Roquetas R386

issue 386

ROQUETAS & ALMERIMAR

8-14 MAY

SolTimes ‘PICK ME UP’ YOUR ESSENTIAL WEEKLY

your free weekly newspaper

est. 7 yrs

www.soltimes.com

• This Car Is Automatic, It’s Systematic, It’s Hydromatic, It’s Greased Lightening!

Variety Bar

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

Fridays Only Evenings 7pm - 10pm

FREE

Tel: 645 066 538

Calle Faro, Almerimar At the entrance to the port

MOTORBIKE RALLY 31st May and 1st/2nd June SEE PAGE 11 FOR DETAILS

• ‘Roquetas In White’ Attracts Thousands To Town Centre • On Your Motor Bike • Seven Arrested In Connection With Stumble Inn Robbery

martin shortland Reports ON PAGEs 11 & 20

rastro Arts and Antiques

car boot sale

flea market

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

12 th May

Open 10am - 3pm

Information: 660 32 12 30

http://www.petebarnesphotography.co.uk/

portobello

JAKS Wide Range of UK,

Continental & Indian Foods & Spices rack of Lamb available

Menu del dia 9.00€ served friday - wednesday

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

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

OPENING HOURS:

Arkrites British Food Store well stocked selection of: Groceries & frozen foods including legs of New Zealand lamb, gammon joints, lambs liver.

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

Free Home Delivery

calle JABEQUE, 42, ALMERIMAR

out of hours please call 950 334 544

Tel: 950 609 419

(on the Square near Caja Murcia Bank)

Large Selection of Greeting Cards

Mon - Fri: 10.30am - 5pm

Sat: 10am - 2pm

TEL: 950 334 081

In the Urb of Roquetas de Mar, just off Avda de Mediterraneo in the square near La Gamba Toscana & Theos

READ THE SOL TIMES ONLINE @ WWW.SOLTIMES.COM

2

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

Sport

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

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

‘Poor’ maintenance of Spanish roads due to lack of funding causes accidents, says AEC

Maintenance of Spain’s roads is ‘extremely bad’ and ‘lacking in investment’, leading to a rise in accidents and damage to cars, claims the Spanish Highways Association (AEC).

It says only those roads which come under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Public Works have any money spent on them at all, and that even this is not enough.

According to a report by ThinkSpain, a total of two per cent of the value of the roads should be invested in maintenance as a minimum every year, the AEC says, which should be 1.6 billion in the case of the Ministry of Public Works, but that the department only spends one billion on highway repairs.

And some roads have not been repaired

or maintained in over five years, enough for them to be totally deteriorated – and yet there is not the public funding available to carry out works that have now become much greater and more pressing.

Accident rates have fallen more due to the introduction of the points-based driving licence than road maintenance, claims the AEC, which also says it does not agree with the idea of ‘blanket speed limits’ enforced ‘based upon the type of road’.

Speed limits should be determined by the state of the roads, the layout and the accident statistics, and apply to individual sections of various highways rather than to the road as a whole, they say.

Cesped artificial Visit our showroom in PlantAlmanzora Organic Garden next to Longo’s Albox

Tigerturf Almeria

tigerturfalmeria@gmail.com info@ecoturf.es tel: 950 431 624 / 635 652 745

Spanish Residents Now Able To Apply To UN Over Breaches Of Economic And Social Rights

Residents in Spain can appeal to the United Nations if they feel that their financial and social rights are being violated.

They need to have exhausted all legal channels in Spain first, unless the domestic court procedures are taking an ‘unreasonably long’ period of time – yet to be defined clearly – and must do so within one year of the final decision from the highest court in the land being granted.

This means the process

works in the same way as where citizens of EU member States appeal to the European Union, insofar as a valid claim needs to exhaust the court hierarchy of the member State in question first.

Sound evidence needs to be provided where an appeal to the UN is made, since claims based entirely on hearsay or media reports will not be accepted.

The Voluntary Procedures of the International Pact on Economic, Social and

Cultural Rights, approved by the UN in 2008, was adopted by Spain in 2010 but only came into force on Sunday.

Given that the procedures are not obligatory, countries may choose whether or not to implement them – although they have been adopted by dozens of nations worldwide – and then have a set period of time to adapt them to suit their own socio-cultural and political framework so that they can be brought into effect nationally.

REDUCED 125,000€

SH698

NO UNREASONABLE OFFERS REFUSED!

Pilot dies in air show demonstration

A pilot has been killed and 18 spectators injured during an air show in Madrid after a wartime plane crashed and caught light.

The Hispano Aviación HA200 Saeta was just finishing an air demonstration – organised by the Infante de Orléans Foundation - and was carrying out a high-speed low-altitude manoeuvre just before starting the landing process when it hit a concrete telegraph pole at the Cuatro Vientos aerodrome in the capital. As a result of the impact, the craft lost one of its wings and plunged out of control into the National Police

helicopter hangar.

Wing Commander Ladislao Tejedor Romero, 35, an F-18 test pilot in the Spanish Royal Air Force, was treated in Getafe hospital for serious injuries and burns, but lost his life at around 16.00hrs on Sunday. He leaves behind a wife and daughter.

Another 18 spectators suffered minor injuries and several cars were crushed and caught fire, as well as damage being sustained by the hangar itself.

The historic plane, which dates back to the 1930s, broke into several pieces.

Telephone: 950 460 999

MUNDI

Ronda de Las Buganvillas, Local 22, (nr Garrucha) www.mundiabogados.com info@mundiabogados.com

ABOGADOS Maria Maroto Perez: Solicitor/Barrister - Esther Serrano Saez: Solicitor/Barrister

• NIE Cards • Residency Cards • Social Security Cards • • Company Setup • Insurance • • Conveyancing • Translations • Litigation • Wills & Inheritance Tax • Tax Returns •

3

We are pleased to introduce ourselves MUNDI ABOGADOS SOLICITORS. We are a multidisciplinary law firm based in Vera (Almería) and as such we deal with many different aspects of law, specialising in litigation, conveyancing, taxation, civil, commercial and fiscal law. Our aim is to provide a personal, quality service, in plain English and to do so promptly, efficiently and in a friendly manner.

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

We can also arrange the following if needed: • Open a Spanish bank account • Connection of utility services • If you are considering renting your house or land we will negotiate your letting agreement, ensuring that the terms of your contract meet your requirements • Write your Spanish will • As your Fiscal Representatives, we will assist you in any dealings with Spanish Tax Office and explain to you all the taxes that you are liable to pay.

For those that become residents of Spain, we can also assist in other legal matters, such as matrimonial issues or business contracts.

4

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

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

Euribor interest rate plummets to 0.5%

Interest rates in the Eurozone have fallen to an historic 0.5 per cent, which will save the average mortgage holder nearly 700 euros a year.

According to a report by ThinkSpain, those who hold a variable-rate loan which is due for its annual revision around now will see their monthly payments plummet by an average of 55 euros a month.

Spain’s opposition socialist party says this is a ‘cause for celebration’ as it will relieve some pressure on householders struggling to cope with falling wages and rising unemployment.

But the Central European Bank (BCE) says economic policy in the Eurozone will ‘have to change dramatically’ because the recession is now ‘no longer affecting the minority’.

Although Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Ireland are suffering the most, even France – fairly stable until recently – has seen a rise in jobless figures and Germany is beginning to feel the pinch.

“If only this interest rate fall were the start of an aboutturn, because the situation is now affecting other countries, including Germany,” said vice-secretary general of the PSOE, Elena Valenciano.

The PSOE has encouraged Mariano Rajoy to consider forming a pact with François Hollande, French socialist president, and Italy’s new leader, both of whom he is meeting with in the next few days rather than ‘paying lipservice’ to German chancellor Angela Merkel.

“Rajoy should join forces with the other nations who are against austerity measures,” Valenciano stated.

Sport

connexions

950 479 502

broadband internet, New wireless internet

service available 4&6mb from €24.95 p/m No landline required Call us for details if you are a part time resident. to find out if your area is covered go to

Training day poster mistaken for IKEA job offer and thousands clog up council phone lines At least 7,000 people packed into the council offices in Almussafes, Valencia last week yesterday because they thought the Swedish furniture giant IKEA was offering jobs there.

In fact, the town hall was merely carrying out a training workshop for its unemployed residents to enable them to apply for work at IKEA in the future when it finally opened in neighbouring Alfafar.

But the council’s advert was misread by hopeful jobseekers,who thought it was a recruitment day after seeing notices on Facebook urging people to turn up there with a copy of their CV.

Call into our shop in Turre town square just along from the Cajamar bank

Company bosses have condemned Almussafes council’s ‘irresponsible behaviour’ in placing an advert for a routine training day on a worldwide social network, using ‘the logo of a private company’ who ‘knew nothing about it’, and ‘telling people how they could get jobs in Alfafar in 2014’, and then only stating in very small letters at the bottom of the poster where the workshop was due to be held.

The Scandinavian flat-pack company will open in Alfafar in 2014, the first in the Comunidad Valenciana – at present Spain only has one branch Madrid and another in Murcia.

Duke and Duchess of Palma ‘offset son’s birthday as expenses’ against tax declaration

King Juan Carlos’ daughter and son-inlaw offset their son’s birthday party and presents as ‘business expenses’ when declaring the tax for their company, Aizoon. Iñaki Urdangarín and the Infanta Cristina, the Duke and Duchess of Palma, supplied an invoice from a company which organises children’s parties to reduce their tax bill for the company the owned, according to the Spanish press.

The date of the invoice, May 1, 2007, means it would tie in with the birthday of their third child, Miguel.

It has come to light that other personal expenses were often offset against the company’s tax obligations, since the judge handling the infamous Nóos case called for the couple to present their last 10 tax returns. These expenses included

a BMW motorbike helmet and gloves and a stay in a city-centre hotel in Rome.

The tax authorities had already accused Urdangarín in January of having used Aizoon as a front company for ‘certain services of an extremely personal nature’.

Wages for housekeepers and Urdangarín’s PA who handled his noncommercial affairs were also included as expenses incurred through the running of Aizoon, says the tax office.

Company tax is at a lower rate than personal tax, meaning the couple saved money through their actions.

Urdangarín, is under investigation for suspected money-laundering and fraud in connection with the Nóos Institute,

we sell

we buy

set up by the Duke of Palma and his codirector Diego Torres as a non-profitmaking organisation promoting sports, culture and tourism, including charitable projects within these areas.

The Institute was in fact a highlylucrative business which earned Torres and Urdangarín a regular wage. If found guilty, they could each go to prison for up to 20 years. They have already had 1.8 million euros in assets embargoed between them.

Urdangarín has been offered a job in Qatar as the Spanish handball team trainer, by his old friend and team manager Valero Rivera, which he is considering taking up if he does not go to jail.

STEVE HAYES INFORMATICA

Serving the local community since 2003

73 Ctra Lorca - Baza, Albox, Almeria 04800

• PC’s • Laptops • Printers etc...

• Sales & Repairs •O n-site Call Out &Tuition Telephone • Consumables 950 120 900

950 06 45 76 661 75 98 82

Contact us on Skype at Shinform

sales rooms

The largest selection of second-hand goods in the area

www.connexionsonline.net

computers ~ laptops Distributor for mobile phones, sales, repairs & unlocking full repair service printers ~ inks area distributor for Photo papers hits sim cards routers ~ monitors Don’t lose your TV channels wireless devices Android TV boxes available internet dongles at low cost No Satellite dish needed

As well as queues reaching down the streets, over 7,000 people telephoned the town hall, jamming up the line – which is shared with the Local Police – all day on Monday.

This is in fact the second of 13 training day workshops for unemployed people in Almussafes planned for this year, and are not in any way linked to concrete job offers.

And IKEA, which said it had known nothing about the training course or the fact that the wording of its advertising was misleading, stresses that all recruitment for the new store will be via its own website.

sales rooms

HOUSEHOLD ANTIQUES GARDEN FURNITURE HOUSE CLEARANCES sales rooms

sales rooms open daily for sales ON THE LONGO’S SITE

Mon - Tues - Wed s - Thur s & S at 9am -2pm Fr iday Even in gs 5pm-9pm (sales & viewings)

Is your ink cartridge running out? let us save you money

Ink Cartridge Solutions save money Re-use, don’t replace

albox

Call in, let us save you money

We Love To Refill Your Empty Cartridges!!!

Bring them to our shop Today & SAVE MONEY It’s cost effective & a enviromentally friendly service at your side

i n v e n t

Tel: 609 199 394 Open Mon - Fri 10.00pm - 2pm Located within Knight Insurance Office, C/Malaga 6, Albox

EMAIL: icsgroupspain@gmail.com

www.shinform.net ~ info@shinform.net

Address: 28 de Febrero, s/n, 04800, Albox, Almeria

Jardin Rural

s.l.

Established 9 years in Spain

Building & Construction Services From

Planning to Project Management to Building.

New Builds, Casitas, Garages, Patios

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

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

5

6

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

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

Council of Europe: Higher credit costs for businesses in southern Europe ‘unacceptable’

Companies in southern Europe having to pay far more than those in the north to get finance is ‘unacceptable’, says Herman van Rompuy, president of the Council of Europe.

According to a report by ThinkSpain, he has called for the Central European Bank (BCE) to ‘take more committed action’ to stop this discrimination and make it easier for small and mediumsized companies (SMCs) to obtain credit in accordance with the Spanish government’s request.

“Restrictive credit conditions mean recovery is a huge upheaval which affects smaller firms to a much greater degree,” stated Van Rompuy yesterday (Thursday) at a conference in Estoril (Portugal) which was broadcast internally at the EU offices in Brussels.

“It is much more expensive today for a company in Portugal, Spain or Italy to take out a loan than for a very similar firm in Austria or Belgium – this is unacceptable, and it is clear that something has to be done.”

Van Rompuy says that although national governments can help, as can the European Investment Bank, “the crux of the problem is in the financial

fragmentation between member States, which is putting some of the key achievements of Europe in jeopardy.”

He called for the BCE to work with heads of State and other EU organisations in order to reach ‘more decided and intelligent’ solutions, stressing the importance of this teamwork since ‘the BCE cannot and should not have to bear the burden of resolving all Europe’s problems by itself’.

Commenting that a balance should be struck and a gradual approach taken when attempting to reduce State deficits, the Council of Europe president said: “After three years of sacrifices, understandably, people’s patience in southern European countries is running out and they are getting weary of constant ‘reforms’. Governments now need to focus on structural measures to bring about long-lasting improvements to the economy, and urgently need to take more steps to revive growth and fight against unemployment.

“We will revisit this issue at the Council of Europe in June, during which I shall propose additional measures for immediate action in terms of growth and employment, aimed particularly at young people.”

Over A Quarter Of Electricity Produced By Wind Farms

Wind farms are now the most popular form of energy production in Spain, according to a recent study. They account for a quarter of all electricity produced, generating 31.7 TW per hour.

This is the first time wind farms have taken over from all other forms of creating fuel, says the Spanish national grid (REE).

Production plummeted in April, due to rising reservoir levels, less wind and reduced demand, by three per cent or 1,009 GW per hour, causing a loss of 85 million euros in the industry.

But between the beginning of November and the end of March, enough energy was produced to fuel 18.1 million homes – and Spain has only 17 million homes.

It is the growth in the use of wind-generated energy that has partly been what has led to electricity bills falling in April, but the Wind-Farm Companies’ Association (AEE) has called for research by State authorities into why this type of fuel production is the worst-hit by cutbacks, and to seek workable solutions.

New Five Euro Notes Now In Circulation

New-style five-euro notes came into circulation on Thursday, featuring Greece and Cyprus for the first time. These were not EU member States when the five-euro note came into being 11 years ago. The colour of the number ‘5’ has changed to dark blue and is embossed, lined and reflective, to allow people with sight problems to identify them easily.

Other features include water marks, holograms, embossed lines so that they are more difficult to forge, and they are coated with varnish to strengthen them so they do not rip so easily.

The new five-euro notes will eventually replace the old ones when these are phased out, but the original-style notes can still be used and will be legal tender for quite some time.

Eventually, all other bank notes in the common currency – of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros – will be reissued in the same format as the new five-euro ones, but according to the Central European Bank (BCE) plenty of notice will be given beforehand.

The timescale for the new notes to come into circulation its not yet known

Naked Man Sings Labourers’ Anthem In The Guggenheim

A 38-year-old man who took off his trousers and pants and started to sing the national labourers’ anthem in the Guggenheim museum is facing a hefty fine. The accused, who lives in Beasain (province of Guipúzkoa) entered the hall known as the Sala Fish at the futuristic art gallery in Bilbao at around 14.00hrs on Wednesday and stripped off from the waist down.

According to press reports, standing among the iron sculptures by the American artist Richard Serra, he began singing The International, the anthem associated with the working class, while two or three people filmed him. Security staff called the Ertzaintza – the Basque Country’s answer to the Guardia Civil – who identified the man, ordered him to get dressed and to leave the building, which he did without putting up any resistance. Officers have filed a civil, rather than criminal, offence against the accused for ‘causing public disorder’, meaning he will face a fine but not be prosecuted.

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

established 2004 - fully legal - peace of mind is not far away

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

cut out the middle man and buy direct from the manufacturer

mobile: 638 900 949 office: 950 930 520

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

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

King ‘worried’ about Monarchy’s plummeting popularity

King Juan Carlos wants to launch an ‘institutional pact’ to address the unemployment figures in Spain and to travel as much as possible to North Africa and the Americas to encourage heads of State to invest in the country.

Worried about the fact that only 3.98 in 10 Spaniards interviewed are in support of having a monarchy, the King says he wants to actively work on ‘agreements and consensus’ to help improve Spain’s economic situation and restore the country’s faith in them by playing an active role in its recovery.

The Monarch says he believes the Royals’ ‘fail’ is largely due to the fact his daughter, the Infanta Cristina, has recently been called to testify in the Nóos case on suspicion of being involved in the fraud and moneylaundering racket that her husband, Iñaki Urdangarín, is on trial for

Skeletons from old cemetery found near Cheste racing circuit

The chopped-up remains of a young child found buried near Cheste racing circuit which opened a murder inquiry have turned out to be from a nearby cemetery and become dislodged.

A walker found the skeleton in several pieces last month and upon investigation, police found they belonged to a child of approximately three to five years old who would have died some years ago.

They also discovered the bones of an adult male in the same area, leading them to believe there may have been a double murder.

Part of one of the bodies was in a supermarket carrier bag from a store which opened in the 1990s and changed its name in the same decade, meaning that there was a chance the ‘murder’ could have happened 15 or 20 years ago.

