The Courier Week 109

Edition 109

By HEIDI WARDMAN THE cost of electricity in Spain is set to drop by around 6.5 per cent from April 1 – the first price cut for 12 years.

www.thecourier.es

Friday, March 22, 2013

THE PRICE IS BRIGHT

Homeowners will be able to take advantage of a healthy reduction in tariffs after Industry minister José Manuel Soria confirmed that when taken per household, the figures will equate to an average saving of five euros per month, or €60 a year The ‘tarifa de último recurso’ (TUR), which is reviewed every three months and applies to some 20 million homes and small businesses, has risen continually since the liberalisation of the sector in July 2009.

It was at this point that the TUR introduced a single rate set by the Government to protect domestic customers with a contracted capacity of less than 10 kilowatts (kW). There was a slight decrease of 2.2% during October last year, although a concurrent increase in VAT swallowed the saving from the point of the consumer.

The TUR is determined by two components: the tariffs regulated by the Government and the cost of energy itself, which is determined according to the results of bargaining between electricity producers and supply companies.

The Government has approved various measures and reforms during the past year, in a bid to balance income and expenditure for the electricity system, with the deficit gap in 2012 amounting to €5,500 million.

Prior to the latest revision, the Industry Minister had announced that costs would remain stable, so

Electricity costs to be slashed 6.5%

José Manuel Soria the severe drop came as a surprise all round, with some smiling wider than others.

However, Soria has remained true to his word, after announcing last week that the Government would not apply heavy tax levies to the revised pricing structure, regardless of the final outcome.

Following the announcement, he said: “Having access to a lower rate of electricity will benefit all families using TUR power, so is a positive thing for the majority of people living in Spain.”

The decline in energy prices is mainly due to weak demand caused by the economic crisis, along with increased interest in renewable energy, which is hammering the price of traditional energy sources.

The five companies contracted to supply power to homes in Spain, Endesa, Iberdrola, Gas Natural Fenosa, HC and E.ON, have acquired 4,447 megawatts (MW) for each hour of the second quarter during off-peak times, and 380 MW at peak times.

The five-euro saving per household is based on average spending for a four-person family, within an 80 square-metres living space and making use of normal electrical goods, but not heating or air-conditioning.

Normally, spending for this housing set-up would be an average €890 per year.

Our latest edition is always online at www.thecourier.es

2

Friday, March 22, 2013

Are you a snapper? Do you have a great photo? Send it to design@thecourier.es and if we think it is good enough we will publish it as our Picture of the Week TELEPHONE

96 692 1003 679 096 309 965 99 66 66 E-MAIL office@thecourier.es WEB www.thecourier.es HEAD OFFICE Calle Luis Canovas Martinez 1. Urb Aguas Nuevas, Torrevieja 03183, ALICANTE PHONE: 96 692 1003 Email: office@thecourier.es OPENING HOURS Mon - Fri 1030 to 1730 CONSULTANT EDITOR Donna Gee ADVERTISING SALES 966 921 003 office@thecourier.es TELESALES 966 921 003 679 096 309 Sally Los Alcazares, San Javier 618 391 491 Myra Quesada, Rojales, Torrevieja, San Miguel Tel. 618 583 765 Jean La Zenia, Playa Flamenca, Cabo Roig Tel. 618 898 034 Janine 616 332 178 Patrick International Rep 5 Languages Tel 685 901 265 Writers Donna Gee Sally Bengtsson Jeanette Erath Alex Trelinski Dave Silver Tony Mayes Heidi Wardman John McGregor

Affiliations

Picture of the Week

JUNGLE DRUMS

A panoramic view of the Vega Baja with Sierra de Callosa on the right, taken from the Cruz de la Muela, which is the cross you can see at the top of the Sierra de Orihuela Photograph by NICK BRISCHUK FROM ENGLAND

Fury over ‘no night-time ambulances’ CONCERNED residents, charities and community representatives have reacted angrily to newspaper reports that the ambulance service is to be discontinued at night-time in Orihuela Costa.

Communities and charities have held emergency meetings following suggestions that emergency ambulance cover will cease from 9.30pm to 9.30am.

One of the first charities to react was Help at Home, whose founder Norah Bond said: "We are extremely concerned. How on earth is a person going to get to hospital if they are taken ill at night, perhaps unconscious?

"It is turning the Costa

Cont’d on Page 3

PLEASE don't block our access roads – or someone else could die.

That’s the plea from residents of communities around Calle Nicholas de Bussi, the road used for Saturday markets in Playa Flamenca.

Twice recently, emergency vehicles have had difficulty getting to people's homes because traders have straddled their stalls across the access roads.

The danger of the street being blocked was highlighted a few weeks ago when a female resident was taken seriously ill. The emergency ambulance, after an initial delay as is crawled up the road, was then kept waiting while traders moved their stalls.

Sadly, the sick woman subsequently died, though it cannot be established whether she would have survived had she arrived in hospital sooner.

Residents say the market people are increasing the

MENACE OF THE BLOCK MARKET

access problems by parking their vans opposite each other rather than on one side of the road only.

Local community vicepresident Tony Mayes told The Courier: "All we are asking for is for the traders to

use a bit of common sense and not block the access roads.

“It isn't too much to ask, and in fact the markings on the road allow gaps so emergency vehicles can get

through.

"Unfortunately, over the years there has been stall creep and the accesses are being blocked. We don’t think it is too much to ask for the traders to think a bit more sensibly about residents who live in the roads leading off the market street.

"After all, the residents are also traders' customers, not just for a week or two as holidaymarkers but all through the year."

In addition the community is asking traders not to use nearby doorways as toilets.

Mayes added: "Public loos are provided half way up the market street and traders should be using them, not people's doorways."

Publication Published by Rainbow Media, S.L. Printed by Localprint S.L Depósito legal A - 132 - 2011 The Courier, its publishers, members of staff and its agents do not accept responsibility for claims by advertisers nor can it be held responsible for any errors in advertisements which are reproduced from poor artwork, low quality electronic data or inadequate instructions for text or other layout features.

Further no responsibility is accepted for any loss or damage caused by an error, inaccuracy or non-appearance of any advertisement, although all advertisements produced are checked prior to insertion. We regret that we cannot accept responsibility for more than ONE incorrect insertion and that no re-publication will be granted in the case of typographical or minor changes which do not affect the value of the advertisement. E&OE. NO PART OF THIS NEWSPAPER MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE PUBLISHERS.

Friday Sunny High 19° Low 11° Chance of rain 0% Monday Sunny High 21° Low 12° Chance of rain 0%

Tuesday Sunny High 23° Low 13° Chance of rain 0%

Saturday Cloudy High 18° Low 10° Chance of rain 2% Wednesday Sunny High 23° Low 14° Chance of rain 0%

Sunday Sunny High 21° Low 11° Chance of rain 0% Thursday Sunny High 23° Lo 13° Chance of rain 0%

3

Friday, March 22, 2013

PASSPORT TO PANIC STREET crime involving passports, money and other valuables continues to rise in Spain.

And Britain’s Iberian consulates this week warned tourists and expats alike to be especially vigilant when visiting busy urban areas.

They emphasise that a stolen bag leads to frustration, extra costs and lost holiday time as victims deal with the consequences.

The British Consulate in Barcelona issued 1,320 emergency travel documents (ETDs) in 2012, 75% of which were the result of stolen passports. That’s 19% up the previous year.

Meanwhile in Madrid, the British Consulate issued 362 ETDs last year – the equivalent of one a day – up 23% from 294 in 2011. During January and February this year another 50 were issued, a 10% increase on the 45 during the same period last year.

An ETD – which enables a traveller to return to the UK if they have lost their passport - currently costs €115 (approx £100).

Dave Thomas, Consular Director for Southern Europe, said: “Unfortunately we have seen increases in pickpocketing and distraction thefts. We urge holidaymakers to keep an eye on their belongings at all times.

“We want to reduce the numbers of British visitors who come to us for help over stolen passports and belongings, so they can get on with enjoying their Easter breaks instead of spending their precious holiday time in our con-

Tourists warned as street crime sends stress levels soaring

sular offices”.

The three main methods used by city criminals are: • Pickpocketing on public transport and in busy areas.

• Distraction techniques (asking victims for help or directions, spilling something on clothes and offering to help).

• Unattended bag / handbag snatching in hotels, restaurants, cafés, airport and train stations.

Anyone can be a victim of city crime. Julie Crossley, a family careers support advisor from Hemel Hempstead in Herts, and a regular visitor to Spain, said: “We have been travelling to Reus airport for the last nine years and had

never experienced any crime against us or anyone we know.

“So it didn’t even enter our heads that we would become victims ourselves at such a relatively quiet airport.

“My husband was looking after our bags as I visited the ladies, was distracted by someone asking where the exit was, and had no idea our travel wallet had been taken. And we would say we are seasoned travellers. Don’t be complacent”.

Albia Begum, a travel journalist from Lancashire recalled: “I was playing a game with people at one of my favourite hostels in the heart of Madrid, and I left my bag under the table to go outside for five minutes. When I returned the game was over and my bag was missing. I had lost my passport, personal possessions and a huge amount of cash “I had to apply for an emergency travel passport, pay for my visa again to go to Mauritania in Africa, and use more money to pay for my stay at the hostel. No matter where you are in the world, you or your personal possessions are not safe, even for a second...”

RYANAIR IN NEW ALICANTE FURY RYANAIR stands accused of jeopardising airport safety at Alicante after two pilots risked disaster by landing without asking air traffic controllers.

The British and Dutch pilots admitted they simply forgot to contact the control tower before landing a Boeing 737 from East Midlands Airport with 174 passengers on board.

They only realised their mistake when they saw

the night landing lights had not been switched on as they taxied to the gate, the final item in their prelanding checklist.

They apologised to the tower, but air traffic controllers told them the tower was being supervised by the Spanish military.

The tower had tried to radio the aircraft on a standard emergency frequency but the ¬pilots had

turned the volume down.

Ryanair told Spanish investigators the practice was “routine” among its pilots to avoid “distractions”.

Spain’s Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC) last week told Ryanair it had jeopardised the safety of the airport and also criticised the ATCs for their part in the fiasco.

CIAIAC found all cockpit voice recordings and other flight data had been erased from the plane’s black boxes prior to the inquiry, even though they are supposed to be kept for 60 days.

The 22-year-old British co-pilot was flying as it neared Alicante two hours later. The skies were dark but clear as air traffic control at Valencia Airport cleared the flight for its

Is Torrevieja really prepared for a big quake?

By HEIDI WARDMAN LOOKING at the beautiful beaches, recreational areas and cultural buildings of the Vega Baja, it is hard to imagine that the entire zone was destroyed less than 200 years ago.

Yesterday, March 21, marked the 184th year since the horrific “Terremoto de Torrevieja", the earthquake that left more than 400 dead and totally wiped out the towns of Torrevieja, Guardamar

del Segura and Benejúzar, among several other Alicante populations.

With a magnitude measuring 6.6 degrees on the Richter scale, the 1829 quake is considered one of the worst episodes in the history of the country.

In Torrevieja nearly all homes were destroyed, Guardamar had to be completely redesigned and Almoradi, which was the area worst hit, ceased to exist.

A total of 2,965 houses were destroyed and another 2,396 houses

final approach.

At that point the aircraft should have been handed over to Alicante, but the pilots claimed they “could not recall” that happening.

Investigators said the captain had attributed the error to a “momentary distraction” in the cockpit, but he “could not provide a specific reason”.

However, investigators also found Alicante controllers failed in their duty

to check where the plane was. ” The captain, a 47-yearold Dutchman, said: “I totally damaged during the event. Written apologise for that. Can I accounts describe how houses, as well talk to you or your supervias buildings towering several stories sor there to explain the sithigh, with no foundations, and support- uation?” ed only by weak wooden beams, simWhen told the military ply toppled over into the streets, with was overseeing operations their terrified inhabitants inside. due to a “state of alarm” in Naturally, the earthquake is still Spain at that time, the capdeeply rooted in the minds of local peo- tain replied: “My company ple, many of whom have family mem- will explain the situation to bers who were them, I promise this will affected by the Continued on P6 never happen again.”

Ambulances From Page 2 into a Third World state. You see pictures of communities in Africa loading a very sick person on a board behind a bicycle or a motorbike and being taken miles to hospital.

Is this how Spain is getting?"

Ms Bond questions whether the Valencian health authorities are also planning to cut night-time cover for cities where the majority of Spanish live.

She asked: "Will the health authorities terminate the ambulance service for the city of Orihuela? Of course not. They would not dare.

"Why? We all know why.

Foreigners are not really wanted, only our money. We are second-class citizens definitely not respected.

"When will they realise we have had enough? We want to live in their glorious country and integrate. Not to be treated with utter contempt and fear death without emergency services being provided."

Norah is seeking an urgent meeting with the health authorities.

4

Friday, March 22, 2013

Friday, March 22, 2013

FUND-RAISER LIZ TAKES THE GOLD PEDAL TRAIL TO IBIZA

LIZ HENRY has decided that cycling really is kids’ stuff – so she’s pedalling 135km to raise funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

She’ll head off to Ibiza to compete in this year’s Round the Island Cycle Challenge on May 3-5 with £900 already in the pot.

And before she leaves, Liz, who splits her time between the Costa Blanca and the UK, hopes to raise considerably more from an Easter Funday at La Sahara, Le Fuente on March 31.

The action starts at 2pm and there will be fun and games to suit every taste, from bouncy castles, sumo wrestling and inflatable twister to a fancy dress competition for the children.

Resident Sunshine FM DJs Eva Ford and Ricky Neil will provide live music entertainment including special guest stars Nick Gold, Dan Davy, Sunshine Xfactor finalists, an Elvis tribute star and much, much more.

Liz told The Courier: “I have currently raised over £900 from my friends and contacts from work. To reach my target of £1,200 I need another £300.

“On a night out in La Sahara Bar my

DONNA GEE reports friends Eva Ford and Jane Fowkes (the owner of La Sahara) suggested we organise a party fun day. We then roped in our other friend Edele (owner of Bouncy Bouncy) to give her equipment for free on the event day.

Jane and Edele have organised the logistics of the event, while Eva has organised the entertainment. “I really could not have done it without them,’’ says Liz. “They have been fantastic.’’

Liz works within the food manufacturing industry, which is where most of her donations have come from.

She recalls: “Last year I saw a TV series on GOSH and saw that they really need massive charity help to provide care for sick children and support for their families.

So I applied for the Cycle challenge which will be 135k over two days.

I have been training since November and are confident that I can do this!!! Not sure about the saddle sore, though!’’

Liz’s donation web page is www.justgiving.com/elizabeth-henry2 or text lizh77 £(an amount) to 70070.

Murcia’s golf swing feels sting of crisis

BY IVIE DAVIES MOSA Trajectum Resort (Murcia) which opened its doors in 1999, has now closed all four golf courses along with the 19-room Parador-hotel/restaurant.

Last year, it shut down the nine-hole Olive course, which left two other nine-hole courses, the Pine and Stone, and the Challenge Par 3 course.

In 2004 Mosa Trajectum hosted the PGA EuroPro Tour Championship Final, which I was personally involved in bringing it to Spain for the first time. Football legend Johann Cruyff was the ambassador for the resort – but now the big question is: As the recession bites, is this the first or will other resorts follow?

Last June, Mosa Trajectum was reported to be suffering through a succession of debts and defaults causing a halt of trading. But at that time it was hoped to reach an amicable

solution with creditors - and owner Ronald Ras even boasted of having new investors, in particular an American oil company willing to contribute €1billion for several projects.

These included building a four-star hotel and rejuvenating the golf courses to coincide with the opening of the Corvera international airport.

In July last year Mosa Trajectum Resort was auctioned and the successful bidder was SNS Property Finance BV Bank, which was found to have debts amounting to €800m, which should have been repaid by the end of 2012.

It defaulted, creating the nationalisation of the Bank by and the arrest of Buck Groenhof, the Director General.

As a result of all these unexpected situations and without 100% guarantees of a solution, owner Ras said he was forced to make the hard decision of closing the golf courses and the Plaza-Parador.

5

6

Friday, March 22, 2013

editor@thecourier.es

COURIER POSTBAG: YOUR VIEWS ON OUR NEWS

A long way from Saint Luis?

Luis Suarez...antics

Alex Ferguson...snub

I’VE just read John McGregor's ‘Suarez Player of the Year? Don't make me Laugh!’ and can honestly say that was probably the most ridiculous, lazy, biased piece of journalism I ever had the misfortune to read.

Anyone who clearly believes Luis Suarez does not deserve Footballer of the Year for his on-field play rather than his off-field antics is nothing short of a moron.

Sir Alex Ferguson slammed Suarez for not shaking Patrice Evra's hand, claiming he had brought the game into disrepute and

that he should receive a hefty ban.

Yet Sir Alex blatantly refused to shake Rafa Benitez's hand last week. Double standards, methinks, a bit like Mr McGregor's journalism.

PAUL DALZELL, Las Filipinas, Orihuela Costa

q

JOHN McGREGOR rep lies:Hi Paul – well, that’s certainly your opinion, and you’re entitled to it. Can I ask who I’m biased against? Certainly not Liverpool, if you read the second part of the article – you did, didn’t you? I also have friends who are passionate Liverpool supporters (is there any

other type?) who think that while Suarez is a great player he is also an ”idiot”. That’s a fanatic supporter’s words, not mine, because of the trouble he gets himself into. So I don’t think I’m a “moron” with my obviously shared views.

I’m a lifetime Nottingham Forest supporter - there, I’ve said it. Brian Clough’s highly-successful teams had their hard men, like Stuart Pearce, Kenny Burns and that wellknown scouser Larry Lloyd, but they didn’t grab the opposition by the throat, or refuse to shake hands before or afterwards. I like good football – hard, yes, competitive

every time - but not dirty, unduly aggressive and unsportsmanlike, which is where I get off with Suarez.

I agree with you about Alex Ferguson, and would go even further, in that as manager of one of the greatest sides British football has produced he should always attend post-match interviews as well as shaking hands with the opposition – so no '”double standards” there, Paul, eh? After all, football is a sport, not a war, we’ve had enough of them, haven’t we?

Thanks for your interest, that’s what makes football such an interesting ‘sport’.

RACIST SHAME OF MARKET CAR PARK

I’m on a Hi Di Hi about Di de Di...

I WAS given tickets by friends who couldn't go to see the Di de Di show at the theatre in San Miguel on March 16. What a treat we had!

The show had everything, excellent singing and dancing, story lines, great acting and oh how lovely the costumes were. Our friends missed a great night out.

Praise to all those concerned. I will certainly look out for shows from this very professional company.

LIZ PAGE I WANT to say a big thank you to Campoverde Theatre Company for their smashing show Di de Di. It had something for every one, great music and slick dancing, and a fun script.

Well done to everyone concerned with this show.

IRENE SHEPHERD La Siesta, Torrevieja

ON Saturday morning I went with three friends to see the new market in Los Montesinos as I had seen it advertised on the pages of Facebook.

I used to go to the market held at Algorfa every Saturday, looking for bargains to help along at this time of ‘crisis’. Now I wanted to see what Montesinos had to offer.

At the entrance, I was still in my car and the parking attendant girl was shouting "only members" while the man was saying in Spanish "por favor, no puedes entrar - solo ingleses" (you can’t come in - only English people’). I asked him “Are you British?’’ and he told me he was Bulgarian.

I parked on the main road and walked back to talk to them properly. The English lady was trying to speak to me in Spanish but not very well so I spoke to her in English.

I asked her why I could not go into the market and she replied: “It’s membership only.’’

Then I said to her: “I do not want a stall to sell - I just want to buy’’. and she replied: “It’s only membership.’’

“Then I cannot go in as I am Moroccan?’’

“Yes’’.

I said to her that this was pure racism and she replied: “Yes’’.

I asked her who was in charge of the market or her boss and she replied “Talk to **** and ****.’’

I said to her you be ashamed to work for people like this.’’

She replied: “Don’t have a go at me. I have a baby daughter to look after so f**** off’’ By then the other man came to me and said in Spanish: “Please go because my boss does not want Moroccans here.’’

I said to him that this is racism and he said: Yes, it’s racism". My friends by then were saying “Let’s go.’

I asked for the police to be called if you think I’m a trouble

catastrophe. In Almoradi, residents mark the anniversary by taking to the streets carrying an image of the patron saint for earthquakes, San Emigdio, and pray to the memory of all victims.

Their fear of history repeating itself is so intense that when the earthquake of August 2008 hit, measuring only 3.6 degrees, the Council received endless requests

to take San Emigdio into the street, and thousands of people from all over the Vega Baja joined together to pray for safety and calm.

In spite of the extent of devastation caused all those years ago, experts still question whether any lessons were really learned from it.

