Roquetas R381

issue 381

ROQUETAS & ALMERIMAR

3-9 APRIL

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Roquetas de Mar’s Roman Market A great success!

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The Faro de Roquetas de Mar held a Roman Market over the Easter period. It was opened by the Alcalde of Roquetas, Eloísa Cabrera, and the Concejala de Cultura, Maria Dolores Ortega, who were accompanied by Ana Paz, Manager of ARCOME, the business supporting the Market.

page 8 & 9

The Market had around 45 stalls, all dressed as if for a Roman environment, with workshops and entertainment for children, jugglers, fire shows, Bouncy Castles and donkey rides, as well as traditional foods from all over Spain, crafts and demonstrations of knot work.

Ana Paz, president of ARCOME, the company that installed the Mercado, said that the Easter holidays gave many residents and visitors the opportunity to visit the Market, enjoy the variety of products on offer, and above all have lots of fun. ‘We hope people will enjoy the shows and the fire juggling, as well as the group of ‘Roman soldiers’ wandered around the market, and staging spectacular fights between them.’

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Semana Santa CELEBRATIONS...

Due to this year’s unpredictable weather many of the Cofradias have invested in a Sistema Antilluvia to offer their priceless images protection from the weather.

It is a major blow to the Hermandades if rain falls during the Easter period of processions.

Many of the sculptures are not only priceless but also very ancient, and to expose them to rain would inevitably lead to their terminal deterioration.

The only alternative has been to forego the procession, and remain within the church.

However, this leaves thousands of worshippers disappointed – many of them will have travelled from other parts of Spain to be in their ‘home’ town for the procession, and with the best intentions hundreds will be left unable to partake of the ceremony within the church by sheer press of numbers.

However, engineers from Jerez de la Frontera have constructed a cover that can be easily and quickly put over the whole Trono, protecting it from rain and wind.

The design, which has been patented, consists of a made to measure aluminium frame which attaches to the pedestal of the Trono, and is covered in a specially designed plastic which has special water shedding properties, ensuring that the raindrops run immediately down the sides and do not create a fogging effect, as would be the case with normal plastic.

It has been designed by a company known as Sispromet 23 SL, weighs 60 kilos, is stable in winds of up to 120 kph.

It is claimed that it can be put over the whole edifice in just 3 minutes, and is completely secure for the lifting and carrying of the Trono, even up or down steps.

ALLERGIES TO BOOM THIS SPRING...

Joaquín Quiralte, Allergist at the Hospital Virgen del Rocío de Sevilla, who is also a Member of the Junta Directiva de Alergosur has revealed that this spring is expected to rate ‘moderate to severe’ for Andalucians who suffer seasonal allergies, ‘mainly to olive pollen and grass.’

Quiralte explained that rainy autumns and winters are usually associated with profuse spring flowering and therefore, with high rates of pollen.

However, he pointed out that the rains of recent weeks are delaying the appearance of the first cases of allergies.

‘In the cases of patients allergic to grasses, the first cases should have already started, as they tend to coincide with the start of Holy Week, but the rain has caused a delay.’

Regarding the time of day with the highest incidence of pollen allergy, in general, the highest concentrations usually occur in the morning due to pollen emission by plants, and at dusk, when the air cools and the pollens tend to fall from high in the atmosphere to ground level.

Therefore sufferers are advised to avoid afternoon walks and to keep windows closed.

Pollen concentrations in large cities are generally lower than in the surrounding rural areas thanks to the ‘barrier effect’ caused by tall buildings, and by the ‘street effect’ produced by heat from the cement and asphalt producing updrafts, thus drawing many pollens up beyond breathable heights.

The main allergens for inland Andalucia are grass and olive, while mites are more present in coastal areas.

Corvera Airport - TIME TO PLAY HARDBALL!

Pedro Alberto Cruz, the Delegado Regional de Murcia has intimated that the Government is prepared to play hardball with Aeromur over the conditions of the contract awarded to them regarding their mandate to operate Corvera Airport.

Cruz hinted that ‘other options’ could be available to ensure that the airport did become operational, and that Aeromur was not the only player.

Aeromur maintains that although the work on the airport was finalised 15 months ago, they have been given no means of repaying their loans until the airport becomes operational.

Another stumbling block is that Aeromur will have to negotiate with AENA and the Spanish Aviation Security Agency (EASA)in order to transfer operations from San Javier Airport, including the reclassification of airspace and flight paths for the approach to Corvera. This is an oversight that was not forseen when the project was commenced in 2007.

It seems highly unlikely that Corvera Airport will open this summer.

BECOMING A SPANISH NATIONAL...

Becoming a Spanish National could possibly be more difficult in the future. According to Europa Press, the Government is considering plans to include the ability to read, write and speak Spanish for those applying for Spanish nationality.

This is at present only a notional idea, originally proposed in mid-2012, at which point the Ministry of Education had not decided what form the tests should take.

However, the Partido Popular is right behind the idea, and has re-ignited the drive for better command of the native language by those who wish to consider themselves Spanish.

If they have their way, and the proposal becomes law, then it could affect up to 100,000 people each year.

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

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Spain To Renegotiate State Deficit Targets With Brussels

Spain’s government is hoping to negotiate a more lenient target for mopping up the State deficit during talks with Brussels in midApril.

According to a report by ThinkSpain, the European Union had ordered the country to reduce its debt to 4.5 per cent of the GNP by the end of 2013, a target which now appears far from feasible – especially as Eurostat ordered Spain to recalculate the figures it had given for 2012.

This led to the 6.7 per cent of the GNP, excluding aid given to the banks, quoted by the Spanish government being increased to 6.98 per cent.

To this end, Spain hopes the European Commission will allow it to aim for a reduction to six per cent of the GNP by the end of 2013 instead of the ambitious 4.5 per cent it was initially instructed to

meet.

This will mean that the three per cent target can be moved to the end of 2015 and the various autonomous regions will not be obliged to present a maximum debt of 0.7 per cent of the GDP by the end of this year – instead, a higher figure will apply.

Spain’s minister for tax, Cristóbal Montoro, is confident the EC will accept the country’s request, given that it said early in March that it was ‘pleased’ with the ‘efforts’ made by Spanish authorities which

had led to a 2.5-per-cent reduction in State deficit in 2012.

The GNP is not expected to go above 0.5 per cent this year and at best, will rise to one per cent in 2014, according to both Brussels and the Bank of Spain.

They also agree that unemployment is likely to rise to 27.1 per cent this year and not fall below 26.8 per cent in 2014, as opposed to initial predictions of 24.3 per cent and 23.3 per cent respectively

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Repossession protesters ‘profoundly undemocratic’, says Rajoy

Spain’s president Mariano Rajoy has described the actions of anti-repossession pressure group PAH as ‘profoundly undemocratic’ after 30 of them stormed the SAREB ‘bad bank’ headquarters and sprayed graffiti everywhere. He has even likened their ‘radical’ protests to ‘acts of terrorism’.

And according to a report by ThinkSpain, he stated ‘at least eight’ ministers have suffered ‘hounding’ by the protesters ‘outside their own homes’, which is ‘not right, fair or democratic in a serious country’.

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los Afectados de la Hipoteca (‘Mortgage Victims’ Association’) is pushing for all home repossessions to be ceased immediately and for those who feel they have reached the end of the road to be able to hand their keys back to the bank in exchange for wiping out their entire mortgage debt.

A two-year moratorium on repossessions as a minimum should be granted to give the owner of the property time to get a job to enable him or her to pay their mortgage and save the roof over their head, the PAH says.

As things stand, once a homeowner is evicted by the lender, they are still liable for the outstanding mortgage that they were unable to pay in the first place. Whilst the property being auctioned off will pay back some of the debt, by the time legal fees and administration costs, together with non-payment penalties have been added, the amount owed is usually the same as if the homeowner was still living in his or her property.

But the government has refused to entertain either solution.

“Democracy is about respecting other people, even if they do things you don’t like,” Rajoy said during a press conference in Paris led by French

president François Hollande.

“We are the first and only government which has taken any decisions concerning mortgages and repossessions in Spain and our goal is to find ways of improving the difficult situation many of our people find themselves in within the framework of rules we all have to abide by and which have allowed many people to have mortgage loans,” Rajoy continued.

He admitted that the ‘good system’ of mortgages Spain has ‘can still be improved’, but that any decisions taken will be ‘balanced’ as the government has to ‘maintain legal security as well as the interests of numerous residents’. But the PAH says it has never been guilty of, or had any intentions of incitement to aggression, but that the Association was ‘unable to sit back and watch’ for as long as the PP government ‘ignored’ them.

“What is really unbelievable is that the government has not already put a stop to all repossessions,” said PAH spokeswoman Ada Colau yesterday.

“They are doing nothing to stop this constant breach of the fundamental human right to a home.

“We have no desire to be

staging protests, organising pressure groups or ‘hounding’ anyone, but what else is the public supposed to do? The current situation is leading to thousands of families suffering devastating effects, traumas which they will take a lifetime to recover from, and this is intolerable,” Colau stated, “The Association will always aim for peaceful protests rather than riots, but when we’ve exhausted all avenues and in over four years the State has failed to respond or listen to the needs of its citizens, continuing to stamp on their basic right to a home and causing endless suffering, how else are we supposed to act?”

Colau believes mortgage lenders are putting pressure on the government to turn a deaf ear to the PAH’s requests for the sake of their own financial interests. She also quashed rumours that the Association benefited from grants of up to 3.7 million euros for their activities.

“We are a non-profit-making organisation and the amount of money we handle is very small indeed. The majority of the funding we get is used for charity and cooperation projects in Latin American countries,” stressed Colau.

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Spain secure crucial World Cup qualifying win over France

Spain secured a vital 1-0 win over France this evening, putting them top of the World Cup qualifying Group I with three games remaining.

After being held to a draw by lowly Finland last week, Spain needed to make sure of a win in Paris tonight to have a chance of auomatic qualification for the final stage of the competition.

Iniesta, Xavi, Benzema and Ribery all missed golden opportunities in the early stages of the game, then tempers rose on the pitch as Spain were denied a clear penalty, when Pedro was caught by Lloris in the French goal after taking the ball around the Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper.

Xabi Alonso was instrumental in bringing

Spain back into the game, orchestrating attack after attack, all of which were thwarted in the first half by an organised French defence.

Pedro finally got his goal early in the second half, after just managing to scrape the ball home from Nacho Monreal’s cross.

The Barcelona forward then had a chance to double Spain’s lead and his own tally from eight yards after substitute Jesus Navas’ pullback, but his shot sailed over the bar.

France pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages, but their task was made all the harder when Pogba was sent off for two dangerous challenges in the space of 60 seconds, and Spain held on for a crucial win.

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Earthquake of 4.1 on the Richter scale sparks fears of new volcanic eruption on El Hierro

Further volcanic eruptions are feared on the island of El Hierro after an earthquake measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale was recorded last Monday.

Although the Official College of Geologists (ICOG) does not believe residents on the island are likely to be in danger, more earth tremors are expected which could be at least as intense, if not more so.

Between last Friday and Monday, a total of 400 earthquakes were recorded on El Hierro, although very few of them were strong enough to be felt.

A fault line below the island has been active since summer 2011, when an underwater volcano off the coast of La Restinga erupted for several weeks and over 8,000 earthquakes – most of which registered less than 3.5 on the Richter scale – were recorded.

But the ICOG says the hypocentres of the quakes are rising, and currently sit at between 13 and 17 kilometres below the surface.

If they get much higher, the risk of volcanic eruption will be greater.

This is not expected to give rise to a

state of emergency since the volcano, which is still emitting gases but is not actively erupting, is between 10 and 13 kilometres away from the coast and the activity a kilometre beneath the surface.

All that is needed at this stage is to ensure the Los Roquillos tunnel is kept under scrutiny due to the risk of rockfalls at the entrance and exit, as well as the cliffs on the north of the island in the area between La Frontera and Sabinosa.

Residents are advised to check their homes for possible structural damage and carry out any necessary repairs to avoid further problems if the quakes continue.

An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale in Lorca (Murcia) on the mainland in May 2011 caused widespread devastation, dozens of injuries and nine deaths, because the hypocentre was just a kilometre below ground, geologists stated at the time.

But those occurring in the Canary Islands are considerably further down.

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Public transport prices rocket by up to 26% in year

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Madrid’s public transport is the most expensive in Spain, reveals a leading consumer organisation.

According to press reports, for a 50-journey ticket on the metro or bus, travellers pay 54.50 euros – compared to around 40 euros in Alicante, Valencia, Málaga, Oviedo, A Coruña, San Sebastián, Vigo and Huesca.

In Burgos, Zamora, Soria, Palencia, Ávila and Salamanca, the same type of ticket costs just 23 euros.

Consumer group OCU says urban transport has rocketed in price way beyond inflation with only 10 cities freezing their prices since 2010.

In most cases, prices have gone up by 8.1 per cent.

In Palma de Mallorca, Burgos, Guadalajara, Ciudad Real, San Sebastián and Castellón, prices have

increased by 26 per cent in the last year – and in Albacete, by 79 per cent in three years.

The OCU found just 14 out of 53 cities which offered discounts to the unemployed and those on a low income – Málaga, Sevilla, Salamanca, Badajoz, Zaragoza, Lleida, Tarragona, Cáceres, Bilbao, Lugo, Pamplona, A Coruña and Vigo.

As for customer satisfaction with urban transport services, the OCU found a direct relation with cost – satisfaction increases as the price of tickets falls.

This report has been sent to 53 city councils calling for them to offer more reasonable transport prices, but the OCU says there are ‘very few’ local authorities who take note of the need for affordable buses and trains.

Bosnia Jails Serb Veselin Vlahovic For War Crimes

A court in BosniaHercegovina has sentenced a former Serb paramilitary commander to 45 years in prison for war crimes during the 1992-95 conflict.

Veselin Vlahovic was found guilty on more than 60 counts, including the murder, rape and torture of Bosnian Muslim and Croat civilians in Sarajevo.

The Montenegrin known as the “Monster of Grbavica”, after a district of the city - had pleaded not guilty. His sentence is the longest handed down so far by the Bosnian war crimes court.

The verdict took around two hours to read because of the large number of crimes involved.

valencian woman murdered by partner

A man from Oliva, Valencia has been arrested on suspicion of murdering his partner, a 33-year-old Spanish woman, while the couple’s eight-year-old son was in the house.

Paramedics, Guardia Civil and Local Police officers rushed to the scene after a member of the woman’s family called 112 at around 02.30hrs this morning (Thursday).

By the time emergency services reached the flat, the victim, identified only by her initials of I.G.R., was already dead.

She is said to have been killed by a blow to the head, although the weapon used has not been revealed and the accused has given several conflicting stories, according to Oliva’s mayor David González (El BLOC).

The woman’s partner, M.G.M., 41, confessed to the crime when the police arrived and was immediately arrested.

No record of any reports to the police for domestic violence between the couple have been found.

This is the third woman in the Comunidad Valenciana to have been killed by her partner so far this year and the 10th in Spain.

A 39-year-old man slit his girlfriend’s throat in the street in Benaguasil (Valencia) in broad daylight on January 3, and the 33-year-old died at the scene.

The same month, 34-year-old Moldavian national Larissa Cataraga was found stabbed to death and wrapped in a rug in her flat in Calpe (Alicante) just days after agreeing to give boyfriend Julián García Ausina, 42, a second chance.

Minutes later, police found the Spanish builder hanged in his brother’s house in the town.

Larissa had worked as a housekeeper for a Spanish family, who described her as a good friend and excellent employee who always called if she was going to be ‘even a minute late’, meaning they became concerned when she did not turn up to work that morning.

Socialist secretary-general Elena Valenciano blames the economic crisis for the increase in domestic violence in Spain.

She says women who cannot find jobs, especially where they have dependent children, are forced to continue living with their abusive partners for financial reasons.

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SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

7

Homeowner whose mortgage is paid up to date to be repossessed by bank A woman who is fully up to date with 3,000-euro debt with the Social Security for

Cyprus will not leave the euro, says president

Cyprus has no intention of the leaving the European single currency, the country’s president says. President Nicos Anastasiades said: “In no way will we experiment with the future of our country.”

He said the financial situation was “contained” following the 10bn euro bailout deal with the EU and IMF. Banks opened last Thursday for the first time in nearly two weeks amid severe new rules imposed as part of the bailout deal. Queues formed of people trying to access their money, but the mood was generally calm. By Friday, banks had returned to their normal working hours and there were no longer reports of big queues.

According to a report by the BBC, Mr Anastasiades said on Friday, “We have averted the risk of bankruptcy; the situation, despite the tragedy of it all, is contained.”

He told a meeting of civil servants: “We have no intention of leaving the euro.” But he accused other members of the eurozone of making “unprecedented

demands that forced Cyprus to become an experiment”.

Cyprus needs to raise 5.8bn euros ($7.4bn; £4.9bn) to qualify for the bailout, and has become the first eurozone member country to bring in capital controls to prevent a torrent of money leaving the island and credit institutions collapsing.

As well as a daily withdrawal limit of 300 euros, Cypriots may not cash cheques and those leaving the country will only be allowed to take 1,000 euros with them. Payments and/or transfers outside Cyprus via debit and or credit cards are allowed up to 5,000 euros per person per month.

Depositors with more than 100,000 euros will see some of their savings exchanged for bank shares.

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said on Thursday that such controls could gradually be lifted over the course of the month. But many economists predict the controls could be in place for much longer.

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the company she used to run.

The PAH has launched a nationwide protest against what they call an ‘abusive’ clause in her loan agreement, given that it should be the Social Security which embargoed the house rather than the bank.

Unless the courts resolve the situation, the apartment will be auctioned on June 13 and the owner and her two children left out on the street.

Members of the PAH say this latest case makes it clear that the government needs to ‘resolve the total defencelessness’ of the ordinary person against banks and loan companies ‘once and for all’ – and not just when homeowners have been unable to pay their mortgage due to not finding a job, but ‘even when they are up to date with their payments’.

Small businesses spell big problems for Italy and Spain

According to a report by Reuters, small companies struggling to repay loans in Italy and Spain signal bigger problems on the horizon for the euro zone after the dust has settled on Cyprus’s last-ditch bailout this week.

Defaults by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), easily the biggest employers in Spain and Italy, are rising at a worrying clip, spelling trouble for the banks and two countries at the heart of Europe’s debt crisis.

“You can be sure that if these companies’ bad debts rise, you’re going to see more bad loans to families, and credit card bills that won’t be paid,” said Javier Santoma, finance professor at Spain’s IESE business school.

The ability of Italy and Spain, which account for 28 percent of the euro zone economy compared with Cyprus’s 0.2 percent, to pull themselves out of crisis and avoid full-blown bailouts depends on the health of their banks; weak banks conserve capital rather than lend to get the economy moving.

Profits at Spain’s top three lenders Santander (SAN.MC), BBVA (BBVA. MC) and Caixabank (CABK.MC) fell an

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her mortgage payments has received a repossession order from her lender. According to the national pressure group PAH – Plataforma de Afectados de la Hipoteca (‘Mortgage Victims’ Association’), the homeowner – who is separated from her husband and has two children – bought the apartment in Mallorca 10 years ago and has a mortgage of 40,000 euros left on it. She originally owed 70,000 euros and, upon losing her job and her husband failing to pay maintenance for their children, went to Barclays Bank to renegotiate her payments, which comprised two loans.

Barclays agreed to a 100-euro discount and the homeowner agreed to increase her monthly payments once she started work again.

This was in October 2011, but last week Barclays told her they were going to repossess and auction her apartment off because of a

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average 60 percent in 2012 due to steep government-enforced provisions for property losses. Writedowns of nearly 24 billion euros at state-owned Bankia (BKIA.MC) led to a record 19.2 billion euro loss.

The Italian banking association has said the pace of growth in bad loans, which has been climbing at an annual rate of 16-17 percent in recent months, should ease later in the year, based on economic recovery in the second half. That looks remote after the government this month said GDP would shrink 1.3 percent this year, adjusting a previous forecast for a 0.2 percent fall.

“Consumption levels, retail sales, industrial activity have gone back to pre-euro levels, and the banks still have not fully taken into account the fall in the property market. I doubt that if they foreclose today ... they would get much of their money back,” said Ronny Rehn, analyst at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods.

“So I think we will see a lot more provisioning for many years. Also, there is a lot of non-competitive companies that will end up exiting the market and defaulting, entailing more

losses for the banks.”

Spanish banks are better protected against SME losses after Madrid used 41 billion euros of a total 100 billion euros of European aid to prop up its weakest lenders. The government has ruled out another round of special provisions, and analysts said if more capital was required it would be covered by the remaining European aid.

“It could be that one bank here or there needs more capital, but it probably won’t be a system-wide issue,” said Erwin Van Lumich, a banking analyst at Fitch ratings agency.

“Bad debts could peak in the course of this year, or slightly into 2014, as there is always a delayed effect for these types of statistics.”

