The Jungle Drums - October 2009

For the Locals by the Locals

OCTOBER 2009 no 64

thejungledrums.com

DRIVING YOU MAD!

…and some other stuff…

This month – TOP ADVICE on driving safely, and legally, in Spain... and some other stuff…

COVERING GRAN ALACANT SANTA POLA

LA MARINA GUARDAMAR ROJALES CATRAL

ALBATERA HONDONS LA ROMANA PINOSO

this month 5 ANDREA... property payment,...

9 THE TROUBLE WITH SPAIN fiestas...

13 DRIVING LESSONS learning the rules......

17 NATURE feathered fings...

21 GRAN ALACANT... the latest on life in GA..

23 LA MARINA... it’s all kickin’ off...!

26/7 GA MAP...

FREE pull out...

30/1 INLAND SPAIN... discover it.....

33 SCUBA DIVING advancing......

35 COMPUTERS the top experts offer advice...

37 MOTORING IN SPAIN driving you mad...

38/9 PUZZLES... get busy...?

40/1 LIVING LIFE...

60 is the new 40...

41 NIGEL JARDINE... can’t be bothered...?

43 HOROSCOPES signs of the times...

45 WHAT’S ON... the BEST guide around...!

48/9 BUSINESS DIRECTORY... you definitive guide to local biz...

uch more!

and much m

Please note that our deadlines are as follows: Adverts/Editorials. 15th each month. Letters: 20th each month Any items received by The Jungle Drums after these dates cannot be guaranteed publication in the following months issue - although we will try our best! Phone: 96 669 5141 Email: ask@thejungledrums.com Website: www. thejungledrums.com Editor: Dave Bull Dep.legal: A-1068-2004 Impresora: Albagraf. Albacete While every effort is taken to ensure that mistakes are kept to a minimum, the Jungle Drums, its publisher and staff accept no responsibility for claims made by advertisers or respondents replying to adverts.

Nor can it be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies in their advertisements. The Jungle Drums reserves the right to change, alter and update any part of this publication including adverts and pictures without the consent of the original author or source. E&0E No part of this publication, printed or online, may be used or reproduced without the written consent of the publisher

TO RUTH. JD lost another good friend last month. Ruth Ahern passed away - she had always been a big fan and kind supporter of the magazine and had appeared in it several times having (with husband Michael) given homes to two lovely dogs who must have thought their luck had changed. We’re all missing you Ruth but save me a good spot up there will you...? I’m optimistic if nothing else...Dave x

Learn to drive in Spain

page

in 13 ENGLISH!

Jungle Drums - 96 669 5141 - 686 790 457 - ask@thejungledrums.com

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PAYMENT

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A

part from the Capital Gains Tax

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mentioning in case you are thinking about selling your property.

andrea burns

If your property is encumbered

CONSULATIONS

with a mortgage, you need to notify You probably remember from when you bought your property that the most usual form of payment for a property in Spain is by certified bankers’ draft. Now, there is a difference if you are paying or being paid and some have shown signs of reluctance, or a mild distrust, when it comes to accepting this type of cheque.

your bank –your agent will usually cooperate- and inform them of the

WEALTH & INCOME TAX DECLARATIONS

date of selling. They will issue a certificate with the exact amount outstanding on that day. The buying

N.I.E. NUMBERS

party will then have two cheques ready for when you sign at the notary, one for the amount of the mortgage that the bank manager is going to receive in exchange for the

INTERPRETER SERVICE

cancellation of the mortgage -for Just a clarification to put your mind at rest. When a bank issues a certified banker’s draft, it has debited the buyer’s account with that amount

which he will sign a cancellation deed- and another cheque for the remaining amount made out to the selling party.

and holds it ready for when the seller cashes the cheque. Therefore, the bank is liable for the payment. So whenever your agent is talking about you receiving a cheque in payment for your property, it is not to be confused with an ordinary cheque.

FISCAL REPRESENTATIVE TAX ADVICE

And one more issue: If you wish to take cash out of the country please bear in mind that you are only allowed to carry a maximum of 10.000 Euros per person.

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THE TROUBLE WITH SPAIN...

Fiestas ALL PHOTOS SANTA POLA FIESTAS

Now I’m all for folk having a good time don’t get me wrong. But when it goes on for eight days and all rules about being a considerate person are forgotten, it tends to get to you a bit. I mean, for chrissake, come on how is it that a whole town can just shut for the duration? And they don’t let on if you’re ignorant of the fact either – they presume you know. One experience I had was when my motorbike, that I use every day for work, needed a service. I took it to the workshop and happily watched him wheel it inside. I knew from back in the UK that it’d be half a day at most and planned to call back in the following lunchtime. I did. It was shut.

For eight sodding days I had to wait for the doors to open once again, and then wait some more while

But what are the fiestas really, apart from an excuse to buy

the actually did the service. They just presumed that I knew

a plastic guitar from a dodgy looking vendor who gives the

– presuming also that I wanted a sheltered parking space

impression that he’ll come and steal it back later? And at

for my bike…for eight sodding days! Have I mentioned that?

least a week of watching nervous animals standing around

You see the Spanish use the fiestas as an excuse to disregard

with wide eyes and their knees knocking as your local town

everything going on. You don’t get the post that was due

makes its attempt and rivaling Bush’s ‘Shock and Awe’

last week? ‘well it is fiestas…’ our previous magazine printer

tactics.

constantly let us down by taking more than the four agreed

No, fiestas just allow Dads to play dress up and be pirates

days to print it because of one fiesta or another. It would

once again, and for families to spend time together while

not surprise me if one day the ambulance doesn’t come and

the youngsters of Spain get happily drunk not only on the

rescue granddad who has been ‘sleeping’ now for a very

booze but on the sheer hell of it. They don’t get bladdered

long time…because ‘it’s fiestas…’

and then spend the day looking to bash someone – they

If you live in a different town to where you work you are in

enjoy themselves. I guess that’s what it is all about really

luck because not only can you take off the fiesta days for

and we should congratulate end envy them, but one thing

your ‘home’ town but, of course, the office will be shut when

is for sure, they do suddenly become religious when the

that town has its fiestas too.

fiestas come along.

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your local mag’ online and FREE!! - www.thejungledrums.com

in Spain e iv r d o t g arnin

le

G N I V I DR

s n o s les

Dave Bull’s son gets behind the wheel...

so that’s...er...good then?

The Spanish approach to driving has been the butt of jokes for many years and probably always will be – the question is often raised; ´they have been taught…!?´. However, it is, in general, very different to that of other European countries. The system for learning to drive and testing is also very different, and believe it or not, can be a lot tougher than many other countries.

Once you have completed your practical and theory training, you will then be faced with your exam and of course, the fee. In England you pay each time you take a test but in Spain, (are they really not that confident?) you pay for three goes at a time, but only two per type of test. Therefore if you don’t pass your theory until the second time, you only have one attempt at the practical and should you fail the theory test twice, you have to pay a second fee of about 161€.

So, if you fail you will have to wait about three weeks before taking the exam again and unlike the UK, in Spain, there are no provisional licences so before you pass your test, the only person you can drive with is your instructor. (Thank god for that…)

The highway codes are also very different – now I could insert a joke here like, ´yeah, the British one gets read…´- . However, the Spanish version is regarded the most in-depth in Europe and has three times as many rules as in the UK.

There are also in-depth sections to be studied on first-aid, vehicle maintenance and vehicle loads.

The theory exam consists of forty multiple choice questions and you are only permitted to get four wrong answers.

Although this part is similar to that in the UK, it is a fact that most people sitting the exam in Spain, fail, either because they have mis-read or failed to understand the questions. However, if you don´t speak the lingo, don´t worry because practice papers, books and the tests are available in several languages but in Spain, the same as the UK, you have to pass your theory before you can take the practical exam.

The practical exam can be described as ´different’ as here in Spain it is a group excursion with your instructor in the passenger seat and the examiner in the back, often he´ll have the company of several other candidates too so if you´ve been taught in a Fiat Panda it could be quite cosy. After 20 or so minutes driving the candidates will swap places and at the end of the exam you will then be told of you undoubted success… or not.

Once you pass your test you will be awarded a green and white L-plate to display in your rear window for a year and (in theory) you are not allowed to drive faster than 80kph and for two years and you are not allowed to drive with an alcohol level of more than 0.3g (the normal limit is 0.5g).

Oh and by the way…

Spain has the highest road mortality rate in Europe, they come a close second to Portugal.

lish in Eng s n o s s 282 ving le 92 039 for dri 6 n o ES t Bjorn UDIANT contac T S E A SCUEL e GA AUTOE m in th e h t d n I fi to ALD you’ll t door x e n centre

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR DRIVING ON SPANISH ROADS The differences in traffic regulations around the world often cause problems for foreign drivers residing in Spain. They occasionally have difficulties due to a wide range of factors: language problems, unfamiliarity with the regulations in force, the correct measures to take in the case of an accident etc.

As a result, Línea Directa Aseguradora, a company which specialises in foreign residents’ insurance in Spain, provides its policyholders with all the information they require as soon as they take out their policies in our country.

The first basic rule is to ensure that the car is in perfect working order and complies with the obligation of having the correct insurance which covers all the possible contingencies resulting from an accident.

Therefore, Spanish legislation requires the policyholder to have the following documentation in his or her vehicle at all times:

COMPULSORY DOCUMENTATION • Vehicle registration document (“Permiso de circulación”), which shows the owner’s identity and the car’s chassis number.

