ISSUE 456
Property management Sales & Rentals
see our main advert on back page
Tel: 663 426 921 info@enviapropertyservices.com www.enviapropertyservices.com
roquetas & almerimar
1 - 7 oct
SolTimes CK ME UP’est. SINCE 2005 YOUR ESSENTIAL WEEKLY ‘PI
your free weekly newspaper
www.soltimes.com
Hospital turns kids’ MRI into space odyssey
Relaxed, friendly bar and restaurant serving great food, drinks and tapas
fish & chip shop open last friday of the month Calle Faro, Almerimar
At the entrance to the port
Tel: 950 563 560
Depressing News For Local Fishing Fleet Page 11
Page 7
casseroles and stews Pages 28 - 29
JAKS
Arkrites British Food Store
Groceries & frozen foods including legs of New Zealand lamb, gammon joints, lambs liver. Large Selection of Greeting Cards
double knitting wool now in stock Mon - Fri: 10.30am - 2.30pm Sat 10am - 2pm
TEL: 950 334 081
out of hours please call 950 334 544
In the Urb of Roquetas de Mar, just off Avda de Mediterraneo in the square near La Gamba Toscana & Theos
trip advisor winner 2014 certificate of excellence rack of Lamb available Menu del dia 9.90€ 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
Wide Range of UK, Continental & Indian Foods & Spices selection of electrical Goods OPENING HOURS: Mon - fri 10am - 6pm sat & sun 10am - 7pm
Tel: 950 609 419
calle JABEQUE, 42, ALMERIMAR
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SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
DONT MISS OUR NEXT AUCTION
SATURDAY
A
11th October
11am
UCTION
Buy Buy Auction Subasta
In the Pink House
Now available to download our free catalogue from www.buybuyauctions.com VIEWING: Fri 10th October All Day & Sat from 9:30am lots to include, special for this auction-Lots of antiques, large quantity OVER 600of garden furniture in teak and metal, together with a wide selection of
childrens items. The usual household furniture to include: Outdoor furniture, bedroom, dining, sofas, carpets, pictures, mirrors, giftware, chairs, garden tools, professional tools, electric items, fridges, cookers, TV’s, video’s, DVD’s, musical equipment, microwaves, kitchenware, bicycles, quads etc..
Free ion Collect
Take advantage of our offers
ish, , Span h s i l g eak En rench, We sp ,F Dutch ic & Italian b n, Ara Germa
You can buy at our Auction shop everyday
Immed iat Payou e Cash t Optio n
Lowest C omm Rates in S ission pai Buyers & n for Sellers
We Open Mon - Sat from 10am - 5pm
We are closer than you think!!
Only 10 mins from Huercal-Overa, Antas & Arboleas & 15 mins from Albox, Vera & Mojacar Turn your unwanted items into immediate cash. We buy anything from cars, caravans & bicycles to household items.
Tel: 681 095 096 & 679 207 545 Directions & Map Take exit 543 from A7 motorway head towards La Concepcion We are the large pink building on the right Approximately 3.5km
Direcciones y mapas Toma la salida 543 desde la autovia A7 camino hacia La Concepcion, Estamos en el gran edificio rosa a la derecha Approximadamente a 3.5km
Albox
E-15
Los Carasoles
HuercalOvera
A534
Arboleas
A534
A7
La Alfoquia
547
El Palaces
Zurgena
PINK HOUSE La Concepcion
A7 E-15
543
AntasVera
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
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3
News
The Dames in Spain
On Monday 15th September The Dames in Spain held their first Meeting of their new year, their “Meet and Greet” at the Parador Mojacar. Many existing members gathered to renew their membership, 6 new members were welcomed and several guests joined us to enjoy a very happy first Meeting A welcome drink of Cava, Bucks Fizz or Orange Juice together with a huge bowl of fresh grapes was provided to help the morning along. During the Meeting donations to the Dames nominated Charities were
el Cucador
made, Cancer Research Spain, Red Cross Mojacar, Fanny Davies, Stepping Stones Group and to our Charity in the Gambia, Hart House, where The Dames support a young boy through his life and education. Please Dames, don’t forget our event on the 30th September, a 4 course lunch with wine tasting at the hotel Tikar Garrucha. Irene Benson is your contact for tickets, and our next Dames Meeting is on 20th October at the Parador 11.00am, new members and guests are welcome
SATURDAY 4TH OCTOBER 9PM FROM
Remember
Laddie?
In April he was thrown from a moving motorbike, scared rigid, rescued by Di of APSA and, with lots of patience, he began to gain in confidence and trust. A beautiful, quiet boy, he now has a home in England! Thankyou so much to his new owners, what a little life he has had - good luck Laddie! Many more dogs need homes in the area, please visit www.apsa.org.es or facebook or ring Di 663 762 642.
Almanzora Charitable Theatre
FREE ENTRY
FOOD AVAILABLE from 8pm on request DOORS OPEN 7:30pm
ALL WELCOME
swimming pools pool sureste sl made with “Gunite” FREE Dolphin & Seal Mosiac Design on base of pool. Ask for details. Al & SIZES l s hapes eg.
8.500 €
8m.X 4m.
pool Repairs ~ Terraces ~ Pool Covers
968 461 404 - 630 810 299 poolsureste@gmail.com www.poolsureste.com
MARIO REDONDO A.C.T. will be having another theatre supper evening at Bar / Restaurante “La Parrilla” from the 7th. to the 9th. November, being the weekend following the Albox Feria which should make it a noteworthy date. The lead feature of the evening is “Heads” a play by Alistair Falkner where family dynamics give impulse and emotion to the plot. An old difference of opinion provoked a mother and daughter into not talking and not seeing each other for a dozen years or more. This exclusion from the family which included the daughter not even
attending her father’s funeral, provides the nub for a canny conclusion. The production will finish with “Fiesta Fandango” by Richard Tydeman. The spotlight in this play focuses on a family of Spanish gentry where Don Lopez, the father, has arranged for his daughter to marry an old, and in his eyes, very desirable suitor. The fact that ‘old’ means worn out and decrepit in the eyes of Rosina, his daughter, makes the proposition somewhat unattractive. The devious machinations to avoid this inappropriate suiting bring about a fitting finish in a very jaunty manner.
Is a professional and energetic solicitor for all your legal and financial needs
• Obtaining licenses for first occupation • Property matters • Vehicle licensing & purchase • Official translations • Spanish wills • Inheritance issues • NIE’s & Residencia • • Personal Loans • Conveyancing • Insurances • Mortgages • Tax Issues
UNLIMITED CONSULTATION PACKAGE 10€ PER MONTH
email: mariosolicitor@gmail.com Tel. 950 430 222 / 626 389 322 Calle Andalucia, local 2, 04800 Albox (next to Taberna Saliente and the Guardia Civil)
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News
The IBI Increases 50% in Tornado causes damage Five Years Despite Falling to Lubrin House Prices
The Consumers and Users Organisation (OCU) have reported that the cost of the Property Tax (IBI) has risen in several Spanish cities over the last five years, despite the fact that housing prices have fallen by more than 40% on average during this time. The Organisation indicated in a statement, that the IBI has risen by 54% in Madrid since 2008, and by 33.8% in Barcelona. This tax has also increased by 23% in Seville and Valladolid, by 17% in A Coruña and by 7.9% in Bilbao and Valencia. The OCU believes that the IBI should only increase when property values rise, and that it should reduce when the price of housing falls, as has been the case in recent years. They also believe that “the taxes should be adjusted to conform to citizens’ ability to pay”. According to the OCU, these examples show that many municipalities, in the face of the poor economic situation, have decided to significantly raise the taxes which are directly levied on citizens, in order to balance their budgets and “management excesses”, and that the citizens in certain municipalities are the ones ultimately paying the price for the “economic mismanagement of some
politicians”. The IBI is one of the taxes which impacts most on the pockets of Spanish families and is usually accompanied by controversy since, as a rule, it has registered more ups than downs. On average, homeowners in Spain paid about 800 euros in 2013, although the amount varies greatly depending on the location of the property, and the cities where the rates are more expensive can reach up to 3,000 euros on average for a family home. To prepare this analysis, El Economista reported that the OCU collated receipts of property tax paid on eight houses from eight different cities over the past five years. The figures were then compared with data published each year by the Madrid City Council in their report on tax burden in the 52 provincial capitals. The OCU explained that the IBI has risen much more than has been stated, due to the fact that the report has not taken into account the extraordinary rise in urgent budgetary, tax and financial measures for the correction of the public deficit which followed the cadastral revision, approved by Royal Decree Law 20/2011. Source: http://news.kyero.com
Now under New Ownership
Garry & Chris would like to welcome old & new customers
Sunday Roast served 1pm - 4pm €6.95 incl. dessert
New Menu Coming Soon
Special Price Breakfast Tuesday - Friday 10-12am
only €2.95 Now Bigger
incl. Tea or Coffee
Value!!
Kitchen also open Evenings, Wednesday - Saturday, from 7pm - 10pm
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT Friday 3rd October 8.30 pm
with DAVE HENRY
New Vocalist to This Area - Not to be Missed!! Normal Menu Available plus Home made KFC Style Chicken, Fries, Chicken Gravy & Coleslaw Booking advisable for KFC Style Chicken
Tel: 950 930 550 / 634 357 455
Last Tuesday, Lubrin was hit by a tornado that caused damage to homes and buildings as well as trees in the locality. Mayor José Ramos Sunday Efe reported that the tornado passed through the town at about 5.30pm and could be seen by many of the neighbours. There were no reported injuries but it did cause damage to three houses, two
buildings, one used as a garage and another who previously had livestock in, as well as olive and almond trees. Ramos has stated that the Council of Almería have already made an initial inspection to assess the damage to the buildings which are in common use and will support those affected, and give the necessary aid to fix their homes. Source: www.lavanguardia.com
Madrid has chosen Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger as its first tourism ambassador for his promotion and close links to the Spanish capital, the place he once filmed his hit movie Conan the Barbarian. “I have many medals, trophies and prizes, but this is without a doubt…the most recent,” the former Governor of California joked moments after receiving the award at Madrid Town Hall on Friday. Schwarzenegger is the first person to receive a Madrid Destino (Destination Madrid) medal, an award which will be granted to people and organizations helping to promote tourism in the Spanish capital. The 67-year-old bodybuilding legend has organized four international fairs in Madrid dedicated to “culturismo”, as the musclebuilding practice is called in Spanish. “We chose the city because I love Spain and Madrid,” the seven-time Mr. Olympia champion told journalists and officials about the Arnie Classic Europe fair. “Other cities such as Vienna, London, Paris and Berlin were fighting each other to hold it but we decided it was Madrid
that deserved it.” According to national daily El País, the bodybuilding fair draws 5,000 athletes from 60 different countries and 40,000 international aficionados. Even the presence of the newlyproclaimed ‘Ambassadator’ in the Spanish capital has resulted in “a considerable promotion and coverage of Madrid in international media sources”, town hall authorities said. Arnie also spoke of his links to Madrid, where he filmed some scenes from his first big Hollywood hit Conan the Barbarian back in 1982. “I spent five months shooting here. It was a wonderful period of my life and the film did a lot for my career.” Schwarzenegger went on to spend the weekend in the other Spanish city where he shot the mythical action movie: Almería. “You’re very smart,” he told the crowd as he explained he was about to choose the location of the Conan remake “The Legend of Conan”, suggesting the southern Spanish city was a strong contender. Source: www.thelocal.es
Schwarzenegger named Madrid tourism envoy
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
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News
Isis terror Huercal Overa Integration Day suspect remanded The idea was that up to 300 people from the community in Huércal-Overa could take part in creating a painting together. Each one was given a square to colour in that was then glued to a large board and the picture developed during the day. By the end of the day we had had all sorts of people taking part; British, Spanish, old and young, and a great bunch of children who kept coming back for more squares to colour in! I think that about 250 people must have joined in, including Maria Dolores and the mayor.
in custody
A Spanish court on Sunday remanded in custody the suspected leader of a militant cell based in north Africa that recruited jihadists for Isis. High Court Judge Javier Gomez Bermudez in Madrid ruled that there was a “high probability” that Mohamed Said Mohamed was the head of the cell based in Melilla, a Spanish territory on the northern tip of Morocco, and the nearby Moroccan city of Nador. Spanish and Moroccan security forces detained Mohamed, a Spanish national of Moroccan descent, and eight other suspected members of the cell on Friday in Melilla and Nador. Spain’s interior ministry said at the time that Mohamed worked with his brother, a former Spanish soldier and explosives specialist who is currently fighting with Isis militants now in control of large swathes of Iraq and Syria. Two of the suspected members of the cell are believed to have travelled in July to an area of Syria or Iraq under IS control, the ministry added. The judge said in his ruling that there
was evidence that the suspects were planning their “imminent” departure to join the Isis jihadists. He said Mohamed had made contradictory statements during questioning, such as claiming not to know the other suspects who were detained on Friday even though witnesses had seen him meeting with them. Moroccan authorities estimate there are between 1,500 and 2,000 Moroccans fighting in Syria and Iraq. Spain has arrested dozens of suspected extremists in raids this year. IS fighters have beheaded a British aid worker and two US journalists, and are holding two other Britons, Alan Henning and John Cantlie. A US-led alliance has launched air strikes against the IS militants in Syria and Iraq. Spain has spoken out against the brutality of Isis but it has not participated in military strikes against the militants in Iraq or Syria. Source: www.thelocal.es
Translations, Conveyancing, NIE, Wills & Inheritance Residencias, Cadastre, Notary / Court Appearances, etc.
We speak English, Spanish, French and Swedish Calle Dinamarca, Mojacar Playa Tel: 646 844 708 www.4wayconnections.webs.com Email: 4wayconnections@gmail.com
Pellet Stoves, Biomass Boilers & Solar Water Heating Solutions Murcia, Almeria & Alicante, Contact us for a no obligation chat to discuss your requirements Neil Broadbridge T: +34 697 949 519 E: info@solpellet.com W: www.solpellet.com Wood Pellet Fires & Boilers
We supply High Quality Italian manufactured Pellet stoves utilising the very latest technology and design.
Solar Water Heating
WithsomuchsunshineavailableinSpain,whynotutilise this to provide your hot water. Simple solutions using proven technology.
SafeGripNonSlipFloorTreatment
SafeGripisatransparentantislipsolution,thatcanbe appliedtoavarietyofsurfaces,bothinternal&external, radically improving the slip resistance when wet.
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SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
www.ecocorpshop.com Special Offers Visit:
Oil is a child of the fossil fuel age and prices will trend upwards. Solar is a child of the electronics age and prices will trend downwards. Oil may last a few years or a few hundred years. The sun will last a few billion years. All of the oil coal and gas known to humans has the same energy as 20 days of sunshine reaching earth!
Which one would you choose?
5Kw power systems with batteries installed from 5995€
3kw power systems with batteries installed from 4995€
Swimming pool heating From 1995€ fitted
Solar water heaters 200L 1995€ fitted
If you are getting frustrated at ever increasing electricity bills and want a clean, reliable energy alternative that can run in conjunction with your mains electricity. A system that you can add to, as and when you or your budget requires. free consultation and survey. With solar power systems that can pay for themselves in around 6/7 years. No more power cuts, we can supply and install a system to provide your whole home with a UPS system.
Victron Energy Official Installers for Almeria and Murcia 5 year warranty
With some of the highest sunshine in Europe, it is a great time to consider solar energy to reduce your electricity bills.
Spanish qualified Installers Eurener, Sharp, Senersun official Installers
The latest in auto-consumo technology! Grid tie solar power systems from
3995€
These systems can have more panels added to as and when required. Self-monitoring so as no power is fed back to the grid!
