The Andalucian June 2011 by The Andalucían

Hello,

Editor’s Slice

Let me start by thanking so many of you who have praised our magazine again this month. It’s nearly a year since we re-launched the magazine as The Andalucian and we have been delighted with the continued positive feedback, from both readers and advertisers alike. Several of you have asked how I’m coping now the football season is over. I’m consoling myself with cricket, F1, golf, the football gossip pages and I will be submerging myself in Wimbledon for the remainder of June – all in, and it’s not nearly as bad as I thought it would be – yet! This month we have plenty of varied reading for you, as usual. We have some topical stuff on the recent earthquakes and the E-coli outbreak, and our ‘Roaming Andalucía’ feature is on the little-known village of Los Corrales which, like so many villages in Andalucía, has a fascinating history and lots more than you’d ever realise. We also highlight an interesting, yet somewhat worrying, concern as online shopping is becoming more and more popular, fake drugs really make you think twice about what you buy off the ‘net.’ The Health & Beauty section continues on from the May edition with another feature on looking after your skin, but with the emphasis on taking care in this glorious sunshine. Now many of you will recall that we had a feature in the May edition singing the praises of cucumbers, only to be left slightly concerned until Germany decided it was safe to eat the Spanish-sourced crop again! So this month we nervously cover the benefits of carrots and pray the humble carrot does not get blamed for any forthcoming health scares. June sees the kids break up for school. The next three months can be a nightmare for anyone with little ones, or with the size who just sit there moaning that they’re bored. As parents we’re left wondering what we can do to keep them occupied. Obviously the TV and games consoles regrettably go a long way, however a day a day trip to the beach is normally a winner as and when time allows – but don’t forget to try the local beauty spots too. Thankfully rural Spain remains a relatively safe place to live and we can still allow kids to be kids. It’s easy to forget just what a wonderful lifestyle Spain has to offer; I do think we often take our surroundings for granted and don’t get out and about enough to enjoy everything Andalucía has to offer – why not consider a classic car trip through the countryside? See the information on page 28 for more details. We are well into feria season, which is the highlight in any self-respecting Spaniard’s year. There’s a great atmosphere surrounding these events so I hope you find the time to go and enjoy yourselves. For an interesting insight into the history of flamenco check our feature on the golden age of this most traditional Spanish pastime. Whatever you do this month – enjoy!

Mike

Special thanks to our writers and contributors: Alice Marriott David Shovelton-Fullick De Cotta McKenna y Santafé Dr Suzanne Wildman-Chard Ella Durham Heather Jones Jo Shovelton-Fullick

Johanna Mayrhofer Maria Bradford Sol Classic Car Club Steve Rivers Stuart Langley Tricia Johnson Wendy Steeden

Contents Contents 2 4 6 8 11 12

Editor’s Slice Lifestyle - The Festival Internacional de Arte Marbella

Health & Beauty - Protect and survive this summer

Roaming Andalucía - Los Corrales - a rare find

Law & Order - Preventing the perfect crime

37 38 40

Events and Group Meetings

Historic Spain - Flamenco - the golden age

Prize Competition

Celeb Chat - Taking it all in their stride The Reason 4

Girls’ Talk - Pregnancy, oestrogen and women... a look on the lighter side

Food Focus - Can you see the benefits of carrots?

Interesting Facts - Shaken to the core Short Story - A terrible affair Alice’s Wonderland - Growing hotter Celeb Chat - From dreams to reality with Carol Montgomery Charity News - Spreading the seeds of hope

Health & Beauty - Be SunSmart this summer

Book Review - Hasta la vista - Bolton Wanderers!

24 26

Sports & Leisure - Classic motoring through Andalucía

21 22

Just for Fun Interesting Facts - Bargain drugs - is your life worth the risk?

The Andalucían

C/Agricultores 6 Industrial Estate Sotoluz, Campillos 29320 Malaga

info@andalucianauctions.com www.andalucianauctions.com

Lifestyle - Wash away the bug Trade Talk - A New Day has dawned in Pedrera

50 Classified Adverts 51 Advertising Rates Next deadline: 27 June

Lifestyle

The Festival Internacional de Arte Marbella Those with a passion for creativity and art will be hotfooting it to the glittering shores of the Costa del Sol during June, when Marbella plays host to one of the fastest-growing cultural events in southern Spain: the ‘Festival Internacional de Arte’ or ‘Marbella International Art Festival’ held in the Alameda Park and Avenida del Mar in the centre of Marbella. Founded in 2009, and now described as one of the most significant street art festivals to take place in the area, the Festival Internacional de Arte has dazzled upwards of 20,000 visitors in previous years with an array of exciting visual and performing arts, and an outstanding selection of artists from around the world prepared to display their works. This year’s festival is anticipated to attract an even more spectacular number of visitors.

An inaugural VIP opening of this three-day creative celebration takes place on the evening of 23 June, and the festival begins the following day, running until June 26. The 2011 event welcomes more than 100 artists from Spain, UK, Sweden, Denmark, Russia, Georgia, Italy and Cuba among others. They will transform Marbella into a treasure trove of creativity with a sea of individual white tents showcasing their innovative and unique talents, whilst a maze of live music and street entertainment performers will provide an additional celebration of the arts. With artistic styles ranging from impressionism to hyper-realism and appearing in every media from painting, photography and sculpture to digital art, the festival is a mesmerising showcase of creative and cultural diversity. Enhancing the enticing programme of entertainment is the new Buddha Bar Chillout Lounge, a gourmet food corner and a Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen dream exhibition of retro furniture from the 1950s and 60s. As a non-profit organisation founded, managed and co-ordinated by volunteers, the Festival Internacional de Arte relies on the generosity and support of individuals and organisations to stage the festivity, plan for the future and deliver a programme of such an exemplary quality. With this in mind, those with a love of the arts may wish to consider becoming a ‘friend of the festival’. As a ‘friend’, you will be among a select group of dedicated art lovers actively supporting the event to help it achieve the ultimate goal of becoming the largest, most interesting and entertaining art festival of its kind in Spain. The benefits of becoming a ‘friend of the festival’ include invitations to attend private viewings and exhibitions of artists’ collections, together with privileged opportunities to attend exclusive art events and talks. Due to the social nature of the exclusive group events, you never know – an appreciation of the arts could also lead to the blossoming of lifelong friendships with other art lovers; a social opportunity not to be missed! Those with a can-do attitude are also required to work as part of the integral team of volunteers who are essential to the smooth running of this event. Visit the website for further information or to register your interest: www.festivaldeartemarbella.com

Interesting Facts

Shaken to the core

by Jo Shovelton-Fullick

Now to be honest, I may have slept during my geography and geology lessons - amongst others which may account for my lack of knowledge about this fine country in which we have chosen to live, but I for one am not afraid to admit that I had absolutely no idea that Spain was a seismic zone of Europe.

We all recently witnessed the Spanish city of Lorca, in the southeast region of Murcia, experience two devastating earthquakes in rapid succession, causing destruction to buildings and tragic loss of life. The earthquakes registered a magnitude of 4.5 and 5.1 respectively, and were followed by a total of 29 aftershocks, leaving thousands of people homeless. I spoke to one person living in Lorca who said: “I took the dogs outside as I thought being on the earth may be safer than being inside the house. It was very frightening and like nothing I have experienced before.”

The damage from the earthquakes was concentrated in the towns of Lorca and Totana, which lie in one of the most active seismic zones of the Iberian Peninsula, but it also spread as far as Albacete and Velez-Rubio in Almería. It was reported that nine people, including a 13-year-old child and a young pregnant woman, lost their lives in the deadliest tremors to hit Spain in more than five decades, whilst a further 167 were injured - predominantly by falling masonry from crumbling buildings. The deceased were residents of the neighborhood of Las Viñas, a Lorcan area most affected by the earthquake. The last sizeable quakes to rock Spain prior to recent events were in 1954 and 1956. On 29 March 1954, a tremor of 7 to 7.9 hit Dúrcal, located in the northeastern part of the Lecrín Valley in the Granada province. The effects of this quake caused extensive property damage in Malaga and were felt as far afield as Cadiz and Madrid. Two years later on 19 April 1956, the people of the Granada province were again rocked to their foundations by an earthquake affecting the city of Albolote and neighbouring Atarfe. Though, of a less intense magnitude of 5.0, this quake was considered to have been the worst to hit Spain in the 20th century. Both the quake and subsequent landslide resulted in the deaths of 12 people and the destruction of many buildings. With the power of Mother Nature being more frequently displayed across the globe, should we mere mortals be better prepared and equipped for events such as these? Is climate change solely responsible? Although earthquakes have been recorded in China from as early as 1177 BC, they have been a part of myth and legend since the dawn of man. Aristotle was one of the first Europeans to create a theory about the origin of quakes, believing that they were the result of strong winds. A limited amount of study was concentrated on earthquakes until the mid-1700s when London was hit by a devastating quake and a tsunami struck Lisbon, Portugal, shortly afterwards. The Great Lisbon earthquake of 1755 was followed by a tsunami 40 minutes later - the earthquake,

Interesting Facts

tsunami, and many resulting fires killed between 60,000 and 100,000 in Lisbon alone, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. Throughout the world, experts are consistently scrutinising the earth’s activity and any specific changes that may indicate significant events. Speaking at The British Science Festival in 2010, leading expert Dr Roger Musson warned that London was long overdue a potentially lethal wobble. He said: “While the next earthquake would not be a disaster on an international scale, it will come as an unpleasant shock for a country that tends to think of itself as immune from earthquakes.” Top Spanish seismologist Luis Suarez, president of the Official Geological College, is reported to have warned of an imminent destructive earthquake earlier this year – identifying the southern Murcia and Andalucía regions as a danger zone. Unfortunately, most people learn of this information after the event, although being forewarned would surely offer minimal solace and only incite individuals to live in a state of anxiety for fear of an event that

may or may not occur. After all, each year there are about a million earthquakes around the world with only about 100 of these causing any serious damage; in fact, it is said that an earthquake happens somewhere in the world once every 30 seconds. Near or far, with any loss of life our thoughts are always with those who have suffered bereavement. I strongly believe that from any negative life event, we should attempt to take something positive, and from any disaster we must seek changes that will minimise loss of life in the future. Let’s hope that from this recent event, and other natural disasters witnessed across the planet, those changes are forthcoming and more importantly, make a difference.