• Vehicle’s technical data sheet. (“Ficha técnica”) • MOT (ITV) stamp and sticker on the front windshield, which contains all the technical information about the car and acts as proof that the vehicle has passed the required tests.

• Driving Licence.

• Road tax receipt.

In addition, both Línea Directa Aseguradora and other institutions recommend taking: RECOMMENDED DOCUMENTATION • Photocopy of Foreign Residency Permit Number (NIE). This is a personal, unique and exclusive number, accorded by the Foreign Nationals’ Office which is granted to a person who is legally authorized to remain in Spain.

• Photocopy of the Green Card (International Insurance Certificate of Civil Responsibility for Land Motor Vehicles). All foreign citizens from any country not belonging to the European Union must possess it, but it is also compulsory in other countries such as: Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Belarus, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Israel, Iran, Moldavia, Morocco, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Tunisia, Turkey and the Ukraine.

• Last insurance receipt.

For more information, go to www.lineadirecta.com or call 902 123 104

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How did Spain come to this…!

Article by Malcolm Thompson.

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ANDLES AND SOCKS, the most repulsive

groves were being ‘grubbed up’. Soon after Orts

footwear ever devised by man, and it had

visit to Madrid, Franco’s wife Carmen started to

to be a man as no woman would ever

take a couple of weeks by the sea at Benidorm

conceive of such a thing. Particularly white sports

and this was the big signal for everyone else to

socks with blue and red bands at the top or grey

do likewise. For the next forty years Benidorms

socks with red diamonds, yucky! How on earth

skyline was marred by the jagged silhouettes of

did Spain ever come to this, to allow a horde of

tower cranes. The Franco government were not

fashion inept, milk bottle white Northern Euro-

slow to capitalise on this cash cow of sun, sea

peans to invade its beaches? Well, the answer

and sangria, (or sun, sangria and sex), whichever

might at first seem obvious, money of course.

you prefer. Franco knew Spain had an infinite

Spain had the sun and we had the cash, but the

resource and people would come in droves. Soon,

true story of how Spain, especially Benidorm,

Spain was being advertised in the rest of Europe

ended up like this is a little more complex.

as an exotic land with practically guaranteed

Try to imagine Benidorm in the 1950’s. Only the

summer sun. Sunshine deprived sun bed bag-

occasional Madridista came here on holiday to

ging, (didn’t you hate the way Germans were up

get away from the big city plus one or two travel-

at the crack of dawn with their towels), Northern

ling salesmen and that was that. Spain was in

Europeans with their distinctive coconut aroma

the grip of an ultra conservative dictatorship and

arrived literally by the plane load at Valencia at

not much happened without the permission of

first and then at a somewhat primitive Alicante

‘the government’. This is where Pedro Zaragoza

airport. When Franco died in 1975 and Spain

Orts stepped in and the first moves in Benidorms

went into ‘transition’ Benidorm seemed immune

development began. He was the Mayor in the

form events in Madrid and tourism continued

1950’s and in those days the post of Mayor was

pretty much as normal. This steadily developed

nothing to do with democracy. Previously, he had

until today where the ‘Costas’ contribute a double

single handedly, and without any consultation

figure percentage to the entire Spanish economy

with the town council, authorised the wearing

so I’m told. The coastline is now more or less

of bikinis on the beaches. A brave move indeed

one long urban conurbation with alarmingly few

considering the political climate. This enraged

natural wildernesses or agricultural land left.

the powerful Catholic Church, very much allied to

Getting back to sandals and socks, could we

the ruling establishment at the time. Orts was in

consider striking just one blow for good taste

danger of becoming the first person in Spain to

amongst all this high rise craziness? Now Spain

be excommunicated since the Spanish Inquisi-

has been a European Democracy for a good num-

tion. (I’ll bet no one expected that). This is the

ber of years isn’t it about time we had another

exact point where Benidorm and tourism became

law similar to the one that allowed bikinis and

irrevocably linked forever. Pedro Zaragoza Orts

ban men from wearing this particular fashion

got on his moped at 4am one morning and putt

atrocity? Anyone, other than a little girl under the

putted nine hours to Madrid to see Franco in

age of 8, should be fined on the spot. Customs

person. You have to admire the mans bottle! On

control at Alicante Airport should be alerted! But

a billion to one chance he was allowed in to see

when all is said and done Benidorm is here to

Franco and ask permission to develop Benidorm.

stay along with all the good and bad it brings but

A plan was hatched to ask speculative builders

don’t get me started on men over 21 wearing

to come and build the first hotels. When Franco

thong Speedos! Learn to love it.

himself waved the plan through how could anyone refuse! In 1959 the first bricks started to arrive and ancient almond, orange and olive

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MUD G

by Malcom Palmer

ood stuff, mud, and there’s not anywhere

and cut through the reeds to a boardwalk. (It is

near enough of it about. When a large

narrow and unguarded – you have been warned!) I

part of El Hondo started drying out, in late

won’t guarantee that water-levels will remain low,

summer, some nice expanses of the stuff became

but if they don’t you will undoubtedly get plenty of

available to the vast flock of migrating waders which

duck there – probably including Gadwall and Pintail.

find their way down along our coast as they head

Raptors frequently fly over, including Osprey, Booted

for their winter quarters in Africa. The variety of

Eagle, and, of course, Marsh Harrier, and Purple

waders we saw then was remarkable, and other birds

Swamp-hen and Water Rail are common residents of

showed up too – a nice miscellany of herons and

the reedbeds.

duck in particular.

If there IS some mud, then expect big flocks of

But the ‘powers that be’ hereabouts haven’t yet got

Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit, smaller numbers of

the message that what will best attract waders is a

Spotted Redshank and Greenshank, and always the

‘scrape’ such as the one that was probably the first

possibility of something rich and rare such as the

of its kind, at Minsmere, the great RSPB reserve

Marsh Sandpipers that Barry and myself saw on a

in Suffolk, where the irrascible Bert Axel ruled the

recent visit. Glossy Ibis are common, and gulls and

roost for many years. Lots more now exist in the UK

terns are everywhere, including Slender-billed Gull,

and other places where birding has become part of

now greatly on the increase.

popular culture.

You don’t know where the Vistabella Road is? Go

Here, some attempt at creating a shallow pool was

into www.costablancabirdclub.com – the website has

made by the forward-looking Ayuntamiento de Elche,

a lot of site information. Better still, come along to

at its reserve, the Clot de Galvany. Oh dear! A rather

our outings. I also do day-trips for small groups if

nice hide was constructed. (sponsored by Zeiss)

anyone cares to ‘cross my palm.’ Drop me an email

But said optical company will need to produce their

at malcaves@yahoo.es

instruments with X-ray capabilities before you can

For those of you who don’t have Internet access, you

see any birds up about half of the channels, as great

could try taking the Elche-Dolores road, taking the

banks of earth get in the way. And there is nowhere

first right after the petrol station (which you pass on

a muddy margin, so that small waders (anything

your right, coming from Elche) There is a pond on

smaller than a Redshank or Wood Sandpiper) are

your left (usually peopled by Cattle Egrets) and very

effectively excluded! Incidentally, the situation in

often a lady of ill-repute hanging around where you

Valencia Province seems to be improving, and a

turn off – I’ve never been remotely tempted!

recent visit to la Ratlla, on the Albufera, was a great success.

But to go back to the wonderful mud on El Hondo’s Embalse de Levante. If you want to visit the hide there, you need to park on the Vistabella road, way past the pools on the right, where you can cross the concrete dyke, then walk back about 500 metres,

from top to bottom....

The Zeiss spansored Hide on the Clot de Galvany in Gran Alacant, Advocet, Marsh Sandpiper, Black-t Godwit, Glossy Ibis, Grey Heron

17

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your local mag’ online and FREE!! - www.thejungledrums.com

COLIN

in Santa Pola a cock-up on the cards...

Doesn’t time drag when you’re not having fun must be the answer, because it seems so long ago since the sun was shining and we were all complaining about the heat including myself. Well what’s been happening around of late that’s news?

Apart from the annual windsurf championship here in Santa Pola. Not a lot from all accounts according to the local Santa Pola news because it’s full from cover to stern of pictures of the event. Also a few of the local bars were complaining as well because they had everything within the surf complex so no one came outside to frequent the local bars and unless you understand windsurfing then it just looked like organised chaos but as I said the judges must have known what was going on .

So I will have to find something else to write about and the only thing that I do know that’s news as such and that’s the tram line that’s on the map in the town hall and what looks like construction work has already started in Alicante by the old Murcia railway station which is on the sea front on the right hand side, as you drive into Alicante but unless you know what this old building is then you could be excused for missing it. But I can remember it and delivering rental cars to it many moons ago, in fact more moons than I care to mention.

Well I should have written this article yesterday but I was using my jag as a wedding car for Kirsty, the blonde girl who works in the local Lidl branch and her husband Steve, who I must apologise to at a later date for getting his name mixed up and quite a few people had to buy new wedding cards through no fault of their own so I accept all responsibility. The buck stops here or so the saying goes, so here’s to wishing Kirsty and Steve a long and happy life together and I’ve kept this article shortish so our beloved editor can hopefully sell more advertising space to the local car repair body shops after the path of a hailstone storm crossed over Gran Alacant and turned quite a few cars into mobile golf ball look-alikes

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LaMarina FOULEYE SAYS….

