 3 terraces, off-road parking, close to all amenities and to the beach.
€139,900
Light and airy corner house, 2-3 bedrooms, bath, guest WC, spacious lounge/diner, air con, alarm, double-glazing, terraces, conservatory, solarium, off-road parking, com. pool, quiet and central location.
€119,900
Let your dream Come True We will help you find the right property
CABO ROIG / LA ZENIA
Front line beach! Penthouse apartment in great location, large balcony with excellent sea views, lift, sunny, gated community.
119,000 € Contact Mob: Tel: Fax:
Visit us at our office in La Zenia La Zenia
N-332
616 939 326 966 773 985 966 730 430
Avenida España, Nº 2, l-22 Res. Cabo Roig Sal y Mar IV • La Zenia, 03189, Orihuela Costa, (Alicante) webmaster@hf-immo.com www.hf-immo.com
PLAYA FLAMENCA
CABO ROIG (Cala Capitan)
LA ZENIA (Beachside)
Spacious penthouse apartment with excellent sea views, large terrace, 2 bed, 2 baths, spacious lounge with fireplace, sunny, underfloor heating, furnished, conservatory, large community pool.
Large terraced house only 1
Detached house on one level, 600m plot, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, heating, garage, conservatory, solarium, quiet + central location, only a short walk to the beautiful beach of La Zenia!
€149,900
minute walk to the beautiful beach, 3 bedrooms, bath, furnished, large balcony, south-facing, off-road parking, community pool.
€219,000
€424,000
this month’s star buys
Ref: isha-213
Ref: isha-214
Ref: isha-220
Detached Villa Quesada (La Marquesa)
Country Property Crevillente (Crevillente - Country)
Quad Villa - Guardamar del Segura (El Raso)
• 4 Bedrooms • 2 Bathroom • 139m2 Floor • 556m2 Plot
• 2 Bedrooms • 2 Bathrooms • 180m2 Floor •15,471m2 Plot • Pool
• 3 Bedrooms • 2 Bathrooms • 85m2 Floor • 225m2 Plot • Pool
offers over
offers over
€265,000
€176,000
€156,000
We need your property! We have clients waiting to rent and buy!
Put your property into safe, capable hands. Pop into the office for coffee or give us a call on 966 290 781. Avenida Justo Quesada 33, Rojales. Next to the Ford garage near the entrance to La Marquesa Golf
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Spain screens 200 people after man dies of Congo fever
Health authorities in Spain have begun screening around 200 people after a rare, deadly virus known as Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever killed a man and infected a nurse who treated him, officials said Thursday. A 62-year-old man died from the disease, also known as "Congo fever", at a Madrid hospital on August 25, the regional Madrid government said in a statement. He is believed to have become infected with the virus after he was bitten by a tick while walking in the countryside in the northwestern region of Castile and Leon. A nurse who treated the man while he was in intensive care in hospital is infected and is being treated in isolation. Health authorities have identified around 200 people who were in contact with the man and the nurse
September 2016
and they are being monitored for symptoms of the deadly disease. Public health workers are taking their temperature twice a day. Those who greater exposure to bodily fluids from the two infected patients have been ordered to remain at home. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a viral haemorrhagic fever transmitted by ticks from a range of livestock and domestic animals. Transmission to humans occurs through contact with infected animal blood or ticks. CCHF can be transmitted from one infected human to another by contact with infectious blood or body fluids. The virus has been found among ticks in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe and southwestern Europe. In Europe cases of human infections have been reported from Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, Greece, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Russia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, according
Colombian leader asks elite to back landmark peace deal
Colombian President Juan-Manuel Santos urged the country's elite to back a peace deal with Marxist FARC rebels to end a half-century of conflict.
"I am sure that the Colombian people understand that an imperfect peace is preferable to 20 or 30 years of war," he said in an interview published Sunday in Spanish daily El Pais. The peace deal is due to be signed on September 26 in Cartagena ahead of an October referendum on final ratification of the historic accord with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. Once the deal is formally signed, the FARC, launched in 1964, will have 180 days to demobilise, disarm and relaunch itself as a political party. The UN has agreed to monitor the process. Santos slammed the country's upper crust for opposing the deal, saying the gilded circle -- of which
he was member -- was "misinformed." "I don't understand why my peers in the elite, of which I am part -- I am a member of the poshest clubs in the capital -- have allowed themselves to be misinformed on the advantages of peace. "I am sad to see that these people... don't understand the importance of taking these steps to leave our children a more peaceful country," he said. He said the accord "will change the history of Colombia." The conflict, which has drawn in various left- and right-wing armed groups and gangs, has left 260,000 dead, 45,000 missing and 6.9 million uprooted from their homes. On October 2, Colombians will vote on this question: "Do you support the final accord to end the conflict and build a stable and lasting peace?" expatica
to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. The virus has a fatality rate of 10-40 percent. Symptoms include high fever, vomiting and abdominal pain but as the illness progresses, large areas of severe bruising and severe nosebleeds are also common. expatica
Spain triumphs in expat survey
Spain came out triumphant in a recent expat survey but failed to make the top 10 rank of the best countries for expats to live. The sun-soaked country ranked 14 out of 67 in the InterNations Expat Insider 2016 survey, which was released on Monday. Spain also ranked exceedingly high in the categories “top quality for life” and “ease of setting in”, coming fifth and tenth respectively. An overwhelming 92% expats in Spain claimed to be overall satisfied with their life, While only 42% of respondents felt “overall positive about their career prospects”. It goes without saying that the Spanish warm climate, made expats “very happy” with 84% saying this has made a positive impact on their move. Spain excelled in “making people feel welcome” Three-quarters of respondents said that it was generally easy to settle down. The survey by InterNations, defines ‘expats’ as people who live in a different country than the one they were born in or whose nationality they have. InterNations quizzed 14,300 people of 174 nationalities in 191 countries about various aspects of their lives. expat
John MacDonald (El Sordo) www.caratacus.eu
September 2016
The Holiday Season
There is a huge movement of holiday hungry people during July and August fanning out from central Spain, heading in all directions looking for seas to swim, mountains to climb and rivers to fish. Parking in Madrid suddenly becomes not only free but possible while coastal towns fill to bursting. But what of Alqueria? Not many people come to Alqueria on purpose. The total income from tourism last year was 2,897,434 Raros which at today’s exchange rate equates to 9.25 Euros. This was due to one unfortunate individual who somehow accidentally crossed the border into Alqueria, an enterprising local sold him the directions back to Spain. The individual concerned would however have paid ten times the asking price. Those that live in Alqueria attempt to get away en masse. A sign at the Alquerian side of the border crossing with Spain simply says ‘Last one to leave turn the lights out’. The foul green and worryingly sticky mist which makes unwelcome visits does so more frequently in July and August while the infernal heat and resultant pong from the overstretched drainage makes continuous habitation undesirable to say the least. Those that can leave Alqueria do so. Spain refuses to issue visas to Alquerian citizens judging them to be persona non grata however they can pass through Spain to other destinations as long as they do so quickly and don’t touch anything on the way. So where and what do prominent
viewpoint
Alquerians do on their holidays? Loco Paco spent three glorious weeks with the International Saharan Dung Beetle Breeders Club. Just how one breeds with a dung beetle remained a mystery to Paco even after three weeks. Antonio Poyato spent his time unconscious after perfecting a new blend of Remitroot Whisky. His masterpiece was a potent liquor with an alcohol content of over one hundred per cent by volume which of course is impossible unless you are a very skilled idiot living in Alqueria and have a extremely questionable narrator. No one knows what Manuela did on vacation or where she went. On her return however it took a team of highly trained plastic surgeons especially flown in from New York three weeks to get the smile off her face. The evil Rodriquez travelled to Nuremberg to attend the bi-annual Cads, Bounders and the Emotionally Retarded Seminar. He was unanimously elected the ‘man of the conference’. But what of the ordinary folk of the Pueblo. One group booked a two week package tour to Lowestoft but returned after three days suffering from profound depression. Another group went to the backstreets and dives of Cairo, however the authorities deported them as being unreliable. After the most exciting and invigorating holiday there is nothing like returning home, honest.
