J OURNAL
January ~ 2013
THE
Águilas - Lorca - Totana - Condado - Alhama - Camposol - Fuente Alamo - Pto de Mazarrón - Cartagena
Happy new year
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JOURNAL
THE Dear Reader,
I like to wish you a warm and happy welcome to the January 2013 edition of “The Journal”! I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and New Year. Mine was as expected, an early rise followed frenzied present opening by an overexcited child! As Christmas should be, it was a fantastic time made even better by the chance to see all of our family over from the UK. We ate too many Mince Pies, too much Turkey, plenty of wine and a great time was had by everybody. Thankfully I can give my over indulged body a rest now until next year! Now that the festivities are over and things are now getting back to normal (well maybe after the 3 kings) we can start to look to the year ahead and reflect on the year gone past. For us here at the Journal last year was a good one. As always we endeavored to make the magazine a little bit better each month. Throughout the year we received some great feedback from our readers about what we were doing right, and what we could do better. Where appropriate we acted upon that advice and the result is the magazine you are reading today. Its bigger than before, we added a whopping 16 pages over the last year, we publish more copies than before and also we distribute further and wider than ever. Our readers tell us it’s a great magazine to read and our clients tell us that they get excellent results from their advertising. This winning formula could not be possible without the contributions of our intrepid report Rod Sawyer, our lovely Welsh Columnist Dawn Llewellyn Price and of course the King of Design himself Danny McCarthy from Insignia Graphics. Thank you to our advertisers, thank you to the team here at The Journal and thank you to you, our readers for making 2012 such a successful year. We have lots planned for 2013 so please keep picking up your free copy of “The Journal” We hope you enjoy this months magazine.
Enjoy the Camposol District Journal like never before!
Staff GENERAL MANAGER Robert Rutherford robbiedistrictjournal@hotmail.com 664 287 099 NEWS Rod Sawyer rodsawyer41@hotmail.com 618 553 786 FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION Gemma Barnes ART WORK Danny McCarthy Insignia Graphics 618 615 903
CONTACT DETAILS
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968 103 008
CONTRIBUTORS Dawn Llewellyn-Price John Brown Fiona Killick Cassandra Shirley Ann Fisher CORRESPONDENCE CAN BE LEFT IN Box 378 Best Wishes on Camposol or at the Business Centre Sector A
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2013
Pharmacy Opens on Camposol The Medical Centre is now complemented by a new farmacia. Based in the Camposol Business Centre, it is just round the corner from the Centre. It opens onto the street with its own separate entrance. Opening hours are not totally established but weekdays it will be open mornings until 2.30pm and then again at 5.00 until 7.30pm. It will open Saturday mornings. It is still not known whether it will be part of the emergency openings on a Sunday. It opened on the 21st November. The inspector was supposed to arrive by 10AM but was delayed for the final inspection. Prospective customers arrived as well as guests, but by 11.30, the farmacia was open and serving customers. Ironically the first customers were from
country Club. They expressed great satisfaction at not having to trail into Mazarron for their prescriptions. Many on Camposol have been very grateful for the efforts of the farmacia
needed facility on Camposol and their pleasure to be at the opening” Other visitors included the Lions, the Sector A Homeowners, Luis Canovas owner of the Business Centre, and various businesses associated with the Centre, Nathalia, the chiropodist for example. The Business Centre now houses in addition to the farmacia other medical facilities, Nathalia the chiropodist, the dentists. With the Medical Centre just round the corner, Camposol has a concentration of medical resources on sector A. Rod Sawyer
Fete for Sector A? A group has met to talk about the possibility of running a fete on Sector A, Los Palacios. They do not in any way want to compete with the existing fiesta but feel that the fiesta concentrates everything on Sector B commercial centre, leaving the commercial sector on A a ghost town for the weekend. The fiesta did in fact start life on Sector A and with the demise of the car park on B, there will certainly be some constraints.. The group, headed up by Simon Wilkes of the Vista bar, and chaired by Dave Grant want to run a community fete in mid September. They want it to last either from Friday Night to Saturday night or all day Saturday and Saturday night. They do wish the fiesta on B every success and hope that a good relationship can be established between the groups. An open meeting for anyone interested in helping establish the summer fete will be held at the Vista bar at 5pm on Wednesday January 9th.
FAST Christmas Fayre
at Pareton to meet Camposol’s needs but time moves on. The opening as attended by various officials, including Don Prudencio Rosiques Robles, who is president of the Colegio Official de Farmaceuticos de la Region de Murcia, and Don Jose Gomez Garcia, who is the Councilor responsible for all foreign residents in Mazarron, el Consjedo Delagado de Atencion de los Residentias Extrajeneros en Mazarron. Both reiterated “their delight at the opening of a much
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The FAST Christmas Fayre held on the 10th of November can only be hailed as an outstanding success raising over €4600, and this figure was further increased by €500 as the result of a donation given by an individual who wishes to remain anonymous. This success can attributed to the many different stages leading up to the day itself; from selecting the date to hold the fayre, through the organisation of booking the venue, getting stall holders, arranging manpower to set up and take down on the day etc.etc. The FAST Support Team and their stalwart efforts organising and securing prizes for the FAST Prize Draw
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and selling tickets whatever the weather and making the draw a sell out. The Members of FAST would like to thank all those who helped to make the Christmas Fayre such a resounding success, the stall holders with their wonderful array of goodies on display, the residents and visitors who attended the fayre, gave their support and all those individuals who donated to the Draw and Tombola stall. And finally to those businesses who also gave so generously and contributed to the Prize Draw. A big thank you to Tina & Wayne of The Steak-Out for suffering in silence, the FAST Prize Draw ticket sellers outside their bar/restaurant for 9 weeks. To Mariano’s for the venue: Euronics for supplying the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes in the draw + €50 donation to FAST Vouchers from: Quality Inn Fushia Vista Bar X 2 - Cats Bar TJ’s Branded Dental Care B sector Healthy H2O Just Fabulous X 3 – A Hogg - Puncture Safe Leg’s & Co Fereteria Annette Ryder - Tarot Reading Yorkshire Linen Tropic Ana X 2 - Beauty Palace Kelly – Cut & Blow Dry Ocean Bar FAST – Making Camposol Safer For All FAST – Camposol (First Aid Support Team Registered M3035763 (2) FAST - Registered Charity Number G30863658 FAST and its Members wish to thank all those who have supported our charity over the past year and we Wish you all a Happy and Healthy Festive Season
Reader Letter of the Month Your ‘reporter’, Rod Sawyer, states on page 11 that ‘if Scotland sever ties with the UK, it would also sever ties with the EEC’. This is blatant, racist nonsense as Scotland’s position with in the EU, (it hasn’t been called the EEC since the 90s), is yet to be determined. If Scotland
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had to re-apply to the EU, then the rest of the UK would have to do the same as it is the present UK which is the entity. It is unlikely that the EU would not want as a member, a country with 60% of the possible renewable energy in Europe and one, that still has enormous oil reserves. He then goes on to say that Scots living in Spain would lose their health care, find travel more troublesome, and their tax affairs more complex! It has never stopped people from Switzerland or Norway getting affiliated rights to health care in the EU, despite the fact that they are not members. I did not expect to come to Spain, to read political propaganda in a local magazine and I am surprised that you, as I believe a Scotsman, published this. Please restrict Mr Sawyer to reporting on donkey charities.
WINTER SALE
Starts Monday 7th January Hundreds of items reduced to bargain prices. QUILT SETS FROM 5€ BEDSPREADS FROM 20€ THROWS FROM 5€ DUVETS FROM 15€ ELECTRIC BLANKETS FROM 22€
HANDTOWELS FROM 2.50€ BATH TOWELS FROM 5.00€ BATH SHEETS FROM 7.50€ BATHROBES FROM 12€ BATHMATS FROM 4€
John MacDonald Editors Note: Here at The Journal we let Rod write about whatever he thinks is at the forefront of public interest. The subject of Scottish independence is one that has polarized opinion not just in Scotland but across Europe. If it’s a topic that will give our readers something to discuss then normally we will include it. Expect to read more on the subject. If I can drag Rod away from those donkeys…
PILLOWCASE PAIRS FROM 4€ FITTED SHEETS FROM 7.50€ FLAT SHEETS FROM 10€ PILLOW PAIRS FROM 14€ MATTRESS PROTECTORS FROM 9.50€
Cloud Nine Drama
Rehearsals are now in full swing for our Panto. Our pleas for younger members have been answered and we are delighted to welcome two beautiful young ladies, Olivia and Cati, to our midst. You all know the story of Dick Whittington and his Cat but our version has a few surprises. During Dick’s journey to London to seek his fortune, he meets some well-known characters Olivia and Cati such as Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Goldilocks and Snow White. Surprise! Surprise! Well, that’s what Panto is all about isn’t it? (Oh yes it is!). The venues and dates of the performances are: 26th and 27th January 2013 in La Molata Social Centre, nr. Los Muñoces (near Camposol) For more information contact: Pat Hunt 644400123/patsy.hunt@gmail.com www.cloudninedramagroupmurcia.com
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VOILE PANELS FROM 5€ CURTAIN PAIRS FROM 20€ TIEBACKS FROM 2€ CUSHION COVERS FROM 2€ COMPLETE CUSHIONS FROM 5€
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Centro Comercial La Piramide, Puerto de Mazarron Monday to Friday 10:00 to 18:00 Saturday 10:00 to 14:00 968 595 946 or 650 857 619 ylc@mazarronmail.com www.yorkshirelinen.com
Deacon Ordained at St Nicholas Church Bill Coyle was ordained as a deacon at a service at St Nicholas Church on Sunday November. The service itself was both uplifting and hopeful. Bill himself
sees it as the start of his journey in the service of God. “I didn’t plan it; I became interested and over the year got more and more drawn in. A lot of little
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things told me I was going in the right direction. Bill’s ordination as a Deacon makes him a fundamental part of the church, and holding an office which goes right back to the beginning of the church. The term itself comes from the Greek, diakonos, which translates as servant, waiting man, minister or messenger. The first deacons were the seven associated with the start of charitable works by the Church, amongst them Stephen. In some Churches, as with St Nicholas, the deacons are ordained from the laity, in others it is a clerical office. There are female as well as male deacons, some females, as with the Revd Maureen at St Nicholas, are simply part of the ranks of the deacons; in others there are separate orders of deaconesses.
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Both Thomas Beckett and Reginald Pole were originally Deacons. Deacons can be expected to play a leadership role in a congregation, be teachers, and play some kind of pastoral role. They can also play a key role in the celebration of mass, of any holy service in Church. Bill himself was born in South Africa, his mother South African, his father a serving matelot in the royal Navy. He only spent the first eleven months of his life in South Africa, coming back to the UK with his parents and growing up in Burnley. He joined the army and became an NCO, a Corporal, before leaving the army for the Hampshire Police, where he spent his working time in North Hampshire, the Farnborough area. He and his wife Eleanor came to Spain in the November of 2001. They rented in the area before settling in Leiva where they now live. He is looking forward to “serving the congregation of St Nicholas and helping with the ministry” Rod sawyer
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CAMPOSOL FIESTA 2013….. THE BALL IS ROLLING!!! The Committee for the Official Camposol Fiesta 2013 is now in place and is already busy fundraising and making preparations for the big event next June. Speaking after the Committee Meeting at the Business Centre, Camposol, Chairperson Michelle Moston said: “Although we are a brand new committee, we are enjoying the challenge and we are learning together. Between us we have a wealth of skills and experience and more importantly unlimited enthusiasm to make next year’s Fiesta a roaring success. “We have still not been able to confirm the date with the Council, but we are working hard to gain sponsorship from local businesses and organise fund raising events and activities across Camposol. “As in previous years, the Fiesta is being staged at the Sector B Commercial
Centre but we are very keen to ensure that all Camposol businesses and residents feel involved in the run up to the event We hope to make the whole experience as inclusive as possible and as such we have gained the support of almost all the Camposol bars and restaurants to hold fund raising events in the new year. “On 9th February 2013, Alley Pallais will be hosting a fund raising Comedy Hypnotic Show. Dave Rawson is a fabulous hypnotist from Ibiza who has recently made UK newspaper headlines by hypnotising X Factor’s Rylan Clark. “There are also a number of other events planned such as a TV Game Show; Race Nights; Dinner Dances and much more. “We are also very keen to make the Fiesta a family affair and we are pleased to have Nichola Green on the Committee as our Children’s Representative. She has been busy gaining the views of the local children to find out what they want to see at the Fiesta and we aim to hold a number of events specifically for them. “We are delighted that one of our talented youngsters will design the logo for the Fiesta. We will soon be launching a competition which will be open to all children in the Mazarron area, so watch
this space!” Tickets for the Hypnotist show are 10€ each and can be purchased from Alley Pallais Sector B; Paramount Villa Rentals, the old Masa building on Sector C or from the Thursday Market, Sector A. Alternatively you can email michelle. moston@gmail.com or “like” our Camposol Fiesta Facebook page.
-The Committee comprises: Left to right: Pat Firth, Treasurer; Alan Hogg Member (Fund Raising) Nichola Green Member (Children’s Representative) Colin Dorsett Member (Sponsorship/ Evening Entertainment); Michelle Moston, Chairperson; Stuart Fearn Member (Daytime Events) Bruce Furness, Secretary.
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Camposol Residents Association There always seems to be a number of issues bubbling away on the CRA stove but the added activity connected with of having to deal with both a meeting with the Mayor and the organizations AGM on successive days proved to be somewhat demanding. The earlier event was the second of what we hope will now be regular discussions at the Town Hall. It was attended by seven CRA committee members and no less then five council representatives comprising of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, the Councillor for Services, the Councillor for Environment and the Town Hall Lawyer. The Mayor proceeded by explaining that as a necessary requirement in the process of executing the Masa guarantees, the council have arrived at valuation of approximately nine million euros as the cost of completing sectors B,C & D. This figure excludes any expense that might be involved in reaching agreement with the Confederación Hidrográfica over the D sector rambla situation. Once more there was again evidence of conflicting information emanating from the present administration when it
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was disclosed that contrary to previous statements, any surplus monies from the A Sector guarantees would not be carried over to fund necessary work on other parts of the urbinization. Various aspects connected with the rambla situation were discussed and with the absence of any sign of satisfactory progress, the CRA’s dissatisfaction with this long standing issue was made quite clear. With the fact of the council meeting with the organization in a few days it was decided to postpone any further debate on the matter until after this event. At the time of writing the only news we have managed to obtain is that regrettably it did not go well. A question as to Aqualia’s progress in issuing water bills was made. We were told that the Town Hall has twice requested that the water company start this both this process and also the necessary remedial work. This has met with Aqualia insisting that the required works are agreed first. It was left with the matter being described as ongoing. The council did confirm that when the bills do finally emerge; there will be a provision in place that will allow payment the current bi-monthly bill one month and a proportion equal to two months of the outstanding amount the
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next month. Two issues of concern regarding RE3 were raised by the CRA. The Mayor was presented with photographs illustrating dangerous situations of electrical cabling trailing across roads, bodged up joints and live terminals exposed both to the elements and to any person, child or animal that might be unfortunate enough to come in contact with them. It was requested that that the matter be given some urgent attention. The second issue was that of resolving the matter of legalising the properties on that poligono. It was stated that the necessary documentation has been compiled and was awaiting developer Masa’s action. If this is not forthcoming the council will undertake the task and the five thousand euro cost would be paid from remaining Sector A guarantees. Regrettably there was no good news for those owners on D32 living with significant concerns from having embargos placed on their properties by the courts. The council have stated that a solution to this situation is beyond their control and rests with the owners and developer Masa who are refusing to cooperate. CRA Chairman Bob Owen is at this time exploring the legal possibilities for those affected owners.
