Editor’s Slice Hello, After April’s shower (and then some!) we can finally now look forward to it – hopefully – hotting up; I know, famous last words! Be nice to see some of the weather that we all came over here to enjoy though. Lots to look forward to again this month: many villages and towns start the summer off with their annual Romerias, so do check with your town halls to find out when your particular area’s event is being held. You really know that summer is here when you start to see the floats, carts and traditional dresses and suits which come out to celebrate this wonderful time of year. May also sees the end of the football season – a very sad time for me! I’m sure it’s a huge sigh of relief for many, though, but for me, it just means the start of three very long months before I hear the ref’s whistle once more. At least there’s no argument over the Match of the Day TV slot in our house for a while! Don’t miss our football article on page 6. To prepare for the summer, we have an extended Health & Beauty feature this month, so you can get your skin into shape. Despite the weather not being at its best, do not forget that the sun’s rays can still harm your skin – as always, make certain you have your sun cream on. To help you relax with your favourite tipple on the terrace, we have more puzzles and short stories for you to enjoy. If it’s a day trip out, why not visit the Patio Festival in Cordoba; see Jo’s article on page 8 for more details. But whatever you choose to do – enjoy it!
Mike
Special thanks to our writers and contributors: Alice Marriott A.P. Carolyn Jones David Shovelton-Fullick De Cotta McKenna y Santafé Dr Suzanne Wildman-Chard Ella Durham
Eric Lee Heather Jones Jo Shovelton-Fullick Steve Rivers Stuart Langley Tricia Johnson Wendy Steeden
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Contents Contents Editor’s Slice Short Story - On the right track Interesting Facts - A game of two halves Roaming Andalucía - Córdoban magic Lifestyle - A matter of faith? Charity News - Blithe Spirit Charity News - Ahoy there! Just for Fun Law and Order - Is inheritance tax in Spain about to change?
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Interesting Facts - The power of music
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Health & Beauty - Is your diet right for you?
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Health & Beauty - Cucumber: the green wonder stick
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Food Focus - I scream for ice cream
Celeb Chat - Eliot Kennedy Spanish Living - An olive tree on the hoof
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Roaming Andalucía - Lanjarón - where good waters flows
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Short Story - When does crime ever pay?
Events
36 Trade Talk - Vista Verde Equi! 38 Animal Action - Tick off... you pest! & Leisure - Gentlemen only, ladies 40 Sport forbidden! 42 43 44
Alice’s Wonderland - Kittens and kisses! Prize Competition Health & Beauty - How to keep skin looking younger
46 Health & Beauty - Love the skin you’re in 48 Classified Adverts 49 Things to Do - Moroccan sardines & Leisure - Get creative with 50 Sport crochet 51 Advertising rates Next deadline: 23 May
Short Story
On the right track
by Ella Durham
It was just my luck that the twelve o’clock out of Newcastle was running late. It meant I could await the train’s arrival either by freezing to death standing on Platform 4 or taking a seat in its glass bubble, otherwise known as ‘The Waiting Room.’ I sighed. I dislike station waiting rooms. They always seem so drab and cold. What’s worse, though, is not being able to get settled for train spotters who practically take up residence in there with railway magazines, books, satchels, cameras, carrier bags of Tupperware boxed cheese and beetroot sandwiches and thermos flasks of tea. Once, I even saw one of them lay out a whole row of cuddly toys on the seats and tuck them in with a crocheted blanket. Weird! Now, don’t get me wrong. Everyone is entitled to their hobby and their way of life. I just wish they wouldn’t impose their passion on me – what with their loud, incessant chatter about gauge sizes, “cabbing it”, Ian Allen books, carriages and locomotives. If you’re really unlucky and have a severe train delay, you could unwittingly end up knowing enough about today’s railway industry to apply for the job of Chief Executive of the Railways. But today, I had no choice in the matter. My feet were killing me after standing for an hour doing my marketing presentation, I had a raging headache and it was starting to snow outside. It was a no brainer. I stepped inside the waiting room. Thankfully, there was no sign of the dreaded train spotter. The room was empty and blissfully quiet, except for a young mum and her toddler in a pushchair. The child beamed a wonderfully toothless smile at me and struggled to rid himself of his chair harness in a vain
effort to reach me for a cuddle. Eventually accepting failure, he waved a ragged blanket at me instead and gurgled cheerfully. I took his greeting. I smiled and waved back. The young mum looked up from her magazine and saw me. “He’s trying to tell you that the London train’s going to be late by half an hour,” she chuckled, taking a hanky from her pocket and wiping a smear of chocolate from the little boy’s rosy cheek. He made a face, stuck the corner of his ragged blanket into his mouth and closed his eyes. “Oh, I see!” I replied, taking a seat near the back of the room. She nodded and returned to her magazine. We sat in glorious silence. My headache eased. I had only just begun to open my copy of ‘The Times’ when the door opened and two rather strangely attired men walked in. Both wore ill-fitting blue serge trousers with too short a hem length; short, wool weave scarves; duffel coats (one buttoned up wrongly) and woolly Beanie hats which had clearly seen better days. Their boots were worn and heavy. One carried a large satchel bag, on top of which lay a copy of Railway News. The other carried an M&S bag (one of the good types, you know, with handles) from which peeped the tell-tale Tupperware sandwich box. Oh, no! Train spotters! They breezed in and sat down - one at each end of the waiting room. Bang went the silence. “DID YOU EVER GET DOWN TO SWANSEA?” shouted one, as if his companion was far away in the Welsh city at that very moment. “Yeah, I didn’t like it though. I was only there a short time but got to see quite a bit. Sheds aren’t bad, I’ll admit, but the Northern trains still do it for me,” the other man called back across the room. “Know what you mean. It’s better to stick to your own patch if you can. The Swansea guys are friendly enough, like us Geordies in that way, but I’m always glad to get back to Newcastle,” the first bawled across the room again.
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Short Story
They droned on and on. My headache was returning tenfold. I dreaded the thought of what would come next: the gauges, the carriages, the engines, the numbers and, worst of all, their childlike cries of glee when a train arrived at the station, as they rushed to lick their pencil tips and write down the engine number. The little boy stirred in his pushchair. The young mum pursed her lips as if disgruntled but said nothing. The two men continued to play loud, verbal volleyball. My eardrums were sore. If I heard just one more reference to standard class carriages and guards’ vans, I’m sure I would have gone mad. After a quarter of an hour, I could take no more. I tapped one of them gently on the arm. He turned and looked directly at me, studying my face. I prayed he would not be angry. Some people these days don’t like being challenged. “Excuse me,” I ventured as politely as I could. “I’m sorry to interrupt your conversation, but do you think you could talk a little more quietly or sit closer together? I’m sure you don’t want us to be privy to your discussion about the railways.” I nodded in the direction of the young mum and her toddler. “And I’m sure that young lady would prefer her child to carry on sleeping, undisturbed, while she waits for her train.” I smiled, hoping that the man in the duffel coat (wrongly done up) would not take offence. “Well, bonny lass,” Duffel Coat replied, still staring at my face. “Sorry for any disturbance but I’m a bit Mutton Jeff and I can only follow what my mate’s saying if we sit apart and I can lip read him. Never mind – as it happens, our train’s just pulling in.” He cocked his head towards the platform. A train was slowing to a halt on Platform 3, adjacent to the waiting room. “We’ll leave you in peace and get to work.” They got up, smiled and left. I watched them walk towards the train. Relieved, I looked back at the young mum and her little, slumbering child. She was digging around inside her large shopping bag, clearly looking for something. The child’s bottle perhaps, or maybe an extra blanket for his pushchair. I watched, intrigued. “Oh, I know it’s in here somewhere. Ah, there it is!” She looked elated as she pulled out a pen and notebook and hurried to the side of the glass room. Frantically, she scribbled something down and thrust the book into her jacket pocket and replaced it with a
mobile phone. Click. She’d photographed the train’s engine! She turned to me, pure joy on her face. “I’ve been trying to cop that engine for ages. I nearly missed getting the number as I was listening to those two guards prattling on.” “Guards?” I exclaimed. “Oh yes, Roy and Tom,” she replied, taking a wrapped foil package from her bag. “I know them. Should do, though, shouldn’t I, ’cause I’m here often enough? They usually crew the London train but not today. Didn’t I tell you that it was running late? Now, when you go down to Birmingham sheds, Crewe or Edinburgh Waverley, there are plenty 125s or 225s there to get the numbers from. They’re never late. Then, there’s the Mallard. We all want the Mallard. And I can’t wait to get a gander at the new Agility Trains – if they ever get them, that is…” As I headed for the door, I bent down and picked up a little cuddly bunny from the floor and, with gentle hands, placed it on the seat beside her and covered it over with the edge of the pushchair blanket. “Oh, thanks,” she said, as she bit into a cheese and beetroot sandwich.
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Interesting Facts
A game of two halves
by Jo Shovelton-Fullick
In the world of modern football, money rules, and it is often hard to find a team comprising of players from one single country. All too often, fans see expensive foreign players handed over in the last minute of a transfer window in an attempt to fight off relegation or accelerate towards a title or a place in European football. In many countries, football of the ‘Bobby Charlton’ era – when players performed with a collective national pride – seems a long distant memory, yet astonishingly, a club made up of almost all British players exists here on Spanish soil in the form of Jerez Industrial football club and the Glen Hoddle Academy. Glen Hoddle, cited as one of the most gifted English footballers of his generation, created the Academy to offer a route back into professional football for young players discarded by their clubs.
