GREAT ADVERT
RATES CALL 693 774 932 SALES@ SOLTIMES .COM
roquetas & almerimar
SolTimes issue 377
6-12 march
est. 7 yrs
your free weekly newspaper
portobello
rastro Arts and Antiques
car boot sale
flea market
Almerimar PORT opposite Leo’s bar Every 2nd Sunday of the month
10 th march
Open 10am - 3pm
Information: 660 32 12 30
www.soltimes.com
• Socialist Opposition Party Condemns Councils Terraces Bill... • Severe Weather Conditions Spoil Andalucia Day Celebrations... • Regional Council Awaits Airport Decision... martin shortland reports: page 13
JAKS Wide Range of UK,
Continental & Indian Foods & Spices rack of Lamb available
Menu del dia 9.00€ served friday - wednesday
Enjoy Pierre’s French 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
Tel: 950 334 439 Email: lavita@roquetas-de-mar.es
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)
Arkrites British Food Store well stocked selection of:
Groceries & frozen foods including legs of New Zealand lamb, gammon joints, lambs liver. Large Selection of Greeting Cards inc mothers day (March 10th) & easter sunday (march 31st) easter eggs now in stock
Free Home Delivery 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 MARCH 2013
Sport
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
www.soltimes.com
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
Bárcenas to appeal passport confiscation
Former treasurer for the PP Luis Bárcenas is appealing against a judge’s decision to force him to hand in his passport and report to the court every two weeks. Pablo Ruz, handling the slush fund case, considered there was a real risk of the accused fleeing the country. Bárcenas’ Swiss bank accounts contain 22 million euros, but had held as much as 38 million in the past in order to avoid paying taxes. The origin of the funds is not known, but the ex-treasurer insists he ‘got lucky’ on the stock market and sold various works of art, and that the money also came from two estate agency businesses he owned. Account documents show that the PP party at national level received 33 million euros in donations between 1999 and 2007, of which 23.7 million came from anonymous
Almería
Almería has 553 volunteers working locally for the Protección Civil. Of these volunteers, 303 are detailed to Municipalities of over 10,000 inhabitants and 250 to smaller Municipalities. Currently, Almería has Protección Civil volunteers in 21 Municipalities in the Province and their service covers a total population of 555,000 inhabitants. The average number in each group of volunteers is 26, rising to 34 members in the case of municipalities with more than 10,000 inhabitants and falling to 21 in the small Municipalities. Municipalities that have groups of volunteers are Carboneras, Los Gallardos, Garrucha, Láujar de Andarax, Macael, Mojácar, La Mojonera, Olula del Río, Pulpí, Turre, Vélez Blanco, Vélez Rubio, Adra, Albox, Almería, Berja, Cuevas de Almanzora, El Ejido, Nijar, Roquetas de Mar and Vícar. The Protección Civil volunteers are an altruistic organisation whose main purpose is to cooperate with the public in the work of crime prevention, to assist in emergencies, large events or large gatherings of people.
Almería
The Policía Nacional have carried out 84 arrests in the first 2 months of this year. Policing by the Brigada de Seguridad Ciudadana and the Brigada de Policía Judicial have resulted in several major interventions. As a result of these arrests the Policía Nacional have issued 575 warrants for possession or use of drugs and have made 68 seizures of weapons or dangerous objects. During the month of February 1,698 deployments by the police have identified 3,107 persons of interest and 957 cars have been examined, most of them during the night shifts.
Castro de Filabres
The Municipality of Castro de Filabres will finish their ‘Salón de Usos Múltiples’
benefactors. It is thought some of these may be construction firms bribing politicians to get building jobs. Bárcenas is also accused of paying top-flight PP members cash-in-hand extra wages over a 10year period. These politicians, who include Spain’s president Mariano Rajoy, deny ever receiving money in envelopes. The accused is also suing the PP for unfair dismissal as he claims he continued working for the party for nearly 18 months after they say his employment had been terminated. A leading union says he has a good case and is likely to be successful, which would mean he could claim dole money. But Bárcenas has assured the nation that he has no intention of signing up to claim jobseekers’ allowance. thanks to the Diputación Provincial. The Área de Asistencia a Municipios has drafted this proposed reform of the Nave Municipal to be used as ‘Salón de Usos Múltiples’ with a stage and dressing rooms adapted to the new needs of the municipality. The Presidente de Diputación, Gabriel Amat has delivered to the Alcalde of Castro de Filabres, Francisco Martínez Sola, drafts for the project technicians and the Institución Provincial. It is to be funded from the Planes Provinciales 2012-2015. It is scheduled as ‘obra 44 de los Planes Provinciales’ for a budget of 144,000 €. This project aims to transform the building, currently a warehouse, into a building more in keeping with the traditional construction of the town. On the exterior the corrugated sheeting will be replaced with slate tiles and finishes. Inside, an area of 265 square metres, toilets and dressing rooms will be created, the stage will be expanded and disabled access created as well as understage storage for furniture. Preparations will be put in hand to install audiovisual equipment, air conditioning and lighting.
Almería
Several regions of Almería were on orange alert for snow and high winds last week. The orange alert was triggered by snow in the regions of the Valle del Almanzora and Los Vélez where accumulations were up to 10 centimetres, with 5 centimetres in Nacimiento, Campo de Tabernas, Poniente and Almería city. A yellow alert was triggered by winds up to 70 kph in the Poniente, Levante and Almería city, as well as strong coastal winds.
3
Traders will not have to pay IVA until they have received the money from the client
Companies and selfemployed persons will no longer have to pay the IVA associated with invoices they issue to customers until they themselves have been paid. A new law due to be passed, once it has been approved by the European Commission, states that if an invoice is never paid the IVA will not become payable by the issuer. The only condition is that the company’s or self-employed person’s turnover is less than two million euros a year. This will not take effect until 2014, but the system is already in place in Italy and Austria, and also in Holland, Slovenia and Ireland although with a much lower turnover threshold. At present, all IVA charged on invoices has to be paid by the end of the tax year on January 30, whether or not all invoices issued during the past year have been paid by the customers. This means companies and self-employed persons having to fork out IVA that they have not received first, leaving them out of pocket until they are permitted to claim it back at the end
of the following year. In many countries, IVA, or VAT, is not payable unless and until a company or self-employed person has a minimum turnover, which is normally fairly high and that associated with at least a mediumsized company with several employees. But in Spain, all selfemployed workers,
irrespective of how much they earn, have to charge IVA on all their fees. Another move to be introduced in 2014 is that of offering tax reductions on capital investment and investigation and development (I+D) as an incentive for companies to grow and become more modern and competitive.
Properties for Sale & Rent Wanted in all areas
Check out our portfolio, with properties starting
from only 49,000€
Call Charlie on: 677 667 722 or 950 064 584 Web: www.solymarspain.com We also offer all major mobile top ups from our office
we sell
we buy sales rooms
sales rooms open daily for sales HOUSEHOLD ANTIQUES GARDEN FURNITURE sales rooms HOUSE CLEARANCES sales rooms
73 Ctra Lorca - Baza, Albox, Almeria 04800 ON THE LONGO’S SITE
950 06 45 76 661 75 98 82 M o n - Tu e s - We d s - T h u r s & S a t 9 a m - 2 p m Friday Evenings 5pm-9pm (sales & viewings)
www.baggageandparcelstogo.co.uk
4
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
Bottled gas to go up in May
Gas bottles will go up from 16.10 euros to 17.50 euros in May, and prices will be reviewed every two months thereafter, announces the ministry of industry. They intend to impose a maximum price for the year of 17.50 euros, and where consumer purchases do not cover costs, the deficit can be dealt with later. This is so that where costs go above 17.50 euros per bottle, this increase will not be passed onto the customer – for the year 2013 at least. Those who get their gas bottles via a delivery contract normally have to pay slightly more to cover the cost of distribution. The price increase is said to be a way of clawing back the deficit generated in January and, once this has been covered, the ministry will consider creating a ‘charity gas bottle’ scheme for the most hard-pressed consumers.
Sport
Iberia workers will strike over Easter if negotiations fail
Iberia staff have threatened another five-day strike right over Easter weekend unless some progress is made with the company’s management. They say Iberia bosses have presented a new working conditions agreement which they consider to be ‘taking the mickey’. This was given to them on a CD and they were told to sign to say they had received it, which they refused to do until they knew what the contents of it contained. Pilots had already proposed they themselves took a 26 per cent pay cut, but Iberia told them they would lose between 30 and 35 per cent since, in addition to their wages dropping drastically, they would also no longer get expenses or transport costs paid. They would also lose the right to eight days’ holiday and seven days of public holidays or days off in lieu of these. Furthermore, they will be expected to work longer hours and provide more flexibility to the firm. According to managing director of IAG – the company formed from the merger of Iberia and British Airways – Willie Walsh, a total of 3,807 Iberia workers will lose their jobs in a
bid to ‘bring the airline back into profit’, since although BA made around 350 million euros in the last year, Iberia’s losses swallowed these up. Overall, Iberia’s losses in 2012 totalled 923 million euros. Pilots, ground staff and cabin crew have attempted to compromise by saying they will accept the new and much worse working conditions if the firm agrees to halt the redundancies. Their own suggestions for increasing productivity and their willingness to take a pay cut would cover the needs of the company, says their union. This coming week, a further fiveday strike will see Iberia losing another 50 million euros. So far, the airline has managed to find seats on flights for 38,000 of its 40,000 passengers booked to travel next week. In the meantime, Professor Gregorio Tudela, Dean of Employment Law, is acting as mediator between the staff unions and Iberia’s management. If, by this coming Wednesday, no progress is made, workers say they will be on strike over Easter weekend.
situated between Amigos Bowling & Mora oil, poligono industrial, arboleas
established 2004 - fully legal - peace of mind is not far away
shot blasting and powder coating service available for new & old metalwork
cut out the middle man and buy direct from the manufacturer
mobile: 638 900 949 office: 950 930 520
security grills garden gates & railings spiral staircases motorised sliding gates garage doors ornate gazebos www.themetalworksspain.com info@ themetalworksspain.com
This amazing 5 in 1 Steam Mop is exclusive to OPEN: Mon - Sat ‘til 3pm
AS SEEN ON TV Products The amazing 5 in 1 steam cleaning machine 89,99€
floor steamer carpet steamer window steamer garment steamer upholstery steamer and easily converts into a hand held steamer capable of tackling all kinds of jobs.
AMAZING HALOGEN OVEN
634 341 171 Fast, economical and healthy – now
Only €50 inc. €20 worth of extra
Visit our NEW shop in the main Street in Turre which opened Monday 28th January
www.soltimes.com
SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2013
5
Snow causes havoc on Andalucía’s roads
Emergency services have been called out to 150 incidents in the last two days due to heavy snow in Almería, Cádiz, Granada and Sevilla. In some places, the snow has reached up to 50 centimetres (1’8”) and 13 main roads are blocked off. Parts of the AL-5405 – between kilometres 21 and 29 – and the AL-3102 in Bacares between kilometres 20 and 41 are shut, as are seven kilometres of the AL-9100 in Canadas de Cañepla and the AL-5402 in Laujar de Andarax. In Cádiz, nearly 14 kilometres are blocked on the CA-9104 near
Grazalema and in Granada, up to 13 kilometres are impassible on the GR-8101 via Caniles and the A-337 motorway near La Calahorra. The Sierra Nevada is inaccessible, as is the nearby A-4025 and in Sevilla, the A-447 motorway near Alanís is shut off for 26 kilometres in both directions. The SE-7101 in Cazalla de la Sierra (Sevilla) is inaccessible for over 13 kilometres, as is the SE-9101 near Guadalcanal. Firefighters and police have been working round the clock trying to clear roads and rescuing drivers trapped in their cars.
Brits are largest low-cost airline market for Spain; Norwegian and Danish passengers soar Budget airline passenger numbers fell by four per cent last month on the previous year’s figures, although ‘traditional’ flight companies saw a 7.7 per cent drop in travellers to Spain. According to a report by ThinkSpain, low-cost airlines only just pip traditional ones at the post with an almost 50-50 split, and the UK continues to be the former’s largest market, representing three in 10 passengers flying to Spain – slightly ahead of Germany, which accounts for just under a fifth. But numbers have fallen since the same period in 2012, with around half a million fewer British travellers and 300,000 fewer German passengers. Italy, France and the Netherlands make up the rest of the
UK PM criticised over Greek Marbles...
Prime Minister David Cameron is criticised after opposing calls to return the Parthenon Marbles from Britain to Greece.
top five, in that order, but Italian and Dutch custom on cheap flights plummeted in January by 20 and 14 per cent respectively. French fliers also fell by three per cent, but Scandinavian passenger numbers soared last month with a rise of 39 per cent for Norway and 27 per cent for Denmark. Ryanair, easyJet and Vueling accounted for 55 per cent of total low-cost flights to and from Spain, and the Canary Islands saw the most arrivals, followed by Catalunya, the Comunidad Valenciana, Madrid, Andalucía and the Balearic Islands. Barcelona’s El Prat, Madrid’s Barajas and Tenerife South were the three most popular airports for budget flight companies.
South Turkey PM’s Zionism remarks attacked...
Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is condemned by the US, Israel and the UN for branding Zionism a “crime against humanity
Rental & sales Properties Urgently Required info@solymarspain.com - www.solymarspain.com
connexions
broadband internet, New wireless internet
service available 4&6mb from €24.95 p/m No landline required Call us for details if you are a part time resident. to find out if your area is covered go to
www.connexionsonline.net
computers ~ laptops Distributor for mobile phones, sales, repairs & unlocking full repair service printers ~ inks area distributor for Photo papers hits sim cards routers ~ monitors Don’t lose your TV channels wireless devices Android TV boxes available internet dongles at low cost No Satellite dish needed
Call into our shop in Turre town square just along from the Cajamar bank
Contact us now on 950 064 584 Mob: 677 667 722
We also offer all major mobile top ups from our office
Villa in La Canada, Partaloa, 3 bed/ 3 bath, hot/cold A/C pool unfurnished, 2900m2 plot, MAR 512 pets welcome
Villa in Partaloa, 3 bed/2 bath, 158m2 within a 2500m2 plot, 8 x 4 pool with separate annex SOL 051
149,950€
450€ pcm
450€ pcm
39,950€
Country House in Cucador, 3/4 bed/ 1 bath, part reform all major work completed, det garage SOL 050 1100 m2 plot
128,950€
350€ pcm
300€ pcm
84,995€
59,995€
149,950€
Cortijo in Albox, 4 bed/2bath 165m2 on a 4300m2 plot, large lounge in stunning SOL 031 location
Villa in Limaria, 3 bed/2 bath, pool, top of the range kitchen with white goods detached garage SOL 044 Villa in Partaloa 3 bed/2 bath, large conservatory, 9 x 5 pool, separate garage, SOL 049 1300m2 plot
SOL 276
Townhouse in Partaloa, 3 bed/2 bath, fully renovated in an ideal position close to all amenities
OUR OFFICE ADDRESS: AVENIDA 28 DE FEBRERO, 44 BAJO, ALBOX
950 479 502
Cortijo in Almanzora, 3/4 bed/2 bath, fullu furnished, 1000m2 plot fully walled MAR 969 and gated
Villa in La Aljambra, 3 bed/2 bath, unfurnished, 120m2 build on 1,500m2 plot, fully walled and gated, pets welcome MAR 904 Village House in Almanzora, 3 bed/2 bath, fully furnished, roof terrace with fantastic MAR 495 views
Villa in La Large Cortijo 350€ pcm near Albox, Hoya, Fines 4 bed/3 bath, available from fully furnished, May 2013 large covered 3 bed/2 bath patio area, 10 x 5 pool lots of storage MAR 909 MAR 908 fully furnished space Mojacar; 2 bed semi detached Cantoria: Converted School bungalow,2 mins from house,5,000m2 plot,4 bed, garage, Albox Online (A334 ALBOX TO BAZA ROAD) opposite beach,garage ONLY 145,000€ ONLY 149,995€
450€ pcm
6
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
Lleida’s burkha ban outlawed by Supreme Court
A Supreme Court ruling has abolished the burkha ban in Lleida which has been in force since 2010. The city council had forbidden Muslim women from entering public spaces with their faces completely covered, for safety reasons, but did not forbid them from wearing any other kind of veil, such as a headscarf or niqab. They said it was to protect the public – since a criminal could easily disguise behind a Burkha before holding up a shop, or if someone had to show their photo identity it could not be properly checked where the woman’s face was covered – and also because they considered it a form of repressing women. An appeal against the city council bye-law was lodged by the Islamic association Watani, although it is not clear whether any women were behind the complaint. Although a motion was approved in the Senate for Spain as a whole on June 23, 2010 to get the government to ‘regulate’ a ban on complete face-coverings in public areas,
Sport
to date no law has been passed in this respect. On the same date, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe recommended that member State governments did not ban the burkha. They claim it could actually backfire in the bid to abolish oppression of Muslim women, since instead of allowing her to walk the streets without a burkha, it would probably mean that if she was not permitted to wear one, she would not even be allowed out of the house. Now, the Supreme Court says preventing women from wearing burkhas in public is a violation of Article 16 of the Spanish Constitution, which guarantees the right to free expression of one’s religion, saying that wearing a burkha is a religious matter rather than merely a cultural one imposed in certain countries. But Lleida’s mayor, Àngel Ros, said upon being notified of the verdict that he did not agree with it since ‘the symbol of the Islamic veil is that of inequality between men and women’. Islamic doctrine states that if a man who is not the woman’s husband or other male relative sees ‘a hair on her head’, she will go to hell, which is why she is expected to wear a scarf. But in very strict Muslim societies, she has to go one step further and wear a gown covering her entire body and a hood which only leaves either a narrow strip to see through or even just two eye-holes covered in netting. If the woman is in the company of other women only, she may take off her burkha or headscarf, but if men are within sight of her, she is expected to wear it.
The cost of dying has got more Expensive – Or has it??
IVA (vat) is now charged at 21% on all Funerals - making the Cost of an average Funeral in Spain in the region of €4850 etc. 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 3390€. 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 price • 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 3,390€ 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
952 595 691 (Malaga) / 965 993 498 (Benijofar-Alicante) / 951 203 994 (Nerja) Also located in The UK, Portugal, Canary Islands and Balearics
perm 49.95€ cut & Blowdry SANDRA IS ON HOLIDAY FROM THE 21ST FEB - 8TH MARCH
Gelish nails
15
a € set
or Fingers
+ Toes
February Specials
.00 5 2 €
His & Hers Cut & Blow DrY
25€
Soak Off 5€
Tuesdays Mens Cut
€8.00
Calle Malaga - Albox (100m from Mercadona)
Call for an appointment Monday - Friday 9.00am - 6pm iFi Closed Saturday FREE W Late appointments available on request
950 633 086
Prices are subject to change without notification. Please confirm on booking. We reserve the right to withdraw offers at any time.
www.soltimes.com
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
7
Eurovision entry for Spain:
Fernando Alonso’s ex with a song picked by fans
Spain’s Eurovision entry has been chosen and will be performed by the band fronted by Formula One ace Fernando Alonso’s exgirlfriend on May 18. El Sueño de Morfeo has been a regular presence in the top 10 in Spain for nearly a decade and has several best-selling albums under its belt. Lead singer Raquel del Rosario, 30, used to be romantically-linked with Formula One ex-World Champion Fernando Alonso when they met in his native region of Asturias after Raquel had moved there from her home in the Canary Islands to follow her music career. The other members of the trio are David Feito and Juan Luis Suárez. They put their choice of song to the vote among their fans, giving three possibles, and the overwhelming favourite transpired to be
Contigo hasta el final (‘with you until the end’). El Sueño de Morfeo’s typical style is fast-paced pop-rock with heavy influences of traditional Celtic music, a nod to the folk tunes of their home region of Asturias, and neighbouring Galicia. This year’s Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Malmö, Sweden, after Loreen won in 2012 by a huge margin with the catchy club hit Euphoria, a track that shot to number
one in several countries, including Spain, within just weeks of the show. No Spanish entry has won the contest for decades, although 2012’s Pastora Soler, a Sevilla-born solo artist with a long history of chart-topping flamenco and ballad tracks, came a very creditable 10th. The three years before saw wins by Norway – Alex Rybaks, in 2009 – Germany in 2010, and Azerbaijan in 2011.
Bárcenas could win unfair dismissal case against PP - and claim dole money
Former treasurer and senator of the PP, Luis Bárcenas, is suing the party for unfair dismissal. Bárcenas, who is under investigation for alleged multi-million-euro moneylaundering, paying cash-in-hand wages to PP members and being involved in the Gürtel corruption case, claimed he had been working as a consultant for the party until January 31 this year, even though the PP says his connections with them ended in April 2010. The ex-treasurer says that if an employee is dismissed without his or her knowledge and without this being communicated to them, the dismissal is illegal. Normally an illegal dismissal means the ex-employee will receive the maximum pay-off possible – 45 days of salary per year worked – and depending upon the situation, the company can be forced to readmit the staff member. A leader of one of Spain’s major unions
all items inc furniture 30% off from wednesday 6 march to th
thursday 14th march inc sunday
don’t miss out on these fantastic bargains! Mercadona
Albox Football Ground
da
Peugeot Garage
o
nt
x
pa Le
Atrium
de
Avda. Lepanto 36 04800 Albox (Next to Total Entertainment) Open MonDAY - Saturday 10am - 2pm
i en Av
says that given the facts, Bárcenas could indeed win his unfair dismissal case against the PP. This would mean he was legally entitled to claim dole money, since dismissal or redundancy – particularly where it is found to be unlawful – automatically gives the right for the former employee to claim jobseekers’ benefit every month. Cándido Méndez, national leader of the General Workers’ Union (UGT) said: “If Bárcenas does sue the PP and wins, and is legally considered, therefore, to be unemployed, he would be able to apply for dole money, given that this is a contributory benefit paid for by salaried workers as a portion of their taxes every month.” The amount of jobseekers’ benefit that a person can claim is based upon what they were earning and the corresponding amount they paid in respect of unemployment ‘cover’ as part of their Social Security, or national insurance, every month. How long they can claim depends upon how long they have been working since the last time they had to claim, but is capped at two years. That said, Méndez remarked that it would be ‘paradoxical’ if a person who had admitted to having held up to 38 million euros in a Swiss bank account were to sign on the dole and claim.
t e l t u o g i b sale
Total Entertainment
we
are
Tel: 648 608 799
here
ALBOX
!
