Roquetas R366

roquetas & almerimar

SolTimes issue 366

5 - 11 DECEMBER

est. 7 yrs

your free weekly newspaper

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Variety Bar

For Fish’n’Chips with that good old fashioned taste!

Fridays Only Evenings 7pm - 10pm

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Tel: 645 066 538

Calle Faro, Almerimar At the entrance to the port

Adult Education Centre Holds Open Day

The Asociación de Vecinos ‘La Paz’ of Aguadulce held an Open Day at the Adult Education Centre.

The main objective of this Centre is to help people to exercise, develop and maintain their intellectual and physical qualities during this stage of their life, thus helping them to achieve, maintain and enjoy a good quality of life.

The subjects of lectures and seminars at the Centre are; Learning to use new technologies; developing a correct healthy posture; keeping the body and joints supple; free expression in art and mental awareness and agility.

These workshops are designed to facilitate a continuous series of activities that are not only entertaining, but also practical and useful. No preparation is required for any of them, the workshops are designed to be enjoyable and educational.

fabulous christmas fayre Page 28-29

U-Turn On Closure of Social Services Office The Diputado for the Izquierda Unida Juan Pablo Yakubiuk, expressed his satisfaction that the Diputado Responsable for the área de Municipios, Personal y Régimen Interior had re-thought the closing of the Centro de Servicios Sociales Comunitarios del Poniente, and had decided to relocate it to the Centro de la Alpujarra.

The United Left welcomed the amendment, as it will result in residents of La Mojonera, Enix and Felix having a nearby Centre manned by four staff.

Dance Party every Monday from 20hrs

portobello rastro Arts and Antiques

car boot sale

flea market Parkcafe VIP Lounge, Travesia Playa Serena 14

Tel: 950 33 44 23

Opposite Hotel Bahia Serena at the End of the carpark

New insurance office to make you feel protected and informed

Special offers on:

Car, Home, Life, Community, Trade & Health Insurance

Your perfect insurance policy with Liberty Insurance provided by SeguRelite Roquetas

Avd Playa Serena 7 Tel: 950 326 448

9 dec

Almerimar PORT opposite Leo’s bar Every 2nd Sunday of the month

13 jan

Open 10am - 3pm

“the geese have arrived” rack of Lamb also available

Menu del dia 9.50€ served friday - wednesday

Enjoy Pierr e’s Fr ench Cuisine Kitchen open: 12.30 - 3.00, 7.00 - 10.00. Closed Thursdays Plaza Los Jazmines 10, 04740 Roquetas de Mar Opposite Playa Capricho in the car park

Information: 660 32 12 30

Tel: 950 334 439 Email: lavita@roquetas-de-mar.es

JAKS Wide Range of UK,

Arkrites British Food Store

Continental & Indian Foods & Spices OPENING HOURS:

Mon - fri 10am - 6pm sat & sun 10am - 7pm

Tel: 950 609 419

calle JABEQUE, 42, ALMERIMAR (on the Square near Caja Murcia Bank)

in Roquetas (near Theos)

Groceries & frozen foods including legs of New Zealand lamb, gammon joints, lambs liver.

Large Selection of Greeting Cards

Free Home Delivery Always well stocked

Mon - Fri: 10.30am - 5pm

Sat: 10am - 2pm

TEL: 950 334 081

out of hours please call 950 334 544 In the Urb of Roquetas de Mar, just off Avda de Mediterraneo in the square near La Gamba Toscana & Theos

READ THE SOL TIMES ONLINE @ WWW.SOLTIMES.COM

2

SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

Sport

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

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SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

3

AUAN PRESS RELEASE

AUAN, 3rd December 2012: SQUEEZING BLOOD FROM A STONE

The Superior Court of Justice has finally ruled that Vera Town Hall is responsible for compensating Helen and Len Prior. But will they ever be paid?

Helen and Len Prior’s house in Vera was demolished in 2008, although it had all the correct building licences. Theirs is the only house to have been demolished for illegal construction on non-urban land in the Levante area, and it has sown the seeds of a judicial process which threatens to go on interminably in spite of the latest court rulings.

In 2009 the highest court in Spain, the Constitutional Court, ruled their demolition to be illegal and the case was sent for retrial even though the house was already demolished.

In 2010 the demolition order was re-instated. The court ruled that the Vera Council had issued the licence knowing full well that its intended use bore no relation to legal activity on non-urbanisable land. Vera Council tried to avoid responsibility, appealing this decision and blaming the Junta de Andalucía instead.

In November 2012, almost five years after the demolition, the Superior Court has finally decided, with no further appeals available, that Vera Council is responsible. Helen and Len Prior can now resume their compensation claim, which had previously been declared premature.

However, knowing who is liable to pay the compensation and actually getting it are very far apart.

Helen and Len have already incurred 150,000 Euros in legal fees. They lost their home and have suffered both physically and mentally for over four years. They continue to fight on.

If Vera Council say they have no money, how will Helen and Len ever be compensated?

LOCAL NEWS UPDATE

Almería

Officers of the Policía Nacional have arrested a man and a woman on a charge of falsely claiming a theft of 18 goldfinches and a motorcycle, which they claimed had been stolen from their home.

During 2012 the Policía Nacional of Almería and El Ejido have arrested 27 people for falsely claiming that they had been robbed, mostly in order to claim insurance compensation.

In this last case the report was made in order to avoid prosecution. In midNovember, a report was made to the Comisaría de Almería by a 32-year-old, who reported the robbery inside his home of 18 ringed goldfinches by a number of unknown persons who forced the lock on the front door of his house.

The police investigation revealed that parallel to this complaint, the day previously Seprona officers had intervened in an illegal hunting operation for this protected species in the Paraje Collado de las Lomas.

The perpetrators managed to flee before their identities could be established.

However, the birds were recovered and some of them were birds that had been ringed by Seprona, and had on this occasion been used to lure other birds to the site.

With this information the investigators re-interviewed the complainant, and established that he was lying to avoid prosecution. Fines for

illegal hunting of this species can range from 300 to 3,000 euros.

The motorcycle, which belonged to his former partner, and which he claimed was stolen, he had sold.

Garrucha

The ongoing works to improve and embellish the southern access to Garrucha are likely to be completed within a couple of months.

The project, budgeted at 90,000 Euros, is for the creation of two ramps and the installation of planters.

The work was halted by the Dirección General de Carreteras until such time as specific recommended improvements could be made.

The Alcalde, Juan Francisco Fernández, explained that the main objective of the works is to render the two existing slopes at the entrance to Garrucha from Turre, safe from the danger of landslides.

In addition the Alcalde said that it would ‘substantially

improve Garrucha’s image at one of its main entrances, with the installation of new lighting and planters.’

Gastronomy Fair Of Artisan Products In Bodegas Perfer

8th December - 11am onwards

Exhibition and tasting of products from the Levante area, including salads, cheeses, cold meats, ham, honey, olive oil, sweets, cheese cake, a giant paella and our best wines & inauguration of a new Almerian beer and the presentation of a new cava.

During the day there will also be an exhibition of paintings and sculptures & live music.

The new restaurant will also be open – it is available for bookings for any important occasion.

Bodegas Perfer is a winery committed to producing quality wines in the Tabernas desert, with the vineyard situated in Uleila de Campo - the only vineyard in the European desert Book your place now and the festivities will be guaranteed all day!

For further information please contact 671883963 or email info@bodegasperfer.com

Adra

‘The Ayuntamiento of Adra will do everything possible to ensure that the citizens of Adra will be able to continue enjoying the Piscina Municipal.’ Said the Municipal spokesperson, Carmen Belén López Zapata.

She continued; ‘Workers at the municipal pool are, above all, qualified professionals, with the profile and educational qualifications required. They hold therapeutic rehabilitation programs, educational courses, programs for the disabled, programs for pregnant women and programs for infants. They are creating the healthy habit of sport.’

She called for the Concejal de Deportes of the Ayuntamiento of Adra, who is the owner of the company that manages the municipal pool, to put aside personal and partisan interests and focus on the interest of the city of Adra.

Club de tenis albox restaurante

Christmas Menu 25th December

Bucks fizz and Canapes Special Christmas Salad

First course:

Selection of Prawns Seafood Soup with Noodles Prawn Cocktail Second course: Roast Mushroom Soup Salmon in Cava Sauce Roast Beef and Dessert: Yorkshire Pudding Christmas Pudding Roast Turkey with Stuffing Coffee Gateaux Cake Stuffed Courgette Yule Log with Fruit & Cream

Filling Seasonal Fruit Coffee or Tea with Truffle We are please to introduce ourselves MUNDI ABOGADOS SOLICITORS. We are a multidisciplinary law firm based in Vera (Almería) and as such we deal with many different aspects of law, specialising in litigation, conveyancing, taxation, civil, commercial and fiscal law.

Our aim is to provide a personal, quality service, in plain English and to do so promptly, efficiently and in a

friendly manner.

We will keep you up to date and fully informed throughout and all at a very competitive price.

If you have decided to purchase a property in Spain, we can assist you during the purchase & conveyancing process to endure all goes smoothly.

We can also arrange to open a Spanish bank account and connection of Utility services or letting agreements.

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4

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SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

Ryanair to slash flights in Spain due to soaring airport taxes

Low-cost airline Ryanair has announced it will drastically reduce its flights to and from Spain as a result of rocketing airport taxes.

This will mean the loss of around 4.5 million passengers and 4,500 jobs, plus a reduction of 25 million euros received annually by airport governing body AENA.

Sport

The Irish carrier will cut its number of flights by 35 per cent at Madrid’s Barajas airport and 23 per cent at Barcelona’s El Prat terminal, the overall total being

Walkers survive being hit by avalanche and buried in snow

Three walkers from Valencia and two from Madrid have survived after being buried up to the neck in snow in an avalanche at the resort of Panticosa (Huesca). They were part of a group of 12 climbing the Garmo Negro peak, which is nearly 3,000 metres above sea-level, when they saw a huge wall of snow of around 100 metres by 30 rushing towards them. Five of the group were swept away, and one was completely buried, another had only his head sticking out, and a third had his legs trapped. The two from Madrid were helped by a Valencian couple, Rosa García and Germán Sastre. Iker Arriandaga, from Madrid, said he immediately threw himself to the ground when he saw the avalanche about to engulf him: “It was like whizzing down a 100-metre slide made of sheet-ice, and all I could think about was keeping my head out of the snow.”

One of the three Valencians escaped completely unscathed, whilst two others – Pablo, 36 and Miguel, 33 – were treated for a twisted ankle and a knee injury at the Escarilla health centre, and then discharged. Guardia Civil officers, who formed part of the rescue operation, say the climbers were ‘very lucky indeed’.

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648 fewer journeys.

Ryanair will cut its fleet from 14 to 10 aircraft, and passenger numbers in high season will go down from 5.3 million to 3.4 million.

Airport tax hikes mean airlines have to pay out up to four times the average of the 170 destinations Ryanair operates to and from.

If they continue the same number of flights and aircraft as they have in Spain at present, the company will shell out between 75 and 80 million euros more than they have this year.

Airport taxes make up 40 per cent of ticket costs for Ryanair’s flights to and from Madrid and Barcelona, meaning the company ‘cannot make any profit’ from these routes.

“We cannot operate these flight paths when it means our costs will double,” says vice-president Michael Cawley, who has slammed AENA for ‘failing to listen to its largest client’ and neglecting to visit Ryanair’s headquarters in Dublin.

He has also criticised AENA’s ‘disproportionate airport expansions’, which has involved ‘building new terminals that are totally unnecessary’.

Among the flight routes to and from Madrid and Barcelona which will be cancelled next year are

Almería, Bari, Ancona, Girona, Eindhoven, Faro, Frankfurt, Geneva, London Gatwick, Poznan, Stockholm, Turin and Verona.

An elderly couple found dead in their home in the province of Granada had made a suicide pact so as ‘not to be a burden for their children’, according to notes found in the deceaseds’ handwriting.

The husband, initially said to be aged 85 but later described as a 78-year-old, shot his wife dead before turning the gun on himself. His wife, Isabel P.S., said initially to be 84 but whose age has since been given as 77, had written a letter to her four

children beforehand confirming she asked Antonio Valenzuela, their father, to kill her, and that he was going to do the same. A similar suicide note in Antonio’s handwriting was discovered in their home in the small hamlet of Pinos Puente just outside Granada. Both notes said the couple wished to be cremated.

Isabel was said to be in a wheelchair due to a stroke, and her husband also suffered from a long-term illness.

Their daughter Dolores Valenzuela said she and the rest of the family were ‘completely shocked’ at this revelation, since none of them had ever considered their parents to be a burden.

“On a few occasions they remarked that they were, but those were just silly, throwaway comments,” said a confused Dolores.

She insisted that both parents were ‘very well cared-for’, that they ‘loved each other very much’ and knew that their children loved them, for which reason none of the family is able to explain the tragedy.

“They had their two daughters, their two daughters-in-law, and their home carer, and they also spent every weekends with us all together – we were a very close family. We don’t understand it,” Dolores said.

The couple were very well-known and popular in the village, where the flags of the town hall flew at half-mast on Friday.

Officials declared a day of mourning and cancelled all council activities.

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The European Commission has demanded that Rajoy’s cabinet justify the increase in airport taxes by proving that this is necessary to cover Spain’s own costs in respect of air travel.

If Spain cannot show it has good reason to apply these high taxes, the EC may force them to withdraw the increase.

Ryanair has said that if this happens, it will continue to operate as normal from all bases in Spain.

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Yet outside of Spain, Ryanair expects to continue increasing its number of routes and flights by four per cent in 2013, reaching a total of 79 million passengers and earning a profit of between 490 and 520 million euros.

Suicide pact couple ‘did not want to be a burden to their kids’ HOME HOME REJAS REJAS

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SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

Family lets their flat free to repossession victims A family in Gijón (Asturias) has offered to rent their twobedroomed, top-floor flat in the city for free to a person or family who is genuinely in need.

They said they are ‘fed up’ with trying to ‘look the other way’ when they see so many reports of people having their homes repossessed and being left on the street due to having been made redundant.

The couple live in Bilbao, in the Basque Country, and have one adult daughter, who has a property of her own and has so far escaped the negative effects of the recession, and they own a flat in Gijón – which used to belong to the husband – and is currently empty.

In the three days since the advert was published in their local newspaper, La Nueva España, the family has received over 800 calls.

“There is nothing behind it, no ulterior motive,” said the wife, who was interviewed under the pseudonym of Isabel.

“We simply want to help – it’s a gesture from one family to another.”

The flat still has a mortgage on it, and until two years ago, was rented out, but has since stood empty – during which time they have used it merely as a holiday home.

Isabel, 33, is a public sector worker in the legal profession, and her 40-year-old husband is a high-flying company boss.

Both are in salaried employment and, as Isabel states, “luck has smiled on us and, fortunately, we are in a good position, financially.”

Their only conditions are that the successful applicant is able to prove they are in financial need, such as having their home repossessed, and are able to produce evidence that they have previously had a job.

“A few years ago in Spain, in 2005 or 2006, you could find a job – but if a person of, say, 50 years of age, is unable to prove they were employed during this time, we would have to filter them out and look for someone who is more directly affected by the recession,” Isabel explains.

They say they have heard numerous horror stories and desperate situations, including immigrants who want to bring their family members over to Spain, a couple and their 31-year-

old son who are all unemployed and living in a hostel, and another family which only survives by selling scrap metal.

But the couple say they are soon going to have to make a very tough decision – that of deciding whose situation is the most desperate – although they have decided to give priority to families with dependants who are disabled or still children.

They are due to travel to Gijón this weekend to start interviewing candidates, and expect to be able to hand over the keys to the flat within three weeks, although they say they will take as long as they think they need to find the family who most needs their help.

They say they will not ask for explanations as to how each family ended up having their homes repossessed, nor how they managed their finances.

“We are not here to judge people,” Isabel explains.

She said the recent suicides, among these a former female councillor from the Basque Country town of Eibar, has meant they can ‘no longer turn the other cheek’.

“For us, it’s not an act of charity – it’s a moral obligation,” Isabel insists.

“Nobody needs to thank us for it.”

The advert in La Nueva España reads: “Because today more than ever, we cannot close our eyes to the dreadful things happening around us. Because some of us can contribute to alleviating the suffering that many families are going through today.

“Family who feels the moral obligation to share their luck with those in need is offering the use, free of charge, of a twobedroom property, fully furnished, in the centre of Gijón.

“This will be for one year, and the property will be let to the person or persons who most need this honest and genuine offer of help.

“We do not belong to any political or religious group, or any other type of movement, we are just people with a conscience.

“You must be able to prove you are genuinely in need – priority will be given to families with one or more children who have been evicted after their home has been repossessed.”

5

Driving instructor found drunk in charge of a pupil

Barcelona police have arrested a driving instructor who was three times over the limit whilst giving a lesson.

Juan José D.G. was accompanying a young lady, who was driving the learner car, when he was caught by the Guàrdia Urbana.

He was pulled over on the city-centre Avinguda Paral·lel after officers were tipped off by a local resident.

Police say the instructor reeked of alcohol and his pupils were dilated and eyes shining, which immediately led them to ask for his identification and driving licence and to breathalyse him.

They found he had 0.75 milligrams of alcohol per litre of blood, which is three times the legal limit.

His licence was immediately confiscated and he is due to appear before a judge shortly.

Officers say the accused has no previous record for drinkdriving or other motoring offences.

Drunk drivers are the main cause of accidents in Barcelona city, say police.

Last year alone, a total of 396 crashes caused by alcohol were reported

CaixaBank buys Banco de Valencia for a euro Banco de Valencia has been bought out by Caixabank for just one euro, according to the FROB. The Ordered Banking Restructure Fund has recently given the ailing Banco de Valencia a cash injection of 4,500 million euros, and its nationalisation means it will be one of four financial entities to get a slice of the 37,000-million-euro bailout from the EU. Banco de Valencia registered losses of 389.4 million euros in the first nine months of 2012, after having cut its deficit by 55.5 per cent – from 876.44 million – thanks to the grant from the FROB. The FROB has resurrected the auctioning off of Banco de Valencia – a former affiliate of Bancaja – along with Catalunya Banc, but the former was given priority due to its smaller size.

Resistance tests – devised by the management consultancy Oliver Wyman – found that in the event of adverse economic conditions, the entity would need up to 3,462 million euros in capital. CaixaBank has worked out that it will be forced to carry out a restructure of the Banco de Valencia in the gross sum of 233 million euros, although it believes that from 2014 onwards, this will generate savings of 85 million a year in costs.

The sale is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2013.

6

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

SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

news flash

Afghan wedding party hit by bomb Work begins on draft UK press bill Work is beginning on a draft bill to regulate the UK newspaper industry - amid open divisions in the governing coalition.

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Court in Russia bans video clips of Pussy Riot online

Sport A Moscow court has ruled that websites must remove video clips of the Pussy Riot female punk band, two of whose members are in jail.

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Concorde killings verdict quashed

A French court clears US airline Continental of criminal blame for the Concorde crash in 2000, two years after another court ruled it responsible.

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UK stops £21m payment to Rwanda The UK suspends aid to Rwanda worth £21m, amid concerns about the country’s role in the conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo ------------------------

Supermarkets pledge prices action

Eight major supermarkets agree to ensure that special offers are fair, following a regulator’s investigation into unfair or misleading promotions.

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TenTenBritons arrested in Spain over ‘boiler room fraud’ Britons are among 22 people arrested in Spain during an investigation into an alleged 8m euro (£6.5m) “boiler room fraud”.

According to a report by the BBC, more than 200 members of the UK public were persuaded to put their savings into non-existent shares, police said.

The arrests were carried out by the Spanish police, supported by the UK’s Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) and the City of London Police.

Four guns, ammunition and 367,000 euros were also seized, police said.

Boiler room scams are estimated to cost the UK about £200m a year.

The 22 people were arrested on

6 November but the news has only emerged now, after a Spanish judge lifted a blanket ban on publicity.

All 22 people - who have not been named by the Spanish police - have been charged with being part of an organised crime group, as well as with fraud offences. Five of the British nationals were remanded in custody and the others were released on bail.

Soca said several addresses in Barcelona and other parts of Catalonia were searched and police found seven false British passports

and numerous computers, hard drives, USB sticks and mobile phones, all of which need to be scrutinised by detectives.

They also found lists of target clients and “manuals on how to get people to part with their money”.

Soca’s Head of Operations in Europe, Ian Milne, said: “We believe this organised crime group was running a sophisticated and complex boiler room fraud.

“Shutting it down has put a stop to more members of the public being duped into parting with their hard

earned cash.”

Detective Superintendent Tony Crampton, from City of London Police, said: “Investment fraud is all too often a crime created abroad to target people back here in the UK, with the vulnerable members of society being most at risk.

“This successful operation in Spain provides further evidence of how these partnerships are now delivering the sort of results that should make organised crime gangs think twice before starting their criminal enterprise.”

Iberia workers to strike before Christmas

Employees at the troubled Spanish national airline Iberia are to go on strike in the run-up to Christmas.

