Ultimate Magazine Costa Blanca North - December 2015/January 2016

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ISSUE No. 07 Dec-Jan 2015/16

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WELCOME Welcome to the Christmas edition of the Ultimate Magazine. As I am writing this the sun is still shining and the days are still warm(ish) although a lot cooler in the evenings.

As with every year, we have a very festive feel to this edition and have articles on a Christmas cake recipe, QI Christmas facts and other interesting articles relating to this special time of the year. Whether you are a restaurant, estate agent or just a bar it is important for you to get new customers and for them to know what you do and where you are, so why not profile your business in the areas favourite magazine, call the office to see our latest offers.

In this edition we continue with the N332 that gives you information whilst driving on Spanish roads, books, golf, recipe page, Adele Land´s Destination report and Come wine with me as well as the popular lifestyle pages, although it will be difficult to have a healthy Christmas but we give you some tips how.

All of our advertisers seem to be getting busier as the housing market is picking up which in turn gives us more and more visitors to the area, so please take time in reading the magazine and check out some of the new businesses in the area.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our advertisers old and new a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year, from Gary, Sallie, Adele and Dean who all contribute to the continued success of this publication.

Any other information you require including advertising prices call Gary on 634 365 367 or the office on 950 473 102

SALES DIRECTOR Gary Funnell 634 365 367 SALES MANAGER John Migan 634 317 325 or 634 393 696

Contents

08 Things to do: Valencia 10 QI: Christmas 12 At the movies: Suffragette 15 N332: Automatic Lights 16 Lifestyle: Over indulged?

18 New Years Resolutions 20 A destination report: Beat The Winter Blues 24 Boxing Day: Sport 28 The Book Shelf 29 Photography Hints & Tips 34 Come Wine With Me: Bottoms up!

36 Gourmet Guide 40 Food Glorious Food: Chocolate Cake 43 Christmas Traditions 44 Comedians: Louis C.K. 46 The Golf Pages: Club tips, Deals & Tournaments 54 Worlds Most: Visited Christmas Destinations 56 Property Pages

Next Issue no.08 Feb-Mar 2016

Ultimate Almeria (Published by GSF Communications), Paseo de MediterrĂĄneo, Mojacar. 04638 Tel: 950 473 102 and remember to check out our new website. www.ultimatemagazine.es If you are a writer or wish to advertise your business in the next edition please do not hesitate to contact our office in Mojacar on 950 473 102 or e-mail info@ultimatealmeria.com Ultimate Almeria has taken due care and diligence in compiling this guide and cannot accept responsibility for advertisers work, services or goods. Please use standard practise and take up further references. We endeavour to ensure that all contents are correct at the time of going to press but cannot be held responsible for the effects of errors or omissions.

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SOLARENERGY THE FACTS ABOUT INSTALLING A SOLAR ENERGY GRID-CONNECTED ELECTRICITY SYSTEM Electricity bills have increased by an average of 20% each year over the past 5 years and the cost is likely to increase by similar amounts over the next few years.

How does a solar grid-connected system work?

proposal was against European Union directives and was met with enormous opposition. On the 9th October 2015 the government updated this draft proposal stating that grid connected A well designed solar system will last solar installations that produce less for 25-30 years. Both the solar panels than 10kW per hour will not be taxed. and the inverters used by Solar in Spain This is excellent news for home owners. are guaranteed for 25 years.

Does solar energy only work Where can I find out more information? capture on sunny days?

Solar electricity systems the sun’s energy using photovoltaic (PV) cells. When light shines on the cell it creates an electric field. The PV modules generate DC electricity - or Direct Current - sending it to an inverter. The inverter transforms the electricity from DC to AC (Alternating Current) for ordinary household needs.

This system allows the solar electricity to be used as it is being generated.

Do I need permission from Iberdrola to install a system in my property?

Yes . This is very important and must not be overlooked. Permissions need to be obtained before the installation takes place. Every grid-connected electricity system needs authorisation from both Iberdrola and the Spanish Government. Iberdrola is currently issuing fines of up to €30,000 for unauthorised installations.

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What is the life expectancy of a solar grid-connected electricity system?

No. These cells don’t need direct sunlight to work – they can still generate electricity on cloudy days.

The stronger the sunshine, the more electricity is produced.

What happens to the electricity that is produced but not used?

Solar in Spain has been in business on the Costa Blanca for 13 years.

They complete all the paperwork for its clients and is one of the few companies that actually ensures that their installations comply fully with the law. Their office and showroom is in the Pedreguer Industrial Estate, just off the N332.

They are open from 0930 to 1630, Iberdrola will now buy back any solar Monday to Friday and would be electricity that is sent back to the grid. delighted to answer any questions.

Do I have to pay tax to the Government if I install a system?

Two years ago the government published a draft proposal which proposed a tax on electricity that was produced and consumed from solar grid-connected systems. This draft

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Things to do...Places to see...

VALENCIA...

Valencia, a large city on Spain’s eastern coast is well known amongst holidaymakers and expats as an under rated place. For decades, UK visitors to Spain’s Costas only ever holidayed in the typical “bucket and spade” resorts up and down this wonderful region, however an increasing number of people are starting to discover Spain’s cities and what they can offer too.

Spain is a big place, far bigger than old Blighty, and it’s sometimes easy to forget that there is so much to see and do in this vast and diverse country and one reason why us Brits can’t get enough of the place. Valencia is but one area and is in some ways, just like any other metropolitan area in Europe, with wide (and traffic clogged roads) and the people themselves, the characters that make up the place, scurrying about on their daily business in the shadow of huge high rise blocks of apartments.

Valencia has a mix of old and new buildings, giving it a real special feel of it’s own. From medieval castles and towers, to modernist and art deco architecture, and of course a glut of massive shopping centres and plenty of places to eat and drink too of course!

Visiting a city in Spain, as opposed to a resort, allows a glimpse into the real working day of the people and of real life, away from the the normal sights and sounds of a resort vacation in Spain.

A lot of people don’t realise just how big the city is and what is on offer here. For example, did you know it has a tube train system like a smaller version of the London Underground?

Or do you realise that the holy grail, the cup that Jesus was supposed to have drank from at the last supper, is kept in the cathedral in central Valencia?

The city is jam packed full of culture and history, stuff you really want to stick around for, and explore the old lanes and streets as well as the wide tree-lined shopping areas of this truly awesome city! One of the Plazas worth seeing is the Plaza del Reina, or “Queen’s place” in English, located in the old town area and a magnet for more or less each and every tourist that comes here.

It’s a great place to hang out, with plenty of places to eat too, however be warned that you will pay top tourist prices here. Eat where the Spanish eat, that’s best, but armed with a good and detailed map so you can find these obscure

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places, although in this area you have to be really “in the know” to find a good paella.

One of the cities more controversial claims to fame is that it has what is supposed to be the Holy Grail, the actual cup that Jesus drank from at the last supper, although that claim is also upheld by several other places around the world too.

The cathedral is a lovely old place and well worth visiting, however the grail is one of the must-see attractions for those of a religious following. The authors David Rhead and Jose Marin looked in great detail at the story of the cup and suggested that the cup had travelled from Rome centuries ago, however when the Muslim rulers took over Spain, it was put into hiding for centuries and only returned to the city in 1427 by the gloriously named King Alfonso the magnanimous!

Whilst the prospect of wandering around a food market is not everyone’ first choice of what to do whilst on holiday, the historic market in central Valencia is a bit different and is actually well worth visiting.

...at Christmas No chance of a White Christmas here, but hey - you can enjoy Christmas in relative warmth. Valencia gets very pretty over Christmas: lots of gorgeous iluminations and lots of energy in the streets. The main area to see the Christmas setting is of course the centre of Valencia, especially all the landmarks such as Plaza de la Reina and Plaza de Ayuntamento. Plaza de la Reina will host the Christmas crafts market - good for souvenirs and local delicacies. Plaza de Ayuntamento will host the main Nativity Scene - those compositions will be throughout the city over Christmas.

Christmas in Valencia is an outdoor affair. Christmas markets pop up in the city’s squares, streets and market buildings to offer tourist and locals alike everything from toys and Christmas decorations to handcrafted products such as pottery and glassware.

The most famous Christmas market is the one located around the Central Market, with more than 60 stalls selling an exciting range of items from 1 December to 6 January.

Then there’s the Mercado de Reyes (the Kings’ Market), one of the biggest with close to 250 stalls, which takes up residence in the streets surrounding Cabanyal Market from 3 to 6 January.

You’ll be able to find range of hand crafted products at the ARTEVAL Craft Fair in Plaza de la Reina, next to the Cathedral, while the impressive Colón Market building will be hosting a range of Christmas stalls and activities throughout the festive season, including carol singing from 30 November to 6 January and the PROA Craft Fair from 13 December to 6 January.

Once again this year Las Naves, situated on Calle Juan Verdeguer, will be putting on its Christmas Space Festival with a range of activities such as children’s workshops, the sale of handcrafted products and toy and food collections for those in need. The Christmas market will be open from 20th to 24th December, while you can visit the Mercado de Reyes from 2nd to 5th January.

The City of Arts and Sciences will also be hosting a Christmas market from 23 December to 6 January, with children’s activities and craft demonstrations.

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A special seasonal

QI

I’M DREAMING OF A...

The Met Office defines a White Christmas as a single snowflake falling in the 24 hours of December 25th. A proper covering of snow on the ground has only happened four times in the period – 2009 and 2010 were both “properly” white.

