Roquetas R383

issue 383

ROQUETAS & ALMERIMAR

17-23 APRIL

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• New Owners, New Look – The Golf Trinidad Hotel Reopens Soon...

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it’s london marathon time! page 10

• The Grass Is Always Greener – When It’s Artificial • Unsightly, Dangerous Harbour Site Still Has Uncertain Future martin shortland Reports

can you give benny a forever home? page 36

do you know your wine? page 31

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Sport

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poor quality of water in almanzora valley...

Albox Ayuntamiento is holding a conference on the subject of the inadequate supply and especially the poor quality of the water in Albox and several municipalities in the region of Almanzora. This is an endemic and historical situation for Albojenses; during the saga there have been innumerable twists and turns to the story, with so many different solutions such as the purchase of ‘good water’ from Galasa or even a future water treatment plant.

Locals have become increasingly angry, especially after radioactive particles have been detected in the water leaving the Pozo de Las Zorreras, which supplies the town, and whose water is graded as unfit for human consumption, and should not even be used for cooking or brushing teeth.

This has led to the formation of the movement ‘Movimiento 15-M’. In a bid to bring the situation to a head, and thus to a resolution, the Movimiento has banners and posters prominently displayed around the town, and claims that despite the high price that is charged for the wáter, it comes out of the taps with a foul odour.

Since last summer the Movimiento has held several open assemblies and demonstrations which have attracted a high degree of commitment from the public. They are now holding a conference including Ecologistas en Acción and other like-minded groups. This conference will include geologists, engineers, industrialists, doctors, lawyers, and other specialists, who will deliver several lectures on the state of the water available in the region and in Albox; on the effects of water on health; on the rights and duties of citizens; the provision of domestic drinking water and wastewater treatment for hamlets and farms outside the network connection.

Finally there will be a ‘Round Table’ discussion entitled ‘Public or Private Management?

Albox’s Alternatives,’ which among other things will feature the broken contracts between the Ayuntamiento and Gestagua, and will open the floor to all political parties, communities reliant on irrigation, Associations, and members of the public who wish to participate in the debate.

This conference, entitled ‘Jornada Sobre el Agua’ will take place next Saturday at 9am in the Salón de Actos del Ayuntamiento. The organisers describe it as ‘very important. It will serve to measure the level of interest of the public in the solution to their water problems in an area where many still have no public supply, and many have a supply which is unsafe for human consumption.’ British citizens who are interested will have a simultaneous interpreter, and will only need to bring a simple radio player with headphones.

Mojácar’s Noise Abatement Rules Modified...

The swinging changes to the enforcement of noise abatement rules, which in their extreme would ban the playing of dominoes out of doors, have been slightly modified.

On Tuesday the Pleno del Ayuntamiento discussed a single point agenda: the approval of the ordinance for the regulation of noise from road users, residents and domestic activities within the municipality. The meeting began at 9 in the morning, and continued until 14:15 p.m., and was attended by the Equipo de Gobierno (PP) and the Concejal de Mojácar Positiva Se Mueve, Jessica Simpson. Non-attendants were Manuel Zamora (PSOE) who had work committments, and Diego García (Unión Mojaquera) who left the meeting after 5 minutes as an expression of rejection of the Alcaldesa, Rosa María Cano.

The rules are complicated, and in many cases draconian. For instance, shouting, hammering, moving furniture, running, jumping or playing musical instruments in your own home is now permitted as long as it is not during nighttime hours and the neighbours are happy! Street musicians can breathe sigh of relief – they can now play without fear of a fine. However, there are activities or actions that include harsh penalties, such as a business that plays music on its terrace. Works, such as building or alterations, are also prohibited in the ordinance on Saturday afternoons, Sundays and holidays, but will be allowed on other days. Outside seating is restricted to half of that which is available inside, and if you fancy a beer or even a soft drink, then you must sit down – standing up and drinking is not allowed!

The ordinance provides for three types of penalties (minor, serious and very serious) and also three economic segments (from 300 to 600 euros, from 601 to 1500 and from 1501 to 3000) with a discount of 30% if payment is made voluntarily.

The Opposición is unanimous in considering these measures ‘disproportionate’, and presumably will vote against them. Many voices have been raised requesting that Union Representatives from the traders and hoteliers participate in the drawing up of these ordinances, but the Government Team has narrowed the rules on participation by political groups.

gas pipeline work will begin in june...

Work on the gas pipeline between Huércal Overa-Guadix-Baza will cost 37 million euros and will begin in June.

Carmen Crespo, Delegada de Gobierno en Andalucía, Antonio Ávila, Consejero de Economía, Innovación, Ciencia y Empleo de la Junta de Andalucía, and José Luis Marín, Presidente de Endesa Gas Transporte y Distribución, gave this news at Cantoria. This gas pipeline project Huércal Overa - Baza - Guadix, will guarantee the supply of piped natural gas to approximately 130,000 inhabitants in the Almanzora Valley, as well as the Comarcas del Marquesado and the Altiplano, in the Province of Granada.

Endesa Gas T&D will invest 37 million euros in the new gas infrastructure, which will satisfy the major industrial energy needs, both current and in the future, of the area.

The pipeline will be constructed in two phases between 2013 and 2014. It will have a length of 134 kilometres, with steel pipe 16 inches in diameter and a maximum operating pressure of 80 bar.

It will commence from the M05, Almería-Chinchilla and pass through Huércal Overa, Zurgena, Arboleas, Albox, Partaloa, Cantoria, Fines, Olula del Río, Urrácal, Purchena, Armuña de Almanzora, Tíjola and Serón in Almería, and Caniles, Baza, Gor and Guadix, in Granada.

The works will generate 250 direct jobs and a number of indirect jobs in construction, subsequent maintenance of infrastructure and development of feeder roads.

Also, the construction of the pipeline will eliminate the need for road tankers carrying liquefied natural gas, thus avoiding the emission of 674 tons of C02 into the atmosphere each year.

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los velez ideal to ‘hook’ tourists...

The Área recreativa de La Piza and the Refugio de Los Alamicos are described as two ‘hooks’ to stimulate tourist interest.

The Delegado Territorial de la Consejería de Agricultura, Pesca y Medio Ambiente, José Manuel Ortiz, has visited two projects which have been put in place in the Parque Natural Sierra María-Los Vélez.

He viewed the renovated Refugio de Los Alamicos and the multisport circuit launched by the company Aventura-T en Los Vélez.

One of the Managers of this Company, Rubén Carra, explained the important work carried out in order to offer the Refugio as tourist accommodation.

He also visited the Área Recreativa de La Piza, one of the most visited areas of the park, which was launched over thirty years ago. It is a starting point for the trail ‘Norte de la Dehesa’, a 5.5 km loop going into the

Dehesa de la Alfahuara, a well preserved old mixed forest of pine and oak.

The delegate met the staff of the bar kiosk managed by the company Babel CB. The bar is known for its traditional ‘cuisine velezana’, especially

dishes made from local lamb and sausage.

Ortiz viewed the completed expansion works that will allow this facility to remain open throughout the year and not just during the summer as previously.

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CONDITIONS FOR CLAIMING UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT

Unemployed persons have to show nine paper CVs stamped by companies they have applied to as a condition of their monthly benefit

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Jobseekers whose dole money has run out and who want to claim the 450-euro monthly unemployment benefit provided by the State have to show nine paper copies of their CV stamped by companies they have applied to for work.

They also have to produce names and telephone numbers of companies they have contacted seeking work, links to job search websites they have signed up to or sits vac where they appear as applicants.

These have to be shown to the job centre, or INEM office, 30 days before they hope to receive the benefit, which is currently 85 per cent of the minimum wage, being a total of 452.63 euros.

The nine stamped CVs requirement is mandatory, which automatically means an obligation to visit companies in person and speak to a person in authority.

This is frequently impossible and CVs are merely taken off visitors by reception staff – and in most cases, those contacting companies on spec looking for work tend to send their CV by email, meaning a stamped copy will not be available.

And with companies receiving literally hundreds of ‘begging letters’ from job-hunters by the day, the majority of emails containing CVs are simply deleted, or those received by post binned.

Those in receipt of the monthly benefit, known as the ‘Plan PREPARA’, are given a ‘personalised itinerary’ for getting back into the job market.

But given that no new jobs are being created and, on the contrary, more and more are being axed and businesses closing down, even the highest-qualified and most experienced workers on the dole are finding it impossible to get a job and a total of 861,000 unemployed people interviewed said they had stopped looking as they simply do not believe they will find work.

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Supreme Court: Pro-rata pension entitlement for part-time workers ‘discriminatory’ The Supreme Court has abolished what it calls a ‘discriminatory’ way of calculating State pension entitlements for part-time workers.

A minimum of 35 years of contribution into the Social Security pot through work or self-employment is required to qualify for a full State pension, but a person who has worked for 50 years at 20 hours a week will only be considered as having contributed for 25, meaning they will not get the full amount.

A person who has worked for 40 years at 10 hours a week will be considered to have contributed for just 10 years, since contribution is calculated on a pro-rata basis of a standard 40-hour week.

The court says this is discrimination, particularly against women who tend to be the ones more likely to work part-time as they are statistically more frequently the ones who bear the lion’s share of childcare, particularly in the early years.

Social Security legislation in Spain passed in 1998 is responsible for the pro-rata contribution calculation, but was questioned by the European Court of Human Rights back

in November and has now been interpreted as a ‘violation of equality’, as found in Article 14 of the Spanish Constitution, by the Supreme Court.

The verdict came after a woman in Galicia applied to the court, claiming it was unconstitutional that she had been denied any kind of State pension for not having contributed the minimum of 15 years to be entitled to anything at all.

She had worked for 18 years, of which 11 were part-time, always as an employee and therefore paying into the Social Security system, but the 11 years on a pro-rata basis combined with the other seven were not enough to make up the equivalent of 15 years’ full-time work.

A second and similar recent case involved a woman who had been employed for 18 years as a part-time cleaner, but due to not having been working a full 40-hour week, only had somewhere between five and nine years of contributions to her name because of the pro-rata rule.

Retirement pensions are not the only aspect affected by what has now been classed as ‘unconstitutional’ legislation by

Speeding crackdown campaign on minor roads

Spain’s Traffic Ministry has launched campaign to crack down on speeding drivers on secondary roads.

Police will be out in force on B-roads, since 78 per cent of road deaths occur on these rather than on motorways. They make up 90 per cent of Spain’s highways, and 1,022 fatalities were recorded on them last year.

Traffic police concentrated on secondary roads over Easter and out of 20,000 drivers monitored, a total of 8,833 were fined for

breaking the speed limit.

The general directorate of traffic (DGT) has also launched its new helicopter, Pegasus, which includes an in-built speed camera.

Plans are afoot to cut the speed limit on B-roads from 100 kilometres per hour to 90 where it has a hard shoulder of at least 1.5 metres, and to 70 kilometres per hour for roads of 6.5 metres in width with a white line down the middle.

Where there is no white line, the limit will be cut to 50 kilometres per hour

Policeman Has Guns Confiscated Due To Domestic Violence Accusation

A Police Local officer in Oliva, Valencia province, has had his arms confiscated after his ex-girlfriend reported him for domestic violence. The accused hid for two days when he found out she had been to the Guardia Civil.

Officers from the force in Oliva and in Pego, where the victim lives, had to arrange for special security measures to protect her from physical harm as they suspected serious violence could occur if she were to be confronted by the accused.

The Local Policeman - aged 41 and resident in Oliva - identified only by his initials of E.P.B. was said to have failed to answer phone calls and could not be traced by the Guardia Civil officers after his former girlfriend pressed charges. He is then said to have presented himself voluntarily at the Domestic Violence Court

in Dénia in the company of his solicitor, and signed a statement.

Guardia Civil officers were ordered by the judge to immediately withdraw the five guns he possessed – two which he held in his line of duty in the police force, and three hunting rifles.

A restraining order prevents him from contacting the victim or going within 300 metres of her.

Despite the charges, he is expected to be allowed to continue with his employment in the town and carry on being paid his usual salary.

Council sources say the accused does not work fighting crime or protecting the public from danger, since he has a permanent knee injury, and is employed looking after a public building in Oliva.

the Supreme Court – permanent disability, temporary sickness, maternity, paternity and all other regular State benefits are determined by the same rule.

The Supreme Court says that where part-time work is ‘not an exceptional circumstance’ in an employee’s life, qualifying for a State pension upon retirement is nearly impossible.

Those who work 20 hours a week would have to be employed constantly and without interruption for 70 years; a 15-hour

week would mean 105 years of continuous employment and 10 hours would mean 140 years, meaning it is physically impossible for the majority of part-time workers to get a full pension when they retire.

And to get 15 years of contributions to be able to claim any kind of pension, even the minimum, means those working a typical morning job of 15 hours a week would have to be employed for 45 years – from the age of 20 to 65 with no periods of redundancy.

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CaixaBank refunds bail-out money

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CAIXABANK has refunded the full 977-million-euro bail-out given to it by the FROB – the first financial entity to do so.

And there is no sign of any other bank doing so, say sources from the Ordered Banking Restructure Fund.

The company had announced on March 7 that it would be handing back the cash in the form of preferential shares issued in 2011.

And now, a month later, the Spanish stock market governing body has revealed that CaixaBank has liquidated 989 million euros’ worth of shares, of which all bar 12 million will be paid back to the FROB. The funds, which are designed to help banks stay afloat as they begin to struggle to make ends meet, were given as preferential

shares on February 11, 2011 to the entity Banca Cívica, which then came to form part of CaixaBank’s own capital when the latter acquired the former in August last year.

This acquisition made CaixaBank the largest financial institution in Spain, with assets of 342 billion, deposits of 179 billion and credits of 231 billion.

All banks have five years to repay their public funding, or to convert it into ordinary shares, but CaixaBank says it has done so immediately as this ‘reflects the financial strength of the company’.

It is the first bank to reimburse the FROB, even though it did not receive the funds directly but via Banca Cívica, an entity formed through the merger of Caja de Navarra, Caja de Burgos, Cajasol and Caja Canarias.

Couple ‘Spent Over A Year’ In Costa Brava 4-star Hotel Without Paying

A German couple who spent 14 months living free in a Costa Brava hotel are facing a two-year jail sentence and a six-figure fine.

They allegedly checked into the four-star hotel in Pals, Girona and claimed to be interested in buying and running the complex and the business.

Based upon this, they did not pay their bill, saying they were staying there in order to study their new venture. By the time they were eventually forced to leave, they had run up an unpaid bill of just under 132,400 euros between them. And according to the case notes, the couple never had any intention of buying the hotel.

As their sentence is no longer than two years, under Spanish law they will not have to go to prison unless and until they commit any other crimes, but they have been ordered to pay back the cost of their year-and-two-months’ stay in the hotel, plus interest.

Paris judge allows masks auction A native American tribe, with supporters including Robert Redford, fails in a legal bid to stop the sale of sacred masks in France.

Cycling champ Kaykov fails drug test European track cycling champion Valery Kaykov is the first athlete to be suspended for using the banned substance GW1516.

Fishery owner investigated for ‘No Eastern Europeans’ sign The owner of a fishing lake who put up a sign banning Eastern Europeans is being investigated by police.

£50m Picasso set to leave UK Pablo Picasso’s Child With A Dove, which has been in Britain since 1924, looks destined for Qatar after attempts to buy it back from a private collector failed

Apprentice loses dismissal case A former winner of TV’s The Apprentice loses her claim of constructive dismissal from Lord Sugar’s IT firm Viglen.

Cyprus to appeal for extra help Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades says he will appeal to the EU for extra assistance for his country, as it faces tougher bailout terms.

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SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

SPANISH SOLDIERS PREPARE FOR ENGLISH EXAMS

The Mojácar area has once again hosted a group of six Spanish soldiers from the Legion military base in Viator, Almeria. After taking part in a two week intensive course in the city, all were whisked off to Mojácar and the surrounding towns to experience a ‘total immersion’ course in English

in order to prepare them for their forthcoming important military language exams.

Each student stayed with an English speaking family for the week as part of the extremely beneficial ‘Homestay’ part of the course. Each morning was spent with further intensive lessons before the students

returned to their families to practice their conversation skills.

As well as partaking in lots of social activities with their hosts, the students received a warm welcome by founders Audrey and Mike Hathaway at the weekly Mojácar Club Taurino meeting. The

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students were all given a chance to chat to members and show off their newly acquired speaking skills by making a short speech before sampling Indian cuisine for the first time at an end of course lunch.

The students were unanimous in their thanks to the teachers for their support and encouragement and, to the host families who had welcomed them so warmly into their homes, giving them an unforgettable experience.

The course was organised

by Andrew Mortimer, a multilingual trainer and interpreter based in Roquetas, who has worked at the Spanish Legion Brigade bases in Viator, Almería and Ronda, Málaga for twelve years. His team of teachers, who have all been involved with numerous military courses include, Wendy Gretton from Turre and Patrick and Jill Bennett from Mojácar.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Homestay Programme, please contact Andrew Mortimer at: andrewmortimer7@msn.com Photo: the students after successfully completing their Homestay Intensive English Course with teachers Jill and Patrick Bennett.

Report by Jill Bennett

Lessons Must Be Given In Spanish ...even if just one pupil requests it!

Classes at school in parts of Spain with regional languages must be taught in Spanish if any pupil so requires, says a Supreme Court ruling.

According to the report by ThinkSpain, this has annoyed members of Catalunya’s regional government, with education minister Irene Rigau saying: “The language of a classroom cannot change just because one student wants it to.”

But the highest court in the land says it can indeed – parents of any pupil can request that their child’s education be bilingual, both in the regional language and in Spanish.

So far, 10 verdicts by the Supreme Court on the subject have been passed in favour of mums and dads in Catalunya who want their children to be taught in Spanish, even if this is in combination with Catalán.

The Court says there is ‘no automatic right’ to a child being educated in just one language, as is the case throughout Catalunya, and in parts of the Comunidad Valenciana, the Basque Country, Galicia and the Balearic Islands, particularly in rural areas.

And each verdict states that only one child need request the class switch to Spanish, since otherwise, to be able to respect that child’s right to being taught in the national language, he or

she would have to be moved into a ‘special’ class or taught alone, with the stigma for the pupil involved and the extra man hours required.

The 10 verdicts each apply to an individual school in Catalunya, and deal with the requests of 14 families for a Spanish or at least bilingual education, affecting around 300 children.

Rigau has said she does not intend to comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling, since it remains open to appeal, which her department intends to do.

But the association Convivencia Cívica Catalana, which supported the 14 families in their legal action, says once all the remaining cases of children whose parents have appealed to date are tried and given the same verdict, a total of 19 schools and over 500 pupils in the region of Catalunya will receive mandatory bilingual lessons.

Although all these cases have taken place in Catalunya, the Supreme Court verdict is valid for the whole of Spain and parents in the Basque Country, Galicia, the Comunidad Valenciana and the Balearic Islands will also have the right to demand that their children are taught in Spanish as well as in the co-official languages of these regions.