Unions representing ground staff and cabin crews voted to hold a six days of stoppages on 14 and 17-21 December.

The industrial action is in protest at plans by International Airlines Group which owns Iberia and British Airways - to cut 4,500 staff at the Spanish firm.

Earlier this month, the IAG and Iberia heads both said the Spanish airline was “in a fight for survival”.

Iberia, which has been hit among other things by a prolonged recession in its home market of Spain, has been suffering record losses, and is unprofitable in all its markets.

The 4,500 job losses represent almost a quarter of Iberia’s workforce, but were not as steep as the 7,000 figure that had been expected by the airline’s unions prior to IAG’s announcement.

However, the restructuring plan also includes pay cuts of between a quarter and a third for the staff being retained.

The airline has set a deadline of 31 January next year to reach agreement with unions over the cuts, failing which it has threatened even bigger cuts in jobs and in the number of flights operated by the airline.

“We are ready to negotiate salary cuts and increased productivity, but we don’t want outright sackings,” said Jose Carillo, a spokesman of the main CCOO union.

The Spanish pilots’ union, Sepla, was not among the six trade unions to vote in favour of the industrial action, because it is currently in industrial arbitration with Iberia, which precludes it from involvement.

However, other union officials suggested that individual pilots may nonetheless choose to join the strikes.

Madrid Arena Hallowe’en party may have doubled the venue’s maximum capacity

Investigations show that the maximum capacity of the Madrid Arena was far exceeded on the night of the Hallowe’en party tragedy that cost the lives of four teenage girls and left a fifth in intensive care fighting for her life.

The total allowed in, according to the licence – based upon the constraints of the venue – was 10,650 people.

And although the company organising the party assure they only sold 9,650 tickets, an inquiry into the stampede which killed the four girls revealed that at least 16,791 people entered the building.

In fact, the police have told the court handling the case that there could have been as many as 23,000 revellers that night -well over twice the capacity of the premises.

Investigators opened four boxes of sold tickets out of a total of eight, and counted 9,257.

This means there could have been double that many sold, since they only inspected half of the boxes.

The organisers, from the company Diviertt, had originally said they did not know where the boxes of tickets were, but the police found them in the Satellite Pavilion at Madrid Arena.

Head of Diviertt, Miguel Ángel Flores, said the safety rope had broken and that a large number of youngsters gatecrashed the party.

He has also accused the police of ‘manipulating’ the boxes of tickets, which they deny.

Three girls aged 18 were killed outright in the crush, and a fourth, aged 17 – despite the party being for 18-year-olds and over only - died later in hospital from her injuries.

A 20-year-old girl suffered serious injuries and is critically ill in hospital.

Man who fOUND and handED in 12,000 euros promised a job by the owner

A 31-year-old man who found an envelope containing 12,000 euros in cash handed it in to the staff who traced the owner.

And the gentleman who had lost the money has pledged to help him find a job.

The owner of the money, a businessman, said he was ‘overwhelmed’ by the honesty of the customer, who could have easily kept it and made his own situation much easier, given that he is out of work.

He gave the finder 200 euros

in cash as a reward.

The man who found the money said the café was full of lorry drivers and he could not immediately see who had dropped the envelope, so he handed it to a waitress who quickly found the person who had lost it.

And the finder says that if he does in fact get a job as a result, it will be worth far more to him than having kept the money he found.

Passenger on Iberia aircraft bitten by scorpion An Iberia aircraft had to be cordoned off after a passenger was found to have been bitten by a scorpion. Sources from the airline say the Airbus 340 covering flight IB6316 had just landed in Madrid’s Barajas airport from San José, the capital of Costa Rica, when a Swiss woman on board had to be taken to hospital. She was kept in observation overnight due to a bite on the arm and was

released the next morning.

The woman and another five in her group were due to catch a connecting flight to Zürich, but one of them stayed behind with her in hospital. An Iberia spokesperson said the scorpion must have got onto the plane at the point of departure, in Costa Rica. It had to be cordoned off and fully disinfected once the scorpion was found.

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SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

Pink House Christmas Bonanza

plas-tech Windows

15 years of trading and still going strong, the Pink House’s annual Christmas Bonanza is now on for the 10th year running, and this year it is even bigger and better. Sam and all the staff have worked hard to get everything ready and with over 300 square metres of floor space, you can rest assured there will be something for everyone. Inside there is an array of items from large to small, whilst outside there is a selection of plants, poinsettias, geraniums and pansies, so take your time and have a good browse. If it is paintings that you are look for you need look no further, plus the choice of frames available is endless. And don’t forget to ask Sam for that special discount....you just never know! This is the place where you can get everything under one roof, it is a true Aladdin’s cave of treasures that has to be seen to be believed. Open seven days a week you find them at La Conception just off the Autovia, junction 534.

UK Window, Doors, Conservatories, Patio Doors and Guttering Enclosures Specialist Happy in the knowledge that they didn’t buy a fly enclosure because they’re going to be nice ‘n’ warm this winter just as they were nice ‘n’ cool this summer!

Tel: 681 095 096 or 679 205 545

70mm Profiles

Internally Beaded for Security

28mm Glass Units

Pilkington Active for Hot Summers Pilkington K for Cold Winters

Open: Tues - Thurs - Sat 10am til’ 2pm

Shoot Bolt locking for even more security

New Stock arriving

Plas-Tech Guttering

less 20% discount off occasional furniture

We have been a FloPlast stockist for over 20 years. Nobody sells more in Spain than us. Best product, best installation, best price deal direct with the importer

Also NEW range of: - Sofas - Coffee Tables - Cabinets lumm endduulu W ideerraannggeeooffppen Wid 15€€ froomm15 ccloc lockkssfr Peugeot Garage

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Albox Football Ground

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(Next to Total Entertainment) tuesDAY - THURSDAY - SATURDAY 10am - 2pm

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7

8

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

SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

University classes in the street to protest over education funding cuts

invitation to join us on Friday 14th December 2012 hour 17.00 hrs

Classes at Madrid’s Complutense University have been taking place in the street for the last week as a public, peaceful demonstration against funding cuts in education and increases in student fees.

Spain’s largest university will have 250 fewer tutors next year, and a reduction of 47 million euros in their annual budget.

This means vital research has now ground to a halt.

The price of undergraduate degrees and

master’s degrees have shot up this year, which is why at least 100 professors have been teaching in the open air in some of the capital’s most populous streets.

But universities are not the only education institutions to suffer from funding cuts in the field – schools across Spain have had their textbook grants for hard-pressed parents axed, and thousands of teachers have been made redundant.

for the opening of our Arboleas Funeral Home, English style chapel and family viewing room Arroyo Accituno Road, Arboleas, Next to the Cemetery

Note: Free beer and wine

elax evive

ejuvenate retreat elax El Cucador

Holistic Massage Melissa 626 144 680

Beauty Therapy

elissa, who is UK fully-qualified with over M 10 years experience, offers a range of relaxing massage treatments: from a simple Back, Neck & Shoulder Massage to Hot Stone treatments.

Reflexolgy with therapist Melissa

UK

qualified

1 hour session or discounts for a course of 6 sessions. 626 144 680

Melissa 626 144 680 Sandra 661 858 949 Our UK fully-qualified therapists are available on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 9am to 1.30pm to pamper you… We offer a full range of Facials plus Waxing, Tinting, Manicure, Pedicure or a set of Gelish Nails from 15€! sandra

Christmas Offers with Sandra

Luxury Treatments Christmas Beauty & Holistic Treatments with Melissa

RELAX PACKAGE 25€

Hot Stone Back, Neck & Shoulder Massage & Express Facial

REJUVENATE PACKAGE 38€ Reflexology & Luxury Pedicure

REVIVE PACKAGE 65€ Holistic Total Body Care, Luxury Pedicure & Manicure

Gift Vouchers Now Available

Package 1 Delux Elemis Facial & Delux Pedicure 44€ Package 2 Kaeso Facial & Gel Polish 30€ Package 3 Mini Facial & File Polish (Toes) 18€ Shiatsu Therapy – Wendy

o you suffer with: Back/Neck problems, Stress/ D Insomnia, Headache/Migraine?

Shiatsu will help. Shiatsu therapy is very much hands-on, which promotes normal healing for general wellbeing. The recipient is treated fullyclothed. Wendy, fully-qualified in the UK, is available from 3pm.

We are a self-contained private suite of rooms on the right hand side of La Vida Cucador, with its own entrance, plus disabled access and good parking

If you are a fully-qualified therapist and want to know more about us or to book a room, email retreatcucador@gmail.com Become a friend on Facebook & see our monthly Special Offers!

F.A.C.E.

Christmas Market

F.A.C.E. (Fundraising in Arboleas, Caring for Everyone) is holding its annual Christmas market at the Arboleas Salón Multiservicios de Ayuntamiento on Friday 14th December.

The market will be opened at 6-00pm

by Arboleas Mayor Cristobal Garcia Granados, and will remain open until 900pm.

Mulled Wine and minced pies will be on sale, and for the first time this year there will also be a hog roast.

Entertainment throughout the evening will be provided by the Voices of Almanzora, a magnificent choir led by Nick Duncan who will be serenading Christmas market patrons with seasonal songs and carols. Carrie’s Dusty Boots, a Line Dancing exhibition team, will be performing a tribute to the Blues Brothers and will also be dancing to more traditional yuletide melodies.

The evening will also provide the last opportunity for people to buy raffle tickets for the F.A.C.E. Grand Christmas Raffle. The top prize will be for €200 with further prizes of €100 and €50 to be won.

The draw for the Grand Christmas Raffle will be the last item on the agenda for the evening.

There will be various stalls at the venue selling everything from calendars and diaries through to jewellery, plastic hardware and confectionery. In addition there will be a home made cake stall, a tombola stand and a bar.

It is also hoped that Santa Claus will

be able to find time in his very hectic schedule at this time of year, to make his customary visit to the F.A.C.E. Christmas market.

F.A.C.E. President, Adele Wrigglesworth, has all ready been out on the advertising campaign trail and when she was interviewed at the Smooth FM Radio Station, recently, she stated that she realised that this year has been one of the most difficult years financially, for almost everyone, however she hoped that the generous people who reside in the Almanzora Valley would continue to support F.A.C.E. In it’s fundraising efforts.

It is hoped that over €2,000 will be raised by the Christmas market and the Grand Christmas Raffle.

F.A.C.E. Is the major fundraising organisation in the Almanzora Valley and is a fully registered charity. It raises money for Various organisations, including the Asociación Contra el Cáncer (A.E.C.C.), MACS Cancer Support Group and Age Concern España. It has more locally supported the school in Arboleas and the school in La Prada in educational projects.

For further information contact Adele Wrigglesworth telephone number 667 255 094 or see the F.A.C.E website; www. face-charity.com.

REPORT BY Richard B. Tolman Photo: F.A.C.E. President Adele Wrigglesworth at the Smooth FM Radio Station with presenter Malcolm Hall

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

ALBOX

IN & AROUND...

photo: www.flickr.com/photos/peperuiz/

Total Entertainment is more than just an internet café. Along with your favourite English newspapers and Magazines Claire also has all you need for Christmas and New Year. Christmas Cards in English and Spanish and a UK postal service from just 1€. Stocking fillers & gift wrap and for the bigger gifts and Christmas frocks a Shopping trip to Murcia on 16th December. Knowing how confusing the Spanish Bank Holidays can be, Claire has a stock of Spanish calendars & diaries as well as the usual English. Christmas TV guides will be in stock soon, call or call in to reserve your copy. At Total Entertainment you can top up all major mobile phone networks and purchase Euro Direct phonecards to make sure you can call the family back home over the festive season.

Come along and share a glass of cava and a mince pie with Claire & her family on Tuesday 11th December at the Christmas Fair. For more information call Claire on 950 121 318.

ONE STOP POOLS have many useful services available which include pool cleaning, pool repairs, acid bath, re-grouting, and made to measure winter covers supplied and fitted. If you need a new liner or border for your pvc liner or fibreglass pool or even coping stones, we can help.We are also now stocking special padlocks for your gates and pump boxes which emit a 110dbs sound if tampered with. For more information call 950 104 345 or for maintenance queries call 637 582 696

too late to open in time for Santa

OPEN DAILY FOR BUSINESS AS USUAL

ahorro mueble FABULOUS new FURNITURE SLIGHT SECONDS

Carreterra Lorca-Baza, Albox In the old Beer Emporium, premises

insurance quotes available

winteriseRS available still only 15€ FIND US In Longo’s Courtyard

Shop: 950 104 345 or Maintenance: 637 582 696

Tuesday 11th December 10am – 2pm

Secure box means peace of mind !

Bekki, Miguel, Mike & Maureen of A&A AUCTIONS & SALESROOMS have been running this successful Just € 35 a year family business for over 3 years now in Albox and have T: 950 064 584 M: 654 opened in their new premises on the Longo Centro Commercial site in Albox right next to Animalbox where they have doubled we we in size,here they have over sell buy 1000sqr metres which sales rooms allows them to display sale items to maximum effect. They have a large range of furniture, garden furniture,electrical goods, Sales Rooms many household items and they can also take the HOUSEHOLD stress out of clearing your ANTIQUES or a loved one’s house sales rooms GARDEN FURNITURE sales rooms for you. Business is open HOUSE CLEARANCES as usual from 9am - 2pm Monday to Thursday & 73 Ctra Lorca - Baza, Albox, Almeria 04800 Saturdays, Friday (eve) ON THE LONGO’S SITE, NEXT TO ANIMALBOX opening 5pm - 9pm.

950 06 45 76 661 75 98 82 for further information please call them on 950 M o n - Tu e s - Weds - Thurs & S at 9am-2pm F r i d a y Ev e n i n g s 5pm-9pm (sales & viewings) 06 4576 or 661 759 882.

REAL!

Mix & Match

any 2 Tubs Of either Multi, Shock or Chlorine tablets for just 36€

Christmas Fair

The Post Shop Albox

Albox

Lidl

POOL SHOP

TOTAL Entertainment

Bicibox in Albox, just a couple of doors down from Bar Wassy, is certainly the place to visit for any serious cyclists. They not only stock a huge range of quality cycles, but also spares, clothing and sports shoes. Repairs can be carried out in the shop, in fact if they are not too busy you can wait whilst they fix your cycle. They also stock a range of children’s and budget cycles, so there really is something for everyone. Pay them a visit, they are on C/Poeta Juan Berbel, or email camterero1979@hotmail.com. Tel: Don’t leave it 950 120 238. your Post Box

They may seem incredible, but our prices are...

9

BP Garage

E15 motorway Albox junction Amigos Bowling

Ahorro Mueble

Many stalls selling gifts for your loved ones & treats for yourself Be pampered by Affinity Beauty Charity Raffle in aid of Vera Orphanage Free Mince Pies & Cava

Log on and view our new website

www.totalentertainment.es 590 258

Just call into Total Entertainment, Avenida Lepanto, Albox (opp football stadium) or call Claire on 950 121 318 / 691 987 454 contact@totalentertaiment.es

Visit This Christmas

Huge Range of Cycles, clothing sports shoes & accessories We can repair your cycle in the shop Special offers on a range of sportswear Childrens cycles now in stock Open: Mon-Fri 10am-2pm & 4.30-9pm Saturday 10am - 2pm

Tel: 950 120 238 or 630 162 043 (Just near bar wassy).

C/Poeta Juan Berbel 11 04800, Albox

10

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

SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

ALMERIMAR & surrounding area photo: www.vistaworldrentals.com

el ejido

El Ejido’s Christmas program has begun with the opening of a large amusement park in the Plaza Mayor.

It was inaugurated on Saturday 1st December and will run until January 7th.

There are 12 rides especially for younger children as well as an extensive program of activities including balloon twisting, mask making, origami, storytelling and theatre with the participation of the most famous Disney characters.

A social initiative is being launched for children with disabilities or some kind of difficulty to enable them to enjoy the fun for free.

The Concejala de Turismo y Comercio, Luisa Barranco, explained that ‘This is a new activity for the municipality and has zero cost to the Council because it has been set up in collaboration with a company that will meet the costs in full.

The Plaza Mayor also has a Christmas tree, reindeer lights, Christmas decorations and music, which will make the Plaza Mayor a cheerful, lively and fun venue for more than a month

el ejido

An Information Campaign on AIDS has been launched in El Ejido.

The campaign, part of the Plan Municipal de Prevención de Drogodependencias, is being publicised through the local radio station and talks to parents and teenagers.

The Concejalía de Servicios Sociales y Mujer of the Ayuntamiento of El Ejido, in conjunction with the ‘Día Mundial contra el Sida’, launched the campaign with the statistic that in Spain it is estimated that more than 120,000 people are living with HIV and 30% of these are unaware of it, which indicates that more than 40,000 people infected are living in ignorance of their condition.

The campaign aims to give information on what constitutes the disease, its causes, stages, modes of transmission and the importance of early diagnosis, which can reduce the mortality rate by 50%

Upholstery

• We Upholster Chairs, Sofas and Wing Chairs • 30 years of experience • Large fabric selection • Free pick up & delivery • In home free estimates

Tel: 692 17 60 69

The Charity Shop Calle Galera No6, Almerimar (Behind Bar Ankara)

now open

Monday-Saturday 10am-2pm In Association with Animales de Berja & Ursamarina

MacGowan’s Bar & Restaurant every thursday 8.30pm start

Guinness, Murphy’s Cider, Heineken, Large Selection of Spirits

open mic night & jam session Bookings for

Christmas Lunch being taken

3 courses €18.50 Calle Varadero Almerimar 04711 (Almeria) Tlf. 950 609 546

Ankara

Cafe Bar Ray & Kay welcome you...

Est 2005

to their small and friendly cafe bar for breakfast, lunch & drinks

Open: Mon - Sat 10.30am - Close

Open: Sunday 2pm - 10pm

Tapas served daily 12 noon - 5.30pm (except Sunday)

Sky Sports / ESPN for all sports Tel 610 900 320 Darsena 3, Almerimar - next to pharmacy

There is a new page on Facebook called Memorias de Almerimar www.facebook.com/ MemoriasDeAlmerimar

where people can share their photos and other memories of Almerimar from years gone by. If you have some old photos of Almerimar please can you share them with us.

what’s on Wednesday

Sol Times Distributed

Thursday

8:30pm - OPEN MIC NIGHT & JAM SESSION - MACGOWANS

Friday

Friday Golf

Saturday

stumble inn - 3pm-5pm free 100€ cash draw followed by live entertainment free buffet at 4pm 8 december 2pm fundraising event for la asociacion animales de berja - stumble inn

Sunday

10am – 1pm: Almerimar Walking Club - Meet at Mercadona

Monday

11am – 1pm: Ladies Coffee Morning - Yachting Golf Restaurant 5pm – 7pm: Jeu de Boules - East Beach

Tuesday

Tuesday Golf -----------------------------------------------------------IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR WEEKLY EVENTS TO BE PUBLISHED HERE - FREE OF CHARGE SEND THE DETAILS TO EDITOR@SOLTIMES.COM

Friday Golf Society Away day to Desert Springs 30 November 2012

40 golfers set off on a coach at 8:30am in the morning from Almerimar and didn’t return until after 9pm. We all had a great day at Desert Springs. The course was difficult and the weather was bright but cold.

The Best Man prize was won by Mel Moody with 39 points The Best Lady prize was won

by Siv Bill with 31 pts.

There were 5 nearest the pins, one of which nobody hit the green on. The others were won by Mel Moody, John Flynn, Lennart Olsson and Bobby Cuddy.

In the team competition the winners with an amazing score of 87 points were Mel Moody, Siv Bill, Sharon Sly and Peter Callan.

In last position with a somewhat lower score of 59 points were John Woodhead, Wilhelm Krings, Dick Coster and Anne Marie Coster.

Thank from all attendees to Alan and Sharon Sly for all their hard work in organising a great day out. The people were very friendly and helpful at Desert Springs. The facilities were 1st class as was the lunch following the golf You can see the full results at: www.fridaygolfsociety.es.

If you would like to take part in the friendly Friday competitions at Almerimar you can put your name up on the entry list by the pro-shop or contact info@ fridaygolfsociety.es

For all your local advertising needs call Mark on 693 774 932

...and email all your news and views to:

editor@soltimes.com

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

Almerimar golf hotel is open...

We can confirm that the refurbished golf hotel is now open. Jacqui and I wandered through reception today and it looked very nice, clean and new.

As yet, the entrance to the spa area (on the lower ground floor to the left of reception) has yet to be completed.

Also, Pauline´s new hairdressing salon close to the spa reception area is still to be completed.

Once open, for people wanting to visit Pauline you can drive into the car

park at the front of the hotel, turn left and park facing Mercadona. There is a separate entrance to the spa here and Pauline´s salon is on the right as you walk into the spa reception. We had a look through the window and I think it is smaller than the salon in the beach hotel. However it looks like it will be pretty posh when it is finished.

Report by John Woodhead www.almerimartoday.com

11

st umble inn Saturday 8th December FROM 2pm

F u n dr a isi ng Ev en t in a id of

L a Asociacion A n im a le s de Berja

more tourists needed!