Call Ecocorp on
Servicing, repairs and surveys Grid tie systems Off grid systems Water heating Swimming pool heating
671 716 597 or 950 930 187 for a no obligation quotation
La Meseta, Bedar, Almeria
WWW.ECOCORPSHOP.COM
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
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7
News
Hospital turns kids’ MRI ROSE SINGERS CONCERTS into space odyssey
A Barcelona hospital has been able to reduce general anaesthetic among its child patients needing MRI scans by 18 percent thanks to an innovative new scheme that relaxes them. Staff at Barcelona’s Sant Joan de Déu hospital have teamed up with American IT and printing multinational HP to come up with a more child-friendly way of carrying out magnetic resonance imaging. Together they’ve turned the paediatrics unit carrying out the intimidating scans into a futuristic space centre. “We wanted to make the children believe they were part of the crew preparing to enter a spaceship,” HP communications manager Eva Blanco said. The company has used the latest in latex printing to decorate the once bland and lifeless walls and equipment with huge
perm cut & blowdry
44.95€
images of stars, planets and astronauts. For babies and young children, chemical sedation or general anaesthesia are usually the norm, as children can’t be expected to hold completely still during the MRI session, especially if they’re nervous. These can have occasional side effects on a child’s health such as nausea and dizziness and on very rare occasions can even lead to brain damage. “Radiology units are very intimidating for children, they feel anxious and don’t cooperate,” Doctor Terasa Maristany told Catalan daily El Periódico. “We used to have to sedate them to carry out the tests but now the kids are fascinated, more cooperative and aren’t as scared.” Source: www.thelocal.es
super special his ‘n’ hers
25€
cut & Blowdry
Was €43
cap highlights JoseFa Beautician including Cut & Blowdry
€39.95 Gift Vouchers Always Available
Pop in or phone for details Calle Malaga - Albox (100m from Mercadona)
Open Monday - Friday 9am - 5.30pm Saturday by appointment
The Rose Singers will be supporting the Royal British Legion in commemorating the centenary of ww1 by presenting two concerts. Thursday 6th Nov 7.30pm in Miraflores Restaurant, Camping Los Gallardos Saturday 8th Nov 3.00pm (matinee) in Living Water Church, Mojacar Tickets for both performances 8 euros available from; Forgetme-not in Las Buganvillas, Treasure Trove in Turre, Gills in Mojacar Playa, the shop at Camping Los Gallardos and choir members. As the oldest choir in the Mojacar area they are also the smallest in number but with Alison Jackson as musical director and Pam Peters their accompanist the choir perform varied programmes in many languages, however they are always pleased to receive suggestions for items for future
“English spoken”
concerts. Enquiries from anyone wishing to join the group are welcome and at present the choir are seeking someone to act as deputy pianist (non remunerable). Enquiries to Lyn, 667 275 614. They donate to local, national and international charities and rely solely on the generosity of the local British press for the majority of their publicity.
Your local Spanish school!
The Best school for people like you!
Would you like to learn Spanish? Do your children need some help with Spanish & homework? New groups starting in October Tlf. 661 162 201 Email: mariadalia2003@hotmail.com (Preferable to be contacted via email) In Arboleas, opposite Town Hall
Deborah Cubel fisher 7 years experience in this area
“on parle francais”
legal & fiscal advice for residents & non-residents, Tax Payments and refunds • Wills and Inheritance process • Purchase / Sale private contracts • Land property and Catastro registration licenses • Conveyancing / Notorial documents
• Translations / Interpreter • NIE’s, Residencia, Medical Cards.... • Vehicle registration / driving licenses • Mortgages
• T axes (local rates, rubbish collection, vehicle, tax returns for residents and non residents and refund of the capital gains tax)
Special offer !!!
Wills €125 / each Including Notary Fee
Yearly contract €149 Including VAT 21% Luxury facial mini Manicure & polish
WAXING from
FULL BODY MASSAGE
€20 €8 €3.75 €25
Call for an appointment
950 633 086
iFi open saturdays by appointment only FREE W
Prices are subject to change without notification. Please confirm on booking. We reserve the right to withdraw offers at any time.
• 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
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SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
A CHIMNEY OR FLUE NEEDS CLEANING ONCE A YEAR! WHY?
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF A CHIMNEY FIRE BY REMOVING SOOT AND TAR
FOR PEACE OF MIND BOOK YOUR SWEEP TODAY
FOR A FRIENDLY, PROFESSIONAL, CLEAN, SERVICE CALL PAUL ON 617150300 OR 850993057 TAKING BOOKINGS FOR SEPTEMBER CALL NOW
Home & Garden
Small thin gs that get forgotten
A CLEAN CHIMNEYIS A SAFE CHIMNEY!
Our Business is Growing Specialists in:
Power outage flashlights that plug into an outlet to keep charged. Place them in strategic places for use in power cuts.
Landscaping - Irrigation - Garden Maintenance Lawn work - Tree Trimming
Call: 666 847 583 or 950 699 984 gardenworks.bates@gmail.com
Make copies of all product manuals prior to installation of equipment, finishes and fixtures.
Full Guttering Service Quality English Guttering Rain Diverters Water Butts Free Quotations John.Colbert@hotmail.co.uk Tel: 662 597 596
C.I.S Casa Improvement Services Interior & Exterior Painting including Rejas, Gates, Garage Doors
All Aspects of Carpentry including Car Ports & Pergolas
Most people find that there are small things that they didn’t think about until after the builders had finished construction. Here are some, in no particular order, that they wish they would have added into their build: Charging plugs in the kitchen for items that may end up living there. Full size broom cupboard to hide all the cleaning items away from sight. Prewired security system Run wire and prepare roof for future solar panels. Run conduit under your driveway just in case you need to run wiring or plumbing in the future.
Phone now for free estimate on any type of painting and carpentry works that you require in your home or business
Run a 2” pvc pipe from ground floor up to second floor, for any future wiring.
Tel: Chris 619 693 118 or Eric 634 621 747
Put charging plugs in closets for charging a cordless vacuum.
cisinfoservice@gmail.com
connexions www.connexionsonline.net
950 479 502
now a member of mr micro group go to
www.mrmicro.es
for all your technological needs
Plan a specific place for your dog and/or cat food, treats, and bowls. Make sure you have enough space to hang long clothes. Enough plugs in the bathroom/bedroom. You need more than you ever imagined! Inside switch for your outside lights.
come & get your android box now
An inside light for your bathroom/medical cabinet.
New wireless BROADBAND internet
If you have 2 doors into the same room, make sure you have a light switch for that room at each door.
no satellite dish required
service available 8&16mbthfrom €25 p/m e 4 october 2nd till threquired sedlandline cloNo Call us for details if you are a part time resident to find out if your area is covered go to
www.wimaxonline.net mobile phones, sales, repairs & unlocking area distributor for
hits sim cards
computers ~ laptops full repair service Distributor for
call into our shop in Turre town just along down from the Cajamar bank
New opening times: Mon - Frid 9.30am - 2pm Saturday 10am - 2pm
Recess your fridge.
Storage for Christmas tree decorations! Heated towel racks. Pre wire a motion sensor for selected exterior lights. Adjustable shelves in cupboards.
Add a mosquito system. It’s a system of tubes and pipes installed in your walls that automatically mists mosquito spray along the outside perimeter of your house and wherever else you choose to put a spray pump. Apparently the spray can help combat other flying insects such as wasps and flies. Here are a couple of links about the system: http://www.mistaway.com/watch-themistaway-video.html and http://www.mosquitonix. com/mosquitonix. A master switch at each exit (Front, back or garage), that turns off all of the power to the switches/lights in the house, so that you can turn off all lights without going to each room. Photos of electrical, plumbing, and windows before drywall goes up for future reference. Record the locations of wires and pipes in the walls, try to measure the location of anything under a slab, and various utilities outside. Make choices that are handicapped accessible. You never know when life will change for a family member for a recovery or a lifetime. Having an entry, bedroom/bathroom accessible or easily converted may make your home more suitable for you and also open a market to you in case of resale. Closet lights on the hinges. Goes on when the door opens and off when it shuts. Kitchen features such as: Drawer microwave Knife drawer Pull-out bin for rubbish/recycling/laundry (for dirty dish towels/napkins/bibs!) Paper towel/film/foil holder in drawer slot Drawers for all lower cabinets (more efficient use of space) Place to store fresh fruit Easy-access appliances
place
to
store
frequently
used
Place to hang aprons
Multiple taps for outside.
Place to hang hand towels
Master switch in the master bedroom that controls all exterior lights (in case you hear something in the night)
Place to store broom/mop, etc. Dimmer switches in the bathrooms for middle-ofthe-night trips.
A light switch at the head of your bed so you can turn out the light once you are in bed.
A built in ironing board, recessed into the wall, with space to keep the iron and supplies.
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
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9
News
Spanish diplomat killed in Sudan
Men who burned photo of king face hefty fine
Two men who burned a portrait of Spain’s former King Juan Carlos during celebrations marking Catalonia’s national day in 2013 face a stiff fine if they are found guilty of injuring the dignity of the majesty. Guifre Peguera and Jordi Nogue will go before a Barcelona judge on Thursday to answer a charge of lèse-majesté, or violating the dignity of a head of state, after they allegedly burned a photo of Juan Carlos during an independence rally on September 11th 2013. Prosecutors say the pair burned the image of Juan Carlos, who abdicated in June 2014, during an unauthorized rally in favour of the independence of Catalonia organized by left-wing groups including the socialist organization Arran. When participants at the 200-strong rally reached a cultural centre known as
El Teler in Barcelona’s Mataró district, the two men split up with the rest of the group and hoisted an image of the King Juan Carlos — who many Catalans view as the king of a foreign power — onto the facade of the building. They then set fire to it using flammable liquid, Spain’s 20 minutos newspaper reported. Their act of rebellion could come with a hefty price tag though: prosecutors hope to see the pair slapped with a fine of €10,800 ($13,700) each. This is not the first time Catalan protesters have come before a judge over burning photographs of members of the Spanish royal family. In 2007, two individuals were fined €2,700 each for burning images of King Juan Carlos and his wife Queen Sofia.
STEVE HAYES INFORMATICA • PC’s • Laptops • Printers etc... • Sales & Repairs • On-site Call Out &Tuition • Consumables
Telephone 950 120 900
Live in Spain
for more than
t us n e it e or vis inm r m n ta Fo atio ter ox b rm En Al fo l n In ota i T in
RELAX IN THE SUN
Police identified the victim as the to the Spanish embassy, and the family head of the visa section at the Spanish of the departed, for their painful loss,” embassy. it said. The victim was 61 and had been A Spanish foreign ministry spokesman living in Sudan for three years, police confirmed the man was the head of the said, adding that he was found dead visa section at the embassy “but did not at his residence at dawn in Khartoum’s have the status of a diplomat.” eastern district of Garden City. “An investigation has been opened The police and the foreign ministry and our embassy is in contact with said that an investigation was Sudanese police and the Sudanese under way, and the foreign ministry interior ministry,” he added. suggested in a separate statement Source: www.thelocal.es that he was murdered. “The police force of Khartoum state and its teams of special criminal Serving the local community since 2003 investigators have launched a probe in order to find the perpetrator or perpetrators as soon as possible,” the foreign ministry statement said. “The foreign ministry is confident that the perpetrators of this crime will be found,” it added. The ministry described the diplomat’s death as www.shinform.net a “regrettable incident that took place at dawn” info@shinform.net on Monday. Contact us on Skype at Shinform “The foreign ministry expresses its condolences
4 weeks per year?
- YOU’VE GOT IT COVERED! Living in Spain can be a delight when you know you’ve got everything covered - especially essentials such as funeral arrangements
Then ensure your finances and assets are protected Avalon Funeral Plans offer peace of mind
Living the dolce vita in Spain can be a heavenly experience; but it does depend on an easy mind, knowing you’ve got everything sorted - especially should the unexpected happen. Of course no-one wants to think about the ultimate in unwanted occurrences, but if you’re considering funeral plans, it’s worth putting your own plan in place to avoid the complexities of the Spanish system, which involves the Police, a doctor, a funeral director, various certificates, high costs - and dealing with non-English-speakers.
Avalon Funeral Planning - a reassuring solution Happily though, there is an easy, straightforward and cost-effective solution - Avalon Funeral Planning. A well-established UK funeral planning company, Avalon creates easily accessible funeral plans specifically for UK expatriates in Spain. As Europe’s leading provider of funeral plans, Avalon offers different packages, ranging from a simple local funeral to full repatriation, handling the many details that need to be dealt with under Spanish law. Avalon’s Spanish service is fully bilingual - and the company understands the need for exceptional competence at a time when family members may be distressed and distracted. If you’d like to find out more about arranging your Spanish funeral plan, call Avalon today on 966 799 070 or 951 120 046 to arrange an appointment - then you can relax in the Spanish sun, reassured that you’ve got everything covered!