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SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

The Vera & District Lions Club

The Vera and District Lions Club is a very new club. We were formed in 2011 and received our charter in November 2012.

The founder members of the Vera and District Club are, in the main experienced Lions members from the U.K who have made their homes in Spain.

There are Lions clubs throughout Spain,some with a mixture of nationalities, some wholly British and some wholly Spanish all helping each other to serve the public. The nearest wholly Spanish Lions Club is located in Huercal Overa.

There are Lions clubs in over 200 countries in the world with a membership of 1.35 million people. Whilst the Lions Clubs International can reach out across the globe with offers of help it is the role of the Vera and District lions Club to help local charities and other deserving causes.

No member of the Vera and District Lions club receives payment in any form. Our work for the community is entirely voluntary.

How do we help local charities and other deserving causes?

We are currently planning a programme of events for the forthcoming year to raise the necessary funding to help us meet our objectives. These events include ( to date) Craft markets, Quiz nights, Race nights, Dinner & dance, Party night, Masked summer Ball, 10 pin bowling competition, Golf tournament, Petenque competition, a bowls competition and an ambitious Last Night At The Proms, broadcast live on British television.

Who do we help?

In the short time we have been in existence we have managed to provide help and assistance to a wide variety of groups and individuals, for example: • We have, and continue to collect old spectacles, have them repaired and send them to third world countries for those who are in desperate need them...

• We have also managed to purchase for a local Vera Children refuge a wide range of computerised learning aids for which we currently co-fund a specialist teacher to bring the benefits of the equipment to children and young persons...

• We are currently committed to helping equip an interim assessment room at

elax evive

“Asprodabla”, a centre in Vera which caters for those with learning difficulties...

• We make a monthly donation the Food bank in Turre which has seen numbers escalate in recent months and which is struggling to feed those who rely so heavily upon them...

• At Christmas this past year we purchased a large quantity of toys for local children who were identified to us by the Red Cross in Vera as being in need and would otherwise have gone without...

• We have also helped repatriate a British gentleman who had fallen on hard times back to the UK by purchasing his flight ticket and using a network of our contacts to help him re-settle...

• We have assisted in helping to tidy up the gardens and grounds of the Red Cross which had become overgrown and unattractive...

We are currently raising money to provide a 3yr local girl, who has cerebral palsy, with a special walking frame...

• We continue to help where we can those affected by the storms and floods of September 2012...

Our work is varied and no-one is excluded from receiving our help...

Lions are an international network of 1.3 million men and women in 205 countries and geographic areas who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities around the world.

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Lions Recycle for Sight

The Vera & District Lions Club would like to thank the community for supporting our Lions Recycle for Sight used eyeglasses collection programme. For the passed six months, we collected more than 1900 pairs of unwanted spectacles and sunglasses for those in need in developing countries.

The donated specs have been sent to our regional spectacle recycling centre in Alicante where they will be cleaned, sorted by prescription and prepared for distribution by Lions and other groups.

By taking the time to give us your glasses, you have helped improve the life of someone in need. In most developing nations, eye care is either unaffordable or inaccessible. And for many, poor eyesight that is left uncorrected can lead tp unemployment for adults and a child’s inability to attend School.

The Vera & District Lions would also like to express our appreciation to the following - Multiopticos Mojacar, Multiopticos Garrucha, Iceland Vera, Camping Los Gallardos, Cat Services Alfoquia, Blue Parrot Vera Playa, Fund Raiser Turre, Bedar Phamarcy, Arboleas Pharmacy, Age Concern Arboleas, MAC’s Shop Turre and MAC’s Shop in Albox - for contributing to the project’s success by serving as convenient drop off centre.

People who did not get the chance to donate their glasses but would still like to, or those interested in learning more about other Vera & District Lions Club activities can call Glyn Williams on 950467324 or Sandie Tinkham on 950439324.

Thanks again for sharing our vision of helping others to see.

Glyn Williams President, Vera & District Lions Club For more information email: glyn@blueseavillas.co.uk

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SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

9

tuesday 23RD APRIL

sT. gEORGES dAY

As with most saints, myth and legend surrounds St George, of how a Roman soldier came to be regarded as the essence of England. He is most famously known as the brave slayer of the dragon and saviour of the maiden but, although this story exists in a number of different medieval texts and art, it appears to have no historical basis.

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St. George journeyed for many months by land and sea until he came to Libya. Here he met a poor hermit who told him that everyone in that land was in great distress, for a dragon had long ravaged the country.

“Every day,” said the old man, “he demands the sacrifice of a beautiful maiden and now all the young girls have been killed. The King’s daughter alone remains, and unless we can find a knight who can slay the dragon she will be sacrificed tomorrow. The king of Egypt will give his daughter in marriage to the champion who overcomes this terrible monster.”

When St. George heard this story, he was determined to try and save the princess, so he rested that night in the hermit’s hut, and at daybreak set out to the valley where the dragon lived. When he drew near he saw a little procession of women, headed by a beautiful girl dressed in pure Arabian silk.

The Princess Sabra was being led by her attendants to the

There is very little information about the life St George, but it is known that he was not English; thought to have been an early Christian martyr from the area of modern day Turkey who was executed in Palestine in the third century, legends about his valorous deeds as a soldiersaint began in the 6th century and by the 12th century the famous story about his rescuing a king’s daughter and slaying a dragon had become widespread - some experts think the tale is based on the Greek myth of Perseus rescuing Andromeda from a sea monster.

St George was popularised in England

by Crusaders, Christian knights returning from religious wars in the Middle East.

He was alleged to have appeared to the Knights dressed in white robes decorated

with a red cross during the 11th century siege of Antioch. He became the official patron saint of England in 1425 after Henry V’s victory at the Battle of Agincourt - the Red Cross of St George is England’s national flag and it also forms part of Britain’s Union Jack.

The English, however, are not the only people to stake a claim in St George; in the Middle East, Christians invoke his powers to help exorcise demons and in many countries St George is associated with fertility and his day marks the very beginning of summer. In Lithuania he is revered as the guardian of animals and in parts of Spain, St George’s day is celebrated with feasts and gift giving - in Barcelona, it is traditional to give a book as a token of St. George’s Day. In Russia

place of death. The knight spurred his horse and overtook the ladies. He comforted them with brave words and persuaded the princess to return to the palace. Then he entered the valley.

As soon as the dragon saw him it rushed from its cave, roaring with a sound louder than thunder. Its head was immense and its tail fifty feet long. But St. George was not afraid. He struck the monster with his spear, hoping he would wound it.

The dragon’s scales were so hard that the spear broke into a thousand pieces. and St. George fell from his horse.

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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and the Ukraine the day is celebrated by Spring Festivals and Picnics to celebrate the end of winter.

The celebration of St George’s Day is currently fairly low key in England and much more celebrated elsewhere.

However, the Society and its members are clearly succeeding in their constant efforts to revive St. George’s Day as the day on which to celebrate being English, and are calling upon the government to declare 23rd April as a national holiday.

Many legends in many cultures exist about St. George, but they all have a common theme; he must have been an outstanding character in his lifetime, for his reputation to have survived for almost 1,700 years!

Fortunately he rolled under an enchanted orange tree against which poison could not prevail, so that the venomous dragon was unable to hurt him. Within a few minutes he had recovered his strength and was able to fight again.

He smote the beast with his sword but the dragon poured poison on him and his armour split in two.

Once more he refreshed himself from the orange tree and then, with his sword in his hand, he rushed at the dragon and pierced it under the wing where there were no scales, so that it fell dead at his feet.

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

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

Virgin London Marathon

In 1979, hours after having run the New York Marathon, the former Olympic champion Chris Brasher wrote an article for The Observer which began: “To believe this story you must believe that the human race be one joyous family, working together, laughing together, achieving the impossible. Last Sunday, in one of the most trouble-stricken cities in the world, 11,532 men and women from 40 countries in the world...laughed, cheered and suffered during the greatest folk festival the world has seen.” Enchanted with the sight of people coming together for such an occasion, he concluded questioning “..whether London could stage such a festival?”

Within months the London Marathon was born!

Brasher made many trips to America to study the race organisation and finance of big city marathons such as those held in New York and Boston. Once he had secured a contract with Gillette of £50,000, he was able to establish the organisation’s charitable status. He was clear in his aims for the marathon, which he not only hoped would echo the scenes he had witnessed in New York, but also put Britain firmly on the map as a country capable of organising major events.

His vision was realised on 29th March 1981, with the inaugural London Marathon proving an instant success. More than 20,000 people applied to run: 7,747 were accepted and 6,255 crossed the finish line on Constitution Hill as cheering crowds lined the route. Since this time the event has continued to grow in size, stature and popularity with a capacity 46,500 accepted entrants each year. In all, a total of 711,260 have completed the race since its inception with 34,497 runners crossing the line in 2008.

course...

The London Marathon course is flat and fast. It starts in Blackheath, heads east through Charlton and Woolwich for three miles, turns west and passes the Cutty Sark in Greenwich after six to seven miles. It crosses the River Thames at Tower Bridge and then loops around the east end of London, past Canary Wharf in Docklands, before heading west again along the Highway and the Embankment to Parliament Square, Birdcage Walk and the final corner in front of Buckingham Palace.

The first London Marathon, held on 29 March 1981, finished on Constitution Hill between Green Park and Buckingham Palace. From 1982 until 1993 the race finished on Westminster Bridge with the Houses of Parliament in the background.

But in 1994 repair work to the bridge

meant the finish line was moved to The Mall where it has been ever since.

Apart from the finish, the London Marathon course hasn’t changed much in its 32 year history. In 2005 it was altered slightly at 22 miles to avoid the cobbled area near the Tower of London, and that year the route around the Isle of Dogs between 14 and 21 miles was switched from a clockwise to an anti-clockwise direction.

Doing It For Charity...

As a fundraising event, there is no race in the world that comes close to the London Marathon. An iconic image of the event is the thousands of runners traipsing the streets to raise money for charity, many in fancy dress, hoping to stand out as a rhino, football mascot, giant tree, or escaped convict. More than three quarters of competitors now run for a good cause and a third of all entry places are offered by charitable organisations.

2013 Virgin London Marathon 21st April - live coverage 8.30am on BBC Two

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

www.soltimes.com

11

Cameron and Merkel set for EU talks

David Cameron flew to Berlin late last week to press his demands for sweeping reform of the European Union. The prime minister believes the EU needs to change to allow the UK, or other members, not to be bound by all of its decisions.

Mr Cameron will be accompanied on the visit by his wife Samantha and their three children, following an invitation from German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Talks will also cover the forthcoming G8 summit in the UK, and Syria.

No 10 has also said it was trying to reschedule a meeting with French President Francois Hollande after Mr Cameron pulled out of talks in Paris, following the death of Baroness Thatcher.

Labour said Mr Cameron’s trip to Germany showed the prime minister was “marooned” between the demands of Tory backbenchers and what European leaders would accept.

In his keynote speech on Britain’s future in Europe earlier this year, Mr Cameron pledged to hold an in-out referendum during the early part of the next parliament - by the end of 2017 at the latest - if the Conservatives win the next general election.

He has argued a new settlement is needed before UK voters are asked if they want to end ties with Brussels.

Speaking to reporters earlier this week, Mr Cameron said the best outcome for Britain would be “membership of a reformed European Union”.

In a report by the BBC, it was reported that Mrs Merkel had invited the prime minister and his family to stay at her official residence - the Federal government guesthouse, an 18th century Baroque palace, in Meseberg, north west of Berlin. The visit will be the first time the Camerons have taken their three children on an official foreign trip. Mrs Cameron has previously accompanied her husband

to the US.

Mrs Merkel will be joined by her husband Joachim Sauer.

Mr Cameron is facing resistance from France and Germany over his plans to create new EU agreements. But press reports indicate that the visit reflects the good relationship between the two leaders and the German chancellor’s determination to keep Britain in the EU. The meeting is private and informal, but Mr Cameron will argue his case that the EU needs to reform, our correspondent added. It is understood that Mr Cameron believes there will have to be treaty change to solve the problems in the eurozone and that gives Britain a new relationship with Europe.

In the joint interviews with five European newspapers, Mr Cameron said the EU had “sometimes overreached itself with directives and interventions and interference”: “I think we can have a flexible Europe where we don’t all have to do the same things in the same way at the same time.”

Mr Cameron stressed it was important to respond to falling support for the EU in Britain. He described support for the UK’s membership of the EU as “wafer thin”.

For Labour, Douglas Alexander said: “The gap between what David Cameron can deliver and what his backbenchers are demanding continues to widen.

“At a time when the game-changing trade deal between America and Europe is within reach, Britain should be focussed on securing those jobs and investment rather than putting economic stability and investment at risk.”

Cyprus to appeal to EU for extra bailout assistance

Cyprus president Nicos Anastasiades has said he will appeal for extra assistance from the European Union.

It emerged, last week, that Cyprus would need to raise an extra 6bn euros to secure a 10bn euro bailout from Brussels and the IMF. Mr Anastasiades is urging EU leaders to change their policy towards Cyprus, but he is not asking for more money.

He made the announcement ahead of a meeting of eurozone finance ministers in Dublin.

According to a draft document prepared by the country’s creditors, the cost of the rescue has risen to 23bn euros from 17.5bn euros, with Cyprus now having to find 13bn euros of this.

The ministers meeting in Dublin said that the 10bn euro part of the bailout that will come from Europe and the IMF is now set to be approved by the member states’ national parliaments.

That could happen by the end of the month and, if the IMF also gives the go-ahead, the first bailout money could be released by mid-May. Eurozone finance ministers also favoured giving Ireland

and Portugal an extra seven years to repay the bailouts they received to save them from economic collapse.

A Cypriot official in Dublin told reporters that for its part, Cyprus is not seeking more bailout money, but is rather seeking help from EU to reduce the burden of the conditions to make the bailout possible. Meanwhile, the German government said that the size of the eurozone bailout would not rise.

“The contribution from international creditors will not change,” said German government spokesman Steffen Seibert, noting that 10bn euro package was “already very large”.

President Anastasiades said he had already spoken to EU Economy and Euro Commissioner Olli Rehn ahead of the Dublin meeting. He also said he would also be writing to European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso and to EU President Herman Van Rompuy.

“The letter to Mr Barroso and Mr Rompuy will refer to the need for EU policy to change towards Cyprus by giving it extra assistance, given the critical times we are

going through as a result of the economic crisis and the measures imposed on us,” Mr Anastasiades said.

The finance minister of Luxembourg, Luc Frieden, said that Europe and the IMF could not increase their 10bn euro share of the bailout: “I believe the policy will be that the volume will remain at 10bn [euros].”

Late last Thursday, a Cypriot government spokesman, Christos Stylianides, confirmed that one fundraising option being considered was the sale of some of the country’s gold reserves: “The Cypriot government put various options forward, including this.”

He went on to blame the gulf between the original bailout total and the new 23bn figure on the previous administration and the time it took to negotiate a bailout, delays which pushed the cost of recapitalising its banks much higher.

Mr Stylianides accused former President Dimitris Christofias of failing to “take responsibility, and complete indecisiveness” in promptly negotiating a bailout.

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12

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

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

ALMERIMAR & surrounding area El Ejido

‘El Arte de la Magia’ as portrayed by Jorge Blas will arrive in El Ejido on Saturday April 20.

It promises to be a surprising and novel show of magic for all ages, and is anticipated to fill the Teatro Auditorio. The show has been touring throughout Spain, and comes straight from its spectacular success at the Gran Vía in Madrid.

The show includes the most current and fascinating magic trends, with appearances, disappearances, interactive magic levitation, and impossible feats where the audience is the star.

The ‘Arte de la Magia’ will recreate on stage the inspiring ‘Tree of Life’ of Robert Houdini. This is a legendary nineteenth century illusion recently rediscovered through the film ‘The Illusionist’ and now presented live 150 years after its creation.

Advance tickets are available from the Área de Cultura from 8.30 to 14.30 and www.unientradas. es. There are discounts for group bookings, and for more information go to: www.elejido.es.

send your news & views to editor@soltimes.com

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MacGowan’s Bar & Restaurant

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

8.30pm start

open mic night & jam session

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Tlf. 950 609 546

WARNING TO BAR OWNERS:

At 2am on Wednesday morning 3 hooded men, one of whom had a knife and another one a gun, entered The Stumble Inn, Almerimar, as one of the bar staff was locking up. There was a customer also at the Bar who was involved in a scuffle with the men. The men got away with the till. According to Martin Mason, owner of The Stumble Inn, a similar incident occured two days earlier at another bar in Almerimar.

Martin wants to make other Bar owners aware of this incident so that they can be on their guard.

what’s on Wednesday

Sol Times Distributed

Thursday

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

Friday

stumble inn - live entertainment 9pm Friday Golf

Saturday

send your events to editor@soltimes.com

Sunday

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

Monday

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

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

Friday Golf Society

12 april: After a week off due to the rain

last week Friday golf returned on a day when it was clear that spring had arrived. As witnessed

by Mr President’s white legs being on show at the prize giving.

We played a best 2 stableford competition with 2 hidden holes in bright sunshine with just a breeze.

It was golfing heaven.

A smaller group of 28 players including 3 guests took part this week with quite a few regulars now enjoying the lovely weather in their home countries elsewhere in Europe.

The winners this week were Hans Ooft (welcome back Hans), Klaus Schwalk, Jacqui Mays and Ann Nolan (whose husband John won last time) with an excellent score of 97 points.

Last place and chocolates went to Jan Ljung with his 3 guests, Gustav, Anders and Kathy.They scored 69 points. Here is a photo of them collecting their prizes.

Nearest the pin on hole 17 was won by MarieAnne Pettersson with a distance of 4.20m 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

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

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

news update Reports & PHOTOS by Martin Shortland

13

New Owners, New Look – The Golf Trinidad Hotel Reopens Soon One of the largest hotels in the urbanisation is being prepared for a grand reopening in May. The Golf Trinidad was one of the first large luxury hotels to be built along the ‘strip’. The design didn’t please everyone, but love it or hate it, you can’t help but notice it. Since closing over a year ago, it’s rapidly fallen into disrepair and presents a rather forlorn image now, compared to its proud heyday back in the nineties.

Sadly it went the way of many hotels, not only in Roquetas but all along the Costa Almeria, when the financial crisis began to bite three years ago. The hotel is owned by the Cajamar bank and at the end of last year, the bank reached an agreement with the Balearic Roc hotel chain; they will pay the same rent as the previous tenants, with an option to buy at a future date.

Announcing the news last week, chief executive of Roc hotels Guillermo Miralles said they are carrying out a major refurbishment scheme, costing around 4 million euros. He acknowledged it was a difficult time to be opening an hotel, but expressed his confidence in the work the tourist board has been doing to promote Roquetas as a holiday destination. He said, “Margins are tight in any business these days, but we are confident that

The Grass Is Always Greener

– When It’s Artificial

The United Left party repeated its criticism last week of the councils continued use of artificial grass in the municipality. This latest attack comes after a large section of natural grass bordering the road near the Auditorio theatre was dug up and replaced with astro turf. The United Left claim the council is wasting tax payers money by using this synthetic replacement instead of the real thing; the cost of the work is estimated at around 17,000 euros. Added to previous work carried out this year, the bill comes to close on 70,000 euros.