Traditionally the location was the Met Office building in London. However, with the increase in betting on where will see a White Christmas the number of locations have increased and can now include Buckingham Palace, Belfast (Aldergrove Airport), Aberdeen (Pittodrie - Aberdeen FC), Edinburgh (Castle), Coronation Street in Manchester and the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

ICE ICE BABY Monthly temperature records began in 1659 and the Great Frost of 1684 remains the coldest extended period in English history. The Thames was frozen to a depth of 11 inches for two months.

The Thames last froze in 1837, but the key change hasn’t been air temperature.

The removal of old London Bridge in 1831, embanking and dredging has increased the river’s flow, preventing the formation of ice.

COLD FRONTS Snowbirders, snow-hunters and snowriggers were slang terms for underwear thieves in Australia, Britain and America respectively.

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RED HERRING The Hogmanay tradition of being the first person to cross a threshold on New Year required the “first-footer” to bring a gift. Until the Thirties the usual Dundee gift was a herring tied with ribbons.

out of the window and seeing children in the snow. He lived just long enough to see it released.

PULL THE OTHER ONE The sport of Skijoring is different from normal skiing as you can also be pulled along by sled dogs. For real SANITY adventurers, there’s the Indian hobby The Saami people of Finland, Sweden of yak skiing, where you’re tied to a yak and Norway smeared the doorposts by a long rope and dragged up a hill. with butter for the goddess of sanity believing Beiwe’s journey across THE GAMES ARE AFOOT the sky in a vehicle made of reindeer “Hot Cockles” is an early Christmas bones encouraged the greenery that game that involves putting your head the reindeer returned to eat. The butter in someone’s lap while a third party gave her strength. hits you from behind. You then had to guess who it was who hit you.

EGGS is EGGS “Winter” is one of the imperial eggs For “Baste the Bear”, one player is made by Fabergé for Tsar Nicholas II. the “bear”, kept on a length of rope by Every year the Tsar ordered two – one the “bear keeper”. The other players for his wife and one for his mother. must goad the “bear” as he attempts “Winter”, the most expensive egg to catch them: the “bear keeper” fends Fabergé ever made, was a gift for his them off with a “whip” (second length mother in 1913. It sold in 2002 for $9.6 of rope). million.

A BIRD IN THE HAND Aristotle noted that he only saw robins in winter and redstarts in summer, so he assumed that one turned into the other with the changing seasons.

WONDER...NO MORE The tragic story behind the song Winter Wonderland was written by American songwriter Dick Smith at a sanatorium in Pennsylvania. The lyrics are supposedly based on him looking

Suffragette The New Film Released in October 2015 A historical period drama film directed by Sarah Gavron and written by Abi Morgan. The film centres on early members of the British women’s suffrage movement of the late 19th and early 20th century. The film stars Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter, Meryl Streep, Ben Whishaw, Brendan Gleeson and Anne-Marie Duff.

The principal photography began on 24 February 2014. It is the first film in history to be shot in the Houses of Parliament, done with the permission of MPs. The film was released in the United Kingdom on 12 October 2015 and is set for a limited release in the United States on 23 October 2015 by Focus Features.

History of The Suffragette Movement Suffragettes were members of women’s organisations in the late 19th and early 20th century which advocated the extension of the franchise to women.

It particularly refers to militants in Great Britain such as members of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU).

Suffragist is a more general term for members of suffrage movement.

The term “suffragette” is particularly associated with activists in the British WSPU, led by Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst, who were influenced by Russian methods of protest such as hunger strikes.

Other tactics employed by members of the WSPU included chaining themselves to railings to provoke an arrest, pouring harsh chemicals into mailboxes, breaking windows at prestige buildings, and night-time arson at unoccupied buildings. Many suffragettes were imprisoned in Holloway Prison in London, and were force-fed after going on hunger strike.

Although the Isle of Man had enfranchised women who owned property to vote in Parliamentary (Tynwald ) elections in 1881, New Zealand was the first self-governing country to grant all women the right to vote in 1893 when all women over the age of 21 were permitted to vote in parliamentary elections. Women in South Australia achieved the same right and also became the first to obtain the right to stand for Parliament in 1895. In the United States, white women over the age of 21 were allowed to vote in the western territories of Wyoming from 1869 and in Utah from 1870, and in most states outside the South by 1919.

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“I had to get a close-hand view of the misery and unhappiness of a man made world, before I reached the point where I could successfully revolt against it.”

Emmeline Pankhurst With the ratification in 1920 of the Nineteenth Amendment the suffrage was extended to white women across the United States in time for the 1920 presidential election. Women over 21 were allowed to vote in Canada (except Quebec) from 1919.

But women and men in Britain over the age of 30, meeting certain property qualifications, were given the right to vote in 1918, and in 1928 suffrage was extended to all women over the age of 21.

British suffragettes were mostly women from upper and middle-class backgrounds, frustrated by their social and economic situation. Their struggles for change within society, along with the work of such advocates for women’s rights as John Stuart Mill, were enough to spearhead a movement that would encompass mass groups of women fighting for suffrage. Mill had first introduced the idea of women’s suffrage on the platform he presented to the British electorate in 1865. He would later be joined by numerous men and women fighting for the same cause.

The term “suffragette” was first used as a term of derision by the journalist Charles E. Hands in the London Daily Mail for activists in the movement for women’s suffrage, in particular members of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU). But the objects of the intended ridicule gladly embraced the term saying “suffraGETtes” (hardening the g) implied not only that they wanted the vote, but that they intended to get it as well.

The National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies, which was founded in 1897, was formed of a collection of local suffrage societies. This union was led by Millicent Fawcett, who believed in constitutional campaigning, like issuing leaflets, organising meetings and presenting petitions. However this campaigning did not have much effect.

In 1903 Emmeline Pankhurst founded a new organisation, the Women’s Social and Political Union. Pankhurst thought that the movement would have to become radical and militant if it was going to be effective. The Daily Mail later gave them the name “Suffragettes”.

Some of the techniques, especially hunger strikes, were learned from Russian exiles from tsarism who had escaped to England.

Many suffragists at the time, and most historians since, have argued that the militant suffragettes’ actions actually damaged their cause.

Opponents at the time saw evidence that women were too emotional and could not think as logically as men.

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N332

the best place to find easily digestible information regarding road and traffic laws in Spain.

N332 is an informational portal written by ex Guardia Civil to give important information on Spanish Roads and educate ex pats and visitors on safety on driving in Spain. As well as other information regarding living and visiting Spain.

Seeing the light...

Confusion with your automatic lights?

The installation of Daytime Running Lights has become the norm for more modern vehicles, where additional illumination would allow other road users to have a heightened awareness of approaching vehicles. However, this development has not been without its own problems, sometimes caused by the lack of knowledge by the driver, but also on occasion caused by the slowness in having laws adapted to satisfy the technology.

headlights, they are not designed to illuminate the path for the driver. That is what headlights are for.

More recently, motorcycles have also seen Daytime Running Lights fitted to the front. However, for bikers there was another problem, in that the law dictates that headlights must be illuminated on motorbikes during the day. The legislation did not allow for any variation on this, and so there have been numerous riders fined for There have been numerous instances riding whilst only having their Daytime of drivers being seen, stopped and Running Lights illuminated and not fined whilst their vehicle only has their headlights.

Daytime Running Lights illuminated when headlights are required, such However, as of a change in the law in as at night or especially whilst October of this year, Daytime Running driving through tunnels. In these Lights have been incorporated into the circumstances, headlights must be legislation and are now legally accepted switched on! as being adequate illumination for motorbikes during the normal daylight Firstly, we must be aware that Daytime hours and suitable conditions.

Running Lights (DRL) are not a replacement for headlights. In fact, Instruction number 15/S-140/V-112 they are completely different. Many clarifies that under European versions of Daytime Running Lights Legislation, category “L� vehicles also switch off intermittently when the (mopeds of two or three wheels, turning indicators are used so as not motorcycles with or without sidecar, to distract from the purpose of those tricycles, light quadricycles and lights. Again, to stress their purpose quadricycles) are incorporated into of DRL, they are to make the vehicle the laws regarding the use of Daytime more visible to other road users. Unlike Running Lights.

The legislation makes a clear distinction between Daytime Running Lights and low-beam headlights.

Low-beam lights are used to illuminate the road ahead of the vehicle without causing undue dazzle or discomfort to drivers coming in the opposite direction, or to other road users.

Daytime Running Lights face forward and are used to make the vehicle more visible in daylight.

The directive also clarifies the required colour of the Daytime Running Lights, stating that the only permitted colours are white or amber.

Motorcycles must be visible to other road users on the grounds of road safety, but as Daytime Running Lights have been developed for this purpose, manufactured specifically to meet this objective, they are acceptable under normal daytime conditions of visibility.

Be safe, understand how your car or motorbikes lights work and remember to turn your lights on when you need to, especially when it comes to tunnels!

You can find more info, associated files to download and additional stories by visiting their website wwwN332.es of liking their page on Facebook/N332.

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LIFESTYLE Our ongoing article for healthy eating is still here offering tips for our readers

over indulging?

Wondering how you’re going to survive the holiday party season? A professional nutritionist shares their secrets for staying healthy over Christmas, avoiding overindulgence and beating the morning-after blues.

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E

Everything starts with breakfast If I’m going out in the evening, I’ll start the day with a generous bowl of porridge, topped with a handful of cranberries and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Porridge stabilises blood sugar levels, which helps control appetite later in the day. I also add a good dollop of probiotic yogurt, which helps boost immunity as well as combat some of the less beneficial effects of the party season, like too much alcohol and not enough sleep.