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ALMERIMAR & roquetas Advertisers publish your special events here. Charity/community groups events also published FREE of charge. --------------------------------------almerimar local information keep up to date with what’s happening in Almerimar: www.facebook.com/ localinformation
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PEPO saved by firemen Over the last few months, several dogs have been found trapped in water tanks. PEPO was recently brought by the Guardia Civil to the shelter known as SOCIEDAD PROTECTORA DE ANIMALES DE ROQUETAS DE MAR. The question must be asked ‘did they jump or were they pushed?’ It is a real mystery how all these dogs found themselves in water tanks. Did they want a swim, a drink or were they mercilessly disposed of? Of course the answer is obvious. It never ceases to amaze how many ways humans can treat animals so incredibly cruelly. The latest ‘victim’, if that is the word, is PEPO. He is a large dog, weighing around 25 to 30 kilos and was born in 2011. When he was brought to the shelter he was in a completely frightened state of mind. This is no surprise taking into consideration the ordeal he had suffered. Somebody had noticed that he was clinging to a primitive raft in a water tank, desperately fighting for his life. They called the firemen who rescued him from this desperate situation. PEPO was suffering from hypothermia and when he was taken into the shelter’s clinic he threw up a lot of water. Now the shelter’s people are patiently working with him so that he will trust human beings again. PEPO is just one of 300 dogs at the shelter looking for a forever home. His sweet and tender expression should surely touch the heart of somebody. If you want to contact the shelter you can do so as always via Geoff at geoffalmeria@ hotmail.com
El Ejido Rugby Club
Email:
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
El Ejido Bowls Club Monday and Thursday 5pm to 7pm Ring Alison on 677 317 920 to book or for further information
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News
Spanish caver trapped underground for 11 days
A Spanish speleologist is still waiting to be rescued from a two-kilometre (1.2 miles) deep cave in Peru after he fell and badly injured his back and legs 11 days ago. Cecilio López-Tercero was making his way down Intimachay cave in the remote Peruvian Amazon when he fell five metres, fracturing his legs and breaking several vertebrae. He’s lain there ever since, almost completely dependent on those working hard to rescue him. These include Peruvian potholers, soldiers and firemen, who despite their limited resources and the difficult layout of the caves, have been able to get food, water and medical help to López. “Cecilio is lying face up. He can move laterally but he cannot stand up,” the US edition of the Huffington Post reported rescue coordinator James Apaestegui as saying on Saturday. After the Spanish government claimed it could not afford to help out, a team of 47 Spanish cavers quickly set up an international rescue mission to help their colleague. They made their way to the remote ravine in Leimebamba district, 605 kilometers (376 miles) northeast of
the capital Lima, while also putting together a crowdfunding campaign to finance the rescue mission through online donations. “The response has been fabulous, we’ve received €50,000 ($63,000) so far,” Angel San Juan, president of Madrid’s Speleology Foundation, told Spanish sports’ daily AS. Although the rescue team were predicting López would soon be out after managing to move him 500 metres on Saturday, heavy rainfall may now delay the complicated procedures. He’s on a stretcher 300 metres down, always in the company of a rescuer during their 18-hour ‘work days’. “Cecilio is always cheering us on and the morphine is helping him to not feel any pain,” San Juan added. Marisa López, Cecilio’s sister, has joined the team of rescuers in praising Peruvian authorities for the help they’ve provided but criticized the Spanish Government’s apparent passiveness towards the ongoing rescue. “We need more government funds to get the relevant people over there,” she told Spanish radio Cadena SER. Source: www.thelocal.es
martinez de la casa architects AFO (Asimilado Fuera de Ordenacion), meaning “assimilated to out of ordination” is a special regime by the ANDALUCIAN GOVERNMENT created as an attempt to regulate the situation of a large number of not completely legal properties. Therefore affecting homes with wrong use classification, done without a license, without Occupation License etc, or for parts of the property (such as extensions or pools) that are located basically on non-residencial areas (rustic land), solving social, environmental and urban problems. AFO is defined in Article 53 of Decree 60/2010, 16th March, and is now increasingly required or enforced by local authorities for the following: *A ccess to basic services such as water and electricity, with utility companies. *M unicipal license for maintenance or building works, of any scale. *S olictors increasingly request it and it can also be required for a mortgage. The AFO CLASSIFICATION of a property is achieved by submitting a dossier with the compilation of the Title Deeds,
utility bills, annual Townhall tax (IBI), and NIE, one or more certificates by an Architect and complete plans of the property. Requirements vary widely among municipalities and regions, as does the registration tax or Townhall fees, which can be quite expensive. It’s also hard to give a concise guide relating to the indepth requirements and cost of an AFO due to property size, age, design, type and location. ONCE THE AFO IS GRANTED THE PROPERTY HAS ACHIEVED THE MAXIMUM LEVEL OF POSSIBLE LEGALITY IN THE ANDALUCIAN TOWN PLANNING SYSTEM FOR PROPERTIES ON RUSTIC LAND. Martinez de la Casa Architects offer this dossier service to obtain the AFO recognition in all Almeria, helping to make it as stress free as possible. If you contract our services we will accurately quote according to your Townhall and make an appointment to visit and survey the property, measuring, compiling all dossier paperwork and delivering within a strict 7-10 working days deadline, on
receiving all necessary paperwork. The Townhall will take an indefinite time to issue the AFO (can be months), notifying you by letter and can request any of the property details to be updated and even introduce alterations such as a new septic tank, to bring everything up to standard. Nothing is straight forward, from becoming law to being enforced is a good indication of this fact! Price for Martinez de la Casa Architects AFO paperwork service is 550 € + IVA, further help is charged at 48 € + IVA/ hour or 1.17€/minute (including IVA). Martinez de la Casa Architects is one of the most prominent and respectable practices in the area, providing all types of certificates and licenses, amongst other services. Also the number one company in EPC certificates (121€ IVA inc), Antiquity Certificates (from 250€ + IVA) and Structural Reports (from 70 € + IVA) in the area. Please call us on 678 347 125 if you have any queries. To see over 100 client’s testimonials on our services, please visit: www.martinezdelacasa.com
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SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
News
Taxi app Uber kicks off Madrid operations
The app-based chauffeur car service Uber began operations in Madrid on Tuesday but local taxi drivers told The Local they are far from happy about the move, claiming it promotes Spain’s submerged economy. After launching in Barcelona in April, taxi app Uber, which links passengers with drivers of private vehicles, kicked off its operations in Madrid on Tuesday. While Uber has not provided details of how many drivers have signed up with the company in Madrid, it is promising customers they will receive a ride within five minutes. Standard costs for the service will be 70 cents ($0.90) per kilometre (0.6 miles) or 30 cents per minute. But it remains to be seen how the service will be greeted in by authorities in Madrid. Barcelona in June banned the use of the application, saying it would fine drivers as much as €6,000, and Madrid taxi drivers on Tuesday told The Local, they hoped the Spanish capital would take the same action. “The European Union tells countries like Spain to fight illegal economic activity but then allows the use of services of Uber. It doesn’t make any sense,” taxi driver Daniel told The Local. “We pay taxes but Uber drivers don’t,” he added. “All taxis in Madrid are licensed by the town hall and we all have a licence,” his
colleague Manuel explained. “On top of that our vehicles have to be inspected every six months, and we pay large insurance premiums. But Uber drivers don’t have to meet those conditions. People say companies like Uber promote the free market, but there is nothing free about it.” “Madrid must ban Uber as was the case in Barcelona,” the taxi driver concluded. The status of the app across Europe remains unclear with individual countries and regions scrabbling to create a legal framework. A court in Frankfurt recently overturned a German ban on the service, although judges noted they still had reservations about the company’s business model. A Spanish call for clearer pan-EU rules on the app’s legal status was dismissed with European Vice President Nellie Kroes saying countries need to promote innovation. “We believe that there’s room for everyone, and we’re improving transport options for both riders and drivers alike,” a spokesperson for Uber in Spain recently told The Local, adding that the company complied with all local laws where it operated. Source: www.thelocal.es
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The International Animal Rescue Association and APSA charity event
La Vida, El Cucador, will host a charity event on Saturday 11th October in aid of The International Animal Rescue Association and APSA, the animal charity in Albox. The event´s main organiser, Carol, said that the event will run from 4pm until late, people joining at any time - there will be something on all the evening. Special guests are Rod Oxley, DJ, from Smooth FM and Brian Dee, well-known local singer and charity supporter. Carol is busy collecting raffle prizes and is delighted at the generosity of local business donations, Donnas hair and beauty treats,Totally Scrumptious voucher,cinema tickets, pet portrait, garden features and beautiful jewellery with a star prize of a set of baroque
pearls worth over €100. Raffle tickets can be brought before the night as well as at the event. There will be plenty to do as well as relaxing or dancing - guess the weight of the cake, the name of the dog (not a real one!) etc. Both charities need all the funds they can raise as they are over-subscribed with dogs and building new rescue and homing centres. Tickets are available, €5 (including food), from the APSA shop opposite Jacks in Albox, Total Entertainment in Albox and Essentials in Arboleas, Living Design in Albox, and from Carol Rosser and Di and Liz from APSA.
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braben’s blog... Hello and welcome to CanDu Computer Bytes. Last week we looked at the very first program that anyone ever writes “Hello World” which was created by Brian Kernighan (in the computing world, he is known as a pioneer of programming) in 1974 at Bell Laboratories. I would suspect that most readers would think that a program is a single, enormous list of instructions. Would it surprise you to hear that since the earliest days, program designers have been pushing forward the idea of structured programming, and yes, they do actually create designs within programs. It is true that the earliest ‘programs’ were actually simple scripts, very much like a simple list! Lets look at a simple example of a simple program. The phone rings, you pick up the phone, talk and put it back. Does it get any simpler? Probably not, but, as with all things, it can and usually does get a lot more complicated. Lets start again! 1. The phone rings; Question: Where is it, How do you find it, (Do you really want to?) 2. You pick up the phone; Question is it a normal home phone or a complicated mobile with sliding screens and DoDads (Real word – I think?), 3. Depending on the answer to the last question – answer the phone and finally put it back on the rest or turn it off (more sliding, tapping and complication). One of the questions set while I was doing my teaching degree was “Describe all the processes in making a cup of tea”. I was lucky, coming from a computing background and used to breaking down complex problems into manageable parts, I did rather better than the other members of my class (I wouldn’t tell the story else) but still missed out nearly half the processes! Even after being given clues as to what we have missed and then given the task of writing down as many of the processes, in logical order, as possible, we all still missed one or two (and some missed the point of the exercise!). Programming languages have become more complicated and (personal view only) not always better for the added complication. BASIC (standard DOS programming language – back in the day of the dinosaurs) was simple but worked, PASCAL forces you to think about what you are doing, create structures and only
then, add advanced techniques like recursive function calling. All this is easily within the understanding of anyone that wants to know how to program. C (and that is really it’s name – it’s predecessors were A – no surprise there, BCPL – shorted to B and then, you guessed it – C) was designed as a general purpose, cross platform, portable language with the power of ASSEMBLER and the readability of English(ish). Windows programming is far more complex than DOS programming, Object Oriented Programming (OOP) has many more rules and tweaks than ordinary programming languages and anything by Microsoft requires an IQ of 180 to start to understand it (my IQ is only 135, 100 is average, 110 is smart,180 is genius, so I haven’t a prayer!). I have found a scripting language with many of the features of a true structures programming language, that works with and in Windows (xp, 7 and 8.x and maybe 9 when it gets here), and is reasonably easy to learn and use. It also make standalone programs (works without needing anything else from Windows). I have just completed a simple program to calculate the cost of hiring my services that uses Windows, message and input boxes and labels – all of which has been out of my comfort with any of the Microsoft Windows Programming languages that I have tried. For the record this free (Yes I know, Trev’s on about free again) package is called “AutoIt” and has a gentle learning curve rather than the Microsoft Wall. I’m I saying “Go Get It!” No. Because it’s only use is for programmers or enthusiastic hobbyist’s who want to write the odd routine for their own purposes. My next project is the complete re-write of the PIRdA database program for holding information about computer and accessories that have been donated to PIRdA, what is done to them and where they are re-donated too. That should keep me out of trouble for a week or two :-) I have “Skype” (read ‘free calls’), phone and email contact details but for now I’m now off to Jack’s Bar in Albox for my Friday afternoon computer clinic! See you there or ring me if your need is more urgent.
For further information or advice on computing,contact Trevor on 689 892 745 or canducomputing@hotmail.co.uk
A history of Moorish Spain (part 2) The green and white flag of modern Andalucía dates from 756AD and Abder-Rahman; before the battle he won against Al-Fihri to take the prize of Cordoba and therefore Al-Andalus his army had not prepared a flag. So a green turban was hastily wrapped around a white spear with the green signifying hope and the white peace. Abd-er-Rahman became Emir of AlAndalus and started construction of the Mezquita around 785AD. According to legend he proclaimed “Let us build a Mosque which will surpass that of Bagdad, that of Damascus, and that of Jerusalem, which shall be the greatest temple of Islam and become the Mecca of the Occident.” The mosque was similar in style to the great mosque of Damascus, the city where Abd-er-Rahman had escaped from 30 years previously. Christian slaves constructed the mosque using stones from razed churches; the Emir also got stuck in, working for an hour
Notsosmartphone Users !
Alright, it’s getting out of hand now! Oh no, I sound like a teacher, but it’s true, it has got ridiculous. Look, I know that there are some people who simply can’t function without their mobile phones and to a point, I can see what they mean. But really, a mobile phone lane? Apparently in Chongqing City in China, there are so many people bouncing off each other whilst staring intently at their phones rather than where they should be going, that they’ve introduced this cell phone, go-slow, lane so that they can stop doing their impressions of the Three Stooges and reach their destination without mild concussion. It isn’t a great success yet. Most of the phone users“smartphone zombies” apparently is the collective noun for them-are too taken up with the earth-shatteringly important texts they’re receiving that they don’t even notice the markings on the pavement and so carry on, weaving all over the place! But don’t you think that it has reached silly time now with new technology? I don’t mean the technology itself, but the affect it has on some people. Apart from go slow lanes for phone users, I was fascinated to see that queues of people had been forming outside “Apple” shops, days before the new “iPhone something or other” was released last week. Now leaving aside the merits, or not, of having to be the first to own such a thing-queuing for days so you beat the next person by 5.8 seconds-the very fact that some people are daft enough to sleep outside a shop to do this is, as far as I can see, mind blowingly insane. It seems to me that those who do this are a little like people who dress up as their favourite sci fi character or dye their hair to match their pop heroes. In other words, they are the types to give a wide berth to if you ever come across one. And as if to confirm this I was stunned into silence when I read that there was a, perhaps otherwise intelligent, chap in Australia who had successfully waited for days outside the Apple shop in Perth to buy the new phone. He left the store and, with trembling hands, opened the box to reveal the brand new, shiny, expensive, object of his desire. Then he dropped it! A extraordinarily wide berth is required I think. Graham is married to Helen and has a daughter, Alice. He lives part of the year near Albox, but works in Qatar, teaching. If you wish to contact Graham regarding this article email: helenandg@yahoo.co.uk
Enjoy Stephens musings? Pop over to http://findmeahomeinspain.wordpress.com as the articles are posted on there too...and they’re a bit longer too! Findmeahome are always looking for quality homes for their sales and rental portfolios, please contact Stephen for a valuation: stephen@findmeahome.es Telephone: 636 266 641
a day. The work continued for nearly 300 years with each subsequent ruler adding further to the building. In 788AD Hisham the First succeeded as Emir; born in Cordoba he called for Jihad and Moslems flocked from abroad (sound familiar? IS?) In 793AD with his new army he waged war against the far northern enclave of the Kingdom of Asturias where Christians had flocked to after the initial Moorish invasion around 720AD. He won that battle but was then defeated by the Frankish King William the First when he attacked the County of Toulouse in what is now France. He died in 796AD. Al-Hakam the First was Emir from 796822AD and founded the first university in Cordoba. This was an enlightened time and both Jews and Christians were given more religious freedom in Al Andalus than anywhere else in the world. The price was a special tax or Jizya meaning people of the book. The alternative was to convert to Islam or
if one preferred; execution (familiar again?). Moslems were allowed to marry Christians with their offspring called Muwallad nowadays known as Mulatto. During the period 807-811AD Emir Al-Hakam had many victories in the north against the Frankish Christian King Charlemagne and took Gascony in 809AD. Charlemagne had the title Emperor of the Romans given to him by Pope Leo the Third after quelling a rebellion against the Pope in Rome in 800AD. Charlemagne was also a learned man and set up the first ever Christian library. Paradoxically the two leaders fought against each other whilst both encouraging spiritual and intellectual enlightenment. They did however forge a peace treaty in 816AD. Al-Hakam earned the title Al-Muzaffar meaning great warrior. There were rebellions in Al-Andalus during this whole period; one in Toledo in 800AD meant 300 prominent people were put to death. The largest revolt was by Moslem clerics in Cordoba which
was crushed around 817-818AD with AlHakam ordering 300 people to be crucified on the banks of what was then called al-wādi al-kabīr ‘The Great River’. We now know it as the Guadalquivir. 800 survivors were expelled with some going to Fez where they set up the Andalucían quarter which can still be seen today and others fled to Alexandria. In 827AD they moved again to Crete where they set up an emirate which survived until the beginning of the Byzantine reconquest in 961AD. Al-Hakam has two reputations historically, first as a ruthless leader but also that of someone who used diplomacy and reconciliation when it was in Al-Andalus’ best interests to do so. He extended Moslem rule across Spain and also cleverly maintained a balance between a secular and theological state. Al-Hakam was succeeded in 822AD by Abd ar-Rahman the Second who ruled for 30 years until his death. More about Abr ar-Rahman II later.
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Here we tackle the shower… rubber gloves at the ready? The Shower If you can bear the thought of cleaning the grout - and it will make your bathroom look a lot better make a paste of automatic dishwasher detergent and apply it to the grout with a brush. When dry, rub it off with a soft dishcloth or brush. Treat the shower so it’ll have a resistance to soap scum. Use a gentle abrasive followed by alcohol, which will strip the tile of any residue. Then spray it with the cheapest furniture polish you can find (the cheaper brands usually have more silicone) or baby or mineral oil - then buff! If hard water’s your problem and you have a lot of streaking or a white film, you may need a lime-removing product. Then apply water repellent to the glass
shower enclosure, on tiles, sinks, taps and even windows where hard water from sprinkler hits it - any non-wood, non-painted surface - one application lasts for months! Throw the shower curtain in the wash with a couple of bath towels, then hang it to dry. If the bottom of the liner hasn’t come clean enough, you can always just trim off an inch or two. When the showerhead is clogged, you have to remove mineral deposits. A metal showerhead can be boiled in l/2 cup vinegar and 2 pints of water. A plastic one should be soaked in vinegar and very hot water. But if you can’t remove the showerhead, just pour the solution in a plastic bag, secure the bag over the shower head with a rubber band, and leave it in place for a few hours. The filter at the tap may need a similar treatment.