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A long debate followed after an enquiry was made as to why, when considering Masa’s uncompromising attitude, are the council still choosing to continue dealing with them? It was further pointed out that there seemed to be inconsistent statements between what was being said by the council about the current position at this meeting and what had been reported as said from a recent unconnected meeting. The conclusion appears to be that the council are now instigating legal action against the developer while at the same time hoping to come to an agreement with Masa that will result in the completion of the estate. The councillor for Environment David Fernández unexpectedly issued warnings of substantial fines if the incineration of garden waste at the popular pits adjacent to Sector D continues. The CRA have therefore submitted a request for the provision of suitable bins. The following AGM always entails a considerable amount of preparation including that of compiling the various customary reports such as that from the Chairman, the Treasurer and the Membership secretary. Among the other items covered was the council’s agreement to ease the restrictions on the type of groups authorised to use the Cultural Centre. Bob Owen highlighted the dissatisfaction that had previously been felt by the reluctance of the Mayor and even Pepe Gomez, to agree to regular meetings. Bob also advised that the CRA is looking to organise a sub-committee to find out our way ahead in becoming more political. In conclusion it must also be said that it was heartening to experience an overwhelming display of appreciation by the attending members for the efforts of Bob Owen and the committee. A CRA sponsored petition requesting that the Cultural Centre be designated as a polling station for future elections raised well over one thousand signatures and has now been presented. After residents eagerly waiting so long for an alternative to the extremely unpopular D7 access to Camposol, a promised temporary rambla crossing was eventually completed. However despite a weight restriction of 3 ½ tonnes being placed on a facility that is undoubtedly considered as fragile, this regulation was almost instantly ignored by drivers of a number of heavy goods
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vehicles. The CRA have attempted to make the council aware of the concern being felt about the situation and it would be a tragedy if by the time you read this the facility had been lost as a result of the irresponsible attitude of a few. We hope the council will promptly act as it is obvious that the woefully inadequate signage that has been installed will not be enough to deter and a physical height or width barrier is probably prove to be the only effective solution. Website: www.cracamposol.com e-mail: info@cracamposol.com
PALS wish everyone a Happy New Year and we hope that you managed to get down to our annual swim on the Bahia Beach on the 1st January. We have a lot of exciting things planned for you and indeed ourselves this year, and we start with BURNS NIGHT at the Playa Grande Hotel on 25th January, tradition and fun with a piper, imported haggis, neaps and tatties. A full 5 course meal and additional entertainment all for 25 Euros per head. Make up a party and sit at your designated table. The three night Benidorm trip is now fully booked as is the cruise to the Greek Islands and Turkey,. We are getting many reservations for the Trip to Salamanca, Avila, Segovia and Toledo on 24/25/26.27th June a chance to see some of the most beautiful cities in central Spain for 210. Coach pick up on Country Club and Camposol.. We are investigating a repeat trip to the Greek Islands in October, if there is sufficient interest and a 6 night stay
in Sardinia and a trip to Cantabria and Asturias. Let us know if you are interested. PALS are delighted to announce that the sponsored bike ride organised by TJs in September raised 1416 Euros. This will be added to our current fund and negotiations are currently in place to spend this money with the emergency organisations locally. As you may be aware PALS are a leading part of the CAFÉ project and as that fund stands at 44000Euros with a target of 60000Euros it has been unanimously agreed by our committee that all the money raised by PALS in 2013 will be dedicated to the CAFÉ account in order that we may get the additional ambulance as quickly as possible, The ambulance will be based at Mazarron but will benefit everyone, this is not a replacement, but an additional ambulance. If you want to get tickets for any event or talk to PALS or get our latest events schedule we are at the Trevi each Saturday morning from 11 till 1.30 and this seems a great opportunity to thank the Trevi for allowing us this facility. If you have any questions or difficulty in getting tickets call 626 460 465. or why not come along to our monthly meeting at the cultural centre on Camposol 11.15 on the first Monday in each month
Wishing all our readers a very happy new year
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mountains. Taormina was a lovely town with a very interesting Roman theatre with wonderful views of the bay.Our guide spoke perfect English and was very informative.
At the end of October I went with my granny and grandad on a cruise around the Mediterranean with PALS I had a great time and met lots of new people. We got on the coach at Mazarron Country Club.Alfonso did a great job driving to Valencia in the rain.When I got there, I saw the ship.It was MASSIVE¡Before I got on I was given a credit card but they punched a hole in it¡.I couldn’t buy anything with it but I could open the cabin door and get on and off the ship¡
Next stop-Napoles.There were lots of cruise ships in the harbour.We visited Pompeii.I had a great time.It was so interesting seeing how the Romans lived about 2000 years ago.Pompeii is so big.They even had their own fast food restaurant.They had central heating,spas and swimming pools and cobbled streets with pavemants and speed bumps to slow down the chariots.They had hot and cold water piped into the houses of the rich. Unfortunatly the pipes were made of lead,so they died early before the poor people who collected their water from the well.WE HAVEN’T INVENTED ANYTHING NEW¡
The first day was at sea .I went round the ship exploring.I went up on deck and I saw dolphins,sea turtles and lots and lots of jellyfish.There was a huge selection of lovely food on board. I had fish every day which was very nice and the chefs were amazing. The second day we went on deck and watched the pilot take us in to Valletta harbour in Malta.We went around the Island on a crazy open top bus which was fun.I loved it but granny found it a little bit scary. When we woke up the next day we were in Messina in Sicily.We went on a excursion to Taormina and saw Mount Etna in the distance.There were 28 tunnels on the way because there are lots of
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The following day we docked in Cagliari Sardinia and we walked up a very steep hill to visit the Cathedral which was small but very beautiful.The old town had very narrow streets but it didn’t stop the cars from travelling at high speed. There were spectacular views of the city and the harbour.We also found the Archaeological museum which had a huge number of items on display including minifigures carved from bone which were very old.Granny said they were the original Lego figures.We were impressed that the entrance was free
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Finally on the last day we visited Palma de Mallorca.We walked a very long way around the harbour to the cathedral which was huge and very impressive. We ate delicious ICE CREAMS before making our way back to the ship in a thunderstorm. There weren’t many children on the boat but I played with John who was on our table for dinner..We both had magic 12euro watches which we bought on the ship. We also enjoyed the shows every night, particularly the clowns and taking part in the activities in the Rendevous lounge. All of the ship’s staff were very friendly and I was presented with the Chef’s hat on the last night. Thank you very much to PALS for allowing me to go on the cruise. I enjoyed every minute of it and would love to do something similar again, perhaps when I’m a bit older. KIAN DAVIES AGED 10.
Georgina’s Story Georgina’s story has shocked and touched hearts all over the Costa Calida. There really can be few who have not heard her tragic story. Briefly, for those who have not heard or read the story, which has been widely reported and been a
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number one story on both Costa Calida Radio and the internet agency, Murcia Today. Ten years ago Georgina and her husband settled in Leiva and lived the life of retired ex pats. Time and health issues gradually isolated them; for example creating a rift with their daughter. The couple also found it difficult to accept help. They fell into the hands of a home help who by deceit managed to acquire the rights to their house, legitimately through the notary system. The standard of care was abysmal and certainly one person has said that the house was a complete disgrace. Eventually the husband went into hospital, sick with cancer, leaving Georgina on her own. She was attacked and robbed in her own home by someone wearing a mask. Even her wedding ring was torn from her hand. She was effectively left for dead and it was many hours before her plight was discovered. Several agencies and individuals became involved, and reconciliation with her daughter was achieved and Georgina was repatriated to the UK. Amanda Gorvel went with her taking her back under very difficult circumstances. Her husband remains in hospital here, too sick to move. The couple has no money, what little they had has been siphoned off. Obviously there will be a funeral in the offing. Tony Smith has volunteered his services free, and Amanda has been busy raising money on the internet. There have been all sorts of contributions; a group of Moroccans, clients of GOMAD cleared the rambla and road after the gota fria,
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refusing to accept any payment. The house is currently occupied by GoMAD volunteers. You can contribute through Costa Calida Radio, the PMS Pool shop in Mazarron or through the Dog Bowl English shop in Fuentes Alamo. Mariposa Hotel, Colin Thackwell, Ian Field, have all got involved as has Zoe Cooper from Murcia Today. So far, by the first weekend in December over 1100 Euros had been raised. Good hearted people from Mazarron’s Moroccan community, Brits and Spanish have all lent practical aid. Many of us live on urbanizations because we do not wish to become isolated, but Georgina’s story is a salutary one. It did not happen overnight; it crept up on them over the years. Too proud to accept help? “Of course I don’t want do gooders interfering….” Speaking little Spanish, unable to cope with bureaucracy, listening to the wrong voices….”We do have great local agencies MABs, GoMAD, St Nicholas Church pastoral group and Age Concern’ but all are powerless if their help is not sought. Repatriation is an option, but it has to be organised and paid for. Do you have a funeral plan? Would there be enough cash to bury you and not leave your nearest and dearest destitute? What is heartening about the story is the generous, warmhearted, practical people who live here. But we live in an aging population; time will see many frail and potentially isolated Brits trying to cope, with little Spanish language and little knowledge of the Spanish systems. We can support our local agencies by
volunteering or at least donating, keep an eye on neighbours. Far from being an isolated example, one which could be repeated in the UK, we will see more Georgina’s in the future? It is time that apathy ceased to rule. Many of us came here after leading very busy lives in the UK. We came to enjoy our retirement in the sunshine and a better quality of life. Let’s make sure that we look out for each other and make sure that Georgina’s story is the last one of its kind. Rod Sawyer
Hi Guys, my name is Jack. This is Jack, he has been in the refuge since he was a puppy and he will be 2 in March next year. It seems such a shame that he is still in kennels as he is a wonderful friendly boy, medium size good with other dogs and children, Jack will make a wonderful companion and a great addition to any family home, he came with his sister who went a long time ago leaving poor Jack on his own. He would like nothing better for the New Year than a loving family, is that you? Call Noahs Arc on 699352818.
Wishing all our readers a very happy new year
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Age Concern Costa Calida 2013 – In 2013 Age Concern Costa Calida will be running a full range of social activities for its members, alongside its work with individuals and families. Age Concern has social objectives as well as individual ones. It’s a service for the over fifties and aims to provide support through its programme of activities, some of which cost and some do not. You will be able to buy tickets for events on Fridays outside the Salud. It is hoped that other outlets will also sell tickets, including the port. Age Concern volunteers are assigned to help individual cases. This can involve a range of assistance depending on
individual or family need. For example, there are cases of family members who cannot be left on their own, which makes shopping or even going out for a coffee all but impossible. There are cases where volunteers do sit with folk and enable the partner to get the shopping in or visit the doctor. Each case is assessed on its own merits by the volunteer coordinator, who establishes needs. If you need help, then apply! Age Concern also has access to helpful leaflets covering a range of needs, Age Concern does have volunteers and friends. Friends are simply those who have signed on for the year for a 10Euro contribution. Applications to become a volunteer can be made at the Cultural Centre Wednesday mornings and the organization is always on the look out for
sympathetic flexible people, able to help others often in distress. Money raising to sustain activities is an on going job. Donations do come in from individual and groups, in the form of cash as well as goods. A recent funeral resulted in a large donation for example. This coming year will see the annual Black and White Ball in September, an event which raised over 1000 Euros last year. The Christmas Fair raised over 1100 Euros. The 5th December saw the Christmas Social at the cultural centre on Camposol. Singers from the Harlequin choir gave it a festive air and everyone had a great time. It was a social which brought together clients, volunteers and committee. The next Menu del Dia is on the 30th
Tel: 968 138 516
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Camposol Insurances C/Castellon de la Plana,229 Urb Camposol A 30870 Mazarron (Murcia)
Open Monday to Friday 10am till 1pm & 2pm till 5pm Mazarron Office Tel: 968 59 28 28
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2013
January at Los Galayos in the Port, 10 Euros with entertainment. The postponed rock n roll is night at Marianos on12th April On 7th February an auction will be held at Marianos. The gavel will come down at
1PM, but you can see the goods on offer from 11AM to noon. This is a first of the year and it is planned that a further three will be held during the year. Anyone can
considered! The other regular event is a monthly Menu Del Dia. This is on the last Wednesday of the month, the next being at the end of January. These cost 10 Euros and include entertainment. Age Concern has come a long way in a short time. Last year roughly a 1000 people took part in various social activities and not far short of that number sought advice or help. This coming year the organization hopes to bust these numbers. Age Concern would like to wish everyone a prosperous New year. Rod Sawyer
by the company who fitted the section of replacement barrier with that of the new hidden camera. The unit is understood to have two versions and one can even be solar driven with a back up power supply for use at night, and is also understood to be able to send the information gathered via a gsm network to a main server. This in fact means that the unit could be fitted anywhere with no restrictions on use. It has not been disclosed as to how much each unit actually costs, but due to the design it is believed that the unit is much less than the older speed camera versions and can run unaided, possibly for as many as 12 months at a time without maintenance.
Interesting bump in the crash barrier now we know!!!
Although death toll on our roads in Spain have in fact dropped this year compared to others, the authorities insist the new cameras are being fitted to help reduce the figures even further. As the new design of camera is that of a hidden one, i for one cannot see how it is a visual image to stop speeders – as this was the original concept for speed camera introduction in Europe. It seems clear that this will create much needed revenue, but whether it actually helps reduce road deaths from speeding remains to be seen.
Sent from Christine Christophers
sell up to three items , which must be registered before the sale and delivered to Marianos on the day. You can also register at the Cultural Centre on a Wednesday morning. The only charge is a 5 Euro administrative charge and you keep all the proceeds. So far the auctions have attracted a lot of buyers and sellers, with a wide range of merchandise. It is hoped that good quality items are attracted. It is up to you to put a reserve on any item. There is an Age Concern stall outside the Salud on the last Friday in the month, which supports the weekly sale of tickets. Items for this are always welcome. The main social activities are represented by a monthly social called talking Shop. This meets normally on the first Wednesday of the month at the Cultural centre between 1/30 and 3.30. Organised by the volunteers it is a mixture of coffee and conversation, items such as a quiz, some sort of information session, normally no item taking up more than ten minutes. Age Concern is on the look out for informative, funny, speakers who are able to do a presentation or demonstration to members. Anything interesting
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Spanish main roads and Motorway’s are to be the main focus for the continued crack down on the dreaded speeding motorist, as more sophisticated and better positioned detection cameras are being installed in selected locations across Spain. We managed to get a glimpse of one such devise – built very cleverly into a crash barrier and virtually unnoticeable to the motorist. The device was spotted by an eagle eyed local and reported to us, after a land owner was curious when only a small part of hedging was trimmed at a section of road
Wishing all our readers a very happy new year
page 13
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We are here to help you choose a sofa style which will complement your existing décor, or potentially inspire a new one! Comfort is important, but we also recognise that price - in many cases, is just as important. So we have on display a good selection of sofas to suit all budgets. From dazzling fabrics to the more natural and elegant colour swatches. Sofas can be made to measure, so don’t be afraid, if you would like to change from a 3 and 2 seater sofa into a modern sofa chaiselongue, but wondering just how you can make it work for your room layout, let us help. Bring along your measurements and we can help design the layout to enhance the maximum use of floor space, but still giving the seating capacity that you need. Enough of sofas – what if you need a new mattress? We have on display a selection of mattresses which take into account preferences and personal comfort. Ranging from pocket sprung to the new style memory beds, all designed with the 3D material, which stops sweat, damp, mould entering inside the layers of the mattress, because once this happens, you may as well throw it away. As a business we have made a conscious decision to
work with only Spanish manufacturers of mattresses, they understand the climate, they use the materials which work best for this climate, and provide a level of quality and comfort that is hard to beat. Even the prices are very competitive. And if you are changing your mattress, why not think about changing the base for a space saving lift up storage bed.