Learning Capabilities
For years now I have struggled womanfully with the Spanish language. I started out with the notion that I would achieve a level of fluency within a relatively short time, an idea fed to me by well-meaning friends in England, who told me that Spanish was the easiest of the European languages to learn. That may be true, but if it is it sets the bar of my achievements very low indeed! I have struggled, persevered and persisted, holding on to my ideal of being able to communicate with the native populace with all the determination of a Rottweiler on to a burglar’s trousers. Early on in my endeavours I discovered a chasm in my knowledge – I knew nothing whatsoever about English grammar! My schooling had neatly side-stepped this necessary evil; I had sailed blithely through my life with never a nod to a Subjunctive nor a wave of the hand to a passing Pluperfect. However, Spanish requires grammar, and grammar I have not got! I feel like a laboratory rat faced with a plastic maze – I know I have to get to the centre and find the cheese, but I have no idea how - it all looks the same to me! Which leads me to my problem with my GP, Ernesto. When Ernesto first walked, fresh-faced and innocent, into the Little Britain that is the Arboleas Medical Centre, it must have seemed like a Throw The Christians To The Lions situation – Ernesto had very little English, and many of the Lions had very little Spanish! But Ernesto is a man made of stern stuff. Whether he determined that he would learn English or perish in the
21
By Jos Biggs
josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk attempt I know not, and I hope not. What I do know is that when I first entered his sanctum his English and my Spanish were about on a par. Now, however, his English is pretty well spot-on. We have both been struggling with on our second language for the same amount of time, yet he can swim all the way up to the metaphorical deep end of language, while I have barely come out of my Swim-Aids! And the problem? We neither of us have reached an accord about which language we are going to use to each other. In the main, Ernesto uses English. In the main I use Spanish – I need the practice! I am in awe of his mastery of the contradictions and idiosyncrasies that are English. But I will learn Spanish, or perish in the attempt! I just wish my learning capabilities were as fully developed as are his!
SolPUZZLES
22
950 121 936 - sales@soltimes.com
london quiz
1. Oranges and Lemons say the bells of St Clements. What does the great bell of Bow say?............................... 2. What was the name of Reggie and Ronnie Kray’s older brother?.............
September 2016
Horse racing quiz
1. As the Knavesmire is to York, so the Carholme was to which
3. What football club is the oldest in London?...........................................
course?.......................................... 2. Diomed was the first winner of which great race?...........................
4. What famous address is located at postcode SW1A 2AA?........................
3. How many Grand Nationals did Desert Orchid win?.........................
5. Bow Street Runners formed in London in the 1750’s are known to us today as what?.............................
4. How many individual bets make up a Yankee?..................................
6. What Ulster town that dropped London from its royal charter name?.
5. How many winners did Gordon Richards ride in the 1947 season?..
7. Which airport has the luggage code LCY?.........................................
6. In 1925 at Windsor, bookmakers went on strike. Against what?........ 7. In betting, how much is a monkey?.......................................
8. George Michael infamously crashed his Range Rover into the Hampstead branch of what high street shop?.....................................
8. In his 1990 comeback which horse gave Lester Piggott his first winner?.........................................
Answers
STANDARD CROSSWORD CLUES
10. Name the river that flows directly outside the 2012 Olympic Stadium?..
ACROSS 9 Oval (7) 10 Breed of horse (7) 11 A musical interval of eight tones (7) 12 Artist’s studio (7) 13 A gradual increase in intensity (9) 15 An attribute of a people or era (5) 16 A chronicle of past events (7) 19 Clothing (7) 20 The golden touch (5) 21 Learn by heart (9) 25 Gracefully slender (7) 26 Spilt (7) 28 Used to spin yarn (7) 29 Utmost (7)
DOWN 1 With bravery and valor (6) 2 Carefree (6) 3 Idler (4) 4 A unit of instruction (6) 5 A mathematical curve (8) 6 Wildlife warden (10) 7 One who completes the task (8) 8 Mezzanine (8) 14 Puzzles like these (10) 16 Without shelter (8) 17 Skid (8) 18 Complained whiningly (8) 22 Young ladies (6) 23 Clothes fastener (6) 24 A shifty deceptive person (6) 27 A cereal grass (4)
9. In which country did Steve Donoghue ride his first winner?..... 10. In which Surrey town is Sandown racecourse?....................
Answers
1. Lincoln 2. Derby 3. One 4. Eleven 5. 269 6. Betting tax 7. £500 8. Nicholas 9. France 10. Esher
9. The Linbury Studio Theatre is found in what larger building?..........
SUDOKU PUZZLE s
10. Lea
5. Police
9. Royal Opera House
4. 10 Downing Street
8. Snappy Snaps
3. Fulham
7. London City
2. Charlie
6. Derry
1. I do not know
squiggle
Sudoku is a placement puzzle. Enter the numbers 1 to 9 in each row and column of a grid, made up of 3 x 3 subgrids. The catch is that each row, column and grid must contain only one instance of each number or letter.
squiggle SUDOKU
standard SUDOKU
CROSSWORD
SOLUTIONS
standard
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CHURCH OF ENGLAND COSTA CALIDA & ALMERIA
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
Sports Centre every Monday at 10am Five tables equipment supplied, coaching given if necessary, all standards welcome. Contact George on 965 326097 or Gordon on 966 848304 or e-mail drewgeorge49@ yahoo.com.