News
Foreign Buyers Still Driving the Spanish Housing Market
According to statistics from the General Council of Notaries, foreign buyers continue to be one of the main drivers of the residential property market in Spain. During the second quarter of 2014, the number of private housing acquisitions carried out by foreign buyers amounted to a total of 18,466, which is 11.9% more than in the same period in 2013. This figure represents 20.4% of all purchases carried out in this period (19% in the first quarter). The Notaries’ data also show that, of these 18,466 purchases, 54.3% were made by non-resident foreigners. This spike in foreign purchases mainly relates to higher demand for properties on the coast for use as holiday homes by non-resident foreigners. In fact, 79.2% of the purchases made by foreigners from April to June were situated in the regions of Valencia (5,661 transactions), Andalucía (3,827), Catalonia (3,085) and the Canary Islands (2,052). By nationality, British buyers accounted for 16.7% of foreign purchases, followed by the segment of non-European citizens (12.4%), French buyers (10.5%), Russians (7.1%) and Germans (6.6%). As for the foreign purchasers most active in the second quarter, these included the Irish (with
a year-on-year increase in purchases of 70.4%), Americans (+51.4%), Chinese (+45%), British (+42.5%) and Italians (+32.4%). This increase in transactions has also resulted in an increase in prices. El Mundo reported that at the end of the second quarter of 2014, the cost per square metre of the transactions carried out by foreign buyers stood at 1,548 euros, representing an increase of 1.5% year-on-year. However the Notaries clarified that: “While the price per square metre of homes purchased by resident foreign buyers fell by 0.6%, the price per square metre of purchases by non-resident foreigners rose by 2.8%.” In this regard, according to transactions closed by the Notaries, the differences in prices by region are also high. The regions with growth higher than the national average (+1.5%) were: Navarra (+121.9%); the Basque Country (+116.2%); the Balearic Islands (+8.6%); Catalonia (+6.0%) and Castilla y León (+3.6%). The other regions continued to experience a contraction in the price per square metre of housing for foreign buyers. Source: http://news.kyero.com
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LEGAL CORNER
WITH MICHAEL DAVIES, ABOGADO/SOLICITOR If you wish us to print an article about a particular topic, please e-mail info@daviessolicitors.com
MOVING BACK TO THE U.K. DUE TO ILL HEALTH LEAVING A PROPERTY IN SPAIN ON THE MARKET
Q. My mother and father need to move back to the u.k due to very bad health, with my mother moving into a home immediately on her return. They own a house and a bank account in Vera. Have you got any recommendations of things I should be thinking about from a legal point of while I am in Spain to help them organise their return. A. Absolutely. I would at least address the following matters: 1. Make sure there Spanish wills are in good order. Even if they are, it may be time to reconsider the clauses. If for example one of your parents is very ill it may not be convenient for the other partner to name him /her beneficiary. 2. Locate the title deeds to the property and their NIE numbers. 3. Make sure Internet banking is set up on their Spanish bank account. 4. Your parents may wish to consider signing a power of attorney for you to deal with their Spanish assets. 5. Look in to the advantages/ disadvantages of selling quickly now versus holding on waiting for a better price From a tax point of view if they
are resident and over 65 it is in their advantage to sell before they lose their resident status in Spain as they are entitled to a 100% exemption from capital gains tax. 6. When you get back to England start working on an enduring power of attorney to be used in the u.k. Very important: The above are the essential things that need to be looked into but I recommend that you and your parents visit their solicitor in Spain to run through their situation together before going back to the u.k. If you are not comfortable with their solicitor, simply make an appointment with a different solicitor but take all your paperwork with you (you must at least take copy of title deeds, NIE numbers, rates bills and copy of wills) . Depending on the circumstances, paperwork etc. it may be advantageous to take further actions or none at all. In any case it will be convenient for you to put a face to the solicitor and go through things together with him/ her and your parent to avoid nasty surprises regarding documentation in the future. Michael Davies. Abogado.
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.
News COMPLETE COMPLETE HOLIDAY HOLIDAY CARE CARE
Spanish Holiday Home Rental Demand Up 20%
According to the latest data from online holiday rental marketplace, HomeAway, Inc., more than a third of enquiries made for holiday rentals in Spain during the summer were for Andalucía (36% of the total). Requests for holiday rentals in Valencia accounted for 19% of the online applications, followed by the Balearic Islands, with 16%. Completing the top five stood Catalonia, which accounted for 12% of domestic demand, and the Canary Islands, with 6%. These regions together accounted for nearly 90% of the total domestic demand for holiday rentals for the 2014 summer season. The analysis concluded that holiday rental demand in Spain has increased by 20% this summer. Of the five regions most in demand, the highest growth rates were registered for the Balearic Islands (with 43% more requests), the Canary Islands (+35%), and Catalonia, where requests increased by 26%, while requests for holiday home rentals in Valencia and Andalucía registered increases of 16% and 10% respectively. Furthermore, the organisation’s data highlighted the growth in the demand for northern regions such as the Basque Country (+48%), Cantabria (+49%) and Galicia (+40%). The most popular coastal areas for the Spanish were the Costa de la Luz, in the Gulf of Cadiz, which registered nearly 24% of the holiday rental requests,
followed by the Costa Blanca in Alicante (17%) and Malaga’s Costa del Sol, with 14%. It should also be noted that, compared with the summer of 2013, the Spanish coasts experienced the largest growth in demand: the Costa Dorada received 48% more requests, while demand in the Basque Coast increased by 44%, and on the Costa Azahar it grew by 28%. Portugal, France and Italy were the favourite international destinations for Spanish holidaymakers, accounting for 64% of the demand outwith the country. With regard to growth rate, Portugal topped the list with a 71% increase in demand, followed by Germany (+52%) and Italy (+47%). Outside of Europe, the study highlighted the demand for holiday rentals in Brazil which grew by 105%. Managing Director of HomeAway for southern Europe, Juan Carlos Fernández Pérez-Crespo, said: “The data are very positive. We’ve noted Spanish travellers’ growing interest in this type of accommodation, not only within our borders but also abroad. 69% of the requests received by Homeaway.es were for accommodation in Spain and the remaining 31% opted for accommodation in international destinations.” Source: www.news.kyero.com
MOJACAR PLAYA
RENTALS - SALES -MANAGEMENT - MAINTENANCE
We urgently need more properties for sale and rental for waiting clients
Properties of the week
Ref: ES/TS - Det. Villa, 100m to beach, sea views, 3 bed, 2 bath + 2 bed apt below, private pool, lge garage, solarium, gardens.
Ref. CB/BS - 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom villa, terraces with fantastic mountain views, share in private pool, 15 mins to beaches of Mojacar, Vera, Garrucha.
MOJACAR €349,950
CABRERA, nr Mojacar - €179,950
Ref. VA/TL Fantastic, 1bed, 1bath apt, a/c, pool, garage parking, large lock up unit, sunny, terrace, 300 m to beach.
Ref. JP/CH Beautiful 3 bed, 2.5 bathroom, duplex, garage, terraces, pools, garden, a/c, 200 m to beach.
MOJACAR - €69,950 MOJACAR PLAYA - 179,950€ 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
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...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
You probably spend most of your ‘cleaning’ time in the kitchen already, so why are we suggesting you put in even more time? Because doing these chores just once a year will make your equipment work better and your subsequent clean-ups easier; some of them will just make the place look better - giving you the illusion at least that you have some control over your life! Cabinets Your cabinet shelves surely need wiping down at least once a year and they may need relining, too. the ribbed rubber liner that comes on a
roll, especially under glassware, but it’s not good for lining shelves near the floor or in a kitchen where you have problems with soot or grease; when dust or dirt collects between the ribs, the liner must be removed entirely to be cleaned. In those areas, you may prefer strips of vinyl flooring, which can be cut to size, as liners. They lie flat and are very easy to wipe clean. The Refrigerator Give the refrigerator a day of beauty. Toss out all those jars of sauces and condiments that you’ll probably never use. Remove and wash the crisper drawers, and line them (you can use
air conditioner filters) or just place a dry sponge at the bottom to absorb the moisture. If possible, move the refrigerator out from the wall to clean behind it and vacuum the coils - check your refrigerator manual for details - to help the fridge operate more efficiently. Appliances Pour plain white vinegar, fullstrength, into your coffee machine and run it through a cycle to improve the flavour of the coffee and keep the machine in good working order. Afterwards, you can pour the vinegar into a marked container and use it especially for this purpose; it can be
recycled for four or five cleanings. Checked inside your microwave lately? If caked-on food is petrifying inside it, fill a two-cup (microwavable) measuring cup with water and heat it in the oven for several minutes. Once the steam has condensed on the interior, you can wipe it clean easily with a paper towel, soft cloth, or a sponge. Details, details… Put your kitchen magnets (or should they be called dirt magnets!) through the dishwasher. If your dishwasher hasn’t got a special container for small items, put the magnets in a mesh bag for their washing.
VILLA IN MOJÁCAR PLAYA
225,000€
Just reduced! Outstanding detached Villa in one of the most sort after areas of Mojacar Playa. We think this property has everything you could look for in a detached Villa on Mojacar Playa, quality, space and within a short walking distance to the beach on a non-hilly location! The freehold plot measures 500 mts2 and has a built area of 111.75 mts2 distributed between
porch, entrance hall, leaving / dining room, kitchen and bathroom on the ground level and 3 double bedrooms and a family bathroom on the upper level. The property is surrounded by terraces facing east and south on both levels and it also benefits from a covered car port for 2 cars. The location of this villa is also ideal, within 300 meters from the sea, it is close enough to be
convenient for the beach, shops, bars & restaurants yet far enough away to give it lots of privacy. If it’s a secluded, quality villa what you are looking for then view this one and you will not be disappointed. For more information or to book a viewing appointment please visit our office or contact us via phone or e-mail. Ref: 1560
Paseo del Mediterraneo 197 - Mojacar - Almeria
Tel: 950 472 430 / 610 053 563
property group
www.veritashomes.co.uk info@veritashomes.co.uk
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
www.soltimes.com
new one stop tel: 950 473 040 Fax: 950 472 412
www.newonestop.com
est since 2002
info@newonestop.com
Paseo del Mediterraneo 275, Mojacar 275, mojacar Playa 04638, Almeria
REF.722
MOJACAR
69,950€
REF.756
San Jose
179,500€
REF.684
Bedar
115,000€
reduced
Luxury Penthouse, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, large Terrace 39m, sea & mountain views, fully fited kitchen, sold fully furnished, A/C (hot & cold), private locked garage, 2 communal pools, excellent value for money.
An outstanding, stylish duplex in immaculate condition, set on a small private and exclusive development of only 12 properties with breathtaking sea views and magnificent views of San Jose itself.Walking distance to village and beaches.
Fantastic opportunity - A beautiful 2 bed cortijo full of rustic character and charm, in very good condition,set on a lovely elevated plot with swimming pool and magnificent mountain and sea views. 78m2 built, plot - 2,200m2.
REF.560
REF.757
REF.577
MOJACAR
94.950€
Almanzora
195,000€
Arboleas
109,950€
BARGAIN
Well represented golf apartment with 3double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms,with very nice sea views, large equipped kitchen& laundry room, living/dining room, 2 beautiful pools, fully furnished, very easy access.
An excellent countryhouse in very good condition set in a tranquil location with fantastic 360º views and beautiful swimming pool area. Perfect for a large family or run as a B&B. 5 beds, 3 baths. 315m2 build, plot - 4227m2. Peaceful location,5mins to Albox.
Wonderful villa in immaculate condition with 2/3 beds, 2 baths,swimming pool,garage. Beautiful garden full ofmature trees and plants.Air-con - hot and cold throughout sat TV,internet + many extra features - delightful property.
REF.534
179,000€
REF.721 LOS GALLARDOS 64,950€
REF.697 CARBONERAS 194,410€
Large townhouse centrally located & full of charm, with 3 beds, 2.5 baths, large terrace/garden, fitted kitchen, nicely decorated lounge with fireplace, swimming pool & tennis court, private locked garage, 100m from the beach and all amenities,
Luxury Penthouse, with 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, large Terrace 20m, plus large roof terrace with mountain views, fully fited kitchen, A/C (hot & cold), private parking, communal pool, private parking space.
The most amazing sea views, penthouse with large 80m south facing terrace, 2 beds, 1 Bath, 70m built, lounge/dining room, fitted kitchen, store room, A/C hot and cold, private parking, communal pool.
MOJACAR
our office working hours are 10am till 8pm no siesta we speak:
19
20
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
Childproof Your Kitchen
Because parents spend so much time in the kitchen, small children will want to be there with them. To keep your little one safe, take the following steps: Store matches, lighters, sharp utensils and household cleaners in a cabinet accessible only to adults. Put child-safety latches on all lowerlevel cabinets. Unplug appliances when not in use and keep cords out of reach of children. Never pour hot liquid near a child and never leave hot drinks within reach. Use the back burners of the stove and turn pot handles toward the back. Purchase safety features that secure free-standing ovens to the wall. Watch out for tablecloths - since small
Spanish Estate Agent Your Estate Agent for Spain
CANTORIA - €169,995
ALBOX - €199,995
children enjoy pulling on the cloth, glasses and plates can fall off. Keep stools and chairs away from counters and stoves. Be sure to keep alcohol locked away from children. Cook meat, eggs, poultry and shellfish thoroughly to prevent food poisoning. Always wash your hands with soap after handling meat or poultry. Use a child-safety gate, if possible, in the doorway to keep children out of the kitchen completely when you are in another room.
CALL US NOW! +34 634 345 257 SELLING
we can save you thousands... A fresh approach to selling your property, Fees from only 599 Euros No Sales, no fee from 3% Stunning spacious villa Pool with superb views 6.000m2 plot
Immaculate 3bed villa Detached garage 3.000m2 with stunning views
VERA - 320pcm
CERRO GORDO - €139,950
RENTALS
No management fees for the first 2 months No contract fees for landlords
RENT-TO-BUY
2 bed, 2 bath apartment Walking distance to town Furnished
Immaculate villa Pool with superb views Roof solarium
Properties wanted A new way to sell your property Want to know more?
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www.spanishestateagent.com
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
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The Huercal-overa areas no1 top selling agent VH225 €109,950 CEE E42 34 • 2 bed, 2 bath Villa • 672m2 private garden • Edge of village • Walk to amenities
VH683 €54,950 CEE TBC • 3 / 4 bed Country House • Habitable but more work needed • More rooms can be made • Remote but good access
VH532 €99,000 CEE E43 57 • 2 bed, 1 bath Villa • 500m2 private garden • 5 mins drive to Huercal-Overa • 25 mins drive to San Juan beaches
VH574 €179.950 CEE E55 22 • 5 bed, 3 bath Country House • 286m² build, full of character • 33,000m² land • 8 mins drive to Taberno
PROPERTY OF THE WEEK VH712 Villa Gina €179,000
A spacious 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom Villa with with a nice homely feel with a 10 x 5m swimming pool, garage & car port on a generous 725m2 private, walled, gated and low maintenance landscaped gardens with open country views, walking distance to a cafe bar. 4 mins drive to La Alfoquia with its shops & cafes etc Large, light and airy open plan living room / dining room with fire place, large fully fitted kitchen, large conservatory. 3 large double bedrooms, 2 bedrooms with built in wardrobes and 2 bathrooms (1 ensuite). Double glazed windows, fly nets, security grills, H&C air con, mains electricity, water, telephone, internet and sky tv.