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Wishing all our readers a very happy new year
page 15
POLIGONO SURVEILLANCE
Improved villa inspection to check that your house is in good order for your peace of mind At least one, or more, inspections of your villa every night Key hold & custody of your villa when you are away for a period of time
Emergency response service included If you feel threatened or intimidated when in your villa, call our special emergency number for assistance. We will initiate the necessary measures and actions in co-operation with the Police/Guardia Civil. (Available during our normal surveillance periods) Discounted cost for specialist support if police station visit needed (Available for reporting break-in or theft from your villa) Three month / Six month / Annual contracts available
10€ per month Published and printed by Luis Canovas & Global de Servicios, Seguridad, Guarda Rural y Control, S.L. Camposol Business Center Tel: 968 103 008 Please Note: This special offer is available to ALL Poligonos on Camposol Its availability is subject to a large majority of the villas on the Poligono signing up for the service Further reduction in the monthly fee possible, depending on the size and take-up of the Poligono It is intended that this service will be available from 1st January 2012 Further details available from Luis Cánovas or Conchi at theCamposol Business Centre or email Telephone:
968 103 008
La Vida Bistro & Bar Formerly Scotties at Pareton
info@camposolbusiness.com restaurant. She’s a great personality and
Rod Sawyer
One Saturday with two friends we descended on Scotties, sorry La Vida Bistro & Bar at Pareton. It was our first visit in years, although we used to be regulars. The restaurant has expanded since its early days when it was a single room. There are now three small dining rooms, which gives the place a great feeling of intimacy. Its now open, with tables, clothed and set out for dining. Arriving at 7.30PM we were greeted by Sheryl who now manages the bar &
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makes all the guests feel very welcome, especially those few of us who happen to be Fulham supporters! Saturday and Wednesdday night is a steak night and Jason, the chef, understands steaks. Its surprising but true, many chefs cannot cope with steaks, yet it is one of the simplest dishes, it just needs the appropriate meat, well hung, and the application of relevant heat; relevant to individual needs from blue to well done. Jason has cooked at Scotties for nine years and goes back to the days when it was la Sirena, the Mermaid. He’s seen at
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least five sets of owners and managers and is probably the areas longest serving chef. He has always taken his cooking seriously and Saturdays menu is well thought out and priced. Where else can you get a three course steak meal for 12.50 Euros with a bottle of wine thrown in per couple? the case rests! A choice of two starters, breaded mushrooms or chicken goujons, with either a sweet chilli sauce or a garlic one. The table split fifty fifty and everyone enjoyed their starter which
Jason the chef
arrived very promptly. We had descended on the table hungry. The diners following us had a leisurely fireside drink before their meal, as can be seen from the photo.
The steak comes how you want it, accompanied by fresh chips, peas, onion rings, mushrooms and half a tomato. Very
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adequate! French mustard and a pepper sauce went with the dish. Our table dawdled over this, enjoying the vino tinto and rose which came with the meal. The steak was rump, our favourite but Jason says that if we ordered on Thursday he can do any steak you want. Dessert was either fruits of the forest cheesecake, chocolate cake or ice cream. It was no contest and the cheesecake had a very firm biscuit base, slightly sharp cream and a generous topping. It was accompanied by cream. The meal was finished off with brandy and coffee, and conversation. Friday is a fish and chip night along with the quiz, again well worth the trip,
CUT & DRIED
parking is easy and its so easy to find on Pareton’s main street. Sunday lunch also is worthy of note and a visit as we found out a week ago. It was a welcome break from the long drive round to D for church, coming out of the back road and making for Pareton rather than Country Club! Rathnait had a delicious home made minestrone, I had the mains and a dessert. I had a slow cooked beef, very very good, Rathnait had the lamb, which she really enjoyed. The veg were all nicely done with an excellent Yorkshire. I finished with a chocolate cake dessert, nice and sweet! At just over the twenty Euros, this was value for cash rendered, and Jason certainly kept his reputation up. Pareton is easy enough to get to from Mazarron and Camposol, along the motorway and off at the Canadas turn off, following your nose until you see the bar on your left.
QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL MOBILE HAIRDRESSER IN YOUR OWN HOME LADIES: Cut - 9 Euros, Cut & Dried - 13 Euros Perming - 21 Euros, Colouring - Full Head - 18 Euros Highlights/Lowlites (with cap) - 20 Euros GENTS: Cut - 8 Euros, CHILDREN: Cut - 5 Euros STRESS RELIEVER: Head Massage - 3 Euros, Deep Conditioning Head Massage - 5 Euros For an appointment, call Ann on 628 149 840
2013
Rod Sawyer
968 595 945
C.C. Upper Local 2, Avda. Doctor Meca S/N, 30860 Puerto de Mazarron, Murcia.
mazarron@ibexinsure.com
www.ibexinsure.com New Road on Camposol Opens Amongst fears and warnings the new road opened and a fortnight later was still in operation. It is a fact
that lorries and large vans are using it. It is a fact that the surface needs some TLC now, but at least direct communication between the sectors has been re-established. Keeping it open and removing high loaders will not be so easy, although this was done with ease at Percheles where high barrier stopped the offenders over night. The bridge was to be mended in a month but which month?!
Wishing all our readers a very happy new year
page 17
ESAMD raise over € 4,000 for RBL 2012 Poppy Appeal The Ex- Servicemen’s Association of Mazarrón District (ESAMD), are pleased to announce that over €4,000 has been collected in our area for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal 2012. This is €1,500 more than 2011 and our grateful thanks go to all the restaurants, shops, bars and their customers who supported this campaign. Thanks go to our Members who stood outside Consum and other venues selling Poppies; also to those who spent hours counting and banking the proceeds. We are very grateful to have such an amenable bank manager at the Caja Murcia Bank on Camposol Sector A. Stop Press: An amazing €1,274.79 of the total was donated by Sara Lara’s Bar in the Puerto de Mazarrón. Sara and her customers organised sponsored events, raffles and also gave very generously of their time and money.
The photograph atop shows members of the ESAMD committee and customers and the photograph below shows a very proud Sara and this year’s ESAMD Poppy Appeal Organiser Mags Downes holding a cheque to represent the amount.
As a footnote it is worth remembering that ALL the Poppy money raised in Spain goes towards helping our beneficiaries here in Spain.
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The year 2012 and the CRA The CRA had its AGM in November, so it is timely to review the year. It can almost be summed up as, “two years ago we had a Council run by the PP, who had meetings with us but never listened, for the last year we have had a Council who don’t have meetings with us, but have promised much and delivered some.” It is clear from a number of committee meetings that a very clear majority of the committee felt very frustrated. They had seen attempts by the council to engage the people of Camposol in a dialogue, but despite well attended meetings, virtually the same problems being aired at each meeting and little progress. This had culminated in the November meeting when the Council had to defend its position over the rambla and the bridge. At the meeting it was claimed that the bridge would be mended within a month, quite within which month and when the month started is not known, and certainly by the beginning of December there was still no satisfactory way off and onto Sectors C & D. This sense of frustration led the vary committee to propose rule changes at the AGM. Rule changes which mean that the CRA can play a Political and political role if it chooses to do so. Until November the CRA was bound by rules which forbade Political action of any kind. Should the CRA back one of the local Parties? Should it run candidates for election to the council? The committee has setup a subcommittee to come up with ideas and recommendations. Hopefully this will mean the CRA will become a campaigning organization. A year ago the CRA were just coming to terms with a new council, new personalities and procedures. In January the new council unequivocally set it self against demolition of illegal villas and at the
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same time the CRA initiated a class action in the courts over plus valia. Some 70 members registered their interest but it took another six months to get to the next stage. The CRA also got dragged into the administration of the new cultural centre. This lasted some six months until the Council decided that private organizations could pay for time there. The CRA promptly withdrew from administering the centre. Meanwhile, an embargo on the land opposite Sector B commercial centre used for car parking also resulted in the relocation of the CRA hut to behind the cultural Centre. What the above does is to concentrate on the big issues. In fact every month Jose Navarro and Bob Owen deal with literally hundreds of emails. Many are from prospective residents seeking information about the area. The web site also generates a lot of steam, and hot air! However Jacky does a superb job of damping issues down and getting rid of the worst trouble makers! Even so the time that 2600 members take up, let alone the remaining 2000 inhabitants, is amazing and warrants recognition. All in all, a busy year and one which
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2013
Our famous Sunday roast available 4 courses at 15 euros or 2 courses at 10.50 euros, all home cooked with vegetable buffet, Wine with your meal, as always booking is essential and places are limited
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Rooms available at 60 per couple which includes the famous 6 curry buffet,\starters and dessert, alcholic drink, coffee
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heralds a change in direction from being a reactive body to being far more of a campaigning organization. This was widely welcomed at what was a small AGM by CRA standards. Often 250 members present but for this one, some 60. Does this indicate disillusion? Apathy? It was difficult for members from A and B to get to the hotel and this must have counted for some. It is more likely that nothing contentious was perceived as being aired at the meeting. Rod Sawyer.
A wonderful life Liz Sullivan who died on the 12th November and was cremated on the following Monday, was 77 when she died. She was definitely one of Camposol’s more colourful characters, having led a varied life, mixing with high society as well as perhaps societies less salubrious elements! As a young woman she was a mannequin in London, modeling once for Princess Alexandra. She lived in upper class Sheen. Her family was interesting, a husband who was a Colonel in the Sherwood
2013
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We take you to the top of the Espuna in a mini bus (1550Mtres) and guide you down through the forest tracks and trails, all done very gently which is a superb way to see the Espuna´s, we supply the bikes, the guide, safety equipment, support vehicle and lunch.
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Foresters, a noted territorial unit. She was involved in a kennels for Pekinese and rescued a number of dogs, including an Alsatian. This Alsatian was kept chained up since he went for anyone who came near. Liz spent ten days sleeping near him, and woke up on the last day with the dog sleeping with its head on her legs. She was always larger than life and took life on. She leaves a daughter, Catherine and granddaughter, Zoe.
we bought Wellingtons with us, lived in them for ages. Most of our friends thought we were mad for bringing wellies to dry old Murcia.� Liz did not have a great quality of life for the last six month. She will be sadly missed, especially her joix de vivre and sense of humour.
On Camposol she lived with Tina. They were a couple for twenty years. Not intentional, it just happened, “you can’t help who you fall for, and it’s not necessarily someone of the opposite sex.� They met in Bognor Regis where Liz was at one stage the longest serving hotelier in the town, running an hotel and a private club. Tina worked locally and Liz poached her to run the bar, which is how their relationship started. Originally they had an apartment on Majorca, but found they could not afford the sort of villa they wanted there, so came to Camposol where both were very happy. They were two of the first inhabitants. “There were no roads, just mud, so we were so pleased that
Wishing all our readers a very happy new year
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An Artist’s Journey Down The Thames
by Anne Bennett
I recently discovered a book that has been in my collection for many years which I had never got around to reading or even looking at. A collection of paintings by the artist John Doyle. Born in 1928 he started his working life in industry but in the early 1960s with no formal training he turned to painting professionally taking evening classes and seeking advice from wellknown painters. He discovered that to explore the river it would be necessary to have a boat as many unspoilt stretches are inevitably far from roads and, where they are not, the riparian landlords have been forced to protect their property so securely that to reach the river proved nearly impossible. A boat brings with it the rights of a navigator and a freedom of movement denied to those on land. And so he bought the Angela Jane. He said in his introduction that she was not elegant; in fact she was small and shabby and in need of a good coat of paint, but she was fast and, after a bit of practice, he found that she was easy to handle. Executed in water colour and sketched and painted totally in the location he began his journey down one of the most well known rivers in Britain. Julius Caesar is said to have christened the River Thames by naming the upper reaches ‘Tamesis’ meaning the beginning of life. Much controversy has arisen over the location of the source of the Thames. Officially it is at Thameshead, a few miles to the south-west of Cirencester. Its most serious rival is Seven Springs, where the Churn rises in the Cotswolds. Swill Brook, rising to the south-west. There was also a man who claimed the Thames rose in his cellar! In Doyle’s case he decided, on the evidence he found, that Seven Springs should bear the honour of the Thames birthplace, this being the furthest contender from the sea. His first painting though was in fact Ashton Keynes a few miles down river from Thameshead. A pretty village with the river running straight through the middle. The surrounding countryside has been ruined by gravel extraction which has turned the water meadows into hundreds of lakes known as the Cotswold Water Park. Prior to this at the turn of the 20th Century the countryside was breathtakingly beautiful with unspoilt sand-covered roads and magnificent elm trees. Old photographs reveal the havoc
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and destruction that we have wrought on our countryside, and alas it is still going on. His second painting was of Lechlade from St John’s Lock. This delightful little market town is where the first boatyard is located and from where the Thames becomes navigable. St. John’s lock is the first lock on the Thames. The locks from here to Godstow, just above Oxford, are manual and look more attractive than those that have been electrified. The statue of Father Thames that reclines by the lock side used to be at Thameshead. His third painting of Buscot was painted
Buscot
to include them in the painting and at the same time returning to his original position beside the lock was able to capture the great sweep of the river as it turns towards Godstow. He considered that it was not cheating if the painting was better for such tactics, and many old prints show this view before the trees had grown. He also went into Oxford to include paintings of All Souls College and The Radcliffe Camera from Brasenose College. All Souls College was founded by Henry Chichele, Archbishop of Canterbury in 1438, twenty-three years
All Souls College, Oxford
over three mild January afternoons. The first two were sunny and he was dazzled by the setting sun and could only put in the black shapes against the light. On the third afternoon it was misty and he was able to finish the detail keeping the memory of the brilliant light always in his mind. The church has two windows by Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones and some painted panels attributed to Andrea Mantegna. There are also carpets and curtains designed by William Morris who lived a few miles downstream at Kelmscott. Swinford Bridge was his next execution. Built by the Earl of Abingdon in 1769 to replace the ferry that had been there from the earliest times. His descendants collected the tolls until 1981 when it was sold to a new owner. Further down the river The Trout, at Wolvercote this fine old pub, so much a part of the landscape seemed to grow out of the soil on which it was built. He painted this picture in late autumn working on it for nearly a week because the sun was sulking, the difference in the view between the day he began and the day he finished was considerable as many leaves had fallen in that time. And so to Oxford, painting it from Godstow across Port Meadow with Oxford on the skyline. A slightly contrived view as from where he was sitting the view of the distant spires were obscured by trees in the middle distance but by shifting his position to the left by several hundred yards he was able