Short Story

A terrible affair

by Ella Durham

She waited, quietly, by the window seat. She rested, tucked up in one corner on its scarlet velvet cushion. She had been there for several hours, yet still he hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come. But she knew he would. Sooner or later he would come for her and she would be ready. She was always ready to be held tightly by him, to feel his lips, to give him comfort. Only she could give him that pleasure which was so deliciously wicked, yet irresistible. She had tempted him, drawn him in. They had been together for years - unbeknown to his wife, of course. She gave him what his wife could not: a wonderful but evil mistress that he could not deny. If it was late in the day when he arrived, he would be in a temper short and quick, stressed from the ways of the world, not wanting conversation. Not until afterwards that is.

So she would soothe him, calm him and captivate him until he yearned for more. It was not unusual. She, and hundreds of others like her, had done this many times before down the centuries. Tonight, she would do it again. He was a creature of habit. She knew that he loved her but hated her in equal measure, despising her for the control she held over him. He couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stay away, no matter how hard he tried. She was bewitching and he always gave into her. Virginia sat up straight. It would never do to look sloppy or forlorn. He hated that. The hours ticked by. Soon, soon, he would be here. She felt light headed.

Short Story

Tonight, she was wrapped in virginal white. A crazy notion as she was anything but virginal. Waiting, waiting, she’d bide her time. Then he would take her, caress her and they would become one. Oh yes, there were others like her but she was special. He wanted her and rejected the others. The door opened. He had come. At last, he had come for her. “Ah, there you are!” he cried. “I’ve been desperate to have you but I had to wait for Mary to leave, you know, make sure the coast was clear. It would never do for her to find you here. But why are you here on this window seat? I would not have thought to have found you there.” He approached the window seat and reached down to touch her. She stayed quite still, waiting for the wonderful moment when she would give herself up to him.

“I know I shouldn’t do this sort of thing. Mary would kill me if she ever found out. I shouldn’t be here with you,” he whispered. “But no-one can see us up here. I’ll be quick.” Virginia felt his hands on her. He trembled, fumbling at first, then, more controlled, seeking her body, holding her tightly. She stayed rigid. He would have to take her by force. It was the game they played. Always the same, she stayed firm as he took her. Then, she melted as he held her and smelled her fragrance. He breathed in deeply and blew out a breath. She was intoxicating and he was lost to her again. Sanctuary! Then, suddenly... Continued on page 10

Short Story “Giles! What on earth do you think you’re doing?” A woman’s angry voice shattered his tranquillity and he froze. “Oh, my God, Mary! I… I... I was just…” he stammered, trying to push Virginia behind him, out of view. His wife stood in the doorway, hands on hips, shock registering on her face as she discovered this clandestine meeting. Her eyes filled with tears. “Oh, Giles, how could you betray me like this? And in my own house, too! It’s disgusting! You’re disgusting!“ It was hopeless. The game was up. Mary had caught him and Virginia. He’d have to confess his guilt. “Darling, it’s not what you think!” he spluttered. “Isn’t it? I know what I see. You promised me, after the last time, that you wouldn’t lie to me again - and I believed you, trusted you. You begged me for a second chance and I agreed. How stupid of me! Now I find you here, like this! Just how long has this been going on?” Mary threw her arms wide, casting her despair into the room.

Giles felt his throat tighten; the hot shame of his deceit burned him. Virginia crumpled behind his back. It was over. “Mary, I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. I can explain. I love you, dear. I’d never willingly hurt or upset you but…” his voice trailed off. Mary gave him a hard stare. “Well, ‘but’ what?” she asked, tartly. “I… I thought you were out!”

“Clearly! But it still doesn’t give you licence to smoke in the house!”

Alice’s Wonderland

Getting hotter, taller and wiser?

by Alice Marriott, age 13

Hi, it’s me again, Alice It’s a really busy time of year at the moment as I have to take my end of year exams at school – so lots of study; not as much as Dad would like but it is very hot to concentrate! Why don’t they do exams in cooler weather? We’ve only got four kittens left now, so hopefully we can rehome them soon, too. They are really cheeky and love to run up and down the stairs, and they wind our little dogs up a lot – but it’s quite funny to watch. I have a new dressage competition to do in Alhaurín el Grande this month. I’ve not been there before so I’m a bit nervous. I came third again in my other competition, which is good as I got another medal, but I would like to come a bit higher next time. My friend Callie came first last time, which was fantastic as she had loads in her group. Hopefully her Mum will not have her baby early so Callie can do the competition in July as well. I will be spending a lot of the summer in the pool I think – it’s got very hot very quickly. Mum said all we do is whinge about how cold it is, then within a week we all whinge it’s too hot, but I think it

gets hotter every year and therefore we should be allowed to whinge a bit! Even my Spanish friends are saying it’s very warm this year too. Oh, I nearly forgot to tell you – we went to the music museum in Málaga. If you get the chance to go, you really must as it’s very interesting and makes a change from all the churches and the usual old stuff they normally have in them. The other important news is that I have finally outgrown my Mum – I am taller, but Dad says that’s not hard to do! Even if Mum stands on her tiptoes I’m still taller – plus it means I need loads of new clothes which is great for me! I’d like to be a little bit taller than our Becky, if only to stop her gloating. Well, I’m off to do a bit more revision. I had to say that because Dad’s bound to read this! Love Alice xx

Celeb Chat

From dreams to reality

by Jo Shovelton-Fullick

The relaxation and tranquillity of retirement within the beautiful Andalucian countryside was the catalyst that finally brought the character Tom Tullet to life for Carol Montgomery. After years of creative contemplation, she finally turned her dreams into reality with the publishing of her first book, ‘Tom Tullet and the Saxon Ruby’. Carol took a break from her writing to tell me more about her inspiration and feelings about seeing her first work in print. Jo: Tell me about the inspiration for your first book ‘Tom Tullet and the Saxon Ruby.’ CM: I have always loved the idea of time travel – the thought of dropping into another age for a little while to experience the way people lived is fascinating. I love detective mysteries and my absolute favourite is the Brother Cadfael series: the way he follows the trail of clues such as a dried clover flower that only grows in such-and-such a place, or a few strands of hair from the mane of Lord so-and-so's horse, which eventually lead him to the lair of the miscreant, without recourse to forensics and other modern aids. The story of Tom had been creeping round inside my head for years, but it was a customer in a shop where I worked – her name was Mrs Tullet – who suddenly presented me with the name of my hero, and thus was born Tom Tullet. Jo: Have you always had a passion for writing and how long was the process from initial book concept to publication? CM: I have dabbled with writing for many years. I have written many short pieces and had a stab at a novel or two, but I never had the real ‘oomph’ to make more of them. I have files and boxes full of bits and pieces of stories.

My daughter and her family came for a visit about two years ago and read my completed manuscript, the first person to do so. At that time my publisher, Olympia, had the manuscript but I didn’t yet know if they were interested in putting me on their list. The book was finally published on 28 February 2011, a long wait of at least two years. Jo: How did it feel to have your first work finally published and available to the public? CM: Amazing. I can only describe my feeling of seeing my book on Amazon as one huge buzz! Jo: Your working life, prior to retirement, would appear to have offered little in the way of job satisfaction. Is there an occupation you always wished you had entered into? CM: As a bright eyed school-leaver with a hatful of GCEs, my ambition was to join the Royal Navy, but I allowed myself to be dissuaded by worried parents. Regrets are a waste of energy – and I’m not one to waste energy – but I have always encouraged my daughters to follow their dreams. Life is not a dress rehearsal and you must grab the opportunities as they present themselves. Jo: What prompted your retirement to Spain and why Andalucía? CM: My husband and I always planned to retire somewhere with a good climate, and his first choice was Thailand as we had enjoyed some splendid times there.

Celeb Chat

Now, don’t get me wrong, I adore Thailand, but the cost of fares for the family would have been prohibitive, and the thought of years between visits was the decider. Spain was the obvious answer as both my mother and one of my sisters had lived here for years. We used to spend a week every spring visiting different parts of the country, mainly to decide where we didn’t want to live. Andalucía seemed to tick all the boxes, and we have lived happily here for nearly five years. Jo: Which authors in particular are you influenced by? CM: As I remarked previously, I love Ellis Peters, and I always look out for a new Bernard Cornwell release. I enjoy the tricky, clever twists of Dick Francis and I have greatly admired Patricia Cromwell’s creation ‘Kay Scarpetta.’ The stories thunder on at a breathtaking pace with no great wodges of padding, so I want to know what happens to the characters even when the book is finished. If I come to care about the characters, good or bad, then it was a great tale.