VH618 €249,950 CEE C19 44 • 4 bed, 3 bath Luxury Country Villa • 61,000m2 of land • 10m x 5m swimming pool • Velez Rubio / Huercal-Overa area
VH691 €249,950 CEE TBC • 2 houses together with pool • Plus apartment & warehouse • 7 beds & 5 baths in total • Huercal-Overa area
VH708 €165,000 CEE G150 32 • 3 bed, 2 bath Villa • Swimming pool • Walk to shops etc • Taberno Village
VH707 €319,000 CEE E31 78 • 3 bed, 3 bath Luxury Villa • Swimming pool, 80m2 under build • Walk to beach, shops etc • San Juan de Los Terreros
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SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
Room With A View Your Belgian estate agent at the coast! API-SJ0110 - 240,000€ Villa SAN JUAN
API-LG0106 99,000€ LOS GALLARDOS
API-M0108 169,000€ FIRST LINE MOJACAR
Looking
3 bed, 2 bath Terrace & roof terrace Air con, Part furnished Pool & kiddy pool Views to Mojacar 7 km to the beach
Chalet on a plot of 966 sqm, 3 bed, 1 bath , reformed, Sea & mountain views, Tropical garden Removable pool, Garage
Spacious corner apartment 2 bed,2 bath Terrace of 33 sqm with frontal sea views Comunal Pool, Air con & Fully furnished, Underground parking
API-CAL0102 71,000€ EL CALON 2 bed, 1 bath, 2 terraces Furnished, Aircon (hot/cold), Outdoor comunal pool, 2 mins to beach
SOLD
for coastal properties to sell API-V0146 75000€
TOP FLOOR VERA PLAYA 1 bed & 1 bath 55 sqm terrace, Fully furnished, Air ond,Allocated parking , 300 m from the beach, Outdoor comunal pool, Kids playground
www.almeriapropertyinvestments.com ann@almeriapropertyinvestments.com
RONDA DE LAS BUGANVILLAS nº 42 (next to Luces & Bar Cactus)
to advertise in this space please call Paulette on
950 121 936
ANN - 666 260 792
property sales and relocation specialists
OFFICE NOW OPEN ON TURRE HIGH STREET Avda de Almeria 78
We are looking for new property listings both coastal & inland Please Contact us on 950 469 592 or 697 640 681
info@colespain.com • www.colespain.com Your Belgian Estate Agent at the Coast
No 3 Plaza Constitucion
Almeria 04660 Almeria Arboleas, (Next to Cajamar Bank) Property Agency
Sales & Lettings - Inmobiliaria
SIGN UP TO OUR EMAIL ALERTS FOR LIVE PROPERTY UPDATES Office: 0034 850 993 099 Mobile: 0034 606 281 865 Email: info@almeriapropertyagency.com
www.almeriapropertyagency.com
Gordon Condrey API Bancario Bank Property Agent
Tel + 34 637 309 092
Almeria Property Investments
www.almeriapropertyinvestments.com
URGENTLY LOOKING FOR NEW PROPERTIES ann@almeriapropertyinvestments.com
Tel: 950 460 874 or 666 260 792 Ronda de las Buganvillas nº42, Vera Playa
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SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
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Have you considered buying a property in Almeria? Please contact our office in Huercal-Overa on
0034 950 616 or visit our website www.vosshomesspain.com
155a Carretera Estacion, Huercal-Overa, Almeria 04600
property to rent villa in arboleas 3 beds, 2 baths
200€ p/m + bills
only for retired people
Tel: 630 471 422 from
101€
Home Sweet Home property SERVICES CALL 902 750 190 EMAIL: SALES@SOLTIMES.COM
PR Building Services
All Aspects of building, construction & Carpentry Landscaping, maintenance & Swimming Pools The highest standard of workmanship fully legal, professional & reliable
Call Richard on 608 673 681 or 662 422 170
find us on
sea front Apartment - Mojacar
only
69,000€ o.n.o
proinspectionreport@gmail.com
VERA APARTMENT FOR RENT SHORT-TERM/HOLIDAY RENTAL
• 1 Bed, 1 Bath, Terrace • Big Communal Pool • Communal Gardens • Gated parking area • New kitchen • Walking distance to shops and restaurants. • Sea views • Across road from beach
Tel. 664 291 793 jescott29@hotmail.co.uk
O Olive
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
LUBRIN
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
We make it simple to pay all your Spanish Property Taxes Online
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Now Only 29,950€
A pretty detached stone cortijo in it’s original state, ripe for renovation. Set in a pretty hamlet a short 5 minute drive from the pretty village of Lubrin. Would make a pretty cottage ideal for a lock up and leave holiday home. Potential for a two bedroom house with a courtyard garden, electric and water connected
OLV690
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ben.simkins@taxesonline.es
Isabel Morales Civil Engineer
Member of the College of Civil Engineers, no 27335
ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE
If you are advertising your property in Spain for sale or rent, you are obliged to have an EPC (Recent Decree 235/2013)
almeria & Murcia
areas covered
100€ + IVA
Consult Sean
To obtain an energy Performance Certificate fast & easily Tel: 617 749 105 (English Spoken). Also surveys, technical reports, valuations & antiquity certificates.
Tel: 630 231 644
Paseo del Mediterraneo, 355 Mojacar 04638
THE FLIES ARE HERE!!
Keep them outside with a new Fly Screen
The Window Doctor
isabelmoralesingeniero@gmail.com
David
Properties for Sale & Rent
Wanted in all areas
Check out our portfolio, with properties starting from only 49,000€ Call Charlie on: 677 667 722 or 950 064 584 or Karen on 635 979 829 Web: www.solymarspain.com
Secure Post Boxes 35€ per year
665 517 643 Steve
610 905 173 valleyconstruction2008@gmail.com Fully Legal & Experienced Builders All Building Work Undertaken No Job Too Big or Small!! Phone or email for a no obligation quote
24
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES OPEN FOR BUSINESS
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
Log-on-Tommy
James & Son
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Stacking service available Free Kindling with every full load
UK, France & Spain personal shopping from the UK (Argos, Screwfix, Wickes etc)
lIVES ON THROUGH HIS SON
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950 529 731 / 627 968 434
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painter & decorator
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• 9 years trading in this part of Spain with 25 years experience • Quality work guaranteed • References available
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SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
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Film review “You are part of my existence, part of myself. You have been in every line I have ever read.” (Great Expectations.) Charles Dickens’ “secret” love affair with the actress Ellen “Nelly” Ternan became apparent in the recently released 2013 film, directed and starring Ralph Fiennes, Felicity Jones perhaps better known as the voice of Emma in The Archers, Kristin Scott Thomas and Tom Hollander. Based on the book by Claire Tomalin it depicts the ending of his marriage to Catherine played by Joanne Scanlen (1858) and the thirteen years of his affair with Nelly which ended with his death in 1870, leaving Nelly utterly devastated and forlorn. “We are alone. Whoever we’re with, we are alone. The great expectations.” The film constantly moves from the present (1883) to the past (1857), focusing on Nelly’s life married to George Wharton Robinson, 12 years her junior. Dickens first met and noticed Nelly when she was 18 years of age. He was 45. He cast her in a Wilkie Collins’ play: The Frozen Deep performing with one of her sisters and her mother. Her debut was an epilogue that could have been summing up
The Invisible Woman Film review
Dickens’ feelings towards her in the future: Remember to love and be loved, is life itself, without which we are naught. He admitted that he no longer loved his wife who was unable to share any of his passions for life or writing. She comprehends nothing. She spurned the limelight whereas he desired it. She retired into the background just like a piece of the furniture. Dickens was outgoing and desired stimulation and excitement: life is nothing without great company he would say so inevitably a pretty face with talent would entice him away from his wife and family. He loved Nelly wholeheartedly and produced some of the best novels whilst they were together.
As the film begins, Mrs Wharton is still living in the shadows, haunted with that dreadful feeling of uncertainty after the death of her lover. A good man, one of the greatest. Even her husband is unaware she was Dickens’ mistress. She takes long and solitary walks
News
Barcelona to fight smog with cheaper train tickets
Barcelona is planning to slash the price of travel on public transport during periods of high pollution in a bid to improve the city’s air quality. The move would see prices on all of Barcelona’s ATM transport network halved when heavy smog descends on the coastal city. It is part of a wide-ranging plan to reduce atmospheric levels of toxic nitrogen oxide gas in an area of some 725 square kilometres (280 square miles). The plan — designed to bring particle levels in line with European Union standards — would also see costs for road tolls and places in municipal car parks rise by a quarter. Companies which cut down their emissions would also receive tax breaks under the sweeping reforms,
25
while Catalonia also hopes to boost the use of rail for the transport of goods. Authorities plan to roll out the measures in 2015 and 2016, local daily La Vanguardia reported. Barcelona periodically suffers from heavy smog with industry and traffic both playing a role. The city’s topography and geographic location are also contributing factors. When there is a lack of wind, the mountains behind Barcelona can service to trap toxic smog. Spain saw its carbon dioxide emissions drop 12.6 percent in 2013, the third highest fall in the European Union, possibly a result of declining industrial output during the country’s crisis. Source: www.thelocal.es
on Ramsgate beach every day in an attempt to exorcise her demons. The Reverend Benham
becomes concerned wanting to help her troubled soul. He eventually works it out for himself and in an emotional outburst she seems healed and willing to leave the shadows behind, return to her husband and start living once more. Great Expectations very much sums up the impossibility of Estelle and Pip ever finding marital bliss. Both Dickens and Nelly saw themselves in the characters and realised they would never be together or blissfully happy. Being a famous writer and an active social reformer, constantly in the public eye took its toll on his personal life and Nelly had to share him with his family as well as the general public, his readers, hiding herself away in the shadows. It’s a sensitive depiction of two likeminded souls who just simply fell in love. “It’s a wonderful fact to reflect upon that every human creature is a profound secret and mystery to every other.”
REVIEW it by Carol Naylor.
www.carolnaylor.blogspot.com www.carolesleynaylor.wordpress.com naylorcl@hotmail.es
26
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SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
Go to our web site for all our excursions. Costa Blancas No1 Tour Operator for day trips, city breaks, cruises through to Christmas & New Year.
online Booking Now Available!
Book online or call us direct, either way one of our operators is waiting to take your call or visit www.coachtripsonline.com for more info
Did you know?
Each time you see a full moon you always see the same side.................................................. The longest possible eclipse of the sun is 7.31 minutes........................................................... Halley’s Comet passes the Earth every 76 years (the next time it will return will be 2062). There is no sound in space............................... Mars appears red because it’s covered in rust.. Earth is the only planet not named after a god. Fun Brain Teasers with Answers to Challenge your Mind
SolPUZZLES wordsearch
sports quiz
In which sport would you:
Comedy Movies
Find and circle all of the comedy movies that are hidden in the grid. The remaining letters spell an additional comedy movie
1. Perform a Rudolph and a Randolph?....................... 2. Throw stones at
1. Which popular 1960s clothing fashion
houses?..........................
was named after a Prime Minister?.............. 2. In which US state is ‘Area 51’ located?......
3. Use a mashie or
3. Name the films in which each of the
niblick?...........................
following ships play a role? a. Pequod, b. Hispaniola, c. Orca, d. Andrea Gail...............
4. Stand at silly point?.....
4. Russia excluded, name the three Asian countries with the most nuclear reactors?....
5. Start at the south
5. Latika is a central character in which
stake?.............................
popular film?............................................... 6. Name the five most populated cities in
6. Sit in a sulky?..............
the world that end with the letter ‘a’?.......... 7. In a Steven King book, what are the
7. Employ the O Brien
creatures who eat time called?.....................
shift?...............................
8. Who was the only Austrian player to have been ranked number one in the world in
8. Win the Sam McGuire
mens tennis?............................................... 9. Which moody police inspector has
Trophy?...........................
H.O.N.K. (hyper osmotic non-ketotic acidosis)?....................................................
squiggle SUDOKU
standard SUDOKU
MONTY PYTHON’S THE MEANING OF LIFE
easy SUDOKU
6. Harness Racing
CRYPTIC crossword
7. Shot Putt
1. Trampolining
5. Slumdog Millionare 6. Jakarta, Kinshasa, Lima, Bogata and Dhaka 7. Langoliers 8. Thomas Muster 9. Kurt Wallander 10. Roanoke Colony
CROSSWORD
Answers
8. Gaelic Football
1. The Nehru jacket. (After Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru) 2. Nevada 3. a. Moby Dick, b. Treasure Island, c. Jaws, d. The Perfect Storm 4. Japan, South Korea and India
SOLUTIONS
10. Trim your sheets?.......
2. Curling
wordsearch answer
Cartwright Rules?............
3. Golf
Brain Teasers Answers
STIR CRAZY STRIPES THE JERK THE PINK PANTHER THE TRAMP TOMMY BOY TOOTSIE WAYNES WORLD WORKING GIRL
9. Baseball
nickname ‘The Lost Colony’?........................
MASH OFFICE SPACE PARENTHOOD PATCH ADAMS POLICE ACADEMY RAISING ARIZONA RATATOUILLE REAL GENIUS ROXANNE RUTHLESS PEOPLE SABRINA SPLASH
10. Yachting
day North Carolina that was later given the
DUCK SOUP EMMA FARGO GET SMART GROUNDHOG DAY HAPPY GILMORE HOME ALONE HORSE FEATHERS ICE AGE JUNO KINGPIN LIFE OF BRIAN
4. Cricket
of the ill-fated British colony in present
9. Abide by the AIRPLANE ANALYZE THIS ANTZ ARTHUR BANANAS BEST IN SHOW BILLY MADISON BLUES BROTHERS BOWFINGER BULWORTH CADDYSHACK DAVE
5. Croquet
10. Founded in 1585, what was the name
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SPANISH PROPERTY CHOICE www.spanishpropertychoice.com
ACROSS 1. Block out (4) 3. Amaze (8) 8. Article of clothing (7) 9. Meaning of a word (5) 10. Board game (5) 11. An extreme attainment (6) 13. To the opposite side (6) 15. Upper deck of a ship (6) 18. Reptile (6) 20. Thick (5) 23. Nimble (5) 24. Look over carefully (7) 25. Got back (8) 26. Notable achievement (4)
Down 1. Prestidigitator (8) 2. Tennis stroke (5) 4. Planet (6) 5. Disregarded (7) 6. Pay close attention to (4) 7. Periodic population count (6) 9. Pouch (3) 12. Vanquished (8) 14. Precipitating (7) 16. Pungent edible root (6) 17. Look up to (6) 19. Simian (3) 21. Female relative (5) 22. Impartial (4)
STANDARD CROSSWORD
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SUDOKU PUZZLE s
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.
CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
standard
easy
squiggle
ACROSS 6 Result of cute mood, mostly upset (7) 7 Love chap’s signs (5) 9 Nothing in freezer outside (4) 10 Fenced in, dudes run or change (10) 11 Tiny creatures notice European going into Time Square at first (8) 13 Ask for fashionable tie to be produced after 5 (6) 15 The French sailor comes first and is competent (4) 17 Ladies mostly becoming perfect (5) 18 The source of a minute life form? (4) 19 Man caught by snake is deceased (6) 20 Title award on the radio for unexpected event (8) 23 Jagger, universal nut, could be an overpowering force (10) 26 Soldiers out of ammunition? (4) 27 Double time, with one church (5)
28 Put a ring round 10 (7) Down 1 Postman nearly collapses in this place, for pressure unit (10) 2 A bit of code left (6) 3 Iron - a redhead’s concern (4) 4 Mountain pass on island, with a litre of ants, perhaps (8) 5 List containing little excess (4) 6 Game-playing follows love letter (5) 8 With more honey, perhaps, dessert comes before queen (7) 12 Sources of river, flowing backwards on board ship (5) 14 In a robust way, US virology is adapted (10) 16 Snack that might be taken to be worse than anything (7) 17 Brought in what’s left in one sea (8) 21 Come back from spin again? (6) 22 Observed food in extremely sad surroundings (5) 24 King George: “I’m dark” (4) 25 Head shape (4)
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Beef Bourguignon INGREDIENTS
Venison Goulash
Ingrdients
2 lbs (900 g) sliced onions 2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil 2 lbs (900 g) cubed venison stew meat (such as shoulder or butt)* 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 tbsp (30 mL) paprika, Hungarian or smoked 1/2 tsp (3 mL) cayenne pepper or chili flakes 1/4 tsp (1 mL) cumin 1 tsp (5 mL) brown sugar 1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 ripe red tomato, diced 1/2 cup (125 mL) beef broth, water, or red wine (*Of course, venison is lean and sometime an acquired taste, so if you prefer to use beef, go right ahead.)
METHOD
Place a large braising pot with a tight fitting lid over high heat and sauté the onions in the oil until slightly brown in color (about 10 minutes). Add all of the remaining ingredients and bring the liquid to a boil. Reduce the heat and cover with the lid; cook for 15 minutes until the vegetables look limp and have released their water. Uncover the pot and cook the goulash until the onions are melted and the venison is tender; about 3 hours. It may be necessary to add a little liquid from time to time depending on the rate of Free Bottle of wine reduction. per couple to take away Serve the goulash with butter noodles, steamed after having our night menus rice, or potato. Serves 6 to 8 Valid only with this voucher Source: www. dinner 19.00-22.00 until 31st oct tasteofnovascotia.com
Mesón de
Irene
summer crazy offer
1 tablespoon good olive oil 8 ounces good bacon, diced 2 1/2 pounds chuck beef cut into 1-inch cubes Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 1 pound carrots, sliced diagonally into 1-inch chunks 2 yellow onions, sliced 2 teaspoons chopped garlic (2 cloves) 1/2 cup Cognac or good brandy 1 (750 ml.) bottle good dry red wine such as Burgundy (Cote du Rhone) 2 to 2 1/2 cup canned beef broth (1 1/2 cans) 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (1/2 teaspoon dried) 4 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature, divided 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 pound frozen pearl onions 1 pound fresh mushrooms stems discarded, caps thickly sliced For serving: Country bread, toasted or grilled 1 garlic clove, cut in half 1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (optional)
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset. Add the bacon and cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is lightly browned. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to a large plate or bowl. Dry the beef cubes with paper towels and
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then sprinkle them with salt and pepper. In batches in single layers, sear the beef in the hot oil for 3 to 5 minutes, turning to brown on all sides. Remove the seared cubes to the plate or bowl with the bacon and continue searing until all the beef is browned. Set aside. Toss the carrots, and onions, 1 tablespoon of salt and 2 teaspoons of pepper into the fat in the pan and cook over medium heat for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are lightly browned. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the Cognac, stand back, and ignite with a match to burn off the alcohol. Put the meat and bacon back into the pot with any juices that have accumulated. Add the wine plus enough beef broth to almost cover the meat. Add the tomato paste and thyme. Bring to boil, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and place in the oven. Cook for about 1 1/4 hours or until the meat and vegetables are very tender when pierced with a fork. Combine 2 tablespoons of butter and the flour with a fork and stir into stew. Add the frozen onions. In a medium pan, saute the mushrooms in 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat for 10 minutes or until lightly browned and then add to the stew. Bring the stew to a boil on top of the stove, then lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes. Season to taste. To serve, rub each slice on 1 side with a cut clove of garlic. For each serving, spoon the stew over a slice of bread and sprinkle with parsley. Source: www.tastebook.com
AR & REST A URA N T
The Irish Rover
Mojacar’s original & only Irish bar.