after the battle of Agincourt as a memorial ‘for all souls….who fell in the wars for the Crown of France’ Chichele followed the plans of William of Wykeham closely and the small quadrangle bordering the High Street remains much the same as it did in the year of its completion in 1443. Founded for a warden and forty fellows it did not exceed this number until the 20th century and is the only college that does not admit undergraduate or graduate students. The distinction of membership is reserved for scholars elected by examination, research fellows, holders of professorial chairs and for people who have achieved eminence and distinction in some special field of learning. The great quadrangle shown in the painting was designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor around the Codrington Library that stretches along the whole of the north side, keeping in sympathy with the medieval buildings on the south side he returned to the Gothic tradition, long discontinued by his time, and he thereby preceded the Gothic revival by half a century. The Radcliffe Camera painting was also a view painted by Turner in his youth for a series for the Oxford Almanack and is one of those fine ready-made compositions that architecture so often presents to the painter. On finishing the drawing Doyle looked at it in a mirror which he says is ‘always a good way to check one’s work’. He found to his horror that the perspective of the elipse on the Radcliffe Camera was out and the tower above the
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2013
gateway was falling over. This had to be corrected and, by placing a fresh piece of paper under the drawing, he was able to
Abingdon
cut out the mistake. The new piece was inserted and the drawing re-done. If one cuts along a line of composition, it is almost impossible to see the cut unless one knows where to look for it. Even professionals make mistakes but knowing a few ‘tricks of the trade’ one can still retrieve hours of work. For his ninth painting, five miles from Oxford he decided upon Radley College Chapel. The manor of Radley once belonged to Abingdon Abbey and in 1847 Radley Hall was leased to the Reverend William Sewell and the Reverend Robert Singleton who founded a boys’ public school. The school flourished and is
now one of the leading public schools in England. Radley has always had a great rowing tradition being situated so close to the Thames. He kept the Angela Jane in the boathouse while he painted this picture of the chapel which was designed in 1895 by Sir Thomas Jackson. Choosing this subject because the sunlight on the red brick contrasted so well with the green of the leaves produced a magical effect and the apples on the trees and on the ground brilliantly echoed the red of the chapel. On rounding a bend in the river he saw the spire of Abingdon Church rising out of the meadows, and so he anchored
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St Nicholas Ecumenical Church Calle Sobrija 2248, D20 Urb. Camposol Tel. 968 13 89 52 Welcomes all denominations. We are a registered charity. No.Q3000277H Sunday Services are as follows. 1st Sunday Songs of Praise 10.30am 2nd Sunday Holy Communion 10.30am 3rd Sunday Morning Prayer 10.30am 4th Sunday Holy Communion 10.30am 5th Sunday Service by Church Members 10.30am
Abingdon Mead
and painted this fine view of Abingdon Mead. The fine perpendicular church of St Helen’s, whose width exceeds its length, has a charming triangular churchyard
Anyone wishing the assistance of the Church in any way, please call, Rev Len Eaton Tel. 968138952 Rev Deacon Maureen Kent Tel 636099679
The Phone House Now at Best Wishes Camposol Samsung Galaxy S3 In stock and unlocked only 499€ Available on Contract from 0€
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Puerto de Mazarrón store 968 199 295 Camposol 968 199 295 www.bestwishesgroup.co.uk 2013 page 21 Wishing all our readers a very happy new year
They won´t care how much you know, until they know how much you care! When Life´s heartfelt experiences are spilled out – we want them to know that no judgment will be shown & the same caring faces are there when help is necessary. This is why at GOmaD, a consistent team is vital. If you would like to be one of these regular faces – then please let Amanda know & join our invaluable Outreach Team. If ´face to face´ is not for you, then there are numerous behind the scenes; GOmaD jobs that will Help Make A Difference. JEWELLERY & BEADED/WOODEN CURTAINS Even broken ones, are needed for future Women´s Craft Workshops! Maybe you have Craft/Sewing talents & skills that GOmaD does not ´yet´ have – then come & share your GOD given talent & Help Make A Difference to someone´s life. Every Tuesday 11am-1pm,
Camposol A, Lower Car Park one of GOmaD Vans will be parked awaiting your donations. For larger items or Furniture/ House Clearances - call 634 357 137 for collection. 25% of the Nation is recorded as unemployed – there is a much higher % unknown! Many of GOmaDs clients
have been unemployed for 3years & with the increasing crisis, hope is hard to find – GOmaD wants to continue to Make A Difference – Please Help us achieve this. Drop-Off Points: Shop, Mazarron 634 321 161 – Tues Weds/Thurs/Sat 10am – 2pm Camposol: Tuesdays - lower Car Park A´ 11am 1pm Cultural/ Social Centre B – Fridays 12 – 2.30pm Calida Radio: Opp. La Cumbre Hotel, Puerto de Mazarron Outreach/Enquiries 634 357 137. Email: madmazarron@live.com Face Book: mad mazarron
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www.thecamposoljournal.com
2013
Jaktogo. Here at the “The Journal” we regularly receive e-mails from disgruntled members of the public who travel back and forward to the UK on a regular basis. The complaints are largely centered around one particular “Budget” airline and their strict intransient policies regarding boarding passes and luggage restrictions. Im sure that at some point we have all wondered how good it would feel if we could get our own back on the militant ground staff who seem to take such pleasure trying to fleece us for extra money for being a mere kilo over the meager 10 kilo hand luggage allowance. Allow me to introduce you to one man who has done just that! John Power is an engineer who had to travel all over Europe on a weekly basis due to his work commitments. He found therefore , that was spending lots of time in check in queues where on more than one occasion he was forced to check his hand luggage into the hold due to an extra kilo or 2. This lead to him incurring extra costs and also extra time waiting to collect his luggage at the other end. Over time he noticed that this was a common occurrence, not just for himself but also for his fellow passengers. They say that necessity is the mother of all invention, and John being the engineer that he is decided to come up with an innovative solution. John invented “Jaktogo”. In simple terms Jaktogo is wearable luggage. It’s a jacket, with 14 large pockets that enable the wearer to carry up to an extra 15 kilos of luggage. When not being worn as a jacket, Jacktogo, with the pockets full, folds neatly and easily into a stylish bag in 3 easy steps. The beauty of this invention is that you can arrive at the airport with your hand
2013
luggage, and your Jaktogo fully loaded and folded into a bag. At the check in desk if questioned about your second “bag” you can simply unfold it and put it on to prove to the check in staff that it is indeed your coat. As there is no law that states passengers must actually wear their coat onto the plane as opposed to carrying it, after check in you can simply fold Jaktogo back into its bag form and carry it onto the plane in addition to your hand luggage. It really is as easy as that. By knowing his rights as a passenger and using his engineering brilliance, John Power has notched up a victory for the small man against the might of the budget airline! John has even added 2 new members to the Jaktogo range including a poncho version of the coat and also a balloon dress for the ladies! He can even have the Jaktogo custom made for his clients in Denim or Leather. This invention is brilliant and I am currently awaiting delivery of my very own Jaktogo. John Power, we salute you Sir! For more information on Jaktogo and how you can order yours visit: www.jaktogo.com.
An Interview with Amanda GOMAD is the charity started by Amanda. It was a prescient move! Given Amanda’s commitment to Christianity and service to God, then she would argue that it was God’s will; that his intention was to direct her to help alleviate the suffering engendered by the present economic situation. Some will feel uncomfortable with this very much born again commitment. It’s that word that strikes you when you meet Amanda. Her total commitment and sincere set of beliefs are very disarming, even for major cynics like me. I spoke to Amanda and suggested that some case histories would perhaps help people to realize just how bad things were for quite a big percentage of our local population “One evening a local Ecuadorian man in his 60´s was praying to God for Help through his circumstances, the next day ´Making A Difference´ called upon his home – he sobbed his heart out & so did the two Angels that he said, “God had sent”. A young Moroccan man told Making A Difference that before he received help –
he only ate one meal a day! A Spanish man tried to take his own life – having lived in a car, he was then offered a home with NO water or electricity but with overwhelming problems, he had had enough! A Spanish Mother of 4 young children – lived in the UK for 12years – suffered severe Domestic Violence, an opportunity arose & she escaped back to her parents & home town of Mazarron to find no government help would be available for one YEAR. GOmaD was approached to Make A Difference to her family’s circumstances & a wonderful relationship has been formed, she has equally Made A Difference to us!! A Spanish Mother shared through floods of tears how for Months she had fed her children on Soup & Bread – herself often living on water & bread. A Romanian Woman was sacked for being pregnant; her husband was then sacked for being her husband! They share a house with 3 other families – finances were tight before, how will they cope now? A single Moroccan Mother & her 8yr old son, live on the 4th floor – with no mains water or electricity, she carries containers of water up the stairs as there’s no lift! She is the only inhabitant & has been attacked – she is often found in tears & has been accused of being many things BUT GOmaD continues to share their Love with her. A Spanish wife, mother & (young) grandmother has resorted to the oldest job in the Book! Another Charity looks at her with distaste – GOmaD embraces her with open arms, love and understanding!” The very tangible help that is required and given is very much underlined by Amanda’s words. You do not have to be a Christian to want to help and it is easy to find GOMAD’s shop in Mazarron. It’s left by the lights in the middle of town and on the first corner after the hotel Guillermo. It’s opposite the tobacconist. By car go past the new market, next left, then second left on the left on the corner. Rod Sawyer
Low cost effective advertising Contact Robbie on 968 103 008 / 664 287 099
Wishing all our readers a very happy new year
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What’s going on...
Bar & Restaurant news...
After a well earned holiday we will be open again from the 11th of January. We would like to wish you all a happy new year and we are looking forward to a fantastic 2013! Come and join us for
St Nicholas’s Church is holding a coffee morning on Monday 14th January 2013 from 11.00 am. Everyone welcome. Come and meet us. There are no strangers here, only friends we haven’t met yet.
anything from a homemade cake and a coffee, a light lunch or a delicious meal. Our full menu is served all day and we look forward to seeing you soon!
At the Vista Bar we have loads going on throughout the month! We show all live sporting events on our large screen TV´s and have a daily happy hour. Come and try our famous Full English Breakfasts, Our all new evening menu from 5 until 9pm or our Sunday Lunch from only 6.50! Call us or drop in the bar for details about our events, quizzes and fun nights! Call 648 731 309 for information.
You can find us on C/Sobrija Sector D. Telephone for help! Or directions Revd Len Eaton 968 138 952 Revd Deacon Maureen Kent on 636 099 670
sporting events including Football and Rugby! We open from 10am for light breakfasts and serve quality bar snacks including chilli´s, Lasagnes, Curries and now offer Take Away Fish and Chips!! We have a selection of Tapas available every day and we have regular live music, quiz nights, Karaoke and lots more! For more information or to order Take Away Fish and Chips call: 634 337 925
Wellspring Victory Church
We would like to wish everyone A Happy and Blessed New Year and invite you to join us for Church with a Difference at Calle Madrid,Puerto de Mazarron Sunday worship and Communion at 11am
We would like to invite you to visit the ALL NEW Monroes! Come down and get a warm welcome from the lovely Jo and all the team! We now have Sky Sports, ESPN and Setanta and show all Major
www.catsbar.es Sara & Sean welcome you Happy hour 5 until 7, Friday & Saturday homemade Sunday lunch, from 5.50 (Booking advised) Special Fish & Chips, Wednesday Night All sports covered, especially football Snacks, breakfasts, meals! Sunday Night, fun quiz & play your cards right Thursday night, karaoke with Berni Mac Friday Night is bingo night. Our new menu has arrived, come and try our breakfast special 2 of everything only 3.50 euros All time pub favourites only 5 euros
Phone 666 188 353
For more information call 620599270 607382033 660743603 www.wellspringvictorychurch.com
La V da “Formerly known as Scotties”
Bistro & Bar
Wednesday and Saturday Steak deal (2 persons, 3 courses, including wine or Cava and coffee) 25€ per couple Thursday night is Pie Night 6€ Come and try our delicious home-made pies and hancut chips or creamy mash and peas and gravy. Friday night is Fish and Chip night: Enjoy our Beer Battered Cod and Homemade chips 7.50€ and later join us for our famous Fun Quiz with prizes! Evening Menu available Tuesday to Saturday 6 till 9pm Our Meat raffle is drawn every Friday night! Be sure to drop in during the week to buy your ticket! Sunday Lunch available from 12 till 3pm. Free Beer, Wine or Soft Drink with every advance booking! All Major Sporting Events Shown! “Gourmet Cuisine in a candlelit ambiance”
For reservations and more info call us on our new number: 625 917 425
What’s going on... Sunday Lunches & Sundays Elliots in Bolnuevo from 6.50€ . Sensol Golf club, 12 Euros! Canadas del Romero Social Centre 6E booking advised, the Trevi. And night time! Bernie Mac from 7PM, Bar Vista 1,2 or 3 courses from 6.50, La Vida (Formerly Scotties)booking advised. Cats Bar 12noon till 3pm from 5.50€ booking advisable..Sunday night Fun quiz at Cats Bar, from 9pm. Mondays. Trevi’s menu del dia, 7.95E, Alley Palais Bowling League. Sensol Golf Club Fun Quiz, Tel’s entertainment quiz at 9PM. Slimming Club at Cats Bar 11am. Bar Vista . New Music Quiz from 8.30pm with a prize for name that tune! Mondays and all week! Elliots Menu Del Dia 9.50 menu del noche 16.50€, great tapas at Trevi & 3 euro breakfast. Bar Vista has a 3.50 breakfast & Evening Menu served 5 till 9pm. Menu Del Dia at Restaurant Amapola 14€, evening Menu 3 courses 18€, 4 Courses 20€. Tuesdays At the Trevi Sue’s fitness class 10AM. Mens fitness at 11.30AM. Karaoke with Byron Canadas Social
Centre 9pm. food always available. Lunchtime Special at Restaurant Amapola in Bolnuevo. Cats BarKnitting club every fortnight at 11am and Friends and Buddies group weekly at 8pm. Wednesdays The Trevi Darts from 8.30pm,Tel’s Bingo at 1.30PM, DJ on the decks at Alley Palais fr. 9PM. Cats Bar Fish and Chip night, 6 till 9pm followed by fun quiz. Happy Dinner at Restaurant Amapola in BolnuevoHave 2 meals and pay only for 1Booking on 660 328 092. Cats Bar“The New Wednesday Club”-fish and chip night 6-9pm followed by fun quiz with Eddie B. Bar Vista- Pool League. La Vida Bistro and Bar in Pareton Steak night 25€ per couple including half a bottle of wine or Cava call 625 917 425 to reserve. Thursdays Camposol Golf Club Camposol-live music with wine at €4 & beer 1.80! Tel’s quiz & football card at 9PM. At the Trevi Sues fitness class 10AM.. Free line dancing at Canadas, 7.30pm followed by actual dancing, evening menu. Early doors quiz at the Vista on A 6.30 start followed by play your cards right! Bernie Mac at Cats Bar 9pm till late! Bar Vista- Early Bird Quiz from 6.30pm followed by play your cards right. Pie night at La Vida in Pareton
with a choice of homemade pies served with chips or mash. Fridays Alley Palais, karaoke from 9pm til late 2nd and last Friday of the month indoor market at Alley Palais At the Trevi, bridge daytime starting at 9.45am. Fish and Chip might with free quiz and meat raffle at La Vida Bistro and Bar. Happy Hour 5-7pm and Bingo night from 9pm at Cats Bar. Saturdays Golf club, live entertainment, Trevi karaoke Bernie Mac, Steak night at La Vida from 6pm- Booking Essential, 3 courses including an 8oz Rump and your choice of wines or Cava only 25€ per couple. Cats Bar Happy Hour 4-6pm. Cats Bar- Disco on the Terrace with Byron from 8.30pm till late. 6th Janurary: 3 Kings Celebration at La Vida in Pareton. Hot baguettes and mulled wine being served alongside traditional Sunday lunch Bingo - Tel’s Sunday 7.30PM & Wednesday 1.30PM, Cats Bar Friday night Bingo from 9pm Quiz - 8.30PM Sensol Golf, fun quiz on Monday night; Tel’s Monday 9PM
Bar Open 7 Day A Week (Restuarant Closed Monday Evenings)
3 course Menu Del Noche for 9.95 with a choice of 10 till 4 7 Days week Starters, Mains andaDesserts All day Breakfast from only 3euros WEDNESDAY NIGHT DARTS AND DOMINOS FROM 8PM.