Spanish banks face 25 billion euros of losses from 2012-2014 on nonproperty-related SME exposure of 237 billion euros on a base case scenario set by consultants Oliver Wyman last year. On an adverse scenario, that hits 39 billion euros, compared with losses of 65 billion and 97 billion euros in base and adverse scenarios on real estate exposure of 227 billion.

Read the full story at www.reuters.com

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SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

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FRANKIE’S bar Hotel Street, Vera Playa

Sky Sports and ESPN HD Sports

Showing all Premiership Games Thursday - Cash Quiz Fridays - all day from 1pm fish & chips 8€ booking essential book now for sunday lunch only 6€

Saturday 6th April

Grand National 2013 Come along & watch it live bar meals available

Tel: 662 47 48 61

In early April each year, the world and its media descend upon Aintree Racecourse for three of the biggest days in the British sporting and social calendar, the John Smith’s Grand National, which in 2013 will take place from Thursday 4th – Saturday 6th April.

A British sporting institution, the Grand National attracts over 154,000 racegoers for three days like no other, which includes Grand Opening Day, Ladies’ Day and a day which needs no introduction, John Smith’s Grand National Day. Over 11 million viewers tuned in to watch the 2012 race on the BBC and were witness to many firsts; a photo finish deciding the winner and a

first Grand National victory for champion trainer, Paul Nicholls. Neptune Collonges victory over Sunnyhill Boy also added Neptune Collonges to the history books as only the third grey to have ever won the race in its rich 165-year history.

Since the inaugural running in 1839, when Lottery etched his name on the roll of honour, victory in the Grand National has been the pinnacle of ambition for owners, trainers and jockeys worldwide.

Hollywood actors, moguls, pop stars, comedians, coiffeurs, celebrities of all hues, sporting heroes, politicians, aristocrats, business people of every variety, Kings, Queens and Princes have all tried for success; just a fortunate few have succeeded.

It is the most famous chase Traditional in the world and one of the Takeaway biggest tests for racehorse and rider around two circuits of the Fish & Chips Grand National course - with 30 fences to be jumped as Opening Hours four and a half miles is covered.

Mon:12:30-3pm, Tues-Fri 12.30-3.30pm & 5-9pm There are numerous famous Sat: 12.30-3.30pm & Closed Evening landmarks which are an integral Opposite Iceland Car Park,Vera part of Grand National folklore; Tel: 667 333 361 www.thechippyvera.com Becher’s Brook, the Canal Eat in or No more sitting in your cars to eat... Turn, Valentine’s and the Chair are fences known around the Take-Away The Chippy now has tables & chairs globe.

www.soltimes.com

6 APRIL 2013

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

Los Mellizos Restaurant

La Alfoquia, Zurgena

We have a new chef and a new Menu !

Saturday 6th April

Grand National Special The Horse Race of the year at Los Mellizos AKA The Corner Bar

Restaurant & bar

3 screens showing all the thrills & spills of the race that captures the world’s attention

free

buffet from 3.30pm

Familiar phrases of commentators such as “crossing the Melling Road” are built into people’s subconscious, while there is the ‘elbow’, with the winning post in sight, where many a potential victor has felt the last reserves of stamina ebb away and with it, immortality.

And there is nothing quite like that sensation of heartclutching, wriggling expectation as the 40-strong field for the John Smith’s Grand National is persuaded into a fair line, ready to tackle the long run to the first fence.

Whether at Aintree or at home watching the peerless television coverage, a general hush falls until the starter calls the runners into line. The tape is released and then a roar - the most anticipated race of the year has begun.

The sense of excitement begins at such a great height, tumbles and hurtles onwards throughout nearly 10 minutes of breathtaking action and often afterwards.

Betting slips, carefully clutched, are not to be celebrated until the result has been officially announced.

Many are the reversals of fortune in the 465 yards between the last fence and the winning post, with replays avidly studied to determine what happened where to each of the runners and riders. Devon Loch’s inexplicable collapse in the 1956 Grand National, a mere 50 yards from victory, serves as a constant reminder that the race is often won and lost in the final run from the ‘elbow’. Once-a-year punters come out in force on John Smith’s Grand National day, studying the list of runners to locate their selection from the office/shop sweepstake, or placing their wager on a horse with a name they like or one linked to a topical event - Party Politics was a popular choice when he won the great race in 1992, with the nation on the brink of a general election.

At 4.15pm on Saturday, April 14, 2012, the scheduled off-time of the John Smith’s Grand National, there will be few bookmakers willing to lay odds about what many in Britain, and plenty more throughout the world, will be doing for the next quarter of an hour.

Not only is the great race compellingly demanding the feeling of even completing is one cherished by all involved - but it is also financially rewarding.

Millions and millions of people in Britain bet on the John Smith’s Grand National each year, making the race easily the biggest single turnover event, and the most anticipated.

Whether in one of Britain’s 9,000 off-course betting shops, over the telephone, through the internet or interactively, regular punters and the annually curious will be out in force.

Bookmakers estimate that around £500 million is wagered in Britain on the day, with the John Smith’s Grand National accounting for the bulk of that.

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SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

Striking Images Of Celebrated WWII Photographer Bert Hardy

A tearful woman bids farewell to her loved one at Paddington Station in 1942; elsewhere, young boys leap over gravestones as they use a Glasgow cemetery as a post-war playground. These striking images form part of a retrospective celebrating the work of renowned photographer Bert Hardy, who would have been 100 this year.

Hardy, who died in 1995, is best known for his assignments at Picture Post magazine between 1941 and 1957. He covered the London Blitz, D-Day landings and the liberation of both Paris and the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany.

Now, an exhibition of his work will be shown at The Photographers’ Gallery in Soho, from next Thursday, to coincide with his centenary.

The pictures on display will focus on ordinary people going about their daily lives during and after the Second World War including the poor district of Gorbals in Glasgow. Often referred to as Europe’s worst slum, Gorbals was filled with low-quality housing and street gangs were rife. Despite this, Hardy managed to capture the cheeky playfulness of urchins as they made the

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best of the hand fate had dealt them.

Born in London to a working-class family in May 1913, Hardy was the eldest of seven children. After leaving school at the age of 14, he got a job as a messenger, which saw him collecting and delivering film and prints for West End chemists. Bitten by the photography bug, he bought his first camera for 50p from a pawn shop and had his first big break when he snapped King George V and Queen Mary passing by in a carriage down Blackfriars Road. The enterprising youngster printed off 200 postcards and sold them to friends and neighbours. Following his work as a laboratory assistant for a photographic agency, he was hired as a staff photographer at the Picture Post in the 1940s. There, he used his trusted Leica to capture the slums of London and Glasgow (including the gritty Gorbals neighbourhood), as well as assignments during World War Two and Korea.

He died aged 82. His widow, Sheila, has granted access to images and limited-edition prints that have not been widely seen. The exhibition runs from April 4 to May 23.

Spain’s Roads Experience Massive Delays & Claim 21 Deaths Due To Post-Easter Mass Exodus Over 450 kilometres of tailbacks were seen on Spain’s roads last Sunday and more were expected for Monday as a result of holidaymakers returning home after the Easter break.

Those travelling between Alicante and Madrid were held up for an extra three hours due to a gridlock between the A-31 and A-3, and rain in the centre of the country created even further delays.

The sunny weather on the Mediterranean coast which saw hotels in Benidorm getting last-minute bookings as late as Saturday, and the beaches in the province of Alicante packed to bursting, ended abruptly on Sunday when the heavens opened and winds of

up to 100 kilometres per hour hit the provinces of Valencia, Alicante and Castellón.

The A-4 was jammed between Jaén and Ciudad Real in both directions and in the north and central Spain, gridlocks were seen in the provinces of Valladolid, Toledo, Albacete, Guadalajara, Segovia, and Cáceres.

After Good Friday lived up to its name on Spain’s roads without a single motor accident death, by the end of Sunday 21 people had died in crashes.

Two of these were on the A-35 in Valencia after their vehicle veered off the road and collided with the embankment.

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

www.soltimes.com

Sol y Mar and the Post Shop are now under new ownership. New owner Karen Oliver when in the UK spent most of her career working in the NHS. Her jobs included Deputy Head of Procurement and Business Manager. Karen and her husband Trevor who is a fully qualified carpenter, and her two boys Ryan and Alex have been in Spain for nearly 5 years, moving to Albox in September. Karen since being in Spain has had experience working in estate agents and understands that when buying, selling or renting it can be a very stressful time. Karen with her Sales Manager Charlie Zarb, guarantee they will help take that stress away and will offer a full after care service too. If you are considering renting, selling or buying a property or holiday letting, please feel free to pop in and see Karen and Charlie for a chat.

The Post Shop also offers fully secured post boxes, postal services, insurances, are official Hits agents and do all major phone top ups.

They can also offer Airport runs, cleaning services, pool maintenance and building services plus so much more...

Zurgena and District Royal British Legion Branch

THE CHARGE OF THE LUNCH BRIGADE

There is just no stopping our brave, strong and extremely hungry legionnaires, descending on the restaurant like a plague of locusts, it is a sight to be seen, though we do give them plenty of notice that they have been chosen!

Where this time I hear you ask? Bar International - Diner, Arboleas. Nothing was too much trouble and we all thoroughly enjoyed our meals - especially the Whisky Tart - Thank you Fernando, Andrea and staff.

Les and Des enjoyed it so much they already want to know when and where the next meeting is going to be. Ken & Ken want to know what is on the menu!!Nowhere is safe! We could be coming to a restaurant near you in April.

You have been warned!!

The next meeting of the Lunch Club will be on 24th April.

Please e-mail: lunchclub2013@gmail.com for details, or come along to our meetings at Latinos, La Alfoquia.

http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/zurgena

local business under new nt e m e g mana

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Village House in Almanzora, 3 bed 2 bath, fully furnished, roof terrace with fantastic MAR 495 views

Country House in Antas, 3 bedroom / 2 bathroom, offroad parking, 10 mins from the SOL 014 beach

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Town House in Partaloa, 3 bed/2 bath, fitted kitchen, large lounge, roof terrace, ideal location, ready to move into, must SOL 276 be seen

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Villa in Partaloa, 3 bed/2 bath, large conservatory, 9 x 5 pool, seperate garage, SOL 049 1300m2 plot

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Villa in Albox, 3 bed/2bath, 136m2 build 2700m2 plot, fenced and gated, separate annex, 5 mins SOL 059 from town Villa in La Canada, Partaloa, 3 bedroom / 3 bathroom, hot & cold A/C, swimming pool, 2900m2 SOL 012 plot

OUR OFFICE ADDRESS: AVENIDA 28 DE FEBRERO, 44 BAJO, ALBOX

Villa in La Aljambra, 3 bed/2 bath, 120m2 build on 1,500m2 plot, walled and gated, MAR 904 pets welcome

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Cortijo in Almanzora, 3/4 bedroom 2 bathroom, fully furnished, 1000 m2 plot, fully walled MAR 969 and gated Large Cortijo near Albox, 4 bed/3 bath, fully furnished, large covered patio area, lots of storage MAR 909 space

Villa in Los Villa in La 450€ pcm Carasoles, 3 Hoya, Fines bed/2 bath, available from spacious May 2013, 3 lounge/diner with open fire bed/2 bath, place, modern 10 x 5 pool kitchen pets MAR 984 MAR 908 fully furnished welcome Mojacar; 2 bed semi detached Cantoria: Converted School bungalow,2 mins from house,5,000m2 plot,4 bed, garage, (A334 ALBOX TO BAZA ROAD) opposite Albox Online beach,garage ONLY 145,000€ ONLY 149,995€

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SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

ALMERIMAR & surrounding area MOT and servicing!

are YOUR dogs & cats up to date with their vaccinations?

We can protect them against a number of potentially fatal infectious diseases and for pets that haven’t been vaccinated in the past year then it’s worth bringing them in for an appointment to discuss what is available and advisable.At the same time we will do a yearly health check which can allow us to pick up early signs of disease so that any problems that may have developed can be treated promptly and effectively. We can also discuss any problems that may be concerning you.This is a great time for us to check out those little niggles that crop up from time to time- we can have a look at itchy ears,assess any lumps and bumps that have developed and check out old pets’ stiff joints and cloudy eyes. We can

expat vets

Landline: 958 830 155 Mobile: 603 121 631 24hrs Home visits and surgeries, spaying and castrations, blood tests, x-rays etc.

Portable surgery equipment including anesthetics, X-Ray machine and more...

Language skills: Spanish, English and French.

Ali Jaouad www.ali-vet.com

RMC European Services SPAIN – UK

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National International Freighters & Removals UK Storage Tel 0034 652 885 268 0r 0044 7845782325 Email: richardcummings@mail.com

MacGowan’s Bar & Restaurant

friDAY & satURDAY Guinness, Murphy’s Cider, Heineken, Large Selection of Spirits

thai red curry thai fish cakes tom yum soup

plus our normal full menu

Calle Varadero Almerimar 04711 (Almeria)

Tlf. 950 609 546

what’s on Wednesday

Sol Times Distributed

Thursday

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

Friday

also discuss any changes in their eating, drinking, sleeping or exercise patterns that have occurred.

A dental check can allow us to identify any tooth problems and at the same time appropriate diets can be discussed and worming and flea and tick control programmes can be set up.

Don’t take any risks with your pet’s wellbeing!

Keep them healthy with regular vaccinations and health checks. Please contact us for an appointment and we’ll do our best to help you!

Vaccination against infectious diseases We recommend you regularly vaccinate your pets against the following potentially fatal,infectious diseases: Dogs: Distemper, Infectious canine hepatitis, Parvo virus, Leptospirosis, Para influenza virus Cats: Cat flu virus, Feline Panleucopenia virus, Feline Leukaemia virus Call Ali today on 958 830 155 or 603 121 631 www.ali-vet.com

Friday Golf Society 29 march:

When will this wind ever stop?

It is great for the windsurfers but it makes it really hard work on the golf course.

36 golfers including two guests braved the weather and headed out onto the Master Course starting early in the afternoon. The first tee time we could get was 1:14pm so the last team started well after 2pm.

We played a Yellow Ball competition with 2 hidden holes.

The winners with a score of 121 points were Peter White, John Nolan, John Witham and Nina Taylor. Last place and chocolates went to Albert Taylor (so both winners and losers in the Taylor household this week), Barry Prior, Ingegerd Erasmie and Judy McQuillan with a score of 86. It was great to see the look on Dot Prior’s face when she said she was going to text her son to let him know about Barry getting the chocolates.

Nearest the pin was won by Bobby Cuddy with a distance of 2.30m. Some of the other golfers must have been very far away as the 10m measuring tape we use was overextended and broken when someone tried to measure their distance. The purchase of a new tape will come out of society funds sometime this week, next time we are close to a Chinese shop or Copo.

We had 3 golfers that played really well in the wind.

Peter W and Nina both scored 38 points. Maria scored 37 points. Well deserved handicap cuts to all three of them.

Herbert Piest collected the cards and arranged the prize giving this week. Thanks Herbert!

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

Friday Golf

Saturday

stumble inn - 3pm-5pm free 100€ cash draw followed by live entertainment free buffet at 4pm

Sunday

10am – 1pm: Almerimar Walking Club - Meet at Mercadona SECOND SUNDAY OF THE MONTH ‘RASTRO-MARKET’ IN CAR PARK OPPOSITE LEO’S

Monday

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

Tuesday

Tuesday Golf

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

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almerimar local information keep up to date with what’s happening in Almerimar: www.facebook.com/localinformation

El Ejido Bowls Club

Monday and Thursday - 5pm to 7pm Ring Alison on 677 317 920 to book or for further information

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

www.soltimes.com

news update

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

13

Reports & PHOTOS by Martin Shortland

Local fishermen have come under scrutiny by the Guardia Civil in recent weeks, for allegedly fishing in protected waters. Certain areas of the Bay of Almeria, especially around Roquetas, have large ‘meadows’ of Neptune sea grass, which grows close to the shoreline at depths of between 1 and 35 metres. Fishing close to the shore in areas where the grass grows is prohibited. The meadows between Roquetas and Aguadulce are some of the best conserved in the whole Mediterranean and for that reason have the title of National Monument.

The only real evidence of the grasses existence comes after a storm, when piles of dead leaves from the plant are washed up along the beach. The grass grows best in clean waters and its presence is a marker for lack of pollution; it only grows in the Mediterranean and is an important part of the ecosystem. The largest known meadow is to the south of Ibiza and it’s thought to be around 100,000 years old.

People may have noticed the presence of Guardia Civil and Fisheries Protection patrol vessels in the bay over the last few weeks; their job has been to warn off boats fishing in the protected waters as fishing nets can do irreparable damage to the tender plant.

The Department of Environment was alerted to the possibility of illegal fishing some two weeks ago, but it’s not an easy law to implement. It would require round the clock patrols to keep every boat away from the area; an impractical and expensive task.

The fishermen are finding it increasingly difficult to catch fish, so are always looking for different fishing grounds. Spokesman Fernando Orri said they have no option but to fish wherever the fish are and although they appreciate the importance of the protected sea grass meadows, as far as they are concerned, they are not doing any harm. Mr. Orri pointed out most small inshore boats use nets that are held in the water by floats which don’t drag the sea floor and don’t cause

any damage to the sea grass.

Toledano Paco from the wildlife protection organisation Promar has been critical of the way the Department of Environment has managed the situation. He maintains the regulations controlling the protection area are far too flexible and more should be done to, “ensure the safety of this very important ecological site.” He said the local council should be doing more to raise peoples’ awareness of the site, but accepted the fact it’s difficult to interest the public in something they can’t see.

The sea grass meadows have an important ecological value and hundreds of species of flora and fauna are dependent on them, as are many types of fish. It has also become an increasingly important place for divers to visit; so much so, the local tourist authority has appointed a specialist diving guide to help enthusiast make the most of their visit to this unique under sea meadow.

Fishermen Cautioned Over Potential Damage To Sea Grass Meadows The Charity Shop

Calle Galera No6, Almerimar (Behind Bar Ankara)

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

Spain Received 2.8 Million International Tourists in February

According to the latest tourist border movement survey (FRONTUR), prepared by the Institute of Tourism Studies for the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism, Spain received a total of 2,797,123 tourists from abroad in February 2013, which is virtually the same figure as for the same month of last year.

According to a report by www.kyero.com, the main source markets for the month were the United Kingdom, Germany and France, who showed positive results compared to February 2012. Following the trend of previous months, the number of tourists from Italy decreased. The region which received most international tourists in February was the Canary Islands, with almost 900,000 travellers.

In the first two months of the year, 5,535,296 international tourists visited Spain, which represents a decrease of 1.3% over the first two months of 2012. The source markets which rose the most in the first months of 2013 were the Nordic countries (+10.5%), followed by France (+4.3%). However, declines in tourist arrivals were registered for Italy (-21.9%), the United States (-23.3%), Germany (-2.2%) and the United Kingdom (-1.6%). In February, the United Kingdom, the market with most travellers in the month, grew 1.3% to reach a total of 571,135 tourists, representing 20.4% of all the tourists who visited Spain during this period.

Tourists from France, the second largest source market in the month, rose by 2.2% in its fourth consecutive month of gains. In February, over 448,500 French tourists came to Spain, 16% of the total, and with their main preferred

destination being Catalonia.

Germany, with 438,109 tourists (+1.7%), was the third international source market, with Catalonia and Madrid being the regions to receive most of these travellers.

Tourist arrivals from Italy, with seven months of declines, fell by 10.4% to 135,274 tourists.

The Canary Islands was the number one tourist destination for the month, receiving 899,055 tourists, representing 32% of the total number of arrivals. However, the number of tourists decreased by 2.9% compared to February 2012, mainly due to a decrease in German tourists.

Catalonia, the second most popular destination, attracted 25.5% of all the tourists who visited in February, an increase of 7.6%. Tourists from Germany and France contributed most to this increase.

Andalusia received 335,244 tourists in February, 2.2% more than in the same month of 2012, with British, German and Nordic tourists contributing most to this increase.

Madrid recorded a drop in tourist arrivals of 10.3%, mainly due to the decline in the number of tourists from distant markets. However, they registered an increase in tourist arrivals from Germany and the United Kingdom.

Valencia, with 232,864 international tourists, experienced a significant increase in February, of 8.6%, with most visitors coming from the Nordic countries and the Netherlands.

The Balearic Islands’ tourist numbers fell by 5.5%, to 121,656 visitors, mainly due to the drop in the Nordic market.

I’m a Pondenco (Andalucian Hound) and my name is Caspa. I’m 2-3 years old and have been neutered. I was kicked out on the street and left to starve. I’m looking for a space to run and love to keep me safe.

Please help me find my FOREVER family.