The immense reconstruction project forced Spain to improve the quality of housing, and paved the way for certain regulatory developments

YOUR excellent paper is being ruined by the partisan rantings of John McGregor.

His bias towards all things Manchester United is embarrassing and distasteful.

His rant about Luis Suarez stank of jealousy.....has his God Alex Ferguson never behaved badly on and around a football pitch?

He needs reining in or you will lose a lot more readers than just me.

PAUL HUBBARD I suggest you take a look at John McGregor’s reply above to Paul Dalzell -EDITOR

q

EDITOR’S NOTE: Letters and emails will only be considered for publication in The Courier if an address and contact number are provided (not for publication)

maker but they didn’t want that and insisted: “Go, go, go!’’

I left in anger and hit one of their advertising boards with my car.

That day was a normal Saturday for me. I go to the market and have a look around, and hopefully pick up a bargain or two if there are any.

Many people know me here in Spain. I’ve been here for over 20 years, I’m hard working and have four children, all born here and studying here.

The last thing I want is problems and I know everywhere you go you meet some ‘bad apples’. But me and my friends are not like that.

AHMED REZZOUG SAN FULGENCIO We would welcome a response to these allegations but have been unable to establish who runs the market concerned. We would also like to emphasise that the THE monthly draw held in market referred to by Mr Rezzoug has no connection the Age Concern Charity with Moncayo Market - or the people who run Moncayo.

Shop in Montesinos was won

by Kirsty Huhs. The prize was a meal for two at the Cooper Arms, Dona Pepe.

The prize for March is a within the construction sector, strike again, and have even sug- voucher worth 20 euros from although little attention was given to gested that current strategies are David’s Coaches.

To enter this draw all you public buildings, leaving them vul- less effective than those exercised have to do is to purchase in Colombia, Morocco and Algeria. nerable.

The simulation action plan which something from the shop Recent disasters such as that at Lorca and Jaén, have left experts, took place in Torrevieja on March 5 then get a free draw ticket such as Roads and Highways was reportedly a huge success; but or purchase a ticket for one Engineer and Technical Director for with the size and population of the euro.

Watch out for the next CYPE, Carlos Fernández, fearing city today, is it really enough to prethat seismic regulations for this vent an absolute catastrophe if the prize.

MAUREEN PAYNE, threatened area are still insufficient earth shakes so fiercely again in the President to cope with a similar event should it future? Experts have their doubts.

q

Is Torrevieja really prepared for an earthquake?

From Page 2

Biased Mac is jealous of Suarez

It’s the meal thing for lucky Kirsty

Friday, March 22, 2013

7

HALFWAY TO HEAVEN THE worst part of diet-

TOTAL LOSS, 10 WEEKS ing is sticking to it.

8.4 kilos (1st 4.5lb

Start weight 93.2 kg Weight now 84.8 kg MY obsession with jumping onto the bathroom scales at every opportunity has been anything but the weight-loss killjoy the dietary experts say it is.

I am well aware that I weigh more at night than in the morning - and that readings can fluctuate wildly.

But after nearly six days in which I had GAINED a pound, it was a pleasant shock to see the digital display plunge by a whole kilo in the 24 hours before my weekly weigh-in.

If that’s not an incentive to keep hammering the hell out of those scales, I don’t know what is.

Particularly when you have mega-blubber to shed.

I mean, how does a whale see the horizon when it’s submerged by its own vast weight?

In human terms, I’m referring to the poor souls who allow their girth to expand to the point that they face literally years of deprivation to regain anything like a normal shape.

That ever-more-distant horizon was an important motivating factor when I began my sponsored slim on January 10.

My target weight was so far away that I would soon have been hopelessly chasing it for the rest of my life.

Two-and-a-half stone was reachable within a few months. Expand that to five stone and you are looking at a minimum of a year’s severe dieting.

18.5lbs thinner and I’m ready to trip the light gran-tastic

Crohn’s victim Daisy looks and feels 100% better since her recent surgery

In my case, I was eating myself to death - literally. I’d put on a good ten kilos in the previous 18 months, courtesy of Chinese and Indian

By publicising my progress in my Courier column each week, I would put myself into a Catch 22 situation.

Imagine the humiliation if I had to tell you all: ‘Sorry folks, but I’ve started pigging again. Can’t do this diet stuff’.

Of course, I also had the powerful motivation of raising money for Crohn’s Disease, which has devastated my grandaughter Daisy’s life. I’m please to say she is vastly better since her recent surgery (see picture) - and thanks to everyone who has asked for an update.

The incentive was enorindulgences, second helpings as a norm - and an insa- mous - and at 14st 9lb (93.2 kilos), my 5ft 5in frame was tiably sweet tooth.

It was clear I HAD to diet beginning to resemble an so I devised a diet strategy. archer’s bow.

Even more worrying was that, as someone who suffers with angina, my heart was being seriously overworked.

Ten weeks on, I’ve not only passed halfway in my battle to lose 16kilos (2st 7lb) - I feel like a different person.

Gone is the breathlesssness I felt whenever I walked 50 metres at anything faster than snail’s pace. Gone are the worrrying angina pains.

And gone is the lethargy that made the tiniest household chore a major challenge.

I now march rather than shuffle and I can actually manipulate a pair of tights on to my feet. Younger readers can laugh..but it’s a battle royal for us creaking OAPs.

SPONSOR ME AT www. justgiving.com/donna-gee

8

Friday, March 22, 2013

Friday, March 22, 2013

9

10

Friday, March 22, 2013

THE STRIFE OF BRIAN

MY first dog Brian would always sink into a mild melancholy at this time of year.

Spring might be in the air but my mutt's mood stayed firmly anchored to the ground.

'Maybe our Brian needs a partner,' said Mrs S one March morning some years back. 'After all, in the spring a young dog's fancy

turns to thoughts of love.'

'Are you crazy?' I suggested gently. 'The poet was talking about men not dogs.'

'Whatever,' said Mrs S. 'But I do suspect there's something very wrong with our beloved pet.'

'YOUR beloved pet,' I corrected her. 'It's you that adores Brian and he worships you right back. It's a veritable love fest. I

sometimes wonder why you who was curled up on the don't share his basket.' carpet looking deeply sorry Mrs S gave a bitter laugh. for himself.

'I'm sure I'd get a better 'That night's sleep without your constant scratching, snorting and snoring.'

I glared at Brian pooch detests me.

He always tries to trip me up whenever our paths cross.

That's why I stick out my tongue and blow raspberries at him at every opportunity.'

'Don't you think that's being a bit childish?' suggested Mrs S. I shrugged.

'Of course Brian's being childish.

What do you expect? Beasts aren't as mature in their thinking as we humans.'

I waited until Mrs S had left the

room, then I got down on allfours, padded over to our Brian and gave him a cuddle.

'Sorry about that, kid,' I whispered into his floppy ear.

'I pretend I don't like you in order to wind-up Mrs S. Now tell Daddy what's bothering you. Why are you so mournful every March?'

Brian's sad eyes shifted sluggishly towards the television set. And I suddenly knew what ailed my dog.

'It's Crufts isn't it? Every year we watch the dog show on the telly. And you're jealous.'

Our Brian sighed in confirmation and licked my hand.

'Oh, you poor creature. But Crufts is for posh pooches.

And you, Brian, have dodgy doggies in your bloodline.

One of your parents was an addled Alsatian, the other a barmy border collie. Or was it the other way round?

Whatever. That makes you one really muddled mongrel.'

Brian lifted a limp paw and waved it in the direction of the back garden.

'Yes, I know,' I said. 'But

burying the occasional bone under the rhododendron bush will not guarantee you entry into Crufts in the working-dogs section.'

I looked out of the window.

'What a lovely spring day.

Let's go for a walk. You never know, it might cheer you up a bit.'

'Just taking out your horrible mangy dog,' I called to Mrs S in order to further rile her.

'Don't be too long,' she called back. 'You have an appointment at the chiropodist to have your verruca scraped.'

'Thank you, my darling,' I muttered, 'for helping me maintain my aura of charisma.'

As Brian and I strolled up the street a bird fluttered down from the cloudless sky and perched on a gatepost.

'That's all I need,' I whined.

'A flaming magpie.'

My dog gave me a quizzical look. 'You know what they say about seeing magpies, Brian. One for sorrow, two for joy. It looks like I'm heading

for unhappiness.'

My mutt seemed to understand my distress. He suddenly lurched forward and dragged me around the corner. And there, on another gatepost, stood a second magpie. Brian looked up at me, his tail wagging blissfully at a job seemingly well done.

'Bless you, Brian,' I said, patting him on the bonce. 'I do believe you've rediscovered your joie de vivre and raison d'etre. And don't ask me what those two phrases mean. I don't know either.

They're in French.'

Then I had a rethink. 'You silly mutt! You're supposed to see two magpies TOGETHER to bring you joy. You've made me see two SEPARATE ones Now I'm in for double trouble.'

I mentally drew up a list of stuff that could go wrong for me: The pub would shut indefinitely. Mrs S's mouth would remain open indefinitely.

On the other hand, I might get two verrucas on the other foot.

11

Friday, March 22, 2013

SAY IT IN SPANISH Learn the lingo - with a little help from JEANETTE ERATH LESSON 63 ¡Hola! Poco a poco estamos aprendiendo español y espero que estás mejorando todos los días. Esta semana vamos a revisar las lecciones del pasado. Pero primero aquí son las respuestas de las deberes del semana pasada: What will be will be - que será, será, My dad will be famous – mi papá será famoso, I will go to the shop later – iré a la tienda más tarde, Next winter I will go to Hawaii – el próximo invierno iré a Hawaii, She will watch the next episode tomorrow – ella mirará el próxima episodio mañana, In November my grandchildren will come to visit me – en noviembre mis nietos vendrán a visitarme, The furniture doesn´t fit in the living room – los muebles no cabrán en el salon, On Thursday Juan will compete in England – El jueves Juan competirá en Inglaterra, When will he be here? - ¿cuándo estará él aquí? We will be able to travel to Disneyland – nosotros podremos viajar a Disneyland, Will you be able to eat a burger? ¿podrás comer una hamburguesa? He won´t be able to go to the party on Friday – él no podrá ir a la fiesta en viernes.

Entonces, vamos a revisar, voy a darte muchos traducciones, yo escribiré en inglés y tu los traduces al español, vamos a empezar y suerte!

Put it on the table! Are you thirsty? I have a bath every day, I´m going to do it, What are you asking for? Do you want two

Nosotros podremos viajar a Disneyland or three potatoes? She likes her new car, This cake is really tasty, The programme begins at five o´clock, Are you going to eat it?, Have you seen the film? Do you have to go now? I like dogs, I always bring food to the party, I want to give you a hug, tell me! I only want a sandwich, If I go to the cinema I will want two drinks and lots of popcorn, I have a friendly, honest friend, This book is better than the other Now we are going to translate some longer sentences.

Remember as you are writing them be sure to say the words out loud to get used to not only speaking Spanish but hearing it as well: Tomorrow is my friend’s birthday, he will go to the shops and will buy something that he likes.

If you are going to do it, will you please do it later I am ready to go to the shops now, when will you be ready?

I have been to her house many times but I can´t go any more There are a lot of people in the town centre, is there a party or something there?

We walk through the park every day, I like the flowers and the trees We are going to see him next week if I have time I have seen the film lots of times and I like it very much Tomorrow we will get up early because we have a lot to do My friends have bought a big house in the country and soon I will visit them Tell me what will happen if I don´t go to the bank Have you asked for help with your homework or can you do it on your own?

I speak Spanish and I can understand more or less most words It´s cold outside but I will still go to the shops because I need food I Hope you have managed to do most of the translations and next week you will find out if they are correct. Take your time to ensure that you are getting the correct tenses and the correct verbs. Use any opportunity to speak Spanish and listen to Spanish and remember that it is important how you pronounce a word, imagine listening to a native Spanish person talking English and if they don´t pronounce the English correctly it can be difficult to understand, it´s the same the other way around. So take time with your pronunciation and if necessary take a few lessons. ¡Que tengas una buena semana y hasta la próxima!

12

Friday, March 22, 2013

THE ROAD TO EL But 14-hour gridlock can’t dim joy of being in Spain

SNOW came from every direction as it joined We talked about the rest of the journey ahead and knew that straight away - how wrong we were, as 14 hours later we the angry wind, in one of the worst storms I can France had also received a fine helping of snow, but we knew were rooted to the same spot! the worst was behind us, or so we thought.

This was a dangerous situation now as the reality dawned. remember to hit southern England.

We are on the M20 and this is the start of our adventure - our Driving off the ferry and onto the French motorway, every- Both vehicles were running short of fuel - and keeping warm new life in Espa ña. Right now though we are many miles thing seemed fine. The roads had been gritted and progress was not an easy task. There were hundreds of vehicles away from the sun of our destination and it feels like we will was being made at last. After an hour, though, we could see stranded along with us, some with babies on board. I think it hazard lights ahead as the traffic came to an abrupt halt. This is disgusting as authorities and councils simply will not get never get there.

The journey to Dover should take one hour, but this one has is France, we thought, they will get their motorways moving their act together in poor weather conditions. Especially as the north bound part of the motorway was fully taken 11 hours, as we were left stranded on one gritted with not a speck of snow on the ground! of England’s main motorways, that the authorities They simply did not grit the southbound section of again forgot to grit! Everyone knew the snow was the motorway, with lives now being put at risk. on its way, everyone except the councils in Kent.

Around 2am we were woken by the sound of How they get away with this lack of duty to grit the vehicles crawling along the motorway; at last a roads when there has been a severe snow warngap had been found out of this hell. Two hours ing, is anyone’s guess, but they have done it later we were skating our way through Paris, with again! again very little evidence of any grit on their We arrived at Dover at 5.30am, and I am not a roads. After Paris, we were on our way, with a morning person to say the least. There was a clear road ahead at long last. Four days on the small area to walk our six dogs before we boardroad and we were finally in Espana. ed the ferry and I can honestly say, hand on As we stopped for a break, in Barcelona, we tried heart, that I have never felt cold like it. England to work out what this yellow thing was in the sky had decided to give us one of its finest send offs, giving off heat! while I was still trying to work out how we can get Our poor dogs and cats showed the patience of temperatures like this in March! saints as they accepted being cooped up in vehiWe drove the van onto the ferry, with my friends cles for four days. Arriving at our destination, it driving our car behind us. Tired and hungry, we all was an amazing sight to see them stretch their ordered a breakfast, but the French staff on legs and run about. board the ferry had kindly forgotten to tell us that The leaving party in London, with Sancha, one of the Spanish puppies I So after years of planning, we are finally here, livrescued last year breakfast was made of rubber today! ing in Espana and are humbled at the warmth of the Spanish people. We are planning to start a rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing service for dogs and I am also now available for consultations here in Espana.

It was one hell of a battle to get here, but anything worth havThis lovely dog Holly was It is puppy season again Born in November 2011, Truffle and Pickle are 9 ing in life is never an easy journey. found abandoned, starving, and since the end of Estrella is a medium sized weeks old, chocolate January we have taken into too weak to walk. She is Labrador cross, both female Collie Cross. She is a lovely friendly with other dogs, but our care more than 45 pupand are playful, happy pups, girl with lots of energy, so shy with people. Could any pies so far. This litter of Nutmeg, their brother is also she needs a home where one Foster this dog or give pretty pups were found at available. Call: 966 725 975 she would get lots of exerciher a permanent home. the end of January in a box se. If you would like to meet www.petsinspain.com Please ring Cats N Dogs Aid by a dustbin with their very Estrella,or any other APAH Association 616655789 malnourished mother and dogs or cats, please contact were estimated to be 1-2 Yvonne on 630 422 563. weeks old. The lady who found them was willing to care for the pups with their mum until they were weaned as this gives them the best chance of survival.

YELP! PLEASE GIVE US A HOME

Holly

Felipe They are now 7 weeks old and doing well; after their relevant vaccinations they will be ready for adoption.

Their mother is a small spaniel type crossbreed and we expect the pups to grow to a similar size.

For more information about this litter or any of our other pups and adult dogs please call 966 710 047, email info@satanimalrescue.com or you can visit our website www.satanimalrescue.com or follow us on facebook.

Truffle and Pickle

Estrella

Friday, March 22, 2013

13

LÍNEA DIRECTA REPORTS ON DRIVING IN WINTER

Línea Directa is one of the key players in the fight to reduce the number of accidents on our roads. For almost 20 years, it has promoted research into accident rates in order to encourage safe driving habits. Due to the risks involved with driving in winter months, it now offers advice on how to act in adverse weather conditions.

With respect to the car: 1.Check your car, especially the mechanical components. Pay attention to brakes, lights, windscreen wipers and brake fluid, antifreeze and oil levels.

2. Don’t forget to check the condition of your tyres including the spare wheel, checking pressure, tread and the grooves of each tyre, which must have a minimum depth of 1.6mm.

3. Always take a reflective jacket, two warning triangles and a torch with you. Also ensure that your mobile is charged in case you need to use it in an emergency.

With respect to driving: 1. If you often drive in snow, consider buying winter tyres. In any case, avoid any sudden movements and, as a general rule, do not overtake. Take special care with snow which has turned into ice and always drive at low speeds.

2. If it is foggy or raining, adapt your speed and distance from the vehicle ahead to the weather conditions. Do not brake suddenly to avoid skidding.

3. Aim the vehicle’s heating system at the windows to prevent them from fogging up as a result of humidity.

4. When overtaking, reaching crossroads, leaving tunnels and in open spaces, be careful with any sudden gusts of wind, which might lead to a loss of steering and the vehicle overturning.

Call now for more information on 902 123 104

14

Friday, March 22, 2013

AN EASTER STORY

MY views on religión are well known amongst my friends. The reason they know is not because it´s something I mention in general conversation, but because I had one Christian friend who felt it necessary to tell me about her religion any time she saw fit. The reason I found this slightly annoying is that I am an atheist.

I made it clear to her that I do not believe in her God nor any others and that is my right, as much as it´s her right to believe. However, in the same way that I do not push my vegetarianism on others, neither do I push my lack of religious beliefs.

However, it will be Good Friday next week and as I am an open-minded person who will try to understand others beliefs I asked a Jehovah’s Witness friend to explain her beliefs regarding Easter. I felt it would be interesting to learn about this time of year and open my mind to the event.

I was in no doubt that my mind would remain firmly convinced in no God but I am always trying to expand my knowledge and learn about various things, because by learning we can maybe begin to understand. And even though we may not agree, it is courteous to at least spend some time understanding something that is very big here in Spain, a very Catholic country where Easter is celebrated with huge processions and a lot of crying.

So, what does the Bible say about Easter? The Scriptures give ample testimony to the fact that Jesus was resurrected.

The resurrection of Christ is a basic doctrine of true Christianity. The apostle Paul clearly believed this. He said: “If Christ has not been raised up, our preaching is certainly in vain, and our faith is in vain. Further, if Christ has not been raised up, your faith is useless; you are yet in your sins.”—1 Corinthians 15:14, 17.

However, nowhere does the Bible even hint at an annual

celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. The historian Socrates Scholasticus admitted: “The Saviour and his apostles have enjoined us by no law to keep this feast: nor in the New Testament are we threatened with any penalty, punishment, or curse for the neglect of it.” More recently, The Christian Century magazine stated in an article on Easter: ‘Early Christians began celebrating the resurrection in the second century.’

Hence, Easter was introduced well after the death of all the apostles and after the Bible was completed. It is apparently no secret that the tradition of Easter is man-made rather than God-given.

Somewhat surprisingly to me, the name Easter is not found in the Bible. The book Medieval Holidays and Festivals tells us that “the holiday is named after the pagan Goddess of the Dawn and of Spring, Eostre.” And who was this goddess?

Eostre it was who, according to the legend, opened the portals of Valhalla to receive Baldur, called the White God, because of his purity and also the Sun God, because his brow supplied light to mankind.”

As the festival of Eostre was in celebration of the renewal of life in the spring, it was easy to make it a celebration of the resurrection from the dead of Jesus, whose gospel they preached.

So, what about the Easter eggs and all the other Easter related items? None of them are mentioned in the bible, and I´m not sure but Wikipedia state that Easter eggs are meant to be the tomb of Christ as eggs hatch new life in the way that Jesus was resurrected, and the shell becomes the empty tomb after Jesus rose. The Easter rabbit signifies new life as they breed in spring.

I guess most people are aware that Jesus was crucified on Good Friday and rose three days later. However, my knowledge was limited to countless viewings of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar, which shows his last days, including the Last Supper which happened on the day before the crucifixion, the day we now know as Maundy Thursday.

According to the Bible, Jesus wanted his death to be remembered, not the resurrection which is why there is no mention of celebrating it in the Bible. So, basically, according to the Jehovah’s Witness Bible at least, Easter is a manmade festival.

However, I feel it seems more appropriate to mark a rising rather than a death; a rebirth seems to me to be more cause for a festival.