St. Nicholas Ecumenical Church
We hold services each week at 10.30am on Camposol, Mazarron. Everyone is welcome to join us. For further details, CALL the church on 665 302 019
A parkinsons Support Group
On Tuesdays at 11am At Bobbie Jo·s, Los Montisinos For a chat and a cup of tea For further information contact Wally Williamson On 966 770 871
Roman Catholic Church
welcome events
Thursday September 22nd. We are pleased to present, for the first time in this area, a fantastic band Ges Rogers Union Gap. Tickets are going fast for this fab show. €10 Wednesday October 5th. - Ladies evening at Mariano’s with Fashion Show, Stalls, Bingo and dancing to Woody. Come along and support 3 local charities - Age Concern, MABS and MAD. €4 Wednesday October 19th.- This month we welcome the return of the popular trio Vice Verse Her, great music to listen and dance to. €8 November 9th. We are off to Benidorm Market for a morning of shopping and then on to the Rich Bich show for an afternoon performance, not to be missed if you haven’t seen this show but always worth seeing again, really funny. More time for shopping and dinner before returning home. Coach and show included. ONLY €15 November 24th. Madrid & The Races. Staying 4 nights at the city centre 4* Tryp Cibeles on B&B. Shop on Black Friday for bargains and enjoy a trip to the horse races on Sunday. Also included are trips to the beautiful Palace of San Lorenzo and The Valley of the Fallen. €350 p.p. December 7th. Welcome Christmas Party. One of the highlights of the year featuring the wonderful Ricky Lavazza and supported by a great duo Time Warp. This really kicks starts the festive season and is always very popular. €12 December 23rd. Welcome Christmas at The Helios Hotel Benidorm. Join us for 4 nights on full board including a Gala Christmas Lunch. Don’t be lonely or worry about cooking this Christmas. Coach travel included. €260 p.p. December 31st. New Years Eve Dance. See the new year in with your friends singing and dancing to 3 very popular artists, our own Christine, Terry J and Rob Sweeney. Included is an excellent buffet with Champagne at midnight. A coach is available for €7. These tickets fly away so be quick. €20
Saladillo, Mazarron ( close to Camposol) Mass in English every Saturday at 4.30 pm Mass in Latin every Sunday at 4.030pm For further information please contact Father For more information or to book your tickets, Octavio on 676 219 445 or Father Carlos on 628 824 call Rosemary on 620 105 179 555.
Talks & Workshops
MABS Murcia North East - Sew’n’So’s - Sewing Group Every Mon Fortuna. Taking place every other Monday at Urb. Las Kalendas from 14:00. For further information email: mabsmurciane@gmail.com
Costa Calida Country Music Club
After the summer break, we are getting ready to resume our monthly dance nights at Marianos Camposol. On the first night back - Friday 2nd September - we have Red Strokes, He is always a crowd favourite. The night starts at 7.45pm, with requests played until 9 pm, when the live act takes over. If we have time a line dance and /or partner dance will be taught if your feet tap to country music, and would like to come along, you will be made very welcome. We have a dance on the 1st Friday of each month, and the entry is only €4 On 7th October, the ever popular duo, North and South, will provide the live music If you would like to line dance, Ann and Roys FREE class takes place in the Camposol Cultural Centre each Wednesday at 7pm For further information etc. have a look at our Facebook page
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
CHATTERS SUMMER BREAK
Owing to the hot weather and holidays there will be no Chatters in August. The next Chatters will be on Wednesday 21st September at the Pasty Shack (near to the Mercadona), Rio Nalon in Los Alcazares. There will be the usual complimentary refreshments between 10.15 am and 10.45 am followed at 11am by the usual quizzes and games with the opportunity to win modest prizes. The speaker will be a return visit by the popular local historian, Antonio Zapata, who will continue telling us about the history of Los Alcazares. Everybody is welcome. This meeting will also be the first opportunity to purchase tickets for the Chatters Christmas Carvery Lunch which will be at the Pasty Shack on Wednesday 14th December. Last year was a sell out so be sure to buy your tickets early. Chatters is a monthly informal group allowing people to meet old and new friends. Sponsored by Help At Home, a local Charity which provides help and support in their own homes to people needing a little temporary help following ill health or other issues. HAH make no charge for this help and rely on Fundraising and Donations to cover costs. Follow Help At Home on Face Book or find out more at www.helpathome.es
SAMARITANS IN SPAIN -
In 2016 we aim to expand our teams of listeners around Spain. If you are resident in the Mazarrón área and would like to hear how you can join us as a Listener or spare a few hours a week to help with fundraising / other events held in the area please contact our General Manager stephenrbaker@outlook.com to register interest in attending an initial group meeting locally. www.samaritansinspain.com Also on Facebook and Twitter. (Volunteer positions are unpaid but certain expenses can be claimed)
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The FAST2016 Responders have had another busy month, being on call 24 hours a day and training every Tuesday and extra training provided by Debbie on Friday. During the past few weeks, we have recruited additional volunteers who will receive guidance and training from our Training Team to become fully qualified and accredited FAST2016 Responders on Camposol. Unfortunately, due to the shortage of FAST2016 Responders, there have been a few days over the last few months where our service has been suspended. There is a pre-recorded message on the emergency number for such an occasion. However, we are hoping that full cover will imminently be resumed as soon as our new recruits are fully trained and accredited by Murcia Health Authority. We should also like to welcome back Carl, Mandy and Suzanne to FAST2016; it is always nice to welcome old friends back to our team. FAST 2016 are planning a "Health Awareness Day" on Saturday 24th September at Mariano’s on A Sector; everyone is welcome. More details will be posted on our web page or from the bookstall on the Friday Market on B sector. This initiative may be expanded to get the health awareness message across to various groups for the benefit of the community of Camposol. More information on our web page. You may have noticed that we have changed the colour of our tops since we reformed in June, but rest assured that you will still receive the same assistance from all the Responders and Supporters as previously. Trips The coach trip to Alicante is now fully booked thanks to Sue and Jane. The next trip will be an early Christmas shopping trip to Benidorm on Wednesday 16th November, tickets on sale outside Euronics on a Friday at €15. Enjoy a day at your leisure, shopping in the market/site seeing/chilling. The day is yours to do with as you wish. On Tuesday 13th December there will be the “Ultimate Christmas Shopping Extravaganza!” For €20 per person, there will be three trips in one:- Licor43 Experience, Free afternoon to shop at La Zenia Boulevard, Visit to Iceland at San Javier Planning is underway for the Christmas Fayre at Mariano's on Saturday 29th October. There will be the normal traders, the renowned cake stall and lots more! Plus the FAST2016 raffle with fabulous prizes on offer will be drawn. Please do not forget that FAST2016 is always looking for new Responders to help provide the continuity of this wonderful service to the residents of Camposol. If you would like to join our friendly team and, at the same time, receive training so you can provide excellent lifesaving skills if required, then please contact us at our recruitment email address provided below. Regular Tuesday training sessions will recommence at the beginning of September. All the information is on our web page, www.FAST2016.org. E mail, recruitment@fast2016.org or call the information number 634 309 899.