Stalls Tombola Prizes

Liv e Music w ith Br ia n Dee from 5pm

Last month, Martin Shortland reported on an initiative by the local tourist authority to bring more foreign tourists into the region next year, including plans to visit major Tourism Trade Fairs throughout Europe. Here, Martin reports on the latest developments.

The English tour operator TUI UK will re-establish flights Between Manchester and Almeria from May next year. Javier Garcia, vice president of the Almeria tourist board made the announcement at the World Travel Fair in London last week. After a number of meetings with TUI operations director Oliver Westwood he said, “It’s a great deal for the region as this route has not been open for some years. It also opens many doors, not just with the United Kingdom, but with other destinations where TUI operate.”

Talks were also held with representatives of Easy Jet with a view to opening new routes between Almeria and UK destinations. Javier Garcia highlighted what he called the “very receptive” position of the company, “to open new routes other than London, which would significantly increase the number of English tourists visiting the province.” Talks were also planned with five other air carriers, who are studying the feasibility of connections with other European countries, including Belgium, Holland, Germany and Poland.

Mr Garcia and his team will be visiting the Salzburg trade fair early next year and have meetings planned with the German tour operator REWE. He said, “It’s very encouraging that a major tour operator like REWE wants to hold talks with us. We feel optimistic we can offer

them the right sort of deal to start an operation to bring tourists from Germany to our wonderful region.” He said how pleased they were with all the talks they had at the London Fair and were hoping to hold further meetings to secure other new business next year.

The Tourist Board for the province of Almeria announced its budget for 2013 will be 2.2 million Euros, down on last year by almost 500,000 Euros. Detailed plans of how the money will be spent are to be released shortly, though it’s believed up to 70% will go directly on the regions, including Roquetas and Almerimar. A small percentage will be spent on representation at tourism shows within other regions of Spain.

Whilst the budget is substantially down on last years, the impression given by the tourist office is a very positive one.

Bearing in mind the current economic climate, it would appear everything is being done to ensure an increase in visitor numbers next year. Without doubt, the success of the deputation at the London Trade Fair has done a lot to boost the image of the region and hopefully, without speaking too soon, the future certainly looks a little brighter.

Monday to Friday

teeing off

between 10am & 12noon

green fee meal & 35€ per p erso drink n to book a tee time call

950 55 96 46

or email:reservas@laenviagolf.com www.laenviagolf.com

12

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

SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

lo ok g o o d feel grea T

EDITOR@SOLTIMES.COM

BB creams : the hottest thing in Hollywood!

BB creams are multi-functional products that harness smart new technology and ingredients so you can replace your serum, moisturiser, primer, foundation and sun block, all presented in one neat little all-in-one package

This new hybrid product, which sits between skincare and make up, gives skin a natural luminous look - meaning BB creams are fast becoming the beauty secret of celebrities and their make-up artists worldwide.

BB creams originated in Germany where a dermatologist gave it to her clients who had undergone laser treatments, which left the skin sensitised and vulnerable to the sun.

BB creams then quickly become popular in Korea and across Asia in the mid-Noughties and most recently amongst A-listers and makeup artists for their amazing skin nourishing benefits, which also leave skin primed and with a healthy glow.

Lieve Declercq, Origins Global Spokesperson of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology

week of their launch this summer.

fastest selling product in the range.

The success of these BB creams is based on SYN-AKE, a neuropeptide, which inhibits the contraction of innervated muscle cells, thus providing a mild, non-invasive temporary Botox-like effect on fine lines and crow’s feet.

If you’ve been suffering with dry, postsummer, back-to-school skin which is now taking a battering from the cold, wet and windy conditions outside, check out the Body Shop’s BB offering. Their All-in-One BB cream (£12, www.thebodyshop.co.uk) is highly rated, and has sold at the rate of one every 27 seconds since launching in August this year.

The BB venom skin tint even made an appearance at the closing ceremony of the Olympics this summer when the Spice Girls’; make-up artists used it - the result being that the girls looked like they hadn’t aged a day since they taught the world how to Spice up their lives more than 10 years ago.

explains: ‘BB Creams should provide broadspectrum SPF protection from UVA and UVB rays to protect against sun damage but can also help conceal hyper-pigmentation, acne, scars and blemishes, hydrate, whitening as well as having anti-aging benefits’ Rodial, the go-to beauty brand of celebrities such as Angelina Jolie and Lady Gaga, have just launched their new Rodial BB Venom Skin Tint (£35, www.rodial.co.uk), which comes in three shades, rather fabulously named Capri, Hamptons and St Barts.

Jessie J is also a huge fan of BB creams and her new softer, more sophisticated look can be put down to James Read BB Tan Face Pen (£22.50, www.jamesreadtan.co.uk) which she is said to carry around with her everywhere.

Clever James Read, the celebrity tanner to the stars whose fans include supermodels Lara Stone and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, has just launched a range of 11 at-home professional self tanning products and his BB cream pen with added gradual fake tan is the

For the eye area, there is a triple-action brightening concealer, Rodial BB Venom Eye (£29, www.rodial.co.uk), which comes in two shades: a cooler pink-toned shade called Aspen and a warmer yellow tone called Malibu (you get it), which sold out within a

Stylist Required Part Time

Must have minimum of 10 years Experience + good people skills

Giorgio Armani’s new Luminessense Bright Revelator Greige BB Fluid SPF 50/PA++ (£60, www.armanibeauty.co.uk) might be an eye wateringly pricey option when it comes to a BB cream but it does help you get your glow on and leaves all skin tones including the very deepest ones looking even - as well as having one of the highest SPF protection on the market.

And, even Mecadona has got in on the act (PICTURED) so there’s even more reason to give this product a go!

centro óptico

Jo & the Team

Avda Pio XII, s/n 04800 - Tel: 950 121 991

would like to Thank all their customers and wish everyone a very

A Months Supply of One-Day Lenses

Only €18.90

Hard of Hearing?

Come and have a free test!!

All accessories and various models available

1 pair

Graduated Lenses

Merry Christmas

Monday - Friday 9.30am - 5pm Saturday 9.30am - 3pm. No siesta

As well as tackling dehydration, fine lines and wrinkles, redness and radiance, at the very heart of a BB cream is a high SPF protection - no more excuses not to protect skin from the damaging and aging effects of the sun all year round, as advised by skin experts and dermatologists.

Some BB creams - especially those created for the Asian market - can sometimes leave a white or chalky appearance on deeper skin tones but if you’re looking for light to medium coverage as well as anti-aging skin benefits grab yourself Origins A Perfect World BB SPF 15 Age-Defense Tinted Moisturizer with White Tea (£27, www.origins.co.uk). It smells heavenly with an essential oil blend of sweet orange, lemon and spearmint, which will put you in a good mood at the start of a hectic day and also comes in six shades with a blend of mineral pigments for super quick and easy airbrushed-looking skin.

Fully Qualified

Calle Malaga - Albox (100m from Mercadona)

It contains skin protecting and soothing vitamin E and hydrating community fair trade Marula oil for 24 hour hydration that not only leaves you feeling good about your skin but also your conscience.

Get Your Eyes Tested For FREE

€56

2 pairs:

€93

28€ Single Vision 96 € Varifocal

Call for an appointment

950 633 086

30% discount 30% discount off all for OAPs

Prices are subject to change without notification. Please confirm on booking. We reserve the right to withdraw offers at any time.

kim clark benefits consultancy

Tel:950 475 403

■ if you suffer from... ■ or you need...

• mobility problems •h elp with washing/ • pain/breathlessness dressing • falls/stumbles • supervision rule changes mean that you could now be entitled to extra income by claiming UK Sickness/Disability Benefits while living in Spain For advice or to book a consultation call 950 169 729 or 663 297 568 www.ukbenefitsinspain.com kimos28@hotmail.com

indigogimnasio

special offer + +

6 month membership

only €150 (= 25€ per month)

Hotel Plaza Indigo Tobaccanist Puntazo Gym

BBME Hotel Maui bar Parador

playa

playa

Comercial Centre

FAALAAS AAS

Designer Sunglasses

25 The Post Shop, Albox, Stall 71 Los Llanos market

TEL: EL: 634 3117 4922

Home Accessories Scented candles, tea lights and holders Dried, silk & foam flowers Giftware Bathware Beautiful home accessories Stockists of Landon Tyler products Home parties available - view our range with your friends in the comfort of your own home

www.soltimes.com

Top heart healthy Christmas tips Stub it out!

Give up smoking and help your heart. New Year is a good time to do this and after the expense of Christmas, it’s easier on your pocket too. Get tips, advice and support in our smoking section.

Get your dancing shoes on

Keep active during the festive season and help work off the extra calories. Try going for a brisk walk at lunchtime or why not have some fun and dance away the calories at the Christmas party! Get out more ideas in our staying active section.

Go low

It can be difficult to avoid high-fat food choices at this time of year, but there are some healthier options you can include on the buffet table if you’re entertaining.

Healthy examples include vegetable sticks with low fat yoghurt or tomato based dips and sandwiches with lower fat fillings, like sliced egg and tomato or low fat spreadable cheese with roasted vegetables. Find out more in our healthy eating section.

It can be tricky to protect your health q uit over Christmas so we’ve put together some easy to follow Christmas tips to give you some food for thought over the holiday season.

Cut down

all hair & beauty offers

30

Mini Manicure, Mini Pedicure, Mini Facial Mini Manicure, Mini Pedicure Colour Cut / Blow Dry

€

total

47.50

€

TOTAL

Luxury Manicure or Pedicure incl paraffin wax treatment + Cut / Blow Dry

34.50

€

Luxury Facial - Deep Cleanse, Tone Exfoliate, Steam & Extraction Massage, Tailor Made Mask & Moisturise + Blow Dry 10% off Full Body Spraytans - SUDO Professional Individual Party Lashes, Blow Dry

€2.50 When applied with another service

35.50

€

18 €25 €35.00 €40.00 €5.00 €

We would like to thank all our lovely existing clients & invite new by inviting you to join us for cava & mince pies on wednesday 12th december 4-6pm You can ask us any questions you may have on any hair & beauty needs!

Fruit makes a great snack which can be eaten anytime of the day. Don’t head off to the work party hungry, as you are likely to be tempted by the less healthy options and may find you eat more than you normally would. Instead, have a healthy snack beforehand such as an apple or a pear, low fat yogurt with dried fruit or a fruit smoothie which will take the edge off your hunger and helping you to make better choices.

Osteopath Naturopath Enrique Arias, N.D, D.O

Festive cheer

Keep within sensible alcohol limits which is no more than 3-4 units a day for men and no more than 2-3 units a day for women. Try alternating alcoholic drinks with water or pure, unsweetened fruit juice. Find out more about alcohol and heart disease, and if you’re recovering from a heart operation or on heart medication, check with your doctor.

Something fishy

Oily fish like mackerel and salmon is an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids, which can help protect against heart disease. Salmon makes a special Boxing Day meal that offers a lighter choice after the other Christmas food and can be eaten hot or cold.

Tel. 629 289 385

for info and appointments

Health Care For Adults and Children • Emergency Home Visits • English • Spanish • French • German • 20 Year’s Serving the community

UK Registered - Treating

Sciatica - Back Pain - Sports Injuries Digestive and Cardiovascular Disorders Headaches - Arthritis - Skin Conditions

Chill out

You may have found a moisturizer that works just fine in spring and summer. But as weather conditions change, so, too, should your skin care routine.

Find an “ointment” moisturizer that’s oil-based, rather than water-based, as the oil will create a protective layer on the skin that retains more moisture than a cream or lotion. (Hint: Many lotions labeled as “night creams” are oil-based.)

La Alfoquia 683 479 261

Hair Resurrection Treatment

Eat fruit

winter health tip

Hair & Beauty Studio

Colour, Cut & Blow Dry Full Head Foils Cut & Blow Dry

The recommended maximum amount of salt per day for adults is 6g (or about 1 teaspoon). So go easy with the crisps, salted nuts and other nibbles. It’s also worth getting into the habit of reading the food labels, such as those on pre-prepared party foods, to help you choose the healthiest options. See our salt section for more information.

The build up to Christmas can be stressful and it can cause us to slip back into unhealthy behaviours, such as smoking and drinking more. So take time out to relax, spend some time with friends or go for a stroll in the park and help reach your 30 a day physical activity target at the same time.

13

SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

Stylish Fashions for the discerning lady Soft knits from ONLY 27.50€

beautiful accessories

scarves from 7€

Gift vouchers available Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 10am-4pm Sat 10am-2pm Calle Malaga, ALBOX (1 street up from the Mercadona)

Tel: 620 534 423 or: 950 064 269

Centro Cueva Del Lobo Paseo Mediterraneo 10, Mojacar Beach Centro Medico Indalo C/ Manuel Azaña, Almeria

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SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

now

only until the 15th december t n o d s mis

don t mis s

y r u t n e C e h t f o e The Sal at

THE PINK HOUSE

with up to 90% discount on any item open every day from 9am-6pm

On Offer HOUSEHOLD GOODS

Chairs from 3€, Beds from 25€, sofas from 45€, Dining tables from 25€, Carpets from 25€. Videos, CDs, Books & Christmas cards all at 50c. Kitchenware: Glasses, plates etc from 1€. Decorative items from 1€

Huge selection of original paintings by renowned GALLERY Spanish & English Artists. Together with the largest SECTION selection of prints in Spain, over 3 million with prices

€

Café

1€

is open throughout the all at SALE with extended hours & as usual offering Delicious, freshly prepared meals, cakes & drinks

Cars, Caravans, vans & Motor homes, English & Spanish

from 300€

We are closer that you think!

5 mins from Arboleas, Zurgena, Antas, Huercal Overa and 15 mins from mojacar, vera & albox opening hours Tel: 679 207 545

or 681 095 096

Mon-Fri 10am-5pm Sat-Sun 10am-4pm

We are 3.5 kms on the right, from the exit of 543 of the E15 / A7 motorway. Direction La Concepcion You can’t miss us and you shouldn’t!!

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from as little as

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

Christmas Countdown

PArt 2

Start planning

Make a to-do-list and write the dates into your diar y or on your calenda r. Review it daily and cross out any thing that’s been completed remembering to add any thing new that’s cropped up.

TIP: If you use Microsoft Out look, enter key dates into the calendar and you’ll be reminded daily with an elec tron ic message

gift shopping

ays There are only FOUR Saturd you if so until Christmas Day haven’t already star ted gift shopping, get on with it!

Order your christmas flowers and table decorations If you’re hosting the Christmas dinner and don’t fancy decorating the table yourself, place your order with the florist in plenty of time.

Choose an arrangement that will last and keep it in a cool room, or in the garage, so that it still looks good on the big day

Write to Santa

So long as they still believe, while away an afternoon with the children writ ing letters to Father Christmas or, if they are too young, they can draw him a picture instead.

TIP: Make Christmas really spe cial with a return letter from Santa to you r child! Visit www.freeletter sfromsantaclau s.com

Order your turkey

Buy a poinsettia

be Although frozen turkeys can kly wee al usu the with up picked shopping, most supermarkets e and butchers will take advanc a to up eys turk h fres for orders month before Christmas.

The Spanish Christmas Lottery works differently to most lotteries in the world. Tickets are very expensive, but you don’t have to buy the entire ticket. However, if you don’t buy the whole thing, you can’t get the whole winnings!

A whole ticket ‘billete’ is very expensive – 200€ however, these tickets are split up into ten ‘decimos’ (tenths) costing 20€ each. When buying your tickets you have the choice of buying a single decimo, a whole ticket, or a fraction of your choice. If you don’t buy the whole ticket, someone else will buy the rest of your ticket.

Example of a Spanish Lottery Ticket May be Won: You buy two decimos. Person A buys three decimos. Person B buys five decimos. Your ticket wins 1,000€. You win 200€. Person A win 300€. Person B win 500€ - Got that?

Good!

It is common for a group of people to buy a whole ticket (ten decimos) together. This group could be a

family, some work colleagues or even the regulars at a local bar. In this way El Gordo becomes a social event as people ‘play together’ under the same ticket. In some bars you may see in the window “Jugamos con el numero...” (“We’re playing with number...”) to indicate that they are playing El Gordo this year and as an invitation to join in the fun!

As the wealth is often spread out among a group of people rather than a single person, a win in a small community can have a profound effect on the local economy.

The word the Spanish use for winning the lottery is ‘touch’ (‘tocar’) so they may say “Esperamos que toce aquí” (“We hope it touches here”).

El Gordo is drawn every December 22. The process is long (taking in excess of three hours) so you will likely see people sat by their radios for much of the day, waiting for the results.

The Spanish Christmas draw does not work anything

tailor made

start cleaning

Get ready for guests by giving the house a good clean.

Although the basic everyday cleaning tasks can be left until a few days before your guests arrive, you’ll need a er little longer to tackle the larg the jobs such as sor ting out guest bedroom, cleaning the windows and degreasing the oven – YUK!

declutter your home

Don’t leave it until the last minute, start to de clutter and make space for all the lovely Christmas gif ts tha t ar e on the way.

Order your alcohol

Don’t leave ordering your alco hol to the last minute if you’re throwi ng a Christmas or New Year par ty.

plan your menu

istmas If you’re entertaining this Chr your ning plan t star now’s the time to g ppin sho r you up g menus and drawin the in r late e tim lf list. Save yourse frozen month by buying groceries and . now d foo

Poinsettia plants are lovely gifts and make any room shout Christmas.

CHRISTMAS IN Spain...

15

EEll GGoorrd doo!!!!

like a “normal” lotto draw.

Ticket play numbers range from 00,000 to 84,999.

There is a winning 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes, as well as for over one thousand smaller prizes; players also win prizes for partially matching the top three winning numbers.

They have 2 huge spheres, one holds wooden balls with the 5 digit numbers on them and the other holds balls with the prize amounts. As the draw happens, there are 2 kids, each next to one of the spheres and one takes the ball with the prize amount while the other takes the ball with the play number.

16

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SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

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LEGAL CORNER WITH MICHAEL DAVIES, ABOGADO/SOLICITOR

If you wish us to print an article about a particular topic, please e-mail info@daviessolicitors.com

BEING A RESIDENT OF SPAIN OR NOT CAN MAKE A CONSIDERABLE DIFFERENCE TO CAPITAL GAINS TAX NASTY SURPRISE: HAVING WHAT EVERYONE CALLS ‘THE RESIDENCE CERTIFICATE’ IS NOT PROOF OF TAX RESIDENCY AND IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WILL BE TREATED AS A NON-RESIDENT AND 3% OF THE SALES PRICE WILL BE HELD BACK WHEN YOU SELL YOUR PROPERTY...

Q. I have sold my house. I was under the impression that I was a resident and that the 3% retention for non-residents would not be applicable, but the notary said that my residence certificate was not proof of residency and that he had to treat me as a nonresident which means that 3% of the sales price was retained and paid into the tax office . How can the resident certificate not be proof of residency?

A. What the notary is saying is correct. It is a common nasty surprise at the notary lately suffered by sellers that are not getting the correct advice prior to selling . The new resident certificates without a photograph, issued by the police, do not state you are a tax resident of Spain - what it says is that you are a resident of Europe.

To be able to be treated as a tax resident of Spain at the moment of sale, you need to provide the notary with a certificate issued by the tax office in Spain stating that they consider you a tax resident of Spain. This needs to be requested in advance of going to the notary by your solicitor or yourself to avoid the 3% retention. Some notaries will also accept as proof of residency your Spanish tax returns.

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If you are thinking of selling, it is important to find out from the tax office well in advance if your status is that of a resident or non resident, and the certificate issued by them needs to be taken to the notary the day of signature.

P.S. If you are a non resident, do not forget it is obligatory to file a non-resident tax returns, and that the tax man has created a task force to go after those that have not been paying (and they are sending out letters since November 2011).

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

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

A Right Royal Do and a Royal Reply!

On Saturday 2nd June 2012 Helen Geddes and Isobel Forsyth the proprietors of The Grapevine held a Jubilee celebration for The Queens Diamond Jubilee supporting her 60 years on the throne. Most of the local British ex-pats turned out some even looking like the royal family, bringing

with them a selection of sweet and savoury delicacies. Local singer Al Diamond provided the musical entertainment until late evening.

Gary and Julie McLean who were holidaying in Partaloa were so impressed with this celebration they wrote to the

Sol Insure O

Queen to inform her of the party and the fun it provided for all.

They were surprised when the Queen wrote back, On Balmoral Castle headed note paper a with a Diamond Jubilee memento with photographs depicting the Queen throughout her reign.

However Helen and Izzie were even more surprised when the Queen wrote to them at The Grapevine in Piedra Amerilla with a personal note on Buckingham Palace headed note paper thanking them for their support.

Helen and Izzie expressed delight and surprise at the Royal reply.

Helen said “It is amazing that the Queen took the time to write back to Gary and Julie and fantastic that she should go that extra mile to write to thank Izzie and I, It really makes you feel important, it is not every day you get a letter from the Queen. It really lifts your spirits”.