Stay hydrated On the day of a big night out, and the day after, I make a conscious effort to drink 6-8 glasses of water, or plenty of herbal teas or diluted juice. Even mild dehydration can lead to a headache and combined with the diuretic effects of alcohol makes maintaining your fluid intake so important. Regular teas and coffee count towards your fluid intake, but caffeinated versions shouldn’t make up your full quota. I sometimes struggle to drink enough when it’s cold, so I’ll take a full glass of water to bed with me at night and start the day with a second. I make sure I’ve drunk both before I have my breakfast.

Sensible snacking If I’m hungry when I arrive at a party, I struggle to resist the canapés, so I always have a pre-party snack.

One of my favourites is a small pot of plain yogurt with a sliced banana.

The yogurt’s protein slows stomach emptying, which helps delay the effects of that first glass of wine while

the potassium-rich banana helps balance any increase in my salt intake - especially helpful if I’m going to be nibbling on olives, crisps or salted nuts. I know I’m better off eating before I go to a party because I’m more likely to stick to my resolve when the canapés come round a second or third time. Other snacks which do the trick include granary toast with nut butter, a bowl of muesli with milk, or a mug of chunky vegetable soup.

helps my body repair DNA. Eggs are an excellent choice for the morning after because they provide choline, a nutrient that supports the liver.

Add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper or a chopped chilli to boost circulation and rev up your recovery. If you can’t face a cooked breakfast then have a smoothie made with fruits like bananas, oranges or kiwi - these are rich in potassium which helps replenish the electrolytes lost due to the diuretic effects of alcohol.

Back away from the buffet Buffets can be a disaster zone - so I make sure I fill half my plate with salad and vegetables, and the rest with protein-based canapés like salmon and chicken. I take my time selecting and eating my food and I move away from the table as soon as my plate is full so I avoid non-stop grazing.

Get back on track After a big night out I don’t skip meals, even if I have over-indulged.

After all, it’s the balance of your diet that’s important. I apply the 80:20 principle - eating healthily 80% of the time, which allows me the space for delicious treats at weekends and on special occasions.

No more hangovers Don’t be tempted to skip meals so you can stockpile calories for drinking.

Alcohol only supplies empty calories, so avoiding proper meals to compensate for a booze splurge means you’re losing out on valuable nutrients, just when your body needs them to help it detoxify. I stick to one type of drink and I make it a lightercoloured one because they tend to be lower in the chemical by-products that can worsen a hangover. I aim to have no more than one alcoholic drink an hour, alternated with juice, water or soft drinks - perfect if you don’t like holding an empty glass.

What to eat the next morning My best ‘morning after’ breakfast is a frittata or omelette packed with veg. I love mushrooms for their energising B vitamins, tomatoes for vitamin C and onions for their liver-friendly sulphur compounds. If I have spinach to hand I’ll add a generous handful because it’s a great source of folate which

But for the rest of us As most us will do eat, drink and be merry and worry about it after the festive season, it is the time for partying and family so enjoy!!

So what about a scrumptious roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings, a strawberry pavlova washed down with some gorgeous red wine. That’s what we’ll be doing!!

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NEW YEAR’S

Resolutions...

A New Year’s resolution is a secular tradition, most common in the Western Hemisphere but also found in the Eastern Hemisphere, in which a person makes a promise to do an act of selfimprovement or something slightly nice, such as opening doors for people beginning from New Year’s Day but it also has religious origins.

The ancient Babylonians made promises to their gods at the start of each year that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts. The Romans began each year by making promises to the god Janus, for whom the month of January is named and in the Medieval era, the knights took the “peacock vow” at the end of the Christmas season each year to re-affirm their commitment to chivalry. At watchnight services, many Christians prepare for the year ahead by praying and making these resolutions. There are other religious parallels to this tradition. During Judaism’s New Year, Rosh Hashanah, through the High Holidays and culminating in Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), one is to reflect upon one’s wrongdoings over the year and both seek and offer forgiveness. People may act similarly during the Catholic fasting period of Lent, though the motive behind this holiday is more of sacrifice than of responsibility, in fact the practice of New Year’s resolutions partially came from the Lenten sacrifices. The concept, regardless of creed, is to reflect upon self-improvement annually.

Success rate: A 2007 study by Richard Wiseman from the University of Bristol involving 3,000 people showed that 88% of those who set New Year resolutions fail, despite the fact that 52% of the study’s participants were confident of success at the beginning. Men achieved their goal 22% more often when they engaged in goal setting, (a system where small measurable goals are being set; such as, a pound a week, instead of saying “lose weight”), while women succeeded 10% more when they made their goals public and got support from their friends. Quoting Frank Ra (author of the new year’s resolution book “A course in happiness”): “Resolutions are more sustainable when shared, both in terms of with whom you share the benefits of your resolution, and with whom you share the path of maintaining your resolution. Peer-support makes a difference in success rate with new year’s resolutions”. It is also noted that talking with a counsellor about setting goals and new year resolutions can help you keep those resolutions.

So whether you’re planning on losing weight, giving up smoking & generally getting fitter, as most do or improving your spiritual self & mental well-being by changing your ways, giving more to charity, becoming more selfless or seeing more of the big, wide world that is out there, we hope you have every success.

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’s Adele Land

ION T A N I T S E D .. .

O T T R O REP

Take a break and beat the winter blues

Tenerife

With the summer holidays over and the dark nights drawing in it’s good to have something planned to look forward to.

just a couple of hours flying time from the Spanish mainland and flights with iberia.com are frequent. Tenerife and Gran Canaria are the most popular islands, the south part of Tenerife has the best beaches, while Maspalomas Why not treat yourself to a short in Gran Canaria is famed for its sand break before or after the holiday dunes. season. If you time it right, you could still find flights and accommodation Aparthotel Los Olivos in Playa de las at reasonable prices, especially if Americas will cost in the region of 170 you don’t plan to travel too close to euros for a three-night stay.

Christmas or New Year.

home, check out kakslauttanen.fi for some of the most out-of-this-world accommodation.

So where’s hot in November, Children and those young at heart shouldn’t miss the opportunity to December, January and February? catch a glimpse of Santa with a trip to Of course, the islands of the Caribbean Lapland. and Indian Ocean are beautiful yearround; while destinations in the A truly magical place on the Arctic Southern Hemisphere are at their circle, Lapland has enough to keep most glorious when our winter months everyone happy and occupied for a are the coldest, making them ideal for short break. Ride a reindeer sleigh, meet Santa’s elves and say hi to the winter-sun holidays. man himself on a day trip to his ‘home’.

While New York hotels can be notoriously expensive, the four-star Night Hotel in the theatre district has prices from around 400 euros for three nights.

Yes, Christmas is just around the corner but that often means rushing round the shops, endless planning and over the festive period, dealing with the influx of friends and relatives.

If you really want to splash out For a chance to spend a few days on and stay in a glass or snow igloo, the beach, the Canary islands are luxury log cabin or even in Santa’s 20

Prefer to travel further afield? Why not plan to combine your break with some Christmas shopping in the ‘Big Apple’, flights to New York are frequent from both Spain and the UK, check out Iberia, British Airways or Virgin, Delta also have a direct flight from Malaga.

Night Hotel

Carrying on with the ‘shopaholic theme, Christmas markets are in abundance in northern Europe especially in Germany.

with winter sports enthusiasts of many nationalities.

The apartments Inside Plaza Sierra Nevada are perfectly located and well equipped with small kitchen and warm, modern accommodation, most rooms have wonderful views of the mountains or village. Parking is close by and pets are welcome.

Cologne, Munich and Berlin are all famed for their festive outdoor markets along with al-fresco ice rinks, carol services and other local festivities. Germany is very easy to get to with Easyjet and Ryanair flying daily to many main cities.

A one-bedroom apartment sleeping four can be booked in December for around 400 euros for three nights.

Four star hotels in the centre of Munich, such as the Tryp or the Regent, start at around 250 euros for three nights.

Nothing shouts winter break quite like a ski holiday, whether you are king of the black run or prefer the gentle nursery slopes, ski holidays offer something for everyone, even the non-skier would find the stunning scenery enjoyed over a hot chocolate or glass of gluhwein hard to resist.

The French Alps are relatively easy to access from Spain and there is a huge selection of resorts to choose from. The Hotel La Meije, in Les Deux Alps offers direct ski access and prices in December for three nights are around 300 euros.

For a longer break, why not push the boat out (well hopefully not literally) and choose to cruise. Luxury cruise line MSC have special offers as low as 230 euros per person for a six-day repositioning cruise on the MSC Opera from Genoa to Las Palmas, with stops at Marseille, Barcelona and Cadiz. Visit cruisedirect. com.

That’s just a few ideas to banish the winter blues, so put down that Christmas shopping list, go online and give yourself something to look forward to.

Prices correct at time of going to print and obtained via Booking.com MSC Opera

Closer to home and still with some excellent skiing is the Sol y Nieve ski resort in the Sierra Nevada. Just two and a half hours drive from the coast of Almería, the mountain range sits high above Granada and is popular

21

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‘What we could

do for you’ I never too early to think about saving for your retirement.

It’s Governments are typically looking to reduce and delay the G sstate benefits they provide.

IIt is now more important than ever to provide for your rretirement and the earlier you start saving the greater your o options in the future.

Starting a family is an exciting time for us all all. Apart from wanting to continue providing your family with a lifestyle you desire for them, it is vitally important that you provide for them if the worst happens and you are no longer around. Life cover is sadly all too often overlooked.

A our children hild fl the h nest, most off us start As prepare to fly c contemplating our future plans. It is an important time to consider whether or not we have sufficient funds in p place for the retirement lifestyle we want, or whether we w need to spend a few years accumulating savings.

years, we all look forward to living life to In our later years the full and with careful planning, you have the peace of mind that any funds you leave behind pass to your loved ones and not the taxman.