If you can help me PLEASE Contact the Charity shop on 950 497 193 Monday/Lunes - Saturday/Sabado 10am-2pm

In Association with Animales de Berja & Ursamarina

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

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SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

British Bedding

In Spain NEW

SERVICE

We now deliver your order to The Sol Times office in Zurgena

for just 5€ 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

Food Usage App for Smartphone To Be Developed In Spain

A smartphone application which tells people whether the food in their cupboard or refrigerator is safe to eat is being developed in Spain. Ricardo Díaz, from the technology institute AINIA, is working on labels for perishable produce that can be detected using iPhones, Androids and other ‘intelligent’ mobile phones to find out the temperature and shelf-life of a food product and whether it is safe to eat.

The labels are created using NFC (‘near-face

‘Telepathy’ has been included as one of the ways in which the new and much more restricted applications for Spanish nationality can be submitted to the Ministry of Justice.

yorkshire linen co.

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The new draft law says all those who wish to become Spanish are required to pass an exam which shows they have ‘sufficient’ knowledge of the language and that they are suitably integrated, and provide a sworn affidavit stamped by a notary to show they

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Research says that 60 per cent of safe and edible food gets thrown out by consumers who fear it may have gone off.

Applications for Spanish citizenship can be submitted via ‘telepathy’

A mistake in the draft law issued by minister Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón’s department says on two occasions that the Civil Register can receive signed notary documents from applicants for citizenship and that the decision may be issued to them via ‘telepathy’, rather than via ‘telecommunications media’ or rather, email.

Closer than you think the

communication’) technology, which has turned out to be the cheapest way of doing so since otherwise it would have needed specialist computers and aerials, making the application prohibitively expensive. Díaz says it will be a while before the labels are in regular use, but that it is hoped once they are up and running they will prevent food wastage.

have attained the required grade.

Up to 10 reasons for Spanish citizenship to be withdrawn once granted have now been added to the existing law, which include for reasons of national security – such as if the ‘nationalised’ person commits a violent crime; if they voluntarily serve in the Armed Forces of their native country – even though in the past, this was only a reason for nationality being withdrawn where they did so against the government’s express prohibition; any attempt to use the nationality of their native country – such as using their old passport; and various other situations which make it easier for the authorities to confiscate a person’s Spanish DNI card and passport.

At present, the courts have a huge backlog of applications which is growing all the time.

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15

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SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

oldest hot cross bun is 192 years old pause for thought World’s A woman has the world’s oldest hot down through our family and we get it day. It has been preserved in a box for

One of the great benefits of being a Christian is the certainty we can enjoy that death isn’t the end, but that life continues beyond the grave. I’d really struggle to offer any real comfort to the bereaved were it not for my Christian faith, but I love the passage written by St Paul to his Christian friends in Thessalonica: “Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him at his coming all that have died, who trusted in Jesus. So we will be with the Lord forever.”

Now there, I suggest, is real comfort – though it does depend on our acceptance of the Easter story that Jesus didn’t just die, but he overcame death and rose again.

That he died, is easy to believe, but it does perhaps take a little more faith to affirm that I believe he really did come back to life again.

But what a promise St Paul bases on that step of faith.

“If you can believe” says Paul, “that he came back to life, then in just the same way, God will bring back to life all who have died, who trusted in Jesus.” What Paul is saying here is that what God has done for Jesus, in raising him from the dead, He will also do for anyone else who trusts in him. The condition, he says, is not that we’re very religious; nor that we lead a good life; but simply that we trust, or believe in him.

So no wonder Easter’s a day of great rejoicing for Christians everywhere. Believe that message that Jesus died in my place and then rose to life again, and the promise is there – God will raise me after I’ve died, just as surely as He raised Jesus, and I will live with Him eternally, together with all who share that faith.

No wonder then that St Paul concludes that passage “therefore encourage one another with these words.”

So I trust you’ve had a very happy Easter.

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

cross bun - baked on Good Friday in 1821 and passed down through five generations.

Nancy Titman, 94, keeps the 192-yearold bun in a box and amazingly it still has a cross on the top and shows no traces of mould.

The fruity bun, which has even retained its smell, was made by Nancy’s great, great, great grandfather William Skinner, who owned a bakery in London.

It was made in the same year as Napolean died, George IV was crowned king, poet John Keats passed away and John Constable painted his famous Hay Wain picture.

“It’s a relic which has been passed

out every Good Friday,” said Nancy.

“It is rock hard like a fossil and the currants have disintegrated, but it still smells and looks like a hot cross bun, with the cross on the top.”

Nancy was given the bun, which has the date March 1821 on the base, by her mum and she plans to hand it down to her own daughter Anthea and her 10year-old granddaughter Hannah.

“My mum said our ancestors worked in a baker’s shop and they believed buns baked on Good Friday didn’t go mouldy, which this has proved,” added Nancy, from Deeping St James, Lincs.

“I think it was kept as it was made on Good Friday, which was a very special

ancient version of darts baffling indian officials

A bizarre ancient version of darts where players dream up the winning score is baffling gambling officials in northern India.

The game - called Thoh tim - involves locals in remote Meghalaya state betting on how many arrows they and their competitors can make stick in a single target. And they gamble using only numbers that have come to them the night before a game - in dreams.

“If you dream of football match, that’s 22 for the number of players,” explained a local expert in the regional capital, Shillong, known as the Scotland of the East.

“Two people in an erotic act, well that could be 69 or 11 depending on the act. If both feature, that could be 90. It can get quite complicated,” he added.

Local gambling officials have been trying to crack down on the tournaments but have been baffled by the game’s vague rules.

“Winning relies on interpreting the dreams accurately and that’s a skill, not luck,” admitted one.

Experts say £15,000 can change hands in a single tournament.

Khasi Hills Archery Sports Institute general secretary Perekh Lahoo said: “A lot of cash changes hands every day.”

When the Tigers Broke Free

Eric Fletcher Waters of the Royal Fusiliers was killed at the Battle of Anzio, Italy on February 18th 1944. His son Roger immortalised the loss of his father in the haunting song with the above title. Planned to be the opening track of the Pink Floyd album The Wall however the other band members thought it too personal. Instead it’s in the Alan Parker film and on the reissued Final Cut CD.

Operation Shingle (its official name) was conceived by Winston Churchill and commenced on January 22nd 1944; it was an amphibious landing of a large Allied force in the Anzio area of Italy. Its intention was to strike east, drawing German forces from the fierce fighting at Monte Cassino with the possibility also of allowing the Allies to strike

north to Rome.

This area of former marshland was drained in 1930 on Mussolini’s orders and turned into an agricultural area.

It’s surrounded by mountains so a quick advance was essential or the enemy would reinforce, surrounding the attackers from above. The Appian Way passes through here and a Roman Army in 321BC had befallen this exact fate.

Though the landing was a success with almost no opposition found, US Major General Lucas fatally chose to dig a defensive line instead of advancing further as he expected a counter attack. German Field Marshall Kesselring immediately sent 20,000 reinforcements from Rome with 20,000 more arriving the following day to surround the Allies, Kesselring knew the Allies would succeed if they continued to advance on the first days; instead Lucas’s needless fear of being caught in a trap condemned many men to die including Eric Waters over the next four months. In Lucas’s diary of the time he refers to the same ‘amateur’ being in charge as was at Gallipoli. This was a direct reference to Churchill who had been heavily involved of the planning of the 1916 debacle, where there had

nearly 200 years now.

“It’s a rather unusual family heirloom, but I’m proud of it and we still get the bun out of its box every Easter.”

Hot cross buns with their combination of sweet, spicy and fruity flavours first became popular in Tudor times and have long been an Easter tradition, with the pastry cross symbolising the crucifixion.

In the 19th century many people believed that hot cross buns baked on Good Friday would not go mouldy and had special healing powers.

They thought the buns could be used as a cure for medical complaints such as indigestion.

Cinema pool screens Jaws A swimming pool in Yorkshire has been transformed into an unusual swim-along-cinema.

A large screen was installed at one end of the pool at Bramley Baths and people were able to enjoy the film either from front-row balcony seats - or while in the water itself.

Meanwhile, speakers streamed the soundtrack both under and over the water.

First up on the bill, which followed a watery theme, was Finding Nemo. However, only the brave remained in the water for the 2nd film, which was Jaws.

Previous quirky events at Bramley Baths have included a floating orchestra and an underwater art exhibition.

At the start of the year a group of locals took over running the 109-year-old Edwardian bathhouse following fears that it would have to be closed.

It is now run by a community group known as the Friends of Bramley Baths on a not-for-profit basis.

been half a million casualties.

Fiendishly the Germans stopped the pumps that drained the marshes and the area slowly flooded so inviting mosquitos to help with their defences too. They bombed and shelled the Allied positions for the next month. By February 20th it was stalemate after attack and counter attack with over 40,000 casualties from both sides, some positions changed hands eight times. Churchill remarked that he had hoped a wildcat had been hurled at the shores and instead they had got a stranded whale. Lucas was relieved of his command with the British and more attacking minded Major General Truscott appointed.

It was the depth of winter so fighting mostly took place at night when the ground froze and tanks and guns could be moved. In the day it was too boggy and the soldiers rested.

Some Allied soldiers nicknamed these months their ‘Dracula Days’ as they drew blood at night and slept by day.

By May the Allies had 150,000 soldiers and the breakout was on. On the 23rd battle commenced with the initial plan to head east to stop the Germans escaping to Rome from Monte Cassino. Instead Lieutenant General Clark of the US 5th Army felt that they ‘deserved’ to liberate Rome and ordered the advance to turn 90 degrees north. This Yankee vanity allowed tens of thousands of Germans to escape and prolonged the war.

On June 2nd the Americans reached an almost deserted Rome as Hitler fearing another Stalingrad had ordered a retreat. Clark the glory hunter blocked the roads to stop the British Army from getting close and held a press conference outside the Town Hall!

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

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This April, celebrate ‘Welly Week’; an initiative that considers the benefits of going ‘organic’.

Lets Get Organic!

17

Take pesticide residues, for instance, the safety levels for pesticide residues in food are assessed by independent scientific experts, and they take into account the uncertainties by including a large safety margin. Nevertheless, many people would prefer not to have detectable residues in their food, even if they are not a risk to health. Organic food contains fewer residues of pesticides used in conventional agriculture, so buying organic is one way to reduce the chances that your food contains these pesticides. But it is also possible to produce conventionally grown fruit and vegetables with minimal residues, in fact, residues are not detected in about 70% of produce sampled by the Pesticides Residue Committee.

Organised by ‘Garden Organic’ to raise funds to help educate and inspire people about organic gardening, farming and food for a sustainable future for ourselves, our children, our environment and our planet, during ‘Welly Week’ everyone is invited to host a welly walk or wear their wellies to work and celebrate all that’s good about organics!

Whilst I’m not sure that this will be possible for us here in Spain – it’s a bit warm for wellies - but we can certainly do our bit, in fact you may be already!

So what are the benefits of eating organic?

People who choose to go organic may do so for many reasons: because they think it tastes better, they believe that it’s safer, more nutritious, better for the environment or better for animal welfare. Or perhaps simply because it’s more ‘natural’. But is organic food actually better for you?

Interestingly, current scientific evidence does not show that organic food is any safer or more nutritious than conventionally produced food.

But, of course, scientific evidence is dynamic (dare I say ‘organic’!) and therefore we must be open to new evidence. So, suppose, for example, you wanted to find out if organic food is better for you because it is Going organic needs to happen; we have more nutritious. Which nutrients should you measure? Should you a duty to future generations to work compare the produce as it comes out of the ground or as it is sold in the towards more sustainable ways of shops? Would you count any nutrient difference as important, or only producing our food. The differences that can be shown to have an effect on health? The answers Green Revolution has to these questions are under investigation by many white-coat-wearing brought us plentiful suitably-qualified researchers. However, in the meanwhile, here are some and affordable thoughts, relevant to all food, whether or not it’s organic! food, but at an As consumers, we are right to be concerned about our diet and health. environmental cost.

Diet probably contributes as much as one third of the risk to two big In the future we must killers – cancer and cardiovascular develop ways of producing disease. food that people can afford Improve the Soil The safety and quality of our food to buy in ways that gives Building up healthy soil is the single most important thing to do depends on the care and controls nature more of a chance. in an organic garden. Use your in place throughout the food chain. time, energy and resources to improve the soil so that plants use natu ral mate rials don’t run short of moisture or natural materials in your garden, only Use grow to them g nutrients, allowin man-made or manufactured than rather strong and fast. Healthy plants products, which can have a and als chemic and crops will more easily be on the environment as a effect ntal detrime disease able to shrug off pest and whole. attacks. In my garden, I add wellrotted manure and compost to mix pla nts up! the surface of the soil as a mulch Grow a wide range of different each spring so that the ground is plants all mixed together so that if any regularly improved. pest

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lo ok g o o d f eel g r ea T

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Institute of Public Health and Environment. These antioxidants, catechins and phenols, reduce the presence of free radicals that damage cells and DNA, and are thought to prevent fatty substances in the bloodstream from clogging the arteries.

And on a lighter note, the amino acid phenylethylamine in chocolate gives you the feeling of being in love, and acts as an aphrodisiac.

Which could be why, in the 18th century, French doctors prescribed chocolate for women with a broken heart and why the Milk Tray man is an enduring role model. And for the morning after the night before, phenylethylamine also helps ease a hangover.

Still on the heart health front, chocolate lowers levels of both total and LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol, thanks to the oleic acid in the cocoa butter. It has also been found to reduce blood pressure in people with hypertension, in a US study reported in ‘Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association’.

As we know, women have a deep love for chocolate – about 50% prefer it to sex – and chocolate has a couple of benefits just for us. That premenstrual craving for industrial quantities of the sweet brown stuff has physiological causes.

The Chocolate Society reports that our magnesium levels can drop just before a period, and chocolate is extremely rich in magnesium – and that’s why WE WANT IT, OK? If you’re pregnant, eating chocolate could mean you have a happier baby, according to a University of Helsinki study. Chocolateeating mums said their babies smiled and laughed a lot, were more active, and less fearful in new situations.

Got a cold? Chocolate could work better than medicine at controlling a cough. Theobromine, found in chocolate (and coming from the Greek for food of

the gods – wise people, the ancient Greeks…), is nearly a third more effective at stopping coughs than the leading treatment, codeine.

And the last reason to eat chocolate is hardest to believe: it fights tooth decay.

Yes, we know it contains sugar but, apparently, its make-up prevents the bacteria that cause tooth decay from sticking to the enamel. Don’t believe us?

Do a completely unscientific study yourself by comparing how furred-up your teeth feel after eating boiled sweets and after eating chocolate.

One thing: these benefits only apply to chocolate that’s over 70% cocoa solids, so all you Dairy Milk devotees will have to develop a taste for the plain stuff. And, no, Bournville (36%) isn’t dark enough. To hit the mark, go for Lindt Excellence, Green & Black’s Organic Dark or Waitrose Organic Plain Belgian Chocolate.

And it goes without saying: overconsumption will do you no favours.

Chocolate is a highfat, high-calorie food, but the good news is that it takes less dark chocolate than milk to satisfy your craving… sorry, to get the health benefits… because it’s richer and has a more intense flavour. So, if you want to eat chocolate – and who doesn’t?

– make it plain.

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email editor@soltimes.com with your beauty & health tips

Best beauty products: bee venom mask Th is week’s best beauty bu y is go i ng to be one of the biggest beauty trends for 2013

W hat is it?

Bee venom mask by Manuka Doctor, set to be one of the biggest selling beauty products of 2013 if global trend predictions are correct.

W hat wi ll it do for me?

Bee venom has been described as ‘nature’s Botox’ and its potent combination of minerals, peptides and amino acids has been proven to work on all levels of the skin to encourage naturally occurring cell regeneration, boost collagen formation, prevent sun damage, accelerate the recovery of damaged skin cells and also work as an alternative treatment to antibiotic therapy for acne.

Phew! Those bees do clever work ...

W hat else do I need to know?

Manuka Doctor’s rejuvenating face mask contains high quality Manuka honey as well as purified bee venom for a double dose of bee goodness; other ingredients include rosehip, blackcurrant and vitamin E. By nourishing the skin, stimulating collagen and renewing damaged cells, it helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

How much is it and where can I get it?

Manuka Doctor ApiNourish Rejuvenating Face Mask £49.99 for 50ml; available from Superdrug.com, Lloyds Pharmacies, Tesco beauty concept stores, independent pharmacies and Holland & Barrett stores, for more information visit www.manukadr.co.uk

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SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

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Scientists chose coral because its structure resembles human bone so closely, providing the perfect scaffold for new cartilage and blood vessels to form inside the knee.

According to a report by Mail Online, an estimated eight million people in Britain have some degree of osteoarthritis, which causes the destruction of cartilage — this is the body’s built-in shock absorber, soaking up the impact from walking, running or lifting, so bones do not rub together and disintegrate.

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However, with age major joints such as the hips, knees and wrists suffer wear and tear. Other risk factors include being overweight, having a family history of the condition and suffering sports-related injuries.

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and extremely painful. There are no drugs to cure it and many sufferers rely on antiinflammatory pain-killers to ease their suffering.

studies show that after six to 12 months, the stem cells had formed a healthy new layer of cartilage and the coral implant had completely dissolved.

But around 60,000 people a year in the UK end up needing a knee replacement because their joints are too badly eroded.

The first patient in Europe to receive the implant was a 47year-old former athlete who suffered knee swelling and pain.

The implant reduced pain, and increased mobility. Six months after treatment he was able to ski and a year later completed a 120-mile cycle race. A trial in Slovenia involving around 20 patients, aged from 18 to 55, with damaged knees is under way and the final results are likely to be announced next year.

In recent years, researchers have focused on finding ways to regenerate cartilage inside the knee.

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A tiny implant made from coral could help repair knee joints crippled by osteo-arthritis. The implant helps to stimulate the growth of new cartilage from stem cells — the body’s own immature cells that can turn into any type of tissue.

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Coral has been used for bone grafts for a number of years — without some form of scaffolding, the implanted cells struggle to take hold. The coral naturally degrades as the new bone replaces it.

Scientists at a number of centres around the world noted the success of coral bone grafts, and are now investigating its use in cartilage replacement.

A team of scientists in Slovenia developed the new implant — called Agili-C — by coating coral with human growth factors, which stimulate the creation of new cells in the body. Experiments have shown that it stimulated the formation of cartilage and blood vessels by attracting a certain type of stem cell — known as mesenchymal stem cells — out from nearby bone marrow on to the scaffold.

Results from early-stage animal

The implant has been cleared for sale in the UK and Europe and could be launched on to the market later this year.

Commenting on the implant, a spokeswoman for Arthritis Research UK said: ‘This is interesting research and the use of stem cells to regenerate cartilage in people with a joint injury and even osteoarthritis has huge potential.

‘For instance, we are currently investigating how stem-cell therapy could be improved by differentiating between ‘good’ stem cells, which grow rapidly and make cartilage tissue, and ‘bad’ stem cells, which fail to grow. However, it’s very early days, and it has to be stressed that this kind of treatment is not

yet available in the UK.’ Meanwhile, scientists have discovered why arthritic knees hurt so much, and now hope to develop more effective painkillers for the condition.

Although the source of discomfort in severe arthritis is clear, as the bones can start to rub together, experts are still mystified why mild to moderate osteoarthritis causes pain. However, U.S. researchers, writing in the journal the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, now believe they have found the molecule that triggers discomfort.

In lab-based experiments, they found that damaged cartilage releases a compound called monocyte chemoattractant protein, which triggers nerves to send pain signals to the brain.

They say that further drugs that either prevent the release of, or soak up, this compound may help to eliminate pain.

Acupuncture might offer a shorter-term answer for painful knees. An NHS study of 90 patients, published in the journal Acupuncture in Medicine, revealed that a twoyear course of the treatment (given once every six weeks) reduced discomfort and increased mobility.

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I was far too young to understand about publishing at this time.

From then on I was surrounded by pets; my First dog was called Sunny, he was my best friend, but became very aggressive on walks, not towards me or my family but to everyone and their dogs that came close (living in an enclosed street which didn’t help) so after much heart break we rehomed him and off he went to live on a farm, we kept in touch with the farmer to make sure he was ok, Sunny loved his new home and the miles of land to run and play in, as he was a Collie cross.

Through the years I watched and visited every animal park I could, and watched and read endless animal documentaries and books. Later in my life I finally was able to work at an animal rehoming centre in Cyprus, this was a dream come true to me. Most of the animals were severely neglected but I worked for three years with the RAF Dog trainers and helped rehome hundreds of cats and dogs. One case always stays with me. Rugs was a rescue white poodle cross who was starved and beaten, the morning he came in, as small as he was, he was very vocal barking bearing teeth heckles up, his body shook with fear. I worked for 6 months with him, gaining his trust, I sat for hours just outside his pen, then just inside his pen either in silence or talked softly making no eye contact, the staff could not believe the time and more than that the patience that I had with him. I just seemed to have a way with problem animals.

Rugs my dog was a great little character (and the best burglar alarm you could have) and I ended up bringing him home - he became my new best friend.