Often, and possibly at the expense of the team, clubs with a higher level of disposable finances would rather import a foreign player with a proven track record than dedicate time to develop more home-grown talent. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why England has struggled in recent years in international football. The dedication of Glen Hoddle to ‘the game’ gave rise to this place of sporting nurture. Investing his own time, money and passion to ensure its success, he has personally selected all the coaching staff, and players are granted full scholarships to the academy without being asked to contribute anything. Of course, as with any business startup it was not an easy beginning; the relationship with Jerez was founded when the club was faced with bankruptcy and relegation from the Spanish third division. The president of Jerez, Juan Manuel Delgado, approached the Glen Hoddle Academy to see if they could utilise their players, and out of the ashes a phoenix was born. By assisting Jerez, Glen was able to provide his players with a competitive performance platform to enable them to push for promotion back into the third division, whilst saving many talented Jerez players from the scrap heap. One thing is for certain, the foreknowledge, affection and enthusiasm of one man for this game of two halves has certainly paid off with a number of English football clubs signing players from the Academy during the January transfer window. The road back to football is definitely looking bright for young players given a second chance on the Andalucían coast. ‘The individual activity of one man with backbone will do more than a thousand men with a mere wishbone.’ William J. H. Boetcker
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Roaming Andalucía
Córdoban magic
by Jo Shovelton-Fullick
The ancient city of Córdoba has a beguiling magic and charm that will linger long after your visit has ended, calling you with a heartfelt whisper to return. Tangling mazes of narrow picturesque streets lead through the heart of this glorious city where a surprising array of beautiful historical buildings and monuments beguile her visitors. Córdoba was declared a World Heritage Site in 1994 as recognition of the unquestionable historical value of this city. It expanded its horizons and accordingly, Cóordoba hopes to become ‘European Capital of Culture’ in 2016. Córdoba’s charming, immaculate, whitewashed houses – many of which are hundreds of years old – are often arranged around exquisite floral courtyards offering both fragrant beauty and a visual delight. Their horticultural splendour can be admired during Córdoba’s annual ‘Patio Festival,’ running this year from May 4 until May 15. Patios are open in the mornings and early evenings, but are closed during the height of the midday sun with Friday and Saturday visitors being able to bask in their splendour until the midnight hour. Gardening gurus from near and far converge upon Córdoba for this unique opportunity to step into the inner sanctuary of private home owners who open their patios to the public. Coinciding with this floral spectacle is the ‘Window and Balconies Festival’ where participants turn their traditional rejas and balconies into yet more colourful arrays of flowers, making your journey between patio visits also picture-perfect. Touring the patios of Córdoba has been described by some as a pure joy; it is certainly a riot of colour not to be missed. At the beginning of the
festival, patio maps listing all the patios in the festival are available in local businesses and the city’s tourist office in addition to online on the following link, allowing you to plan your visit in advance. http:// tanet2.astivia.org/centros/84/gdocumental/l14_a41_ c1/plano_patios_2011.pdf Stepping away from the glorious floral displays, you will find historical beauty around practically every corner and with Córdoba having a long and illustrious history as the capital of Moorish Al-Andalus, it is no wonder that most of its charm can be traced back to its Moorish past. The Mezquita or Great Mosque could be described as Cóordoba’s architectural centrepiece; this formidable building is considered to be one of the greatest examples of Moorish architecture not only in Spain, but in the entire world. Added to by a succession of invaders and rulers, the Mezquita has a chequered past which creates an interesting mix of religious styles, blending Christian and Islamic art and architecture.
Other fine architectural examples exuding an air of monumental grandeur include the medieval Alcazar of the Christian monarchs. Historically serving as both as a fortress and a palace, it is a perfect illustration of the development of Córdoban architecture through the ages. 8
Roaming Andalucía
The Hammams or Arabic baths played a fundamental part in the lives of the Muslims of Córdoba during Moorish rule. Originally unearthed by accident in 1903, the extensive Caliphal baths, located in the area known as Campo de los Santos Mártires, were returned to the earth shortly after discovery. However when a group of Córdoban archaeologists returned to the site between 1961 and 1964, the sheer size and importance of the find were finally revealed. The significantly smaller Arabic baths of Santa María are now part of a private house, and are open to the public for a small entrance fee.
Córdoba is an enchanting city with such an extensive wealth of historic gems it is virtually impossible to adequately covey its importance in mere words. Explore this fascinating city at a leisurely pace and I guarantee you will be captivated by its mysterious charm - a singular visit will not be an option! For details of opening times, entrance fees and location, please consult the informative document produced by the Tourist Office for Córdoba found at: http://tanet2.astivia.org/centros/84/gdocumental/ l2_a3_c1/SEMANASANTA.pdf Guided visits around Córdoba can be arranged with various multi lingual professional tour guides, details of whom can be found on http://english. turismodecordoba.org
The historic Jewish quarter of Córdoba (La Judería) also displays the peaceful coexistence of the Muslim and Jewish communities prior to their expulsion from Spain in 1492. The synagogue built between 1314 and 1315 is situated in the heart of the Jewish Quarter. Declared a ‘national monument’ at the end of the 19th century, it is one of the three bestpreserved medieval synagogues in the whole of Spain. Córdoba has provided creative inspiration to many throughout the passage of time. The notable Spanish painter Pablo de Cespedes was born in Córdoba in 1536; he went on to study in Rome under Michelangelo and Raphael, and painted 'The Last Supper' in Córdoba Cathedral. He returned to Spain in 1577 and became a canon in Córdoba, where he established a school of art. He was also active as an architect and writer, and remained in Córdoba until his death in 1608. More recently, several flamenco artists have descended from Córdoba including the dancer, Joaquín Cortés; flamenco guitarist Paco Peña and flamenco composer and virtuoso guitarist, Vicente Amigo Girol. 9
Lifestyle
A matter of faith
by David Shovelton-Fullick
In today’s modern and hectic life, we often forget that life can be taken at a slower and more relaxed pace. We all too often find ourselves looking for the modern and up to date remedy, yet thousands of years ago, we did not have that option. All through history, people have looked at alternative remedies and religions. Today I was able to talk to Claire B Stephenson BSc (Hons) and get a glimpse of how someone else looks at life from a different perspective. David: What are your beliefs and how were they shaped by your childhood/upbringing? Claire: My beliefs are quite changed from my childhood ones. I am a Pagan. I used to be a practising witch, and although I still celebrate Solstices, I don't really do much ritual work now. I believe there is certainly a greater power. I don't use the word God, because I can only associate this with Christianity. I would probably use the word ‘universe’ to describe the higher power that I feel revolves around us all. My childhood upbringing was as part of a Methodist church. I did the whole shebang - Sunday school, church activities, said my prayers before bed etc – but when I reached about seven or eight, I started to question what was being preached to me, and questioned the church staff. Of course, I was told to be quiet and was asked to leave the room, but I believe children should be able to question: it's essential to developing an enquiring mind. So along with Paganism, I identify very strongly with Buddhist teachings. The Dalai Lama is an amazing individual and has some most wise advice.
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David: Why did you decide to become a Pagan and how would you describe yourself? Claire: I don't think I decided to become a Pagan - I think it was always there, just waiting to be found. I am a natural person, using nature's most often-seen objects in our everyday lives. I suppose I am more a kitchen witch with my practices now. I use herbal medicine before considering allopathic methods. For example, I have just brewed up some elderberry syrup for my children who have picked up a cold. Whilst stirring the pan (no, no cauldrons here I'm afraid!) I had the intent that the syrup was going to help heal my little ones, for their higher good. I think nature holds most of the answers; it's just in this high-tech and fast-paced world, we've forgotten how to listen. David: Many people are confused by someone saying they are a witch. How would you dispel the image of an old lady with a broomstick and black cat? Claire: Well, I don't have a cat! But I'm definitely on the wrong side of 30 so I might look a little bit like an old lady – and I have a broomstick! I think the image you describe only comes from fairy tales, and the olden stories of old village ladies whom people used to call witches. Probably they were much the same as I: they used herbs and suchlike for healing and rituals.
Lifestyle
David: What equipment does the modern witch use? I don’t imagine your kitchen to have a bubbling cauldron in it with jars of frogs and bats wings... Claire: No, I don't have a cauldron - I do actually have a mini one that I use for Sabbat fires, but not to cook with. I have friends who use their cauldrons for cooking with outdoor fires. I have an apple-wood wand - not very Harry Potter, but my husband carved it for me and tipped it with a tiny crystal, so it's incredibly special to me. I use that often in healing sessions and for Sabbat rituals.
David: What do you think schools could do in order to dispel some of the stories and images that children have? Claire: I am very against schools having any religious input into a child's education. We home-educate our children and are raising them as atheists so that when they are of an age that they can understand the basis of a religion, they will be able to choose for themselves, without any particular indoctrination from us. Obviously, we still follow a pretty Pagan path with the nature activities, celebrating seasonal changes etc, but I wouldn't impose my beliefs upon them - they just see it as watching nature and enjoying it. They will be completely free to choose. Sorry, that wasn't the question, was it? I think religion in schools could broaden to touch upon lots of other ideas, not just the mainstream beliefs. I also don't believe in faith schools. I don't see it as beneficial to a child's education and think religious guidance and tutoring should definitely come from the home and not government-led box-ticking curriculae.
David: What times of the year are special to you? Claire: The Sabbats are important to us: Sabbats are astronomical and agricultural markers throughout the year. They begin with Imbolc in February; Ostara, or Spring Equinox in March; Beltane in May; Summer Solstice in June; Lughnassadh in August; Autumn Equinox in September and Yule, or the Winter Equinox in December. There are many alternative names for these, depending on the branch of Paganism you follow. Especially with young children, I want to stay connected to nature and encourage them to see all the changes that the Earth provides for us. The Winter Solstice last year was lovely. We all went to a high hill point and watched the sun set - it was magnificent and the children were in awe. We had story about Yule by the fire and candlelight, and made a pizza decorated as the sun and some cookies too.
David: If someone was interested and wanted to find out more, what would your advice be? Claire: There are so many information points out there. The Pagan Federation would be a good starting point I think: http://www.paganfed.org/ The federation has contacts and information that would guide someone further interested in exploring Paganism.
Do you have an interesting hobby or pastime you would like to tell us about? Why not contact us at readers@theandalucian.com and tell us all about it.
David: How do people react when you tell them about your beliefs? Claire: Most of the time, I don't tell people. Not because I'm embarrassed, but to save any conflict or discussion, which these days, I rarely have time for! I have several good friends who are deeply Christian, and I know that they are very anti-Pagan, so I tend to not broach the religion topic when we're together. Some people that I have told have reacted with amusement; others seem to think I dance around in woods sky-clad chanting spells most nights... which I don't! But I suppose I do look a bit of treehugger hippie, so people would assume I'm not very mainstream, which is a good start when discussing my beliefs! 11
Charity News
Blithe Spirit
by T.A.P.A.S.
TAPAS are once again transforming Restaurante Los Arcos, near Coín - Km6 A7059. The cosy TAPAS theatre at Los Arcos is taking on the style of a comfortable mid-20th century drawing room for the production of Noel Coward’s improbable farce ‘Blithe Spirit’.
The play concerns socialite and novelist Charles Condomine, who invites the eccentric medium and clairvoyant, Madame Arcati, to his house to conduct a séance, hoping to gather material for his next book. The scheme backfires when he is haunted by the ghost of his annoying and temperamental first wife, Elvira, following the séance. Elvira makes continual attempts to disrupt Charles's marriage to his second wife, Ruth, who cannot see or hear the ghost. With an excellent cast directed by Leroy Lingwood, the show is to be performed for three nights – May 19, 20 and 21 – at 8pm. Tickets for Thursday, May 19 €5 members, €7 nonmembers. Tickets for Friday and Saturday, 20 and 21, members, €9 non-members, available from the box office 635 293 714 or from the usual TAPAS outlets.