Izzie said “I have never felt so proud and humble that the Queen took the time to write to us, I will be framing her letter and photos from that celebration in the Grapevine so that all those people who attended and made for a fantastic day can share in the Queens response” Bedar, 04288 (next to Miramar Restaurant) Tel: 950 469 624 or 687 938 466 Email: info@olivehouse-es.com www.olivehouse-es.com Monday - Friday 10am - 3.30pm

Olive

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Bedar

OLV424

Cabrera

This large semi detached Villa is located in the centre of El Pinar village and has a corner plot with private pool, 3 beds and a build size of 195m2. A MUST SEE.

This peaceful, spacious and elegant villa with its expansive terraces and large private pool is delightfully situated in a quiet spot and well complimented by the breath taking westerly vistas.

only 149,950€

only 275,000€

OLV575

Cucador

OLV507

Bedar

Providing the best cover at competitive rates

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950 472 098

17

This 3 bedroom 1 bathroom property has been renovated to very high standard, retaining many interesting features and qualities, it also includes a good sized garden and small ruin for renovation.

A fantastic opportunity to acquire a unique and spacious 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom property with infinity edge swimming pool, breathtaking views and under 20 minutes to the coast.

only 69,950€

only 485,000€

18

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SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

villa, pool and garage in vera

€299.000

Exclusive to veritas homes

4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms charming villa with solarium, independent lockup garage, landscaped gardens, BBQ area, and private swimming pool a few minutes from Vera town.

The property sits on a 5,000 m2 freehold plot and has a total built area of 201.95 m2.

The villa itself has a built area of

156.95 m2 distributed between living room, dining room, kitchen, master bedroom with ensuite bathroom, 3 further double bedrooms, family bathroom and a terrace.

The lockup garage has a built area of 45.00 m2. There is also a 24m2 porch.

The villa is completely secluded and access is via an asphalt road, the

last few metres of which is a well maintained dirt track. It is approx. 10 minutes drive to the beaches of Vera Playa, Garrucha, Mojácar Playa and 5 minutes drive to the motorway linking the area to Almería, Murcia and the rest of Spain.

A must see property for those looking to invest and with the right budget and

for those who are looking to live in the “campo” yet be within easy driving range of the amenities of the town and the seaside nearby.

For more information or to book a viewing appointment please visit our office or contact us via phone or email. Ref: 1017

Paseo del Mediterraneo 197 - Mojacar - Almeria

Tel: 950 472 430 / 610 053 563

property group

property guide....

Urgently required

farmhouses & equestrian properties For Sale

clients waiting to view info@icasaspain.com

TRADITIONAL ANDALUCIAN FARMHOUSE

VERA APARTMENT FOR RENT LONG/SHORT-TERM/HOLIDAY RENTAL 2 BEDROOM, 2 BATHROOM, pENTHOUSE APARTMENT IN VERA PLAYA - ALL MOD CONS, BALCONY & ROOF TERRACE OFFERING FANTASTIC VIEWS

cALL 663 977 230 or EMAIL: gedfab@yahoo.com

3 bedrooms...

1 bathroom...

Utility room...

Lounge and kitchen with fireplace...

4300m2 land with olives trees and garden to grow vegetables...

PRICE:

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

44,500€

TEL: 678 527 602 macael75@hotmail.com

O

Contact: 607 705 085 or 687 938 466 C/Llanos, Bedar (Next to the Miramar Restaurant)

Open: Monday-Friday 10.00am-3.30pm

www.olivehouse-es.com

OLV573

antas

Olive

A truly unique opportunity to purchase a village house for development located in one of the most sort after locations in the town of Antas. This 3 bedroom property is located in the main square opposite the Town Hall.

47,500€

for sale

plot of land of 800m2 & villa 125m2 brick built up to & including roof Wonderful location & exceptional views yet 5 mins to town with all amenities.

Fully legal with escritora must be viewed!

Bargain Price - only 65,000€ To view or for more details 609 199 394

Many can do it well...

Some can do it very well... but only a few do it like us... always with the customer in mind www.anotherworld-properties.com • sales@anotherworldproperties.net

TEL: 968 592 679

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Contact: 950 431 624 or Paul: 693 969 800 www.almeriapropertyfinder.com info@almeriapropertyfinder.com

...CALL 902 750 190 OR 950 121 936 ~ EMAIL: SALES@SOLTIMES.COM

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

property of the week ref.534 MOJACAR

138.000€

BANK REPOSSESSION Large townhouse centrally located & full of charm, with 3 beds, 3 baths, large terrace, kitchen, Extra-large lounge with fireplace, swimming pool & tennis court, private locked garage, 100m from the beach and all amenities, fantastic opportunity.

BARGAIN :……..… 138.000

REF.529

arboleas

169.950€

reduced

Los Gallardos

69.950€

Semidetached villa with 2 double bedrooms, 2 baths, plus sun terrace with Fantastic Mountain Views, very sunny, spacious living/dining room, private drive way, A/C hot & cold, beautiful communal pool & private garden well maintained, Bargain price.

partaloa

154.950€

bargain

62.000€

turre

58.950€

Large furnished Penthouse, 1 bedroom + wardrobes & 1 bathroom, large Terrace 39m, sea & mountain views, fully fited kitchen, sold fully furnished, A/C (hot & cold), private locked garage, 2 communal pools, south facing.

REF.537

mojacar

370.000€

2 bedrooms, 1 bath apartment, good size lounge/diner with light fitted, nice open country side / mountains views, fully fitted kitchen, easy off street communal parking, with lift, walking distance to all amenities and on bus route.

REF.492

turre

59.000€

In the heart of Mojacar Playa, 300m from the beach, Bright House, with large basement , 188,50m2 built on a 350m2 plot, swimming pool & Jacuzzi in the garden, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, large independent kitchen, sea and mountain views,in an excellent condition.

REF.497

mojacar

349.000€

bargain

Beautiful immaculate 3 beds, 2 detached villa, of 129m built, with country views, lounge/diner, fitted kitchen, private off street parking, beautiful swimming pool 8x4, A/C, open fire place, mosquito net, low maintenance garden, beautiful home.

REF.493

Mojacar

reduced

bargain

REF.439

One of the finest Mojacar villa with beautiful open sea views, total of 200m built on a plot of 2,000m2, total of 3 beds and 2 baths, huge sun bathing area, large roof terrace, private locked garage, space for a pool, REDUCED FROM 690.000€

REF.034

REF.317

reduced

reduced

Lovely detached villa of 126M, in a lovely location with fantastic mountain views, has 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, lounge, lovely kitchen, various terraces, located on 605M plot with a private pool, Private large garage converted into a guest apartment.

REF.500

REF.535 Mojacar beach 299.000€

mojacar

89.950€

BARGAIN PROPERTY, Brand new townhouse centrally located, 4 beds, 2 baths, terrace, kitchen, lounge/diner, communal swimming pool, quick sale required, and fantastic opportunity for holiday or full time home with incredible price.

REF.403

mojacar

159.000€

A spacious charming detached villa, with 5 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, A/C Heating and cold, fitted kitchen Good size lounge with open fire place, private terrace with sea view, very large lockup garage + private pool, 200m to the beach.

REF.539

mojacar

125.000€

bargain

bargain

bargain

Ground floor 2 beds, 1 bath, 2nd line Apartment, 25m terrace with open golf views, complete equipped American kitchen + white goods, living/diner room, beautiful pool & private secure Parking, A/C, fully furnished, quick sale required

BARGAIN 3 beds, 2 baths large town house, on 2 floors, with open sea views, lounge/diner, 2 terraces, fitted kitchen, private parking, communal pool and garden, walking distance to all amenities & the beach, immaculate condition.

1ST floor apartment, 3 double beds with built in wardrobes, 1 complete bathroom, lounge-Diner, kitchen, 30m terrace with sea views, 3 swimming pools, tennis court, private parking space, lifts, furnished.

19

20

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SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

I’m Dreaming Of A Green Christmas…

Create a centrepiece

These are just a few suggestions of eco-friendly and economical ways to decorate your home with natural Christmas decorations.

...by making a mini wreath and placing a tall pillar candle in the middle.

Add a little sparkle by spraying silver paint on the tips of pine cones or use white paint, to look like a powdering of snow.

Start collecting materials early

Set baskets of assorted pine cones on the hearth or use it as a centrepiece.

During walks, look for dried flowers, berries, nuts, pine cones and herbs. As the seasons change, you’ll have a selection of different colours and textures from which to choose. Collecting all during the year gives you the opportunity to stockpile a variety of materials to make your Christmas decorations.

Think about a fresh cut Christmas tree or a potted tree that you can plant after the holidays.

Start a family tradition and make a special day out to buy the perfect tree. If you don’t have live evergreen trees or shrubs to clip branches from in your garden, buy a tree that’s a little too large and trim some of the branches to use for wreaths or garland.

Tuck greenery into the arrangement to add a touch of colour and texture. Fresh citrus or pomegranates make beautiful additions to a centrepiece. Pomegranates have a rich beautiful colour and can last for weeks at room temperature.

Design a wreath from greenery in your garden

Evergreen tress and shrubs grow in most areas.

Take a few clippings to make a wreath and decorate it with nuts, pine cones, dried flowers, herbs or a small bird’s nest. Make a simple wreath by laying one strand of greenery down and then laying another on top so the bottom of the second strand overlaps the top of the first one. Join them together with twine and continue around until it’s the right size and then overlap the ends to make a circle. To make garland, don’t make a circle, but continue until it’s the length you want. A glue gun makes quick work of attaching your natural decorations in place

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Make natural ornaments to decorate your tree Place sliced citrus fruits on a cookie sheet and allow them to dry in a warm area of the house. Placing them over a heating vent speeds up the process, but the oven may be a little harsh, causing them to become dark and brittle. Large nuts and interesting looking seedpods painted gold or silver can add a little glitter to a tree. Just use a sharp needle to thread some ribbon or heavy-duty thread to make a hanger.

Thread a needle with some heavy-duty thread and make popcorn or cranberry garlands for your tree.

Stale popcorn is less likely to crumble than fresh and using a plastic needle keeps the cranberries from turning brown as quickly. String them together to make it more interesting

Between shopping for gifts, wrapping them and planning gatherings, there is a lot to prepare during the Christmas season. Decorating your home is another part of the preparation process as decorating helps to put you and your guests into the Christmas spirit. When decorating your home, don’t forget to trim your kitchen and make the heart of your home a festive place for friends and family to gather.

ddOON N’T’T FFOORRGGEETT YYOOUURR KKIT ITCCH HEEN N TTH HIS IS CCH HRRIS ISTTM MAASS

Countertop Tree

If you have counter space that you can spare, place a small pine tree on top of it -- either real or artificial. Wrap a string of white or colored lights around the tree, and trim it with kitchen utensils.

See if you can find mini utensils at a novelty or home store, and make loops with red and green ribbon and place them on the utensils to use to hang them on the tree. If you can’t find mini utensils, use full-size utensils; just use less of them. Or instead of using utensils, use Christmas-shaped cookie cutters on the tree -- stars, snowmen, even other Christmas trees.

Dish of Presents

Make a dish of presents for a table centerpiece.

Wrap small boxes - either all the same size or in a variety of sizes - in Christmas paper. On a serving dish or a decorative dinner plate, arrange the presents in an attractive display. Place the dish in the center of your table. To add more interest to the decoration, surround it with tea lights or place the dish on top of a runner or doily.

Pine Boughs

For a kitchen that has space on top of your cabinets, use it to display pine boughs. Purchase either artificial or real pine boughs and wrap them with artificial poinsettias, Christmas ornaments, sprigs of holly and bows and strings of white or colored

lights. Run them along the top of your cabinets to add interest to the space.

Chandelier of Ornaments

Spice up a chandelier over your kitchen table for Christmas with ornaments. Buy ornaments that suit your style, and hang them on the arms of the light fixture. To further embellish the chandelier, string silver, gold or green garland through the arms.

Christmas Dishtowels

Trade in your ordinary dish towels during the Christmas season for dishtowels that are adorned with Christmas-inspired designs. You can purchase these towels from retailers, or you can make your own while enjoying a craft project with your family.

To make your own, buy plain white, red or green dish towels. Use fabric paint and stamps to create patterns on the towels. Display the towels around your kitchen.

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

The Wand TV Remote Control ~ £49.99/54.97€ It’s difficult to emphasise how much fun this is, and how cool the effect is when you’re merrily commanding all and sundry around you. The Hi-Fi, the TV, the computer, the lights (if you’re fancy enough to have remote control lights), anything that needs flicking on or off in the room can be controlled by a wave of your wand.

Indeed, if you’re even slightly interested in anything vaguely wizard-related then you owe it to yourself to get one of these - great fun, ingenious technology and an impressive effect. Top it off with a beautiful faux-dragonskin box with Chinese silk inlay and you’ve got a superb little package, perfect for the wannabe wizard in your life.

Poinsettia

This member of the Euphorbia family comes into flower only when it experiences long nights of about 14 hours, so comes into its own at Christmas time and January.

The true flowers are small, inconspicuous and yellow; the petals are in fact vivid bracts that surround them.

The best known are the blood-red stars which cheer gardens at Christmas, although pink, white and marbled forms occur.

The traditional practice is to cut back the woody stems immediately after flowering, early in the year. If it isn’t too much of an eyesore, leave the stems until April before cutting back to 30cm from the ground. When treated in this way, the sap has time to flow back down the stems to the heart of the plant and the following year’s flowers will blaze with extra intensity.

This is a good bush to plant near the wall of the house where it can’t be seen from the windows, so that you don’t have to look at the naked stems between February and April!

Flowering Shrubs For The Winter Season

Sparmannia

Sparmannia or African Hemp, grows easily in a position where it gets some shelter from the hottest noonday sun.

Commonly used as a house-plant in northern climates, in Spain, it makes a fine bush three to six metres high with attractive apple green leaves and clusters of white and yellow flowers; all the more welcome as they appear in winter and early spring.

Water it well and prune every few years to give the height and shape that you want Sparmannia can be propagated from cuttings planted in sandy soil in spring. Take a firm, young shoot of about 30cm long right back to the main stem. Don’t attempt to plant the tips of branches only, the success rate will be far higher with larger cuttings.

Use an individual pot for each cuttings to cause as little root disturbance as possible when the time comes to plant out.

CHRISTMAS GADGETS

Extraordinary Earbuds ~ £9.99/10.98€ There are 5 cute and rocking designs to choose from, so go from pure metal with the Skull Earbuds or get your gangsta on with the Bling Earbuds - as you’d expect they have massive crystal gems, so they might even match your earrings. For those of us with a sweet side the Ladybird or Duck Earbuds are cute enough to go with any bubblegum pop outfit. For the sheer “gross out” factor the Fly Earphones have to be the ones to choose - if anything, just for the looks you’ll get!

Magnetic Golf ~ £11.99/13.18€ It’s no simple point and flick game, just a fractional increase or decrease in swing power can drastically alter the course of a hole, making it something of a fine art.

With a bit of practice you can perform chip shots, tee shots and some pretty tricky putts and, because it’s all magnetised, you’ve got at least some chance of getting a hole-in-one. You can really expand this game - we’ve gone as far as making a between-desk ravine, a cup-of-water-hazard and an in-tray bunker, all with a stupidly optimistic par. With Magnetic Golf, you can turn spare moments into hours of addictive, creative and strategic fun.

Teddy Speaker ~ £14.99/16.48€ There’s nothing worse than trying to nod off when your ears are stuffed with uncomfortable headphones and the Teddy Speaker is perfect for those of us who just can’t drift off into lala land without the melodic tones of Handel’s Water Music (or Marilyn Manson if you’re that way inclined) lulling them into a soft slumber. It will happily sit on your bedside table without ruining the bedroom’s mojo because it looks just like any other teddy bear. The speakers have been tucked away in the bear’s feet and the battery pack is cleverly hidden inside the teddy, so you’ll barely even notice that this loveable bear houses a great sounding sound system for your MP3 player.

all of these items are available to purchase online please note, prices do not include p&p fOR further information EMAIL: EDITOR@SOLTIMES.COM

21

22

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

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

OPEN

Greece begins buying back bonds

for business

tel: 950 930 900 968 969 962 Solar Oil Gas Solid Fuel pellet

Solar Hot Water & Pool Heating Full Heating Installations Water Treatment Systems Water Deposits & Pumps

fully legal company with public liability insurance carlos.saliente@gmail.com • www.carlossaliente.com Cortijo Pipa, Avda de Limaria 1, Limaria, arboleas

Greece has launched a programme to buy back some of its debt, which is a condition of it receiving the next tranche of its bailout loans.

The government will offer to buy back 10bn euros ($13bn; £8bn) of its bonds

from private investors for between 32% and 40% of their face value.

They will be paid in sixmonth bonds from the European Union’s EFSF rescue fund.

The operation will reduce

Spain

electric underfloor heating

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Report courtesy of bbc.co.uk

Upholstery

New Walls New Roofs Structual Alterations professional bricklayer Building for you Phone Gerard - 626 730

the face value of Greece’s debt.

Private investors have until Friday to sign up to the scheme and the deals are due to go through on 17 December.

It will be structured as a Dutch auction, under which the first creditors to apply get the best returns.

Private creditors agreed in March to write off about 107bn euros of Greek government debt and many banks and insurance companies had officially given up hope of receiving any of the rest of their money back.

If the operation is successful, it will open

the way for Greece to receive the next tranche of its bailout, which will be worth about 44bn euros, on 13 December.

Greece has been waiting since June for the loans, to help its heavily indebted economy stay afloat.

The payment of the loans was finally agreed last week at a meeting of eurozone finance ministers and the International Monetary Fund.

BBC World Service economic correspondent Andrew Walker says that the biggest missing element in attempts to stabilise the Greek economy is now the need to write off some of the debt that the country owes to other countries.

In an interview published on Sunday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel hinted that she might be prepared to allow that to happen.

She has been very resistant to the idea in the past, but it may turn out to be the only way to put Greece on a firmer financial footing.

Tel: 600 049 515 Get The Best For Less

Email: solshaders@live.co.uk

HIRE A HUSBAND

Professional, reliable, handy man available for all the jobs he doesn’t get round to, including Van Removals, Painting, Small Plumbing Jobs, Shelves, Garden Clearance, All Outside Work.

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Good hourly / daily rate. 6 yrs in the area.

Call Jim 677 557 190 Evenings 950 930 596 References available. Pics of work completed.

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Nail Clipping and Anal Glands - Only 5€ each!

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www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES NOVEMBER 2012

Funding for Lending: Loans rise as scheme starts

Lending to households and businesses increased slightly in the third quarter of the year as a new scheme began.

Banks took up £4.4bn in cheap funding from the Bank of England through the new Funding for Lending scheme, and their total net lending rose by £496m.

However, the Bank of England said it was too early to reach any conclusions on how effective the scheme had been.

The figures showed that lending by four major UK High Street banks had fallen during the same period.

Lloyds Banking Group, RBS, Santander, and Co-op all saw lending fall during the three months to the end of September.

The data has been produced by the Bank as part of its Funding for Lending scheme (FLS), which was launched in August to try to encourage more mortgage and business loans.

As the scheme was only launched in August, the Bank indicated that it might take time for the funding to flow through to the economy, owing to the time lag in applications, approvals, and drawing on loans.

“I am confident that the FLS will help the supply of credit. The incentives in the scheme are for banks and building societies to cut lending rates and hence lend more to get the cheapest funding,” said Paul Fisher, executive director for markets at the Bank of England.

“But it is too early to use these data as a reliable indication of the impact of the FLS on lending volumes.”

Under the terms of the scheme, the Bank of England allows commercial banks to borrow funds from it more cheaply, with the intention that the banks then pass this on in the form of cheap loans to households and firms. The banks will initially access Treasury bills of a value of up to 5% of the funds they currently lend. They are charged 0.25% interest, much less than the going rate.

The figures published by the Bank of England are unique as they break down lending by institution. Some 35 lenders are taking part in the scheme, but they do not include HSBC. However, only six institutions had borrowed these cheaper funds by the end of September. The figures show that during the third quarter - which takes in the first two months of the scheme’s operation - net

David

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Steve

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lending by Barclays increased by £3.8bn, and rose by £1.8bn at Nationwide Building Society. However, net lending fell by nearly £3.5bn at Santander, by almost £2.8bn at Lloyds Banking Group, and by £642m at RBS. RBS said the scheme had still allowed it to cut the costs faced by small businesses to borrow money.

The figures do not offer any estimate on what levels of lending might have taken place if the Funding for Lending scheme had not been introduced. The increase in the quarter of £496m remains a tiny proportion of the total stock of outstanding loans by the participating banks, accounting for just 0.04%.

The aim of the scheme is to increase bank lending by roughly £60bn by January 2014.

Banks will face a fee at the end of January 2014 if they borrow money through the scheme but fail to increase their stock of lending.