Nothing I learnt from my friend changed my mind and I made a decision as I was wandering around a supermarket that I wasn´t going to buy Easter eggs for my son this year.

It seems hypocritical to buy into something I don´t believe in, and I had in the past been almost brainwashed into thinking that Easter eggs had nothing to do with Jesus and were just nice chocolates. This year, however, a bell rang in my head telling me that this is a religious date that I do not believe in. Therefore I shan´t be buying my boy anything relating to Easter.

Should my Christian friends wish to buy him something I certainly won´t object and he has religion classes at school, so when he is older he can decide for himself what he believes.

So, I will be enjoying the long weekend without any work and my son will enjoy his week off school and I hope all of those who do believe have a great Easter. And those who don´t, I hope you have a great weekend.

15

Friday, March 22, 2013

I NEVER thought I’d agree with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, but he was absolutely right in slagging off Cyprus for their ridiculous idea of raiding every bank savings account.

Putin said it was akin to robbery, though there was plenty of self-interest, as billions of Russian roubles are invested in the island.

Whoever came up with this bonkers plan in Nicosia to get some quick money in return for an EU bailout of t h e banks, must

CHEEKY PUTIN THE ROUBLE-SHOOTER have been overdosing themselves on ouzo and moussaka.

In a democratic country, it seemed dictatorial without any parliamentary debate, or a chance to put other ideas on the table, as well as being a suref i r e w a y

of creating further disasters, including social unrest.

I did like Moscow’s cheeky counter-offer that they could give a bailout on far better terms than the EU. I wonder if that came with strings attached, like the British being told to shut down their bases on the island, and Russia taking them over?

At this moment, the only positive thing Cyprus has to offer is 12 points to Greece in May’s Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden!

I really like the look of the new head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis. He practises what he preaches, so he doesn’t go in for all the pomp and glamour, courtesy of his Jesuit background. There’s no fancy stuff of wanting to be treated as somebody

q

special, and you are immediately hit by a face of warmth, matched by reports of his good nature and humour.

Despite it all being a trade secret, it appears that he came second to Benedict in the voting back in 2005, and it does make you wonder what we have missed out on during the last eight years.

Coming from Latin America is something new and very welcome, but I found it ridiculous that some people were trying to take cheap shots at him for his time as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, for allegedly not speaking out against the military dictators of Argentina. His supporters and that of the church in Argentina, say that had to be down to pragmatism.

Nobody criticised Benedict

for being a member of the Hitler Youth, and John Paul the Second didn’t act against the Communists in his native Poland when he was a cardinal, so all of this is just sour grapes.

But wouldn’t you like to be a fly on the wall when David Cameron meets Pope Francis for the first time, just to see if the Pontiff raises the subject of the Falkland Islands?

Argentina’s President, Cristina Kirchner, bust her gut to get to the Vatican to tell the Pope he should intercede over the disputed territory, but I’d politely suggest that Francis has a million more important things on his plate!

More expensive guff from the Valencian government, as news has appeared that they are determined to host the

q

Spanish F1 Grand Prix in Valencia, alternating with Barcelona. How much will go to Bernie Ecclestone is anybody’s guess, but I don’t suppose he’ll be popping into a Spanish supermarket anytime soon, and dropping a few cents into the collection tin of a jobless harmonica player outside.

Something strange happened on Monday, with all the main UK political parties agreeing on the way of implementing the Leveson Report on reforming the regulation of the press. I still can’t work out who conceded what, but the fact that all the newspapers are leaping up and down like somebody has shoved a red-hot poker up their posterior, suggests to me that for once the politicians may have got something right!

q

16

Friday, March 22, 2013

FEELING CHEESY? CHEESE & ONION RAREBIT-TOPPED POLLACK WITH POTATO WEDGES Ingredients

3 medium potatoes, cut into wedges 1 tbsp olive oil 3 thyme sprigs, leaves picked and chopped 50g mature cheddar, grated 100g cream cheese 2 tbsp fresh breadcrumbs 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 4 pollack fillets (about 175g each), or another sustainable white fish 2 tbsp onion chutney salad, to serve (optional)

Method

1. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the potato wedges, olive oil and thyme in a large baking tray, season and toss everything well to coat. Bake for 25 mins.

2. Mash together the cheddar, cream cheese, breadcrumbs and mustard in a bowl. Remove the tray from the oven and push the wedges to the edges. Put the pollack fillets in the centre and season well, then top each fillet with a dollop of chutney, followed by the cheese mix.

3. Return the tray to the oven for 15 mins until the fish is cooked through and the topping is bubbling and golden.

Serve the fish and wedges with salad, if you like.

BROCCOLI & STILTON SOUP Ingredients 2 1 1 1

tbsp rapeseed oil onion, finely chopped stick celery, sliced leek, sliced

1 medium potato, diced 1 knob butter 1l low salt or homemade chicken or vegetable stock 1 head broccoli, roughly chopped 140g Stilton, or other blue cheese, crumbled

make 8 half-moons, then press down to seal.

3. Brush the tops with a little oil, then sit, oil-side down, on a hot area of the barbecue. Cook for a couple of mins until crisp and golden, brush the uncooked side with oil, then flip over for another few mins. Slice into wedges, then pile onto a platter while you cook the rest.

HAM & BLUE CHEESE TART Ingredients

Method

1. Heat the rapeseed oil in a large saucepan and then add the onions. Cook on a medium heat until soft. Add a splash of water if the onions start to catch.

2. Add the celery, leek, potato and a knob of butter. Stir until melted, then cover with a lid. Allow to sweat for 5 minutes.

Remove the lid.

3. Pour in the stock and add any chunky bits of broccoli stalk.

Cook for 10 - 15 minutes until all the vegetables are soft.

4. Add the rest of the broccoli and cook for a further 5 minutes. Carefully transfer to a blender and blitz until smooth.

Stir in the stilton, allowing a few lumps to remain. Season with black pepper and serve.

CHEESE & CHILLI MELTS Ingredients 250g strong cheddar, grated 4 tomatoes, roughly chopped 1 green or red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped ½ large bunch coriander, leaves roughly chopped 8 flour tortillas oil, for brushing

Method

1. Put the cheese, tomatoes, chilli and coriander leaves into a bowl with some seasoning, then mix well.

2. Warm tortillas in the microwave according to pack instructions - this makes them more bendable. Divide the cheese mix over one half of each tortilla. Fold over the other half to

6 large sheets filo pastry or 10 sheets if small 1 tbsp olive oil 100g sliced ham, chopped 1 bunch spring onions, sliced 2 eggs, lightly beaten 300g tub soft cheese, room temperature 2 large handfuls rocket leaves 50g blue cheese, crumbled 2 tbsp pine nuts

Method

1. Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Brush each filo sheet with a little oil and layer into a 20cm springform or loose-bottomed tin, overlapping each sheet at a different angle.

2. Mix together the ham, spring onions, eggs, soft cheese and rocket, then pour into the filo case. Sprinkle with blue cheese and pine nuts, then bake for 30 mins until just set.

Cool slightly, slice and serve with a salad.

LEEK, MUSHROOM & GOAT'S CHEESE STRUDELS Ingredients 500g leeks, thinly sliced 150ml low-sodium vegetable stock 175g chestnut mushrooms, sliced 4 large sheets filo pastry 1 tbsp olive oil 85g soft-rinded goat's cheese or vegetarian alternative 1 tsp poppy seeds

Method

1.

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the leeks and stock into a large pan, then cover and cook for 5-8 mins until starting to soften. Add the mushrooms, cover again and cook for 3 mins, then remove the lid and continue to cook until the juices have evaporated. Tip the veg onto a large plate to cool slightly.

2. For each strudel, lightly brush half of each filo sheet with some olive oil. Fold the un-brushed side over to make a smaller sheet, 2 layers thick. Brush the edges with a little more oil, then spoon a quarter of the veg along one edge.

Crumble over a quarter of the cheese, fold over the pastry edges, then roll up to seal in the filling.

3. Put the strudels on a baking tray, brush with any remaining oil and scatter over the poppy seeds. Bake for 25 mins until crisp and golden brown.

17

Friday, March 22, 2013

SWEET POTATO & GOAT'S CHEESE RAVIOLI Ingredients 2 sweet potatoes 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds, plus extra to serve 125g crumbled goat's cheese semolina, for dusting chilli oil, grated Parmesan, to serve FOR THE PASTA 300g '00' pasta flour, plus extra for kneading and dusting 3 large eggs

Method

1. For the filling, bake, steam or microwave the potatoes, then roughly mash. Mix with the pumpkin seeds and goat's cheese.

2. For the pasta, place the flour and a pinch of salt in a food processor and crack in the eggs. Pulse until mixture forms sticky-looking crumbs. Turn the mixture out onto a lightly floured surface and bring together to form a firm dough.

Knead for 5 mins until the dough feels smooth, wrap in cling film and chill for 30 mins. To make by hand, shape flour into a 'ring' on a work surface, crack eggs into the middle, then gradually work the flour into eggs using your fingers.

3. Cut the pasta into quarters, then roll out each piece using a pasta machine. Dust with flour as you go and move it down a notch onto a thinner setting every second roll. Continue until you get to the penultimate setting. If you like your pasta very thin and delicate, you can go for the thinnest setting. If you don't have a machine, use a heavy rolling pin to roll the dough as thinly as possible.

4. Stamp out rounds using a ravioli cutter or a 6cm biscuit cutter - work quickly so the pasta doesn't dry out. Lay the circles on a semolina-dusted surface and cover with cling film as you cut the rest.

5. Place a small tsp of filling in the centre of each round.

Dampen the edges with water, then sandwich another round on top. Use your fingertips to seal the edges, trying to expel all the air as you go. Lay the ravioli on a semolina-dusted tea towel to dry for a few mins.

6. Cook ravioli in a large pan of gently boiling salted water for 4-5 mins. Do not use a full rolling boil as it is likely to make ravioli split. Drain, and serve with a little chilli oil, Parmesan and pumpkin seeds.

CHEESE & ONION PORK CHOPS Ingredients 4 pork chops 2 tsp olive oil 1 tsp English mustard 4 tbsp caramelised onions, from a jar 50g Cheshire cheese, grated 1 tsp thyme, chopped

Method

1. Heat grill to high, then place the chops on a grill pan, rub

with oil and season. Grill for about 6 mins on each side, until golden.

2. Spread a little mustard over one side of each chop, then top with 1 tbsp onions. Mix the cheese and thyme, sprinkle over the chops, then grill until golden and bubbly.

CHEESE & CHUTNEY SCONES Ingredients 350g self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 85g butter, diced, plus extra to serve 200g extra-mature cheddar, grated 284ml pot buttermilk 6 heaped tsp onion chutney, plus extra to serve

Method

1. Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Dust a large baking sheet with a little flour. Tip the flour into a big bowl and mix in the bicarb and 1 tsp salt.

2. Add the butter and rub into the flour with your fingertips to breadcrumbs, or whizz in a food processor until no butter lumps remain. Stir in all but a small handful of the cheese.

3. Drizzle over the buttermilk and, using a cutlery knife, quickly mix together lightly. Tip onto a lightly floured surface and gently bring together with your hands into an oval about 2.5cm deep. Cut into 6 scones with a floured knife, then lift onto the baking sheet, leaving room for them to spread.

Using the back of your tsp measure, press a small dip into the middle of each scone. Spoon the chutney into the dips, scatter over the remaining cheese, and bake for 10-15 mins until risen and golden. Best eaten on the day of baking with butter, plus a dollop more chutney, if you fancy it.

BUTTERSQUASH MACARONI CHEESE Ingredients 1 large butternut squash, peeled and cut into 2.5cm/1in chunks 2 tsp olive oil 300g macaroni 50g butter 50g plain flour 1 tsp English mustard powder 500ml milk 200g extra-mature cheddar or vegetarian alternative, grated 50g Parmesan or vegetarian alternative, grated

Method

1. Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Toss the squash with the olive oil and some seasoning, and roast on a baking sheet for 15-20 mins until tender. Meanwhile, cook the macaroni following pack instructions, then drain.

2. Melt the butter in a pan and stir in the flour and mustard powder to make a paste. Gradually whisk in the milk and simmer to thicken to a smooth sauce, stirring constantly.

3. Take the sauce off the heat and mash in a third of the squash with the cheddar and half the Parmesan. Season, then stir in the drained macaroni with the remaining squash.

Tip into an ovenproof dish, scatter with the remaining Parmesan and bake for 15 mins until golden and bubbling.

CAULIFLOWER CHEESE & SPINACH PASTA BAKES Ingredients 850ml milk 50g plain flour 50g butter, plus 1 tbsp 1 tsp Dijon mustard 100g extra mature cheddar, grated 25-50g blue cheese ½ tsp finely grated nutmeg 250g penne 1kg cauliflower (2 medium ones), cut into florets 750g frozen spinach (whole leaf), defrosted and squeezed dry 25g toasted pine nuts FOR THE TOMATO SAUCE 4 garlic cloves, 3 sliced, 1 left whole 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 700g jar tomato passata

Method

1. For the tomato sauce, cook the sliced garlic in the oil for 1 min, then add the passata. Season, half-cover the pan and simmer for 20 mins until rich.

2. Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce. Put the milk, flour and 50g butter into a pan. Heat, whisking non-stop, until smooth, then bubble for 3 mins, stirring to make sure any flouriness is lost.

Cool for 5 mins, then stir in the mustard, most of the cheddar, half the blue cheese and half the nutmeg.

3. Boil the penne and cauliflower for 8 mins in salted water until the pasta is almost cooked and the cauli is tender. Keep 2 tbsp water from the pan, then drain. Melt 1 tbsp butter in a pan, add the whole garlic clove, spinach, remaining nutmeg, salt and lots of black pepper. Stir for 2 mins, then remove the garlic clove.

4. Set aside 300ml cheese sauce and mix the rest into the cauli and pasta. Divide half the tomato sauce between 6 dishes and top with some spinach. Fill with cauli mix, top with more spinach, then the rest of the tomato sauce. Top with the cheese sauce, cheeses and pine nuts. Cover with cling film, cool and chill for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 1 month. To cook, defrost if frozen. Heat oven to 200C/ 180C fan/gas 6.

Cook on a baking sheet for 18-20 mins until golden and bubbling. Good with green salad or garlic bread.

18

Friday, March 22, 2013

RICHARD CAVENDER

Bluemoon Solutions www.bluemoonsolutions.es

BlueMoon Solutions is the computer and IT services company on the Costa Blanca, they provide quality computer services at realistic prices and specialise in working with home users and small businesses.

Richard moved to Spain seven years ago having left his management background behind in the UK and decided to use his IT skills to help home users and small businesses with their PC problems. Now a relaxed 'computer man' he is out and about in the Spanish sun every day, making house and shop calls and using his vast experience and qualifications to (usually) sort out the problem there and then. Computers are his hobby as well as his work so don’t be surprised to get an answer to your email in the early hours!

ADVICE: Tomas wanted to know whether his Yahoo email ADVICE: Roy wanted to know where his contacts had account was at risk following a news story about hacking. gone to after moving to Outlook.Com Greetings, Richard. Tanto tiempo. In the Daily Telegraph for Saturday 9th March, there was a report that BT Internet and BT Yahoo has been hacked and client's contact lists stolen. Subsequently weird e-mails have been sent from Turkey and Russia. One of my contacts is on BT Internet and I have recently been inundated with offers for Viagra etc. All have ended in my Spam folder. Today I received one that purports to come from my own e-mail address! Does this mean that I should change my email-address and password? Thank you for your time, Tomas.

Q

A

Hi Tomas, no need to panic, it’s probably not actually from your email address, but you are right to question it and take precautions.

When we receive email or replies to emails that we know we have not sent purporting to be from our own email address this is known as “spoofing”, its where the spammer sends email giving the reply address as someone else’s – yours in this case! If your account, however, has been compromised then all you need to do is change your password, to something strong preferably, this would be a password that is at least 7 characters in length and includes upper and lower case characters together with numbers and if possible a symbol, something like an exclamation mark is good.

Given what you have already reported about what has happened to BT and Yahoo I think it’s a really good idea to change your email accounts password in any case, you can do this by clicking on your account name (once you have successfully logged into your account) and select “account info” you will then be directed to a page that will enable you to change your password amongst other things.

ADVICE: Paul was having problems clicking on email links on some websites.

Q A

Hola Richard, when I click on an email address on a website I get the message "default mail client not properly installed". I have been into default programs /set default programs etc. without any success. There is no tools menu I could find on Google to try. Any help appreciated. Paul

Hi Paul, the issue here is that the website designer has decided not to use the more common contact us form in their website construction, rather they have just used a clickable form of their email address. This is becoming more and more of an issue because it pre-supposes that the user has an email program installed on their computer and increasingly nowadays many of us use online email systems like Gmail or Hotmail where no program resides on your computer, we just use a web browser to access our emails. This is an issue because by clicking on the email link you are instructing your computer to launch its "default" email program (or client) and in this case you don’t have one - hence the error.

In circumstances like this you would have to copy the email address shown on the website, go into your normal email online and paste it into a new email - hope this helps explain things

Q

Hi Richard, I have this Outlook system on my laptop so I was grateful to learn where the forward button now is, however I cannot find my list of contacts, do you know where these have gone. Regards Roy.

Hi Roy, thanks for reading the newsletter and for taking the time to ask a question. You’re not alone, quite a few people find the new layout a bit of a nightmare to find things in, in terms of your contacts, you will find them under “people” and to get there you just need to click on the little arrow next to the “Outlook” logo in the top left of the screen.

A

ADVICE: Craig was having problems with Adobe Flash Player

A

Hello Richard, I have a problem I cannot seem to solve. I use my computer a lot for music (Youtube Etc). I get a message "Flash Player" needs to be installed. I have continually gone through the process as instructed but it makes no difference. It shows as being successfully installed but still I am asked to install the programme. I would be very grateful if you had any suggestions. Craig

Q

Hi Craig, it sounds like there is a problem with the installation of flash player, I would suggest removing it completely using the uninstall flash player application which is freely available from the Adobe website at: http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-windows.html Once removed, restart your computer and then follow the standard process to install it again, hopefully this time it will install without errors

Don’t forget you can follow me on twitter @bluemoonspain Alternately why don’t you sign up for my newsletter. You can do this by going to:www.bluemoonsolutions.es and fill in the form that is on any page except the front page. office@bluemoonsolutions.es www.bluemoonsolutions.es Mobile: 655 044 970

Office: 902 906 200

Friday, March 22, 2013

19

20

Friday, March 22, 2013

Breast Augmentation Hairstyle Tips: Breast Enlargement Explained

Breast Enlargement or Augmentation is one of the most common Cosmetic Surgery Procedures performed on women. Breast implant surgery can provide both psychological and physical benefits for women.

Patients who have undergone breast enlargement surgery frequently report that they feel more feminine, experience more self-confidence and self-esteem and can also enjoy buying new clothes and lingerie to suit their new shape.

Is This Procedure Suitable For You If you are dissatisfied with your breast size Wish to regain or improve breast shape or size after having children or after significant weight loss.

Have a congenital absence or deformity of one or both breasts Wish to correct uneven breasts (Asymmetry) Wish to improve appearance in clothes or swimwear

in one of two places in order to push the natural breast tissue forward and enlarge the surface area of the breast. There are two potential sites in which to place an implant.

• In front of the pectoral muscle. This route is chosen when there is sufficient skin and breast tissue to give good or adequate coverage over the breast implant.

• Behind the pectoral muscle. This route is chosen when there is insufficient skin and breast tissue to give adequate or natural coverage over the breast implant and applies in particular to very flat chested or slim women.

Breast Augmentation procedures take approximately an hour to perform. Stitches will be removed a week later. Your surgeon will advise you on the activities that may or may not be undertaken whilst convalescing and recommend an appropriate period of absence from work.

What is the Recovery Time?

How is the Operation Performed?

Breast Augmentation surgery is normally carried out under local anaesthetic.

During your procedure your surgeon will make a small incision either on the crease line beneath the breast itself (sub mammary route), or on the areola line, your surgeon will discuss the options with you. The implant is then positioned

Most women experience a small amount of discomfort following breast surgery but pain killers taken for up to one week can help to alleviate this. It is important to allow for a natural period of healing to take place and for women who lead busy lives to abstain from strenuous activity or from lifting any heavy objects for six weeks following surgery. Breasts will initially be very swollen and firm, they will take several weeks to soften to a more natural appearance and feel.

Is it time for a change?

Never underestimate the power of your hairstyle to add to your professional image or to undermine it.

Having a professional image is more than having nice clothes. It is creating a look that is harmonious which means paying attention to all aspects of image – makeup, skincare, clothing, posture, body type, accessories, etiquette and hair.