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Charity News
Ahoy there!
by TOPS
All tickets for the TOPS production of its “Pirates and the South Pacific” themed show were snapped up in just two weeks, so the company has decided to put on an extra night’s performance. The event, which is being held to raise funds for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, is now on Friday June 17 and Saturday June 18, and will be held at Las Lomas, Alhaurín el Grande, starting 6.30pm. There will be a hearty three course meal, including a hog roast, and some great entertainment by the TOPS singers who will be dressed as pirates for the first half of the show, and sailors and island girls for the second half. There are some great numbers in both sections of the show. The audience is encouraged to get into the spirit of the evening and dress in the same manner and, although fancy dress is not obligatory, having a great night out most definitely is! There will also be a guest appearance of the Andy Ross Singers
who have an excellent medley of songs lined up. Add to this some innovative “pirate-themed” fun games with some very appropriate prizes, and it becomes a night not to miss. The emphasis for the whole evening is on friendly, relaxed, fun… but beware of pillaging and drunken sailors! For more information on where you can obtain tickets, call Cath on 952 112 057
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Law & Order
Is inheritance tax in Spain about to change?
by Jon Sutton, De Cotta McKenna y Santafé
Inheritance tax is an important consideration for anyone who owns property in Spain or is thinking of purchasing. The autonomous regions are allowed to set their own inheritance tax levels and allowances. However, these allowances only apply for the estates of people who have been resident in that region for five years and the beneficiaries are similarly resident. If both the deceased and beneficiaries do not satisfy the residency requirement, then the national state rules apply. There is a vast difference between the state inheritance tax rules and the regional allowances. Several regions, including Madrid, the Canary Islands, the Balearics, Valencia and Murcia have virtually no inheritance tax between spouses or between parents and children. Others, principally those with socialist administrations, have less generous allowances, but with professional advice, the reductions can be utilised in order to significantly lower or eliminate the inheritance tax burden. For example, Andalucía allows a gift to a spouse, child or parent of up to €175,000 tax free. This is an ‘all or nothing’ allowance, not a nil rate band so a gift of €176,000 would be taxable on the full amount. As previously stated, these allowances only apply where the deceased and beneficiaries are residents. If not, the much-less-generous state rules apply which simply allow a deduction of just under €16,000 from the gift for tax purposes for spouse, children and parents of the deceased. This can mean that non resident beneficiaries pay many thousands of euros more tax than they would if they were residents.
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However, help may be at hand for those thousands of non-resident holiday home owners or residents of Spain whose principal or reserve beneficiaries (such as their children) are non residents. On February 16 this year, the European Commission asked Spain to amend its tax provisions on inheritance and gift tax on the basis that they impose a higher tax burden on non-residents and on assets held abroad. The Commission was of the opinion that the provisions were incompatible with the free movement of workers and capital which are required under European law. In particular, the Commission considered that there was a breach of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (Articles 45 and 63 respectively). The request takes the form of a complementary "reasoned opinion." Spain has been given two months to respond and if there is no satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to refer the case to the EU's Court of Justice. However, this may take some time. The Commission previously sent a reasoned opinion to Spain on May 5 2010 and although Spanish legislation has been amended slightly, it is still not fully compliant with EU law. The Commission has therefore decided to send the latest complementary reasoned opinion requesting Spain to make additional changes to its legislation to ensure full compliance. How Spain will respond, when this will be and how
this will change the inheritance tax burden for non residents are not yet clear. The Spanish Government is in financial difficulties as it is, and will be reluctant to give up this lucrative – if unjust – stream of revenue. However, Spain is now on notice and to delay the matter may lead to claims from beneficiaries who are adversely affected by Spain's failure to comply. This could lead to a similar situation to Capital Gains Tax which was also discriminatory and ultimately amended to be the same for non-residents and residents alike, and also led to a deluge of claims for compensation from people who had paid the higher rate of tax as non residents. If and when the inheritance laws are changed it
would be well worth everyone with a property in Spain consulting their lawyer or accountant to see whether changes should be made to their wills to reduce or eliminate inheritance tax. Jon Sutton is a solicitor and registered foreign lawyer at De Cotta McKenna y SantafĂŠ, a law firm specialising in dealing with all aspects of Spanish law for English-speaking clients. Please see the advert opposite for full contact details.
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Interesting Facts
The power of music
by Jo Shovelton-Fullick
"I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music." Billy Joel I recently revelled in the embarrassment displayed on the face of my 11-year-old daughter when her father and I attempted to shake our tail feathers and have a bit of a bop – albeit in the privacy of our own home. After all, causing some degree of embarrassment to our children has to be one of the small pleasures in life, don’t you think? She was additionally mortified that Bob Marley, whose music she enjoys, incidentally, was an artist from the 1970s, a period as distant as the dinosaurs to her. Whether you are a lover of classical, rock, pop or swing, enjoy shaking your grove thang or smooching to Mr Bublé, there is no disputing that across the age divide, we all love music. Is our love of music more than just entertainment, or does music really have a power beyond pure pleasure? A recent study on the Facebook and Twitter pages of the mental health charity Mind revealed that music is contributing to the mental well-being of travellers enduring the stress of the morning commute. Nearly a third of those surveyed admitted to tuning in to music to give them a lift when they were down, while 72 percent expressed a desire to ‘whistle while they work’ and listen to their chosen tunes at their desks. The study also questioned a panel of respondents about their commuter listening habits, revealing that Lady Gaga is top of their 'stress-busting' charts. The flamboyant Poker Face songstress was closely followed by Cheryl Cole, Rhianna, Mumford & Sons and Take That.
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Although for most of us the horror of the bumper to bumper tailbacks encountered during our morning commute are thankfully a thing of the past, taking more time out to enjoy our favourite sound sensations could be most favourable to our general well-being and health. Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind, said: “The therapeutic benefits of listening to music are well known. A song which makes you feel good can be incredibly soothing and help to reduce anxiety.” Mind is launching a Twitter campaign ‘MindMusicMonday,’ encouraging people to submit their top stress-busting songs. In addition to anxiety reduction, the sheer power of music is demonstrated by an inspirational pianist by the name of Gertrude Matthews, who at 101 years old dazzles her audience with her musical performances at a Palm Beach restaurant in the US for two solid hours twice a week. Gertrude has been playing the piano since the Great Depression and believes music is what keeps her young. Her doctors have said the piano does more than invigorate her spirit, believing that her music and her connection to her listeners have kept her mind and heart in perfect health over the decades. Scientific researchers have also found that music can quite literally change lives. Dr Concetta M Tomaino is a pioneer in the field of music therapy for individuals suffering the effects of stroke or other brain trauma, or afflicted with degenerative neurological diseases
Interesting Facts
such as Parkinsons or Alzheimers. Dr Tomaino has worked tirelessly and creatively to bring music therapy to the greater public and generate awareness among professionals within the larger medical community. Her synaptic-like connection between music and medicine has improved the lives of countless individuals otherwise trapped in a frustrating and lonely world. “50 percent of stroke patients who can’t talk can sing,” she maintains. “Music reaches the depths of our being and when our connection to self has been damaged by trauma and loss, music can be a powerful tool to revive us.”
Prior to his death, my precious grandfather lived for close to a decade with Alzheimers, trapped within a frightening and unfamiliar world where those closest became complete strangers. His twinkling blue eyes became confused and vacant, and his lust for life was slowly and cruelly stolen from him. Seldom were the times when our worlds coincided. The only times my grandfather regained his ‘twinkle’ were through his connection to music – Mario Lanza to be precise. The relevance of this music in his life seemed to somehow reconnect him to happier times.
From the days of forces sweetheart Vera Lynn entertaining the troops during WWII to more recent conflicts, music is vital for well-being and morale. For servicemen and women fighting for their countries, music is a common thread that holds them together during times of crisis. It connects them to a place outside the war zone, and to normality. Plus, if only briefly, it has the power to remind them of happier times. It would appear that music truly does have a power beyond audible pleasure; it has the power to change lives, to make us smile or to make us cry. It connects us to memories of the past and has the potential to shape images of the future. It sometimes welcomes us to the world and more often than not, is there when we pass to the next. This simple organisation of sounds has a power way beyond explanation, and if music is indeed the food of love, long may it play on.
The lives of our younger generations can also be enhanced by ‘the power of music’. A number of educational studies have been conducted on the effects of music on the developing minds of children and its stimulation of an adult's developed mind. One of the most notable was the classical music study now referred to as the ‘Mozart Effect,’ conducted by Dr Frances Rauscher, Dr Gordon Shaw and Katherine Ky. This study showed increased spatialtemporal reasoning scores by college students after listening to the Mozart Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major. This research was responsible for new parents across the globe reaching for the works of classical composers in an attempt to audibly enhance the brain power of their new-borns through the power of the sonata, overture and piano concerto. The Baby Einstein Company was quick to tap into this newfound interest in the classics and in 1998, launched its ‘Baby Mozart’ and ‘Baby Bach’ product range, which went on to become award winners in the field of developmental and entertainment products for babies and toddlers. 19
Celeb Chat
Eliot Kennedy - the man behind the music
by Jo Shovelton-Fullick
For many, Eliot Kennedy may not be a name that immediately rings any bells, but this internationallyacclaimed Sheffield-based record producer and songwriter can be credited with an astounding number of hits and film soundtracks, including Spice World, Stepmom, The Princess Diaries 2, Racing Stripes and Bridge to Terabithia. His first success as a producer was the 1993 hit single “Independence” by Lulu, which led to projects with Dannii Minogue, Kenny Thomas and Take That. Eliot was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for the best original song for ‘Never Gonna Break My Faith’ from the film Bobby, and won a Grammy Award for the same track performed by Aretha Franklin and Mary J. Blige. Further awards include the Ivor Novello for ‘Picture of You’ by Boyzone. Eliot is currently working on exciting global projects and appears set for even higher acclaim. He took a break from his hectic schedule to discuss his past success and future plans. Jo: We met many years ago in your home studio in Sheffield. How has life changed for you over the years? Eliot: Well… music has taken me all over the world, either as a writer or producer, but more recently as a teacher/executive. Jo: Tell me more… Eliot: The project I have been developing in Asia is a pan-Asian girl band. It meant going to five different Asian countries: Japan, Korea, Philippines, India and China. We held auditions in each country and chose five girls from each country. All 25 then attended an academy that I ran in Hong Kong. The girls were taught vocal training, arrangement, choreography
and media training for six weeks. Every Friday we had a show, and we sent home one girl from each country. After six weeks, we had the girl band: they are now called 'Blush.' The whole project was a way of merging my experience in artiste development, but the teaching part was a whole new bag for me. I loved it. As a result I am now running a similar project based in Florida and will be working on the biggest TV show in the UK later this year... playing a similar role! Who knew! It's been amazing, so to answer the question, yes of course life has changed greatly for me, but people that know me best tell me I am still the same downto-earth person they always knew. I would like to think a little wiser though! I have had the chance to live in fantastic places and work with many of my idols, so I feel so very fortunate and thankful.