How Funding for Lending works

anks and building societies can initially borrow Treasury • B bills up to 5% of the amount they currently lend • T hey are charged just 0.25% interest, much lower than the going rate • T hey can borrow more than 5%, only if they increase their overall lending • If they decrease lending, the interest rate will increase up to 1.5% • T he banks use the Treasury bills as backing to buy money cheaply on the financial markets. It is this money that they then lend out • T he Bank of England and taxpayers will be protected from any losses made on the loans agreed by the banks with homes or firms, because the banks will have to provide collateral to the Bank of England of a higher value than the loans • Lending levels to be monitored by the Bank of England

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FOR GREAT winter ADVERTISING RATES CALL 950 121 936 Satellite TV Systems 1.2m Dish Cable, Bracket, LNB installed €150 Satellite Re-alignment Inc, SD Freesat Box €220

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23

(Argos, Screwfix, Wickes etc)

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OFFICIAL HITS AGENTS IN ALBOX

WE HAVE THE FULL RANGE OF HITS PHONES & SIM CARDS IN STOCK Contact us now on: Tel: 950 064 584 | Mob: 654 590 258 Email: info@solymarspain.com | Web: www.solymarspain.com We also offer all major mobile top ups from our office

Nick Howe Chief Technician

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All Building Work Undertaken Garages, Patios, Boundary Walls,Renovations, Cladding, Enclosures, Painting & Decorating (from 50€ per room including paint) Also All Exterior Painting and Damp Proofing

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Steve on 950930536 or 634306690

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Stunning Prints & GIANT posters A3 x 9 100’s to choose from or email your own photos...

Ideal Christmas Presents Tel: 634 388 243

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24

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

SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

Deborah Cubel Fisher

Jardin Rural Established 9 years in Spain

Announcing the new office now open in Corvera:

Wills and Inheritance process Translations / Interpreter Purchase / Sale private contracts C/ Actor Francisco NIE’s, Residencia, Medical Cards....

Rabal, 3 Bj X Corvera (Murcia) Land property and Catastro registration 30153 Vehicle registration / driving licenses Please telephone: Conveyancing / Notorial documents 629 412 446 Mortgages Payment of taxes (local rates, rubbish collection, vehicle, tax returns for residents and non residents and refund of the capital gains tax).

Special offer

s.l.

Building & Construction Services From

Planning to Project Management to Building.

New Builds, Casitas, Garages, Patios

Insurance Work, Fully Registered Testimonials available. Take a look at our website www.jardinrural.com Tel: 634 338 987

WE HAVE MOVED

Wills €125 per person - Including Notary Fee

Yearly contract €145 Including VAT 18% Yearly tax returns (no increase if more than one owner, or more than one property) Legal and fiscal advice FREE throughout the year Free assistance / advice for any visitors staying at your property Free visit from a technician / architect to offer independent expertise on matter such as: putting in insurance claims, confirmation of the legality of an extension / building work, free estimate for any work to be carried out If you introduce another client to us you will not be charged your next annual fee Vera Advisors, S.L. C/ del Mar, 33 - Local 11 Vera 04620 (Almeria) Tel: 950 39 06 21 Fax: 950 39 02 12 email: dcasesores@notin.net

Vera Branch Office: Calles del Mar, 45. Edif. Vegamar Planta 1. Local 1 Vera (Almeria, Spain)

TEL. +34 - 950 617 017 / FAX. +34 - 950 133 342 E-MAIL: vera@euroabogados.es or luisamorales@euroabogados.es

dishes from 60cm - 3.0m

available

Number

The cost of dying has got a lot more expensive – Or has it??

From 1st September the rate of IVA (vat) charged by Funeral Directors rose from 8% to 21% so an average funeral cost here in Spain will be in the region of 4840 €.

With an Iberian Funeral Plan you fix the cost of the funeral at today’s price and it is fixed forever, irrespective of how much funeral expenses rise in the future.

With guaranteed Plan prices starting from just 2995 €. Do you need to look elsewhere for total peace of mind?

Just look at the facts: • Iberian have the best plans and plan benefits at the best prices • Iberian plans are the only genuine interest free plans if you wish to pay by instalments • Iberian do not charge you an additional administration fee • Iberian do not have any deferred or final settlement payments at the end of the instalment term • Iberian Funeral Plans are fully transferrable to the UK • Iberian Funeral Plans cover you throughout the EU and can assist worldwide

With prices starting at just 2995 € and IVA FREE, less does equal more. Therefore it makes so much sense to protect your loved ones by investing in a guaranteed funeral plan from Iberian.

Visit www.iberianfuneralplans.com or simply contact our offices on 952595691 (Malaga) or 965993498 (Benijpfar-Alicante) Also located in The UK, Portugal, Canary Islands and Balearics

while stocks last

one broadband

internet provider in the area from 17€ per month

CAR

AIR-CON RE-GASSING FROM

SATELLITE SPECIALIST

35€

CHEAP CALLS

intermational LANDLINES from 0.8 CENTS PER MINUTE

To include:

• Specialist in Phone, Installation broadband internet via English landline Spanish landline Wi-fi and Wi-fi related FULL SKY PACKAGE products For just 20€ per month • Reverse osmosis water inc. All Sky Sports filters Terms & Conditions Apply Requires broadband

Tel Martin: 678 813 505

eurosatwiz@gmail.com

www.eurosatwiz.es

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

25

Property...

PRICE BROWN

ESTATE AGENTS • MOJACAR • INMOBILLARIA Valle del Este 85,000€ A1148 Quality 2nd floor apartment of 70m2 + terrace situated next to the golf course 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, underground parking, storeroom & furnished.

2 community pools For a superb selection of properties for sale & rent visit our office on the Paseo del Mediterrano and talk to our friendly, knowledgeable staff - or visit our website:

www.pricebrown.com

info@pricebrown.com

+34 950 478 915

in & around Spain

Whether you are house hunting or need help with a particular property matter, Sol Times are able to provide you with contact details of companies specialising in all aspects of buying, renting, translation and property maintenance.

Specialising in Property Sales & Rentals in the Huercal-Overa Area & San Juan de los Terreros

Properties for sale or rent between taberno, huercal-overa and san juan de los terreros Office: 155a Carretera Estacion, Huercal-Overa, Almeria 1km off the A7 motorway at Exit 553 100 metres from Lidl

Property sales 30 years experience multi lingual team resales offices in mojacar & Turre Maintenance property Vigilance

Tel: 950 478 935

RECOMMENDATION OF THE WEEK

Property Sales • Property Management • Long & short term rentals • Insurance

We Urgently Need Quality Properties Both For Sale & Rent

Last opportunity to buy at the reduced tax rate of 4% (deadline: 31.12.2012) 1 & 2 bedroom apartments in the Atalaya de Mojacar complex. Prices from 99.000 €.

Up to 100% mortgage deals , some with interest only periods available (subject to status).

The community has an indoor pool, an outdoor pool in fantastic tropical gardens, modern high quality fixtures and fittings. Outstanding sea views. Panoramic glass lift. One of the best quality complexes in Mojacar.

We Have Clients Waiting...

309 Paseo del Mediterraneo, Mojacar Playa (50m from Ferreteria Lopez)

invest in Mojacar Now!

Tel: 950 478 834 info@mojacarhomes.net www.mojacarhomes.net

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Do you have a property to sell?

only

2%

commission!

Considering letting? Holiday or long term?

Only 10% commission for full management

Office: Avenida Doctor Meca, 88 Portal B, 30860 Puerto de Mazarrón, Murcia Tel: 968 584 785 Mobiles: 648 609 438 or 630 187 041

Skype: mamaisonenespagne Email: info@maisonenespagne.com www.mamaisonenespagne.com

We are currently looking for more properties in Puerto de Mazarron, Isla Plana, La Azohia & Bolnuevo

Maybe you would just like us to advertise your property on our website and international portals for a reasonable fee?

We will listen to your requirements and will also give you open, honest advice

We are looking forward to working with you

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

SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

coffee break STANDARD CROSSWORD

Down 1 Invariability (10) 2 Consultive (8) 3 Mercy killing (10) 4 Was indebted to (4) 5 Wicked (4) 6 Miserly (6) 7 In a little while (archaic) (4) 14 Groans (5) 15 Recorded officially (10) 16 Runs our country (10) 19 Pertaining to the Milky Way (8) 21 Ploy (6) 24 Assistant (4) 25 Bye-bye (4) 26 French for “Without” (4)

3 Ailing, or poorly first (8) 4 Thwart my return - in street, that is (6) 5 Miracles I’d performed for renunciation (10) 6 Muffler - no noise, right? (8) 8 Polish and English tramps move into bed that is approved (6-7) 13 Abduction of sleeping child? (10) 15 Picture left artist with it (8) 16 Exalt Ron in the “nearly new” turn first (8) 18 Drink some Asti, p-please (6) 20 Grows, or perhaps not - good grief! (6)

Down 1 Spoil me with second drink (4,2) 2 Remain in East Ayrshire? (4)

HARD SUDOKU

Very Hard!

CRYPTIC crossword

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across 7 The French remedy - taking time to initially recruit university worker (8) 9 Air-time returning without six unimportant details (6) 10 Spot - English secret agent? (4) 11 Astonished me with dog’s back mutilation (10) 12 Part of a wheel - new, it’s said (6) 14 Cheap, yet novel protection for the viewer?

(3,5) 15 Vessel becomes rotten at side in half of Persia (6,7) 17 Make a million within an afternoon’s refreshment?

(5,3) 19 Push most of the corrosion (6) 21 First cook-book about pepper containing a decorative material (5,5) 22 Admonish Romeo in pale surroundings (4) 23 Indicate slang I misused (6) 24 Gift from party to country? (8)

SUDOKU PUZZLE

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.

Across 8 Provide nourishment (4) 9 Steadfast (10) 10 Stubborn (6) 11 Persevering (8) 12 Toadfish (4) 13 Study of numbers (10) 17 Plant with trumpet-shaped flowers (4) 18 Jargon (5) 19 ____rn = rule (4) 20 Spectacles (10) 22 Former Italian currency (4) 23 Hairy elephants (8) 27 Live in a tent (6) 28 Access (10) 29 Hotels (4)

The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence. Confucius

STANDARD SUDOKU

26

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

V

La

Cucador

idaRestaurant&Venue christm

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as

er 8 Decemb th

DECEMBER AT LA VIDA T

Special Pre-Christmas Lunchtime Menu Available Monday to Friday throughout December, we’re offering a special pre-Christmas lunch menu, served 12 ‘til 4pm. 3-courses, including Traditional Roast Turkey option, for 9.95€ with wine.

Booking essential.

HOIR CANTANTE C Y Saturday CAROLS B 22 nd Decem ber T CANDLELIGH christmas panto quiz 7:30pm s Pie Mince

T

Pre-Christmas Evening Menu Served Monday to Friday in the restaurant throughout December, 6pm ‘til 9pm, 4 courses with wine for 15€. Booking essential.

T

Christmas Fayre Our Christmas Fayre is on Thursday 6th December, 10am ‘til 3pm: lots of gift ideas and stalls to browse. Contact us if you wish to reserve a stall for this popular fayre.

pre-christmas

T

Party Night with J&J Music Saturday 15th December is party night at La Vida... J&J Music will be playing their popular mix of ballads, pop, boogie and rock n roll as well as a non-stop Christmas Dance Finale. Food available from 10.95€ for 2 courses.

Christmas Bingo Special

Make a date in your diary – on Sunday 23rd December there’s a special edition of our popular Bingo, 7.30pm for 8pm in the venue.

Lots of prizes and a Christmas Cash Jackpot!!

T

Christmas Eve Party JC is here with excellent entertainment and Christmas cheer - dance into Christmas Day!! Bookings are now being taken; 6€ per person to include Chicken & Chips or Chilli & Rice (vegetarian option available on request). A wonderful way to enjoy Christmas Eve!

T

Christmas Day Lunch Extravaganza We’re offering a six-course luncheon menu with welcome drink, a selection of house wines, coffee & liqueur, plus entertainment from Kris Kelly... our aim is for this to be a truly relaxing and enjoyable day; 49.95€ per person, booking essential.

T

New Year’s Eve Dinner Dance

Just a few places remain for our popular “Posh Frock & Black Tie Dinner Dance” on New Year’s Eve, with entertainment provided by Brendan O’Dee. Tickets 30€ per person to include a 3-course meal plus cava & grapes at midnight .

T

New Year’s Day Lunch We’re serving a traditional lunch on New Year’s Day, 12.30 ‘til 5pm.

Bookings advisable.

Mulled Wine and Mince Pies will be available every day!

For bookings or enquiries please contact us on lavidacucador@gmail.com or telephone 950 634 562

two cours

e meal 10.9 5 call for m enu details

served in the restaurant mon/tue/thurs/fri/sat st from 3rd-21 december

christmas day lunch

6 c o u r s e s s a m t s chri live music eve with JC call or email for tickets 6€

menu details & bookings

hicken & includes c hilli & rice chips or c

Christmas Panto Quiz There’s a fun evening in store on Saturday 22nd December... Cherry has designed a special quiz: spot prizes and a grand prize for the winners. This will be a great night! 7pm for 7.30pm. Includes a 3course Christmas Menu 14.95€.

be

christmasr dinner & d with j&J mance usic 7

- bookings only -

T T

15 th Decem

for 7:30pm

lunchtime menu

T

Carols by Candlelight The wonderful Cantante Choir will be here on Saturday 8th December; this is their 2nd year at La Vida and it promises to be a delightful pre-Christmas treat. They’ll be performing their concert of Christmas Carols and Show Songs in the venue and song sheets will be available so you can sing-a-long to your favourite carols. Show starts at 7.30pm. Food available after the performance, 2 courses from 10.95€. Contact us for more details or to book.

with cherry

& Chestnuts e in W Mulled

thursda y 6th dec ember 10am-3p m

pre-christmas evening menu

h n from eac 1€ donatio to vera ticket sale orphanage

- bookings only available for private dinners or parties wed-sat in december

...and don’t forget...new year’s day lunch served 12.30-5pm our main menu includes 16oz steaks mixed grill fresh fish & salmon

WED-SAT 6:30-9:30pm

Menu

fridays

traditionaL

sunday lunch

Beer-battered cod, homemade chips & peas

12.30PM - 5PM

from

AND

5.95€ in the Bar

de la Noche

2 COURSES 10.95€ GREAT value MENU CHANGES WEEKLY

booking advisable

fISH OF THE DAY OPTION ALSO AVAILABLE

booking advisable

booking advisable

Open Every Day ~ 12pm - Late

Tel: 950 634 562 lavidacucador@gmail.com

We are here

Albox Arboleas Zurgena La Alfoquia

Mojacar

E15

1km

La Vida

Cucador Junc 547 Huercal Overa

book the Venue

For your Private Parties, Weddings and Birthdays etc.

27

28

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

SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

STOP ‘N’ SHOP IN YOUR...

Super Corner

ENGLISH SUPERMARKET ALL YOUR FAVOURITE BRANDS AND MORE IN ONE SUPERSTORE!!

TURRE, NEXT TO MESON DEL POBRE OPEN MONDAY-SATURDAY 9:30-6PM & SUNDAY 9:30 - 1:30PM

Great Food at Great Prices Tel: 633 684 855

Hugo Formerly of Cafe Bar International La Alfoquia, Plaza Santa Ana (Opposite the Old Station)

Open Everyday 9.30am - 11pm (except Monday) Kitchen open 9.30am - 4pm, 7 - 11pm

now showing all champions league & la liga games

Sunday Lunch

Served 2 - 6pm

Kentucky

Fried Chicken eat in or take away

From €4,95

Pizzas

Eat in or Take Away Tuesday - Sunday from 7pm

now serving GuiNness & strongbow

FREE

traditional paella (min2 people)

Makes 24

INGREDIENTS

560g mincemeat 350g plain flour a pinch of salt 75g lard 75g butter FOR THE TOP: icing sugar & milk YOU WILL NEED: One (or two) trays of 6cm (2½in) patty tins, one fluted 7.5cm (3in) pastry cutter and one 6cm (2½in) cutter.

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 200C/ gas mark 6. Make up the pastry by sifting the flour and salt into a mixing bowl and rubbing the fats into it until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.

Then add just enough cold

CHRISTMAS goodies...

Mesón de

Irene

Unmissable offer!

#

Choose from Beef, Pork or Chicken with all the trimmings!

MINCE PIES

water to mix to a dough that leaves the bowl clean. leave the pastry to rest in a polythene bag in the fridge for 20-30 minutes, then roll half of it out as thinly as possible and cut it into two dozen 7.5cm (3in) rounds, gathering up the scraps and re-rolling.

Then do the same with the other half of the pastry, this time using the 6cm (2½in) cutter. now grease the patty tins lightly and line them with the larger rounds.

Fill these with three snips in the tops with a pair of scissors. Bake near the top of the oven for 25-30 minutes until light golden brown. Cool on a wire rack and sprinkle with icing sugar. When cool, store in an airtight container.

Free Bottle

of La Mancha Red or white wine per couple to take away with any of our night menus

Valid only with this voucher Mon - Sat: 19.00 - 22.00

christmaS

fayre

Great Selection of Stalls including...

Per Una & M&S Fashions, Homemade Cakes & Jams, Books & CD’s, Handmade Jewellery Toys, Candles...AND LOTS MORE!

at la vida cucador ~ 6TH DECEMBER AT JACKS ALBOX ~ 7 DECEMBER FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 950 634 562

EMAIL: LAVIDACUCADOR@GMAIL.COM

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

Cumberland Rum or Brandy Butter INGREDIENTS

175g unsalted butter, at room temperature; 175g soft dark brown sugar; 6 tbsp rum or brandy

METHOD

Blend the butter and sugar together till pale, soft and creamy. Gradually add the rum or brandy a little at a time, beating well after each addition. Taste - add more rum or brandy if you think it needs it! Then place the butter in a container and chill thoroughly before serving. It is important, I think, to serve this very cold, so that it can provide a wonderful contrast to the hot mince pies or pudding.

Rum or brandy butter will keep for 2-3 weeks in the fridge, so it’s not really worth freezing.

Chestnut, Sausage & Marsala Stuffing Ingredients

2 onions Butter – a thick slice Thyme – a large sprig or two Rosemary – a large sprig 400g sausage meat fresh breadcrumbs – 3 handfuls 50g cooked peeled chestnuts, roughly chopped Madeira or dry Marsala – a wine glass

Method

Peel and cut up the onions just short of finely chopped (this is a rough-textured stuffing, but you don’t want the pieces

so big that the mixture falls apart).

Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the onions and let them soften and colour lightly, stirring from time to time. While they are cooking, strip the leaves from the thyme and stir them in. Remove the needles from the rosemary twig and chop them finely. Stir them into the onions.

When the onions are soft enough to crush between finger and thumb, add the sausage meat, breadcrumbs, chestnuts and the madeira or marsala.

Season generously with salt and black pepper. Shape the stuffing into balls slightly larger than a golf ball and set them in a buttered or foil-lined baking dish (they can remain here for a day or so, refrigerated, until you need them).

Bake for about 30 minutes at 180C/160C fan/gas 4, till sizzling.

fruity Christmas Chutney 350g no-soak prunes; 275g pitted dates; 275g no-soak dried apricots; 450g onions, peeled 570ml cider vinegar; 50g salt; 1 dessertspoon grated fresh root ginger OR 1 heaped teaspoon ground ginger; 75g allspice berries; 450g demerara sugar YOU WILL NEED: A large saucepan and a small piece of muslin or gauze The dried fruits and onions need to be chopped very small, and this can be done in a food processor. When they’re all dealt with, put the vinegar in a large saucepan with the salt and the ginger, then tie the allspice berries up in the muslin or gauze very securely so they can’t escape and add these to the pan. Bring everything up to the boil, then stir in the chopped dried fruits and onions, together with the sugar. Leave it all to simmer very gently without a lid for about 1½ hours, or until the chutney has thickened. Stir from time to time during the cooking period. When it’s ready you will be able to draw a spoon across the surface of the chutney and make a trail that doesn’t immediately fill up with surplus vinegar. Spoon the chutney into warm sterilised jars (see above), seal well with waxed discs and tight lids, and label as soon as it’s cold. Keep this chutney for 1 month to mature in a cool, dark place before eating (but it will keep for years!)

ALBOX

fORMERLY rUMORES

INGREDIENTS

Method

J ACK S

Makes four 350ml (12fl oz) jars

NEW TEAM • NEW LOOK • NEW MENU from 9am til late Mon - sat, 10 - 6 Sun

Friday & Saturday Evenings Restaurant Open 6pm-9pm - New Menu Now Available!

from 5.95€

Cod ‘n’ Chips - fridayS Beer-battered Atlantic Cod, Homemade Chips, Mushy or Garden Peas…

Fridays & Saturdays 12 - 9pm

& Tavern

Pub

Breakfasts • Lunches • Dinners Selection of Tapas Home delivery service available

673 410 597 Open 7 days a week Breakfast served from 6.15am Pub serves from 6.00pm (no siesta) La Alfoquia - Zurgena

SUNDAY BREAKFAST SERVED 10AM-12PM y SUNDAY LUNCHES 12.30 - 5pm onl6.95€ Delicious Sunday Lunches

to include a Topside of beef & Yorkshire pudding FREE Drink roast Pork with crackling and apple sauce tender roast TURKEY with stuffing local grown potatoes , seasonal vegetables & gravy FREE glass of house wine, tubo of beer or a coffee starters and homemade puddings 2€ each to book a table please call

MENU DEL DIA

onl y

5€

2 Courses Every Day 12 - 3 Except Fridays and Sundays

J ACK S @

950 120 718

All Day Breakfast from 9am Includes FREE Tea or Coffee

Bar Menu, Snacks & Home-made puddings

Including Burgers, Lasagne, Omelettes, chilli Home-Made Hand Cut Chips..