Jo: How do you think publishing houses and literary agents can do more to help authors at the start of their careers? CM: I was always wary of sending a completed manuscript to a publisher. I have heard about the ‘slush piles’ that may or may not be read, and I didn’t want my ‘heart and soul’ dumped in the trash bin by an office boy. I feel that my publisher, Olympia, has got it about right. They ask for a brief synopsis and three sample chapters to see if they like it, and it fits their criteria, before asking for the submission of the full manuscript. This method seems preferable to me for, before printing off maybe 150 pages of foolscap sheets and sending them by recorded delivery, you know that they are interested in your work, even if you get a rejection slip six months later. If you are unlucky enough to receive a rejection, then the whole process has to be repeated and this can be very expensive. Continued on page 14

Jo: In a desert island disc-type scenario, which book would you take with you? CM: Being forced to choose one book would be tough, but if I was stranded alone on a desert island then it would have to be an idiot’s guide to survival. I would prefer to be stranded with my husband – not for the obvious reasons, but because he was a Royal Marine and can always improvise. As he always says: “Any fool can be uncomfortable” and I’m quite sure that any Royal Marine, serving or retired, will know the proper wording of that sentence! 13

Celeb Chat I do feel that the whole process of publishing is too long and that more communication along the way would be helpful. The whole process feels as if you are wading through treacle with a blindfold on. Jo: What do you think about the change in publishing now that more books can now be read with electronic readers, and what do you feel about the possibility of ‘books’ as we know and love them becoming a thing of the past? CM: I think that e-books are great for those who like them, but I love the anticipation of going to the post office to pick up my parcel from Amazon. For me, both the cover design and the blurb let me know that it is my kind of book before I even browse through a few pages. I am aware that my views are probably considered old fashioned, but I don’t think an e-reader quite matches up to opening those crisp, printed pages. Even the smell of a new book is tantalizing. Think how much has been discovered about great literature of the past by notes hastily scribbled in the margins of a book by those who have read and enjoyed the work. I for one would hate to see the demise of the printed word. Jo: Many authors are reported to have somewhat strange habits whilst writing. Do you have any quirks whilst planning and writing your books? CM: I write when my mind is quiet. I cannot concentrate if the sink is full of dishes. I write in the first instance with a pencil, in longhand. The ideas just flow from my brain straight to my pencil and then squiggle on to the page.

My husband’s help is a must because he sharpens a mean pencil, keeping me well supplied as I write. Pencil sharpeners are no good because you get a needle-sharp point which melts away quickly as you write. Oh, and a nice glass of red has been known to keep me mellow while I write! Jo: Does Tom Tullet have any further adventures? CM: Tom Tullet indeed has more adventures. I have completed three so far, including the Saxon Ruby, and a fourth is in the pipeline. I see Tom in my head and I have grown to like him. It may seem strange, but I feel that I know him and his friends better and better each time I write about them. I want to place him in more and more difficult situations to see how he will cope, and how his life in the present and the past are changing him. Jo: And lastly, do you have any advice for would be authors out there? CM: If I was giving advice to a would-be author, I would say that the main thing is DON’T GIVE UP! If you enjoy your story, then it’s a fair bet that someone else will enjoy it too. Finally, don’t be despondent if someone doesn’t like your creation — we are not all the same. Remember, even J.K. Rowling had rejection slips before the first Harry Potter was published. Jo: Many thanks for your time, Carol. We look forward to joining Tom on his adventures soon and The Andalucían will be happy to feature a review on ‘Tom Tullet and the Saxon Ruby’ in a forthcoming issue. Tom Tullet and the Saxon Ruby by C. A. Montgomery is published by Olympia Publishers and is available in paperback from Amazon.co.uk. Amazon.com and Play.com

Charity News

Spreading the seeds of hope In February, we featured the Spanish animal protection charity, Planeta Animal, as they were about to embark on El Camino – a walk to raise awareness – starting in Seville and finishing in Santiago de Compostela in the northern province of Galicia. Having completed this wonderful pilgrimage for the animals, raising funds and awareness, we have caught up with the director of the project, Johanna Mayrhofer, to see how not only the twolegged but also the four-legged volunteers fared… “If animals could speak and someone asked them what the best part of the Camino for them was, I guess they might say how well the humans have behaved; all these hugs and extra goodies and the freedom to run freely through the countryside whenever safety would allow it. The donkeys and horses might remember the good, juicy, grassy fields that we found for them, the sandwiches and apples we shared and for the dogs especially, cuddles and companionship. I guess this by the way they greeted us every morning, when at last we found the courage to leave the warmth of our sleeping bags to face another day. Our wonderful four-legged companions: Feodor, the horse: blonde and very handsome; Felix, the most mischievous pony; Moreno, the lovely, sympathetic donkey, an experienced pilgrim; Linda, the beautiful donkey-girl who behaved like a champion. They all waited for their piece of bread, their special treat every morning. The dogs were all eager, wanting to leave the tent, except for Alfi, who does not like to get up early! The morning ritual was: cuddles, breakfast, wagging tails and preparing for another day of walking…

The tireless canine companions of our Camino were: Lilly, a machine for walking, impossible to get her tired; Filou and Luca, greyhounds who always seem to be dancing like acrobats on high; Benny, the grumpy old man, caretaker of our camp; Grillo, a blind but very smart little dog; Pablo and Anais, an inseparable couple, friendly, affectionate and playful; Alfi, the strong and quiet Austrian; Joschy, handsome and lively, restless, fun and finally, Ronja, the hunter; plus Morgan and Noah, our companions in the second week. I think they all enjoyed it as much as we did. But of course, I can only guess and the only thing I know for sure is that for me, the most rewarding thing was to share this experience with them, to live so closely with them. It was amazing to get to know them; each with their character, personality and even their silly little habits. It was a great experience, but does not explain the fascination that gripped us to discover that deep down, we are not so different from them. I know that many are offended when someone says: "We're all animals," and I will not engage in polemics about our origin. Rather, I want to stress the positive side of things we do have in common with them, such as joy, the need for love, understanding and security. There are other things we can learn, too, especially in terms of loyalty and the ability to forgive. A therapist friend of mine once said that one of the many differences between us and animals was that animals do not interpret (something I doubt when I come home and my dog smells my clothes and gives me a look as much as to say: “You've been with another.”) Some humans have even interpreted the Genesis in a way to justify the abuse and killing of animals. If, due to our Camino Project, there have been some people who have realised that animals have the same right to exist on this planet as us, then we have accomplished our goal.

Charity News

The experience has been amazing, rewarding and enriching for all participants and has been an excellent example to show that harmonious coexistence between human beings and animals is possible and beneficial to all. I want to thank all participants, volunteers, colleagues from other associations and friends of the animals we met on our way for such a warm welcome, their solidarity and support; we thank all the media who helped us spread our message and the municipalities on the route for their co-operation. So, we've reached the end of our journey with the arrival in Santiago and the blessing of animals at the San Francisco church, but the Camino still continues with its beautiful landscapes, unforgettable images recorded in our minds and still thousands of other pilgrims walking the trails. There are also dogs still tied to chains, especially in Galicia, unfortunately also because of the thousands of pilgrims passing through.

We cannot change the world â&#x20AC;&#x201D; we've just planted some seeds in the ground, and at the edge of the road, some will sprout.â&#x20AC;? To learn more about El Camino, Planeta Animal and the wonderful work that they do please visit www. planeta-animal.org or alternatively, contact Johanna on 699 316 394 or email her at elcamino@planetaanimal.org

Health & Beauty

Be SunSmart this summer

by Heather Jones

As many of us head outside to catch some sun, it is worth bearing in mind that according to new figures from Cancer Research UK, more than two people under 35 in Britain are diagnosed with malignant melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer – each day. The charity’s 2011 SunSmart campaign, launched in April, reveals an alarming tripling in melanoma rates among British 15-34 year olds since the late 70s. Their statistics reveal that during 1977 and 1979, there were around 290 cases of melanoma among this age group. Shockingly, between 2006 and 2008, more than 900 young Britons are being diagnosed with the disease each year – equating to more than two a day. 30 years ago, there were 1.8 cases of melanoma per 100,000 people in this age group. Now there are 5.9 cases per 100,000 and the numbers continue to increase. Latest available figures show that the total number of cases for all ages increased from 10,800 in 2007 to 11,700 in 2008 – a rise of 8.5 per cent. Caroline Cerny, Cancer Research UK’s SunSmart campaign manager, said: “It’s very worrying to see that the number of young adults being diagnosed with this potentially fatal disease has risen so dramatically, especially since cancer is typically a disease that affects older people. “With summer approaching after such a harsh winter, everyone is looking forward to enjoying some sunshine. But it’s more important than ever to be aware of the dangers of getting sunburnt.