The United Left says the council should be ashamed at such blatant misuse of money which could be used for more important projects in the town. They use a recent road patching scheme as an example of where the money could be better spent. A spokesman said the road patching was carried out in a poor way and many of the roads repaired will be in a similar condition again; they claim the work was not properly done because of lack of funding. They feel the council should have explored using other types of natural grass, which could withstand the rigours of heavy use and dry weather conditions.

The council has started using the artificial grass

in areas they consider to be difficult to maintain, such as traffic islands and roadsides, or where pedestrian use of grassed areas mean the grass gets badly worn. The council accepts the initial expenditure of laying the astro turf is high, but states that it’s a one off cost, requiring no further maintenance. They intend to continue using it in other areas of the town and have earmarked two stretches of roadside grass for replacement in the urbanisation later this month.

A council spokesman said the artificial grass had an important visual impact in the communities where it has been used and in general, they were not aware of any adverse criticism from the public. He said, “Because of the high temperatures and lack of rain, it’s often difficult for us to keep all the grassed areas of the town looking good all year round. We feel by using the artificial turf in these areas, we are improving the look of the town.” He pointed out it was not the intention of the council to completely replace all the natural grass, as the parks and gardens of Roquetas were much appreciated by residents and visitors alike and if anything, the new artificial grass helped to enhance the visual image.

As I reported last week, (issue 382, page 13) the parks department is rightly proud of the way it tends the gardens of the town.

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

with our ‘all inclusive’ packages, we can attract customers and look forward to an upturn in the current economic climate soon.”

The 400 bed hotel is perfectly located right next to the beach and at the centre of the hotel district.

The company has been working closely with tour operators for some months now, setting up deals for the forthcoming season and in particular the Russian operator Natalie Tours, which is increasing the number of flights between Almeria and Russia this year.

Both the Town Hall and local traders association have been concerned about the bad image such a large and centrally placed abandoned hotel has presented to visitors since its closure. A high wire fence did nothing to stop vandals, fly tippers and graffiti ‘artists’ invading the site. The new tenants have been warmly welcomed by traders and residents alike, who see this as a possible indication the economy may be about to change.

Too many hotels have closed in the area and the reopening of the Golf Trinidad will no doubt help to put some heart back into the central area of the urbanisation.

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

Honey Please help me find my forever family!

Honey was found abandoned in Berja after a visit to the vet, Honey was confirmed to be an Alsatian crossed with a small dog & 1 year old with a clean bill of health. She has been wormed, de-fleaed and ticked and needs a FOREVER home.

I’m very friendly, house trained and get on well with other dogs and children.

If you can help me PLEASE Contact the Charity shop on 950 497 193

Monday - Fri 10am-2pm Saturday 11am-2pm In Association with Animales de Berja & Ursamarina

VOLUNTEERS WANTED

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to advertise on this feature in a forthcoming issue call our sales department on 950 121 936 or email sales@soltimes.com TYRE KING - the place to come for all your tyre needs.

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16

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

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

pause for thought

The miracles of modern communication! Right now, as you read this, I’m in Tanzania, with my daughter and grandchildren at their home in Arusha, under the shadow of Kilimanjaro, having flown out from Alicante to Dar-Es Salaam for a few days with them on the coast and in Zanzibar. Travel really is so easy these days.

And communication so good that items like this can be sent from anywhere in the World and be with editorial staff within seconds. Unimaginable for our forebears and few of us could really have believed it possible thirty years ago even though we may have been using a form of fairly localised email even then.

So where, back in those far off days we often used to question how God could attend to prayers made to Him from all corners of the World at the same time, that now seems so much less of a problem. For if I can send emails or texts from my home in Spain to Australia, Tanzania and America, and receive replies within seconds, how much easier it must be for Almighty God to similarly respond to simultaneous prayer requests from such disparate parts of the World!

So it seems to me that rather than trying to look for problems, we should accept that God is more powerful than the best computer on Earth, so has no problem in multi-tasking. And with that knowledge, we can make the most of the benefits that free communication with Almighty God affords.

Further information about the Anglican Church and details of forthcoming events may be seen on the web site www. mojacarchurch.org Duncan Burr is Licensed Lay Reader for the Anglican Chaplaincy of Costa Almeria and Costa Cálida and may be contacted at djburr@avired.com

Memories on wheels

30 years ago I started a game keeping apprenticeship.

The only problem was that it meant a daily18.5 mile each way cycle ride. So I bought an ancient Honda C90 scooter and what an evil contraption it was. It belched out black smoke and I never got my teenage head around the semi-automatic clutch, too many times I ended up crashing into things as the darn thing just would not stop. Once I bashed into a car and was mortified, the guy just shrugged and reassured me that our insurance would sort it out. The very nice man never even bothered claiming for it.

Luckily before the C90 could do me or the environment any more damage it blew up on the A25 in Albury near Guildford and I remember pushing it the three miles up and over the North Downs to home where it was laid to rest.

At this point my dear Gran stepped in buying

me a proper motorbike and helmet to match; a Honda CB100 costing her the then massive sum of £300. Wonderfully she even paid for the first year’s insurance.

Oh happy days and for a couple of years I rocketed around the winding lanes of Surrey, sometimes reaching the breakneck speed of 76mph. Then one fateful winter morning I hit some black ice on a sharp corner and came a right cropper also killing the bike. Fate smiled at me as a car stopped and a nurse on her way to start her shift got out, performed first aid on my wounds and gave me a lift to hospital.

That put a stop to my biking and I changed careers, for the next 10 years I had no need for 2 or even 4 wheels and instead let the train take the strain! Then in 1993 I moved to London with

my then girlfriend, her dad generously (or so we initially thought) gave us his old 1978 automatic 2.6L Toyota Cressida. It was a huge pimp mobile which needed its own fuel refinery. I worked for West Ham FC at the time and travelling to and from Balham ‘Gateway to the South’ each day cost a king’s ransom.

We put so much fuel in the car each week we never could save any money to replace the car.

Luckily it decided to die one summer’s day in the midst of a huge police drug raid in Greenwich with 5 of us in the car.

Hilariously we sat in the car and watched the cops bash down doors and haul no gooders out bundling them into Black Marias.

At the time by chance my father’s partner Jess owned a red diesel Peugeot 205 which she

was selling. Ideal for the mean streets of London, it was small and nippy enough to get out of any trouble. The only problem was it got broken into so often I ended up leaving the doors unlocked, saving the little sods from breaking the windows each time. Although they loved my car stereos they never appreciated my taste in music and more than once I found my tapes strewn on the ground with the stereo gone.

This lovely car served me well until 2003 until one fateful early morning I started a new job. Driving though the almost deserted streets a Scirocco pulled out from a side street smashing into my car, sending me across oncoming traffic into a lamp post. I got the number plate and had witnesses but when the police traced it – no insurance as the car had been stolen!

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

New bionic hand is controlled by mobile app Neater Heater:

Norway’s Answer To Having A Warm Home In Winter!

Neater Heater was started in a “Victor Kiam” moment. Remember him? “I was so impressed with the product that I bought the company”.

Having struggled unsuccessfully with several different styles of electric heaters, Richard and Tony accidentally discovered Neater Heaters in the home of a Norwegian friend of theirs. Neater Heaters are slimline wall-mounted electric convector heaters that combine state of the art technology, Scandinavian design and build quality, with Norwegian understanding of how to stay warm in winter.

They differ from most of their rivals by using an Extruded Aluminium element, designed with a large surface area, to heat the air in your room directly without having to go through an intermediary medium such as oil. The cold air at the bottom of the room is drawn into the heater where it is directly heated by the element, rises, and exits through the vents at the top of the heater. This causes a convection current leading to a continuous circulation of heated air. This means that all the energy generated by your valuable euro is used to heat your room, and not the carcass of the heater, or the oil inside it.

Because of the design and the technologically advanced materials, this can all be achieved at a lower element temperature, thus generating more heat per kilowatt.

What this basically means for you is: Neater Heaters can make you warmer than most of the competition can for less money.

Neater Heaters can warm a much larger area than most of the competition can for the same money.

Neater Heaters Can be viewed and purchased from one of our numerous distributors throughout the region.

NEATER HEATER DISTRUBUTORS:

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BENIJOFAR: Vincent Real Estate Tel. 966 712 440 TORREVIEJA: S J & A. Digital Tel. 966 319 253 For home inspections in North Torrevieja, call Colin Tel: 636 537 338 For home inspections in South Torrevieja call Edmund Tel: 966 765 552 Playa flamenca: Buster’s Bar Tel: 672 128 945 BLUE LAGOON: The Electrical Shop (Euronics) Tel: 966 188 169 NEATER HEATER DISTRUBUTORS:

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A Scottish company has unveiled a new prosthetic hand that can be controlled by a mobile phone app.

Touch Bionics’ i-limb ultra revolution features a powered rotating thumb to enhance dexterity, 24 grip options and extra sensitive electrodes.

It’s the first upper-limb prosthesis that can be controlled via an app compatible with the latest Apple products.

The powered rotation of the thumb can be controlled either directly by the wearer’s muscle signals, or can move automatically into position as

part of a pre-set grip pattern or gesture.

The new ‘quick grips’ option from the Biosim mobile control app allows the user to automatically activate 24 different grip patterns and gestures with a single tap of the screen.

It means users can adjust their prosthetic hand for different tasks, such writing, typing, gripping small objects - or even tying shoe laces Wearer Bertolt Meyer said: “Powered thumb rotation, combined with the mobile app and quick access to all these new grips, gives me natural hand function that I never imagined would be possible.”

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SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

UN seeks out-of-work Spanish graduates who speak English or French

Highly-qualified jobless Spaniards are being actively sought by the United Nations for a series of vacancies which are due to be advertised in May. With around 155,000 employees already, the UN is the largest international organisation worldwide and still needs more people to work with them in helping maintain peace abroad, fighting for human rights’ protection and developing the poorest regions on the planet.

Although the UN is actively targeting Spanish people with either extensive work experience, a high level of qualifications or both, the job website is only in English and French since candidates should be able to speak at least one of these languages fluently.

Applicants will be called to take an exam in December at various centres in different countries, including one in Madrid, and those who pass will then go on to undergo an interview.

Jobs are available in each of the organisations that come under the UN umbrella, including UNICEF – the children’s charity – FAO, the food and agricultural organisation – UNESCO, the heritage wing of the group, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the OIT (International Work Organisation), ONUSIDA (fighting against AIDS and HIV worldwide), and many others.

Positions include doctors, solicitors, PR workers, public speakers, administration assistants and plenty others in a variety of fields.

Candidates should have at least a university degree, between two and 15 years’ work experience, and be able to take and pass a written test in English or French at an advanced level.

But Spaniards who have been unable to find any type of work since graduating may be eligible to apply for jobs with the UN via training programmes set up especially for applicants in their situation.

Osteoporosis Drug Withdrawn Over Possible Cancer Risk Health authorities have withdrawn a drug used to treat osteoporosis from sale since one of the ingredients may be associated with bone tumour formation.

According to the Spanish Medication and Health Products Agency (AEMPS), nasal sprays for the crippling bone degeneration disease containing Calcitonin have been taken off the shelves and they are updating information about similar drugs prescribed in injectable format.

Clinical trials have revealed that there may be a link between Calcitonin and a higher risk of cancerous tumours.

The AEMPS has called for doctors to cease prescribing, and for pharmacies to stop dispensing any

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medication containing the ingredient for the moment.

It also recalled that anyone taking Calcitonin preparations as injections should only do so at the minimum effective dose and for very short periods of time.

17

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SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

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

Is music the secret to a good night’s sleep?

Listening to music while you sleep could improve your memory, according to a new study.

In a report by the Mail Online, researchers have discovered that playing sounds synchronised to the rhythm of the slow brain oscillations of people who are asleep enhances these oscillations which boosts their memory and improves the quality of their sleep.

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It has long been known that slow oscillations in brain activity, which occur during so-called slow-wave sleep, are critical for retaining

memories.

sleep rhythms.’

However, it has only just been established that sound can be used to enhance these oscillations.

Dr Born and his colleagues conducted tests on 11 people during which they exposed the participants to sound stimulations.

Co-author Dr Jan Born, of the University of Tübingen in Germany, said: ‘The beauty lies in the simplicity of applying auditory stimulation at low intensities.

‘This approach is both practical and ethical if compared, for example, with electrical stimulation.

‘Therefore, it portrays a straightforward tool for clinical settings to enhance

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When the volunteers were exposed to stimulating sounds that were in sync with the brain’s slow oscillation rhythm, they were better able to remember word associations they had learned the evening before.

Stimulation out of phase with the brain’s slow oscillation rhythm was ineffective.

Dr Born said: ‘Importantly, the sound stimulation is effective only when the sounds occur in synchrony with the ongoing slow oscillation rhythm during deep sleep.

‘We presented the acoustic stimuli whenever a slow oscillation “up state” was upcoming, and in this way we were able to strengthen the slow oscillation, so that it showed higher amplitude and occurred for longer periods.’

The researchers suspect that this technique might also be able to improve sleep.

Dr Born said: ‘It might even be used to enhance other brain rhythms with obvious functional significance—like rhythms that occur during wakefulness and are involved in the regulation of attention.’

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19

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

NOODLE SOUP: the best hangover cure!

On that painful morning after the night before, there is often nothing more tempting than a bacon sandwich. But scientists have now hailed a beef and noodle broth as the perfect hangover remedy, saying its healing properties after a heavy night are based on scientific fact.

Yak-a-mein is little known outside New Orleans, where it has acquired its nickname after helping countless revellers recover from partying for decades.

Although recipes vary, an Old Sober (as the dish is known) is typically made with a salty beef and soy sauce based broth, noodles, either beef, chicken or shrimp; onions and a sliced hard-boiled egg.

Professor Alyson Mitchell, of the University of California, Davis, said Yak-a-mein contains a perfect mix of salts, protein, carbohydrates and micronutrients to zap a sore head.

Folklore has it that American soldiers from New Orleans stationed in Korea during the Fifties learned to appreciate Yak-a-mein and brought a taste for it back home.

Hangovers arise when more alcohol than the body can cope with is consumed. High blood levels of ethanol - the intoxicating ingredient in alcohol - teamed with dehydration and the toxic effect of the body’s breakdown of alcohol into acetaldehyde and of substances called congeners

JAX

cause what Professor Alyson Mitchell referred to as a ‘metabolic storm’. Symptoms includes a headache, nausea, fatigue, body aches and weakness.

‘Drinks with higher concentrations of congeners generally result in more pronounced symptoms,’ said Professor Mitchell, whose work was presented recently at an American Chemical Society meeting.

‘Red wines and dark liquors such as brandy and whisky contain higher levels of congeners than white wine and clear spirits such as vodka.

Carbonation speeds the absorption of alcohol too.’

At the meeting. she explained how each individual ingredient in the soup beat the hangover. She explained that eggs contain an amino acid called cysteine that removes acetyldehyde from the body.

The salts replace sodium and potassium lost in the urine due to the diuretic effect of alcohol. Vitamin B1 or Thiamine found in meat and fish may also help prevent the build up of glutarate, the substance linked to the classic hangover headache .

But, said Prof Mitchell, the best way to treat a hangover is to avoid drinking too much in the first place: ‘The body can eliminate 15ml of pure alcohol per hour. So consume no more than one a pint of beer, a 175ml glass of wine, or 30ml of spirits within that time to prevent a sore head.’

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Donna describes the fashion style of the boutique as girlie, yet sophisticated, but most of all, lots of fun.

Donna is a firm believer that age or size should not be a fashion barrier & she is confident that women will leave the boutique delighted with their purchases & that they will feel like a million dollars when they wear them.

The fashion line at Donna’s boutique includes casual wear for a smart daytime look & fabulous evening wear for all occasions.

Adding to the line, Donna has recently secured a contract to supply clothing from London fashion brand ‘Lipsy’ & will also be stocking the ‘Curve’ range of clothing with sizes 14 to 28.

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People are happier and laugh 50% more when talking face-to-face

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Tel: 664 051 612 Facebook friends are no substitute for the real thing, according to psychologists.

People are happier and laugh 50 per cent more when talking face-to-face with friends or via webcam than when they use social networking sites, a study found.

Dr Sam Roberts, senior lecturer at the University of Chester, said such websites don’t appear to help people make true friendships.

Based on two questionnaires, he found there was no link between Facebook use and people with larger groups of friends or more emotionally intense relationships.

Dr Roberts, whose work will be presented today at the British Psychological Society

conference in Harrogate, said: ‘The bottom line conclusion is that our relationships are not dependent on the quantity of our communication.

‘They depend on quality and even Skype is better at increasing the quality of our communications than time spent on Facebook.’

Even talking on the phone and texting does not make people feel as good as sharing a smile, the research says.

The studies suggest quality not quantity of communication is most important for keeping friends for life.

People find the most satisfying relationships come from a handful of close friends, with an outer ‘ring’ of 10 significant others.

With these people, it doesn’t matter what type of social media you use for communication.

But people who want to ‘contact the world at large’ using Facebook are doomed to disappointment because they spread themselves too thinly, claim researchers.

In a third study he asked people to interact with friends face-to-face or via Skype and keep a 14-day diary.

This was compared with interacting via phone, instant messaging, text messages or social network sites.

People interacting face-toface or on Skype were 50 per cent more likely to laugh, and they rated themselves as significantly happier.

Perfumier launches fragrances for zombies A US perfumier has launched two new fragrances which it says will help the undead smell more bearable to the living. The New York-based Demeter Fragrance Library claims Zombie for Him and Zombie for Her will enable the “dead to simply pass by without offending”.

Zombie for Him is said to be a combination of dried leaves, mushrooms, mildew, moss and earth, while Zombie for Her is a slightly lighter version with a touch of dregs from the bottom of the wine barrel for a feminine touch. It describes the perfumes as “eminently wearable” although the Huffington Post says that claim is “to put it charitably, untrue”. However, the scents have been given surprising positive reviews by users on

the Demeter website.

Oner wrote: “At first spray right from the box, I was pretty sure I did not like it. Right away it reminded me of urinal cakes and the industrial stuff they put on vomit in public places.

“I went for another spray. This time around it smelled exactly like a dark, dingy basement with mildew and limestone. Then something else happened: it began to take on the life it was meant to. It’s dirt, limestone, mildew, moss and leaves, and nasty sweet rotting things.

“There’s something strangely wearable about this... I’m trying it out at work. It calms down into something quite masculine and I can’t wait to shamble around smelling so interesting.”