BP Garage
8
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
for sale
Find us on Avenida Puente No.11, Albox just before the old bridge on the right
sales rentals insurance
(car & home)
Albox, 3 bed 2 bath Villa on a 900m2 plot, Pool, large terrace, landscaped garden.cash investment 105,000€
Albox, villa 2 bed, 2 bath, 10k m2 plot,mains water, needs solar/ generator for electric ONLY 59,950€
Vera, Detached Villa 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom,patio and porch,on a plot of 325m2. Off plan 122.000€
Albox, detached villa of 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, ,plus seperate annexe , 2,700 m2 fenced plot. 139.995€
Partaloa 3 bed, 2 bath villa (184m2) on a 2,500m2 walled & gated plot, 8m x 4m pool .Seperate annexe with toilet and wet room, seperate detached garage. 149.995€
Valle Del Este, Large house, 3/4 Bed, 2/3 Bath,Large gardens, Roof Solarium,stunning views,communal pool. ONLY 149,995€
San Juan, Detached 3 bed villa on a 850m2 plot with sea views. 3 bed, Swimming pool, detached garage/ annexe. 216.000€
Antas, Complete Block Of Apartments 6 x 2 bed, 1 x 3 bed, (with the option to have a roof pool) ,The structure has all services connected, The apartments will be sold complete & ready to move into. 315.00€
Arboleas: large 3 bed, 2 bath villa 600m2 ONLY 110,000€
Arboleas: 2 bed villa on 600m2 plot, plunge pool, garage, excellent condition ONLY 110,000€
Chercos: Country house in need of restoration, electric & water connected ONLY 20,000€
Zurgena: 8 room house 1127m2 plot,electric & water connected, TLC needed ONLY 39,995€
TO C ED € U 99 ,9 R ED 4 9
Oria: detached villa: 30,000m2 plot, stunning views 149,995 €
Vera: 4 double bed town house, immaculate, large solarium ONLY 109,000€
Vera: New 2 bed flat, fitted kitchen, pool, good parking, ONLY: 64,995€
Antas Town:Superb 3 bed town house in perfect condition, ONLY 95,000€
Antas Town: village house, completely refurbished to high standard ONLY 99,000€
Antas: townhouse 3 bed, 2 bath, Private Garden / pool, Garage, drive & front garden, 119,000 €
Mojacar: 2 bed semi detached bungalow, 2 mins beach, garage ONLY 145,000€
Cantoria: Converted School house, 5,000m2 plot, 4 bed, garage, ONLY 149,995€
Mojacar: 2 bed apartment, communal pool & gardens app. 150m to beach - 425€ month
Almanzora: 3/4 bed Villa newly refurbished, ample parking great views, nr amenities - 500€ month
for rent
Albox: Townhouse, 4 bed, 2 bath central location, garden, communal pool - 350€ month
Vera: 2 bed house, Near Sea, 2 Pools, Roof solarium, close to amenities - 350€ month
Tel: 950 431 855 / 661 143 871 www.spanishestateagent.com
www.soltimes.com
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
9
SIX MONTHS AFTER THE FIRE – WHERE ARE WE NOW?
Six months have now elapsed since the devastating fire in Malaga province. It changed the lives of many people. Their homes and possessions were burned. All they now have from their lives are the few items they were able to throw into their cars. They raced against time to flee the fire zone and get themselves and their animals to safety. Many lost everything due to the ferocity of the fire. Some have the charred remains of their homes that are rapidly dilapidating due to the weather. What they all have are the traumatic memories of those terrifying days and nights at the end of August 2012. There is very little chance of them being able to recover from their trauma while the battle for permission to repair and rebuild their homes rages on. The rural homes of the fire victims have been caught up in the legislative land-planning nightmare that affects the whole of Andalucia. Andalucia has some 300,000 ‘illegal’ rural homes. As the law stand it seems that most homes built in rural areas (with or without Town Hall licences) are illegal. A Decree published in February 2012 is the beginning of a way forward to regularise these rural homes. Mijas Ayuntamiento has started the process of regularising illegal buildings. At this moment it seems that the fire destroyed and damaged homes will be excluded from the legalisation process since, in their post-fire state, they will not meet the necessary minimum habitation standards and there is no law or permission that will
allow that work to be carried out now. The fire victims face the permanent loss of their homes not through any judicial process but for the alleged lack of care of a gardener. The fire was extremely traumatic. Witnessing their whole life going up in flames is an experience from which they are trying to recover. The prospect of not being able to repair the fire damage to their homes is an additional inhumane and cruel burden on them. All they want to do is get back to where they were before the fire and be part of the legalisation process. In the meantime, the fire victims are staying with friends or are paying for rented accommodation The British Ambassador has written to the Junta de Andalucia to enquire about the situation. As yet there has been no reply. The Defensora del Pueblo from Madrid has visited the fire zone to see the fire damage for herself and taken up the
case by writing to the Mijas Ayuntamiento and the Junta de Andalucia. Responses from both are awaited. Immediately after the fire the Ayuntamiento de Mijas wrote to the Junta de Andalucia asking for exceptional measures to deal with this exceptional situation. Six months later there has been no response. Victimas del Incendio have joined forces with other Associations throughout Andalucia who also have serious issues that can only be rectified by the Junta de Andalucia amending the current land planning law. Representatives from the action groups have requested a meeting with the Junta de Andalucia. There has been no response. The Junta de Andalucia has the power to grant the reasonable request of the Ayuntamiento de Mijas who have asked for an exceptional solution to what is an exceptional situation. Why have the Junta done nothing? Article by VICTIMAS DEL INCENDIO: August 2012 Mijas Fire Victims Action Group
10
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
P & R Direct : Come along to the fully carpeted showroom where you will find a wide range of Rollstock Carpets, Vinyl Samples and Rugs All Sizes. With many bargains to be found including 15% off Flair Rugs and 50% off Bargain Bin Rugs. In addition you will find Hand Bags and a fantastic range of Jewellery from Bonitas, Beautiful Chandeliers from Home Rejas and an extensive range of Home Accessories. They are adding new items frequently which has extended their range of household accessories available. Pam and Bob want to know what other items you are looking for, colours that you can not find and those special items that you want. They would welcome your feedback. Don’t forget to ask about the new range of Virtual Fit Carpets while you are there.
there’s something for everyone at el real industrial estate! great products at great prices new & Shop - a h s a W r a Auto C state. Full Integral Industrial E e th n o d e ut Only pen ide And O business o s In d e n a g, alet Cle al Cleanin rn te Car Wash V In , g in lishing, Hand Wash 18 euros. xing & Po a W , g in n tion, Clea ht Restora g Upholstery li d a e H leaning, nd Hand Engine C ation. Seco ig v a N d n ervice hts a Delivery S Xenon Lig & n o ti c e ale. Coll Real de Cars For S Pol Ind El to u A l ra g 304 Inte Tel 950 459 Available. 2 1 e v a N io ntevac Antas C/Ve
D’Carlos Mobiliario - can assist you in furnishing and supplying a quality range of goods to create your new home. Carlos the owner who does speak English has been in the business for 14 years and has been in his own showroom for the last 8 years. “We believe in customer satisfaction and building our business by recommendation”. We are here to help with completely furnishing your home. Everything you need to furnish each room. -.From Sofas to Beds & Dining Tables to Garden Furniture. Beds, Furniture, Mattresses, Sofas, Lounge & Bedroom Furniture. Come along to our showroom and look at our prices. We are on the Poligono Industrial Estate along by Costa Coches : Tel 950 459 037 Mobile 667 658 059
Taller DAYDO
The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of the lowest price forgotten opening hours: Mon to Fri 9am-2pm & 4pm-7pm & Sat 9am-1pm - Poligono El Real de Antas, Calle Lugerici Viejo, 04628 Antas
Most s le Vehic ed Ser vic85€ from
REPAIR - SERVICE BUY - SALES - IMPORT AIRCONDITIONING SERVICE for all Types
Get your car le
gal
Complete Import Service Homologation / ITV / Headlights & All Paperwork
SPANISH PLATES E 0000 XXX
e El-Real Based on th LOSURE C ader LIFESTLE EN e the area le ar s re su o cl n festyle E g, they since 2005, Li sect screenin in d an s re nclosu lass Curtain in terrace e h quality G ig h l al st in & d out also supply lations carrie al st in f o s d hundre lid roof systems with Affordable so . n io g re ia rc a/Mu turning any in the Almeri e a speciality, m co e b so al e Many solutions hav sable space. u d n u o -r ar into a ye for DIY outside area also available e ar g n ri e tt u of g TODAY, OR sizes & styles TO LIFESTYLE IN ALL C t. fi 6 0/638 063 19 or supply & ON 950 459 06 ALL C A M GIVE THE
COUPON
Present this co upon in our office & we wi ll re-gas your Car air-condi tioning
Come along to our showroom Beds, Furniture, Mattresses, Sofas, Lounge & Bedroom Furniture & manufacturers of sofas
ITV/PRE-ITV - CLUTCH for 38€ Homologation EXHAUST - - ENGINE - SUSPENSION TRANSMISSION - TOWBARS etc...
All Work Guaranteed - Diagnostic Service, Emision Test (Petrol Cars) Paint & Bodywork Done By Experienced Sub-contractor
Tel & Fax 950 459 116 - Mob 607 373 298
EMAIL: tallerdaydo@hotmail.com
E14
Parque Industrial El Real, Antas eja 20 c/Fuente Berm
Poligono Ind. El Real c/Fuente Bermeja no.20 04628 ANTAS (Almeria)
Tel: 950 459 037 OR 667 658 059
Next to Costa Coches
A7
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
www.soltimes.com
TYRE KING - the place to come for all your tyre needs. Competitive prices, expertise and experience, but also service and honesty are at the core of this family run business. Now in its 3rd year they have invested in a state of the art wheel alignment system that can now track the majority of vehicles including 4x4´s. Advice is always given honestly and freely, if you would like your tyres and tyre pressures checked, please call in: Poligono Industrial El Real, Calle El Garcel F19 No2, Antas 04628, Tel 950 459 253 - Hours: Mon - Fri : 09.30 - 17.30
TO ADVERTISE ON THIS FEATURE CALL vIV ON 950 121 936
P&R Direct
finishing touches for your home Made to measure & Pre-made rugs Specialists in fitted carpets
15% of flair rugs while stocks last
50% off bargain Bin Rugs Tel: 665 25 86 80
find us on the Poligono industrial El Real, turn left at roundabout, look for the big rock & every saturday at arboleas market
9th Year on El Real!
Specialists in Folding, Sliding & Glass Curtain Systems Insect Screening for any area Guttering Installed or DIY
Parque Ind El Real, Calle El Garcel 11, Antas, Exit 534 E15 Autovia Tel: 950 459 060 M. 638 063 196 / 649 482 677
info@lifestyle-enclosures.com www.lifestyle-enclosures.com
Find us on
TYRE KING The Best Deal for Miles
car - motorcycle - van - 4x4 Motorhome quad - trailer - wheelbarrow ● All new tyres supplied have manufacturers warranty ● Computerisedtracking including 4x4s ● While you wait service ● Motorbike tyre specialists balancing - computerised laser tracking - punctures Poligono El Real, Calle El Garcel F19, Antas
Tel: 950 459 253 e: tyreking@ymail.com Open: Mon - Fri: 9.30 - 17.30
Full Car Wash Valet Cleaned Inside and Out
Special Price 18€
Second Hand Cars For Sale Collection & Delivery Service Available Hand Washing - Internal Cleaning - Upholstery Cleaning - Waxing & Polish Engine Cleaning - Headlight Restoration - Xenon Lights - Navigation
11
Valencia man in Kenyan jail for drug-smuggling dies
A Valencian A man facing life imprisonment in Kenya for drug-smuggling has died in a Nairobi hospital. Pascual F., 52, who had never been in any way involved in drugs before – according to his family – had always insisted he was innocent after 10 kilos of cocaine were found in his suitcase. He was on a plane from São Paulo (Brazil) to Nairobi and had always claimed the drugs must have been slipped into his case when the airline made a fuel stop in Ghana. His lawyer had been trying to get him released on humanitarian grounds due to his health, since he had been hospitalised several times since his arrest in early August 2012 for chronic hepatitis, a hernia and liver cirrhosis. The trial due for February 6 was unable to take place because the accused was in hospital. Until a post-mortem is carried out, the exact cause of death cannot be ascertained, but his ex-wife and two daughters, aged 17 and 20, have been informed by the Spanish embassy in Nairobi. “Now there’s no way his innocence can be proven,” lamented the deceased’s ex-wife. “Pascual has never, ever been involved in drugs. He was a very trustworthy person and very gullible, very easily-led, which is why
someone got away with putting drugs in his case.” The accused had been working in a seatbelt factory but after being made redundant in June last year, became desperate and was facing financial ruin. He lived in a neighbourhood in Valencia with a high population of African immigrants, mainly from Ghana. Some of his neighbours offered him 8,000 euros to travel to Ghana and marry a woman there to get her residence rights in Spain and, as he was desperate for money to survive, agreed to do it despite his family trying to talk him out of it. “They said they’d pay for everything, and he’s a very easily-led person, very gullible,” said a relative. But the first stop on the plane from Spain was São Paulo, since his neighbours who had offered him the money said this was a much cheaper route. “They must have already been planning to plant the drugs on him when they worked this all out,” Pascual’s relative said. He was arrested in Nairobi airport (pictured) and was facing a life sentence in a Kenyan jail and a fine of 1.2 million euros.
A new ‘young person’s rail card’ has just been launched throughout Spain allowing passengers aged 25 and under to travel with a 30 per cent discount on set prices. By paying a membership fee of 22 euros a year, they can use the highspeed AVE trains at a reduced cost. At present, the under-26s account for just 1.3 per cent of passengers on the AVE, although the ministry of public works and infrastructure hopes this will increase with the discounts. The high-speed cross-country train service dropped its prices overall by 11 per cent on February 8, and since then has sold nearly 850,000 tickets – an increase of 38 per cent on the
same period in 2012.
AVE rail ticket discounts now include 30% off for the under-26s
According to the government, the idea is that the AVE should be ‘for everyone’ and ‘not just for the rich’. The price cuts are mainly due to the fact that these fast long-distance trains usually only have four in 10 seats occupied, meaning they run at a loss. But now, discounts of up to 70 per cent can be found for booking a long way in advance or right at the last minute, and up to 40 per cent for regular users, plus the 30 per cent discount on top of this with the young person’s rail card
Benzema’s speeding trial due for day of Spain-France match
Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema is due to appear in court for driving at 216 kilometres per hour.
He had already been summoned to appear on Tuesday, but requested it be rescheduled due to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey (King’s Cup). The player was caught on camera on the M-40 motorway in a 100-kilometre limit on February 3 and his trial is now due for March 26, the day France and Spain are due to play at the Stade de France in a bid to get
through to the World Cup in 2014 in Brazil.
But the 25-year-old will not miss the match, because this is at 20.00hrs and his court case, in Pozuelo de Alarcón – the nearest to where he was seen breaking the speed limit – is at 10.00hrs. The trial will only be a short one, probably about 10 minutes, but Benzema could face a 12-month ban and a six-month jail sentence. However, in Spain, a first-time offender does not have to go to prison if the sentence is less than two years.
12
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
ALMERIMAR & surrounding area El Ejido: The Alcalde of El Ejido, Francisco Góngora and the Concejal de Urbanismo, Alberto
González, met with the Directora del Instituto de Medicina Legal de Almería, Laura Márquez Galindo to try to find common solutions towards the prevention of accidents
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
in irrigation reservoirs which have led to an increase in death by drowning during the last decade. During the meeting at the Ayuntamiento the Coroner noted that the Municipality of El Ejido was mainly agricultural and therefore there were numerous irrigation reservoirs, which were an excellent system of water storage for irrigation but there was a need to establish measures that would prevent further accidents and deaths. There is widespread ignorance of the danger that can arise from the misuse of reservoirs, such as using them as swimming pools. The Mayor said that ‘in El Ejido’s 7,003 farms we feel it is very necessary to work to eradicate accidents, some of them fatal, that occur in these reservoirs by conducting information campaigns, improving security measures and inspection of compliance with current regulations.’ ‘We will strengthen controls and the Director de Protección Ciudadana will ensure that all members of the Rural Patrol and the Rural Inspectors will monitor the security measures, especially those most at risk, such as subterranean reservoirs with plastic base liners.’ Finally, the Mayor appealed to all farmers in the Municipality, that they should be aware that safety controls will be stepped up, with sanctions imposed for non-compliance with safety regulations.
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
MacGowan’s Bar & Restaurant
Guinness, Murphy’s Cider, Heineken, Large Selection of Spirits
Annual St Patricks Night Party
Calle Varadero Almerimar 04711 (Almeria)
Tlf. 950 609 546
The Charity Shop Calle Galera No6, Almerimar (Behind Bar Ankara)
now open Monday-Friday 10am-2pm
In Association with Animales de Berja & Ursamarina
volunteers wanted
Sunday
10am – 1pm: Almerimar Walking Club - Meet at Mercadona SECOND SUNDAY OF THE MONTH ‘RASTRO-MARKET’ IN CAR PARK OPPOSITE LEO’S This week (10th week) almeria angels will be holding an open day at the rastro
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
------------------------------------------------------------
almerimar local information keep up to date with what’s happening in Almerimar: www.facebook.com/localinformation
El Ejido Rugby Club
Based in Almerimar, we are always looking for new players and have training sessions starting at 21.30h every Tuesdays and Thursdays. Players of all abilities welcome. The team is very sociable and after have players from beginner to experienced. We are currently in Andalucia Regional Division 2 and just about to start the second phase of the league. Home matches are usually at 12.30 on Sundays at the grass rugby pitch in Almerimar. For more information call Jonathan on 695 635 078
Friday Golf Society alboran golf - 8 march
Following the success of the away day to Alborán last spring we will be visiting again on Friday 8 March 2013. The price includes a coach to and from the course, a round of golf and lunch. Pricing for the day is as follows: Members - Golf and lunch - 55 euros Members - Lunch only - 20 euros Guests - Golf and lunch - 65 euros Guests - Lunch only - 25 euros Price for buggy is 25.00 euros Payment to be made in the Alcor Properties office. The entry list is now open: About Friday Golf: Almost every Friday throughout the year we organise a regular Friday golf competition at Almerimar. You pay your own green fee and pay us 5 euros (temporary members pay 8 euros). Everyone wins a bottle of something. Most of the time we play team competitions, either teams of 3-4 or sometimes a pairs competition if there are not many people playing that week. How to enter: Early each week we put an entry list up on the noticeboard just outside the pro-shop in the clubhouse. We also publish the start time for the upcoming Friday on the website as soon as we have booked tee times. Normally on a Saturday or a Sunday. You can put your name down on this list or alternatively you can contact us via email at the addresses on the ‘Contact Us’ page. We take down the list each Thursday by 2pm and we publish the full list of when people are starting the next day on this site by no later than 7.30pm each Thursday evening. 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
El Ejido Bowls Club
Monday and Thursday - 5pm to 7pm Ring Alison on 677 317 920 to book or for further information
www.soltimes.com
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
news update
13
Reports & PHOTOS by Martin Shortland
Socialist Opposition Party Condemns Councils Terraces Bill
The Socialist opposition party PSOE, has mounted a strong campaign against the local councils Ordinance of Terraces Bill. As reported in Sol Times two weeks ago, the City Hall is considering a rapid u-turn on its hugely unpopular legislation which has been roundly condemned throughout the town. In a document presented last week to council leader Gabriel Amat, they call for the governing Popular Party to, “Take into account this time of deep economic crisis,” and extend the terms of their proposals to 2020. They’re also demanding a budget be set up to subsidise those businesses unable to afford to carry out the work themselves.
Severe Weather Conditions Spoil Andalucia Day Celebrations
Socialist spokesman Juan Ortega accused the mayor of, “not knowing what times we’re living in,” when he spoke at a meeting last week launching the oppositions campaign. He added that, “If the mayor and his council were aware of the grave situation affecting the area, then they should be providing facilities to stimulate retail activity and amend the harsh requirements set out in the Ordinance of Terraces Bill.” He also called for a specific all party group to be set up, to process and act on the objections from the hundreds of businesses who will need assistance and advice on how to fulfil the terms of the bill. The PSOE document is critical of almost every one of what they call the “excessive” sanctions and calls for a complete re-think of
The traditional Andalucia Day market in Roquetas was postponed last week, due to the atrocious weather. The event takes place in the Avenida Juan Carlos and normally provides an interesting focal point for the fiesta day. Heavy overnight rain continued the following day, meaning the preparations could not go ahead and after a meeting between the traders and council, it was decided to call it off. However, the event organisers are confident a new date can be set and hope to make an announcement soon as to when that might be. Elsewhere, many other Andalucia Day proceedings across
Martin Shortland is a freelance
journalist, living in Spain since retiring
from a career as a broadcaster, writer and radio journalist. He has worked for
the BBC and in commercial radio, most recently as Programme Director and Head of News for large radio group in the South East of England
the plans.
As I reported two weeks ago, The Association of Traders President Azucena Sabio has already been in talks with the council and received an assurance from them to review the whole issue of the bill. He was also invited to, “draw up a set of counter proposals which could be discussed, with a view to finding the best possible way forward for all parties.” The council admitted, in the current economic climate, the terms of the bill were “hard” and they were confident a dialog could be established to find a new agreement to satisfy all those involved. With that in mind, it’s somewhat puzzling the PSOE should wait until now to make their feelings known. The new bill was first announced to the public in December; without doubt the PSOE would have been aware of its existence well before then. So it would seem they have been rather slow in their response to what is clearly a potentially damaging and counterproductive piece of legislation, effecting almost every bar and restaurant in the town. If the council are now on record as having offered a negotiating platform to the Association of Traders, why has it taken so long for the official opposition party to put forward their somewhat belated document calling for a seven year transition period? The council appear to want to work with the Association of Traders in watering down the proposals, which is clearly a good move on their part. Quite why the PSOE have taken their particular viewpoint will no doubt be revealed in the coming weeks
Regional Council Awaits Airport Decision
The Council of Andalucia has expressed its concerns over the future of Almeria airport. In a letter sent to the Ministry of Public Works at the beginning of February, they requested a meeting to discuss the central government’s plans for four Andalucia airports. Although the Almeria airport has not been included in recent government proposals for small airports, the council is worried it could be affected by restrictions on operating hours and with that, the loss of some connecting routes. The knock on effect would certainly the region were affected by the weather. mean jobs would go as well. In Garrucha, Finana and El Parador the The government plans released in 2012 celebrations were severely curtailed and centre around 19 airports across Spain with a number of outdoor events were hastily fewer than 1 million users per year; those transferred indoors. Many areas of the Alpujarra were cut off, with road closures still included in that number in Andalucia are Jerez, in place on Friday and for a time the main line Cordoba, Jaen and Almeria, who collectively railway service in and out of Almeria had to be handled just under 2.5 million customers last suspended. The Sierra de Gador and Sierra year. The letter from the council stressed the Alhamilla both received heavy coatings of snow and were clearly visible from as far away importance of the airport network for social and tourist development of the region and as Roquetas de Mar. (See photo) A more worrying outcome of the bad weather highlighted the investment made in Almeria has been reported by almond producers in the airport in order to make it more competitive province; they are predicting up to 80% of this and increase passenger numbers. year’s crop could be lost to the frost and snow of the last week. Many late flowering varieties have been badly hit and farmers will incur large financial losses as most are unable to insure their crops. A spokesman for the growers association has called for more realistic premiums to be applied by the insurance companies and has asked for support from the council of Andalucia.
The airport operator Aena said they were not aware of any government plans to make changes to the operations at Almeria and that they were continuing with their own plans to improve efficiency, which had been in place for some years. The Council of Andalucia is yet to receive a reply to its letter.
14
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
COMPLETE HOLIDAY CARE MOJACAR PLAYA
RENTALS - SALES -MANAGEMENT - MAINTENANCE “We have 15 years experience of the local coastal property market, with an unrivalled reputation for reliable, honest advice and value for money and we urgently need more properties to sell and rent. We believe our commission charges are unbeatable - check us out.”