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
24
September 2016 August 2016
food & entertaining Tel: tel: 950 121 936 - sales@soltimes.com
mint coriander
the most eye-catching garnishes. The flavor of mint is strongest in its Kitchen tips uncooked form. Add it fresh to get Thefull true tasteofofflavor cilantro is best the impact or cook it to enjoyed fresh, however, inif ait recipe. must decrease its prominence To Mintadd gently the amount be use cooked it atsnip the end of the you need from the rootOver ball, wash and cooking process. cooking pat dry. You can recommended either separate as the cilantro is not mint small groupings create the heat inquickly dissipates tothe flavor. perfect garnish or remove each leaf To use coriander snip what you need from stem.ball, If your calls for from the the root washrecipe and pat dry. the mint to be minced remove the If your recipe calls for it, mince the leaves the stem and chop with a leaves from and stem finely with a sharp sharp kitchen knife. When substituting kitchen knife. When substituting fresh herbs in a recipe calling for dry, fresh herbs in a recipe calling for one part dry is equal to three parts dry, one part dry is equal to three http://www.livingherbs.com/ parts fresh
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
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
This is an easy and stylish way to do bacon and eggs. Turn it into proper brunch with a fresh pea and feta salad. ingredients Ingredients For the fish: For the blackened baked pancetta eggs 1.5 lbs fish fillets sunflower oil, for greasing 1 1/2 tsp paprika 12 slices pancetta 1 tsp garlic powder 31/2 free-range tsp cumineggs 125ml/4½fl 1/2 tsp salt oz double cream 3 lime fresh mint 3juice tbspofchopped 20g/¾oz freshly pepper grated parmesan 1/4 tsp cayenne avocado-cilantro 1For lemon,the juice only 2 tbsphandful canola fresh oil basil leaves, torn saUce: small 2 tbsp olive oil 12 corn salt and tortillas freshly ground black pepper 50g/1¾oz 1/2 cup sour cream baby spinach leaves For the slaw: 1 ripe avocado, and skinned 100g/3½oz feta,pitted crumbled For the pea and mint salad 1/4 red cabbage, 1/4 cupbread cilantro, chopped to serve lavash (flatbreads), 240g/8½oz frozensliced peas thin 1/4 green cabbage, sliced thin juice of 1 lime Directions 1/2 medium-sized red onion, diced 1 jalapeño, chopped and seeded 1/2the cupbaked cilantro salt to taste For pancetta eggs, preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas mark 4 and grease 4 holes of a12-hole muffin tray. directions Line each muffin hole with 3 slices of pancetta. In a small bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt well and Whisk the eggs, cream, parmesan and basil leaves together in acumin, bowl until cayenne pepper. Sprinkle thewith mixture overfreshly both sides of your fillets and combined. Season, to taste, salt and ground blacktilapia pepper. pat down seasonings. Combine all of the avocado-cilantro sauce ingredients in Divide the mixture among the muffin holes and bake in the oven for 10-12 a food processor until combined. Combine all of the slaw ingredients in a large minutes, or until the eggs are just set. bowl and mix well. Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high Meanwhile, for the pea mint salad, boiling the peas heat. Once heated, addand in the tilapia (a pour few at a timewater if youover can't fitfrozen them all at and setCook aside stand for 2 on minutes. Drain, in cold water. once) forto4-5 minutes each side, orthen until refresh the outside is blackened and the the fish peas, flakesmint, apartlemon easily.juice Remove the heat, and combined. if desired, warm Mix and the olivefish oil from in a bowl until well theserve, corn tortillas in the sameamong skillet over heat,plates cooking about 30 To divide the spinach each medium of 4 serving andfor spoon some seconds on each side. Break up the tilapia into 2-3'' pieces. Stack the tortillas pea and mint salad on top. Sprinkle over the crumbled feta. Serve the baked in twos. Distribute evenly between the 6 sets of tortillas, and top with eggs alongside withthe thefish lavash bread. slaw and avocado-cilantro sauce. Serve and enjoy!
http://www.livingherbs.com http://www.bbc.co.uk/
Mint is widely the Coriander is alsoused knownthroughout as cilantro and world butparsley. is most Coriander popular in has the United Chinese a very States, Europe and Asia. It is known for long historytaste with as evidence found its distinct well asofitsuse menthol aroma. In Rome, Pliny recommended in Neolithic archeological sites. It is one students wear a wreath of mint in order of the most popular herbs This world-wide, to invigorate their minds. theory and is very popular in is Indian, Thai, resonated today as mint often used in aromatherapy products. Mint can be Mexican, Chinese, and French cuisines. used to create an instant herb garden taste Uses in your and kitchen, enabling you to enjoy the fresh aroma of the mint and easily Coriander a unique lively with access it has to incorporate it flavor into your everyday cooking. strong citrus undertones. The leaves Mint has distinct taste most are very delicate and oftenthat mistaken people are familiar with because it has for parsley, however,additive its distinct scent become a common to many products. In the culinary world mintthe is makes it easy to differentiate. Since often associated with dessert dishes, herb is so delicate its flavor is quickly however, it pairs surprisingly well with diminished when heated so cilantro is savory dishes which accounts for its place alongside many lamb dishes. most often enjoyed as a garnish or and Expand your horizons by experimenting ingredient in uncooked such as with this herb to find youdishes favorite flavor combination. Mint also makes one of salsa and guacamole.