ALBOX

BP Garage

•••

← ARBOLEAS BAZA → Av•••AL . L BO ep an X → to

950 120 718 / 610 641 567

jacksalbox@gmail.com

29

30

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

SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

Burty’s BAR Playa Serena, roquetas de mar

Call 679 156 715 mon - thurs from 11am fri and sun 11am - 6pm. Closed saturday

e huge sunny terrac and spacious bar Traditional treats every every thursday 6pm - 8pm thursday ask in the bar for details

quiz 2.15pm prompt followed by bingo

tuesday bingo 2.30pm

anglican church christmas carol service with christmas tapas

see next week’s advert f christm or Festiviti as es

Thursday 20th december 11.30am

Snacks - available all day Tapas served from 1pm - close

spanish lessons - all levels - now tuesday at 12noon 5€ sunday lunch special €5.95 booking essential

RENDEZVOUS BISTRO & TAPAS BAR

(ONE (ONE YEAR YEAR OLD OLD ON ON 4TH 4TH DECEMBER) DECEMBER) Colin would like to thank all customers and friends for their loyal support and help during the first year TAPAS (selection changed daily) Served from 12.30pm - 4pm BISTRO MENU - served each evening from 7.30pm (reservations recommended). Menu Changed Weekly.

Meat, Fish and Vegetarian options available (all served with a choice of potatoes and fresh vegetables).

SEASONAL SELECTION - available from Mid December to include Game.

The very popular STEAKS (fillet, entrecote or fore rib available - 24 hours notice required).

Come and enjoy the smaller place with the BIG ambiance and good music!

Situated in the little Plaza opposite Hotel Playa Luna in Roquetas Urbanisation.

Telephone Colin for Reservations on

671 386 267

Closed Thursday & Sunday Evenings

1 bedroom apartments in the urbanisation of Roquetas De Mar

from €48.000

Great apartments available at La Envia Golf from €52,000 in the urbanisation of Roquetas de Mar from €48,000 and in Almerimar from €69,000 Property rentals available and property management services also arranged.

One way car hire services to and from all Spanish and UK locations.

e l b a il a v a s n io s s e s s o p bank re Avenida Playa Serena 63, 04740, Roquetas De Mar, Almeria Tel: (0034) 950 33 66 26 Fax: (0034) 950 336 660 Mob:(0034) 670 810 948 / 670 784 470

E-mail: info@almerialiving.com Web-site: www.almerialiving.com

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

ROQUETAS DE MAR FAREWELL GEORGE

Friends of George Edward Davies wish to say farewell to a dear friend and former resident of Roquetas De Mar Urbanisation for approximately five years.

George sadly passed away on 29th November in hospital in Manchester, aged 66, and his family were with him at the end. He leaves his wife, Sheila and their two sons, Stephen and Benjamin and two grandsons, William and Oliver. George had suffered with PSP Palsy for a number of years.

He was the very first chairman of the Royal British Legion Roquetas Branch, when it was formed in 2006.

George was also a regular at the Anglican Church service, which is held monthly in the Urb. George would often say after the service “I have just been to have my tyres pumped up!” As most people know, he was very witty and funny with it!

Many people at the Legion and Church will remember him for his famous pork pies, and cooking in general. George had been a chef during his career and started his early years in the British Merchant Navy in the 1960’s as a ships cook. He then moved on to become a chef and publican in London, Manchester, Rochdale and latterly an hotelier in Hale Barns, Cheshire with Hyde’s Brewery, where he and Sheila ran a small hotel.

Following a stroke in 1997, George retired but decided to do some voluntary work teaching young offenders how to cook and feed themselves when they left the institution. He also taught cookery at two schools in the Manchester area prior to retiring a second time, to Roquetas De Mar, which he loved so much.

There has been a tremendous response from his pals in Roquetas and they all wish to convey their condolences to Sheila and her family.

R.I.P. George.

Wanted

Bar Southern....................................

Every Thursday Bingo 3pm Last Saturday of the month - Jackpot Money Quiz 8pm 1st Friday of Month: Ladies Do Lunch! from 2pm (Menu del Dia 7€) Burtys Bar........................................

Tuesday - 12 noon Spanish Lessons & 2:30pm Bingo Thursdays - Quiz 2:15pm followed by BINGO Bar Spinnaker...................................

Tuesday - Bingo 3pm Wednesday - Steak 7.50€, Quiz 9.30pm Friday - Fish and Chips all day 5€ Saturday - Curry Meal with small wine 7.50€ Sunday - Sunday Roast 1pm - 6pm Chaplins pub.....................................

Opening Hours: Open 1pm til’ close Tuesday to Sunday Wednesday: Rib Night Friday: Chip Shop Day - Fish’n’Chips etc served from 1pm, Quiz Night Sunday - Sunday Lunch served until 8pm TEL: 950 335 022 lady lay..............................................

Tuesday Night - Curry Night Revita Natural Health and Relaxation centre..........................

Calle Tortola 4, Roquetas De Mar Tel 950 333 048 Tai Chi - Tuesday & Thursday 10am Yoga - Sunday 9pm Belly Dancing - Wednesday Y Da wakes.........................................

Monday 8:30pm Bingo CLOSED 24th DECEMBER to 2nd MARCH FOR ANNUAL HOLIDAY

Events for our readers

email: editor@soltimes.com

Property management Sales & Rentals Roquetas de Mar, Aguadulce Almerimar, Vicar, La Envia Golf

Services include Key Holding, Maintenance, Furniture Packs, Cleaning & Laundry, Apartment & Post-box Checks

Mobile: (0034) 663 426 921

info@enviapropertyservices.com

www.enviapropertyservices.com

Cristina - Erika Diez Mentzel ABOGADA - LAWYER Conveyance - Litigation Inheritance - Divorce Wills - Mortagage Matters Non Resident Taxes

C/ Pombal, 11 - Las Marinas 04740 ROQUETAS DE MAR, (ALMERIA)

Tel: 950 33 68 61 Fax: 950 33 68 62 email: cristina@diez-mentzelabogados.com www.diez-mentzelabogados.com

estampa apas T

Ta

Bar

y outdoor n n u s s u io c Spa ating 24 e s e c a r r te SKY TV

Tapas/Snacks English Breakfast Fish & Chips Coffees & Cakes sky sports now being shown Cocktails/Sangria

Open 10am - late (Closed Tuesday) FREE WI-FI Next door to Zurimar 678 202 160

La Grappa

Authentic Italian Restaurant

• Pizzas • Fresh Pastas • Fresh Fish • Argentinian BBQ’d Food On The Terrace

BBQ

If you own a bar or restaurant then let soltimes know what events you have coming up...

31

EVERY DAY

Open 12 - 4pm 7 - 12.30am Av. Playa Serena, 37 Roquetas de Mar

950 334 188 609 337 316

to reserve your table

Royal British Legion

Roquetas de mar branch 3569

DANCE CLASSES GOING STRONG!

The Latin And Ballroom classes held at Playa Serena Golf Course are going strong. There are two classes a week, on a Tuesday morning 10.30am to 11.30am and from 4th October the Thursday evening class will move to the slightly earlier time of 6pm to 7pm. If you are interested in Strictly Come Dancing or you have always wanted to learn, come along and have a go. You can be sure of a very warm welcome and have great fun in the process, all for just 4 euros per person per class.

On Tuesday 13th November at 2pm there will be a Lunch Dance with proceeds going to the Poppy Appeal. So if you would like to learn for this event or just brush up on what you already know come along to class. Paul and Caroline will be there to guide through the whole process. Look forward to seeing you soon...

Email: pacarjohnson@gmail.com 618483791

Stuart Howard, the poppy appeal organiser, would like to thank the following establishments for their generous donations to our poppy appeal events, raffles and tombola for 2012. This year our branch raised the total of €3057.

Roquetas De Mar:Aurora; Spinnaker; Boulevard; Bar Southern; Lady Lay; Arkwrights; La Bodeguina; “Y Da Wakes” Marleys; Estampa; Rendezvous; New York; Playa Serena Golf Club Restaurant; Playa Serena Golf Club Pro Shop; La Envia Golf Club Almerimar:Pauline; La Plaza; Jaks; Bonnie & Clyde; Leos; D Bar; Cks; Ankara; Linsey; Macgowens; Plus:- Many items donated by the committee and members and friends of the Roquetas de mar branch too numerous to mention individually.

Martinez-echevarria perez ferrero

law offices

all legal services professionally undertaken, since 1983 Offices in 11 Countries, Largest Firm of Lawyers in Andulucia Tel: +34 950 268 438

fax: +34 950 261 398

New Mojacar Office, Parque Comercial, Local 52

SEND your birthday & ANNIVERSARY GREETINGS TO EDITOR@SOLTIMES.COM & WE’LL PRINT THEM FREE OF CHARGE!

32

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

SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

SOL CLASSIFIEDS Airport services

Airport services Airport, social & shopping run.

Telelephone 663 429 521

www.AAparking.es Tel: 639 081 067

Cheap

for sale

construction

For more articles for sale visit www.soltimes.com under the business directories section

Airport Parking

Alicante Almeria Murcia New Servicing / Repairs

Mat Murray 647 841 750 matmurrayes@gmail.com

MD Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration S.L.

established in spain for 14 years

City & Guilds Fully Qualified F-Gas Certified

25 years sole experience in Air Conditioning & Refrigeration

not a jack of all trades

For all your installation or service MD Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration S.L offers requirements including our latest info@md-aircon.com telephone 950 432 110 / 607 364 917

607 364 917 or 950 432 110 email: info@md-aircon.com

md_aircon@mobileemail.vodafone.es

alternative energy Solar Wind Power Solutions.

Always offers on Solar panels, Over 15 years installation ex p e r i e n c e Call Phil for competitive prices 636 261 240 email:info@ s un e r g ya l m e r i a . com www.sunergy almeria.com

c a r l o s s a li e n t e & plumbing heating for solar pool heating, solar hot water installations and repairs. call 950 930 900 or 968 969 962, email carlos.saliente@ gmail.com

baby hire

Everything for

the visiting baby Car seats,high chairs, stair gates, cots etc

Tel: 950 436 581 or 666 375 688 expectingababy@hotmail.co.uk blinds INTERNAL & EXTERNAL BLINDS SHADING SPAIN, WITH...

Call Justin at Sol Shaders for a free no obligation quote Tel: 627 907 207 www.solshaders.net Email: solshaders@live.co.uk

beauty

avon

cosmetics

claire

Tel: 691 987 454 avonfromclaire@ yahoo.es

business opportunity To rent. Small Bar/Restaurant on the beach, Roquetas Marina. Includes all fixtures and fittings. 1,000€ per month plus IVA. Tel: 663 426 921

chimney sweep SAMMY SWEEP Chimney Sweep Service available covering all areas call paul on 619 070 839

computers Steve Hayes Informatica

Pc’s, Laptops, Printers etc.

Sales & Repairs on-site callout / tuition.

Consumables Albox, Almeria

Tel: 950 120 900

Classified box from 9€. lineage only 45 cents per word Deadline 5pm Friday Contact Paulette on 950 121 936 or 902 750 190 ext 332

construction

Air-con

MD S.L

trade Businesses can advertise in the classified section

fully legal

Constructions

Martinez moreno cb (Rambla de Oria) All types of building work undertaken inc plumbing & electrics

tel: 609 421 734 (Spanish) tel: 696 052 044 (English)

Reliable English Builder For all your building needs

• Block work • Balustrades • Paving Driveways & Paths

Call now for free estimate 620 112 193 or 630 493 817 drainage

LICENSED POZO/CESSPIT EMPTYING • Installation of fibreglass

septic tanks

• Blocked Toilets, Sinks, Baths & Drains • CCTV Surveys • Drain Tracing • Turbine Root Cutting • Blocked Cesspits

950 091 109 or 648 768 587

Samsung 42” Plasma TV

S u p e r s e r Gas Fire, butane Very high quality in excellent condition, catalytic.60€ Gas Bottle aluminium features a SRS TruSurround sound 25€,Gas Bottle system & includes two detachable aluminium,par t side speakers. PIP( picture in picture), full 30€.Tel No Teletext & DNIe picture quality 950 475 901 Mob enhancement & noise reduction system No 678 567 814 Top of the range & cost well over Mojacar. £2000 in the UK “Tigger” baby

now €500

Tel: 697255644 or 666249586 electrical Knowles & Abbott

no.1 for electrics and plumbing.

Re-wires, free to air UK satellite systems.

950 137 208 638 010 691

ELECTRICIAN

Neil Godwin

25 years experience

Full City & Guilds

Fully insured & legal Boletins supplied

Tel : 687 245 569

impact

Pool Cleaning & Water Tanks

Contact: 675 838 808

Drainage Solutions

• Emergency Drain Cleaning • High Pressure Water Jetting • CCTV Surveys • Drainage Repairs • Location of Cesspits • Qualified Engineer • Expert Reports

Established 7 years in spain

Tel: 616 531 283 or 670 088 966

Now exhibiting at Los Llanos market, Arboleas every Saturday Tel: 950 120 077 Mob: 625 435 050 / 615 396 056 insurance

“we have grea offers on lifet insurance”

potty finca services professional tree felling & pruning, including all types of palm trees

strimming of overgrown gardens & hedge cutting spanish registered. logs available ring john on 616 855 294 or 950 163 930

heating neater heater See our main ad on the news pages Carlos (Saliente) plumbing & heating services. If it involves water, we can help! www.carlossaliente.com Tel: 968 969 962

house clearances

cash payment waiting for all your unwanted goods, also business stock liquidations carried out

Call Cash & Carry Clearances Cleaning of Septic Tanks

• Emptying of Septic Tanks & Cesspits, with high pressure cleaning • Small Only unblockages of pipes & drainage 100€

bouncer (attaches to door frame) 5€ Bebe confort baby car seat (from 0 months) 20€ Travel Cot 10€ Literally hundreds of clothes age 0 – 2 years (trousers, rompers, jackets, tops, shirts, jumpers

Tel: 618 725 567 or 619 773 582

cashandcarry54@yahoo.co.uk

THE HOUSE CLEARING SPECIALIST

glenn & jayne Formerly of Knights Insurance, C / Malaga, Albox ... are now exclusive agents for Liberty Seguros

same people - same great service - differeent name

Tel: 950 121 943

infoalbox.libertyseguros@gmail.com

iron/metal works

metal works

Gates, rejas, fabriction welding reliable service Telephone

950 069 208 or 638 449 944 adwelds@yahoo.com

The Metal works Grills, railings, gates of all types, security/sliding/ roller, rejas, concertina doors etc.

Tel: Keith Wood on

638 900 949

T & T Metals For all quality metal works, including gates, railings, rejas, staircases, gazebos & chainlink fencing - Tel: 950 431 738

locksmith Phil the Pick Locksmith 24 hours.

Locked Out? Locks fitted/ upgraded house safes. Arboleas & surrounding area.

Special weekend rates. Tel: 697 243 181

logs

load of small or big Olive logs, no roots €160 load of mixed Olive some roots €140 load of eucalyptus, no roots €150 all loads 2 tonnes Arboleas & surrounding areas Call Lee on 636 092 632 eliteplanthire@hotmail.co.uk

and shoes)… most items 1€ some bargains (bodies and sleepsuits) 5 for 1€ Baby bath 1€ Cot mobile multi colour 2€ Grobags 0 – 6months and 6 – 18 months Several miscellaneous items – dummies, breast pump, bottles, walkers contact 603 209 177

christmas shopping 50% off selected boxes or Christmas cards Home Sweet Home Tel: 950 479 487 20% off Tom Smith Crackers Home Sweet Home Tel: 950 479 487 20% off Selected Christmas Trees Home Sweet Home Tel: 950 479 487 Christmas Foods & Chocolates Home Sweet Home Tel: 950 479 487

wanted Di s a bl e d pensioner is looking for a partial return to normal existence and requires Two Specialist Services 1 - Specialist taxi service which is capable of loading person and wheelchair to take to bars and restaurants and return home 2 - Aids in home for pensioner that can not walk more than two feet without falling Please call Victor on Landline 0034 950 513 215 Mobile 0034 628 661 075 Or Vicmac00@ gmail.com

Phil Delivers

Logs

gravel & all building materials

Immediate Cash. Quick decision.

Albox & * We cover all areas Surrounding areas * We turn up, give cash & carry tel: 634 328 779 * We buy almost anything – The Highest Cash Prices Paid legal logs logs logs logs logs logs logs **ONLY serious & immediate sellers Need help with should call please**

Tel: 679 207 545 or 636 411 540

hobby/craft

interpretor

El a i n e ’ s Wools quality UK wool & accessories. Come & view my display Also available at Camposol, Mazarron Call 667 273 889 elaines wools@gmail.com

T r a n s l at o r English, Spanish French, Swedish Documents, Notary, Court, Legal Tel: 646 844 708 www.4way connections.webs. com

willow

NIE / Residencias, logs for sale C a d a s t r e , grade a olive - Olive Mix - Eucalyptus P r o p e r t y wood chopped to size for log burners Conveyancing, FREE DELIVERY New Building Albox & surrounding areas Declarations, ALL AREAS COVEReD Notary, Wills etc Tel: 646 844 Tel: 658 588 430 unbeatable 708 www.4way All construction prices materials connections. delivered webs.com logs logs logs logs logs logs logs

www.soltimes.com legal cont...

If you wish us to print an article about a particular topic in our regular space on pg 16, please email info@daviessolicitors.com NUMBER PLATES

SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

personal

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

VERA PLAYA YOUNG PRETTY GIRLS

with barbie bodies 90-60-90 french, brunettes & columbians

24 HOURS • STRIPTEASE tEL: 687 891 515

property for rent & SALE

SPAIN UK SPAIN

For just 10€ per week!

Friendly Reliable Service Fully Legal Special deals from UK - Spain Office: 968 564 298 Mobile: 696 621 884 marmenorremovals@hotmail.com

WITH SOLTIMES

Your property will appear as shown opposite and be seen by almost

E

Don’t take a chance!

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

Alan 662 249 159

www.replatematecostablanca.com

opticians Optica Albox All your optical needs, eye tests, hearing tests, contact lenses Tel: 950 121 991

634 612 828 pets section pALOMINO kENNELS Exclusive boarding kennels/cattery Tel: 950 067 051 BULL MASTIFF PUPPIES for sale 350€ call 697 965 448 woodhouse boarding kennels & cattery

arboleas Small friendly kennels, 24hr vets service, pet transporting arranged, welcome to view ministry approved Tracy Mobile 650 211 952

No need for kennels or cattery, Pet sitting in your own home, Arboleas & surrounding areas.

Call Vanessa on 637 061 482 Not just cats & dogs, All other types of pets considered

friendly mare painter & decorator painter / decorator

over 25 years experience

give your property or business a fresh look this christmas

Tel: 649 186 107 or

email thunderpaul2003@hotmail.com

painting & decorating

• 35 years experience • Guaranteed to beat any quote • Quality work guaranteed

Tel Alan: 950 450 174 or 600 268 176

now covering mainland spain

commercial & major retail painter’s expert quality workmanship

visit our website for more info tntpainters@live.co.uk www.tntpaintersltd.co.uk

9 years old 14.3hh/1.50m

500€

telephone 678 838 547 Blanca is approx 18months old. She came from the vets in Turre after being found wandering in the road. She is a placid dog who loves the comany of children & being cuddled. She enjoys playing ball and would make the most wonderful family pet.

Apartment to rent in Los Menchones near Zurgena

ground floor, 1 bed, lounge, Satelitte TV, diningroom, suit couple or single 175€+ bills per month Tel: 950 449 074 or 634 368 071

urcal

2 bedroom casita furnished, fully fitted kitchen with white goods, log burner, fenced garden with shed, available March/April 300€ pcm ring Lynn on 666 281 323

for sale

plot of land of 800m2 & villa 125m2 brick built up to & inc roof Wonderful location & exceptional views Arboleas. First yet 5 mins to town with all amenities.

Fully legal with escritora must be floor flat overlooking viewed the rambla. Four

Bargain price 65,000€

bedrooms, lift access nice views, To view or for more details central location, part furnished.

300€ pcm long term for SALE massive detatched preferred. Available immediately 609 cortijo with 50m2 workshop 20mins from mojacar 199 394

609 199 394

plumbing A&E Taylor – Gas boiler & plumbing repairs.

Tel: 618 062 080

Knowles & Abbott no.1 for plumbing & electric. CH, To meet Blanca call Paul on 626766073 solar hot water and españolas enlace: Veronica 608858318 water deposits.

Telephone Sandie is a delightful girl 950 137 197 or 606 who is good with both 807 797 other dogs & cats.