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

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

If I Missed Your Call

viewpoint

down miles from anywhere in the car, and That the relentless march of technology has been of benefit to humankind thus I won’t need it to summons help. is undeniable, even to a dyed in the I know that there isn’t a shred of logical wool Luddite like myself. However, that reasoning in this belief, but I also know that if you wear the belt and the braces doesn’t mean that I have to like it. then your trousers won’t fall down.

Or not all of it; I am permanently and I take good care of the phone (Note deeply grateful for such advances as, for that it has no name, a sure indication that instance, local anaesthetics – I couldn’t it is not a favoured member of the Biggs face the dentist without the promise of family).

It accompanies me everywhere, this oblivion! either in pocket or handbag, and I have The mobile phone is currently top of even bought it a little purple and pink my hate list, but it’s here to stay, so I cover, like a very small sock, so that it might as well put up with it. will not get dust in its little throat.

I have the darn thing primarily as I keep it topped up with money and a guard against emergencies – the I make sure that it never goes hungry; reasoning is that if I I plug it in long before its little battery have the phone then symbol blinks empty.

I won’t fall over and In fact, I consider that I am a model hurt myself or break owner – it is fed, clothed and has a varied and interesting life with plenty josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk of travel, though admittedly it doesn’t

By Jos Biggs

get much of a view from the inside of a handbag!

However, it is obviously not satisfied.

It has taken to arbitrarily turning itself off, and then refusing to be turned on again. It maintains a sullen blankness, and refuses to acknowledge its pin, or any other blandishments. It has truly gone over to the Dark Side.

I note that it only does it when I am expecting a call; then, quite spontaneously, it starts up again with the message that I have Missed Calls. Of course I have missed calls - the phone made sure of that!

But its piece de resistance is that it has withdrawn the Missed Calls retrieval facility, so missed calls remain missed – I cannot access them!

So if I haven’t answered your call, remember, it’s not me, it’s that perishing piece of plastic in it little pink and purple sock!!

We don’t use a watch to time our goals at Reading – we use a calendar The end of the English football season is fast approaching and as usual at this juncture, there is desperation at the top of the leagues and panic at the bottom –which is where my own team has been positioned for the entire season and is doomed I tell you!

Managers are being sacked in the hope of a last minute turnaround by their foreign billionaire owners and already plans are afoot to buy and sell players in readiness for the 2013/14 season.

It’s all so silly when you examine football in context and see where it sits in the overall scheme of things.

Sure it gives a lot of much needed enjoyment to the fans particularly in these troubled times, but is the amount of pleasure received commensurate with the hundreds of millions of pounds spent every year on players whose only ability is to kick a ball around for ninety minutes a week; produce Oscar winning performances because of a bit of cramp and spit pints of snot all over a perfectly good grass surface? And moreover, who are men that receive far more in salary than truly gifted people who produce something tangible and indispensable to society.

It’s a rhetorical question, because like all such absurdities, it’s simply a part of life.

I remember with pleasure, the days when a bunch of us would travel to Southampton or Chelsea to witness a First Division game; not because we supported either club, but because The Biscuit Men of Reading were playing away to

By Colin Bird : badbirdnow@gmail.com

250

some rabble in the far flung football empire that week and the south coast and London were within a relative stone’s throw of home. And these were grounds where we were guaranteed top class football.

There were legendary footballers like Ron Davies, Mick Channon and Terry Paine at the Saints and in those golden Chelsea days, almost the whole team were household names – names such as Hudson, Bonetti, Webb, Harris and Osgood.

It was a wonder to us how they managed to turn out each week and play the way they did, after witnessing the antics and drinking prowess of some of the team on a Saturday night at a club called Skindles in Maidenhead.

Perhaps this reflected in later life, when many retired footballers would invest in their own drinking establishments. They, unlike today’s retired stars, needed to pursue some form of gainful employment when their playing days were over.

Then, they bought pubs. These days football’s Bentley owning retirees

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Those old stars were real players, who took a few knocks without too much complaint and didn’t pull hamstrings just by putting on their shorts. And they didn’t perform some pansy dance after scoring goals or have bodies that displayed more illustrations than the Beano.

You don’t need a programme these days; you could spend your time reading the new French striker.

Back then it was also when English football meant English – or at the very least British. What a mockery the game has become when players from exotic locations far outnumber home grown talent on the grounds of the Premier league clubs every week. It’s no wonder that the England national team is a poor relation to many of its European counterparts with an apparent array of stars on the pitch, but crucially without adequate strength in depth because managers take the soft option and throw money at tested Johnny foreigner stars from Africa, South America or other parts of Europe.

Also daft in my opinion, are the fans that support teams from towns and cities across the country – sometimes in areas hours away from where they live – in spite of

alqueria - The Alquerian Triangle

The evidence for the existence of the Alquerian Triangle is as tenuous as the more famous Bermudian version. Alqueria itself is roughly triangular or perhaps more heart-shaped which at least topographically supports the claim. It is true to say that there is a list of disappearances of material and people, but does the evidence hold water?

Some say that the mysterious Alquerian Triangle is the work of intelligent beings from another world. This claim does not seem very likely. If intelligent beings visited Alqueria voluntarily, surely that would imply a distinct lack of intelligence by the itinerant beings themselves.

Regarding the disappearances of material and in particular motor vehicles. Statistics show that motor vehicle disappearances are higher in and around Alqueria than any other part of western Europe.

Far from this being the work of the mysterious Triangle it is in fact the work of one Alberto El Volante. This gentleman can have a car resprayed, number plates changed and on one of his many car-lots before the legal owner has had time to lock the doors. One particular individual living on the Spanish side of the border bought his own vehicle back from Alberto fifteen times.

Human disappearances are more puzzling as statistically these are also alarmingly high. Some reappear days, months, or years later physically and mentally altered while others are never seen again.

Those that reappear are all male except for Leya Rama, a gym instructor from Loja. Analysing the movements of the ‘Reappeared? a common denominator comes to light. Manuela. All the cases including that of Leya involved a tryst with Alqueria’s ‘Femme Fatale’. From experience anyone who spends any length of time in an assignation with Manuela is never the same again. The hair greys and one ages very quickly. There is a reluctance to leave her ministrations but when one does the world is a different place.

It can also take many weeks for a good facial surgeon to remove the smile from one’s faces.

The case for those who do not reappear. This is perhaps the simplest to solve. Remitroot Liquor. These people haven’t disappeared at all. They have either forgotten who they are and where they are or have taken up permanent residence in the Bar la Casa Devante. A small tented city has sprung up behind the bar. Staring eyed individuals sit motionless, glasses of the precious fluid cupped in their shaking hands. Others wander the village trying to figure out who they are and where the next Remitroot libation is coming from.

Through scientific analysis we can see that the legend of the Alquerian Triangle has a logical and worldly explanation This is somewhat remarkable considering the village and people under examination.

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

22

having a perfectly good football league team of their own. Perhaps they just like the team strip or the Chairman’s missus, but more likely it’s because they have taken the easy route to success, as it is invariably a Premiership club they have hitched their star to.

I mean, you never hear that the natives of Newcastle or Liverpool are supporting the likes of MK Dons or Exeter do you?

It’s different if you live in the football wilderness and have no club or at best a load of oiks, who spend Saturday afternoons kicking

seven bells out of a team from a neighbouring village. Or like several of my friends who live in Bermuda who passionately follow the fortunes of Manchester United. Bermuda will never be in the Premiership, so they are free to give their loyalties to whoever catches their fancy.

But I shall continue to support my home team in spite of the sure fire certainty they will be playing in the Championship once more next season.

The only thing they bring back from away games these days is a cup of tea and a curly sandwich!

http://www.unique-almeria.com

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

23

SPOTLIGHT: Mojacar Lemon Lounge The Lemon Lounge opposite the ridin g stables roundabout is a lovely restaurant set in an elevated position with a beautiful terraced garden. The friendly owners here provide a welcoming atmosphere and can offer you a choice of menu varying from men u del dia to Sunday lunch or even a full A la Carte.

As well as the garden seating areas, there are 2 indoor dining rooms, where you can relax and enjoy either a gard en or sea view whilst dining. For anyone visiting Mojaca r, the Lemon Lounge is a must on your places to visit list!

Tel: 950 472 659. See their advert for more information.

Bay Bistro ed it’s new menu for the This week Bay Bistro has introduc well received by their regular Spring and so far it has been very have also celebrated their and new customers alike. They are looking forward to a and k wee first year anniversary last of hard work to establish positive future. It has taken a load gained a fine reputation for the restaurant but Bay Bistro has money prices. As well as their great food at very good value for have an extensive A La Carte also fantastic set menu deals they h selection is now available to menu and their new Del Sandwic offers a roast diner option at take away. On Sundays Bay Bistro that price it’s no wonder it at the bargain price of only 9.95 and next in Mojacar, why not are you n is a very busy day. So whe won’t regret it. pop in and give Bay Bistro a try, you

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24

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

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

Spanish news photographer wins Pulitzer Prize for Syrian war coverage

A news photographer from Spain has won a Pulitzer Prize for his graphic coverage of the Syrian war.

Manu Brabo, together with his companions –

Mexican Narciso Contreras, Argentinian Rodrigo Abd, and Syrians Khalil Hamra and Mohammed Muheisen – have all received the award at the 97th annual ceremony at the University of Columbia in the

USA. They all work for the global news agency Associated Press.

The New York Times, the Star Tribune, the Sun Sentinel, The Denver Post, the Wall

Spain Anti-Tax Fraud Success

By Bill Blevins, Financial Correspondent, Blevins Fr anks

The Spanish authorities have implemented a number of new measures to find those who are not declaring all their income and assets as required under Spanish tax law.

Their biggest recent measure is the new obligation to report all assets held outside Spain. This new obligation will reap rewards for the government over the years to come. In the meantime the government has other tools it has been using with success, and it has released data on the results of its fraud prevention and anti-tax fraud measures in 2012.

They led to a 10.1% increase in the total revenues attributed to the fight against tax fraud, with the total income from these measures standing at €11.52 billion for the year.

There was a 32% increase, to €1.54 billion, in revenue generated by taxpayers utilising voluntary regularisation procedures.

2012 saw an increase in tax inspection activity, with the tax office undertaking 470,000 standard inspections on internal taxation.

The tax office noticeably increased inspection activity in relation to new sources of information, such as the transfer of currency to countries that are no longer considered tax havens.

Another key source was the data provided by electricity companies on consumption. This helped them track down undeclared leases and secondary

residences. The authorities could also use the data to catch people who have not declared themselves as resident.

Looking ahead, Spain’s new anti-fraud law will be the fundamental pillar in the tax office control strategy in 2013.

General guidelines were published on 12th March this year.

The new foreign asset reporting obligation will play a large part. One of the priorities will be to analyse new information on goods and accounts overseas. The authorities will look at taxpayers who did not submit Modelo 720, but who appear to conduct transactions abroad that imply that they do have hidden assets outside Spain.

For advice on the most tax efficient – and fully compliant - ways to hold your assets in Spain, talk to an experienced adviser like Blevins Franks which has been providing effective tax mitigation advice to British expatriates in Spain for decades.

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

Street Journal and the media website InsideCimate News also won Pulitzer Prizes for their extensive coverage of world events including corruption in Walmart in México, ‘the dark side of business practices’ in Apple, ‘high-level corruption’ within the Chinese government and of the death of numerous skiers during an avalanche.

Madrid to name street after Margaret Thatcher

A street in Madrid is to be named after the late UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, along with two others dedicated to Hollywood diva Sara Montiel and Nobel Prize writer José Luis Sampedro.

According to the report by ThinkSpain, only the PP has voted in favour of adding the British Conservative leader to the long list of celebrated figureheads who have roads bearing their name in the capital, including French medic Marie Curie who discovered radiotherapy, Indian peace activist Gandhi, Olof Palme, Sandro Pertini, Marcelino Camacho, and Rosa Luxemburgo.

Spokeswoman for United Left, Milagros Hernández, said Thatcher, who passed away following a stroke on Monday, April 8, left ‘thousands of people poor’ after 11 years at the helm, and was responsible for ‘economic and welfare cutbacks’ that spelt disaster for families across the UK. Hernández said her real admiration was for the English miners and union members and leaders who suffered during Thatcher’s reign.

Otherwise, the parties which voted against the Iron Lady being immortalised in the Spanish city, or abstained, justified their views by saying she had no connections with Madrid.

But in the autumn of 2010, ‘Maggie’ was awarded the second Freedom Prize by the FAES Foundation, presided by ex-Spanish president José María Aznar (PP), the only previous award of this type having been presented to King Juan Carlos.

At the time, Aznar spoke of Baroness Thatcher as being an ‘historical personality’ whose lifelong career in politics ‘reflected the objectives’ of the award.

The Freedom Prize was launched to reflect similar initiatives in the UK and USA to reward and recognise outstanding work by public figures in the fight for democracy and liberty.

Thatcher’s legacy and 11-year stint as the UK’s first – and to date, only – female Prime Minister, having started out as Conservative MP for the London Borough of Finchley in 1959 and gone on to become Education Secretary were described as having an ‘undeniable historical impact’, particularly concerning her role in breaking down the iron curtain, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of political repression in the former USSR, on the same level as her US contemporary Ronald Reagan and also Helmut Kohl and Pope John Paul II, who died on April 2, 2005.

Loved and hated in life and now in death in equal measures, Margaret Hilda Thatcher, née Roberts, was responsible for thwarting an Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands, which the Latin American occupants still refer to, to this day, as Las Islas Malvinas.

She fell foul of the working public when she shut the mines in the north of England, privatised public-sector firms and eradicated most of the power held by trade unions, and the end of her reign was blighted by the poll tax riots, unemployment at three million and interest rates at 15 per cent, which led to thousands of home repossessions across Britain.

But a freedom fighter who encouraged people to argue with her as heatedly as possible, who was determined Northern Ireland would form part of Britain and who stuck to her guns even when those around her disagreed with her policies, the Baroness Thatcher – who met Aznar three years ago to accept her Freedom Prize – has been lauded even by her adversaries as a woman with a mission who was determined to shake up the country she led between 1979 and 1990.

Plans to name streets after Sampedro, described as ‘a literary Gandhi’, and Montiel, whose 50-year Tinseltown career put Spanish cinema on the map, did not even need to be put to the vote because everyone present was already in favour.

A full vote will be cast on April 24.

www.soltimes.com They were constructed over twenty years ago. Three rows of small units next to the harbour near the walls of the castle, to be used by the local fishermen of Roquetas to work in and store their equipment. But when forty new units were built along the outer harbour wall six years ago, the old ones became redundant and sadly, soon feel into disrepair. Speculation soon overtook reality in what may or may not happen to the site; a site which in terms of its location is highly valuable. The talk inevitably centred on the possibility of an hotel or, heaven forbid, more apartments.

One suggestion and one which seemed highly plausible, was the creation of an artist’s village. The units would need little in the way of conversion; they already had power and water and they were not too big as to be unmanageably for the painters, potters, jewellers and weavers who might move in. With the addition of a cafe and bar, it was a good idea and one which would undoubtedly bring more tourist trade into the port of Roquetas.

But in truth, no one knew what to do with this prime site, except of course the vandals. Everything that was of value was soon stripped out. Everything that could be wrecked was soon wrecked and everything that would burn was soon burnt. The outcome is now there for all to see. Overlooking the harbour, the beautifully restored and majestic castle of Santa Ana; gallery, museum and cultural centrepiece of the community. Next to it, a derelict waste site that can’t even be described as an eyesore – it’s far worse than that.

The owners are the Ports of Andalucia and they seem to have little concern for not just the site, but more importantly, the safety of the thousands of people who visit every year to enjoy the castle, the amphitheatre and the lighthouse. The local council have now made

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

25

Unsightly, Dangerous Harbour Site Still Has Uncertain Future? report & photos by martin shortland

Monday to Friday

teeing off

it one of their main priorities to get something done. A delegation from the regional department of public works and housing visited the site last week and were met by their counterparts from the Town Hall.

The town council have what might be described as an uneasy relationship with their regional masters, having resorted to the high court on more than one occasion to resolve disagreements. The local authority see this as yet another example of the “total disregard” the Council of Andalucia has for the community of Roquetas. In a statement released after the meeting last week, they accused the regional council of, “Abandoning the port of Roquetas and its people, by refusing to take action over this important piece of land, in the heart of the tourist area.”

The town hall would like to resolve the situation before the summer, saying that even if the site were bulldozed, it would be more attractive and less dangerous, than in its present state. As with so many of these disputes – many of which are reported in these pages – the politics tend to get in the way of the issues. This whole sad affair should have been resolved within the first year of the closure of the units. Why it wasn’t has taken the best part of six years to sort out and this latest round of claim and counter claim by the opposing political parties will have done nothing more than cloud the already cloudy waters of this long running saga.

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

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

P. R. BUILDING SERVICES P. R. BUILDING SERVICES have been trading in Spain for over 4 years now and currently have a list of very satisfied cust omers, we cover all aspects of building from foundations to roof including the supplying and installation of kitchens and bathrooms, Air Conditioning, plumbing and electrics.

Having been in the Industry for over 18yrs there are no limitations to our serv ice.

For a friendly Professional Reli able Service please don’t hesitate to contact Rich ard on 662 422 170 references and viewing of previous works can be arranged.

Voila de Lima’s business Voila de Lima’s are a family run to cover nce erie exp and s urce with the reso storage all of your furniture removals, a de Voil At ng. and even buying and selli both iture furn e mov to Lima’s we are able fleet our g usin lly iona rnat inte locally and not are ls of sizeable vehicles. Remova not s doe it ear, as simple as it may app , iture furn of ing shift and just mean lifting , ions sess pos ed priz r you are ds these goo hard of rs accumulated over many yea er forget work. We at Voila de Lima’s, nev care with s item r you all this and treat the on us tact con can You n. and attentio by or ert telephone numbers in our adv look We iz. as.b email enquiries@delim forward to hearing from you!

the

lemon lounge

Two to Dine for 25€ Tuesday to Friday 7.00pm – 10.30pm 3 course meal plus full A la Carte menu

Azeefa Indian Restaurant Azeefa Indian Restaurant on the opposite side of the road to the Riding Stables roundabout, e is well worth a visit. They prid and ice serv themselves on friendly excellent Indian cuisine. Anyone trying them for the first time will d be in for a treat, with good size es dish e rang portions and a good to choose from. Their evening h buffet where you can eat as muc as you like, is the perfect 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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www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

27

THE SPAINIAC | The Alhambra Part 2 | Candice Parsons The sounds of running water through concealed stone channels, along with sights of thoughtfully structured flowing fountains, are a constant recurrence throughout the Alhambra.

The role of water creates the Alhambra’s very essence and was a pivotal component to its entire concept.

Straight from the Darro river, the water is diverted through a channel within the hill that the Alhambra sits on to satisfy the needs of the palace and bring both its gardens and interior to life.

The theme of water became almost immediately apparent to me as I absorbed the beauty of the Generalife gardens.

Walking amongst its towering trees, vibrant flowers and exotic plants was like getting voluntarily lost in a paradisiacal oasis.