His aggression went he was loving and amazing with children and other dogs. My Heroes of that time were famous dog trainers called Jan Fennell, and Cesar Millan.

So thanks to them, as some of their techniques helped a great deal. I strongly believe in the theory that most pet problems are actually us as humans that are the cause

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

through lack of knowledge and care and understanding.

Upon returning to the UK, I helped friends and family with all kinds of training problems with their dogs and cats (many of the cats were wild that we got at the rehoming centre).

I trained to become a paramedic with the army for a short time but suffered terribly from homesickness so was about to leave when my Sergeant pulled me to one side and begged for me stay, and revealed to me that in my Paramedic and Team Building exam results which I had not been optimistic about - I averaged 97%!

I realised I could read all I wanted but what I was really good at was ‘hands on’ work. So from there I continued with life and helped friends with personal problems or pet problems. Looking back, I realised I am a good listener and did wonder about a career in Counselling but my personal desires for a family were a priority - now with my partner and my two beautiful girls daughters, I moved to Spain to live with my parents and my two brothers, partly through ill-health on my part but also through my continued desire to do something practical yet useful and through the love and help from my family I am on the mend - I have struggled with not being the helper, but I am getting there.

Over the last year I have been working with Healing crystals, and first used them on my self and I have felt so much better (but still continued with any medication prescribed by the doctors). I have always made jewellery which has received praise from family and friends but now I’ve decided to combine this practical skill with the healing crystals to provide help to people and pets too.

‘Adore Jewellery’ feels right! I have been working with a professional healer and by combining my jewellerymaking skills with healing crystals, I have helped a number of people and with illnesses of all kinds as well as helping to re-train pets with my special animal pendants.

So that’s all about me, now what about you or your pet?

Drop me an email and if I can help with my healing jewellery I will! Email: adoreherjewellery@hotmail.com Also ‘Like’ my page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ AdoreHerJewellery - and look out for special offers too!

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21

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

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

The Romanian Moated Shower

viewpoint alqueria - The trade agreement

his labours, but it was not only the lungPART 2: My heart sank as Pedro, searing smell that had me breathless silhouetted against the setting sun, as I surveyed the scene of destruction bearing a tool box the size of a family before me. suitcase and a silicone gun which The screens were held in place by might have seen previous service an array of screws of various size and as a ground-to-air missile launcher, length, protruding at all angles from marched purposefully up our drive the screens, as if the shower tray had on a mission to fit the shower screens been the scene of a fight to the death on top of the perfectly proportioned between a pair of porcupines. work of art in Marine Green that is And Pedro had certainly deployed our new shower tray, courtesy of the silicone gun – there was silicone Francisco. on the window, the washbasin, the After a spell of interment in the bidet, the shower tray and most of family bathroom, accompanied by the the floor surface. Miraculously, he had sound of drilling, and broken only by almost completely missed most of the his need to borrow a varied selection joins between the screen panels and of Pete’s screwdrivers, Pedro emerged, the shower tray. announced that he had finished, and I closed the door firmly on the departed into the darkling eve.

Armageddon within, and waited with Next morning steely resolve for Juan to come for his I braved the money. overwhelming whiff After a week of our family bathroom of silicone to inspect being out of bounds as a toxic hazard area, Juan arrived, full of innocently smiling expectation. josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk I didn’t want to pull height, weight

By Jos Biggs

and rank as a dissatisfied customer on Juan, so I beckoned him inside.

‘You had better look.’ I opened the door to the forbidden territory. Juan entered, and the smile fell from his face with an audible thud. He stood, dapper and disappointed amidst the sticky shambles that was our bathroom.

‘I fetch Pedro.’ He said without prevarication.

He fetched Pedro. The bathroom door closed on the pair of them, and what ensued behind the door remains a secret.

In the fullness of time the door opened, and Juan announced that ‘is good now.’

I looked round. It was good now.

Moreover, Juan remained dapper and smiling while Pedro remained large, cheerful and Romanian.

I don’t know how, but without bloodshed or bad language the silicone and random screws had disappeared, and a neat and functional fully screened shower remained, which I enjoyed to the full that evening!

Vote Common Sense if You Can Find a Candidate I scan the British newspapers whenever we have coffee at Patti’s Tapas down the road – I begrudge paying a small fortune for them and Patti’s loans them for free to regular patrons – and I invariably become agitated at the nonsense that has become commonplace in the beloved homeland.

I don’t know why I bother reading them really; it’s not good for my health and once I have wiped away the dribble from the

corner of my mouth and calmed down a little with the aid of more caffeine, I still have the urge to pick up my pen and stab a few passing holiday makers before drafting an article about the sheer craziness that I see in the headlines before me.

But that would be in breach of my verbal contract with the Sol Times - the article not the stabbings - because when I was head-hunted by the paper’s editor four years ago, I was told that my brief was to pick any subject I liked, just so long as there was an element of humour in there somewhere.

When I say head-hunted, the fact of the matter is that nothing better was available to the editor at the time and I found myself

By Colin Bird : badbirdnow@gmail.com

250

a columnist by default; if a dyslexic gerbil had volunteered its services at the time, it would probably have got the nod over me.

That and the fact I had pestered the lovely Claire to such an extent, we struck a bargain that if I refrained from sending menacing letters and jamming the switchboard with obscene calls, she would allow me a few column inches.

But how can you possibly find anything amusing about Messrs Cameron, Clegg or Miliband. Well alright, Miliband would not be a problem, but you take my point.

The latest stand-up comic routine was last week when the snappily suited David Cameron made a long winded speech about the reforms he intends to implement regarding immigrants

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and the benefits system. This had most of us nodding our heads solemnly in agreement and rightly so. But why now.

Why hadn’t something so obvious been enacted years ago, as the majority of the British people have been demanding for years and that common sense dictated.

And why is it that with this and many other issues, we the majority of the British people can see the blindingly obvious, but politicians cannot.

Well it’s simple isn’t it . . . a certain Mr Farage and his party have been advocating such moves for a long time now, and with the votes of the Eastleigh by-election indicating that many people are now leaving the main stream parties en mass in favour of UKIP, it’s become not so much a matter of principle with Dave and Co, as the acquisition of votes. And of course the scary eyed Miliband and his sidekick the pudding-basin coiffured Ed Balls are taking note and adjusting their own thinking accordingly.

It’s all about self interest and the desperate need for power – politicians are as two faced as a station clock.

But we should be grateful that it was Cameron not Clegg who made this latest pronouncement.

When a Lib Dem politician gets to his feet to make a speech, there is an audible groan of despair as the stampede for the exits begin.

It’s a fact that whenever a leader of that party – past and present – has pompously pontificated in Parliament about this or that (the party should be re-titled

John MacDonald (El Sordo) - www.caratacus.eu

22

The SS Founder lay hove-to twenty miles off the Spanish coast.

Her rust streaked hull pitching and rolling in the heavy swell. The journey from Harwich had been a tedious one, three weeks of mechanical failures and navigation errors. A permanent list to starboard meant the vessel had a tenancy to sail in a great arc if the helm wasn’t corrected regularly. Registered in Turkmenistan, the craft is no more than a perambulating shipping hazard. By some miracle however it arrived off the coast of southern Spain and with it the trade delegation from the Republic of Uggaby.

With the Alquerian borders with Spain closed the sea-bound Uggabian representatives have to be smuggled up the Río Verde to the village. A dilapidated twenty four foot rived cruiser ‘La Arruinada’ came alongside with Antonio Poyato at the helm. To say Poyato is brave would be an overstatement, he wore goggles and a crash helmet to play Ludo, but here he was piloting the flimsy craft back to Alqueria. The explanation is simple, Poyato had been drinking his own Remitroot liquor. Who he imagined himself to be and what he though he was doing is something only someone else under the influence of Remitroot would appreciate.

The massed bands of Alqueria, well two guitars, a trumpet and Arián Pérez doing strange things with a tea-chest which seemed to have no musical connections whatever welcomed the guests as they steeped ashore in the old olive grove. The Uggabians seemed pleased with their reception, it made a change from being welcomed with bricks and insults which was their norm.

This was essentially a trade mission. The Alquerian government wanted to sell Remitroot products to northern Europe. If things went well Uggaby would be the centre of their sales drive in Britain. To this end the premier chef of Uggaby, Salmonella Sid accompanied the group.

The day was spent at Antonio Poyato’s smallholding sampling the famous Remitroot wine and liquor. Faircourt, the delegation’s leader overindulged and was found sitting bolt upright under Poyato’s Adelfa Tree with a confused expression. He was signing a song about a naval vessel named after a Roman goddess and with a figurehead of a rather sporting you lady. Gruntmore tried to translate the lyrics which Manuela found particularly interesting.

The appeal of the plant soon became obvious, Remitroot Real Ale and Remitroot Scrumpy were just two liquid variations suggested. It was left to the imagination and expertise of Salmonella Sid to fully realise its potential.

The next time you are in a restaurant in Britain look out for the choicest of dishes. Remitroot in a basket, fried Remitroot and chips and that old favourite Remitroot Roly Poly.

the PPP) the sale of Scotch has rocketed in the Common’s bars, with MP’s queuing up on the terraces to throw themselves into the Thames.

I am constantly amazed at the lack of quality within our political system and why it is that the profession is so attractive to the wrong kind of people? Well it’s that word again – power, and of course their conviction that they possess superior brain power and the absolute certainty that they know best in all things.

But the present parlous state of our once proud country is irrefutable evidence that they

most certainly do not.

Then you have the duffers who sit in the ‘other place’ – the house of Lords. Many of whom are there by an accident of birth or the fact that they chose at an early age to don a cassock and conduct services on a Sunday.

Yes let’s have a second house in order to keep those other morons in check, but at least let it be a house elected by the people.

Take a look at the Parliamentary channel sometime; I swear that half of those who bother to attend only do so to grab a nap and to mutter an occasional heeear . . . heeear, just to show they are still breathing.

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

23

http://www.unique-almeria.com

SPOTLIGHT: Mojacar Gatsby’s Boutique... years has reopened now established for twenty-six k”, and is actively brea er wint al again after a “traditon Season, with vibrant promoting another Spring/ Summer wer bursts’ of colour and stunning new collections. ‘Sho boutique. Favourite the rs emanate from within as one ente l, natural fabrics coo g ucin prod at labels have excelled , linens, viscose and with beautiful designs in cottons very versatile for the silks - comfortable, easy-care and other destinations. or southern Mediterranean climate, iduality and comfort indiv Offering sizes 10 - 22, and with create one’s own can one ‘built’ into every garment, ! Easy Parking at zing ama look and ’ ‘statement of style Hotel el Puntazo, Mojacar Playa.

Bay Bistro... above the Irish Rover is situated on the Playa in Mojacar, y have only been The o. ane and just along from Mediterr have already built up opened for the past ten months but only quality menus and a tremendous reputation for not e for money. Their set first class service, but fantastic valu night as well as the and day menus continue to be popular o has become the Bistr Bay us. men ks A La carte and snac ple celebrating birthdays, restaurant of choice for many peo held their first wedding. anniversaries etc, and have recently ning and preparation plan of lot Sandra tells me, it took a day for the bride and stic fanta a ed stag but in the end we h they all thoroughly groom and all of their guests, whic tion the views from posi enjoyed. Because of the elevated the Playa and with g alon e non to the restaurant are second terrace is being the rn, retu to ing start the better weather for great food ing look used more and more. So if you are get yourself s, price ey and service at fantastic value for mon it! et regr ’t won you along to Bay Bistro, trust me

s ’ a m i De L

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The owner of the business, Michael Baxter has had over 40 years experience in the building industry and oversees everything to ensure that all work is done to the highest stan dard. We have been serving property owners in Mojacar and the surrounding area s for over 5 years.

We specialize in high quality PVC -U windows and doors and are the area´s only agents for HOCO (part of the HAAS grou p of Germany) whose products are all made especially for the Spanish climate. We also have a superb kitchen department where we offer first class design and fitting complete with all necessary tiling, plumbing and electrics. We sell shower screens, columns and sho wer trays and undertake all bathroom refurbishments from design to completion. We also sell shutters, internal blind s, mosquito screens, metalworks, composite entrance doors and much, much more.

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24

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

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

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

tips for today’s home...

Polished wood furniture can be buffed as often as you like but apply a good beeswax polish just two or three times a year - and never use silicone-based spray.

White spirit is more effective in removing the sticky residue that is left on containers after labels have been removed than some products made specially for the job.

Cut flowers last longer if you add a soluble aspirin and a spoonful of bleach to the water in the vase.

To make a radiator fade into the background, paint it the same colour as the walls it stands against. If the wall is papered, use a paint that matches the background colour of the design. An eggshell or a flat oil finish will further help the radiator to “disappear”.

When space is tight, it’s sometimes good to think big. A significant piece of over-sized furniture can deliver drama and gravitas to a small room.

If windows enjoy a beautiful view, choose curtains or blinds that provide a frame rather than needless competition.

You can extend the burning time of beeswax candles by keeping them in the fridge for at least 24 hours before you use them.

When choosing a carpet from sample pieces, always put the samples on the floor to see how they look rather than choosing the one that looks best when held in the hand.

If your cat (or dog) sleeps on the sofa, the quickest way to remove any hairs is to put on a dry rubber glove and use it to brush the fabric in one direction. The hairs will gather into a neat little pile

25

Foreign Residents’ Investment in Housing up 13.7% in 2012 According to data released by the Ministry of Development last week, foreign residents in Spain completed real estate transactions on private homes amounting to 6,336 million euros in 2012. This amount represents an increase of 13.7% over the figure recorded in 2011, which was 5,573.3 million euros.

The second-hand housing market accounted for the biggest volume of this expenditure, with 5,265 million euros in 2012, an increase of 15.6% over 2011.

Meanwhile, new housing transactions totalled 1,070 million euros for the whole year, up 4.8% compared to the previous year.

El Mundo reported that these figures also reflected the number of purchases made, with foreign residents in Spain acquiring, according to the Ministry, 47% more homes in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to the same period of 2011. Specifically, from October to December of last year 13,873 private home purchases were made by foreign residents.

Year-on-year this upward trend has now continued for six consecutive quarters, with the provinces registering the highest number of sales by foreign residents being Alicante, Malaga, Barcelona, the Balearic Islands and Madrid.

FOR ALL THE LATEST PROPERTY NEWS GO TO: WWW.KYERO.COM

Determining And Proving Domicile

By Bill Blevins, Financial Correspondent, Blevins Franks Domicile is a very important issue for British expatriates. You remain liable to UK inheritance tax on your worldwide assets for as long as you are domiciled or deemed domiciled in the UK. While changing your domicile is not impossible, it depends on your circumstances and intentions and needs to be a carefully considered and planned process.

If you have set up a permanent home in Spain and intend to live here until death, and ideally even to be buried here, there is good chance that you can acquire a ‘domicile of choice’ here in Spain. In this case you would no longer be liable to UK inheritance tax on your non-UK assets, though note it takes at least three years to shed UK domicile for inheritance tax purposes.

If you believe you have shaken off your UK domicile but HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) determine otherwise, your heirs will face an unexpected tax bill.

HMRC’s manual on Domicile: Enquiries into domicile status: Schedule of useful information and documents lists the types of information that may be requested during an enquiry. Some of them are obvious, others less so. Here are some examples of the less obvious ones.

• Details of siblings • I nformation on your children – names, dates of birth, nationalities, place of education, current locations and other relevant background • L ocations of members of the extended family

• D etailed summary of properties that have been available for your use • I nformation regarding any exercise of political rights in any territory, memberships of political parties • Professional qualifications and memberships • S ummary of membership of clubs, societies etc and level of participation • D etails of religious, cultural and social connections • L ocation of personal papers and items of financial, sentimental or other value • S ummary of any deeds, declarations etc created • E xplanation of your intentions for the future.

Do-it-yourself domicile determination is not an option if you want to avoid leaving your heirs any unexpected tax bills and headaches.

Blevins Franks is highly experienced in this area and would review your situation and advise on the way forward.

Summarised tax information is based upon our understanding of current laws and practices which may change.

Individuals should take personalised advice.

To keep in touch with the latest developments in the offshore world, check out the latest news on our website www.blevinsfranks.com

Monday to Friday

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green fee meal & 3 per p5€ erso drink n to book a tee time call

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26

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

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

Voila de Lima’s... r all of your furniture removals, resources and experience to cove are a family run business with the furniture both locally a de Lima’s we are able to move Voil At ng. selli and ing buy n eve storage and not as simple as it may appear, of sizeable vehicles. Removals are t flee our g usin lly iona rnat inte and are your prized possessions, shifting of furniture, these goods it does not just mean lifting and never forget this and treat all hard work. We at Voila de Lima’s, accumulated over many years of numbers in our advert or can contact us on the telephone You n. ntio atte and care with s your item you!

We look forward to hearing from by email enquiries@delimas.biz.

Azeefa Indian Restauran t... on the opposite side of the road to the Riding Stables roundabout, is well worth a visit. They pride themselves on friendly service and excellent Indian cuisine. Anyone trying them for the first time will be in for a treat, with good sized portions and a good range dish es to choose from. Their evening buffet where you can eat as much as you like, is the perf ect choice for hungry diners. With seating both inside and outside on the terrace, it is a nice place to eat on a warm Spring evening. Call them to reserve your table on 950 109 758.

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Sundance Spas Mojaca a Sundance Now is the perfect time to buy on genuine rs offe Spa there are lots of special of second ction sele d goo Sundace Spas also a to 50% up and on now Sale hand spas. moonlit m war a gine Ima s. spa cted off sele sky full the you ve mediterranean evening, abo e your mak us let s, star of bright shimmering Spa ce dan Sun a with ity dreams a real acar Playa Visit our showroom today on Moj ! you for do can and see what a spa om , Paseo Tel. 950 472 845. Mojacar Showro as.com cesp dan .sun de Mediterraneo,171 www

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The Karma Restaurant in Mojacar is an architectural marvel. The ancient building has been restored to recreate the old-world charm with modern day hospitality. With over 20 years of excellence in creating Indian food, you will enjoy world class cuisine here. Haweli in Mojacar is well known amongst the rich and famous, tourists and foreign dignitaries. Here you get the best of both worlds; fabulous food and surroundings, and glorious weather.

The menus are elaborate and prepared by top chefs from here in Spain and abroad. The elegant dining room is draped in silks and satins and lit beautifully with chandeliers. Only the finest silverware and table linens are used to create a sumptuous dining experience. All in all Karma is definitely worth a visit and one that you will remember for a long time. To avoid disappointment call now to reserve your table on 600 483 614 or 950 615 231.

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www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

27

THE SPAINIAC | The Alhambra (Part I | Candice Parsons after becoming frustrated from all the walking in the 40+ degrees heat.

The whole purpose of my visit to Granada was to visit the Alhambra, and considering the current status of my ankle, I was slightly concerned I’d not be able to explore all I’d hoped to.

Nonetheless, I ventured through the streets of Granada at around 8:30am the next day, and of course, typical of Spain, the atmosphere was mostly quiet with very few people around and no businesses open this early.

In Arabic, ‘qa’lat al-Hamra’ means ‘red castle’, and so is where the name of Granada’s signatory palace and fortress complex originates its name ‘Alhambra’ from.

You won’t go too long in Andalusia - or Spain for that matter - without hearing of or being recommended to the Alhambra.

The Moors, nomadic people from North Africa

who had converted Islam, ruled Spain throughout the eighth century. This exquisite palace built under their empire, stands as a statement of their last refuge and their crowning glory.

I’d met a girl from Brisbane, Australia the previous evening at the guesthouse I was staying in, after arriving back from the almost ten

hour hike of El Albaicín with my injured ankle.

She’d just returned from visiting the Alhambra, which I’d booked tickets for a few weeks back to visit the following day.

She recommended I get there by 10am at the latest, explaining how she’d done the same yet still hadn’t been able to cover all ground of the complex, and left early

I followed my city map that took me to the bottom of the steep, winding hill which led up to the Alhambra.

There was a frequent bus transfer that took visitors to the front entrance, but despite my injured ankle, I decided the physical strain would be punishment for the amount of paella, croquetas and ice cream I’d consumed over the past week. I knew I’d see more by walking than

I would from a bus anyway.

The lush, trees and greenery surrounding the pathway up this hill, lined by ancient aqua-ducts and large pebble stone walls, created a mysterious feel as I continued my way up.

The trees were so high, full and leafy above the path, making it almost impossible to see where exactly the Alhambra was and how much longer I had till reaching the entrance.

But my wandering mind was somewhat sedated by the silenced world below me. With each step, the sound of trickling water, soft breeze and singing birds separated me further and further away, drowning out any queries or thoughts attempting to surface my mind.

Soon enough, this serenity was interrupted,

and in the distance I could see more people, who were all heading towards the entrance marked ‘tickets’.