Your No 1 Entertainment Venue in Mojacar for All the Family
Our famous Sunday car ver y ser ved 1pm - 5pm. 3 meats, 7 veg & all the trimmings
Live Entertainment & Karaoke Every Night
Friday 10th October MICHAEL BUBLE & GARY BARLOW 5€ TRIBUTE ACT
Best Authentic Indian fo on the Plaod ya Served All Day!
Now showing
GAA Games
tel: 950 473 135 mojacar playa (between Lua & Moma Beach)
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el Cucador
SAT 4TH OCTOBER
Pork Sausage, Leek, Carrot & Butter Bean Casserole INGREDIENTS
6 plain pork sausages olive oil, for frying 2 cloves garlic, crushed 2 medium leeks, sliced, weighing about 250g (9 oz) 2 medium carrots, sliced, weighing about 250g (9 oz) 250ml (1 cup) white wine 250ml (1 cup) chicken stock 400g (14 oz) tin butter beans, drained and rinsed salt and freshly ground pepper parsley, roughly chopped for garnishing
METHOD
Brown the sausages in a little oil for about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and leek to the sausage pan and cook until softened. Add the carrots, wine, stock and butter
beans then simmer for 10-15 minutes. Remove the sausages from the pan, place them on the chopping board and cut them into 1cm (½ inch) slices. Return the sliced sausages to the pan. Simmer slowly until the pork is cook through and serve immediately in bowls. NOTES Alternatively, you can use 200g (7 oz) dried instead. You need to soak the beans for at least 12 hours (alternatively overnight) in plenty of cold water. Rinse and boil them for 30 minutes or until just soft, not mushy. VARIATIONS If you like spiced pork sausages, feel free to use them instead. If leeks or carrots isn’t your cup of tea, experiment with other vegetables instead, e.g. broccoli, green beans, parsnips and sweet potato. Source: www.greedygourmet.com
Beef and Ale Stew
THE TWILIGHT SHADOWS
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FOOD AVAILABLE from 8pm on request DOORS OPEN 7:30pm
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from from
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s cproimde atnlacnthicip Cod
home-made chips emade mushy peas & home tartar sauc
FRIDAYS 12.30pm - 9pm
TRADITIONAL SUNDAY LUNCH
Ingredients
3 fresh or dried bay leaves 500g quality diced stewing beef 500ml ale, Guinness or stout 2 sticks celery 2 medium onions 2 carrots olive oil 1 heaped tablespoon plain flour 400g tinned chopped tomatoes sea salt freshly ground black pepper
Method
You are going to love this slow-cooked stew recipe, because it’s so simple and gives consistently good results. The meat should be cut into approximately 2cm cubes. Packs from most supermarkets are normally about that size. In stew recipes, you’re often told to brown off the meat first. But I’ve done loads of tests and found the meat is just as delicious and tender without browning it first, so
I’ve removed this stage from the recipe. If using the oven to cook your stew, preheat it to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4. Trim the ends off your celery and roughly chop the sticks. Peel and roughly chop the onions. Peel the carrots, slice lengthways and roughly chop. Put a casserole pan on a medium heat. Put all the vegetables and the bay leaves into the pan with 2 lugs of olive oil and fry for 10 minutes. Add your meat and flour. Pour in the booze and tinned tomatoes. Give it a good stir, then season with a teaspoon of sea salt (less if using table salt) and a few grinds of pepper. Bring to the boil, put the lid on and either simmer slowly on your hob or cook in an oven for 3 hours. Remove the lid for the final half hour of simmering or cooking. When done, your meat should be tender and delicious. Remember to remove the bay leaves before serving, and taste it to see if it needs a bit more salt and pepper. You can eat your stew as it is, or you can add some lovely dumplings to it. Source: www.jamieoliver.com
FROM
9PM
served 1pm-6pm
Salmon, Cod fillet, & Salad Options Lamb
Served 2nd Sunday of each month (2€ Supp)
booking recommended
Sunday British Breakfasts served from 10am - 12pm
lunch menu & LITE BITE menu 12.30pm - 3.30pm
Bar specials
served 6pm - 9pm from from Mon: Chili €5 5€ TUES: Atlantic Cod & Chips or Chicken Curry €5.50 WED: 1/2 Chicken & Chips or Chefs Special €5.50 THURS: Home made Pies €5.50 We are here
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E15
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La Vida
Cucador Huercal Overa
Junc 547
Tel: 950 634 562 lavidacucador@gmail.com open every day 12pm - late
30
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SOLTIMES october 2014
News
Y DA WAKES
Dave, Yvonne & Clive Welcome you to Y Da Wakes BREAKFAST MENU
FULLY AIR CONDITIONED
LUNCH-TIME MENU
New Pancake Menu from 2€
Served 11am - 12:30pm
Served 12:30pm - 3:30pm
EVENING MENU
homemade pizzas with chips & salad from 5€
Served 7pm - 10:30pm
SNACK MENU
Served lunchtime - 10pm (late night snacks also available)
Clive’s famous Sunday Lunch Booking advisable
Sunday Roast Mini Meals 2.50€
London Town Quiz
Thursday 16th October 8pm
2 courses 10€ pp to include entrance to quiz
Monday Bingo 9pm Tuesday Authentic Curry Night All curries cooked to order 16 variations Friday The Fish Inn Saturday Music & Karaoke
Roquetas De Mar Urbanisation opposite Protur Hotel, next to Suzi’s Tel: 950 33 51 80 or 634322644 opening hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri & Sat from11am-Late Sun 12noon - 7pm, (Wed closed)
FREE
be a part of i t
A La Carte Menu Main Meals from €7.95 tapas served
By Martin Shortland
The traditional long line fishing boats based in Roquetas, face another blow to their livelihoods. Fishermen in Carboneras, Adra and Garrucha face the same dilemma, as it was announced last week at least fifty boats from all four ports will be forced to stop fishing for up to three months. As many as 300 fishermen will suffer as a result. The Spanish Confederation of Fishing sent a letter to the local representative, Simon Perez, laying out the reasons behind the enforced ban. Basically, the boats are having to stop because of the much used ‘over fishing’ clause in an EU mandate, set out three years ago. This is not the first time the clause has been invoked, but it’s the lack of compensation provided for the affected boats, which is causing yet more anger within the industry. The ship owners representative, Pedro Hernandez, says the potential looses could amount to 4 million euros – that’s a figure for all the boats over the time period they’ll not be working. He added that, yet again the traditional methods of fishing with hooks and line, were being penalised by bureaucratic meddling from Brussels. He said, “The situation has now become desperate for my members, many of whom have struggled to make ends meet because
of the annual ban.” The Government have constantly promised to give support to the effected boats, but as of this moment, nothing has been forthcoming. Simon Perez has repeatedly sent letters of complaint to local, regional and national offices of the fishing industry, but he says, “The politics at every level gets in the way of any decision being made; meanwhile, our members are fighting to make a living – it’s a disgrace.” On a less depressing note, the trawler fishermen from the regions main ports reported a very good set of figures for the first eight months of the year. The overall catch for sardines, anchovy, mackerel and similar fish went up by 14%, producing an income for the industry of 4.5 million euros. This news is somewhat over shadowed by the continued poor treatment of the traditional hook and line fishermen.
El Bistro Restaurant
Monday - Saturday : 11am - 4pm and 7pm - close. Sunday : 12noon - 5pm & from 7pm Thursdays : closed
Every Friday fish chips & peas
More Depressing News For Local Fishing Fleet
Lunch & Evening
Sunday lunch from €2.50
Roquetas De Mar Urbanisation off calle sierra nevada Tel: 608 533 657 Open Wednesday to Sunday 12 noon – 4pm and 7pm – close.
Daily Specials Menu Del Dia from 10€ to 20€ served all day
Friday – Fish Specials all day Sunday lunches from 1pm – 8pm
Served 12 noon til 5pm & from 7pm
wednesday wobbler 3 courses 7.95€ Served 7pm til 10pm
Saturday Sizzler €24.95
3 Course meal for two and bottle of House wine
Tel: 659 683 447 www.newyorknewyork.es OPPOSITE THE Protur hotel, next to y da wakes
Christmas bookings now being taken book early to avoid disappointment
SOLTIMES october 2014
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roquetas - COMMUNITY NEWS Happy 10th Anniversary
Jill & John
All our love and best wishes from all your family and friends in Spain xxx
Want to improve your Spanish?
Do you want to improve your Spanish and speak English with new friends. Every Thursdays from 9.00 pm in L’arrivée Tapas & Lounge Café in Aguadulce. You can taste our fantastic tapas and enjoy improving your Spanish and speaking English with people from Spain and other countries. Your first pint of beer and
estampa Tapas Bar
Room to let
Room to let with en suite bathroom. Roquetas de Mar, great location overlooking the harbour, beach and sea. Modern, spacious apartment with balcony and two terraces. 627 742 054
Wish your Friends or Loved Ones Happy birthday, anniversary or just send them a special message. Send details to: production@soltimes.com or call Mark on 693 774 932
tapa is for free. Just come and enjoy
Tapas/Snacks h october closed 3rd, 4th & 5tEnglish
outdoor y n n u s s u Spacio seating 24 terrace TV SKY
Breakfast Fish & Chips Coffees & Cakes Cocktails/ Sangria
FREE WI-FI
al l sp or ts no w sh ow n
Open 9.30am - late (Closed Tuesday)
Next door to Zurimar 678 202 160
FTG Notice
The ‘Friday Tapas Group’ meet up at 1.00pm each week (Friday) and the venues over the next few weeks are as follows:
3rd Oct – Y DA WAKES, opposite Protur Hotel & Spa in the Urb. 10th Oct – New York New York, opposite Protur Hotel & Spa. 17th Oct – Suzi’s Tapas Bar, in the Urb., opp Protur Hotel & Spa. 24th Oct – El Adel, next to Margar Mercado, in the Urb. 31st Oct – La Bodeguina, C/Sierra Nevada, Urb. 7th Nov – Blossom Cafe Bar (near to Brown Chairs). Anyone is welcome to join the happy bunch and have a laugh, exchange views and ideas. The more, the merrier and the bar owners enjoy it too!
nOTICE bOARD
Roquetas Bridge club meets on Monday’s at 3pm. For more info please contact Alison Ferguson 950349749 or Sue Barlow 950 333 344
ROYAL BRITISH LEGION NOTICE FORTHCOMING SOCIAL EVENTS IN 2014 ROQUETAS DE MAR SUB-BRANCH 3569 Tuesday 7th October – 3pm - Social meeting at The Lodge and will include Bingo. Tuesday 4th November - 3pm - Social meeting at The Lodge and THE BIG POPPY APPEAL RAFFLE. If you have any prizes to donate, please contact Jenny or Barry. Many thanks. Tuesday 4th November – 3pm - Social meeting at The Lodge and THE BIG POPPY APPEAL RAFFLE.. Tuesday 11th November - ‘Poppy Remembrance Luncheon’ at Restaurante Maracay in Plaza de Veracruz. A joint meeting with RBL Mojacar Branch. 1pm for 1.30pm – Lunch served at 2pm. Entertainment will be provided by the Pacar Dance School, and music/singing by Peter & Helen. Tuesday 2nd December – Christmas Lunch and short meeting at Bodegon Restaurante, Urb.
All monies raised at these events will go to the 2014 Poppy Appeal.
New members are most welcome to join the branch, so come along to any the social meetings, contact Jenny/Mike on 950 328 469 for further info. Meetings are held at ‘The Lodge’ on Calle Americo Vespucio, Roquetas De Mar, on the first Tuesday of each month (3pm), unless otherwise notified.
PUB C H APLINS Roquetas a, ad Sierra Nev 27 Calle RTS BAR NO1 SPO
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SPORT FREE WIFI.....LIVES WEDS €5.95 IB FOOD DAILY...R .95 + QUIZ 9.30 FRI FISH & CHIPS €4AST €1.50 MINI SUNDAY RO late snacks
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SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
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available venues Venue @ La Vida El Cucador Private parties Birthday etc, all events catered for call for more information
950 634 562
in Albox Private parties Birthday etc, all events catered for
call Bar for more
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950 120 718
ballroom dancing
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sequence with jean & derek at
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all levels welcome single or couples enjoyable afternoon to meet new friends for more info call 950 449 617
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Pc’s, Laptops, Printers etc. Sales & Repairs on-site Callout/Tuition. Consumables Albox, Almeria Tel: 950 120 900
BE SEEN
▪ Emptying of septic Tanks & Cesspits, with high pressure cleaning ▪ Small unblockages of pipes & drainage
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Call Carl on 677 091 240
Solutions
Digital Vision Cleaning of Septic Tanks
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QUALITY EXPRESS
Drainage
SOLTIMES www.soltimes.com
Contact: 675 838 808
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
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www.soltimes.com for sale cont... Set Of Brass Type Door Fly Chains, Last For Ever As Opposed The Less Expensive Plastic Ones 30€ Mercedes Car Radio And Cassette Player, Not CD player. ONO Tel: 634 328 142 2 X Size
Fires 8 Months Old 75€ Each Cost 140 New, Compressor 295€, York Multi Gym with All Weights and Bench 300€. Tel: 634 305 776
insurance
Tel: 950 121 936 or 902 750 190 ext 332 PAINTER
albox painter & decorator insurance friendly - professional -reliable
Award winning agent all types of exterior & For all your interior work Insurance Needs Please contact
est 7 years
Glenn & jayne 950 121 943
infoalbox.libertyseguros@gmail.com
Fr i d g e iron/metal works Freezer, In Perfect Condition The Metal works Grills, railings, Full 160€ Tel: 649 615 gates of all types, security/sliding/ Gas roller, rejas, concertina doors etc. 227 Zurgena Tel: Keith Wood on 638 900 949
ring for a free quote
Tel: 649 186 107 or
email thunderpaul2003@hotmail.com John The Painter All aspects of P&D
wanted
legal
k i ndle wanted
4wayconnections
Gates, Rejas &
Legal and Translation Services.
Boundary Walls
original model please contact tel: 660 072 171 gardening
Tel 646 844 708 www.4wayconnections.com
potty finca services including all types of palm trees
strimming of overgrown gardens & hedge cutting spanish registered. ring john or Ruth on 616 855 294 or 950 163 930
health & beauty avon cosmetics Tel Claire 691 987 454 avonfromclaire @yahoo.es pamper yourself at R Retreat El Cucador, beauty treatments, hair salon, holistic massage, waxing, pedicure etc. Therapists all established & UK qualified. Email retreatcucador.gmail.com or call 647 379 878 or look at our main advert on the ladies page inside & call the therapists direct NEW COMBINATION of Hits high intensity Interval training toning & conditioning of entire body Tel Viki on: 650 764 623 for more info
hobby/craft
Interior & Exterior
Free Quotations john.colbert@hotmail.co.uk
Tel: 662 597 596 pets
If you wish us to print an article about a particular topic in our regular space on pg 17, please email info@daviessolicitors.com locksmith
plumbing
KNOWLES plumbing No 1 for Plumbing
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 PROPERTY
PAULETTE ON 950 121 936 OR 902 750 190 EXT 332
Specialising in rural property with character
Call Stephen 636 266 641 email info@findmeahome.es Find us online at www.findmeahome.es facebook.com/findmeahome
TRAVELLING IN AIR CONDITIONED VEHICLE DELIVERED TO DOOR PETS STAY IN PET FRIENDLY HOTELS. VERA APARTMENT FOR RENT ACCOMPANIED TRAVEL AVAILABLE
(0034) 667 235 205 (sp) (0044) 7850 575862
SHORT-TERM/HOLIDAY RENTAL
Pilates
Phil the Pick Locksmith 24 hours. Locked Out? Locks fitted/ upgraded house safes. Arboleas & surrounding area. Special weekend rates. Tel: 697 243 181
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
logs for sale
plasterer
property for sale berja
ELAINE’S WOOLS Quality UK Wool & Accessories. Come & view my DISPLAY. Also Available at CAT Services & Total Entertainment Call 667 273 889 elaineswools@gmail. Call Lee on 636 092 632 eliteplanthire@hotmail.co.uk com
British plasterer All work guaranteed
Do you have a property for sale or to rent. Advertise in this space weekly to reach over
55,000
Sol Times readers! For more info Contact Paulette on
950 121 936
Possible sitting tenant. Walking distance to amenities, shops and restaurants Opposite beach Good investment.