Ref:LA/GK - 3 bed 1st fl. apt, 3 pools & gardens. 300m to beach, tennis, lift
MOJACAR - reduced €124,950
Ref: pr/Mg 2 bed 1.5 bath, 1st floor apt, terraces, solaruim, a/c, nr beach, pool
MOJACAR - reduced €84,950
Ref: PM/JC - Fantastic 1 bed apt, large terrace with sea views, a/c, pool
MOJACAR - REDUCED €79,000
Ref: OA/HM Stunning 2 bed, 2 bath apart. on Oasis de Mar, solaruim, pool
MOJACAR - NEW €169,950
Prices stated are fixed for 7 days mininum from the time of going to press, include sales commission and exclude taxes and notary or other legal charges and fees
Paseo del Mediterraneo 19, Mojacar Playa, Almeria (near the Hotel Best Indalo)
Tel: 950 478 612 / 610 808 631
info@almeriaholidays.com
www.almeriaholidays.com
British Bedding
In Spain
Hedgerow Capers, by Sandra Stoner Mitchell has received lots of positive feed back and the book is popular with those who have bought it. One recent review was such a lovely story and we decided to tell you about it! A friend of Sandra’s here in Spain, bought one for his daughter to show his 5 year old granddaughter. Lindsey is dyslexic and has a lot of trouble reading to her daughter. When she received my book, she found she was able to read the book perfectly and was thrilled as this was the first time she has been able to do it. She told her father that because my stories have such strong rhyme and rhythm, her brain was able to easily search for the next rhyming word. All of Sandra’s stories, eleven in this book, are in rhyming couplets, about a little group of hedgerow creatures. They play and have lots of fun, and are always ready to help those who need it. Sandra’s publisher, Melrose Books, have now arranged a book signing in a specialist children’s book shop in London, and Sandra’s book will now feature in their Specialist Book Catalogue. Sandra also did two book signings in Waterstones just before Christmas, and many readings in the primary schools around Southampton; she will be doing some more when in April too. Sandra is trying to get a lot
local author grows in popularity
more exposure for her book – as a first time book published author, it is quite hard to do. Her work, poetry and short stories, have been bought by an on-line magazine, Page and Spine, and they will be featuring Sandra’s work for the whole month of April, which is exciting! Sandra’s book is on sale at Amazon, UK, and Amazon.
& HARLEQUIN KITCHENS
SERVICE
We now deliver your order to The Sol Times office in Zurgena Please call for more information
• Pillows, Protectors, Quilts & Toppers • Quilt Covers, Bedspreads & Blankets • Sheets, Valances & Pillowcases • Towels, Bath Mats & Shower Curtains
• Curtains, Voiles & Blinds • Poles, Track & Accessories • Throws, Runners, Rugs, Cushions • Tablecloths, Placemats, Coasters & Trays
Closer than you think the
yorkshire linen co.
home furnishing specialists
Free parking above Mercadona, opposite Lidl Monday to Friday 10.00 - 18.00, Saturday 10.00 - 14.00 Centro Comercial la Pirámide, Puerto de Mazarrón, Murcia Call: 968 595 946 / 650 857 619 www.yorkshirelinen.com - ylcmazarron@hotmail.com
For more information contact Sandra Stoner Mitchell on sandramaureenmitchell @gmail.com
Introducing T. J Carpentry
NEW
for just 5€
com, with the ‘look inside’ feature. It is also online at W.H. Smiths, Waterstones, Melrose and others. Here in Spain, it is on sale at Solsupermercado, Albox
Our bespoke kitchen cabinets are manufactured and pre-assembled in our workshop using 18mm colour matched board with a solid back panel. As well as our huge range of kitchen door colours and styles we have a huge range of worktops, solid wooden block, granite and laminate are available. As with all our products our kitchen units can be manufactured any size. All cabinets, as well as any storage options are purpose made to your requirements.We have no set size doors widths or heights.
We offer a design, manufacture & installation service with an exceptional level of quality & service at a competitive price. We are able to design, manufacture & install a huge range of kitchen furniture to suit your needs, with over 700 door styles & colour combinations we cater for every taste tradition to modern. We have something for everyone & remember its manufactured to your requirements.
For a FREE home measure & quotation please contact Trevor on
619 584 405
Based in Albox, but will cover all areas
www.soltimes.com
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
15
16
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
Darth Vadar confronts top politician
pause for thought
At this season of the year, as mentioned previously, many among us traditionally contemplate the 40 days Jesus spent alone in the wilderness preparing himself in prayer and fasting for his mission, which he knew could end only in his suffering and agonising death. For this mission would necessarily antagonise the political authorities of the day as he taught that obedience to God and conscience outweighed the demands of any mere mortal, however great they may consider themselves. And worse, he outraged the religious leaders too, who found themselves side-lined and their power base under threat with his assertions that all were of equal value to God and that, however good or religious they may seem, all were equally sinful and in need of undeserved forgiveness, which he alone could offer. So considerable preparation was required; and in that 40-day period, as in the months that followed, Jesus faced many a temptation to moderate his message, to court instead of criticise the authorities and to take the easy route, seeking popularity rather than truth. But the message of Lent is that despite the natural temptations, Jesus resisted all attempts to divert him from his destiny and faithfully continued proclaiming the message that led to his inevitable execution, which, as the means of the forgiveness he so freely offered, we particularly remember on Good Friday. How much then we need to learn from this period of Lent. How easily we, who claim to be Christian, can find ourselves being diverted from the true teachings of Christ. How often are we ourselves tempted to moderate his message, to consider popular opinion or political approval rather than his somewhat unpalatable teaching that all, however good or religious we may seem, are equally sinful, unable to earn favour with God, but needing instead to simply accept his offer of undeserved forgiveness, made available through the suffering and death of Jesus Christ himself
Further information about the Anglican Church and details of forthcoming events may be seen on the web site www. mojacarchurch.org Duncan Burr is Licensed Lay Reader for the Anglican Chaplaincy of Costa Almeria and Costa Cálida and may be contacted at djburr@avired.com
“Memories, like the corners of your mind” - what wally wrote this? Although the analogy is somewhat suspect, the basic idea of a human memory having corners, in which we lose so much, truly is daft. Although a walk down “Physiognomy” lane might be an interesting diversion, the editors would like purely technology based articles! So let’s get started! For our “techo bit” today, we shall get to grips with organic and technological memory in an attempt to demystify another aspect of the computer! Did you know that computer memory is modelled after our own memory model in as much as we have 2 defined storage types – Long Term and Short Term? So today, can we look at memory, both yours and your computer’s, and draw analogies to help understand both ourselves and the magic box that we sit in front of for far to long each day - at least that’s what happens when people have problems with their computers that they can’t solve themselves. Enter knight in shining armour :-) So we will start with “Short Term” storage. In computer terms this is called volatile memory as in non-permanent. In humans this is called “Short term memory”. The device used in computers is called RAM (Random Access Memory or if you’re from the other side of “the pond”, Read And Modify – symantics!). The benefit of Short term memory (STM) is its ability to be used as a temporary storage area where work is done and then the area is “Self Cleaning”. The disadvantage of this is the fact that it is “Self Cleaning”! Maybe a “A” level psychology (if it is still there – somewhere) might put things into perspective. The human STM has a limit of between 5 and 9 seconds. The mid point of 7 seconds really isn’t long in universal time, but compare that to the 64 milliseconds (64/1000th of a second) at which rate a RAM chip needs to be refreshed, it is a monumental difference! Now, providing the refresh is done, the information stored there can be held, theoretically at least, indefinitely. Years of experimentation within the field of Psychology has shown that ANY interruptions during this refresh process will cause the information to be immediately and permanently lost! This is true for both organic and non-organic storage systems. There is a huge amount of information regarding memory chips, most of it can descend to great depths extremely quickly. Today you have gotten and overview comparison of our and a computer’s short term memory. You have seen before that computers are essentially stupid and now start to be know just how wonderful the human mind is! The next nibble will be about Long Term Storage – including Hard Drive, Solid State Drives and Non-volatile memory. So enjoy your week, use your mind and hopefully the weather will pick up! For further information or advice on computing, contact Trevor on 689 892 745 or canducomputing@hotmail.co.uk
People Power
2012 luckily ended with the Mayan prophecy unfulfilled; yet just a few weeks later a meteorite the size of a double decker bus smashed into Siberia injuring hundreds. A few hours later and the spin of the Earth would have seen it strike Northern England causing much more damage as it’s a much heavier populated area. The next day an asteroid half the size of a football stadium missed the earth by just 17,000 miles. For years governments have procrastinated about whether to invest a few million in an early warning system to guard against strikes just like this latest one. Now finally ATLAS is being built in Hawaii costing the magnificent sum of $5 million. It will give one weeks warning of anything 45m across and 3 weeks for anything 150m across though hard hats need to be worn until it’s finally ready in 2015. Since 1997 the Kyoto Protocol has been in place to curb and reduce emissions; it’s been signed and ratified by 192 countries excepting Sudan and Afghanistan who have internal wars raging; plus Andorra and The Vatican who have a combined population of just 86,000 and with only observer status at the United Nations. The world’s biggest polluter the US is above signing a mere document to save the world as its businesses may lose money. With the internet and television it’s easier to expose wrong doing than ever before; people power stops corporations and politicians ruining the environment for their own selfish gains. Last week Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall protested with thousands of people outside Parliament because the UK Government reneged on its promise to create 127 safe havens for fish stocks around British shores instead watering it down to less than 20. Hugh visited Vietnamese prawn farms exposing Tesco, Morrisons and the Co-op who buy prawns fed on illegally caught fish. ‘Meat is Murder’ is a well-known cry but seeing fishermen catch tiny fish just a few centimetres across was horrific.
Ukraine’s Justice Minister Oleksandr Lavrynovych has been threatened with Star Wars unless he lifts ban on a political party that has Darth Vader at its head. The Star Wars villain confronted the justice minister outside his offices in Kyiv to demand that he lifts the ban on the country’s ‘Internet party’ or face the consequences. The black masked Darth Vader left security guards sidelined as he marched up to the Minister and said: “I assume that I don’t need to introduce myself. I am Darth Vader, the former right hand of Emperor Palpatine, and now working as the first deputy head of the Internet party. “As a symbol of the power of the Internet it is logical that I should be given this post - and therefore it is also logical that on their behalf I have been asked to intervene personally into the destiny of this institution.” The Minister had banned the party as an official party in response to a crackdown on the fact that there were 200 registered political parties in the country. This is not the first time Darth Vader has become involved in Ukrainian politics - the last time was when he tried to vote in the Oct. 28 parliamentary elections when he turned up at a polling station in Odesa but was refused permission to vote after he refused to take off his mask. He said: “Everyone knows that I’ll die if I take off my mask, those people from the polling station are so ignorant.”
Sneeze costs fugitive his freedom
A Polish fugitive led police to a secret hiding place inside his home - when he suddenly sneezed. Darius Olewski, 49 - on the run for dodging child maintenance payments - had dug a six feet deep hole under a table in his hall in Pruszkow. He covered it with a panel he’d crafted to match the rest of the wooden floor and leapt down there whenever police came looking for him. But he was caught when officers raiding the apparently empty home heard a stifled sneeze. “At first we couldn’t work out where it came from,” said one officer. “Then we heard another one and realised it was coming from right under our feet. After a bit of tapping and testing we found a hollow spot and he was down there covered in cobwebs. Maybe if he’d dusted more often he’d still be on the run,” he added. The heinous crimes being committed by businesses against the worlds finite resources just to sell a cheap prawn sandwich must stop. Mercadona is no better as its prawns come from Ecuadorian farms. By buying sustainably caught cold water prawns this trade can be stopped. Just look at the packet – easy! Humankind walks blindly towards global catastrophe, most rarely questioning the provenance of the food we put in our mouths, European supermarkets sell Peruvian Asparagus that’s not only grown in one of the driest regions of the world but then it’s flown across the world for westerners to eat without question. We can all make a difference, take a minute or two extra when shopping to read the labels and see if it’s local and sustainably sourced. Don’t cop out and say ‘what difference can I make?’ Consumer power really works as corporations only produce things that we will buy. In Morrisons in Gibraltar there’s a display of locally sourced fruit and vegetables; balderdash, the wholesaler is local but the produce comes from around the globe. Let’s again embrace the four seasons; eating our winter greens, spring vegetables, then summer salads followed by autumn fruit. This is how it used to be before the advent of global supply chains and huge supermarkets. Adults and children alike discard litter without thinking of the damage caused. Recently a 4 minute film was released which should be watched by the entire world as it dramatically shows the effect littering ultimately has. Visit the Findmeahome Facebook page to watch it or type the following into a web browser www.facebook. com/photo.php?v=37771452232736. Please don’t forget to buy a hard hat!!
Enjoy Stephens musings? Pop over to http://findmeahomeinspain.wordpress.com as the articles are posted on there too...and they’re a bit longer too! Findmeahome are always looking for quality homes for their sales and rental portfolios, please contact Stephen for a valuation: stephen@findmeahome.es Telephone: 636 266 641
www.soltimes.com
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
Budget iPhone ‘to launch soon’ Apple will launch a new, plastic bodied version of the iPhone at a budget price as early as this year, it has been claimed. According to press reports, the long-awaited budget iPhone will just £220 ($330), according to reports - roughly half the cost of a full-blown version of the iconic smartphone. It is understood that it will be enclosed in a glossy polycarbonate plastic case, much like the one found on the now-discontinued entrylevel MacBook. It has long been rumoured that Apple is preparing a cheaper version of its flagship mobile product, in an attempt to increase the company’s penetration into emerging markets. Details of the budget iPhone were published yesterday by Japanese blog Macotakara, which claimed Apple was to defer the release of a larger-screened successor to the iPhone 5, but may soon launch a less expensive handset. It suggests that the budget iPhone will be be given a launch price of just $330 - similar to the iPad mini - in order to appeal to young, middle class consumers in countries like China and India. The entry-level phone will also be thicker than the iPhone 5, Macotakara reports, to make its polycarbonate body more durable, and could come in a variety of colours. However, the design of the cheaper iPhone is said to be similar to its costlier siblings, including a home button beneath its LCD display. That means a patent granted the company in January which showed a phone with no
home button is likely not the design for the scaled-down smart phone, as was previously speculated. Earlier this month Apple CEO Tim Cook let slip during a rare interview that an affordable iPhone might be in development. ‘We are making moves to make things more affordable,’ he said at the Goldman Sachs technology and internet conference in San Francisco. The revelation came after Mr Cook said that he saw a ‘wide open field’ because Apple’s iPhone was currently ‘only available to 50 per cent of [mobile phone] subscribers in the world’. Asked whether the problem might be that only 50 per cent could afford an iPhone, Mr Cook said: ‘Good question. Our North Star is “great products” - we would never do something that isn’t a great product, that’s not why we’re on this earth. ‘That said, if you look at what we’ve done to appeal to people that are price sensitive — lower price of iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, in most recent quarter, not enough supply of iPhone 4 - surprised us.’ Apple has not unveiled another trailblazing product since Mr Cook took over, raising concerns about whether the company is losing the ingenuity that has set it apart from the rest of the technology pack. Analysts have said that the Californian firm should make a cheaper smartphone to gain more of a foothold in the important Chinese market.
17
Jellyfish set to be the latest bizarre pet?
Jellyfish are becoming an unlikely new pet in British homes thanks to the creation of specialist aquariums. A British company has manufactured a revolutionary new tank that can house up to 12 moon jellyfish. The Cubic Jellyfish Aquarium is illuminated by multicolour LED lights that can be altered to match the decoration of a room to give the impression of a living lava lamp. Simon Garrett, of Reef Eden International in Southampton, says he has sold out of the new tanks and is struggling to keep up with demand. He said: “Previously people couldn’t keep them because the aquariums weren’t available, and they can’t be kept in normal fish tanks because jellyfish require a current to swim. The systems that were available before were one-offs for big aquariums. This meant it cost tens of thousands of pounds for an organisation to have one made, but now we are manufacturing 50 to 100 at a time, it has brought the cost down massively.” However the tanks still don’t come cheap as they cost £775, while moon jellyfish have to be purchased separately at prices from £30 to £40 each.
Off Grid Solar Systems:
There are 3 different systems available depending on size: - Standard Installed System(3Kw): 5,995€ - Super Installed System(5Kw): 7,995€ - Deluxe Installed System(7Kw): 9,995€ We provide tailor made systems to meet your individual needs; all systems include solar panels, the framework, charge controller, fuse boxes and trips, batteries, cables plus a battery inverter.
DIY Solar Panel Systems:
These systems are designed to offer minimum effort and maximum savings, all kits include: solar panels, the framework, grid tie inverter, up to 5m (4mm cable) plus connections.: - 200 Watt DIY Kit: 650€ plus I.V.A - 300 Watt DIY Kit: 850€ plus I.V.A - 400 Watt DIY Kit: 1050€ plus I.V.A - 500 Watt DIY Kit: 1250€ plus I.V.A - 600 Watt DIY Kit: 1450€ plus I.V.A
Solar Hot Air Systems:
The solar hot air systems where designed as an alternative to provide background heat for the home, harnessing the sun, they are freestanding systems that cost nothing to run af ter installation, no ongoing charges at all. Prices star t at 450€ depending on size.
Many More solar products available!
Tlf: +34 958 003 391 - Mob: +34 628 872 334 Email: almeriagreenenergy@hotmail.com
Office located next to Cajamar Bank in Arboleas Village 04660 In association with Spanish Hideaways Estate Agency & Insurance Providers Open 10am-3pm
18
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
ejuvenate retreat elax El Cucador
elax evive
Relaxation Class
on Tuesday Liz Hill afternoons 667 979 445 Advanced back, face & scalp only treatment 20€
We welcome our new Therepist Abigaile
with Call for more details
Powerful stress releasing treatment, works on deep seated tension & restores balance to vital energy points. Initial deep cleansing back exfoliation followed by back massage, facial includes massage ,application of intensive face mask & Oriental head massage help clear the mind, calm the spirit & ease tension. Result is rehydrated, nourished & soothed skin combined with a sense of deep relaxation.
Holistic Massage
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 UK qualified therapist Melissa
1h session or discounts for a course of 6. Melissa is only working on Saturdays 9.30 - 5pm throughout February, March & April
626 144 680
Abigaile starts Thursday 7th March
Pop in to meet her and book a FREE hand or foot massage on the 7th from 10am Specials for March Full Body Hopi Ear Massage Candle sandra 20€
13€
632 779 082 Beauty Therapy
urUK fully-qualified therapists O are available Wednesday & Thursday 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€ & Paraffin Wax Treatments 15€! Sandra is on Holiday & will be back in Wed 13th March
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!
50% OFF all Lenses including varifocals • Free Hearing Test • Digital Hearing Aids • Various Models & Colours • Adjustments, Parts & Repairs • Moulds & Batteries • Pensioners - 30% OFF
no need to return to the uk for your glasses we have it covered
IVA ON SUNGLASSES has increased to 21% but our prices are stayIng the same!
Huercal - Overa
lidl
hospital
salas opticos
In July 2004, whilst back in the UK for 2 months, to escape the heat and leave Mojacar to the holiday-makers, Keith (aged 56) was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. We left the hospital in total shock – totally floored by the news. We thought our world had fallen apart – and it just wasn’t fair! We love our life here in Mojacar and want to carry on enjoying it. Naturally we first went through all the endless questions: What caused it? Why Keith? How long does he have? Then we calmed down and began to research the various options available and there are many, especially ’if’ it is caught in the early stages. Unfortunately for Keith, because the diagnosis wasn’t made early enough, there is no apparent cure, just the option of controlling the cancer (hopefully for a good few years, until such time medical research comes up with a cure for advanced prostate cancer). The prostate doesn’t usually come up during casual conversation, so you may know little about this gland and the importance of a PSA test every year; we were the same, we knew very little, but the diagnosis prompted us to learn about it.
What/Where is the Prostate Gland? The prostate is a gland of the male reproductive system. The prostate produces some of the fluid for semen, which transports sperm during the male orgasm. Normally, the prostate is quite small—it is nearly the same size and shape as a chestnut. It is located in front of the rectum, just below the bladder, and wraps around the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out through the tip of the penis. The prostate is made up of approximately 30% muscular tissue, and the rest is glandular tissue.
Prostate Problem
It’s a simple blood test. PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) is a protein made by the prostate gland, which naturally leaks out into the bloodstream. The PSA test measures the level of PSA in your blood.
Avda. Guillermo Reyna
mercadona
PROSTATE CANCER
What is a PSA Test?
*
30% discount For the over 60’s
THIS IS IMPORTANT: If you are a Male, 50 and over, OR have noticed changes in your urinary habits then you should have a PSA check
However, not all men have symptoms – so even if you are not experiencing any of the above, if you are over 50 why not go for a PSA test anyway – it can’t do any harm can it – better to be safe than sorry!
FOR ONLY
Designer Sunglasses
12 months ago, on 11th March 2012, I lost the love of my life for 42 years, my other half, my soul-mate - my husband, Keith Oakes (age 63). He lost a hard fought battle with Prostate Cancer and, to honour his life and mark his passing, I would like to remind all women/men to ensure their male partners are aware of their Prostate. In 2004, when Keith was first diagnosed, we published something in a local paper and were happy to hear that the local farmacia did notice an increase in men requesting a PSA test; we hope that by doing that someone’s life was saved. In Keith’s memory I reproduce the article (below), in the hope that it will encourage more men to go to their doctor, or the local farmacia, and ask for a PSA test - PLEASE DO IT, it could save your life!! Please don’t let my husbands loss of life be in vain; he was a firm believer in telling everyone who would listen that they should be tested, and I know he would want me to carry on spreading the word. 10,000 men die from Prostate Cancer every year in the UK alone - if it is diagnosed early enough it can be cured.
Symptoms indicating a possible “prostate problem” – not necessarily cancer, but worth getting checked out by your Doctor, include frequent urination (especially excessive times in the night), incomplete emptying of the bladder, a weak or interrupted urine stream and difficulty starting urination.
30 Daily Lenses 18.90€
prostate cancer awareness
Tel: 950 135 081 salasopticos@Yahoo.es
Why have the Test? The PSA test could detect early prostate cancer before you notice any symptoms, or before your doctor can detect any changes in your prostate. The benefit of finding a prostate cancer at this early stage is that it might be possible to remove the cancer by an operation or destroy it with radiotherapy and thus save your life!!!
What does it tell me about my prostate? A raised PSA level (generally more than 5.0 ng/ml) is a sign of a possible prostate problem which needs to be investigated by your doctor. More often it purely points to something like an inflamed prostate (prostatitis), or an enlargement of the prostate that often comes with ageing (Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy, or BPH).
Where can I get a PSA Test? Simple – If you live in Mojacar you just go along to the Farmacia in front of La Caixa bank (just after the Parador – heading in direction of the Parque Comercial), the Farmacia also houses the Laboratorio de Analisis Clinicos. The assistants speak some English. You just say you want a blood test for PSA and that’s it, you have your blood test and they tell you when to come for the result (generally about two days later). If you’re not in the Mojacar area, then why not ask your local Farmacia where you can get it done.