Pancetta-baked Blackened Fish eggsTacos with awith minted pea Avocado and feta salad Coriander Sauce
25
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Spanish Cheeses Win Big
Auctions Nab Over 15,000 Euros for Winning Cheeses. Another year, another cheese auction in the towns of Uharte Arakil (Pamplona) and Arenas (Asturias), as the winning cheeses from this year’s Idiazabal and Cabrales cheese competitions (respectively) took center stage this past August 28th. In Navarre, an arduous day of judging raw, sheep’s milk Idiazabal cheeses led to the announcement of the winner of this annual competition – held within the framework of the town’s 49th Artzai Eguna Festival (Shepherd’s Day) –, with this year’s top prize going to Marimar Castro of Quesería Urrizaga in Abárzuza. In keeping with tradition, the remaining half of Castro’s
champion cheese was auctioned off at the end of the day, raking in a cool 4,450 euros from the Lakita company. This was the 25th edition of this competition, which awards the best Idiazabal cheese from Navarre, which shares the production area for these artisanal cheeses with the neighboring province of Guipúzcoa in the Basque Country. In fact, the top ten cheeses from the Uharte Arakil challenge will go on to compete in the Euskal Herria Idiazabal final held in the town of Idiazabal (Guipúzcoa) this October. On the same day in the town of Arenas, Asturias, Dorita Díaz Posada of Quesería Vega de Tordín, took a break from her cheese making duties to accept the award as the winner of the Certamen del Queso Cabrales, the annual competition that recognizes the year’s best PDO Cabrales cheese – a blue blue-veined cheese from Asturias that is typically made from raw cow’s milk, or mixtures of two or three types of milk (cow, sheep and goat). Díaz’s winning, 100% cow’s milk, Cabrales cheese made history at this year’s auction, selling for 11,000 euros to a family of restaurateurs in Madrid with strong family ties to Asturias. http://www.foodswinesfromspain.com/
Live Entertainment every Sunday from 6pm All Food Homemade
tblueshouse@outlook.com The Blues House - Bolnuevo Avd. Pedro Lopez Meca. 26 Bolnuevo, Puerto de MazarrÒn
654 949 084 or 968 150 967
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€7,00
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966 719 136
966 764 441
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SOL CLASSIFIEDS For sale
personals
ADVERTISE YOUR UNWANTED ITEMS UP TO 300€ FOR FREE EMAIL:SALES@SOLTIMES.COM BY TUESDAY 5PM
“Readers of a sensitive disposition may find some of the ads in this section offensive”
pool tables snooker tables, table tennis tables, darts.
Tel: 666 933 726 www.spainpool.com
Sgt Pepper Beatles Album, without sleeve with original cover, Beatles Abbey Rd, with sleeve and original cover, The Carpenters, Singles Album with sleeve and cover, Bob Dylan, Nashville Skyline, with sleeve, Queen, Greatest Hits 11Dble Album, all in good condition or playing order. Make me an offer Tel:605 063 165 Mazarron Area. Genuine Headlights for a Citroen Berlingo Multispace LHD. Brand new, still in box. 90€, Computer desk with glass top and chair. Would suit small area. As new, 25€, Electric oil filled radiator. Hardly used 30€, Tel: +44 754 965 1043 Quesada area. Delongi Stretto 2500 w., oil filled radiator on wheels with thermostat. 25€, Rointe Royal TM wall radiator, 700 w. Thermostat range 17 to 27 degrees. Daily, weekly time controls or Manual override 30€, Sherwins Model HAS 2800 Garden Shredder
2800 w. shreds up to 45 mm. excellent condition full manual. 50€, Child Car Seat, Babyauto, instruction manual, excellent condition. 25€, Baby Booster seat, Creates a High Chair when installed on normal dining Chair. Excellent condition. 15€ Tel: 966 712 200 (Benijofar). One Electro Western style guitar, natural finish, very good cond with slider volume, tone, balance controls, ideal for beginner or accomplished Player, with lead, carry cover, capo, tuner. 55€OVNO, Round table in red varnish finish, very nice, in good cond. 4 matching cushioned chairs 40€ Tel: 605 063 165 Ariston Washer 8lb/ Dryer 6lb large capacity, 5yrs old but working, very clean and user instructions displayed in English 599€ new. Wants 120€ Tel: 0794 121 2311 UK Murcia. Buyer collects.
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if so call ecocorp on 671 716 597 or 950 930 187 for a no obligation quotation
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spas
euro spas Spas at factory prices. Used & Ex display models. Spares & repairs. Part exchange Tel: 650 722 905
September 2016
Call Jane on: 950 121 936 or 950 680 007 Extn: 1342 PetsTransport Pet transportation service UK|Spain|UK
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motoring removals LWB Sprinter van going from south to North of the UK & back every 2 weeks, based near Murcia Airport. Tel: 610 846 260/ 0044 7519 186 355. or email: van.man@hotmail.co.uk
Transport Services Monthly Visits - Spain - UK - Spain Removals, Part Moves, Single Items
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Tel: 965020350 . 633730505 or UK 07930 932232
sidneysauctions@outlook.com www.sidneysauctions.com
for sale / Wanted
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vehicle registration UK-SPAIN-UK fortnightly service SPAIN: 914 143 164 UK: 01773 513 013 www.britonsremovals.com britonsremovals@ic24.net
sat/tv services Rainbow Satellites for all your TV needs with clients all over the Murcia Region. Contact Matt or Alan on 686 358 475 or rainbowsats@gmail.com
For re-registration of cars, motorbikes and motor homes contact Graham Shelton Who after re-registering over 1800 vehicles will put you on the right side of the road.
605 319 889 or 966 753 375 www.spanish-number-plates.com info@spanish-number-plates.com
situations vacant
SOLTIMES have a vacancy in
Costa Blanca South & Costa Calida field sales person
Ideally you will have business to business sales experience and be able to work to weekly deadlines in a fast paced environment. Strong communication and administration skills are required for this role. You will need to be self-motivated, success driven & able to achieve weekly targets. In return we offer-Basic salary, Commission, Mobile telephone and Flexible hours. In-House training will be given. If you tick all of the boxes above send your CV to
sales@soltimes.com For the at tention of Paulet te
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animal corner
www.apahrescue.org
APAH
Jessie is a beautiful tabby female, not old, but a little on the mature side. She is a bit shy, but will make a wonderful companion cat once she learns to trust you. She is one of many of the cats in APAH’s care who need a loving home. To arrange to visit the APAH Cattery, please call us or visit our website.