Jo: Are your roots still firmly on Sheffield soil? Eliot: Yes. I lived in Cheshire for five years, then London for two years, but really wanted to be back home. There is no place like it. I now live in a wonderful area with a forest behind me and a beautiful garden, which is great for the kids and barbecues! Jo: At what point did you realise you had carved a successful niche in the music industry? Eliot: I think I have been very fortunate to be able to because I am pretty versatile as a person. I have worked with Celine Dion and the Spice Girls in the same year as Bryan Adams and a boy band...so I never feel like I do a 'certain thing' like a lot of writer/ producers. I have loved being about to change it up. So in a way, I have always been the guy to bring in for the single. However since then, I have carved a niche in artiste development which is what I am doing most of my time nowadays.
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Celeb Chat
Jo: To whom or what do you owe your success? Eliot: God, love, friends, children, laughter and music. That is my life right there. Jo: In 2007 you won a Grammy for best performance of 'Never gonna break my faith' performed by Aretha Franklin and Mary J Blige. For a proud Northern lad, was this one of life's surreal experiences? Any others spring to mind? Eliot: Yeah that was pretty amazing. We were also nominated for a Golden Globe for that song too. That was fun, working the red carpet etc, but possibly too much fun… big Northern penguin in a tuxedo! Writing songs for films is one of my favourite things to do. It's a real challenge and one I love to rise to. Bryan Adams and I wrote that song for 'Bobby,' the movie about the day Bobby Kennedy was shot in the Ambassador Hotel in LA; amazing story! And when I heard Aretha was going to sing it, I realised I had to write the best lyric I have ever written. That was the song I came here to write. Aretha said it was the best lyric she has read in 20 years. That is going to go on my headstone! Jo: Who excites you musically these days? Eliot: Everything and everyone! I am so excited about music. There are no rules anymore. Anyone can make music and get it out there with technology being what it is. I am excited about how more spiritual people are becoming. That really excites me, and the stuff I am doing with ‘One Song Foundation’ is changing my life for the better; seeing how my career has a direct effect on people is truly humbling. Jo: Tell me about the 'One Song Project'. Eliot: It's a foundation I created so that I could use music to bring about positive change, whether it is putting on shows to raise funds or building things. We are in the process of building a Performing Arts School that will offer places to the homeless or underprivileged. We have funded education projects at homeless charities that enable people to learn important job skills which allow them to reclaim their lives; real grass roots stuff but it is amazing to see it work. I have massive plans for it – real global worldchanging plans – but I am starting local and building it up!
business people to put together a band out of war torn areas to bring hope and propagate peace. It will be hard but could be truly amazing. As I mentioned earlier, I have also created the first pan-Asian girl band via a project I put together called 'Project Lotus'. 'Blush' are about to release their first international single... watch this space... I think it is going to be huge! Jo: You are credited with penning hit songs for the Spice Girls and Take That amongst others, so who would be on your wish list of people you aspire to work with? Eliot: Well, I am pretty lucky as I have worked with most of my idols, but there are always people like Kate Bush, or Prince, that I would dearly love to work with. Jo: What keeps you grounded? Eliot: At the end of the day, I am like everyone. We all just want to be inspired. It is the driving force in me. Humans inspire me via kindness, music, art and food but also laughter and simple stuff. Being a Christian helps ground me too. I never lose touch of what is important. God, love, friends, children, laughter and music… that's me!! Jo: El, it’s been a pleasure!
Jo: Any exciting future plans you can share? Eliot: A peace project that means me holding auditions in war torn countries. I see that youth want change. I see it everywhere. They are not interested in the dogma of past generations; it is getting them nowhere. So I am starting a project with some powerful 21
Spanish Living
An olive tree on the hoof
by Steve Rivers
When the word jamón is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind for most people is Spain with its popular dry cured-hams. Even though it is considered by most to be one of life’s subtle delicacies, the jamón is a common part of daily life in most Spanish homes and the same can be said for the homes of most expats too. In fact, it is estimated that a typical Spaniard consumes an average of five kilos of ham each year. Throughout Spain, about 39 million hams are cured annually. However, the popularity of the jamón extends well beyond Spain and its residents – whatever their nationality. The most famous of all is the rich jamón ibérico, which tends to be the favourite of foreigners owing to its unique taste and texture. The ibérico is often called jamón de pata negra (black foot or jamón de bellotta (acorn fed).
The process of making an ibérico ham starts shortly after the birth of the piglet and by far the best of the Spanish pigs is the ibérian hog. Only the cured hams that come from these hogs can be called jamón ibérico. It comes in two varieties – the bellotta and the recebo. The bellotta, or the finest quality, is reared free-range in the mountains on a diet of nothing but acorns in the lush oak forests. For a period of five months, usually from October to January, the pigs are free to roam in the countryside and consume as many acorns as they desire during a certain period called the montanera. The recebo ranks slightly lower in quality stakes. These ibérian pigs are fed with a mixture of acorns, pasture and commercial feeds. The recebo does make a good and cheaper substitute for those want to savour the excellent taste and texture of its acornfed relative. After the winter grazing period, the pigs are slaughtered. The hams are then wrapped in cloth and manually pressed to squeeze out any remaining liquids, and then placed in nitrified salt. Following a period of approximately a day per kilo, the hams are removed from the trough after nine to 14 days. The salt is washed off and the hams are hung to dry. The timeframe for drying is usually 30 to 40 days at a temperature of 8 to 10 ºC. During the next six to 15 months, the ham stays in the curing house where it develops its rich deep red colour and exudes the aroma of cured ham. The jamón ibérico is often referred to as an ‘olive tree on the hoof’ because during the curing process, the fat is transformed into good cholesterol, much like olive oil.
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Spanish Living
As the hams age, mould grows on the surface of the meat, adding more flavour. More water leaves the meat, locking in the flavours and making the ham a bit more dense. Astonishingly, these jewels of cured hams lose up to 40 per cent of their weight after the entire process. What emerges from the curing house after a couple of years is nothing short of extra-ordinary; finally - the jamón ibérico is ready to hit the markets. However, the best and finest hams can undergo further curing and storage for seven to 13 months, a process referred to as añejado. This process takes the jamón ibérico to another level – in taste and price.
when 14 tonnes of the luxury delicacy were given away to charity after being left unsold following the holiday season. Despite this setback, jamón ibérico sales slowly crept back up in 2010 and with the level of care and the length of process involved, in the hierarchy of foods, the jamón ibérico is proving once more to be an absolute royalty.
After the 2009 Christmas season, with the pressing economic situation, the country was left with an unwanted ham mountain as supply outweighed demand. An estimated four million legs of the rich meat remained unsold, and were given away to Spaniards as promotional items or sold at unprecedented discount prices. A similar trend was seen in France with the reported foie gras crisis
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Health & Beauty
Which diet is right for you?
by Heather Jones
In today's society, our fascination with weight loss, diet, self-image and bodyweight continues to grow and a variety of trends and updates to new ways of eating for optimal health emerge every few months. Until recently, various low-carb diets such as the Atkins Plan were making the rounds – many with celebrity endorsements – but there are others that have proved to be more effective and healthier since they are more holistic in their approach. These include the whole spectrum of food choices and take a more balanced approach to ensure continuity and maintenance. But do you know your whole-foods from your raw foods? If not, our quick guide should help you find a healthier eating regime to suit you and your lifestyle: Whole-food and whole-health This weight loss diet encompasses getting back to the basic foods as nature intended them to be. It eliminates foods that have artificial saturated fat, high levels of salt and processed sugar, food additives, flavourings and food colour. The emphasis is on natural and organic food and not on processed food.
Food as medicine and wellness Due to the onset of a plethora of food-related diseases there are many diets that suggest using the natural capabilities of foods to prevent and cure diseases. Medical practitioners such as Dr Andrew Weil are proponents of the natural and spontaneous healing caused by whole and healthy natural foods. He suggests eating the right type of food for your body ailments and using the curative properties of certain food groups to prevent disease. Ailment-specific diet One of the disadvantages of the hectic and demanding lifestyles we all lead is the early onset of certain medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stress and anxiety, liver dysfunction etc. To counter these, there are a host of weight-loss diets/ nutrition suggestions which have been introduced, such as the heart-healthy diet, the fat flush, the liver cleansing diet, etc. Each of these diets suggests the list of foods we should consume more of to enhance our health and eliminate foods that degrade our condition, thereby using natural remedies to improve our health in a safe and risk-free manner.
Raw food diet The ‘raw’ diet consists of unprocessed, organic and plant-based foods. It suggests consuming at least 70-80 percent of food uncooked, in order to benefit properly from the enzymes and chemicals contained in foods in the raw for; cooking foods at high temperatures usually destroys these beneficial compounds. 24
Health & Beauty
Raw foods promise efficient digestion, enhanced energy levels, better skin and flushing of toxins from the body. More recently, raw food diets have become even more popular due to an increased following in Hollywood. A further added bonus to the raw food option is it that it can often save a fortune on your shopping bill. Glycemic Index diet The Glycemic Index diet, otherwise known as the GI diet, focuses on the Glycemic index of foods. This is the ability of a particular food to convert to sugar, thereby raising the sugar level in the blood. The diet is based on a low Glycemic index. It balances unrefined complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, with lean protein and a minimum level of healthy fats to assist in stabilising the blood sugar levels and increasing energy while losing weight. It claims that people on this diet will feel fuller for longer periods of time, and therefore have reduced cravings for sugar-laden foods.
The Glycemic Index diet reduces stored body fat, normalises sugar levels and curbs hunger and sugar cravings, thereby reducing the risk of diabetes and enabling quick weight loss.
As always, do check with a medical practitioner or nutritionist before embarking on any new diet regime. To find out more, to follow a particular plan mentioned above or to check for others which may appeal, visit www.dietsinreview.com - this site offers visitors a helpful and easy-to-use forum which can help you stay focused as you shed those pounds.
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Health & Beauty
Cucumber: the green wonder stick
by Heather Jones
Cucumber is an excellent source of silica - a trace mineral which contributes to the strength of our connective tissue. Connective tissue is vital to our well-being, as it holds our body together. However, this versatile veg also has many other fantastic benefits too. Cucumbers are most effective when used to treat various skin problems, including swelling under the eyes and sunburn. They also contain ascorbic and caffeic acids. These acids can help to prevent water retention, which explains why when slices of the green wonder stick are applied topically, they often help to reduce swollen eyes, soothe burns and ease dermatitis.
Scientifically known as Cucumis sativus, they belong to the same family as pumpkin, courgettes, watermelon and other squashes. Having a somewhat indigestible - to some - tough dark green skin, it is often the whitish or very light green flesh inside which most people enjoy eating. There are basically two types of cucumbers - the pickling varieties and the slicing varieties. Of these, the pickling variety is relatively small, growing to approximately around two to four inches long. For many years, the humble cue has only ever been sliced and diced and added to a salad, but today, we are learning the secrets behind this green skin. The cucumber is widely becoming one of the most juiced vegetables in western households. Its nutritional benefits include natural salts, enzymes and vitamins essential for strong cell growth and repair. In addition, the high mineral content and minerals in cucumber peel offer a natural source for a fresh, powerful antioxidant. This vegetable’s alkalinity is also a positive attribute, and because of its water base, the cucumber is also a top choice as a diuretic but more so as a natural complement to the advantages of giant white celery (apium graveolens dulce) and carrot juice - both of which offer excellent relief from many rheumatic problems. It is the high water content which makes cucumbers a fantastic diuretic as it also has a cleansing action within the body, acting- by removing accumulated pockets of old waste material and chemical toxins. Cucumbers help eliminate uric acid, which is beneficial for those who have arthritis and if tolerated, the fibre-rich skin and high levels of potassium and manganese help to regulate blood pressure and help promote nutrient functions. The magnesium content in cucumbers also relaxes nerves and muscles and keeps blood circulating smoothly.