What does it cost? At the Mojacar Farmacia (as mentioned above) it costs approx 25 euros for a PSA Blood test - a small amount to pay for piece of mind. If this article can prompt just one man to go for a PSA test then we are happy in the knowledge that we may have saved someone, and their family, from future misery.
Anita & Keith Oakes (RIP 11/3/2012), Mojacar
www.soltimes.com
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
19
email editor@soltimes.com with your beauty & health tips
the bad bacteria that gives us blemishes They are the bane of many a teenager’s life, but the days of spots may now be numbered after scientists discovered why some people are more prone to them than others. The researchers, from UCLA, have discovered more about the bacteria that live on the skin and cause acne. They have found that this bacteria contains ‘bad’ strains which cause pimples and ‘good’ ones that may protect the skin. Having too much ‘bad’ bacteria is what causes spots, they say. This is rather like an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the gut causing digestive issues. According to the report featured on Mail Online, it is not yet clear why some people have more of either type of bacteria, or what comes first - the acne or the bacteria. Other factors. such as an individual’s genetic make-up or the sensitivity of their immune system, may also dictate whether good or bad strains grow on skin. However, the breakthrough could pave the way for the development of new acne treatments. About 80 per cent of people between the ages of 11 and 30 will be affected by acne. It can continue well into adult life - about 5 per cent of women and 1 per cent of men over 25 also have the condition. ‘We learned that not all acne bacteria trigger pimples — one strain may help keep skin healthy,’ said the study’s principal investigator, Dr Huiying Li, an assistant professor of molecular and medical pharmacology at UCLA. ‘We hope to apply our findings to develop new strategies that stop blemishes before they start, and enable dermatologists to customise treatment to each patient’s unique cocktail of skin bacteria.’ The scientists, who published their findings in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, looked at a microbe – propionibacterium – that thrives in oily pores. When these bacteria aggravate the immune system, they cause the swollen, red bumps associated with acne. Using over-the-counter pore-cleansing strips, researchers lifted the bacteria from the noses of 49 pimply and 52 clear-skinned volunteers. After extracting DNA from the strips, the laboratory identified the bacterial strains in each volunteer’s pores and recorded whether the person suffered from acne. ‘We were interested to learn that the bacterial strains looked very different when taken from diseased skin, compared to healthy
hair & beauty
A CHANGE OF COLOUR CAN HAVE A DRAMATIC EFFECT!
DONNA, LIZA & ROZ - OUR STYLISTS - ARE HERE TO ADVISE YOU!
MARCH offers FOR EASTER
ONE COLOUR ON SHORT SHELLAC NAILS HAIR (INCL CUT & BLOW COMING SOON! DRY) FROM 40€ HAPPY EASTER LADIES DRY CUT (SHORT TO ALL OUR HAIR) WITH ROZ FOR 8.50€ CUSTOMERS skin,’ said co-author Dr Noah Craft, a dermatologist at the UCLA Medical Centre. He added: ‘Two unique strains of bacteria appeared in one out of five volunteers with acne but rarely occurred in clear-skinned people.’ However, the biggest breakthrough came when the scientists discovered a third strain of the bacteria that is common in healthy skin. They believe that this strain contains a natural defence mechanism that enables it to recognise attackers and to destroy them before they infect the bacterial cell. They believe that this strain contains a natural defence mechanism that enables it to recognise attackers and to destroy them before they infect the bacterial cell. People who didn’t suffer spots had more of this ‘good’ bacteria. Offering new hope to acne sufferers, the researchers believe that increasing the body’s friendly strain of the bacteria through the use of a simple cream or lotion may help calm spotty complexions. Dr Li said: ‘This bacteria strain may protect the skin, much like yogurt’s live bacteria help defend the gut from harmful bugs. ‘Our next step will be to investigate whether a probiotic cream can block bad bacteria from invading the skin and prevent pimples before they start.’ The news comes just after scientists at New York University discovered that diet does impact a person’s complexion. A landmark overview of research carried out over the past 50 years has found that eating foods with a high glycaemic index (GI) and drinking milk not only aggravated acne, but in some cases triggered it, too.
Hair & Beauty Studio Join us on @ Room 97 Hair & Beauty Studio
for current offers & giveaways
La Alfoquia
Tel: 683 479 261
kim clark benefits consultancy
■ if you suffer from... ■ or you need...
Dra Monica Algañaraz –has over 40 years experience in physiotherapy and osteopathic treatment. General postural assessment and holistic health checks available English spoken
Tel: 695 355 381 Olula Del Rio
• 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
M A R C H O F F E R S A R E N ot in con j unction w ith any other offer
Mon: 9.30am-3pm Tue-Fri: 9.30am-5pm Sat: 10am-2pm
950 930 167 or 628 669 456 located opposite Pricebusters
Osteopath Naturopath Enrique Arias, N.D, D.O
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 Centro Cueva Del Lobo Paseo Mediterraneo 10, Mojacar Beach Centro Medico Indalo C/ Manuel Azaña, Almeria
JAX
Hair&Beauty Formerly J.D. Hair Design
look good, feel good
with our full range of treatments including •HAIRDRESSING Jenny from
•BEAUTY �manicures �pedicures �hopi ear �candling �theraputic hot wax inc massage & exfoliation
Affordable Prices
Tlf. 645 560 367 Tues - Fri 10-3pm
After 3pm by appointment only Saturday AM by appointment only
Albox Rambla
El Cordobes
Toni’s Mirador Bar
JAX
20
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
www.soltimes.com
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
21
http://www.spainisculture.com/export/sites/cultura/multimedia/galerias/museos/mugran_techo_museo_altamira_c.jpg_1306973099.jpg
THE SPAINIAC | Altamira Caves | Candice Parsons back to the Magdalenean and Solutrean people, have now endorsed the international fame of these caves as the ‘Sistine Chapel of Paleolithic art’.
The Altamira caves (Altamira translating to ‘high views’ in Spanish), in comparison to the other caves in Cantabria, remain well preserved due to the isolation of their deep recesses and galleries from climate and weather affects.
Another ancient wonder to add to the nation’s pool of UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Altamira Caves lie in northern Spain near the town of Santillana del Mar, nested amongst the mountains of the Cantabria region.
It was 1868 when the hunter Modesto Cubillas first discovered the caves and subsequently informed local amateur archaeologist, Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola, who then began excavations on the floor of the cave’s entrance chamber in 1879. During these excavations,
Sautuola’s eight year old daughter, María, led him to discover the drawings and polychrome rock paintings of animals, human-like masks, and stencilled hands on the walls and ceilings of the caves. These paintings and other discovered artefacts, dating
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
Q: DO I NEED A SPANISH WILL
A:YES...and here’s why... 1. Your estate will be left to the people of your choice and not to those determined by law 2.You can mitigate inheritance tax by planning the distribution of your estate. A will can be the single most cost-effective document you will sign during your lifetime. 3. You will have the peace of mind of knowing that things are in order for your heirs and that your heirs will not end up dealing with a complicated and costly procedure in a foreign country. I like the challenge of complicated inheritance work but we will never stop insisting that all our clients should make a Spanish will. Since setting up office in 1993, I have been surprised by the amount of people who have come to ask whether it is convenient to make a will in Spain concerning their Spanish assets. The answer to this is most definitely yes. In England if you do not make a will, then the law has rules, which will determine the distribution of your assets. These rules could mean that your assets are distributed in a way very different from what you would have liked. In Spain the situation is the same, with an additional factor. Your heirs will have to deal with a foreign language and legal system. All the more reasons to leave everything as organised as possible. Some people include their Spanish assets in their English will. This is legally binding, but to obtain probate in Spain, it will be necessary for the will to be translated and legalised. This is a long and costly procedure. My advice on the subject is to have two separate wills, one in England for your English assets and one in Spain for your Spanish assets. Drawing up a will in Spain does not take long and is not expensive, and will definitely save your heirs a lot of time, problems and money. Your Lawyer will draw up a rough draft, and then he will make an appointment at the notary to sign the final document. One copy is sent by the notary to the central register in Madrid. He will hold on to the original copy. You will be given a copy that I suggest you inform your heirs and lawyer in England about, and then put it in the bottom drawer, with the peace of mind of knowing that everything is taken care of. At Davies Solicitors we will listen to your wishes and advise you on the most tax efficient way of dealing with your Spanish estate. We will explain in detail the tax implications of your decisions for your heirs and ways to deal with it.We will prepare a will in both English and Spanish for signature and in general we will provide you the peace of mind of knowing that everything has been left organized for your heirs. Please call or email us for an appointment 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.
From this preservation, the numerous archeologists that have excavated within the site over time, have been able to decipher the various inhabitants of the cave and their daily activities between 22, 000 and 14, 000 BC - some 40, 000 years ago. Running in a straight line of around 270 metres long, the Altamira caves sit 158.5 metres above sea level in the upper part of a karst formation on Mount
Vispieres. The caves have been attracting more and more visitors since its discovery, and increasingly promoting the tourism of the Cantabria region. By 1970, it became apparent that the large volumes of visitors to the caves were noticeably damaging its paintings, and was closed to the public by 1977. The caves reopened in 1982, however with limited access and very few visitors permitted entry per day. Altamira caves resulted in a three year waiting list for visitors, until Manuel Franquelo and Sven Nebel reproduced a replica cave and museum nearby in 2001, showcasing a more accessible and comfortable
display of the replicated polychrome paintings, as well as sculptures not visible in the actual caves. Following experts advice that conservation conditions had stabilised since the closure, the Spanish Ministry of Culture made the decision in December 2010 for Altamira caves to remain completely closed to the public. The replica museum of the Altamira caves, may not feel as wondrous as seeing the paintings and remains of the real caves, yet remains highly impressive in its depictions of humanity’s earliest art and cultural traditions, and gives an insightful enlightening of this fascinating assertion of history.
Candice Parsons is a writer and avid Spain and Spanish culture lover from Melbourne, Australia. ‘Like’ my Facebook page: www.facebook. com/pandemicrhapsody and follow me on Twitter @MiLlamoCandi
22
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
viewpoint
I hate the wind. I enjoy the sun - in moderation, last summer was a bit too much of a good thing; I don’t mind the rain; it rains so infrequently that when it does rain, it is something of a novelty, but the wind, as I see it, serves no useful purpose at all. However, probably due to my reluctance to go out in it, I have been indoors, thinking. My style of thinking is very akin to that of Winnie the Pooh – I don’t go chasing around all over the place after the thoughts, I sit and wait for them to come to me. And come they do – the questions, that is, but they forget
By Jos Biggs
josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk
to bring the answers with them! For instance, where does the wind come from? And where does it go to? Wind is made of air, and I know that it is possible to squash air up, and also to spread it out thin, like at altitude. So if you imagine that air over the earth is like butter spread on wholemeal bread, then on the flat smooth bits it will be thicker than on the sticky-up bits like the grains, or in this case, the mountains. That’s fine on a calm day, but what happens when it’s windy? The air gets forcibly shoved from where it is to somewhere else – our metaphorical butter gets a celestial knife behind it and gets scraped from where it was nice and evenly spread on our metaphorical slice of bread to right up against the
crust on the far side, leaving us with a slice of almost bare bread but with a great lump of butter (or in this case air) nearly toppling off the edge. I worry that this will leave us with hardly enough air to be going along with. I want to know where it is all going to, because as I see it, if we haven’t got enough, at the other end of the wind someone else has got too much. I need to know where the other end of the wind is, so that I can go there and get some of our air back again! Never mind the Higgs Boson Particle, forget about Dark Matter and Black Holes, the scientists should be concentrating on finding the end of the wind – this could be really important! And while they are at it, maybe they will find the end of the rainbow too, that would be helpful in these hard times!
Grumble From the Jungle
I have just had a hard day cutting out the bougainvillea hedge from the front wall and the two wrought iron archways over the gates, and trying unsuccessfully to grub out the well established roots. After nearly seven years of growth, they are proving irritatingly reluctant to give up their hold on life. Bougainvillea - and for that matter palm trees – are akin to Breville toasters and George Foreman grills. Everyone wants one, but then after a while they are stuck away in the cupboard and forgotten about . . . they seem like a good idea at the time, but soon become a nuisance taking
up valuable space. I remember our reaction when we took possession of the house here and saw that there was a palm in the garden – what a cool item this was and it didn’t cost us any extra! Then when friends from England came to visit, their response was exactly the same; we could imagine them going back home and telling mutual friends, “. . . and they’ve got an actual palm tree in their garden!” “Ooh”, would be the gasped reply, “Got any photos?” And out would come the holiday pics. But as any proud palm owner knows, the damn things grow . . . and grow and then grow some more. In fact they never stop growing and the bigger they get the more difficult and expensive it becomes to keep them pruned and looking good. If it’s the wrong sex, then you have the additional problem of not only having your whole property covered in seeds By Colin Bird : badbirdnow@gmail.com
250
resembling gerbil droppings, but also the street and every house in the area up to a radius of two hundred metres. In our small cul de sac of eight houses, there is now the sum total of nil palm trees. Nada. Zilch. Only lemon and orange and a stunted something or other that looks like a refugee from a forest fire. And so it is with Bougainvillea. I saw my very first many years ago – and yes I’m sorry but I am going to have to mention it again – in Bermuda. I had just moved from my first apartment into a three bedroom cottage (bungalow to us) which I shared with a male
Business Cards FREE DESIGN
ONLY 30.00€
Printed on high gloss 260gms card
Email: newprints@hotmail.com / Tel: (0034) 634 388 243
Like and share us on and Be in with a chance to WIN 250 business Cards absolutely
FREE
friend and a female who, both my pal and I hoped might become a little more than just a friend in the course of time. In fact, and as an aside, immediately after our ad in the local paper for a third person to share our property and more importantly the rent, appeared, we were inundated with callers. Good affordable accommodation was, and still is, at a premium in Bermuda. It became apparent very quickly that for every female applicant, there were five male candidates vying for the privilege of shacking up with Yours Truly & Co. We therefore made a decision that in the interests of sexual equality, we would only consider the female ones for a face to face interview. Anyway, I digress. The very next day after moving in to ‘Little Arches’ - which was ideally located near the Hamilton city centre and even more ideally located a very short walk from the Robin Hood pub – I was on my way to the said establishment when I spotted that first bougainvillea in a neighbouring garden. It had been managed and pruned so that it had become a small tree, and was an explosive mass of crimson. Breathtaking. I made my mind up there and then that given the chance; someday I too would have one
To say that normality reigned in Alqueria would be an over statement. A return to the sectarian sniping and gamesman ship was somehow comforting after the recent turmoil in the village republic. The worldwide sales of Remitroot products brought in sufficient cash to keep Alqueria in relative comfort. Life returned to the daily grind of undeclared war between the village’s two barrios. As the days dragged by, government ministers became increasingly more lethargic. Manuela past her time trying to make Rodriquez choke by firing paper-clips into his open mouth as he slept. Poyato spent the empty hours trying to invent new Remitroot cocktails. He usually drank himself into insensibility by midday. Blythe Gruntmore improved his Spanish. Unfortunately the course was written for English speakers and not Geordies. His pronunciation of both the English and Spanish qualified as linguistic gems. The high power inertia eventually transformed itself into low power endeavour after the acceptance of a resolution twinning Alqueria to another European town. Serendipity settled the question of which town and where. By a coincidence of unbelievable proportions a letter arrived at the Ayuntamiento from an independent republic within the borders of England. It suggested twinning. The Republic of Uggaby lay in a bend of the River Waveney. Not in Suffolk or Norfolk and subsequently disowned by the British Government, it now enjoys independence. A series of wonderfully colourful telephone calls took place. Pidgin English versus pidgin Spanish, as the leaders of the two villages made the necessary arrangements. The three Alquerian leaders would visit Uggaby and vice versa. Manuela eagerly looked forward to the expedition but hoped the rumours about the prowess of British men were untrue. The delegation had to travel through the United Kingdom to reach Uggaby which is landlocked and unable to afford an airport. There were initial problems with visas due to Alqueria’s rather grey international status. The permissions were eventually granted as long as the group went straight through England and didn´t touch anything. Gruntmore was apprehensive about returning to his native land. It appeared that a story he told about one of his relatives being awarded the ‘Order of the British Empire’ was in fact ‘ordered out of the British Empire’. He was however needed as an interpreter despite the fact his Spanish was appalling and his Geordie accent was incomprehensible to anyone south of Middlesbrough. What will befall the ‘Iberian Three’ as they prepare to embark for Uggaby? What will the three elders from Uggaby make of dysfunctional Alqueria? What will Manuela make of English men? These questions and others will be answered here. John MacDonald (El Sordo) - www.caratacus.eu
Where is Our Air Going?
alqueria - Of Civic Matters
of these wonderful plants in the garden of my own house. Never has the expression – ‘be careful what you wish for’, been more apt. There is no doubt that bougainvillea is a beautiful addition to any garden, but as a first cousin to Triffids, it is an invasive bully and a litter lout supreme. During the flowering season and particularly when there is even the hint of a breeze, sweeping up becomes an operation that has to be repeated two or three times a day if you are particular about the tidiness of your garden. It has to be admitted that we got so brassed off with the constant
sweeping that sometimes we would simply leave it and any unfortunate visitors would have to take their chances and try to wade through the stuff. We are pretty sure that we have even lost a couple of people on the way, not having seen one or two acquaintances for some time. So it all had to go. The space that is left between gates will be filled with block work and rendered, thus restoring our privacy, and all plants from now on will be billeted in pots. Including perhaps one small obedient bougainvillea?
www.soltimes.com
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
property group
Paseo del Mediterraneo 197 - Mojacar - Almeria
Tel: 950 472 430 / 610 053 563
www.veritashomes.co.uk info@veritashomes.co.uk You can find us on Mojacar Playa
€75,000
cortijo grande reduced
€80,000
villaricos
€85,000
mojacar playa
€90,000
2 bed / 2 bath Apartment with terrace & underground parking place. Air con. Fully fitted kitchen. Communal pool. Ref. 1123
2 bed / 2 bath charming end of terrace Townhouse with golf and mountains views. Terrace & solarium. Ref. 1448
2 bed / 2 bath Apartment with underground private parking place & store room within 50 meters to the promenade. Lift. Ref. 1171
2 bed / 2 bath Apartment with sea views within 300 meters to promenade. Terrace: 18,20 m². Communal pool. Ref. 1070
el largo reduced
mojacar playa
mojacar playa
huercal overa
€94,950
4 bed / 3 bath large Townhouse with garage around 10 min. to coast and Desert Springs Golf. Build 164 m². Ref. 1165
mojacar playa reduced
€109,950
€99,950
3 bed / 2 bath penthouse Apartment with a large terrace with sea views. Store room. Communal pool. Parking. Ref. 1167
villaricos reduced
€109,950
€100,000
3 bed / 2 bath south facing Apartment with sea views near beach. Terrace: 19 m². Underground private parking place. Ref. 1291
arboleas reduced
€110,000
2 bed / 1 bath fully furnished Apartment within 200 meters to beach with underground private parking. Communal pool. Ref. 1395
2 bed / 2 bath fully furnished pretty linked Bungalow with private plot of 135 m² within 200 mts to beach. Communal pool. Ref. 1006
2 bed / 2 bath Villa with garage on plot of 600 m² in a quiet location near amenities. Separate dining room. Ref. 1024
villaricos
mojacar playa
nr desert springs €250,000
€169,000
€190,000
reduced
3 bed / 2 bath spacious Townhouse with private garage within 200 m to beach. Small gated community with pool. Ref 1483
4 bed / 3 bath charming Villa with garage on basement & 10 x 5 m pool on Plot of 560 m² within 5 mn to amenities & golf. Ref 1061
mojacar playa reduced
mojacar playa reduced
agua nueva
3 bed / 2 bath front line golf Villa with massive garage + 1 bed / 1 bath annex in Marina de la Torre. Plot 225 m². Ref 1479
3 bed / 2 bath semi-detached House with granny flat & garage within walking distance to all amenities. Plot 300 m². Ref. 1136
mojacar playa
€149,000
2 bed / 2 bath Townhouse within walking distance to beach & amenities. Sea views. Communal pool & secure parking. Ref. 1234
Mojacar Playa
€295,000
reduced
2 bed / 2 bath luxurious Townhouse in beautiful complex overlooking the harbour. Terraces & roof solarium. Sea views. Ref.1048
€299,950
€108,800
€299,950
3 bed / 2 bath Villa + 2 independents 1 bed / 1 bath Apartments near beach & amenities. Solarium, terraces & pool. Ref 1060
3 bed / 2 bath sea facing Villa with garage on plot of 417 m². Terraces, solarium & jacuzzi. Amazing views. Ref 1062
€349,950
3 bed / 3 bath beautiful Villa with pool and amazing views within 5 min walk to Turre on plot of 960 m². Ref 1106
Please visit our office or refer to our website for more “bargains”. Vendors: If you are seriously considering selling your property please visit our office to discuss effective ways of achieving your goal. As per decree 218/2005 the “Documento de Información Abreviada” (D.I.A) for any property sold by Veritas Homes is available at our office.
23
24
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
www.soltimes.com
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
What you’ll need: Power Washer: If you are painting an exterior masonry surface, a power washer is the easiest way to remove any dirt, mould or old paint.
Preparation
25
Painting
Preparation is the biggest key to
After your sealer and primer coats are completely dry, you may begin
your success. If at all possible, you
applying the paint. Use several thin coats, rather than trying to apply one
will want to power wash the surface.
very thick coat; paint actually forms a harder surface when thin coats are
Brush: You may need a paint brush to do detail work around windows and trim if you are working on the outside of your home. You will also need a brush if you are cutting in along the walls when painting a concrete floor.
This is the fastest way to remove old
Roller: You will use a roller to do the bulk of the painting. Make sure you read the manufacturer’s recommendations as to what size nap to use. You will also probably want to buy at least two covers, as the primer will most likely ruin the first cover. Primer/Sealer: Most masonry surfaces will need to be primed or sealed before you apply paint. We’ll help you decided what you need below.
sealed and primed before the paint is
paint. Sometimes, though, you may
laid on top of each other.
be working inside, or in a place where
When choosing your paint, the most important thing to keep in mind is
the mess of a power washer isn’t
where is the paint going to be applied? The need for interior and exterior
appropriate. If that is the case, then
paints is fairly self-explanatory. Additionally, many manufacturers make
you’ll need to tackle that old loose
specific masonry paints. Some are even designated as floor paints, so
paint with a scraper and a wire brush.
you shouldn’t have a hard time finding what you need. You can also buy
Almost any masonry surface that is
additives for your floor paint that will give it a little bit of texture. This
going to be painted needs to be both
material is inexpensive and doesn’t change the color, but does prevent the
applied. The sealer is often clear, but keeps moisture from coming through
inevitable slip that will occur when wet feet hit a slippery floor. After your final coat of paint is applied, allow the paint to cure for the
Paint: Use a high quality product that is appropriate for the setting
the concrete. This is especially true in
recommended time. Painting a masonry or concrete surface, whether it be
basements, which tend to hold moisture
walls or floors, inside or out, can give new live to your home. A space that
Scraper: If the surface has already been painted, then all of the loose and flaking paint must be removed. While a pressure washer is the easiest way to do this, you will not always be working in a place where a pressure washer can be used. In this case, you will need to scrape it off.
anyway. If you are not sure whether
may once have been dank and dirty can now be bright and clean. You can
your basement has been sealed or not,
actually increase the amount of livable space you have just by adding some
tape a piece of plastic kitchen wrap
paint.