Large crowds were everywhere and long queues filled the outdoor foyer area for either ticket purchase or collection, headset commentaries, tour bookings, and Alhambra souvenirs. It made sense as to why pre-booked tickets are encouraged on the website, and allocated time slots are held for viewing certain parts of the palace.

Upon collecting my tickets and headset, I limped along with my now much more painful ankle towards the Palacio de Generalife; an extension to the Alhambra, which was the summer palace and country estate of the Nasrid Kings during the early 13th century... (To be continued in Part II)

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

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

IMPORTANT - A NEW OBLIGATION FOR RESIDENTS:

IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED IF YOU ARE A TAX RESIDENT: YOU NEED TO FILE FORM 720 DECLARING YOUR ASSETS WORLDWIDE RISKING HEAVY PENALTIES IF YOU DO NOT DO SO

Q.

I have heard that I need to present a declaration to the tax office declaring my assets in

other countries. Surely this cannot be true?

A. It is correct. Orden HAP/72/2013 of 30th of January has brought to life form 720, which needs to be filled

in by all residents of Spain who have assets abroad worth more than 50,000 euros. This form must be presented before the end of April with severe penalties for not doing so.

All resident of Spain shall provide the Spanish tax administration with the following information: 1. Information of bank accounts you may have abroad, already in your name, or have authorization or rights to at any time of the year which corresponds to the declaration. The information shall include:

• The full name and address of the bank.

• Full identification of the accounts.

• The opening or cancellation date, or if applicable, grant and revocation as authorized.

• The average balances of the last trimester and the corresponding average balances for the last trimester of the year 2. Information on securities, assets, values or rights representing the equities of all types of entities, or transfer own equities to a third party, of which they own and are abroad, as well as life insurance and life annuity policy holders or beneficiaries of temporary policies. In this case, the information must include, in addition to the identification of the entity, the balance on December 31st, the number and class of such assets.

3. Information on real estate located abroad. This last section will contain the following statement:

• Type of property.

• Property location: country, city, street and number.

• Date of purchase & Value of purchase.

The presentation in subsequent years will only be required when the value of the assets and rights have experienced an increase of over 20,000 euro on the determined value of the last statement made.

The information shall be declared in the new model 720 from February 1st to April 30th 2013 for the data of the fiscal year 2012. Starting from the next fiscal year the declaration should be presented between the dates January 1st & March 31st.

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.

28

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

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

Property...

Returning to UK?

10 reasons to buy in Spain!

£69,000 ono

MODERN PARKHOME (NW Leicestershire)

Private sale of this lovely home on a secure, well established, residential park and at an extremely attractive price.

1. Everyone still wants to visit Spain. Between January and October 2012 52 million tourists went there - a 3 per cent rise on the same period in 2011.

> 2 Fitted Bedrooms > Large lounge/diner

2. Plenty of people still want to buy there. Brits are leading the way (30 per cent), according to the Ministry of Public Works, but Russian, Scandinavian and Benelux buyers are also major purchasers according to Knight Frank.

> Inclusive fitted kitchen > Luxury shower room/WC Email: ronlen@btinternet.com

UK: 01455 293603

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

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

travel-pictures.net

Apartment For Sale on golf course

3. Proposals by the Spanish government to offer residency rights to non-EU buyers who spend more than 160,000 euros will be positive for the market if it goes through in 2013, according to Barbara Wood of The Property Finders.

O Olive

Mojacar

Contact: 607 705 085 or 687 938 466

C/Llanos, Bedar (Next to the Miramar Restaurant)

Open: Monday-Friday 10.00am-3.30pm

www.olivehouse-es.com

69,950€

This fabulous 2 bed apartment has a spacious living room and lovely terrace. It has a large communal area with Bar B Q and use of communal pool.

OLV681

We Urgently need realisticly priced properties, sales + rentals for waiting clients

Pretty modernised townhouse of 60m2 + 20 m2 private terrace with lovely views. 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom. Off street parking. Beautiful community gardens. Less than 5 mins walk to the beach.

www.pricebrown.com Tel: +34 950 478 915 Fax: +34 950 478 963 sales@pricebrown.com

rentals@pricebrown.com

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

80,000€ Mojácar Playa LV657

5. There are many reasons why it’s nice to live there: superb climate, great beaches, affordable dining out, the best football in Europe…

6. You can now reach Barcelona and that fine football by a new fast train from London. The new link-up will reduce the journey time by 1.25 hours and make the Costa Brava easier to reach too.

7. Properties are cheaper than they have been since 2002. You can get an apartment for under 50,000 euros and a villa with change from 100,000.

PRICE BROWN PARTNERSHIP

ESTATE AGENTS/INMOBILARIA - MOJACAR

4. It’s also easier to get there. New flights include new British Airways routes to Alicante, Barcelona, Palma and the Canaries; whilst Monarch are now flying from East Midlands Airport as well as new routes to Ibiza and the Canaries.

Suicide ↑ Junction We are HERE

8. You can get a bargain ski property. Spanish ski property is down by 50 per cent. Tapas on the piste?

What could be better.

9. The overseas market is growing. There have been five straight quarters of growth, in contrast with the domestic market which is stalling.

10. New-build properties in prime locations are selling.

Whilst Taylor Wimpey Espana have sold 60 per cent of two of their new developments offplan, Savills sold the same of a new apartment block in Ibiza Town.

article courtesy of www.aplaceinthesun.com

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES APRIL 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 palomares

€55,000

mojacar playa

€75,000

2 bed / 2 bath ground floor Apartment. Fully furnished. Underground private parking place.

Communal pool. Bargain price Ref. 1496

2 bed / 2 bath Apartment with terrace & underground parking place. Air con. Fully fitted kitchen. Communal pool. Ref. 1123

Mojacar playa

mojacar playa

€99,950

cortijo grande reduced

€80,000

2 bed / 1 bath charming end of terrace Townhouse with golf and mountains views.

Terrace & solarium. Ref. 1448

€169,000

el largo reduced

€94,950

4 bed / 3 bath large Townhouse with garage around 10 min. to coast and Desert Springs Golf. Build 164 m². Ref. 1165

garrucha

€100,000

reduced

Nice 2 bed / 1 bath Apartment with private underground parking place near new harbour & amenities. Lift & Communal pool. Ref. 1226

3 bed / 2 bath Apartment. Sea and mountains views. Terrace: aprox. 50 m². Store room.

Parking & Communal pool. Ref. 1167

mojacar playa reduced

€109,950

mojacar playa

3 bed / 2 bath spacious Townhouse with private garage within 200 m to beach.

Small gated community with pool. Ref 1483

2 bed / 1 bath Apartment within 200 meters to beach. Private underground parking place & large terrace. Communal pool. Ref. 1395

nr carboneras

€149,000

mojacar playa

€149,000

4 bed / 2 bath Cortijo and separate guest house on the coastal park of Cabo de Gata.

Plot 1.000 m². Solarium with views. Ref.1458

End of terrace 2 bed / 2 bath Townhouse with sea views within walking distance to beach.

Communal pool & parking. Ref. 1234

mojacar, Huerta €249,950 reduced

mojacar playa €295,000 reduced

3 bed / 2 bath charming detached House with garage on Plot of 7.000 m² within 5 min drive to beach. Bargain! Ref 1196

3 bed / 2 bath sea facing Villa with garage on plot of 417 m². Terraces, solarium & jacuzzi.

Amazing views. Ref 1062

mojacar playa

€165,000

2 bed / 2 bath Townhouse within walking distance to beach. Private garage. Solarium & terraces. Communal pool. Ref. 1009

turre

€129,950

3 bed / 2 bath large Apartment with sea views. Build 125 m ² + terrace. Store room.

Fully furnished. Communal pool. Ref. 1207

cabrera

€199,950

2 bed / 2 bath charming Villa with amazing coastal views. Plot 180 m². Air con & fire place. Communal pool. Ref 1035

€349,950

Amazing 3 bed / 3 bath Villa on plot of 960 m² at the entrance of Agua Nueva. Terrace with beautiful views & pool. 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.

29

30

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SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

...FOOD NEWS...FOOD NEWS...FOOD NEWS...FOOD NEWS... a bowl of pasta with tomato sauce and salad could cut your risk of having a stroke!

SUPERMERCADOS

UDACO

ALMANZORA

Tel: 622 499 190

Better & Closer

Fresh Meat, Cheese, Milk and Bread Cereals and Frozen Foods Cleaning Products and much more........

Ctra. Estacion, 29 - 04815 Almanzora (Almeria)

Eating a bowl of wholegrain pasta with a mixed salad could cut your risk of a stroke, say researchers. They found people who regularly eat more dietary fibre were less likely to suffer a stroke, with the risk falling by about seven per cent for each high-fibre meal.

Good sources of fibre

Los Mellizos Restaurant

La Alfoquia, Zurgena

We have a new chef and a new Menu !

include whole grains, fruit and vegetables, and nuts, which contain parts of the plant the body doesn’t absorb during digestion.

Previous research suggests dietary fibre can reduce risk factors for stroke, including high blood pressure and high levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol. In the new study, researchers found that each seven gram increase in total daily fibre intake was linked to a seven per cent drop in first-time stroke risk.

One serving of whole wheat pasta, plus two servings of fruits or vegetables, provides about 7 grams of fibre, said UK researchers in the American Heart Association journal Stroke.

Lead author, Diane Threapleton, from the University of Leeds’ School of Food Science and Nutrition, said: ‘Greater intake of fibrerich foods - such as whole-grains, fruits, vegetables and nuts - are important for everyone, and especially for those with stroke risk factors like being overweight, smoking and having high blood pressure.

‘Most people do not get the recommended level

of fibre, and increasing fibre may contribute to lower risk for strokes.

‘We must educate consumers on the continued importance of increasing fibre intake and help them learn how to increase fibre in their diet.’

Researchers analysed eight studies published between 1990 and 2012.

The studies reported on all types of stroke with four specifically examining the risk of ischemic stroke, the most common type which occurs when a clot blocks a blood vessel to the brain.

Three assessed haemorrhagic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel bleeds into the brain or on its surface.

Other stroke risk factors like age and smoking were taken into account.

The results showed total dietary fibre consumed was linked with stroke risk, with the risk falling in line with increasing amounts eaten.

Researchers did not find an association with soluble fibre and stroke risk, and lacked enough data on insoluble fibre to make any conclusions about the best kind of dietary fibre. Soluble fibres, which dissolve in water, include oats and

oat bran, peas, beans, barley. Insoluble fibres, which promote the movement of material through the digestive system, include whole wheat, whole grain, vegetable and fruit skins, and wheat bran. Studies have shown that people who eat a lot of insoluble fibre have lower blood pressure and lower body weight, whereas high blood pressure and obesity raise stroke risk.

A recent study from Oxford University found that eating more fruit and vegetables would dramatically cut the annual toll of premature deaths in the UK. It showed 15,000 lives would be saved by sticking to five-a-day advice, including 7,000 from coronary heart disease, almost 5,000 from cancer and more than 3,000 from stroke.

The UK’s nutritional target is for people to eat 440g of fruit and vegetables every day. The average consumption of fruit and vegetables is three portions a day, with only 22 per cent of Britons consuming the recommended five or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

showbar & restaurant

The Irish Rover

Your No1 Entertainment Venue in Mojacar for All the Family

Fantastic New menu of the Day only 10€ per person MAD

MONDAYS

Chicken, Chips, Salad & a Bottle of Wine per 2 People

Eagles Tribute

friday night mixed grill & steak special menu from Saturday night - disco sunday - sunday lunch call now to reserve your table

Open Mon - Fri 8am - late. Sat & Sun 9am - late

8

€

Tlf: 667 919 025

Only 12€

ABBA

Madness

Friday Friday Friday 31st May 10th May 12th April Chips telephone: 950 473 135 Fish w&ith

mojacar playa between Lua & Moma Beach

Open 10am till late 7 days a week

tter

Bread & Bu

5.95€

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

...FOOD news ...FOOD news

d Goo

31

Grea tF rie nds YELLOW

s e m Ti

STONE BAR

Food Around The World Dining Group On the last Sunday of every month starting 28th April from 12 noon

On the last Sunday of each month The Yellow Stone Bar will be holding a “Food Around The World” dining experience. You will need to pre-book your table and pay a 5€ deposit. We will visit a new country each month and sample traditionally cooked food of that country. The menu will consist of a salad followed by a choice of starters, choice of main courses and a choice of desserts. A glass of Red, White or Rose wine will be served with the main course and the total cost will be €11.95 per person.

On Sunday 28th April

Great Gatsby fever

we are going to visit

THAILAND

so book early to avoid disappointment!

‘Bloody Mary’: the drink of 2013

This summer is set to see a bloody revolution - with the red-hot tipple of choice being the Bloody Mary cocktail. Bartenders across Britain are hailing the tomato and vodka concoction as the hottest drink of 2013 - and the spike in popularity is thanks to Great Gatsby fever.

Premiering on May 15 at the Cannes Film Festival, Baz Lurhmann’s hotly anticipated film is set during the jazz age, when the Bloody Mary was first mixed. The Prohibition era saw speakeasys become the high of fashion - and cocktails were key - with powerful flavoured mixers used

to mask the taste of bootlegged booze.

Ninety years on our love affair with dimly lit drinking dens and the spicy and salty Bloody Mary continues.

Thanks to Leonardo Di Caprio, Tobey McGuire and Carey Mulligan - the stars

of latest adaptation of The Great Gatsby – you won’t just be drinking it with your eggs benedict.

The history of many classic cocktails, the origin of the Bloody Mary is widely debated.

Some claim it was crafted by bartender Fernand Petiot in 1921 at the famous Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, a favourite with American expats including author Fitzgerald, while others believe a waitress named Mary who worked at a Chicago bar called the Bucket of Blood was the creator. Either way, the drink has exploded in popularity across the UK. It’s no longer only seen as a modern hair-of-the-dog hangover cure but has attracted the attention of mixologists who are rethinking the recipe ahead of the summer. Plus, it’s packed with veggies, so we count it towards one of your five a day.

Thierry Brocher, Head Barman at The Sanderson Hotel’s Long Bar says: ‘It is the perfect cocktail as its one of those drinks you can enjoy any time of the day, even for breakfast without feeling guilty. The magic and mandatory ingredient is Horseradish, it bring more texture to the drink and helps blending all ingredients together, also 5ml of tio pepper makes a difference.

But if you’re bored of the traditional recipe, there are numerous variations on the drink from The Bloody Maria with tequila to the infamous Red Snapper with gin.’

The beauty of the Bloody Mary is its versatility so you’ll find every bar has its own take on the classic recipe. The era of cocktail glamour is most certainly coming back, people are becoming more educated on spirits and so bars are constantly updating their own recipes to ensure they’re ahead of the new trends.

It will then be down to the Diners to decide the next destination for the following month and this will be announced the following day on the notice board.

We can also keep you up to date by email or you can follow us on Facebook!

Bookings are mandatory and on a “first come first served” basis.... we look forward to seeing you!

ITV Find us in Piedra Amarilla CENTRE For more information and phone orders ← Albox Fines → call Paul: 634 332 178

yellowstonebar@gmail.com

Yellow Stone 1km Piedra Amarilla →

Mesón de

Irene

MENU DEL DIA open7 days a week 4 Courses with Wine & Coffee

Monday-Saturday inclusive. Lunch 1pm - 4pm

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 avail able

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

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view us online www.soltimes.com ALBOX

Bar Menu & Snacks Home-made puds

Burgers, Lasagne, pies, Omelettes, chilli plus

from 9am

It is not the first place you would think to go for fine wine – but budget store Lidl says it has been overwhelmed with demand for a £19.99 claret.

MENU DEL DIA

served 12 - 3 except Fri & Sun

onl y €

The supermarket, perhaps better known for discount lager than classy Bordeaux, is stocking a reputable St Emilion Grand Cru as part of a push for affluent shoppers trying to bag a bargain.

The Château Laroze 2007 is the most expensive wine ever sold by the German-owned chain.

Friday & Saturday

The wines were chosen by a panel including Master of Wine Richard Bampfield, who gave the Château Laroze an ‘outstanding’ score of 90 out of 100.

2 Courses

All Day Breakfast

‘Outstanding’ claret costing just £19.99 flying off the shelves at Lidl

5

Includes FREE Tea or Coffee

friday & SATURDAY

Cod ‘n’ ChipS

Beerfrom battered 5.95€ Atlantic Cod, Homemade Chips, Mushy or Garden PeaS SERVED 12-9pm

Our Restaurant is Open 6pm-9pm

Lidl’s ‘Wine Cellar’ also includes a 2011 Châteauneuf du Pape at £12.49 and a 2011 Sancerre at £9.99.

The current owners of Château Laroze, an obscure, St. Emilion classified growth, are the Meslin family, who can trace their roots back to the Gurchy family, who created the business in 1882, according to the Wine Cellar Insider website.

The 27 hectare Bordeaux vineyard of Chateau Laroze is planted with 68 per cent Merlot, 26 per cent Cabernet Franc and 6 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon.

Ben Hulme, Lidl wine manager, said: ‘Since the recession hit, we’ve seen a shift in customer spending habits with many people, even those from more affluent backgrounds, finding smart ways to continue enjoying fine wines and good food at home. We want to offer people the opportunity to enjoy really good wines at prices that aren’t ridiculous.’

EVENING from MENU 5.95€

Traditional SUNDAY LUNCH

Delicious & Home-cooked nl y 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

just nuts about peanut butter

6.95€ to include a

Britons shelled out more than £1million a week for peanut butter last year resulting in sales of the savoury spread reaching a record high. As jam and marmalade fall out of favour, new research reveals peanut butter is now the popular choice of spread for many.

FREE Drink

Starters, Puddings - 2€ each

SUNDAY SERVED 10AM-12PM

STOP ‘N’ SHOP IN YOUR...

Activities at

ENGLISH SUPERMARKET

BREAKFAST Monday

Wednesday

Rock ‘n’ Roll - 7:30pm Line Dancing 7:30pm

Tuesday

Quirky Quiz - 7:30pm

Thursday

Ceroc Dancing & Fun Social Night 7:30pm

ALBOX

@

BP Garage

•••

BAZA → OPEN 9AM-LATE MON-SAT 10-6 SUN ← ARBOLEAS Av•••AL . L BO ep an X → to jacksalbox@gmail.com

950 120 718 / 610 641 567

Super Corner 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

As peanut butter sales rocket, sweet toothed Britons have also been splashing out on chocolate spread with sales up 24 per cent to £46 million in 2012.

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

#

all welcome ...Art Classes (held most days) ... plus Computer Club...Keep fit & slimming classes check the board for times

According to market analysts Mintel, sales of peanut butter have increased by 20 per cent in the past two years, growing from £47 million to £56 million in 2012. Volume sales increased by a similar amount of 17 per cent over the same period, to reach nearly 60 million jars.

Almost one in 10 (seven per cent) Britons have switched from jam or marmalade to peanut butter or chocolate spread.

Overall, sales of sweet spreads reached £389 million in 2012, up from £367 in 2010, an increase of six per cent between 2010 and 2012.

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

email your favourite recipes to editor@soltimes.com

Potato Salad With Watercress, Cucumber & Radish

33

...FOOD & ENTERTAINING Spaghetti With Roasted Cherry MAIN Tomatoes

INGREDIENTS (For 4 people) For the salad: Sea salt and pepper 1 lb fingerling potatoes 3 pink radishes, finely sliced (use a mandolin) 1 cup finely sliced English cucumber (use a mandolin) 1/2 tablespoon blond cane sugar 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 6 green or purple asparagus tips, sliced finely Dash of ground coriander Handful of watercress leaves, thoroughly cleaned Crumbled semi-hard goat cheese, to taste For the dressing: Sea salt and pepper 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 Meyer lemon 1 tablespoon tahini nut butter 3 tablespoons olive oil Chopped coriander or parsley

STARTER

METHOD Steam the potatoes for 15 to 20 minutes, or until easily pierced with a fork. Let them cool.

When they are cooled enough to be handled, peel and sliced them; set aside.

In a colander, add the cucumber and sprinkle with salt. Let sit for 30 minutes so that the cucumber release water. Drain and transfer to a bowl with the radish.

In a small bowl, combine the sugar and rice vinegar and stir well. Add to the cucumber and radish and toss well; set aside.

In a frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. When warm, add the asparagus and a dash of coriander. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes; set aside.

In a small bowl, add a pinch of salt and pepper, and add the mustard and lemon juice. Stir and add the tahini and olive oil; whisk to emulsify.

In a large bowl, toss the potatoes, cucumber and radish, asparagus, goat cheese. Add the dressing and coat the salad with it.

Add the watercress leaves and toss gently.

Serve.