Registrations are taking place for the early detection of K9 Club Animals didn’t leave heart….for ladies there are cancer . For men the Iprostate ismy tested, For Adoption.. and smear tests. in San Fulgencio ! mammograms years ago, when after inheriting a problem with my first house please, please ! here, I had cause to engage in battle with the bureaucracy, the In 1995, when I enquired from my friend whereabouts he had Tuesday 20th October 2009, from 10.30 - 12.30. ‘abominable no-man’ negative, unhelpful clerk at the desk who bought his house in Spain, he replied it was in ‘La Marina’, and The Tourist Information LaBlanca Marina rebutted all my legal and financial efforts to right the situation, that itCentre, was situated on the Costa between Alicante Urbanisation and despite many fruitless, expensive visits with interpreters. In the Torrevieja, near a town called Guardamar. I looked it up on a map Regular “Customers” will know the procedure, but for newcomend after several wasted years I sort-of managed it myself in of Spain, and found La Marina marked – easily ! inconclusive way, but was towards left bitter at the totally unhelpful, I stayed at his place on holiday, loved everythingplus about the ‘Urb’a an ers your NIE number will be required Donation inefficient attitude I found there. I vowed from then on to have as and the area, bought a house here myself, and moved here the is subsidised AECC. little as possible to do with the place, which I have steadfastly and permanently a few by years later.

As far as I, and the Post Office Janetcost, and John which Lisa were concerned, I lived in – La Marina ! The official address after

successfully maintained.

the road name stated ‘ La Marina Urbanization’ - which was fair

The only exception was several years later when my wife and

I joined an international group of office: dissatisfied local residents enough as it differentiated the Urbanization the from the village.

The Further details can be obtained from AECC Torrevieja in La Marina who banded together to protest about all the ‘district’ was San Fulgencio, the ‘province’ was Alicante, and we 965 716679 (English-speaking Wednesday morning) house robberies, bag snatching and muggings happening on were in Espana – everyone ok so far ? All agree ? our urbanization. Several hundred of us paraded with suitable Well – it appears I – or we- are all wrong now – or somebody is ! or Jackie (AECC Torrevieja): 966 722358 Fifi Reina banners in the town square of San Fulgencio, directly in front All the time I have not been living in ‘La Marina’, it seems, I have or Bea (AECC La Marina): 966 796004 of the Town Hall, while our petition was being presented inside. apparently been living in an urbanization of San Fulgencio. I must

Fifi is a lovely friendly girl, which is quite

admit I hadn’t noticed, but recently my attention was drawn to a

In a scene straight out of ‘ Evita ’, the Lady Mayoress and our

amazing considering her owner tried to

letter in a local newspaper, complaining that the sign by Lidl along

representatives eventually came out onto the first floor balcony,

hang her, thankfully she shook herself

the straight flat road leading away from the N332 in the direction

smiling, linking hands and waving to us in a show of apparent

of the La Marina points to ‘San Fulgencio Nort’!

union and solidarity. Later we got our police station, and the

Excuse me (splutter) ! North ? How can that dusty, narrow-

robberies and crimes stopped. Is it going the other way now ?

streeted pathetically small one-horse town ( town is even a bit

Answers on a postcard, please ….

strong !) ever be considered big enough to have a north, south,

If we now merit that police station, an ambulance station, tourist

east or even west ? But in case I was in any doubt of the new

office, our own council office, three big supermarkets and a lot

importance of San Fulgencio, to back this up the other day I

of other shops, heaven knows how many banks, countless

obtained from the tourist office in La Marina (so it must be official),

commercial areas with many bars, restaurants, gyms, sports

a recently-produced map of this area. On one side, of course, is

centres, various businesses - need I go on ? Here in La Marina

a street map of San Fulgencio itself, named SAN FULGENCIO

we are big enough to merit our own name, our own identity, our

‘Casco Urbano’(town centre), sufficiently ‘bigged-up’ to look large

own voice. I thought we did, and San Fulgencio were listening -

and impressive. On the reverse – wait for it – it is named ‘SAN

apparently not !

FULGENCIO Urbanizaciones’ with a map showing many streets,

When you think about it, the ‘stench’ of political corruption does

which also includes, in extremely small inconsequential letters in

not currently hang over La Marina’s head, but San Fulgencio’s,

insignificant places ‘URBANIZACION OASIS’, ‘URBANIZACION

with the Town Hall’s bitter rivalries and serious allegations

MARINA’ and ‘URBANIZACION LA ESQUERA’. Even ‘MARINA

against one another. But these people govern the running of

DEL MAR 1’ is highlighted more than ‘URBANIZATION MARINA’

‘our’ urbanization, and are responsible for the state it is in. La

itself. Nowhere – absolutely nowhere - does it even mention ‘La

Marina is not perfect, it has its faults with its roads (and lights

Marina’ – you couldn’t make it up !

!) needing repair, graffiti and the appallingly dirty public areas

This summer has been the busiest ever

loose and a volunteer found her. She is

about 4 years old, spayed and vaccinated.

K9 Club

Fifi now desperately needs a safe loving

for the . More abandoned Janet and John are beautiful tabby pets were rescued this August than in any and white kittens.

They are 23 weeks old, vaccinated and litter trained. Janet is a previous year, with some that had to be little shy at first but after a while loves to get a cuddle like her brother. rescued from a life a threatening situaLisa is a 10 month old German Sheption. The K9 Club is going through a very herd cross Husky. She is good with cats and other dogs. Sheperiod loves children and difficult right now and currently will play for hours with them. they do not Reina is a beautiful Germanhave Shepherd foster homes available and was found wandering around La for other abandoned pets that must be Marina. She was found in a very poor rescued. are state and was afraid to We come near us. in desperate need to After putting tranquilisers in her food we home dogs so we can free up some of our managed to catch her and she is now in a foster home getting all the love she needs. be able to rescue more foster homes and from the streets.

For more information please call 676 447 682 For more information please call 676 447 Email: 682 k9club@lamarina.info

environment to call home.

‘San

requiring action, and I accept that slowly but surely these are

Fulgencio – una luz en el Mediterraneo’. A light in the Mediterrean

being addressed. But the examples set by San Fulgencio are not

? Oh, please ! There are 30 streets in San Fulgencio making up

good, and the council needs to put its own house in order before

this ‘light’ – have a guess how many streets and parques there

trying to expand their little empire using the size and population

are in La Marina and Oasis Urbanizations - 50 ? Wrong ! 100

of La Marina.

? Wrong ! According to their own map there are 144 listed on

It would seem to me to be a conscious effort on the part of San

the urbanization side of the map alone ! !44 ! Who would provide

Fulgencio to ‘lose’ the La Marina name – well, I live here, and I

the biggest ‘luz’ there then, providing they’re not out of order and

don’t want to be a tiny part of one of San Fulgencio’s urbanizations

needing repair, like many of them are here ? If there are over five

that they immorally lord it over, it is the tail wagging the dog. I am

times as many streets in La Marina as there are in San Fulgencio,

not politically-minded, but when I see devious sleight of hand like

it follows there are five times as many people – much more

this, then I protest ! Perhaps if you feel strongly on this issue,

probably, due to the concentration of houses - just who are the

as you can see I do, then perhaps you could let ‘The Jungle

minority and majority here ?

Drums’ know, and together we can let this insensitive Town Hall

If you are like me, you have personal reasons to dislike San

know we will not be surrendering our identity to them under any

Fulgencio, specifically its Town Hall, and the inefficient way they

circumstances !

try to manage this urbanization. I lost confidence in the Town Hall

Viva La Marina !

Both sides of the map contain the delightful slogan –

To view more animals for adoption please go to:

Molly

Email: k9club@lamarina.info www.petsinspain.info

Albert

To view more animals for adoption please go to: www.petsinspain.info

cat adoption day

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By Appointment

At pet shop patricia, la marina village

On mon 5th october - 5pm to 7pm We have decided to continue this event on the 1st monday of every month, so if you cannot make it this time, remember to mark your calendar for any 1st monday of each month at the same time.

Adoption day for november will be on the 2nd.

As always, if you do not want to adopt now, you can still help by donating food, cat litter, or a few euros.

In addition to the kittens that we can show you at the shop, keep in mind that we have older cats that need loving homes as well. Pictures will be available for you to look at whenever you visit pet shop patricia.

Again, thank you for all your support!

Opp’BBVA/Victoria Inmo Avda Escandinavia 31 Gran Alacant Santa Pola

For more information

call cathy at 654-886-108 Or lesley at 669-322-438 19

FRANKY CANDLISH 2009

FRANKY 1951 - 2009

The 16th of august saw the first of what will be an annual event - the Franky Candlish Memorial Darts & Dominoes Day, held at Flannagan’s Bar in Gran Alacant.

16th August 2009

Since Frank passed away there has been the desire by many to commemorate the life of this popular local man.

Anyone who has ever met Frank will have come away knowing what e decent a genuine guy he was. He always had a simile and time for everyone, whether he was sitting quietly reading his paper or with other company already – he always made time to acknowledge your presence with his shy smile.

He was well known throughout Gran Alacant as a kind man with whom it would be impossible to fall out with. The number of people at his funeral and this Darts and Dominoes Day just go show the true measure of the man – a man who, I’m sure, would have heartily approved (and will certainly be looking down and smiling) of an event such as that - one where his friends and family have a bloody good time!