Wire Brush: Use this tool in conjunction with your scraper in those situations where you can’t use a pressure washer.
see condensed water on the plastic
Brush Cleaner: If you are using an oil based paint and primer, you will need mineral spirits or paint thinner to clean your brushes, and most likely yourself.
the concrete.
send your decorating tips to editor@soltimes.com and we’ll print them HERE!
that complements it. Use the two step
onto the floor and leave it for 24 hours. If the floor hasn’t been sealed, you will wrap that has evaporated up through Buy a quality masonry sealer at your home improvement store and a primer process of sealing and priming to build a strong, water resistant foundation for your paint.
f O d i ! R y t e e r G eG Th Drab, unpainted concrete walls can ruin the aesthetic appeal of a nicely decorated basement or garage. While concrete walls require slightly different painting tactics than regular drywalls, the procedure is not overly difficult. With the right tools and know-how, you can completely transform the colour of your concrete walls with just a few hours of work.
26
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
property guide.... Spain Received 2.7 Million Foreign Tourists in January
According to the latest tourist border movements survey data released on Friday from Frontur, Spain received 2.7 million foreign tourists in January, which is 2.6% less than a year ago. Italy was the source market that most contributed to this decline, with 68,000 fewer tourists visiting Spain, representing a drop of 29.3%, while visitors from the United Kingdom and Germany (first and third source markets in January) were down 4.6% and 6%, respectively.
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 Camposol Business centre sector a, camposol mazarron
www.anotherworld-properties.com sales@anotherworldproperties.net
TEL: 968 592 679
VERA APARTMENT FOR RENT
SHORT-TERM/HOLIDAY RENTAL
2 BEDROOM, 2 BATHROOM, pENTHOUSE APARTMENT IN VERA PLAYA ALL MOD CONS, BALCONY & ROOF TERRACE OFFERING FANTASTIC VIEWS
cALL 663 977 230 EMAIL: gedfab@yahoo.com
Vera Playa Apartment
Madrid was the region which noted almost half of the UK market decline, while the bulk of the German descent was felt in the Canary Islands. Andalusia and Madrid also registered declines, of 8.2% and 6.6%, respectively, while the Balearic Islands lead with a significant increase of 16%, reaching 99,000 tourists. Catalonia grew by 2.6%, following the significant increases in 2012, and Valencia climbed
O Olive
CUEVAS
(WWW.KYERO.COM)
Contact: 607 705 085 or 687 938 466
Almería Estate Agent
C/Llanos, Bedar (Next to the Miramar Restaurant)
Open: Monday-Friday 10.00am-3.30pm
DE
139,000€
10.2%, due mainly to the arrival of a greater number of French and British tourists. Tourist arrivals by air, 81.6% of the total, were down 3.4% in January, while arrivals by road rose 5.3%. Hotel accommodation maintained its steady rate of arrivals in relation to the figures reported a year ago, while non-hotel accommodation fell by 6.4%. The number of tourists who contracted a tour package slightly increased, while those who chose other forms of trip fell by 3.7%.
www.olivehouse-es.com
An immaculate 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom duplex with garage situated in the popular and historical town of Cuevas de Almanzora
Vision Vision Investment Investment Property Property Almeria Almeria
info@vipalmeria.com • www.vipalmeria.com
ALMANZORA
Paseo del Mediterráneo, 22b Mojacar Playa 04638, Beside the Red Cross on the Beach front.
OLV598
Spanish Office: (+34) 950472524 / 950102006 Fax / Tel: (+34) 950 950 231
Apartment For Sale on golf course
1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, kitchen with white goods, Nice views of golf course parking, Mojacar approx 7 mins
now only
€39,950
T: 664 291 793 jescott29@hotmail.co.uk
large country properties needed
in the Los Velez area
genuine clients waiting to view
info@icasaspain.com
...CALL 902 750 190 OR 950 121 936 ~ EMAIL: SALES@SOLTIMES.COM
Sol Insure A New Ray Of Light For Insurance
Looking Around for Insurance or Renewal Due?
Sol Insure
Let find the best policy for you! Providing the best cover at competitive rates
info@bwispain.com
950 472 098
www.soltimes.com
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
The 21st century Polaroid A real-life Instagram camera is set to go on sale after being backed by Polaroid.
The camera was originally developed as a concept by designers Socialmatic. It contains a lens, touchscreen and printer - and has been designed to look like the icon for Facebook’s photo sharing site. The product was originally designed as a concept, and uses film that has space to write, and a sticky strip on the back rather like a postit note. However, after the designs became a hit online, the two firms have decided to turn them into a real product. The camera is set to go on sale next year, and will come with camera bags, lenses, filters and other camera accessories.
‘We are so proud to work together with C & A and Polaroid, giants of digital photography,’ said Antonio De Rosa, CEO of Socialmatic. ‘It ‘s been a long and difficult negotiation but we were strongly motivated to reach an agreement to create a small revolution in digital photography. ‘This mix of Hardware and Software, together with our brand new photo social network will fill the gap between virtuality and reality.’ The firm says the design of the camera has not yet been finalised, but hopes it will go on sale next year.
27
Honesty pays for homeless man
An internet campaign to reward a homeless man who returned a diamond engagement ring to a woman after it fell into his cup has raised more than £100,000. More than 7,000 people have contributed to the fund to reward Kansas man Billy Ray Harris, with 78 days to go before the 90-day appeal ends. The campaign was set up by the fiance of Sarah Darling, who accidentally dropped her engagement ring into Mr Harris’ cup while giving him spare change. Mr Harris discovered the ring about an hour after Ms Darling gave him the money and, although he says he knew it was incredibly valuable, decided to hold on to it, rather than cash it in. “The ring was so big that I knew if it was real, it was expensive,” Mr Harris told local television station KCTV. Mr Harris, who usually sleeps under a bridge, said a distraught Ms Darling returned to him two days later after failing to find him the previous day. He told a reporter: “She squatted down like you did right there and says ‘Do you remember me?’ And I was like ‘I don’t know, I see a lot of faces’. “She says ‘I might have gave you something very valuable’. I said ‘Was it a ring?’ And she says ‘yeah’. And I said ‘Well I have it’.” Ms Darling’s fiance Bill Krejci was so moved by Mr Harris’ kindness that he set up the GiveForward.com donation page. Mr Harris added: “My grandfather was a reverend. He raised from the time I was six months old and thank the good Lord. It’s a blessing but I do still have some character.”
28
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
Property...
ESTATE AGENTS/INMOBILARIA - MOJACAR
We urgently require properties for sale or rent, Orihuela Costa & surrounding areas for waiting clients Please contact
149,950€ Mojácar Playa A1048
Charming ground floor apartment of 134m2 + garden of 20m2 on a sought after front line complex. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, ample storage, private terraces & garden. Superb community gardens & pool. Offers invited.
www.pricebrown.com Tel: +34 950 478 915 Fax: +34 950 478 963 sales@pricebrown.com
rentals@pricebrown.com
Sitara Properties Tel: 966 723 437 or 636 615 716
Property Sales • Property Management • Long & short term rentals • Insurance
We Urgently Need Quality Properties Both For Sale & Rent
We Have Clients Waiting... 309 Paseo del Mediterraneo, Mojacar Playa (50m from Ferreteria Lopez)
Tel: 950 478 834 info@mojacarhomes.net www.mojacarhomes.net
We are currently looking for large country houses and equestrian properties for sale
Clients waiting to view details of existing equestrian centres...
www.icasaspain.com info@icasaspain.com
We Urgently need realisticly priced properties, sales + rentals for waiting clients
For more information call us on:
950 431 855 / 661 143 871 Visit our website: www.spanishestateagent.com
Find us on Avenida Puente, Albox Caja Granada ↓ Todo Shop
↓
Rambla
PRICE BROWN PARTNERSHIP
Suicide ↑ Junction We are HERE
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 Camposol Business centre sector a, camposol mazarron
www.soltimes.com
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
Sundance Spas
Pool Maintenance S.L. Open: Monday - Thursday 9am - 2.30pm & 4pm - 7pm, friday 9am - 2.30pm & 4pm - 6pm Closed Saturday & Sunday
New Year New Sundance Spas
to our showrooms Come along ecial Offers on Genuine Sundance Spas Lots of Sp Also Good Selection of Second Hand Spas
We Purchase Your Old Spa Cash Paid
Up To 50% Off Selected Spas
Mojacar Showroom, Paseo de Mediterraneo, 171
Tel: 950 472 845
www.sundancespas.com • sundancespas@telefonica.net
29
30
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
showbar & restaurant
The Irish Rover Your No1 Entertainment Venue in Mojacar for All the Family
Forthcoming events......
the Mothers Day Irishat Rover
1 course 8,50€ 2 courses 11€ 3 courses 13€
MAD
MONDAYS Chicken, Chips, Salad & a Bottle of Wine per 2 People
Only
We have a new chef and a new Menu !
SPECIAL
MOTHERING SUNDAY MENU Starters
12€
17th March
Back by Popular Demand
The one and only Morgan also.. Irish Folk Singer Mark Nugent plus.........Tommy McCarthy
Eagles Tribute Friday 12th April
telephone: 950 473 135
Los Mellizos Restaurant
La Alfoquia, Zurgena
mojacar playa between Lua & Moma Beach Open 10am till late 7 days a week
Main Course
Dessert
€12.95 per. person Live Entertainment Every Friday Disco Music from 60’s, 70’s, 80’s & today
Open Mon - Fri 8am - late. Sat & Sun 9am - late
Tlf: 667 919 025
www.soltimes.com
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
go online at www.soltimes.com
31
...FOOD & ENTERTAINING
new food labelling system launched
Pre-packaged foods like ham or cheese need to be eaten within a certain number of days of being opened - even if they are still within the use-by date. It is hoped the smart labels will cut food waste by preventing customers throwing out food they wrongly believe has gone off. A typical Brit throws away around £700 worth of edible food a year, often because they are being over-cautious
Mesón
Irene
MENU DEL DIA open7 days a week 4 Courses with Wine & Coffee
menu del noche
4 Courses with Wine & Coffee Everyday 7pm - 11pm
vegetarian menu available
sunday roast menu del dia
4 courses with bottle of ESTE wine per couple & coffee inc Lunch 1pm - 4pm, Freshly Baked Bread Roast Lamb Shoulder & Pork Knuckle, 12oz Entrecote, 20oz T-Bone, 10oz Pork Tenderloin, Roast Potatoes & Fresh Veg.
Daily roast cooking
children’s menu available
Thurs: Roast Pork Loin Mon: Roast Lamb Shank Tues: Rabbit in garlic & beer Fri: Roast Lamb Shank Sat & Sun: Roast Lamb Shank & Pork Knuckle Wed: Roast Pork Knuckle
every night Pizza & Pasta All your favorite pasta dishes including Ravioli, Lasagne, Macaroni, Carbonara, Tortellini and a wide range of pizzas from Margaritas to a Meat Feast
new smoking conservatory now open
Open Mon - Sat 8am - 24pm,Sun 10am - 17pm Spanish Tel: 950 430 145 English Tel: 647 730 103
www.mesondeirene.com
Poligono Industrial Albox, Near the ITV Garage
Mesón de
Irene
Unmissable offer! 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
Grea s e tF m Ti rie d nds YELLOW Goo
de
Monday-Saturday inclusive. Lunch 1pm - 4pm
changing colour. It can be adjusted by varying the thickness of a special film covering the label so it will turn purple for ‘past best’ at between two and seven days. Insignia Technologies’ chief operating officer Stephen Currie said: ‘It’s all systems go. I think it is fantastic. It is a real, genuine innovation for the food packaging sector. It is something which can help restore shoppers’ confidence.’ The company, based in Newhouse, Lanarkshire, Scotland, received backing from Scottish Enterprise and private investors. It is also working on developing a similar system using stickers which can be applied to items such as fruit, cosmetics or even pharmaceutical drugs. Delicately flavoured goods such as coffee and spices could also benefit, as consumers could use the system to tell if they still taste their best.
STONE BAR
Easter Menu Coming soon Take-away Breakfast Lunches available served 12pm~ 2.30pm
9 ~ 12
2€ or 5€
Parties & Special Events
catered for Ask at bar
Mobile top ups @ bar
Daily Specials
free Wi-Fi
4€
see bar
~ opening hours ~
Mon ~ Sat 9~9ish ~ Sun 12pm~7pm
for bookings call PAUL: 634 332 178 Find us in Piedra Amarilla (Formerly The Grapevine) For more information and phone orders call Paul: 634
332 178
ITV CENTRE
← Albox
Fines →
Yellow Stone 1km Piedra Amarilla →
#
Food packaging could soon feature a label that changes colour to let you know if it has gone off. A British company today launched the smart labels that ‘activate’ when a package is opened and change colour using a traffic light system to indicate whether the contents are still safe to eat.
with open packets in the fridge. Professor Andrew Mills invented the technology for the ‘smart plastic’ when he worked at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow and has spent five years refining the idea. The labels were launched on 28th February by Insignia Technologies, who say they have had interest from retailers and supermarket chains in the UK, France and America. Each one will add around 2p to the cost of a packet of food. Experts are also working on similar systems for fresh fruit and vegetables, food and drink in jars or bottles, and cosmetics such as mascara or contact lens solution. Prof Mills, now a professor in Materials Chemistry at Queen’s University, Belfast, said: ‘It is a huge development for consumers and for the food industry. It has got real potential. ‘We have all gone to the fridge and thought “I can’t remember how long ago I opened that”, and we err on the side of caution and tend to throw it away. ‘This indicator is focused on how long the package has been open. This is vital to prevent good food being thrown away. It would reassure you that it’s only been open for a day, and it is fine to eat. Anything that makes a dent into food waste is a good thing - the levels of food waste are unsustainable. It’s also brilliant for frozen foods that have been defrosted, as then the best before date doesn’t apply. This has the potential to make a very big difference to the way we use packaged goods, whether foods or other materials.’ The labels work with foods that have been packaged in a modified atmosphere using carbon dioxide (CO2). Each features a central disc bordered by three segments - a brown one for ‘just opened’, an orange one for ‘use soon’ and a purple one for ‘past best.’ When the packet is opened, the CO2 released triggers a timer in the label so it begins
32
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
view us online www.soltimes.com
ALBOX
Bar Menu & Snacks Home-made puds
MENU DEL DIA
Burgers, Lasagne, pies, Omelettes, chilli plus
All Day Breakfast from 9am
onl y €
2 Courses
5
served 12 - 3 except Fri & Sun
Includes FREE Tea or Coffee
friday & SATURDAY Fridays &
Cod ‘n’ ChipS
Beerfrom battered 5.95€ Atlantic Cod, Homemade Chips, Mushy or Garden PeaS SERVED 12-9pm
Saturdays The Restaurant is Open 6pm-9pm MENU FROM 5.95€
Traditional SUNDAY LUNCH
ly Delicious & Home-cooked n o served A Choice of Topside Of Beef & 12.30 - 5pm Yorkshire Pudding; Roast Pork With Crackling And Apple Sauce Tender or Roast Chicken With Stuffing - all served with Locallygrown Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables & a Glass Of House Wine, Tubo of Beer or a Coffee
6.95€ to include a FREE Drink
BREAKFAST
Friday 8th March Activities at
Monday Rock ‘n’ Roll - 7:30pm Tuesday Quirky Quiz - 7:30pm Wednesday Line Dancing 7:30pm Thursday Ceroc Dancing & Fun
from 8pm-12am come and boogie on down to all your dance Plus Social Night 7:30pm favourites ...Art Classes (held most days)
free admission
all welcome food available from 6pm
...Computer Club ...Keep fit & slimming classes
check the board for times
ALBOX
@
BP Garage
•••
← ARBOLEAS BAZA → Av•••AL . L BO ep an X → to jacksalbox@gmail.com
OPEN 9AM-LATE MON-SAT 10-6 SUN
950 120 718 / 610 641 567
protein or soya protein, it is made from highly processed types of soya flour, called ‘isolate’ or ‘concentrate’. The use of these soya ingredients isn’t restricted to meat lookalikes. Even if you aren’t a meat avoider, you are almost certainly eating soya in a number of products, from cheese spreads and non-dairy creamer to protein bars and ice cream. The soya bean is cultivated worldwide, with the biggest supplies coming from the U.S. and Brazil. Once the oil has been extracted, the solids that remain are processed to obtain pure protein. Until the Eighties, soya protein was seen merely as a by-product of the soya oil industry, but then U.S. soya companies set about making it more profitable by promoting it as a health food. They claimed eating soya could give you stronger bones, control symptoms of the menopause (hot flushes and night sweats) and make you less likely to develop breast, colon and prostate
Traditional Takeaway Fish & Chips Opening Hours
SUNDAY SERVED 10AM-12PM Steve King
The horsemeat scandal has dented our appetite for processed meat products. For those who already felt squeamish about eating meat, these unsavoury revelations have been the last straw. This is great news for sales of vegetarian foods in general and imitation meat products in particular. You can buy a wide range of meat ‘replacements’; from ‘pepperoni’, ‘lamb-style roast’ and ‘meat-free turkey’ to ‘fish-style steaks’, ‘duck’ pate and veggie ‘mince’. Last week, Asda boss Andy Clarke said more shoppers are buying vegetarian meals in the wake of the horsemeat scandal. And health food chain Holland & Barrett reported earlier this month that sales of its veggie burgers were up by 17 per cent, while vegetarian ‘beef roast’ had lifted by 50 per cent. The main ingredient in mock meat products is a modern type of soya, first manufactured for food use in 1959. Labelled as vegetable protein, textured vegetable
Mon:12:30-3pm, Tues-Fri 12.30-3.30pm & 5-9pm Sat: 12.30-3.30pm & Closed Evening Opposite Iceland Car Park,Vera
Starters, Puddings - 2€ each
the fabulous
is soya a safer choice?
Tel: 667 333 361 www.thechippyvera.com Eat in or No more sitting in your cars to eat... Take-Away The Chippy now has tables & Chairs
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 MON-SAT 9:30-6PM & SUN 9:30-1:30PM Your local dedicated Off Licence
Valley W ines
We Stock Beer, Port, We stock an extensive range of Sherry, A Minimum leading brands. If you can’t of 50 Red Wines, see your favourites then tell us White Wine & Rose and we will order it for you! Brand-name Spirits & Liqueurs Open Mon-Fri 10-6:30pm & Sat 9:30-6pm Closed Sundays Find us just along from Sophias Arboleas (same building) - go inside entrance to appartments, we are in the left-hand corner
Tel: 662 153 834
cancer. Soya was marketed as a wonder food, the Orient’s remedy for the West’s health problems. However, the health virtues attributed to soya were soon challenged by researchers. And the jury remains ‘out’ on the long-term health impact of eating soya. Soya beans contain naturally occurring toxins. These include phytic acid, which reduces our ability to absorb essential minerals, such as iron and zinc, and might therefore cause mineral deficiencies, and trypsin inhibitors, which impair the body’s capacity to digest protein. These toxins are also found in other foods, such as chickpeas and wheat, but at lower levels. Processing soya is designed to substantially reduce or remove these toxins, but traces may remain. Soya also contains isoflavones - potent plant compounds that mimic the female hormone, oestrogen. In 2011, the European Food Safety Authority’s scientific panel dismissed claims made by the soya industry that isoflavones helped hair growth, eased menopause symptoms, supported heart health and protected cells against oxidative damage. It concluded a cause-andeffect relationship between consumption of soya products and health benefits ‘had not been established’. The industrial nature of soya protein manufacture also raises concerns. While some soya foods, such as tofu, miso, soya milk and yoghurt, are lightly processed, pure soya proteins - the sort you might find in a veggie sausage or vegan cheese are commonly extracted by washing soya flour in acid in aluminium tanks. This raises the possibility that aluminium, which is bad for the brain and nervous system, can leach into the product. Soya is one of the eight most common food allergens, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A further issue with many soya products is not the soya itself, but what is added to it. As soya protein is pale, odourless and almost tastefree, many manufacturers rely on sweeteners, artificial flavourings, salt and colourings to make their products more appealing. Read the full report at www.dailymail.co.uk
www.soltimes.com
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
...FOOD & ENTERTAINING
email your favourite recipes to editor@soltimes.com
tER r a st
Baked goat cheese marinara
INGREDIENTS Salt & Pepper 1/4lb Green Beans 14 fresh asparagus, ends snapped off 2tbsp olive oil 1 spring onion, trimmed and slices 3 cloves garlic, finely grated 1 piece (1”) ginger root, grated 3 slender carrots cut in thin 2” matchsticks 1 small fennel bulb, white part thinly sliced ¼ lb sugar snap peas 1 cup green peas 1 small courgette, cut into matchsticks 1 tbsp brown sugar ¼ cup water 2 tbsp chopped parsley 1 tbsp chopped basil
METHOD Set your grill to high. Brush each side of the bread slices with olive oil and place on a baking sheet. Toast each side until golden brown.
INGREDIENTS SERVES 4 2/3 cup tomato pasta sauce (e.g. Ragu) 4oz goat cheese 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped 10 – 12 slices French bread 1 tbsp olive oil
METHOD In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the green beans for 2 minutes. Drain and rinse them with cold water. Cut the asparagus stalks into 1-inch pieces; reserve the tips. In a large frying pan over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Cook the onion for 1 minute. Add the garlic and ginger and cook 1 minute more. Add the carrots, fennel, and asparagus stalks. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes. Add the sugar snaps, peas, courgette, asparagus tips, sugar, water, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer for 9 minutes. Remove from the heat. Sprinkle with parsley and basil. Add more salt and pepper, if you like.
spring vegetable main stew
Pour tomato sauce in the bottom of a baking dish. Slice the goat cheese in half and place in the centre of the tomato sauce. Bake under the grill for 4 – 6 minutes or until the goat cheese is soft and slightly golden. Sprinkle the mixture with fresh basil before serving.
INGREDIENTS - SERVES 4 250g plain (all-purpose) flour 2 tsp baking powder 25g (4 1/2 oz) unsalted butter, softened 4 ripe bananas, mashed 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1 tsp vanilla extract 250g sugar 175g good-quality chocolate chips
METHOD
t r e dess
banana bread
33
Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F). In a large bowl sift the baking powder and flour. Using another bowl, Mix together the butter, sugar, banana, eggs, vanilla extract and choccy chips in. Add to the dry ingredients and stir well but be careful that you don’t over mix. Pour the bread batter into a nonstick 19 x 11 cm loaf tin and bake in the oven for around 1 hr 15 mins. Leave the bread to cool in the tin for around 5 mins. Then leave on a wire rack to cool further.
to don’t forget send your favourite recipes to: editor@ soltimes.com & we’ll print them HERE!
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
24 Located farthest back (8) 26 A unit of planes (8) 28 Deserving (6) 30 Hawaiian island (4) 31 An abrasive board (5) 32 Otherwise (4)
Down 2 Gradually strengthen physique (5) 3 Part of parachute - risk to organs (5) 4 Fire Sid up with girl (7) 5 Love church, and taking in one nymph (7) 6 Herb players, perhaps (7)
Very Hard!
SUDOKU PUZZLE CRYPTIC crossword
CROSSWORD
SOLUTIONS 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.