For your free consultation contact

Office: 965 020 444 or Ian Whitby: 634 706 748

Email: info@logicfc.com – www.logicfinancialconsultants.com Logic Financial Consultants is a trading style of Tourbillon Limited. Tourbillon Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Commission (Gibraltar). Licence Number FSC1118B. Registered Address Trinity House, 1-3 Ocean Village Avenue, Ocean Village, Gibraltar.

23

BOXING DAY Boxing Day in the United Kingdom is the day after Christmas Day and falls on December 26. Traditionally, it was a day when employers distributed money, food, cloth (material) or other valuable goods to their employees. In modern times, it is an important day for sporting events and the start of the post-Christmas sales.

neighbors. Some people choose to go for a walk in the countryside, while other flock to the post-Christmas sales in large stores that often begin on Boxing Day. Some people even spend part of the night and early morning queuing to get into the stores when the best bargains are still available.

Pictures of hunters on horseback dressed in red coats & surrounded by hunting dogs are often seen as symbolic of Boxing Day. Nowadays, fox hunting is outlawed, however some hunts still go out with the hounds drag hunting. Horse racing & football are now the most popular sports.

Boxing Day is also an important day for For many people Boxing Day is a sports events. Traditionally, using dogs time to recover from the excesses of to hunt for foxes was a popular sport Christmas day and an opportunity amongst the upper classes. to spent time with family, friends and

This year is a very busy sporting day with these events and fixtures taking place. There is also a full calendar of football fixtures in the other divisions.

Premier League Fixtures & kick off times (GMT)

Horse Racing is from all these race courses:-

Aston Villa V West Ham - 15:00

• Huntingdon

Bournemouth V Crystal Palace - 15:00

• Kempton Park

Chelsea V Watford - 15:00

• Market Rasen

Liverpool V Leicester - 15:00

• Sedgefield

Man City V Sunderland - 15:00

• Wetherby

Swansea V West Brom - 15:00

• Wincanton

Tottenham V Norwich - 15:00

• Wolverhampton (AW)

Newcastle V Everton - 17:30

• Down Royal

Southampton V Arsenal - 19:45

• Leopardstown

Stoke V Man Utd - 12:45

• Fontwell Park

• Limerick

26th Dec - 30th Dec: Cricket - South Africa v England first Test, Durban 17th Dec - 3rd Jan: William Hill World Darts Championship 2015/16 24

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shelf Here we have another 3, very different books including some from best selling female authors.

Orange Is The New Black Piper Kerman

I Am Malala Brian Blessed

Why Me? Sarah Burleton

With a career, a boyfriend, and a loving family, Piper Kerman barely resembles the reckless young woman who delivered a suitcase of drug money ten years before.

When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, one girl spoke out.

Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education.

On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, when she was fifteen, she almost paid the ultimate price. She was shot in the head at pointblank range while riding the bus home from school, and few expected her to survive.

In the blink of an eye, Mom ran up behind me and pushed me into the fence. Instinctively, I reached out my arms to stop my fall and ended up grabbing the live fence. My hands clamped around the thin wires, and my body collapsed to the ground as the electricity coursed through it. I opened my eyes and saw my mother standing over me with the strangest smile on her face. “Oh, my God, I’m going to die!” I thought in panic. Imagine never being able to close your eyes and remember the feel of your mother’s arms wrapped around you. Now imagine closing your eyes and remembering your mother’s tears splashing down on your face as she is on top of you, crying as she is trying to choke you to death.

But that past has caught up with her.

Convicted and sentenced to fifteen months at the infamous federal correctional facility in Danbury, Connecticut, the well-heeled Smith College alumna is now inmate #11187–424—one of the millions of people who disappear “down the rabbit hole” of the American penal system. From her first strip search to her final release, Kerman learns to navigate this strange world with its strictly enforced codes of behavior and arbitrary rules. She meets women from all walks of life, who surprise her with small tokens of generosity, hard words of wisdom, and simple acts of acceptance.

Heartbreaking, hilarious, and at times enraging, Kerman’s story offers a rare look into the lives of women in prison—why it is we lock so many away and what happens to them when they’re there.

Instead, Malala’s miraculous recovery has taken her on an extraordinary journey from a remote valley in northern Pakistan to the halls of the United Nations in New York. At sixteen, she became a global symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest nominee ever for the Nobel Peace Prize.

I AM MALALA is the remarkable tale of a family uprooted by global terrorism, of the fight for girls’ education, of a father who, himself a school owner, championed and encouraged his daughter to write and attend school, and of brave parents who have a fierce love for their daughter in a society that prizes sons.

After many years of struggling with trying to understand “Why Me?” I took back control of my life and started saying, “It was me, now what am I going to do?” The answer is my book, “Why Me?”. It is my childhood journey through the terrors of physical and mental abuse from first grade until the day I moved out. It is my way of letting the world know what was really going on behind closed doors.

these books are available online from Amazon.

28

4 PHOTOGRAPHYHINTS&TIPS

Each edition, local professional photographer, Dean Baker, will be supplying a few tips and guides to help us with our photography skills. Whether you’re a total beginner, enthusiast or keen amateur, we hope there is always something for you to take from this.

BASIC ELEMENTS

understanding the big 3...

Advancements in technology has seen camera’s and equipment become both affordable and practical to the point that the average person can create professional images which would have been seen as impossible to the amateur photographer just 20 years ago. However, every camera can still be seen as essentially just a box with a hole in one end. Sure that hole is quite important (being essentially where the light comes through), and you still need the mechanics and means to record a photo but at its simplest, the basic elements to capture an image has not changed...and it all starts with the exposure.

Exposure is the basic element of any photograph taken and recorded. Essentially, it is exactly how it sounds, exposure is how much light your shot was exposed to, and this reflects on what is produced in your final image, be it on film, or more likely nowadays, digitally.

Think of exposure as your eye, if you are in a pitch black room with no light, you obviously can’t see anything. When we are looking at something we are not actually seeing it directly, we are looking at the light reflecting and bouncing off the objects in front of us. The same can be said if there is too much light, think of when you wake up in the middle of the night and turn a bright light on, your eyes have not adjusted yet so to you it seems too bright and you can’t focus. This is the same in photography, and why the most common critique of images is that they are either underexposed, (not enough light meaning an image is too dark), or overexposed, (too much light leading to an overly bright image).

Exposure is determined by three essential elements...

Aperture is the setting which controls the size of the opening of light which comes through to the lens. Normally this is done by controlling the aperture blades which can be changed to allow the aperture to become smaller, in which less light is let through, or obviously larger where more light is allowed to pass through. Aperture is measured in f-stops, for example f/2.0, f/2.8. f/4.0 etc. The smaller the f-stop number, the larger the lens opening, and therefore the more light a lens can let in. This also affects our depth of field but that’s for another time!

Shutter Speed is simply put, the amount of time that the camera lets the light coming in, stay exposed and become recorded. This can be changed quite easily and is measured in fractions, i.e. 1/60, 1/125. This number relates to the timing that the shutter is left open, for example 1/60 shutter speed will mean the shutter stays open for 1 sixtieth of a second. Most camera’s will have a larger range of varying shutter speeds for the user to work with, from Sonic the Hedgehog like speeds of 1/4000 which is great for capturing moving action such as wildlife or freezing sports events, to long exposures of sometimes over a minute long, perfect for landscape photography or low light photography with a tripod.

ISO is slightly less obvious as the above two as to what it is and what role it plays, but has just as much importance in determining correct exposure. ISO is normally measured from 100, 200, 400 etc., with a low a number as possible preferred. This is because the higher ISO that is used, typically the more ‘noise’ you get on an image, where an image is not as sharp as in the lower ISO’s. “So why don’t we shoot all shots with a low ISO?” I hear you say. Well simply put, it’s sometimes not possible, especially in difficult conditions such as low light.

Top: Aperture sizes in relation to number.

Next: The Exposure Triangle Next: Example of slow shutter speed/ long exposure.

Bottom: Shallow depth-of-field focusing.

Individually we have looked at the three elements that make up exposure, so it’s important to realise that all three need to be in sync to get a ‘good’ exposure. The key in the end however, as the same with pretty much all aspects of learning photography, is that practice makes perfect.

NEXT ISSUE: I touch on using Depth of Field to enhance your shots.

29

Celebrating an excellent 2015 & raising a glass to the New Year ahead...

By Helen Tye: Marketing Manager, Hamiltons The team at Hamiltons of London in Moraira and Javea would like to wish all their clients a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year. We genuinely hope that all your wishes for 2016 come true and if we can help to make your property dreams a reality then just let us know!

Like many people we cannot believe Christmas is upon us and a New Year beckons. 2015 has been one of the busiest and most successful years for Hamiltons of London, we have helped hundreds of clients move on and sell or rent their properties, nearly doubling the sales and rentals we achieved in the previous year. In spite of the economic 'crisis', our investment in marketing has enabled us to not only survive but thrive. We have relocated out Javea office, and employed a new and enthusiastic team which is now under new management, as well as launching our new build side to the business, so we have been more than a little busy!

Looking into our 2016 crystal ball we are predicting continued growth and more confidence for people to invest and enjoy living, renting and taking a holiday in the beautiful Moraira and Javea areas. With the sterling rate improving and mortgage rates in Spain at an all-time low, the economic climate can only help, so if you are thinking about selling or renting your property we would love to meet you.

Our Moraira and Javea teams are always happy to answer any questions you may have and discuss how we can help you achieve your property goals for 2016.