Flamenco Fusion entertained the crowd in the evening and they will be appearing again on the 4th of October when Franky’s bench, which has been donated by family and friends, will by unveiled.

UP - Mark DARTS RUNNER

DARTS WINNER - Charlie Charlton

DOMINOES WINNER - Gary Stewart -

FRANKY LOVED TO SEE PEOPLE

MEMORIAL DARTS & DOMINOES DAY

UNNER UP DOMINOES R - Melanie Batey

ENJOYING THEMSELVES

GA

www.thejungledrumsnews.blogspot.com

WATCH OUT.. !!!

She’s back!

gran alacant

LORETO CASCALES Once again it is a great pleasure for me to write some words for you, so that you know a little bit more about what is going on in Gran Alacant.

I have told you several times that the municipal park of Gran Alacant was going to be started and I would like to apologise for the wrong times I gave you.

Thank God it has been already started and fortunately it will be finished, and ready to be used by you, in a short period of time.

You will see the people working there until it is completely finished. I remind you it is going to be located at the roundabout between Avenida Escandinavia and Avenida Mediterráneo just opposite the post office and it is going to be the first municipal park of Gran Alacant.

The second good thing I would like you to know is that we have already started the work to improve the area of “El Clot de Galvany” which belongs to Santa Pola and is located at Avenida Carabasí.

You will see this area is going to be enclosed with nice fences and cleaned. We will plant new trees and flowers in the area and you will be able to enjoy a very comfortable area where you will be able to walk and relax.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Monte y Mar Bowling Club for their great job and the big effort they made to organise the 4th Bowling Championship we had in Gran Alacant between the 22nd and 24th of September. It has been a success not least because our bowling club was in charge of the development of this event. Thank you very much to all of you.

Finally, I would like to remind you that on the 18th of October we are going to enjoy the Gran Alacant race that we have every year, “Carrera Abel Antón”, and that will be based at the parking area of the Gran Alacant Comercial Centre where Mercadona is. I hope you will join us during the morning and if you are ready and trained come and run with us. It is important to say also that this race is organised by the Town Hall and the Association “Residentes Europeos de Gran Alacant” (ASVEGA).

That is all for this month, I will speak to you as always next month. Meantime, have a nice time and enjoy your life!

DESTINATIONS

Bar & Grill

The new Jungle Drums blog is updated with pictures and news of events and goings on in Gran Alacant and the surrounding areas

maureen’s about!

Councillor for Gran Alacant & the Popular Party

Dear friends,

all the LATEST GRAN ALACNT NEWS is now on our new blog just click the link at www.thejungledrums.com

Hi guy’s, Well the summer is over. All the visitor’s have gone back. I hope they remembered to put their brains back in because they certainly don’t bring any with them. Being president of my urb I have spent the summer being called to the pool because people will not obey the rules and intimidate the life guard when they try to enforce the rules. There have been three pools S==t in on calle Canarias and urbs have had to pay fees for water tests to be done as well as large cleaning bills. And then you get visitors complaining in the pubs about lifeguards being little Hitlers, And they would like to ram their whistles down their throat’s.

When will they learn that the rules are for there benefit. I’ve also been told about a family who were having a drink in the Sierra Mar square when they were verbally abused by the people at the next table. they were so upset by the attack they left the square in tears. I have also heard of another pub who caught parents giving youngsters alcopops to drink and when she told them they could not do this the parents started screaming at her and using foul language.

It was so bad she resigned on the spot. Now I don’t know what the answer is but consideration tolerance and counting to ten come to mind. I love living here in Spain but I often feel ashamed to be British. I hope next summer will be less traumatic.

Now on a lighter note a little poem for you A Little Boys Dream Because I’m only three years old, the world each day seems bigger, But what will last my whole life through is my first sight of a digger It clanked and trundled up and down and scooped a great big hole, and right from the very beginning, it stole my very soul. there was a man who sat inside, With levers right and left, and at intricate manoeuvres, He was really very deft. I just stood and stared at him, rooted to the spot ,and wished that I possessed the skills that clearly he had got. so, come what may, when I’m grown up, No matter if friend’s snigger I’m going to wear a yellow hat and sit and drive a digger!.

Ya All have A nice day

luv Mo XX

and...CONGRATULATIONS!

to everyone’s favourite translator from the Valleys - Michelle, and partner Mariano, on the birth of baby Miriam -17th of August 2009.

Now she’s got the bump out of her belly, Michelle has returned to work, so if you need her call her - her ad is at the back of the mag’.

Ruth Ahern In memory of Ruth Ahern.

Michael, Nickie, Lynsay, Toby and families would like to express sincere thanks to all our friends in Spain who have written, e-mailed and phoned us following our tragic loss. We have been Ruth and one of completely overwhelmed by everyone’s kind and her ‘boys’ - Max loving support. Special thanks go to Una & Billy Black for arranging the celebration of Ruth’s life at the Shamu on Monday 14th September, the day of her funeral, and thank you to everyone who gathered in her memory. Heartfelt thanks too, to David Bull who has taken Ruth’s beloved dogs, Max and Jack under his wing.

Sincere thanks to you all. A prayer read at Ruth’s funeral - God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Reinhold Niebbuhr (1892-1971)

The late Ruth Ahern Ruth Ahern passed away in Milton Keynes on Friday September 4th.2009 after a short illness.

She is survived by her husband Michael, daughters Nicola and Lindsay, son Toby, sons in law Keith and Martin and daughter in law, Mary. Ruth was devoted Grandma to Thomas, William, Amelia, Christian, Michael, William and Katherine.

At 5pm on September 14th.,to coincide with her funeral service, over 50 friends and neighbours met at her favourite pub, the Shamu in Gran Alicant Centro Commercial to pay their respects to one of this world’s great ladies.

Ruth Ahern was a very popular and respected resident of Puerto Marina Urbanisation where she had lived since 2004. She was kind, loving, hard working, honest trustworthy and reliable. Those present at the Shamu Bar paid tribute to her - describing her many acts of great kindness, her wonderful personality and told of the loss they were experiencing and how much Ruth will be missed by the Community.

Our sympathy and prayers are with her family at this time of great sadness.

May she rest in peace.

Avda Escandinavia Gran Alacant (Opposite Municipal Centre)

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Talking of

LaMarina Fouleye seems to have upset someone….here’s just a fraction of this chap’s reaction to Fouleye’s column in September – oh dear…

If the present economic crisis would force all the little Englanders to return home, leaving only the great Brits here, our urb would be close to paradise. Oh well, we can dream ... Since you hide behind a pseudonym, I shall do likewise and sign off as Andreu.

Well…where do I start ? To be branded a ‘colonial boy’ by someone who hides behind a narrow-minded ‘Nordic’ cloak is priceless. From his nebulous pulpit ‘Andreu’ sweepingly and arrogantly divides the English, Welsh, Scots and Irish here into ‘two kinds of Brits on this urb’. Let me assure you, my friend, the Scots and Welsh Celts particularly will not want to be lumped together with the English and branded ‘Brits’ by you or anybody.

Our four countries have fierce, respected and valued differences that you will never understand. You claim to have lived and worked in London – my, you have travelled – perhaps if you had gone further afield you might have understood how Great Britain works. As Spain is made up of many regions with their respective differences, so is Great Britain, and England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Island are separate countries within it. So much for generalization !

You inanely refer to La Marina urbanization as a ‘tourist ghetto for whiners who are only interested in all-day breakfasts’. Be very careful about such rash and ill-informed rhetorical statements like that, they do your credibility no good at all. You don’t have too much good to say about the English, do you ? Your zenophobic theories border on the racist ‘ If the present economic crisis would force all the little Englanders to return home, leaving only the great Brits here, our urb would be close to paradise’. Well, my Scandinavian friend, I am English, proud of it and I’m going nowhere. This is my home, I like it, and like you I pay my taxes, and am on the padron. Your fat ‘Nordic’ pension obviously allows you to live well in poorer Spain, no doubt that is why you are here. For the record, I would leave religion out of the argument if I were you, it’s already caused enough problems in the world over the centuries without you stirring it up !

Unlike you, I am respectful enough of all other nationalities who live here on the Urbanization, especially my immediate neighbours who include French, German, Spanish and English, and we all get on fine, thank you. I speak Spanish, and can read and write it, I made it my business to when I came to live here eleven years ago. But I have ears, eyes and a brain, and if I think something is wrong, in this free society, not now under Franco, I am allowed to say so. For the record I attend fiestas and participate, but I do not feel I am particularly political, supporting no party directly, but want La Marina Urbanization to be better run and managed than it appears to be at the moment.

FOULEYE SAYS….