But anthropologists say neither body has signs of having decomposed either in the open air nor underground and buried in soil, as would have been the case if they had been dumped or buried by a killer.

And earth-movement caused by heavy industrial plant flattening the land near the Ricardo Tormo racing circuit is thought to have uncovered part of an old cemetery which was moved and built upon many years ago.

As a company we have over 25 years of experience in the Financial Services Industry and have been doing pension transfers since inception in April 2006. We are now in a position to offer Expats our services due to a new product launch which allows a much larger tax free lump sum for any purpose regardless of age.

We understand that times are tough in the UK and overseas, and that people need cash NOW to sort out their personal lives. We are told every time we speak to clients “I would rather have my money now rather than wait until I retire” we completely sympathize and understand your feelings.

We now have several options to help our clients release money NOW from the pension fund. It is a very simple process and takes only a short time to release your cash.

However, the supermarket carrier bag used to house the bones has not been explained.

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK Fines

info@solymarspain.com - www.solymarspain.com

Contact us now on 950 064 584 Mob: 677 667 722

450€ pcm

MAR904

Villa in la Aljambra 3 bed/2 bath, unfurnished, large elevated plot 1,500m2, build 120 m2, large lounge/ diner carport, pets welcome

39,950€

SOL050

450€ pcm

MAR984

SOL052

k uic

Cucador 4 bed/1 bath, 1000m2 plot Stunning views in a lovely location, partially reformed

Q

95,000€

SOL908

Villa in Los Carasoles 3 bed/ 2 bath, unfurnished, 120ms build on 600m2 plot lounge/diner with feature open fireplace, pets welcome

55,000€

Bargain at, 3 bedroom, 2 bathrooms, 10 x 5 swimming pool, roof solarium, mature gardens, stunning throughout

le

Sa

Partaloa 120m2 build, 5540m2 plot, 8 x 4 pool 3 bed/3 bath, 3 car garage, must be viewed

400€ pcm

MAR800

Town House in Taberno Fully furnished, 5 bed/4 bath, fully reformed, large terrace area, must be viewed to be appreciated, pets welcome

73,950€

SOL061

350€ pcm

MAR969

Almanzora Fully furnished, 4 beds/2 bath, detached garage, restored cortijo, beautiful front garden, private roof terrace

SOL067

325€ pcm

MAR636

Cortijo in Rambla de Oria 3 bedroom/1 bathroom fully furnished great family retreat

SOL068

ed

uc

d Re

Cantoria Fully reformed to very high standard, 3 bed/2 bath, modern fitted kitchen, town location, roof terrace, must be seen to be appreciated

Partaloa 3 bed/2 bath, needs minimal work to finish, garage, roof terrace, lovely location on 3000m2 plot

Partaloa 3 bed/1bath 180m2 build with 180m2 outhouses to be reformed, with 5000m2 olive groves, large garage

OUR OFFICE ADDRESS: AVENIDA 28 DE FEBRERO, 44 BAJO, ALBOX (A334 ALBOX TO BAZA ROAD) opposite Albox Online

7

8

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

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

VISIT OUR NEW SHOP ON THE HIGH STREET IN TURRE OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY 1OAM TIL’ 3PM - TEL: 634 341 171

New & Exclusive to As Seen On TV Products

The Xhose

The expanding light weight hose that never kinks expands to 3 times its original length contracts in seconds ultra durable

Easy to store

Available in the following lengths

25 foot at only 25€

50 foot at only 45€

75 foot at only 65€

Spanish Estate Agent for sale

Find us on avenida puente no.11, albox just before the old bridge on the right

sales rentals insurance (car home)

uced

Zurgena: Detached 8 room house with1,200m2 plot needs minor renovation. Electric & Water on. 20 mins from beach.

39,995€

Albox, Stunning detached villa,10x5m pool,3 beds, 2 baths ,2,500m2 plot, double garage.

129,995€

red

Vera: 4 bed townhouse, immaculate, excellent location, large solaruim reduced 99,995€

Mojacar: Lovely house in great location, excellent access and views.

Unbelievable at only 69,995€

Antas: 3 bed 2 bath house, pool, private front and back garde, drive and garage.

119,000€

Mojacar: 2,000m2 plot with sea views, cortijo for re-build or permission for new build, 79,995€

Tel: 950 431 855 / 661 143 871

Albox: Detached Villa, 2 bed, 2 bath on 10,000m2m plot. Needs minor work & solar panels.

59,995€

Cariatriz: double fronted house for renovation, minimum of 4 bedrooms, water & Electric is connected. Easy reform.

35,000€

Mojacar, 1,600 m2 plot , with Sea views, water well, permission for a 50m2 casita, ideal for an auto caravan 29,995€

Mojacar, Level plot with provisional building permit and sea views.

Exclusive location only 59,995€

rental

rental

Cucador: 3 bed, 2 bathroom furnished villa with pool 450€ p.c.m, plus bills

Arboleas: 3 bed 2 bathroom unfurnished villa 450€ p.c.m, plus bills

www.spanishestateagent.com

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

9

The Vera & District Lions Club

The Vera & District Lions Club and Gema Gonzales

In the Sol Times edition 24th - 30th April we mentioned the plight of 3½ year old Gema Gonzales who suffers from Cerebral Palsy and her desperate need for a special needs walking frame that costs around €900. Her situation came to the notice of the Vera & District Lions Club who pledged to help raise the money. “Never in our wildest dreams did we expect the response that we have received “ said Keith Porter (Director of Fundraising for the Vera Lions).

On the 30th April the Cactus Bar, Burgonvilla Roundabout were celebrating Dutch Queens Day ( Koninginnedag) and welcomed the Vera Lions along with their mixture of games & fun. The day was a massive success and the generousity of the customers was quite overwhelming. In the preceding week there had been other fundraising events notably a very successful raffle and table Top sale at the Blue Parrot.

Keith added “ We have to say a massive thank you to everyone who has made donations and participated in the events of the past week, In particular to Peter & Alison at the Blue Parrot and to Rene & his staff at the Cactus Bar for making the Vera Lions most welcome.

All together we have raised more than enough to buy the Gema’s walking frame, we thought it would take quite some time to reach the target figure but to achieve it in just one week is fantastic.”

In the next few weeks Gema will be visiting her consultant and will be measured for her bespoke walking frame and we hope to bring you more on this story.

the voices of almanzora update

Rehearsals for the summer show of The Voices of Almanzora are going very well, according to their musical director Nick Duncan.

The show’s content will appeal to everyone, says Nick, who has included songs from the 20’s up to the modern musicals, such as Miss Saigon. The programme contains songs such as The Andrew’s sisters Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, Judy Garland’s Get Happy, and All in the April Evening, and much, much more. The show runs from Friday 31st May until

Sunday 2nd June 2013 at the Museo Pedro Gilabert in Arboleas.

Nick is ably assisted by his wife Carolyn, who sings in the choir, but is also the stage director. They met in an English Operatic Society where both were singing and acting on stage, and eventually formed their own Musical Theatre Company to tackle the modern musicals such as Blitz, Cabaret, Chicago, Best little Whorehouse in Texas, and were the first amateur society in England to stage Scrooge when it was released for the amateur stage. Carolyn also produced Hello Dolly, Carousel,

Oklahoma, Pyjama Game, Singing in The Rain¸and many more well know shows.

Nick was the musical director for all these shows, directing the orchestra, and playing keyboards in the pit.

They joined The Voices of Almanzora in 2010 to sing in the choir, having retired from the “front line” when they came to live in Spain. However, following the retirement of the incumbent musical director, Trudi Louch, they felt that the choir must continue, and so, stepped into the breach.

INTERNATIONALLY-KNOWN SINGER/SONGWRITER CAME TO MOJACAR

On Saturday 27 April 2013, the internationally-known British singer/ songwriter/musician Dave Bilbrough came to Mojacar to be the Speaker at the FGBMFI Ladies and Men´s Breakfast Meeting at the Torre Bahia Restaurant, Mojacar Playa, and the Restaurant was bursting at the seams, but coped very well with the 79 cooked Breakfasts that were required, and the people applauded the Staff afterwards for their grand effort.

Dave Bilbrough, when he was a

young man, found that he could not relate to the language and terminology of hymns, so he started to compose songs in a contemporary language which have gone all over the world, such as Abba Father, All Hail the Lamb, I am a New Creation and Let There be Love, which are just the tip of the iceberg of his contribution to modernday Christian praise and worship all over the world.

Dave sang some of his own songs, as well as Peter Simon and Bob Dylan

songs; their styles had an impact on his youth. He told us of his childhood in East London, his search for the meaning of life and finding the reality of a personal belief in Jesus. He has been 30 plus years now singing and playing in many different countries and Continents of the world but kindly accepted to come, at his own expense, to appear in Mojacar.

Dave gave his personal testimony in word and song, and showed what a very talented man he is. He told us

all of a miraculous healing of his Son who could not talk even at the age of 7 years and the medical diagnosis was very bad for him, but after prayer on him at a Spring Harvest Conference, he was healed and now is the most verbose member of the family. Dave brought along a few of his CDs which were quickly snapped up, leaving some disappointed would be takers, however, if anybody wants to know more about Dave Bilbrough and his music, you can, of course, visit his webpage www.davebilbrough.com

Greeting Cards A Full Selection

Now Available

Great Prices Great Selection All Cards One Price

2€

Monday - Saturday 10am - 2pm ICS Shop within Liberty Seguros Insurance Calle Malaga, Albox by Cutting Edge

Upholstery

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

Tel: 692 17 60 69

OFFICIAL HITS AGENTS IN ALBOX

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

selecciones

Oak Exceptionally Furniture Low Prices...

For Your Home & Garden ces nique pie ...many u . e ’ve gon .. once they ! e on they’ve g

displaying a great selection of new & used furniture

new in!!! moroccon pots in all sizes we also stock Sportswear supplied direct from the UK

Find us in Turre near the Fundraiser. Open Mon - Sat from 10am

Tel: 634 347 295

Find us at Los Carasoles Zurgena (Almeria) On the Baza Road

950 10 42 72

www.rusticoakfurnitureelpinar.com www.rusticoakfurnitureelpinar.com

10

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

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

ALMERIMAR & surrounding area

Friday Golf Society 3 may:

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.

YACHT BROKERAGE BOAT CARE & MAINTENANCE INSURANCE/TAX ADMINistration Puerto Deportivo de Almerimar Dársena 1 - No. 42, 04711 Almerimar (Almería) Tel.: (+34) 950 497 825 Fax: (+34) 950 607 713 info@yesyachting.com www.yesyachting.com

expat vets

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

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

Language skills: Spanish, English and French.

Ali Jaouad www.ali-vet.com

RMC European Services SPAIN – UK

UK – SPAIN

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

MacGowan’s Bar & Restaurant

This Thursday

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

2nd last jam session of the season Come and join us before the

musicians sail off into the sunset

Calle Varadero Almerimar 04711 (Almeria)

Tlf. 950 609 546

The sun shone for part of the day but was obscured by clouds from time to time. We had a light breeze throughout the day while we played a Yellow Ball competition with 2 hidden holes.

28 golfers including 3 guests took part on a course that is continuing to improve following the winter season where it was a little brown but very playable. The course was probably in the best condition for a number of years over the winter just gone. However it gets greener and tougher once summer approaches. The greens are improving following the recent hollow tining and top dressing. Also, it looks like the overnight temperatures are on the up again so it will not be long before the summer growing grass is turning the fairways green again.

The winners this week with a team score of 126 points were Hans Ooft (chocolates last week), Jan Ljung, Steve Bradbury and Christine Perkins. All 4 players scored more than 30 points individually but none of them beat their handicap.

Last place and chocolates went to Sune Jönsson, Marianne Liljedahl and their two guests Helena and Roger with 102 points. They should count themselves unlucky as the last time a team scoring more than 100 points got the chocolates in a Yellow Ball competition was July 2012.

Nearest the pin was won by Lawrence with a distance of 0.92m. He sank the putt for a birdie and 4 points that doubled to 8 points for the team as he had the yellow ball.

Thanks to John Fielding for helping organise the prize giving this week. John Fielding and Jacqui Mays sorted out the cards and John Woodhead handed out the prizes for a change.

We had 4 players who played better than their handicap. John Fielding had 42 points and a 2 shot cut to his sloped handicap. John Flynn had 41 points and also had a 2 shot cut to his sloped handicap. Mimmo Pettinicchio had 38 points and lost a shot off his sloped handicap. Finally, Jacqui Mays scored 37 points and lost 0.3 off her exact handicap but didn’t get a cut on her sloped handicap.

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

BAR CAFETERIA

EL FAROL

New Bar - Very Different - All Welcome Breakfasts, Tapas, Racions, Cakes, Pancakes C/ Fragata, no10 Plaza Batel (Almerimar) Tlf: 950 60 92 57

elfaroldeflor

@elfaroldeflor

what’s on Wednesday

Sol Times Distributed

Thursday

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

Friday

stumble inn - live entertainment 9pm Friday Golf LEO’S - FISH’N’CHIPS

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

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

Tuesday

Tuesday Golf

------------------------------------------------------------

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

------------------------------------------------------------

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

El Ejido 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 MAY 2013

Reports & PHOTOS by Martin Shortland news update ‘Roquetas In White’

Attracts Thousands To Town Centre

An event organised by the Merchants Association of Roquetas filled the streets of the town on Saturday.

The theme was white and all the participating retailers dressed their shops – and themselves – accordingly; white balloons and streamers were everywhere. The day was designed to bring more people into the town centre and persuade them to spend some money!

Fifty shops took part and they all did their bit in making it a fun day for the whole family. There were DJ’s, childrens entertainers, workshops, demonstrations, fashion shows and even a free massage on offer. On

11

Seven Arrested In Connection With Stumble Inn Robbery

Police in El Ejido have arrested seven men in connection with a string of armed robberies committed in the last month. The men are alleged to have carried out the attacks on a tobacconists shop and four bars, one of which is in Almerimar. In all, a total of almost 6,000 euros was taken. Two of the detainees are of minor age and are being held in a youth detention centre, the others are on remand in prison, their ages ranging between sixteen and twenty one.

the big stage in the middle of San Carlos street, live bands, dancers and magicians performed in the warm sunshine.

During the evening, a grand draw took place with 2,500 euros worth of vouchers given away. The Merchants Association reported high numbers of people visiting during the day, although attendance levels dropped off through the evening. In general, they were very pleased with how well the day went and intend to promote similar days in the future.

The series of burglaries were particularly violent; the perpetrators wore hoods and black masks and were armed with knives, a baseball bat and a gun. In each of the attacks, they threatened members of staff if they offered any resistance. In the last robbery at the English owned Stumble Inn on the quay in Almerimar, the robbers got away with 2,000 euros after assaulting one of the employees. A stolen vehicle used by the gang was later found burnt out near El Ejido.

Six of the suspects were under police surveillance prior to their arrests at various locations in El Ejido; the other man was already in custody on suspicion of committing a robbery at a farmhouse near Berja. A starting pistol used by the gang and a mobile phone belonging to one of the victims were recovered, but none of the money has yet been found. The men are expected to go to trial next month.

The Charity Shop http://www.petebarnesphotography.co.uk/

Calle Galera No6, Almerimar (Behind Bar Ankara)

Please help me find my forever family!

Moe has started his vaccinations and has a foster home with the association until he can find his FOREVER family

Moe

On Your Motor Bike

The streets of Roquetas and the surrounding area will throb to the sound of hundreds of motorbikes at the end of the month. A huge rally is being planned to take place on 31st May and 1st/2nd June. Organiser Santiago Gallego has already contacted over eighty motorcycle clubs around the country and is predicting up to a thousand enthusiasts could attend the three day event.

The meeting point and headquarters will be the Bellavista Hotel in the urbanisation, where a party with live music will take place on Saturday night. On Friday, the evening entertainment will centre at The Newton Pub, again with live music, beer tasting and food. The Sunday night venue has yet to be confirmed, but will be another well known bar in the urbanisation. All the

parties will be open to the public and are free to enter.

During the day, they have trips planned for Aguadulce, Roquetas town and Almerimar.

Santiago Gallego said, “This is the perfect place to hold our event, with lots of different areas to visit every day and some excellent venues to hold our parties at night.” He pointed out that many people consider bike riders to be unruly and badly behaved, saying, “The impression given of bikers in films is not good and mostly exaggerated. The people attending this rally will all be motorcycle enthusiasts from registered clubs, they just love riding bikes and meeting up with other like minded people to have a good time.” More information is available by e-mailing: info@4rosasproducciones.com

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

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

Upholstery

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

Tel: 692 17 60 69

12

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

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

For you and your husband or you & your friend - together

Facials only 10€ 1 Week free trial Hopi Ear Candle only 12.50€ for men and Back Massage only 15€ women on the Or all 3 for 35€ toning tables

Appointments necessary - treatments take approx 1 hour per couple For more information call Sophias on 950 449 451 email: info@sophias.es or call in to see us in Arboleas

www.sophias.es

centro óptico

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

A Months Supply of One-Day Lenses

Hard of Hearing?

Come and have a free test!!

Only €18.90

All accessories & various models available

1 pair

Graduated Lenses

€56

Get Your Eyes Tested 28€ Single Vision For 96 € Varifocal FREE!

2 pairs:

€93

30% discount 30% discount off all for OAPs

elax evive

open 9-3pm Mon-Fri

Designer Sunglasses

ejuvenate retreat elax El Cucador

ALL OUR BEAUTY & MASSAGE THERAPISTS ARE FULLY UK TRAINED THURSDAY’S 9AM - 3PM Half hour back, neck & shoulder massage 10€ FULL RANGE OF TREATMENTS BEAUTY THERAPIST

ABIGAILE

9am - 3pm Delux manicure (inc paraffin wax) & Gel Polish 30€

TEL: 632 779 082

Relaxation Class WITH LIZ HILL on Tuesday afternoons Tuesday Afternoons ALL WELCOME Call Liz for details:

667 979 445

Fridays 9.30am - 6pm Get yourself ready for the summer Luxury Facial 26€ Luxury Pedicure 18€

MELISSA

Monday to Friday

TEL: 626 144 680

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

Eyebrow

sandra

Wax & Tint & Eyelash Tint 14€

TEL: 661 858 949 DR HELENA BENSON

DIRECT FROM UK: frown lines & fillers - next clinic in June - call to book your appointment 647 379 878

ALMERIA ANGELS WELLNESS CLINIC

held Monthly on a Monday - call for next date: 647 407 288

A FULL TREATMENT LIST & PRICES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE Rretreat OR BY EMAILING: retreatcucador@gmail.com We are a self-contained private suite of rooms on the right hand side of La Vida Bar, El Cucador, with its own entrance, plus disabled access and good parking

ASSSA - your private health insurer in Spain

INVEST IN YOUR HEALTH! www.asssa.es – info@asssa.es

Currently, many European citizens are experiencing changes that are being brought in as a result of the crisis in Spain.