Red Currant Pistachio and Brown Butter Cake INGREDIENTS

dessert

(for 6 muffin-like cakes) 51/2 tablespoons (80 g) unsalted butter 1 vanilla bean, split open and seeds scraped out 70g pistachio meal (use shelled unsalted pistachios that you grind in a food processor) (20 g) millet flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 large egg 50g sugar 1/4 cup buttermilk 60g red currants* 6 raspberries* 6 black currants* *Combine any kind of seasonal berries

INGREDIENTS METHOD Preheat the oven to 350 F. Place the cherry tomatoes in an oven dish; set aside. In a bowl, combine the garlic, lemon thyme, honey and add 6 tablespoons olive oil.

Season with salt and pepper. Coat the cherry tomatoes with this marinade. Bake the tomatoes for about 20 minutes; keep warm on the side.

Blanch the julienned carrots for 1 minute in boiling salted water and rinse them under cold water.

Cook the spaghetti al dente in a large volume of salted water. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and toss gently.

Toss in the carrot, cherry tomatoes and marinade, crumbled feta and add a generous amount of grated Parmesan (to taste).

Divide the pasta between four plates and add watercress leaves in each plate. Add a squeeze of lime juice and drizzle with honey and olive oil. If you have fresh parsley handy, add some too.

(For 4 people) Sea salt and pepper 2 pounds ripe cherry tomatoes 2 large garlic cloves, finely minced 1 teaspoon finely chopped lemon thyme 1.5 teaspoons honey + more to serve 6 tablespoons olive oil + more to serve 2 large carrots, peeled and julienned finely 12 oz spaghetti Parmesan cheese, grated (to taste) 4 oz crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese Handful of fresh watercress leaves Drizzle of lime juice

method Preheat the oven at 400 F and grease 6 muffin molds (or line a muffin mold with paper cases); set aside.

Place the butter in a pot and bring to a simmer. Cook on low to medium heat until the butter turns and tastes like hazelnut. Stop the heat and add the vanilla bean and seeds; leave to infuse for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain and discard the vanilla pods.

In the meantime, in a bowl, combine the pistachio meal, baking powder and millet flour.

In another bowl, beat the egg with the sugar.

Add the dry ingredients to this wet batter, and beat until well combined.

Add the melted butter and then buttermilk.

Divide the batter between the muffin molds and stud with the fruit.

Bake the small cakes for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden.

(Optional) When cooled, dust with icing sugar.

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

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

STANDARD CROSSWORD

trust (9) 22 A supernatural spirit (7) 23 Glanced at (7) 25 Stress (7) 26 A particular point in time (7) 27 Social status (5) 28 Exerted physically (9) Down 1 Not left (5) 2 Relaxed (7) 3 Acmes (7) 4 Keen (5) 5 Divided (9) 6 Linguistic rules (7)

7 Dappled (7) 8 A supplementary component (9) 13 Puzzling (9) 14 Wealth (9) 17 9 in a baseball game (7) 18 An ancient middleeastern people (7) 20 A creation of high excellence (7) 21 Published once a year (7) 23 Strike (5) 24 Met romantically (5)

Down 1 Article on a bb-band (4) 2 Haul up without soldier - very sad (6) 3 Bird one thousand and one, wife number one! (4) 4 Good man and a good animal (4) 5 Parading on new instrument

HARD SUDOKU

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.

Across 1 Harshness (9) 6 3rd letter of the Greek alphabet (5) 9 Looking with amazement (7) 10 Molded synthetic material (7) 11 Sturdier (7) 12 Wanders (7) 13 According to Mencken, a striptease artist (9) 15 Cowboy sport (5) 16 From Ireland (5) 19 Relating to a legal

7 “Lawyer got naked without resistance.”

Is this initially right? (9) 8 Relative speed of Vera Tennyson? (4) 10 Making smooth guy nothing over in Germany twice (8) 11 New leader - total maniac! (6) 12 Disreputable family member doesn’t have hospital in British (English) record (5,5) 16 Boy, yet head’s a woman! (4) 17 Shelter in port entrance? (4) 19 Animal backs a load of shops (5) 20 Cover creature, flesh first (4) 22 Hits back for fight (4) 24 Brought in or inducted, perhaps (10) 26 A church in Gateshead causing pain (6) 27 Obstruct a bloke with CD, maybe (8) 30 Against a stake, we hear (4) 31 Employ in houses? (3) 32 Beach boy?

(5)

(5,5) 6 Dry leaf initially in shrub which is more easily broken (8) 9 Incline to go without right fashion (5) 13 Boy not facing wind? (3) 14 Betraying trade in disease (10) 15 Precise claim (as due) (5) 18 Make a mistake if in twitch - great! (8) 21 Single, on top of everything (3) 23 Nut from dope Candy (5) 25 A French relative with daughter is cruel (6) 27 British always drink! (4) 28 Force out American in head office with Tory leader (4) 29 One of these with this will be sometime soon (4)

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

coffee break

Across

STANDARD SUDOKU

34

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SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

35

el Cucador

VidaRestaurant&Venue

aster 5 A nn u al E B onnet Parade th

Eleanor & Gilly’s Monday Afternoon Line Dance Class at Bar Jack’s in Albox held its 5th Annual Easter Bonnet Parade on Easter Monday 1st April and their was no fooling in this parade. In fact it was all taken quite seriously.

Eleanor Tolman, one of the class organisers, was surprised and pleased to find that so many members of the class had entered into the spirit of the event. The competition was judged by all the persons present using a points system. The winning bonnet this year was a tie between Carrie Green and Sue Finchan with Helen Simpson in 3rd place.

All winners received an Easter Egg and complimentary passes to future Line Dance Classes.

In addition to the Easter Bonnet Parade , all class attendees received an Easter Egg and a raffle was held for the benefit of F.A.C.E. (Fundraising in Arboleas, Caring for Everyone) the classes designated charity. Proceeds from this raffle and other fund raising events will be presented to F.A.C.E. later in the year. Finally it was also the Birthday of Class Member Lyn Williams and to mark the occasion she was presented with a Birthday cake.

Eleanor and Gilly’s Line Dance Class is held every Monday at Bar Jack’s in Albox, and is a place where people can make friends and meet friends, using Line Dancing as its main theme, although throughout the year it organises various parties and also the occasional Line dancing weekends in such places as Benidorm. For further information please contact Eleanor Tolman Telephone Number 950 439 003.

Photographs: The Easter Bonnet Parade - Left to Right - Class Organiser Eleanor Tolman, Helen Simpson, Carrie Green, Alice Bradbury, Lyn Williams and Sue Finchan; Class Organiser Eleanor Tolman looks on as Birthday girl Lyn Williams blows the candle out on the presented cake.

Enjoy Wonderful Views over the Olive Groves from our Candelit Restaurant wed - sat evenings Open 6pm-9pm

this week’s restaurant specials Crispy Parmesan Chicken 7.45€ Pan-fried chicken breast with a parmesan crumb served on a bed of tomato & basil Pork Fricassee 7.95€ Tender pork with celery, carrot & onion in a creamy sauce served with rice

full selection of all your favourites - all homemade

Pan-Fried Sea Bass 7.95€ Fresh sea bass pan-fried, with a caper, lemon & butter sauce served with spinach THE ABOVE MAINS ARE SERVED WITH A CHOICE OF POTATOES & SEASONAL VEGETABLES

menu changes weekly plus specials board

Starters: Ask for today’s choice of Starters, 2.50€ each

incl: fish of the day

Scrumptious Homemade Puddings Ask your waitress for the specials of the day, all 2.50€ each!

16oz steaks & mixed grills always available

Cheese & Biscuits Selection A selection of Cheeses served with biscuits & homemade chutney 3.50€

saturday 6th april resturant closed for private party

booking recommended

fridays

Beer-battered cod

from

5.95€ in the Bar

homemade chips & peas

served 12.30pm - 9pm booking advisable

tapas 1€ in the bar 12pm-9pm

~ bar specials ~

Tuesday

cod, chips & peas only 5€ or chicken curry & rice 6 - 9pm 1/2 roast chicken, only wednesday chips & salad 5 6 - 9pm or gammon chips & peas €

thursday ...is pie night! only 6 - 9pm delicious homemade pie, 5€ chis & peas

Open Every Day 12pm - Late

Tel: 950 634 562 lavidacucador@gmail.com

We are here

Albox Arboleas Zurgena La Alfoquia

Mojacar

E15

1km

La Vida

Cucador Junc 547 Huercal Overa

book the Venue

For your Private Parties, Weddings and Birthdays etc.

36

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

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

SEND YOUR NEWS AND VIEWS TO editor@soltimes.com

A BIG THANK YOU

TO BAR SPINNAKER ...and now BAR CARDIES which opened on 26th March!

Linda and Tommy at Bar Cardies (previously at Bar Spinnaker) have once again agreed to support this year’s Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and have received their 2013 all-year-round box from Barry Thomas, the new poppy appeal organiser for the Roquetas De Mar branch of the Royal British Legion.

Before the move, they were selling recycled old books, which were no longer required by their customers and the proceeds are going into the POPPY FUND! Many thanks to Linda and Tommy for their continued support and valued help in raising funds for our exservice men and women.

Why not call in at ‘BAR CARDIES’ and enjoy their excellent choice of tapas, beers and wines at their beach-front location, next to Popeye’s Bar, just down from the old Bar Spinnaker!

New members and friends are welcome to join in the fun at Royal British Legion branch meetings held at: The Lodge, on Calle Americo Vespucio in Roquetas De Mar, the first Tuesday of each month at 3.00pm.

Please contact the Legion’s Chairman on 950 328 469 for further details.

moby needs a forever home

This is Moby, a very cute puppy who was born on December 7th 2012. Moby is a male dog from the SOCIEDAD PROTECTORA DE ANIMALES DE ROQUETAS DE MAR. He really is in need of a loving home. Can you help?

His weight is 2.8 kilos. We think he will stay small and might weigh around 6-7kg as an adult - he looks like a Chihuahua-cross.

He gets along well with other dogs and cats. He is sociable, affectionate and very friendly. Right now he is too small to stay at the shelter and is being taken care of by a lady who already has two dogs and two cats of her own. She says that Moby is very good and sleeps the whole night through on his cushion If you can’t give Moby a home, perhaps you would like to become a member of the shelter or sponsor a dog. If you want a form for either of these options, send an email to geoffalmeria@hotmail.com and a form will be sent to you.

Failing these options, please be aware that the shelter is always in need of blankets, towels etc. which can be taken to the Sanctuary. Monetary contributions can be sent direct to the Sanctuary’s Bank account. Details where you can visit, or for adoptions forms, please apply to the same email address. If you want to visit the Sanctuary to adopt a dog, you can visit on Saturday mornings. During the week is best for material donations. A warm welcome at the Sanctuary is assured for would-be adopters.

Thank you for reading this appeal...

Burty’s BAR Playa Serena, roquetas de mar

sun - fri from 11am - 6pm Closed saturday

huge sunny terrace us bar acio and spCome and Catch the Winter Sun

!

N O O S G N I N E OP ROQUETAS DE MAR!

GRAN PL A ZA

Tuesday pie night 5.30pm - 8.30pm

Steak & Ale, chicken, Bacon & Mushroom or Mince, Onion & Potato with chips & mushy peas or potatoes & vegetables. €6.95 Booking essential by 6pm Monday

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

Booking Essential By 6pm Wednesday

Tapas served from 1 pm Next Table top Sale

28th april call to reserve a table

every thursday quiz 2.15pm prompt

tuesday

bingo 2.30pm

anglican church service 3rd thursday of the month 11:30am

next service 18th April

Opposite Playa Luna Hotel between Oasis & New York New York. Tel: 679 156 715

Notice

The ‘Friday Tapas Group’ meet up at 1pm each week (Friday) and the venues for the next three weeks are as follows: 5th April - Estampa (Lily’s) in the Urb. 12th April - Bar Cuellar in the Urb. at Bahia Serena Hotel 19th April - To be confirmed.

26th April - no meeting.

3rd May - Lady Lay & La Bodeguina

Anyone is welcome to join in and have a laugh, exchange views and ideas.

The more, the merrier and the bar owners enjoy it too!

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

ROQUETAS DE MAR POOL TOURNAMENT

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 - 30th April Bar cARDIES...................................

NOW OPEN!! See our advert on the BACK PAGE! THE LODGE in Roquetas de Mar provided the venue for the much anticipated ROYAL BRITISH LEGION OPEN POOL TOURNMANENT last Thursday evening, 28th March.

The event was organised by the RBL with a proportion of the proceeds benefiting the 2013 POPPY APPEAL. The event was envisaged as a “true” open with no restrictions on entrants.

So RBL members, non-members and members of the local community, both men and women were welcome. The playing facilities for the night were kindly donated, free-of-charge, by Juan Pedro Reyes, the proprietor of THE LODGE. There was a buzz in the bar as the registration desk opened at 7pm. By the time it closed at 7.30, twelve pool sharks had signed up and paid their entry fee. Rather than give four players a straight bye through to the quarter finals, it was decided that four games would be played first with the winners going through to the next stage. The four players who has lost were then given a second chance by being drawn to play an entrant who had not yet played. As a result, the eight players who lined up in the quarter-final draw had all won a game. As it had been up to this point, the quarter-finals were decided by a single frame. However, as the games had progressed so quickly, it was decided that the semi-finals and final would be played on a “best of three” basis. The semi-final results were …….

KEITH DRAKARD beat MIKE ELLIS ( 2 – 0 ) and IAN REEVES beat CHRIS BONE ( 2 – 0 ) There was a hush in the bar as the final began. Many of those who’d taken part and a growing number of locals and passers-by focussed on what was a high-quality, tactical battle. But in the end the better potter won the day. The result….

IAN REEVES beat KEITH DRAKARD ( 2 – 0 ) Both players received cash prizes that were presented by the draw-master Mike Ellis alongside Barry Thomas, RBL 2013 POPPY APPEAL organiser (see photo). The winner, IAN REEVES will be well known to many in Roquetas. He lives here full-time and is an Arsenal supporter.

The event was generally seen as a great success and the RBL hopes to make this a regular event – great for the pool players in and around Roquetas and great for the Poppy Appeal. Watch this space for future announcements.

MIKE HICKMAN, the chair of the Roquetas de Mar branch of the Royal British Legion, had this to say afterwards. “It’s been a great night and seems to have been thoroughly enjoyed by all. As branch chair, I’d like to thank Juan and his staff at “The Lodge” for providing the playing facilities free-of-charge and for their hard work on a busy night. Secondly, I’d like to thank the organisers, Barry Thomas and Mike Ellis, for their work in setting up the tournament and their efforts on the night that ensured all ran smoothly. Finally, the Royal British Legion would like to thank everyone who attended, to play or just to watch - your presence made for a terrific atmosphere and a really competitive edge on the night. I’m looking forward to the next one.“

Chaplins pub.....................................

Opening Hours: Open 1pm til’ close Tuesday to Sunday, 5pm til’ close Monday 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 NEW YORK, NEW YORK...........................

Wednesday - Carvery 5pm-10pm Friday - Fish’n’Chips Sunday - Carvery 1pm-5pm 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

OSTRICH EGG SPOTTED IN NATURE RESERVE IN PLAYA SERENA?

37

A BIG THANK YOU BAR SOUTHERN!

Julie and Kevin at Bar Southern have once again agreed to support this year’s Royal British Legion POPPY APPEAL and have just received their new 2013 all-year-round box from Barry Thomas, the new poppy appeal organiser for the Roquetas De Mar branch of the Royal British Legion.

On the first Friday of each month, Bar Southern host ‘Ladies Do Lunch’, which consists of 3 courses and must be booked in advance. It is well attended by about sixteen regulars. So, ladies, if you fancy some ‘me time’, why not join in and have a right good natter with the girls?

They also do a selection of tapas, main meals, specials and Sunday lunches. Thursday afternoon is BINGO time for all you bingo-heads. Why not call in at Bar Southern, who are located just off the beach front location near the Hotel Zoraida Gardens in Calle Maracaibo.

Many thanks for your continued support and valued help in raising funds for our ex-service men and women.

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.

La Grappa

Authentic Italian Restaurant

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

BBQ

EVERY DAY

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

950 334 188 609 337 316

to reserve your table

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

the ostrich d e t t o sp o h w il fool? egg or the apr Could the African Ostrich have found a way to Roquetas De Mar? Reports from a dog walker suggest that a new inhabitant may have found its way to the resort. A spokesman for the Nature Park, Snr Jose Manuel Bromista confirmed that the egg found last week resembles that of the African Ostrich native to parts of Morocco. The egg has been taken for analysis so watch this space for further information!!

www.enviapropertyservices.com

estampa apas T

Ta

Bar

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

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

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

38

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

SOLTIMES APRIL 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 FOR SALE

advertise all your unwanted items

for sale in this section

any single item up to 300€ free of charge

email: sales@soltimes.com

Scuba Diving Equipment for sale.

Too much to list. 260€ Tel: 620 112 193 Fridge Freezer, 6 months old, as new 160€ Tel: 630 556 566 4 Plate Ceramic Hob. 75€ Tel: 630 556 566 Yamaha ERB070 bass guitar & Yamaha 10 watt practice amp.

Quality instrument in mint condition. Only used at home from new. Cost 360€.

Absolute bargain 160€. Tel: 693 753 327. Saliente Alto.

Solid Wood Front Door - New – 300€ Tel: 630 556 566 Various wooden wardrobe doors 15€ each Tel: 630 556 566 Selection of Roca bathroom pottery from 20€ Tel: 630 556 566 4 Mitsubishi aircon fridge units - ideal for spares 25€ Tel: 630 556 566 White dressing table with draws 30€ White bathroom tall boy cupboard 30€ Small Pine filing cabinet lockable 30€ Metal bird Aviary 150€, Call 617166270 or 659089658 Vera playa area Breville proper

coffee machine (smaller version of the ones in Spanish bars) 25€ Sky dish & support 100€ Ornate occasional tables x 3 cherry wood 30€ Lockable computer/ printer cabinet on wheels (metal) 25€ Call 617166270 or 659089658 Vera playa area Chest freezer old but working used in our garage as a spare 25€, Bookcase black 3 shelf 30€, Cream occassional chair looks like a rocking chair 35€ Call 617166270 or 659089658 Vera playa area C o n vector 2500 Heater 20€, 3 bar electric fire 20€ “Tower” Fan 15€ Seller will accept 50€ 3 items bought together, Tel 649542147 Dishwasher 45cm width ( half size) only 3 months old, moving house cannot take.

300€ new, will accept 150€ no offers! tel 676827525 or 950930721 Super Toning Fitness Vibration Plate..

Exercise Machine...As New 2.0HP, Speed Range 1-20, 3 Programs, Exercise Manual, Bargain at 250€ no offers Buyer

Airport services www.AAparking.es Tel: 639 081 067

Cheap

Airport Parking

Alicante Almeria Murcia New Servicing / Repairs

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

C o llec t s.. Zur gena area Tel 649542147 2 x Single Beds Complete with base, mattress and headboard in Black,excellent condition as good as new. 50€ each, Ring vera area 634302967 Wii Game Console complete with controllers,Balance Board, Wii Fit and more games can be seen working,all as new. 150€ Ring Vera area 634302967 Dunlop golf Carry bag, colour black with stand.

Excellent condition, 30€ Ring Vera area 634302967 Habitat bunk beds as new only 50€ tel 676827525 or 950930721 ‘EXCELLENCE’ domestic water softener €200 Tel: 679565580 TEKA COOKER HOOD, stainless steel and glass, 2 lights €200 Tel: 679565580 CAMPING GAZ free standing BBQ. Double burner and a side burner.

Cupboard underneath with cutlery tray. Complete with gas bottle and cover. €50 Tel: 679 565 580 SA M SUN G American style fridge freezer, silver, with ice maker €295 Tel: 679565580 3 PIECE SUITE, beige Italian leather with wood trim. €295 Tel: 679565580

MD Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration S.L. City & Guilds Fully Qualified F-Gas Certified

MD S.L

25 years sole experience in Air Conditioning & Refrigeration

not a jack of all trades

For all your installation or service MD Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration S.L offers requirements including our latest info@md-aircon.com telephone

construction

electrical cont...

Constructions

A & B electrical for all your electrical needs, Tel: Aran 678 942 314 or Blas 662 470 647 Knowles & Abbott no.1 for electrics and plumbing. Re-wires, free to air UK satellite systems 950 137 208 or 638 010 691

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

email: info@md-aircon.com

md_aircon@mobileemail.vodafone.es

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

alternative energy

drainage

950 432 110 / 607 364 917

607 364 917 or 950 432 110

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

equipment hire

Cleaning of Septic Tanks ▪ Emptying of septic Tanks & Cesspits, with high pressure cleaning ▪ Small unblockages of pipes & drainage

Pool Cleaning & Water Tanks

Contact: 675 838 808

BABY HIRE

furniture

Everything for

Linea

the visiting baby Car seats,high chairs, stair gates, cots etc Tel: 950 436 581

Nueve sofas kitchens bedroom furniture Arboleas

Business Opportunity LICENSED POZO/CESSPIT EMPTYING or 666 375 688 expectingababy@ Good size Tel: 950 120 630 hotmail.co.uk beauty room gardening to rent in busy salon landscape gardening call cutting edge on • Block work 950 091 109 or 648 768 587 • Balustrades 950 633 086 • Installation of fibreglass

septic tanks

• Blocked Toilets, Sinks, Baths & Drains • CCTV Surveys • Drain Tracing • Turbine Root Cutting • All types of domestic plumbing carried out

computers Steve Hayes Informatica

Pc’s, Laptops, Printers etc.