She is very gentle & CARLOS SALIENTE loves to be stroked & Plumbing and Heating petted. Walks lovely on offer machined boiler the lead & comes back decals for gas water easily when called when off the lead. She would heaters for just €65 make a lovely family pet – aguafuerte is not the & companion. She is answer! approx 2 years old.

Call 950 930 900 or 968 To meet Sandie call Paul on 626766073 969 962, email españolas enlace: Veronica 608858318 carlos.saliente@gmail.com

From a parcel to a small house move

Professional,Friendly & Caring Fully insured, scheduled monthly door to door service

uk@fmtransport.co.uk www.fmtransport.co.uk +44 (0) 1582 499 836 +44 (0) 7977 754 389 satellite/television

A1 Sky Television Systems Satellite TV installations, alignment of dishes etc.

Also Spanish “freeview” systems supplied & installed

Tel Dave: 628 607 778 solar power system

www.ecocorp.eu at ecocorp we do not just sell you a system we deliver, intall & guarantee everything for up to 10 years

Swimming Pool Heating

titanuim swimming pool heat pump For pools approx 8m by 4m 2495€ INC Installation This unit uses only 1.7kw input power!

Solar Power Systems

off grid systems for homes with no electricity 3kw systems from 6495€ 5kw systems from 7495€ 7kw systems from 8995€

Tel: 671 716 597 situations vacant

grab the future!

email for more info at thunderpaul2003@hotmail.com

become an independEnt homeshopping catalogue agent with an 89 year old major british plc. fit your work around your life. full training & local support

removals

info@pahomeshopping.com

This is a unique spanish country cortijo with 4 beds, 2 bath, Open plan living areas, kitchen & dining room as well as a workshop, courtyard front & back & room for a pool. Mountain views. possible B& B

plasterer British plasterer All work guaranteed Tel Paul 634 327 201

Removals

UK - SPAIN - UK

OR 902 750 190 Ext 330

24 hours english spoken

removals cont...

SELL YOUR PROPERTY FAST

3 bed villa for sale 55,000 phone “RE-PLATE” Spanish • blonde now for details Sol Times readers!

MATE slim • curvy Call ChristineTODAY on 966 719 647

GB

33

Build 256 m², Terrace 100m², Plot 1200 m²

Telephone 649 186 107 only €160,000

DAVE’S TRANSPORT 7.5 Ton, Lorry Part loads, Self load/Unload Minimal rates, Owner Driver Spain/uk/Local Storage available, based “Los Gallardos” &”hertfordshire” Call now 0034 620 049 524 (Es) 00 44 794 3135 214 (UK) woodnco@hotmail.com

950467769/663558143 storage

Storage Rooms for rent, 5 square metres to 15sq metres, Roquetas de Mar Urbanisation.

From 5€ a week.

Tel: 650 038 251 stables Rancho Luz Del Sol, Retamar, Partaloa.

One to one or group lessons, latest EN standard hats provided. Escorted hacking and treks. Qualified BHS Instructor. Call Erika Drew on 678 838 547

swimming pool safety

634 337 185

NEATER HEATER See our main advert on the news pages

34

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

SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

car parts

Car parts

Need quality new parts for any car

for sensible prices on all parts

for sale

Galvanized steel Trailer with tailgate

W = 1.1m L = 1.3m H = 0.5m.

Converts to a flatbed and packs away Clutches, Brakes, alternators, service kits vertically on end wheels for storage.

Starter Motors, headlights Excellent condition & used only once for a trip from England to Spain.

Free quote go online or phone www.carpartsinspain.com

€400 ono.

697255644 or 666249586

car & van hire

2011 FIAT PANDA FSH FIAT WARRANTY ONLY 10,300KM TEL: 664 897 674

or telephone 692 930 326

Van, car and driver

for hire

house & garden clearances, collections & deliveries, weekly collections from IKEA, Airport transfers Almeria 60€ one way, 110€ return Alicante 80€ one way, 150€ return

Tel: 634 345 257 mechanics

Mikes Mobile

stu british mobile

car mechanic 26 years experience All types of service, very reliable repair & ITV testing & competitive Fully qualified & rates local to the legal with over Arboleas area 35 years experience certificates can Ring Mike or Chris: be seen

Mechanics

628 350 178 or 636 824 974

Tel: 608 447 696

€749

5

1998 Citroen Xantia 1.9 tdsx New Timing Belt, ITV Feb 2013, Good Service History, LHD, Going back to the UK only 1000€

Tel: 693 473 816

125cc Lifan Heritage cruiser

motorhomes

Motorhomes for sale & wanted urgently

Motorhome & caravan Insurance arranged Motorhomes & caravan repairs & spares All vehicle imports, ITV & matriculations

Tel: 950 047 033 or 687 845 730 info@hispavan.com www.hispavan.com

wanted

950€ Registered 2009, immaculate condition.

Large Topbox and Transfer incl. Albox area.

Tel Shaun on 610 324 666

Honda Accord VTEC 2.0LS

Tiptronic Automatic / Manual Gearbox. Saloon 4 Door, UK Reg, RHD, Low Mileage, MOT July 2013, AC, Powers Steering, EW, Mirrors, Electric Aerial, Pioneer Stereo, Remote Control, Central Locking, Excellent Tyres inc. Spare, Recent CAM Belt change, Handbook, Service History.

€1395

URGENTLY REQUIRED

ENGLISH & SPANISH CARAVANS, CARS, MOTORHOMES & VANS ANY CONDITION WE COLLECT! THROUGHOUT SPAIN

Tel: 610 667 743 / 950 432 990

FIAT PANDA 1.2

2006, 25,000kms, excellent condition ITV to March 2014 TEL: 636 411 540 OR 664 619 819

WANTED automatic car, small to meduim, 5 door, 3 to 4 years old, tel: 667 887 728 email; wardies129@gmail.com

WANTED

JCB’s, Mini-Diggers (All Makes), Tractors, Trailers & all other types of plant machinery.

Any age, any condition.

Cash buyer All 4x4 vehicles buyer of all caravans, any condition, value from 200€ to 20,000€

Urgently Required

ALL Mitsubishi Shogun, Monteo, Pajero, Landrover & all other makes

collect from anywhere

Tel: 645 094 339 or 950 064 763

4950€ Tel: 950 607 953 or 650 007 700

to advertise your car for sale in this section call paulette on 950 121 936 or 902 750 190 ext332

to advertise in the classified section call paulette on: 950 121 936 or 902 750 190 ext 332

motoring section

Now that December has arrived, all the Angels staff would like to wish all our members, clients and friends a very Merry Christmas As most people now know, we moved offices 2 months ago to Los Carasoles on the Albox road, this allowed us to be closer to a lot of our members, while giving us more room to expand our services. Feel free to pop in and say hello if you are passing!

Our nursing and home care services are available 24hrs a day providing long or short term assistance, covering all aspects of care including personal hygiene and nutritional needs, mobility and rehabilitation and palliative care and support from 1hr to 24hrs a day.

If you are looking for a simple check up or advice with one of our nurses, then you still have chance before Christmas to book into one of our Wellbeing Clinics that are being held throughout our local area including Arboleas, Cucador and Mojacar. For your nearest Clinic, call the office on 902 02 64 68.

The Angels new website has just been released, along with updates on our services! Over the last 2 years we have been supporting our members lives with our Emergency Response membership that allows instant access 24hrs a day to qualified and trained Angels operators backed up and supported by British nurses. Our membership is now affordable to anyone living here in Spain and takes the worry away of wondering what if? Your membership starts from only 19.99€ per month, for more information visit our website or call us.

With the ever-increasing demand of shorter term support needed, the Angels Holiday Lifeline has been released to allow people that are visiting for 1 week to 3 months the opportunity to know they have somewhere to turn 24hrs a day giving full peace of mind throughout your time in Spain.

With prices starting from as little as 9.99€ per week.

If you would like more information on any of our services then please feel free to contact us 902 02 64 68 email : info@angelsnursinggroup.com

Don’t get stuck this Christmas... ...Call the Angels for information on your 24hrs Emergency Response Services!

Peace of mind for you and your loved ones in a language you understand Call 902 02 64 68 or email info@angelsnursinggroup.com

www.almeriaangels.com

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

viewpoint

Essenti a l Shopping Accessory

By Jos Biggs

Underrated X Rated Viewing

One of the things I used to miss here in Spain was the Monday afternoon trip to the multi-screen Cinema at the Grafton Centre in Cambridge.

This was mostly a winter exercise, with my wife a hairdresser and traditionally taking Monday off, and me because it was the slackest day of my working week.

It was a great way to spend an afternoon which always culminated in a bit of Italian food at the nearby Mamma Amalfi noshery.

Afternoon off-peak viewing was half price and with eight screens to choose from, there was always a good choice of films.

Now, with the latest generation of TV screens that are the size of Denmark; high definition picture quality and Blu-Ray recordings – who needs the movies?

Designer entertainment is the order of the day, so why leave the house if you really don’t need to.

Visiting the local picture house was always a special outing when I was a kid and from quite an early age my Mum, who was a film buff, would often take me along to one of the town’s nine cinemas. One of my earliest memories is

the 1953 film Lili starring which was why we the young Leslie Caron fourth formers looked at and more particularly the admission to such movies infectious tune of the song as a real challenge.

Hi Lili Hi Lo. It was great to tell our about the Another film that classmates touched me emotionally terrifying details of films and had me in floods of such as ‘Pit and the tears two years later was Pendulum’ and ‘Circus of A Kid for Two Farthings Horrors’ and the fact that starring Diana Dors and we had managed to gain David Kossoff.

I was entry made us feel quite inconsolable when the superior. baby goat snuffed it and But I became to be honest, if I watched disenchanted with X it today, I would probably Films after two major find myself filling up disappointments. again. There’s nothing so X-rated to us meant only cute as a fluffy goatling. that there would be loads Films like this gave of scary bits and a good me a love for the cinema deal of blood and gore if which only came to an we were lucky, so gearing end in the mid sixties myself for another treat, I when I found that mini caught the trolley bus into skirted dolly birds with town one Sunday afternoon legs up to Carlisle were to see the movie, Town far preferable to sitting in Without Pity showing at the two and sixes at the the Central cinema – the Gaumont – albeit being a town’s flea pit. lot more expensive with But it turned out to their Babychams and Rum be a film that was all and Blackcurrants. about ‘issues’ and moral neither of Before this, in the fourth dilemmas, which held any interest year at secondary modern school, one or two of us 15 for me, so I left before the year olds would regularly end. try to blag our way in to The second was see X rated movies on a Splendour in the Grass, Sunday afternoon for no which was receiving rave other reason than to brag reviews and to add to my to our classmates about it persona as a worldly wise 18 year old, I purchased a on Monday morning.

There were three pack of ten Philip Morris British Board of Film cigarettes from the kiosk Classifications in those in the foyer – an unfamiliar days: ‘U’, ‘A’ and ‘X’ brand to me, but the only certificates. ‘U’ basically ones available.

My only experience with meant universal, whilst the ‘A’ signified that if ciggies up until then was under 18, an adult had the occasional Consulate to be in attendance. ‘X’ menthol tipped when meant that 18 was the we skived off during the minimum age for entrance cross country run during

By Colin Bird : badbirdnow@gmail.com games period and

took a short cut through a deserted RAF camp.

So I struggled with these strange American filterless fags.

The film was a complete waste of time to a 15 year old expecting blood and guts or at the very least some full frontal nudity –the nearest to which was Natalie wood up to her neck in soap suds – but it was another tiresome movie again dealing with boring ‘issues’ that were beyond me.

On top of this disappointment, I burned my hand and ruined a perfectly good pair of jeans when my cigarette stuck to my lips and my fingers slid to the end, knocking off a plug of glowing tobacco into to my lap.

The regular Sunday afternoon movie jaunt petered out after that – I had better things to spend my paper round money on.

Things like Health & Efficiency magazine.

Alq u e r i a T H E COU P

It was a glorious morning too glorious for the criminal act which was about to be perpetrated. The pigeons weren’t the only creatures planning a ‘coo’ during that morning.

Rodriquez, Robles and the two hired hands Forcan and Olam were about to unleash their coup d’ état on the still slumbering people of Alqueria. Unleash is perhaps too strong a word. The four had little in the way of arms. Their arsenal consisted of an old shotgun with only one working barrel and an unconvincing replica Luger.

Logistical support existed in the form of a beaten-up panel van with four bald tyres and the olive mill’s push-bike.

Rodriquez and his co-conspirators planned to hold captive the three leading Hill People, Poyato, Gruntmore and the lovely Manuela and then to take control of the legal government of Alqueria. Poyato was easily taken. He had been drinking his own Remitroot liquor the night before so seeing strange apparitions in his bedroom was nothing out of the ordinary. Blythe Gruntmore, not understanding Spanish thought it was another strange Iberian custom so came willingly. The conspirators couldn’t understand why Blythe kept giggling as he was led away. Blythe thought he was being a good sport by joining in the spirit of the imagined occasion.

They could hear Manuela, her voice like a Spring breeze gently caressed the sleeping street. She had not been to bed and was at the window when the four entered the Calle del Siniestro. Realising something was wrong, she put into practice a long standing escape strategy. Originally designed to make herself scarce in case of visitations by the police, who have never really understood her, she made good her escape. Disappearing into the warm still night with an emergency backpack of clothes and other essentials.

Manuela climbed high into the Sierra Alhamilla before she stopped to look down at the village bathed in the morning sun.

She was eating her emergency rations when she became aware of another presence. Out of the long morning shadows stepped an old, old man, his face weather beaten and creased. Over his shoulder he slung an ancient smooth bored Mauser, his clothes patched and threadbare with age.

Old man Matas told Manuela how he was fighting for the Second Spanish Republic and how he would resist Franco’s fascists.

Manuela, not wanting to confuse her new found ally allowed him to continue in this belief. She gratefully accepted his offer of shelter and settled into his cave overlooking Alqueria.

Matas watched as Manuela washed and freshened herself, semiclad she was silhouetted against the glare of the morning sun. He felt a long forgotten but strangely familiar stirring, he wondered what it meant. Perhaps it is better he can’t remember.

www.carsupermarket.es

John MacDonald (El Sordo) www.caratacus.eu

Given the choice between going to the dentist or going shopping I’d choose going shopping, but given the choice between going shopping and not going shopping, I’d choose not going shopping.

However, if we are not to starve, shopping has to be done. Also, the vagaries of the climate, even here in Spain, suggest the wisdom of wearing clothes. Moreover, I feel that the majority of us present a more attractive appearance when any natural inadequacies or excesses are disguised by a considered choice of appropriate inner and outer wear.

The other day I discovered the correct way to ‘do’ shopping. Pete, who is temporarily confined to a wheelchair, came with me to the market.

I pushed while he directed – ‘Not too fast! Mind my toes! Forwards! Stop! You’re too close! Keep straight!’

– talk about front seat drivers!

I followed minutely detailed parking instructions, being careful to leave him in the sun and out of the wind while I fetched unreachable items for his perusal, and I angled his chair precisely to allow him maximum browsing range for things within his grasp.

All the while josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk the stream of

humanity flowed around and past us. I noticed that nobody looks at someone in a wheelchair; they would bear down upon us, and at the last minute, just as a crash seemed inevitable, they veered round us, still apparently oblivious to our presence.

I found the whole experience quite daunting. I felt I needed at the very least a large L sign on my back, plus bull bars on the front of the chair, and a flashing light with a Nee-Nah klaxon on Pete’s head.

A bit of fancy paint work and some blades on the wheels would have been nice, too.

However, I wasn’t jostled – you can’t jostle a wheelchair!

It was as we proceeded round the market, accumulating all sorts of necessary items, including a dustpan with a long handle, an excellent defence against toe tramplers, that I discovered the true benefit of a wheelchair with occupant – you don’t have to carry a thing, you simply load everything on them!

I left him, parked in the sun, while I collected something from a shop with steps and no ramp. I looked back; there he was, sitting patiently in the sun, only his nose and the peak of his cap visible above the piles of plastic bags containing the day’s haul.

I have discovered the essential shopping accessory – someone in a wheelchair!

35

36

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

SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

The Tall Boys

braben’s blog....

Stuart and Doc are The Tall Boys

The Tall Boys are a fantastic new duo on the local music scene; Stuart Edwards and Dave ‘Doc’ Bawden have been friends for longer than they can dare remember from their Cornwall days playing a superb selection of country, rock and R&B. Stuart played lead guitar for Edison Lighthouse and enjoyed success with their million selling UK number One single in 1970, ‘Love Grows (Where my Rosemary Goes)’!

They are great musicians and only together until spring so look out for them.

I had an idea recently for a new television show; contestants would spend a week driving across the British countryside; begging, pleading and practically prostituting themselves, all in the hope of antique shop owners selling them stuff really cheaply in exchange for some free advertising. Then they would go to an antiques auction and sell the items for a couple of quid more than they paid (or a couple of quid less) to other antique dealers, who can take it all back to their own shops to sell at the same prices as before. Then I realised what a stupid idea it was after watching Antiques Road trip on the BBC. ‘I’m a celebrity’ hissed, bit and slithered to a close at the weekend, it’s so hyped by the media but I have to be honest and say I loved it! No huge fights as in other years between the great contestants and the challenges were horrific. Just the sight of a mosquito puts me in a panic so the thought of being covered in thousands of insects is too much to even contemplate.

Eastender’s star Charlie Brooks won after she and Ashley Roberts tucked into a delicious bush tucker challenge which included raw fish eyes, live witchetty grubs and cockroaches.

The cold snap came as shock last week but thankfully its put paid to the last of the mozzies and flies around so we all can breathe easy again until next year; the wet and cold winter has enabled the ski slopes near Granada to open last week much earlier than usual. I would love to try skiing but Eddie the Eagle is a true pro compared to my innate clumsiness and the missus has banned me from ever donning skis.

Earlier this year I discovered that as I had left the UK more than five years ago I was eligible to transfer a pension abroad and get a cash sum. The process was straightforward and although I had to pay some fees the cash certainly came in handy and opened up some new investment opportunities too. By all means email me if anyone is curious as to what pension funds they may have hidden away and I will pass on the details of the company I used.

Anyone else feel the earth tremors on Sunday in the Turre area? And finally, what is it with all these power cuts? The power has been going off a few times every day for weeks now. Sometimes briefly, other times for an hour. It plays havoc with all the communication devices in the house especially our internet connection which in the 21st century means I just as well be sitting naked atop of Everest waving semaphore flags!

Stephen Amore has lived in Almeria since July 2006 and owns Findmeahome estate agency. Writing on a variety of topics close to his heart such as environmental issues, animal welfare, food and drink, music and travel, as well as commenting on the absurdities of living in Spain! email: stephen@findmeahome.es - www.facebook.com/stephen.amore

Right, I’m okay for seven minutes! Why? Apparently it takes that long for the average person to fall asleep, so you should at least still be awake by the time you have finished reading this-although I can’t guarantee your levesl of boredom by that point! I’m also safe as long as I don’t write the word “yawn” because research has found that if we read or hear the word “yawn” we want to yawn and that can easily lead to unplanned dozing. I had better write faster, especially as I’ve just used THAT word three times in the same sentence.

If you’re reading this in bed, be careful, not only will you fall asleep and miss the end but, amazingly, one person in two million will die by falling out of bed.

If you’re in a bunk, fasten your safety belt.

I hope you’re not now dozing deeply because I wanted to tell you that I think memory is amazing. Don’t you find that you store so much information up there that’s at your fingertips? What bothers me is that I tend to remember the wrong things. Yes I can recall lots of trivial facts about music, film, sport and even the names of the seven dwarves. But, ask me to remember something very important then as my wife will testify through gritted teeth, it simply slips away.

Now an experiment. The index finger on the Statue of Liberty is eight feet long. If you can still remember that tomorrow, you’re doing well, but if you can also remember where your keys are and what your mobile telephone number is then it’s “Who Wants To Be a Millionaire” for you pronto!

It’s a relief to me that I’m not alone having an empty space that once was my memory. Squirrels. They suffer from memory lapses. You’d imagine wouldn’t you that when they gather in the nuts for eating during the winter they would remember exactly where they buried them, is married after all they work hard hording them for the colder Graham to Helen and has weather. Funnily enough they often forget where they’ve a daughter, Alice. hidden half of them. Silly animals, I never forget where the He lives part of the year near Albox, chocolate is buried! but works in Qatar, Remember the earlier experiment? Eight feet. Yes, see, I teaching. If you wish Graham remembered…something or other, or someone or other to contact regarding this measured eight feet. What was it? Something to do with article email: chocolate? No, wait, don’t tell me, it was a giant squirrel… helenandg@yahoo. co.uk wasn’t it?

REVIEW it...

The Devil Rides Out BY Paul O’Grady Paul O’Grady? Lily Savage?

O’Grady takes us back to life in the seventies and gives us a glimpse of his life from the age of 18. He presents us with a vivid and usually a sordid and seedy picture of the Birkenhead club scene followed by the equally sordid London scene, dens of inequity for a troubled soul whose lifelong ambition seems to be to get inebriated every night and wake up with a stinking hangover.