These gardens were first built under the reign of Muhammad III; his desire was to create the closest thing he could to a paradise on earth.

By the time the Alhambra was finished in the 14th

century, most of Spain had been reconquered by the Christians. We thereforecannot be certain what the Alhambra originally looked like during its first occupancy of Moorish rulers, as much of its interior was changed when the Christians took over.

Nonetheless, a strong presence and large amount of visibly unique Islamic artwork, decoration, and inscriptions still remain.

After leaving the Generalife gardens and heading towards the less naturistic areas of the Alhambra, I felt the rest of the palace would not be able to compete.

I was soon after proved very wrong.

The Palace of Charles V was constructed by order of the Emperor himself, who wanted a summer residence next to the Alhambra, where he and his family could enjoy all of its luxuries.

Its unique circular courtyard echoed a classic kaleidoscope of renaissance architecture, which I could only truly appreciate once physically standing inside its 63 metres wide and 17

metre high facade.

Whilst the Alcazaba fortress flaunted magnificence from its epic views over Granada, it was my entire aesthetic experience of the Nasrid palace that left the most lasting awe and impression.

Its numerous balconies with breathtaking views of the Albaicín, from which the king would watch over his people in the villagebelow; along with secret gardens, tranquil courtyards, and mysteriously seductive chambers and passageways, are only accentuated by the exquisite detail of their walls, ceilings, structure and design.

The ornate calligraphy of quotations from the Quran combined with interlocking geometric shapes, patterns, and colours, encapsulated the combination of religion, art and history to a degree my imagination didn’t know

possible.

Like the previous day that I’d spent exploring El Albaicín, I’d once again returned from the Alhambra famished; dehydrated;exhausted; and in dire need of both muscle relaxant and antiinflammatory medication for my now humorously fat ankle (Ilater requested these from the ‘farmacia’ staff by showing an iPhone app message, which I’d asked my friend Olivia to write in proper Spanish for me).

Despite the discomfort and discerning possibility of forfeiting any future travel activities, seeing this surreal statement of religious diaspora, history, art, and cultural glory together with its struggle,was simply a privileged pleasure that was accompanied by some well worthy pain.

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

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SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

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UK: 01455 293603 

Email: ronlen@btinternet.com

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

...CALL 902 750 190

EMAIL: SALES@SOLTIMES.COM

Spanish Property Continues to Attract Foreign Investors

Despite the economic uncertainty surrounding the country and the global recession, foreign investors are continuing to put their confidence in Spanish real estate. In fact, according to statistics from the Bank of Spain, during 2012, international property investment in Spain grew by 17% to more than 5,445 million euros.

However, this figure is lower than in 2011, when the increase was 23.6%. This lower growth was mainly due to the contraction of investment registered in the first half of the year, when doubts about the solvency of Spain led to a slowdown in foreign investment in real estate. Once these fears were dispelled, the investment activity resumed.

The Bank of Spain data shows that in 2011, foreign investors injected 4,723 million euros into real estate assets, from homes to offices and shopping centres (the bank does not provide a breakdown of this data), representing an increase of 23.6% compared to 2010.

Between January and June 2012, El Mundo reported that investors deposited only 2,445 million euros, almost the same as in the same period of 2011, when the figure was 2,432 million euros. However, these investments increased in the second half of the year, to over 3,000 million euros, which is 35% more than in the second half of 2011, bringing the total foreign investment for acquiring property in Spain during 2012 to more than 5,445 million euros.

The Development Ministry said in the Plan for Infrastructure, Transport and Housing (Pitvi) 2012-2024 that “demand by foreign investors is key to the sector’s reform and recovery”, and noted that the ‘stock’ of unsold homes has been reduced by barely 8,000 since their peak levels in 2009, to around 680,000 homes.

Secretary of State for Trade, Jaime García-Legaz, announced in recent months that the Government were to consider the possibility of granting residence permits to foreigners who buy property in Spain for more than 160,000 euros.

For every euro the Spanish invested in real estate abroad, some nine euros came into Spain from foreign investors.

Thus, cash flows to abroad declined by 3.5% in 2012 compared to 2011, with 596 million euros, a much more moderate drop than that experienced in 2011, of 23.4%.

For all the latest property news go to www.kyero.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 mojacar playa

€75,000

cortijo grande reduced

€80,000

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

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

Terrace & solarium. Ref. 1448

garrucha

mojacar, Huerta

€100,000

mojacar playa

€89,500

2 bed / 2 Apartment with sea views within walking distance to promenade. Parking & pools. Terrace 18 m². Ref. 1070

€249,950

mojacar playa

€99,950

3 bed / 2 bath Apartment with sea and mountains views. Terrace: aprox. 50 m². Store room. Parking & Communal pool. Ref. 1167

turre

€120,000

bargain

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

3 bed / 2 bath fantastic Townhouse set on quiet residential street near amenities. Front terrace & parking area: 24 m². Ref. 1063

arboleas

mojacar playa

€139,950

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 detached Villa with pool on large plot of 628 m² within a short drive to amenities. Nice views. Ref. 1199

cariatiz

€159,000

3 bed / 2 bath Villa with large garage set on plot of 1080 m². Open fire place. Fully fitted kitchen. Ref.1093

Mojacar playa

€210,000

3 bed / 2 bath south facing Townhouse.

Private garage. 200 m to beach. Spacious and light living room. Communal pool. . Ref 1333

mojacar playa reduced

€169,000

3 bed / 2 bath spacious Townhouse. Private garage. 200m to beach. Very good investment.

Small gated community with pool. Ref 1483

vera

€230,000

3 bed / 2 bath Villa on plot of 275 m² within walking distance to private school, supermarket & bar. Communal pool. Ref 1209

villaricos

€169,000

2 bed/2 bath luxurious Townhouse. Sea views, Communal pool. Underground parking place in a complex overlooking harbour. . Ref.1048

Mojacar playa

€149,000

End of terrace 2 bed / 2 bath renovated Townhouse. Sea views within walking distance to beach. Communal pool & parking. Ref.1235

cabrera

€199,950

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

€329,000

5 bed / 2 bath renovated Villa with garage and pool on plot of 748 m² in El Cantal.

Central heating. Many extras. Ref 1009

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

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

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

Mesón de

Los Mellizos Restaurant

La Alfoquia, Zurgena

Irene

We have a new chef and a new Menu !

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

friday night mixed grill & steak special menu from Friday 19

th

Friday 26

th

April -- Dee Sharp

8€

April -- Steve Fisher

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

Tlf: 667 919 025

ADVERTISING FEATURE

The new place to eat on the Playa, Neo Beach Club Restaurant offers a relaxing atmosphere with stunning views over the Mediterranean.

Situated by the Red Cross roundabout, the restaurant is run by Maria who has over 20 years of restaurant experience, including 7 years on the Playa.

Open every day, except Tuesday, from 9am to midnight, with a smart contemporary look, the bar offers a wide range of drinks, coffees and cocktails as well as mouth-watering homemade dishes, made with fresh produce, available throughout the day.

There’s a breakfast menu for the early risers, a Menu del Dia for only 12€ (3 courses) and a la carte menu day option too.

A separate a la carte menu for the evening is perfect for dining out, and offers delicious starters and a range of main course choices of pasta, meat and fish dishes, all homemade with fresh products.

Tapas and ‘portiones’ dishes are always available for a snack or to accompany your drink at the bar.

An open-air balcony overlooking the Mediterranean provides the perfect setting for eating and drinking, you can also relax on the reclining sun-loungers on the beach.

Enjoy the best that Mojacar has to offer.

To book a reservation please call 950 473 006

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

...FOOD news ...FOOD news

a Glass of Merlin?

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

we are going to visit

THAILAND

so book early to avoid disappointment!

softness of a wine served at 22C may feel lovely and warming on a cold winter’s day, but above about 19C and the aromas and flavours that the winemaker has tried so hard to encapsulate will be lost.

‘Similarly with white wine, but in the other direction.

The better the white, the more it will benefit from a little warmth to show you all its charms.

‘Good quality whites are best served around 10C and you can watch them

improve further as they sit in the glass.’

Mr Hoskins added: ‘People are often very conservative when it comes to buying wine.

‘Even regular consumers will find one type that they like and don’t venture beyond it for fear of buying something that is not good or they don’t like.

‘The retail experience they’ve had until now hasn’t helped.

STOP ‘N’ SHOP IN YOUR...

Super Corner

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

TURRE, NEXT TO MESON DEL POBRE

yellowstonebar@gmail.com

el ~poli, partaloa GREAT FOOD, GREAT ATMOSPHERE ~ PAELLA MEAL DEAL

Free Bottle

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

BOOKING s only

Bread & Ali-oli, Salad Half a Roast Chicken, served with Chips

MINIMUM TWO PEOPLE ORDER 1 DAY IN ADVANCE

14.95€ FOR 2 PEOPLE

AVAILABLE FROM 3PM

1 LITRE JUG OF BEER OR BOTTLE OF WINE

Open Tuesday - Sunday

10am til Late WHAT’S ON

Irene

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

SUNDAY AFTERNOON SPECIAL

Bread & Ali-oli, Salad PAELLA (Fish Or Meat) 20€ FOR 2 PEOPLE

de

Unmissable offer!

Yellow Stone 1km Piedra Amarilla →

FRIDAY FISH’N’CHIPS Summer Opening Hours

OPEN MON-SAT 9:30-6PM & SUN 9:30-1:30PM

Mesón

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

BOOKING s only

FISH’N’CHIPS - 5.50€

EXTRA’S: MUSHY OR GARDEN PEAS - 50c

#

Enjoy a tipple of Italian Champagne? Or do you hate Chardonnay, but love a glass of Chablis?

If so, you join the one in seven Britons who bluff when it comes to wine, often leading to embarrassing faux pas.

As any wine connoisseur already knows, Champagne is named after the region of France it comes from and Chablis is made from the Chardonnay grape.

Other awkward moments revealed by the survey of wine drinkers included drinkers claiming to enjoy the Merlin grape – it is in fact Merlot.

Another diner who requested wine in a smart restaurant was told by the waiter the sommelier would come to his table.

When he arrived, the diner promptly told him not to worry about the wine because ‘the waiter is already getting me a bottle of some mellyeh.’

Younger drinkers were most likely to bluff, with one in four 18 to 24 year olds pretending to know more than they do about wine, the YouGov survey for online wine retailer WineTrust100 found.

It revealed that 42 per cent of males wanted advice on making a better choice of wine to bring home or to order when eating out.

However women are more likely to play it safe when buying wine, with 52 per cent saying they stick to just one or two brands or types with which they are familiar, rather than experiment with new wine.

John Hoskins, taster from WineTrust100 which stocks100 of the world’s best wines for their price, said people often felt the need to bluff because they are unnecessarily embarrassed about admitting they need some guidance on wine.

He said many common mistakes were perfectly understandable, notably that most wine drinkers believing that red wine should be served at room temperature.

In fact this advice dates from Victorian times, when room temperature was around 4C lower than the average heat in modern homes.

He said; ‘Of course the

d Goo

31

ALSO AVAILABLE...

SCAMPI - 6.45€ BATTERED SAUSAGE - 3.95€ CHICKEN KORMA - 5.50€ CHICKEN ROGAN JOSH - 5.50€ BEEF MADRAS - 5.50€ ALL SERVED WITH RICE OR CHIPS

Tuesday: Art Class 2-4pm Wednesday: Speak Spanish With Antonio 1:30pm-3pm Soft Ball Cricket 6pm Thursday: Quiz Night 8pm TAPAS & OD OTHER FO AVAILABLE

WI-FI & PRINTING AVAILABLE

CALL 637 061 489 (ENG) OR 678 834 747 (ESP)

32

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

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

view us online www.soltimes.com

ALBOX

Bar Menu & Snacks Home-made puds

MENU DEL DIA

Burgers, Lasagne, pies, Omelettes, chilli plus

5

served 12 - 3 except Fri & Sun

All Day Breakfast from 9am

onl y €

2 Courses

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

Friday & Saturday

Our Restaurant is Open 6pm-9pm

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

6.95€ to include a FREE Drink

Starters, Puddings - 2€ each

SUNDAY SERVED 10AM-12PM

BREAKFAST

Activities at

Monday

Wednesday

Tuesday

Thursday

all welcome

Ceroc Dancing & Fun Social Night 7:30pm

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

ALBOX

@

BP Garage

•••

← ARBOLEAS BAZA → Av•••AL . L BO ep an X → to jacksalbox@gmail.com

OPEN 9AM-LATE MON-SAT 10-6 SUN

950 120 718 / 610 641 567

it could lower your blood pressure

Egg whites could lower blood pressure in the same way as medication, new research has found.

A key component found in the whites was found to have the same blood pressure lowering properties as Captopril, a high blood-pressure drug.

Dr Zhipeng Yu, who led the research at China’s Jilin University, said: ‘Our research suggests that there may be another reason to call it ‘the incredible, edible egg’.

‘We have evidence from the laboratory that a substance in egg white - it’s a peptide, one of the building blocks of proteins - reduces blood pressure about as much as a low dose of Captopril, a highblood-pressure drug.’

Dr Yu and his colleagues studied a peptide found in egg white called RVPSL. This has a powerful ability to inhibit or block the action of ACE, a substance produced in the body that raises blood pressure.

Experiments with rats showed RVPSL had no toxic effects and lowered the blood pressure.

The findings were presented to the National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in New Orleans.

Dr Yu said: ‘Our results support and

enhance previous findings on this topic.

‘They were promising enough to move ahead with further research on the effects of the egg white peptide on human health.’

Dr Yu said he believed that egg white peptides, either in eggs or as a supplement, could become useful as an adjunct to highblood-pressure medication.

In 2009, scientists at the University of Alberta in Canada found that eggs produce proteins that mimic the action of powerful blood pressure-lowering drugs.

They too found that eggs may lower blood pressure in the same way as Ace inhibitors.

The drugs lower blood pressure by stopping the hormone angiotensin narrowing the body’s blood vessels.

The researchers found that when eggs come in contact with stomach enzymes, they produce a protein that acts in the same way.

Last month researchers at the University of Missouri reported that a high protein breakfast of eggs is the best way to control appetite and stop dieters snacking at night.

Experts at have found that a breakfast rich in protein significantly improves appetite control and reduces unhealthy snacking on high-fat or high-sugar foods in the evening.

showbar & restaurant

The Irish Rover

Rock ‘n’ Roll - 7:30pm Line Dancing 2:30-4:30 & 7:30pm

Quirky Quiz - 7:30pm

start the day with an egg!

Your No1 Entertainment Venue in Mojacar for All the Family

Fantastic New menu of the Day only 10€ per person

Friday 26th April

7th Anniversary 3€ Entry.

Entertainment with Opium Buddha’s

Coming in June The Return of Rich Lucas with his Rat Pack Tribute

Chicken, Chips, Salad & a Only Bottle of Wine per 2 People 15€

ABBA

Madness

Friday 10th May

Friday 31st May

telephone: 950 473 135 mojacar playa between Lua & Moma Beach

Open 10am till late 7 days a week

s Fish & Chip with tter d Brea & Bu

5.95€

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

33

...FOOD & ENTERTAINING

ONE POT WONDERS

Salad days are on the way!

Orange & Yellow Spanish Salad

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS 2 large onions, cut into very small dice 2tbsp olive oil A generous pinch of saffron 2 x 400g tins butter beans, drained and rinsed 180g (6oz) red pepper, sliced into long strips and deseeded 200g (7oz) yellow and orange peppers, deseeded and cut into long strips 2tbsp sherry vinegar ¾tsp salt 100g (3½oz) rocket leaves, washed and spun 100g (3½oz) chorizo slices 100g (3½oz) roasted almonds, roughly chopped METHOD Fry the diced onion in the olive oil in a very large frying pan with the saffron and drained beans.

Cook with the lid on for 15 minutes over a low heat, then add the pepper slices. Cover again and cook for a final 15 minutes on a medium heat. Turn off the heat, then add the sherry vinegar. Season to taste. Add three quarters of the rocket to the warm contents of the pan and toss briefly. Divide the warm salad between the plates, before scattering with the chorizo, almonds and remaining rocket.

For a vegetarian version of this dish, simply swap a fried egg for the chorizo and sprinkle a pinch of paprika on top of the warmed salad: totally delicious.

SPRING CHICKEN IN A POT Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil 1 onion , chopped 500g boneless, skinless chicken thighs 300g small new potatoes 425ml low-salt vegetable stock 350g broccoli , cut into small florets 350g spring greens , shredded 140g petits pois bunch spring onion , sliced 2 tbsp pesto

METHOD Heat the oil in a large, heavy pan. Add the onion, gently fry for 5 mins until softened, add the chicken, then fry until lightly coloured.

Add the potatoes, stock and plenty of freshly ground black pepper, then bring to the boil.

Cover, then simmer for 30 mins until the potatoes are tender and the chicken is cooked.

NOTE: The dish can be frozen at this point.

Add the broccoli, spring greens, petit pois and spring onions, stir well, then return to the boil.

Cover, then cook for 5 mins more, stir in the pesto & heat through.

One-pan prawn & tomato curry INGREDIENTS

METHOD Heat the oil in a deep-sided frying pan and cook the onion for 8-10 mins until it starts to turn golden. Add the ginger, garlic and chilli and cook for 12 mins. Stir in the sugar and spices for 1 min, then splash in the vinegar and tomatoes. Season with salt and simmer for 5 mins, stirring until the sauce thickens.

2 tbsp sunflower oil 1 large onion, chopped Large piece ginger, crushed 4 garlic cloves, crushed ½ red chilli, finely chopped 1 tsp golden caster sugar Stir in the fresh prawns, reduce the 1 tsp black mustard seeds heat and leave for 8-10 mins until 1 tsp ground cumin cooked through. If the sauce gets very 1 tsp ground coriander thick, add a splash of water. Remove 1 tsp turmeric from the heat, stir through most of 1 tbsp garam masala the coriander. Serve straight from the 2 tsp malt vinegar pan, scattered with the remaining 400g can chopped tomatoes coriander, with the rice, yoghurt and 400g/14oz raw king prawns chutney in separate bowls.

Small bunch coriander, chopped Basmati rice, yoghurt and mango chutney, to serve

METHOD Preheat the oven to fan 180C/ conventional 200C/gas 6. Heat 1 tbsp of the oil from the olives in an ovenproof pan. Tip in the onion and stir well, leave to cook for a minute or two and then give it another good stir.

Add the tomatoes and some salt and pepper. Bring to the boil, then add the olives.

One-pot Fish With Black Olives Ingredients

175g black olives in oil, stones removed 1 large onion , roughly chopped 400g can chopped tomatoes 4 boneless white fish fillets such as Icelandic cod or hoki, each weighing about 175g/6oz To serve: chopped parsley & lemon wedges

Put the fish, skin side down, onto the sauce and drizzle over a splash more oil from the olive jar. Bake, uncovered, for 15 minutes until the fish is cooked. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve straight from the pan, with lemon wedges for squeezing over.