Let it never be said that Fouleye

kids who actually live here endlessly

cannot spot good work going on. All

play on these parks here for hours -

over the Urbanization green shoots

somehow I doubt it ! Dare I say it…

are being planted to really improve the

are the parques just for people to walk

‘verde’, I hope it has been improved to

their dogs on ? I hope the announced-

your liking as it has to mine. I applaud

intended notices berating owners to

all the trees, plants and pathways, well

stop their precious animals defecating

done to all including the small army

on the parks are large and imposing,

who are busy doing it ! Just a couple

and the law is enforced to stop ‘em

of points – will it be kept clean, i.e.

doing it ( don’t get me started on that

has the budget allowed for regular

one again ! ).

ongoing cleaning, it is to the detriment

Children’s swings and cricket pitches

of this Urbanization that no regular

are not really suitable for the majority

cleaners were used to keep the roads

of us, who would prefer a nice view,

and pavements clean, especially round

and some attractive scenery to wander

the commercial basura areas, like

round at our leisure. I have no idea

Phase One.

how much all the swings, kiddies’

I am a little puzzled by all the brightly-

rides and football/cricket/whatever

painted kiddies swings and rides. As I

pastimes cost, but they would have

regularly travel past the latest finished

bought a few more nice plants, trees

addition on Calle Bosque that was

or pathways.

opened several months ago, I have

Ah well, that’s only my opinion, and

yet to see anyone big or small actually

it may not be yours ! I am very glad

using it, there is never anyone there

the place is brightening up, goodness

! Despite this, we now have more

knows we’ve waited long enough,

‘playgrounds’ for the little ones in the

havn’t we ? If we all make a point

bigger parques, like now in my own

of keeping our little bit of road/

back yard in Parque del Mosa – well,

pavement/local basura clean, we can

where are they all, where do they live,

make a difference too, can’t we ?

these little ones that the playgrounds

Footnote - how about our cable TV

are built for ? We don’t have any I

back from the dead, then ? Have you

can recall on my fairly lengthy road,

tried it ? Just connect it back up again,

there are one or two people below the

and see. Big surprise to me, I think it’s

age of forty, the majority of us seem

eleven UK terrestrial channels free for

‘around’ retirement age, we won’t fit

a month or so, the picture is brilliant,

on the rides, and get giddy going up

I’ve tried it. I never thought we’d see

the ladders !

that system used again, just shows

I grew up in a Midlands city during

you what can be done, eh ? Bit hacked

most of my youth. To play our games

off with the Gol TV pay-to-view bit,

of football, cricket, tennis ( tennis –

is that a shot in the foot ( sorry ) by

why can’t we have tennis courts ? ) or

Torresat ? Time will tell…good viewing,

whatever, we repaired to our local park

anyway !

for hours, blissfully left there alone by our parents without supervision. They knew ( roughly ) where we were, and we all knew when it was time to come home ( mealtimes !). But will the

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fancy a hot bath?

FORTUNA

Fortuna is a spa town to the northeast of Murcia near the border of the province. Famous for its hot springs which were greatly appreciated by the Romans, Fortuna is fast becoming popular once again as the town becomes an important centre for hydrotherapy, beauty treatments and other therapies associated with the natural hot mineral water. Fortuna is a typical Spanish town, as yet unexploited, with peaceful streets and a white church with a curious tower. For country lovers, to the south of Fortuna, there is a large lake, enclosed in a nature preservation area and surrounded by woods, ideal for walking or fishing.

These waters contain several elements and minerals that are often touted as a cure-all with health giving qualities and mysterious powers. Having said that the best thing about it, I think, is in the manner in which mother nature has created environmentally friendly warm water system, and they’re therapeutic.

Thousands of people flock to these springs in order to alleviate medical conditions namely, for rheumatism and breathing disorders and we have one just up the road, in Fortuna.

The Romans Fortuna, a town not too far from Murcia, was home to a large Roman community, who made the most of the running hot water and used natural thermal springs to create their luxury baths. Most Roman baths and or buildings, were heated via hot furnaces, by burning wood, placed under the floors, leaving sufficient space for hot air to circulate in open areas, giving them a controllable heating system. However, in the baths to be found in Fortuna, the earth already provided warm and therapeutic water. No wonder the Romans hung around for a few centuries…

Bathing was not merely a necessity, it was a social function mainly for the privileged few and a place for social intercourse (I said ‘social’…), where business and who to chuck to the lions were possibly discussed. These warm water springs in Fortuna are famous throughout Spain with the Leana Balneario being it’s oldest and most endearing. Situated on the outskirts of

31

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YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’RE MISSING…!

Dave Bull reports on the pleasures of breathing underwater…

ADVANCING DOWNWARDS In for a penny...as they say and for a few pennies more (sounds like a film…?) or cents as I should say, but then that wouldn’t have fit would it?

Anyway, qualified as we were (Open Water Divers) we decided to take it to the next step which would mean some more training – a lot more diving – fine by me!

The Advanced Open Water Course is basically a way of honing the skills that you’ve learnt in the open water course and specialising in several types of diving, such as underwater photographer perhaps, or naturalist (no…you still wear a wet suit). You have to choose five different specialities and Mitch and I chose, Deep diving, Naturalist, Navigation, Night Diving and Buoyancy, although Mitch did ask if there was a ‘having a lie in’ course, but, surprisingly, not.

As soon as we were on the course I could see why it is so important – all those times trying to get ‘neutral buoyancy’ under the water while bouncing off rocks and seeing sea-urchins ducking for cover and wondering what fish exactly that was that was about the size of my thumb but gave off a serious ‘don’t mess with me buster’ attitude.

My particular favourite was the night dive – wow.

The sea really does come to life after dark and armed with a powerful torch and a camera it was stunning – and I’m not exaggerating (I’ve told you a thousand times not to do that…) there was colour and nature swimming around us against a pitch black background, it’s amazing and if you’ve never tried it come down the dive centre and have a chat with someone about booking a night dive.

The other specialities are designed so as not to be testing, as such, but to train you to use the skills every time you – and you do – and the diving becomes so much the better for it. Dropping off

a boat into 30 metres of the deep blue med’ is an experience too, they say it’s the closest you can get to the feeling of zero gravity (like in space) and the awesome view as you kneel on the sea bed and look skywards is amazing. I’ve probably waffled on a bit about doing this course – but I must say, for a diver it’s the fish’s B******s…

RESCUE ME Not content with getting our Advanced Diver certificate (I still think they could give you badges to sew on your wet suit like they did in Cubs…) we thought it would be a good idea to have a look at the Rescue Diver Course which is logically the next step for us. This involves learning CPR and the ‘kiss of life’ which, to my shame, I’ve never learnt. But, under the guidance of Sylvia (an exparamedic) we took, and passed, the Emergency First Response course which wasn’t as hard (or bloody) as I though it would be. Armed with the knowledge of what to do with someone when they’re clutching their throat and turning blue (amongst other things), we then got into the training of actually rescuing divers, with scenarios in the sea and the pool. Although, by its very nature, you’d think this is one of the more serious courses, it is also one of the most fun. Roleplaying is part of it and I think my ‘panicked diver getting bloody knackered’ would have given Olivier something to think about but, all the way through everyone on the course took the subject seriously enough - but the letting off steam was a highlight I must admit.

Far be it from me to get serious on these pages but for my son, Mitch, to have these rescue skills at the age of seventeen, I think, is tremendous and will stay with him for the rest of his life.

What’s next? No idea, but this diving lark is fascinating and whatever we do next will no doubt broaden our horizons and minds – while we have a damn good time doing it!

33

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At least Paco is enjoying the weather, he was last seen sheltering in the local bar, paintbrushes stowed away, thankful that he does not have to water his small-holding this week, or next week, or……..?

He did tell me, that he has been promoted to the yellow, paint tin and would, weather permitting, be responsible for the painting of kerbs, you know, those at the roadside, prohibiting parking! Or is that to encourage parking! Those on roundabouts, warning you of the obstacle, which quickly become covered in black tyre marks and gather car sculptures, parked amongst the shrubbery! I have no doubt, that in a short while his hut in, the Campo and maybe his pigeons, will be a lurid shade of yellow.

replaced, if necessary.

Apart from the rain, the other element we now have to compete with, is the nights drawing-in, and the dangers of unlit, rural roads.

Are your headlights up to the task, or have they suffered from that dreadful, Spanish

Until next month, adios, for advice, on these topics, or any other motoring issues, please contact us on :Tel : 965 419 769 or e-mail : mick@ completemotoringsolutions.es

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CROSSWORD 1 Across 1. Hmm... a film studio 4. Slate-colored bird 9. Western brewer 14. He beat Joe and lost to Leon 15. Cookwear?

16. Gumbo ingredients 17. It’s not for nay-sayers 18. Whooping, for instance 19. Great 20. Capital of Mali 22. Be busy as a beaver?

24. Moslem leader 25. __, amas, amat 27. Hmm... a rapper 31. Rowboat 33. Samovar 34. Outer prefix 35. Corroded 38. Resonated 40. Hews 41. Em, not ‘M’ 44. Bird lover’s offering 45. Flightless South American bird 46. Indistinct 47. __ Wan (Star Wars sage) 48. Call for help 49. Where the stitches are 51. Hmm... a candy 53. Make do 54. Chances 58. Give way 60. Worship 62. A chaperone, probably 65. Inspect, in a way 67. Neither partner 68. Fergie, really 69. More slippery 70. Debtor’s letters 71. Like a lobster 72. Plow inventor 73. Hmm... a business model

38

answers page 48

Down 1. Noncommittal response 2. Make like a star 3. East coast city 4. Trunk item 5. Disturbance 6. Armed grp.?

7. Yuppie abode, perhaps 8. Draftable 9. It has rows 10. Giraffe’s relative 11. Former Boston Bruin, Bobby 12. Speakeasy tune, possibly 13. Comp. pt.

21. Intense 23. Come together 26. Aromatic resins (fit for a king?)

28. Link 29. Put out 30. Saunter 32. North of NY 33. Be a spoil sport at a costume party 35. __ Downs (Derby location) 36.