“Nor are sun beds a safe alternative to tanning. In fact using a sun bed before the age of 35 can increase your risk of melanoma by 75 percent. “Young women in particular need to take care since they are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with melanoma as young men. The good news is that the majority of cases could be prevented by making sure you don’t get sunburnt.” The rate of young women (15 - 34 year-olds) in Britain being diagnosed with malignant melanoma now is eight women per 100,000 – that’s 607 cases, compared to 3.9 men per 100,000 – 306 cases – for the same age group. More than a quarter of the cases – 256 out of 913 – diagnosed in young adults were women between the ages of 30-34. Lindsey Coane, 27, an architectural assistant from Preston, was diagnosed with malignant melanoma on her leg at just 21 while she was at university in Liverpool. “I used sun beds for six to nine minutes at a time every week for nearly two years while at university. I was really keen to have a tan and used to get sunburnt while on holiday with my friends. I’m convinced that both these things caused my malignant melanoma,” she said. “I’m very lucky that the cancer was caught when it was. But a lot of skin and tissue still needed to be taken out of my leg, cutting through some of my nerves which left my leg partially numb. “I had to learn to walk again and then run. The first event I took part in was Race for Life – it was such a big achievement for me. As far as I’m concerned now, pale skin is interesting. “I am very fair and I only have to be in the sun for a few minutes to burn, which is why it was so silly of me to go on sun beds.”

Health & Beauty

Sara Hiom, director of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: “While some sunshine is good for us, going red and burning can be dangerous. “The most important thing people can do to reduce their chances of developing skin cancer is to make sure they don’t get red or burn. And the best way to do that is to get to know your skin and how long you can safely stay in the sun, and also avoid sun beds. “Sunburn means that UV rays have penetrated the skin cells causing damage which builds up over time and increases the risk of skin cancer. “The explosion in melanoma rates we are seeing now reflects people’s tanning behaviour in the past and the desire to sport a suntan – a trend which began in the 70s with the dawn of cheap package holidays. “But all too often, holiday-makers thought getting sunburnt was part of the process of getting a tan.

“Everyone is different, so know your skin type: if you are fair, freckly, have lots of moles or a family history of skin cancer, then you need to take extra care in the sun. “Our message is clear – enjoy the sun safely and protect yourself from sunburn.” Launched in 2003, SunSmart is the UK’s national skin cancer prevention campaign, commissioned by the Department of Health and run by Cancer Research UK. The campaign provides evidence-based information about skin cancer and sun protection. Melanoma was the seventh most common cancer in 15-34 year olds in Britain 30 years ago. Now, it is the second most common for this age group. For all ages, melanoma is now the sixth most common cancer, so make certain you wear suitable sun protection this summer and be SunSmart. For more details visit www.cancerresearchuk.org

Book Review

Hasta la vista,

Bolton Wanderers!

Four men decide to shake things up with an international road-trip in Los Hombres de Bolton – The men from Bolton. ‘Here we all are. We’re all alright for money, yet here we are hanging around Bolton in the frigging wind and rain and our sole leisure activity is coming in here two or three nights a week, drinking too much then traipsing home to our respective pits.’ ‘So what are you suggesting?’ ‘A road trip. A lads-only, lock up your daughters, high rolling, roller coasting, no holds barred, hit-me-withyour-rhythm-stick road trip. To sunny Spain.’ This is the story of Dave Atkinson, Ian Taylor, Stan Stead and Brian Horrocks, four friends all in their mid40s who embark upon a road-trip around the north of Spain, finally arriving in Madrid. Los Hombres de Bolton documents their journey, as the four meet a number of interesting and amusing characters

including cheeky waiters, a hen party from Yorkshire and a gay Guardia Civil and his long-suffering senior colleague. A traveller’s guide to the north of Spain by someone who really knows it and tells it like it is, with great humour, Los Hombres de Bolton is a work of adult comic fiction which will be enjoyed by those interested in travel writing and humorous fiction. “I wrote the book to entertain whilst extolling the virtues of Northern Spain to the discerning traveller,” says Paul. Paul A Rose has been working in the Spanish construction industry and living in Madrid for more than 20 years. He has travelled in Spain extensively and learned to know the country and its people. He has come to love both with all their quirks and foibles.

To win a copy of Los Hombres de Bolton, simply answer the following question: Who sang ‘Hit me with your rhythm stick?’ Email your answer to us at: competitions@theandalucian.com For postal entries see page 3 for details. Closing date: 27 June 2011. The winner will be announced in the July issue. 20

Girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Talk

Pregnancy, oestrogen and women... a look on the lighter side Should I have a baby after 35? No, 35 children is definitely enough. I'm now two months pregnant but when will my baby move? With any luck, right after he finishes his education.

Oestrogen issues

What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex? Childbirth...

10 ways to know if you have oestrogen issues

My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational... So, what's your question?

2. You're adding chocolate chips to your cheese omelette

My midwife says it's not pain I'll feel during labour, but pressure. Is she right? Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current. When is the best time to get an epidural? Right after you find out you're pregnant. Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room whilst my wife is in labour? Not unless the words 'child maintenance' mean anything to you. Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth? Yes, another pregnancy. Do I have to have a baby shower? Not if you change the baby's nappy very quickly. Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again? When the kid moves out.

1. Everyone around you has an attitude problem

3. The dryer has shrunk every last pair of your jeans 4. Your husband is suddenly agreeing to everything you say 5. You're using your mobile to dial up every sticker you see which says: How's my driving? Callâ&#x20AC;Ś 6. Everyone's head looks like an invitation for batting practice 7. Everyone seems to have just landed here from 'outer space' 8. You're sure that everyone is scheming to drive you crazy 9. The Calpol bottle is empty and you only bought it yesterday 10. Your wine appears to have evaporated every time you open the fridge

Girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Talk

The top 10 count down of things only women understand 10. Cats' facial expressions 9. The need for the same style of shoes in different colours

Why bean sprouts aren't just weeds

Fat clothes

Cutting your hair to make it grow

Eyelash curlers

2. The inaccuracy of every bathroom scale ever made

6. Taking a car trip without trying to beat your best time

And, the number one thing only women understandâ&#x20AC;Ś

5. The difference between magnolia, beige, ecru, cream and off-white

1. Other women

Interesting Facts

Bargain drugs - is your life worth the risk?

by David Shovelton-Fullick

When a bargain sounds just too good to be true, it may well be. As we all know, shopping online has its pitfalls and with more and more counterfeit goods being sold online that are an exact replica of the authentic ones – right down to perfectly-copied packaging – this has never been more true. This sea of counterfeit products does not stop at DVDs and CDs, and when prescription drugs can be sourced online, worryingly the ‘fakes’ can often have a potentially deadly outcome.

and distribution of the fake medication and completely unconcerned about the lives with which they are playing a deadly game.

A look at a well-made website promising you your prescription drugs at a fraction of the cost you would pay on the high street can for some be tempting, but investigators believe around half the drugs sold online are fake and could result in half a million deaths worldwide each year. It is reported that the illegal and counterfeit drugs trade is worth around £18 billion a year – a lucrative source of income for the criminal gangs responsible for the manufacture

Research has found a copious amount of the drugs in circulation are nothing more than placebos, manufactured to be a mirror image of the real thing and will produce no side effects good or bad, but frighteningly, many contain highly toxic substances such as anti-freeze and rat poison and with no way of telling the difference, you really could be putting your life at risk when trying to save the pennies or cents.

The Government has given the go-ahead to internetonly pharmacies in the UK and has promised there will be strict guidelines and restrictions to ensure a professional and safe service. However, in the initial six months of a similar service being active in America, researchers successfully sourced and ordered highly-addictive narcotic painkillers from more than 90 pharmaceutical companies, with more than half neglecting to request prescriptions and four of the companies supplying counterfeit versions of brand-name drugs. In 2010, Interpol conducted an operation in more than 40 countries which resulted in $2.6 million worth of illicit and counterfeit pills being seized. In America, US Pharmacopeia (USP), the standards-setting authority for prescription and over-the-counter medicines, is building up a counterfeit drug database to support regulators and different enforcement agencies around the world. Set for a launch this year, the database will list the names of seized drugs and the location of seizure, as well as the product's description and deficiencies. This will hopefully allow the police not only to track down the criminal gangs involved, but also give the public a wider knowledge of just what is being produced and sold. More recent events on Spanish soil involved the arrest in Marbella of 26 people – including seven British citizens – suspected of leading a network of counterfeit medicine distributors throughout Europe. The arrests made in Madrid, Andalucía and eastern Spain uncovered more than 700,000 doses of suspect medication. Police also discovered a secret laboratory in the attic of a house in Elche, Alicante, where bulk medications were manufactured for resale on the internet. Imported ingredients are suspected to have been shipped from China, India and Turkey through brokers and wholesalers in the UK, Germany and Hungary in order to avoid Spanish customs.

So, there appears to be no guaranteed way of ensuring that the goods you order online are in fact ‘real’ and ‘safe’, so perhaps the safest way to ensure that your health is not compromised is to continue to trust in the knowledge of the professionals and see your doctor or pharmacist. Think twice about ordering that ‘too good to be true’ bargain as it may indeed just be ‘too good to be true’! 27

Sport & Leisure

Classic motoring through Andalucía

by Sol Classic Car Club

If you are interested in classic cars, want to share your interest with other enthusiasts, enjoy exploring the countryside and discovering new places, then take a look at the website www.solclassiccarclub. net! SOL Classic Car Club was started seven years ago by a small group of expats who met at the Streets of London pub in La Cala, run by classic car fan Nick Coombs (hence the SOL in its name, though this could well stand for the Spanish sunshine too!) From small beginnings, the club grew to include different nationalities and a wide variety of motors ranging from the oldest – “Horace,” a 1925 Morris Cowley – to the iconic (E-type Jaguar, Rolls Royce, Porsche 911) and taking in the everyday workhorses (such as the Hillman Minx) as well as the exotic or “special” (such as the celebrated “Beast” with its 27-litre Merlin aero engine).