630 422 563 or 616 210 850
Pets In Spain
Tino is a small 18 month old corgi cross type with a small, long body and weighs 9 kilos. Tino is negative for all Mediterranean diseases and great with other dogs. Call: 645 469 253 www.petsinspain.com info@petsinspain.info
Mountain View
Cat hotel Hondon de las Nieves/Frailes
Centrally-heated houses with large individual runs Love and care will be lavished during your cat’s stay My 29 years of experience in animal and veterinary care will give you piece of mind
Pick up & delivery service offered for coastal areas
Telephone: 966 195 816
Answerphone - we will call back: Mobile 654 155 473
www.mountainviewcathotel.webs.com
Call Jane on: 950 121 936 or 950 680 007 or email: sales@soltimes.com
To advertise here call : 950 121 936
Only 3 Sumatran rhinos remain in Malaysia
WITH only three Sumatran rhinos left in Malaysia, conservationists are desperate to find a way to save the critically endangered animal from being completely wiped out. Executive director of Borneo Rhino Alliance (BORA) Dr. John Payne said the trio, comprising only one male rhino and two female rhinos, were being held in captivity in the Malaysian Borneo state of Sabah. “The three Sumatran rhinos left were caught and have been placed in captive breeding programs until today,” he told reporters on Thursday. According to Bernama, Payne said the biggest threat faced by the Sumatran rhino was poaching, as there is high demand on the black market for its horn, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine. He added that the best bet to replenish the rhino population was through using InVitro Fertilization (IVF) with the remaining rhinos, adding that the next IVF attempt was scheduled to take place in November. “BORA has been fighting an uphill battle trying to save Malaysia’s last Sumatran rhinos. The only way this could be done was to capture all the remaining specimens in the wild – which was a dangerous and costly operation – and to breed them,” said Payne. In order to raise awareness regarding the rhinos’ plight, BORA has collaborated with the National Geographic Channel to make a documentary on Malaysia’s efforts to
conserve and protect the species, called “Operation Sumatran Rhino”. Earlier this month, researchers in Sabah announced the possibility of cloning existing rhinos as a last resort, should efforts to breed them in captivity prove unsuccessful. University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF) said it needed to fully sequence the genome of the Sumatran rhino first, however. UCSF Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ghazally Ismail said: “A high quality reference genome will be produced, and compared with as many rhino individuals as possible to capture the remaining genetic diversity of the entire species.” “In combination with reproductive technologies, this information should be crucial in saving them as well as other important species on the brink of extinction,” he added, as reported by local paper the Daily Express. asiancorrespondent.com
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September 2016
Contact 950 121 936 or email sales@soltimes.com
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Outdoor living spaces with no boundaries… Spanish companies have improved outdoor ranges, creating new weather-resistant materials and fade-resistant colours and adding sophisticated fabrics that were previously available for indoor use only. This way you can create your own outdoor living corner bringing together a modular sofa, two or more armchairs a coffee tables and a dining table with chairs. Pillows, indoor/ outdoor rugs, and plants complete the look.
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www.soltimes.com
950 121 936 - sales@soltimes.com
Book Review Murder at Channing Ponds Station by Darren Mark Wright
www.carolnaylor.blogspot.com - www.carolesleynaylor.wordpress.com - naylorcl@hotmail.es
“They’re all acting incredibly weird around each other. Do they know something that we don’t know? How did we find ourselves in a place where every person that got off the train to come to this random small village is hiding something?” Think of Agatha Christie’s Mousetrap or Cluedo and you’re almost there! The scene is set in Channing Ponds, an underground station described as being dank and old. “The track doesn’t even see the light of day between these hills.” It’s in the middle of nowhere. Some God-forsaken place. The drama begins with the arrival of a local Constable and a recently arrived London Detective, both perplexed. Why? Nine people have been killed. “This one is beyond our country experience and capabilities.” Unable to speculate on the perpetrator the Constable wished the Detective the best of luck adding: “You’re going to need it. This one’s complex.” We then go back to the beginning, to the scene before the crimes are committed. It is 12 noon and we are conscious of the sound of an oncoming train from London which stops at Channing Ponds. A number of passengers, six in total, alight. There to greet them are Pablo and Julio. The names might sound Spanish but the boys are Irish. It doesn’t take us long to find that one out! Not just to greet them but to detain them as long as is necessary. The roads have been closed because of a downpour of snow so the visitors, an odd medley of folk, have been asked to stay inside until the snow clears, six feet of it. All six of them need to get to their hotel that same evening; it is imperative for all of them and that urgency is made clear to the station masters. The Irish boys think they’re all nutters, or failing that, they are as secretive as
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MI6. So much for strangers on a train, these are very odd people. Dislikeable Gwen is engaged to Frederick, a weak and naïve character. Some pretence of awaiting news of a pregnancy test seems suspect. She concocted some ridiculous story which Frederick can’t verify because of his stupidity. Even young Ben, the 18 year old suggests that urinating on a stick would indicate whether or not she was pregnant without waiting for a phone call and checking into a hotel! Frederick and Gwen are both excitable about the prospect of having a marvellous break in a lovely hotel here, in the village. Ben has been brought up to “hesitate to trust people” and he is the first one to suspect that Pablo and Julio are not who they say they are. When Julio realises the charade has been discovered he assumes he will need to bribe Ben. But Ben is complacent that his financial worries will soon be over for good and at this point, he decides to leave the station. Harold is 60 and he has travelled here for an urgent meeting with his lawyer. His wife has just died and they are going to finalise her will. He believes he will be left with the scraps because of her family of vultures who will inherit most of it. He is embittered as one would expect. Martina speaks with a Russian accent and carries a gun in her purse for her own protection which makes you think she has a dodgy past and needs watching! She becomes irritated with the lovebirds, the ridiculous couple she calls them, particularly Frederick who she calls an oxymoron or an idiom before kneeing him in the crotch and squabbling with him. The next train is due to stop at 13.30 if it isn’t delayed. The suggestion is that they could catch that train although Julio tries to convince them it is a waste of time: “The roads will be closed, you’ll get off at the next station, hike back over
29
the hills across the deep snowy ground to roughly where this station is and make your way towards your hotel.” Not the best of plans. A touch of Hitchcock with lights flickering on and off, moments of complete darkness and the Ride of the Valkyries at full pelt, bursting out from the speakers. Someone “wanted to give the train a little more suspense and excitement.” It certainly adds to the tension and the build up to a number of climaxes with grunts of pain, squeals followed by mayhem. Five of the characters seem to be there because of some money interest but the fifth character, a man called Victor who is 40 and seems to pop pills from time to time, is there to appreciate nature: “the serenity of the hills. Bird watching. The small village. An English breakfast. the strolls around the pond, or over them when they’re frozen over.” An I-Spy game seemed rather childish but it turned personal and patronising when I represented Idiot and Imbecile, T for Twit, levelled at Frederick. It amused Victor and Ben but soon died a death. Enough said. It happened at 12.30 precisely, victim number one. Poor pill-popping Victor was stabbed in the back with a syringe which he and the shocked onlookers assumed contained poison. And so it continues. The squabbles, the paranoia and the murders. There seemed to be at least one potential killer on the loose, a psychopath, perhaps raging psychopaths to be more accurate? The Detective seemed more confident than the audience would have been when he stated at the finale: “We will catch your killer sooner or later.” It’s good fun trying to work it out. See if you can. Enjoy. Publisher: DMW Productions, Adelaide. ISBN: 978-1517712020.
www.ecocorpshop.com
Oil is a child of the fossil fuel age and prices will trend upwards. Solar is a child of the electronics age and prices will trend downwards.