T: 646 844 708
reduced further 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.
€125,000
pilates with Sharon O’Lanlon every Wednesday 11am - 12 all welcome all levels at El Cucdor Call for more details 638 487 314 fully UK reg: 25 years experience
load of small or big Olive logs, no roots €165 load of mixed Olive some roots €145 load of eucalyptus, no roots €165 all loads 2 tonnes Arboleas & surrounding areas
advertise your property
front line TO ADVERTISE mojacar playa YOUR PROPERTY €68,995 FOR SALE OR RENT 1 bed, 1 bath IN THE CLASSIFIED Apartment with SECTION FOR ONLY private, gated parking & gardens. 10€ PER WEEK CALL Communal pool.
Whether you are buying or selling No need for kennels or we will be delighted to cattery Pet sitting in you own hear from you home, Arboleas & local area. Call Vanessa 637 061 482
pet taxi
professional tree felling & pruning,
33
fully reformed town house
3 beds, 3 baths large terrace & sun terrace walking distance to shops, restaurants & ammenties yet quiet location
Tel Paul
excellent investment
634 327 201
Tel: 670 810 948
70,000 ovno
ono
649 186 107 or email thunderpaul2003 @hotmail.com
property services
Full Villa Maintenance
from repairs to new installs, cleaning, also meet & greet taix to airports
Give
John & Shaz
a call on 634 342 520
34
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
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
sat/tv services
removals
SPAIN UK SPAIN Removals
Friendly Reliable Service Fully Legal Special deal 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
safe & secure transport 1.9 satellite dishes to & from uk
thermal lined & controlled ventilation ideal for pets
200€ dog - 179€ cats 100€ birds
heavy loads welcome 4700kg with speed limiter fixed price quotes fully legal operation shop & offices to visit px goods to offset costs
www.movemypetsandstuff.com
call: 634 368 430
now in stock excellent prices
Tel: 620 112 193 642 310 103
uk SPAIN uk
uk@fmtransport.co.uk
also local removals
+44 (0) 7977 754 389
low rates
We import our own goods +44 (0) 1582 499 836 which is how we can give such www.fmtransport.co.uk
De Lima’s
removals Local, National & international REMOVALS & STORAGE Quality Second hand furniture showroom
263 Paseo del Mediterraneo Mojacar Playa, Next to Sal Marina Hotel Mon-Fri: 10am-3pm sat 10am-2pm Tel: 950 615 364 Call Marc on 647 006 183 or Brian on 674 280 268 or e-mail enquiries@delimas.biz
www.delimas.biz
fortnightly SERVICE TO & FROM UK FULL OR PART LOADS
upholstery
For more information call Spain 0034 634 349 347 England 0044 743 443 4820
CUSHIONS CUSTOm MADE
•Foam replacement •Interior/Exterior Fabrics •Free estimates
Tel: 692 176 069
La Vida, el cucador, zurgena has a vacancy for bar staff for our bar & restaurant English/Spanish speaking an advantage part time flexible hours call rob on 609 199 394 or email CV to rob@soltimes.com
Call John on UK: 00447 939 88 0110 Spain: 0034 634 368 071 wanted
Casa Naranja Motos Motorcycle Breakers
We buy your unwanted bikes for cash, runners, non-runners or accident damaged. Anything considered
Tel: 950426904 or 600384265 email
casanaranjamotos@hotmail.com
cars & vans
wanted for cash
1 hour service guaranteed telephone
661 143 871
all areas covered
INDESIGN & PHOTOSHOp We need an artworker to join our expanding design team. If you have a creative eye & can work to deadlines we want to hear from you Please send your CV to editor@ soltimes.com
motoring section
car remapping
veloc tuning ecu Remapping Services
number plates
“RE-PLATE” MATE GB
july 2004 2 owners very good condition full service history itv july 2015 83,500kms
plus increased performance Guaranteed
www.veloc-ecu-remapping-spain.com
950 104 488 or 600 827 517 mobile mechanics
car & van hire
Van hire
Mobile motor
ONE WAY
mechanic
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
wanted cont...
wanted uk cars & vans bought for cash Telephone
634 345 257
covering all areas, fully qualified & legal, over 30 years experience, Call Paul on 617 150 300
E
Don’t take a chance! Don’t break the Law! Let us take the hassle away from you and re-register your vehicle on to Spanish plates WE PROMISE TO BEAT ANY GENUINE QUOTATION For a full service contact:
Alan 662 249 159
www.replatematecostablanca.com
car for sale
Classic Jaguar XJS
A1 Condition, NO RUST, 1985 3.6 Manual, 111k miles,
4,495€
Tel: 950 566 302
Email: mdespana@gmail.com
for sale cont...
AUTOFEX: AUDI A3 2.0i Automatic €8900, Telf: 950 431 861 e-mail: ventas@autofex.com
REMOVALS spain uk spain Save 20% on your vehicle fuel costs friendly reliable All jobs considered
situations vacant
ford tourneo
small van 104,000kms, 2005 very good condition
2750€ ono
tel: 660 897 717
mercedes slk 200
11,500 ono Tel: 617 477 797
FORD TRANSIT VAN
T300 2003 SEMI HIGH TOP SWB VGC TAXED AND MOTD TILL 2015 EXCELLENT RUNER 1700 EUROS TEL: 634329027
mitsubishi shogun lwb 2.8 intercooler 1995 rhd on spanish plates long itv & tax. roof rack & tow bar owner for past 15 years mechanically excellent for year
1500€ 950 466 282 / 617 477 797
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
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Sundance Spas Mon – Thur 9am – 2.30pm & 4pm – 7pm Fri 9am – 2.30pm & 4pm – 7pm Paseo de Mediterraneo, 165, Mojacar Playa 950 472 845 www.sundancespas.com - sundancespas@telefonica.net
Scaremongering
viewpoint
I followed a Facebook debate a few days ago, where a lot of contributors got very worked up about the state of the world. A lot of the comments were based on, ‘the world was a much safer place years ago,’ theme. A lot said, ‘It’s not safe to walk the streets these days’ and even one person was convinced the newspapers were trying to hide the number of murders by not making them front page stories. I have to say it made for depressing reading. Peoples perception of their surroundings and the much wider world, gave me the impression a lot of people seem scared these days. But what are the facts that have this effect on people, if indeed there are any facts. One set I was able to look up were the murder statistics for the UK. The latest recorded figures are from 2012 and actually show a drop of 14%, the lowest figures for more than 20 years and per capita, one of the lowest rates in Europe. Now I don’t want to sound trite and have no intention of offending anyone who’s had the misfortune to lose a loved one under those circumstances, but it shows that peoples perception of the country not being as safe as it was – in the good old days – isn’t true. I think what has changed dramatically and what has made the difference to the way people view their personal security bubble, is the blanket media coverage of all and every ‘drama’- we are bombarded and that has a detrimental effect on a lot of our views. Is World order under more of a threat now, with the crisis in the Middle East through the so called Islamic State, than it was say, before the start of the Second World War? Many believe that it is. Of course, we all abhor the dreadful treatment of hostages and captured prisoners, the appalling images of which are available to us via the internet. Nothing can happen anywhere in the world without it being instantly broadcast repeatedly around the world. Again, the perception out ways the reality. Many of the Facebook comments from parents said they were concerned their children were growing up into an increasingly dangerous world, unlike when they were young, saying they as children had no memories of the world being a dangerous place. Well, my only memory of my childhood was of wanting to have a good time as a child; children don’t concern themselves with politics and the like at such a tender age. We have lived with war for the best part of the last century and the threat of war is still with us. But is it any more of a threat? I think not. Maybe the way wars are fought has changed and maybe the very word war – in the conventional sense of two armies facing one another on a battlefield – has become redundant. Terrorism and the way it is reported has a much more devastating effect on peoples perception of their own safety; that is the power the terrorist holds. Maybe we should all stand back a little and try to separate the facts from the fiction. And next time we hear one, make up our own minds and not be led by the Scaremongers. By Paul Martin
Alqueria
The Animals of Alqueria
The animals of Alqueria are as singular as the Village Republic’s human population. Many inhabitants keep pets and there is even an Olive Baboon population in Alqueria which rivals the famous Barbary Apes of Gibraltar. The Alquerian Baboons previously resided in a safari park north of Madrid. Over the years as they scrambled over visitors’ cars breaking off windscreen wipers, aerials, exhaust systems etc., plans for their freedom matured and eventually jelled. The Baboons waited until they had collected sufficient parts, built a car, piled aboard and drove out of the safari park splintering the security barrier. As there is no extradition agreement for primates in Alqueria the Pueblo was ideal for their needs. A White-headed Capuchin Monkey called Pieter relaxes on the patio of a house in the Calle Mirador. He was once an organ grinder’s monkey working in Amsterdam. One day he seized his chance for freedom and absconded with the grinder’s tin mug full of cash. He now lives in Alqueria enjoying a luxurious lifestyle paid for with his ill-gotten gains. Many of the residents have pets. Manuela takes in stray cats caring for them until they can be re-homed. The last creature she saved was scooped up from the very wheels of a speeding car. She pressed the lucky feline to her ample breast. It was the first time many had seen a cat smile from ear to furry ear. Other village cats soon got wind of this treatment. Manuela is now almost always followed by a retinue of quite happy and healthy cats all pretending to be lost and pathetic in the hope of receiving similar therapy. Rodriquez, Manuela’s arch enemy has no empathy with animals he can’t actually eat. The closest he has ever been to a non-food creature is having a face like a badgers bottom after a rough night. Antonio Poyato owns Pepe, a bad tempered Sulphur Crested Cockatoo. This feathery linguist makes disparaging remarks about the world’s religious leaders and is not above telling house guests to attempt feats which are physically impossible. Loco Paco’s pets are numerous and legendary. From dogs and cats to the more exotic animals including huge rodents and marsupials. He converses frequently and fluently with them all. Unfortunately apart from Benjy a Saharan Dung Beetle they are all fictitious, only existing in Paco’s disturbed mind. It is not surprising that the dysfunctional population of Alqueria should have equally dysfunctional pets. One can only wonder how long it will be before these domesticated creatures begin to take part in barrio rivalry. John MacDonald (El Sordo) - www.caratacus.eu
35
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The Pirate in the Kitchen
Magrat the Cat has taken no time at all to learn the rules of engagement: Don’t go near Pete’s legs; don’t go round the front of the house; don’t go in the house. I was impressed – cats, on the whole, take absolutely no notice of rules, but she seemed to have got a handle on the situation virtually straight away, and was keeping her side of the bargain without prevarification. I had gone to Pilates, and while I was away Pete had started to cook the mince for our Spaghetti Bolognese supper, while Magrat sat outside on the kitchen windowsill and watched. However, the onset of rain, falling in stair rods and cats and dogs, distracted him. He turned the mince off and left it to simmer on the hob while he put a walkway of newspaper across the porch and into the kitchen, ready for the return of a soaking wet me. I returned, trod the newspaper walkway, took off my shoes, dumped my bag on the kitchen table, noted the delectable aroma of cooking mince, and went for a wee – my first essential priority! Pete, meanwhile, picked up the newspaper and shut the front door. Seconds later I returned to the kitchen, fully relieved, to unpack my bag. There, sitting on the black hob, was an even blacker cat – stuffing mince down its throat for all it was worth! In the few seconds that the front door was open she had silently slid in and commenced her piracy - the only way she could have known that the front door was open and unsupervised was if she had seen it from outside the kitchen window. She must have devised her plan and put it into action with split-second timing – and all without the benefit of military training! I grabbed her round her rapidly expanding middle and carried her outside (It had stopped raining). ‘Magrat,’ I said as I put her down outside. ‘You bad cat! You know you are not allowed in, and you know that stealing our dinner is worse than wicked! We’ve discussed and agreed the rules, and you promised not to break them. I’m disappointed in you.’ She switched her tail and looked up at me with a serene but unrepentant citrus green gaze. ‘I am a cat,’ she replied with calm hauteur. ‘Cats do not make promises.’ With that she stalked off to digest our dinner.
By Jos Biggs
josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk
36
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
News
International Coffee Day: The health benefits of drinking coffee alert and focused so, as long as you apply the rules of moderation, that morning cuppa could be just the ticket.
in women – provided it’s drunk without sweeteners (farewell flavoured syrups).
University of South Florida and the University of Miami found that coffee consumption is associated with a reduced risk of dementia. They discovered that adults who drink an average of three cups of coffee a day were less likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Study author Dr Cao said: “We are not saying that moderate coffee consumption will completely protect people from Alzheimer’s disease. However, we firmly believe that moderate coffee consumption can appreciably reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s or delay its onset.”
Researchers form the National Cancer Institute (NCI) found that adults who drink three of more cups of coffee a day have a 10 per cent lower risk of death.
Whether you prefer it as thick as tar, or as light and frothy as a cloud, there’s a good chance you started your day off with a cup of joe.
Research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found Coffee can help to that drinking four or more cups of caffeinated coffee cut the protect against risk of clinical depression by 20 per cent when compared with drinking one or fewer cups per week. Alzheimer’s Researchers from the Coffee may prolong your life
Monday marked International Coffee Day, but if you passed over the caffeinated beverage in favour of a green juice or water this morning here are some reasons why you ought to reconsider... Coffee can help you burn fat Ok, so if you order the extra-large vanilla latte with whipped cream on top, you’re probably not doing your figure any favours. However, research has shown that caffeine can help to boost your metabolism. One or two cups a day can increase your metabolic rate by up to 10 per cent It makes you less tired You probably already knew that – and you also know that there’s no substitute for a good night’s sleep. But that doesn’t mean that coffee doesn’t provide a boost when you need it. Caffeine is a stimulant that makes you feel more
It can reduce the risk of depression Coffee is linked to a lower risk for depression, particularly
Study author Neal Freedman said: “We found coffee consumption to be associated with lower risk of death overall, and of death from a number of different causes. Although we cannot infer a causal relationship between coffee drinking and lower risk of death, we believe these results do provide some reassurance that coffee drinking does not adversely affect health.” And finally… festive drinks It’s not exactly a “health” benefit but part of being healthy is being happy, right? The nights are drawing in and during the long winter days a cinnamon spice latte or mint chocolate mocha could be the one thing makes everything else seem that little bit better. Read more on: www.independent.co.uk
The menu del dia is the cheapest way to eat out in Spain. E.E. S.S. TERDIGUERA
Richard and Belinda Welcome you to
Badgers
Servicio de Neumaticos • Petrol • Shop Cafe • Restaurant • Car/Lorry Wash Restaurant Menu del Dia Monday to Friday
www.badgersmojacar.com
Choice of 8 Starters
Inc. Paella, Beef Stew, Roast lamb Choice of 8 Main Courses inc: Oxtail, grilled beef, baked cockles, Calamari, Salmon, Grilled Chicken, Panga in Green Sauce Choice of 8 Desserts Inc. Ice Cream, Profitteroles, Cakes Salad, Café & a drink €9
950 478 525 - 686 038 259 Opening times: 10am till 10pm
Menu del Dia 3 courses €15 per person includes bottle of wine per couple Plus full menu available every day
Different menu every day Polig. Ind. De Albox. Opp. I.T.V. Tel: 950 120 303
T.C’s Bar Tel: 634 305 128
FREE
Menu del Dia 7.95€
All Welcome
Tel: 664 097 279 Paella, Tapas, Fish & Meat Dishes are our speciality
new menu coming soon
present this voucher for sunday lunch & receive a free glass of wine or a tubo Open 9am - Late Monday - Sunday Find us in Avenida LePanto, Albox (opposite Eurowise)
• Fish Friday - Skinless Atlantic Cod & Chips • 3 Course Sunday Lunch Only 8.85€ (Pensioners receive 10% discount)
Menu del Día - 10€ Daily Special Dishes Mojacar Playa 200m from Parque Commercial
Opening Times 12.30 - 15.30 18.00 - 23.30 Open Everyday
Menu del Dia 7.95€ Monday-Friday 12% Discount for Takeaway
www.tajrestaurantturre.com
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
www.soltimes.com
motoring
By Tim Saunders I cannot believe that 30 years has passed. That’s how long ago the Seat Ibiza was introduced. And boy how things have changed. Think back to 1984 and the launch model was typically boxy but I still remember, aged eight, reading my What Car? magazine that year and lusting after the three door sports hatchback. It looked sufficiently different from the crowd and certainly had clinched my interest. I seem to recall the sale price being around £8,000 at the time and for a car whose unique selling point was the Porsche designed engine, this seemed a good deal for a new car. However, the build quality was an issue. My test model is just a 1.4-litre petrol, nothing to really write home about on paper, I think. And then I clap eyes on it. It is actually the FR Edition. Again this doesn’t really mean much to me until I carefully cast my eyes around the exterior. There are red brake callipers and twin exhausts. Is this just attractive dressing? Open the doors and there are excellent bucket sports seats, red seatbelts, in fact there is a dash of daring red throughout this five door hatchback. But is she hot, I wonder? Once the ignition is turned, I can report that she most certainly is. There is an attractive rasp to the exhaust the harder the accelerator is pushed. Her figures are impressive too, 0 to 60mph in 7.8 seconds and a top speed of 130mph. The hard suspension somehow makes travelling feel even faster. As is the way these days the edges have all been rounded off yet the current Ibiza still stands out from the crowd especially with the metallic white finish of the test model. The instrument readings report that it returns around 60mpg during the course of the test on the Isle of Wight when a variety of roads from sharp inclines to flat are experienced. It will cover over 350 miles on a tank. I am surprised at how spacious the boot is because it is only a small hatchback yet it swallows all our luggage without complaint.