Vanity and hedonistic pleasure dominated his life. At 18 he had to be “friggin’ gorgeous” dolled up in the tightest of garments to accentuate his sexuality and desirability before he could storm the club scene. His mother called it “tomcatting” and the expression “the devil rides out” is one of the phrases his mother used for his clubbing, dressed up to the eyeballs and on the pull!

Her prejudice was more evident when she called it “debauchery “ and then lashed out at him with: “You fornicating, no-good, dirty big who-er.” Don’t get the wrong impression. His mother loved him BUT also worried about him always getting into trouble, especially with the police.

At times the author allows us to see a vulnerable child, unsure of himself, immature and unable to face up to any kind of responsibilities. He was deeply affected by his father’s sudden death and made to feel guilty because of his troubled sexuality that created un-necessary tensions in the family. Mother had just had a near fatal heart-attack and was not expected to survive. Father was so shocked that HE then had an instantaneous heart attack and died immediately afterwards. Mother was “numb with shock” and far too ill to be allowed to bury her own husband.

His father’s death left a “raw gaping wound” and his guilt at causing his death was “growing heavier” as he quietly mourned the loss of his father’s “reassuring presence.”

Surprisingly for me, he had some girlfriends and seemed like any other heterosexual male. He slept with Diane who was one of his girlfriends who became pregnant with Paul’s daughter. In between this “hysterical queen” act there was a parent trying to establish itself. At 18, Paul was too immature and unable to face up to any responsibilities and he admitted that his blood ran cold when he saw the baby.

“Having sowed my wild oats I’d prayed for crop failure.” He was “going nowhere fast” or crudely put: “ up shit creek without a paddle.” Another big surprise was to agree to an arranged marriage to a lesbian. On paper this lasted 28 years. Very strange.

The other side you don’t hear about concerns the physical graft, caring for the disabled and the most vulnerable.

As an interesting diversion we hear about the author’s visit to East Berlin, Poland and Auschwitz with sobering recollection. This was riveting. In Manila we are exposed to abject poverty and sexual trafficking that appalled the writer. It was a “dirty, sprawling, poverty-stricken metropolis” with a booming sex trade, reeking of exploitation.

The desire to perform on stage seemed to be a niggling need throughout this period of life and his ambition is realised when he returns to London, to the Elephant and Castle the birthplace of Lily Savage.

He called it a “ persistent theatrical itch.” He longed for the “mayhem at the circus” a combination of the Weimar Berlin cabaret, the vaudeville, burlesque but also something that was “quintessentially” British. To continue this interesting saga about O’Grady’s phoenix you will have to read the third volume and discover the delights of Lily Savage for yourself.

Bantam Press: ISBN:978-0593064245

Carol Naylor - writing exclusively for the Sol Times Naylorcl@hotmail.es & w w w.carolnaylor.blogspot.com

SOLTIMES APRIL 2012

Road Test: Maserati GTS

37

notices that neither the speedometer or the rev counter are working. “I think moving the steering wheel has caused this problem,” she says. Sure enough when we pull into a layby and I re-position it and re-insert the key into the ignition, the fuel gauge needle lifts and the other dials miraculously work.

My driving pleasure restored and my wife’s halo polished, we drive off into the distance. Not even this experience detracts from the overall pleasure of a Maserati. It’s like a temperamental lover but you know that life without them is just not worth living, which brings me to handing the key back to Alan, the helpful delivery driver. You wouldn’t know it to look at him but he can pull a mean headlock!

specification £83,305 - £111,160 Engine: 4.7-litre V8 0-60mph: 4.7secs Top speed: 183mph Power: 433bhp Valves: 32 Fuel tank: 86 litres (18.9 gallons) = 320 miles to a tank Economy: 17mpg Watch the video at: www.testdrives.biz It is possible to drive it as a manual thanks to the paddle shifts either side of the steering wheel. Maserati is a responsible manufacturer offering driving courses for both owners and enthusiasts, for details visit: http://www. maserati.com/maserati/en/ en/index/service.html For sheer seat of the pants driving and gut wrenching G-force it takes much to beat a Maserati. Add the unmistakable throaty roar of the dual exhausts and the rumble this brute produces it is no surprise that Maserati has been a beacon of light during the bleak slump. Watch the video at www.testdrives.biz.

It has unmistakable presence and style, work colleagues all agreeing that “it looks far more attractive than any Ferrari”.

Parkers, the car experts, writes: “More than 60 years ago, the idea of slotting a racing car engine under the bonnet of a road-going model led Maserati to create its first GranTurismo model.

The dream and the name

have lived on through the years and the latest rendition - another masterpiece of design from Pininfarina won instant acclaim when it was launched at the end of 2007. It is hardly surprising that this GranTurismo has customers queuing around the world. Arguably the most attractive car of its kind currently available, it oozes the opulence and feel of a thoroughbred and presents stiff opposition to the evergreen Porsche 911 and the revitalized Jaguar XKR. With 433bhp available from its 4.7-litre V8, performance is exhilarating.”

This Italian stallion tugs at the heartstrings and has the uncanny ability of showing

Advanced motorist Tim Saunders is the former Business and Motoring Editor of the Bournemouth Daily Echo.

His regular test reports appear in numerous newspapers, magazines and websites throughout the UK, Ireland & Gibraltar - and now here in Spain! For more information contact Tim on: timasaunders@tiscali.co.uk

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its driver the full range of emotions from excitement to absolute fear. The latter is not through reckless driving either but worry of breaking down. I alter the position of the steering wheel using the little joystick to the left of it. Starting the engine my heart sinks as the fuel gauge needle, which usually moves upwards, stays in its place at empty. “Oh that’s all I need,” I shout. “What’s the problem?” my wife questions.

“Someone has stolen our fuel,” I reply. Neither of us has our mobile phones so the only thing to do is drive to the nearest petrol station and hope we make it. During the course of the journey my intelligent, rational wife, successful at problem solving,

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If Bentley and Maserati can experience double digit growth during recession, just imagine what could be achieved during more affluent times. Well, there’s good news because according to the Office for National Statistics, the double dip recession is over in the UK after GDP hit one per cent in the third quarter. Yes a whole percentage point folks; that will make the swelling ranks of the unemployed feel better then.

No better time though to test a Maserati GranTurismo S, as owned by pop star Britney Spears. Other owners include Manchester City star Mario Balotelli, who famously gave his a matt finish. Arsenal defender Andre Santos also has one but he was arrested on suspicion of driving his dangerously following a 140mph police chase. That is a lesson to us all because the unique selling point of a Maserati is that it is a road going racing car at a pretty reasonable price (between £83,000 and a £111,000) when you consider the cost of an actual racing car.

Any vehicle is a lethal weapon but the Maserati GTS is in a league of its own meaning that its pilot carries with them massive responsibility. The temptation to floor this beast (and that grille does literally make it look like a monster) at every opportunity is immense.

Therefore young owners need to be particularly careful when behind the wheel.

“There’s little skill required in driving such a car,” says a long in the tooth motoring hack, eyeing the six-speed automatic gearbox. “You don’t even need to think about changing gear, which is why it appeals to mindless footballers…”

That’s perhaps a little unfair and I detect a hint of jealousy as I show him round the pearlescent white GTS.

WE ARE HERE

CASA CONCHILLA

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ALBOX BAZA ROAD

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38

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

SOLTIMES DECEMBER 2012

sport

angling news with beachcomber john

Important new license information I have some good news about Andalucian coarse fishing licenses and we have a new loophole. Not easy to do by any means, the main problem is a trip (in person) to Malaga. Although most of the paperwork can be done on the internet an appointment must be attended in Malaga.

It is not clear at this time if the license issued will cover fishing in other regions. No NIE number is necessary if proof of where one lives in the UK is produced and an English rod license will be required plus passport. The cost as far as I can work out is €91.00. It doesn’t say how long the license is for though and something else we will have to find out.

I’m told there is a new rule in Andalucia that tourists without an NIE number can fish Andalucian shores (And sea fishing from a boat) without licenses but until I actually see the piece of paper I suggest you presume otherwise and use our other beach and boat fishing NIE loophole.

Boat Fishing: ‘Orca Steve’ took the first opportunity of a decent day to get back out fishing accompanied by ‘Squiddly Sid’, ‘Dennis the menace’, ‘Conger David’ and ‘Stay behind Brian’, all members of the Albox fishing club.

The conditions were perfect; the lads wanted to drift across the holes behind the Garrucha harbour wall to try and get a conger eel or something big.

After an hour and a half of fishing in 450ft nobody on the boat had even had a bite so Steve took the decision to try shallower water and moved the boat to an area opposite the big Mojacar 4 star hotels and set up to drift from 35ft to 100ft in the light wind. They were soon into fish catching pickerels, small pandoras, small red snappers and cleaver wrasse.

Dennis landed the biggest weaver fish Steve had ever seen and after some careful handling this was put to one side ready for the stew pot.

Steve was the first to get a trigger fish and it was a good sized one taking the raw prawn on a size 4 hook.

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SOL TIMES COSTA ALMERIA

The feature of our Wednesday competition was an eagle on the 15th by Gunner Astheimer .This is not an every day event and not many golfers achieve this, so our congratulations to Gunner. Our winner on this special day for Gunner was Carol Hardy with 31 points second with another 31 Greg Ward and third with

This Week The Society Had A Great Week Of Golf With The Finale Of The Patricia Townsend Trophy On Sunday. The Meal And Prize Giving Was Well Attended

By Members And Guests Who All Had An Enjoyable

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29 Barbara Wardley. Ball sweep winner Greg Ward Sunday 2nd December and our winner with 35 points Ursula Lade in second with 33 Frank McGovern and third with 33 on countback Cathal Higgins.

Ball sweep winners Frank Mcgovern John Wardley Brian Harwood Birged Rehfu

Valle Del Estes Golf Society.....

Spanish or English

Also buyers of COPPER, BRASS, ALUMINIUM, LEAD, STAINLESS STEEL

prawn bait and was probably attracted by the smaller fish around the bait. The fishing dropped off when the wind got up and changed direction so they returned to port for a beer and tapas and to chat about our days fishing adventure.

See photo of Mike with his Atlantic Scad.

Shore Fishing.

‘Mr T’ caught a 2.1/2lb Dorada bream off the Indalo Hotel Arm, stick float, size 10 hook and light line, bait was rag worm. It was a good fight obviously and much enjoyed.

‘Mr T’ tells me the mullet seem to have disappeared from the area. Maybe the result of September’s floods?

‘Spanish Alex’ caught a better dorada, in October I think it was, this fish weighed in at 8lbs, some bream.

(Looks bigger doesn’t it?)

‘London Bill’ confirmed the bigger mullet have disappeared from much of Mojacar’s coastline although he is still catching a few in and around Garrucha. He caught a 3lb sea bass last week; ok no monster but at least it’s keepable. The biggest I heard of was a 9.1/2lber off the beach at Vera last year.

Coarse Fishing.

Two Murcia competition matches weighed in 24lbs at Blanca and 12lbs on the River Segura.

The Albox fishing club meets every two weeks or so at Bar Wassy. For details of the next meeting tel Sid 634 313 650.

For further information on any of the above or to find out about beach, boat or coarse fishing licenses, see me at the Beachcomber Bar Restaurant on Mojacar Playa or tel 950 473 099. In case of difficulty reaching me (Probably out fishing) ask staff for my mobile number.

Tight lines, John.

CORTIJO GRANDE................................

RECYCLING

We also take fridges, washing machines, microwaves, all electrica l appliances

Shortly afterwards he had a great take and landed two triggers and two pickerels on the same trace which gave his new lightweight rod a good test but it held out magnificently.

Squiddly Sid got a similar take shortly after and landed two trigger fish of his own, he actually had three triggers on but one got off as they were trying to net them.

The fishing stayed brisk and they landed a total of eleven triggers between the four of them. Brian had some fun of his own bringing aboard three nice sized Octopuses.

The following Monday, Steve was joined by ‘Mike the dinghy’ (dinghy for sale if anyone is interested), ‘Elaine the fishing doctor’ and her dad Eric from the Zurgena shooting club and who was a keen Salmon fisherman when he lived in Scotland a few years ago.

Steve had no hesitation in taking the crew to the shallow area opposite the big Mojacar hotels where he had good success previously.

They started fishing at a depth of 35ft drifting slowly out to a depth of 100ft catching pickerels, pandoras, weavers, small red snappers and cleaver wrasse. Eric had a good take and landed a reasonable red snapper shortly followed by Elaine who brought aboard a tub gurnard. The fishing kept them all busy for a while with the small critters pinching most of the bait from the number 4 hooks. At one stage several shoals of bait fish pitted the calm surface which indicated there was predator fish in the area. This was confirmed shortly after when Mike got a fantastic take and brought aboard a good Atlantic Scad after a 10 minute battle which he handled perfectly on light tackle. The fish took raw

POSTAL ADDRESS: MATTHEWS MEDIA S.L. APDO. 242, 04800, ALBOX, ALMERIA

Time.

Now For The Results Of The Two Day Event 1st Dick Hull 73pts 2nd Bob Mearing 72pts 3rd Kieth Moorhouse 64pts 4th Bill Churchill 62pts 5th Kevin Burden.

Nearest The Pins On Friday Dick Hull & Mark Newell And On Sunday Ray Mc Hale & Derek Moorhouse. In The Lesser Event On Tueday 27th Nov The Winner Sean Halligan 33pts (Hcp6) 2nd Ray Mc Hale 31pts (Hcp11) 3rd Dave Bawden 29pts (Hcp22).

Enjoy Your Golf At Valle Del Este Golf Resort.

Forum Golf Society.......................

Friday November 30th saw Forum Golf Society play a Double Par Medal at the increasingly popular Lorca Golf Resort, and a very chilly day meant that for the first time in 10 months nobody was brave enough to wear shorts, a sure sign that Winter has arrived ! The course was presented in the best condition it has been since it´s opening a year ago, but still proved pretty difficult for the majority of the society players.

The only person to break Par was the day´s winner Phil Elam with a net 70, followed

by Steve Crees in second (72), Brian Gyer in third (73), Fran Elam fourth (73) & John Smith fifth (73). Nearest the pin prizes were claimed by

Alec Grey, Dave Sharp MBE, Adrian Lawrence & Adrian Ball, with Mike Duckham finally finding the fairway with an almighty swipe to take the longest drive prize by some distance.

Forum´s upcoming fixtures are December 14th Stableford at Desert Springs December 28th Prize Pairs 2 Man Scramble at Aguilon January 11th Stableford at Valle del Este For further information, contact Phil Elam on 666 847840 / philjelam@ yahoo.co.uk, or see www. forumgolfsociety.webs.com

Compiled by AFM

sport shorts

• Last weekend, Swansea stunned Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates, Manchester United won 4-3 at Reading, West Ham beat Chelsea 3-1 and in the FA Cup, it was MK Dons 2 AFC Wimbledon 1.

• After 5 ½ years in America, David Beckham celebrated his departure by helping LA Galaxy beat Houston Dynamo 3-1 in the MSL Cup final.

• It’s European action this week with the final group matches in the Champions and Europa Leagues with Chelsea, Celtic, Liverpool and Spurs all hoping to follow Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle into the respective knockout stages of the two competitions.

• On Saturday it’s the 164th Manchester derby at Old Trafford. United lead City by 68 wins to 45.

• The draw for the 3rd round of the FAC includes a repeat of the 1987 final between Spurs and Coventry while Manchester United visit West Ham and holders Chelsea travel to Southampton.

• Barcelona’s Lionel Messi goes into tonight’s CL game with Benfica needing two more goals to break Gerd Muller’s record of 85 in a calendar year. And the superstar is favourite to win FIFA’S 2012 Ballon D’Or (World Player of the Year award).

• West Ham has introduced a ‘zero tollerance’ approach to anyone involved in anti-Semitic chanting after two fans were cautioned and a season ticket holder banned for life following incidents in the recent derby with Spurs.

• The trial of Birmingham owner, Carson Yeung, has been adjourned until April. Yeung is charged with laundering £60m.

• UEFA could scrap the Europa League and increase the Champions League to 64 clubs.

• And Notts County FC celebrated its 150th ‘birthday’ last week.

• England’s rugby team, by scoring three tries in 10 minutes, beat the All Blacks 38-21, but Six Nations champions Wales conceded late on and lost 14-12 to Australia. And England’s women emulated their male counterparts when they also beat New Zealand 32-23 to clinch the series 3-0.

• Freddie Flintoff won his first boxing bout and Ireland’s Tyson Fury also triumphed in the ring.

• The 12 nominees for the BBC 2012 Sports Personality of the Year (you can see it live on TV on 16 December) are Olympians Jessica Ennis, Nicola Adams, Kath Grainger, Sir Chris Hoy, Bradley Wiggins, Sarah Storey, David Weir, Ellie Simmonds, Mo Farah, Andy Murray and Ben Ainslie plus Rory McIlroy.

• Ainslie will not compete in Rio in 2016, but will try and help GB win the Americas Cup • Golf’s governing body could introduce a new rule which would limit the use of long handled putters.

Three of the last five major winners have used the long handle.

• Rafael Nadal is ‘getting better’ and hopes to compete in the Australian Open in January. The Spaniard hasn’t played since Wimbledon in June.

• Aussie Ricky Ponting, the second highest run-maker in Test cricket behind Sachin Tendulkar, has retired and Ashley Giles is England’s new ODI & T20 manager.

• Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas will replace Bruno Senna at Williams next year • And also on TV this week, interested parties can watch the third cricket Test between India and England, snooker at the York Barbican and the women’s Masters Golf tournament in Dubai.

Enjoy your sport

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sport 19th Hole Golf Society

Cucador. Tuesday 27th November was the 19th Hole Golf Societies away day. In the early hours of the morning 27 brave souls clambered wearily on to the chartered coach unable to believe that there are two eight o’clocks in a day.

Arriving at the La Envia course in time to compete in the 8 hole putting competition, the players then made their way to the first Tee ready to play the annual Team game (Teams of 4 were drawn at random on the coach trip).

The format of the team game was the Waltz.

Some steady play from Mark Danson•s Team consisting of Mark, Nigel Greenwood, Tony Slinn and Sid Walker saw them scrape home as winners with 60 points. John Haydons depleted team of John, Pete Dow and Zeta Denyer plus The Ghost came a close second place with 59 points.

Brian (Dee) Lowden with 31 points won the individual Stableford, closely followed

by Mark Danson on 29 points. But performance of the the day was from that old rascal Charlie (Cor Blimey) Brookman. His score of 25 points was enough to secure 3rd spot. Well done Charlie, good job the other players didn’t turn up!!.

On to Thursday 29th November and The 19th Hole Golf Societies Annual Presentation Dinner and Dance at La Vida Restaurant, Cucador.

Seventy Nine members and guests enjoyed a really good evening especially being entertained by Brian Dee and Dave Sharp whose music soon made the dance floor busier than an Arab Market! A big thank you to them both.

The two main annual awards were the Order of Merit and the Most Improved Player.

Brian (Dee) Lowden deservedly took 1st place on The Order of Merit with 394 points closely followed

by Roger(The Dodger) Kaye and Terry( The Consistent One) with 386 points.

Most improved player of the year -going from a handicap of 20 to 14- was Terry Caddick. Our thanks to all the sponsers of the Golf Day and to La Vida Restaurant.

Results.

El Molinos Restaurant 8 hole putting competition.

Winner with 15 shots was Nick Pogson which included 3 hole in ones.

Aguilon sponsored Team Waltz

1st Mark Danson, Sid Walker, Nigel Greenwood and Tony Slinn.

2nd John Haydon, Pete Dow, Zeta Denyer and The Ghost.

3rd Brian(Dee) Lowden, John Ball, Andy Smith and Christine Dow. La Envia sponsored Nearest the Pin. Winner: Pete Dow. La Envia Sponsored Longest Drive.

Winner: Brian (Dee) Lowden Singles Stableford Competition.

1st Brian ( Dee) Lowden 31 points (10) 2nd Mark Danson 29 points (03) 3rd Charlie Brookman 5 points (28) Twos; Hole 11, Mark Danson and Zeta Denyer Hole 15 Andy Smith.

El Molinos Restaurant sponsored Most Improved Player; Terry Caddick.

The La Vida Restaurant Order of Merit Winner: Brian / (Dee) Lowden The 19th hole G/S is now

arranging weekly games at various courses in the area, our home course, which we play fortnightly, is Aguilon.

If you are interested in joining the 19th hole give the secretary a ring on 610340653. Or email gs19thhole@hotmail.co.uk

ALBOX DARTS LEAGUE................

Knock Out Cup Round 2 27th Nov 2012 Bar El Flax 7 v 0 Tercera Edad Cafe-Bar Oasis 3 v 4 Pablos La Cinta 1 5 v 2 La Cinta 2 El Cordobes 6 v 1 Catalan Highlights John Hilsom from El Cordobes 180 Andy Martin Secretary to Albox & District Darts League Mobile 622 905 951 For On-line results go to http://www.alboxinfo.com/ albox-darts.php

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