Down 1 Wealthy (4) 2 Walking stealthily (8) 3 Astounded (6) 4 The mouth of a river (7) 5 Scribe (archaic) (8) 6 An Australian stork (6)
7 Employ (4) 14 Our planet (5) 16 Rubber wheels (5) 18 One who compels (8) 20 Remembrances (8) 21 Silk-screened or litho’d, for example (7) 23 7th planet (6) 25 Forever (6) 27 Wharf (4) 29 Outer membranous covering (4)
7 Most unctuous military forces enter into smut - not posh! (9) 8 One who endures the French animal in rising source (9) 14 Serving to bring to mind England 5-0 Cuba at International - a famous day (9) 15 That which ensnares Brown in green mess left inside (9) 18 Freedom left head of Iraq - Bush starting (with England) to try again (7) 19 Animal, some Australian ones, and almost a flying one (7) 20 “Former mollusc going without”, I cry out (7) 23 Fixed without maiden over (5) 24 Sea feature of river in fuel (5)
HARD SUDOKU
STANDARD CROSSWORD
Across 8 Tab (4) 9 Melodies (5) 10 Eager (4) 11 A brightly printed fabric (6) 12 Uses (8) 13 Something that causes you to remember (8) 15 Has faith in someone (6) 17 Sedated (7) 19 Earthquakes (7) 22 Dross or rubbish (archaic) (6)
CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
coffee break
Across 1 Ridiculous bus crashes in a road (6) 5 Contrary to Pope is change (8) 9 One who can sell alcohol to parasitic insects seen elsewhere (8) 10 Headless hunted animal eats everyone - it’s true! (6) 11 Sum it up after I make loan extra (10) 12 Might include redhead girl (4) 13 Dead end in day of French return (8) 16 Girl is reportedly an online animal doctor? (6) 17 Foreign Office returning 13 of an unborn baby (6) 19 Goes back in green, terse part (2-6) 21 Sea pipe? (4) 22 Be concise - I adapted field of knowledge (10) 25 Tear up without a fiftyfifty return for a supporter (6) 26 This way and that, creature surrounds new similar creature (almost) (2,3,3) 27 Grass - teaberry, perhaps (8) 28 Not that clever - returns daughter to empty leisure centre (6)
STANDARD SUDOKU
34
www.soltimes.com
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
Dogs raise the alarm following attack
35
Cucador
VidaRestaurant&Venue
tapas 1€
Mother’s day Sunday 10th March Bookings now being taken
a gift to all the mum’s on the day
in the bar
ST. PATRICK’S night
saturday 16th march
When an 81 year old widow was allegedly attacked in her home, her only hope of survival was her four-legged companions. Following the alleged break-in, Mrs Terri Mills was left fatally injured, with her personal belongings stolen, unconscious and pinned to the floor underneath a television set. Her two loving companions Chico and Kathy, knowing that she was in danger, raised the alarm by making as much noise as they could, thereby causing the neighbours to come and investigate. The neighbours contacted emergency services and tried to help Mrs Mills but the dogs would not leave her side until the ambulance arrived. Mrs Mills was taken to Huercal Overa hospital, where she sadly died two days later. Obviously, this crime is still under investigation by the police in Albox. These two faithful dogs are now in the care of The Dog House Foundation. They are lost and confused without their owner, missing the one to one attention that she provided. Kathy is approx 18 years old and medium sized and Chico is about 6 and small. They mix well with other dogs and enjoy nothing more than to play in a garden. They are both affectionate and love a cuddle and petting. They require little maintenance - just a lot of love from a forever friend who can provide the love and attention that they tried so desperately to show their previous owner and the only reward for their bravery in this terrible situation was being brought to the Centre. If you can help these loving animals and provide a forever home for them, please contact The Dog House Foundation by email at thedoghse@hotmail.com, or by telephone on 626766073
ST. PATRICK’S THEMED
MUSICAL QUIZ
PERFORMED BY J&J MUSIC & 3 course irish-themed dinner
All Selections 1€ Each
Tuesday Bar
Specials 6 - 9pm Chicken Curry & Long Grain Rice
5€
or Cod, Chips ‘n’ Peas
Finish the evening with a large helping of J & J Music’s rock & roll
call for menu & to book
Thursday night special Enjoy Wonderful Views delicious homemade from our pies , Homemade Chips & Peas Restaurant Candelit wed - sat evenings Opens 6:30 - 9:30pm Includes complimentary filtered water, bread & alioli & filtered water
fridays
Beer-battered cod,
homemade chips & peas
Starters Ask for today’s choice of Starters, €2.50 each Mains
served 12.30pm - 9pm from
5.95€
Intoxicated Pork €7.45: Succulent loin of pork slow-cooked in garlic & red wine Creamy Chicken €7.45: Tender chicken breast coated in fresh breadcrumbs, pan-fried & served in a creamy mushroom sauce Cajun Salmon €7.95: Poached salmon with a delicious cajun crust served on a bed of spinach
in the Bar
THE ABOVE MAINS ARE SERVED WITH A CHOICE OF POTATOES & SEASONAL VEGETABLES
Gammon & Pineapple or Egg €7.95: Juicy gammon steak served with a choice of pineapple or fried egg, hand-cut chips, peas & salad Atlantic Cod ‘n’ Chips €7.95: Beer-battered medium Atlantic cod served with hand-cut chips & peas Mixed Grill €14.95: 4oz Steak, chicken fillet, pork sausage, onions, mushrooms, fried egg with grilled tomato, hand-cut chips & garden peas Surf & Turf €12.95: 4oz Entrecote steak & deep fried Scampi, served with salad garnish, grilled tomato, hand cut chips & garden peas Juicy Sirloin Steaks 16oz €18.95 ~ 12oz €15.95 ~ 8oz €12.95 Cooked to your liking, with a Peppercorn or Roquefort sauce on the side with onion rings, grilled tomato, handcut chips & garden peas Slow-Roast Shoulder of Lamb for 2 people to share €24.95 Served with roasted vegetables & potatoes (Must be pre-ordered 24hrs in advance)
booking advisable
traditional
sunday lunch
12.30PM - 5PM a to include e in w f o glass or tubo
Sides: Ask your waitress for our choice of side dishes, 1.50 each Scrumptious Homemade Puddings Ask your waitress for the specials of the day, all €2.50 Cheese & Biscuits Selection A selection of Cheeses served with biscuits & homemade chutney €3.50
Bar Los Mellizos, La Alfoquia, Zurgena FREE
Open Every Day 12pm - Late
Tel: 950 634 562 lavidacucador@gmail.com
Arboleas
Mojacar
E15
booking advisable
We are here
Albox
Zurgena La Alfoquia
fISH OF THE DAY OPTION
1km
La Vida
Cucador Junc 547 Huercal Overa
book the Venue
For your Private Parties, Weddings and Birthdays etc.
36
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
editor@soltimes.com
AN OPEN POOL COMPETITION
IS BEING HELD ON THURSDAY 28TH MARCH 2013, 7.00PM FOR REGISTRATION,7.30PM DRAW TAKES PLACE AND PLAY COMMENCES! CASH PRIZES FOR WINNER AND RUNNER-UP. 3€ ENTRY FEE, WITH 1€ GOING TO THE POPPY APPEAL. See you on the night! VENUE: THE LODGE, CALLE AMERICO VESPUCIO, ROQUETAS DE MAR. FURTHER DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM BARRY ON 605 313 590.THIS IS A FUND RAISER FOR THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION POPPY APPEAL 2013.
Cabo del Gato
The Cabo de Gata covers 61km and is protected by Unesco as a Biosphere Reserve, due to its high ecological value. There are many hiking trails, as well as several villages of interest around the coastline. There are also many beaches with cliffs, capes, and volcanic hills as a backdrop. Wildlife in the Park include eagles, pink flamingo, wall lizards, grass snakes, to name a few. There are many beaches in the Park. Most are situated at the east and south end, and although popular during the summer, the Cabo de Gata beaches are have a rural feel to them, and do not get full to the brim with holiday makers.
A NEW TEAM AT LA BODEGUINA!
Alan and Kyle at La Bodeguina have agreed to support this year’s Royal British Legion ‘POPPY APPEAL’ and have just received their 2013 all-year-round box from Barry Thomas, the poppy appeal organiser for the Roquetas De Mar branch of the Royal British Legion. They moved to Roquetas in March 2012 and decided to settle in the area and, in January 2013, they reopened La Bodeguina as a new business venture. Alan hails from London and Kyle from Blackburn, a keen Rovers fan! Why not sample the delicious tapas on La Bodeguina’s sunny terrace, which are prepared by Ashley, the new chef, who joined the team in January 2013. They do an excellent breakfast from 11am till 1pm. You can also enjoy their fine wines and beers in the sunshine. So, call in at La Bodeguina, C/Sierra Nevada in the Urbanisation of Roquetas De Mar, if you passing that way! Thanks you for your support in raising funds for our ex-service men and women, and good luck in the future! The Royal British Legion RDM branch are always looking for new members, so come and join in the fun at the branch meetings held at ‘The Lodge’, on Calle Americo Vespucio in Roquetas De Mar, the first Tuesday of each month at 3.00pm. Contact the Legion’s Chairman on 950 328 469 for further details.
Notice
The ‘Friday Tapas Group’ meet up at 1pm each week (Friday) and the venues for the next three weeks are as follows: 8th March - Le Panto (behind Mercadona) 15th March - Chaplin’s Bar in the Urb. Anyone is welcome to join in and have a laugh, exchange views and ideas. The more, the merrier! The bar owners enjoy it too!
Burty’s BAR Playa Serena, roquetas de mar
sun - fri from 11am - 6pm Closed saturday
rrace e t y n n u s e g u h ious bar acand and spCome Catch the Winter Sun Tuesday pie night 5.30pm - 8.30pm
Steak & Ale, chicken, Bacon & Mushroom or Mince, Onion & Potato with chips & mushy peas or potatoes & vegetables. Booking essential by 6pm Monday €6.95
Every Thursday
Special Steak Night 5pm – 8.30pm 6oz Sirloin Steak, Real Chips, Fried Onion, Mushrooms & Mixed Salad Only 8.95€ Larger Steaks & Baby Fillet Available with a Supplement. or Chicken Fajita, ½ Roast Duck & plum sauce, Roasted Belly Pork or Oxtail casserole
Booking Essential By 6pm Wednesday
easter sunday 31st march
Table Top Sale Call to book a table
Roast Lamb, Roast Turkey or Roast Beef 2 course special €7.95 3 course special €9.95
every thursday quiz 2.15pm prompt
Tapas
served from 1 pm
tuesday
bingo 2.30pm
anglican church service 3rd thursday of the month 11:30am
next service 21st march
Opposite Playa Luna Hotel between Oasis & New York New York. Tel: 679 156 715
WHY NOT RENEZVOUS AT ‘RENDEZVOUS’
Many thanks go to Colin at ‘Rendezvous Tapas & Bistro’ for his help in raising funds for the Royal British Legion 2013 POPPY APPEAL. Colin has just received his new 2013 Poppy Appeal Box from Barry, the new Poppy Appeal Organiser and, is shown with two of his customer’s last Friday lunchtime. He specialises in delicious tapas, which change daily and, his new small bistro menu is now available on a reservation basis only. So, why not call in and see Colin to book your own private bistro meal? The Roquetas De Mar branch of the Royal British Legion are always looking for new members, so come and join in the fun at the branch meetings held at ‘The Lodge’, on Calle Americo Vespucio in Roquetas De Mar, the first Tuesday of each month at 3.00pm. Contact the Legion’s Chairman on 950 328 469 for further details
www.soltimes.com
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
37
ROQUETAS DE MAR English Speaking Club
The Members are continuing with their support for the Roquetas Red Cross and will be announcing further plans shortly. Easter is fast approaching and with the Fantastic (not to be missed) Parade in Almeria at 10pm on Maundy Thursday; negotiations are in process with Pepe (Pepe Tours) for seats and transport. Details of which we hope to announce in next weeks Sol Times; regarding cost, pick-up points, etc
what’s on
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 - 2:30pm Bingo Tuesday - Pie Night Thursdays - Quiz 2:15pm Thursday - Steak Night Table Top Sale - 31st March, incorporating Almeria Angels Open Day Bar Spinnaker................................... Tuesday - Bingo 3pm Wednesday - Steak 8€, Quiz 9.30pm Friday - Fish and Chips all day 5€ Saturday - Curry Meal with small wine 7.50€ Sunday - Sunday Roast 1pm - 6pm
Happy Birthday Deb Bar Chaplins for 7th March Love from Jon, Jas and all your friends 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
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......................................... SKY SPORTS Monday 8:30pm Bingo royal british legion events.... FUNDRAISING FOR 2013 POPPY APPEAL 21st March – 3.00 pm - Comedy afternoon with Mrs Brown at Bar Chaplins – book with Jon or Deb on 950 335 022 28th March – Open Pool Competition – 7.00 pm registration for 7.30 pm draw – The Lodge – call Barry on 605 313 590 for further details.
YOUR NEWS & YOUR VIEWS... SEND TO EDITOR@SOLTIMES.COM
Happy 60th Birthday Ralf (Chiquimiqui) 7th March
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
La Grappa
Authentic Italian Restaurant
• Pizzas • Fresh Pastas • Fresh Fish • Argentinian BBQ’d Food On The Terrace
BBQ
EVERY DAY
Dental Clinic
Open 12 - 4pm 7 - 12.30am Av. Playa Serena, 37 Roquetas de Mar
950 334 188 609 337 316
to reserve your table
On-site Dental Laboratory Dr med. dent Hubert Hillenbrand 20 years experience
950 32 64 52
Edificio Porto Mar Avda Mariano Hemandes 48 Roquetas de Mar, German & English Spoken
www.almeria-dentista-zahnarzt.com
near Hotel Zoraida Garden
estampa Tapas
Ta
Bar
nny outdoor u s s u io c a p S ating 24 e s e c a r r e t 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
38
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
SOL CLASSIFIEDS SOLTIMES Air-con
www.soltimes.com see us online everyday
BY TELEPHONE
Between 10am & 5pm
Monday to Friday
950 121 936 or 902 121 936 BY E-MAIL Send your advert or Classified lineage to
sales@soltimes.com IN PERSON
los carasoles, 27 Zurgena, 04650, Almeria
Mon to Fri 10am - 5pm above New Horizon Villas
PAYMENT VISA ,Paypal, bank transfer & Cheques made payable to MATHEWS mEDIA s.l
DEADLINES
All adverts Friday at 5pm prior to publication
for sale in this section
any single item up to 300€ free of charge
email: sales@soltimes.com
Airport services
www.AAparking.es Tel: 639 081 067
Cheap
Airport Parking Alicante • Almeria • Murcia New
Servicing / Repairs
bouncy castle 110€, Fridge freezer nearly new 100€, Dishwasher 60€, Bundle of gardening tools, fork, rake, hoe etc 20€, Vera Playa area Tel: 617166270 or 950 390964 or 659089658 Wicker small child’s/doll’s settee, curved back L 78 cm x D 44 cm x H 48 Roquetas de Mar. 5€ Tel: 619 253 983 2 small wicker/ cane round back chairs D 45 x L 48 x H 74 Roquetas de Mar 5€ the two. Tel: 619 253 983 7 Piece Patio Set, 4 Folding Chairs, Parasol and Base Square Glass Table 110€ ono. Tel: 950 473 268
A i rport tr a n s f er s pick up all areas, competitive rates. For a quote please visit www. spanish estateagent.c om or call 661 143 871
electrical cont...
construction
ELECTRICIAN Full City & Guilds
not a jack of all trades
Fully
insured & legal
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
Mat Murray 647 841 750 matmurrayes@gmail.com
email: info@md-aircon.com
established in spain for 14 years
alternative energy
Constructions
607 364 917 or 950 432 110
md_aircon@mobileemail.vodafone.es
Solar Wind Power Solutions. Over 15 years installation experience. established 12 years in Spain. 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 rlo s s a l i e n te 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
business opportunity Ladies or gents Do you have what it takes to become an Independent party organiser To display and sell a wide range of lingerie, dressing up clothes, oils & adult toys? Sell at adult themed parties
--------FULL START UP KIT PLUS HELP TO RUN YOUR OWN BUSINESS.
CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT NOW!!
Tel: 627 851 679
Also call this number for direct sales
carpenter
Bills Carpentry & Shop fitting • Hanging Doors • Flat Pack Furniture • Tiling • Kitchen Fitting
NO JOB TOO SMALL FREE QUOTATIONS tEL: 633 507 165 computers
Steve Hayes Informatica
Pc’s, Laptops, Printers etc. Sales & Repairs on-site callout / tuition. Consumables Albox, Almeria
Tel: 950 120 900
Neil Godwin
25 years experience
25 years sole experience in Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
---------
advertise all your unwanted items
250€, Vera Playa area Tel: 617166270 or 950 390964 or 659089658 Octagonal Bird Cage. 7ft Tall, 5ft Wide, good condition, possible delivery 300€ Tel: 674 515 770 TV cabinet at 35€, 2 stools at 15€ each Tel: 950 396 820 or mob: 646 009 453 Orbegozo Electric Oven. Small & Spacious fits on work surface. New, still under guarantee. Genuine reason for sale. 80€ Tel: 950 478 377 or Mob: 666 755 876 Water tank, 1.2m diameter, 2m long, never used, nearly new, holds approx 3,000 litres. 250€. Tel: 622 600 356. Aluminium long ladders 60€, Kids
MD S.L
City & Guilds Fully Qualified F-Gas Certified
LOOKING TO BOOST YOUR INCOME??
FOR SALE
Wooden Garden Shed. Good Condition. Height 7ft, Length 6ft, Width 5.5ft. Possible Delivery 300€ ovno Tel: 674 515 770 Coffee Table with Chess/Dominos inlaid Board feature on top, with under shelf L 73 cm x W 47cm x H 53cm. Roquetas de Mar 5€ Tel: 619 253 983 Full Sized Table Tennis Table (Blue) Nearly New, hardly Used 100€ Tel: 634 364 759 Trendy chrome tall boy cupboard for bathroom 25€, Kitchen tap & sink 15€, 3 metal arch “formas” for building masonry archways 80€, Bar, trendy white wooden bar with glass top 60€, Wrought iron oblong glass table & exquisite chairs x 4
MD Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration S.L.
construction
fully legal
Martinez moreno cb
Boletins supplied
Tel : 687 245 569 equipment hire
(Rambla de Oria) All types of building work undertaken inc plumbing & electrics
tel: 609 421 734 (Spanish) tel: 696 052 044 (English) drainage
Cleaning of Septic Tanks
BABY HIRE
furniture
Everything for
Linea
• Emptying of Septic Tanks & Cesspits, with high pressure cleaning Only • Small unblockages of 100€ pipes & drainage Pool Cleaning & Water Tanks
seats,high chairs, stair
Contact: 675 838 808
or 666 375 688
Drainage
expectingababy@
Solutions
• Emergency Drain Cleaning • High Pressure Water Jetting • CCTV Surveys • Drainage Repairs • Location of Cesspits • Qualified Engineer • Expert Reports
the visiting baby Car gates, cots etc Tel: 950 436 581
hotmail.co.uk
Nueve sofas kitchens bedroom furniture Arboleas
Tel: 950 120 630
gardening
landscape gardening
• Block work • Balustrades Established 7 years in spain Tel: 616 531 283 or 670 088 966 • Paving Driveways & Paths LICENSED POZO/CESSPIT EMPTYING • Installation of fibreglass
septic tanks
• Blocked Toilets, Sinks, Baths & Drains • CCTV Surveys • Drain Tracing • Turbine Root Cutting • All types of domestic plumbing carried out
950 091 109 or 648 768 587 electrical Knowles & Abbott no.1 for electrics and plumbing. Re-wires, free to air UK satellite systems 950 137 208 or 638 010 691
Call Graham & Barry now for free estimate 620 112 193 or 667 853 062 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
www.soltimes.com
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
39
www.soltimes.com 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
health & beauty
avon cosmetics
claire Tel: 691 987 454 avonfromclaire@yahoo.es Do you have a health or beauty business or service you want to advertise Call Paulette on 950 121 936 or 902 750 190 ext 332 house clearance
THE HOUSE CLEARING SPECIALIST
Immediate Cash. Quick decision. * We cover all areas * We turn up, give cash & carry * We buy almost anything – The Highest Cash Prices Paid **ONLY serious & immediate sellers should call please**
Tel: 679 207 545 or 636 411 540
legal
PAINTER / DECORATOR CONT...
Safe painter & decorator Gas Registered
If you wish us to print an article about a particular topic in our regular space on pg 21, please email info@daviessolicitors.com locksmith
logs
Phil the Pick Locksmith 24 hours. Locked Out? Locks fitted/ upgraded house safes. Arboleas & surrounding area. Special weekend rates.
load of small or big
Tel: 697 243 181
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
NUMBER PLATES
“RE-PLATE” MATE GB
hobby/craft Elaine’s Wools quality UK wool & accessories. Come & view my display Also available at Camposol, Mazarron Call 667 273 889 elaines wools@gmail. com
insurance
“we have grea offers on lifet insurance”
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
The Metal works
plumbing CONT...
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
over 25 years experience
give your property or business a fresh look this NEW YEAR
Tel: 649 186 107 or
email thunderpaul2003@hotmail.com PETS SECTION
TRAVELLING IN AIR CONDITIONED VEHICLE DELIVERED TO DOOR PETS STAY IN PET FRIENDLY HOTELS. ACCOMPANIED TRAVEL AVAILABLE
(0034) 667 235 205 (sp) (0044) 7850 575862
friendly mare 9 years old 14.3hh 1.50m 500€ telephone 678 838 547
American Staff Puppies for sale. 8 weeks old, 150€ ono for more information. Call James: 651 325 677
www.replatematecostablanca.com
OPTICIANS
PLASTERER
full service contact:
Alan 662 249 159
Optica Albox All your optical needs, British plasterer All work guaranteed eye tests, hearing tests, contact lenses Tel Paul 634 327 201 Tel: 950 121 991
PAINTER / DECORATOR
Grills, railings, gates of all types, security/ sliding/roller, rejas, concertina doors etc.