Spicing it up If you like your food spicy, add a small pinch of red chilli flakes to the onion. A handful of quartered artichoke hearts from a jar can be added as well as, or instead of, the olives.

send us your favourite one-pot recipes editor@soltimes.com

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

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

STANDARD CROSSWORD

Down 1 Brotherhood (10) 2 Elicits (6) 3 Poke (4) 4 Mankind (8) 5 An Anglo-Saxon

minstrel (4) 6 A meeting place (5) 8 Sincere (7) 12 Connecting points (5) 14 A tracking dog (10) 16 Angers (7) 17 Travel trailers (British) (8) 21 Bovine mammary glands (6) 22 Naked people (5) 24 Precipitation (4) 25 Woolen caps (4)

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.

6 Always (7) 7 Parental brother (5) 9 “Darn!” (4) 10 Abductors (10) 11 Put in jail (8) 13 Suffuses with color (6) 15 Prefix indicating half (4) 17 Golfing assistant (5) 18 Solemn promise (4) 19 A request made to

God (6) 20 Wall frame uprights (8) 23 Exasperated (10) 26 Probabilities (4) 27 Heir (5) 28 A branch of the US military (7)

8 Left inside the following: a setback for runners, perhaps (8) 12 Work? It’s nothing (repeat falsely) (7) 13 Minor player following headless artist (5) 16 The French half-term is no more (4) 18 Dodge headwear in direction (6) 19 Grand old you? (4) 20 Anticipate bit of latex pectorals (6) 24 Organs, and what a cockney does with them? (4) 25 A little European’s young amphibian (7) 27 Reverse a foreign party (4) 28 Persuade prisoner-man (8) 29 Saw funny Disraeli losing one for England (8) 30 Play doctor with a mother (5) 34 Normal bird almost behind oustide (7) 35 Saw marry outside of a Middle Eastern church (7) 37 Focus recent adaption (6) 39 Hold out tress I wrecked (6) 42 Lots of human youngsters (4) 43 Is aware of reported organ (4)

HARD SUDOKU

Across

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

coffee break

Across 3 Lets out energy admitted after concerning officials (8) 9 On returning love, set never-ending loop (5) 10 Money available for communist in Channel Islands at end of August (6) 11 Somehow, a golf brunette won’t go away from your mind (13) 14 Let off former partner - you and me can enter church (6) 15 The French birng back the German’s senior (5) 17 Minimum fifty seat change (5) 19 Plants diagrams? (5) 21 Draw a link? (3) 22 Join cat and hat, perhaps (6) 23 New ‘Tee’ car make (6) 26 English father without plant (3) 29 Journalist joins universal church after final hair cut (6) 31 Loud noise in equipment on horseback?

(6) 32 Reported letter to be in debt (3) 33 Groups of workers take it easy, we hear (5) 36 Piercing a prompt timekeeper? (5) 38 One who gives party - no king (5) 40 Loudness of rodent surrounding hesitancy (6) 41 Weight, mass within girl - headless insects make statements (13) 44 Half clog always smart (6) 45 Way back after threequarters retreats (5) 46 Ray Veedy’s funny, without fail (5,3) Down 1 Last death of ancient city key (6) 2 Animal upstream? (4) 3 Organ follows right-back (4) 4 A number heard girl start reading without an end (7) 5 Creature for every returned slab (7) 6 Income (given a hundred) climbs (6) 7 Queen in goodbye, ignoring one, took in sufficient (8)

STANDARD SUDOKU

34

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SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

Thursday 25th april - 10am - 3pm

la vida fayre Bacon & Sausage ved sandwiches ser from 9.30am ke & Toasted tea ca coffee

bargain price plants & herbs lADIES ACCESSORIES - UK PET FOOD crystals & semi precious stones JAMS & PICKLES - HOMEMADE DOLLS TAROT & NUMEROLOGY dart equipment rosa psychic medium HOME ACCESSORIES - MAKE-UP & JEWELLERY KEVIN FROM LIBERTY SEGUROS SILVER & gold antique JEWELLERY HAND-MADE CRAFTS silver bespoke items beauty therapists & massage available from 10am

to book a stall

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

La

35

el Cucador

VidaRestaurant&Venue this week’s specials

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

Chicken Moreno 7.45€ Chicken-on-the-bone cooked slowly with bacon, celery, tomatoes & a dash of sherry Asian Salmon 7.95€ Fillet of salmon with a curry-yogurt marinade, topped with breadcrumbs served with saffron rice Pork Wellington 7.95€ Tenderloin of pork with a mushroom stuffing wrapped in puff pastry, served on wilted greens THE ABOVE MAINS ARE SERVED WITH A CHOICE OF POTATOES & SEASONAL VEGETABLES

main menu includes 16oz steaks mixed grills Fresh Fish always available

Homemade Starters, 2.50€ each Scrumptious Homemade Puddings all 2.50€ each!

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

menu changes weekly

traditional 10.95€ sunday lunch from

served 12.30PM - 5PM

to include a complimentary coffee & chocolate

booking recommended

fridays

Beer-battered cod

from

5.95€ in the Bar

homemade chips

bar lunches

& peas

12.30pm - 9pm booking advisable

6€

TWO COURSES 12:30-3:30PM

lite menu

ALSO served from 12-9pm

~ bar specials ~

Tuesday

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

thursday ...is pie night! only 6 - 9pm

Open Every Day 12pm - Late

Tel: 950 634 562 lavidacucador@gmail.com

delicious homemade pie, chips & peas We are here

Albox Arboleas Zurgena La Alfoquia

Mojacar

E15

1km

La Vida

Cucador Junc 547 Huercal Overa

5€

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

BERRY needs a forever home Table top, book & Colossal cake sale

Date Wednesday 24th April Time 11am Place Y Da Wakes Roquetas De Mar

If you love baking & would like to help we need....cakes, bicuits, scones, bread, meringues, chutneys & preserves....thank you!

Official hel p for heroes merchandis e on sale

For further information contact Yvonne 634 322 644 or call in Y Da Wakes, Avenida Playa Serena, Roquetas De Mar, Almeria

Berry used to live in a normal home with his master and he really misses the individual attention he has been used to. He was born in December 2005 and is a Teckel mix. He stands 30 cm high and weighs approximately 10 kilos. He is now living in the shelter, as his master had to give him up because of his own health problems. Berry is still in his best years, even if he is no longer quite as active as younger dogs.

Berry would love to live in a normal home again, and is anxiously waiting for you, so he can give someone all his love once more.

If you can’t give Berry a home, perhaps you would like to become a member of the shelter or even 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, of course the shelter is always desperately in need of blankets, towels and food etc. which can be taken to the Sanctuary. You can send monetary contributions directly into 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. There are a lot of dogs to choose from, large and small. The best time for material donations, including food, is during the week. A warm welcome at the Sanctuary is assured for all those wanting to support the Sanctuary.

Thank you for reading this appeal.

FTG Notice

The ‘Friday Tapas Group’ meet up at 1pm each week (Friday) and the venues for the next three weeks are as follows:

19th April - Burty’s Bar 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!

Burty’s BAR Playa Serena, roquetas de mar

sun - fri from 11am - 6pm Closed saturday

huge sunny terrace bar acious and spCome and Catch the Winter Sun Tuesday pie night 5.30pm - 8.30pm

Steak & Ale, chicken, Bacon & Mushroom or Mince, Onion & Potato with chips & mushy peas or potatoes & vegetables. €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

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

37

ROQUETAS DE MAR 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€)

CHAPLINS pub

Jon and Debbie (pictured with daughter Jas) have been running Chaplins Pub for 7 years now where they offer great food, drinks and value for money. A great place to watch your sport with plenty of banter from Jon and the customers alike, they have a great selection of music with over 50,000 songs from yester-year and also karaoke “off the cuff”.

To compliment their very successful Rib Night (Wednesday) and Fish and Chip Night (Friday) they have now introduced a Saturday Night “Buy One, Get One Free” on all meals and 1€ drinks including all wines, tubos, house spirits, mixers and bottles of Mahou. The deal begins at 7 o’clock and lasts all Saturday night, with most nights ending up in a great party atmosphere with strangers and friends getting on alike. So why not pop in and try it for yourself!

Mission accomplished!

All the British Bars/Restaurants in Roquetas De Mar have been visited and have received their new 2013 POPPY APPEAL BOXES, so Barry Thomas (El Baz), Poppy Appeal Organiser, would like to say many thanks for all your help and, the contributions received from your customers.

If anyone has any copper or coins that they don’t want, why not pop into one of the bars and pop your money in one the Poppy Boxes on display?

Barry will be calling later in the Year to empty the boxes, when ‘Remembrancetide’ comes around, but if your Poppy Box needs emptying in the meantime, please give him a call on 605 313 590.

Don’t forget, the Royal British Legion are always on the lookout for new members, so why not attend a branch meeting, held at ‘The Lodge’, on Calle Americo Vespucio in Roquetas De Mar, the first Tuesday of each month at 3.00pm, or contact the Legion’s Chairman on 950 328 469 for further details.

Thank you!

Cabo del Gato

The Cabo de Gata covers 61km and is protected

by Unesco as a Biosphere Reserve, due to its high ecological value. There are many hiking trails, as well as several villages of interest around the coastline. There are also many beaches with cliffs, capes, and volcanic hills as a backdrop. Wildlife in the Park include eagles, pink flamingo, wall lizards, grass snakes, to name a few.

There are many beaches in the Park. Most are situated at the east and south end, and although popular during the summer, the Cabo de Gata beaches are have a rural feel to them, and do not get full to the brim with holiday makers.

Burtys Bar........................................

Tuesday - 2:30pm Bingo Tuesday - Pie Night Thursdays - Quiz 2:15pm Thursday - Steak Night Table Top Sale - 28th April

YOUR NEWS & YOUR VIEWS...

SEND TO EDITOR@SOLTIMES.COM Dental Clinic

On-site Dental Laboratory Dr med. dent Hubert Hillenbrand 20 years experience

950 32 64 52

Edificio Porto Mar Avda Mariano Hemandes 48 Roquetas de Mar,

Bar cARDIES...................................

NOW OPEN!! See our advert on the BACK PAGE! bar Chaplins.....................................

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 Saturday Night - Buy One Get One Free on ALL MEALS plus 1€ Drinks!

TEL: 950 335 022 lady lay..............................................

Tuesday Night - Curry Night Wednesday - Quiz - twice monthly Saturday - Super Saturday Special Sunday - Sunday Lunch from only 3.50€ 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 Roquetas Bridge Club........................ meets on Monday’s at 15.00. For more information please contact Alison Ferguson 950349749 or Sue Barlow 950333344

Mini Hollywood

Tabernas, Carretera National 340km, Desierto de Tabernas, Almeria Open 12:00 - 18:00 TEL: 950 365 236 / 950 362 884

A simulated Wild West town There are daily shows of Wild West scenes, some outside depicting shoot-outs and a hanging (not a real one!) some inside with dancing and bar scenes.

There is a museum, a photo gallery with costumes available for customers to wear for their souvenir photos shoot, restaurants, a train for transport around the quite extensive zoo, there is a big swimming pool and a playground for the children.

German & English Spoken

www.almeria-dentista-zahnarzt.com

near Hotel Zoraida Garden

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

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 www.soltimes.com see us online everyday

alternative energy

Solar Wind c a rlo s Power Solutions. s a l i e n te Over 15 years plumbing & installation heating for solar experience. heating, e s t a b l i s h e d pool FOR SALE 12 years in solar hot water advertise all your unwanted items Spain. Call Phil installations and for competitive repairs. call 950 prices 636 261 930 900 or 968 any single item up to 300€ free of charge 240 email:info@ 969 962, email s un e r g ya l m e r i a . com www.sunergy carlos.saliente@ gmail.com almeria.com Sh i a t s u bass guitar & Yamaha Size 90 ins width & 56 Massage Cushion. 10 watt practice amp. ins drop. Not used business opportunity Fits the back of any Quality instrument in as ordered wrong chair, cost £350 mint condition. Only size! 30€ Ring Linda originally now only used at home from on 683 605 067 75€ Tel: 950 497 612 new. Cost 360€.

Panels or 647 921 286 Absolute bargain Solar two Ikea 160€. To include one 240watt bargain at Wall Cabinets. free lesson. Tel: 693 240€ with guarantee 1 7 0 x 4 3 x 1 9 c m . 753 327.

Tel: 619 744 516 Perfect Condition Timber Wooden Double Bed with lights and Shed. 7ft x 6ft x 5.5ft. small, ornate gold for further information telephione shelves. 90€ Tel: 950 2 Windows, Good No 497 612 or 647 921 Condition. 300€ Tel: headboard. mattress. Bed W 286 674 515 770 135Ccm X L 181cm W a s h i n g Wii Game Console Headboard H 110cm machine cover complete with made by rayan controllers,Balance h max. Roquetas de excellent condition Board, Games and Mar 50€ Tel: 619 253 15€ new, you wont more can be seen 983 have to buy another. working,all as new. Pine Cabinet long 7€ Ring Vera Area 150€ Ring Vera area drawer cupboard 634 302 967 634 302 967 underneath. L 87cm Chill Out Deli For Sale Wood Burning Dunlop golf x W 46cm x H 124cm Stove with chimney, Carry bag colour Local Shop Selling 20€ Roquetas de Mar excellent condition. black with stand. 30€ English Frozen Foods 250€ ono Tel: 950 Ring Vera area 634 Tel: 619 253 983 497 612 or 647 921 302 967 Sideboard ornate & Ambient Goods 286 flame mahogany White towel rail White Reja Door made by Tatay as panels ‘antique’, 4 Serious Enquiries Only 1.5m wide x 2m high. new all complete. 3€ central drawers, Mojacar area. 45€ Ring Vera Area 634 cupboard each side Tel: 659 063 869 L 170 cm x W 54.5 x 302 967 Heavy Duty 230a Brand New Cream H 90.5cm Roquetas computers batteries suitable for lined curtains. Still in de Mar 35€ Tel: 619 solar power brand plastic packaging. 253 983 Steve Hayes new 200€ each Tel: 619 744 516 Informatica Airport services 3 washable mats Pc’s, Laptops, A i rport in brown and beige Printers etc. parking.es tr a n s f er s colour, different www.

Sales & Repairs Tel: 639 081 067 sizes. 5€ each. Ring pick up all areas, on-site callout / vera area 634 392 Cheap competitive rates.

967 tuition.

Airport Parking For a quote please Octagonal Bird Consumables Cage 7ft tall x 5 ft Alicante Almeria Murcia visit www. spanish Albox, Almeria wide. As new 300€ New estateagent.c om Tel: 950 120 900 Tel: 674 515 770 Servicing / Repairs or call 661 143 871 Full Size Roof Rack. Fits Ducatio, Air-con construction Peugeot or Boxer 200€ Tel: 674 515 MD Air-Conditioning 770 & Refrigeration S.L. City & Guilds Fully Qualified Yamaha ERB070

for sale in this section

email: sales@soltimes.com

FOR SALE

25% share of well established wellness centre that is due for expansion.

genuine reason for sale

634 353 862

genuine enquiries only

Tel: 697 243 181

AA

construction

wanted

MD S.L

F-Gas Certified

25 years sole experience in Air Conditioning & Refrigeration

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

drainage

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

LICENSED POZO/CESSPIT EMPTYING • Installation of fibreglass

septic tanks

fully legal

furniture

Everything for

Linea

the visiting baby Car seats,high chairs, stair gates, cots etc or 666 375 688 expectingababy@ hotmail.co.uk

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

Nueve sofas kitchens bedroom furniture Arboleas

Tel: 950 120 630

gardening

landscape gardening

950 091 109 or 648 768 587

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

Fully

established in spain for 14 years

BABY HIRE

Tel: 950 436 581

insured & legal Mat Murray 647 841 750 matmurrayes@gmail.com

equipment hire

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

Full City & Guilds

not a jack of all trades

w a n te d mosaic tiles For all your installation or service small swimming MD Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration S.L offers including our latest pool tiles odd bits & requirementsinfo@md-aircon.com telephone pieces, can collect, 950 432 110 / 607 364 917 607 364 917 or 950 432 110 any selection, any email: info@md-aircon.com coulour, 647 379 md_aircon@mobileemail.vodafone.es 878

construction cont...

Boletins supplied

Tel : 687 245 569

• Block work • Balustrades • 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: 649 186 107 or

email thunderpaul2003@hotmail.com For all your painting needs inside & out contact Graham on 620 112 193

now covering mainland spain

commercial & major retail painter’s

Tel: 697 243 181

To advertise your property for sale Property for rent or rental in this section with a in Cucador photograph for only 10€ Self contained email Paulette at sales@soltimes.com 1 large bed casita,

Advertise in this space for just 10€ per week!

Personal

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

VERA PLAYA

60€ a week

SHORT-TERM/HOLIDAY RENTAL

3 bed villa for sale phone now for details

Call 647 379 878

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

PETS SECTION

Reduced €39,950

for SALE detatched cortijo

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

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

young budgies for sale lilacs,blues, greens & yellows - aviary bred males & females only 10€ Ready Now! 647 379 795

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

Call Vanessa on 637 061 482

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

YOUNG PRETTY GIRLS

Tracy Mobile 650 211 952

24 HOURS • STRIPTEASE tEL: 687 891 515

friendly mare 9 years old 14.3hh 1.50m 500€ telephone 678 838 547

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

bathroom, lounge & kitchen area, partly furnished, A/C, Private, Fabulous views, use of pool & jacuzzi

VERA APARTMENT FOR RENT

plus utilities (suit lady, small dog welcome)

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

Phil the Pick Locksmith 24 hours.

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

PROPERTY FOR SALE/rent

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

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.

Build 256 m², Terrace 100m², Plot 1200m²

€150,000

Tel: 649 186 107

thunderpaul2003@hotmail.ccom

B ritish plasterer All work guaranteed Tel Paul 634 327 201

plumbing CARLOS SALIENTE Plumbing and Heating offer machined boiler great price! now reduced €99,000 decals for gas water Lovely 2 bedroom townhouse of 70 sq metres with heaters for just €65 stunning sea views overlooking Mojacar Playa with – aguafuerte is not communal pool, WIFI, furniture included. Excellent Rental Investment. the answer! Call 950 930 900 or 968 969 Call New Wave VIllas on 950 475 800 for info & viewings.

962, email carlos. saliente@gmail.com

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

For all your plumbing needs Fully Qualified heating engineer contact barry 667 853 062 or graham 620 112 193

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.

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

self contained 1 bedroom apartment with B & B facilities offered starting from 25€ per night, walking distance of Arboleas & Zurgena

Tel: 950 449 074 or 634 368 071

Long term rentals also considered 175€ + bills chalmersj8@hotmail.co.uk

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

REMOVALS

We are a well established company operating both in the UK and in Spain for over 20 years.

DAVE’S TRANSPORT

Due to company expansion we are recruiting individuals to join our existing direct sales team.