Most importantly, a big thank you to our existing clients, we are looking forward to working with you in 2016 as well as welcoming new clients on board. We wish you a wonderful Christmas and ask you to raise your glasses for a prosperous property New Year to all!

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Plastering is a tradition for the Coney family with skills of master plasterers being handed down for the past four generations.

Coney Plastering will turn your old style interior and exterior walls and ceilings into smooth and modern English style finish. Also plastering on to tiles (bathroom/kitchen).

Coney Plastering are also experts in : Monocapa / Rendering All aspects of fibrous (coving and moulds etc) • Polished (marble) Drywall ceilings + walls • Thermal boarding

Coney Plastering only use Spanish materials which are specially designed to deal with the rigours of the Spanish climate, so there are no cracks or other problems that can occur from imported brands.

They are recommended by and work with the best builders on the area. References are available on request.

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32

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Bottoms Up! The festive season is a time to celebrate, get together with family and friends, exchange gifts and look forward to the year ahead. A tradition celebrated around the world is to raise a glass and make a toast but did you know many countries have different rituals and traditions related to this celebratory act.

In Greece, the toasting drink of choice is of course Ouzo, traditionally the host will make a toast then guests are invited to make their own throughout the evening, Greek toasts can be quite long-winded but an easy one to remember is “yamas” which means good health, (plate smashing not recommended unless invited to!)

The tradition of toasting is believed to have begun with the ancient Greeks, adopted by the Romans and rolled out through the centuries. Should you find yourself in some far-flung destination over the holidays here’s how to fit in with the party crowd and make a good impression on your hosts!

Different regions in Italy have different toasts, some more bizarre than others, in one region you make a toast saying “I hope you die” all in a good natured way of course! A glass of Chianti or regional sparkling wine is raised and to keep it simple, “salud” or “chin chin” will usually suffice.

Raise your glasses...

Koreans are renowned for partying hard, so at any celebration, be prepared to grab your glass of beer in In Armenia, a toast is usually made two hands, yell “gun bae” and knock with Raki, an aniseed-flavoured milky it back. spirit also popular in Turkey, it is tradition to link arms in a big circle and The Irish toast can go on for quite a shout “Genatset” before downing it in while and it is classed as rude to set your glass down before the speaker one. has finished, try to look interested The Chinese often use a local beer to and wait for the final word “slainte” make a toast and it is good etiquette to before taking a drink of your whiskey ensure when clinking glasses the rim or Guinness. of the host’s glass sits above yours as In eighteenth century Russia it was you shout “Ganbei”! tradition to down your vodka, shout Germans love their potent shots and “nazdarovya” and then throw your enjoy any excuse to raise a glass, clink glass into the fire hearth. These days it together with friends and say “prost” this is less acceptable and considered a fire hazard! wishing good times to all.

34

by Adele Land

Toasting tips: • Remember to make sure everyone’s glass is full before making a toast.

• It is polite to allow the host to make a toast before guests make their own.

• Keep it simple, humorous attempts can fall flat and it’s better to speak from the heart.

• If there are teetotallers at the event, make sure they have a substitute for alcohol, but if there are teetotal sailors at the party never offer them water to toast, tradition says this would send them to a watery grave!

Cheers!

Overlooking Javea Arenal Beach (next to Es Tapa Ti)

• COCKTAIL LOUNGE • RESTAURANT • LIVE MUSIC •

FUNKY FRIDAYS

December CHRISTMAS PARTIES Friday & Saturday Nights

NEW YEARS EVE PARTy always the best sell-out party in town

4th - DJ Johnny Spectrum with 'Janyssha Lyon' singing LIVE 11th - DJ Johnny Spectrum with ' McLucas Rock Sensation' LIVE 18th - Christmas Countdown with DJ Johnny Spectrum!!!

SATURDAY SESSIONS

5th 'After Midnight' 12th ‘Carnaby Street!' 19th 'RIO'

Music with DJ Johnny Spectrum & Janyssha ‘La Voz’ Lyon LIVE For ticket information call 966 472 771 or simply pop in.

For reservations or live music info call 966 472 771 nostrolounge

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Javea Restaurants and Bars

El Mirador 965 770 811

Acqua 965 770 131

Giulia 965 790 947

Angus Restaurant 966 462 717

Gurkha Palace 966 463 072 / 600 286 222

Atalaya 966 289 666

IL Teatro 966 461 260

Azahar Restaurant 965 770 047

Inn On The Green 965 771 553

Benitachell Restaurants & Bars

Azorin 965 794 495

La Barraca 965 770 919

Casa De Beniasia 966 494 042

Bon Amb 965 084 440

La Bodequilla 966 462 943

Alcasar 966 495 361

Cabo De La Nao 965 771 835

La Boheme 965 791 600

Canada Del Sol 965 020 030

Ca’Maria 965 793 083

La Cantina de Javea 965 792 190

La Cumbre 966 493 213

Carambano 965 744 017

La Cocina 965 795 140

Pizzeria Antiquary 966 493 620

Carnaval 966 471 140

La Fontana 966 461 151

Tasca Les Fonts 609 477 476

Casa Grau 965 792 756

La Gourmand 966 289 686

The Venue Bar and Grill 673 872 079

Champagne 965 792 200

La Parilla De Cellar 965 793 570

Tres Arcos 966 494 143

Chez Angel 965 792 723

La Perla 966 470 772

Tribus Diner 966 493 291 / 672 264 364

Javea Golf Restaurant 965 791 813

La Quinta 965 791 238

With this new food and gourmet section we hope to bring you all the best of the local restaurants, bars, hotels and cafes to make the decision of where to eat and drink a much easier task.

Presented by location it should be a breeze to find the establishment you are looking for.

If your establishment is not listed please e-mail: info@ultimatemagazine.es to be included in the next edition.

36

37

La Siesta 966 462 300

Bar Cascada 663 771 378

No Nonsense 968 972 472

La Sucreria de la placa 965 797 113

Bar Tropicana 634 318 023

Olive Tree 966 490 655

La Tasca Rebotica 966 461 318

Bayern Hutt’n 966 490 959

Oona’s 669 318 799

Lancora Tennis Club 966 462 494

Brevis 965 741 029 / 639 379 738

Options Restaurant 966 491 899

Le Bacchus 966 473 096

Brisas Del Mar 616 856 612

Piscis Restaurant 966 490 616

Lungo Mare 966 471 196

Cafe Chic 966 933 107

Puerto de Moraira 686 964 513

Montgo 965 795 020

CaPepe 965 743 311

Pulcinella 966 492 367

Nostro Cafe Bar Lounge Restaurant 966 472 771

Casa Toni 965 745 411

Raco de L’Arros 965 744 372

Del Mar 965 745 153

Rest Kosta 865 778 300

El Cafeti de la Mar 965 745 997

Restaurante Bela Dama 965 744 329

Gemisant Restaurant & Pizzeria 965 744 312

Restaurante Vespa’s 965 743 256

La Bonita 965 743 415

Royal Buddha 966 490 830

La Isla 966 497 080 / 639 231 741

Satari’s 965 747 134

La Serenna 965 743 193

Taberna Suiza 966 498 222

La Sort 966 491 161

Tasca Moraira 966 491 911

Le Dauphin 966 490 432

The Jacaranda 965 743 292

Le Soleil 965 743 254

The Kathmandu 966 492 436

Meli Melo 966 498 731

The Lowry 965 747 310

Monrose Carvery 965 744 114

The Secret 692 862 881

Nox 966 471 011 Pizzeria Pepe 965 792 572 Raco del Port 965 792 547 / 605 420 958 Restaurant El Posit 965 793 063 Restaurante Piri-Piri 965 794 745 Sofia’s Restaurant 966 462 903 Tosca Javea 965 793 145 Moraira Restaurants and Bars Asia Ye The 631 274 015 Azur 965 745 144 Bajul 965 743 381

38

The Welcome Stranger 603 345 215

Restaurant Ca Nano 966 430 905

La Seu 966 424 478

Tiffany’s 634 332 111

Cafe Bar Latitude 965 783 235

Drassanes 965 781 118

Tropicana Bar 634 318 023

La Menta restaurant 966 431 851

Quique Dacosta Restaurant 965 784 179

Zensatez Restaurante 965 744 255

Arena Bar Restaurant 966 425 860

La Barqueta 966 421 626

Denia Restaurants and Bars

El Trampoli Restaurant 965 781 296

Kopi restaurant 965 787 881

Tapas Tasca Eulalia 965 786 479

Tasca El Gallego 965 789 594

Marriott Hotel 966 454 054

El Senyoret restaurant 966 422 958

Café Soles 965 781 980

Ortega 20 restaurant 966 424 717

Mapamundi 966 424 872 / 696 883 119

If your establishment is not listed please e-mail: info@ultimatemagazine.es to be included in the next edition.

Cafeteria Llunàtics burger bar 692 682 144

Restaurante la Senia 606 610 441

Pizzeria Sandunga 966 430 231

El Faralló 966 430 652

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Glorious food food

ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS CHOCCY CAKE We thought as an alternative to Christmas pudding, this wonderful, easy peasy, impressive cake is simply divine for the Christmas Celebrations. The cake is wonderfully moist and keeps for 4-5 days, so can be made in advance of the celebrations. You can decorate to your hearts delight!

It is important to note that as the mixture is quite thin, it is important to use sandwich tins, as oppose to springform tins, which could leak.

Ingredients:

Method:

• 225g Plain Flour.

• 350g Caster sugar.

• 85g Cocoa powder.

• 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder.

• 1 ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda.

•2 Medium sized eggs.

• 250ml milk.

• 125ml vegetable oil.

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.

• 250ml boiling water.