Part of the Dutch West Indies 37. Associate 39. Manipulate 40. Sci-fi writer, Isaac 42. Jagged 43. Koop’s grp.

48. Where to find a forge 50. Stranger 52. Originally Zimmerman 53. Draw out 55. Ubiquitous fabric 56. The very young or very old may do this 57. Plasma 59. Like a cornerstone 61. French 101 verb 62. Biblical transport 63. Skip stones over water 64. Flimflam psychic, Geller 66. Pass on

CROSSWORD 2

Across 1. Usage fee 5. Ponders 10. Nursery items 14. Nabisco product 15. Son of Cain 16. Halo 17. Keep out of...

20. Hawkeye State 21. Supervise 22. Gee preceder 25. It stretched from Germany to China 27. Map abbreviation 28. “___ de Lune” (Debussy) 30. The first of a famous trio 32. Religion founded 5th century AD 36. Telephone (slang) 37. A meal 39. Beer type 40. Do not puncture...

43. Janis ___ (singer) 44. Overthrows 45. Fog 46. Part of a brooch 48. Actress Winger, to friends 49. A swindle 50. Globe 52. Il ___ (Mussolini) 54. Needlefish 55. Fatigues 59. Mechanical repetition 61. ...are closer than they appear 66. Not written 67. Concur 68. Small amount 69. Rowboat 70. Commence 71. Night light

Down 1. Rocky hill 2. Pay dirt 3. Field 4. Places 5. Catcalls?

6. Let loose 7. Interest group, abbr.

8. Nymph who missed Narcissus 9. Hindu god, ‘The Destroyer’ 10. San Diego players 11. Smokey to Simone 12. Family ___ 13. Reasonable 18. Happy ___ 19. Actor Joseph Gordon-___ 22. Imitative 23. Like Brussels lace 24. Wheat meal 26. Matured 29. Stopping place 31. 60s draft dodger, perhaps © 2006 dave fisher 33. Tying 34. U.S. acquisition of 1867 35. Trusted guide 37. Tear 38. Stockholm’s airline 41. Containing copper 42. Flightless bird 47. To a great degree 49. You ___ would! (Sure!)

51. Greek letters 53. One is Halley’s 55. Ash, for instance 56. Longest river in Spain 57. Open a crack 58. High ranking NCO 60. ___ Brockovich 62. A Gershwin 63. Future flounder 64. ___ 60 (stat) 65. Sought election

AnagramS

MORE STRANGE STUFF

That great charmer

A group of toads is called a knot.

About 3,500 gallons if water is needed to produce one pound of beef.

About 300 million cells die in your body every minute.

About 3000 years ago, most Egyptians died by the time they were thirty.

About 70% of all living organisms in the world are bacteria.

About 85% of the plant life on the Earth is in the ocean.

About a third of all Americans flush the toilet while they’re still sitting on it.

A group of rhinos is called a crash.

A species of earthworm in Australia grows up to 10 feet in length

Avoiding our yell No City Dust Here

6 0

oh, felt warmer

Old West Action Answers

Margaret Thatcher, Darling I love you, The Country Side, Flamethrower, Clint Eastwood

1 4

Wordoku (or word sudoku) is much like tradi-

tional Sudoku, except that here you must place letters from a given 9 letter word into each of

Wordsearch 1 clues

BRITISH CHEESES APPLEWOOD BLUE VINNEY CHEDDAR CHESHIRE CORNISH YARG COTTAGE CURD SAGE DERBY DOUBLE GLOUCESTER GOATS HUNTSMAN ILCHESTER LINCOLNSHIRE POACHER LANCASHIRE RED LEICESTER RED WINDSOR SHROPSHIRE BLUE SOMERSET BRIE STILTON SWALEDALE WENSLEYDALE WILTSHIRE LOAF CAERPHILLY PENCARREG BRIE CROWDIE DUNLOP ISLAY ORKNEY

the blank spaces. Every row of the puzzle must contain one of each letter in the word, as must every column and every 3x3 square. key word: INTRODUCE

2

4

1

3

78 4

5

0 9

Wordsearch 2 clues THE CURRY HOUSE KORMA CURRY BIRYANI DUPIAZA PASANDA ROGHAN JOSH BHUNA DHANSAK MADRAS PATHIA JALFREZI SAMBER VINDALOO PHALL BALTI TANDOORI TIKKA NAAN PAPPADOM

your local mag’ online and FREE!! - www.thejungledrums.com

39

LIFE IS TOO SHORT....so if you fancy a new hair do..... just have it!

LivingLI

‘The Coach on the Couch’ “A change is as good as a rest” or is it?

Nigel Jardine your resident Coach

I

t never ceases to amaze me how things change from August

us up’ metaphorically speaking. For example, if a key (big) value

31st to September 1st. Like me you probably noticed a change

is being close to your family, moving to Spain may have ‘seriously

in the temperature at that time, a change in the number of

wobbled’ one of your pillars – putting a ‘crack’ in it. The knock on

tourists (for those who live in the region) and of course the kids

effect is the transference of weight, or stress into other areas of

going back to school – well some then and others the following

the building – or in this case, your life. Something it’s wise to avoid

week, but let’s not split hairs! My point is that change comes in

where possible.

many guises, and can be welcomed or not – however you choose to

It’s unusual for us to actually change our values, if you believe you

respond though, it’s not going to go away. Cursing at the storms for

have to be kind to your neighbours and family, you’re unlikely to

spoiling your barby or making a mess of the pool won’t do a thing!

wake up one day and think “Sod the neighbours I’m going to play

A suggestion is to embrace change whenever possible, and if it’s

my music at full blast all day!”. If anything our values gradually shift

appropriate, see if you can look upon it as ‘a rest.’

or alter as we get older – we become more certain what we do and

These types of changes are external, given to us ‘from above’ – As

don’t like, what we will and won’t make do with.

in God or the planet doing its thing. But what about change as

The main areas of change are Lifestyle, Relationships, Work/career,

people – Can we really change? If so how do we create change?

Environment (where we live), Finance and Communication. Of

Most of us can think of someone who has changed in some way;

course, Communication filters through many of the other areas

“He’s never been happier now he’s got a new woman”, or “She

– so I’ll be talking more about this topic another time. As with

seems really pleased with herself now she’s lost a stone!” – Can

Motivation, September’s theme, it’s important to identify what’s

change like this be long lasting?

not working or out of balance, before you make the change. What

I believe the answer is yes, and the key is to the ‘how’ we made the

is the thing you want to change? For example we all undertook

changes in the first place. For me the most effective change happens

change to move out to Spain from our respective countries, can

when we have some idea of the results we want to achieve and the

you remember why you wanted to move or buy a holiday home

process we need to go through. Have you ever seen someone who’s

here? It’s easy to say “the weather!”- However, if you dig deeper

been to the hairdressers/barbers and said “I fancy a change, do

there may be underlying values you were looking to adjust, such

what you like!” Do they usually come out satisfied? I think not, as

as experiencing a different culture, creating a more relaxed lifestyle

they weren’t in control and they had no clarity about the results

etc.

they wanted.

To sum things up – You’ve probably grasped that change can be a

Changing a hairstyle is usually a ‘small’ change. Larger changes will

BIG area! Maybe next time you’re contemplating a change, which

often hit on our values – those things which are most important to

you’re in control of, consider whether its ‘small’ change or ‘big’

us. I see values like the pillars which underpin a building, they ‘hold

change. Will it be a ‘rest’ or another headache!?

“Interesting Body Facts”

40

your local mag’ online and FREE!! - www.thejungledrums.com

IFE

bustle around him, puffing away and gazing up as if in

in the space of two hours she had somehow managed to

heavenly contemplation. I leapt out, briskly shook hands

buy another house – well, arranged to buy it, ‘someone’ –

with him, and went to throw all the cases in my boot.

guess who – had to run around for days with the various

‘Where’s Bridget ? ‘ I demanded, tersely. A

paperwork to ensure it happened – and I did ! If they had

puzzled look came over his face, as though I was asking

asked me, I would have said don’t buy it, it was,

him to explain Einstein’s theory of relativity.

( and still is ), a heap, and they were seen coming.

‘Erm…. I t’ink she went to the toilet, I’ll

Both houses are now rented out through

go and find her’. Before I could stop him, he’d gone

agents, although just to confuse the issue, in P & B’s own

too. Now, two down and only their luggage with me, I

self-inflicted style, two other estate agents think they

considered my position. To help me make up my mind,

are selling them as well ( I’m staying well out ! ) ! Par

the coach driver returned and became quickly irritated

for the course, two years ago they made another pig’s

by my presence directly in front of him, and let me

ear of buying a third and bigger house here, three now

know it loudly and belligerently. Tummy rumbling at the

and of course I had to supply various documents and

thought of my curry I cursed them and gingerly moved

information, like NIE numbers, bank accounts, passport

off, negotiating my way through the chaos in search of

numbers, all information on them I have collated over

By John McGregor

a parking place. By the time I had eventually found one,

the years to try to be one step ahead, to try to make

I was way down the rank, and couldn’t find see either

everyone’s life easier, as they just do not have a clue

On my European tour, I must mention our friends, the

of them anywhere. About fifteen minutes went by, and

when it comes to paperwork and officialdom. This latest

Irish. The couple we know well, Paddy and Bridget are

at last I spotted Paddy, lighting up as he emerged from

house has a swimming pool, fortunately so do I, and I

without a doubt the nicest, kindest, most generous

the terminal building – but alone ! I went to meet him

thought I explained everything about the pool fully to

friends we have – having got that sorted out, they are

– again – asking through gritted teeth ‘Where the Sam

Paddy, and how it worked. But no, he knocked off the

also the most maddening, irritating, late, couldn’t give a

Kydd is Bridget ?’

power when he left after the holiday, by the time I got

When Irish eyes are smiling ….!

rats, laid-back couple I have ever met – may I explain ?