Sunday Karaoke 8.30pm
For information and reservations please call
Tel 660 026 544
entertainment & Thursday fun 9PM, the Vista Bar early doors at 6.30pm, followed by play your cards right. Scotties Friday night quiz and meat raffle. Cats bar fish and chip night and quiz every Wednesday.
Camposol Thursday morning on Sector A
Open Mike Nights Thursdays as usual at the Sensol golf club Camposol, wine 4€ a bottle and pints 1.80€. Karaoke Alley Palais at 9pm Friday, Saturday’s and Sundays, Trevi Bernie Mac Sunday’s, Tuesdays Canadas Social Centre from 9pm, Saturdays Byron at Cats Bar 8.30pm till late.
Or Telephone 642 795 163 or email info@camposolfiesta.com
Telephone 968 978 869 Open from 11 til late!!!
O pe
Tickets for the Hypnotist show in aid of the Camposol Fiesta are available from Camposol Sector B Alley Palais Commercial Centre, Paramount Villa Rentals, Sector B, Camposol Sector A Thursday Market,
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Local Markets! Alley Palais 2nd and last Friday of the month! Canadas Del Romero: Sunday mornings, Mazarron Town Saturday morning. Puerto de Mazarron Sunday
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Restaurant & Bar Bolnuevo’s Steakhouse Everything Freshly Cooked
Full English breakfast 4.00 from 10am Value main meals available 12 till 3.30pm 4.95 Menu del dia 9.50 for 3 courses + coffee Menu del noche 3 courses 16.50 Fish & chips from 5.00 Special offer 2 large fish chips & peas with a bottle of wine only 19 Evening Menu, Sirloin, Ribeye, Fillet & Argentinian rump Leg of lamb steak, gammon steak, poached fillet of salmon Medallions of pork tenderloin, pan fried chicken fillet.
Evening Meals start from 6.30pm Private Parties & Buffets Catered for. Two minutes from the beach, a real restaurant!
please book on 968 158 499/634 337 925
elliotsrestaurant@btinternet.com
Crêpas de Castaña con Miel (Chestnut Crepes with Honey)
Recipes
tablespoon of ricotta filling. Roll jelly-roll style or fold in half. *Crêpes can be kept in a 200F / 100C degree oven until ready to serve. They can also be made in advance and reheated before using or frozen. If frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator then reheat in a 300F / 150C degree oven for 5-10 minutes. Makes 8-10 crêpes.
Picardías de lorca
For crepe batter: 1 ¼ cup cold water 4 ounces unbleached, all-purpose flour 4 ounces chestnut flour 1 ounce chestnut honey 1 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 2 eggs, lightly beaten Pinch of salt For filling 16 ounces fresh ricotta cheese 8 marrons glaces, roughly chopped 2 tablespoons clarified unsalted butter or more as needed 5 tablespoons chestnut honey, divided Sift together the flours and salt in a separate bowl breaking up any lumps. Combine the flours, eggs, honey and melted butter in a blender jar. Cover and blend at highest speed for 1 minute. Scape down the sides with a rubber spatula as needed and blend for 2 to 3 seconds more. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. Heat a heavy cast-iron skillet or crêpe pan over moderately high heat. Brush with about tablespoon of clarified butter or oil. Take pan off heat and, holding the handle of the pan, pour 1/4 cup of the batter into the middle of the pan. Tilt the pan in all directions to so that batter evenly coats the bottom of the pan. Return to heat and cook for 30 to 60 seconds until lightly browned. Turn and cook on the other side an additional 30 seconds. Cool on a rack before stacking on a plate. Add more butter or oil as needed and repeat with remaining batter.* Spread crêpes with two heaping
(Lorca Toffee)
batches. On each pile is placed a roasted hazelnut.
Mince port cocktail Savor the festive flavour of a mince pie in this delicious cocktail. Serves 1 Ingredients 25ml/1fl oz cognac 25ml/1fl oz gold rum 50ml/2fl oz ruby port 2 tsp mincemeat 2 wedges Clementine, squeezed To garnish lemon zest
This recipe is typical of Lorca, the mischief.: Ingredients: - 10 tablespoons sugar - 2 tablespoons water - A few drops of lemon juice - Hazelnuts. -Ground cinnamon (optional) Preparation: The toffee is made by heating in a saucepan the sugar and water with a few drops of lemon juice (if we desire also added a little cinnamon) and boiling until the toffee takes colour. Then pour in to some shells of chocolate cups or if you do not have chocolate cups tip directly into paper patty pans or on a sheet of silicone making small
Wishing all our customers a prosperous 2013! We re-open for buisiness on the 11th of January! We look forward to seeing you soon!
Preparation method Place all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Add a handful of ice and shake hard. Strain the drink into a martini glass using a fine strainer. Garnish with lemon zest and serve.
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time of year when we could all do with cheering up. ‘No, can’t come, I’m on a diet!’ ‘Can’t come, I’m off the booze!’ Can’t come, I’m broke.’
Dawn Llewellyn-Price
If you’re reading this, it means we’ve survived the Mayan apocalypse forecast for December 21st (in my home city of Swansea that’s also an apocalypse known as Black Friday when the streets fill with revellers, police and ambulances in similar proportions as the office workers stop work for the festive season and hit the town with a vengeance) so technically I will have survived two apocalypses and a Burlesque show that very evening. We’ll also have passed through the fray of Christmas and its feeding frenzy, and New Year and its lively campanology or in Spain those twelve grapes and the saucy red underwear. Did anyone wear it? More importantly did it work, and did the bells ring for you that night? So here we are again, a whole new year ahead of us, twelve endless rolling months before we have to do it all again, like a repetitive strain injury. Many of us will be embarking on journeys into the big beyond, (crossing the rambla?) otherwise known as New Year’s Resolutions. Not me, I’m afraid. Anything involving the word resolution should be saved for television screens and committee meetings. They are a diabolical invention like diets, doomed to failure and causing more harm than good. ‘The act or instance of resolving, firmness or determination’ is the dictionary definition. ‘A useless trek into a month of misery.’ Dawn’s definition. They should be banned, disallowed, thrown into touch. They spoil everyone’s fun. ‘I’ve resolved to give up fags, chocolate and join a gym!’ I’ve heard these words frequently down the years;-three weeks later it’s doomed to failure, deeming those first few weeks of January moot as invites to events are turned down just at the
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Well, the last one’s understandable; it has been the most expensive time of year.
in colour whilst his brother Castor, is slightly fainter and has a bluish tinge. To find Castor and Pollux from the constellation Orion, which is now quite high in the south, draw an imaginary line from Rigel through Betelgeuse and you will locate Castor and Pollux. Remember, you’ll be looking for two bright stars that are noticeably close together.
Onwards and upwards it is then, let’s greet January resolution-less and throw tradition to the wind. Instead I suggest a Frantic February, when we all realise summer is less than a handful of months away and swimsuit season will be upon us. Then, we can all start dashing about in emergency mode, free of the constraints of New Year and its plan to spoil our fun. Join those gyms; you’re more likely to go. Give up the chocolate, the cigarettes, and spending on new clothes. Let January be the recovery period, mulling over life’s events, enjoying all those programmes you recorded and never had time to watch during December. There’s nothing better than Santa Clause the Movie on January 20th or the annual round up of the year programme on the 16th. Go pear- shaped as you pick up the Christmas pieces, and prepare yourself for the year ahead. Frantic February here we come, we should be fighting fit by then, if the flu jabs worked of course. Happy New Year, Feliz ano Nuevo! Dawn Llewellyn-Price
Stars over Camposol with Keith Jackson January and February is a good time for observing the constellation Gemini (The Twins) because it is well up in the Southern sky around 10.00pm and stays visible for most of the night. Gemini is quite easy to find as it glides high overhead in mid-winter, above and to the left of Orion and is best identified by its two brightest stars, Castor and Pollux. These two stars are noticeable for being bright and quite close together high on the sky’s dome. Although twins, they are not identical as Pollux appears to be slightly brighter and is a warmer pale orange
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Many cultures have seen two humans in this star pattern — marked by two roughly parallel lines of stars capped by two of the brightest stars in our night sky. But the legend that endures is that of Castor and Pollux. The constellation is also home to the Geminid meteor shower, which peaks in mid-December. If you trace their paths across the sky, the meteors all point back toward Gemini. According to popular legend, Castor and Pollux were twin brothers, the sons of Zeus and Leda, the wife of Tyndarus, king of Sparta. They sailed with Jason and the Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece. They were invincible fighters with unparalleled courage. Pollux distinguished himself as a great boxer or fighter and Castor as a great wrestler. Some stories say Castor was also a great horseman. These two were inseparable companions and fought their best when they were near each other. Because of the help they gave their fellow Argonauts during a storm which threatened to sink their ship, the constellation Gemini was considered a favorable sign to sailors when they saw it. To commemorate their great feats and the help they gave to the sailors, and because of their great love for each other, Zeus placed their constellation in the sky after their deaths. Gemini forms part of a bright set of constellations that makes the night sky fascinating to watch over the cold winter months.
2013
Windows Awnings Fly Screens Pool covers Mosquito nets Walls and ceilings Glass curtains Sliding/folding doors
689 589 356 968 659 046
Cristaleria Toldos Mamparas Cubiertas de piscina Mosquiteras Enmarcacion Cerramientos y Techos Cortinas de cristal Puertas correderas y plegables
Librilla, Calle Totana No6 cristaleriapagan@cristaleriapagan.com www.cristaleriapagan.com
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Out & About.
With Rod Sawyer Too much food, too much booze, what a few weeks to look forward to! So far we have done one Christmas lunch, Andreas of the donkey rescue, doggies incidental! I think they have re-housed 36 dogs this year, including one lovely little spaniel bitch we came across. The do was at the Trevi, always a good venue. The meal was excellent, some saying it was one of the best they have ever had. It was very good, and there was choice. Us being sad traditionalists went for the prawn cocktail rather than the soup! Overwhelmingly everyone there chose the Xmas turkey dinner. Four different veggies, all the accompaniments, a large portion of turkey breast, a very decent gravy, what more could anyone want? Well the vegetarians, led by Andrea, attacked a nut roast which they all said was terrific. Dessert was chocolate cake for the choco fiends, and a slab of Christmas pudding for us sad traditionalists. A decent house wine and finishing off with coffee completed the food but started the games; stand up bingo, a Father Christmas lottery, and an endless supply of prizes to the mini lottery! Great fun, our table of six were all neighbours with dogs, so we spent a happy
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time talking dogs! Honestly worse than talking grandchildren! We even met the couple who have adopted the forlorn little scrap we rescued from the campo. Now a truly bouncy little dog, great fun, very affectionate, lots of character. According to the vet two and a half, but having had three or four litters, before being junked. The UK is not the only place with puppy farms! A lovely afternoon. We have been to Tels a few time over the past few weeks. I have always been a sucker for their chicken curry and chips! Pretty hot and very tasty! But it’s the Sunday lunch we like there. Of course we know most who go, which makes you feel at home to start with. Its prices are a standard 6.50 for mains, with a couple of euros for a starter or dessert. Where they win for me is that they offer a small plate for 4.50. This is in fact enough for me and means I can tackle one of their excellent desserts, usually the lemon meringue. The new management is truly continuing to keep the Tels traditions alive, which is good; always something to do, a couple of quizzes, karaoke on Friday, bingo, and great sandwiches. It’s a bit of a change on Sector B, Bali Hi has become Nameste, which translates as the Hindu greeting. Quality changed some
www.thecamposoljournal.com
time ago. This leaves the Indian of Sector A pottering along. Of the three we tend to use Quality which we have found to live up to its name. We usually indulge ourselves with poppadoms and the pickle tray to start with, and their pickle tray is often innovative eg a smooth version of lime pickle! I love rice dishes, and their byriani is excellent. If you like paella, try a byriani at Quality. It comes with a medium hot sauce, which you use as a gravy, otherwise the rice can be a bit dry. You could ask for a very mild accompanying sauce. If not eating that, I tend to go for a Rogan Josh, which has extra onions and tomato and goes down very well with their excellent nan bread; usually buttered and smothered in garlic! If you are not used to heat, then do ask for the sauce to be mild! Do remember there are curries like the Kashmir which are laden with fruit and very mild. One Saturday before Christmas we fancied a Chinese. Where to go? Since woks do nothing for either of us, this rules out most for starters. We have been going to the one in Bolnuevo, which is always very reasonable, with a pleasant service. We used to use Da Fu Hau in the port, now just along the road from Don Ricardos. We went there some months ago and very definitely did not enjoy the food or the service. It was
2013
our favourite so we did decide to give it one more chance and see what it was like. We arrived not long after 7PM and were the only customers, the welcome was warm and we both had soup, the fishy kind, which we both liked a lot. Plenty of sea critters in mine! We had egg fried rice, excellent, duck a la orange, a personal favourite and tried for the fist time the Pekin chicken. This was strands of chicken deep fried and served in a edible pot! Both choices were thoroughly enjoyed and the whole was washed down with Chinese tea, which if you have not tried it is a sound accompaniment to a Chinese meal. So the Da Fu Hau glitch is removed and the restaurant is once again on our itinerary. It demonstrated that anywhere can have an off day. It shouldn’t happen but does, really the best measure of a good restaurant is consistency. We had a musical evening one Friday, with the CAS band at the Vista Bar on Sector A. They really have a great following an the bar was packed. Nibbles, in the guise of some delicious sandwiches were supplied about 10PM. They are there every Friday and the atmosphere took me back to some of the better club venues in London in the seventies! Whilst on the subject of the Vista bar, I don’t understand why more don’t take part in Simon’s fun quiz on a
2013
Thursday. It starts at 5.30PM which means even if you stay for play your Cards right it is still before 9PM when you finish. We tend to eat there as well, but the finish time means there is time to go elsewhere or home to a meal. It’s the only early doors quiz and great fun, with the main body and in addition always photos thrown up on the screen from a computer. Now Simon does have a midland accent, second only to scouse or perhaps geordie but testing his patience is all part of the fun! Come along quizzers give Simon a try! PS you do not have to be a Wolves supporter! Rod sawyer
FEELING THE BLUES ???