Seminars are currently being held throughout our region, to more fully inform British Expats in the correct use of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The card gives the holder access to necessary care during a temporary stay in Spain. The cards can only be used within the Spanish state system – not Private Healthcare facilities. Those entitled to use this card could be Holidaymakers from the UK having a second home in Spain, UK Students on study courses in Spain and UK workers on a work transfer to Spain, for example.

The EHIC is not the correct vehicle for obtaining routine medical assistance for those persons who may consider themselves to be “temporarily” living in Spain – but nevertheless, reside here for the main part or even all of the year. These persons should be registered to access state healthcare in an entirely different way in order to make sure that they are fully protected. Where you apply for your registration documents depends on which country is ultimately responsible for your healthcare; either the UK via the reciprocal agreement with Spain (early retirees for the first 2 ½ years after leaving the UK; Pensioners & those on UK state benefits) or the Spanish INSS office (those employed or previously employed & having paid contributions in Spain; those with Residency certificates issued prior to 24th April 2012.)

Naturally, there will be some persons who will discover that they have no automatic entitlement to healthcare provision from either Spain or the UK, simply because for many years they have paid no contributions in either country. These persons would do well to remember that they risk a large personal bill for treatments if they become ill or hospitalized in Spain. In such circumstances it would be wise to invest in a Private Healthcare policy to avoid such an unpleasant shock.

Even some Private Health Insurance companies have become victims of the crisis and have been bought out by other companies. Their insured clients must then adjust to seeing new doctors, because the doctor that they previously used, no longer works with the new company. Our company ASSSA offers an easy transfer into our company, to include very special conditions on transfer. For example, we eliminate any of the usual waiting periods on commencement amongst others - a particularly favorable option for those concerned.

Are you in such a situation? Would you consider private health insurance with ASSSA, to enable you to visit English speaking specialists and doctors of your choice in Spain? You may already be privately insured but dissatisfied due to premium increases, new GP´s who are unknown to you; no contact person who speaks your language and no customer service office in your area?

Invest in your health! ASSSA offers fair advice and tailor-made solutions with special conditions ASSSA - Experience, Expertise & Customer Service

Experienced, friendly and multilingual staff will fully inform you without obligation about ASSSA insurances and our various services. Our philosophy is transparency: all of your questions are answered openly and honestly. Many customers come to us on the recommendation of insured persons who appreciate our knowledgeable, caring customer service. With ASSSA, you have a contact person in your area who speaks your language, helps you if you have any questions and is always available with help and advice.

Our Doctors and Clinics

We offer our clients the most comprehensive Medical Directory with the best private clinics, general - and specialist physicians. You will also find many English speaking doctors in our medical directory.

Quality insurance

We offer flexible health insurance levels - depending on the medical requirements and financial expectations of our customers – from the supplementary insurance (from €44.25 per month) up to a more fully comprehensive insurance (from €85 per month). In addition, we have the following offers valid to 30/06/2013: 10%-12% discount on the entire contract lifetime period; 50% discount for insured children up to the age of 16; convenient monthly payments without any extra charge. For our dental insurance policies, we offer up to 20% off (starting at €68 per year). And very important: No premium increase due to age

Insure your health!

Visit us for a chat and without any obligation, receive a personal premium calculation. Our employees will be pleased to answer all your questions.

Opening hours: Mon to Fri: 09: 30-13: 30, later appointments or home visits by arrangement.

We look forward to your visit!

Customer service office: VERA Tel: 950 392 487 Louise Zarb - vera@asssa.es

advertising feature

Sophias Spring Couples treat

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

13

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

Can simply clenching a fist boost memory?

Clenching your fist could be enough to help you get a grip on your memory.

Research suggests that balling up the right hand and squeezing it tightly actually makes it easier to memorise lists. Later, when it is time to retrieve the information, it is the left hand that should be clenched. It is thought the movements activate brain regions key to the storing and recall of memories.

The American researchers suggest those who are short of a pen and paper should try the trick when attempting to commit a shopping list or phone number to memory. In the study, volunteers were given a rubber ball and asked to squeeze it as hard as possible before trying to memorise a list of 72 words. They squeezed the ball again a couple of minutes later, ahead of recollecting as many of the words as possible.

One group used their right hand on both occasions, another their left. A third group clenched their right fist ahead of memorising and

their left ahead of recall and a fourth did the reverse. A fifth group held the ball but did not squeeze it.

Those who squeezed with their right hand, followed by their left, remembered the most words. The next best were the volunteers who made a fist with their right hand both times, while those who didn’t squeeze at all did better than those who led with their left.

It is thought that the movement of clenching the right fist activates a brain region that is involved in storing memories, while squeezing the left hand triggers an area that is key to retrieving information.

Lead researcher Dr Ruth Propper said: ‘The findings suggest that simple body movements – by temporarily changing the way the brain functions – can improve memory.’

More research is needed to see if other types of memory can be boosted – and if left-handers also benefit from the trick.

NUTS: important for child bone health

Parents have long been advised to feed their children enough milk and other calcium-rich foods for good bone health, but new research has shown that pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate, salmon and almonds may be just as important.

The study, presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting in Washington DC, found that foods rich in magnesium play an important role in building bones.

‘Lots of nutrients are key for children to have healthy bones and one of these appears to be magnesium,’ said lead author Steven Abrams, professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

‘Calcium is important, but, except for those children and adolescents with very low intakes, may not be more important than magnesium.’

While it is known that magnesium is important for bone health in adults, few studies have looked at whether magnesium intake is related to bone mineral content in young children.

Researchers recruited 63 healthy children

aged between four and eight years old who were not taking any multivitamins or minerals to participate in the study. All children kept food diaries throughout the research. Children were hospitalized overnight twice so their calcium and magnesium levels could be measured.

All foods and drinks served during their hospital stay contained the same amount of calcium and magnesium they consumed in a typical day based on the children’s diaries.

The meals and drinks were weighed before and after each meal to determine how much calcium and magnesium the children actually consumed.

In addition to this, parents were given weighing scales to measure their child’s food intake for three days at home after the first hospital stay, and for three days at home prior to the second inpatient stay. This was to ensure that dietary intake of calcium and magnesium could be calculated accurately.

While hospitalised, children’s levels of calcium and magnesium were measured using a technique that involved giving them non-radioactive forms of magnesium

kim clark benefits consultancy Do you suffer from mobility problems, breathlessness/pain or falls/stumbles?

and calcium, called stable intravenously and orally.

You could be entitled to extra income by claiming UK sickness / disabililty benefits while living in Spain

Results showed that the amounts of magnesium consumed and absorbed were key predictors of how much bone children had. Dietary calcium intake, however, was not significantly associated with total bone mineral content or density: ‘We believe it is important for children to have a balanced, healthy diet with good sources of minerals, including both calcium and magnesium,’ Dr. Abrams concluded.

MAGNESIUM-RICH FOODS Pumpkin seeds; Oats; Dark chocolate; Almonds; Cashew nuts; Yoghurt; Lentils; Bananas; Green leafy vegetables.

Dra Monica Algañaraz Over 40 years experience in physiotherapy and osteopathic treatment. General postural assessment and holistic health checks available English spoken

For advice or to book a consultation call 950 169 729 or 663 297 568 or visit www.ukbenefitsinspain.com

Psoriasis Eczema Cleared

...and other skin complaints Latest Treatment As Seen On TV No More Itching or Messy Creams

Free consultation Call: 662 252 506 www.psoriasisspain.com

For more information or appointments call 695 355 381 monica@centrophysis.net www.centrophysis.net Ctra. Baja no. 29A 1o c. Olula Del Rio

Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 9.30am - 5.30pm Saturday 9.30am - 2.00pm Walk in service, no appointments needed Camposol Sector B, opposite TJ Electricals

Tel: 664 051 612

isotopes,

Their urine was collected for 72 hours. By measuring the stable isotopes in the urine, the researchers could work out how much calcium and magnesium was absorbed into the body. Bone mineral content and density were measured using a special technique called total body dual-energy Xray absorptiometry.

Do you need help washing / dressing or supervision?

Dry Cuts €8

Senior Gentlemen €6 Wash and Cut €12 Dry Cut and Sculpturing €8 Children under 5 years €5 Children under 16 years €7 Ladies Dry Cut €8 Hot Towel Shave €20 Highlights €29

hair & beauty

here comes summer! now’s the time for those sun-kissed blonde hi-lites

keep your hair in tip-top condition with a trim & deep conditioning treatment

shellac nails or pedicure now available call for special offers!

exciting opportunity for a fully-qualified hair stylist to rent a chair in a very busy salon call donna today!

Mon: 9.30am-3pm Tue-Fri: 9.30am-5pm Sat: 10am-2pm

950 930 167 or 628 669 456 located opposite Pricebusters

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

Tel. 629 289 385

for info and appointments

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

UK Registered - Treating

Sciatica - Back Pain - Sports Injuries Digestive and Cardiovascular Disorders Headaches - Arthritis - Skin Conditions Centro Cueva Del Lobo Paseo Mediterraneo 10, Mojacar Beach Centro Medico Indalo C/ Manuel Azaña, Almeria

14

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

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

COMPLETE HOLIDAY CARE MOJACAR PLAYA

“English spoken”

Deborah Cubel fisher

“on parle francais”

7 years experience in this area legal & fiscal advice for residents & non-residents Tax Payments and refunds

• Wills and Inheritance process • Translations / Interpreter • NIE’s, Residencia, Medical Cards....

• Purchase / Sale private contracts • Vehicle registration / driving • Land property and Catastro registration licenses licenses • Conveyancing / Notorial documents • Mortgages • Taxes (local rates, rubbish collection, vehicle, tax returns for residents and non residents and refund of the capital gains tax)

Special offer !!!

RENTALS - SALES -MANAGEMENT - MAINTENANCE “We have 15 years experience of the local coastal property market, with an unrivalled reputation for reliable, honest advice and value for money and we urgently need more properties to sell and rent.

We believe our commission charges are unbeatable - check us out.”

Ref:LA/GK - 3 bed 1st fl. apt, 3 pools & gardens. 300m to beach, tennis, lift

Ref. BG/GAV – Price to sell 1 bed apt, modernised ,beach 100m, A/C, terrace.

Ref: pr/Mg 2 bed 1.5 bath, 1st floor apt, terraces, solaruim, a/c, nr beach, pool

Ref: OA/HM Stunning 2 bed, 2 bath apart. on Oasis de Mar, solaruim, pool

MOJACAR - reduced €124,950

MOJACAR - REDUCED €49,950

Wills €125 / each Including Notary Fee

Yearly contract €149 Including VAT 21%

• Yearlytax returns (no increase if more than one owner, or more than one property) • Legal and fiscal advice FREE throughout the year • Free assistance / advice for any visitors staying at your property • Free visit from a technician / architect to offer independent expertise on matter such as: putting in insurance claims, confirmation of the legality of an extension / building work, free estimate for any work to be carried out

If you introduce another client to us you will not be charged your next annual fee

C/ del Mar, 33 - Galeria Alcana Local 11 Vera 04620 (Almeria) Tel: 950 39 06 21 Fax: 950 39 02 12 email: dcasesores@notin.net

Introducing T. J Carpentry

& HARLEQUIN KITCHENS

Our bespoke kitchen cabinets are manufactured and pre-assembled in our workshop using 18mm colour matched board with a solid back panel.

As well as our huge range of kitchen door colours and styles we have a huge range of worktops, solid wooden block, granite and laminate are available.

As with all our products our kitchen units can be manufactured any size. All cabinets, as well as any storage options are purpose made to your requirements.We have no set size doors widths or heights.

We offer a design, manufacture & installation service with an exceptional level of quality & service at a competitive price. We are able to design, manufacture & install a huge range of kitchen furniture to suit your needs, with over 700 door styles & colour combinations we cater for every taste tradition to modern.

We have something for everyone & remember its manufactured to your requirements.

For a FREE home measure & quotation please contact Trevor on

619 584 405

Based in Albox, but will cover all areas

MOJACAR - reduced €84,950

MOJACAR - NEW €169,950

Prices stated are fixed for 7 days mininum from the time of going to press, include sales commission and exclude taxes and notary or other legal charges and fees

Paseo del Mediterraneo 19, Mojacar Playa, Almeria (near the Hotel Best Indalo)

Tel: 950 478 612 / 610 808 631 

info@almeriaholidays.com

www.almeriaholidays.com

British Bedding

In Spain NEW

SERVICE

We now deliver your order to The Sol Times office in Los Carasoles near Cucador

for just 5€ Please call for more information

• Pillows, Protectors, Quilts & Toppers • Quilt Covers, Bedspreads & Blankets • Sheets, Valances & Pillowcases • Towels, Bath Mats & Shower Curtains

• Curtains, Voiles & Blinds • Poles, Track & Accessories • Throws, Runners, Rugs, Cushions • Tablecloths, Placemats, Coasters & Trays

Closer than you think the

yorkshire linen co.

home furnishing specialists

Free parking above Mercadona, opposite Lidl Monday to Friday 10.00 - 18.00, Saturday 10.00 - 14.00 Centro Comercial la Pirámide, Puerto de Mazarrón, Murcia Call: 968 595 946 / 650 857 619 www.yorkshirelinen.com - ylcmazarron@hotmail.com

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

15

LEGAL CORNER WITH MICHAEL DAVIES, ABOGADO/SOLICITOR

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

Q. Is this the right time to purchase in Spain?

A. This is not a legal query, but we frequently receive e-mails with precisely this question.

Nobody has the magic ball to know for certain what will happen in the next year or two, but their is no doubt that their are extremely good opportunities and that it is presently a buyers market.

Their are definitely many more transactions happening this year in Almería compared to last year . Those who where waiting to purchase have realised that they cannot wait fore ever and the sellers have reduced their price expectations in line with the market.

The bank are also offering properties at greatly reduced prices, with generous finance if you purchase one of their properties.

The market though is full of disparity regarding prices. In the same estate agent´s windows you will find properties with prices more appropriate for 2007 then 2013, and yet in the same window you will find a property priced by a motivated seller at a reduction of 50% on the 2007 prices.

As long as you have the patience and are prepared to put some work into the property hunt I would say that is is an excellent time to purchase a property in Almeria 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.

Established since 1969

DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A FUNERAL PLAN ?

IS IT A FIXED PRICE ?....

Some companies may charge extra at the time of need

ARE THE SERVICES FULLY GUARANTEED ? .... will you get everything specified in your plan

IS THERE A 24 HOUR LOCAL BEREAVEMENT LINE ?.... or will you have to phone overseas

CAN YOU TRANSFER THE PLAN IF YOU RELOCATE ?.... does it cover all E.U. countries including U.K.

ARE YOUR FUNDS TOTALLY SAFE ?....

or are they subject to the fluctuations of the stock market like trust funds

ARE YOU COVERED IN SPAIN AND THE U.K. ?....

Insurances generally only cover you in the country of residence We advise people to check terms and conditions fully before choosing a plan provider

WITH A FUNERAL PLAN FROM IBERIAN YOU CAN SAY YES TO ALL OF THE ABOVE QUESTIONS PLUS LOOK AT THESE EXTRA BENEFITS TOTALLY FREE OF IVA/VAT 5 YEARS INTEREST FREE INSTALMENT OPTION PRICES FROM 48.16€ PER MONTH ** THE PRICE YOU SEE IS THE PRICE YOU PAY ** PRICES BASED ON A DEPOSIT OF 500€ FOLLOWED BY 60 MONTHLY PAYMENTS FLEXIBLE PAYMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION TELEPHONE 952 595 691 OR

Visit www.iberianfuneralplans.com

Salva d o r

Gestoria

ACCOUNTANCY, TAX & LEGAL ADVICE

Taxes for Businesses & Individuals Payroll and Social Security Services for residents & non-residents Vehicle Transfer & Matriculation NEW OFFICE OPENING IN MOJACAR Manager Required ...The individual must have experience in tax consultancy, legal work, book keeping and other administrative services.

Spanish and English speaking essential.

An additional language is advantageous

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

16

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

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

Villa with pool and garage in Mojácar playa

€269,000

Very attractive and immaculately kept detached Villa set in “Vista Los Angeles”, a well sought after area of Mojacar Playa within a short walking distance to the beaches, shops and restaurants.

All in all the property has a total built area of 210.61 mts2, built on three levels on a 500 mts2 freehold plot. The lower part of the house is comprised of a garage with 42.05 mts2. There is also off street parking for at least two cars apart from the garage. The ground floor has a built area

of 94.35 mts2 distributed between porch, stairwell with access to the lower and upper part of the house, cloakroom, living / dining room, master bedroom with an ensuite bathroom, large kitchen, terrace and utility area. The upper level has a built area of 74.21 mts2 distributed between hallway, three double bedrooms, family bathroom and two terraces. The bedrooms have built in wardrobes and direct access to a terrace, the house benefits from south facing private swimming pool, private

garden and also a west facing large courtyard / terrace. It has central gas heating throughout and two of the bedrooms and the lounge also benefit from air conditioning. A property in such a desirable area and at this reduced price does not come to the market very often, even in today’s market condition!!

For more information or to book a viewing appointment please visit our office or contact us via phone or e-mail. Ref: 1495

Paseo del Mediterraneo 197 - Mojacar - Almeria

Tel: 950 472 430 / 610 053 563

O

property group

Bedar, 04288 (next to Miramar Restaurant)

Tel: 607 705 085 or 687 938 466

Olive

Email: info@olivehouse-es.com

www.olivehouse-es.com

Monday - Friday 10am - 3.30pm

Sales office now open in Bedar

OLV692

LUBRIN

...it’s all in the detail

OLV360

349.950€

LOS GALLARDOS

This detached 3 bed , one storey villa is located 10 minutes from the beaches of Mojacar, less than 5 minutes from the motorway and walking distance to the nearest village. It was newly built several years ago with its own private pool.

235,000€

129,950€

OLV262

9th Year on El Real!

BEDAR

This new 2 bedroom townhouse situated in a great location over looking the townhall and main square in Bedar. The property boasts incredible views of the village and coast.

This rare 4 bedroom property is totally unique set in 10,000m2 of land this reformed Olive Press is located in a beautiful hamlet 5 minutes drive from the popular market town of Lubrin

OLV678

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

LUBRIN

This quaint 2 bedroom townhouse is in the centre of Lubrin village, walking distance from the main square and amenities, an excellent holiday “lock up and leave”.