Today the club has around 180 members,many owning more than one classic. It is officially registered with the Junta and has a Spanish liaison officer on the committee to help members through the oftencomplicated paperwork involved in transferring a cherished classic to Spanish or historic plates. Each month there is a club night for information exchange and classic chat over dinner. The club also holds a range of different events each month – a run in the country to “exercise” the cars, a visit to a place of interest (usually but not always car-oriented), and sometimes participation in a rally or display with other clubs. On some runs, lunch is arranged at a venta or restaurant, and during the summer it is often a picnic or a “bring and share” affair – trying to keep costs down at a time when petrol prices are forever going up. 28

Earlier this year, members put on a charity run in aid of Help for Heroes, the UK-based charity that helps support wounded service personnel and their families. This was a memorable day for all concerned, not only because of the fancy dress worn by many drivers and passengers, but also for the fantastic experience of driving round the Ascari race track near Ronda (albeit rather slower than some of the sports car drivers would have wished!) before lunching at the Molino del Puente hotel.

Last month was different again: a drive in the Sierras de las Nieves up to Casarabonela where there was no snow but the spring flowers and the views were at their most spectacular. This was followed by lunch at the WOK bar in Fuengirola. Some of the routes discovered and used by members making up the runs are little known and provide a welcome surprise for drivers who thought they had been everywhere – take for instance the tiny pueblo blanco of Cartajima, perched in the Alto Genal of the Serrania de Ronda amid orchards of chestnut trees where the cars stopped for coffee on another run. The rest of the year sees a wide selection of events, including a summer “at home” where a drive is followed by a bring and share lunch in a member's garden, an evening run to avoid the August heat, the annual treasure hunt (for an impressive cup)

Sport & Leisure

which is always fiercely contested and several other drives still in the planning stages. This month, on June 18t, the club is collaborating with the Museo Automovilistico in Malaga to take part in a cavalcade and put on a display of cars in the city. Last year, club members enjoyed a private and fascinating visit to this new motor museum, which is housed in the old tobacco factory, followed by lunch at a nearby chiringuito.

Want to know more? Look at the website which is regularly updated, and is soon to feature a blog, or ring 951 244 149 and have a chat. But be warned, you could easily get hooked on classic motoring!

Cars, countryside and congenial company all combine to make the atmosphere a friendly one. Some members are permanent residents in Spain; others come and go at different times of the year. Visitors are always welcome at club nights and events â&#x20AC;&#x201C; some classic car owners coming over on holiday join in for just one day a year to share their hobby with like-minded enthusiasts.

Health & Beauty

Protect and survive this summer

by Dr Wildman-Chard

The sun is back and everyone is feeling happier, more relaxed and looking forward to another Spanish summer. Once again, we shall be bombarded with advice from the 'experts', then confronted and ultimately confused by all the alleged ‘best’ new and often rather expensive sunscreens available to purchase. We all know sun damage ages the skin and can cause skin cancer. So we slap on our creams and put on those designer glasses whilst sipping our sangria, content in the knowledge that our dear little ones will be kept entertained playing in the sand and sea. But how many parents or grandparents are confident in their ability to protect the most vulnerable skins of all – those of their offspring? It cannot be emphasised enough that the younger the skin, the more at risk the child is. Indeed, babies under six months old should never be exposed to direct sunlight. The most worrying aspect of the increased risk of sun to young skin is that the damage may not become evident for a further 20 to 30 years. Just one serious episode of sunburn on a child can triple the chances of skin cancer in later life — even if the skin appears to have completely recovered. Three types of rays are emitted from the sun: UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC kills but luckily for us, it is blocked out by the ozone layer above us. UVB causes the heating effect and visible burning, so acting as a natural limiter to our sun indulgence. But it is the UVA that silently penetrates our deeper cells and causes damage to the very DNA of our basic cellular code.

We can think of our DNA as a pack of cards which deals constantly changing hands. Each change heralds new growth or repair within the body and this goes on all through our lives to maintain homeostasis. Naturally, as any card player knows, mistakes do occur. A card may be dropped, carelessly revealed or just badly played. Such biological mistakes are called mutations and most pass unnoticed on a daily basis. However, the amount of mutations caused by UVA exposure overloads our immune system’s ability to cope. The consequences are fundamental changes to our growth profile that result in what we term 'cancer.' The longer this process has time to prepare itself, the more deadly it may manifest. So the first rule is 'protect the child to survive as the adult.' Also, the use of sun beds is incredibly risky. Although not so popular in Spain, the selected ray presentation of the sun bed ensures no UVB is present to cause visible burning or notable discomfort. But sun bed usage may offer some advantages to those in cold climates who may lack natural sunlight exposure and arguably lack vitamin D, or indeed suffer from S.A.D. syndrome. But please remember, excessive sun bed use can prove to be more dangerous than natural sunlight. To protect your child, ensure you apply a broadspectrum sun cream specifically tailored for younger skins. Other than the obvious benefit of a tailored cream, it is equally important to use a specific treatment as younger skins are more prone to allergic reactions. The factor should be never be less than 15 and applied sparingly around every four hours – reapplying frequently is the key to good protection. Higher factors may not necessarily protect further, and can cause unwanted side effects in some more sensitive skins. It is also important to remember that sun protection is not only washed off by swimming and showering, but is also sweated away. It is imperative that heads and eyes are protected from the sun’s harmful rays. A wide-brimmed sun hat and well-fitting sunglasses must be worn by children as well as adults.

Health & Beauty

Remember too, that some products and substances make us much more vulnerable to the sun’s rays. Alcohol can enhance our risk of allergic reactions as can many common medications – even some over-the-counter products. Children taking asthma, epilepsy or autistic medication may need special care when being exposed to the sun. Please ask their doctor for further information. Finally, make it a family ritual to 'inspect the skin for changes.' Cancer does not stick a white flag up to surrender. Regular attention to detail is the key to health and survival against cancer. If you see anything looking slightly different with your or a family member’s skin, consult your general practitioner immediately. Once a month, make a special time to inspect each other for any new or unusual changes in skin colour, tone, texture or appearance. Also remember, cancer does not always appear where you expect it… check behind the ears, the back of the neck, the head, between the toes, the inner groin area and anywhere else where something unwanted may be lurking. Check every inch of skin.

Do enjoy the sun and the lovely summer we are so lucky to have here in Spain. Bear in mind as well that it is 2011, and many more cancers are now treatable; this is especially true if they are detected early. So the key point is to 'protect and survive' otherwise you may live (or not) to regret it. If you would like to discuss this article, or any have any other questions relating to your skin’s well-being please see full contact details for The WildmanChard Clinic on page 46.

Roaming Andalucía

Los Corrales a rare find

by Wendy Steeden

Los Corrales is one of Andalucia’s smaller, possibly unknown villages. Draped on the edge of the province of Seville, this township has been the source of many an ancient and important find. Remains have been located at two main points: Fuente del Esparto and the Cortijo de Rebola, where richer finds were unearthed. A gentle spring flows near a cave at the latter site and it is here that the archaeological treasures of a Roman fortified village were brought to light along with numerous pieces of pottery and several silver coins called denarii currency — with which the Roman legionnaires of old were once paid. In the opinion of many archaeologists, this area – known as La Cabeza de Repla – may have once been a part of Ilípula Ilípia or Minor, a city mentioned in the itinerary of Antoninus in the 3rd Century AD. During Spain’s Muslim rule, the area was completely deserted, partly due to Los Corrales and her surrounding areas being located on the old border between the domains of both the Arabs and Christians. As a site of many conflicts, this poignant district was considered a most risky place to be. The local villages remained untouched for many years, possibly the reason why no archaeological remains have been found before. However, many finds have been stumbled upon in the wild grasses (esparto) of the region. One such source is the plains of Las Alcaidías, where legend has it that a fortunate farmer found a hoard of silver coins, but being in ignorance of its worth, he traveled along the Camino de Repla to nearby Osuna and exchanged for a simple wristband.

After the conquest and expulsion of Muslims, the people of Los Corrales became subject to constant checks by Osuna’s councillors. They in turn forbade any new settlements or animal grazing in the area. So, as the population grew it was soon deemed necessary to allocate new land to the people and their neighbouring villages to allow the local area to develop and grow. Around 1540, the council divided land from the village of Martin de la Jara and so the border of Los Corrales was changed forever. Many a historian has debated this movement of regional lines and even the origin of the naming of Los Corrales itself. Some link it to the well-stocked cattle pens of the farmers who worked for the powerful Dukes of Osuna, but others claim that the name has derived from the well-attended cattle fairs formerly held in the pastures which now surround the township of today. None of these theories seem very likely, though, as at the time of the dukedom, the majority of the area’s land remained vacant, and most certainly belonged to the Crown and not the dukes. A few decades after the alleged re-assignment of land, the first new inhabitants to Los Corrales were finally permitted to settle. Having the pick of the land, they chose to make their homes on the right-hand side of the creek at La Fuente Mala. This was the

Roaming Andalucía

most appropriate spot of the 278 acres of land to be distributed in the vicinity. A large amount of the grounds available to settlers was to be found on the less fertile left bank of the creek, but as this proved not very suitable for agriculture, it was used for grazing and pens instead. The first houses were built facing the river, and in front of these humble dwellings, the residents built corrals for their livestock. These almost certainly became the first thing people saw upon visiting the village, and this view lent itself to the new name: La Puebla de Los Corrales. Over time, the ‘La Puebla’ was dropped to the village’s current name of Los Corrales.