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Health & Beauty The wonderful flesh of the cucumber makes for a fantastic soothing skin lotion too. The most wellknown use for this water-filled beauty aid is to provide immediate relief to puffy eyes. Simply slice a fresh cucumber into thin slices, and place on closed eyelids for just five to 10 minutes for maximum effect.
As an additional bonus, the often-neglected cucumber is also good for those who are dieting as it is very low in calories. From a detox prospective, the cleansing benefits it offers within the body by removing accumulated pockets of old waste material and chemical toxins is priceless.
This cheap and quick beauty treatment works incredibly well after a tiring day at work in front of the computer or a heavy night out in a smoky atmosphere, helping also to relieve stress and dark circles around the tender eye area. Not only is the juice a wonderful health booster when taken a drink, but it can also be used a vitamin-packed hair treatment. Simply rub the nourishing juice, massaging the scalp as you apply, then leave for 10 – 15 minutes and rinse off in lukewarm water.
As one of the cheapest items in the vegetable aisle, cucumber really does deserve more praise – from everything from a health drink to a medicinal reliever to a budget beauty product. This green wonder stick should definitely be on your shopping list this summer.
Grated cucumber can be used as a refreshing mask and tonic for the entire face, neck and décolletage area too. Using a blender, make a quick puree using just half a cucumber and a tablespoon of natural yogurt – blitz until smooth and apply it evenly on the face, neck and chest area. Leave it on for 10 15 minutes and then rinse off with cold water; what could be cheaper or easier?
Food Focus
I scream for ice cream
by Heather Jones
The history of ice cream is believed to have been traced back to over 3,000 years ago in China. Lots of other cool things – excuse the pun – were invented in this industrious Asian land; umbrellas, glasses and fireworks to name but a few all began life in China but by far the tastiest and coldest Chinese invention is the original snow ice cream. The emperors are believed to be the first people lucky enough to taste this delightful dessert. Their cooks mixed snow and ice from the mountains with fruit, wine and honey to make a tasty treat for their rulers to enjoy when they wanted to relax or cool off. How the Romans came up with the idea of making snow ice cream remains unknown. But what we do know is that in 62 AD the Roman emperor Nero had such a strong craving for snow ice cream that he is believed to have sent his slaves up to the mountains to bring back snow and ice so his chefscould make it for him.
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In 1295, the famous adventurer Marco Polo returned from China to Italy with a new recipe for making snow ice cream. His recipe called for mixing yak milk into snow in order to make it creamier than the frosty feast of old. The idea of mixing a mammal's milk into snow ice cream caught on and soon the rich people of Italy were all enjoying frozen milk. In 1533, Catherine de Medici of Florence, Italy, married the French king – Henry II. On becoming queen, one of the main things she took with her into the marital abode was her recipe for making the new frozen milk. Soon, many of the cooks in France were making the delicious treat. One enterprising French chef even opened a shop to sell the tasty treat to the masses. He was the first cook to add flavors such as chocolate and strawberry to the frozen milk.
Food Focus
When Charles I of England visited France in the 1600s, he was served frozen milk. He loved it so much, he asked the French chef who served it to him to sell him the recipe. Charles I took the recipe back to England with him and it wasn’t long before the more affluent English folk began to eat the delicious cold dessert. In 1700, English-born Governor Bladen of Maryland, USA, served ice cream to his guests – but it was 76 years later that the first ice cream parlour in America opened in New York City. Dolly Madison, the president's wife, enjoyed ice cream so much that she served it to her White House guests in 1812. A year later, another American woman, Nancy Johnston, invented the first hand-cranked ice cream freezer, which made making the cold treat easier. In 1851, ice cream became a major commerical product as Jacob Fussel opened the first factory in Baltimore, Maryland. Creating the first ice cream van, Fussel sold his wares from a wagon.
The invention in 1899 of the homogeniser by the Frenchman, August Gaulin, helped to give the ice cream of old it’s more modern smooth texture. Gaulin went on to invent a new kind of ice cream freezer that helped make ice cream freeze faster. In 1903, ice cream was available on every street corner thanks to Italo Marchiony. He could be seen every day selling ice cream from his pushcart through the streets of New York City; he invented the ice cream cone and patented the idea. Marchiony came up with the idea of the waffle cup because he was tired of people walking off with – or breaking – the glasses in which he used to serve ice cream from his pushcart.
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Food Focus The closing of bars that sold wine and beer in 1919 led to the opening of many ice cream parlours in the United States. The more Americans ate ice cream, the more they wanted to eat ice cream. This demand for ice cream led to the invention of the first chocolate-covered ice cream bar. This was called the I-Scream Bar, but later its name was changed to the Eskimo Pie. You can still buy an Eskimo Pie at grocery stores thoughout the United States. Another which has stood the test and taste of time is the Good Humour Bar, which was invented in 1920 and was the first ice cream sold on a stick. Despite the numerous flavours available on today’s market, vanilla ice cream remains the most popular worldwide. As the warmer weather begins to appear, aren’t you glad someone in China had the strange idea to send someone into the mountains to mix snow and ice and top it all off with honey all those years ago so that we can all afford to eat tasty frozen treats each and every day of the week? Why not try making your own ice cream this summer with our easy vanilla recipe: Ingredients 225ml whipping cream, 375ml whole milk, 5 egg yolks, 120g caster sugar 1½ vanilla pods or failing that, about ¾ of a teaspoon of vanilla essence. 1 Heat the milk and cream in a pan to just below boiling point and allow to cool a little. 2 Beat the egg yolks, sugar and vanilla pods or vanilla essence together 3 Add the warm cream and milk slowly to the yolk mix, stirring gently
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4 Put this back in a pan and heat gently until it begins to thicken. The right thickness of the mixture can be tested by leaving the spoon in the mix and waiting until it coats the back of the spoon. When this thickness is achieved, pour it into a suitable freezer container and freeze immediately for 4 hours. 5 After 4 hours, remove from the freezer and stir with a fork until it becomes like slush. Place back in the freezer then: ½ an hour later repeat this process. ½ an hour later repeat this process again. ½ an hour later repeat this process again and this time, put it back in the freezer for an hour. 6 Your ice cream is now ready Adding flavours to your ice cream If you want to make other flavours of ice cream, you can add ingredients of your choice when the ice cream mixture starts to solidify from freezing. Liquid flavours can be added before freezing. If you want to add some fruit to the ice cream, you should put a little sugar over it before adding it to the ice cream. If you want to make chocolate chip, you can drop small amounts of melted chocolate into the freezing mixture and it will solidify on contact. Candied peel, sweets, nuts and chocolate pieces can be added without doing anything to them. It is best to add really small pieces when making ice cream as this tastes better. As a guide, the flavours you add to your homemade ice cream should be no bigger than a chocolate chip. When serving home made ice cream, it is best to take the ice cream out of the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes before serving to reach the right consistency.
Events Royal British Legion
Group Meetings
Alcaucín Meet Thursdays, noon, Bar Atila, Puente Don Manuel. Enjoy social activities, meet new friends always a warm welcome. Regular quiz, bingo, surprise events, presentations and trips. Contacts: Branch 680 491109 Harvey, Welfare 690 310951 Dorothy, Social 636 203135 Barbara
The Informal English Speaking Group of Loja meets at the Hotel Almazara, Rio Frio on the first Tuesday of each month between 12:00 and 2:00 pm. Email: englishinloja@gmail.com Web: www.englishinloja.com
Coín April outing: Aguamania Carvery. Social meetings on the third Wednesday of the month at the International, El Rodeo. For further information contact Denise on 637474753 Loja May meeting Wednesday 25th at Bar Rinconcillo, near tourist office, at 12 noon. Many Social activities walking and cycling groups, quiz, bingo, raffle and book sales. Everyone welcome. Call 958 327 276 Mollina We now meet at the Saydo Hotel, from 11am on the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month. We have many interesting events planed this coming year. Contacts: Secretary 952034038, Welfare 951060965, Membership 654472922, Social 6530139932. Trapiche Meetings every Wednesday, El Trapiche restaurant from noon. Branch Gordon Reith 951239366 628785686, Social & bookings Sue Reith 951239366 618585061, Membership Gloria Hollocks 618456056, Welfare from 8am – 10pm 680764130. www.trapicherbl.org.uk
Anglican Church Services and Musical Events – Held in Roman Catholic Chapel, Salinas on the left, just past the right hand turn to Archidona. English services, Holy Communion Saturdays at 10:45, Family Service held every 3rd Saturday of the month. For more information email: tapia@stgeorgemalaga.org Amigas de Casa is a friendly, informal group for English speaking women. They meet on the 2nd Thursday of every month from 11am – 1pm at Talillas bar/restaurant in Villanueva del Trabuco For info on meetings, speakers, demos and outings contact either Jean Preston 952 751424 or Vicky Clark 951 904719. Colmenar District Social Club meet every Wednesday in the Hotel Arco del Sol at 12.30. All are welcome come & enjoy quizzes, bingo, organised trips and guest speakers. Contact Marjorie 951 163 071 CUDECA Summer Fair, Alhaurín el Grande Saturday June 4, 10am - 2pm Organised by the CUDECA charity shop in Alhaurín el Grande, at Plaza de la Legion, Calle Gerald Brenan (opposite the medical centre) Alhaurín el Grande. Live music, New & nearly new clothing plus tombola. Bric-a-brac, toys, books, plants and many more bargains. Contact Jo at the following email for more details ospina459@hotmail.com
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Roaming Andalucia
Lanjarón – where good waters flow Lanjarón, on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada, is renowned for its clean air, the natural environment, the mountain views and, perhaps most famously, for its pure spring water, which is bottled in distinctive red-labelled bottles and sold throughout Spain. The water has even had poems dedicated to it by García Lorca. The town is located on an old silk route south to Persia, and is within easy reach of Granada and the Costa del Sol while remaining sufficiently off the beaten track to avoid the stresses of city living. Although it is most widely known for its water, Lanjarón has far more to offer. It is a very historic municipality, lying in the western area of the mountainous Alpujarras and widely accepted as the gateway to the region.
The now-ruined castle is bathed in history. It was originally built by the Moors, and this remnant of long ago sits on the rocky outcrop overlooking the current inhabitants of Lanjarón. As with all Spanish towns, there is a touching local legend. When the castle was in its prime, the-then Moorish ruler is believed to have leapt from its impressive tower upon learning of the imminent arrival of the Catholic king, Fernando, and his approaching army. Rather than surrender, he is believed to have jumped to his untimely demise.