1. Preheat oven to 180c/350f/gas 4. Grease and line two 20cm/8inch sandwich tins.

ICING INGREDIENTS. • 200G Chocolate plain or milk (make sure the chocolate is at least 70%) • 200ml double cream.

Enjoy!

2. Place all the ingredients, except the boiled water into a large mixing bowl. Using a wooden spoon or an electric whisk, beat the mixture until smooth and well combined.

3. Then add the boiling water a little at a time, mixing in until smooth. The mixture will be very runny (do not worry!).

4. Get a jug and empty mixture into and then divide mixture between the tine and bake in the oven for 25-35 minutes or until the top s firm to the touch and a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.

5. Once cooked, allow to cool completely, still in their tins before icing. Once cooled remove from tins and leave for icing.

6. For the icing, break the chocolate in smallish pieces, and add cream, heat over low heat until the chocolate melts.

7. Remove from the heat and whisk until smooth, glossy and thickened.

8. Leave icing to cool for 1-2 hours.

9. Spread some of the icing to one inner side of cake, then put other cake on top and ice carefully with remainder of the icing.

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BUDDHA PALACE NEPALI-INDIAN RESTAURANT

Sony and all of the staff at Buddha Palace Javea wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Many thanks for your custom throughout 2015 and we look forward to serving you throughout 2016!

Very Special SET MENU for Christmas and New Year's Eve served December 24th, 25th and 31st!!

Call now or pop in for full menu information and to reserve your table, limited numbers!!

For the friendliest welcome and all of your favourite Nepali-Indian dishes and so much more

TEL. 965 792 894 - 666 322 873

Email: buddhapalace1@gmail.com or bhujelsurendra@hotmail.com CTRA. CABO LA NAO - PLA, IN FRONT OF TENNIS CLUB 03730 JAVEA PARK, JAVEA, ALICANTE 41

Open: Mon - Fri 10am - 6pm

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Christmas traditions

from around the world...

Australia

In Australia, December 25 falls during summer vacation, so many of the country’s Christmas festivities take place outdoors. The most popular event of the Christmas season is called Carols by Candlelight. People come together at night to light candles and sing Christmas carols outside. The stars shining above add to the sights and sounds of this wonderful outdoor concert.

CHINA

The small number of Christians in China call Christmas Sheng Dan Jieh, which means Holy Birth Festival. They decorate their homes with evergreens, posters, and bright paper chains.

Families put up a Christmas tree, called a “tree of light,” and decorate it with beautiful lanterns, flowers, and red paper chains that symbolize happiness. They cut out red pagodas to paste on the windows, and they light their houses with paper lanterns.

Ethiopia

Ethiopia follows the ancient Julian calendar, so Ethiopians celebrate Christmas on January 7. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church’s celebration of Christ’s birth is called Ganna. It is a day when families attend church. Everyone dresses in white. Most Ethiopians don a traditional shamma -- a thin, white

cotton wrap with brightly colored stripes across the ends. Twelve days after Ganna, on January 19, Ethiopians begin the three-day celebration called Timkat, which commemorates the baptism of Christ.

France

Holland

Dutch children in Holland, or the Netherlands, eagerly await the arrival of Sinterklaas on St. Nicholas Day on December 6.

Sinterklaas is a kindly bishop. He wears red robes and a tall, pointed mitre on his head. Sinterklaas travels by ship from Spain to Amsterdam’s harbor every winter. He brings his white horse and a huge sack full of gifts for the children.

Families celebrate St. Nicholas Eve at home with lots of good food, hot chocolate, and a letterbanket, a “letter cake” made in the shape of the first letter of the family’s last name.

Christmas celebrations France begin on December 5, which is St. Nicholas Eve, but Christmas Eve is the most special time in the French celebration of Christmas. Church bells ring and voices sing French carols, called noels. On Christmas Day, families go to church and then enjoy an abundant feast of wonderful dishes, ending with the traditional buche de Noel, a rich buttercream-filled cake shaped and Sweden frosted to look like a Yule log.

In Sweden, the Christmas festivities begin on December 13 with St. Lucia’s Day, which celebrates the patron saint Germany German families prepare for Christmas of light. The eldest daughter gets throughout cold December. Four up before dawn and dresses as the Sundays before Christmas, they make “Queen of Light” in a long white dress. an Advent wreath of fir or pine branches She wears a crown of leaves. that has four colored candles. They light a candle on the wreath each Singing “Santa Lucia,” the Lucia Sunday, sing Christmas songs, and Queen goes to every bedroom to serve eat Christmas cookies. In the weeks coffee and treats to each member of leading up to Christmas, homes are the family. The younger children in the filled with the delightful smells of family help, too. The whole family helps baking loaves of sweet bread, cakes to select the Christmas tree just a day filled with candied fruits, and spicy or two before Christmas. cookies called lebkuchen.

Christmas log The bizarre Catalonian tradition of caga tió (or “defecating log” in English) involves creating a character out of a small log - often complete with a grinning face and hat – which sits on the dining room table during the fortnight leading up to Christmas. It has to be fed every day with fruit, nuts and sweets, and then – on Christmas Eve – the entire family beats the log with sticks, while singing traditional songs, forcing the log to excrete its treats. You couldn’t make it up.

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OMEDY FUNNY JOKES LAUGH COMEDY FUNNY JOKES LAUGH COME

Louis C.K Louis Székely (born September 12, 1967), known professionally as Louis C.K. is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, director, and editor. He is the creator, star, writer, director, executive producer, and primary editor of the acclaimed FX comedy-drama series Louie.

After writing for several comedy shows in the 1990s and early 2000s for comedians like David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, and Chris Rock (with whom he co-wrote the film Down to Earth), he starred in the short-lived HBO television sitcom Lucky Louie in 2006. He then released the comedy album Chewed Up in 2008, before starring in the first season of Louie. He has had supporting acting roles in films such as The Invention of Lying, American Hustle, and Blue Jasmine. C.K. is also noted for being among the first performers to offer direct-to-fan sales of tickets to his stand-up shows, as well as DRM-free video concert downloads, via his website.

“My bank is the worst. They are screwing me. You know what they did to me? They’re charging me money for not having enough money. Apparently, when you’re broke, that costs money.”

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AWAR D S in the B ea industryuty

EDY FUNNY JOKES LAUGH COMEDY FUNNY JOKES LAUGH COMEDY beginning, just start it in the middle. Try it. Just go up to somebody you don’t know and and just go, ‘Well how do you think I felt?’

“I’d like to name my kid a whole phrase. You know, something like “Ladies and Gentlemen”. That’ll be a cool name for a kid.

“This is my son, Ladies and Gentlemen!” Then, when he gets out of hand, I get to go, “Ladies and Gentlemen, please!”

stretching it out, you fat pig! Give it back, now!’ He got back in his car, and he locked his doors.”

“What we’ve done with our modern food supply is absolute insanity. It’s not even real any more. You used to be able to give a kid an apple and they would love it. Kids can’t even taste apples any more. Apples taste like paper to kids now.”

“My last name is Szekely. Sounds like Saykay. When I was a little kid I had an instructor in camp who called me Shnizneckely. He would make fun of my name and it hurt my feelings because I was a little wimp and I cried. He said, ‘Well, how do you say it?’

I said, Seekay. So he wrote ‘C.K’ on my jersey and everything.

He made my name ‘C.K’ and I just stuck with it.”

“I just always loved comedy and I really wanted to be good at it. And it was heartbreaking, ‘cause I started and I wasn’t good at it. I was only 17-years-old, so I had a lot to learn about life in general. But I just kept on trying. I was young enough and stupid enough and I had no other choice. I had nothing else I was good at.”

I was driving in Manhattan. There’s traffic, nobody’s moving...

The guy behind me is honking just at me. He kept yelling at me.

I decided that I’m gonna argue with this guy, but I’m gonna argue about something else. I’m not having his argument; I’m having mine. So, he’s like, ‘Go!’ And I go, ‘Well give me back my jacket!’ And he stopped. I was like, ‘Yeah, you got my jacket!

Give it back! I said you could borrow it, not have it! You’re

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THEGOLFPAGES ...your regular insight into Spain’s best and most played golf courses, world tournaments and news.

this edition

2015 Hero World Challenge

December 3rd - 6th 2015 Albany, New Providence, Bahamas The Hero World Challenge is a golf tournament hosted by Tiger Woods, which takes place each December.

In 2015 it will move to the Bahamas.

It features a small number (currently 18) of top-ranked golf pros. The tournament is a benefit for the Tiger Woods Foundation.

Tiger Woods revealed in his press conference that the tournament will be played at Albany in The Bahamas for the next three years. It will be the tournament’s first trip outside the United States.

Albany golf course is a desert links style championship golf course enjoyable for players of all levels.

Designed by Ernie Els, the golf course measures 7,400 yards from the back tees and features five Par 3s and five Par 5s. In addition to the course, Albany offers its members and resort guests world-class practice facilities including a 400-yard, double-end driving range and multiple short game areas, along with a state-ofthe-art swing performance center that was specifically tailored for our PGA Tour professionals’ needs.

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Albany won the most recent Tavistock Cup. Tim Clark, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose, and Woods represented Albany in last year’s Tavistock Cup at Isleworth. Adam Scott and Justin Rose both have homes at Albany.

This is the first year the World Challenge is being played at Isleworth, where Woods lived after turning pro. The inaugural tournament was played at Arizona’s Grayhawk Golf Club in January 2000 before being held at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California, from 2000-2013. Woods is a five-time World Challenge champion and fivetime runner-up.

Prize money won by the players is not included in money rankings on any of the world’s professional golf tours, but the tournament is recognized as an unofficial money event by the PGA Tour. Since 2009, the event offers Official World Golf Ranking points.