We are looking for experienced, motivated individuals with use of their own car. In return we offer and attractive package including paid holidays, expenses and commissions.

please contact Chelsie on 608 817 689 or email chelsie@avalonsl.es

Gestoria Salvador, a consulting company 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 services, 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

tuition

LEARN SPANISH… …in a fun and enjoyable enviroment with Paco in his new classroom at Camping Los Gallardos,

New beginners class starts thursday 25th april 2013 5.30pm

Private lessons and different levels also available.

CALL PACO 661 142 606

SPANISH LESSONS WITH VICTORIA For info call on

950 472 590

or e-mail victoriaspanishteacher@gmail.com or visit

www.victoriaspanishteacher. villadeturre.com translation

Traducciones Levante Robert Ward - Harris Translator/Interpreter Personalised Quotes within 24hours All types of documents & face to face interpretation

606 953 775

traduccioneslevante@hotmail.com

Fully Qualified Stylist

Required for busy salon in Albox Please call Cutting Edge for details

Tel: 950 633 086 Mob: 722 294 384

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 60€ can deliver.

Telephone 667 235 205

swimming pool safety

7.5 Ton, Lorry Part loads, Self load/Unload Minimal rates, Owner Driver Spain/uk/Local

motoring section for sale

car & van hire

Sell your vehicle with this size advert for only 10€

Van, car & driver

for hire

house & garden clearances, collections & deliveries, weekly collections from IKEA,

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

call paulette on

950 121 936 or 902 750 190 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

Citreon Berlingo Multispace Forte (2002) RHD 1200€ ono Almeria Area Contact - 634 087 653

mobile mechanics

Mikes Mobile Mechanics

All types of service, repair & ITV testing Fully qualified & legal with over 35 years experience

Ring Mike or Chris: 628 350 178 or 636 824 974 wanted

solar power system

www.ecocorp.eu at ecocorp we do not just sell you a system we deliver, install &

guarantee everything for up to 10 years

Solar Power System kits Telephone 671 716 597 or 950 030 187

for UK phones 01332 896510

stables

Rancho Luz Del Sol, Retamar, Partaloa. One to one or group lessons, NEATER HEATER latest EN standard hats provided.

See our main Escorted hacking and treks. Qualified advert on the news BHS Instructor. Call Erika Drew on 678 pages 838 547

Van hire

ONE WAY



UK to Spain or Spain to UK

*LOCAL *NATIONAL *EUROPEAN

* COLLECTION & DELIVERY *STORAGE

TEL: 667 235 205

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

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

From a parcel to a small house move

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

Tel: 634 345 257

car parts

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

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

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 & garden 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 THE HILTONS CATTERY

be sure to check the area your pet is in - as the sun changes, is the shade still readily available?

3. Ouch - hot feet alert If you will be walking with your pet, remember that while paw pads are “tough” they are also sensitive, and can be burned while walking on hot pavement and tar. If possible, walk on grass or

dirt, and check your pet’s paw pads to make sure there isn’t any redness or pain.

4. A sprinkle a day Setting up a sprinkler or drip hose works well for some animals.

This keeps the water running and cool, allowing for a fresh water source on demand.

Observe your pet to see how they react to a sprinkler or running water though;

woodhouse boarding kennels & cattery arboleas

before assuming everything is fine. With some forethought and planning, we can keep our pets cool during the summer heat and avoid heat-related emergencies, such as heatstroke.

Stay cool....

Comercial Carmona

johnnyandpammy@yahoo.co.uk

e h I j o s

For all your pet needs

SUMINISTROS INDUSTRIALES, S.L.

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

Tracy 650 211 952

€350

€200

Dalmation Pups

€360

Bichon Maltese

Chihuahua

NOW IN - Hens & Chickens 8 Different Breeds Cheapest in the Area APRIL OFFERS

Animal feeds special prices

emergencies 663 524 003

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

olula del rio

quality

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

tanatorio 54

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

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€

km

If it’s hot outside, what do humans do? We take off those winter coats and heavy clothing, we stay in the cool air conditioned building, we head to the pool or lake for a swim, and we drink lots of cool water....

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New rules on bankers’ bonuses and the amount of capital that banks must hold as a buffer have been approved by the European Parliament by a big majority. In a report by the BBC, the package was agreed with the 27 EU governments and most of it is likely to take effect on 1 January 2014.

The EU plans to cap bonuses at 100% of a banker’s annual salary, or 200% if shareholders approve. The aim is to curb the sort of high-risk lending that contributed to the financial crash in 2008.

The package, called Capital Requirements Directive 4 (CRD4), brings the EU into line with the so-called “Basel III” rules on banking standards, which set new capital requirements for banks.

She also argued that the package was “not fully compliant with the Basel III text”. But overall, she said, the package would improve EU legislation on banking and represented “a move towards a global standard”.

MEPs want banks to hold more money in their reserves, in order to stop them going bust through reckless lending.

But they have also pushed for banks to focus on lending to the real economy, especially small businesses and business start-ups.

Under the new rules, banks will also have to provide more data about their profits and taxes, on a country-by-country basis.

The centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) - the biggest grouping of MEPs - calls the new rules “the most comprehensive and most far-reaching banking regulation in the history of the EU”.

Last month, UK Chancellor George Osborne stood isolated after EU finance ministers agreed on the plan to rein in bankers’ bonuses. The UK’s financial sector has a dominant position in Europe, handling by far the highest number of

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Mr Osborne said the UK already had the toughest regime in Europe for bankers’ pay and bonuses and that a cap could “have a perverse effect”. His words were echoed by Vicky Ford MEP, a fellow Conservative politician, who warned that the bonus cap was a “blunt tool” which set a “bad precedent”.

She said banks would raise basic salaries to compensate, so the new cap would be counter-productive.

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Godfrey Bloom, an MEP in the UK Independence Party, criticised the package as “a triumph of hope over experience”, in the Strasbourg parliamentary debate on Tuesday.

“The problem is a flawed banking system... None of this is going to save us from another disaster,” he said. He lamented that “what we’ve had here is criminal activity by bankers and not a single banker sent to prison - this is a disgrace”.

CRD4 will oblige banks to increase the portion of bestquality “core capital” to 4.5%, from the current 2%, that they hold. They have to hold a minimum total capital of 8% of risk-weighted assets - that is, capital held to back the loans that they make.

The credit crunch was a liquidity crisis, so in future, banks will have to be able to meet their liabilities for a period of at least 30 days in times of financial stress.

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SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

Greece moves closer to securing latest bailout payment

Greece has moved a step closer to receiving its next tranche of bailout funds after agreeing to the latest austerity measures demanded by the troika of international creditors.

In a report by the BBC, Athens has agreed to cut 15,000 civil service jobs by the end of 2014.

The move follows the latest talks between Greece and the troika - the European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund.

Greece is awaiting the release of 8.8bn euros (£7.5bn; $11.5bn).

Greek debt is currently 160% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and the IMF says it must be cut to 120% of GDP to be sustainable.

The IMF’s mission chief to Greece, Poul Thomsen, welcomed the agreement on redundancies in the civil service.

“I am very pleased that the government is making a particularly determined effort in this area,” he said. “It has always been a surprise to me... that it’s been such a political taboo to get rid of people who underperform.”

The troika’s latest review said the job cuts would target “disciplinary cases and cases of demonstrated incapacity, absenteeism, and poor performance”.

In addition, jobs will be lost from the closure or merger of government departments.

At the same time, new younger staff will be employed on less wages and more flexible contracts.

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said: “Greece is being

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“That is not a human sacrifice, as some claim. Firing people who have disciplinary violations and hiring young and able people. It is a qualitative upgrading of the public sector and a demand of the Greek people.”

Greece has been supported by 270bn euros in bailouts since 2010.

In order to qualify, the country has had to cut spending and raise taxes, which has led to widespread hardship and prompted violent protests from some citizens.

Greece is trying to strengthen its banks so they can start to lend again.

The troika said that the country had almost completed the bank recapitalisation.

Most of the 50bn euros has been made available to the four leading Greek banks.

The troika’s statement said: “The mission’s assessment is that this will provide adequate capital, even under a significantly adverse scenario. These capital buffers will thus ensure the safety and soundness of the banking system and of its deposits.”

43

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SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

Could a computer hacker take control of an airliner in flight using a smartphone app?

Internet security consultant raises terrifying prospect

It is a terrifying prospect – a would-be hijacker seizes control of a plane from the ground armed with nothing more than a smartphone. But such a scenario could come to pass, according to an internet security consultant.

He says he has created an app that can take over a plane’s computers, giving the phone and its user total control of the aircraft.

In a report by Mail Online, Hugo Teso, 30, who is also a trained commercial pilot, claims he can make an airliner ‘dance to his tune’ by using the technology – which would not be picked up by security checks.

In a simulation he was able to do everything from change the air-conditioning settings to feed false navigational information to a jet, making it change course. Aviation agencies in Europe and the US are now keen to interview Mr Teso about his PlaneSploit app.

Speaking at the Hack In The Box Conference in Amsterdam, he said that after four years of research he was able to subvert the flight management systems (FMS) found on most aircraft.

To test the technology, Mr Teso built a simulator from spare plane parts he bought on eBay, which ran on many of the systems that are used on commercial aircraft.

According to Help Net Security, the system works by infiltrating radio broadcasts between aircraft and air traffic control, and then using a second communication system to send malicious messages that could ‘take full control of the plane’ or indirectly affect the pilot’s behaviour by making cockpit lights flash, for instance.

Mr Teso said that it was just a ‘proof of concept’ and that it would not necessarily interfere with real flight

TyT

systems.

But in a demonstration he showed that he was able to do everything from change the air-conditioning systems to attack the FMS of the simulated aircraft whilst it was ‘in flight’.

He showed the audience a screen grab from his smartphone which showed a flight-deck style display with a range of buttons on it.

The functions he showed off included a button marked ‘please go here’ which allowed him to change the course of the plane.

Another was ‘visit ground’, which was to crash the plane. He was also able to make a light flash in the cockpit to make the pilot think something was seriously wrong.

Mr Teso said the technology only works when the autopilot is on and the pilot can regain control by flying the plane manually.

He explained it could work via a 3G or wireless connection, but would have to be near enough to the antenna sending the signals to the planes. He said the app could work with a range of around 100miles and possibly as high as 30,000ft – the cruising altitude of many passenger planes.

Mr Teso, who works for internet security company n.runs AG, said that there was little chance that terrorists or others with malicious intent would work out what he did.

He said: ‘You would have to have solid knowledge of aviation and its protocols.’

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Just over a week until La Vida Fayre (25th April) and I am looking forward to it. Not only will yours truly be there, ready to answer all your computer related questions, but there will be a host of lovely people to offer life and health advice as well as a myriad of others catering for just about everything. Don’t miss out!

Enough sales pitch! Today I would like to tell you about PIRdA. Kind people donate computers, monitors, printers and scanners that are no longer needed, usually because they have upgraded to something newer! PIRdA is the charitable arm of the Albox Computer Club. What we do is to clean, remove and purge any personal information and have these systems ready to be redonated to charities, worthy organisations and individuals who show TRUE NEED! First task is to make an inventory of the components; operating system and software that come with a computer system. “Knowledge is half the battle!”.

Then find any faults components and faulty software.

Next is the question of whether there are any faulty components that have to be properly recycled. If this is the case we have to find comparable components to replace them with. Next faulty programs have to be completely removed to prevent conflicts with any new programs that are later installed (NOT DOWNLOADED – downloading is usually from the internet).

Now we have all the information and replacement components (purchased if necessary) to move on to the next process – The clean up! When these pieces of hardware arrive they usually need a good clean up! We want to be able to donate a clean, tidy and “ready to go” system that any recipient would be delighted to receive and use!

People are NOT dirty! But we all produce from the sebaceous glands, a waxy substance called sebum, that is used to protect and moisturise our skin. This oil/wax combination traps dirts and dust in it which gets on to the systems.

Enough of the physiology lesson. All this is removed to a near “original state” before the components are added.

Not every system works straight away and sometimes components fail.

Just as an extreme example lets say that the donated computer had a faulty memory and hard drive but everything else worked well. Ask anyone who has repaired or updated several computers and they will tell you that they have spare memory chips, the odd hard drive, bolts and even cases (the box it all goes in). PIRdA is exactly the same, but we have a few more! Knowing what type of memory goes with what motherboard is part of our collective knowledge and replacing the chips is quickly done. Hard drives are generic, any hard drive can work with any motherboard. As with all things, there are exceptions! To make this example easy, today there are no exceptions :-) Having installed the hard drive (put it in the right place and connected the appropriate cables in the right order), the operating system has to be selected and installed. Generally, we use a free OS (Not Microsoft anything) but if the hard drive has “Windows” OS on it, and it works well, then it stays (As my dad says “If it isn’t broken – Don’t fix it!”.). This way the donation can cost us nothing but time, experience and a willingness to work!

As I’m running out of space (you just don’t know how much work is involved until you do it) we will shorten the rest of the tasks to: Find out what applications they need for the charity and see if there is a freeware (as it sounds) package that will do the job. All decisions have to be made and agreed upon before the work, outline above, can be started.

So next time you are upgrading to a new desktop / laptop / tablet, You might consider some of these charities that can’t afford, but desperately need, some computer solutions to their problems by offering the re(dis)placed system to a charity like ours. One who has our code of ethics, professionalism, skills and desire to help those in real need!

Until next time. Enjoy the summer that has finally arrived and see you out and about :-) For further information or advice on computing, contact Trevor on 689 892 745 or canducomputing@hotmail.co.uk

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SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

TEST DRIVE: CITROEN BERLINGO

A friend needs a broken cooker replacing immediately.

I suggest repairing it but he says it costs more to repair than to replace. He is frustrated that only the four hobs on his Beko work and that an element for the grill and oven needs replacing at considerable expense, which isn’t justifiable.

“Older cookers don’t have built in redundancy,” my cynical friend claims, “like all new appliances, which are designed to fail so that the manufacturer and their supply chain continue to make money after the product has been sold.”

Now, normally, I wouldn’t be able to help him because firstly I am no electrician and secondly even with the best will in the world a cooker will not fit in the back of my old Ford Fiesta.

But this week I’m driving a shiny new Citroen Berlingo van with double doors at the rear and a helpful sliding door at the side as you can see in the video at testdrives.biz. So I suggest that we pop down to this reconditioning specialist I know not far from where I live and see what they can offer. He’s delighted because he was fretting about how he would transport a cooker if he found one. And he’s even happier when he

learns that there are three seats in the Berlingo cabin, so his girlfriend can come along, too.

Inside, the cabin is comfortable and, just like the exterior it is reminiscent of the Peugeot Partner van, that I tested a few weeks ago.

Air conditioning, electric windows and a decent stereo all come as standard and the five speed manual gearbox is easy to use. The diesel engine is responsive and economical.

Anyway, they find a cooker for under £100 and we take it away there and then. It’s fairly easy for us to manoeuvre it into the back of the van, shoving it through the double doors on its back and then my friend opens the sliding door and jumps through to pull it into the rear. There’s a step inside the sliding door that makes getting into it fairly easy.

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45

motoring

Mercedes and Michael Schumacher join forces

Schumacher has signed deal to help Mercedes develop new safety systems In a report by Auto Express, Mercedes announced that it has signed a long-term partnership agreement with seven-time Formula One champion, and former Mercedes F1 driver, Michael Schumacher.

According to Mercedes, Schumacher’s role will be ambassadorial, but will “extend far beyond motorsport and Formula One… Schumacher will mainly be involved with topics relating to the future, in particular the further development of the Mercedes-Benz safety and comfort systems.”

That means Schumacher will work to help finesse the next generation of Mercedes’ suite of driver assistance systems that the firm groups under the umbrella of ‘Intelligent Drive.’

These include technology like the improved night vision, adaptive cruise control, LED headlights and auto braking and steering systems that debuted on the facelifted Mercedes E-Class range.

Talking about the new deal, Schumacher said: “[In Formula One] I was very often able to rely on the help of all the technologies available to me in the car and use them to my advantage. That is why I am a declared supporter of driving assistance systems both in the racing car and in the road-going car.”

Michael Schumacher will be making his first appearance in his new role with Mercedes on 1 May. Meanwhile, current F1 champion, Sebastian Vettel, already holds the grandiose title of Infiniti Director of Performance. Vettel has been involved with Infiniti since 2011, and has been involved with some development driving of the new Q50 saloon, due on sale later this year.

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SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

Compiled by Tony Matthews

sport shorts

*T his season’s FA Cup final on 11 May will feature the 2011 winners Manchester City and first-time finalists Wigan Athletic.

Last weekend City beat Chelsea and Wigan defeated Millwall in the two semifinals.

*T he two-legged Champions League semi-finals will feature Barcelona v. Bayern Munich and Real Madrid v.

Borussia Dortmund. The first legs will be played on 23/24 April, the second legs on 30 April/1 May. *C helsea will play FC Basel in the two-legged semi-final of the Europa League. Benfica take on Fenerbahce in the other semi. These home/away ties will take place on 25 April & 2 May. *L ast Sunday, Sunderland won the Tyne-Wear derby, beating Newcastle 3-0 and Manchester United won at struggling Stoke. *A dam Scott claimed his first maiden crown by winning the US Masters in Augusta, beating Angel Cabrera at the second extra hole. *S pain’s Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) won the Chinese Grand Prix - the 31st F1 victory of his career.

Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) was second and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) third. Sebastian Vettel (52 pts) leads the driver’s championship, ahead of Raikkonen (49), Alonso (43) and Hamilton (40).

The next race takes place in Bahrain on Sunday. *E x-Reading boss Brian McDermott has been appointed manager of Leeds United in succession to Neil Warnock. *U nbeaten six-year-old racehorse Black Caviar has made it 25 consecutive wins with victory at Royal Randwick, Sydney. *A fter recent 3-0 wins, Barcelona now lead Real Madrid by 13 points

(81-68) at the top of La Liga with seven games remaining. Atletico Madrid are third, Real Sociedad fourth and Valencia fifth, while Mallorca, Celta Vigo and Deportivo La Coruna are fighting to stay up.

Elche are well clear of Almeria at the top of the Segunda Division, followed

by Villarreal, Girona and Alcorcon.

*O ne more goal will see Lionel Messi become the greatest-ever marksman in one season of European Cup/Champion League football. The Barcelona superstar is currently on 14 goals, along with José Altafini (AC Milan, 1962-63) and Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United, 200203). Two goals will see the Argentinian move above van Nistelrooy and Andrei Shevchenko (Dinamo Kiev) into second place, behind Raul, ex-Real Madrid, in the all-time list of CL/EC goalscorers with a total of 61.