For all your painting needs inside & out contact Graham on 620 112 193
638 900 949
commercial & major retail painter’s
Tel: Keith Wood on
now covering mainland spain
T & T Metals For all quality metal works, including gates, railings, rejas, staircases, gazebos & chain-link fencing - Tel: 950 431 738
expert quality workmanship visit our website for more info tntpainters@live.co.uk www.tntpaintersltd.co.uk
contact barry 667 853 062 or graham 620 112 193
plumbing
Plumber
KNOWLES AND ABBOTT No 1 for Plumbing & Electrics All types of Plumbing
Central heating gas/oil Solar hot water Boiler servicing, repairs & replacements Water leaks Sewage blockages Water deposit tanks 500-8000L Pool pumps Septic tanks Osmosis systems
TEL. 950137197 / 606807797
gas fast Gas boiler & plumbing repairs. Tel: 618 062 080 or 637 829 787
PROPERTY FOR SALE/rent
pet taxi SOLTIMES
woodhouse No need for kennels boarding kennels or cattery, & cattery Pet sitting in your own arboleas home, Arboleas & Small friendly kennels, surrounding areas. 24hr vets service, pet transporting arranged, Call Vanessa on welcome to view 637 061 482 ministry approved Not just cats & dogs, Tracy Mobile All other types of pets 650 211 952 considered
WE PROMISE TO BEAT ANY GENUINE QUOTATION For a
For all your plumbing needs Fully Qualified heating engineer
C A R L O S SA L I E N T E Plumbing and Heating offer machined boiler decals for gas water heaters for just €65 – aguafuerte is not the answer! Call 950 930 900 or 968 969 962, email carlos. saliente@gmail.com
Now offer our Classified advertisers 5 LOCAL EDITIONS
online at
Advertise in this space for just 10€ per week!
www.soltimes.com for more information Telephone 950 121 936 902 121 936 EXT 332
for SALE detatched cortijo
20mins from mojacar This is a unique spanish cortijo with 4 beds, 2 baths, Open plan living areas, kitchen & dining room as well as a workshop, courtyard front & back & room for a pool. Mountain views.
reduced €150,000 0no
649 186 107
email for more info at thunderpaul2003@hotmail.com
Reduced €39,950
Apartment For Sale
cortij0 grande golf course
1 bed, 1 bath apartment fully fitted kitchen, white goods, parking, lovely views. Ideal golfing holiday apartment. Close to Mojacar / Turre.
T: 664 291 793
jescott29@hotmail.co.uk
3 bed villa for sale phone now for details
VERA APARTMENT FOR RENT SHORT-TERM/HOLIDAY RENTAL
2 BEDROOM, 2 BATHROOM, pENTHOUSE APARTMENT IN VERA PLAYA ALL MOD CONS, BALCONY & ROOF TERRACE OFFERING FANTASTIC VIEWS cALL 663 977 230 EMAIL: gedfab@yahoo.com Vera Playa Apartment
ARBOLEAS
self contained 1 bedroom apartment with B & B facilities offered starting from 25€ per night, walking distance of Arboleas & Zurgena
Tel: 950 449 074 or 634 368 071
Long term rentals also considered 175€ + bills chalmersj8@hotmail.co.uk
recruitment I am looking for a person to join my team in the Albox area. (Possibilities for further afield.) Interested in becoming a Cambridge 800 Consultant? Do you have the ability to motivate others to lose weight? Full training given, good earning potential If you think you have what it takes please speak to Ann on 660 681 166 E:mail ann.cambridge800@hotmail.com
experienced
cook
wanted
please call
678 989 979
40
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
are you a trade Business? advertise in the classified section & reach over 30,000 potential customers 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 REMOVALS
recruitment cont...
SOLTIMES
are looking for A
satellite/television
translation
Sky Digibox
Translation
60€
can deliver.Tel: 667 235 205 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 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
Large Van Removals / Deliveries Spain - UK Full or Half Loads Collections e.g from IKEA Tel Mick: 950 122 447 Mob: 620 475 218
Call now 0034 620 049 524 (Es) 00 44 794 3135 214 (UK) woodnco@hotmail.com
Send your CV to cmm@soltimes.com or telephone Chrissie on 647 379 878
BBC 1, 2, 3, 4 ITV1, 2, 3, ch4 & 5
7.5 Ton, Lorry Part loads, Self load/Unload Minimal rates, Owner Driver Spain/uk/Local Storage available, based “Los Gallardos” &”hertfordshire”
Bright, enthusiastic person with an outgoing personality to join our sales team and leap into spring with us... Office & Field Positions Available. Experience not essential as full training will be given - as long as you’re organised and can work to deadlines!
Pace with sky card
M&D transport
DAVE’S TRANSPORT
Services in Huercal Overa Tel: 677 102 006 tuition
LEARN SPANISH… …in a fun and enjoyable enviroment with Paco in his new classroom at Camping Los Gallardos,
SPAIN UK SPAIN Removals
UK - SPAIN - UK From a parcel to a small house move
Professional,Friendly & Caring Fully insured, scheduled monthly door to door service
Friendly Reliable Service Fully Legal Special deals from UK - Spain Office: 968 564 298 Mobile: 696 621 884 marmenorremovals@hotmail.com
uk@fmtransport.co.uk www.fmtransport.co.uk +44 (0) 1582 499 836 +44 (0) 7977 754 389
Now offer our Classified advertisers 4 LOCAL EDITIONS
...Let the Soltimes team help your business grow...
costa Almeria costa blanca costa calida Roquetas De mar
online at
www.soltimes.com for more information Telephone 950 121 936 902 121 936 EXT 332
motoring section car parts
car & van hire
Car parts
Van, car & driver
for sensible prices on all parts
house & garden clearances, collections & deliveries, weekly collections from IKEA,
Need quality new parts for any car
Clutches, Brakes, alternators, service kits Starter Motors, headlights
Free quote go online or phone www.carpartsinspain.com
or telephone 692 930 326 wanted URGENTLY REQUIRED
ENGLISH & SPANISH CARAVANS, CARS, MOTORHOMES & VANS ANY CONDITION WE COLLECT! THROUGHOUT SPAIN
for hire
Airport transfers Almeria 60€ one way, 110€ return Alicante 80€ one way, 150€ return
Tel: 634 345 257
Van hire
ONE WAY
*LOCAL *NATIONAL *EUROPEAN
Private lessons and different levels also available.
* COLLECTION & DELIVERY *STORAGE
TEL: 667 235 205
TEL: 636 411 540 OR 664 619 819
mobile mechanics
Mikes
Mobile Mechanics All types of service, repair & ITV testing Fully qualified & legal with over 35 years experience
Ring Mike or Chris: 628 350 178 or 636 824 974 motorbike mechanic
UK to Spain or Spain to UK
New beginners class starts wednesday 6th march 2013 4.30pm
CALL PACO 661 142 606
SOLTIMES
Pick up/drop off locations Throughout UK, France and Spain
For all your motorbike repairs tel:634 326 905
for sale
T o advertise your vehicle in this section for
only 10€
a week & reach over 32,000 readers contact Paulette on swimming pool safety 950 121 936 or 902 750 190 NEATER HEATER See our main advert ext 332 on the news pages
125cc Lifan Heritage cruiser
FOR SALE : Vauxhall/ Opel Omega FORD TRANSIT 90 T350.
for sale
Registered 2009, immaculate condition. New ITV, Large Topbox &Transfer incl 500€ Albox area.
Tel Shaun on 610324666
UK plates • 2002 • long MOT • Low Mileage Automatic • 2.2 petrol •Air con • CD/Radio Power steering • Electric windows ABS etc GOOD CONDITION - SILVER Tel: 669269491 email:marylewis54@hotmail.com
2004 2.4 Diesel. Taxed & MOT May 2013 FSH. RHD.
2200€ Tel: 689 500 346 / 850 993 007
www.soltimes.com
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
K.F.S Kennedy Financial Services
Hard Times
41
Kennedy Financial Services (KFS) has over 25 years’ experience in the Financial Services Industry and are dedicated to providing professional guidance to all its clients. For too many years now people have neglected their retirement planning, possibly in the main, because we as ex-pats cannot contribute to our retirement plans when we live abroad. Times are changing there are now pension transfers (QROPS) that allow us to contribute to our funds and help to secure a better retirement.
Are your current pension benefits in one of the following areas? • • • •
Frozen benefits in the UK that are under performing? In a QROPS that is not giving you what you wanted? Trapped in New Zealand for many years to come? In a S.I.P.P. (are you aware that if you return to the UK your S.I.P.P. may be liable to a tax charge of up to 55%)?
If your answer is YES to the above it may be possible to transfer your benefits to a new receiving pension scheme and release some tax free cash. This may help your current financial position whilst still securing your retirement income. Did you work in Public Services, NHS, Councils, Armed Forces, MOD, Civil Servants, Teachers, Aviation Authority, Nurses, Police, and Fire Brigade? The pension pots of loyal public servants are shrinking. You should submit your application to transfer your benefits now or you could lose out on thousands. The same applies to personal pensions, SIPPS etc. There is a huge crisis in the UK as far as pensions are concerned. At the start of the Nineties, a £100,000 pension fund would have guaranteed an income of £15,640 a year for life, twenty three years on, a 65-year-old man will secure just £5,140 a year. This is mainly due to poor performance and market conditions over the same period of time. In May 2012 the pension deficit reached an all-time high of £312bn. There were also an estimated 5,418 schemes in deficit, with only 1,014 in surplus. Which side of the fence is your pension sitting? KFS is here to help all expats, regardless of Nationality, through this pension crisis which will affect all those with Pension benefits still in the UK, or possibly those with underperforming QROPS or S.I.P.P’s.
For too many years now people have neglected their retirement planning, possibly in the main, because we as ex-pats cannot contribute to our retirement plans when we live abroad. Times are changing, there are now pension transfers (QROPS) that allow us to contribute to our funds and help to secure a better retirement.
Should you wish to find out how this may affect your benefits please contact at admin@kennedyfinancialservices.com or fill in the assessment form at
www.kennedyfinancialservices.com
42
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
OPEN for business
tel: 950 930 900 968 969 962 Solar Hot Water & Pool Heating Full Heating Installations Water Treatment Systems Water Deposits & Pumps
Solar Oil Gas Solid Fuel pellet
fully legal company with public liability insurance carlos.saliente@gmail.com • www.carlossaliente.com Cortijo Pipa, Avda de Limaria 1, Limaria, arboleas
TNT
Eurozone to mull Cyprus bailout
Eurozone finance ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss how to fund a potential 17bn-euro ($22bn; £15bn) bailout for Cyprus. Germany has pushed for depositors in Cypriot banks to help pay for the rescue, a process known as a “bail-in”. But Cyprus fears a bail-in could spark a withdrawal of funds from the country, making its economic situation worse. Meanwhile, Portugal is also seeking to renegotiate parts of its own bailout at the same meeting. The Eurogroup meeting is expected to assess the rescue of Portugal, with the possibility that the country will be given slightly longer to pay back the loans it has already received. The Republic of Ireland may also be granted similar leniency on its bailout. Cyprus’s newly elected President, Nicos Anastasiades, has promised to secure a financial bailout, saying his top priority is to restore Cyprus’ credibility. As he arrived for the meeting, the head of the Eurogroup, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, said the eurozone hoped to have a deal for Cyprus by the end of the month. “Of course we are very glad that there is a new government in Cyprus that we can work with to find a solution for Cyprus,” he said. “And, as I have said before, we are probably going to reach
POOL SHOP
Mix & Match
an agreement in March, that’s what we are aiming at, and it is going to be an agreement which works on stabilisation, both for Cyprus and for the eurozone as a whole.” EU Commissioner for Economic Affairs Olli Rehn warned over the weekend that Cyprus leaving the eurozone remained a dangerous possibility. “Even if you come from a big EU country, you should be aware that every member of the eurozone is systemically relevant,” Mr Rehn was quoted as saying in Germany’s Der Spiegel. “If Cyprus becomes disorderly insolvent, it is very likely that would lead to it exiting the eurozone.”
Protect your property Heavy duty 110 decbel Alarmed Padlocks
Ideal for doors - garages - sheds pool pump houses - rejas - trailers etc
any 2 Tubs Of either Multi, Shock or Chlorine tablets for just 36€ tighten up on security with an alarmed paddlock at ony 15€
available from
FIND US In Longo’s Courtyard
Shop: 950 104 345 or Maintenance: 637 582 696
pucker plastering & tiling Damproofing and SIKA TANKING Specialist Guaranteed British quality internal plaster finish
covering all aspects of:
Rendering, Plastering, Floor Screeding, Morticem, Partition Walls, Tape & Joint, Dry-Lining, MF Ceilings, Re-Skims, Coving, Cornice & Mouldings 28 years Experience in the trade 9 years in Spain English & Spanish Fluent
697524238
puckerplastering@hotmail.com covering Baza to Mojacar
HIRE A HUSBAND
Professional, reliable, handy man available... ...for all the jobs he doesn’t get round to, including Van Removals, Painting Exterior/Interior, Small Plumbing Jobs, Shelves, Garden Clearance, All Outside Work - Walls, Stone Cladding, Rendering etc... Property Maintenance Good hourly/daily rate - 7 yrs in the area.
Call Jim 677 557 190 Evenings 950 930 596 References available & Pics of work completed
Solar Panels
S
l Supermercado
POOL SHOP
S.M.S. BUILDING MAINTENANCE
New Walls New Roofs Structual Alterations professional bricklayer Building for you Phone Gerard - 626 730
only 15€ each
All Building Work Undertaken
764
Tel: 619 744 516
• New and secondhand solar products bought and sold • Battery Reconditioning and installation service available • Full solar systems available from 350€ Solar • 3000 watt inverter charger 850€ Swimming SOLAR • 230 watt solar panels 230€ Pool POWER • Solar charge controllers from 35€ Pumps • MPPT from 100€ up to 30%more power • Batteries from 60€ inverters from 60€ for 700watt inverter • 2v Traction batteries from 275€ set of 6 � Double insulated 4mm solar cable 1 per mtr • 690watt grid tie system no paperwork needed just plug in a socket and save money easiest system on the market 999€
Garages, Patios, Boundary Walls, Cladding Driveways, Tiling plus more... Painting & Decorating ( from 50€ per room including paint) Also All Exterior Painting and Damp-Proofing GUARANTEED TO BEAT ANY QUOTE For free estimate or advice please call Steve on 950 930 536 or 634 306 690
elite plant hire construction & drainage
• general builders • walls • jcb 3cx hire • paving • patios • extensions • roofing • cladding references available call lee on 636 092 632 eliteplanthire@hotmail.co.uk
www.soltimes.com
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
Latvia applies to enter eurozone
Latvia has formally applied to join the euro in 2014, in a move which could see it become the 18th member of the bloc. According to a report by the BBC, the move had been expected and comes after the small Baltic state met the required financial criteria. Latvia suffered a deep recession in the wake of the financial crisis that saw it receive an international bailout. PM Valdis Dombrovskis imposed big public spending cuts that helped the recovery. Latvia is now one of the fastest-growing economies in the EU. The European Commission and the European Central Bank are likely to decide on the request in June. Latvia says it has met the five requirements needed to gain entry into the eurozone, which relate to levels of debt, deficit, inflation, long-term interest rates and having a stable peg to the euro. Latvia’s currency, the lat, has been pegged to the euro since 2005 and Mr Dombrovskis argues that joining is the next natural step. However, opinion polls in the country suggest that nearly twothirds of the population are against joining the single currency.
43
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
swift transport
MOBILE VEHICLE VALETING PART & FULL VALETS - T CUTS & POLISHING - INTERIORS UPHOLSTERY CLEANING - SOFAS AND RUGS
• Deliveries to / from UK • Monthly runs • Local deliveries also available
Wayne English
spain-uk-spain 07857 484886 Uk +34 618 511 234 Spain
full / part loads uk shopping swift.transport@rocketmail.com
James & Son Removals / Storage
UK, France & Spain personal shopping from the UK (Argos, Screwfix, Wickes etc)
Pet Transportation & Competitive Rates 950 529 731 / 627 968 434
Tel: 950 930 527 & 646 341 575
LOGS FOR SALE City & Guilds & ACS qualifications, CORGI registered with 10 years experience
Chris: 637 82 97 87 / 618 06 20 80 Gas & Oil Fired Central Heating - Gas Appliances Plumbing - Servicing - Repairs - Installations FREE QUOTATIONS & ADVICE
FREE KINDLING WITH EVERY LOAD - Grade a Olive - No Roots - Best Prices Available
Tel: 687 314 775 Same Day Delivery & Stacking Service Available
Clean Team British Plasterer Brighten up your Walls! Domestic & Commercial Cleaning Services Quality Cleaning at an Affordable Price 100% Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed Regular or One-Off Service No Job Too Big or Too Small All Areas Covered
Holiday ers Change Ov m fro
€ 35 .0 0
www.cleanteamspain.com
Tel: 950 930 652 Mob: 634 332 502 E-mail: cleanteam.es@gmail.com
• 8 years in Spain with 25 years experience • Quality work guaranteed • References available
Tel: 634 327 201 / 661 129 028 Email: atpspain@gmail.com www.paulmorrison.es
Stunning Prints & GIANT posters A3 x 9 100’s to choose from or email your own photos...
Tel: 634 388 243
newallprints@hotmail.com
David
665 517 643
Steve
610 905 173 valleyconstruction2008@gmail.com
Fully Legal & Experienced Builders All Building Work Undertaken No Job Too Big or Small!! Phone or email for a no obligation quote
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
44
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
Officials paint the grass greener in China
Potty officials tried to put a spring in the step of locals in southern China - by secretly painting their grass green.
buy your pellet burner now
for 999€ + IVA only while stocks last
(installation not included) pot. eur. 8kw pot. esp. 10kw different colours available
Call in now for a no obligation quote
big offers on all garden furniture financing up to 24 months poligono industrial estate, parcela 78, next to the itv in Albox (almeria)
Tlf: 950 120 077 - 625 435 050 - 615 396 056
Baffled locals thought nature had sprung a surprise on them when lush spring grass sprouted up overnight in Chengdu, Sichuan province. But the bright green lawns were created by Town Hall gardeners in a bid to make residents “more cheerful and productive”. Local He Wan noticed the shady trick when he saw that some of the grass was still in its
carlos.saliente@gmail.com
Basic Pellet Power Wood Boiler Gas Condensing Boiler 24kw 18kw Boiler
sts on your oil or gas Fed up with high fuel co ating system? fired central he h cheaper running costs? Why not convert to a system wit sort your systems ... Call us now Don’t wait for NEXT winter tore for mo details
Warm Wood Wood Burning Burner Central Heating 19kw system 16kw
For more info or free no-obligation quote, call, email or pop in & see us! Open Mon-Fri 10am-3pm. Cortijo Pipa, Avenida de Limaria, 1, Limaria, Arboleas (next to the Welcome Stranger) Zafra Energy & Heating appointed installer of renewable energy systems
www.zafra-energy.com
“Then when I walked on the green grass the paint came off on my trainers. What kind of fool tried to beat nature like this?” he said. Red-faced local officials admit they did paint the lawns, but claim special nutrients in the tint will help the grass grow. “People feel more positive, cheerful and productive when Spring is here and everything is green and new,” explained a spokesman.
Simon Bates puts panda in mood for love
Edinburgh Zoo’s panda Yang Guang is getting in the mood for lover - by listening to former Radio 1 stars Simon Bates and David ‘Kid’ Jensen. Keepers have switched his radio from Classic FM to the sounds of Smooth Radio hoping it will encourage him to mate with Tian Tian. The station has responded by playing a daily love song for Yang Guang, including Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On. Interest is growing around the world as the panda mating season approaches and intimate details of the pair’s warm-up routine have already emerged, including physical exercises, special lighting and extra rations of bamboo.
Tel: 950 930 900 / 968 969 962 w w w. c a r l o s s a l i e n t e . c o m
old, yellowing winter colour.
But it seems that music - as much as bamboo - could be the food of love for Yang Guang. A spokeswoman for Edinburgh Zoo confirmed: “We play easy listening radio to Yang Guang in his off-show area. “He has always been more sensitive than Tian Tian to background noise, so it’s settling and soothing for him to have it playing softly in the background. “You can often see him sit back, relax and eat his bamboo whilst the radio is on.” A spokeswoman at Smooth Radio described the situation as “very amusing”. If Yang Guang and Tian Tian, who are currently on loan from China, mate successfully this year their cubs would be the first born in the UK.
British Family-Run business based just outside the pretty mountain village of partaloa ~ BHS Qualified
New Year Special Monthly Offer
Loan Deals €120 unlimited riding
6 x 1/2 hour lessons for just
50€
• Ride & Lunch to Cerro Gordo’s Bistro 1 Bonita includes: 2 /2 hr Ride & 3 course Lunch 40€pp 1 • /2 hour lesson 12€ • 1 hour treck 20€ • Quad bikes available for hire from 1 hour to a full day • Weekend pony clubs 20€ per child per day or 60€ for the month (pay monthly includes every Saturday in the month & one free Sunday) • (Family discounts offered) • Livery from just 120€ per month
www.rancholuzdelsol.com
Tel: 678 838 547
PAWS A WHILE PET HOTEL
• A home-from-home friendly atmosphere • A full menu to suit all requirements • Pet suites. • 24/7 Veterinary care • Pets play area • Very secure surroundings with ample space & shade • Yours or your pets portrait available
OPEN EVERYDAY: 10am - 12pm & 5pm - 6.30pm
ENGLISH & SPANISH SPEAKING Telephone for prices & details of vaccinations required for stay
DEAN: 696 562 662
Fines, Nr Albox : www.pawsawhilefines.com
www.soltimes.com
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
TEST DRIVE
LANDROVER DISCOVERY Infallibility is a dangerous feeling and often results in disappointment, I am told. Often drivers of 4x4s seem to possess this quality in spades tackling most situations on the road with an unattractive bolshy attitude. When behind the wheel of the hugely capable Land Rover Discovery 4 TDV6 HSE you can see why as the commanding driving position, the superb build quality and the luxurious interior give the driver that king of the road feeling. Clambering onto the leatherclad driver’s seat it is clear that my surroundings are positively luxurious; on a par with the pricier Range Rover (I tested the old model Autobiography last year). A straight grained walnut finish contributes to the elegance of the interior. An array of technology assists:
from the seven inch full colour centre console Touch-screen for controlling key vehicle functions, to front and rear parking aids and phone integration. In Discovery 4 HSE Luxury, every journey is a pleasure. At a quick glance I spy all the off-roading controls I might need, a television and even that much sought after DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) radio. It’s a responsive luxurious brute of a vehicle. During the test it snows heavily, so much so that all major airports cancel flights and it takes all night for some office workers to travel home. On one occasion there is over six inches of snow covering the whole vehicle and so I clear as much of it off as possible and then get driving. However, a quantity falls off the roof on the windscreen wipers, as I
manoeuvre and they handle it as if it were just light rain, brushing it off the screen with ease. It’s minus one degrees and I am cold so it is gratifying to discover the heated steering wheel and heated seats front and rear. Outside the picturesque winter wonderland provides the perfect environment to put the Disco through its paces. For the duration of the test I drive in ice mode. Only the foolhardy would venture off road in these treacherous conditions but this is a test and Land Rover would not look favourably upon me if their vehicle remained on the tarmac. My wife and daughter insisted on accompanying me just in case I got into difficulties. They just don’t trust me or the Disco. Selecting the low switch and remaining in ice mode we drive
Calle Mallorca, San Javier Call us: 968 146 158 or 618 628 511 www.specialistvehicles.com BMW X1, AUTOMATIC, 2.0S DRIVE, DIESEL, 2011, 15,000KMS.….........€26,950 SEAT LEON COPA 1.6TDi, DIESEL, 2011, 61,000KMS.….........................€11,950 TOYOTA AURIS 1.6 WTi, SOL, 2008, 99,000KMS.…..................................€7,950 FORD FOCUS 1.8 TDCi, DIESEL, 2008, 57,000KMS…................................€7,450 SKODA OCTAVIA 1.9TDi, 2006, 64,000KMS.............................................€6,950 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2.0L CRDi, 2003, 123,000KMS....................................€6,950 smart forfour passion, 1.5 petrol, 2005, 32,000kms.......................€6,450 RENAULT SCENIC 1.5 DCi, DIESEL, 2004, 129,000KMS...........................€5,950 SEAT INCA 1.4 PETROL, A/C, 2001, 94,000KMS......................................€2,450
over 40 cars in group stock
www.specialistvehicles.com Tel: 968 146 158 / 618 628 511
Antas
Mon ~ Fri 9am - 7pm Sat 10am - 2pm Workshop: 950 459 209 Sales: 950 459 136 Email: costacoches@mail.com
Sales Vehicles always in Stock Servicing & Repairs all makes & models Parque Ind El Real, Antas 04628 Mazda Bongo 2.5 TD. 1997. All extras. Sleeps 2. Spanish Reg. 8495€
Tel: 950 459 136
Renault Scenic 1.5DCi. 2005. 104000km. AC, EW, CD Player. 5495€
e or phonk our chec ite for webse cars mor
Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi. 2006. 120000km. RCL, Cruise Control. 5995€
www.costacoches.com email: costacoches@mail.com
through a thickly snow covered and hilly woodland and it handles the snow and the ice underneath well, only losing grip a couple of times. It is on exiting that it comes unstuck. I try reversing back the way I came but it doesn’t like this one bit, the wheels spinning as I apply the accelerator as you can see in the video at testdrives.biz. So I drive forward, starting to inwardly panic, not for me but for my wife (who is expecting our second child shortly) and little Harriett, who is happily saying “Oh dear” in the back. As we point north I move forward and then back kicking the accelerator down and thankfully the Land Rover climbs the hill and gets us back on to the road. Think of its weight and the challenging winter conditions and this is impressive. In fact this is the stickiest situation I have been in in a Land Rover. During this period when Britain is covered in snow competent Land Rover owners make themselves available as a sort of fourth emergency service to rescue stranded motorists. The news reports alert me to two accidents along my motorway route so I choose an alternative road deciding to join the motorway at a later junction. But the traffic is still snarled up. Roads are icy and inexperienced motorists are seemingly incompetent. The height of the 255bhp Landy provides an excellent view of the road ahead and when the roads allow, it easily overtakes the most frustrating of dawdlers. Sports mode is a useful addition in these situations. Despite its size it is a joy to drive and easy to manoeuvre. The eight-speed auto box is operated by a simple dial that rises when the engine starts. But
45
motoring
the driver does have to remember to push the dial down slightly in order to engage the desired mode. Also, care must be taken when using sports mode because on re-selecting drive it can slip into neutral if the dial is turned too vigorously. Steering wheel mounted paddle shifts allow it to be driven like a responsive manual thanks to a ‘sequential mode boosting system to increase the air density entering the engine’s cylinders’. This enables a correspondingly greater amount of fuel to be injected for increased power output. The traditional handbrake has been replaced by a simple switch. Now usually I can’t get on with these but it seems easy enough for me to use so no complaints here either. The 45-minute journey threatens to take double that time and so it is a joy to eventually hit the outside lane of the motorway and for a clear path to emerge ahead. Parkers, the car experts, say: “This Land Rover Discovery marks a real step forward. Huge improvements were made to quality and durability and it’s packed with off-road technology designed to make it as good off-road as you’d expect of any Land Rover.