In 2007 the total prize fund was $5.75 million, similar to many official PGA Tour events, which usually have fields of about 150 players In 2014, the first prize was $1 million, and the total purse was $3.5 million. These amounts look like continuing in 2015.

Tiger Woods usually donates his prize money to his foundation.

Jordan Spieth 2014 Winner

Initially, the tournament had a 16 man field composed of the defending champion, the top 11 available players from the Official World Golf Ranking, and 4 sponsors exemptions chosen by the Tiger Woods Foundation.

In 2008, the field was increased to 18 players, consisting of the most recent winners of the four major PGA tournaments, the top 11 available players from the Official World Golf Ranking, the defending champion, and 2 special exemption players selected by the Foundation.

WANT LOWER SCORES? Putting tips.

Think about the game of golf. Your ball spends most of its time on the ground and very little time in the air. But where does practice time generally go? Driving, hitting long irons, wedges, etc.

Putting is often overlooked and golfers pay for it later with a three-putt here and a missed 2-footer there. Making putting a priority in your game will save you strokes.

Lining Up Essentials People don’t take the time to truly investigate their line before they putt.

Commonly, how you are lined up for a putt can make the difference between making it and missing it.

Next time you line up for a putt, take two extra clubs with you. Line one club off of your ball so that it’s pointing at the cup. Stand over the ball and take your other club and line it up off your toes. If you’re lined up correctly, that club off your toes should run exactly parallel to the club coming off your ball toward the target. This is what is known as lower body alignment. You also want to align your shoulders.

If you have a third club, bend both your elbows and set the club in there. The club you have in your arms should be parallel to the club running from your ball and the club running in front of your feet.

Keeping Eyes on Line When you crouch over your putt, you should be able to plumb bob off your forehead and land it right on the ball. When you are lined up exactly over the ball, you’ll hit the sweet spot in your putter more often and your putts will go exactly where you are aiming.

If you aren’t directly over your ball, it could be a problem with putter length.

Using a putter that’s too long or too short will either put you too far away from the ball, or have you hanging over it too far.

To check and see if you are over your ball, place a CD under your ball (preferably one that you don’t listen to very much). If you can see your eyes in the CD, you are over the ball.

Use Your Non-Lead Hand There’s a relationship between your non-lead hand and the face of your putter.

The non-lead hand is the hand that is farthest from the hole. If you can develop a better understanding of how the non-lead hand works with the face of the putter, your putting game will improve.

Legendary golfer Jack Burke Jr. used a ball-rolling technique to help bridge the gap and make the art of putting easier. To practice this, simply get three or four balls, establish a target (this can be on a green or on carpet) and practice rolling the ball toward the target with your non-lead hand.

Your movement should be fluid and the ball should roll at a consistent speed toward the target. You’ll also notice that the wrist break on the ball release is very similar to that of the putting motion.

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So here it is..

What to buy the golfer?

It is that time of year when you have to give some serious thought to what the golfer in your life would appreciate as a Christmas present.

By Tony Myles

Here are a few tips...

1. Here starteth the lesson -There is no single ideal present (except one which I will cover later) - and a little bit of knowledge is not necessarily a bad thing in this case. For the youngster embarking on his first round he may be ruined forever if he is presented with the latest in driver technology. Far better to enquire at the local pro-shop about golf lessons. In the weeks prior to Christmas you will find that many will be offering a special bundled deal that will ensure the novice soon becomes comfortable and confident.

fitting session at the same time as you invest in a new driver.

5. The ideal Christmas present for the golfer. Yes it may a tad boring BUT it 3. Small can be beautiful. There are has the distinct advantage of ensuring numerous items that are consumable that it will be taken back to the shop by the golfer. Top of the list is of course and changed. The gift voucher. golf balls. These days vast amounts are invested in the research and Whatever you decide you can depend development of these prized items. So on the best professional advice from much so that the wrong type of ball can Campbell and his team across the add complications to a golfer’s game. Costa Blanca. You can also be sure Campbell will always advise you that whoever is the recipient of your regarding you best options but there present will not be greeted with a Ho! are always a few brands which will suit Ho! Ho! on the first tee. the vast majority of golfers. So as a stocking filler these are never wrong.

2. One size does not always fit all.

Unless you are buying a cap with an adjustable head band the best club to give a golfer is the one that best suits their build and ability.

These days every major manufacturer offers a series of local fitting days where a player can reserve a dedicated period during which their size and ability will be measured and used in the process of determining the best length and flexibility for their new set. Campbell has a resident professional fitter on hand to continue that service from his main outlet in Ondara. So book a

4. Smart golf wear doesn’t mean impersonating Ian Poulter.

His trademark multi-coloured trousers are always a talking point and they are acceptable as a statement when you are a scratch golfer but may be out-of-place for the weekly rollup.

Nevertheless these days the choices are wide. The quality is the very best.

The styling is perfect and as acceptable in the bar as it is on the green. You can buy shirts, tops, trousers and hats from an enormous range although the fluorescent green favoured by John Daly may not be available.

48

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the world’s

MOST.

our regular feature bringing you a host of astonishing facts and figures from around the globe.

visited for Christmas

1. Austria

With elaborately-woven Advent wreaths, nativity displays and sparkling tree ornaments, Austria’s handcrafted Christmas decorations are just one of the reasons to visit the Austria’s celebrated Christmas markets. Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart, delivers a traditional Christmas, with classical music concerts, carol singers and an atmospheric market piled with traditional baked goods, candied fruits and roasted chestnuts. Alternatively, Vienna’s main Christmas Market is one of the oldest in Europe, dating back to the late 13th-century.

2. Germany

Home to Europe’s original ‘Christkindlmarkt’ Christmas market, Germany is one of the continent’s most festive destinations come December. Visit the oldest Christmas market in Dresden, dating back to 1435; Munich’s huge Marienplatz market and Tollwood Winter Festival; or Berlin’s hugely popular Christmas Market, held in the grounds of the stunning Charlottenburg Castle. Make sure you tuck into some Lebkuchen – delicious spiced gingerbread – washed down with a cup of Glühwein – hot mulled wine.

3. London, England

The inspiration behind Charles Dickens’ famous novel “A Christmas Carol,” London has no shortage of festive traditions to keep visitors entertained over the holidays. Expect a spectacular array of Christmas lights brightening up the city streets; vibrant Christmas markets stretching along the Thames River and Hyde Park; magical Santa’s grottos; and ice rinks popping up below the city’s landmark buildings. Don’t forget to tuck into a healthy portion of Christmas pudding, too – the festive dessert dates back to medieval England and the English still swear by their secret recipe, served doused in flaming brandy.

4. Paris, France

Spend Christmas in the world’s most romantic city, Paris, where the city lives up to its nickname the “City of Lights,” with a glittering display of Christmas lights – don’t miss the animated window displays at department store Galeries Lafayette. Go ice-skating or shop for gifts beneath the iconic Eiffel Tower; visit one of the many Christmas-themed markets or take a ride on the giant Ferris wheel at Place la Concorde. If you’re in France over the holidays, pay a visit to the “capital of Christmas” too – Strasbourg hosts the country’s most renowned Christmas markets, dating back to 1570, and draws visitors from all over Europe

5. Bethlehem

There’s no place more traditional to spend Christmastime than in Bethlehem, Israel, the birthplace of Jesus and the center of nativity scenes worldwide.

Thousands make the pilgrimage to Bethlehem each year, gathering in the Manger Square on Christmas Eve and attending the midnight mass service at the Church of the Nativity, built on the spot where Jesus was born. It’s a gathering of locals and foreigners, with all religions coming together to watch or partake in the carol singing, candle parades and live music.

54

the world’s

MOST...

6. Rome, Italy

Even if you’re not a regular churchgoer, Christmas Eve is one night of the year when people all over the world descend on their local church for the special midnight mass service. And where better to celebrate the birth of Christ, than at the Vatican in Rome, with Pope Francis himself? Papal audiences with the Pope, featuring readings, a blessing and prayers are held year round in St. Peter’s Basilica, the colonnaded square in the Vatican city, but few services are as memorable as Christmas mass. Held at 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve, then again at 12 p.m. on Christmas day, make sure you book your tickets in advance if you don’t want to miss out.

7. New York, USA

One of the world’s biggest holiday destinations, New York’s most famous tourist spots get a yuletide makeover in the run-up to Christmas. Check out the dazzling Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center, with its 30,000 twinkling fairy lights; stroll along Fifth Avenue where the shops are aglow with festive window displays; go ice skating in Central Park; or marvel at Macy’s fantastical Santaland. If you really want to get in the mood, get tickets to one of the city’s famous Christmas shows – the Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas spectacular, with its living nativity and flying Santa, is a huge favorite, as is St. John the Divine’s Winter Solstice.

8. Madrid, Spain

Madrid is in the mood for a fiesta during the Christmas season and there’s plenty to keep visitors entertained, from the Christmas market in Plaza Mayor to a number of pop-up ice rinks. The Christmas season officially starts on Dec. 15, marked with a huge show in Plaza de Oriente, and culminating with the vibrant Three Kings Parade on Jan. 5, an annual procession of colorful floats and a walking nativity, marching through the city streets

9. Tallinn, Estonia

For a unique Christmas away from the crowds of Western Europe, there’s plenty of Christmas spirit on offer in the Estonian capital. Tallinn’s medieval old town is dusted in snow, with nighttime lanterns giving atmospheric glow to the cobblestone streets. It was here, back in 1441, that the world’s first Christmas tree was erected and holiday traditions still include the legendary tree on Town Hall Square. Classical concerts, an international Christmas market, an outdoor ice rink and the Estonian Open Air Museum’s elaborate Christmas Village are all mainstays of the holiday season.