If either of the aspects of image is discarded the whole look is ruined. Hairstyle and hair upkeep play a major role in creating a professional image and keeping your look up-to-date is a must. To keep your hair looking great avoid these mistakes: 1. Wearing a lot of hairstyle products to keep your hair “in place” will leave your hair looking stiff and unattractive. Hair should be soft, natural and able to move.

2. Do you still have the same hairstyle you had in high school?

Take out an old picture and have a look. If you answered ‘yes’ there is no doubt that it is time for a change. Also, if you are over the age of thirteen don’t put barrettes or bows in your hair.

3. If you have curly hair and use straightening products and tools daily to get the look you want you are probably working too hard.

Take pride in your curls and use products that enhance your hair’s naturalness and use straightening products sparingly.

4. If you make a slight change in your hairstyle and the compliments start pouring in it could be that your friends are giving you subtle hints and it is time for a change.

5. If it seems that your hair never looks the way you want and you end up wearing a ponytail most of the time it is time for a cut and style.

6. The number one hair buster is roots that show – especially if they are grown out an inch or more.

Before you colour your hair decide if it is something that you will continue to do. If not, don’t do it.

7. When you colour your hair take your skin tone into consideration.

For instance, if you have extremely white skin, don’t colour your hair black. As you age, your skin colour changes. Keep this in mind when choosing hair colour and ask your hairstylist for recommendations.

HOW TO IMPROVE DIGESTION AND FOOD ABSORPTION Indigestion or dyspepsia is a condition in which discomfort, distress or pain is felt in the abdomen (belly) during or after a meal. It is characterized by belching, bloating, nausea, heartburn, recurrent abdominal pain and feeling full earlier than expected when eating.

Indigestion is more accurately described as a symptom rather than a disease, and each case should be carefully investigated to determine what is causing it, and the precise nature of the disorder. Even though indigestion is frequently associated with stomach disorders such as peptic ulcer, it is more commonly caused by poor eating habits. When food is eaten too hastily and not chewed properly to allow time to mix with saliva, additional work is given to the stomach. This is because food digestion actually starts in the mouth due to the pres-

DR MACHI MANNU’S ADVICE CLINIC Email your questions and comments to machimannu@gmail.com

ence of several digestive enzymes in saliva. When food is consumed at irregular times, it upsets the natural rhythm of the stomach because the stomach requires restful pauses in between meals. In addition, eating between meals spoils the appetite, and without a stimulated appetite, a meal is poorly digested and absorbed into the body. Tea or coffee when too strong or taken excessively can have an irritating effect on the lining of the stomach, reducing the flow of digestive juices and causing indigestion.

Excessive alcohol intake also acts in a similar way.

Infections arising from the gums, teeth, tonsils or nose can cause indigestion owing to the constant swallowing of poisonous matter.

There are a number of steps you can take to improve your digestion and absorption of food. Eating only when hungry has many advantages to it. When we are hungry, the body becomes primed for the process of digestion and if food is consumed during this time, there will be optimal quantities of enzymes and juices to ensure a strong digestion. Food also tastes better with hunger. It is equally important to chew food thoroughly and ensure that it mixes completely with saliva. This is because saliva contains numerous enzymes such as amylase which starts carbohydrate digestion, and lysozyme which destroys bacteria.

Sometimes it may be necessary to eliminate certain

foods that may be causing indigestion from our diet.

Wheat flour and foods containing wheat are known to cause indigestion in certain individuals. However eliminating wheat from the diet may be difficult mainly because wheat is widely used especially in processed food, and also because wheat based foods such as cakes and bread are tasty and difficult to resist. Rice, corn or barley are good alternatives to wheat. Yoghurt and other cultured dairy products are very good sources of friendly bacteria like acidophilus that aids food digestion.

Antibiotics destroy these friendly microbes in the stomach.

Drugs like omeprazole are commonly prescribed for indigestion

due to their ability to suppress the acid produced in the stomach. However this acid promotes the growth of friendly microbes by suppressing the growth of harmful microbes. Adding fibre to your diet goes a long way in improving digestion.

Fibre helps keep digesting food moving, while stimulating the digestive process.

Good sources of fibre includes; raw vegetables, fruits, well-chewed nuts, whole grains, sprouts and legumes. Good sources of natural digestive enzymes

are; pineapples, bean sprouts, figs and papaya.

Pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain, while papaya contains papain.

Sprouts and figs contain a variety of enzymes. Cooking destroys these enzymes, so it is important to eat these foods and more of your foods raw whenever possible.

FOR A FULL BODY DIAGNOSTIC SCAN, CALL 965071745

21

Friday, March 22, 2013

Can a stroke be detected in advance?

Q

I have a family history of stoke, and would like to know if it can be detected, and how to avoid it.

A

A stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is the rapid loss of brain function, due to a disruption in the blood supply. The brain arteries (cerebral arteries) provide the different regions of the brain with oxygen and nutrients. When there is an interruption to blood flow, the region of the brain affected becomes starved of oxygen, and as a result is unable to function. This may result in an inability to move parts of the body such as the arms and legs, inability to speak, or a loss of vision. Strokes occur when the arteries supplying the brain ruptures (haemorrhagic stroke) or becomes blocked by a clot (ischaemic stroke). There are a number of risk factors that are associated with the occurrence of a stroke, the most prominent being atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). This hardening can occur in any artery in the body, but is mostly seen in the arteries of the brain or heart.

Atherosclerosis usually starts early in life, and is now known to be triggered by harmful free radicals produced during the body’s normal metabolic processes. Once the damage occurs, cholesterol moves in to repair the damage. Under normal circumstances, this would lead to healing, but

the presence of atherosclerosis (the main cause of stroke) and also inform you if there is any genetic predisposition to inheriting the disease.

exposure to heat and sunlight as in your case. A product known as Laminine has shown very promising results for the treatment of rosacea.

Q

Q A

I have suffered from rosacea since I was 23 years old. I am now 58. It is always worse in the summer months, but seems to be getting worse with age.

I have tried prescription drugs without success, and would like to know what you can recommend.

the damage can continue as a result of high blood pressure, or a lack of antioxidants in the diet, or excessively high ‘bad cholesterol’ (LDL-low density lipoprotein).

This leads to a build-up of fatty plaques in the walls of the arteries, causing hardening and narrowing of the arteries. When this build up occurs in the cerebral arteries, a stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) can occur. Other risk factors associated with a stroke include; cigarette smoking, lack of physical activities, eating processed red meat, obesity, heavy drinking, and unhealthy diet. Needless to say that avoiding these risk factors will help reduce the risk of a stroke occurring. Exercises are very helpful because they help reduce blood pressure, and in so doing lower the risk of the cerebral arteries rupturing. A full body scan with Sensitiv Imago can detect

A

Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that causes the face to flush easily with the appearance of small pimples, and tiny blood vessels (telangiectasia). It usually starts as a temporary flushing of the face after drinking alcohol, eating spicy foods or being in a very warm room. It could also leave the face with a permanent red colour. In severe cases, rosacea causes a persistent eruption of pimples on the forehead and cheeks, with redness, puffiness and the appearance of prominent blood vessels. The eyes may also become inflamed, and in some people especially older men, the skin on the nose may become thickened and red due to the enlargement of the oil producing glands (sebaceous glands). Symptoms can occur even in teenagers, but most sufferers tend to be women between the ages of 30 and 50. It is important to avoid triggering factors such as stress, alcohol, spicy foods and

What is propolis?

Propolis is a yellow-brown sticky resin made by some species of bees from wax mixed with the sap of a variety of trees (beech, birch, chestnut, conifers). Bees developed propolis millions of years ago to solve the problem of disease outbreak in a hot crowded hive. Over 180 different compounds have been identified in propolis, many of which have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-viral, antioxidant and immune-stimulating properties. Propolis is also a rich source of minerals, amino acids, vitamins A, B-complex, C and E. Propolis has long been used as a natural remedy. In biblical times, propolis was known as myrrh and was highly prized for its medicinal properties. Propolis works against bacteria by stopping them from reproducing. In humans it is especially active against bacteria that cause respiratory and skin infections, including strains that are resistant to prescribed antibiotics. Propolis is known to accelerate wound healing and boost energy levels. It also helps to overcome infections of the ear, nose, mouth and sinuses, and is often used to boost immunity against colds and flu in winter. Propolis is available as a tinctures, lozenges, and capsules.

22

Friday, March 22, 2013

23

Friday, March 22, 2013

THE CON TRICK OF GLOBAL WARMING

HEARD about global warming? You bet you have, sick to death with it, I bet. And on the back of it politicians have perpetrated the biggest con-trick for decades on the British people, conjuring up all manner of green taxes to grab more of our money.

Well, politicians and scientists - how do you account for this?

Currently the amount of sea ice around the Antarctic is almost a million square kilometres more than the 30-year average. And that's a lot of sea ice.

The southern hemisphere is coming out of its summer, while the northern is coming out of winter. And in the north the amount of sea ice is only marginally lower than the 30-year average. Combined, there's three quarters of a million extra square kilometres of sea ice world-wide, compared with the 30-year average.

I'm not suggesting that the human race doesn't have to care for our planet. Of course we do, and pollution must be controlled and cut as low as possible.

But it seems global warming is not such a big problem as it was made out to be, and the British public has been subjected to a huge con trick to get us to pay crazy amounts of money in pollution (green) taxes.

The biggest perpetrators who were sucked into all this were the Greens and Lib Dems and it's about time it was all laid to rest.

Oh, yes, don't forget - you read the sea ice volume increase first in The Courier - surprising there haven't been stories about it on TV and in the Press. I wonder why?

BRITAIN has suffered the worst recession since the 1930s. Thousands have lost jobs, hundreds of thousands have had pay cuts, many have lost their homes.

But what do some crazy (or perhaps not so crazy) people do in the middle of the crisis? They have a baby!

Britain is faced with the biggest baby boom since the 1950s - at a time when it's the last thing the country needs or can afford.

It really is a perfect storm, with a quarter of a million additional school spaces needed by next year, according to the National Audit Office.

What has fuelled this craziness? It's partly due to people on low incomes realising they can gain extra benefits the more babies they produce, and partly due to the huge influx of immigrants, who tend to have more children than the indigenous population.

In addition, the recession has forced some better-off families to take their children from private schools and into State education.

Councils have been concreting over parks and other open spaces to build extra classrooms, while other innovative ideas include children having lessons in former warehouses, police stations, offices and retail outlets.

Some education chiefs have considered ‘radical’ solutions such as split-shift schooling, with school days staggered and different year groups taught at different times of day.

The biggest fear is that when immigration rules are relaxed at the end of the year, 50,000 more Romanians and Bulgarians will

q

This made it more difficult for homeowners to contest an eviction demanded by a bank.

Some banks imposed Draconian conditions on giving mortgages - such as being able to greatly raise interest payments even if one monthly repayment was missed.

The evictions have thrown hundreds of thousands of people onto the streets, and have led to several suicides.

Here's an example of a country putting banks and people with money above those who are struggling.

It's a very fine balance, because obviously money produces future wealth, but to stack the odds in favour of banks and see thousands thrown out of their homes, which then fall to rack and ruin is just plain crazy.

It was good that the Spanish government suspended the evictions in November, but I suggest it was too little, too late to save misery for many.

q

enter the UK, increasing demands on school places even more.

Were migration reduced to zero, 106,000 fewer places would be needed, DfE figures suggest.

The problems stem back to the crazy Labour government which allowed uncontrolled immigration and also increased the UK's benefit culture.

A combination of the two has created this "perfect storm" which is going to cost Britain billions.

All snivelling Labour can now do is accuse the current education minister of failing to do his job properly.

Thanks, Labour - for nothing. Here's the classic example of why Britain so desperately needs a right-wing government.

There's another aspect to all this which demonstrates why Labour made such disastrous errors over benefits and immigration.

The problem is it costs far more to educate someone from a poor background because they are less likely to give a child a nurturing home background, teaching at home and encouraging the child to learn.

In addition, poorer households are unlikely to opt for additional tuition and out-ofschool activities to encourage children to progress.

Immigration and additional benefits has encouraged people in poorer households to produce more babies.

That might have been OK up to the 1940s when Britain wanted millions of people in manual labour, digging roads, building rail-

ways, working in the building industry and swelling the ranks in the Army.

But these days everything is mechanised and employers demand people with real skills.

Britain is producing more ferals and fewer people with brains and qualities which the nation needs. That's why Britain's employers are finding it increasingly difficult to find good young employees and the country is finding it increasingly difficult to compete in the world.

If it goes on, Britain might not be reduced to a Third World nation, but it could be relegated to the second division. And Labour is responsible for much of the damage.

THERE are some basic things which measure whether a country is caring for or failing its population.

One of the most important is ensuring that people have a roof over their heads, plus water, power and sufficient food to live on.

Other basics are security, law and order, education and health.

So, I was delighted to hear that the Spanish government has been taken to task by the European Court over its eviction rules.

Since the recession started to bite, an estimated 350,000 people have been evicted from their homes because of non-payment of mortgages.

The Spanish Government was in trouble because it prevented judges declaring the terms of a loan agreement unfair.

q

FINALLY, let's turn to France with another example of Socialism gone crazy.

But before we do let's consider the crazy British Labour Party which keeps banging on about the Conservative/Lib Dem coalition reducing the top rate of tax on the mega-rich from 50% to 45%.

I did at first think this decision was wrong because it played into the hands of the stupid Socialists who haven't a brain cell between them.

But back to France, where the new Socialist president dramatically increased taxes on the rich.

What has happened? Thousands of the country's wealthiest have quit France, taking their wealth with them.

The millionaire boss of technology giant Dassault Systemes said of the Socialists’ tax regime: "Residing in France has become a big handicap."

Bernard Charles' criticism of President Francois Hollande's new tax regime came as two senior executives at Moët Hennessy moved to London from Paris.

The problem with Socialism is that it sounds extremely appealing to someone with very little for a leftist twit to rant on against the rich and how the poor would be better off if the rich were taxed to hell and back.

But as experience is showing France, it just doesn't work. What the rich do is to move somewhere else.

And the result is that there are now more French living in London than in some French consituencies, leading to suggestions there should be a London MP in the French parliament.

That's why Cameron and Clegg decided to reduce tax on the rich from Labour's 50% to 45%. And Ed Balls continually criticising the decision shows just what an idiot he is.

Because keeping tax rates reasonable keeps the rich in the UK and money in the UK, and some of that money filters from rich to poor.

The longer I live the more I'm convinced that when it comes to financial matters a government should always do the exact opposite to anything any Socialist or any trade unionist suggests.

24

Friday, March 22, 2013

AFTER THE PINK LADIES, THE PINK PANTHERS! TORREVIEJA and Orihuela Costa branch president Maria Wilson is looking for men to join the AECC fund-raising team by becoming Pink Panthers – the male equivalent of the Pink Ladies.

The Pink Ladies have raised many thousands of euros for AECC. If you’re interested in becoming Panthers, guys, call Maria on 633 487 595.

She is also seeking volunteers for the Torrevieja office, which recently received €700 from Christine Burnham, from a fun race night, a sponsored slim and other activities.

Christine has been through cancer, but has now been given the all-clear so wanted to show her gratitude for the care she received and for all proceeds to go to AECC. Twelve-year-old Tamara, daughter of Gabriella from GT's bar in Los Dolces, raised €50 for AECC with two of her friends. Tamara said they wanted this to go to a cancer charity because her mum’s friend had

breast cancer. At Easter the girls are going to bake small cakes and sell them to family and friends to raise more money for cancer; very heart-warming to see children of that age show such passion and understanding.

Karen from Restaurant Rianxeira in La Regia, Orihuela Costa, organised a 10k walk and raised €314, half of which is being donated to Maria and the Pink Ladies on behalf of AECC, and half to the St. Patrick's day parade.

An AECC raffle at a Bono and John Lennon tribute show at Bar Rocajuna raised 108€.

Pamela Howard from La Siesta Golf Society donated €1,237€.

AECC send a big thank you to all those mentioned above - and also to those who donated and have not been specifically mentioned.

Our photo shows Maria receiving the donation from Tamara and her friends.

Di de Di leaves San Calling all charities! q Miguel on a Hi Di Hi

CAMPOVERDE Theatre Group’s energetic production of Di de Di played to capacity audiences at the Casa de Cultura in San Miguel. The experienced theatre group’s interpretation of the old television sitcom featured all the characters from the TV sitcom Hi Di Hi – and also showcased Bert Swanley in the person of Huw Jones and the Craplin Debonnaires.

Di de Di followed the misfortunes of Ted (Tony Kelly) being pursued by his ex-wife, Jeffrey thinking that he had acted inappropriately with the predatory Gladys whilst drunk, the Bluecoat competition and Peggy (Sue Mathews) thinking she has finally gained her promotion.

Also highlighted were the capers of the pensioner campers who loved the activities on offer and also found love whilst on holiday.

Excellent performances were given by all leading characters, but of special note are Colin Nelson as Jeffrey and Judith Jones as Gladys Pugh. The bitchiness between Yvonne and Barry Stuart-Hartgreaves came to a climax when Yvonne (Vida Nelson) mistakenly entered the Bluecoat of the Year Competition and was serenaded by Barry (Tom Weston) and a hilarious parody rendition of It’s Only Make Believe.

South American and Spanish cabaret shows fea-

turing the Craplin Debonnaires wowed the audience with their colourful costumes and excellent singing and dancing.

Audiences certainly tapped their feet and sang along to the well chosen songs from the 1950’s. The show ended with the full company lifting the rafters with High Hope, Get Happy and The Holiday Rock.

THE mayor of Daya Vieja, Rafa Vives Pertusa, has asked Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre to host a regular ‘Registered Charities Market’ in the town market place.

It will be held every six weeks, subject to demand, and will be a community event for all charities to get together, promote and raise money for their worthwhile causes.

The Mayor’s office will arrange all the necessary licencing, amenities and law enforcement for the market.

Charities are asked just to supply a stall (free of charge) and a market marshal to help with security and parking.

For more information, please contact Market Co-ordinator Peter Cameron on 659 828 433 or e-mail market@easy-

horsecare.net

50+ SOLOs - no subs or fees welcome ladies and gentlemen for a chat, meal and perhaps a quiz at different locations throughout the month We support the homeless veterans in the UK. Forthcoming lunch dates are April 6 (1 for 1.30pm): La Boca, Los Locas Beach, Torrevieja (on the beach road). April 20 (1 for 1.30): Che's, The Plaza, Villamartin. April 27: Chat/coffee and a very interesting surprise talk. No lunch but jacket potatoes can be ordered.

For more information and to book-in for any of the lunches, contact Ruth on 966789063

Ito takes to the rootin’ tootin’ Country trail

Yee haw! It’s time to get your best cowboy boots and hats out for the top of the range, rootin’ tootin’ Pure Country Rock Show on Tuesday March 26. It starts at 7pm at Restaurante Los Rosales and will be the premiere for the biggest Country Rock Band on the Costas – Ito and The Trails. The fivepiece Spanish band has built a huge

fan base after becoming famous when they played at The Stray Cats farewell tour. Also on the bill is two-time Irish chart topper Dickie Ray from Benidorm.

Pets in Spain, the animal rescue charity, raised more than €500 at a previous show at the same venue, and will be hoping the raffle will be as lucrative

at Pure Country Rock.

Tickets are €12.50 for the show and some real fine chow to boot. Available from Restaurante Los Rosales CV895 Guardamar, Cards and More La Marina, Card and Gift Shop Quesada, Hire Centre San Luis and Card Place Benimar. Or call Jax on 697501992/ email losrosalesshows@gmail.com

25

Friday, March 22, 2013

DEBBIE’S FUNDRAISER WILL BE STAGGERING! DEBBIE WEEDON, the original organiser of the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk in Rojales is now part of Maria Wilson’s Pink Ladies team - and event organiser for the Quesada and surrounding areas.

Feeling that a walk is now old hat, Debbie decided to put a different slant on it and as anyone who knows her will be aware, bars play a big part in her life!

So, enjoying a few drinks with friends in the Forest Bar at Pueblo Bravo one evening, the Quesada Pub Crawl was born.

On Sunday May 5 at 11am,

Elijah’s local voice LOCAL lovers of good-quality Choral music will have a rare opportunity next month to hear two performances of the oratorio ‘Elijah’, one of the top works in the choral repertoire.

A combination of two leading choirs in the area Vivace and Chorale - will perform this favourite work

by Felix Mendelssohn with guest soloists from the UK. The first concert is on Friday April 12 at Ntra. Snra. del Pilar Iglesia in Pilar de la Horadada at 8.30pm, and the second on April 14 in Orih-uela's Teatro Circo at 7.30pm. For more details, call 966 772 192.

Arches restaurant in Los Alcazares on Wednesday April 10. It starts at 12.30pm and will feature a fashion

Step out for Easter in your best bonnets!

TORREVIEJA Stroke Support Group are holding a sponsored Steps for Stroke Walk on Easter Monday.