This very well made five-door hatchback reminds me so much of Volkswagens and Audis I have driven. Like them this is robust and extremely well made and even shares some equipment with these models, perhaps most noticeably for me the rear windscreen washer which shoots the water upwards onto the screen just as in the Audi A1. All of this comes as no surprise because these days Seat is part of VW. The test takes place during the hottest day of the year – even hotter than the Bahamas, the radio reports claim. Anyway the Seat’s Garmin satellite navigation system registers over 30 Celsius and the air conditioning is extremely effective at maintaining a comfortable low temperature inside the vehicle. That sat nav is a bit fiddly to operate at first but the more familiar the driver becomes the easier it is to operate. However, it has to be said that this system while generally very useful, does have its issues. For instance, we need to find a restaurant in Ventnor and tap in the postcode only to discover that it wants to takes us down a dangerous sharp left hand turn which is actually one way. Another issue is that the commands are sometimes rather vague such as a right hand turn is referred to as bear right, which are not the same thing in my mind. I can see how it could also be easy to concentrate on the sat nav’s commands and lose focus on traffic lights, for instance. Therefore, a heightened sense of focus is required when using such a system. Overall, as was always the case the Ibiza is something a little bit different. Facts a glance Seat Ibiza FR Edition 2009 onwards Used price: £6,000 to £12,000 New price: £16,000 approx 0-60mph: 7.8secs Top speed: 130mph Power: 150bhp Economy: 60mpg approx Watch the videos at www.testdrives. biz
sport SHORTS *B rilliant Europe walloped the USA 16½ points to 11½ victory ton win the 40th Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. P aul McGinlay’s team of super golfers thoroughly deserved their triumph and it was Welsh ace Jamie Donaldson who hit the winning stroke. O ver 133,650 spectators saw three days of truly great sporting action. * L ast weekend’s PL derbies, Arsenal-Spurs and Liverpool-Everton, both ended in 1-1 draws... leaders Chelsea, reigning c h a m p i o n s Manchester City, second-placed Southampton, Manchester United (who had scorer Wayne Rooney red-carded), Crystal Palace and WBA all claimed victories. Stoke met Newcastle on Monday. *N orwich are now top of the Championship... Bristol City lead FL1, Burton Albion head FL2 and Dundee United are first in the SPL. * I n Spain, Barcelona crushed Granada 6-0 and Real Madrid beat Villarreal 2-0. * T here was Champions League last night,
*
*
*
*
again tonight and tomorrow Spurs, Everton and Celtic compete in the Europa League. T his weekend PL games include ChelseaArsenal, SpursSouthampton, Aston Villa-Manchester City, Manchester UnitedEverton and SwanseaNewcastle. T he draw for the 4th round of the League Cup is: Bournemouth v WBA; Fulham v Derby; Liverpool v Swansea; Manchester City v Newcastle; MK Dons v Sheffield United; Shrewsbury v Chelsea; Stoke v Southampton and Tottenham v Brighton. The ties will be played during the week commencing 27 October. H ampshire beat Glamorgan by 291 runs to win cricket’s Second Division title ahead of Worcestershire. Northants and Lancashire were relegated. J orge Lorenzo won Spain’s rain-affected MotoGP last Sunday. Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa finished down the field as
37
by Tony Matthews
*
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Aleix Espargaro came second and Britain’s Cal Crutchlow third. T he 25th round of this season’s British Touring Car races at Silverstone was won by Jason Plato with Colin Turkington (2nd) and Mat Jackson (3rd). T he Japanese F1 Grand Prix takes place this weekend in Suzuka. A ndy Murray saved five match points on his way to winning his first title of 2014, beating Tommy Robrero in the APT final in China. T he World Artistic G y m n a s t i c s championships start on Friday in China. E xeter Chiefs are up to 4th in the AVIVA Rugby Champiionship. A nd my tip to win BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing this year is The Saturdays singer, Frankie Bridge (wife of footballer Wayne) and Kevin Clifton from Grimsby.
www.offmetrolley.com ‘offmetrolley’ TM Electric Golf Caddy’s From €199.00 Lithium Battery Model €499.00 The best value for money lithium available anywhere!
Lithium Battery Golf Trolleys Supplied Locally
Tel: 950 982 027 Free Delivery
Tel: 950 982enquiries: 027 Email shankedit@offmetrolley.com www.offmetrolley.com
The best quaility bicycle shop with the best prices in the area
Sales Servicing Rentals
(Mountain & Road Bikes)
English speaking staff are here to advise you
Las Buganvillas, Vera Playa Tel 950 133 063 Email: info@aguilabike@.com - www.aguilabike.com
38
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES OCTOBER 2014
sport & motoring AGUILON GOLF MEMBERS REPORT
TYRE KING The Best Deal for Miles
car - motorcycle - van - 4x4 Motorhome quad - trailer - wheelbarrow
●A ll New Tyres Supplied Have Manufacturers Warranty ●C omputerised Tracking Including 4x4s ● While You Wait Service
● Large Stock Available ● Motorbike Tyre Specialists ● Headlamp Polishing
Poligono El Real, Calle El Garcel F19, Antas, Almeria 04628
Vera
Open: Mon - Fri: 9.30 - 17.30
tyre king
petrol station E15/A7 MOTORWAY Exit 534
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The annual Ryder Cup match between our Spanish friends and an Ex Pat team takes place over the weekend of 8th and 9th November if any golfer wishes to take part in the Ex Pat team, we are holding three qualifying rounds on the 6th, 15th and 24th October,is you wish to participate in these qualifiers please contact Les Raufer on email lesantas at yahoo.co.uk RESULTS Friday September 19 – Individual Stableford Another warm day in good conditions for golf with our winner continuing his good form of the last few weeks 1st Louis Long 36pts 2nd Jim Barclay 35pts 3rd Glyn Ombler 34pts Twos: Jim Barclay and Louis Long
Urcal Golf Society
Urcal Golf Society travelled to the Lorca Golf Resort on Saturday 27th September for its latest match. Although the weather forecast obviously put off some members from turning out, a hardy bunch did brave the elements to contest the Urcal Stroke play Cup. The course was in much better condition than the last time the society played there but the rain of the last few days made for tricky conditions and reduced the speed of the greens considerably. However one member stood out once again, after several handicap cuts this year Captain Steve Dodd once again showed the rest of the field a clean pair of heels recording a net 75. After a poor first couple of holes Steve settled down and played a very steady round of golf and was a worthy winner. In second place was Lorca specialist Barry Kilby who although not at his best
both at 17th Wednesday September 24 – Individual Stableford With quite a few of our summer migrants returning it was a large turnout on a perfect day for golf and some much improved scoring 1st Jim Barclay 38pts 2nd Norman Whibley 37pts 3rd Glyn Ombler 36pts Twos: Keith Leonard 8th, Dave Sharp 12th, Jim Barclay 14, David Lees, Derek Manning, Dave Simpson and Lynne Whibley all 17th Guests and visitors are welcome to join us on a Mon, Wed and Friday For information contact 636 240 726 or 634 641 199
carded a very creditable 79. Third place was highly contested on 81 with Garry Funnell ( playing off 7 handicap) gaining the upper hand over Billy Handy and Tony Morgan on count back. Nearest the pin prizes went to one of our lady members, Shirley Marriott on the 4th hole and Paul Mickelboro on the 10th. Longest drive on the 9th hole went to Billy Handy playing with a damaged shoulder (beware of the injured golfer) maybe everyone else missed the fairway!!! Despite the weather everyone enjoyed the day. Urcal Golf Society is an extremely friendly society, visitors and guests are always welcome. Anyone wishing to play with us please contact our Captain Steve Dodd on 608 238 827 Our next game will be at Marina Golf Course on the 11th October.
19th Hole Golf Society. Cucador. Thursday 25th September our Monthly Medal game, with Aguilon being the course for this prestigious event. For a change we played the slope with players nominating which Tee they wished to play from thereby varying their handicap. Sean Curtis easily took the medal scoring a nett 74 playing from the white tees with Nigel (I don’t like medal rounds or the Slope) Greenwood. playing from the yellow tees, in second place with a nett 77 on countback from Dave Sharpe MBE on the same points but playing from the white tees. In the Ladies Medal no one could get close to Nekana Galindez, playing from the yellow tees she scored a nett 73 with Chris Dow in second place with a nett 77 playing from the red tees. Chris completed a really good day by scoring a Two on the 8th and a Nearest the Pin on the 12th Results Mens Medal
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1st Sean Curtis Nett 74(10)) 2nd Nigel Greenwood Nett 77(16) on countback 3rd Dave Sharpe MBE Nett 77 (5) Ladies Division 1st Nekana Galindez Nett 73(39) 2nd Chris Dow Nett 77 (33) Twos Hole No3 Dave Denyer Hole No. 8 Pat O Dwyer & Chris Dow Nearest the Pin Hole No 8th Dave Keymar Hole No 12 Chris Dow Hole No17 Brian Lowden Thanks to all the members who support the 19th Hole Golf Society. The 19th hole G/S are 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 or playing with the 19th hole give the secretary a ring on 610340653. or email gs19thhole@hotmail.co.uk
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Fruit And Veg Are Not The Only Plants Grown Locally By Martin Shortland
The Civil Guard and the National Police in the municipality have announced a large rise in the amount of cannabis seized in raids over the last 12 months. Over 1,200 kilos of the drug were collected from illegal growing sites, many of which were located in residential buildings. The figures are for the year 2013 and show a sharp rise as compared to the previous year. The results from Almeria are reflected in the national figures – according to a recent report by the Ministry of the Interior, in its annual report it shows a nationwide increase of 30% in the amounts of the drug confiscated by police. The report said the figures show ‘an alarming upturn’ in the cultivation and trafficking of marijuana, but also shows the increased success of the security forces in their fight to stamp out the trade. The process of growing cannabis indoors is a complex one, especially when the modern trend is for users and dealers to grow the plant in their own homes. Cables with hundreds of light bulbs, often driven by a generator, are required to encourage the plant to grow quickly. The temperature has to be kept at a constant level and for that to happen, fans and warm air systems are required. A watering system is needed to feed the plants, along with insecticides, pesticides and fungicides to keep them healthy. If being grown within the confines of an apartment building, then an odour neutraliser is needed to nullify the pungent smell of the plants, which when fully grown can reach two meters in height. But more and more, the plants are being grown outdoors, hidden amongst the thousands of hectares of greenhouses which blanket the landscape. Very little equipment is required and the nature of the climate means it’s virtually a year round crop. A police spokesman said marijuana was an easy drug to cultivate outdoors, saying, “The seeds are readily available on the open market
and unlike cocaine or heroin, it’s a low investment business.” The demand for the drug has escalated in the last five years with the relaxation of laws governing its use. It’s still an illegal substance, but its use is more tolerated these days than was the case in the past. I was recently following a police patrol in the bar and club district of the Urbanisation in Roquetas – they were specifically checking for music and TV noise levels. The aroma of marijuana was a constant presence in the air and people were openly rolling and smoking it. The police seemed more interested in the noise levels than the marijuana levels. One officer told me it was impossible to do anything about it, as too many people used the drug and trying to process prosecutions was far too time consuming. So on the one hand, the police are clamping down on the production of cannabis, but on the other don’t seem that bothered about its use once it’s on the streets. Top grade marijuana is worth about 1,000 euros per kilo, so it’s a very lucrative business and one which is clearly growing at an alarming rate. The police spokesman said they have arrested 84 people in the first eight months of this year, most of whom were small growers, with perhaps 10 – 15 plants, mainly cultivated for their own use in their own homes. But he added, “Trying to find the large outdoor plantations hidden amongst the plastic is almost like looking for a needle in a haystack.” The cultivation and trafficking is illegal and has become big business. The large growers are now being targeted by police, but the recently created task force of six officers, working solely amongst the greenhouses would appear to be woefully inadequate. According to specialists of the Drugs and Organised Crime Unit, they are seeing a ‘notable increase in the cultivation of marijuana in the province, not only for domestic consumption.’ Their investigations show a large
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industry within the Almeria area, providing a drug which is in high demand in other European countries, of which France, Germany and the UK are the main recipients. Whilst the latest figures are encouraging, the impression I get from police sources is they only represent the tip of an iceberg. In one major arrest last month on the motorway just outside Almeria, an Italian vehicle was stopped at a routine traffic check point and was found to be carrying 20 kilos of cannabis – that’s 20 times the amount confiscated in the whole of last year, in just one vehicle. Although the investigation into that incident is still ongoing, it is known the drugs were destined for the Italian market and that it was part of a regular monthly shipment. So if for arguments sake, one were to say another 20 vehicles were making similar journeys to other parts of Europe carrying similar quantities, that would be – hypothetically – 400 kilos per month, which equates to around 5,000 kilos per year; a staggering amount. More staggering though, if my maths are correct, is the financial reward – at 1,000 euros per kilo, that quantity of cannabis leaving Almeria every year would be worth 5 million euros. After that little – and I repeat – hypothetical exercise, it puts the figures announced last week into context. The small growers are being discovered, prosecuted and fined small amounts. They will then undoubtedly
start growing again in order to fulfil their own needs and maybe sell some on the side to pay for their production costs. If my predictions as to the possible amounts of marijuana being produced and trafficked here are even half correct, then there is a very serious and major drugs industry going on right on our doorsteps, worth tens of millions of euros. Add to that the ever increasing amounts of cannabis being brought into the country on ships from North Africa and the size of the drugs problem and the industry which feeds it becomes quite astonishing. Quite how the Drugs Agency can stamp it out without a huge increase in resources remains to be seen.
Almeria leave it late UD Almería claimed an important victory on their visit to the Riazor Stadium when they beat RC Deportivo de La Coruña 0-1. Édgar Méndez condemned the Galicians to their second defeat on the trot just before the final whistle. Almería, meanwhile, earned their second straight away win. It was end-to-end stuff in the first half. La Coruña came out of the dressing room determined to rediscover their form in front of the home crowd, while the Andalusians were on a high after their away win at Real Sociedad. Central defender Sidnei had the best chance for the Galicians, but his shot struck the right post of Rubén’s goal. The speed of the visitors’ counter-
attacks was their best weapon, but they were not clinical enough to trouble Germán Lux. In the second half the dynamics of the game did not change and the two teams alternated on the ball. Hélder Postiga came very close to putting his team ahead just after the break, but his header found goalkeeper Rubén Martínez. Almería gradually gained ground as the minutes went by and just before the final whistle the match was decided. Rubén Martínez struck the ball from in front of the box and his shot was deflected off Laure into the back of the net, earning the visitors victory. For more local sport www.expatgoals. com or follow on Twitter @expatgoals