Solar Power system to run in conjunction with your home electricity, reduce your monthly bills
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9 PANELES (250W Full systems - special offer, while stocks last 12 PANELES (250W Eurener) + Inverter Eurener) + Inverter and analizador de and analizador de redes, panel mounting redes, panel mountsystem, cables and ing system, cables and breakers – only €5,995 breakers – only €4,995 (save around €1,100 (save around €750 per per year) year)
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30
MAZARRON FC 0 U.D. LOS GARRES 0
Mazarron picked up their first point of the season with a goalless draw in a hard fought encounter against a strong UD Los Garres team. Los Garres made the early running and both sides saw free kicks go well over the bar. On 10 minutes excellent work by Javi Torrano saw him running almost the length of the field, evading a number of defenders, before he was finally dispossessed. Los Garres picked up the loose ball and broke away with the final shot going just wide. Mazarron went close when Javi Torrano's corner was headed goalwards only to be scrambled clear for another corner. Both sides were struggling for supremacy but Javi Torrano then played in Koko whose shot was well saved by the Los Garres keeper. The game was very scrappy with neither side able to
BRADLEY BREAKERS
965 723 270 607 848 332
September 2016
string passes together and adopting the long ball option on too many occasions. Chino went close for Mazarron with a long range shot which was just over the cross bar. Los Garres best chance of the first half came just before the interval but Pablo in the Mazarron goal was more than equal to the task with a good save. Mazarron started the second half well and, at last, began to pass the ball with some good build up play without the end product. A long shot from Los Garres went just wide but then a free kick for Mazarron from the half way line found Juan Andreo in the six yard box but he failed to make the most of the opportunity and the ball was scrambled clear. Then Raul had an overhead kick saved before Los Garres missed the best chance of the game when the ball trickled slowly across the goal line with none of the visiting forwards able to apply the final touch. Mazarron continued to press forward in search of their first goal of the season but despite their efforts had to settle for a point. Team: Pablo: Raul Torrano: Chino: Juan Andreo: Raso: Mariano: Raul: Koko: Antonio (Moha): Ruben (Steven): Javi Torrano (David). Man of the Match: Chino
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Sports Shorts
• Last weekend, in the first qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup, England ‘just’ beat 10-man Slovakia 1-0 with a 95th minute Adam Lallana goal to give manager Sam Allardyce his first win. • Scotland walloped Malta 5-1 and Northern Ireland drew 0-0 in the Czech Republic. Wales and the Republic of Ireland played on Monday. • A record £1.05bn was spent in the summer transfer window which ended on 31 August. Top deals included Paul Pogba, back to Manchester United from Juventus for £89m; David Luiz, back to Chelsea from PSG for £34m; Christian Benteke from Liverpool to Crystal Palace £32m; Yannick Bolassie, Crystal Palace to Everton, £30m, Islam Slimani, Sporting Lisbon to Leicester, £29m; Georginio Wijbaldum, Newcastle to Liverpool, £25m; Marcos Alonso, Fiorentina to Chelsea, £23m and Nacer Chadli, Spurs to WBA. • Four players left Manchester City on loan: Joe Hart to Torino, Wilfried Bony to Stoke, Samir Nasri to Sevilla and Eliaquin Mangala to Valencia. And Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere went to Bournemouth. • Crawley and Oldham completed most deals: 20 each. • Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero has received a three-match ban for elbowing West Ham’s Winston Reid in last month’s PL game and misses Saturday’s United derby. • Football legend Franz Beckenbauer is facing a criminal investigation by Swiss prosecutors relating to Germany’s successful bid to host the 2006 World Cup. • England’s cricketers beat Pakistan four-one in the ODI series. England amassed a world record 444-3 in the third game with Alex Hales’ smashing 171 in 122 balls - the biggest score ever made by an Englishman at this level. A T20 blast takes place at Old Trafford tonight.
31
www.soltimes.com
new fords available
Calle Mallorca, San Javier Call us: 968 146 158 or 618 628 511
www.specialistvehicles.com
VW California Edition 2.0 TDi, Auto, 2016, Delivery KM €69,950 Mercedes SLK 55AMG black, 2010, 21,000kms €42,950 lotus evora 1 owner, 2010 €39,950 Fiat Ducato
Glucksmobile Motorhome
2014, 43,000km €36,950
Mini Cooper d clubman Diesel, 2016, €32,950 Hyundai Tuscan 1.7 CRDi, 2016, New, €23,950 opel mokka 1.7 CDTi, Auto, White, 2013 , 94,000km, €17,450 mercedes clc 200 1.8CDi (Diesel) 2008, 89,000 kms €13,950
•VW California edition 2.0TDi Auto, 2015, Delivery km...... €69,950 •MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER INTENSE PLUS, 2016, AUTO, NEW........ .....................................................................................................€34,950 •toyota fj cruiser 4.0l petrol, auto, 2009, 87,000km.........€poA •MITSUBISHI L200 INSTYLE, 2016, AUTO, 0km.........................€poA •MERCEDES E220 CDi, 2013.........................................................€poA •peugeot 5008 1.6 hdI Auto, 7 seats, 2014, 38,000km.............€19,950 •mercedes c200 cDi, 2012, diesel, 45,000km.......................€poa •kia sportage 1.7 crdi 1 Owner, white, 2014, 46,000km......€17,950 •vw transporter t4 camper Van, 1998, 1.9Tdi..................€14,950 •VW TOURAN 1.6TDi, 2012, 150,000km.....................................€14,250 •renault scenic 1.5 dci, 2014, diesel auto, 94,000km............. .....................................................................................................€13,950 •RENAULT KOLEOS 2.0 dci, diesel, 2012, 125,000KM...................€poa •citroen c4 1.6hdi, auto, 2013, 77,000KM.................................€12,950 •opel astra st, 1.7 cdti, 2013, diesel, estate, 113,000KM............... ....................................................................................................................€12,450 •hyundai i30 1.4 Crdi 2013, 5-doors, silver........................... €11,950 •Dacia Duster 1.5DCi, 2013, 83,000km...........................................€11,950 •Opel Astra 1.6 16v, 2012, 51,000km.............................................€11,950 •hyundai i30 1,4, petrol 2012, 41,000km.................................€10,950 •Mini Cooper Clubman 1.6D, 2011,166,000km....................... €10,950 •Mercedes A160 CDi, 2008, Diesel,Avantgarde, 88,000km....€8,450 •Renault Scenic 1.9DCi Diesel, 2009, 135,000km,..............€7,950 •Opel Zafira 1.9 CDTi, 2008, Diesel, 7-seats, 197,000km........€7,950 •ford fiesta 1.6, diesel, 2008, 95,000km......................................€6,950 •FIAT 500 1.2 LOUNGE, 2012, 55,000km,.............................................€poa •renault grand scenic 1 owner 2006....................................€poa •Kia Rio 1.5crdi , diesel, 2006, 99,000KM..........................................€5,450 •Chrysler Sebring 2.0i Cabrio, 2005,152,000km..................... €4,950 •bmw 320 cabriolet 1988, 150,000km........................................... €3,950 •Fiat Palio Weekend 1.9 TDi, 2002, 110,000km..................... €3,450 •Citroen c5 1.8i, 2004, 100,000km..................................................... €3,450 •ford focus 1.6 petrol, 2002, 160,000km..............................€2,950 •peugeot 306 1.6 petrol, auto, 2000, 224,000km.............. €1,750