This weekend sees wheel action in the BTCC and MotorGP competitions, the latter at The Circuit of the Americas in Texas; 35,000 runners will compete in the Virgin-sponsored London marathon; the Indian Premier Cricket League continues; the world snooker championship gets underway and, as always, there are some vital football matches including champions-elect Manchester United v. lowly Aston Villa, strugglers Norwich against Reading and QPR versus Stoke, Spurs v. Manchester City, Paolo Di Canio’s Sunderland v. Everton, WBA v. out-of-sorts Newcastle and West Ham against Wigan in the PL. It’s Burnley-Cardiff, Charlton-Wolves, Crystal Palace-Leicester, Hull-Bristol City and Watford-Blackburn in the Championship; Bournemouth-Carlisle and Doncaster-Notts County in FL1 and Port ValeNorthampton in FL2.

sport angling news

with beachcomber john Boat Fishing ‘Mike the Watch’, ‘Moray Jeremy’, ‘El Pinar Mike’ and Tom joined ‘Orca Steve’ for a day’s fishing out on his boat. It was the first decent break in the windy weather for weeks and it made the day more enjoyable even though it was still chilly. First they tried fishing the area opposite the big Garrucha hotels near to the River Aguas valley opening but without any luck so he moved the boat to an old favourite area opposite the Garrucha lighthouse but again without a bite. Steve hasn’t fished the deep holes behind the harbour wall recently so gave the 270ft crevice a try but again without a fish. The Garmin fish finder came in very handy on this occasion and they travelled about looking for signs of fish life which they eventually found in 60ft of water near to the old stone train

unloading dock.

The lads caught pandoras, pickerels, combers, pouting, a small red snapper and bogues. It seems the fish are in the shallows albeit only the smaller ones but guess the large predators are close by, we just have to bag them.

See photo of Tom with a pouting and

comber.

I went out with Steve for a day’s fishing and was joined by ‘Chef Jeremy’ and ‘Tubby Jimmy’. In almost windless conditions we first tried a 420 foot shelf halfway down an 800 foot hole in front of the Garrucha Harbour Wall.

Nothing for over an hour and I wasn’t surprised the anchor rope came up smothered in brown mud. Mud I believe from last year’s floods and good reason why we are still struggling to catch fish in an area where before we caught some good fish. Congers to 65lbs, red snappers and meagre to 10lbs, black bream to 7lbs and twin banded bream to 5lbs just to mention a few and it all seems a long time ago.

We tried various depths and areas in front of Garrucha’s Harbour wall without success and it wasn’t

until we fished in front of the Repsol garage on the Mojacar to Garrucha road in only 40 to 70 feet we began to catch. In fact it was a bite a drop and we caught a weaver and a comber plus dozens of pickerels and pandoras. It was noticeable the big pandoras weighing well over a pound were all taken on blue feathers baited with prawn. Pickerel as usual committed suicide and at least half were foul hooked in the eye! It must be said how beautiful the, I presume, male pickerels are at the moment in what I again presume are their mating colours.

Shore Fishing.

‘London Bill’ is still catching a few fish and most are coming from the area between the big hotels and the Repsol garage with his favourite spot being by the roundabout in the middle of that stretch. Night times are best with dusk coming close and dawn in third place.

I thought the selling of undersize fish was banned when I saw this tray full of them for sale in Mercadona. There is a 2 or 3 inch long John Dory in that pile, one of the best eating and most sought after fish in the Mediterranean.

At the same time I have to think as a by catch maybe there is little one can do, only throw them back dead or bring them ashore to sell them. There is something else they could do, to have nets with big enough holes not to catch

them in the first place.

Coarse Fishing.

Two Murcia matches weighed in top weights of 12lbs and 20lbs with very high levels of water being found in both the river and lakes.

The Albox fishing club meets every two weeks or so at Bar Wassy. For details of the next meeting tel Sid 634 313 650.

Latest license information.

There is now a loophole for those wanting coarse fishing licenses for Andalucia who don’t have NIE documents or/and don’t want to do the 24 hour course in Spanish, see me for more details. The only loophole left for fishing the beaches and boats in Andalucia without an NIE document is to make a trip to Murcia.

I’m pleased to report the Beachcomber’s three web cams are working again and the other good news is they work on both 32 and 64 bit systems and on any browser so checkout Mojacar’s weather and Mediterranean Sea conditions here. www.beachcombermojacar. com/beachcomber-webcam/ For up to date information on any of the above see John at the Beachcomber Bar Restaurant on Mojacar Playa or tel 950 473 099.

In case of difficulty reaching me (Probably out fishing) ask staff for my mobile number. You can also contact me on Facebook @ ‘John Beachcomber Mojacar’.

Tight lines, Beachcomber John.

Cabrera Lawn Bowling Club Marina Phoenix Golf Society Los Pastores Open Triples Competition 2013 Sunday 14th April the Los Pastores Open Triples competition took place at Cabrera Lawn Bowling Club. This competition is played as a Round Robin, but only 8 ends are played or play must end after

1hour for each game. The winners of Group A were Christina and John Fitzgerald and Peter Steenstrup from Almeria Lawn Bowls Club and the winners of Group B were Sandra and Peter Marriott and Vic Holloway from Cabrera Lawn Bowling Club. The Final of the competition took place on Monday 15th April between these two teams.

Under sunny skies the Cabrera team took an early lead and steadily built on this. Spectators saw some very good bowling from both sides, with Cabrera establishing a very good win of 11points to 3. Well done to both teams for an entertaining final.

Pictured left to right: Peter Sands Competition Organiser, Winners : Peter Marriott, Sandra Marriott, Vic Holloway.

Marina Phoenix played an individual stableford on Monday 8th April with separate divisions for Ladies and Gents. Rosalie Fardon enjoyed the warm benign conditions to win her division, helped by a two on the par four thirteenth. Linda King was second and Maxine Mayhew third. The Gents division was a tie for first place on 36 points with Jim Budd winning, on countback, from Ali Mahmud. Hylton Smith was third on 34 points. Tony Cordingley also

won a prize for his two on the 14th.

Thursdays team competition was Traffic Lights played in threeballs, best two to count. Scoring was close between the seven teams with the men enjoying the opportunity to play six holes from the Ladies tees.

1st Liam MacNamee, Rosalie Fardon and Jim Budd 87 2nd Brian Couper, Hylton Smith and Brian Mayhew 85 3rd Tony King, Eddie Vaughan and Tony Cordingley 82 Marina Phoenix play Mondays (individual) and Thursdays (team game). To join us for a €25 greenfee. Ring Jim on 950 162 727 / 600 353 670 or Rosalie 950 397 117/ 697 512 882.

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SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

Las Colinas on Sunday the 14th April and had a very enjoyable day whilst narrowly missing out on going forward to the National Final in May, they also collected the prize for Colm O´Keeffe who was the winner of the April monthly draw (the luck

AGUILON GOLF MEMBERS Our two qualifying members Derrick Stephenson and Ian Jenner played in the regional final of the Ford Golf League held at

of the irish again) RESULTS Wednesday April 10 – Individual Stableford Another good day for our weekly qualifier with wall to wall sunshine and little wind to use as an excuse for not posting a good score.

1st Dave Simpson 37pts 2nd Chris Baker 36pts 3rd David Street 35pts Twos. Chris Baker 4th, Peter Ayers and Derrick Stephenson 8th Guests and visitors are welcome to join us on a Mon, Wed and Friday. For information contact 634 641 199

Neil Evans European Golf Schools New PGA Professional Desert Springs Resort

joins

From March 22nd Neil Evans has joined the staff at Desert Springs as their resident Teaching Professional – bringing his many years of experience and his relaxed teaching style to members and visitors of this prestigious Golf Resort. He will be offering a range of lessons, in both individual and group formats, covering all aspects of the game.

Neil is a PGA Professional golfer who has worked at many top courses throughout Europe including Pinheiros Altos on the Algarve and the Mizuno Training Academy in Germany. On his return to the UK, he coached at the Open Championship on seven occasions and worked with various different Counties and the PGA on many of their coaching initiatives.

He is a Lee Westwood Academy Accredited Coach and prior to his

move to the sunshine, was based at The Warwickshire Golf and Country Club in the Midlands.

In addition to his teaching schedule at Desert Springs, Neil will continue to run his successful Golf tuition holidays for golfers from across Europe at the resort.

“I am really looking forward to this opportunity. I have been working with Desert Springs for the last two years and the facilities, course and staff are truly second to none.

My aim is to provide a first class teaching service to the members and visitors of the Resort, I want everyone to feel comfortable coming here for lessons, Men, women and children of all ages and of all levels of experience from complete beginners to the most experienced golfer, all are very welcome”.

For further information or to book lessons with Neil, please contact Golf Reception at Desert

Springs on: Telephone: +34 637 861 591 golfreservations@almanzora.com Contact details: Neil Evans – Mobile: 0044 7896 107521 Email: neilevansegs@gmail.com Facebook: http://www.facebook. com/pages/Neil-Evans-EuropeanGolf-Schools/199860566726918 Twitter: @neilevansgolf

another and even, for the more advanced students, against two, three and more opponents.

It was very demanding, there were some bruises and a lot of sweat, but above all, it was fun…

Why would they do that?

Simply to show to their instructor that they were ready, that they deserved to receive their next belt.

On Saturday, all the students fought like lions, tackling all the obstacles thrown at them with the perseverance and indomitable spirit that characterizes them, throwing amazing kicks and skilful punches, then finished the first part of their grading by breaking boards with powerful foot and hand techniques, only to be back to the training hall again on Sunday morning where they had to show their technical knowledge in front of a panel of black belt instructors (Mr Serge Dewrée,

Miss Ruby Miles-Kirby and Mr Ossian Guerrero Green) who judged them on their physical and mental strength, their knowledge of Korean words and, most of all, their ability to perform patterns of all kind under stress during a two hours grading session.

And for this, all the Taekwondo Mojacar Students deserve great respect and admiration.

In the Rainbow category, Best Student Trophy was granted to Miss Sophia Friend and a special star medal was awarded for continuous effort to Mr Joshua Lee and Miss Bobbi Booth-Roberts.

Mr Joe Noble was promoted to the Junior’s class.

In the Junior-Adult category, in view of the quality of the fights and the broad knowledge displayed, Best Student Trophy was granted to Miss Havana Thompson (Junior) and to Mrs Jodie Escott Dewrée (Adult) and a special medal was awarded to Miss Osaia Reding Commaille, Mr Harry Booth-Roberts, Miss Laima Diaz Vepstas and Ms Laura Linschoten.

Mr Dewrée, the club instructor said: “The belt that was given to you shows that you have reached a higher level. There is nothing more rewarding than to know that you have done everything you could to get this belt and that you truly deserve it. Well done to all of you”.

For more information about the Club, visit www.tkdspain.webs. com or call 646 844 708

taekwondo mojacar club

Middle of April, Mojacar Playa, 25 degrees in the shade... Some would say that it is the perfect weather to go to the beach and enjoy the sun. Not the students of the Taekwondo Mojacar Club. They preferred to come to the club and give it all, showing their skills and techniques, sparring against one

Amigos bowling

WEDNESDAY LEAGUE RESULTS SPONSORED BY SOL SUPERMERCADO THE NEWBIES 9 DOUBLE D’S 7 LE CHEF 12 ACHES & PAINS 4 THE HILLBILLIES 16 ANGLOCELTS 0 LOS AMIGOS BYE Highest scratch score of the week Phil Taylor with a 233 TUESDAY LEAGUE RESULTS SPONSORED BY ALBOX ON LINE NORTH & SOUTH 3.5 THE 3 AMIGOS 13.5 THE MAVERICKS 8 PIN-BOWL WIZARDS 8 THE STRIKERS 10 LUCKY STRIKE 6 X FACTOR 12 LEEDS ON TOUR 4 Highest scratch score of the week Rob Mudge with a 246 THURSDAY BOWLING LEAGUE RESULTS SPONSORED BY BODEGA REGINO PUERTOS LUMBRERAS BLUE BOYS 5 SIMPLY THE BEST 11 THE STRIKERS 0 LIMARIA BABES 16 BAD BOYS PP DYNAMIC DUO PP THE LASSIES PP LOS CORDEROS PP Highest scratch score of the week Phil Taylor with a 163 FRIDAY’S LEAGUE SPONSORED

BY THE CORNER SHOP ALBOX NORTH & SOUTH 8 LIMARIANS 0 DOUBLE TROUBLE 6 THE COWBOYS 2 X FACTOR 6 THE SPITFIRES 2 TRIPLE X 2 THE STRIKERS 6 Highest scratch score of the week John Cannon with a 255 Anyone is welcome to join our leagues, novices are more than welcome please email us members@ amigosbowlingcentre.com

47

sport

19th Hole Golf Society Cucador.

Thursday11th April, the 19th Hole Golf Society visited the Macenas course at Mojacer.

The weather was very pleasant with hardly any wind to blame the wayward shots on.

The course condition, whilst not perfect, was very acceptable and provided a demanding and enjoyable round of golf. As well as a singles stableford we also played a team 4 ball competition.

In the singles competition controversy over the final results due, in the main to poorly marked cards, marred what was a really good day’s golf.

The winner of the stableford was Nick Pogson with a really well crafted 18 holes of golf. Nick scored 31 points playing off 17.

With, the always consistent, Big Al(the artist) Greenfield in 2nd place with 30 points, on count back, and Mike Donarski in 3rd, again on 30 points.

The fourball was won by the Terry Caddick Ralph Hunter team scoring 40 points leaving Darren Banks and Alan Greenfield on 38 points in second place.

Ray Wicking and Darren Banks

won the two nearest the pin awards on the 9th and 18th respectively, whilst Terry Caddick, Keith Kingdom and Derek Kratzke had Twos on holes 16th 9th and 9th respectively.

Well done to all who played we will do it all again next Tuesday at Aguilon.

Results: - Singles Stableford 1st Nick Pogson 31 points (17) 2nd Alan Greenfield 30 points (20) on countback 3rd Mike Donarski 30 points (13).

Fourball 1st Terry Caddick Ralph Hunter 40 points Twos:- Hole 9. Keith Kingdom, Derek Kratzke.

Hole 16. Terry Caddick Nearest the Pin:- 9th Hole Ray Wicking. 18th Hole Darren Banks The 19th hole G/S is now arranging weekly games at various courses in the area, our home course, which we play fortnightly, is Aguilon.

If you are interested in joining the 19th hole give the secretary a ring on 610340653. Or email gs19thhole@hotmail.co.uk

turre GOLF

On Thursday 11th April Stoneys bar in Turre hosted the golf Captains day.

Playing at Dessert Springs lightening John Dean picked up the trophy for the overall winner. A good day was had by all finishing off with a few cold beers.

Calle Mallorca, San Javier Call us: 968 146 158 or 618 628 511 www.specialistvehicles.com BMW X1, AUTOMATIC, 2.0S DRIVE, DIESEL, 2011, 15,000KMS.…............€26,950 kia sportage 2l crdi, diesel, automatic, top of the range................€21,950 MERCEDES CLK, 200K, CABRIO, 2008, 71,000KMS.....................................€20,950 HYUNDAII30,1.4PETROL,2009,68,000KMS….............................................................€8,950 SKODA OCTAVIA 1.9TDi, 2006, 64,000KMS....................................................€6,950 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2.0L CRDi, 2003, 123,000KMS.....................................€6,950 RENAULT SCENIC 1.5 DCi, DIESEL, 2004, 129,000KMS..............................€5,950 SEAT INCA 1.4 PETROL, A/C, 2001, 94,000KMS..........................................€2,450 CITROEN XSARA 1.8 PETROL, AUTO, 1998, 121,000KMS ..................................…1,450

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SOL TIMES COSTA ALMERIA

SALES HQ: 902 750 190/950 121 936 OPEN: Mon-Thurs 10am-5pm Fri 10am-4pm ALBOX, ARBOLEAS, ALFOQUIA ROQUETAS, ALMERIMAR coastal & mojacar areaS EDITOR: editor@soltimes.com ~ DESIGN:production@soltimes.com

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

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48 SOLTIMES APRIL 2013

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

still the best Sunday roast in town from 3.50€

Homemade yorkies, roast potatoes, fresh vegetables. All meats carved to order.

Sunday roast now served with

6 vegetables

Also The original Sunday roast Tapas

Every tuesday evening

authentic curry night

All curries individually cooked 2 courses from 7€ Super Saturday Evening summer Special €4.00

¼ Roast Chicken, Chips and Salad or Scampi, Chips and salad plus free glass of Cava or Bottle of Carlsberg Served 7pm – 10pm

C/Sierra Nevada, 23, Roquetas de Mar

Tel: 656 421 996 (Clive) or 661 165 540 (Lesley) reservations RecommendeD

pool table

b ar

recommende d on

trip advisor

darts board

Yvonne, Dave & John Welcome you to

Y.Da.Wakes

help for heroes Bingo Monday 8.30pm now re-registered ALL LIVE SPORTS 1st Event COVERAGE 24th April 11am table top, book & colossal cake sale

2 for 1

all day every day on Local Spirits & Mixers, Wine and mahou Bottles

new revised menu coming soon

opening hours: Monday, Tuesday Wednesday Friday 11am - 3pm and 6.30pm - late Saturday 11am - late. Sunday 12 noon - 7pm. Closed Thursday.

Avenida Playa Serena 142, Roquetas de Mar 04740 Tel: 634 322 644

La bodeguina open from 11am Thursday to Tuesday

(closed Wednesday)

Full English Breakfast

served 11am - 1pm €2.95 10 different tapas available every day served from 12noon to 6pm Calle Sierra Nevada, Roquetas De Mar Tel: 633 376 541

Roquetas de Mar, Aguadulce Almerimar, Vicar, La Envia Golf

For all your property needs

Services include Key Holding, Maintenance, Furniture Packs, Cleaning & Laundry, Weekly Apartment & Post-box Checks Golf Discounts and Golf Packages Available

Rental Properties required for long or short lets in Roquetas de Mar Call or e-mail us for further information.

Mobile: (0034) 663 426 921

info@enviapropertyservices.com

www.enviapropertyservices.com

Bar Cardies On the sea front next to Popeyes Bat

monday - games from 2pm kaluki, backgammon, draughts etc come along & join the fun tuesday - bingo wednesday - quiz night friday - fish & chips served til 5pm saturday curry night €7.50 sunday lunch

Tel: 950 179 272

CHAPLINS pub 27 CALLE SIERRA NEVADA, 200M FROM diver HOTEL ROQUETAS

live football / outside tv / air con / free WI-FI HOMEMADE FOOD DAILY

friday Fish & chip shop day WEDNESDAY RIBS 5.95€ Friday 9.30ish General Knowledge quiz FRIDAY FISH’N’CHIPS 3.95€ BEST IN TOWN saturday night saturday night 1€ drinks plus buy one buy one get one free meals get one free meals guinness & john smith on Booking advisable wednesday & friday draught Tel: 950 335 022

Mob: 618 824 368

Open:1pm until close tuesday to sunday from 5pm monday “open as advertised”

902 750 190

lunchtime & early evening menu €3.95

Including ribs & giant prawns (from 12.30pm - 3pm & 7pm - 8.30pm) Our usual a la carte menu also available

Property management Sales & Rentals

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Lady Lay

Restaurant Bar