Sold fully furnished and air conditioned.

49,950€

car ports / pergolas

Specialists in Folding, Sliding & Glass Curtain Systems

glass curtains

fly free enclosures

Guttering Installed or DIY Insect Screening for any area

Parque Ind El Real, Calle El Garcel 11, Antas, Exit 534 E15 Autovia

Tel: 950 459 060 M. 638 063 196 / 649 482 677 info@lifestyle-enclosures.com Find www.lifestyle-enclosures.com us on

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

property of the week ref.599

villaricos

98.950€ Charming apartment in

excellent condition with roof terraces giving wonderful sea views, only 50metres to the beach. 2 double beds,1 bath, air-con - hot and cold.

Underground private parking and swimming pool, fully furnished.

98.950€ REF.590

bedar

329.000€

REF.598

turre

115.000€

REF.586

mojacar

124.950€

bargain

bargain

A superb detached cortijo, very good condition, full of rustic character & charm, set on a private plot. Beautiful views & amazing swimming pool. Peaceful, edge-of-village location. 3 beds, 3 baths, 310m2 built, 3,250m2 plot, 60m2 garage. Excellent property.

Beautiful new villa with beautiful mountain views, 70m built on a 400m2 plot, 2 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, huge sun terrace, private drive way, space for a pool, on 2 floors, pre-installed A/C, reduced from 215.000€, absolute bargain.

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

REF.580

REF.563 los gallardos 299.000€

REF.560

san juan

260.000€

mojacar

98.000€

bargain

In the heart of San Juan de los Terreros, bright villa, 119m2 built on a 300m2 plot, private swimming pool in the garden, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, independent kitchen, sea and mountain views, in an excellent condition, mature garden, A/C, electric gates.

Large detached bungalow, of 190m2 built on a 11.000m2 plot, private swimming pool in the garden, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, independent large kitchen, sea and mountain views, in an excellent condition, mature garden, A/C, electric gates, very large covered terraces.

Well represented golf apartment with 3 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en-

REF.568

REF.597

REF.600

sorbas

155.000€

turre

130.000€

suite), with beautiful sea views, fullyequipped kitchen & laundry room, living/ dining room, 2 beautiful pools, fully furnished, very easy access.

lubrin

199.000€

bargain

Fantastic country house in very good condition set in a peaceful but not isolated location.5 beds,3 baths,2 lounges, double garage,278m2 built,2,600m2 plot with olive and fruit trees.25 mins to the coast.

REF.603

garrucha

59.000€

Bargain, beautiful new villa with beautiful mountain views, 100m built on a 400m2 plot, 3 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, huge sun terrace, private drive way, space for a pool, on 2 floors, pre-installed A/C, reduced from 230.000€, absolute bargain.

A beautiful cortijo in very good condition, offering very spacious accommodation, set in an idyllic, tranquil location with stunning views. 242m2 built, 845m2 plot, 4 beds, 4 baths, including separate studio,3 more rooms can be converted, terraces & patios, space for pool.

REF.604

REF.605

arboleas

159.950€

las negras

220.000€

Beautiful and spacious 1st floor,1 bed apartment in immaculate condition. Air-

Excellent villa full of character and charm,offering spacious accommodation and

Superb opportunity - new duplex direct from the bank - 3 beds,2 baths, swimming

con (hot & cold).sold fully furnished. Fitted kitchen, small balcony off lounge,

set on a wonderful plot of 5,000m2 with spectacular views.3 beds,2 baths,top

pool, garden, terrace, garage, storage room. Small complex, only a few minutes’

communal roof terrace. Very nice building with lift and easy parking.

quality construction and materials.15 mins to Arboleas.

walk to the beach.100% mortgage available.

17

18

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

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

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

19

Writers Abroad Anthology 2013 - Call for Submissions Short Stories, Non-Fiction Articles and Poetry Organised by expat writers group - ‘Writers Abroad’

Writers Abroad will be publishing their fourth anthology, with the working title of Far Flung and Foreign and are seeking submissions of short stories, flash fiction, non-fiction pieces and poetry on the theme of foreign places, which must be firmly grounded in a particular place such as a country, area, town, village, building. The anthology will be print published and later available as an e-book.

This year Writers Abroad will be donating all profits made to the charity: Book Aid International. Book Aid International increases access to books and supports literacy, education and development in sub-Saharan Africa. They provided 543,280 new books to over 2,000 libraries last year alone and have sent more than 30 million books to partner libraries since 1954. Author Amanda Hodgkinson will be writing the foreword. Amanda currently lives in the south west of France with her family. Her debut novel, 22 Britannia Road, was released in April 2011.

To see our previous Anthologies (2010, 2011 & 2012) please visit Writers Abroad: www.writersabroad.com Submission and Entry Rules Please read carefully as submissions may be rejected if they don’t comply: • Contributors must be expat or former expat writers who are living or have lived outside their country of origin. Merely travelling does not apply • Word Count: Fiction – 1700 words; Flash Fiction - 500 words;

Spruce up those Terraces and Patios: SUMMER is nearly upon us. Now is the time to start thinking of sprucing up your outside areas. Iron Art Factory Outlets may just have the answer for you. Their product range grows weekly with regular deliveries from overseas resulting in one of the largest displays of stock in the area. As well as the favourites such as the classic Rattan, and Cast Aluminum ranges you can also see the NEW Grade A Teak furniture, space saving cube sets and more.

New Gazebos are expected in shortly, seen as an asset in the oncoming hot months, providing extra outside living space. A

• • • • • • •

•

• • •

Non-Fiction –1000 words; Poems - 30 lines. Entries above these specifications will be disqualified All submissions must be previously unpublished either in print or online Submissions will accepted from 1st May 2013 until midnight July 31st 2013 Manuscripts must be submitted via the link to Submittable at Writers Abroad Submissions must be in English Pornography or racism will not be accepted Entries are free - Only one entry per author Each author should include a third person biography of a maximum of 40 words, which includes information about their expat status and website/blog address Successful authors will be informed within two weeks after the closing date: We cannot provide feedback on submissions, but successful stories may be edited and authors required to make minor changes for publication purposes Copyright will remain with the author and the stories will be published in an anthology in a number of formats All entrants must be over 18.

Queries can be made only via the contact button on the Submissions page via the website

large selection of lanterns, candles, wall art and clocks provide those finishing touches.

They are always ahead of the game by listening to their customers, resulting in the purchase of leather suites/chairs, followed by their fabric range all at sensible prices.

To compliment the indoor furniture you can also find a selection of rugs, lamps, cushions, mirrors and pictures.

Eileen, Pete & Adele: Iron Art Factory Outlets, Antas www.ironartfactoryoutlet.com ~ ironartantas@yahoo.co.uk Tel 637 259 033

Charity Charity Fayre Fayre

Wednesday 29th May 10-2pm

Entertainment with Kris Kelly

Corner Suite €599

Sunloungers €89 each

Fabric Corner Suite €399

Conversation Set €599

Tel: 637 259 033 www.ironartfactoryoutlet.com El Real Industrial estate

Mon - Fri 10am - 5pm

Sat 10am - 2pm

indoor market OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP YOU HERE IN SPAIN

RENT A STALL / INDOOR SHOP

From as little as €75 per. month next auction saturday 11th may 11am (viewing Thursay & Friday afternoon) NEW LOOK MERCAMUNDO, ARBOLEAS

Tel: 637 184 625

Open Mon-Sat 10am-3pm Thurs-Fri 6pm-8:30pm

Phone Eddy 637 184 625 / 634 368 430 Arboleas poligono - opposite mora oil

20

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

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

Envia Golf and Playa Serena Golf

Jim Shaw, who lives in Roquetas, pictured here with 14 pals who visit regularly to play a golf tournament at Envia Golf and Playa Serena Golf

’s t I , c i t a Ladies Do Lunch m o t u A s I r a This C , c i t a m o r d y H ’s t I , c Systemati

! ightning L It’s Greased

Fans of the world famous musical Grease will be in for a treat when a touring version of the hit musical visits Roquetas in just seven days time. It’s been forty years since the show first appeared on Broadway, before storming the West End and going on to tour around the world.

Most people associate John Travolta and Olivia Newton John as the two lead characters Danny and Sandie, from the 1979 film, but it is the stage version which has played to more audiences in more languages and more countries than any other musical.

This current version was premiered in Barcelona in 2011and has been on the road ever since, playing to packed theatres throughout Spain. It’s a more up to date version than the original, containing all the old favourite songs and some new ones as well; the singing and choreography is quite spectacular.

The musical gets its name from the subculture of youth groups of the 1950’s, whose members were known as greasers. Set in Rydell High School, it follows the adventures of a group of teenagers where love, cars and racing dominate their lives.

With a cast of forty, a ten piece band, stunning stage sets and lighting, this fabulous two and a half hour extravaganza will have everyone dancing in the aisles! Maria Dolores Ortega, councillor for culture, expressed her excitement at a press launch for the show last week, she said, “We are extremely pleased to have been able to bring this spectacular production to Roquetas and have tried to keep the prices at a reasonable level, so as many people can enjoy this great musical.”

The show is at the Auditorium Theatre from 16th to 19th May. There is one performance on the 16th and thereafter two shows a day, at 6 pm and 9.30 pm. Tickets are priced at 37 and 40 euros; more details about the show and information about bookings can be obtained from the box office.

3rd May at Bar Southern. Wow what a success, 22 ladies, and what a great time had by all, lots of good food and laughs that spilled over into the evening. A big thank you to Kevin for supplying the quiz and bingo after the meal. An even bigger thank you to all the girls that continue to support the event. Looking forward to seeing you all again at the next one on the 7 June.

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

WHAT A GOOD TRIP! (part one)

The Royal British Legion’s Roquetas De Mar Branch recently organised a coach tour to Marbella, Ronda, Antequera and Cordoba, 24th to 26th April 2013, in conjunction with ‘Pepe Tours’ of Roquetas De Mar. The adventure started at 0800 on Wednesday 24th April, when the large group headed off west along the scenic coastal road to Marbella for lunch, en-route to Ronda, where the group enjoyed lunch after a long drive. It was good to see Marbella in the sunshine, if a little windy.

A brief walk through the town took the group to the Marbella Paseo, where a menu-del-dia was well received and, a few wines.

The journey continued to Ronda up a very winding road through the Serrania de Ronda, which was climb of about 800 metres altitude from the coast (2,600ft).

Our guide, Veronique, kept the group informed of all points of interest during the climb up the mountains, which was a little hairy at times, to Ronda on the plateau at the top.

Ronda sits there surrounded by mountains and is well worth a visit, either by road or train from Algeciras / Gibraltar down on the coast, taking about one hour and thirty minutes. The train journey should be very scenic and is perhaps one trip for the future!

Pepe’s Tours had arranged for us to meet a guide, for three hours, but due to late running, we only had her services for two hours.

A good number went for a tour round the oldest bullring in Spain, the ‘Plaza de Toros de Ronda’, which dates back to the 18th century and is one of the most monumental existing

bullrings. It measures 66 metres in diameter!

It took six years to build, being opened in 1785, with a bullfight featuring Pedro Romero and Pepe Illo, one of the greatest matadors of the eighteenth century and no relation to Pepe Tours!

The famous Ronda bullring has a museum, which houses the Royal Saddlery from the house of Orleans and a collection of old firearms. Another venue worth visiting if you are in the area.

Other members of the group went to have a look around the town and see the amazing views from the bridge dividing the old, and new towns.

A few others simply sat and enjoyed

refreshments and soaked in the atmosphere, before setting off for a good night’s rest in Antequera .See attached photos of the various group photos and the bull!

Next week the journey continues to the Dolmen sites of Antequera, a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE and then on to Cordoba.

21

22

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

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

...take care of your pets...

THE HILTONS CATTERY

Our cattery is like no other, the purpose built roomy heated building is double insulated for warmth in the winter, cool in the summer, mosquito proofed, hygienically tiled and each very large private room is decorated in a homely manner with all the comforts of home. Our care for your pet is constant and personal with companionship for your cat assured.

We have over 15 year’s professional background in animal care. We are small and care for your cat the way we would like our own to be. For the pet lovers with dogs and other pets these can be accommodated for in our own spacious home with walled garden and treated as one of the family.

Our service is special, bookings are limited and pre-booking is recommended. Discounts are available for multi-cat owners.

Inspection is welcome and regular customer references are Pam & John available.

The Best Care There Is For Your Cat...

950 163 489

johnnyandpammy@yahoo.co.uk

woodhouse boarding kennels & cattery arboleas

Ken & Jackie

ministry approved

LUGGAGE SERVICE AVAILABLE

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

676 389 592

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

PET CHAUFFEURS PET TRANSPORT PEOPLE AND PETS

Dog & Cat Sitter service

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

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

Tracy 650 211 952

big or small... furry or feathered... young or old...

DEFRA COMPLIANT

TO OR FROM SPAIN / UK NO NONSENSE SET FEE FREE COLLECTION / DELIVERY (As far north as Manchester) DOOR TO DOOR / DAILY UPDATE

CATS £285 ANY SIZE DOG £345

DELIVERY AS FAR NORTH AS MANCHESTER

www.pet-chauffeurs.co.uk

email: info@pet-chauffeurs.co.uk

Tel: 0044 (0) 1323 301 991

Palomino Kennels

Exclusive Boarding Kennels/Cattery Glad t me to hey sent Pa Kenne ls whi lomino back t e they wen o t wet En cold & gland !

Offer a Warm, Friendly Environment in a secure Countryside Setting.

All Diet Requirements Catered for.

Daily Exercise in 10 Acre Estate, Vet on 24/7 standby.

(25 years Experience).

Call 662 668 423 or 950 067 051 www.palominokennels.com

Clinivet turre

Dra. Ellen Sobry

Clinivet now has a new digital x-ray which will provide a faster and higer quality of care to 0034 950 069 780 their furry 0034 626 171 999 Avenida de Almeria 1 www.clinivetturre.es Bis local 2, Edf la para, 04639 patients Turre, Almeria clinic@clinivet.eu

www.soltimes.com

Est 25yrs

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

PRICE BROWN PARTNERSHIP ESTATE AGENTS/INMOBILARIA - MOJACAR

SALES, RENTALS & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT VENTAS, ALQUILERES Y MANTENAMIENTO

119,995€ Huerta Nueva DV1269 299,995€ Pretty detached villa of 64m2 on 164m2 plot. 4 beds, 3 baths, allocated parking.

Furnished. Well maintained community gardens & pool and just a short drive to local towns, beaches a & golf.

Cabrera

DV1152 310,000 € Mojácar Playa DV1262 139,000€ Mojacar Playa LV660

Spacious & attractive detached house of 170m2 on a 2,441m2 plot with panoramic views to the sea. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms.

Private pool, terraces, gardens, storeroom & large garage. Furnished.

A very attractive 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom, detached villa of 138 m2 on 747 m2 with a 2 room/1 bathroom annexe. In superb order throughout. Garage, terraces, gardens & pool. Good sea views.

Lovely renovated south facing townhouse with ample terraces & solarium. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Hot & cold air conditioning & furnished. Off street parking. Less than 5 mins walk to the beach.

120,000€ Mojácar Playa A1149 179,995€ Mojácar Playa A1165 430,000€ Mojácar Playa DV1267 79,950€ Al Andalus, Vera A1159 A quality 1st floor apartment of 82m2 in a well kept popular community. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Parking & storeroom. Community pool with sea views. Furnished.

Lovely modernised townhouse of 60m2 + 20 m2 private terrace with sea views. 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom. Furnished. Pretty communal gardens & off street parking.

Less than 5 mins walk to the beach.

Beautifully situated detached villa of 293 m2 on 1,000m2 with superb sea views.

3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms. Covered & open terraces with pool. Garage, storeroom & much more.

Very attractive ground floor apartment of 63m2+ 42m2 private garden & terrace overlooking the superb community gardens. 2 bedrooms , 2 bathrooms.

Outdoor & heated indoor pools. Perfect holiday home.

149,500€ Mojácar Playa A1158 145,000€ Mojacar Playa LV662 125,000€ Mojácar Playa LV654 85,000€ Mojacar Playa LV652 Quality ground floor apartment of 85m2 + 37m2 on sought after front-line complex, overlooking the superb community gardens & pool. 2 beds, 2 baths, huge main terrace. Furnished. Allocated parking.

Lovely townhouse of 65m2+ 57m2 patio & garden. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms. Sea views from the upper terrace. Community pool with sea views. Furnished. Less than 5 mins walk to the beach.

Quality furnished townhouse of 86m2 on 117m2 less than 400m from the beach.

3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, terraces, garden & off street parking. Community gardens & pool on a secure complex.

Lovely modernised townhouse of 60m2 + 20 m2 private terrace with sea views. 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom. Furnished. Pretty communal gardens & off street parking.

Less than 5 mins walk to the beach.

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

rentals@pricebrown.com

Mondays 10.00 - 13.30 & 16.00 - 19.00 Tuesdays - Fridays 9.30 - 13.30 & 16.00 - 19.00 Members of the National Association of Estate Agents Overseas

All properties listed with Price Brown comply with the consumer protection act - decreto 218/2005 11 Octobre (Andalucia).

Members of the Agrupacion Tecnica Profesional

Prices are correct for 7 days from going to print for all properties on these pages

23

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

24

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

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

tel: 950 930 900 968 969 962

S.M.S. BUILDING MAINTENANCE

All Building Work Undertaken Solar Hot Water & Pool Heating Full Heating Installations Water Treatment Systems Water Deposits & Pumps

Solar Oil Gas Solid Fuel pellet

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

City & Guilds & ACS qualifications, CORGI registered with 10 years experience

Chris: 637 82 97 87 / 618 06 20 80 Gas & Oil Fired Central Heating - Gas Appliances Plumbing - Servicing - Repairs - Installations FREE QUOTATIONS & ADVICE

Garages, Patios, Boundary Walls, Cladding Driveways, Tiling plus more...

Painting & Decorating ( from 50€ per room including paint) Also All Exterior Painting and Damp-Proofing GUARANTEED TO BEAT ANY QUOTE For free estimate or advice please call Steve on 950 930 536 or 634 306 690

TYRE KING

David

665 517 643

The Best Deal for Miles

car - motorcycle - van - 4x4 - motorhome - quad - trailer - wheelbarrow

● All new tyres supplied have manufacturers warranty ● Computerised tracking including 4x4s ● While you wait service ● Motorbike tyre specialists balancing - computerised laser tracking - puncture Poligono El Real, Calle El Garcel F19, Antas - 950 459 253

Bugs

Mosquito Screens & Blinds

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

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

Tel: 600 049 515 Get The Best For Less

e: tyreking@ymail.com - Mon - Fri: 9.30 - 17.30

elite plant hire construction & drainage

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

Steve

610 905 173 valleyconstruction2008@gmail.com

Fully Legal & Experienced Builders All Building Work Undertaken No Job Too Big or Small!!