And they are hoping it will turn out to be a happy occasion, with a prize for the best Easter Bonnet or fancy dress.

The event has been organised by Paul and Pat Owen, the TSSG’s voluntary personal trainer and physio, and entrance fee is €5.

The walk is approximately 5km and will

take a route from Paseo Martitimo (near musicians’ statues) to just past Playa Cura round the Monumento Culturas Mediterraneas and back.

Registration is at 10:30am at the start point for an11am start on April 1.

Sponsorship forms are available on strokesupportgroup@hotmail.com or www.torreviejastrokesupport.com or from Paul on 966 848494, mobile 625 847 170.

Torry talent tots up

THE Pets In Spain animal rescue and rehoming charity has organised an Easter Fun Day for Saturday March 30, from 11am till 3pm.

The event will feature lots of animal related events including horse rides for children, egg-citing competitions, homemade cakes and pies, tombola, a Sweet Tree and many other stalls, as well as tea, coffee and refreshments.

A SPRING FAIR in aid q of HELP Murcia Mar Menor will be held at The

the Quesada Pink Ladies and anyone else who wants to join them are going to walk into Quesada via the various watering holes en route to collect money for the AECC. Any local bars that would like to involve your bar/restaurant by holding a fundraising evening/raffle should contact Debbie on 96 6719847 or 690386200, as should anyone wishing to join in the walk.

Walkers are asked to pay 5€ to enter…and to wear pink.

The charity will also inaugurate their new Charity Corner inside the La Marina Veterpet clinic. The Corner will be the main drop-off point for people who want to donate items to sell to raise funds for animal rescue and re-homing activities.

All proceeds raised go towards the total care and welfare of animals prior to permanent adoption. www.petsinspain.com Tel: 645469253

Show by Zigi, with clothes for sale and lots of stalls.

Come along and bag a bargain!

LA SIESTA Charity Library has now transferred to the annex of Age

q

Concern at Calle Paganini, La Siesta , Torrevieja. There has been no change in the day and time of opening.

Tuesday 10.30 until 12.30.

For further information, call 96 678 6887

LIONS’ ANNIVERSARY PRIDE

PRESIDENT Janette Bennett and Torrevieja Costa Lions Club members celebrate the eighth anniversary of the granting of their Charter with their annual dinner and dance on Saturday April 13.

Venue is at the Marjal Camping Restaurant near Guardamar, where a cava and canapes reception will be followed by an excellent three-course dinner with wine.

The formal evening will feature dancing to

the music of PDQ, as well as games with many prizes to be won.

Book your table by contacting Iain on 966 731 495 or idsbennett@hotmail.co.uk.

Price per person has been kept at a recession busting €25. Overnight accommodation at Marjal can be arranged by calling 966 727 070 - mention that you are attending the Torrevieja Costa Lions Club Charter dance

THE younger members of Torrevieja Swimming Club stormed through their races at Elda’s Municipal pool last weekend to tally up some fantastic results.

First to race were Nikita Mikhaylov, Paolo Petrie, Elian Del Rio Castillo (6th), Zoe Connolly (2nd) and Alexandra Amat (9th) in the 200m freestyle. All recorded personal bests with Zoe achieving a regional qualifying time of 2:39:96.

The older Benjamin boys and girls had fantastic swims in the 200m medley,.

Victoria Pigneur coming third, and Samira Burbano and Bastian Martinez both fourth - all three knocking up to 20 seconds off previous times.

The younger Alevin girls then swam 200m medley with both Paula Garcia (fourth) and Eva Kovalenko (sixth) qualifying for regional autonomic competitions with their times.

In the last of the individual events Nikita, Paolo,

Alexandra and Zoe swam the tiring 400m medley for the first time -. Zoe and Alexandra chalking up first and fourth places in 6:17:79 and 7:06:64 respectively.

Zoe’s time qualifies her for the regional competitions in this event.

To finish a good day of racing the club entered into three medley relays over 50

and 100m. In the 100 event the Torrevieja girls’ team stormed ahead with a time of 5:57 qualifying them all for regional relays.

For more info on Torrevieja Swimming Club please contact Rosa – 665454126, President Felipe on 609418776 or email info@clubnataciontorrevieja.com

26

Friday, March 22, 2013

UK HEADLINES

COPTER COPS IN DIVE OF DEATH Daily Mail A POLICE officer was killed and four others seriously injured when two helicopters crashed into each other during a riot training exercise above Berlin's Olympic Stadium yesterday (Thursday).

Both vehicles were reduced to fiery hulks when they smashed into a field adjoining the stadium during a snowstorm.

Reports suggest that the vehicles flew too close to one another while one was descending and their rotors clashed.

The helicopters, thought to be carrying up to 25 police officers each, were taking part in a training exercise dealing with football violence and crowd control.

The Olympic Stadium, which is now home to the Hertha Berlin Bundesliga football club, was the focal point of the Olympic Games in 1936, dubbed Hitler's Games. It also hosted the World Cup final in 2006.

Fireworks were reportedly being let off to create riot conditions when the collision occurred. One pilot was pictured walking away from the wreckage of his craft with blood streaming down his face from a head wound.

As well as the serious injuries and fatality, media reports spoke of 'many others' being hurt.

The crash between the Puma helicopters happened at 10.40am yesterday morning. Some 400 police officers were on the ground and dashed to the nearby fields to help their stricken comrades when they saw the aircraft go down in flames.

Reports suggest that the crash happened when one helicopter was preparing to land and did not notice the other beneath it.

The machines were no more than 100 feet off the ground when they collided, while it is understood that the dead pilot was at the controls of the lower aircraft.

Alex Lier, a reporter for the Bild newspaper who was at the scene, said: 'Everyone is in shock. Three helicop-

ters were airborne in a real snowstorm.

'Then one heard a loud bang and someone shouted: 'Everyone get down!' There was blood and wreckage everywhere.'

The helicopters are part of a fleet operated by the Federal Police - the national force - as opposed to the local Berlin police. An immediate inquiry is underway into the cause of the crash as local hospitals deal with the casualties.

One of the helicopter pilots died at

the scene, fire service spokesman Stephan Fleischer said, who confirmed that five people were injured, four of them seriously.

A female police officer is among the four severely wounded in the crash.

Federal Police spokesman Frank Brochert confirmed there 'was an incident during an exercise' and that emergency crews were on the scene. He had no details about the accident.

Fire service spokesman Sven Gerling said his initial information was that two helicopters crashed, but he had no further details on the accident.

It was not immediately clear whether the injured people were in the helicopters, Mr Fleischer said.

Pictures from the scene showed one of the helicopters lying on its side in the snow in a field behind the stadium and the other next to it, still upright.

Eyewitness Johannes Malinowski said on n-tv television that he saw three helicopters approaching and that the snow on the field was being kicked up by the aircraft, so 'you couldn't see a whole lot anymore'.

There was then 'a big bang' he said, 'and then we looked up and there was blood on the ground'.

The training exercise being conducted was thought to have related to football violence.

Germany's main police union is calling for clarification why the training exercise was green-lighted when the weather was so bad in Berlin.

The president of the GdP union said: 'We need answers. But immediately our sympathies and concern lie with the survivors and for the family of the

Le Vell facing September trial

LOOKING haggard and drawn, with dark rings around his eyes, the 48year-old has been charged with six counts of raping a girl under 16, six counts of indecent assault of a girl under 16 and seven counts of nonpenetrative sexual touching of a girl under 13.

The incidents relate to one complainant and allegedly happened between 2001 and 2010.

The star, who has played Corrie garage boss Kevin Webster for 30 years, appeared at court under his real name of Michael Robert Turner.

During the preliminary hearing, which lasted about 10 minutes, Le Vell, wearing a dark pinstripe suit, white shirt and black tie, spoke only to confirm his name.

Six members of his family sat in the public gallery of the packed courtroom.

Le Vell has not yet entered a plea but has stated publicly that he is innocent and will fight the allegations through the courts.

Prosecutor Eleanor

Laws told Judge Michael Henshell that a plea hearing will take place on May 17 followed by a two to three-week trial starting on September 2.

Alisdair Williamson, defending, asked for an earlier trial date, saying: "Mr Turner has had this hanging over his head for 18 months."

But Judge Henshell said the September date should be fixed and granted the actor bail until the plea hearing, at the same court, in May. Asked by the judge if he understood, Le Vell nodded and said "Thank you", before leaving the dock.

Le Vell has lost more than half a stone after living on beans on toast and takeaways.

He has been drowning his sorrows in his local pub, The Railway, in Hale, Greater Manchester, where pals have shielded him.

He has also given up going to Old Trafford to watch Manchester United until his trial is over in order not to draw attention to himself.

Friday, March 22, 2013

UK HEADLINES

27

BAT PLAGUE

Death of lad, 8, triggers global health warning The Sun A TERRIFYING global health alert has been issued warning people to stay away from BATS amid fears they are carrying a potentially deadly virus.

It is also feared the virus can be spread from humanto-human.

Infectious diseases experts have said people should keep clear of the creepy winged mammals after the recent death of an eight-year-old boy bitten in Australia.

The boy last month became the third person in the country to die of deadly Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) - for which there is NO known treatment for humans.

It causes people to suffer convulsions, abdominal pain and fevers before falling into a coma.

Doctors Joshua Francis and Clare Nourse of

Brisbane’s Mater Children’s Hospital warned an infectious diseases conference that human-to-human transmission of the virus may now be possible.

He said: "ABLV has proved fatal in all cases reported to date. There is a need for increased public awareness of the risk associated with bat contact."

Chillingly he continued: "In short, people should stay away from bats."

Francis said the boy was bitten during a family holiday

to Queensland in December 2012, but did not tell his parents.

Three weeks later he began to suffer convulsions, abdominal pain and fever, followed by progressive brain problems.

Doctors frantically tried to establish what was wrong and on day 10 of his admission the lyssavirus was detected.

He fell into a coma and died on February 22.

Francis gave the Canberra conference the

warning to avoid bats around the world and it was issued not just because of the danger posed by the animals themselves, but due to the risk, however remote, that the virus could be spread between humans.

He said: “Human-tohuman transmission of lyssaviruses has not been well-documented, but it is theoretically possible.”

ABLV was first identified in Australian bats and flying foxes and is common in both, though human infection is extremely rare.

Two adult cases were confirmed in 1996 and 1998.

One was a woman bitten by a flying fox after wrestling it off a child, the other a carer who looked after the animals.

Other lyssavirus strains circulate in bats in the United States and Europe and the experts said their warning applies to wherever bat or flying fox populations exist.

TV’s Jim Davidson was rearrested Wednesday as Jimmy Savile cops quizzed him over fresh sex attack allegations.

The “Nick Nick” comic, 59, was held as he answered bail two months after he was seized at Heathrow.

Following his latest grilling, which saw him held for hours, the ex-Generation Game host again continued to “vigorously” deny all the claims.

The original allegations were made by two women who accused him of molesting them.

Scotland Yard yesterday confirmed a 59-year-old was “further arrested on suspicion of sexual offences” as reason to disagree with Simpson's rea- part of Operation Yewtree.

The probe was sparked by the Savile scandal but soning.

Mr Recorder Burns, in this instance a Davidson’s alleged crimes are not linked to those of the respected law-enforcer, rather than the paedophile Top Of The Pops presenter.

The new claims against the five-times wed comic boss of Springfield Nuclear Power emerged a week after DJ Dave Lee Travis, 67, was also Plant and Bart’s father Homer’s evil boss, told the culprit: “It was a very stu- rearrested. He too denies wrongdoing.

London-born Davidson was again bailed by police pid thing you did. You must be punished for it, but I think you can be dealt until May. The dad of five — due on stage tonight in Telford, Shropshire, as part of a nationwide tour — is one with by way of a community order.”

A perplexed court worker said before of 11 suspects so far in the Yewtree inquiry.

Others protesting their innocence include fellow funthe sentencing: “There were some eyebrows raised when the court list was nyman Freddie Starr, 70, and PR guru Max Clifford, 69.

Gary Glitter, 68, has also been held. published.

Davidson’s lawyer Henri Brandman last night stressed ”It's a bizarre coincidence that Bart the comic had not been charged with an offence — Simpson is actually on trial in front of Mr Burns but it'll proceed as any other adding: “He answered police questions as fully as he is able.” criminal case would.“

Bart Simpson v Mr Burns - in court

THOSE looking down the running order of cases at Warwick Crown Court on Wednesday may have thought they'd mysteriously landed in the fictional, yellow-faced town of Springfield rather than the West Midlands.

Barton Simpson, of Eccleshall, Staffordshire was caught at Birmingham airport with a .38 Smith and Wesson revolver in his hand luggage as he attempted to board a flight to Croatia.

Standing in front of Mr Recorder Burns at Warwick Crown Court, Simpson was sentenced with a community order and told to do 140 hours community work and pay the £80 legal costs.

Yet unlike the mischievous 10-yearold in the animated series - now into its 24th year - the 56-year-old company director had made an honest mistake.

Andrew Wilkins, prosecuting, told the court that Simpson normally kept the revolver at home, but due to having his flat redecorated, he decided to take it with him and lock it in his car.

However, he became distracted and mistakenly brought the gun, inherited from his father, into the airport with him.

Realising his error, “he put his hands to his face and hesitated before he then went through the personal metal detector,” Mr Wilkins said.

Due to the previous good character of Simpson, the prosecution had no

NICKED AGAIN

28

Friday, March 22, 2013

SPANISH NEWS

Spain calls time on Afghanistan La Verdad and El Pais SPANISH defence officials have announced plans to end their Afghanistan mission and withdraw troops from Qala-i-Naw, including equipment, vehicles and personnel.

Spain’s Defence General Staff said: “Bringing forward the date originally planned, the Spanish contingent in Afghanistan, Aspfor XXXII, has begun moving materiel to the base maintained

by Spain in Heart in order to be repatriated.”

Around 45 Spanish military personnel are ready to return to Spain following the recent closure of combat bases in Ludina and Moqur.

According to reports, Spanish troops from other units, who have already been deactivated, are also in Herat waiting to take a flight back to Spain.

Spain’s presence will be limited to the western Herat province of Afghanistan.

The final withdrawal is scheduled to take place in 2014.

Spain deployed around 1,400 troops

under the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan with the US-led invasion in 2001 to topple the Taliban regime.

Around 100 Spanish military personnel have been killed since the mission started, most of them in air accidents.

The news broke the day before the release of a video allegedly showing a group of Spanish soldiers in Iraq kicking and stamping on two detainees in a jail cell. The video, which was published on Sunday, was supposedly recorded in 2004, before Spanish troops had pulled out of Iraq, and shows five soldiers entering a holding cell and ordering two men covered with blankets to get up off the floor.

When the men — who don’t appear to understand Spanish — refuse to move, three soldiers begin kicking and insulting them while two others observe from the door. A sixth soldier records the incident using a video camera.

On Sunday, Defence Ministry sources called the incident “deplorable” and said that “those who took part will be held

responsible.” It is unclear who the detainees in the 40-second video are, or why they were being held.

Spanish troops were deployed in Iraq in August 2003 as part of a coalition force agreed upon by Prime Minister José María Aznar, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George W. Bush. Their mission was primarily a peacekeeping one with reconstruction and humanitarian duties, according to the then-Popular Party (PP) government.

In the 10 months that Spanish troops were posted in Iraq, 11 soldiers were killed. When the Socialists swept into office in March 2004, Zapatero ordered the troops back home in two months.

His decision didn’t sit well with Washington, and relations between the United States and Spain cooled until Bush left office in 2009.

Defence sources said that they will set up an investigation to determine whether or not the video is authentic, and find out who was responsible for the incident.

THIRD TIME LUCKY? Madrid welcomes Olympic inspectors

The nine members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in Madrid to assess the city’s candidacy for the 2020 Games, spent their first day on Monday asking exhaustive questions about the capital’s installations.

Led by two of the three Spanish members of the IOC, José Perurena and Marisol Casado, after being greeted by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, inspectors asked how much it would cost to cover the Las Ventas bullring with a temporary roof — an undertaking that failed spectacularly at the last attempt when strong winds brought the structure down.

In the shadow of a Metro strike during

their stay, Perurena said the IOC was unconcerned by “white elephants” such as the Caja Mágica, built for Madrid’s failed 2012 bid and now in use for essentially only one week a year for the Madrid Masters tennis tournament.

In Perurena and Casado’s view, the heavy Spanish representation on the IOC “without a doubt” favours Madrid’s bid.

Madrid Mayor Ana Botella said the Games are in the city’s DNA, as “for 15 years public policy has been geared toward this goal.” Madrid also bid for the 2016 Games but lost out to Rio de Janeiro. Tokyo remains the bookmakers’ favourite for 2020.

RETIRE EARLY? NOT IN SPAIN! Spain is set to restrict early retirement in a bid to increase contributions to the social security system, according to a Royal decree passed last Friday at a cabinet meeting.

The measures aim to save around €4.5billion a year when fully implemented in 2027, the Minister of Employment Fatima Banez said after the cabinet meeting.

Banez argued that these savings will make the Spanish social security system more sustainable, pointing out that early and partial retirement cost Spain more than €9billion a year.

The measures include the increase of the minimum amount of contributions a worker must make to get early retirement. The European Union has suggested that Spain takes additional measures to make its social security system more sustainable.

Friday, March 22, 2013

SPANISH NEWS

IRAQ PRISONER ABUSE VIDEO IS AUTHENTIC “SEEN as it is, the primary conclusions indicate that the location could correspond to the installations provided for prisoners in the guard room at the Spanish base in Al Diwaniyah.”

However, identifying the suspects will be a harder process.

“After analysing the original video, the identification marks on the aggressors’ uniforms could lead to the identification of their unit and, as they did not cover their faces, it is feasible to identify at

With these words, the Defence Ministry has admitted that a video obtained by EL PAÍS and published last Sunday shows Spanish soldiers brutally assaulting two detainees in 2004 is authentic.

The result of this conclusion is clear: “In accordance with the instructions of Defence Minister Pedro Morenés, the army has placed in the hands of a military judge in Madrid the first conclusions of a summary of information in relation to a video recently published regarding a case of alleged mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners by Spanish soldiers,” the ministry said in a communiqué.

least two individuals.”

The ministry stated that no commanding officer is under suspicion of having condoned the mistreatment of prisoners and praised the actions of the 132,000 military personnel who have participated in international missions over the past 20 years.

After studying the material, the military judge will have to decide if the actions fall under the 1985 Military Penal Code, and in particular if they constitute “crimes against the laws and uses of war,” which can carry a sentence of up to 15 years.

Today (Friday), the AMPOS association, representing orchestra musicians in Spain and collecting society AIE are organising a mega-concert in Barcelona to express music performers’ anger over the Rajoy government’s decision to increase the VAT rate from 8 to 21%, the level applicable to certain cultural services (performing arts, cinema, music etc.) and reduce public aid to this sector. These decisions seriously jeopardise the future of Spanish orchestras and the number of concert-goers.

This concert is already an event of international scope, featuring musicians fom Germany, Italy, France and the Netherlands who will be joining their Spanish colleagues for this mega-concert which, in addition, will

have broad media coverage.

The “Todos Somos Musica” concert will be taking place on Friday 22 March at 21.00 at Barcelona’s Auditori. Its first part will be dedicated to the symphony repertoire with orchestras and choirs. During the second part, the orchestra will accompany Spanish pop stars.

FIM is providing its total support for this event and reaffirms the responsibility of public authorities to maintain and develop symphony orchestras as a public service due to citizens. Dozens of years of efforts to build up orchestral phalanxes of world renown must not be decimated by hasty decisions of a purely cyclical economic nature.

Mega-concert in Barcelona

29

Illegal boat tow lands Guardia in hot water

AN NGO has asked Spain’s ombudsman to investigate an incident in which the Civil Guard allegedly illegally towed a boatload of immigrants back from Spanish to Moroccan waters.

The boat, which had departed from Morocco and was carrying at least 10 sub-Saharan immigrants, approached the beach in the Spanish exclave of Melilla on the North African coast on Friday morning.

Civil guards in a rigidinflatable boat then towed the migrants back to Moroccan waters, where they were handed over to the authorities there.

Spanish law prohibits the return of immigrants already in the country unless the requisite legal procedures have been followed — even if they entered in an irregular manner. The ombudsman reminds the authorities of this fact in almost all of its annual reports.

The entire incident was caught on video and in photographs by the NGO Prodein, which has now filed a complaint with the ombudsman.

One of the photos shows the migrants’ boat being towed by the Civil

Guard with Melilla in the background. Prodein’s José Palazón, who witnessed the incident, says the boat was at most 30 meters from the shore and in Spanish waters, with the beach at Melilla easily visible in the photograph. But the Spanish government’s delegation in Melilla says the boat was never in Spanish waters, having been intercepted “on the high sea.”