The Doghouse Blues Band as the name suggests goes back to the roots of all contemporary music - the blues which oddly enough is very popular with Spanish audiences as it strikes an accord with flamenco , both of which they call `La Musica de la vida`( music of life). Playing material from the likes of B.B and Freddie King, Gary Moore, John Lee Hooker and the more contemporary Taj Mahal, Joe Cocker and Santana offers people an opportunity to listen and bop around to a different kind of
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regularly at the Los Olmos Jazz Café bar in Alhama de Murcia and also at bar Oasis, Bolnuevo, once a regular haunt for ex-pats but now much more frequented by Spanish, German and Scandinavian clientele who come especially to listen to the style of music on offer. The band members are all highly experienced and first rate musicians with long pedigrees in the business. London born Allan (Drummer) at the tender age of 16 was in an 8 piece band supporting the resident Alexis Korner`s Blues incorporated at the 100 club in London`s Oxford street. After turning down a pro job with Johnny Kidd and the Pirates for the sake of a `proper job` - duh – he ended up with a soul band called Respect, way before the Commitments came about , touring the UK and Europe . Paul (Keyboards ) hails from Stoke-on Trent and is a well seasoned pro having played and depped with many famous people including George Harrison, Roy Wood`s wizard and ELO along with being in the band that Jim Davidson used in his shows. Before coming to Spain he was with soul/ disco outfit Sweet Sensation famed for wearing kilts and attracting lots of girls armed with mirrors. Andy (Bass) is from Manchester and another well seasoned pro having performed with the likes of Simply Red and Sad Café whose singer sadly died at the height of their fame. He was also one of Screaming Lord Sutch`s Savages and involved with the North Wests Reggae scene performing and recording with many influential Jamaican artists. Before coming to Spain, Andy ran and taught at a performing Arts School in Chiswick London whos latest prodigy is Charlotte and Jonathan of Britains Got Talent fame. Danny (Guitar)`the young un` hails from Skegness and influenced by a musical father has spent many years treading the boards of his beloved east of England playing regularly at Butlins and the very lively rock scene around that area. Bluesy, funky, soulful, the aim of the band is to put on an exciting , professional show demonstrating “American roots music’ at it`s best. Some of which is familiar and some probably not, but always performed with style, punch and conviction. Line-Up: Drums / Vocals Allan Ashton Keyboards/ Vocals Paul Reece Bass / Vocals Andy Scott Guitar Danny Turland Band enquiries: 699 203 809 Email: alashton@hotmail.com
Wishing all our readers a very happy new year
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&Gardens
Homes
Los Palacios gardening Report
After a short Christmas break, the Los Palacios Garden Volunteers are looking forward to starting the New Year, and there is lots to be done ! The many projects undertaken so far have provided us with lots of plants and trees to admire, but now it is almost as much as we can cope with to maintain the different areas. Weeding is always hard work. This time of year all of the roses, and lots of other plants, must be pruned, so that we should have another glorious show in the spring. Many of the trees that have overgrown the footpaths are also being cut back to provide safe access. Our thanks to the council for agreeing to remove all of the green waste that we are creating to dispose of ecologically. Work continues on extending all of the public areas. Special attention is being made in Parque Salud, (the large area opposite the health centre and by the
shops). A stone monument has recently been added to this area (at least that won’t need pruning) , and more gravel and plants provided around the edges, so this area should soon look like the park that it was planned to be. Work is still in progress. We know that it will take a long time, but our volunteers really do look forward to getting together, doing it bit by bit (Poco a poco). Most enjoy the exercise, whilst all
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enjoy the friendship of the team. Anyone who joins in is made welcome, soon to become another friend and to enjoy the satisfaction of seeing a result for their effort. In 2013 our regular team workers will be easy to spot, as most will be wearing the new bright yellow shirts, with the words Los Palacios Volunteer on the front. If you spot one working near you, please ask how you can help. All of them will be pleased to meet you. 2013 will start with a new team leading the group, so no doubt new enthusiasm and new projects will result in Los Palacios looking even better. The new chairman is Eddie Roberts, with Beryl Holland as treasurer. Both of these people have already proved their dedication to improving Los Palacios, and I look forward to seeing the fruit of new ideas. As I am standing down, this will be my last report, so I would like to thank everyone for reading, and wish all a prosperous New Year.
Olives
The olive is an evergreen shrub or tree. Trees grow upto heights of 10m, they have persistent dark green leaves, its trunk is very twisted and its grey and smooth crust that cracks with ages. Growth is slow and it is a very hard wood. It produces small white flowers whose fruit are edible and usable for the production of oil (aceite). The fruit is a small drupe 1-2.5 cm long, thinner-fleshed and smaller in wild plants than in orchard cultivars. Olives are harvested at the green stage or left to ripen to a rich purple color (black olive). Canned black olives may contain chemicals that turn them black artificially. Olive trees can be cultivates by seeds or cuttings. HISTORY The olive tree (Olea Europea) is one of the few trees that can still produce fruits even in rocky and unproductive land. Olea’s main characteristic is its longevity and the preservation of its productivity.
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The olive tree has been the symbol of wisdom and peace. The olive tree was the sacred tree of goddess Athena and Athens, the capital of Greece, took its name from the goddess. Zeus had decreed that the city should be given to the god who offered the most useful gift to the people. Poseidon gave them the horse. Athena struck the bare soil with her spear and caused an olive tree to spring up. The people were so delighted with the olive that Zeus gave the city to Athena and named it after her. Athena is often shown with an olive branch, a symbol of peace and plenty. At the Ancient Olympic Games, winners were presented with a simple olive tree branch which was cut with a gold-handled knife from a wild olive tree. The Greeks believed that the vitality of the sacred tree was transmitted to the recipient through the branch. HEALTH The olive oil is still being used for medical purposes and religious purposes and it has been proved to be an essential ingredient of a healthy diet. As a monosaturated fatty acid, olive oil does not have the same cholesterol-raising effect of saturated fats. Olive oil is also a good source of antioxidants. Olive oil, unlike seed oils, remains stable in its chemical structure at relatively high temperatures because of its antioxidant and high oleic acid content.
GRADES OF OLIVE OIL These grades or types of olive oil were developed by the International Olive Oil Council: Extra-Virgin Olive Oil also known as ‘the queen of oils’. The A+ of oils. This is the oil that results from the first pressing of olives. To qualify as extra virgin, the oil must be cold pressed, with no chemicals or hot water added during the process. Also, acidity levels must be lower than 1%, and the oil must have an excellent flavor and aroma. Extra virgin olive oils are sometimes treated like fine wines, and, as with wines, some people will argue that no two olive groves will produce extra virgin olive oils that taste alike. The seasoned palate is able to detect distinctions in taste and aroma, and these subtleties are extensively discussed and intensely debated. To be certified for the “extra virgin” label, an olive oil should satisfy four criteria: 1) it must be produced by mechanical extraction methods (no chemicals or hot water applied), 2) it come only from first cold-pressing, 3) it should have an oleic acidity level of less than 1%, 4) it must have a perfect taste.
acid content: the best oil has the lowest acidity. The oil should also be free from perceptible defects in taste or smell. Extra virgin olive oil is valued for its perfect balance in terms of flavour, aroma, colour, and acidity level. One reason extra virgin olive oil is prized so highly is its high content of vitamins and nutrients. Also, it is pure and without any additives. The fruitiness of its taste and the complexity of its aroma give it universal appeal. The light, delicate consistency of extra virgin olive oil makes it perfect for dressings. It is also the preferred oil for use in cooking by more discerning users. Extra virgin olive oil comes in four subtypes: Extra virgin olive oil (regular), Organic extra virgin olive oil, Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). Different extra virgin olive oils may share the same characteristics but there is marked variation in taste. There are many nuances, and connoisseurs categorise its flavours as mild (delicate, light, or buttery), semi-fruity (stronger, with more taste of olive), and fruity (oil with a strong olive flavour).
Acidity level is the most important factor that determines its grade. This is a measure of the percentage of free fatty
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Wellbeing
base of the ribs sit onto the abdomen restricting the expansion of the abdomen with the inhale ‌. in some cases where the shoulders round forward collapsing the chest there is very little movement or elasticity to the ribcage, therefore,
Apart from the musculature mechanics and movements related to the aim of trying to increase our breathing capacity we also consciously direct our breath during the practice. This allows our mind to become quiet as we observe the subtle movements of the breath. And unlike any other physical exercise (talking broadly) yoga is the only one where we lead with the breath.
Local Yoga teacher Lisa has a studio in Isla Plana and has classes for all abilities. She has written the following article to draw your attention to the breath and all related health issues. The Breath How often do you notice your breathing?? When you are out of breath or when you can not catch your breath maybe, but apart from those two examples it is just part of the process.. something that just happens. How often do you think about the quality of your breath, or its importance? There is no life without breath and equally no breath without life! But how often do we notice how we breathe? The majority of people only use a third of the lungs capacity to breath ‌ never really eliminating the lungs of its stale breath and never allowing the heart and other organs of the body to benefit from receiving a generous supply of oxygenated blood. The organs of the body are not able to rejuvenate, cleanse and function properly on this limited supply of oxygenated blood received. The breath’s capacity relies on a number of things.. good posture to begin with. If the body descends slightly forward the
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and straightening the spine. Movements linked to the exhale are designed in the same way to increase this effect, and they include lowering the arms, compression of the abdomen, which happens in forward bends, twists and lateral bends.
restricting the expansion of the lungs and their ability to inhale a decent breath. Like all movements of the body the breath relates to muscular contraction. The particular techniques of breathing used in the practice of asana (postures of yoga) are designed to maximise the effects of the inhale and the exhale. In yoga not only is the goal to direct the breath consciously during our asana practice but we are also aiming to make our breathing both the inhalation and the exhalation, fuller and deeper than it normally is
As an exercise sitting or laying comfortably without holding tension in any part of the body, let the hands rest onto the abdomen. Closing the eyes, gently on the in breath try to expand the abdomen (without force) and then relax it on the out breath (gently contract the belly button towards the spine). Try to let the mind observe the breath without making any mental comment.You can add a mental count to maintain the minds awareness: counting one on the in breath two on the out breath and so on until you reach to ten and then start again. Try not to hold any tension in the body and for a few minutes let the mind soften with the breathing.. After a few minutes the mind becomes quiet, while sitting still just notice the
Conscious use of the inhale in the practice of asanas should enhance this natural process. The following movements when linked to the inhale are designed for this specific purpose: raising the arms, expanding the chest, arching the back
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natural flow of the breath. With just a simple technique we can direct our awareness and create a relaxed state, obtain an inner peace. Once the muscles relax and tensions drop away the body expands freely. Enabling the body to move through tension. Using certain breathing techniques (pranayamas) which connects mind and body, we achieve free flowing movement with the breath; this itself has a direct impact on our nervous system. The practice of yoga allows us to increase our breathing potential increasing the flow of highly oxygenated blood through the body to our vital organs; coupled with gentle movements, stretches and contractions of the muscle groups we equally increase the elimination of unwanted toxins and waste matter from the body. What you do not notice from watching a group practicing yoga is the focus of mind on the breath; how the mind’s awareness on the breath itself relaxes the body allowing tensions both held in body and mind to drop away. The practice of yoga not only creates strength and flexibility in body and mind but brings a sense of wellbeing and inner calm to our daily lives. lisa@yogawithlisa.es (0034) 626 960 354 www.yogawithlisa.es
10 Tips to Help You Achieve Your New Year’s Health Goals 1. Find Your Motivation What is motivating you to lose weight? Do you want to look better in your clothes, feel more energetic, or simply improve your health? Get clear about what you want, and then use that to inspire you throughout your journey. 2. Have a Plan If you were to go on a long road trip, you wouldn’t just jump in the car and go. If you did, you’d arrive hungry, tired, and fatigued. That’s the same way you’d feel if you jumped into a whole new lifestyle with no planning. Before January 1st arrives, outline the changes you want to implement and decide how you’ll fit them into your schedule. Keep in mind that it may be best to take steps rather than tackle everything at once. 3. Make Goals Goals help measure progress. If you don’t know where you want to end up, you won’t really know how to get there. When making your goals, you need to make SMART goals: Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Timely For example, a SMART goal would be something like, “I will walk for 15 minutes 3 days for one week.” Or, “I will prepare one new healthy recipe each week for the month of January.” 4. Track What You Eat Looking closely at what you eat is often an eye-opening experience. Keep track of everything you put into your body.You don’t have to do it for the rest of your life, but it is a great habit to start. Tracking will help you tweak your diet so that you can still enjoy foods you love without sabotaging your weight loss or healthy eating efforts.
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5. Use Reliable Resources It may be tempting to try a fad diet, but these are usually unrealistic, difficult to maintain, and sometimes even dangerous. Instead, find a reliable source of information to help you understand nutrition.Your Doctor can offer a number of tools and resources, or you can consult a registered dietitian in your area. 6. Eat Breakfast Every Day Surely you’ve heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It is! Eat a big healthy breakfast as early as possible. It will give you more energy, lead you to make healthier choices during the day, and keep you feeling full so you eat less later on. 7. Fill Up on Vegetables Vegetables are filled with nutrients, water, fiber, and very few calories. If you fill half of your plate with vegetables, you’ll get fuller faster and cut down your calories without feeling deprived. Use herbs and spices to jazz up vegetables instead of using butter and/or salt to flavor them. 8. Exercise In order to burn calories at a faster rate and build a healthy body, you’ll need to incorporate exercise into your life. Take it slow at first, and then increase your time and/or intensity once you feel comfortable. If you haven’t exercised in a while, talk to your doctor to make sure that you are healthy enough to begin an exercise plan. 9. Take It Slow A major mistake many people make when trying to tackle a health resolution is trying to do everything at once. This is almost always a recipe for disaster. Spend a few weeks just trying to achieve 1-2 goals at a time. When you have established new good habits, put a couple more goals on your plate. Remember:You want to make permanent changes, and these will take time to implement. 10. Be Prepared for Lapses A lapse is when you temporarily “fall off the wagon.” This is a normal part of the process; no one is perfect. It is important for you to take a moment to recognize that you got sidetracked, but don’t use it as an excuse to throw in the towel. Every day is a new chance to start over, so return to your healthy lifestyle immediately.
Wishing all our readers a very happy new year
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Belly Putter Ban in 2016
By John Brown
The R & A and the USGA have announced that they propose to ban players “anchoring” their putters to their bodies from the beginning of 2016. This was the announcement in early December. Is it fair? Does it make any difference to the club golfer? Can the R & A get away with it given that they have been in use for at least 30 years? What happens between now and 2016? Sam Torrance was the first to make the long-putter famous, with the “chin putter”. Belly putters came later, and have been a much bigger success since most players find them far easier to adapt to. They are primarily responsible for the soaring popularity of long putters in the last 10 years, with many young players now coming through having never used any other method. In the past, long putters were seen as the mark of a desperate golfer trying to prolong a career. Nobody wanted to kick those players when they were down, and considering that nobody had ever achieved any consistent world-beating success with the long clubs there wasn’t much of an issue. Players can wedge long putters against some part of their body to keep a firm point from which to swing, something which helps many players who suffer from the yips, which are involuntarily nervous jerks or twitches.. All that changed at the 2011 US PGA Championship. Keegan Bradley became
The U.S. Golf Association and Royal & Ancient lied when they said winning the major championships with a long putter were only part of what got their attention. Mike Davis of the USGA and Peter Dawson of the R&A both also lied when they spoke about a dramatic increase in the number of players using such putting strokes, that it trickled down to younger golfers, and their concern that the stroke was taking too much of the skill out of the game. Though the long putters themselves will not become illegal, they will become effectively useless since they are only effective when anchored to part of the player’s body. Banning the stroke but not the clubs is like telling boxers they can use boxing gloves, but only if they don’t wear them on their hands. This is a mealymouthed way of the R & A avoiding litigation.
angle but given the wide ranging interest in this subject we would like to give stakeholders in the game the opportunity to put forward any new matters for consideration,” he said. “Throughout the 600-year history of golf, the essence of playing the game has been to grip the club with the hands and swing it freely at the ball. The player’s challenge is to control the movement of the entire club in striking the ball, and anchoring the club alters the nature of that challenge. Our conclusion is that the Rules of Golf should be amended to preserve the traditional character of the golf swing by eliminating the growing practice of anchoring the club.” The long-handled putters are not happy. “A lot of us feel strongly about the hours of practice we’ve put in that they’re saying is basically for nothing now,” said Bradley recently, while Els added that the R&A and USGA, “are going to have a couple of legal issues coming their way... we are talking about people’s livelihoods.” The very best putters in the world statistically speaking - still use short putters, and it’s commonly felt that long putts (from over 20ft) are much easier with a short putter than a long one. And given the fact that they have been so legal for so long, many will argue that a ban is harsh and unfair. The big worry for the R&A and USGA
A period of consultation with the industry will take place before any ban is confirmed, but R&A chief executive Peter Dawson sounded confident that the move will go ahead. “We believe we have considered this issue from every
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the first player to win a major using the belly putter when he rammed in a 35-foot birdie putt on the 17th at Atlanta Athletic Club in 2011 during a remarkable comeback. It was in the news conference after the PGA Championship that Bradley spoke about a number of players on the Nationwide Tour who were using belly putters. Since then, Webb Simpson (at the 2012 US Open) and Ernie Els (at The 2012 Open Championship) have both won Majors with long putters. In that event, Ernie Els overtook Adam Scott who was also holing putts for fun with a similar long implement.