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Evidence of the Moorish style can still be seen in the local streets where the neat townhouses have been built using traditional architecture. The main street of Avenida de la Alpujarra (also known as the Avenida de Andalucía), is where you can find the bars and restaurants, as well as a tourist information office. It is definitely worth visiting the monuments in the area. Most highly recommended are not only the remains from the Moorish castle, but also the Mudejar-style parish church which was built in the 16th century.
Roaming Andalucia
During your visit, why not try the curative therapies the local spa, Balneario, has to offer. Here you can indulge in a whole range of treatments. In the spa you can enjoy anything from an underwater massage to a steam inhalation session, or maybe you prefer the more relaxing option of the jacuzzi or mud baths. For the more adventurous, there is electrotherapy, reflexology and lymphatic drainage to choose from too. The very first bottled water company in AndalucĂa was established in LanjarĂłn. The water has a distinctive taste containing bicarbonates of sodium, calcium and iron to name just a few. Being so rich in minerals, it offers both excellent digestive and diuretic properties, making it one of the most consumed water not only here in AndalucĂa, but also throughout the nation.
With its well-documented and highly-acclaimed properties, the local water is a magnet for many people of all ages. It appeals to lots of older folk, and Spanish and foreign tourists alike flock to the area simply to experience a curative treatment or two. The most requested therapies offered are for respiratory, digestive and nervous system problems, as well as rheumatism. The health of the residents is also imperative as the death penalty was prohibited in this town by the local mayor! For more information on the spa treatments available, visit www.balneariodelanjaron.com
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Short Story
When does crime ever pay? by Eric Lee
“Crime in our town has gone up for the seventh straight month. The recession is hitting hard. Police are warning everyone to be on their guard at all times.” “Hopefully, not too much on their guard,” Spencer commented out loud with a chuckle as he turned off the radio in his new van. His eyes were trained on the newsagents as he watched the only remaining customer leave. “It’s show time,” Spencer said to himself as he put on his black ski mask. As he walked across the car park towards the store, the young man felt powerful, in complete control of his destiny. As he entered the store, he spotted the cashier behind the counter, looking down at a magazine. “Get your hands up!” Spencer shouted, pointing a gun at the cashier, Tom. Tom’s eyes bulged out as he raised his shaking arms in the air. “Please, don’t shoot.” “You do what I say and I won’t,” Spencer said. “Keep your hands where I can see them at all times. Go over to the front door and lock it.” With perspiration dripping down his face, Tom slowly walked over to the front door and locked it. At Spencer’s order, Tom drew the blinds on the large window so no-one could see inside and then he flipped the small sign around to show “closed.”
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“Okay, back to the till,” Spencer said, gesturing with his gun. “Hey, old man,” he added as Tom walked back behind the counter. “Don’t be a hero and try anything, alright?” He tossed him a bag. “Open the till and fill it.” Tom worked quickly, stuffing all the notes in the bag. As soon as he was done, he lifted his hands back in the air. “The cash under the drawer too,” Spencer said, dipping his head. As Tom lifted the drawer to reveal the larger notes, Spencer glanced at his stop watch. The plan was for the whole job to take less than five minutes. It had been a minute and thirty five seconds. “You’re doing a great job, old man.” “I’ve had practice. This is the third time this year we’ve been robbed.” “You own this place?” Spencer asked. Tom shook his head. “Then what are you whining about?” Tom wanted to tell the gunman about the nightmares he had had since the last hold up. He wanted to tell him, due to the recent crime spree, how he did not feel safe any more but couldn’t do without the wages coming in. But most of all, he wanted to tell him how his heart beat so quickly he worried he was about to have a heart attack. But, he tempered these thoughts, remained quiet and stuffed the last twenty in the bag.
Short Story “Good, but that’s not all of it. Take me to the safe.” As the door closed, Tom’s body relaxed. The door Tom hesitated. “Now!” Spencer shouted. locked automatically when it closed, so he was safe. An overwhelming sense of relief came at the Tom led him to the back of the store. He unlocked realisation that he had survived another armed the door which revealed a safe and began to work robbery. He felt proud about how coolly he had the combination. Within a minute, he had opened handled himself, although bitter to be put in that the safe and began dumping the cash contents into position again. As he reached for the phone, he Spencer’s bag. wondered whether the young gunman would ever understand what he put his victims through. “So, all told, how much you think we got in the bag?” Spencer asked. Spencer raced out of the front door of the store. Luckily, there was no one around to even try to stop Tom put the last stack of the takings in the bag before him. The car park was completely empty. “Wait a pausing to think. “That’s got to be over three grand.” minute,” Spencer thought. “This is too empty.” He stopped and his jaw dropped. He clutched his chest, Spencer looked at his stop watch and smiled. “Not feeling his rapidly beating heart. bad for three minutes and fifty seconds of work.” The £3,000 payday may seem small to some robbers, “No!” he shouted in but he needed that money badly. The bank was disbelief, feeling he was breathing down his neck for the missed payment on about to have a heart the van and without his wheels, he’d never get any attack. His £8,000 van…. more plumbing work. Spencer grabbed the bag full Stolen. He ran off, not of money and instructed Tom to lie face down on the waiting to report to the floor and count to a thousand. “If you want to stay police who were now on alive, don’t get up until you reach a thousand.” With their way. that, Spencer closed the door and headed out.
35
Trade Talk
Vista Verde Equi!
by Carolyn Jones
Both Derek and I have many years experience with horses, including working in international jumping yards, competing in all levels of dressage, show jumping and eventing too. Our credentials extend to all types of stud work – from covering mares both with the stallions naturally and by artificial insemination – to weaning foals and foaling mares.
If you would like to know and learn more about anything equine, we can arrange courses in horse management, massage and even the BHS (British Horse Society) theory tests. Our ethos is that we want horses at Vista Verde – and their owners – to be happy and relaxed. We believe it is most important that the horses get turned out every day in paddocks which actually have grass or alfalfa growing, enabling them to behave like real horses and not just stand in hot, dusty sand arenas bothered by flies for hours on end. A variety of livery is available to suit owners but all include as basic: two hard feeds, hay three times a day, turnout, feet picked out, hooves oiled, rugs on and off and if you can’t visit for whatever reason, a brush over too. Of course, any special needs your horse may have, such as requiring extra supplements and treatments, can be taken care of as well. We can tailor-make livery packages to suit both your needs and those of your horse. All ages and situations are catered for. Mares can be taken to foal and for the new little ones, we have lovely safe paddocks in which they can find their hooves and run around. Send your young horse here for breaking. We start each one off in a quiet, safe atmosphere, trying to make it a pleasant experience from the off. It makes no difference whether its ultimate role is racing, dressage, jumping or just a happy hacker. Our aim is they all leave with basic flatwork and have seen all the sights and sounds in order to be able to ride out safely. 36
We also produce young horses for ANCADES (National association of horse breeders Spanish sport classes) loose jumping. In the last three years, all horses we sent were successful in their respective classes, and it was remarked upon that they were not only relaxed, but also very well-behaved in all situations. They have all been back for breaking since and the breeder has several nice horses for sale on his website – www.yeguadacordelasalinas. com Derek and I are experienced in breaking to harness as well, but we do ask that owners provide their own harness and vehicle for this. For our older four-legged guests, there are many quiet and shady places for them to live in as well. These are where we try and keep them in small groups to ensure no-one gets bullied at feed times, offering a calmer environment for all. Total relaxation and rehabilitation is a wonderful respite for your horse. Even just a few weeks of TLC can make a huge difference to a jaded, sore or tired horse – showing real results. You can see him or her restored back to a happy healthy horse in no time at all at Vista Verde. Imagine the difference of hacking out in clean fresh air, away from all the traffic, flies and dust in the busy coastal areas, or the drier, more arid inland stables. Well, imagine no more as we are situated in our own oasis: just half an hour from either Granada or Málaga in Villanueva del Rosario. We offer a tranquil location for your equine companion. So get your horse ready now for the new season ahead – maybe a two-week holiday is just what it needs. We never turn anyone away. From a smart dressage horse to a tiny donkey, all are welcome at Vista Verde. Come and see us at our tranquil stables. We have extremely pleasurable trails and sand tracks, ideal for riders of any level. You can find us along the lovely country tracks with the breathtaking campo vistas and through the olive groves. We really do have a green paradise to see: Vista Verde equi! For full contact details see the advert on page 45.
Animal Action
Tick off... you pest!
by Steve Rivers
Generally I’m not a squeamish person. I’ve done my days as a modern man – changing nappies, attending to cuts and clearing up vomit – but here in Spain, as the weather warms up, there’s one thing which I really do despise – ticks! Being a responsible owner of eight dogs – more an accident than part of the dream – every month I apply Frontline pipettes to each faithful friend in a bid to rid them of the nasty blood-sucking creatures. After nine years in Andalucía, there is one thing I have learned and that is, prevention is better than cure when it comes to these little biters. Frontline is by far my chemical option of choice – I have tried others but what I really strive to find is a nonchemical choice. I do find these magic drops stop the garrapatas appearing, though, but as with most households, we do get caught out sometimes. We often do not have any repellent in the house, or I have forgotten to apply it in time, so I do have to resort to removing the ticks – which when you know how, is quite easy. In my quest for a solution, I have been told a lot of old wives’ tales. Some work, some are ridiculous but most of all, I have been left with a lot of conflicting advice about tick removal. Tips range from toothpaste to red wine; I find the latter only works when drunk by the owner and you can no longer see the tick.
Removing dog ticks is not a nice thing to do but most dog owners will have to do it at some point. If you find ticks on your dog, you do need to remove them as quickly as possible. If you choose the shop-bought treatment, remember that if you don’t apply it every month, your dog will end up with ticks on it all year. It seems that if I miss the monthly deadline by even a few days, then the ticks start to attack my pooches. Control collars seem all but useless on my bigger dogs, but some do have the added bonus of guarding against Leishmaniasis, which is a real problem here in Spain. The collars, I’m glad to report, do seem effective on my smaller adoptees. Removing ticks is simple and you should have no problems. Learning how to remove them from our four-legged friends is just one of those things we as dog lovers and owners have to do. Ticks are horrible little insects that suck on the blood of their host and gradually swell up with it. They are very nasty to see when full, and are not much better when they’re small – they move more quickly then too. The main thing to bear in mind when removing ticks is that you do not want to crush or squeeze their body as this can push the harmful bacteria out of them and into your dog, which can lead to a nasty – albeit treatable –infection. You need to aim at removing the tick intact and then get rid of it – once and for all.