Phone or email for a no obligation quote

British Plasterer

• 8 years in Spain with 25 years experience • Quality work guaranteed • References available

• walls • paving • extensions • cladding

Digger Hire available

Tel: 634 327 201 / 661 129 028 Email: atpspain@gmail.com www.paulmorrison.es

references available

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

Clean Team

Domestic & Commercial Cleaning Services Quality Cleaning at an Affordable Price 100% Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed Regular or One-Off Service No Job Too Big or Too Small All Areas Covered

Holiday ers Change Ov

Tel: 950 930 527 & 646 341 575

m fro

€ 35 .0 0

www.cleanteamspain.com

Tel: 950 930 652 Mob: 634 332 502 E-mail: cleanteam.es@gmail.com

pucker plastering & tiling New Walls New Roofs Structual Alterations Damproofing and SIKA TANKING Specialist Guaranteed British quality internal plaster finish

covering all aspects of:

Rendering, Plastering, Floor Screeding, Morticem, Partition Walls, Tape & Joint, Dry-Lining, MF Ceilings, Re-Skims, Coving, Cornice & Mouldings 28 years Experience in the trade 9 years in Spain English & Spanish Fluent

697524238

puckerplastering@hotmail.com covering Baza to Mojacar

HIRE A HUSBAND

Professional, reliable, handy man available... ...for all the jobs he doesn’t get round to, including Van Removals, Painting Exterior/Interior, Small Plumbing Jobs, Shelves, Garden Clearance, All Outside Work - Walls, Stone Cladding, Rendering etc... Property Maintenance Good hourly/daily rate - 7 yrs in the area.

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

professional bricklayer Building for you Phone Gerard - 626 730

764

Brighten up your Walls!

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

Tel: 634 388 243

newallprints@hotmail.com

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

House Prices Fell by Over 13% in 2012

According to the Registrars, “the new tax changes – the end of tax deductions for home purchases and the increase in VAT from January 2013 – have not changed the fundamental trend of past years”, and they reported that the property transactions were distributed almost equally between new housing (49.9%) and used (50.08%).

El Economista reported that 8.12% of the house purchases recorded in Spain in 2012 were for foreign citizens, which is 6% more than in 2011 and the highest result of the last five years, next to that achieved in 2007 (8.2%).

Coastal regions have seen a higher percentage of home purchases by foreigners: the Balearic Islands (24.95%), the Canary Islands (22.11%), Valencia (18.01%), Murcia (11.24%), Catalonia (9.34%) and Andalusia (8.86%).

By nationality, these purchases were divided between British (16.6% of the total), French (9.9%), Russian (9.6%), German (7.9%), Belgian (6.5%), Norwegian (5.7%), Italian (4.9%) and Swedish (4.6%).

By type, opting to purchase a new home were the Dutch (58.6% of their total purchases), Russians (56.8%), Swedish (54.6%), Belgians (52.9%), Norwegian (52.8%) and British (52.1%). On the other hand, favouring used housing were the Algerians (70.4%), Moroccans (64.8%) and Chinese (64.5%).

In 2012, the average mortgage value stood at 105,421 euros, which is 9.7% less than a year earlier, putting it at 2003 levels, while the average interest

22.5% in 2007. The Registrars stressed: “Consequently we are seeing a strong reduction

in the housing investment component of the Spanish real estate market”.

Returning to UK?



£69,000 ono

MODERN PARKHOME (NW Leicestershire)

> 2 Fitted Bedrooms



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

> Large lounge/diner > Inclusive fitted kitchen > Luxury shower room/WC

UK: 01455 293603 

Email: ronlen@btinternet.com

swimming pools

pool sureste sl made with “Gunite” FREE Dolphin & Seal Mosiac Design on base of pool. Ask for details.

Al

property guide.... 

According to a report by Kero.com, this is reflected in the 2012 statistical real estate registry yearbook of the College of Property Registrars, where they estimate that house purchases fell by 10.6% last year – by 10.5% in private housing and by 10.7% in used housing – to 330,750 transactions.

rate on new loans was 4.08%, increasing over the last two years (3.72% in 2011 and 3.37% in 2010) despite significant reductions in the Euribor.

68.24% of the properties sold in 2012 were in the hands of their owners for more than five years, as compared to 64.74% in 2011 or 49.74% in 2009. At the other end of the spectrum were the sales of dwellings with less than two years of possession, which reached 13.64% in 2012, compared to



House prices in Spain fell by over 13% in 2012, even further than the declines registered in the years 2011 (-10.5%) and 2010 (-6.6%), and accumulated a drop in their value of around 30% since their peak levels in the first quarter of 2008.

25

l sh & SIZES apes eg.

8.500 €

8m.X 4m.

pool Repairs ~ Terraces ~ Pool Covers

968 461 404 - 630 810 299 E-mail: ppsl@ono.com www.poolsureste.com

O Olive

Bedar

Contact: 607 705 085 or 687 938 466

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

Open: Monday-Friday 10.00am-3.30pm

www.olivehouse-es.com

47,000€

Bargain price for Bedar village.

Brand new apartment, 2 bed, 1 bath with huge terrace, underground parking and fabulous sea views.

OLV428

Apartment For Sale on golf course

1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, kitchen with white goods, Nice views of golf course parking, Mojacar approx 7 mins

now only

€39,950

T: 664 291 793 jescott29@hotmail.co.uk

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

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

We Urgently Need Quality Properties Both For Sale & Rent We Have Clients Waiting...

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

Tel: 950 478 834

info@mojacarhomes.net

www.mojacarhomes.net

...CALL 950 121 936

EMAIL: SALES@SOLTIMES.COM

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

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

STANDARD CROSSWORD

coffee break

(6 ) 7 Stitched (4) 14 Respond (5) 16 What chocolate comes from (5) 18 Settle (8) 20 Happily (8) 21 P arts of a garment that cover the arms (7) 23 L apse (6) 25 A unit of instruction (6) 27 Genus of holly (4) 29 Male ruler (4)

5 Take responsibility for combined body part (8,5) 6 Significant theory won’t switch (10) 7 Pay nothing - I’m creating visual problem (6) 8 Submerged star-man? (6) 10 Chuck a girl in good time - one on big business? (13) 14 Don’t move, and remain up? (5,5) 17 Guess I’m inland (8) 18 Takes in unsliced mess (8) 21 Sailor with dodgy road on ship (6) 22 Car turns up, taken by Oscar the French prophet (6) 26 Tale of heroes again (4)

Down 1R elating to meaning of prose man ticketed (8) 2R ed otter surprisingly came back (8) 3 Slight feeling of resentment if kept in

by Mother and Father at first (4)

Very Hard!

SUDOKU PUZZLE CRYPTIC crossword

CROSSWORD

SOLUTIONS SUDOKU PUZZLE

Across 1 Sea creature of quiet lip at first, perhaps (6) 4 Miss Aunt Dotty waves (8) 9 Design car test one Friday (5) 10 Good MC to initially possess a deserted place (5,4) 11 Average man? (4) 12 Disgusting back of mule when it’s lost head and tail (4) 13 We take A15 and give up (5) 15 I rent Rocky I with a lack of activity (7) 16 Neurologist hides money (4) 19 Opposed to a tin potty (4) 20 See 23 23/ 20 MP, or is Prescott Blair’s head boy outside? (5,7) 24 A team’s deer (4) 25 Shakespeare’s shortened testament? (4) 27 Vicars hit new record keeper (9) 28 P rize for a hospital section? (5) 29 Wild glen made home (8) 30 C reatures arrived, then left on sunday (6)

HARD SUDOKU

stick (8) 26 Refute (8) 28 Lurks (6) 30 A juicy grittytextured fruit (4) 31 System of beliefs (5) 32 Solitary (4) Down 1 Exchange (4) 2 Saw (8) 3 Stings (6) 4 Improved or altered (7) 5 Not suitable (8) 6 Hogfish or razorfish

Sudoku is a placement puzzle. Enter the numbers 1 to 9 in each row and column of a grid, made up of 3 x 3 subgrids. The catch is that each row, column and grid must contain only one instance of each number or letter.

Across 8 Mop (4) 9 Refined woman (5) 10 Stink (4) 11 Seem (6) 12 Examining in detail (8) 13 Fissure (8) 15 Stab (6) 17 A repairer of equipment for horses (7) 19 A planned undertaking (7) 22 Different ones (6) 24 Hard candy on a

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

STANDARD SUDOKU

26

www.soltimes.com

braben’s blog...

Don’t you find that sometimes a film’s title bears no resemblance to the content? Gigi for example, where are the horses? And more recently, Skyfall; I thought that was the next in the Chicken Licken series-you know, that silly chicken who tells everyone the sky is falling- but instead it’s a James Bond spy thriller. We watched it anyway, despite the disappointment, and enjoyed it but afterwards, I started thinking, why is James Bond always doing his stuff in exotic places and never has to jet into somewhere like, say, Birkenhead, to break those devilish spy rings he comes across. Perhaps because life is so much simpler in Birkenhead compared to, say Las Vegas, or even Arboleas.

Anyway, locations apart, don’t spies get up to some nifty stuff?

Maybe though, with new inventions popping up every twenty five minutes, those jet setting spy people have had their day.

Let me explain. Just recently, shock horror, one country accused another of spying. Who’d have thought it? But this time the spying was happening after dropping spy rocks into enemy territory. You didn’t misread it, spy rocks indeed! What are spy rocks? They’re small rocks with cameras secreted inside them which then hurtle from a great height into strategic places to record the various dodgy goings on around them.

The thought may cross your mind, as it certainly did mine, what is there to spy on in the vicinity of a rock? Not much I’ll be bound, except maybe a close up of some dubious ant behaviour or the odd cockroach, cockroaching. But surely, one of the problems with spying must be what is worth spying on and what just falls into the sort of behaviour that’s so unbelievable that even The Man From U.N.C.L.E would have a hard time explaining. I have an example of what I mean. Last summer we were talking to a friend who was telling us that he’d had trouble with one of those skips we Graham is married to Helen and has leave our rubbish in at the side of the road. I don’t mean he just tore his shirt a daughter, Alice. on a sharp bit, no; it had toppled on to He lives part of the year near Albox, him, covering him almost completely. but works in Qatar, Now if you were a spy rock, how would teaching. If you wish you know whether this is a potential to contact Graham espionage situation or just the everyday regarding this behaviour of a local businessman? article email: You see, my point is, nothing like that helenandg@yahoo. co.uk happens in Birkenhead...

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

Euro Madness

Last week saw an announcement by the EU banning olive oil dispenser bottles from Spanish restaurant tables from next year. Expensive sachets will instead have to be bought by hard pressed businesses to give to diners.

This new law is supposedly needed to stop unscrupulous caterers passing off inferior oils as genuine olive oil. Surely business owners have more pressing things on their minds than trying to scam a few extra cents by using fake olive oil. Spain is awash with the stuff anyway being the largest producer of olive oil in the world.

Think too of all the extra plastic that will be used, inevitably to be blown off tables to create yet even more nonbiodegradable litter. Dodgy diners will also no doubt purloin extra sachets to use at home so increasing further the cost to business.

There’s also a plan by the EU to ban heirloom seed varieties from commercial use. The term may mean nothing to most of us but if this law is passed it’s potentially another nail in the coffin for Europe’s biodiversity. Heirloom seeds are basically traditional varieties of cereals, fruit and vegetables that have been around for hundreds, sometimes thousands of years. Not the sort of seed that is bought by the tonne from an agro

giant like Monsanto.

Monsanto and other huge businesses like Nestle and Cargill are trying to copyright and license all manner of food stuffs so in future they can only be bought and sold via themselves. Already over 65% of the world’s food crops are in the hands of the multinationals. Of course big business would prefer only their own licensed seeds are bought as then farmers have to also buy specialist pesticides and weed killers from the same sources.

People will still be able to swop seeds on a personal basis but specialist seed suppliers may risk going out of business as the cost of licensing the traditional seed varieties is going to be extortionate. Growers need to prove that the traditional variety is better than the modern licensed equivalent.

Last week gave partial respite via the EC for European bees; there was a decree passed banning pesticides called neonicotinoids for 2 years. The UK twice voted against the ban even after many scientific studies showing that the dramatic decline in wild bee numbers is partially down to the use of these deadly products.

Germany also originally voted against the ban coincidentally as Bayer is German based.

Bayer has the most

27

to lose as it’s the largest manufacturer of these awful products world-wide.

At the last minute though, Germany voted in favour of the ban possibly as local elections loomed. It’s not all bad for Bayer luckily as they can still produce 20,000 tonnes of the stuff annually for use on cattle and as flea spray for cats and dogs.

Recently the Dutch studied 700 wetland sites around Holland and found that levels of the Bayer pesticide Imidacloprid were in some cases 25,000 times over national safety limits. The levels of pollution found were enough to kill a bumble bee within a day of drinking water contaminated with these toxins. These toxins find their way into streams and rivers poisoning the food chain and enabling 70% less insects to survive in the polluted waters.

Big businesses only prosper and grow due to our indifference; it’s all well and good getting a cheap burger or packet of fish fingers but modern consumers general lack of awareness of how and where our food is produced is helping multinationals destroy the planet in the name of profit!

STOP ‘N’ SHOP IN YOUR...

Super Corner

ENGLISH SUPERMARKET

Enjoy Stephens musings? Pop over to http:// findmeahomeinspain.wordpress.com as the articles are posted on there...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

ALL YOUR FAVOURITE BRANDS AND MORE IN ONE SUPERSTORE!!

TURRE, NEXT TO MESON DEL POBRE OPEN MON-SAT 9:30-6PM & SUN 9:30-1:30PM

YELLOW STONE BAR Food Around The World Dining Group on Sunday 26th May welcomes you to:

ouch T A of Italy Main Courses

Pre - Starter

Tomato, Mozzarella & Basil Salad

Starters

Homemade Minestrone Soup, just like Mamma used to make it!

Antipasto – a selection of cheese & cured meats served with olives & not forgetting cherry tomatoes & olive oil

Chicken Milanese with Mushroom Marsala Sauce served with baby roast potatoes & a cold pesto, tomato & pasta salad

(Chicken can be replaced with Veal but it must be pre-ordered and will be charged at an extra €2,50)

Minced Beef & Aubergine Melanzane alla Parmigiana served with Farro Salad with Roasted Peppers & Fresh Herbs.

(A glass of White, Red or Rose wine will be served with your main course)

Desserts

Torta di Mele – a moist Apple Cake served with cream Panna Cotta & Mixed Berry Compote €11,95 per person

Bookings Mandatory (€5 reservation deposit per person) Telephone 634 332 178 Email:info@yellowstonebar.com Website:www.yellowstonebar.com

Tues - Sat: 9am - 9pm, Sun - Mon: 12 - 7pm

28

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

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

ALBOX

Bar Menu & Snacks Home-made puds

Burgers, Lasagne, pies, Omelettes, chilli plus

All Day Breakfast from 9am

MENU DEL DIA

onl y €

2 Courses

5

served 12 - 3 except Fri & Sun

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

ly Delicious & Home-cooked n o served A Choice of Topside Of Beef & 12.30 - 5pm Yorkshire Pudding; Roast Pork With Crackling And Apple Sauce Tender or Roast Chicken With Stuffing - all served with Locallygrown Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables & a Glass Of House Wine, Tubo of Beer or a Coffee

6.95€ to include a FREE Drink

Los Mellizos Restaurant

La Alfoquia, Zurgena

Starters, Puddings - 2€ each

SUNDAY SERVED 10AM-12PM

BREAKFAST

Activities at Friday 10 May Monday Tuesday

Line Dancing with Gillie 2:30 ROCK’N’ ROLL 7:30PM Quirky Quiz - 7:30pm

Traveling 8pm Acoustics Start

with

Robin & Friends

all levels welcome to come along, bring your instruments and join in

Acoustic Musicians & Floor Singers All Welcome

A Night of Music to Enjoy

Wednesday Line Dancing with Carrie

2:30-4:30 & 7:30pm

Thursday Ceroc Dancing & Fun Social

Night 7:30pm

PLUS...

Art Classes (held most days)...Computer Club ...Keep fit & slimming classes

(see

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 @

ecials Daily sp 4€ r details) frobm o oards f

950 120 718 / 610 641 567

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

Tlf: 667 919 025

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

Weird And Wonderful Crisp Flavours Of China

Generally people like their chicken and soft drinks to come in separate containers, and don’t even particularly enjoy mixing them together in their mouths.

But the Chinese division of U.S. potato chip maker Lay’s (owner of Walkers Crisps in the UK) is banking on tastes in the People’s Republic being far more adventurous.

The Willy Wonka-esque Pepsi and chicken is just one of the bizarre flavours they have introduced to tempt increasingly affluent easterners into picking up a pack.

Others marketed by the global brand - which incidentally also owns Pepsi - include Numb and Spicy Hot Pot, Cheese Lobster, Hot and Sour Fish soup and the comparatively normal sounding Braised Pork.

Other firms, not to be outdone, are producing flavours including Kimchi (a Korean dish made of fermented vegetables), Tomato Seafood and even Chicken Wing and Pizza (together, on one crisp).

As the world’s fastest growing major economy, with growth rates averaging 10 per cent over

the past three decades, China is a market any company that cares about its future is keen to crack.

The West’s junk-food giants are no exception and they have come up with a range of adaptations to their popular but generally unhealthy snacks to appeal to the eastern palate.

Cultural differences, it has often been noted, do make Chinese tastes seem odd to those of us in the West. But can that explain the apparent gap in the market one manufacturer has found for chicken and pizza wing flavour?

Shanghaiist, which tested out the bizarre flavour, describes it as a ‘gangbang of sodium, corn syrup, and other chemicals’ with the texture of ‘stale McDonald’s fries’.

The blog’s food editor selected what he sees as the eight wierdest. Pepsi and Chicken, he said, actually succeeded in pairing the cinnamon sweetness of Pepsi with the the pang of a real roast.

Cheese and Lobster was more hit and miss.

Shanghaiist says the flavour ‘invokes listening to a toddler bang on the piano; once in a while you think you’re picking up some semblance of a melody, but it could be your imagination.’

The BUTCHERS Carnicera

Opposite Super-Turre supermarket

Quality English Cuts Especialistas en carnes Ingles

Specialising in English cuts of meat homemade sausages & burgers English Cheese, Bread, Pies, Pasties Freezer Section, and much more...