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is that the equipment manufacturers will act to protect their colossal profits (as they did in other equipment bans in the past), but considering that the clubs themselves have not been banned that may not be an issue. However, a court might be persuaded otherwise: the ban is effectively on the clubs themselves regardless of how it’s worded since long putters are utterly useless unless they are anchored against the body. Bradley, meanwhile, has proposed that a potential “restraint of trade” law-suit could be in the pipeline. Given that we’re ultimately talking about a game whose rules are already quite often confusing and illogical, it seems hard to imagine a court opening that particular Pandora’s box. In all probability a ban will come in and everybody will simply get on with it. The elite players will get used to it and the equipment manufacturers will be happy to sell millions of new putters to those who use the longer versions. The reality is that most club golfers and most professionals use short putters, and the expectation is that most players will back the ban. Players such as Tiger Woods and Gary Player have already been vocal in support of the ban. In addition, similar bans have been imposed in the past - such as the outlawing of Sam Snead’s croquetstyle putting stroke in the 1960s. Further back in the game’s past, players have been banned from scooping or flicking their ball.
as the century-old rule codifying that the ball must be fairly struck and not be pushed, scraped or spooned and the 1968 prohibition on the ‘croquet’ style of putting.” The statement also says: “Although anchoring the club is not new, until recently it was uncommon and typically seen as a method of last resort by a small number of players. In the last two years, however, more and more players have adopted the anchored stroke. Golf’s governing bodies have observed this upsurge at all levels of the game and noted that more coaches and players are advocating this method. The decision to act now is based on a strong desire to reverse this trend and to preserve the traditional golf stroke.” Each organisation is expected to take a final decision on the proposed change in spring 2013 and anyone wishing to provide written comments to the appropriate governing body is encouraged to do so by February 28th. In the meantime, players can still use their long-handled putters although their interim status is very unclear. Fans have already heckled Keegan Bradley by shouting “cheat” at him on the putting green. If this continues until 2016, it will be for the R & A, a ridiculous situation of their own making. They’ve only just re-written the rules of golf in 2012. If they wanted to ban these putters, that would have been the time to do it. Bolt, horse and stable doors come to mind.
Els, now a proponent of long putters, admitted after winning The Open he considers long putters “a form of cheating. Nothing should be anchored to your body and I still believe that,” he said “But as long as it’s legal, I will keep cheating like the rest of them.” He may be talking about fighting the ban now, but those words will surely come back to haunt Els.
Well what can i say Desert Springs Golf Club it has to be the best so far it was in fantastic order and the surroundings were fantastic .We all met up for coffee and bacon butties at trevi bar then off to the
The proposed rule change would take effect on January 1, 2016, in accordance with the regular four-year cycle for changes to the Rules of Golf. The statement adds: “This timetable would also provide an extended period in which golfers may, if necessary, adapt their method of stroke to the requirements of the rule. This proposal reflects the R&A’s and USGA’s responsibility to define how the game is to be played. Aspects of how a player must make a stroke have been addressed in past rules changes, such
course the man in charge of getting us there charlie who played the course two
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weeks previously assured us he new the way ,but as is the norm with our society no trip would be complete with out a
detour and sure enough after ending up off road we finally got there so charlie is now known as Thomas Cook along with Freddie known as Christopher Columbus we are getting quite a collection,just
hope i don’t run out of explorers names to use. Well the course was fabulous and for thirty euros it was a bargain all played well and the scores were close but finally the cream rose to the top and Nigel Bowditch,John Hutchinson and Paul Francs came out winners ,picking up the how to improve your golf prize was Vic who by all accounts could really use it, only joking Vic i know you loved every minute of your day. Back to trevis for the presentation where once again a great spread was put on by all at trevi bar so a big thank you to them for that, Well this will be my last report for a while as i have to go back to the uk for personal reasons but i will hand over the job to another member of the society and look forward to getting back to play with all the lads again so a big thank you to you all and see you all soon .Just pop into trevi bar to find out the next day for golf and its free to join .
Wishing all our readers a very happy new year
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Bean’s slapstick exploits Audi Quattro, Ashes To Ashes
Paper disc maybe a thing of the past The Government is consulting on a proposal to scrap the paper tax disc – because computer checks have now effectively made it redundant. The paper tax disc has been in use for over 90 years but modern systems such as automatic number plate recognition mean the Police no longer rely on it. Scrapping the paper tax disc would both save money and cut bureaucracy – while also theoretically making things simpler for the 36 million motorists who display one. Instead of receiving a paper tax disc, proof that a vehicle was registered would simply be stored electronically, with owners receiving confirmation that they’ve paid via email or text message. Once the vehicle owner had paid their road fund licence fee, the details would be uploaded to the DVLA computer for the Police to check against. However, while it is now an unnecessary motoring fixture, the move is still likely to sadden some motoring enthusiasts, who see the paper disc as staple of British motoring. The fact the disc changes colour each year also makes it easier to check if the car owner has paid their road fund licence fee, too. The plans are part of a wider government consultation into cutting outdated systems and complex processes: it wants to rely more heavily on online systems and cut areas of wastage.
10 famous UK TV cars
Lotus 7 The Prisoner, The choice of Colin Chapman’s minimalist 7 rested on star Patrick McGoohan’s chance encounter with KAR120C and a feeling that it would suit his character Number Six’s independent streak. Reliant Regal Supervan III, Only Fools
By 1981 chauvinistic Gene Hunt had ditched his trusty Cortina in favour of a red Audi Quattro coupé in which he menaced the mean streets of east London. He calmed down in the Eighties, but it appears his driving didn’t
And Horses. The most notorious vehicle in Peckham has become part of British comedy culture. ‘Del Boy’ Trotter’s grotty yellow 1972 Reliant features a 600cc engine, furry dice and a ‘tax in post’ sticker Austin Mini, Mr Bean. The bright green 1,000cc Mini was the perfect foil for Rowan Atkinson’s mute comic creation. His first car had been an orange 1969 Mini, but the 1976 model has become synonymous with
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Ford Cortina Mk3, Life On Mars Finished in a suitably Seventies shade of brown, the upmarket GXL version of the third Cortina was owned by timetravelling policeman Gene Hunt to distribute his particular brand of justice in Manchester
Triumph Roadster, Bergerac Detective Jim Bergerac used a sedate 1949 Triumph to patrol his patch on the Channel Island of Jersey. Lead actor John Nettles apparently hated everything about the car, which has recently been restored Lotus Elan, The Avengers
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The divine Emma Peel had a penchant for convertible Elans, the perfectly proportioned roadster launched in 1962. The black-and-white episodes featured an S2, with the famous powder blue S3 taking over in 1967
Ford Capri, Minder Arthur Daley’s ‘minder’ Terry McCann (Dennis Waterman, Thaw’s sidekick in The Sweeney) was rarely seen without a white Capri. The first two series featured a Mk2, with the Mk3 taking over from series three
Jaguar Mk2, Inspector Morse The famous burgundy Jaguar appeared in all 33 episodes of the cerebral police drama, driven by John Thaw in a role rather different from his character Detective Inspector John ‘Jack’ Regan in The Sweeney
Volvo P1800, The Saint Roger Moore at Elstree Studios with 71 DXC, one of the Volvo P1800 coupés used in The Saint TV show that’s just been restored and will go on display at the Classic Vehicle Restoration Show on November 3-4 at the Royal Bath & West Show Ground, Shepton Mallet.
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Property, Financial and Legal SHIRLEY FISHER - HAPPY NEW YEAR!! As we move into 2013, and recover from our indulgences over the Festive period, do any thoughts occupy your mind regarding NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS???? For some of us, this is an annual ritual, ie stop smoking, eat less, take more exercise, be nice to the mother in law, etc etc. starting off with good intentions - which then all disappear into thin air after a few months or even weeks!! Its not the making of the intentions which are important but the KEEPING of them which produce fruit in the long term. Our resolutions can relate to many different topics – maybe you want to START doing something, or STOP doing something! Maybe you want to make radical changes of one sort or another, or perhaps you want to embark on a new venture – either way some brain training is necessary, to start thinking in a different way – of things we want to think about, or even things we DON’T!! Think about it – if you want to go on holiday – you plan it, prepare for it, etc. and it comes to fruition – why is it that so many Resolutions fail – BECAUSE ESCAPE IS EASIER THAN CHANGE!!
To keep a Resolution, we need to change our behaviour or the way we think. The “things we DON’T want to think about” could include our legal and financial affairs – issues which involve paperwork and who likes that at the best of times – forms, questions, answers, information, decision making and so it goes on - it can get you down and before you know it your swamped with the stuff. I am accustomed to dealing with large volumes of paperwork on a regular basis and to helping people assemble information regarding their affairs, and only too happy to talk through issues with you to enable you to make informed choices on important matters. Don’t hesitate to contact me to arrange an appointment – either by email at shirleyfisherlegalservices@gmail.com or on my mobile 634 053 976. If your passing the Business Centre, do come in for a look round – did you know the Pharmacy next door has opened ?? A welcome addition to the community after such a long wait! Because of this, the dentist and the chiropodist are located on the 1st floor of the Business Centre and we have a lift installed which is a boon for those who find stairs difficult. The telephone is 968 103 008 either Conchi in the morning or Antonio in the afternoon will be pleased to
help with your enquiries. Shirley Ann Fisher, F. Inst. L. Ex. UK Lawyer & Commissioner of Oaths, Camposol Business Centre, Calle Madrid, Sector A, Camposol, Mazarron, Murcia 30875.
MINUTES OF ‘D’ SECTOR COMMUNITY GROUP YEARLY MEETING HELD ON 3RD DECEMBER 2012 Chairmans report MD thanked everyone for their donations during the year allowing the group to continue improving the look and facilities of D sector. He apologised for the delay in securing all the necessary paperwork with regard to finalising the group becoming a Neighbourhood Association. He has now instructed a solicitor to act on our behalf who advises that the process will be speeded up at which point we will then be correctly registered allowing us to open a bank account and deal with the employment of companies legally. He then thanked the relatively small band of volunteers who form the committee, represent poligonos, carry out gardening projects, carry out weeding and maintenance needs, continue to repair our roads and drains, look after our burning pits, collect green rubbish from resident’s houses, help gravelling temporary roads, our bucketeers who stand in all weathers,
Shirley Fisher
Legal & Financial Services
The ONLY qualified and experienced UK Lawyer in this area providing a comprehensive range of services covering English and Spanish matters including QROPS Pension transfers to unlock your UK private pension For an initial discussion please telephone 634 053 976 or email:shirleyfisherlegalservices@gmail.com Camposol Business Centre Calle Madrid 19, Sector A Camposol, Mazarron MURCIA 30875 FOR AN APPOINTMENT Tel: 968 103 008 FAX: 968 199 664
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who organise our social events etc, etc. He also thanked the small number of residents who have taken time and effort to make their own projects complete. MD re-iterated the appeal for new volunteers. In the summer we handed out 500 newsletters with information regarding the work ‘D’ sector carry out, and a request for volunteers. One response was received. Help would reduce the workload of some our volunteers particularly our creative gardeners, Maureen and Clive Gritt. A big thank you to them both for our Jubilee Garden and our ever increasing Memorial Garden on D25. Due to a car accident we lost the services of John Hannah, our green waste collector, and an appeal for more towers did not raise much response. However, Mike Bull has stepped into the breach and has helped out on a number of occasions. We do still
need more help until John returns after a complete recovery. We all wish John a speedy recovery. MD also thanked Les and Linda Crook for the social functions arranged during the year which were all very successful. He finished his report with the following: “The unfortunate Gota Fria that resulted in the bridge damage had very unexpected positive outcomes that once again displayed the determined community spirit of ‘D’. I read of and experienced many acts of help within our community ranging from the offer of lifts on both sides of the bridge, help with shopping and generally a warm feeling of good neighbours around us”. He gave an assurance that the current committee, if elected, will continue to work hard on your behalf making ‘D’ the envy of Camposol both in looks and in Community spirit”. Treasurer’s Report Bob Owen reported that the statement of accounts were available around the room. All the information regarding purchases throughout the year are in the financial report published on the web site. Social Secrerary’s
Report Les Crook advised that we had a very successful year again. In March Maureen and Clive hosted a quiz night, and thanked them for their efforts. In June we had a very successful Jubilee Dance, combined with FAST. The proceeds of this dance were donated to FAST. In August we had our BBQ, again very well supported and a lot of fun with Woody as entertainment. Due to a problem with the golf club, we transferred our Halloween quiz to Trevi’s and it was very well supported, even with the bridge out of action. We have a Christmas Dance at the Amapola restaurant on the 14th December, and tickets for this sold out very quickly, all the 21 rooms at the ajoining Hotel are booked. Entertainment will be provided by Barrington. We are all looking forward to another fun night. LC thanked Steve, our web site co-ordinator for all the help he gives with posters, tickets, and in general help with the computer on D Sector. No plans for anything next year, but ideas are being suggested!!! Election of Officers MD advised that the existing members are all prepared to carry on. This was accepted unanimously. Proposed by Geoff Biggs and seconded by Tony St. George. Poligono Reps BO said the situation hadn’t changed regarding the need for more representatives.