The calming rural tourism is something to savour, with local riding schools, walks and trails, and many monuments and relics to see. One of the most interesting is a shrine built for the Virgen of Buensuceso – often referred to as the Virgen de Mayo. Legend has us believe that she appeared in the home of a local man. A fiesta is held in her honour every year in May. Strangely, there are two recognised municipalities in Los Corrales. The new - which is the actual town hall – of which there can be only one – and the old, which is where the powers-that-be deal with any official paperwork. Maybe an even stranger sight is the reformed pillar where locals used to wash their clothes. This is now preserved as a monument.

At first, only a dozen or so families established themselves in Los Corrales due to poverty and land spread, and settlement growth in the coming years proved to be quite slow. The village’s history is similar to many smaller towns in Andalucía, with more pain than glory, but now, fortunately, thanks to the effort and work by all Corraleños, they do enjoy more glories than punishments in their lifestyles. Sadly, the traditional farming methods are being overlooked as a more industrial style of agriculture forces a change in the workplace for many locals. The riches of the land are not as bountiful as their forefathers once found. The population has decreased slowly over the years as many younger residents seek employment further afield.

During your visit, do included a trip to las Ruinas de Repla, the ruins of the Roman fortified village, and take a trip to the upper part of the village, where you can see a series of stone blocks which are believed to have come from the remains of a fortified wall or tower that once would have defended any access to Los Corrales. Here, lying on the surface of the ground, there were many bricks, coarse pottery and many other bits of terra sigillata – astringent clay from Lemnos or Samos which was formerly used as a medicine by the Romans – in addition to remnants of ore or cast iron slag, believed to have been from early settlers. Continued on page 34.

Despite this, Los Corrales remains a friendly community with much to offer a visitor. With a relaxed atmosphere throughout its streets, you can feel the rich culture of the place. The casa de cultura, dedicated to the past, is definitely worth a visit. There is a wealth of bars and restaurants to choose from, from open terraces to the covered pavilion – there’s something for all tastes. 33

Roaming Andalucía

For the more active, try the Camino de Repla, often referred to as the Camino Blanco thanks to the white stone from which it is constructed. This meandering stream of white leads from Los Corrales to Osuna and is a true paradise for any walkers, hikers or cyclists, thanks to it being virtually traffic-free.

As with all good Andalucían villages, the church is something of a landmark. The Iglesia Parroquial de Santiago el Mayor (Santiago Apóstol) is the church of St James, and dates from the 18th century. It boasts three naves with a transept, chancel, side chapels and a baptistery, and the font itself dates back to the 17th century. For a small population, the church is a very large building and is even included in the 18th century ‘Collection of temples of Andalucía.’ In this wonderful place of worship is a wall painting of very special interest – a modern piece of work by the artist Juan Montes (1962). This masterpiece covers the entire interior of the temple but standing out among from all the artwork is a true Montes trademark, the High Altar, representing the Holy Spirit visiting the Virgin Mary of the Apostles. If buildings aren’t your thing, there’s a site of natural interest just two kilometres from the pueblo: La Fuente del Esparto. Here is where the relics and significant finds were discovered by the spring. They are quoted in the first chapter acts of the municipal archives of Osuna, and there is reason to believe that

PUZZLE ANSWERS from pages 24 - 25

wuzzles

1. Scatter Brain 2. Daybreak 3. All Things Being Equal 4. Laptop Computer 5. 40 Days and 40 Nights 6. All Hands on Deck

ODD ONE OUT? Answer: 93

In all the other numbers the two digits total nine.

Roaming AndalucĂa

the spring would even have been used by Neolithic civilisations. It is here that fossilised remains of animals and oaks have been found, confirming that the entire area remained under the sea for thousands of years during the Middle Paleolithic Tertiary period, from125000 to 40000 BC.

With her rolling landscapes unscathed by radical industry and unspoilt by raging tourism, Los Corrales remains a rare find: where Spain really is Spain and rural traditions have not been lost to the changing times.

As much as Los Corrales is a quiet and tranquil little place, it is by no means to be underestimated for the richness and wealth it can offer. If you fancy a weekend away exploring the historic modern-day settlement, or maybe a stroll along the Camino, why not stay at the local hostel, Villa Cabreros.

For more information or to contact Peter at Villa Cabreros see the advert below.

Law & Order

Preventing the perfect crime

by De Cotta McKenna y Santafé

Most of us in Spain turn to a lawyer for life’s more familiar issues, such as buying or selling a property; making a claim for an injury; drafting a will or managing the estate of a loved one during probate. Although De Cotta Law is well positioned to help in all these matters and more, the firm is also highly acclaimed in the area of criminal law. Criminal law encompasses a broad range of matters and De Cotta Law is able to assist you and your loved ones with them all, including: representation of the victims of crime and the relatives of victims; resolution of drink-driving prosecutions; domestic violence; victims of fraud and documentary falsifications; insolvency and even extradition issues. De Cotta Law has two of the region’s leading criminal lawyers, including Javier Florido, based in the Coín office, and Francisco Javier Martín Martín, based in Nerja. Recent successfully resolved cases have included: Urban corruption – successfully defending a British citizen accused of involvement in a corruption syndicate.

Fraud – we successfully represented a British citizen who had paid a construction company to build his home, only to have to demolish the property later, due to poor quality building practices. The client won compensation and the builder was fined and imprisoned. Murder – we represented the family of an Englishwoman murdered by her partner here in Spain. The defendant was sentenced to 18 years in prison and the family received 180,000 euros in compensation. Although these types of criminality do not touch many of our lives, when they do, an experienced lawyer is essential. To find out more, contact an English lawyer at De Cotta law or one of our Englishspeaking criminal lawyers: Javier Florido Javier graduated in Law from the University of Malaga in 1991, and has been a member of Malaga’s illustrious College of Lawyers since 1995. With a broad range of legal experience, developed through his time at one of Malaga’s best known law firms, Javier specialises in criminal, civil and commercial litigation. When not working, Javier is very much a family man and enjoys time with his wife and children. He has a passion for classic movies, and is a keen coin and antique collector. Francisco Javier Martín Martín Francisco studied law at the Universities of Malaga and Granada before gaining valuable expertise in one of the region’s well-known law firms. He also spent a year with a law firm in Exeter, UK, to gain a genuine insight and understanding of English law. With De Cotta law, Francisco is based at our Nerja office and specialises in criminal law and property law. If you wish more information on this particular topic, or would like to discuss any matter raised in this article, contact Sandra Wrightson or Javier Florido on 952 527 014. For full contact details for De Cotta McKenna y Santafé see their advert on page 9.

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 The CHAIN Lunch Club will be holding its next meeting on Thursday 16 June, 1.30 pm at Aguamania, Cartama. The speaker will be Jenny who will be staging a Gardeners’ Question Time. Tickets are 8€ and include a buffet lunch. They can be obtained from the CHAIN shop in La Trocha or ring Denise on 952 453 829.

Lifestyle

Wash away the bug

by Steve Rivers

Yet another news flash with the dreaded news that E coli is once more on a rampage throughout Europe, but what is it and how can you take preventative measures against this bacterial infection? People suffering from E coli develop haemorrhagic colitis, which is an acute disease causing severe stomach pain and diarrhoea, among other symptoms. Reports show that the recent strain is a mutant type. The more common form of E coli or Escherichia coli is O157:H7. This is one of the many bacteria normally found in the intestines of animals â&#x20AC;&#x201C; including humans â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and is excreted in bowel movements. The last time E coli made headlines it was with this particular strain (O157) which is not normally found in the human intestine, but does pose significant risks to those who become infected by it. The bacterium can be found in the stools of cattle, especially during summer months. Unlike other milder strains of E coli, the toxin produced by E coli O157 damages the intestinal lining and this is what causes haemorrhagic colitis. As well as stomach pain and diarrhoea which progresses from watery to bloody, sufferers experience occasional vomiting and, when the disease is at its worst, kidney failure. The mutant virus of the moment is a more deadly relation and can lead to the loss of life, with kidney failure being the main culprit. A high fever typically accompanies these symptoms in other infections, but it is surprisingly absent in many cases of E coli. The illness usually runs its course in about eight days. Children are especially susceptible to E coli O157 complications.

E coli is usually spread through water or food that is directly or indirectly contaminated with animal (usually cattle) faeces. Unwashed fruits or vegetables, undercooked beef (especially minced beef) and unpasteurised milk are frequent vehicles for the bacterium. It can also spread person to person when people don't wash their hands often enough, and through swimming in contaminated water. Who's at risk? Anyone can become infected, but the most serious complications develop in children younger than five and in the elderly or infirm. In these groups, the infection can lead to haemolytic uremic syndrome, a complication which causes the kidneys to fail. Preventative measures Although undercooked hamburgers have often been implicated in E coli O157 outbreaks, other foods have also been blamed, including alfalfa sprouts, cheese curds, unpasteurised fruit juices, dry-cured salami, lettuce and game meat. However, with the recent news of cucumbers and even tomatoes possibly being at fault, any food product eaten raw or contaminated by raw meat could be infected. Outbreaks have also occurred through direct exposure to animals in petting zoos â&#x20AC;&#x201C; cleanliness is a must.