Sophisticated electronics help with hill descent and can you alter the fourwheel drive for different terrains, while air suspension means that the ride height can be raised and lowered at the push of a button. A 2009 facelift brought a new engine in the shape of the twin-turbo 3.0-litre TDV6, as well as softer styling, a vastly improved interior and a larger selection of options, including a nifty camera system that gives a 360 degree view of the car. It remains one of the best 4x4s around.” As Land Rover’s marketing states: “Smart and sophisticated, it’s elegant in the city and capable in the country.” I can vouch for that statement. specification 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6 HSE luxury New price range: £38,825 – over £57,750 Top speed: 112mph 0-60mph: 8.8secs Economy: 35mpg (extra urban) Road tax: £850 Watch the video at: www.testdrives.biz
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
46
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
sport
angling news
with beachcomber john
Boat Fishing. ‘Orca Steve’ went out fishing Monday and caught a few tiddlers but nothing special. ‘Chef Jeremy’ and ‘Blister Steve’ braved the cold wind to go out with Steve for a morning’s fishing. They started late at 10.am to allow the sun to get up and as the forecast showed the best conditions at midday to mid-afternoon it seemed the best option. However, the wind blew a Hooley and although there was only a slight swell it got choppy. They could see the snow topped mountains in the direction of the Los Velez area and this is where the cold NE wind came from. Initially they anchored 200m out from the Garrucha harbour wall and fished in a hole 270feet deep where they caught a few pandoras and a comber and Jeremy hooked an Atlantic mackerel whilst winding up. The wind was too strong for the anchor and they drifted fast dragging the anchor with them. Steve decided to move the boat to shallower water and try and get an anchor hold so they moved to the area opposite the Rio Aguas and settled in 65ft where they caught the usual bait strippers, pickerel, bogues, small pandoras, red snappers and a couple more mackerel. They enjoyed the day but needed thawing out when they got back to port, roll on the spring. I hear ‘Brian Cuba’, has boat engine trouble so hasn’t been out but not heard anything from our other two local
skippers ‘Pugwash Pete’ and ‘Hissing Sid’. Shore Fishing. ‘London Bill’ fished Macenas beach and rocks and landed a 4lb palometon while spinning. He also had striped bream, Atlantic scad and a small stingray while bottom fishing. I’m now told ‘Dizzy John’ and ‘Always Laughing Tony’ caught 34 pickerels from the shore last week, unusual that many coming in so close. I presume they must have been chasing small fry into the shore or themselves being herded there by bigger predators. Another source said he had a 4lb sea bass off Macenas rocks. Another mate was walking his dog midway across the Macenas beach when his dog swam into the water after a thrown stick, quite a few two foot long dark backed silver bellied fish jumped out of the water so I suggest you all get down there spinning for tuna with luck. Coarse Fishing. ‘Puentes Ray’ made another visit to Lake Puentes; water levels are dropping rapidly and must have gone down 3 feet since the floods. Water was calm and it was a beautiful day. While weeding the other day Ray located about 6 earthworms so decided to give them a try. First carp landed after about 20 minutes weighed in at 5lb and a real fighter it was as the
worm was not damaged too much he tried it again only to take a second carp about 2lb 5 minutes later. Tactics was an 11 foot Preston feeder rod with 3/4oz tip, 8lb Tiger Fluorocarbon line to Drennan enclosed swim feeder on a safety rig and size 14 Kamasan animal hook tied to 8lb Drennan double strength mono. Problems with Puentes are lots of snags so Ray nearly always loses 4 or 5 hooks on a visit. Anyway bites continued through the day and he ended up with 12 carp and a small barbel. He’s still loving the place and looking forward to fishing there when it warms up. See photo of Ray and a mirror carp (I’m sure you’ve caught that one before Ray!) Top winning weights in two Murcia matches were 18lbs (Eden Canal) and 37lbs (Nancy’s/Sweet water canal) The Albox fishing club meets every two weeks or so at Bar Wassy. For details of the next meeting tel Sid 634 313 650. Latest license information: There is now a loophole for those wanting coarse fishing licenses for Andalucia who don’t have NIE documents or/and don’t want to do the 24 hour course in Spanish, see me for more details. The only loophole left for fishing the beaches and boats in Andalucia without an NIE document is to make a trip to Murcia. I’m pleased to report the Beachcomber’s three web cams are working again and the other good news is they work on both 32 and 64 bit systems and on any browser so checkout Mojacar’s weather and Mediterranean Sea conditions here. www. beachcombermojacar.com/ beachcomber-webcam/
Cortijo Grande Wednesday 27th February Smith and Alan Woodward. and its still cold with this strong wind making golf a problem . But we keep on coming back for more,when will we learn. Anyway our winner with 40 points Frank McGovern second with 36 Grace Ward and third with another 36 Cathal Higgins . Ball sweep winners John Noel
Badgers Cold and Windy
Wednesday 27th Feb Badgers visited Desert Springs for their weekly competition. With the weather turning very cold and windy, points scoring was going to be hard, with the scores reflecting this. Winner on the day playing his home course was Mark Newhall with 32pts, beating Ken Lee also with 32 pts on count back. Third place going to Phil Fellows with
Badgers.Coach from Badgers at 8.00 am. Partners also welcome on the day to be dropped in Lorca for shopping etc
Saturday 3nd March at Macenas Golf for the Sat roll up was won by Jan Page with 38pts with a great back nine of 26pts Forthcoming fixtures are Wed 6th March Macenas, Sat 9th March Macenas, then an away day trip to Lorca Golf on Thursday 14th March, anybody interested in going on the away day please contact Richard at
up to his full height ( 4´11”) and wearing a smile as big as the moon. Very well done Al, you deserved a good result from your recent consistent play.
It was a bleak, cloudy and quite cold morning with rain threatening when our stalwart members plus one guest from the UK (who thought the conditions positively tropical), heaved off the first tee to start the competition.
At the other end of the spectrum just feel a tad of sympathy for Pete Dow and Dave Denyer. These two guys have got to live with constantly being reminded by their respective “her in doors” of how good/ brilliant their Tee shots were, how accurate their putting was and how well they read the greens and how we guys were just unlucky in missing every putt and tee shot( said with a large smirk on their faces).
For up to date information on any of the above see me at the Beachcomber Bar Restaurant on Mojacar Playa or tel 950 473 099. You can also contact me on Facebook @ ‘John Beachcomber Mojacar’. Tight John.
Clearly, Big Al thoroughly enjoyed this impressive win and
Beachcomber
29pts
21 members of the 19th Hole Golf Society took to the beautiful fairways of Aguilon to play a singles stableford competition.
Big Al (the artist) Alan Greenfield had a great round scoring 35 points playing off 21( now 19 “hee hee hee”) easily taking 1st place from a greatly improving Christine Dow in 2nd place on count back from Alan Chippendale in 3rd and Zeta Denyer in 4th place all on 30 points.
lines,
We shall be going for an away day soon so watch this space for a special event on probably the best golf course in the area
19th Hole Golf Society Cucador On Tuesday 19th of February celebrated by pulling himself
The weather held with very little sign of rain or wind and all returned safely to the 19th hole, in varying states of temper and mood. These ranged from pure elation to deep deep despair.
Dieden .
Sunday 3rd March and the ladies strike again with 40 points from Pam Webster and 37 from Ursula Lade in second and Frans Deden 36 in third. We seem to have a very strong ladies group playing with us now. Our ball sweep winners Pam Webster Bob Winter Frans
Another casualty of the day was Terry Caddick, Terry had one of his poorest rounds to date only scoring 19 points, I think he is pining for his old mate Brian Lowden to return from his golf rest. Geoff Smith beat his regular playing partner , Nigel Greenwood, by a couple of points to maintain the rivalry between the two. Nice to see
Enjoy your golf with the original golf club in Almeria Cortijo Grande Visitors and guests welcome MP
Badgers Golf Society also play every Saturday at Macenas. Guests are welcome to join the society on both Wed and Sat comps and can book in either at Badgers Restaurant on Mojacar Playa or by phone on 950478525
one of our newer members, Mike Donarski, entering into the spirit of the society by going from bunker to bunker to barranco on the short par three 4th hole, well played Mike!!!. Results. 1st Alan Greenfield 35 points (21) 2nd Christine Dow 30points (36) 3rd Alan 30points (14)
Chippendale
Twos Hole No 8. Syd Walker Nearest the Pin. 4th Hole Danson
M a r k
10th Hole Terry Caddick 17th Hole Alan Chippendale 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
www.soltimes.com
SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
URCAL GOLF SOCIETY After a week of uncertain and consisted of a mixture of weather the society was blessed with a day of sun and slight winds for their fun team game played at Macenas golf course on Saturday 2nd March. After the bad weather during the week the course was in reasonably good condition. Turnout from the members was excellent and we were able to field 5 teams to play a team lone ranger format. The teams were selected before
high medium and low handicap players. The scores returned by each team were close with the eventual winners of Steve Fear (team leader) Clive Filkins , Bob Wormsley and Shirley Marriott. Steve Fear also went on to win the longest drive and nearest the pin in 2 with Barry Kilby taking nearest the pin on the 18th Hole. Also played was the first of our society singles match of the
Valle Del Este Golf Society
This Week We Had The New Halligan”S
The Society Was Given A Ping Persimmons
Drive In And In The Spirit Of
3 Wood Painted Green For The
Captain”S
Sean
sport sport shorts
year hotly contested between Keith Thompson and Phil Harris with the outcome of Phil Harris
•L ast night, Manchester United and Real Madrid played the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final. The first game ended 1-1 at the Bernabeu. Ryan Giggs may or may not have made his 1,000th senior career appearance at Old Trafford; if not he’ll make it this coming weekend (we hope).
winning on the 17th by 2 holes. Our next game will be on the 16th March which will be a team game. Anyone interested in joining our friendly society feel free to call Tony Hinds on 647639426 or email torab55@
•T his evening Celtic, 3-0 down, need a miracle against Juventus in the same competition!
yahoo.com 1st Drive, He Didn’t Disapoint Hitting The Centre Of The Fairway. The Captain, Vice Captain Bill Churchill, Handicap Secretary Sue Hull, And Jackie Quigley Went On To Win On The Day With 3 From 4 Scores To Count. Friday And Our Monthly Medal Comp Which Was Won By Sue Hull Nett 77 (Hcp 32) 2nd Paul Jones Nett 78 (Hcp15) 3rd Martin De Bruin Nett 79 (Hcp21). Nearest The Pins Jimmy Ramsay And Fred (Visitor) Well Done To Everyone. Enjoy Your Golf At Valle Del Este.
•T omorrow, three English clubs compete in the last 16 of the Europa League. Newcastle face Anzhi (6pm), Chelsea play Steaua Bucharest (7pm) and Tottenham entertain Inter Milan (9.05pm). •O ver the weekend, the Six Nations rugby tournament continues with England facing Italy, Ireland tackling France and Scotland meeting Wales, all live on BBC.
AGUILON GOLF MEMBERS REPORT Congratulations to Stuart making the winners score very card play off Green who recorded his first ever hole in one, playing in our weekly team competition, Stuart achieved this feat on the par 3 140yards 8th hole using his trusty 7 wood. RESULTS Friday February 22 – Individual Stableford On yet another windy day the players found it difficult to master the playing conditions
creditable on the day 1st Dave Sharp 35pts 2nd Sandra Siggers 33pts 3rd Bill Gibb 30pts Twos: only one Dave Sharp 8th Wednesday February 27 – Individual Stableford More of the same as the wind and showers made it a test of stamina rather than a game of golf and this was reflected in the scoring 1st Glyn Ombler 30pts on a
2nd Derrick Stephenson 30pts 3rd Bob Schofield 29pts on a card play off
Guests and visitors are welcome to join us on a Mon, Wed and Friday For information 634641199
• I talian club Lazio has been fined £120,000 by UEFA and must play their next two European home ties away after continual racist chanting. • \Michael Thompson won the Honda Classic in Florida - his first maiden title.
•T he Don Valley Stadium, where Olympian Jessica Ennis trains, is to be demolished as part of cost-saving measures by the Sheffield City council. It cost £29m to build!
• I n tennis, Novak Djokovic was victorious the recent Dubai Desert Classic while fit-again Rafael Nadal won the Mexican Open.
•T eam GB won eight medals in total at the European indoor Athletics Championships in Sweden, with Holly Bleasdale (pole vault), Perry Shakes-Drayton (400m) and both the men’s and women’s 4x100m quartets, all claiming gold.
TyT
difficult on the road as Molina pick up the pace!
Huercal Overa now have important games over the next few weeks with a home tie against bottom side CD Beniel then a trip to local rivals Pulpi and then back at home against Plus Ultras where a minimum of 7 points is required as Bala Azul who hold the final relegation spot only 4 points behind Huercal Overa.
•G lasgow Rangers will not lose the titles/ trophies they won between 2001 and 2012, but the company that once owned the club, has been fined £250,000 for ‘failing to declare’ payments to the SFA.
•T he first cricket Test between New Zealand and England is taking place in Dunedin.
• I n Spain, Real Madrid defeated Barcelona twice in four days - 3-1 in the Copa Del
contact
Rey semi-final and 2-1 in a La Liga.
•L ionel Messi has now scored 50 goals in a season for the third time in a row and 18 in ‘el clasico’ matches - equalling the tally Alfredo Di Stefano’s tally, set in the 1950/60s.
• I t’s Saracens, Harlequins and Leicester, 1-2-3, at the top of Rugby’s Aviva Premiership.
•L ast weekend, Shinji Kagawa’s hat-trick helped Manchester United beat Norwich 4-0… QPR won the relegation six-pointer at Southampton 2-1… and Spurs edged Arsenal by the same score in the North London derby… while on Monday, it was Aston Villa 0 Manchester City 1
Twos: Derrick Stephenson 4th and Brian Everitt 10th
Compiled by AFM
• I n the round ball game, it’s Everton v. Wigan and Manchester City v. Barnsley (on Saturday) and Manchester United v. Chelsea (ITV1) and Millwall v. Blackburn (on Sunday) in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, while we’ll see two crucial bottom-ofthe-table PL clashes on Saturday - Reading v. Aston Villa and QPR v. Sunderland.
--------------------------------------------------
CD Molina 2 Huercal Overa CF 0 Huercal Overa CF find it With only 9 games to go Huercal Overa CF find themselves 4 points above the relegation zone but with their fate in their own hands after a disappointing result in Molina. The home side were odds on favourite’s by the bookies so the result in the end was not a surprise but the visitors would have liked to have picked a point on the road. Goals in the 80th minute from Francis and the 93rd minute from Jorge Paredes sealed the points for Molina in front of a crowd of 250 at the Estadio Sánchez Cánovas which pushed Molina into 5th in the table 5 points shy of the play offs.
47
Carpenteria Metallica Juan Chacón
Carratera Lorca - Baza, 56 (Albox) Tlf: 950 431 738 Email: carpinteriametalicatyt@hotmail.com
The next game Vs CD Beniel will be at 17:00 on Sunday the 10th of March with doors opening at 16:00. For more
information please contact leerickardgraham@outlook. com or www.huercalovercf. com. Vamos Rojos!
Save Money With...
Under NEW Management
Ink Cartridge Solutions
Refill Your Empty Cartridges. Why Replace When You Can Re-use? Environmentally Friendly & Cost Effective at your side
i n v e n t
Tel: 609 199 394 Open Mon - Fri 10.00pm - 2pm Located within Knight Insurance Office, C/Malaga 6, Albox
• • • • • • • •
Exterior gates & fencing Electronic opening gates Rejas for fire escapes in various designs from 150€ Ornamental metal gazebos next to Bazar Oriental motorised up & over garage doors T&T Fixed or concertina window & door grills Specialists in Stainless Steel Spiral staircases CTRA. Lorca - Baza
SOL TIMES COSTA ALMERIA
SALES HQ: 902 750 190/950 121 936 OPEN: Mon-Thurs 10am-5pm Fri 10am-4pm ALBOX, ARBOLEAS, ALFOQUIA ROQUETAS, ALMERIMAR coastal & mojacar areaS EDITOR: editor@soltimes.com ~ DESIGN:production@soltimes.com
Sol Times Almeria is independent of political parties, private investment and government. Our policy is to provide readers with a news and information service that is fair, accurate and balanced. Sol Times Almeria is an independent publication. Published weekly and produced exclusively in Almeria. Sol Times News Group cannot be held responsible for claims made by advertisers, nor can it be held responsible for errors in advertisements caused by poor quality text, photographs or layout instructions. Furthermore, no responsibility can be accepted for any loss or damage resulting caused by any error, inaccuracy or non-appearance of an advertisement.
Almeria Edition AL-344-2005/Roquetas Edition AL 956-2010
sales@soltimes.com
POSTAL ADDRESS: ROC PUBLISHING S.L. APDO. 242, 04800, ALBOX, ALMERIA
48 SOLTIMES MARCH 2013
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
Restaurant Bar
Warm and Friendly Atmosphere
The original Sunday roast Tapas and still the best roast in town from 3.50€
Homemade yorkies, roast potatoes, fresh vegetables. All meats carved to order.
6
Including ribs & giant prawns (from 12.30pm - 3pm & 7pm - 8.30pm) Our usual a la carte menu also available
“ friday FISH NIGHT ” including salmon, Cod, Bream & market availability
Prices from €4.50 (Bookings Only)
(Still serving our normal fish and chips lunchtime & evening at €3.95)
lady lay welcome sophie to the team C/Sierra Nevada, 23, Roquetas de Mar tel: 950 333 771 or 634 526 508 reservations RecommendeD
recommende d on
trip advisor
Peaceful Surroundings, Good Music Open 12noon till late wed - Mon (closed Tuesday) Avenida Playa Serena 224, 04740 Roquetas de Mar, Almeria 617 051 947
Bar Spinnaker
Property management Sales & Rentals
BEACH-FRONT BAR
Roquetas de Mar, Aguadulce Almerimar, Vicar, La Envia Golf
For all your property needs
Services include Key Holding, Maintenance, Furniture Packs, Cleaning & Laundry, Weekly Apartment & Post-box Checks Golf Discounts and Golf Packages Available
Rental Properties required for long or short lets in Roquetas de Mar Call or e-mail us for further information.
Mobile: (0034) 663 426 921
info@enviapropertyservices.com
welcomed by Bernard & Ralf
www.enviapropertyservices.com
La bodeguina open from 11am Thursday to Tuesday
(closed Wednesday)
Full English Breakfast
served 11am - 1pm €2.95 10 different tapas available every day served from 12noon to 6pm Calle Sierra Nevada, Roquetas De Mar Tel: 633 376 541
Near to Zoraida Garden Hotel 950 325 867
Tubo and Tapa €2 Sunday Lunch Tuesday
Bingo 3pm
www.barspinnaker.co.uk
1pm - 6pm from €4.50
Wednesday Special
Fillet Steak, chips or jacket pot & salad 8€ (with starter or dessert 10€) Quiz 9pm
Friday
Saturday Curry
Fish, chips & peas with bread & butter 5€
Onion Bhajee, Chicken Curry, Naan bread €7.50
Open Monday: 10:30 - 5.00 , Tuesday: 10.30 - Late , Wednesday: 10.30 - Late , Thursday: Closed , Friday: 10.30 - 5.00 , Saturday: 10.30 - Late , Sunday: 10.30 - 7.00
ALL SPORTS AND SOAPS SHOWN
CHAPLINS pub
27 CALLE SIERRA NEVADA, 200M FROM HOTEL PLAYA ZUL ROQUETAS
live football / outside tv / air con / free WI-FI
mini meals 1€
served day and night Friday is chip shop day! plus Fish & chips tapas Friday 9.30ish General Knowledge quiz Guinness & John Smith On Draught Tel: 950 335 022
HOMEMADE FOOD DAILY WEDNESDAY RIBS 5.95€ FRIDAY FISH’N’CHIPS 3.95€ BEST IN TOWN SUNDAY sunday roasts 5.95€ regular, 2.95€ meduim, served 5pm - 8pm Booking Advisable Wed, Fri & sun
Mob: 618 824 368
Open:1pm until close tuesday till sunday “open as advertised”
902 750 190
Sunday roast now served with vegetables lunchtime & early evening menu €3.95
www.soltimes.com
Lady Lay