He will send out another appeal for volunteers. The Way Forward BO explained that we haven’t got enough people to carry out all the work that requires doing each week. He has spoken to Pedro of the garden centre, and explained that when we are an association we will be able to pay someone to do this work. He advised the cost would be 60 euros a day for trimming trees and weeding the dual carriageway, and perhaps at a later date weeding around the perimeter road. We can afford two days a week which would take the pressure of the existing volunteers. He asked for approval of the members attending and it was agreed that this is the way forward. It is suggested we have a three month trial period, and we will collect the rubbish each week, to keep the cost down. AOB Ines Navarro put a proposal forward for a children’s play area. MD explained that he had sent a letter to the Council this year requesting a play area, or permission for us to build a play area, but no response was received. Maite suggested that perhaps each house should contribute a small sum towards this venture. Geoff Biggs suggested that perhaps in the spring a petanque competition could be arranged on the new course on D9. This will be reviewed in the new year. MD advised there will be a Carol Concert on the D19 triangle on Friday 21st December. Mince pies, and mulled wine on offer. If anyone wants to make some pies and wine, they will be gratefully received. The question of the closure of the back road on D11 was raised, and Jose explained the position so far, and explained that this is on-going with the council and Paloma. The new road, down the rambla, was raised and the worry that large lorries are using the road and it is getting very rutted, LC suggested that everyone takes a letter to Tatiana and then the council might take some notice, if they received a volume of complaints. Tony St. George expressed concern regarding the loss of John’s towbar for the road repair team. He suggested that perhaps we could look into buying an old banger with tow bar for all our towing work. This was discussed and it was thought it might be an insurance problem, but it will get looked into. The meeting closed at 6.00pm. The next meeting will be held in the Cultural Centre on 4th February 4.00pm
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Mercers Opening Murcia estate agent, Mercers, is currently riding the crest of a wave of success with the highlight being the opening of new larger offices in Camposol Golf Resort on
17 November. Mayor of Mazarron, Ginés Campillo, cut the ribbon and toasted the thriving local business. Chris Mercer, Director of Mercers based in Camposol Golf since 1998, says,
“Granted, not many agents are moving to bigger premises in Spain these days but we like to buck the trend. We’ve taken over a prime frontline corner position that ironically used to belong to a Spanish bank and now have five window displays rather than just the one. Already we’re feeling the effects with a notable increase in prospective buyers and sellers – so much so that we’re taking on a new native Spanish team member to handle enquiries” Chris continues, “Prices have of course fallen significantly, back to the same levels as a decade ago, but I do believe they have finally levelled out – in our area at least. For the first time we are seeing demand for certain property types and, as we all know, demand ultimately leads to rises in values. The market for us has been steadily increasing this year but we saw a big jump in activity in September and October with record sales in the former. There is a misconception that agents are all selling bank repossessions with 100% finance but in fact the
reverse is true, 90% of our sales are straightforward resale properties.” When asked about the predicted effect of Spain’s new ‘Bad Bank’ which will spend up to 90 billion euros on foreclosed properties and defaulted loans at 20% to 68% of their face value, Chris was confident that Murcia would be ‘different’. “For a start only 35%-40% of the bad bank assets will be finished residential property, with a large proportion of this being in major cities and other areas of high volume construction. Murcia does not fall into this category. So, if people are waiting for a flood of cheap bargain properties to hit the market in 2013, I think they will be disappointed”
Useful Numbers Bar, restaurants & cafes Alley Palais 968 97 88 69 Amapola 660 32 80 92- 968 15 65 03 Bar Trevi 669 026 544 Cat’s Bar 666 188 353 Elliots 968 158 499 Mariposa 968 631 008 Scotties 625 917 425 Sensol Golf Restaurante 603 135 387 Seventh Heaven 968 332 088 Tel’s Bar 634 143 088 Vista Bar 648 731 309 Bathrooms Beautiful Bathrooms 968 974 038/663617 563 Beauty Care & Health Heather mobile 636 657 481 Freedom Mobility 968 153 620 Bowling Alley Alley Palais 968 978 869 Builders CM Constructions 659 159 948 GTH Construtions 632 003 793 or 968 810 3008 Car Hire & SERVICES F&C Rental 968 199 156 Puncturesafe 968 979 260/634 355 709www Car mechanics & car sales Ken Sherwood mechanics 679 646 859 Carpentry Dave Davidson 634 330 706 Camposol Business Centre District Journal, Security, Dentist, Chiropodists, Another World Properties 968 103 008 Central Heathing & Plumbing Calida Gas & Oil 659 761 771 Charities PALS 968 422 228 / 626460 465 Andreas animal rescue 690 906 565 JJPuppies 618 934 921 Making a Difference 634 357 137 Mabs 639 665 370 Lions 682 104 635 Chimney Sweep Tony 646 438 694 Chiropodists Nathalia 968 103 008 Computer design services Daniel White www.danielwhitedesign.com Dentists Camposol Business Centre 968 103 008 Ear Candling Heather mobile 636 657 481 Electricians Andy 617 644 339 Funerals and funeral plans Tony Smith, Funeral director 650 631 719 Fish & Chips Elliots Bolnuevo 968 158 499 Gardening Evergreen 679 582 410 Hairdressers Carols 968 974 989 Cut & Dried 628 149 840 Home Furnishings & furniture @HOME 868 088 118 Furniture Plus 968 153 907/678 083 491 Yorkshire Linen 968 595 946/650 857 619
Insurance & Asesoria Nash Warren, Bolnuevo 968 156 583 R&L Seguros 968 138 516 / 620 277 690 ASSA 968 453 386 El Pilar 968 425 210 Ibex Insurance 968 595 945 Internet Cafes Alley Palais 968 97 88 69 Law services MMB 968 332 068 Shirley Ann Fisher 968 103 008 Metalwork Eriks 636 050 008 Mobility, aids & equipment Freedom & mobility 968 153 620 Properrty services Frucomtel 968 592 415 Camposol Properties 968 592 679 Kevins Fly Screens 650 662 579/616 984 652 Pool cleaning, maintenance & repair Tony, the pool diver 646 438 694 Kohn pool Services 968 138 638/626 684 979 Printing & Design Insignia Graphics, 618 615 903 Mister print 638 893 357 SALES AND RENTAL AGENTS Mercers 968 199 188 UK 08450 177 805 2let2buy2sell 968 979 876 UK 00 44 1223 968 199 Sensol Golf Villa Rentals 968 970 614/608 631 700 Costa Calida Property Services 968 199 251 Villa Quest 968 974 918 Spanish Resort Rentals, 0034 669 19 01 13 Spanish interpreters and courses Debbies translations & interpreting, 677 353 136 Pilar Garcia 630 21 99 82 Totana English Academy 968 422 013/620 230 775 Television Services Rainbow, 686 358 475 Window cleaning services AYS 619 877 303 Water, purification services The H20zone 619877303
TANIA’S CLEANING
All types of cleaning, domestic and commercial. Fantastic rates, call for a quote Call 659 478 470
Jacuzzis & hot tubs bought , sold and repaired 650 722 905 www.eurospas1.com
In the event of a medical emergency call 112 and then phone F.A.S.T on 968 970 626 (Camposol Only)
Getting in touch with the committees and organisations
CRA Camposol Residents Association. Main base is the wooden hut on the car park on Sector B Commercial Centre. It is open Mon, Wed & Fri mornings.email them on info@cracamposol.com. Chairman is Bob Owen available on Tel :(0034) 634 364 738 Secretary is Sandy Allison Their web site which is interactive and very informative is www.cracamposol.com Sector A committee. Have their own web site at www.a-camposol.com They can be emailed at info@a-camposol.com. They publish minutes and notes in the window of the office at far end of shops bottom Sector A Commercial centre, behind the post boxes. The telephone contact number for the committee is 603109974 This number is manned every morning Monday thru Friday 10am / 12noon Sector A gardening group is run by David Senior Peake who can be contacted by email dseniorpeake@hotmail.co.uk. They also run a bookstall Friday morning outside the post room on A. The team leaders meet monthly in Tels first Monday in moth 11AM visitors welcome. Sector B & B-clean (their gardening group) NB B sector community group is newly formed. Helen White 968 199 506 is the pro tem organisor. Sector C Greenfingers gardening group, Bernard Holland, our chairman - Tel 626 513 842, email spainvilarosa@gmail.com Camposol Community Group D Sector The group meets monthly on the first Tuesday at 4PM in the Trevi Chairman Mick Drummond 968131971or 660038015 Secretary Les Crook 968979831or 606874193 Ents and Tickets Linda Crook 968979831or 606874193 Trailer Bookings John Hannah 634341427 Compost Site Supervisor 651119145 Camposol Fiesta: Michelle Moston michelle.moston@gmail.com Age Concern Meets every Wednesday morning in the Cultural Centre everyone welcome Their chair is Anne Lambert 968 970 687 Camposolers The registered group site for residents of Camposol, the proprietor is Reg Rogers who can be contacted by e-mailing reg rogers@hotmail.com. Apply to Reg for membership. NB there is an underline dash between reg and rogers!!!!!! Town Hall can now be contacted through an office in the Cultural Centre Sector B, by the roundabout down from the roundabout by the filling station. Tatiana Andres is there to help you every weekday morning. Phone 968 131 717, email oficinacamposol@mazarron.es MABS now have an office in the old MASA office on the main dual carriage way on Sector C LIONS, Secretary Lion Mike Coombs 968 429 129 Membership Lion Mervyn Booth 968 163 082 ANNOUNCEMENTS
Welcome book club every second and fourth Tuesday in the underbuild at the former medical centre on Sector B.
If your committee would like your details here then please contact Rod Sawyer at rodsawyer41@hotmail.com
PALS EVENTS 2013 1st January NYD sponsored swim, Bahia beach, sponsor form available.
Welcome everyone to 2013. We had a good year through 2012, all in all. Like any other charity we had our ups and downs. The main point though is that the animals we rescued are safe, well and we managed to home a total of 32 dogs. You may be thinking that this is not a lot but when you consider that we were set up as a donkey charity primarily and to help other animals when we could we think that this was a good year. On top of this we managed to rescue a total of three more donkeys, two pot bellied pigs and another couple of rabbits. The shop throughout the year was our only regular source of income and it managed to keep the charity on an even keel. To this end I must congratulate all the staff who work there and I very much appreciate their efforts, even if I don´t tell them often and of course I and all the animals owe a great deal of thanks to you the public as without your donations of unwanted items and support this charity would no longer exist.
18th March/ 21st March Hotel Helios 4 days, return coach and full board, single room supplement 40 Euros 125/165 29th April/ 6th May cruise, Greek Islands SOLD OUT! Waiting list! and Turkey, all inclusive price pp cat K 745 see Athens, Santorini, Marmaris, Istanbul etc cat G 835 To remind you we are at SaraLaras on a Wednesday afternoon 1 till 3 or Saturday morning at the Trevi from 11 till 1.30 or call me on 626 460 465.
MABS EVENTS IN MAZARRÓN January 2013
Our team of dedicated members of the committee have kept the charity going forward. Not forgetting the support of staff and members of Camposol Journal, who allow us these articles each month?
Tuesday 15th January - MABS COFFEE MORNING.MABS CENTRE 396 Avda de los Covachos Camposol Sector B4 - 11.am to 1.00pm Cake stalls, books - come along and meet some of our volunteers - have a chat, a cup of coffee or a snack. For further information please ring Diane on 689 052 123.
During December I witnessed a man fall near to the shops on B sector. Together with others we rendered assistance and I found that he was holding a small dog. ¨Divi´ had been hit by a car earlier and the man was taking him to the vets. We assisted and Divi had a long drawn-out operation on his back leg which had been shattered. Paco our vet worked his wonders yet again and Divi seems to be well on the way to a full recovery. Both the man and this charity give grateful thanks to everyone who has donated money for this operation.
Tuesday 29th January - VOLUNTEERS MEETING -Trevi bar, Camposol Sector B - 11.30 am If you would like further information about how you can help MABS come along to our meeting. For further information please ring David on 634 362 954.
Karla was sent on her way to Germany at the beginning of December, tears fell yet again as she has been with us nearly 2 years. After advice from several vets, Linford the piglet did not make the trip. The stress of being in close proximity and the number of hours the journey takes to Germany we believe would have been too much for him. Therefore he is still within the charity. Poppet the little dog that was thrown over my wall has also found a home here in Spain We still have several dogs needing homes, take a look at these two, CASPER and JOAL if you are interested in either of them or want to chat about any others we have please call me on 690 906 565 or come and see me on the car park of B sector each Monday lunchtime. Once again thanks for your support and I truly hope that you have a great New Year, Andrea and the Committee.
page 45
2013
Friday 25th January - JIGSAW BEREAVEMENT GROUP-Cats Bar, Sector A Camposol – 12.00 pm The Mabs Mazarron Bereavement group meets on the last Friday of the month at Cats Bar, Sector A Camposol. Call 620 582 418 for further details. The Centre is now open and will provide a comprehensive Range of services, at Avenido de los Covachos Or phone 620 582 418, internet www.mabsmucia.com Every 2nd and 4th Friday book stall Camposol B 11.AM to 1PM, tickets to events as well or from Mabs Information Centre, Avenido de los Covachos Camposol sector B.
Menu del dia 30th January at Los Galayos in the Port. The next auction 7th February in Marianos If you have any items to sell or any you wish to donate to Age Concern to sell now’s the time to sort them out.
Tickets and information/ advice now available from The Cultural Centre, Wednesday and Thursday 10AM/1PM Fridays 12.30/3.30PM. Tickets Friday AM, 10/1PM Outside Salud Bar. Advice/info line, 634 310216: events, port 634310215 Mazarron & Camposol, 634310215
thelastlaugh20@gmail.com If you have a favourite joke that is suitable for a family magazine and not too long why not send it to
thelastlaugh20@gmail.com
We will publish it and give you a credit
For two years, a man was having an affair with an Italian woman. One night, she confided in him that she was pregnant. Not wanting to ruin his reputation or his marriage, he paid her a large sum of money to go to Italy and secretly have the child. If she stayed in Italy to raise the child, he would also provide child support until the child turned 18. She agreed, but asked how would he know when the baby was born. To keep it discrete, he told her to simply mail him a post card, and write ‘Spaghetti’ on the back. He would then arrange for the child support payments to begin. One day, nine months later, he come home to his confused wife. “Honey!”, she said “you received a very strange post card today.” He said ‘just give it to me and I will explain later’. She watched as he read the card, turned white and fainted. On the card was written: Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti Three with meatballs, two without... send extra sauce.
Five Irishmen in an Audi Quattro arrive at the Italian border. The gorgeous blonde Italian customs agent stops and tells them, “It’s illegal to put five people in a Quattro.”
Police came to my door earlier and said
“What do you mean it’s illegal?” asks the driver.
‘I agree she’s no model but she has a great personality’.
“Quattro means four,” replied the blonde.
And the kids love her Martin Sallu Plastics
‘I’m afraid it looks like your wife has been hit by a bus’. I said
“Quattro is just the name of the car,” the Irishman retorted in disbelief, “Look at the papers, this car is designed to carry five persons.” “You can’t pull that one on me,” replies the Italian customs agent, “Quattro means four. You have five people in your car and are therefore breaking the law”. The driver replies angrily, “Brainless idiot! Call your supervisor over - I want to speak to someone with more intelligence!” “Sorry,” she said sweetly, “he can’t come right now. He’s busy with two guys in a Fiat Uno.” A grandson runs up to his grandfather and asks him if he can talk like a frog. “Of course not,” says the grandfather. A few minutes later, his granddaughter asks him the same question. “No, of course not. Why are you both asking me this?” The granddaughter replies, “Dad said that when you croak, we can go to Disneyland.
Paddy had long heard the stories of an amazing family tradition. It seems that his father, grandfather and greatgrandfather had all been able to walk on water on their 18th birthday. On that special day, they’d each walked across the lake to the pub on the far side for their first legal drink. So when Paddy’s, 18th birthday came ‘round, he and his pal Mick, took a boat out to the middle of the lake, Paddy, stepped out of the boat ...and nearly drowned! Mick just barely managed to pull him to safety. Furious and confused, Paddy, went to see his grandmother. ‘Grandma,’ he asked, “It’s my 18th birthday, so why can’t I walk ‘cross the lake like my father, his father, and his father before him?” Granny looked deeply into Paddy’s, troubled brown eyes and said, “Because your father, your grandfather and your great grandfather were all born in December, when the lake is frozen, and you were born in Martin Sallu Plastics August, ya idiot.
It’s predicted that by 2025 you’ll be no more than six feet away from an exChelsea manager.
“Your meeting place in the Port”
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Restaurante Region de Murcia www.murciaturistica.es
Ladies and Gentlemen we are delighted to announce that we are re-open from the 11th of January! After a well deserved break following a hectic 2012 we are back in buisiness and eager to deliver the same quality food and service that won us the coveted “2 tenedor” culinary award. Whatever time of day it is we have something to suit your mood. Whether its coffee and one of our home-made cakes and pastries, breakfast, a light lunch or an a la carte evening meal, we are at your service. We serve our full menu all day. If you are one of our regulars then we look forward to welcoming you back and if you have never been before then you are in for an absolute treat. Come down an join us at 7th Heaven “Your Meeting Place in the Port” OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!!
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