The Fresh Food Restaurant

Available

open e a d ytim gs in n & eve

from

8.95€

our main menu includes

traditional

16oz steaks ~ mixed grills ~ Fresh Fish

sunday lunch

menu changes weekly

Dine in our Candelit Restaurant wed - sat evenings SATURDAY EARLY BIRD MENU

served 12.30PM - 5PM includes a complimentary coffee & chocolate booking recommended

5-7PM FROM 6€

TO INCLUDE SALAD, BREAD & ALI- OLI Stir-Fry Beef & Noodles 7.45€ Beef & noodles with onions, mushrooms & beansprouts cooked in soy sauce

Sunday Lunch Special

3 Courses

Including Roast of the Week

Only 9.95€

Early bird special (seated between 7pm - 8pm) 10% discount off total bill closed tuesday’s

628 Tel:Tel: 950 450 199761 • 628391 761 391

To avoid disappointment please call and reserve your table

from

fridays

5.95€ in the Bar

Pork Schnitzel - 7.45 Pork Loin coated in garlic breadcrumbs, pan-fried & served on a warm tomato salsa

Beer-battered cod

Fish Pie - 7.95 White Fish & Prawns in a creamy parsley sauce topped with mashed potato

homemade chips & peas FRIDAYS 12.30pm - 9pm

tapas choice of 10 all 1€ 12:30-9pm

lite menu

salads, burgers, wraps

Scrumptious Homemade Puddings

Next to Mediterraneo, Mojacar Playa

all new e Full a la tim Carte spRing u men Menu

Enjoy Wonderful Views over the Olive Groves

2.50€ each

Mon - Fri 9.30am - 5.30pm & Saturday 9.30am - 4pm

Deli Sandwich Menu from 6.95€

VidaRestaurant&Venue

Homemade Starters

Bay bistro Menu del Dia ONLY 9.95€ Menu de la Noche ONLY 12.95€

el Cucador

THE ABOVE MAINS ARE SERVED WITH A CHOICE OF POTATOES & SEASONAL VEGETABLES

now here Bodega wines Tel: 634 31 26 12

La

29

TWO COURSE LUNCH 12:30-3:30PM 6€

all 2.50€ each!

FROM 5€

MONdays HOME-MADE MARGHARITA PIZZA 6 - 9pm

+ TOPPINGS

cod, chips & peas only or chicken curry & rice 5€

Tuesdays 6 - 9pm

wednesdays 1/2 roast chicken,

only 5€

thursdays ...is pie night!

only 5€

or gammon chips & peas OR SALAD

6 - 9pm 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

book the Venue

For your Private Parties, Weddings and Birthdays etc.

30

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

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

fernando needs a forever home be a  part  of it 

Monday - saturday 12 noon - 4pm & 7pm - close Sunday : carvery 1pm - 5pm Thursdays - closed

3 Course Meal

 





Main Meals 6.95€



10.95€

Mini meals

Every Lunchtime

1.50€

Every Friday fish chips & peas €3.95 Served All Day 12 noon - 10pm

Sunday Carvery €6.95

Served 1pm til 5pm

Tel: 659 683 447

www.newyorknewyork.es

OPPOSITE THE PLAYA LUNA hotel, roquetas urb

Burty’s BAR Playa Serena, roquetas de mar

sun - fri from 11am - 6pm Closed saturday

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

26th may call to reserve a table

Is Fernando destined to spend his 1st Birthday behind bars?

every thursday quiz 2.15pm prompt

tuesday

bingo 2.30pm

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

next service 16th May

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

This is Fernando, a very handsome Mestizo, probably a Beagle mix, born during May 2012. He is 45 cm high and weighs about 20 kilos. If somebody doesn’t give Fernando a nice new home soon, it looks as though he will be celebrating his first birthday behind bars. It is very hard for him because he is a very affectionate, sensible and trustful dog that yearns for individual attention. He would love for someone, with some time available, to take him for long walks and to frolic with him.

If Fernando is not for you, there are so many dogs of all sizes and shapes at the shelter.

If you are looking for a loving companion then you are sure to find just what you want there. Maybe a friend can offer Fernando a home? Another option to help the plight of these beautiful animals is to become a

member of the shelter or even sponsor a dog. Of course, the shelter is always in need of blankets, towels and food etc. which can be taken to the shelter. If you want to make a monetary contribution, you can pay it directly into the Shelter’s Bank account.

Saturday mornings is set aside for adoptions at the Shelter and there are a lot of dogs to choose from, large and small. The best time for material donations, including food, is during the week. If you want details of any of these options or have a question about the shelter, please send an email to Geoff at geoffalmeria@hotmail.com and he will reply to you straight away.

A warm welcome at the SOCIEDAD PROTECTORA DE ANIMALES DE ROQUETAS DE MAR is assured for all those wanting to support it.

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

31

ROQUETAS DE MAR THE SECOND COMEDY AFTERNOON WITH MRS BROWN AT CHAPLIN’S PUB Thursday May 9th 2013 at 3.00pm ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO THE

‘2013 ROYAL BRITISH LEGION POPPY APPEAL’

NOT FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED, BUT WILL BE VERY, VERY FUNNY, SO BOOK EARLY WITH JON OR DEBRA TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT First come, first reserved!

A SMALL DONATION WOULD BE APPRECIATED TO: THE RBL POPPY APPEAL Further details can be obtained from Barry, Poppy Appeal Organiser on mobile 605 313 590

FTG Notice

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

10th May: Bar Macarena, near Hotel Sabinal 17th May: Bar Jaen, on Av.Mediterraneo 24th May: Marley’s, in the Urb 31st May: Bar California, Las Marinas

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!

Help For Heroes

Orphan Ted Orphan Ted reading the Sol Times in Y Da Wakes, Roquetas De Mar! Watch this space to see what he is doing next week…

what’s on

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

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

Tuesday - 2:30pm Bingo Tuesday - Pie Night Thursdays - Quiz 2:15pm Thursday - Steak Night Table Top Sale - 26th May 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...........................

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 pb’s - the return coming soon!

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 950 333 344 the Royal british legion................... forthcoming events Fundraising for 2013 poppy appeal 9th May – 3pm - Comedy afternoon with Mrs Brown at Bar Chaplins – book with Jon or Deb on 950 335 022 13th June – Open Pool Competition – 6pm registration for 6:30pm draw – The Lodge – call Barry on 605 313 590 for further details

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, 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

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

Bar

Tapas/Snacks English Breakfast Fish & Chips Coffees & Cakes Cocktails/Sangria

sky sports and espn shown here Open 10am - late (Closed Tuesday)

FREE WI-FI Next door to Zurimar 678 202 160

Naturopathy Phytotherapy Organic Food Reflexology Osteopathy Diet and nutrition

Treatments Include: Podiatr y Foot Care Anti Stress Massage

Pasaje Zoraida, Pasaje 11 Urb. Zoraida, Roquetas de Mar 11 Roquetas de Mar C.PUrb. 04740 C.P 04740 (Almeria) (Almeria) Tel. 950 328 152 Tel. 670 950 356 328 370 152 670 356 370 www.farma-natura.com www.farma-natura.com email: email: ria@farma-natura.com ria@farma-natura.com

32

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

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

SOL CLASSIFIEDS SOLTIMES Air-con

www.soltimes.com see us online everyday

BY TELEPHONE

Between 10am & 5pm

Monday to Friday

950 121 936 or 902 121 936

MD Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration S.L.

MD S.L

City & Guilds Fully Qualified F-Gas Certified

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

Mon to Fri 10am - 5pm above New Horizon Villas

md_aircon@mobileemail.vodafone.es

email: info@md-aircon.com

alternative energy

Solar Wind Power Solutions.

Over 15 years installation experience. established 12 years in Spain. Call Phil FOR SALE for competitive prices 636 261 advertise all your unwanted items 240 email:info@ s un e r g ya l m e r i a . com www.sunergy any single item up to 300€ free of charge almeria.com

All adverts Friday at 5pm prior to publication

for sale in this section

email: sales@soltimes.com

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

baby equipment hire

bistro type table left 450€ Tel: 619 with 2 matching 744 516 chairs 40€ Vera Professional Baby Bed Playa area Tel: 617 Double Equipment Hire 166 270 or 659 089 small, metal gold Free delivery & collection open scrolled 658 headboard and All our equipment has been Ladders 12 rung purchased from new 35€ Vera Playa footer, No mattress.

Tel: 615 806 126 Bed W 135cm x L area Tel: 617 166 thebabyhirecentre@hotmail.com 270 or 659 089 181cm Headboard H 110 cm max. 50€ 658 business opportunity C o f f ee o.n.o. Roquetas de Mar Tel. 619 253 machine (similar to that in bars) new 983 25€ Vera Playa Pine Cabinet, area Tel: 617 166 One long drawer 270 or 659 089 over big double 658 door cupboard L Solid Wooden 87cm x W 46cm Shed. 7ft x 6ft x x H 124cm 20€ 25% share of well established wellness centre that is due for expansion.

5.5ft. 2 Windows, o.n.o. Roquetas de Good Condition. Mar Tel. 619 253 for further information telephione 300€ Tel: 674 515 983 770 S i d ebo a r d O ct a go n a l with Bird Aviary 7ft ‘antique’, tall x 5 ft wide. mahogany flame carpentry Looks great, birds panels, four central drawers, cupboard available 300€ Tel: wanted each side, L 170cm 674 515 770 W 54.5cm x For all your carpentry requirements Sol a r x B a tter i e s H 90.5cm 35€ Fast, efficient,competitive service. commercial 1100amp 6x2volt to Roquetas de Mar kitchen oven make 12v approx 5 Carole Tel. 619 Tel: 634 328 574 james@wildwood.es must be in good yr old plenty of life 253 983 computers working order, can collect Airport services

1200 Old Roof Tiles.

Buyer Collects 475€ Tel: 676 381 349 Wh i te bedroom draw unit 20€ Vera Playa area Tel: 617 166 270 or 659 089 658 Full Size Roof Rack. Fits Ducatio, Peugeot or Boxer Van 200€ Tel: 674 515 770 Solar Panels 240w bargain at 240€ Tel: 619 744 516 Oval outside dining table glass wrought iron 40€ Vera Playa area Tel: 617 166 270 or 659 089 658 Wrought iron/ glass outside

looking for a new venture

genuine reason for sale

634 353 862

genuine enquiries only

WILDWOOD Bespoke Joinery

wanted

call 609 199 394

w a n te d mosaic tiles small swimming pool tiles small odd bits & pieces, can collect,for a mosaic wall any colour, 647 379 878

Steve Hayes

www.AAparking.es Tel: 639 081 067

Cheap

Airport Parking

Alicante Almeria Murcia New Servicing / Repairs

A i rport Informatica Pc’s, Laptops, tr a n s f er s Printers etc. pick up all areas, Sales & Repairs competitive rates. on-site callout / For a quote please tuition. visit www. spanish Consumables estateagent.c om Albox, Almeria or call 661 143 871 Tel: 950 120 900

SOLTIMES

Now offer our Classified advertisers 5 LOCAL EDITIONS online at

www.soltimes.com

not a jack of all trades

607 364 917 or 950 432 110

DEADLINES

construction

25 years sole experience in Air Conditioning & Refrigeration

IN PERSON

los carasoles, 27 Zurgena, 04650, Almeria

construction

for more information Telephone 950 121 936 or 902 121 936 ext 332

Mat Murray 647 841 750 matmurrayes@gmail.com

equipment hire

established in spain for 14 years

fully legal

domestic water filter kits

Barry & Graham now fitting

domestic water filter kits (with no waste discharge not like some others)

easily fitted in kitchen unit

(if space) compact & affordable

159€

Graham 620 112 193 Barry 667 853 062 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

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 Knowles & Abbott no.1 for electrics and plumbing. Re-wires, free to air UK satellite systems 950 137 208 or 638 010 691

ELECTRICIAN Neil Godwin

25 years experience

Full City & Guilds

Fully

insured & legal

Boletins supplied

Tel : 687 245 569

BABY HIRE Everything for the visiting baby Car seats,high chairs, stair gates, cots etc Tel: 950 436 581 or 666 375 688 expectingababy@ hotmail.co.uk

furniture

Linea

Nueve

sofas kitchens bedroom furniture Arboleas 950 120 630

gardening

landscape gardening

• 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 MAY 2013

33

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 15, please email info@daviessolicitors.com locksmith Phil the Pick Locksmith 24 hours.

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

Tel: 697 243 181

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

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

VERA BEACH

MOJACAR BEACH

4 sexy girls erotic and relaxing massages.

Discreet

young budgies for sale

for SALE detatched cortijo

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

woodhouse boarding kennels kennels & cattery or cattery arboleas Small friendly kennels, Pet sitting in 24hr vets service, pet your own home, transporting arranged, Arboleas & welcome to view ministry approved local area.

plumbing

Reduced €39,950

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.

cortij0 grande golf course

No need for

PLASTERER

plus utilities (suit lady, small dog welcome)

Apartment For Sale

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

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

great price! now reduced €99,000 Lovely 2 bedroom townhouse of 70 sq metres with stunning sea views overlooking Mojacar Playa with communal pool, WIFI, furniture included. Excellent Rental Investment.

Call New Wave VIllas on 950 475 800 for info & viewings.

Call 647 379 878

PETS SECTION

Call Vanessa on 637 061 482

in Cucador Self contained 1 large bed casita, bathroom, lounge & kitchen area, partly furnished, A/C, Private, Fabulous views, use of pool & jacuzzi

60€ a week

Tel: 687 891 515

(Spanish Flag in Window) CARLOS SALIENTE Plumbing and Julie, Jenny, Karen Heating offer Sexy bodies, erotic machined boiler and relaxing massage, decals for gas water Discreet outings, hotels heaters for just €65 – aguafuerte is not and home visits for the answer! Call 950 Men & Women 930 900 or 968 969 962, email carlos. saliente@gmail.com

Tel: 631 402 850

Property for rent

calle tortuga boba, 69,

B r i t i s h personal plasterer All “Readers of a sensitive work guaranteed Tel disposition may find some of the Paul 634 327 201 ads in this section offensive”

PROPERTY FOR SALE/rent

personal cont...

Tracy Mobile 650 211 952

SOLTIMES

Build 256 m², Terrace 100m², Plot 1200m²

€150,000

Tel: 649 186 107

thunderpaul2003@hotmail.ccom

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Now offer our Classified advertisers 5 LOCAL EDITIONS

online at

www.soltimes.com for more information Telephone 950 121 936 902 121 936 EXT 332

plumbing cont...

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

Price 200.000€

San José (Cabo de Gata, Almería) Duplex, 5 bed 2 bath.

Fitted kitchen.

Sea view within walking distance to beach.

Terraces & balcony Private garage on plot of 280 m2

Call: 610 700 805

PROPERTY TO RENT – Los pedregales 2 Bedroom Casita.Furnished or Unfurnished. Fully Fitted Kitchen, Log Burner, Internet Connection, Large Fly Free Patio within a large Fenced area.

Peaceful location within minutes of the motorway & Huercal Overa.

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

34

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

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

are you a trade Business? advertise in the classified section & reach over 30,000 potential customers Classified box from 9€. lineage only 45 cents per word - Deadline 5pm Friday Contact Paulette on 950 121 936 or 902 750 190 ext 332 REMOVALS

motoring section

Local, National DAVE’S TRANSPORT & international 7.5 Ton, Lorry Part loads, REMOVALS removals Self load/Unload & STORAGE Quality Second hand Minimal rates, Owner Driver furniture showroom

’s a m i L De

263 Paseo del Mediterraneo Mojacar Playa, Next to Sal Marina Hotel

Mon-Sat: 10am-2pm Call Marc on 647 006 183 or Jo on 600 344 565 or e-mail enquiries@delimas.biz

www.delimas.biz

Spain/uk/Local

Storage available, based “Los Gallardos” &”hertfordshire”

HUGE 265m2 Showroom

fortnightly SERVICE TO & FROM UK FULL OR PART LOADS

recruitment

Do you love to Cook... watch

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

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

Rob on 609 199 394 for more information

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

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

tv

for free

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

go to

for all the latest programmes

A1 Sky Television Systems

Satellite TV installations, alignment of dishes etc.

Also Spanish “freeview” systems supplied & installed

Tel Dave: 628 607 778

stables Rancho Luz Del Sol, Retamar, Partaloa.

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

Qualified BHS Instructor.

Call Erika Drew on 678 838 547

swimming pool safety NEATER HEATER See our main advert on the news pages

3.5 ton nissan cabster tipper

year 2004, full spanish legal, 12 months itv, 12 month tax, 79.000km, ideal for building material & logs up to 2.5 ton

7500€

Tel: 687 147 991

FOR SALE

Ford Focus 1.8Cdti ghia 100bhp Silver Estate: 144,000km 2003/04, LHD, tow bar, Electric Mirrors & front windows, CD, AC, good condition, ITV till Aug 2014 Recently serviced

3.300€ o.n.o

Call 633 234 635 or 677 849 153 email: nessgav@hotmail.com Citroen Berlingo Multispace Forte, 1.9 Diesel (2002) 148000miles.

On UK plates, ITV until end Oct 2013, ideal if returning to the UK. Area: Almeria. Contact: 634 087 653 1000€ ono

www.soltimes.com

satellite/ television

for sale

634 337 185

SPAIN UK SPAIN Removals

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

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

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

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

car & van hire

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 cheap motorbike tyres & parts Tel: 697 524 238

Car parts

Need quality new parts for any car

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

Free quote go online or phone www.carpartsinspain.com

or telephone 692 930 326

Do you have a Inflatable Rib Boat caravan, vehicle, or Immaculate condition motorbike, for sale with trailer, & many extras

This size advert is only 10€

1800€

Tel: 676 665 168 or 634 353 503 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

This size advert is only 10€

wanted URGENTLY REQUIRED

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

new box van leaving from the UK to Spain

To advertise your vehicle in the motoring section & reach over 32,000 readers

693 251 562

call paulette on

Telephone Dave on

email:davendonc@aol.com

TEL: 636 411 540 OR 664 619 819

950 121 936 or 902 750 190

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

The rain was falling out of the sky as if God had pulled the plug on the angel’s bath night, and The Dog That Is Not Ours was not happy about it. In fact, for a dog which has spent the first years of her life out of doors, she is amazingly wimpish about rain.

This particular day she wished to leave the warm dry haven of the house in favour of the wilds of Limaria, so she tapped on the door, her way of requesting her minions to open it for her. She stood in the doorway surveying the stair rods descending from the heavens, and with a reproachful look at me (it was obviously my fault that it was raining) she retreated back to the comfort of her bed.