‘ Erm…..I t’ink she’s coming now’ he

there two very hot days later, the water was bright green.

mumbled, as though it was of no real importance.. About

This last time he left the water turned full on at the tap

English friend who now lives in Ireland ( he picked up the

five minutes later she did come out, waif-like, stopping

on the house wall, with the jet of the hose closed, the

irritating habits very quickly ! ), when they wanted to buy

to light up as soon as she cleared the building. I was

water pressure burst the hose, and when I fortunately

a house here. I met them first thing one morning to give

bouncing by now, but even in my controlled rage I could

arrived the next morning ( I have to do that now, I’ve

them some pointers, and indicated where the nearest

see she wasn’t right.

learnt the hard way ! ), water was pouring everywhere.

We met them eight years ago through an

estate agents were. Added to their negative qualities

‘Are you OK, Bridget ? ‘ I asked, trying to look

The latest ? Fed up with the cost of hire

above is impulsiveness to the point of insanity ( I’ll come

and sound sympathetic, which I wasn’t. She lifted her

cars, they impetuously decided in May, on the last day

back to that ) – by the time I had met them later in the

head up to me, exhaling the smoke slowly, and looked

as usual, to find a small car to buy. The story goes that

afternoon they had already bought a house !

into my eyes.

they just missed a little belter, but in consolation abruptly

I steadily got used to their slap-dash way

‘No….no, John,…. I don’t t’ink I am’ she

settled on a bag of nails at the last minute – no change

of life, the ‘last-minuteness’ of doing everything, their

replied, shaking her head. It was not the most cheerful of

there, then ! Also there was no change as to who, in

superb built-in ability to get everyone at it on their behalf

journeys to La Marina, them not speaking to each other.

the next few days had to get copy escrituras from the

while they stood in the middle looking like bewildered

From what I could make out, he being a

solicitors, supply their bank details, pick up the tatty,

children, as they puffed away nineteen to the dozen (

workaholic, would not leave home, making urgent phone

rattley old heap from the garage and bring it back to their

both smoke for Ireland ! ), in the middle of chaos they

calls until he was making them late. A mad dash to

house when all the paperwork was done – no prizes for

have caused.

Dublin airport ensured they just caught the plane ( bet

guessing !

I used to book them a hire car every time

everyone was pleased with them ! ) and that the situation

Now…I’ll go back to where I started – they

they came, and one day like a good Englishman I was

had caused a massive onboard row between them. This

are the nicest, kindest, most generous people I have ever

just sitting down to my evening meal ( a curry, which

then progressed further at the hire car desk over the

met, full of family stories of fun and disaster, and of the

I love ) and watching the six o’clock news ( seven in

missing licence ( she had also forgotten hers…funny

kami-kaze way of life they continue to live in Ireland. I

Spain ), when the phone rang. I could hear my wife, the

that). The dispute went on during the holiday, one night

try to look forward to their visits but in truth, they stress

curry-provider, saying things like ‘ Oh dear....Oh no..…

late she rang from a bar and asked me to pick her up.

me out when they are here. I fruitlessly try to stay one

Won’t they ?...Shall I get John to pick you up ?’ I knew

I went round to their house first, Paddy told me they’d

step ahead and anticipate lost keys, lost paperwork, lock-

straightaway it was them, apparently he had forgotten his

had a row, but when I asked him to come with me he

outs, flight changes, missed appointments, frustrated

driving licence (not an isolated incident ) and the hire car

declined, saying she wouldn’t come back if he came. So I

business people, others just tearing their hair out with

company would not let him have the car. My curry went

braved it, and got her back, and as we walked back in he

frustration over them, etc etc – I just don’t know how

into the oven and I went to the airport. You can never tell

smiled up at her.

they do it – but they do ! Somehow, they always muddle

what the airport will be like until you get there, busy or

‘What the **** are you smiling about, you

through and get there – just ! But they always come up

quiet and true to form, as per anything to do with Paddy

eejit ?’ she snarled, as I quickly beat a retreat ! Generally

smiling in the end, what a constitution they possess. I

and Bridget, it was heaving with people, cars, taxis,

though, they didn’t seemed to argue much, but it is her

love ‘em, really !

coaches and policemen, particularly chaotic that evening.

impetuosity that trips them up every time. About two

Searching desperately for them, easing into

years after the first house purchase, on the last afternoon

a space in front of a driverless but engine-running coach,

/ evening of their holiday, after we had had lunch with

I spotted Paddy, unfortunately alone, oblivious to all the

them and said our goodbyes, we learnt the next day that

DO YOU REALLY WANT TO PLAY? Grace Descanso is a young single mother working for CSI San Diego. It’s a demanding job and Grace struggles to spend as much time as she would like with her 5-year-old daughter Katie. But when a routine crime scene turns into a bloodbath, three dead bodies later, Grace is the one being investigated.

Then Katie is snatched from their house, the place where they should both be safest.

Katie is all she’s got and Grace is thrown into a nightmare world of timed riddles, which

she must solve if she wants to see Katie again.

She’s got 24 hours….

Welcome to the Timer Game.

I am a big fan of crime thriller novels with Jeffrey Deaver, Val McDermid and Kathy Reichs amongst my favourites. This is the first novel by this author that I have read and I enjoyed it immensely. With interesting characters and the thrilling search for the missing Katie it keeps you gripped, with an unexpected conclusion I would highly recommend it.

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OPENING!

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FISH AND CHIP RESTAURANT

BAR & TAKEAWAY (formally JOE’S) at the Carabasi Commercial Centre. [up the central stairs turn left]

Angie and Mac, as new sole owners would like to welcome you to the Aquarius restaurant, bar and takeaway. having owned a catering company in the u.k , we bring twenty years joint experience with us to Gran Alacant. We now feel the time is right to take things to another level by reinventing ourselves and moving forward to new and improved quality dining, whilst always keeping the traditional methods of preparation and cooking as our strength, we feel the times are changing along with peoples tastes and expectations, so we shall endeavour to move with them by offering meat dishes, vegetarian selections, and a starter course will also be available too, we will stay with our already successful fish and chip side of the business; but will be improving our presentation , decor, comfort and other areas in general to create what we feel will be a fresh and much needed upgrade to the premises .

We will also be addressing pricing in line with today’s stiff competition. After renegotiating with our suppliers we are pleased to announce reductions in price on most of your favourite meals / sweets and beverages . we hope to see you soon both customers and friends old and new , we guarantee a warm and friendly welcome

many thanks Angie and Mac - Aquarius

44

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY AIR CONDITIONING

CAR REPAIRS cont...

DIGINOVA Santa Pola Tel 660 631 380 MAYO Gran Alacant Tel 665 063 228 REFORMNOVA Gran Alacant Tel 670 260 684

REFORMNOVA Gran Alacant

CAR SALES FWR CARS El Altet RENAULT Santa Pola

ANIMAL RESCUE LEZSONJA’S BOARDING KENNELS Sax, Tel 96 112 0244 ALBERGUE Bacarot Tel 96 596 0224

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Tel. 96 568 7976 Tel 96 541 3746

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CAR SERVICE CENTRE La Marina Tel. 650 821 082 RE-REGISTRATION SPECIALISTS La Marina Tel. 650 821 082 HEADLAMP EXCHANGE La Marina Tel. 96 610 8938

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HOUSEHOLD SERVICES

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CAR REPAIRS

MOZISTOP All Areas

CCW ELECTRICAL Gran Alacant Tel 617 872 405 DIGINOVA Santa Pola Tel 660 631 380

RENAULT Santa Pola Tel 96 541 3746 JOHN O’DONNELL All Areas Tel. 638 461 690

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SECOND HAND FURNITURE La Marina Tel. 96 644 3370 BARCLAYS NEARLY NEW San Fulgencio TEL. 96 672 5725

HEARING

DOMESTIC APPLIANCES

Tel 665 063 228

FURNITURE

BRITISH DENTAL PRACTICE La Marina Tel 96 679 6603 FRANCESC AGULLO Gran Alacant Tel. 96 669 5031 SAMSARA Gran Alcant Tel. 96 669 8141 SCANDINAVIAN SURGERY Gran Alacant Tel. 689 760 420

SANTA POLA DIVE ACADEMY Santa Pola Tel. 677 670 468

INSURANCE cont...