A spokesman said the beach appeared so close due to a perspective problem According to a delegation spokesman, the agents saw the boat, came to its aid in line with maritime rescue regulations, and the Moroccan authorities later took charge of those on board.

There was nothing irregular about the handover.

The spokesman said the fact that the beach appeared so close in the photo might be the result of a perspective problem.

The question of how far Spanish waters reach around Melilla is a confusing one. According to material from the Diplomatic School found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website, if it were not for the breakwater

outside of the nearby Moroccan port of Beni Enzar, “which enters into unquestionably Spanish waters,” the territorial sea around Melilla would stretch equidistantly for 12 nautical miles. But as it is, bearing in mind the breakwater, the equidistant limits stretch “around seven nautical miles from the mouth of the port,” it says.

Prodein has already slapped the government’s wrists over the illegal handing over of migrants in its most recent annual report. The arrival of a group of 83 migrants on the Isla de Tierra, part of the Spainowned Alhucemas Islands situated west of Melilla, last year prompted the intervention of the ombudsman after complaints from several NGOs. The pregnant women and children in the group were moved to Melilla, but the others were directly handed over to the Moroccan authorities under cover of night, and were thus unable to make any individual pleas for asylum.

The ombudsman’s report stated that the government’s actions had violated current legislation.

30

Friday, March 22, 2013

Friday, March 22, 2013

31

DANCER LAUREN HAS A BALL IN HONG KONG COURIER readers may recall an article published last month, regarding talented carnival dancer Lauren Shakespeare’s exciting opportunity to perform at the Chinese New Year celebrations held in Hong Kong. We were delighted to catch up with her on her return to Spain, and learn all about the amazing experience.

Lauren joined La Sal de Torrevieja Carnival Dance Troupe in September 2009, and has since taken part in some of the most elaborate street parades held across Europe. With the opportunity to dress up in a variety of stunning costumes, and dance her way through the romantic cities of Montbrison, Menton, Limoges, Port Barcares, Nice and San Remo, the 29- year old Brit is living every girl’s dream, although completely justified with the gruelling hours of practice that she has dedicated to her passion.

Lauren’s latest challenge saw her travel halfway across the world to the cultural city of Hong Kong, where she and her fellow Torrevejense dancers, accompanied by manager Conchita Mercader Valdes, choreographer Cristina Romero Sandin and technical director Massimo Cavazzoni had the privilege of taking part in the famous Cathay Pacific Night Parade. The excitement was temporarily stalled by the exhausting journey, which involved taking a coach from La

Mata to Madrid, then a flight to Heathrow.

After a five hour wait in London and an 11 hour flight, they finally touched down in Hong Kong. The girls had the pleasure of staying at the 4-star Panda Hotel, and Lauren said that they found the Chinese people extremely welcoming. “Speaking English was a big advantage there, and it

was quite nice for me to help the Spanish people in the company because they help me so much with my Spanish so I kind of returned the favour in a way!”

She also said that one of the most striking features of China was the native’s love of colour, as everywhere looked so vibrant and filled with exotic smells.

The Chinese New Year celebrations were an overwhelming success, and Lauren commented “topped any other Carnival we´ve done. The atmosphere was electric!” The event was broadcast live to countries all over the world, and can be viewed on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=F6gb9lEmKXI (1:01:42).

During their visit to Hong Kong, the company also found the energy to spend two days dancing at the Well Wishing Festival at Lam Tsuen; followed by a tour of the city, which took them to two temples, the flower of Hong Kong at Golden Bauhinia Square and a floating restaurant!

The fun does not stop there for La Sal de Torrevieja Carnival Dance Troupe, as they are currently perfecting their routines in preparation for the “Entierro de la Sardina”, which takes place in Murcia on the evening of April 6. This is followed by an event to be held in Romania in June and company managers are also negotiating an appearance in Macau in December, so watch this space!

HELP At Home Costa Blanca are holding their Annual Easter Fayre at the Emerald Isle La Florida on Good Friday (March 29) from 11am. Market stalls with include cakes, jewellery, clothes, gifts and cards and there will be live entertainment and good pub food.

The line up for the day is – 12noon Easter bonnet competition; 12.30 Fashion show of new and nearly new clothes; 1.15 Cindy and Dave Cherry sing country; 2pm Flamenco For All Dancers by Requel Pena's group; 3pm Live group, violinist , guitar/ singer & keyboard; 4pm Raffle; 4.45pm Stephenie,

the girl with the golden voice. 5.30 Live entertainment. Proceeds will go to Help At Home Costa Blanca and Special Needs for Children with disabilities. To join as a volunteer or help raise funds, contact 659 245 552 or email info@helpathomecb.org Next Monday, March 25, there’s an X Factor Charity Night at the Emerald Isle La Florida in aid of Special Needs children and Help At Home Costa Blanca.

Entrance is €2. On Tuesday, Pablo's International Bar features a Stars in Their Eyes Charity Night from 8pm. And don’t forget the Easter Monday Hog Roast at Hellie's Bar in Los Dolses.

EASTER is fast approaching and as we all know in Spain this usually means that we start to see an influx of people whether it is holiday makers or residents returning after visiting family at home.

The Moncayo market held every Saturday morning at the Procomobel Home Centre, Guardamar Del Segura, has been preparing for this increase and we are pleased to announce that over the last few months it has expanded dramatically. The retail village has developed into a nice compact area with quaint shops placed inside retail display units .In this area you will find the English cheese stall, AST Automotive Tools, T to Green golf supplies, Aids 2 Mobilty, BIG FM radio and Home Comfort Spain who have just received a new delivery of quality towels for the beach and home together with affordable beach loungers.

You also have Premier Post selling quality cards and gifts, Mist jewellery who stock magnetic jewellery for all of those who suffer with arthiritis etc .There is a nice seating area which boasts a Spanish bar/café, an

Indian café, a German cake stall and a Spanish cheese stall.

The market hosts regular traders who travel from all over to bring you quality clothes, food stuffs, English cosmetics, car accessories, Rugby shirts, jewellery etc.

Costa Blanca books exchange service can be found on site every week together with the Staffordshire Oatcake stall.

If you want to turn your unwanted items into cash then come along and trade in the resale area which is busy every week and is open to the public from 07.00am.

Parking is FREE and there really is something for everyone whether you want to peruse the stalls, have a leisurely breakfast or just meet up with friends for a coffee this is the place to be.

Procombel Home Centre also boasts 5000m2 of indoor retail space which includes Iron Art Factory Outlets garden furniture display.

New traders are always welcome and they can contact the market team on 602 403 883 or by emailing moncayomarket@gmail.com.

SET FAYRE FOR EASTER

MMM…THE MAGIC OF MONCAYO MARKET

32

Friday, March 22, 2013

Horrorscopes Aries March 21 - April 19 Your friends will suddenly start really loving you this week as they find out about your recent lottery luck. Today is a series of blunders that follow each other. You are ready for a fall this week after some good luck in the recent past. If you're missing an element to your life, why not choose tin?

Feel free to go dancing until 3am with various transsexuals at a local notorious disco.

Taurus April 20 - May 20 Dogs will find themselves inexplicably attracted to your shins, this week. A week of rest may be all you need for your broken leg to recover. Doctors may be stunned by a random discovery they make whilst examining you. Gloomy times lay ahead. Today you will find that your favourite attribute in a person is their ability to tell you how fantastic you are.

Gemini May 21 - June 20 Tailors and Bodybuilders may have a surprise in store for you this week. Also keep on the lookout for butch hairdressers.

You're generally hopeless with money, so this week should come as a shock to you.

Whilst bad things can happen in quick succession, it takes an absolute genius to screw up an entire life within 30 minutes.

Cancer June 21 - July 22 Repetition may annoy you today as someone close by tells you the same damned story over and over again. You're incredible. Your "rustic charms" are not an excuse for being smelly and dirty. After a car crash you will see a light at the end of a tunnel. Do not be vexed, this only means the car is facing the other way.

By Pandora Leo July 23 - August 22 Being righteous will only make you enemies. In the land that time forgot, everyone had a hard time. The loony-left is a phrase that you quite like. Love may be in the air for one lucky person tonight. I'm talking world-wide here, not about you - UGLY! Your appetites may diminish today as you fall into a vat of gravy with no inside ladder.

Virgo August 23 - September 22 Your neighbour's taste for loud music may cause them to incur an unfortunate accident. Any beer consumed tonight may come back to haunt you, possibly in the form of a dead comedian or Max Bygraves. Don't be embarrassed by your actions today, embrace your flamboyant side.

Libra September 23 - October 22 Unrelated incidents may cherry bobsleigh rambunctious you today. The future holds great things for you. It's just that whenever you get close, the future snatches them behind its back and shouts "Na-nana-nana." People say you make your own luck, but carrying around a sign that says "I'm needy and helpless" is probably not what they had in mind.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21 You will be glad of a loved one's ability to almost painlessly remove splinters from your backside. All this week you are set for uncontrollable setbacks to all your plans.

There's nothing you can do, so you might as well start being awful to people you suspect might cause your setbacks.You think "pink", but you buy "blue". This is why you're confused a lot of the time.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21 Don't trust anyone today. Stay inside until today is all over and done with. Don't trust this horoscope either. Just don't - okay?

Day time television can motivate you to rethink the monotony of your life. You may decide to pep up your life by going on a short cookery course. You should buy some new electronics.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19 Mythology states that all kinds of crazy crap happened. You believe that, don't you?

That's why your here. Please pay at the exit.

Your mother is proud of you. The gongoozlers at your naked twister parties should at least be made to take off their shoes. Eggs, flour, milk, potatoes, sage and onion stuffing - these are all the ingredients you need for a happy marriage and a pleasant evening.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18 Rotten food can be an unhealthy way to lose weight! Clowns with pickaxes will haunt your dreams tonight and will affect you at around mid-morning the following day. The effect of such dreams will cause you to a) be tired, b) look startled when people slam the door, or c) be nice to any clowns you meet.

Pisces February 19 - March 20 Think of a number. Now times that number by eighteen. I can confidently predict that your number does not rhyme with "Golfing Umbrella". Your lack of modesty will cause you problems today. Commenting on a nearby person's "peaches" may not go down too well today. Avoid all sexy language in your lunch break.

Friday, March 22, 2013

33

60 GUILTY IN 'CASH FOR CRASH' SCAM A TOTAL OF 60 people have been convicted or pleaded guilty to being involved in one of the country's largest "cash for crash" scams.

The fraud was so bad that people living in Derwentside, County Durham, where the main players behind the scam were based, had to pay up to £100 extra for their car insurance.

Police uncovered the scale of the fraud while investigating the activities of members of the Wright family, from Burnhope, who came to national prominence in 2009 when two local streets they had named after themselves were changed by officers in a bid to bolster public confidence.

Concerns over local organised crime led to a major investigation, named Operation Nacho, assisted by the Insurance Fraud Bureau and other agencies.

They looked at 1,800 accidents handled by two particular firms and swiftly identified 261 which looked suspicious.

Investigators suspected some were entirely fictitious, some staged and some vastly exaggerated.

They identified 25 accidents which were considered to have the highest impact on the public, both financially and in terms of suspected organised crime involvement, and these were selected for detailed investigation. Those 25 accidents alone resulted in more than £514,000 being obtained for the claimants, though the real figure was estimated to be more than £3 million.

A series of trials involving 70 defendants began last year at Newcastle Crown Court, with 60 people convicted or pleading guilty to being involved.

Seven were members of the Wright family, and key players included 40-year-old Paul Jonathon Wright, known as Jonty, who ran PJ Autos, a recovery, storage and vehicle hire business. He is yet to be sentenced for his part in the

scam which involved making false claims for storing damaged cars and hiring out replacement vehicles at up to £200 a day.

Also involved was his older brother Alan, 49, who was jailed for four years after a trial last year. A police source described Alan Wright as the head of the family, and he was found to have had four fake crashes within just 10 months.

Another family member bought an Audi with 112,000 miles on the clock, staged an accident in it near his home in Burnhope, and when he made a claim after apparently writing it off, its mileage had dropped to 37,000, making it much more valuable. The claimant also falsely claimed to have suffered whiplash, the source said.

34

Friday, March 22, 2013

Stricter CO2 rules will save car drivers cash

Motorists could save up to £3,300 over their car’s lifespan if stricter EU emissions laws to make new cars less polluting were imposed.

A joint study between Cambridge Econometrics and Ricardo-AEA found that if CO2 emissions were capped at 95g/km for the average vehicle, fuel economy would increase by 25%.

The new report – coinciding with an imminent series of votes on car standards in Europe – outlines a 95g/km CO2 limit would increase the purchase price of a typical car by around £860.

However, the research suggests that the extra outlay would be recouped in less than three years, as motorists would save around £350 per year in fuel.

The 95g/km boundary has been put forward by the

European Commission to help reach its target of reducing CO2 emissions by 60% come 2050, as well as claiming tighter emissions levels are required to ensure the competitiveness of European car brands.

Many modern vehicles already meet the potential new exhaust gas regulations, and major vehicle manufacturers are also committing towards a rangewide increase in efficiency.

Volkswagen Chief Executive Officer Martin Winterkorn confirmed the company’s intentions to become the world’s most environmentally sustainable carmaker ahead of this year’s Geneva Motor Show, pledging to meet the 95g/km target.

Not everyone has welcomed the EU’s proposed targets, however. It is feared

that imposing new rules could jeopardise some manufacturers position in the market due to the increased research, development and engineering costs associated with making new and existing vehicles less polluting.

Speaking previously on the 95g/km threshold, president of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, Ivan Hodac outlined: “These are tough targets – the toughest in the world. It is clear that CO2 levels from vehicles have to continue on their downward trend and the industry is committed to deliver on this.

“Considering that most manufacturers are losing money in Europe at the moment, the industry needs as competitive a framework as possible.”

Friday, March 22, 2013

35

36

Friday, March 22, 2013

CODE CRACKER Code Cracker is a crossword puzzle with no clues; instead, every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number, the same number representing the same letter throughout the puzzle. All you have to do is decide which letter is represented by which number. In this week’s puzzle, 18 represents B and 21 represents L, when these letters have been entered throughout the puzzle, you should have enough information to start guessing words and discovering other letters.

QUICKIE

DOUBLE CROSS-WORD Solve the Double Cross-Word puzzle using either the standard or cryptic clues, the answers are exactly the same.

CRYTPIC CLUES Across 7 Seaman after an Arts degree gets igneous rock instead (6) 8 Dad’s returned with a moulding for the highest point (6) 9 Taking off from the Myles Standish Airport (4) 10 Metal in lever is absolutely pure (8) 11 Call worker to perform in a great show (7) 13 Drive off returning social outcast (5) 15 Batsman’s prayer before digging in? (5) 17 Treat by changing electricity supply (7) 20 No longer drinking, but parched (5,3) 21 A plant some buffalo eat (4) 23 Bad chill making one feel very ill-natured (6) 24 Takes over for some witchcraft (6)

Down 1 Dull English game ending (4) 2 A variety of lashes can be a headache (6) 3 Properly organised tips end in regular payment (7) 4 Implied diplomacy protects one (5) 5 Class that is offensive (6) 6 Christmas present drawer (8) 12 Rustic Asiatic city gets rainstorm (8) 14 Locates exotic milk sugar (7) 16 Simple credit and French at home (6) 18 Frenchman hates meandering river (6) 19 Runner defeated in close race (5) 22 Nothing I left you started was greasy (4)

STANDARD CLUES

Down

FILL IT IN

Complete the crossword grid by using the given words:

3 letter words Ale Arc Are Ass Ate Dog Eel Ins Let Oat Sat Won 4 letter words Acts Alas Anis

Area Avow Deer Dory Ease Edge Eels Elan Else Eras Ergo Erse Euro Evil Hole Inly Item Nana Odds

Peat Pool Prep Ride Saga Sago Sari Sort Spat Star Tapa Tees Ties Toga 5 letter words Adieu Aerie Alias

Annas Diode Enact Ensue Enter Genus Gills Gorge Liven Maths Naval Plate Reset Saiga Sells Sling Sloop Steel Stole

6 letter words Assure Asylum Crease Drudge Mattes Sussed 7 letter words Erosion Gallery Pastern Tetanus 8 letter words Operetta Sundries

SPANISH-ENGLISH CROSSWORD Improve your Spanish - clues in Spanish, answers in English or vice versa.

Across

Across Down 1 Religious dissenter (7) 1 Religious songs (5) 5 Awry (5) 2 Variety (5) 8 Speak of (7) 3 Dribble (7) 9 Tubes (5) 4 Frank (6) 10 Aerodynamic (5) 5 Plentiful (5) 11 Inactivity (7) 6 Momentum (7) 12 Annoy (6) 7 Maintain (7) 14 Minister of religion (6) 12 Own (7) 17 Shuffle (7) 13 Staying power (7) 19 Intended (5) 15 Lacking direction (7) 22 Cream of the crop (5) 16 Expurgate (6) 23 Germ-free (7) 18 Fracture (5) 24 Lean-to (5) 20 Nimble (5) 25 Admire (7) 21 Robbery (5) Last weeks Solution Across: 1 Misery, 4 Traps, 8 Notes, 9 Stamina, 10 Absolve, 11 Mess, 12 Tic, 14 Byes, 15 Also, 18 Sin, 21 Romp, 23 Operate, 25 Tenuous, 26 Rites, 27 Shame, 28 Defers.

Down: 1 Manual, 2 Satisfy, 3 Restless, 4 Tray, 5 Agile, 6 Sparse, 7 Asset, 13 Carefree, 16 Startle, 17 Writes, 19 Noisy, 20 Versus, 22 Mania, 24 Core.

Scribble Pad

1 Buddy (4) 7 Volcanic rock (6) 2 Annoying problem (6) 8 Culmination (6) 3 Regular payment (7) 9 Fewer (4) 4 Inferred (5) 10 Immaculate (8) 11 Spectacular procession 5 Foray (6) 6 Caribou (8) (7) 13 Drive back (5) 12 Relating to rural mat15 Dinner prayer (5) ters (8) 17 Device that produces 14 Milk sugar (7) electricity (7) 16 Ignoramus (6) 20 Desiccated (5,3) 18 London’s river (6) 21 Succulent leaf plant (4) 19 Also-ran (5) 23 Evil intent (6) 24 Trances (6) 22 Greasy (4) Last weeks Solution Across: 1 Opposed, 5 Bucks, 8 Expands, 9 Shine, 10 Tyrol, 11 Anthill, 12 Racist, 14 Tin god, 17 Crumble, 19 Scrub, 22 Outer, 23 Lockout, 24 Surly, 25 Tuscany.

Down: 1 Overt, 2 Piper, 3 Singles, 4 Dismal, 5 Besot, 6 Chiding, 7 Shelled, 12 Reckons, 13 Counter, 15 Insects, 16 Zealot, 18 Barmy, 20 Rioja, 21 Butty.

Across

Down

7 Por favor (6)

1 To plant (7) 2 Phase (stage) (4) 3 Hembra (6) 4 Tuesday (6) 5 Llegadas (8) 6 You (polite or formal address) (5) 12 Germans (8) 13 Brisas (7) 15 Dead (person, animal, plant) (6) 16 Aviso (notificación) (6) 17 Mejilla (5) 19 Equipo (4)

8 A través de (6) 9 Rodilla (4) 10 Actresses (8) 11 Living room (4,2,5) 14 Stepbrother (11) 18 El más barato (económico) (8) 19 Árbol (4) 20 Derrota (6) 21 Capilla (6)

37

Friday, March 22, 2013 Across 1 Which drink consists of beer mixed with lemonade or ginger beer? (6) 4 The name of which 16th/17th-century part song for several voices, typically unaccompanied, comes from the Latin for ‘simple song’?

(8) 9 Which word can mean ‘to look at someone or something with partly closed eyes’ or ‘a permanent deviation in the direction of the gaze of one eye’? (6) 10 Which plant with pink, red, or white flowers and backward-curving petals is occasionally referred to as sowbread, Persian violet or primrose? (8) 12 According to classical mythology, what was the name of a nymph who pined away with love for Narcissus until nothing remained except her disembodied voice? (4) 13 Which BBC current affairs, magazine-format television series that combined political analysis and discussion with consumer affairs, light entertainment and sports reporting, was broad-

cast every weekday from September 1969 to August 1983? (10) 15 In anatomy or medicine, which adjective means ‘situated or applied under the skin’? (12) 18 Which moderately sweet raised rolls containing spices and raisins and citron and decorated with a crossshaped sugar glaze, are traditionally eaten on Good Friday? (3,5,4) 21 Which word that means ‘excessive or erotic interest in oneself and one’s physical appearance’ is derived from the name of a beautiful youth in Greek mythology who fell in love with his reflection in a pool? (10) 22 What name is given to a large semicircular or polygonal recess with a domed roof, typically at a church’s eastern end? (4) 24 Which word completes the title of a famous ‘folk anthem’ composed in 1949 by former BBC Radio 2 presenter Hubert Gregg, Maybe it’s Because I’m A [what]? (8) 25 What is the basic monetary unit of Hungary? (6) 26 Which dark brown oil dis-

SUDOKU

Quiz Word

tilled from coal tar is used as a wood preservative? (8) 27 Derived from the French for ‘to bend’, what name is given to pincers with parallel

flat jaws, are used for gripping small objects or bending wire? (6)

Down 1 The iconic and highly influential film director/producer Alfred Hitchcock, was often referred to as the Master of [what]? (8) 2 Which city, whose name literally means ‘father of gazelle’, is the capital and second most populous city in the United Arab Emirates?