However, eventually needs must, and after walking round in ever decreasing circles with her legs crossed for a period of time, she had to go outside to answer Nature.

She departed into the deluge, and disappeared for the entire day. I have no idea where she went, but it’s a pound to a penny that she didn’t spend the whole day outside!

It was still raining with josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk

By Jos Biggs

viewpoint alqueria - Lights! Camera! Action!

a capital R when she returned at teatime, wet, but not saturated. She announced her arrival by an urgent hammering on the door, and when I opened it she hurtled through in a high state of excitement, leaving behind something very bedraggled on the terrace.

It was the hindquarter of a very large, very wet, very dead chicken. Knowing that if I put it in our bin she would root it out again, I took it by the leg and threw it in the Sparrow’s Graveyard, a large chasm in the campo, where all small bird corpses can rest in peace.

That, however, was not the end of the matter. Later, when it had stopped raining, she requested ‘Out’, and I watched her quartering the garden, nose down, in a vain but thorough search for her chicken.

She was as methodical as a crack Scenes of Crime Investigator, dividing the ground into squares, and meticulously searching each square, passing back and forth with mathematical precision.

There was nothing random or haphazard about her search, every inch of garden was covered. It was an impressive display of natural talent, and I was just wondering whether I could hire her out to the Sniffer Dog Squad when I remembered that: 1: The Sniffer Dog Squad probably don’t have a lot of call to find dead chickens. And 2: There could be a problem hiring out a Dog That Is Not Ours!

Wanted! Colourful Eccentrics

I have asked the question before, but where have all the eccentrics gone?

When I was a boy, every neighbourhood seemed to have its quirky and off the wall characters; men and women who were larger than life figures, who by their mannerisms, their appearance or their views of the world, set them apart from the rest of us. Eccentricity has always been a very English trait.

They often had strange little ways that were a high source of entertainment. They might be heard having conversations with themselves as they pottered around their gardens, or perhaps be seen in the local shop buying fish fingers and St Bruno pipe tobacco, still dressed in a pyjama top over a pair of tatty cords and carpet slippers. They were instantly recognisable and the men were worse.

There is perhaps a very fine line between this sort of unconventionality and stark staring nuttiness, but it is that very hairs breadth of difference that makes them what they are.

These were people who did not give a fig about what others

thought of them or what society dictated in general – they were mavericks who simply refused to conform and lived by their own set of rules and standards, but bothered no one.

But in spite of the mirth they created, they were nevertheless respected in a strange kind of way and invariably listened to whenever they made pronouncements on the world, because most of them shared a common thread . . . they possessed wisdom and almost always, a sharp wit that was delivered in a matter of fact, dead-pan way.

But the eccentrics and great characters have all but disappeared, which came home to me recently when I returned to Suffolk and learned that another one of the old timers – probably the last of the great village characters - had passed on. And I remembered something he said years before, when answering a charge made by another villager, that he should splash out on a Christmas present for his wife, because as they put it: ‘You can’t take it with you’. He pondered this for a second or two, before countering: ‘In that case I haint goin’’ Some years ago one such individual was in an uncharacteristic rush to exit after a Parish Council meeting.

He was usually the last one to leave because he liked nothing

By Colin Bird : badbirdnow@gmail.com

more than to pass on the gossip of the village and dish the dirt about some unfortunate villager thus earning him the nickname of Chatty.

There was nothing that happened in the village that got past him. But on this occasion, giving his wife’s birthday as the reason for his hurried departure, he was asked by one of the other councillors what he had bought her.

‘Nuthun’, he said, ‘She haint used last year’s prezent yet!’

And what was that, we wanted to know?

‘A plot in the cemetree’, was the expressionless reply.

Chatty had a small holding and he asked me one day why I never bought my tomatoes from him, and I told him honestly that I bought only organic. He looked me up and down as if I was a cretin and said, ‘Moin‘re organic, oi grows ‘em within the sound of the chapel organ!’

A group of these characters were chatting away in the bar of The Cloak – one of our three pubs - one lunchtime and were discoursing on local affairs. One was heard to remark that he had taken his hound into the local shop, but was asked to take him back outside. ‘So oi took him out and chained him up with a bit’a string’, he said. ‘Oi only went in for some of those Spanish onions, because oi don’t like them foreign ones.

I only wish now, that I had

owned a tape recorder and got all of this stuff down, because there were some real gems.

Things like, ‘Hev you met the new doctor yet? His woif’s the best lookin’ bloke in Suffolk’.

And so it went on.

Of course there is sometimes a thin dividing line between eccentricity and plain barmy.

There used to be a man in Reading who was known as Tex. Well named because of his propensity to suddenly run into the centre of the road on a busy shopping day in the town centre; crouch behind a bollard and take imaginary shots at passers by with an invisible Winchester rifle. I knew it was a Winchester, because he would mime the lever reload action after each shot.

He would then gallop off on his imaginary horse, slapping his thigh like mad, looking for more victims outside Woolworth’s.

Life is that much drabber without these larger than life characters and God knows we need some colour in our ever darkening world

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

Takeaway Chicken

35

After the bank robbery and voluntary exile of its manager Briefcase Frederico, the Alquerian Government sat in emergency session. Restocking the bank presented little problem but the future security of the village needed their attention. Against the wishes of Manuela, Alqueria’s very own ‘femme fatal’ and nocturnal itinerant the decision to install security cameras was taken.

The British of course are leaders in this field. The keen interest in other people’s business and the desire for one’s own privacy is an absurdity of British life. The Sneak, Peek and Pry Security Company of East Crackington, Surrey came up with the lowest quote, being three barrels of Remitroot Liquor cheaper than their nearest competitor. This firm was responsible for such installations as Mrs Philpots Sweet Shop in the High Street, recently made into a ‘reality’ television series by the BBC. There was no hiding place from the ever vigilant cameras. Alqueria was a village under surveillance and it was severely limiting Manuela’s night-time activities. She is an inventive girl and set about destroying the credibility of the security recordings. Her first ploy was to dress up as a five foot tall rodent and stroll the streets at night. She thought this would invite questions about the security company’s judgement. This didn’t work however as Loco Paco actually has a five foot tall rodent called Bob. He hand reared the creature on Remitroot and it often gets loose at night.

Manuela noticed that one particular camera caught part of the white gable-end of the Bar la Casa Devante. Using this as a screen she projected scenes from the 1979 version of ‘Caligula’ from an old 8mm movie projector. Although the security camera faithfully recorded the projection it was to no avail. Similar scenes were the norm for any Saturday night outside the Bar la Casa Devante.

A vital point, overlooked by the security company and Manuela alike ensured the swift removal of the cameras. Practically everyone in Alqueria has something to hide.

The reasons range from hiding dodgy business deals to hiding themselves bodily. This meant that no-one wanted to be recognised especially on permanent recordings. However they had to go about their daily business, so disguises were adopted. A theatrical costumier in Almería did a roaring trade hiring outfits to the people of Alqueria.

If the recordings could be believed, seventy-five Marilyn Monroes wandered the streets accompanied by a selection of campanologist hunchbacks, vampires in varying states of convincibility and renowned politicians. As it would be very difficult to pursue a court case against Quasimodo or the like, the camera project was scrapped.

Roberto Robles still dresses as Shirley Temple, if fact he dressed as Shirley Temple before the cameras arrived.

36

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

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

motoring

TEST DRIVE: skoda rapid

When my wife visited Canada, many moons ago and before we met - she went white water rafting. She’s a brave lass. She reminded me of this scary event in her life as she sat in the Skoda Rapid that I’m testing this week.

Its name triggered the memory. An unusual name for a sensible family car, I thought as there is no way that it can relate to frightening yet invigorating water rapids.

But it is quite nippy - it will hit 60mph from standstill in under 12 seconds and on to a 114mph top speed - so perhaps it relates to speed.

The Saunders family is delighted with this vehicle.

Let me tell you why. Diesel prices are hovering around the £1.45 per litre mark (fuel duty is around 60 pence a litre) and even taking the efficiency of these engines into consideration

such prices are absolutely ridiculous and unfair. So petrol, some 10p a litre cheaper, looks increasingly more attractive. The trouble is that so many petrol cars remain uneconomical. Skoda has solved this problem though, by introducing a splendid tiddly 1.2-litre, 86bhp engine that returns an average of over 50mpg. I am staggered. I am even more dumfounded by the fact that it has been fitted to the

Rapid, which until I read the press pack, I was sure must be a 1.6. This is an extremely good size family hatchback that fits between the smaller Fabia and the larger Octavia; easily seating five adults in comfort and a whole lot of clobber in the cavernous boot. Even with my family inside, the engine delivers a more than reasonable driving experience. There is absolutely no road tax to pay either because it’s so

green. I will be amazed if Skoda doesn’t sell hundreds of thousands of these, especially when considering the OTR price of under £15,000. The interior might be a little bland but there are front electric windows - the children are less likely to open the manually operated ones in the rear, so I’m all for that. There’s air conditioning, heated front seats and electrically heated and adjustable wing mirrors as you can see in the video at testdrives.biz. It also comes with a five-star safety rating.

This is a great value for money proposition introduced at just the right time for the poor motorist suffering from hugely inflated fuel prices.

In fact, according to the RAC Foundation transport poverty has now hit 800,000 homes across the UK. These car-owning households are

spending over a quarter of their disposable income on buying and running a vehicle.

They spend £44 a week on car-related expenses. If they were to buy this Skoda their expenses should drop.

I wonder whether the Skoda marketing team was thinking about ‘rapid’ sales when naming this vehicle. They might just have something there…

SPECIFICATION Skoda Rapid 1.2 SE TSi 86PS £14,650 0-60: 11.8secs Top speed: 114mph Economy: 55.4mpg Watch the video at www.testdrives.biz

Advanced motorist Tim Saunders is the former Business and Motoring Editor of the Bournemouth Daily Echo. His regular test reports appear in numerous newspapers, magazines and websites throughout the UK, Ireland & Gibraltar - and now here in Spain! For more information contact Tim on: timasaunders@tiscali.co.uk

Culture Trip to Granada

includes a a sightseeing sightseeing tour tour ONLY €13.95 includes

now booking for saturday 18th may (there are still a few seats left on Saturday 11th May)

Sunday 12th may sold out

Option 1: Entrance to the Alhambra Palace (additional cost to be confirmed)

Option 2: Includes 3 course meal, at an authentic Spanish restaurant, 9.95€ per head.

Many Local pick up points, Pinkhouse (La Conception), Mojacar, Arboleas etc.....

622 288 750 / 679 207 545 Limited spaces - First come first served Tel:

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

allowed Lorca to break away on two opportunities to score. El Ejido went down 1610. It was a slight disappointmentfor El Ejido, however all participants played with great respect and appreciation for the game, so rugby was the real winner on the day!

If anyone would like further information about El Ejido rugby

on

Tuesdays

and

Thursdays,

9.30pm, at the rugby field in Almerimar.

On Monday 29th April Val Cooke stole the limelight in the individual stableford competition to win the Ladies division with 39 points from Linda King (32).

The Mens division was a close affair won by Jarlath Staunton on countback, with 38 points, from Ali Mahmud (38). A further countback was required for third place with Jim Budd (36) taking it from Tony King (36). Jim Budd also received prizes for twos on the 2nd and 9th holes.

Thursday’s team competition was a waltz played in fourballs.

Scoring was close with only four points between the first three teams.

1st Margaret Budd, Ali Mahmud, Frank Varey and Roy Barker 100 pts 2nd Linda King, Joachim Herbort, Jarlath Staunton and Richard Brady 98 pts.

3rd Maxine Mayhew, John Lally, Alex Elder and Jim Budd 96 pts 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.

Mojacar Jubilado Hash

On Saturday 4th May the Hashers from Cambridge, Truro and Hastings (collectively, the Mojacar Jubilado Hash, who meet up in Almeria every year) arrived at Oria for a mountain hash, organised by the Indalo.

Given that most of them live their lives at sea level, they didn’t look to be too happy when told that they were now standing at an altitude just lower than Mount Snowdon, and that we would be going even higher. They thought the air was thin enough already. They looked even less enthusiastic to learn that it was a 5 bags of flour long hash!

However, around 50 of us plus mutts departed the gasolineria – about 25 walkers and 25 runners. The runners soon left the town to climb into the

higher reaches of the Sierra de las Estancias, through very pretty almond groves. They made their way along tracks until they were able to start a fast descent through the fragrant pine forest, arriving for the circle just after the walkers.

The walkers had enjoyed a leisurely ‘bimble’ through Oria; up to the Arab fort; a peek into the Church (possibly the most beautiful in Almería) and a return down campo lanes.

The circle provided much amusement, most notably when Cambridge won the ‘Boat Race’ again. Then there was more eating, drinking and making merry at Bar El Fraix.

For more information about hashing visit the website: http://indaloh3.freehostia.com

AutoFrio

Many golfers struggle with their putting because they don’t practice it enough insisting that it is a ‘boring’ area of the game to work on! I can’t stress enough how important this is if you want to lower your scores to be good on the greens. Here are two practice drills that will help to make it more interesting to practice.

Drill 1: This drill is designed to help you with ‘holing out’ short putts.

Place 3 tees in the ground at 2 feet intervals, then do the same around the hole so that you have 4 lines of tees (see picture 1) play 3 balls from the first 2 feet distance, then move around to the next line until you have played 3 putts from each 2 feet distance. Then do the same from the 4 feet intervals and then from the 6 feet tees.

Keep a note of how many putts that you hole and over time try

Pit Stop

Vehicle Air Conditioning Service

pitstop-oria@live.co.uk

30€

...includes fitting, balancing & IVA

Lazer Tracking only

free callout service

M.600 827 517 - T. 950 104 488 www.autofrio.es

Auto Shine

Body Repairs approved repairers

○Panel Beating ○Paint Spraying ○Bumper Repair ○Windscreens ○Plastic & Fibreglass Repairs

CARS ~ MOTORBIKES ~ MOTORHOMES Call Mark on: 607 324 623 or 607 324 624 ►►

old AA Auctions

Tel: 950 124 828

TYRES • SERVICING • REPAIRS Part Worn Tyres from 20€ New Tyres from

timber yard

to keep improving your score.

Drill 2: This drill is for longer putts. Many people ‘3 putt’ because they find it difficult to hit the ball with the correct pace and either leave it well short or a long way past the hole.. You will not hole too many putts from 20 feet and beyond but if you can get them close then this will eradicate many 3 putts from your game.

Place 3 tees at 2 feet intervals around the hole so that you make a triangular area around the hole(picture 2). Then pace out 20 feet, 25 feet and 30 feet marking each distance with a tee peg. Play 3 balls from 20 feet and try to get the ball into the triangular area that you have marked out. Repeat this from the 25 and 30 feet distances. From drill 1 you will discover that you can hole lots of putts from 2 feet so with the longer ones if you can get them into that 2 feet area around the hole you will be confident of only taking 2 putts from longer distances.

Byline: Neil Evans is Golf Professional at Desert Springs Golf Resort, his relaxed, friendly teaching style has made him very popular at clubs across Europe including Pinhieros Altos on The Algarve, The Mizuno Training Academy in Germany and The Warwickshire in England. For more information on lessons with Neil please call Golf Reception at Desert Springs on 637 861 591

Golf instruction

feel free to join training sessions

►

Last Saturday, saw the first triangular rugby tournament for the celebration of San Marcos in El Ejido. Participating in the event were tams of URA (El Ejido/ Carboneras), Axarquia (VelezMalaga), Lorca and members of the Costa Almeria rugby team.

El Ejido (URA) played their opening game against Axarquia, a team who El Ejido had already beaten heavily a few weeks previously. However Axarquia had made a long trip to play the matches and were in no mood to make it an easy game for El Ejido. As expected, El Ejido started strongly trying to play an expansive game of rugby despite the strong swirling winds making playing conditions difficult.

Axarquia defended well during the early period, however due to over-eagerness at the ruck area, they gave away a penalty in front of their own posts.

Scrum half, coach and captain for the day, G. Nicoletti, decided to run the penalty in the hope to score tries due to the blustery kicking conditions however the Axarquia defence stood strong.

The decision not kick at goal would prove costly as Axarquia, reshaped their attacking play and forced El Ejido back towards their goal line. Eventually the pressure took its toll and El Ejido gave away a penalty for which Axarquia decided to kick the points on offer and went into half time leading 3-0.

El Ejido needed a stronger second half and decided to tactically to use a kicking strategy to confuse the Axarquia defence and hope the windy conditions would make life difficult for the full back. The gamble paid off.

Within moments of the restart, El Ejido gained possession and the ball was fed to the outside half, J.Callaghan, who placed a high hanging cross field kick which was well chased by the El Ejido three-quarters and caught by the winger. A quickly recycled ruck, presented the ball for Callaghan to race thirty-five metres down the blind side channel beating three defenders and score in the corner. Ever reliable with the boot, E. O’Ciardha added the extra two points with a touchline conversion. With the new gained confidence, El Ejido continued to place pressure on Axarquia throughout the game although the opposition defended valiantly.

After game one, El Ejido had won 7-3 and was on track for success however towards the end of the match they were forced to make changes in personnel due to injuries to key players.

In the second game, Lorca who unfortunately had a number of players missing were bolstered by being aided by a number of experienced players from Costa Almeria. This proved crucial as they dominated the game and won convincingly.

The final match saw a depleted El Ejido team against Lorca which was played in a closely contested first half. In the second half, some players were carrying injuries with fatigue setting in due to the intensity of play which caused gaps in the defence and

sport

Marina Phoenix Golf Society

Torneo de Rugby de San Marcos I

WE ARE HERE

CASA CONCHILLA

►

►

ALBOX BAZA ROAD

►

37

Fixed Price Servicing

15€

• Petrol up to 2L from 85€ • Diesel up to 2L from 95€

ALL MAKES AND MODELS

free

tracking wit or morhe 2 n t yres ew Fr Cour tesee with a fy Car ull se (by arra r v i c e ng ement o nly)

FREE Safety / ITV check with every service

URGENTLY REQUIRED SPANISH VEHICLES FOR CASH

2001 Nissan Pathfinder, 4x4, Leather, A/C, Alloys, New ITV, 32 mpg, Auto........ .....................................................................................................................€3995 1997 BMW 325 TDS Estate, Black VGC ..............................................€3495 2004 Ford Focus 1.8 TDCI, Silver, VGC...............................................€3495 1999 Fiat Punto 1.9TD, VGC, Very Economical, New ITV........................ .€1495 Nissan Patrol 4x4, 2.8 Diesel, SWB, Tow Bar, New ITV............................€1295 1996 Peugeot 306, 1.9 Diesel, Alloys, 5 Door Hatchback ........................€1495 2002 Chrysler Neon, A/C, 5 Speed, Low Mileage.................................... €2200 1998 BMW 318, Alloy Wheels, VGC, New ITV............................................ €1495

ALL THE ABOVE VEHICLES ARE SPANISH PLATED AND LHD Opel Astra 1.6 petrol, 1998 Good Condition throughout Spanish Plates RHD.€800

Find us on the Partaloa to Oria road (A399) 1km outside of Oria on the right. Carretera Autonomica A-399 c / Paraje el Puente sin 04810. Oria, Almeria

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 950 124 828

38

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

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

sport

ANGLING NEWS

WITH BEACHCOMBER JOHN

Boat Fishing: ‘Cuba Brian’ went out with ‘Computer Mark’ and his future other half, Megan, Megan’s sister Justine and boyfriend Stuart. They had a really good morning although it actually rained on them and Brian doesn’t do rain, Mark bullied him into going. They caught about 80 fish including an octopus, some mackerel, a couple of decent snappers and pandoras. The fishing was in 80 feet or thereabouts and about 500 metres out from the Repsol Garage, they used shrimp for bait as usual.