ALMARCHA INSURANCE La Marina Tel. 96 572 9747 VITALICIO Quesada TEL. 96 673 1691 GLOBELINK All Areas Tel. 96 626 5000 LINEA DIRECTA All Areas Tel. 902 123 3975

KENNELS LEZSONJA’S BOARDING KENNELS Sax, Tel 965 475 463

LANGUAGE SCHOOLS CAROLINE All Areas

Tel. 626 268 258

MOBILITY

ANDREA BURNS Gran Alacant Tel 96 669 7824 MICHELLE Gran Alacant Tel 669 791 201

HEALTH & BEAUTY

DIVING

CAR HIRE

FARMACIA GRAN ALACANT Gran Alacant Tel. 96 669 7471

FRANCESC AGULLO Gran Alacant Tel. 96 669 5031 SAMSARA Gran Alcant Tel. 96 669 8141

BRITISH DENTAL PRACTICE La Marina Tel 96 679 6603 DENTURES DIRECT Gran alacant Tel. 619 185 122

XTRA RENT A CAR Santa Pola Tel 607 850 664

FARMACIAS

HAIRDRESSERS

DENTAL

BUILDING / MAINTENANCE

GA PROPERTY NEEDS Gran Alacant Tel. 627 711 155 TOP ALACANT Gran Alacant Tel. 96 669 7357

FISCAL

BLUE MOON SOLUTIONS All Areas Tel. 655 044 970 SPANISH INKS All Areas www.spanishink.com

BOOKS

Tel: 670 260 684

ENTERTAINMENT

CAR TRANSFERS

BAILEYS Gran Alacant Tel. 96 618 2407 EL PARIPE Gran Alacant Tel. 96 669 9641 FRANK’S MUSIC BAR Gran Alacant Tel. 637 355 570 PHOENIX BAR Gran Alacant Tel. 96 669 8364 SUNSET BAR Gran Alacant Tel. 664 277 986 TOSCANA Gran Alacant Tel. 96 669 9957 VILLAGE INN La Romana Tel. 628 077 007

Tel. 659 259 319

INSURANCE ROWLAND INSURANCE Santa Pola Tel 96 541 3076

SUNSHINE MOBILITY Benejuzar Tel. 96 677 7985

MORTGAGES JLCA LAWYERS Gran Alacant Tel: 966 698 796

MOSQUITO NETS MOZISTOP All Areas

Tel. 659 259 319

NATURE MALCOLM PALMER Santa Pola Tel 96 608 2454

OPTICIANS

CENTRAL OPTICA Gran Alacant Tel 966 698 802 SPECSAVERS Torrevieja Tel. 96 692 7249

OSTEOPATH CLINICA GRAN ALACANT Gran Alacant Tel 667 919 277

PAINTERS / DECORATORS

MAYO Gran Alacant Tel 665 063 228 REFORMNOVA Gran Alacant Tel 670 260 684

PETS CLINICA VETERINARIA Santa Pola Tel 96 669 2328 LEZSONJA’S BOARDING KENNELS Sax Tel 96 547 5463

PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINICA GRAN ALACANT Gran Alacant Tel 96 669 7411

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from page 38

ELECTRICIANS/ELECTRONIC cont

PERFORMANCE & DIESEL Guardamar Tel. 96 610 7606

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48

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RESTAURANTS cont...

POSTAL OFFEX All Areas

Tel. 96 672 0959

PLUMBERS DMF PLUMBING All Areas Tel. 96 679 9740 REFORMNOVA Gran Alacant Tel 670 260 684

REMOVALS HELEN’S TRUCKS All Areas Tel. 96 540 0616 MISTER VAN All Areas Tel. 697 775 588 PRS REMOVALS All Areas Tel. 634 030 636

RESTAURANTS AQUARIUS FISH & CHIPS Gran Alacant Tel. 638 306 872 COCOA’S Gran Alacant Tel. 96 669 8509 DARBY’S FISH & CHIPS Gran Alacant Tel. 96 669 7070 EL PARIPE Gran Alacant Tel. 96 669 9641 JUST DESSERTS Gran Alacant Tel. 96 669 9624 LA TOMATA GranAlacant Tel. 630 912 276 LOS LUNARES Gran Alacant Tel 96 669 5399

PHOENIX BAR Gran Alacant Tel. 96 669 8364 RINCON MONTE MAR Gran Alacant Tel. 96 669 7483 SAFFRON Gran Alcant Tel. 96 669 8098 SUNSET BAR gran Alacant Tel. 664 277 986

SIGNS / SIGN WRITING CORTES SIGNS Santa Pola Tel. 686 464 076

SOLICITORS JLCA LAWYERS Gran Alacant Tel: 966 698 796

SUNBLINDS TOLDOS PENALVER Santa Pola Tel. 96 543 2350

SWIMMING POOL (CONSTRUCTION)

REFORMNOVA Gran Alacant Tel 670 260 684

TAX ADVICE ANDREA BURNS Gran Alacant Tel 96 669 7824 JLCA LAWYERS Gran Alacant Tel: 966 698 796

TRANSLATORS ANDREA BURNS Gran Alacant Tel 96 669 7824 JOHN TRANSLATOR Gran Alacant Tel. 677 876 371 MICHELLE Gran Alacant Tel 669 791 201 MITCH BULL Gran Alacant Tel. 686 790 457

SUPERMARKETS AJ’S Hondon Nieves Tel. 96 548 0718 EUROSTRETCHER Almoradi Tel. 96 671 6790

TV DIGINOVA Santa Pola SIMULSAT Santa Pola

Tel 660 631 380 Tel. 677 878 210

VETS CLINICA VETERINARIA Santa Pola Tel 96 669 8463

WATER FILTERS PUREFLO Gran Alacant

Tel. 656 649 221

GRAN ALACANT

TRANSPORT TAXI Santa Pola

TRAVEL AGENTS GETAWAY TOURS Santa Pola Tel. 96 669 6269

BUS TIMES Tel 609 959 408

SWIMMING POOL (MAINTAINANCE)

GA POOLS Gran Alacant Tel 628 030 184 PJ’s All Areas Tel 619 501 657

Tourist Train

see centre pages

‘CUT-OUT-AND-KEEP’ Gran Alacant Shuttle Bus times

ust ask our readers! - Advertise with us from only 10€

49

Sales & Rentals

GA PROPERTY NEEDS

kim

MONTE Y MAR, TOP FLOOR DUPLEX

-

3 BEDROOMS, 1 BATHROOM

PRICE INCLUDES ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING BREATH-TAKING VIEWS OF ALICANTE AND SEA PRIVATE & OFF ROAD PARKING, COMM. POOL ABSOLUTE BARGAIN FOR THE FIRST TO VIEW VIEWING RECOMMENDED TO APPRECIATE

€119,950.00

REF. NO K26

PUERTO MARINA, CORNER CALPE “ ESPECIAL”

-

2 BEDROOMS, 1 BATHROOM. TOP FLOOR CORNER DUPLEX WITH SOLARIUM KITCHEN APPLIANCES INCLUDED LARGER THAN NORMAL FLOOR SPACE SECURE PRIVATE PARKING, COMMUNAL POOLS QUIET LOCATION, FANTASTIC VIEWS

€119,500.00

REF NO. K18

POLOGNIA AREA....REDUCED

-

3 BEDROOMS, 2 BATHROOMS VERY LARGE CONVERTED UNDER BUILD IMMACULATE & BEING SOLD FULLY FURNISHED PRIVATE & OFF-ROAD PARKING, SOLARIUM COMMUNAL POOL, LOCAL TO ALL AMENITIES SALES PRICE MUCH LOWER THAN VALUATION

€128.000

REF. K15

Kim Carey

PUERTO MARINO...DETACHED

-

3 BEDROOMS, 3 BATHROOMS FRONT, SIDE & REAR GARDENS OVER- LOOKING FARM LANDS FURNITURE & APPLIANCES INCLUDED GRILLS, NETS, ALARM, AIR-CON ( H&C) PERGEOT CAR, ENGLISH T.V, C. POOLS

€247.000

REF. K35

MEDITERRANIA 3

-

2 BEDROOMS, 2 BATHROOMS FULLY FURNISHED INC. APPLIANCES OVER-LOOKS NATURE RESERVE LARGE FRONT GARDEN WITH BBQ LARGE COMMUNAL POOL & TENNIS COURT WALKING DISTANCE TO BEACH & AMENITIES

€146.000

REF.K27

PUERTO MARINA.. TOP FLOOR DUPLEX

-

2 BEDROOMS, 1 BATHROOM SOUTH FACING, GLAZED IN GALLERIA TASTEFULLY FURNISHED ALL INCLUDED ROOF-TOP SOLARIUM INC. 8FT POOL FORD FOCUS 1.6 CAR <13.000 KM. INC. ENGLISH TV, GRILLS, NETS, GAZEBO

€131.500

REF. K28

Since the introduction of our web site, we now have clients waiting for certain properties to become available, either for sale or long term rent. So if you are thinking of selling or renting please, give a call on: 627 711 155 Mobile, 966 699 136 Office or email: careymkrt@hotmail.com or visit our web site www.granalacantpropertyneeds.com

50

ALTOMAR FINE FINISHING

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE & IMPROVEMENTS PAINTING & DECORATING - GENERAL BUILDING TILING - BALLUSTRADES - SCREEN BLOCKS ELECTRICAL - PLUMBING - DRAINPIPES -GUTTERING LOCKS CHANGED - SHUTTER REPAIRS BOILERS - WATER FILTERS - KITCHEN WORKTOPS GALVANISED GRILLS & GATES

Phone Eddie TEL: 966 699 353 - MOBILE: 648 786 708

25€

Dinner + Show

Reservation

Recommended

966 69 53 99

For Additional Show Times Please Call

THE CHEAPEST ADVERTISING ON THE COSTA !!- TEL 606 540 408

51