(3,5) 3 What is the basic monetary unit of Vietnam? (4) 5 Which English soul, jazz, and R&B singer/songwriter, who died in July 2011, won five awards (Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album) at the 2008 Grammy Awards? (3,9) 6 Which word, derived from the Latin for ‘to leave’, means ‘willingly cease to keep or claim’? (10) 7 In the television series The New Avengers, what was the name of the top agent, crack marksman and trained martial artist character played by actor Gareth Hunt? (6) 8 Carduelis cannabina is the zoological name of which small Old World finch whose

male has a red breast and forehead? (6) 11 In financial accounting, what name is usually given to a written statement of the assets, liabilities, and capital of a business? (7,5) 14 What name is often applied to mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic systems used to guide vehicles without assistance from human beings? (10) 16 Which loose white linen robe is often worn over a cassock by clergy and choristers at Christian church services? (8) 17 The name for which highly heat-resistant fibrous silicate mineral, used in fire-resistant and insulating materials, comes from the Greek for ‘unquenchable’? (8) 19 Which, originally French, adverb, means ‘all together’ or ‘all at once’? (2,4) 20 Which yellowish-brown alloy of copper and tin’s name also means ‘make suntanned’? (6) 23 What name is often applied to ‘an inflamed pusfilled swelling on the skin’?

(4)

SALLY’S SIMPLE SPANISH

DIAS LIBRES – DAYS OFF Match these words with their Spanish translations then find them in the wordsearch.

(Answers below)

movies / tv QUIZ

ANSWERS:1. Trevor Howard 2. Angie Dickinson 3.

Roosevelt Hotel 4. Fang - Basset Hound 5. Jack Benny 6.

Liquorice 7. Tarzan 8. Tom Cruise 9. Chicken George 10.

Livingston 11. Fleming 12. The Bush Kangaroo 13. Coors

Last Week’s Solutions Code Cracker Last weeks Quiz Word Solution Across: 1 Abuses, 5 Shamrock, 9 Panorama, 10 Caspar, 11 Centrifuge, 12 Peel, 13 Isabella, 16 Yorker, 17 Batter, 19 Kerosene, 21 Beta, 22 Bryan Ferry, 25 Zodiac, 26 Otoscope, 27 Stone Age, 28 Nudges.

Down: 2 Blaze, 3 Short, 4 Spaniel, 5 Spatula, 6 Archery, 7 Rosa Parks, 8 Chameleon, 14 Scapegoat, 15 Battalion, 18 Rebecca, 19 Keynote, 20 Rundown, 23 El Cid, 24 Rupee.

leer un libro

charlar

nadar en el mar

comer fuera

salir en bici

descansar

tomar el sol

hacer ejercicio

tomar una cerveza

ir a la playa

ver amigos

ir de compras

viajar

Empareja estas palabras - Match the Spanish and English words You will find the answers at the bottom of the quiz.

1.andar, 2.charlar, 3.comer

12.tomar una cerveza,

g.rest, h.chat, i.see friends,

fuera, 4.descansar,

13.ver amigos, 14.viajar

j.read a book, k.go to the beach,

5.hacer ejercicio, 6.ir a la playa,

a.swim in the sea,

l.sunbathe, m.go shopping,

7.ir de compras, 8.leer un libro,

b.have a beer, c.eat out,

n.do exercise

9.nadar en el mar,

d.travel, e.walk,

10.salir en bici, 11.tomar el sol,

f.go out on your bike,

Soduko

Span - Eng

Answers: 1e, 2h, 3c, 4g, 5n, 6k, 7m, 8j, 9a, 10f, 11l, 12b, 13i, 14d.

1. Name the actor who had roles in 'Von Ryan's Express', 'The Third Man' and Brief Encounter?

2. What actress said "I dress for women and undress for men"?

3. What hotel hosted the first Oscar ceremony?

4. What was Colombo's dog called?

5. Who is Benjamin Kubelsky, the comedian, better known as?

6. Chaplin ate a boot in the movie 'Gold Rush'. What was it made of?

7. James H. Pierce was the last silent film actor to play which role?

8. Mapother IV is the real surname of what film star?

9. Ben Veeren played what character in Arthur Hailey's Roots?

10. Captain Jean Luc-Picard kept what kind of fish?

11. Humphry Bogart played Rick in Casablanca. What was Rick's last name?

12. Who or what was Skippy ( on TV )?

13. ET drank which brand of beer?

andar

Quizword

Fill It In

38

Friday, March 22, 2013

TRELI ON THE TELLY

with ALEX TRELINSKI I BET you can count on the fingers of one hand the contemporary film or TV re-makes that have improved on the original.

Take Hitchcock’s version of The 39 Steps, starring Robert Donat, as an example. The sheer charm of it

THE SPELL OF HITCHCRAFT was oozed out by inferior big screen re-makes with Kenneth More and Robert Powell, whilst a BBC version five years ago with Rupert Penry-Jones was passable.

For whatever reason, BBC1 decided to take anoth-

er Hitchcock British gem, The Lady Vanishes, and re-make it. To be fair, it was reasonable Sunday night entertainment, and the location work was far better than could have been achieved under the tight budgets of the ‘30s.

But Tuppence Middleton and Tom Hughes just got me comparing them to the magic that Margaret Lockwood and Michael Redgrave produced in the original.

The re-make also removed the great running gag of the movie featuring Carstairs and Carruthers trying to get the latest cricket score. I can only presume they did not appear in this new version just for the sake of being different. And taking that line was exactly the kiss of death for the three re-makes of The 39 Steps.

Some things are best left

alone when you are close to perfection, which Hitchcock was with The Lady Vanishes.

Somebody I hope doesn't disappear is The Queen, as she popped up at the same time on ITV in a documentary called Our Queen. It was a pleasant enough watch, but there were too many talking heads in it, and not enough footage of the monarch. We'd seen her inspecting banquets and her audience with the Prime Minister before, but the best bit was her family talking about her Bond video for London 2012.

I was left thinking that the BBC would have done so much better with the two hours, and minus the commercial breaks!

The BBC is clearly short of cash, as we have a deluge of quick

q

q

else so the BBC get the message.

As a student of 20th century history, I was totally gripped by Channel Four’s documentary, Churchill and the Fascist Plot. It was about a small but dangerous group of rightwing nutters who thought Hitler wasn’t a bad bloke and who also hated Jews.

They didn’t want America repeats of their popular panel to help Churchill and Britain, shows. Take QI as an examand the enthralling story ple. Why is the last series, showed that they came pretwhich finished in January, ty close to getting what they being repeated in the same wanted, had it not been for BBC2 timeslot on a Friday some clever work by MI5. night?

We also recently had a For me, this has all the hallfive-month-old repeat of marks for a great movie or Mock The Week and now we TV play if anybody wants to have edits of old shows pick up and run with it.

I had the pleasure of based around one theme. working at the BBC That’s in addition to repeats of old editions of Have I Got Television Centre in London for a year, and so with this News for You. These two shows thrive on iconic building closing its topicality, so I don't get the doors tonight (and there point of repeating them. But it were certainly enough of costs virtually nothing to them there!), do check out screen them again, com- Goodbye Television Centre pared to repeating drama on BBC4 this evening.

Michael Grade will be hostand comedies, as the casts would need to be paid again! ing a studio celebration and So, cheap panel repeats is they've got some smashing what we get, and the best guests lined up, though sadly way for this to stop is for my invitation appears to have viewers to watch something been lost in the post!

q

q

Friday TV

March 22

00:35 This Week 01:20 Skiing Weatherview 01:25 BBC News 01:30 HARDtalk 02:00 Newsday 02:30 ABC World News with Diane Sawyer 03:00 BBC News 03:30 Asia Business Report 03:45 Sport Today 04:00 BBC News 04:30 Asia Business Report 04:45 Sport Today 05:30 HARDtalk 05:50 BBC News 06:00 BBC News 06:30 World Business Report 06:45 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Heir Hunters 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Caught Red Handed 12:30 Real Rescues 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News; Weather 14:30 Regional News and Weather 14:45 Doctors 15:15 WPC 56 16:00 Beat the Pack 16:45 Countryside 999 17:30 Flog It! 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Weather 20:00 The One Show 20:30 Rip Off Britain 21:00 EastEnders 21:30 MasterChef 22:00 New Tricks 23:00 BBC News 23:25 National Lottery Update 23:35 The Graham Norton Show

00:20 This World 01:20 The Culture Show 01:50 The Culture Show

02:50 This Is BBC Two 05:00 Schools - The Alchemist's Apprentices 05:30 Schools - Simon Armitage 06:00 Spark 06:25 What Makes Me, Me 07:00 Homes Under the Hammer 08:00 Real Rescues 08:45 Caught Red Handed 09:15 Heir Hunters 10:00 Holiday Hit Squad 11:00 Question Time 12:00 BBC News 12:30 BBC World News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 Animal Park 14:30 Coast 14:40 Weakest Link 15:25 Mastermind 15:55 How We Won the War 16:25 Raymond Blanc's Kitchen Secrets 16:55 Raymond Blanc's Kitchen Secrets 17:25 The Trials of Life 18:15 Antiques Roadshow 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Country Show Cook Off 20:00 Great Continental Railway Journeys 20:30 Great British Menu 21:00 Mastermind 21:30 Gardeners' World 22:00 Ancient Egypt: Life and Death in the Valley of the Kings 23:00 QI 23:30 Newsnight

00:50 The Last Word 01:15 Jackpot247 04:00 Tonight 04:25 ITV Nightscreen 06:05 The Jeremy Kyle Show 07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:55 ITV Meridian Weather 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 ITV Meridian Weather 17:00 Ade in Britain 18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News Meridian 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Live International Football 23:10 ITV News and Weather 23:40 ITV News Meridian 23:45 International Football Highlights

MASTERCHEF

The best amateurs from this week's heats face each other in today's quarter-final, preparing two courses not only for John Torode and Gregg Wallace, but also for former MasterChef champions Shelina Permalloo, Peter Bayless and James Nathan. Who will have what it takes to earn one of 12 places in the knockout round?

00:50 Random Acts 00:55 Extreme A&E 01:55 What Destroyed the Hindenburg?

02:50 Dispatches 03:25 Hugh's Fish Fight 04:20 Come Dine with Me 05:15 Deal or No Deal 06:10 Countdown 06:55 Kirstie's Handmade Treasures 07:10 The Hoobs 08:05 According to Jim 08:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:55 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:25 Frasier 10:00 Frasier 10:30 Frasier 11:00 Grand Designs Australia 12:00 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 13:00 Channel 4 News Midday 13:05 Come Dine with Me 13:35 What's Cooking?

14:45 A Place in the Sun: Home or Away 15:45 Countdown 16:30 The Common Denominator 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Come Dine with Me 22:00 8 Out of 10 Cats 22:30 The Last Leg 23:00 Alan Carr: Chatty Man

00:00 Banged Up Abroad 01:00 SuperCasino 04:55 House Doctor 05:20 Great Artists 05:45 Great Scientists 06:10 HouseBusters 06:35 Wildlife SOS 07:00 Thomas & Friends 07:10 Igam Ogam 07:20 Fireman Sam 07:30 Jelly Jamm 07:45 Peppa Pig 07:50 Olive the Ostrich 07:55 Little Princess 08:10 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 08:20 The Mr Men Show 08:35 Thomas & Friends 08:45 Noddy in Toyland 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:20 Peppa Pig 09:30 Milkshake! Monkey 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:50 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Trisha 13:00 Looney Tunes 13:05 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Dangerous Drivers' School 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 Person of Interest 16:15 NYC: Tornado Terror 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News at 6.30 20:00 World's 21:00 Ice Road Truckers 22:00 The Mentalist 23:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 23:55 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

39

Saturday TV March 23

00:20 The Matt Lucas Awards 00:50 Scream 02:35 Weatherview 02:40 Click 03:00 BBC News 04:00 BBC News 04:30 Click 04:45 Newswatch 05:00 BBC News 05:30 Five Minutes With 06:00 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 11:00 Saturday Kitchen Live 12:30 Nigel Slater's Simple Cooking 13:00 BBC News; Regional News and Weather 13:15 Football Focus 14:00 Formula One 15:15 Richard Hammond's Secret Service 15:55 Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Furious Five 16:15 National Treasure 18:15 Kung Fu Panda 19:40 BBC News; Regional News and Weather 20:00 Pointless Celebrities 20:45 The National Lottery: Who Dares Wins 21:40 Casualty 22:30 Mrs Brown's Boys 23:00 BBC News; Weather 23:15 The Proposal

00:45 Weather 00:50 Beyond the Fire 02:05 The Lady Vanishes 03:35 Question Time 04:35 This Is BBC Two 07:00 This Is BBC Two 08:30 Great British Menu 11:00 A History of Britain by Simon Schama 12:00 Meet the Ancestors 12:30 Map Man 13:00 Country Show Cook Off 13:30 Country Show Cook Off 14:00 Country Show Cook Off 14:30 Country Show Cook Off 15:00 Country Show Cook Off 15:30 Mastermind 16:00 University Challenge 16:30 Hairy Bikers' Best of British 17:20 Restoration Home 18:20 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy 20:00 Flog It! 21:00 Dad's Army 21:30 Natural World Special: Attenborough's Ark 22:30 Project Nim

00:50 River Monsters 01:15 Jackpot247 04:00 Columbo: Publish or Perish 05:15 ITV Nightscreen 07:00 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 07:25 The Hive 07:45 Dino Dan 08:10 Canimals 08:25 Bookaboo 08:40 Matt Hatter Chronicles 09:05 Ultimate Spider-Man 09:30 Victorious 10:00 Jessie 10:25 ITV News 10:30 The Jeremy Kyle Show USA 11:20 My Tasty Travels with Lynda Bellingham 12:20 Dinner Date 13:20 ITV News and Weather 13:24 ITV Meridian Weather 13:25 You've Been Framed!

13:55 Any Which Way You Can 16:00 The Chase 17:00 Midsomer Murders 19:00 ITV News Meridian 19:15 ITV News and Weather 19:30 New You've Been Framed!

20:00 Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway 21:20 The Cube 22:20 The Jonathan Ross Show 23:20 ITV News and Weather 23:34 ITV Meridian Weather 23:35 You, Me and Dupree

00:10 Jimmy Carr: Being Funny 01:10 Random Acts 01:15 Midnight Express 03:20 2 Broke Girls 03:45 Happy Endings 04:05 Momma's Boy 04:25 Come Dine with Me 05:20 Deal or No Deal 06:15 Countdown 07:00 The Treacle People 07:10 The Hoobs 07:35 The Hoobs 08:00 Freesports on 4 08:30 The Grid 08:55 The Morning Line 09:55 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:25 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:55 Frasier 11:25 Frasier 11:55 The Big Bang Theory 12:25 The Big Bang Theory 12:50 The Simpsons 13:15 The Simpsons 13:45 Deal or No Deal 14:45 Channel 4 Racing 17:05 Come Dine with Me 19:35 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 Sarah Beeny's Selling Houses 21:00 Grand Designs 22:00 The Time Traveler's Wife

00:55 Inside Hollywood 01:00 SuperCasino 04:55 Motorsport Mundial 05:20 Great Artists 05:45 Great Scientists 06:10 HouseBusters 06:35 Wildlife SOS 07:00 Peppa Pig 07:05 Roary the Racing Car 07:15 Fifi and the Flowertots 07:25 Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures 07:30 The Mr Men Show 07:45 Olive the Ostrich 07:50 Abby's Flying Fairy School 08:00 Roobarb and Custard Too 08:10 Bananas in Pyjamas 08:25 Animal Antics 08:30 Make Way for Noddy 08:40 Milkshake! Monkey 08:45 City of Friends 08:55 Little Princess 09:15 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 09:30 Angelina Ballerina 09:45 Rupert Bear 10:00 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 10:15 Toby's Travelling Circus 10:25 Roary the Racing Car 10:40 Jelly Jamm 11:00 Power Rangers Samurai 11:35 Batman: The Brave and the Bold 12:00 Inside Hollywood 12:05 Robson's Extreme Fishing Challenge 13:05 Whale Adventure with Nigel Marven 14:05 CSI: Miami 15:00 CSI: Miami 15:55 The Green Berets 18:45 Beach Red 20:35 5 News Weekend 20:40 NCIS 21:30 NCIS 22:25 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit 23:25 Law & Order: Criminal Intent

00:05 01:40 03:45 04:25 06:30 07:15 07:40 08:10 08:35 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 13:10 13:40 14:10 14:40 15:10 16:10 18:30 19:30 19:55 20:00 21:00 22:00

00:20 CSI: NY 01:15 SuperCasino 05:00 HouseBusters 05:25 Divine Designs 05:50 County Secrets 06:05 Hana's Helpline 06:15 The Milkshake! Show 06:40 Thomas & Friends 06:50 Roary the Racing Car 07:00 Peppa Pig 07:05 Roary the Racing Car 07:15 Fifi and the Flowertots 07:25 Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures 07:30 The Mr Men Show 07:40 Olive the Ostrich 07:50 Abby's Flying Fairy School 08:00 Roobarb and Custard Too 08:10 Bananas in Pyjamas 08:20 Mio Mao 08:25 Animal Antics 08:30 Make Way for Noddy 08:45 City of Friends 08:55 Little Princess 09:10 Milkshake! Show Songs 09:15 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 09:30 Angelina Ballerina 09:45 Rupert Bear 10:00 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 10:15 Toby's Travelling Circus 10:30 Roary the Racing Car 10:45 Jelly Jamm 11:00 Power Rangers Samurai 11:35 Batman: The Brave and the Bold 12:00 Inside Hollywood 12:10 Monkey Life 12:40 Cowboy Builders 13:40 World's 14:40 Legally Blonde 16:30 Getting Even with Dad 18:35 5 News Weekend 18:40 The Goonies 20:55 Miss Congeniality 23:00 Person of Interest 23:55 The Exorcism of Emily Rose

THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE Romantic sci-fi drama adapted from the bestselling novel by Audrey Niffenegger, starring Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana. Henry De Tamble is born with a gene that enables him to travel through time, allowing him to glimpse the past and the future. But his wanderings cannot be controlled, and have major implications regarding his relationship with his wife Clare.

00:05 The Review Show

Sunday TV

March 24

01:00 The Football League Show 00:05 Zodiac 01:35 Venom 02:55 Weatherview

02:35 This Is BBC Two 07:00 This Is BBC Two

03:00 BBC News

08:20 My Favorite Wife

07:00 Breakfast

09:45 Gardeners' World

10:00 The Andrew Marr Show

10:15 The A to Z of TV Gardening

11:00 The Big Questions

11:00 Saturday Kitchen Best Bites

12:00 Sunday Politics

12:30 Paul Hollywood's Bread 13:00 Athletics

13:20 Passover: Why Is This Night Different?

15:05 EastEnders 17:00 Rowing World Cup

13:50 Countryfile

18:00 Secrets of Our Living Planet

14:45 Bargain Hunt

19:00 Flog It!

15:30 Formula One

20:00 Dragons' Den

17:30 Escape to the Country

21:00 Top Gear

18:30 Songs of Praise 19:05 Deadly 60 on a Mission

22:00 Toughest Place to Be 23:00 Mock the Week 23:30 It's Kevin

19:35 BBC News; Regional News and Weather 20:00 Countryfile 21:00 Antiques Roadshow 22:00 Our Girl 23:30 BBC News; Regional News and Weather 23:55 Late Kick Off

01:35 Jackpot247 04:00 Ladette to Lady: Australia 04:50 ITV Nightscreen 07:00 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 07:25 The Hive 07:45 Dino Dan 08:10 Canimals 08:25 Bookaboo 08:40 Matt Hatter Chronicles 09:05 Kick Buttowski - Suburban Daredevil 09:15 Kick Buttowski - Suburban Daredevil 09:30 Almost Naked Animals 09:45 Almost Naked Animals 10:00 The Aquabats Super Show 10:25 ITV News 10:30 The Jeremy Kyle Show USA 11:25 Carry On Follow That Camel 13:15 Carry On Camping 14:55 ITV News and Weather 15:04 ITV Meridian Weather 15:05 Doc Martin 16:05 Food Glorious Food 17:05 Agatha Christie's Marple 19:05 New You've Been Framed!