Sales & Repairs on-site callout / tuition.

Consumables Albox, Almeria

Tel: 950 120 900

SOLTIMES

Now offer our Classified advertisers

5 LOCAL EDITIONS

...Let the Soltimes team help your business grow...

www.soltimes.com for more information

online at

950 121 936 or 902 121 936 EXT 332

Drainage Solutions

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

Established 7 years in spain

Tel: 616 531 283 or 670 088 966 electrical

ELECTRICIAN Neil Godwin

25 years experience

Full City & Guilds

Fully

insured & legal

Boletins supplied

Tel : 687 245 569

• Paving Driveways & Paths

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

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

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

39

www.soltimes.com health & beauty

NUMBER PLATES

avon cosmetics

“RE-PLATE” MATE

claire Tel: 691 987 454

avonfromclaire@yahoo.es 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

insurance

hobby/craft

GB

E

Don’t take a chance!

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

Alan 662 249 159

Elaine’s Wools

www.replatematecostablanca.com

quality UK wool &

OPTICIANS

accessories. Come & view my display Also at

available Camposol,

Mazarron Call 667 273 889 elaines wools@gmail.com

glenn & jayne

have great offers on Life Insurance same people same great service new name

Tel: 950 121 943

infoalbox.libertyseguros@gmail.com

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

The Metal works

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

Tel: Keith Wood on

638 900 949

legal

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

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

PAINTER / DECORATOR

painter & decorator

over 25 years experience

give your property or business a fresh look this spring

Tel: 697 243 181

TO ADVERTISE YOUR PROPERTY FOR SALE OR RENT IN THE CLASSIFIED SECTION FOR ONLY 10€ PER WEEK CALL PAULETTE ON 950 121 936 OR 902 750 190 EXT 332

Personal

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

€150,000

Tel: 649 186 107

thunderpaul2003@hotmail.ccom

(0034) 667 235 205 (sp) (0044) 7850 575862

young budgies for sale lilacs,blues, greens & yellows Avery bred male & female only €10 Ready Now! Tel: 647 379 795

woodhouse boarding kennels & cattery arboleas Small friendly kennels, 24hr vets service, pet transporting arranged, welcome to view ministry approved

Tracy Mobile 650 211 952

American Staff Puppies free to a good home Have had the 1st vaccination, weeks old, for YOUNG PRETTY GIRLS 13 more information. with barbie bodies 90-60-90 Call James 651 325 french, brunettes & columbians 677

VERA PLAYA

friendly mare 9 years old 14.3hh 1.50m

24 HOURS • STRIPTEASE tEL: 687 891 515

Build 256 m², Terrace 100m², Plot 1200m²

TRAVELLING IN AIR CONDITIONED VEHICLE DELIVERED TO DOOR PETS STAY IN PET FRIENDLY HOTELS. ACCOMPANIED TRAVEL AVAILABLE

email thunderpaul2003@hotmail.com

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

20mins from mojacar, 4 beds, 2 baths, Open plan living areas, kitchen & diningroom as well as a workshop, courtyard front & back & room for a pool.

Mountain views.

pet taxi

No need for kennels or cattery, Pet For all your painting needs inside sitting in your own home, Arboleas & out contact Graham on 620 112 193 & local area. Call now covering mainland spain Vanessa on 637 061 482 commercial & major

retail painter’s

for SALE detatched cortijo VERA APARTMENT FOR RENT

PETS SECTION

Tel: 649 186 107 or

Phil the Pick Locksmith 24 hours.

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

PROPERTY FOR SALE/rent

500€

tel: 678 838 547

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

PLASTERER B ritish All plasterer work guaranteed Tel Paul 634 327 201

plumbing

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

Mojacar Playa

Private long term rental

2 bedroom, 1 bathroom top floor apartment large balcony sea views Centrally located, 300mts to beach small quiet community fully aircon & heating fully furnished Community swimming pool

300€ per month + bills

Tel: 950 615 033 Mobile: 610 691 128 (after 12)

PROPERTY TO RENT – URCAL 2 Bedroom Casita.Furnished or Unfurnished. Fully Fitted Kitchen, Log Burner, Internet Connection, Large Fly Free Patio within a large Fenced area. Available from the middle of March.

CARLOS SALIENTE Plumbing and Heating offer machined boiler decals for gas water heaters for just €65 plumbing – aguafuerte is not gas fast Gas the answer! Call 950 boiler & plumbing 930 900 or 968 969 self contained 1 bedroom repairs. Tel: 618 062 962, email carlos. apartment with B & B facilities 080 or 637 829 787 saliente@gmail.com

300€ pcm inc. water Tel: 666 281 323 ARBOLEAS

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

TELEPHONE: 950137197 / 606807797

Gas Safe Registered

For all your plumbing needs Fully Qualified heating engineer

contact barry 667 853 062 or graham 620 112 193

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

PROPERTY management

Clean Sweep

Property Management

Everything For You Not Just Cleaning

Any Repairs Painting, Plastering, Window Cleaning, Replacement Windows, Gardening Translations ITV’s, Hospital, Endesa & Any Phone Calls

VERY GOOD RATES English: 622 034 479 or 633 831 877 Spanish: 622 769 332

40

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

SOLTIMES APRIL 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 recruitment

SOLTIMES are looking for A

Bright, enthusiastic person with an outgoing personality to join our sales team as a Sales Representitive for the Mojacar & the surrounding areas o hop int Experience not essential as a new full training will be given. future as long as you’re cheerful, with s e organised, self motivated & sol tim can work to deadlines!

Send your CV to cmm@soltimes.com or telephone Chrissie on 647 379 878

Do you love to Cook...

Then we want to meet you Chef/Cook is required at our Bar / Restaurant in Albox

We are looking for an experienced person used to working in a fast paced kitchen You will be able to produce delicious home cooked food to a high standard Shift work is required & weekends salary will include a contract

Rob on 609 199 394 for more information

experienced cook

wanted

please call 678 989 979 satellite/television A1 Sky Television Systems Satellite TV installations, alignment of dishes etc.

Also Spanish “freeview” systems supplied & installed

Tel Dave: 628 607 778

Sky Digibox Pace with sky card BBC 1, 2, 3, 4 ITV1, 2, 3, ch4 & 5

G e s tor i a S a lv a d or , a consulting c o m p a n y established in Almeria since 1969 is opening a new office in Mojacar and requires a Manager with excellent communication skills and knowledge of the Mojacar area. The individual must have experience in tax consultancy, legal work, book keeping and other administrative s e r v i c e s , Spanish and English speaking is essential.

An additional language is advantageous.

Send your CV with photo to our email ags@ gruposalvador.es Tel 950 237 155

stables Rancho Luz Del Sol, Retamar, Partaloa.

One to one or group lessons, latest EN standard hats provided. Escorted hacking and treks.

Qualified BHS Instructor.

Call Erika Drew on 678 838 547

swimming pool safety

NEATER HEATER our main can 60€ See advert on the news deliver. pages Tel: 667 235 205

motoring section

Fully Qualified Stylist

for sale

solar power system

car & van hire Caravan for sale immaculate Van, car & driver condition, sleeps for hire 4, toilet, shower, house & garden clearances, full working oven, collections & deliveries, fridge/freezer weekly collections from IKEA, compartment

Required for busy salon in Albox Please call Citting Edge for details Tel: 950 633 086 Mob: 722 294 384

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

REMOVALS

DAVE’S TRANSPORT 7.5 Ton, Lorry Part loads, Self load/Unload Minimal rates, Owner Driver Spain/uk/Local Storage available, based “Los Gallardos” &”hertfordshire”

Call now 0034 620 049 524 (Es) 00 44 794 3135 214 (UK) woodnco@hotmail.com

M&D transport

Large Van Removals / Deliveries Spain - UK Full or Half Loads Collections e.g from IKEA Tel Mick: 950 122 447 Mob: 620 475 218

SPAIN UK SPAIN Removals

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

UK - SPAIN - UK From a parcel to a small house move

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

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

€5950

(open to offers)

Tel: 676 665 168 Ford Focus 1.8CDTI GHIA 100BHP Silver Estate: 144,000km 2003/04, LHD, tow bar, Electric Mirrors & front windows, CD player, AC, economical & reliable family car, good condition, genuine reason for sale ITV till Aug 2014 Recently serviced (new brake pads) 3.300€ o.n.o Call 633 234 635 or 677 849 153 or emailnessgav@hotmail.com

mobile mechanics

Airport transfers Almeria 60€ one way, 110€ return Alicante 80€ one way, 150€ return

Tel: 634 345 257

Van hire

ONE WAY



UK to Spain or Spain to UK

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

*LOCAL *NATIONAL *EUROPEAN

* COLLECTION & DELIVERY *STORAGE

TEL: 667 235 205

Pick up/drop off locations Throughout UK, France and Spain

car parts

wanted

Car parts

URGENTLY REQUIRED

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

Need quality new parts for any car

for sensible prices on all parts Clutches, Brakes, alternators, service kits Starter Motors, headlights

Free quote go online or phone www.carpartsinspain.com

TEL: 636 411 540 OR 664 619 819

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

Any age, any condition.

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

Urgently Required

ALL Mitsubishi Shogun Monteo Pajero Landrover & all other makes

collect from anywhere

Tel: 645 094 339 or 950 064 763

or telephone 692 930 326

JT METAL RECYCLING NOW FULLY OPERATIONAL IN THE REGIONS OF Almeria & MURCIA Turn your old or unwanted CAR into CASH. We will dispose of in our Authorised Depollution End of Life Treatment facility.

We also take fridges, washing machines , microwaves, all electrical appliances

Certificates Issued

WANTED CARS, VANS, LORRIES, TRACTORS, TRAILERS, PLANT MACHINERY

House & g arden clearances , sk ips supplied

Spanish or English

Also buyers of COPPER, BRASS, ALUMINIUM, LEAD, STAINLESS STEEL

TEL: 645 094 339 / 950 064 763

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

41

...take care of your pets Huerca - Overa Veterinary Centre is run by Husband and wife team Angel and Elena who both speak an excellent level of English.

Since May 2011, they have offered an invaluable service to the pets in the area. The veterinary Centre can help and advise you on any concerns that you may have about your pets welfare. In particular now that the weather is getting warmer remember there will be more parasites about such as fleas, ticks and sand flies. As always it is necessary to use a system to prevent them and the illness that they cause by the use of Pipetes and Collars. Also we now provide the new vaccination against leishmania. With this vaccination we will do the leish test for free. Now is the best time to prepare your dogs for the spring and summer so why not make an appointment to come along and see us now. Dog and cat grooming services are now available. For more information or to book and appointment call 950 61 67

rooms for the cats. In the kennels, the emphasis is on safety as well as comfort – all the dogs sleep indoors to prevent sand fly bites and leishmaniasis but have private outside areas during the day. If you want the best for your pet, contact the Bo and Antoinette – 639 722 197 or info@animalhotel.es – and make a booking or arrange to drop by and see the accommodation for yourself. The Animal Hotel can be found on Facebook or at www.AnimalHotel.es

range of quality pet foods in store including products by Kiki, Royal Canin, Brekkies and Advance just to name a few. Why not take a trip to Olula and pay them a visit, you will not be disappointed. Give Ben a call now on 687 497 892

woodhouse boarding kennels & cattery arboleas

Comercial Carmona in Olula del Rio have the pet store that we all love to visit. Ben, the store manager is English and a true animal lover that also an extensive knowledge of fish keeping, reptiles and birds. Having kept fish for over 15 years in the UK and here in Spain, Ben prides himself on being able to offer helpful advice to anyone buying new fish stock or equipment. They also have a huge

Small friendly kennels 24hr vets service pet transporting arranged welcome to view ministry approved

Tracy 650 211 952

You may already know Tracey and her husband Bob from the television programme Living the Dream. They are now running WOODHOUSE BOARDING KENNELS & CATTERY in Los Uteras which is situated just 15 minutes away from Arboleas. Tracey has been running the kennels here for 6 years and also is heavily involved with the dog charities in the area. Woodhouse kennels is fully legal and Ministry approved with a 24 hours veterinary service available.

Cats and dogs receive 5-star treatment at the Animal Hotel, near Águilas. Bo and Antoinette have designed the unique accommodation which even includes the option of communal living

Ken & Jackie Dog & Cat Sitter service

Let us transport your loving friends to and from the UK & Europe in comfort with loving care in our air-conditioned van

• Your home or ours • Honest & trust worthy • 5 years experience of all types of animals • References available on request

676 389 592

emergencies 663 524 003

Ctra. Nac. 340, 208 Huércal Overa (Almeria) Tel: 950 61 67 81 www.cvhuercalovera.es Opening hours: Monday - Friday 10am - 1.30pm, 5pm - 8pm Saturday 10am - 1.30pm

Tel 950 092 096 or 661 402 493 - Email jt.transport@yahoo.co.uk

Comercial Carmona

e h I j o s

For all your pet

SUMINISTROS INDUSTRIALES, S.L.

APRIL OFFERS

Animal feeds special prices

Urgently seeking a good home

moving back to the UK for family reasons. They could be split up but if anyone wants them as a family, they get on well together.

Contact 950 064 468 or 610 324 666.

quality

English Speaking Tel: ben 687 497 892

Warehouse & Pet Shop - Olula Tel: 950 613 130

Open: Monday - Friday 8.30am-2pm & 3.30pm - 8.30pm, Sat 8.30am - 2pm

olula del rio

From Albox on A334 do not turn off for Olula Mercadona, take the turning after the Tanatorio

tanatorio 54

Outdoor cats but the Tom will sit by the fire if you let him! All very good natured and friendly and live independently most of the time. We need to find them a home as we are

whole corn....................................25g....€8.30 barley ...............................................25g....€8.30 broken corn ..................................25g .... €8.45 wheat...............................................25g....€ 9.00 hen food.........................................25g...€12.65 dog food rabbit food...............................25g....€11.35 20kg..€14.95

km

Three Spanish cats - mother and 2 adult kittens (a ginger tom and tabby female). Rabies vaccinated & chipped.

Huge selection of fish & Equipment Top quality pet foods always in store Full range of all pet accessories All breeds of birds from only 3€

Olula Fines del rio

albox

a334

mercadona

baza 4

a33

We are here comercial carmona warehouse & petshop

42

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SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

A&B

Electrical Installations -Electrical installations -Maintenance -Repairs

no job too small

English & Spanish

- Aran 678 94 23 14...............English & Spanish - Blas 662 47 06 47................Spanish

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

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

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

Coastal Mosquitos

Mosquito Screens for Windows & Doors For a free estimate call us on 610 000 700 Awnings shower screens replacement window and doors

TNT

Enclosures / Conservatories Convert your patio area into a sunroom or a mosquito free area with glass or mesh

Plisse retracting screens ideal for all types of door openings

OPEN for business

Cypriot Finance Minister Michael Sarris has resigned after completing talks on a controversial bailout deal.

Mr Sarris, 66, will be replaced by Labour Minister Haris Georgiades, reports in the local media suggest.

The 10bn-euro (£8,5bn; $13bn) deal - agreed by the EU and IMF - originally envisaged a levy on all Cypriot bank depositors, triggering public anger.

Under the revised deal, Bank of Cyprus depositors with more than 100,000 euros could now lose up to 60% of savings.

On Tuesday, the Cypriot government said that President Nicos Anastasiades had accepted the resignation of Mr Sarris, who had been under fire for

swift transport • 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

Cyprus bailout: Finance Minister Michael Sarris quits

his handling of the bailout deal.

Mr Sarris said that an inquiry ordered by the president into what led the island nation to the brink of bankruptcy before the bailout was agreed was a factor in his decision to step down.

“I believe that in order to facilitate the work of (investigators) the right thing would be to place my resignation at the disposal of the president of the republic, which I did,” he said.

The inquiry would be carried out by a three-judge panel, President Anastasiades said.

Mr Sarris was appointed finance minister in February.

Last year he was the head of the country’s secondlargest bank, Laiki, whose performance was a major factor in Cyprus’ near financial collapse.

Big depositors at Laiki now could face an even tougher “haircut” than those with the Bank of Cyprus.

However, no details have been released.

In a separate development, Cyprus announced a partial relaxation of capital controls, raising the ceiling for financial transactions that did not require central bank approval and allowing the use of cheques to 9,000 euros per month. However, other restrictions are still in place.

For the full report go to www.bbc.co.uk

Bugs

Mosquito Screens & Blinds

• Pull down / SlidingBlinds & replacement windows & doors Screens, Windows & Patios Aluminuim & UPVC fitted • Vertical Blinds & made to measure • Security Grills Supplying & fitting windows • Awnings & doors for 25 years

All areas covered ~ speedy Response Call now for your no-obligation quote

Tel: 600 049 515 Get The Best For Less

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

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

POOL SHOP

Mix & Match

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

764

tighten up on security with an alarmed paddlock at ony 15€

FIND US In Longo’s Courtyard

Shop: 950 104 345 or Maintenance: 637 582 696

Solar Panels

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€

S.M.S. BUILDING MAINTENANCE

All Building Work Undertaken 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

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

UK financial regulation overhauled

The UK’s banking regulator, the Financial Services Authority (FSA), has been abolished and replaced with two successor organisations. The changes mark the end of the system set up by the previous Labour government.

From 1 April, the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) will ensure the stability of financial services firms and be part of the Bank of England. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is now the City’s behavioural watchdog.

The Bank of England has also gained direct supervision for the whole of the banking system through its powerful Financial Policy Committee (FPC), which can instruct the two new regulators.

Chancellor George Osborne announced the changes back in 2010, aiming to make it clear who is in charge over supervising the financial services sector and avoid a recurrence of failing banks and enormous state-backed

bailouts.

The regulator changes see the Bank of England - which gains a new governor, Mark Carney, in July - gain much more control over the functioning of the financial system and are the biggest changes to the central bank since it was given its independence in 1997.

The PRA is headed by the central bank’s deputy governor Andrew Bailey, and will regulate around 1,700 financial firms. The FCA is headed by Martin Wheatley, who worked at the FSA and was responsible for the review into the Libor rate-rigging scandal at banks.

The FSA was set up 1997 as part of the so-called tripartite structure whereby banks, insurers, building societies and other such firms were regulated by the FSA, the Treasury and the Bank of England.

Gordon Brown, the then-chancellor, created the FSA following criticism

that the Bank of England had failed to sufficiently regulate the UK’s financial system.

But the FSA was roundly criticised for failing to spot the lending boom and subsequent bust and for not curbing the risky trading of banks, which ended up seeing banks like Northern Rock, Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds all spectacularly collapse and be bailed out by the taxpayer following the global financial crisis in 2008.

As a result, the FPC of the UK central bank was created on an interim basis and has been active since 2011 to identify systemic issues that threaten the whole financial system. Its existence was formalised in the Financial Services Bill, the parliamentary bill passed earlier this year which overhauled the financial regulatory framework.

43

elite plant hire construction & drainage

• general builders • jcb 3cx hire • patios • roofing

• walls • paving • extensions • cladding

Digger Hire available references available

call lee on 636 092 632 eliteplanthire@hotmail.co.uk

LOGS FOR SALE

FREE KINDLING WITH EVERY LOAD - Grade a Olive - No Roots - Best Prices Available

Tel: 687 314 775 Same Day Delivery & Stacking Service Available

MOBILE VEHICLE VALETING PART & FULL VALETS - T CUTS & POLISHING - INTERIORS UPHOLSTERY CLEANING - SOFAS AND RUGS

Tel: 950 930 527 & 646 341 575

James & Son Removals / Storage

Upholstery

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

UK, France & Spain personal shopping from the UK (Argos, Screwfix, Wickes etc)

Pet Transportation & Competitive Rates 950 529 731 / 627 968 434

Tel: 692 17 60 69

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 a Ch nge Ov fro

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€ 35 .0 0

www.cleanteamspain.com

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• 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

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SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

Telefónica line rental and bus fares go up; Two dead, one missing and 125 trapped by electricity falls in price and gas bills are frozen overflowing rivers due to Easter storms According to a report by ThinkSpain, round-town bus tickets and telephone landline tariffs have gone up all over Spain with effect from yesterday, but electricity has gone down and mains gas prices have been frozen.

Buses within towns and cities increased in price by 2.45 per cent on Monday – the second rise in less than a month, after prices went up on March 9 by three per cent in a government bid to compensate transport companies for rocketing fuel prices.

National telecommunications company

Telefónica has also increased its costs for line rental, from 13.97 euros plus IVA to 14.38 euros plus IVA – meaning an actual increase from 16.90 euros to 17.40 euros.