Right hand drive vehicles •rolls royce silver spirit, rhd, 51,000 miles....................€13,950 •citroen c4 picasso 1.6HDi, diesel, 2011, auto, 116,000 miles.€6,950 •Ford mondeo 2.0i petrol, 2008, 61,000 miles....................€POA •Vauxhall vivaro 1.9d, 4 seats, 2004, 148,000 miles .......€3,950 •honda civic 1.8 petrol, 2006, 118,000miles..................................€3,950 •renault laguna 2.0i, extreme, 2006 ,83,000 miles......€3,450 •ford focus 1.4 petrol, 2003, 130,000 miles....................€1,250 •Toyota Corolla 1.4 petrol, auto, 2002.........................€1,250 •vauxhall vectra 1.8 petrol, 2001, 125,000 miles..........€1,000
Right hand drive - spanish reg •renault megane 1.6Petrol, 2013, 53,000km......................€8,950 •skoda fabia 1.6tdi diesel, 2011, 15,000 miles......................€7,450 •toyota hilux, 2.5 diesel, 2004, 105,000 miles......................€4,950 •jaguar s-type, 3.0 v6, petrol, 2000, 112,000 miles...........€3,950 •Renault Megane Scenic 1.6 Petrol, Auto, 2003, 58,000miles, €3,450 •honda crv 2.0,auto, 2000, 147,000kms...................................................€2,950 •Ford Mondeo 2.0i, 2004 127,000 miles.................................... €2,450 •toyotaavenisis 2.0 petrol2002 85,000miles.......................€2,450
~ RHD / LHD Taken in Part Exchange / purchased for cash ~ Full procurement service
Nissan Qashqai 1.5DCi, Diesel, 2010, 110,000km €13,450 Toyota Yaris 1.3 V VTi, 2012 40,000km €12,950 renault kangoo 1.5dcI, 2013, 36,000kms €11,950 Opel Astra 1.6 16v, 2012 51,000km, 2012, €11,950 AUDI A3 2.0TDI DSG, 2006, AUTO, SPORTBACK, 149,000kms €9,950 opel corsa 1.3cdti, 2013, 130,000km €8,950 citroen jumpy 2.0hdi, 2005, Diesel, 183,000kms €5,950 Toyota Hilux 2004, 2.5D4D 168,981 kms €4,950
Visit our website Over 40 cars in group stock
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pilar de la horadada
●Re-registration service available ●no obligation test drives ●we bring the vehicle to you
32
SOLTIMES september 2016
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Lewis Hamilton battles to second as Nico Rosberg wins Italian Grand Prix
Nico Rosberg cut Lewis Hamilton’s championship lead to just two points with victory in the Italian Grand Prix. Hamilton lost what had looked set to be a certain win with a poor start after he had taken pole position with a scintillating performance on Saturday. The world champion dropped to sixth at the first corner and despite fighting back to second and closing on Rosberg he could not challenge for the win. Hamilton told his Mercedes team the poor start was his own fault. Hamilton had been on pole position by nearly 0.5 seconds - a massive margin on a track with relatively few corners and his dominance left Rosberg curt in his media exchanges afterwards. But the race fell into the German’s lap when Hamilton stuttered away from the line and was swamped by the cars behind him, with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel moving into second ahead of team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, Williams’ Valtteri Bottas and Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo. As Rosberg streaked away into a race of his own at the front, Hamilton started his recovery, passing Ricciardo at the second chicane on lap two and Bottas into Turn One on lap 11 before the Ferraris pitted out of his way on their twostop strategy. Hamilton, like Rosberg on a one-stop plan, was 15 seconds behind his team-mate by the time he was into second place on lap 17. He closed that to 12.2secs on lap 23 before Rosberg made his single stop the next time around, Hamilton following him in a lap later. After the stops, Hamilton reduced the gap to
9.1secs by lap 31, with 22 to go, before Rosberg responded and it became clear that Hamilton did not have enough pace while keeping his tyres in shape to catch up before the end of the race. Mercedes’ superiority was underlined by the fact that they were in a race of their own despite running what every other team believed was a slower strategy. All the other leading teams were on a twostop and while there was excitement with some battles here and there, it was a largely mundane race. The Ferraris were comfortably quicker than anyone else in the chasing group, and the excitement in the closing laps was around a battle for fifth between Bottas and Ricciardo. Ricciardo, choosing super-soft tyres for the final stint rather than the softs on the Williams, closed in after their final stops and pulled a brilliant overtaking move from a long way back into Turn One at the start of lap 47 to take the place. Behind them, Ricciardo’s team-mate Max Verstappen was also on a charge and he grabbed seventh from Force India’s Sergio Perez with five laps to go. Bbc.com
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Malta 1-5 Scotland The ghosts of failures past must have been swirling around Gordon Strachan's ears at half-time in Malta on Sunday night. Scotland's early lead had gone, the sides were level at 1-1 and the frailties at the heart of their defence were evident again. "It was a crisis," said the Scotland manager, earnestly. Crisis was a strong word to use, but it was Strachan's word and it was a revealing one. It spoke not just to the predicament his team were in against a nation ranked 176th in the world but also to Scotland's previous opening days in major championship qualification. The 0-0 draw against Lithuania that got the Euro 2000 campaign off to a grim start. The 2-2 draw against the Faroes in the first round of matches for Euro 2004. The 0-0 draw with Slovenia in week one of the qualifiers for World Cup 2006. The loss to Macedonia on the first day of the campaign to make the World Cup in 2010. The draw with Lithuania that put Scotland on the back foot straight away in the Euro 2012 qualifiers. The draw with Serbia that did the same for World Cup 2014. Scotland failed to qualify for all those tournaments, as if anybody needs reminding. "Everybody was concerned," said Strachan, about half-time in Malta. "But we had a bunch of lads who could deal with the stress." n the same group, Croatia had their issues with the Maltese. They, like Italy, had a one-man advantage, for 59 minutes, and enjoyed 70% of the ball but only scored twice, the second coming nine minutes from the end. In their second game with Malta, they had 64% possession and only won 1-0. Strachan had mentioned their stuffiness in the preamble. At half-time, that fear wouldn’t have been far from his mind. bbc.com
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