I’d been told to put either a just-extinguished match to the tick, or cover it in petroleum jelly as this is supposed to make the tick react, let go and be easily pulled off. In my experience this did make the beastie react – it held on tighter! 38
Animal Action
My advice, if you don’t want to use a shop-bought repellant and your dog has a tick, the best way to go about it is the most direct approach: remove it by hand – well tweezers actually. This is best done quickly and efficiently, and I find this the best tool for the job. When you find a tick on the dog, part the fur around the tick and grip the critter with the tweezers, right where it has its head in the dog. Two tips: do not grip it by its body as you may make the problem worse, or end up removing the body without the head and then it can be off to the vets for antibiotic cream. Second, do not use your wife’s tweezers – apparently it’s not appreciated.
Hold the tick by the head and simply pull away from the dog’s body. You should find that it will come out fairly easily. It is a straightforward process and not difficult. As I sat de-ticking my water dog with tweezers one day my friendly Spanish neighbour – the fountainhead of all things campo – paid us a visit. Seeing what I was doing, he merrily tutted away at me and told me that I should just shave the dog completely and the ticks will die. As much as the thought of severing the bloodsuckers in two sounds appealing, I do worry whether this method would result in many infections for my dog. Apparently, another widely-used Spanish treatment is to smother the tick in olive oil, cutting off any air supply. The parasite will eventually drop off, head and all. I did try this – it was fairly successful but not always so.
After a bit of research, I learned that using lavender oil is a tried and tested method in the fight against ticks. You can even mix it in a body lotion, as it can be used to keep ticks off us, too. Being an essential oil, it does not dissolve in water. It is mainly used to reduce anxiety and increase calmness, but this precious oil is also applied as an alternative medicine to antiseptic solutions, and to relieve pain. I found that it is also very good in minimising the effects of insect stings and bites if you put it in body lotion or something similar. Just place it on your pulse points to ward off biting and stinging bugs too – again it is not advisable to use your wife’s body lotion as this can cause all sorts of trouble. Back to our battle against the dreaded tick. Sometimes, when you remove a tick it is still alive and must be killed. Putting live ticks in a bowl of lavender oil is sure way to do it. To use on your dog, just place a drop of lavender oil between its shoulder blades in the same place you’d use a preventative pipette – part the fur first. I use two drops on my medium sized pooches and three on the larger varieties. Essential oils are toxic to cats. A cat’s liver does not have the enzymes to metabolise essential oils. Cats can often start vomiting even if they only smell the oil – take this from experience, as my wife’s cat proved to me recently – so please don't try to use lavender or any oil on cats or in their presence. Ask your vet for another solution for your feline friend. So, whether shop bought, natural or simply with tweezers in hand, let war commence against our bloodsucking fiends. Happy hunting.
So with ticks and fleas beginning to make an appearance, I’m sticking with my prevention methods as these beasts can not only affect your pet's health, but also your own. After all, ticks spread various diseases, all caused by their vile secretions from their saliva, and other toxins can spread through their bite. With this in mind, I did try one of my neighbour’s remedial measures as it has proved to ensure a safe treatment: lavender oil, which has the bonus that it’s cheap, too. 39
Sports & Leisure
Gentlemen only, ladies forbidden
by Steve Rivers
Golf has been referred to as a typical gentleman's game and one associated with the upper class, but with more and more people indulging in this outdoor pastime, it has travelled through time to arrive today as one of the most played sports in the world. Suitable for all, it is a very social hobby and need not be expensive, and with local courses dotted throughout Andalucía, there has never been a better excuse to partake in a game which also has a very interesting history. The origin of golf is hard to place exactly. Several countries are claiming that they started it, but the most believed is the Netherlands. According to history, the Netherlands had the ideas of hitting balls into holes with a golf club in the 17th century. In addition to this, it is said that the word golf comes from the Dutch ‘kolf’ which means stick, club or bat. It does not come from the acronym "gentlemen only, ladies forbidden!" Despite this early introduction of golf, it did not come to the United States until the 1880s.
The oldest course in the world dates back to St Andrews Trails, located in the Royal Burgh of St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. This course is known as the "home of golf." Even though it is commonly known that golf courses now have 18 holes, according to history, this has not always been so. Golfers at St Andrews played on a route that was determined by the topography of the area. An 11-hole course came about and players would play all 11, turn round and play them again, making a total of 22 holes. Some thought that the holes were too short in 1764, so were combined with other holes. The number was reduced from 11 to nine, leaving a total of 18 holes.
PUZZLE ANSWERS from pages 14 - 15
wuzzles
1: The Last Frontier 2: One in the Same 3: Walk on Water 4: Space Invader
ODD ONE OUT? Answer: L.
All the other letters have three straight lines. 40
Future Focus Staying in Scotland, the first-ever golf clubs were made by a bow maker working for King James IV. The construction of golf clubs was time-consuming and expensive, making it an expensive sport to play. On the other hand, the golf balls went through a lot of transitions.
‘Par’ was used long before it became associated with the game of golf, and basically meant something that was acceptable or average. The word became linked over time with the game of golf to indicate an ideal score... The size of the golf hole changed throughout time. The standard golf hole size is 4.25 inches in diameter. It was the St Andrews Trails which founded this standard size, with some assistance from the links at Musselburgh. This size was decided upon because the folks at Musselburgh had invented the first known hole-cutter in 1829. This cutter utilised a tool that was 4.25 inches in diameter. St Andrews simply liked that size and adopted it for the game’s standard hole size.
With so many stunning courses available here on our doorstep in Andalucía, why not try the sport for yourself? You may find that it is not just a way to ruin a perfectly good walk!
Adam Paterson came up with a gutta-percha ball, made from Gutta tree sap. A ball with a rubber core by Coburn Haskell followed, and this could travel 400 yards or more. Golfers slowly noticed that worn out balls worked better and in 1905, the first version of the dimpled ball used widely today was introduced by William Taylor.
The commonly-used phrases in the game of golf are ‘birdie,’ ‘eagle’ and ‘par’. The word ‘bird’ was a slang term in the 19th century that referred to anything considered remotely cool. So the term was used then for a great shot in a game of golf – one that led to a score under par – and was eventually turned into ‘birdie.’ The word ‘eagle’ followed along those lines, in keeping with the bird theme. 41
Alice’s Wonderland
Kittens and kisses!
by Alice Marriott, aged 13
Hi it’s me again, Alice. Yippee… I’m finally a teenager – at last! Becky is now 17 so only one more year until she’s a young adult and will hopefully be moving out then, because as Mum says – there’s a lot of hormones flying around the finca! I was so excited and I got a lot of presents such as a new Nintendo DSI in hot pink. You can’t get it in Spain – it’s a fab colour and I got 10 new DS games. I also got some money for shopping but Grandma gave me a new money box to save up in – but it hasn’t got a lock: you need a tin opener to get into it. I made a bit of a boob and put my 50€ in it without realising, so now it’s all going to be saved for spends on holiday – hopefully skiing with my Dad as we didn’t get to go this winter.
My cats have finally had their kittens: eight of them in fact. There are three boys and five girls but they’re all healthy which is good. If anybody wants a kitten soon, then please let me know as they will be ready to go some time in June. They’re gorgeous – we’ve got all colours from ginger fluffy to jet black. I’m working on Dad to see if I can keep one! Semana Santa has been and gone – what bad weather we had in Teba and Campillos but at least the parades still happened. I love the one with Jesus on the cross – it’s my favourite. Mum said she’d only go to a parade at Easter if they’re handing out chocolate eggs – not very religious! Grandma and I had a lovely time in Cordoba, you should visit if you can and going on the fast train is good fun. I’m going on a school trip to Isla Magica (Magic Island) in Sevilla so I’m really excited because I can’t wait to get on the rides. In May I’m going on another school trip to a museum in Málaga, but I can’t remember which one. Mum gave me the day off school to watch Prince William and Kate getting married. I loved Kate’s dress and her sister’s. I watched most of the wedding and it was amazing. My best bit was the TWO kisses – how many people watched it was quite something: I’d have been really embarrassed. I’m a Barcelona fan so I can’t wait to see Barcelona and Manchester United in the final. Dad is a Liverpool fan so he will be supporting Barcelona which is good for me (as he does anyone else who plays Man U) but it’s bad for Mum because she supports Manchester United – or the ‘dark side of the force’ to quote my Dad! I came third in my dressage in April which I was pleased about as most of the people in my group are older than me. The competition in May is this weekend so hopefully I can do better in that one. Well, until next month – here’s hoping the sun comes out for a bit longer soon! Love Alice xx
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Health & Beauty
How to keep skin looking young Both men and women are concerned about the appearance of the largest organ: - skin. That's not surprising, since skin is also the most obvious thing other people can see on you. Our skin is called a window to our entire body. When we start having problems with our skin, it's often an indication of how healthy our bodies are in general. Most people don't notice their skin much unless a problem occurs. As we start to age, for instance, we start noticing it doesn't look young, soft, and supple anymore, and we may even notice we've started forming wrinkles. Many women appear to experience skin problems as they get older. This is usually because the hormonal imbalances that come about with menopause tend to make the skin start to lose elasticity, or the complexion may become noticeably blotchy. One of the main complaints from women of a certain age is having much drier skin than they are used to.
As we become older, the long years of sun exposure and the damage that it causes start to take their toll – even more so living in sunny Spain. Our bodies change with age too: when we're young, our body naturally produces oils and anti-oxidants which help keep the skin looking healthy and alive. As we age, though, the facial skin in particular stops producing as much oil and anti-oxidants as it used to. Both of these changes contribute to making your skin look older. When you also factor in all the many years of stress, time spent squinting at computer screens all day or frowning in concentration while you're working, you soon start to realise why wrinkles begin developing in those areas of your face where creases form when you make faces. Of course, if we’ve led a happy life, we can most certainly put these wrinkles and crinkles down to laughter lines only. It’s not all doom and gloom as we approach the finer years, though. Thankfully, much of this damage can be reduced and sometimes completely reversed. There are many natural ways to help keep your skin looking more youthful and healthy, and herbs and vitamins play major roles. The best thing you can do to help keep your skin looking younger and healthier naturally is to drink more water. It’s not an old wives tale – it really is the fine wine of life. Even people who have already started having dry skin problems and have developed new wrinkles can slow down or reverse those conditions simply by increasing the amount of water they're drinking each day. Drinking lots of the clear stuff each day is required to keep your entire body healthy whatever your age, but many people don't seem to realise that water plays a major role in keeping your skin healthy too. Drinking eight to ten glasses of water each day will provide your body with the water it needs, while also having enough left to rehydrate your skin properly too. When your skin is hydrated, it's much softer, smoother and younger looking.