Telefónica claims its line rental charges are among the lowest in Europe.

The price rise has been approved

by Spain’s Competition and Markets Commission (CMT).

Electricity bills went down by 6.6% yesterday, and mains gas prices have been frozen for the foreseeable future.

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

Two people have died, hundreds have been left trapped and at least one is missing after torrential rain over Easter caused rivers to burst their banks in central Spain.

A bridge on the N420 in Fuencaliente, province of Ciudad Real just south of Madrid collapsed when the river Yeguas overflowed, and the Júcar and Segura rivers in the provinces of Valencia, Alicante and Murcia are being closely

monitored as their levels rise dangerously high.

At least 125 people, mostly from the Valencia region, have been evacuated from a camping and caravan park in the province of Albacete after the river Mundo burst its banks and left them trapped, and a young man is missing and feared dead in Valladolid, thought to have been washed away by the river Pisuerga.

Two people have lost

their lives crossing the bridge in a van and a lorry over the river Yeguas when it collapsed at around 05.00hrs on Monday.

Most of the northcentral region of Castilla y León is on red alert due to flooding caused by the river Duero overflowing, with inundations already reported throughout the provinces of Valladolid, Soria, Burgos, Segovia and Zamora.

Eurozone unemployment rate at record high

The rate of unemployment in the eurozone hit a record high of 12% in February, official figures have shown.

The number of people unemployed in the 17 member states rose by 33,000 during the month, to hit 19.07 million, the statistics agency Eurostat said.

The highest rate was 26.4% in Greece, although the most recent figure for the country was from December.

Separately, figures confirmed a deterioration in the eurozone’s manufacturing sector in March.

According to a report by the BBC, the jobless figures from Eurostat also showed that Spain’s unemployment rate hit 26.3% in February, while the rate in Portugal remained stable at 17.5%.

The lowest rates were recorded in Austria (4.8%) and Germany (5.4%), both unchanged from January. The overall rate for the eurozone in January was revised up from 11.9% to 12%.

Across the 27 member states of the European Union, the unemployment rate rose to 10.9%, up from 10.8% the previous month.

There was further gloomy news from

the eurozone’s manufacturing sector, as a survey indicated that manufacturing activity fell to a three-month low last month.

The final Markit eurozone manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for March fell to 46.8, slightly higher than an initial estimate but below the 47.9 recorded in February. Any score below 50 indicates a contraction in the sector.

Germany and the Republic of Ireland both fell back below 50, while the rate of decline accelerated in all other eurozone countries apart from France.

The survey indicated that output and new orders fell across the eurozone, while job losses increased.

“The surveys paint a very disappointing picture across the region,” said Markit’s chief economist Chris Williamson.

“The manufacturing sector looks likely to have acted as a drag on the economy in the first quarter, with an acceleration in the rate of decline in March raising the risk that the downturn may also intensify in the second quarter.”

situated between Amigos Bowling & Mora oil, poligono industrial, arboleas

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shot blasting and powder coating service available for new & old metalwork

cut out the middle man and buy direct from the manufacturer

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security grills garden gates & railings spiral staircases motorised sliding gates garage doors ornate gazebos www.themetalworksspain.com info@ themetalworksspain.com

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

TEST DRIVE: MAZDA 3 MPS

The legendary Golf GTi often seems to be the benchmark for other hot hatch manufacturers to follow.

Rarely do any surpass the high standard set by the German manufacturer. But pleasingly there might just be a challenger in the form of the Mazda 3. We’re not talking about the standard model, though. But the MPS, which boasts a 2.3-litre turbo 260bhp engine and rockets from 0 to 60mph in an eyewatering 6.1 seconds. We’d better discuss the difference between PS and BHP. PS or Pferdestärke is German for horse strength and most of us know that BHP is Brake Horse Power. PS is a slightly higher figure than BHP but there’s not much in it. Stick an M in front of the PS, perhaps for major or mighty, and you have the Mazda 3 MPS. It’s got the wherewithal to leave a Golf GTi at the traffic lights. You have to be careful though because it is front wheel drive and while pushing this phenomenal amount of power through those front wheels can be a great source of fun, it can also be quite lethal. Especially when the roads are wet. Suffice to say that during my commute on a dreary winter’s day, I was unable to push the accelerator all the way to the floor, much as I wanted to,

otherwise I would have lost control.

As per usual, morning rush hours are incredibly frustrating, with even more motorists when it rains. It’s one of those days when every traffic light turns to red. I take a scenic back route and join the motorway at as late a junction as possible in an attempt to avoid the typical snarl ups and accidents. We crawl on to the side road joining the motorway and then thankfully there’s a gap in the monotony. No sooner have I seen it and carefully pushed the accelerator accordingly, we’re there, with the equivalent effortless stealth of a cheetah. Why is it that so many drivers insist on hogging the outside lane when the other two are faster flowing? It’s very frustrating but eventually the driver in front gets the message. And so they should, the aggressively styled MPS has a bulbous air vent in the bonnet, even making the driver of a Porsche, I spy, wary. The six-speed gearbox is a joy, being stiff and decisive,

batting an eyelid. This would give rear passengers more space. It’s not unreasonable for the driver of this car to want to transport two children in their car seats, in this case Harriett (2) and Heidi (one week). Harriett has a comfortable but cumbersome front facing Cosatto car seat while Heidi has a rear facing Britax.

Harriett, especially, needs her legroom otherwise wife Caroline is kicked in the back.

All of this results in Caroline

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

AutoFrio

Vehicle Air Conditioning Service

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and I having our seats pushed forward to an uncomfortable degree. It’s not so bad for me but for Caroline, who has to contend with the intrusion of the dashboard, it’s not the best experience.

So, performance aside, when compared to the Golf GTI, the 3 MPS does not score as highly simply because of the poor use of interior space. With the best will in the world it’s not one for the family.

Overall

the

Mazda

MPS makes a far better proposition for the affluent, young, free and single, who want to woo the opposite sex with their black alloys and twin exhausts.

SPECIFICATION OTR from: £23,995 0 to 60mph: 6.1secs Top speed: 155mph Economy: 30mpg Road tax: £600 Watch the video at: www.testdrives.biz

3

Mon ~ Fri 9.30am - 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

I used to own a Mazda Xedos 6, 2-litre V6 and bitterly miss the style and handling of that car. But the MPS easily matches it and brings a smile to the face just as that used to. And the ride is hard and sporty, too. It’s a real joy. The front electrically heated leather bucket seats are comfy and it has a useful cruise control. The Bose sound system and electrically folding wing mirrors are a distinct advantage.

A criticism that I have always had of Mazdas as a whole, is the poor use of interior space. Consider the size of the Mazda 3 and it is disappointing that conditions are nothing short of cramped inside as you can see from the video at testdrives.biz.

The reason for this is that the dashboard takes up a considerable chunk of room and if this was cut back, space in the front would be improved. The second reason is that the boot is really pretty large and an inch or two could be lost here without anyone

motoring

Antas

just how it should be.

45

Parque Ind El Real, Antas 04628 Alfa Romeo 159 1.9 JTDm 2008 77000km Fully Equipped 9995€

Tel: 950 459 136

Hyundai Santa Fe 2.4 Petrol 2002 184000km A/C, E/W, CD/Radio 4495€

Seat Ibiza 1.4 Petrol 2003 117000km Radio/CD, A/C, RCL 2795€

e or phonk our chec ite for webse cars mor

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TyT

Carpenteria Metallica Juan Chacón

Carratera Lorca - Baza, 56 (Albox) Tlf: 950 431 738 Email: carpinteriametalicatyt@hotmail.com

• • • • • • • •

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

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46

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

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

Compiled by Tony Matthews

sport shorts

• C helsea, the winners of Monday’s 6th round FA Cup replay with Manchester United, will play Manchester City in the Wembley semi-final in just over a week’s time.

• Yesterday, two Champions’ League quarter-final first leg encounters featured Bayern Munich v. Juventus and Paris StGerman v. Barcelona, and tonight, it’s Malaga v. Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid v. Galatasaray.

• Tomorrow evening, the first legs of the Europa League quarter-finals are Benfica-Newcastle, Chelsea-Rubin Kazan, Fenerbahce-Lazio and SpursBasel. All kick-off at 9.05pm (Spanish time).

• A fter losing at home to Manchester United on Saturday, Sunderland (16th in the PL) sacked manager Martin O’Neill, and controversially replaced him the following day with Paulo Di Canio, their eleventh boss in 20 years. Former Labour MP David Millaband immediately resigned from the Board at The Stadium of Light… due to Di Canio’s fascist views.

• A rsenal (5th) and Manchester City (2nd) scored four goals apiece in beating Reading (bottom) and Newcastle respectively; Chelsea (4th) lost at Southampton for whom Ricky Lambert scored on his 500th League appearance; Spurs (3rd) won at Swansea; Everton defeated Stoke; Liverpool triumphed at Villa Park and Wigan (up to 17th) began their ‘Great Escape’ again, by pipping Norwich.

• R angers won the Irn-Bru SL3 championship by drawing at Montrose.

• G raham Westley is back as manager of Stevenage - his third spell in ten years.

• L eague One club Coventry City have been docked 10 points after going into administration.

• C onference leaders Kidderminster Harriers have the best record anywhere in Europe, having won 21 of their last 25 League games.

Super Messi Just when you thought Lionel Messi had broken every scoring record going, the diminutive Argentinian forward has claimed yet another!

Not content with scoring 91 goals in the calendar year of 2012 (a world record, never to be beaten) and getting within two of his fellow countryman’s Diego Maradona’s international total of 34, Barcelona’s superstar has set a new record by becoming the first player in Spanish football history to score against every other team in La Liga consecutively.

The four-time ‘World Payer of the Year’ netted for the 19th game in a row last

Saturday in a 2-2 draw 2-2 at Celta Vigo.

He actually scored 29 goals in the streak and his tally in all competitions this season (for club and country) stands at 61. Barcá are 13 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga with nine games left.

• World marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe may never race again. A serious foot injury is making it difficult for her to run at normal pace.

• A court in Johannesburg has told the ‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius, who is facing trial for murdering his girlfriend, can leave South Africa and race abroad.

• A ndy Murray is the world number 2 after beating Spain’s David Ferrer in the Miami Masters tennis final… and Serena Williams claimed a record sixth Miami singles title by defeating Maria Sharapova in the women’s event.

• J ason Plato leads the pack with 54 points after the first series of the Dunlop MSA BTCC at Brands Hatch. My Black Country colleague and WBA fan Matt Neal is fifth after winning the third race, the 49th of his career.

• O xford beat Cambridge 159th University boat race.

• S aracens lead Leicester by four points and Harlequins by 11 at the top of the English PL Rugby Union table while in the Super League, it’s Wigan, Catalans and Huddersfield, 1-2-3.

• T iger Woods (now 37) is back as the World’s number one golfer.

• N eil Robertson won his first snooker title of 2013, beating Mark Selby in China.

• O lympian Jessica Ennis has been granted the Freedom of the City of Sheffield.

This weekend, Manchester United will effectively win their 20th League title if they beat rivals City in the local derby at Old Trafford this weekend.

At the bottom end of the table, QPR play Wigan, Reading (with ex-Saints’ boss Nigel Adkins in charge) meet Southampton and Stoke take on Aston Villa.

North of the border, Celtic should clinch the SPL title while Partick play Queen of the South in the Challenge Cup final.

The first MotorGP race of 2013 takes place in Qatar and 50,000 punters will attend the Grand National at Aintree, my choices being Sea Bass (ridden by Katie Walsh) and Ballabriggs (Jason Maguire) who won the race in 2011 and finished 6th last year.

DID YOU KNOW? • F ishing is the biggest participant sport in the world!!!

sport

ANGLING NEWS WITH BEACHCOMBER JOHN Shore Fishing: ‘ L u x e m b u r g Roland’, fished an unusual method with some success from Mojacar Beach near the Red Cross Centre. He cast flies followed by a rapala for weight and added attraction and caught banded bream almost every cast. He also caught a few Spanish mackerel and lost a big sea bass.

‘London Bill’ has been catching mainly Dorada from the rocks and beach of Garrucha. A short trip to Macenas saw him catch some palomete there.

Boat Fishing: Me, ‘Blisters Steve’ and Andy who was on holiday and staying in Mojacar went out with ‘Orca Steve’ on what was a dodgy weather forecast. Strong winds from the West initially changing to the south west by lunchtime.

We could have headed for the protection of Mojacar’s hills but we would have soon got blown back to Garrucha so we tried anchoring behind the harbour wall with little success in getting the anchor to hold.

We decided to head for the Repsol Garage and try anchoring in shallow water even though it was exceptionally windy. Would you believe within seconds of the anchor holding the westerly wind stopped and for three minutes there was

total calm? Then up came a South South West wind from nowhere and we knew we would only have ten or fifteen minutes to find a nice hole we could through an anchor down and drift back out of it and up a south facing slope to give the anchor something to bite against. The plan worked for an hour until the wind got up too strong and we had to retire to the harbour earlier than usual.

We did catch a few fish including hake, pandoras, combers and mackerel.

See photo of me with a small hake.

Coarse Fishing: ‘Puentes Ray’ made a visit to Puentes Lake near Lorca and he tells me he’s still loving it .The weather was beautiful about 23c, blue skies and not a breath of wind. He fished the swim feeder in his normal spot .Water levels have dropped another foot and they will be back to where they were on his first visit in September 2012 very

Cortijo Grande Cortijo Grande received royal approval when the Prince and Princess of Sweden visited our course on Sunday They were delighted with our lovely “Club de Golf” Our thanks to the green keepers for the condition of our course which is in the best shape for many years .

You don’t know what you are missing.

Our winners on Wednesday

27th with 32 points in the first division Greg Ward in second with 30 Philip Dunne.

The second division winner Barbara Wardley 37 and second with 35 Grace Ward Ball sweep winners Greg Ward Frank Button Barbara Wardley Sunday 31st March and its Easter Sunday a lovely morning to enjoy our day at Cortijo Grande. Our winner

soon. Fishing was slow to start but picked up midmorning and then went off in the afternoon. Ray ended up with 6 carp, the biggest about 4lb and 2 small barbel but all in all a very pleasant day.

Two Murcia matches held on the Eden Canal stretch of the River Segura were topped with weights of 18lbs and 12.1/2lbs with a 10.1/2lber weighed in and an estimated 20lber lost at the net when it wouldn’t go in it!

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.

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 lines, Beachcomber John

of the first division with 38 points Juan Ramon Rubio second with 36 Greg Ward.

Second division winner with 37 points Tony Stubbs from Lilly Pepper with 32. I am sure she is getting younger.

You will be made very welcome when you return to play at our “royal “ golf club Enjoy your golf at Cortijo Grande visitors and guests welcome.MP.

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SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

Valle Del Este Golf Society Valle Del Este Hotel And Golf Resort Had A Very Special Visitor On Wed The One And Only Sergio Garcia.

Pins Mike Jones &

Sergio Was Visiting Family And Friends Who Were Staying In The Hotel; He Didn’t Have Time For A Round With The Society But Maybe Next Time.

Order

Now For The Weeks Results Tuesdays Team Game Was Won By Ray Harrison, Sue Hull & Trevor Norris.

315 Pts 2nd Sue

Friday And A Wonderful Score By The Winner Harry Wilson With 38pts 2nd Phil Pritchett 37pts 3rd Jacky Quigley 37pts. Nearest The

Costa

Coches Of

Merit

Which Is In The Early

Stages

But Out In Front Martin De Bruin Hull 315 Pts 3rd Dick Hull 290 Pts Enjoy Your Golf At Valle

Del

Este

Golf Resort.

19th Hole Golf Society. Cucador.

Thursday 28th March the 19th Hole Golf Society had a hurriedly rearranged venue at Aguilon due to the original reservation, at another course, unable to accommodate the extra numbers we had booked in.

So it was Aguilon for this Texas Scramble. 25 players in teams of three and four, including a couple of very welcome guests set off on the 1st Tee with hopes and expectations high. In form Nigel Greenwood proudly showed off his newly acquired 7 degree driver, and in spite of several suggestions that the group in front were out of his range, Nigel sensibly waited warning that he “could probably reach the green with this baby”. Finally he took careful aim and unleashed a monumental amount of power.

The ball lifted majestically off the Tee and landed all of twenty yards forward on the Ladies Tee. Oh dear Nigel!

A similar problem occurred when Dave Rust attacked his first drive off the 1st Tee, his ball left the tee at an enormous rate of knots but at a very low trajectory. The ball hit the safety lifebelt by the ladies tee and shot high into the air away from everyone’s sight. With all the waiting players desperately trying to locate which direction the ball had taken there was a loud plop as the ball landed no more than 18 inches from yours truly.

The winners on the day were the Team consisting of Mark Danson, Geoff Smith, Alan Greenfield and John Ball.

Mark playing off 1 did a true captains job by playing as his one handicap indicates.

Comments from his team mates ranged from brilliant to if only I could*. Mark also won the Nearest the Pin on holes 4 and 17. Well played Mark and his team.

In second place were the mere mortals of Roger and Sylvia Kaye, Syd Walker and one of our very welcome guests Louis Long. Louis, playing his first game with us, played a steady round to help the team to its well deserved 2nd place.

As most of you are aware, I am very conscious of not writing anything that might put stress on personal relationships. With that in mind I am not going the make any comment about the fact that Geoff Smith and Nigel Greenwood were playing in different teams and Geoff won prize money and Nigel did not!

A really good fun day with excellent weather with players willing to enjoy themselves playing this very trying game, our thanks to all of you.

Our real special thanks to JJ and his team who accommodated us so well at very short notice and for

sport

Urcal Golf Society

Keith Mason.

a course in such wonderful condition.

Results; 1st with a Nett score of Mark Danson

56

Geoff Smith Alan Greenfield John Ball.

2nd with a Nett score of 62 Roger Kaye Sylvia Kaye Louis Long Syd Walker Nearest The Pin; Hole 4 Mark Danson Hole 12 Alan Chippendale Hole 17 Mark Danson Thanks to all the members who supported the 19th Hole Golf Society.

The 19th hole G/S is now arranging weekly games at various courses in the area, our home course, which we will 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

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The society played at Lorca golf on Saturday 30th competing for the Callenge Cup, which was aptly named for the good turn out we had for the event with the blustering winds.Although the winds were tricky the course was in exellent condition and all seemed to enjoy their rounds.

The banter in the club after confirmed that with plenty of micky taking all in good humour though.

The event was won by John Smith with a very good 35 points with Stan Witty and Tony Cook on 34points coming 2nd and 3rd in that order after count back.

The nearest the pin on hole ten went to Dick Gooding.

The longest drive was taken by Dave Butler on the 16th The nearest the pin in two on the 2nd hole went to barry Kilby Richard Wallace our guest for the day had a hole in one on the tenth but unfortunatley it was with his second ball after his first went out of bounds.

Our next fixture is at Aguillon on the 13th of

Valle de Este Golf Resort were the hosts for Badgers Golf Society on Wednesday 27th.

Good course conditions and only a slight breeze made for a good day’s golfing.

Steve Casburn on the 14th, and Paul Adams taking the 12th and nearest in 2 at 18

Badgers at Valle de Este

Winner on the day was Steve Casburn on his return back to Spain after a winter break. 2nd place going to Carl Brailsford and 3rd was Dave Wright.

Nearest the pins were taken by

Saturday 30th March at Macenas for their weekly roolup was won by Mick Weston with 36pts from Dave Wright in 2nd with 33pts Forthcoming fixtures are. Wed 3rd April Macenas, Saturday 6th April Macenas, Wednesday 10th Desert Springs, Saturday

AGUILON GOLF MEMBERS

It is good to see plenty of visitors and societies on the course, but it could be even better if someone (in high places) had the bright idea to attract flights to the very good but much under used Almeria Airport RESULTS

Friday March 22 – Individual Stableford Our lady winner and the second came in with very good scores on a lovely day for golf, but the

handicap sec proved to be very unsportsman like by cutting our winner by 3 shots 1st Val Ross 41pts 2nd Dave Sharp 39pts 3rd Brian Everitt 36pts Twos: Neil Bown (visitor), Brian Everitt and Derrick Stephenson 4th, John Bridgen 8th Wednesday March Individual Stableford

47

27

–

A warm but breezy day with the course in good condition

April no wind hopefully.

Anybody interested in joining us can contact me Tony Hinds by e-mail at torab55@yahoo. com

13th Macenas, and Wednesday 17th Macenas.

Badgers Golf Society also plays 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. Fixtures can be found on www.badgersmojacar. com

allowed the members to return some good scores in our last qualifier before the regional finals of the Ford golf league 1st David Street 37 pts 2nd Dave Simpson 36 pts on a card play off 3rd Pat Sayer 36 pts Twos: Brian Everitt and David Street both on 8th Guests and visitors are welcome to join us on a Mon, Wed and Friday. For information contact 634 641 199

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