But before you start investing in high-power microscopes to examine all the food that comes into your kitchen, keep in mind that you can significantly cut your risk of E coli or other infection by taking a few simple precautions: 38

Lifestyle Soap up Washing your hands thoroughly and frequently helps protect you from contracting E coli from infected people who may unknowingly share the bacteria. Good hand washing is especially important between family members in households where nappies are changed and toddlers need assistance after using the bathroom. If you visit a petting zoo or similar with kids this summer, be sure they look but don't touch and practice good hand washing.

Choose pasteurised products Avoid drinking raw (unpasteurised) milk. If E coli bacteria are present on a cow's udder or on milking equipment, the bacteria could pass into raw milk supplies. Unpasteurised fruit and vegetable juices also could be contaminated with E coli O157.

Thoroughly cook minced beef This is a particular risk because meat from many different cows is often mixed together by the tonne, and it only takes a small amount of E coli to spoil a whole batch. Contaminated meat won't look, smell or taste odd. To be on the safe side, you can use a meat thermometer to ensure it is cooked to at least 160° Fahrenheit throughout, but let’s be realistic – we do not all possess a thermometer or have the time… and what do you do at a restaurant? If eating out, don't hesitate to send back a pink hamburger or other minced dish and ask for a new plate and bun, too. But at home, just use your common sense and cook meat thoroughly.

Run some water You should wash all raw fruit and vegetables thoroughly before eating them, but think twice about consuming even washed alfalfa sprouts. Reports have shown that the very young, the elderly and the immuno-compromised should not eat them at all because of their tendency to harbour E coli O157. Remember, many infections — especially the food poisoning types – can be kept at bay with good hygiene and common sense. However, if you do experience severe stomach pains or diarrhoea, please do not hesitate to consult your doctor – it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Clean up after raw meat Wash all surfaces, counters, utensils and cutting boards used during the preparation of raw meats, and be sure to keep raw meat separate from other ingredients. We all do this for poultry after the salmonella scares, but you must take just as much care with raw meat. 39

Trade Talk

A New Day has dawned in Pedrera

by Maria Bradford

It was four years ago when Keith and I moved here to Spain, bringing with us our beloved 12 year old dog who was battling cancer at the time. We had already taken the heart-breaking decision that when the sad time came to say goodbye to our old girl, we would not get another dog. So having plumped for a respectable sized townhouse with not too much outdoor space, we happily started our new life in Andalucía. However, things didn’t quite go to plan. In August last year, not only was our remarkable 12 year old now 16, but along the way we had accumulated another 11 dogs — and that was not counting the three we had already helped to re-home. Our oncecomfortable home in Estepa was by now bursting at the seams. And with that number of dogs, and at times their endless barking, our poor neighbours – most understandably – were not the happiest of people. Something had to give.

It was at this time that Jane and Alan Brian, owners of Pepi's Dog Refuge located in Pedrera, kindly offered us a piece of their land, allowing us to keep our dogs there in return for some help caring for their many inmates at their own refuge. With the thought of campo living, and the ability to let our pack of four-legged friends roam more freely and of course, give our long-suffering neighbours the peace they so rightly deserved, we leapt at the chance to move. We soon invested in an old yet comfy motor home — which we duly moved on to the grounds of Pepi's. Soon the fencing was going up, kennels were being built and we started to transfer most of our dogs to their new surroundings.

Trade Talk

Keith and I spent the next seven months in Pedrera, but over this time not only had our own dog numbers increased, but so had Jane and Alan’s. So we decided it had become time to move on and gain a bit more space for all concerned. We were fortunate enough to be offered a small parcel of land not far from Pepi’s. As a result, the motor home was on the move again, yet more fencing was erected, and finally on April 5 this year we moved our dogs to their new home. During the two months we have been here we have already taken in a further six dogs, and now desperately need to get more pens built for them. If you think you – or anybody you know – could help us or has any materials for donation, please get in touch. We especially need old fencing, poles, sheets of tin, kennels plus anything we could use for shading. It would be greatly appreciated and enable us to make the dogs more comfortable during their stay with us at the aptly named New Day Spain dog refuge.

Of course one of the main tasks we – and all other refuges – face is finding these often-abandoned and mistreated animals a new home. If you are looking to get a dog or pup, please do call us for a chat or visit. For more information or if you can help the New Day Spain dog refuge in any way, please contact either Maria on 667 94 76 71 or alternatively, Keith on 687 05 57 12.

Historic Spain

Flamenco the Golden Age

by Steve Rivers

During the period 1869 – 1910, Andalucía was in the grip of the ‘golden age’ of flamenco. This mesmerising and often flirtatious art form developed rapidly in the new meeting places of the day – cafés cantantes (singing cafes) – offering performances to the general public for a low-priced entry ticket. The dance and dancers soon became a popular attraction to see. Singers became the idols of the day and the accompanying guitar players also gained fame. And so flamenco, as a serious and respectable art, was born. Early flamenco commentators claimed that this period was the start of the commercial debasement of flamenco. The traditional flamenco fiestas, often consisting of fewer than 20 people, were spontaneous; there was no telling when they would begin or end, if the artistes invited would even turn up, or at what hour they would perform. But this was to all change with the arrival of the café cantante. This expanding café culture was a lot more organised and offered set performances at set hours in addition to showcasing top artistes. For some, this was crass commercialism, while for others it stimulated creativity and competence. In fact, most flamenco forms now considered traditional were created or developed during this café cantante phase or have been attributed to singers of the period. In the 19th century, the romance of flamenco seized the middle class imagination of Europe. Composers across the continent wrote musical scores and operas to what they thought were

flamenco themes, which they invariably associated with the Spanish gypsy community: gitanos. Seeing a flamenco show became – and remains – an essential part of any trip to Spain, even in regions outside Andalucía. One of the most famous singers and contributors of this time was Silverio Franconetti. Sevillianborn in 1831, Silverio soon became a leading figure in this golden age. He increased the level of professionalism, and also assisted in shifting the dance and culture from the previous private gatherings and taverns towards more commercial venues. Franconetti spent his childhood in Morón de la Frontera, and it was here that he trained as a tailor but it was a musical calling which inspired him to change his course in life. Listening to the local gitano families, he soon learned the traditional gypsy flamenco lyrics and was encouraged to join in by the popular singer, El Fillo. Silverio was deeply influenced by El Fillo and his people and so, deciding to follow his passion for song rather than seams, he abandoned his life as a tailor and ventured down the path of a performer. He travelled from Seville to Madrid and at the age of 25, his music took him to Montevideo in Uruguay. To supplement his meagre earnings, he worked as a picador but eight years on, the music of Southern Spain was calling him home once more. Upon his return in 1864, Silverio formed a professional partnership with the equally talented and business-minded Manuel "El Burrero" and it wasn’t long before they opened a café cantante El Burrero. However, their differences soon caused cracks in the partnership: while Manuel prioritised business, for Silverio it was always only the artistic quality which mattered. They parted company, and Silverio went on to open the Café de Silverio, where he invited the most outstanding figures of flamenco of his generation. He performed regularly himself, and his café gave

Historic Spain

a definite inspiration to the cafes cantante trend. Within a few years, numerous similar establishments could be found throughout Andalucía, and they soon spread nationwide. Although he was not the creator of the café cantante, Silverio was the first café owner who tried to dignify these venues. Antonio Chacón, from Jerez de la Frontera in Cádiz province, was a regular singer at Cafe de Silverio. Chacón began earning a living by performing flamenco around 1884. He toured with his two friends, the Molina brothers — dancer Antonio Molina, and guitarist Javier. Chacon was famed for his skill in singing the fashionable cartagenera, malagueñas, granaína and media granaína, which earned him the popular title of "Don." Proving highly popular, he was quickly hired by the Sevillian Café de Silverio. According to critics of the day, Fernando el de Triana, Chacon was so accomplished that all the most successful cantadores (singers) performing with him renounced their right of seniority and allowed Chacón

to perform last, because the audience would simply leave when he finished. Had they not preceded him, they would have been performing to an empty hall. Together with Franconetti and Chacón, Enrique Jiménez Fernández — known as Enrique el Mellizo – was possibly the most influential singer in the birth and development of the Cádiz flamenco style. Born in Cádiz, the son of the local slaughterman, Antonio Jiménez, Enrique inherited his father’s nickname — Mellizo (twin), despite having no twin of his own. He also inherited his father's profession, and performed only occasionally in the local cafés, refusing to become a professional. He never travelled out of his native town. Nevertheless, his fame grew in Andalucía, and singers from other towns travelled to Cádiz to hear him.

Historic Spain

According to some testimonies, Enrique had a deep and moody character. Although he was normally a sociable character, his life took a turn for the worse and he slipped into deep depression. He become a very solitary individual and died at 58 of tuberculosis. Although some flamenco recordings had already been done at the time of his death, he never went into a recording studio. His styles, though, were preserved by other singers – mainly from Cádiz – who knew them directly or indirectly. His legacy has been kept alive by many singers throughout the years and continues to be so even today.

The main creation of El Mellizo was his malagueña, totally innovative at the time. According to tradition, Enrique created the malagueña style after a love disappointment after which he fell into one of his periods of solitary wandering and depression. During that time, he went into a church and was inspired by a priest singing the preface to the Catholic mass. In remembrance of this, the preface is sometimes sung nowadays as an introduction to his malagueña. The style certainly bears some resemblance to a liturgic chant.