44
Health & Beauty
Easy and inexpensive ways to shed the years With all the makeover shows on television, new anti-ageing cosmetics, and general obsession with staying young looking, it’s no surprise that people are willing to spend small fortunes on products and procedures to look and feel younger. But you don’t have to break the bank to look and feel your best. Here are 5 easy and inexpensive ways to take years off your appearance and keep it that way. Moisturise Dry skin appears dull and lacklustre. So not only should you use a moisturiser on your face (including an eye cream) but also on your hands and body. And since your hands especially get a lot of abuse, and can show age almost more than your face, keep some hand cream handy at your desk or by the sink. A great place to have it at hand as it were is the coffee table – make a routine of having your coffee then applying your cream or in an advert break. Protection Always use sunscreen - whatever the weather. We all know that the sun is the single most damaging agent to your skin, so make sure to protect yourself. Many good moisturisers already have added sunscreens in them – so save time and often money by buying a combined cream. Enhance Wear colour! Don’t be afraid to enhance what you have with a splash of colour, and you we age, try a softer tone. Many women switch from black to brown eyeliner and more pastel eye shadow or lipstick as they age, giving a much more sophisticated look. Make sure the hue you choose complements both your skin and eye colour. In the summer months, be a bit braver with the tones – but remember less is more.
Eyes Manage those dark circles under your eyes. There are many good products out there that can help alleviate this problem, especially if it is chronic or hereditary. It is also proven that you can combat dark circles by getting a good night’s sleep and eating well. And if you still need help, try an undereye concealer. Hit the gym or take a walk Even if it is just a walk on the treadmill, exercise will help you maintain good posture, alleviate stress (which causes wrinkles), and increase blood flow (which keeps your whole body well oxygenated), not to mention of course that it keeps you fit as well. With the warmer weather on the doorstep, why not take a walk in the beautiful Spanish countryside to get your blood pumping. If walking isn’t for you, see the list below for other activities that can burn the calories (per hour): Sleeping 55 Sewing / Knitting 85 Standing 100 Driving 110 Office work 140 Housework, moderate 160+ Golf, with trolley 180 Gardening, planting 250 Dancing, ballroom 260 Walking, 3mph 280 Water Aerobics 400 Bicycling 450+ Jogging, 5mph 500 Swimming, active 500+ Hiking 500+ Step aerobics 550+ Power walking 600+ Running 700+
Health & Beauty
Love the skin you’re in
by Dr Wildman-Chard
From the moment puberty hits, most of us aspire to having a clear complexion free of blemishes, then we battle against wrinkles and so-called age (or liver) spots. Many of us spend thousands on miracle cures and potions to keep our skin in tiptop condition throughout our lives, but despite all the lotions and potions, sadly winning this crusade is rarely the reality for the average person. With a little knowledge and understanding, is it not better to love the skin you’re in? But what must we accept as 'normal' and what can we realistically expect to have removed or remedied? There are hundreds of types of unwanted skin disfigurements, ranging from genetic origin, viral inoculation, sun-induced damage or just plain skin neglect or abuse over the years. We cannot stress enough that obviously any new or unidentified mark should be checked by a medical practitioner before seeking cosmetic advice. However, on a positive note, the majority of skin lesions are benign and successfully removable by a suitably-qualified practitioner. This article refers to – and discusses – a few of the more commonly encountered skin anomalies. Verrucas Commonly labelled as warts, verrucas are very cheeky characters. They are found on all parts of the body – not just the feet. The verruca is not able to survive without your ‘kind participation’ in its life cycle, because it only has RNA (Ribonucleic acid) which is a nucleic acid very similar to DNA. All life needs RNA and DNA to support the protein structure that we call skin, organs, limbs etc.
These cunning verrucae invade your body via an area of broken skin. They then infiltrate your skin cells and hijack your RNA, forcing it to then produce what it wants it to make, as opposed to what your normal genetic profile (in this case your skin cells) want to make. This means that the villain lies deeply within your lower dermis and is very difficult to eradicate by surface methods such as acids and similar topical applications. The best and fastest way to destroy this hijacker is by inserting a sterile (disposable) needle into the base of the verruca infestation and cauterising the actual infection, literally at the root. This can be painful, but is normally very quickly completed and successful. No scars are left and usually nothing returns to plague the sufferer. Seborrhoeic wart Yet another common genetic disfigurement, this is so named because it resembles a 'stuck-on greasy wart.' However, this wart is not contagious and does not affect the skin cells in any way. This is a genetically predetermined skin growth that appears after a set number of years, and can often be mistaken for cancer. Once again, this reminds us of the importance to seek medical advice prior to considering any type of cosmetic procedure. The seborrhoeic wart can be found all over the torso, but also around the neck or hairline. Individually, they can grow to quite a few centimetres and are usually darkly pigmented, greasy looking and often quite lobular. Once diagnosed, they are easily removed cosmetically and the transformation to the individual can be quite notable! Skin tags An additional trial to the dermically challenged is the skin tag. Such blemishes are typically located around areas subjected to regular friction such as necklines, under arms, genital areas, etc. The skin tag presents as a raised piece of normal skin, growing up above the epidermis and appearing as either a clear or slightly pigmented length of spiral skin.
46
Health & Beauty
Usually occurring in clusters, they can appear unsightly and be cosmetically disfiguring. However, many people are not aware that these benign irritants can be safely removed by inexpensive, non medical procedures. They are simply a genetic over-response to constant irritation (friction) and are the body’s way of attempting selfprotection. However, once removed they will not return and no scars are left. It must be emphasised that being genetically pre-determined, other tags may still grow within the same areas in later years. These may also be similarly removed, if left the tags would simply keep adding to each other. Milia Commonly referred to as milk spots, they are usually found below the eyes or on the face. Technically, they consist of trapped sebum (oil) in a follicle that has no external opening. Once trapped, the sebum remains its natural white colour, as opposed to turning black due to oxidation. This occurs when the oil is open to the air and is then referred to as a comedo or more often, a blackhead. The milia can also be quickly disposed of by a sterile probe. This is painless, efficient and once again leaves the skin without scars. In fact, the skin area is better able to function normally once this blockage has been removed and normal skin secretions can continue. Thread vein Finally, we discuss the thread or red vein. These are recognised as tiny red lines, stars or blotches within the top layers of the epidermis. When we become hot our circulation rises into our upper skin layers to release heat and keep our core areas cool. However, when we are too cold, the outer vasculature shunts into the lower layers to conserve heat for vital internal organ function. If our amazing self-regulating system is abused by sun, excessive saunas, hot or spicy foods, excessive alcohol etc, damage may occur and can result in broken capillaries that will no longer return our blood to the lower layers when they should.
Thread veins can be successfully eradicated too, by diathermy without scarring or return. It must be emphasised, however, that client aftercare is essential for the success of this treatment. Many more cosmetically unwanted problems may plague the individual, and most are benign and easily treatable. Any professional therapist will only offer removal techniques after a thorough inspection, possibly medical approval and a clear explanation regarding the aftercare requirements for the patient to follow. Always seek medical advice if uncertain or concerned about any skin lesion. But do not let that deter you from considering eradication of anything that you find unsightly, irritating or aging. It is your skin, your life, your self respect and ultimately, your self worth – so make that move to make yourself happy! Our appearance can seriously affect our state of mind but do not despair: there is help available to both treat and teach you to learn to love the skin you’re in.
For more information or to discuss in confidence any of the skin treatments covered in this article or other complexion concerns, please see Suzanne’s advert on page 19 for contact details.
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Services Offered
Property Wanted Properties wanted. We have buyers waiting and we are looking for sensibly priced country properties in the Antequera, Estepa and Marchena areas. Village properties with good outside space also considered. Helping buyers and sellers since 2005, Antequera Inland, a fully registered company. 952-84-46-46 or 606-192-873 info@antequera-inland.com
Property for Sale 3 bed, luxury town house in Campillos. Large patio & pool €186,000. Call for more details or to view 637 146 561 – private sale.
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Pet sitting and minding, all types of pets by reputable and qualified professionals. All areas 952711377 Key minding, house sitting, property management, all services, all areas, Antequera based 952711377 Electrician all areas covered. Call Tom for a quote on 606 694 536 Gardening – all aspects undertaken. Free quotes. No job to small. Call 952 737643 General handyman and pool cleaner. Reliable and experienced call 680 323649 House Clearance - good prices paid - immediate cash call now 670 919 026
For Rent three bed village house, orchard, ADSL, furnished, Alameda 320 month 952711377
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April’s Prize Competition Solution
Winner: Lucy Stephenson Answer: The letter M. For your chance to win 100€ try our competion on page 43. 48
Things to Do
Moroccan sardines Ounce for ounce, sardines provide more calcium and phosphorus than milk, more protein than steak, more potassium than bananas and more iron than cooked spinach, so why not try our quick and easy recipe for a spicy twist on a much loved fish.
Ingredients 4 medium-sized fresh sardines cleaned and gutted ½ tsp. each cumin, turmeric and smoked paprika 1tbs extra virgin olive oil Juice ½ large lemon Pinch of each salt and pepper 3tbs chopped fresh coriander
Method 1 Mix the cumin, turmeric, paprika, salt and pepper and olive oil into a paste 2 Add lemon juice 3 Stuff each sardine with the paste mixture 4 Coat in flour 5 Shallow fry until lightly golden Serve and enjoy with a light tomato, cucumber and mint salad
Sport & Leisure
Get creative with crochet
by Wendy Steeden
Crochet is a great pastime for many people and once you learn how, you will be able to make just about anything you like. With many trends, crocheted garments keep making a re-appearance in the clothing shops – they are normally very expensive, though, so why not learn yourself? Crocheting is an easy skill to learn and once you understand the basic stitches, how to do them and read patterns you will be able to make anything you would like. As with most hobbies, the right tools are a must and the art of crocheting is no different. All a beginner needs to start with are a crochet hook, small scissors and yarn. You can choose any hook you like. When it comes to learning the skill, it may be easier to start with a larger size hook until you get the hang of it and then move down to a smaller size – the smaller the hook, the tighter your stitches will be. To begin: you put the crochet hook through the tiny opening and place your yarn around it, bring through and you will have two loops on the crochet hook. Then put the yarn around the crochet hook again and bring through both loops. Make this all the way across. You keep doing this until it is the length you prefer. This stitch is known as the single crochet or ‘sc’ in patterns.
For a triple crochet (tc) you will do the same factor as a double crochet, but while you have three loops on the crochet hook, you yarn over and bring through to get four loops on the crochet hook, and then yarn over and bring through all the loops. This is a too tall stitch. Once you have learned almost all the ‘crocheting for newbies’ stitches, you can basically make anything you would like to make. Try patterns just for ‘crocheting for beginners,’ such as doing pot holders, scarves or even a simple blanket. You can easily make a number of various covers just with the crocheting for beginners stitches that are listed here.
For a half double crochet (h.dc) stitch, with your yarn over, push the crochet hook through the chain. Yarn over the crochet hook and bring it through to have three loops on the crochet hook. Yarn over once more and also bring the yarn through all three of your loops. Try finding local lessons for crocheting for beginners or join an online forum. The forums are a great way of asking questions, swapping patterns and gleaning tips. Once you have mastered all the basic stitches, try to move on to more advanced ones and try some more advanced patterns such as sweaters with designs. The more stitches you know, the more patterns you will be able to do.
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