10. Lapland

Few destinations are as quintessentially Christmassy as Lapland, spread across the arctic regions of northern Norway, Finland and Sweden and the unofficial home of Santa Claus. Mr. Claus is in residence throughout the holiday season at Finland’s world famous Santa Claus village in Rovaniemi, where you can take a ride on a reindeer sleigh, get your postcards stamped at Santa’s very own post office, watch Santa’s Elves at work and even learn to bake gingerbread with Mrs. Claus. It’s not the only place to catch Father Christmas in action, though – he also runs a number of similar villages dotted throughout northern Norway and Sweden.

‘Christmas to a child is the first terrible proof that to travel hopefully is better than to arrive.’ Stephen Fry 55

PROPERTYPAGES ALL YOUR LOCAL AGENTS • ALL IN ONE PLACE

FIND YOUR IDEAL VILLA, APARTMENT OR RURAL PROPERTY IN THE SUN 56

Intro to...

Great news for buyers and renters, this section is continuing to grow giving a far greater choice of the professional agents they can use in this area.

So if you are looking for that special property to retire to in the sun peruse the following pages to give you a vast array of apartments, town houses and villas from Moraira to Javea and Denia, wherever you are interested in buying or renting these established agents will give you the service you deserve.

There are plenty of these businesses who provide rental services, therefore if you are looking to rent out your property after your purchase they will give you the correct and legal advice how best to make the most of your newly acquired asset. Also if you are just looking for a two week holiday in this beautiful area they will be happy to help find what you are looking for.

If this is the first time you have been to this area don´t forget to ask any questions that could be relevant to help you make the right decision on the area you want to buy in. This could be coastal, in land or on top of a mountain, everyone has their own special requirements. Whatever or wherever these professional companies will give you the right information to help you with your decision.

So you can either visit their offices and put a face to the name or visit their websites to help find exactly what you are looking for be it rental, investment or purchasing your home.

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SALES AND HOLIDAY RENTALS • MORAIRA NewHappyHouse.com your guide to the property market since 2009.

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SELL YOUR PROPERTY IN 2016 WITH THESE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS!!!

Sell or rent your property FAST with our property-focused New Year’s Resolutions. With some effort and very little cost, you can sell your property quicker and for the best possible price when you: Clean until it sparkles including windows! Get rid of lime-scale, cobwebs and any evidence of humidity, clean and repair tile grout, wax wooden floors, hang up fresh towels and dress the beds attractively.

Ref: AVS 3929

Javea

150,000€

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New apartment, stunning sea views, pool & underground parking.

Keep the garden tidy. Cut back shrubs and palms, clean the patio and furniture, cut the grass, sweep the terraces and ensure the pool is well maintained.

Make any minor repairs necessary – holes in walls, broken door knobs, cracked tiles, torn or threadbare carpets. Many buyers want to move in without making changes, so allow for this.

Deal with any bad smells as these are the single biggest turn off for prospective buyers. Don’t just cover them up, fix the source of the smell. Clear drains, wash bins, open windows and deal with cigarette smoke and pet smells.

De-clutter but don’t completely de-personalise. The fewer things there are in the home, the larger it will look, so remove some knickknacks and excess furniture to create more space. But don’t make it too clinical, leave some personality to make it feel homely.

Ref: AVS 3288

Javea

210,000€

2

2

Luxury apartment, near beach, gym, pool & underground parking.

Enhance your home’s kerb appeal. This could mean adding new plants or flowers, painting the front door or replacing the mailbox.

Prospective buyers form an opinion the mo-ment they spot the home. Driving into the driveway and walking into that front door sets the expectations - make them good ones!

Price it realistically. Sellers often think they should start the asking price high and then lower it later if the house fails to sell. But that can result in a slower sale – sometimes even at a lower price. If the price is too high, many buyers and their agents will stay away, assuming you’re not serious selling or you’re unwilling to negotiate.

Use good estate agents – ones with a robust marketing portfolio and excellent local knowledge. When they bring clients, let them do their job – they know how to handle tricky questions and to present the property in its best light.

Easy viewing access is essential. Homes that don’t get shown don’t get sold! Serious buyers often want to view with a moment’s notice and if it is too difficult to view your house agents will have to show properties that are easy to get into. Leaving a key with a centrally located agent that is open all day prevents these missed opportunities.

Call your professional agents NOW

Ref: AVS 3690

Moriara

125,900€

2or 3 bed apartments, gym, pool & underground parking.

PROPERTIES FOR SALE & RENT URGENTLY REQUIRED IN JAVEA AND MORAIRA AREAS. PLEASE CONTACT US TODAY for your obligation-free property appraisal or to find out how we can help you.

Email: info@altavillas.com

ES +34 965 796 311 UK +44 (0) 1189 076 206 Avda. De La Libertad 19, Local 12, Arenal Javea, 03730, Alicante, Spain

www.altavillas.com

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Tel Spain: [+34] 965 745 816 Email: info@hotpropertyspain.net

www.hotpropertyspain.net Ctra Moraira - Calpe 68, Moraira, Teulada, 03724

property spain HP7842

375,000€

Moraira

10.00am – 6.00pm Monday to Friday & 10.00am – 2.00pm Saturday

HP7522

598,500€

Javea

HP7869

299,000€

Benitachell

• 5 beds • 3 baths • Detached villa

• 5 beds • 5 baths • Private pool

• 3 beds • 2 baths • Detached villa

Spacious, south facing, beautifully maintained villa, with some sea views. Separate guest apartment. Situated in a sought after area of Moraira. Garage. Private pool.

Build 265m2. Plot 820m2.

Superior villa in sought-after area, just 1km from Javea Old Town, with FABULOUS VIEWS to the Montgo and sea.

Sympathetically modernised to provide flexible accommodation, with separate guest apartment.

Beautiful garden. Garage. Build 383m2. Plot 3,000m2.

REDUCED - Beautiful MODERN villa, with lovely SEA and MOUNTAIN views. Accommodation all on ONE LEVEL. Tranquil location. Build 150m2. Plot 820m2. Private pool.

HP1362D

HP7128

HP2858

595,000€

Javea

269,000€

Benitachell

590,000€ Benissa Costa

• 6 beds • 4 baths • 12 x 6 pool

• 3 beds • 2 baths • Finca

• 4 beds • 4 baths • 2 garages

Stunning stone clad traditional Spanish finca, on a FLAT SOUTH FACING PLOT with PANORAMIC VIEWS. Separate guest apartment. Build 365m2. Plot 3420m2.

Spacious and picturesque finca on a FLAT PLOT in a rustic rural setting, with the beaches and marinas of Moraira and Javea only a few minutes' away. 8 x 4 pool.

Build 154m2. Plot 1619m2.

Amazing top-quality finca, in immaculate condition and built to a high standard, with two separate living areas.

Private pool. Build 514m2. Plot 5200m2.

HP7815X

HP7599

HP2984

269,000€

Javea

235,000€

El Portet

285,000€

Javea

• 3 beds • 3 baths • Detached villa

• 4 beds • 3 baths • Bungalow

• 4 beds • 2 baths • Detached villa

Villa, all on ONE LEVEL, with separate guest apartment, in the desirable area of Pinosol and originally a 'show home'. Within WALKING DISTANCE of Javea's Arenal beach and all local amenities. Private pool. Build 130m2. Plot 710m2.

REDUCED - Bungalow in Moraira, with lovely SEA VIEWS and within WALKING DISTANCE of El Portet beach. Small private garden. Off-road parking. Communal pool.

Build 110m2.

Lovely villa for sale in Javea, on a FLAT PLOT and within WALKING DISTANCE of the beach. Situated in a cul de sac in a quiet and private area. 10 x 5 private pool.

Build 135m2. Plot 700m2.

FEATURED PROPERTIES HP8003

495,000€

Denia

• 6 beds • 6 baths • Character villa An outstanding villa, with FANTASTIC VIEWS. Situated on a FLAT PLOT, in a secluded location in Jesus Pobre, close to Javea and Denia. Private pool.

Build 452m2. Plot 3200m2.

HP7642

property spain 349,000€

Benissa

• 5 beds • 3 baths • Finca Charming finca, on a large FLAT PLOT, within WALKING DISTANCE of local supermarket and restaurants. Two separate accommodations + 3 separate fields, wonderful country, mountain and SEA VIEWS. Great potential for future development, i.e. stables. Private pool. Build 600m2. Plot 5000m2.

Ref: AVS 3909 Javea 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom brand new villa

495,000€ 3

3

Ref: AVS 3908 Javea 349,000€ 3 bedroom brand new villa ready for 2016 3 2

SALES

Ref: AVS 2391 Frontline Villa

1,050,000€ 5 4

Ref: AVS 3573 Stunning Villa

375,000€ 4 2

Ref: AVSM 3422 395,000€ South Facing Villa 4 4

Ref: AVSM 2059 Immaculate Villa

RENTALS PROPERTIES FOR SALE & RENT URGENTLY REQUIRED IN JAVEA AND MORAIRA AREAS.

Ref: AVR 1481

2,750€ pcm 4 3

Ref: AVR 2172 AVAILABLE

1,500€ pcm 5 7

PLEASE CONTACT US TODAY for your obligation-free property appraisal or to find out how we can help you.

Email: info@altavillas.com

ES +34 965 796 311 UK +44 (0) 1189 076 206 Avda. De La Libertad 19, Local 12, Arenal Javea, 03730, Alicante, Spain

www.altavillas.com

495,000€ 4 3