According to the opinion of critics, it was Enrique el Mellizo who first sang the malagueña as a cante libre, that is, without a definite rhythmic pattern. His popularisation of flamenco through the café cantante was first objected to by renowned folklorist Demófilo. According to Demófilo, the spreading of cafés cantante would sooner or later debase the nature of the genre in spite of Silverio's intention to keep it pure – others agreed. In 1963, critics Molina and Mairena wrote: "The cafés cantantes will kill the gypsy singing style in the near future, in spite of the giant efforts of the Sevillian singer to rescue it from the obscure sphere where it lived and which it should never have left if it were to be kept pure and authentic. When the gypsy genre went from the tavern to the café, it received Andalucían influences, and became what everybody now calls flamenco. Silverio has created the flamenco genre, a mixture of gypsy and Andalucían elements. As flamenco gains a wider public, the purity of gypsy singing has been weakened – this is a fact we have to acknowledge and mourn. To make singing palatable for the masses, El Mellizo has sweetened the elementary harshness of the abrupt songs of old, softening the tragedy of the naked gypsy scream into brilliant dramatic melody.” The debate continues as to whether these trends have killed the art form which led to such a golden age. However, many more faithfully attribute Silverio as the founder of flamenco as we know it today. He accomplished precisely what he set out to do: dignify flamenco singing by rescuing it from brothels and taverns and present it with the true dignity, respect and artistic level this most wonderful and moving wave of sweet sounds, beats and nostalgic movement deserves.

Celeb Chat

Taking it all in their stride

by Jo Shovelton-Fullick

Since their appearance on The X Factor in 2010, things have certainly gone from strength to strength for the harmonious four-piece — The Reason 4. The former ‘easy on the eye’ tradesmen and long-term best friends Scott, Glenn, Nathan and Marc wowed the X Factor judges with their unique take on Cheryl Cole’s ‘Fight For This Love’ and since leaving the show, they have signed a major publishing deal with Sony ATV. With their debut single soon due for release in August, followed by the greatly-anticipated debut album later this year, the boys’ dreams of being able to sing for a living now appear to be within touching distance. The boys took a short break from their busy studio schedule to chat to me about their whirlwind of a year. Jo: After being told by Simon Cowell that you hadn't made the selection at the judges’ houses, did you feel it was the end of the musical road for you all?

Marc: At first we felt like packing it in and going back to work —all except me! It was a huge blow to us because we felt that we should have made the live finals. When we got back home from Spain, we realised how well-received we had been by the public, and decided to ‘Take it all’ [incidentally also the name of the debut single] and pursue our musical dreams. Jo: Tell me about events following your appearance on X Factor. How has life changed for you since the programme? Scott: Since leaving X-Factor we found great management – Upside UK – and started gigging around the UK. As a sideline to the gigs, we started to find our creative feet, which led to us securing our first-ever publishing deal with SONY ATV in December last year. Jo: Many were very pleased to see you recently bare all on the cover of GT magazine. How was the experience? Nate: We were all very nervous, because it was our first-ever cover shoot and it was NAKED! We didn't know what to expect but we soon got into the swing of things – no pun intended! – and really enjoyed the shoot. It wasn't long before we all felt comfortable ‘hanging out together’ naked. Jo: Who is the most heavily tattooed among the guys and do you have a favoured tattoo artist? Glenn: It’s a close one between me and Nate, but Scott's not too far behind as he tries to copy me all the time! We are all quite heavily inked and more tattoos are definitely on the horizon. My favourite tattoo artists are Tim Hendrix and Bob Tyrell, not forgetting the great team at BJ's Tattoos who have done my artwork so far. Jo: You appeared on X Factor as The Reason and are now known as The Reason 4, so what’s the story behind the name change?

Celeb Chat

Marc: The Reason 4… another pun… for the name change is very simple. There is another group signed to a major label with the name The Reason. So, for legal reasons we had to change the band name, but we wanted to keep as close to the original name as we could. Now you have The Reason 4 – ‘The Reason 4’! Jo: Last month, I spoke with the acclaimed songwriter and record producer Eliot Kennedy. Rumour has it you are working in the studio with him, so how did this union come about? Scott: We would like to confirm that the rumours are true. We are currently working on our debut album with Eliot Kennedy and his awesome team at The Steelworks, in Sheffield. This all came about as Eliot is also signed to SONY ATV, and was sent some demos of our music which he liked, and he got in touch with us to work with him. We got on so well with Eliot and his team that he wanted to produce our album.

Jo: Will a tour be on the cards soon? The Band: We are on a support tour now with Peter Andre, but we all hope that this time next year, we will be headlining our own tour. Jo: Having had such an exciting 12 months, do you have any words of wisdom to share with our readers? The Band (singing): Don't stop ever believing, keep on dreaming, got to be strong and take the fall. Hold onto the feeling, path we’re leading, this is your chance to take it all. This plugging is great… hope you enjoyed the chorus!

Jo: How is the album progressing and do you have a release date yet? Nate: The album is almost complete now and will be out towards the end of 2011. We can’t wait for you all to hear it. Jo: I can’t either, if the free music download you’re offering is anything to go by… how did that come about? Glenn: Well, we are currently giving away the free music download on our website www.thereason4. com as a thank-you to all our fans for their overwhelming support. Go to the website to get your free copy now and catch up on all our latest news.

Jo: Thanks lads and good luck for the future, oh and say hi to Peter Andre for me!

Food Focus

Can you see the benefits of carrots?

by Heather Jones

Many may think it sounds like a myth, but carrots really can help your eyesight, thanks to the betacarotene this healthy veg contains. It is this which gives carrots their orange colour and also their name. Carrots contain vitamin A in large quantities too. Owing to the usefulness of this orange root, it has been considered one of the top salad requirements in its raw form as well as a cooked accompaniment. They are just as nutritious cooked, by the way! Drinking carrot juice can help to remove indigestible fibre. Being rich in minerals, the juice is also known to be very useful for your skin. Carrot seed oil is another way of treating your skin. The presence of beta carotene and vitamin A helps to keep your skin alive. It maintains the skin’s elasticity — we all know skin tends to sag at some point or another, however good our diet may be.

Carrot oil is often used in many skin care products as it protects both sun-damaged and wrinkled skin, keeping our complexions firmer and more radiant thanks to these great anti-ageing properties. If mixed with any of the other base oils available, carrot oil can cure dry skin problems and rejuvenate the basal layer.

The presence of carotenoids assist in reducing damage from UV rays, and this can help protect you from skin cancer. They also provide a natural tanning boost to your skin when applied, but too much betacarotene will make you turn orange! Many of the selftanning injections, which are banned in the UK but remain available on the internet, will turn you orange from the inside out – there is currently not enough medical research or clinical trials on these injections, so stick to the tan-in-a-tube if you must fake it. Of course, one of the best parts about nature is that it allows nothing to go to waste. The humble carrot is no exception to this rule. It is a versatile little veg – diced, sliced, chopped and mashed, juice or oil – it is all there to benefit our health.

Skin care remedies Grate one carrot and mix it with a spoonful of honey (tempting – but don’t eat it!) Apply this mixture to your face and leave it for 15 minutes. By using twice a week, you will soon see the softening yet tightening benefits for yourself. To fade away any blemishes, dab carrot juice to the affected area as often as required. If used regularly, the blemishes will soon diminish. For a face mask, all you need are raw carrots and lemon juice. Grate the carrot and add some lemon juice – only a few drops per carrot – then apply this mixture to your face and neck; don’t apply near your eyes. You can do the same with cooked carrots by blending them and adding 5 tbsp honey or natural yogurt. Apply it and leave it for 15-20 minutes. Simply wash either mask off with water and dab dry.

Food Focus

The carrot has still more to give… what's your most favourite cake in the entire world?

Method 1. Heat the oven to 180°C (gas mark 4) and line two 20cm sandwich tins

Cheesecake? Pavlova? Sponge? Chocolate?

2. Peel and grate the carrot and set to one side

Well, what about carrot cake?

3. Drain the pineapple thoroughly 4. Mix the flour, bicarbonate, mixed spice and dark brown sugar in a bowl then, ideally using an electric mixer, add in the oil and eggs until combined

So what makes carrot cake so unbelievably wonderful? Well firstly it's the only cake that's good for you. OK, that's a little lie but hey, it has carrot in so at least it gives you one of your five a day — and that has to be at least a little bit good for you! Then you've got the delicious nuts, the creamy icing and inner-layer, the soft, moist sponge and of course that optional little kick of cinnamon to top it all off. Hungry yet? Then why not try our quick carrot cake recipe.

5. Stir in the grated carrots, pineapple and chopped walnuts

Ingredients 180g carrots 75g tin pineapple chunks 80g soft dark brown sugar 75g walnuts, chopped plus 50g whole for on top 300g cream cheese 60g icing sugar Juice of half an orange 200g self-raising flour 1tsp bicarbonate of soda 1tsp mixed spice 150ml mild olive oil 2 medium organic free-range eggs 1tsp vanilla extract

8. To make the creamy icing, beat the cream cheese and icing sugar together with the orange juice and vanilla extract

6. Pour into the tins and bake for 20 minutes. Test that the cakes are done by inserting a skewer into the centre – if it comes out clean, the cakes are ready 7. Remove from the tins and leave to cool on a wire rack

9. Once the cakes have cooled, spread half the icing over one of the cakes 10. Place the other cake on top, then ice with the remaining icing and decorate with walnuts Enjoy!

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