See photo of Brian’s gang catching a few fish.

‘Orca Steve’ went out with a heavy low laying sea fret hanging over the Garrucha and Mojacar coastline. “Albanchez Steve”, “Rubber Legs Martin” and “Kayak Steve” joined him for a day out on the boat to dangle a few prawns in the Med to see what was game for a take! The sea was like a mill pond with not a breath of wind or ripple on the surface, Steve hadn’t seen the sea that calm for a long time.

It was a great opportunity to fish in places that were normally out of bounds because of the difficulty with access and the first place they tried was drifting next to the harbour wall. They fished in different spots along there in depths of 25ft to 100ft but surprisingly only managed to bag a couple of mackerel, pandoras and an octopus which Steve (A.S) bravely played with!

They finished up the morning in a good spot near the Repsol garage catching bags of pickerel, pandoras, mackerel and bogues in 70ft. It was a great days fishing in what only

can be described as perfect conditions!

Steve was out again the following day with “Race car Jimmy”, “Pollen Hater Dean”, “Turre Jeff” and his mate Mike.The conditions were very similar to those of the previous day although it was a little chillier and there was a light breeze from the East. The lads were keen to catch fish of any kind so Steve navigated the boat directly to the spot near to the rocks opposite the Repsol garage and anchored in 75ft of calm water. Steve had previously put a rubby dubby bag on the anchor chain filled with cat biscuits, fish heads and prawn bits to get a bit of interest and within an hour this worked a treat with shoals of fish showing under the boat.

Dean caught first with several mackerel shortly followed by Jimmy with some nice pandoras to a kilo. Jeff and Mike were busy bringing pickerels aboard, the males still in their vibrant breeding colours. The fish well was brimming with pandoras, pickerels, bogues, pouting, mackerel (Spanish and Atlantic) and a couple of small red snappers and twin banded bream. When they had enough fish for their needs they adopted the “return to sea policy” and sent plenty back for next time.

Jimmy and Dean had a good bag of fish for their fish stew which they had been planning throughout the morning whilst sharing recipes!

Shore Fishing: I haven’t been out because my rods are still at the tackle shop getting special knots fitted. Manana didn’t happen as usual here, you would think after 29 years

living in Spain I would have got used to it. ‘London Bill’ however did get out and caught various bream species from the Garrucha rocks close to the Repsol garage. One dorada weighed in at an edible 3lbs.

Coarse Fishing: Two matches were won with top weights of 58lbs and 24lbs.

‘London Bill’ hasn’t been out much lately but fished Lake Puentes in Murcia and had a good bag of carp and barbel to 5lbs and 3lbs respectively.

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

For up to date information on any of the above see me at the Beachcomber Bar Restaurant on Mojacar Playa or tel 950 473 099.

Tight lines, Beachcomber John.

Huercal Overa fc

Hello Huercalenses!!!!

Well with the results going our way this weekend we can now say we have secured our Tercera Division Status for another year... A bit of a roller coaster ride with players and coaches coming and going....

But we got there in the end!

The final game of the season is this Sunday at 17:00 at El Hornillo against the league Champions La Hoya Lorca CF and we hope to see you all there.

The club is Holding the End of Year Raffle with some Fantastic Prizes on Offer including Donations from leading Retailers in Huercal Overa and the surrounding area.

Jamons, Sunglasses, Technology, Shirts and Donations From the Mighty Real Madrid!!!!

Raffle tickets priced at €1 and are available at the I-Cafebar in Huercal Overa opposite the Bus Station. Pop in to see Steve and Jayne for a Cuppa and a Pie...

Raffle Ticket holders also get a reduced entry price for the game on Sunday of Only €5 when your raffle ticket is shown...

Vamos Rojos. United for Football

Urcal Gs

On

Saturday the 27th we played the course at Macenas competing for the Urcal Golf Cup and thank fully t h e weather t u r n e d out better than was forecast with the Society enjoying a very pleasant sunny day.

The course though will be all the better for the rain when it does come but the day was very e nj oy a b l e in the main.

The winner of the event was Steve Fear with an excellent 34 points with Barry Kilby 2nd with 31 points and third place went to Keith Thompson with 28points on countback from our newest member Richard Wallace.

The nearest to the pin on hole 13 was won by Last years Capitano Tony Morgan with the Longest drive going to winner Steve Fear on the 7th Steves day got better as he also won the sweep for the hole in two.

Thanks to all for a good day with plenty of the usual friendly banter in the bar area after.

The Societies next game will be at Lorca Golf on the 11th of May where we will be competing for the Valantel Cup anybody interested in joining our Society can contact me by e-mail torab55@yahoo.com

Boxers GS

Our Spring weather continues to play tricks on us. The torrential rain which accompanied the coach to Roquetas, and distant flashes of lightning, were enough to frighten off a couple of the fainthearted; however that turned out to be poor judgement as, apart from a couple of light showers, members were rewarded with warm sunshine for the whole day and the recent rain had watered the course into perfection.

The day was both a stand-alone competition and the final round of this season’s Captain’s Eclectic.

Last year’s captain, Tony Harwin, turned in a blistering round, giving lessons on how to manage all aspects of the game; but we will

have to wait until the Captain’s Day presentations to find out if his round was strong enough to nick the three round eclectic trophy from leading contenders Mark Newell and Adrian Ball, who both had successful days …. Or if there is a dark horse in the race?

Div 1 : Tony Harwin : Mark Newell : Paul Holley Div 2 : Richard Measures : Steve Priestley : Adrian Ball NTP’s : Mike Doyle : Dave France.

2’s : Adrian Ball : Terry Harris (who indulged himself with a brandy to celebrate afterwards.)

May is a busy month for the Society with the ever-popular ‘Trouble & Strife’ pairs comp on the 12th, the Alan Hayes trophy at Alboran 14th (open to all) and a regular meeting at Desert Springs 29th : with the final round of the Home Internationals 22nd.

The social flowers in the bouquet are the Spring Ball (4th) and a Bowling Supper 24th.

Guests and new members are always welcome and for more information on any Society activities, and to see a full calendar, please visit the Boxers website at http://www.boxersgs. webs.com/ or call Captain Derek Leonard on 950 936162 or 690 352 860.

Forum Golf Society Forum Golf Society´s return to Lorca on May 3rd for an Individual stableford competition coincided with a long awaited return of the type of weather that most of us had moved out here to live in, and it was no coincidence that with the sun on their backs 18 of the 42 strong field returned scores of 30 points or better.

Peter Tinsley won the day with a score of 39 points, 3 better than Maurice Jamieson (second), Derek Manning (third) & Tony Morgan (fourth) who all scored 36 points.

Just one behind on 35 points were Terry Davies (fifth) & Terry Davies (sixth), with Fran Elam (33 points) seventh.

The four nearest the pin prizes went to Phil Harris, Derick Oldfield, Mike Duckham & Maurice Jamieson, whilst Terry Moore made up for a slightly disappointing day by his own high standards by belting the ball a very long way down the fifteenth fairway to take the longest drive prize

With nearly half of the qualifying events now played to decide the 8 finalists that will compete in Forum´s Golfer of the Year matchplay competition in the autumn Brian Gyer is still some way clear of the field. Leading players out of the 61 who have so far this year scored points in the qualifying competitions are Brian Gyer 85pts Adrian Lawrence 66pts Bob Cowan 65pts Derek Manning 65pts Terry Davies 62pts John Smith 60pts Forum´s upcoming fixtures are May 17th Stableford at Marina May 18th Bowling night at Los Amigos, Arboleas May 25th – 26th Ford League Grand Finals at La Sella, Denia For further information, contact Phil Elam on 666 847840 / philjelam@yahoo.co.uk, or see www.forumgolfsociety.webs.com

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2013

sport

Compiled by Tony Matthews

sport shorts

On Saturday, it’s Manchester City v. Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup final at Wembley. This will be City’s 10th appearance in the final and Wigan’s first.

Tomorrow Leicester play Watford and on Friday Crystal Palace meet Brighton in the first legs of the Championship play-off semi-finals, while also over the weekend, Leicester Tigers play Harlequins and Saracens meet Northampton in rugby’s Aviva Premiership semi-finals, the Spanish Grand Prix will take place at the Circuit de Catalunya on Sunday and there are some vital Premiership games with several teams hoping to collect much-needed anti-relegation points!

Round Up • Gareth Bale, the 2013 PFA ‘Footballer of the Year’ and the PFA ‘Young Player of the Year’, has now been voted the FWA ‘Player of the Year’.

And with his late winner against Southampton last Saturday, the Welsh international became the first Spurs player since Jurgen Klinsmann in 1995, to hit 20 Premier goals in a season.

• Arsenal’s Theo Walcott also reached the 20-goal mark for 2012-13 with a rapid 21-second winner against QPR. • Courtesy of a 1-0 victory at Manchester United on Sunday, Chelsea climbed back into third place in the Premiership.

• Wolves, a Premiership side 12 months ago, will play in football’s third tier next season after losing 2-0 at Brighton. Bristol City and Peterborough have been relegated with them.

• Motherwell will play in Europe next season; Dundee have lost their SPL status and Newport County AFC (reformed in 1989) have regained their place in the FL after beating Wrexham 2-0 in the Conference p/o final.

• Ronnie O’Sullivan beat Barry Hawkins 18-12 in the final of the World Snooker Championship. Only two other players - Steve Davis (three times in the 1980s) and Stephen Hendry (1993 & 1996) - have retained the title at the Crucible.

• Irishman Tony McCoy, 39, has won the jump jockey’s championship for the 18th consecutive season.

• It was a Spanish romp in last Sunday’s Jerez MotorGP with Dani Pedrosa, Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo finishing 1-2-3.

• Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish are working on the ‘Italian Job’ - aiming to win the Giro d’Italia cycle race!

• China’s Ye Woncheng, aged just 12, became the youngest-ever golfer in European Tour history by competing in last week’s China Open.

• Sky Lantern (jockey Richard Hughes’ first-ever classic winner) and Dawn Approach (ridden by Keith Manning) won the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas horse races at Newmarket.

• And Wembley will stage the first-ever all-German Champions League final between Bayern Munich (7-0 aggregate conquerors of Barcelona) and Borussia Dortmund (who k’od Real Madrid 4-3) on 25th May.

CABRERA LAWN BOWLING CLUB

ALMANZARA CUP HONG KONG DRAWN PAIRS In sunshine the Final of the Almanzara Cup Hong Kong Drawn Pairs took place between the pairing of Sue Sephton and Neil Capper and the other pair of Rod Byrne and John Beaumont. A good natured and well played final took place between these two pairs with Sue and Neil the winners. Well played.

Photo: L to R. Neil Capper and Sue Sephton.

CORTIJO GRANDE Lots of golf played at Cortijo Grande and the first to report is Wednesday 1st May and we had 2 divisions. The winner of the first div with 36 points Mike Picken second with 34 John Park. Our second div winner with 35 Tony Stubbs and second with 34 Angel Gonzalez. No Ball sweep winner Sunday 5th May and our winner with 38 points Jackie Macdougal and in second with 37 points Mike Picken in third with 36

David Hardy. Still no ball sweep winner The winners of our annual 4 ball better ball matchplay competition were Cathal and Mary Higgins from John and Barbara Wardley Congratulations to both for reaching final We are enjoying Cortijo Grande at its very best at the moment and we invite all our old mates to give it a try as I can assure you you will enjoy playing this lovely old course MP

VALLE DEL ESTE GOLF SOCIETY On Tues the rain was the winner. This gave some golfers rest time before our monthly comp on Fri. Congratulations to the winner a young 80+ who showed the young pretenders the way home.

1st Byran Brown gross 88 (hcp15) nett 73 2nd Alan Townsend gross 94 (hcp20) nett 74 3rd Ken Hidle gross 93 (hcp18) nett 75. The longest drive on the difficult 3rd hole was Dick Hull. Nearest the pins on the 12th Peter Denham and the second shot to the 16th Tim Walker. Just to remind

players that the first round of the matchplay comp must be completed before end of May. Quote: If you watch a game its fun If you playat it its recreation.

If you work at it Its Golf.

39

19th Hole Golf Society. Cucador.

Thursday 2nd May saw 26 members and a couple of guests have a later start than normal at the beautiful Agiulon course. In weather conditions that could only be described as perfect this singles stableford competition got underway.

Our Nigel Greenwood took to the 1st Tee with his now famous 7.5º driver and, with the watching gallery expectant of something special, unleashed his monster drive. Club struck ball and ball landed about 20 meters forward perfectly in the middle of the Ladies Tee , Oh Dear!!.. Little did he know that his day was to get much worse when his arch rival, Geoff Smith, easily beat him.

Several players had good rounds not least of all Ralph Hunter, Ralph had his best result ever scoring 34 points to secure 2nd place with Reno Palagano ( fresh over from the UK) scoring 33 points to take 3rd spot. Syd Walker had a sound game scoring 31 point, so did his playing partner, Nick Pogson scoring 30 points. But again the man in form Alan (The Pocket Rocket) Chippendale was unbeatable on the day. Alan scored 36 points playing off 14, and a Two on the 8th to take the day. Very well played Alan.

In the Ladies division it was a win again for Zeta(Her in Doors) Denyer, Zeta scored 29 points

to take the victory from Sarah Herman on 24 points.

Unusually we had 4 Twos which could be a reflection on the excellent condition of the Greens.

Results:Men’s Singles Stableford.

1st Alan Chippendale 36 points (14) 2nd Ralph Hunter 34 points (31) 3rd Reno Palagano 33 points (23) Ladies Division:1st Zeta Denyer 29 points (36) 2nd Sarah Herman 24 points (36) Nearest the Pin:Hole 4 Reno Palagano Hole 10 Terry Caddick Hole 17th Reno Palagano Twos:Dave Denyer 4th Hole Alan Chippendale 8th Hole Terry Caddick 10th Hole Nigel greenwood 17th Hole Thanks to all the members who support the 19th Hole Golf Society.

The 19th hole G/S is now arranging weekly games at various courses in the area, our home course, which we will play fortnightly, is Aguilon.

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

fANTASTIC rANGE OF nEARLY nEW vEHICLES

aut

haus

Calle Mallorca, San Javier Call us: 968 146 158 or 618 628 511 www.specialistvehicles.com Mercedes C220 2.2CDI elegance, 2009, 70,000kms............…...............................€21,950 FORD TRANSIT 2.6 DIESEL, 2008, 28,000KMS...............................................................€10,950 HYUNDAI i30, 1.4 PETROL, 2009, 68,000KMS....................................................................€8,950 hyundai santa fe, 2L CRDI, 2003, 123,000kms............................................................€6,950 TOYOTA AVENSIS, 2L DIESEL, 2005, 177,000KMS............................................................€6,950 RENAULT KANGOO 1.6 PETROL, AUTO, 2007, 112,000KMS.............................................€6,950 renault megane 1.9, dti, diesal, 168,000kms................................................................€2,950 FORD MONDEO EST. GHIA, 2.5 V6, PETROL, 2001, 110,000KMS......................................€2,950 CITROEN XSARA 1.8 PETROL, AUTO, 1998, 121,000KMS...............................................€1,450

over 40 cars in group stock

BMW 330CD 245CV DIESEL / 2010 / 78.000KM / 22.900€

FORD FOCUS SPORTBREAK 1.6TDCI / 2009 / 92.000KM / 7.999€

RENAULT MEGANE 1.9DCI 130 CV / 2009 / 105.000KM / 6.900€

OPEL ASTRA 2.0DTI 80CV / 2000 / 189.000KM / 1.999€

MERCEDES ML 320 AUTOMATIC / 2001 / 135.000KM / 5.300€

NISSAN TERRANO 2.7 TDI / 2004 / 115.000KM /FULL OPTION 6.500€

www.specialistvehicles.com Tel: 968 146 158 / 618 628 511

SOL TIMES COSTA ALMERIA

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

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

Almeria Edition AL-344-2005/Roquetas Edition AL 956-2010

sales@soltimes.com

POSTAL ADDRESS: ROC PUBLISHING S.L. APDO. 242, 04800, ALBOX, ALMERIA

Tel: 691 546 950

New to the Industrial Estate, next to Iron Art, Antas

40 SOLTIMES MAY 2013

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

Warm and Friendly Atmosphere

27 CALLE SIERRA NEVADA, 200M FROM diver HOTEL ROQUETAS

live football / outside tv / air con / free WI-FI HOMEMADE FOOD DAILY

Tel: 950 335 022

Mob: 618 824 368

Open:1pm until close tuesday to sunday from 5pm monday “open as advertised”

b ar

pool table

darts board

Yvonne, Dave & John Welcome you to

Y.Da.Wakes

help for heroes Bingo Monday 8.30pm

total from table top, book & collossal cake sale 268€ giving

grand total of 487€ to date thanks to all who helped with the baking, helped on the day or came along.

next event june to be advised shortly

ALL LIVE SPORTS COVERAGE

2 for 1

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

new revised menu ask for details

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

free

(closed Wednesday)

Breakfast

served 11am - 2pm €2.95 10 different tapas available every day served from 12noon to 6pm Calle Sierra Nevada, Roquetas De Mar Tel: 633 376 541

welcomed by Bernard & Ralf

Peaceful Surroundings, Good Music Open 12noon till late wed - Mon (closed Tuesday) Avenida Playa Serena 224, 04740 Roquetas de Mar, Almeria 617 051 947

Bar 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

Property management Sales & Rentals

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

902 750 190

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

www.soltimes.com

CHAPLINS pub