19:35 ITV Meridian Weather 19:45 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Coronation Street 21:00 Foyle's War 23:00 Perspectives

MISS CONGENIALITY Action comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Michael Caine. Hard-nosed FBI agent Gracie Hart is about as far removed from a beauty queen as you could find. But when a terrorist threatens the Miss United States beauty contest, she is the only person available to go undercover and thwart the attack. As time ticks away, former pageant consultant Victor Melling is given the unenviable job of transforming Gracie into a plausible contestant.

Big Fat Quiz of the 90s Notorious Southland Hollyoaks Countdown The Hoobs The Hoobs Will & Grace Everybody Loves Raymond Everybody Loves Raymond Frasier Frasier Sunday Brunch The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Simpsons The Simpsons Undercover Boss USA Clash of the Titans Time Team Channel 4 News 4thought.tv Celebrity Deal or No Deal The Secret Millions Red

40

Monday TV

March 25

00:25 02:30 02:35 07:00 10:15 11:00 12:00 12:30 13:15 14:00 14:30 14:45 15:15 16:00 16:45 17:30 18:15 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30 22:00 23:00 23:25 23:35

The Great Raid Weatherview BBC News Breakfast Heir Hunters Homes Under the Hammer You've Been Scammed Real Rescues Bargain Hunt BBC News; Weather Regional News and Weather Doctors Escape to the Country Beat the Pack Countryside 999 Flog It! Pointless BBC News BBC London News The One Show Bang Goes the Theory EastEnders Panorama Motorway Cops BBC News Regional News and Weather The Lock Up

00:00 01:40 02:40 03:40 07:00 07:10 08:10 08:55

Adventureland The Culture Show Holby City This Is BBC Two This Is BBC Two Homes Under the Hammer Real Rescues Caught Red Handed

09:25 Heir Hunters 10:10 Great British Menu 10:40 Countryfile 11:35 Click 12:00 BBC News 12:30 BBC World News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 Animal Park 14:30 Weakest Link 15:15 Coast 15:25 Mastermind 15:55 How We Won the War 16:25 Raymond Blanc's Kitchen Secrets 16:55 Raymond Blanc's Kitchen Secrets 17:25 The Trials of Life 18:15 Antiques Roadshow 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Country Show Cook Off 20:00 Great British Menu 21:00 University Challenge 21:30 Paul Hollywood's Bread 22:00 Boris Johnson: The Irresistible Rise 23:00 Never Mind the Buzzcocks 23:30 Weather

00:00 ITV News and Weather 00:14 ITV Meridian Weather 00:15 Premiership Rugby Union 01:15 The Store 03:15 Monk 04:05 ITV Nightscreen 06:05 The Jeremy Kyle Show 07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:55 ITV News Meridian 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 ITV Meridian Weather 17:00 Ade in Britain 18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News Meridian 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 James Nesbitt's Ireland 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Broadchurch 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 ITV Meridian Weather 23:35 The Unforgettable

00:15 Kill List 01:55 First Time Farmers 02:50 I'm Not Scared 04:35 Come Dine with Me 05:30 Deal or No Deal 06:25 Countdown 07:10 The Hoobs 07:35 The Hoobs 08:05 According to Jim 08:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:55 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:30 Frasier 10:00 Frasier 10:30 Frasier 11:00 Undercover Boss USA 12:00 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 13:00 Channel 4 News Midday Summary 13:05 Come Dine with Me 13:35 What's Cooking?

14:45 SuperScrimpers 15:45 Countdown 16:30 The Common Denominator 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 Easter Eggs Live 21:00 Dispatches 21:30 SuperScrimpers 22:00 Embarrassing Bodies 23:00 Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA

MOTORWAY COPS Officers join a specialist regional-roads crime team based in Yorkshire and Humberside to tackle people who travel across county and police force boundaries to carry out crime. Drastic action is required when two men in a souped-up car fail to obey an order to stop, while in the Midlands, the Central Motorway Police Group is forced to close the M50 when a pedestrian is catapulted into traffic.

02:15 SuperCasino 05:00 HouseBusters 05:25 House Doctor 05:50 County Secrets 06:05 Hana's Helpline 06:15 The Milkshake! Show 06:40 Thomas & Friends 06:50 Roary the Racing Car 07:00 Thomas & Friends 07:10 Igam Ogam 07:20 Fireman Sam 07:30 Jelly Jamm 07:45 Peppa Pig 07:50 Olive the Ostrich 07:55 Mio Mao 08:00 Little Princess 08:10 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 08:25 The Mr Men Show 08:40 Thomas & Friends 08:50 Noddy in Toyland 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:20 Milkshake! Show Songs 09:25 Peppa Pig 09:30 Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:50 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Trisha 13:00 Looney Tunes 13:05 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Dangerous Drivers' School 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 NCIS 16:15 Mary Higgins Clark's The Cradle Will Fall 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News at 6.30 20:00 The Gadget Show 21:00 World's Fastest Train 22:00 Robson's Extreme Fishing Challenge 23:00 Road House

Tuesday TV

March 26

00:15 00:45 01:30 01:35 07:00 10:15 11:00 12:00 12:30 13:15 14:00 14:30 14:45 15:15 16:00 16:45 17:30 18:15 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00 23:00 23:25 23:25 23:35

BBC News: The Editors The Graham Norton Show Weatherview BBC News Breakfast Heir Hunters Homes Under the Hammer You've Been Scammed Real Rescues Bargain Hunt BBC News; Weather Regional News and Weather Doctors Escape to the Country Beat the Pack Countryside 999 Flog It! Pointless BBC News BBC London News The One Show EastEnders Holby City The Syndicate BBC News National Lottery Update Regional News and Weather The Matt Lucas Awards

00:20 01:20 02:20 04:50 Day 05:30 06:00 06:25 07:00

Toughest Place to Be The Mary Berry Story This Is BBC Two Schools - Apprentice for a Schools - Just a Few Drinks Schools - Life on Planet Ant Spark This Is BBC Two

07:05 Homes Under the Hammer 08:05 Real Rescues 08:50 You've Been Scammed 09:20 Heir Hunters 10:05 Great British Menu 10:35 Natural World 11:35 HARDtalk 12:00 BBC News 12:30 BBC World News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 Animal Park 14:30 The Super League Show 15:15 Coast 15:25 Mastermind 15:55 How We Won the War 16:25 Raymond Blanc's Kitchen Secrets 16:55 Raymond Blanc's Kitchen Secrets 17:25 The Trials of Life 18:15 Antiques Roadshow 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Country Show Cook Off 20:00 Great British Menu 21:00 The Great British Bake Off 22:00 Keeping Britain Alive: The NHS in a Day 23:00 Heading Out 23:30 Newsnight

00:35 Monk 01:25 Jackpot247 04:00 Champions League Weekly 04:25 ITV Nightscreen 06:05 The Jeremy Kyle Show 07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:55 ITV Meridian Weather 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 ITV Meridian Weather 17:00 Ade in Britain 18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News Meridian 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Live International Football 23:10 ITV News and Weather 23:40 ITV Meridian Weather 23:50 International Football Highlights

KEEPING BRITAIN ALIVE On October 18, 2012, 100 camera crews were dispatched across the UK to film every corner of the National Health Service. This resulting documentary charts 24 hours in the life of the NHS, with the first episode revealing how it copes with the growing demands due to obesity, old age and cancer.

00:05 00:10 01:10 02:05 03:00 03:30 04:25 05:20 06:15 07:10 08:05 08:30 08:55 09:30 11:00 12:00 13:00 13:05 13:35 14:45 15:45 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:55 21:00 22:00 23:00

Random Acts Alan Carr: Chatty Man Shameless The Shooting Gallery Coming Up The Renovation Game How to Look Good Naked Come Dine with Me Deal or No Deal The Hoobs According to Jim Everybody Loves Raymond Everybody Loves Raymond Frasier Undercover Boss USA Phil Spencer: Secret Agent Channel 4 News Midday Come Dine with Me What's Cooking?

SuperScrimpers Countdown The Common Denominator Deal or No Deal Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Easter Eggs Live Bedtime Live 16 Kids and Counting Shameless

01:20 Bomb Patrol 02:15 SuperCasino 04:55 House Doctor 05:20 House Doctor 05:45 Michaela's Wild Challenge 06:10 HouseBusters 06:35 Wildlife SOS 07:00 Thomas & Friends 07:10 Igam Ogam 07:20 Fireman Sam 07:30 Jelly Jamm 07:45 Peppa Pig 07:50 Olive the Ostrich 07:55 Mio Mao 08:00 Little Princess 08:10 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 08:25 The Mr Men Show 08:40 Thomas & Friends 08:50 Noddy in Toyland 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:20 Peppa Pig 09:30 Milkshake! Monkey 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:50 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Trisha 13:00 Looney Tunes 13:05 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Dangerous Drivers' School 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 NCIS 16:15 Looney Tunes 16:20 Desolation Canyon 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News at 6.30 20:00 Cowboy Builders 21:00 Whale Adventure with Nigel Marven 22:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 23:00 CSI: NY 23:55 Dallas

41

Wednesday TV March 27

00:05 Cuckoo 00:35 Who Do You Think You Are? US 01:15 Cold Creek Manor 03:05 Weatherview 03:10 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Heir Hunters 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 You've Been Scammed 12:30 Real Rescues 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News; Weather 14:30 Regional News and Weather 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Escape to the Country 16:00 Beat the Pack 16:45 Countryside 999 17:30 Flog It! 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 BBC London News 19:30 Weather 20:00 The One Show 21:00 MasterChef 22:00 Pompeii: The Mystery of the People Frozen in Time 23:00 BBC News 23:25 National Lottery Update 23:35 A Question of Sport

00:20 Horizon 01:20 The Railway: Keeping Britain on Track 02:20 This Is BBC Two 05:00 Howard Goodall's Story of Music 06:00 History Hunt

07:00 Homes Under the Hammer 08:00 Real Rescues 08:45 You've Been Scammed 09:15 Heir Hunters 10:00 Great British Menu 10:30 Food & Drink 11:00 Great British Railway Journeys 11:30 See Hear 12:00 BBC News 12:30 BBC World News 13:00 Bringing Up Baby 14:40 Weakest Link 15:25 Mastermind 15:55 How We Won the War 16:25 Raymond Blanc's Kitchen Secrets 16:55 Raymond Blanc's Kitchen Secrets 17:25 The Trials of Life 18:15 Antiques Roadshow 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Country Show Cook Off 20:00 Great British Menu 21:00 A Very British Wedding 22:00 Terry Pratchett - Facing Extinction 23:00 The Culture Show 23:30 Newsnight

00:50 01:45 04:00 04:45 06:05 07:00 09:30 10:25 11:30 13:30 14:30 14:55 15:00 16:00 16:59 17:00 18:00 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00 23:00 23:30 23:35

Piers Morgan's Life Stories Jackpot247 Loose Women ITV Nightscreen The Jeremy Kyle Show Daybreak Lorraine The Jeremy Kyle Show This Morning Loose Women ITV News and Weather ITV Meridian Weather Dickinson's Real Deal The Alan Titchmarsh Show ITV Meridian Weather Ade in Britain The Chase ITV News Meridian ITV News and Weather Emmerdale Coronation Street Food Glorious Food Lightfields ITV News at Ten and Weather ITV Meridian Weather Sports Life Stories

PHIL SPENCER: SECRET AGENT

00:05 00:55 01:00 02:00 02:30 02:55 03:25 03:55 04:50 05:45 06:40 07:10 08:05 08:30 09:30 11:00 12:00 13:00 13:05 13:35 14:45 15:45 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:55 21:00 22:00 23:00 23:35

Gogglebox Random Acts European Poker Tour KOTV Boxing Weekly Sailing The Grid Freesports on 4 Best of British Come Dine with Me Deal or No Deal Baking Mad with Eric Lanlard The Hoobs According to Jim Everybody Loves Raymond Frasier Undercover Boss USA Phil Spencer: Secret Agent Channel 4 News Midday Come Dine with Me What's Cooking?

SuperScrimpers Countdown The Common Denominator Deal or No Deal Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Easter Eggs Live Phil Spencer: Secret Agent One Born Every Minute The Mimic Anna & Katy

The property expert helps more homeowners struggling to secure a sale. In Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, he discovers a clutter problem in Ben and Kate's Grade II-listed cottage, which is still languishing on the market despite 15 viewings by potential buyers. In nearby Worthing, he presents busy single mother Zoe with a long list of changes required before her property can compete on the housing market.

00:55 CSI: Miami 01:50 SuperCasino 04:55 House Doctor 05:20 House Doctor 05:45 Michaela's Wild Challenge 06:10 Michaela's Wild Challenge 06:35 Wildlife SOS 07:00 Thomas & Friends 07:10 Igam Ogam 07:20 Fireman Sam 07:30 Jelly Jamm 07:45 Peppa Pig 07:50 Olive the Ostrich 07:55 Mio Mao 08:00 Little Princess 08:10 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 08:25 The Mr Men Show 08:40 Thomas & Friends 08:50 Noddy in Toyland 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:20 Peppa Pig 09:25 Peppa Pig 09:30 Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:50 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Trisha 13:00 Looney Tunes 13:05 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Dangerous Drivers' School 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 NCIS 16:10 Disney Shorts: Mickey's Parrot 16:15 Mystery Woman: Snapshot 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News at 6.30 20:00 Robson's Extreme Fishing Challenge 21:00 Rolf's Animal Clinic 22:00 NCIS 23:00 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit 23:55 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

Thursday TV March 28

00:05 Are You Having a Laugh? Comedy and Christianity 01:10 White Mischief 02:50 Weatherview 02:55 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Heir Hunters 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 You've Been Scammed 12:30 Real Rescues 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News; Weather 14:30 Regional News and Weather 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Escape to the Country 16:00 Beat the Pack 16:45 Countryside 999 17:30 Flog It! 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 BBC London News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 EastEnders 21:00 MasterChef 22:00 Prisoners' Wives 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News and Weather 23:35 Imagine

00:20 Keeping Britain Alive: The NHS in a Day 01:20 See Hear 01:50 This Is BBC Two 04:50 Locomotion: Dan Snow's History of Railways 05:10 Schools - Why the Industrial Revolution Happened Here 05:50 Deadly Dilemmas - Mission

Madagascar 06:20 Vikings 07:00 This Is BBC Two 07:05 Homes Under the Hammer 08:05 Real Rescues 08:50 You've Been Scammed 09:20 Heir Hunters 10:05 Great British Menu 10:35 Great British Menu 11:05 Great British Railway Journeys 11:35 HARDtalk 12:00 BBC News 12:30 BBC World News 13:00 Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House 14:30 Weakest Link 15:30 Mastermind 16:00 How We Won the War 16:30 Hairy Bikers' Best of British 17:15 The Blue Planet 18:15 Antiques Roadshow 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Country Show Cook Off 20:00 Great British Menu 21:00 James May's Man Lab 22:00 Horizon 23:00 How TV Ruined Your Life 23:30 Newsnight

00:35 Safari Vet School 01:05 Jackpot247 04:00 Columbo: an Exercise In Fatality 05:40 ITV Nightscreen 06:05 The Jeremy Kyle Show 07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:55 ITV Meridian Weather 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 ITV Meridian Weather 17:00 Ade in Britain 18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News Meridian 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Tonight 21:00 Emmerdale 21:30 The Martin Lewis Money Show 22:00 Kids with Tourette's: In Their Own Words 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 ITV Meridian Weather 23:35 The Jonathan Ross Show

KIDS WITH TOURETTE’S Documentary charting six months in the lives of three boys and their families as they share the daily obstacles they face and seek treatment from a pioneering programme at Great Ormond Street.

In his first session with clinical psychologist Tara Murphy, nine-year-old Callum manages to stop his vocal tic for four minutes, and Connor, 12, who regularly swears in public, is keen to practise his tic suppression at home. Meanwhile, 10-year-old Marco battles with a condition that causes him to grimace and breathe in loudly.

00:05 8 Out of 10 Cats Uncut 00:55 Random Acts 01:00 The Last Leg 01:30 The New Normal 01:55 Revenge 02:40 Courage under Fire 04:35 Deal or No Deal 05:30 Come Dine with Me 06:25 Countdown 07:10 The Hoobs 08:05 According to Jim 08:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:30 Frasier 10:00 Frasier 10:30 Frasier 11:00 Undercover Boss USA 12:00 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 13:00 Channel 4 News Midday Summary 13:05 Come Dine with Me 13:35 What's Cooking?

14:45 SuperScrimpers 15:45 Countdown 16:30 The Common Denominator 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 Easter Eggs Live 21:00 Secret Eaters 22:00 40 Year Old Virgins 23:00 Gogglebox 23:50 Random Acts 23:55 Embarrassing Bodies

00:55 Poker 01:55 SuperCasino 04:55 House Doctor 05:20 House Doctor 05:45 Michaela's Wild Challenge 06:10 Michaela's Wild Challenge 06:35 Wildlife SOS 07:00 Thomas & Friends 07:10 Rupert Bear 07:20 Fireman Sam 07:30 Jelly Jamm 07:45 Peppa Pig 07:50 Olive the Ostrich 07:55 Milkshake! Show Songs 08:00 Little Princess 08:10 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 08:20 The Mr Men Show 08:35 Thomas & Friends 08:45 Noddy in Toyland 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:25 Peppa Pig 09:30 Milkshake! Monkey 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:50 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Trisha 13:00 Looney Tunes 13:05 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Rory & Will - Champions of the World 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 The Mentalist 16:15 Looney Tunes 16:20 McBride: Semper Fi 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News at 6.30 20:00 Whale Adventure with Nigel Marven 21:00 Cowboy Builders 22:00 Killers Behind Bars: The Untold Story 23:00 Crimes That Shook the World

42

Friday, March 22, 2013

ACCOUNTANTS Pro Business Support – for all your accountancy needs in English; bookkeeping, taxes, wage slips and more.

We cater for companies and self-employed people; we can deal with everything for you. Call us on 966 923 963

AUCTIONS

for first consultation free of charge.

ALARMS All types of alarms fitted, including CCTV. Give us a call on 966 923 963, and we will send a technician to give you a personalised quote.

Call now on 966 923 963.

BABY EQUPMENT HIRE TIPTOP BABY HOLIDAY CARE, travel cots, highchairs, car and booster seats. Buggies. Beach Towels. Free local delivery. www.tiptopvillacare.co.uk.

E-mail linda@tiptopvillacare.co.uk Telephone 968566011 Mobile 667848582

AUTO ELECTRICIAN

CHURCH SERVICES

Thursdays 11am. Craft club, Tuesdays, 2pm.

Pastor, Rafael Restrepo. All nationalities welcome. Call 966 799 273 or 660 127 276.

Pilar Christian Community Church Calle Canalejas 3.

Pilar de la Horadada.

Sunday Service at 11am, and Thursday at 5pm for Bible study and Prayer.

Home groups meet during the week. All welcome from any church background or none. For further information c o n t a c t PilarChristian.CommunityC hurch@gmail.com or contact Reverend Eddie on 966769300 or 650509606.

Reg No:2009-SG/A Good Friday Service at 11 am. at the Church Easter Sunday 11 am. will include a Drama message, please join us The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) meet at 10.00 each Sunday at their Torrevieja meetinghouse in the Torreaguas building on the corner of Rambla Juan Mateo Garcia 104, close to the windmill in Torrevieja, 667 533 597.

CARS FOR SALE

International Christian Assembly, Calle Pilar de Horadada 5, Torrevieja.

Evangelical non-denominational church. Sunday services 11am.

Children's church 11am. House groups in Torrevieja, Los Balcones, San Javier. Ladies meeting

Car insurance quotes – new extra discount on fully comprehensive policies at the price of third party!

Excellent prices for expats, all policies and call centre staff in English. We will call you back with a quote. 966 923 963 Looking for a car? We have a good selection of LHD & RHD vehicles for sale or exchange Tel 600 726 221 / 965 687 976 www.fwreurocars.com

INSURANCE CASER SEGUROS - for all your insurance needs, home, car, health, funeral.

Policies available in English and German.

Call Professional Business Support on 966 923 963 for a quick quote from our friendly staff.

MEDICAL Private Medical Healthcare – call us for your personalised quote, and get covered today, using the best private hospitals in the area.

Call us now on 966 923 963, and we will call you back with your quote.

CARPENTER

OVERSEAS PROPERTY Need a UK base, 2 bed brick built bungalow in Kent for sale. Full c/h. long lease, for more details phone 965696113, e-mail, ronelliott1@hotmail.co.uk £20,000 (115)

PROPERTY FOR RENT Viva Villa and Vacation Services, For Short or Long Term Rentals visit: www.villaandvacation.com or Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 2 bed 1 bath partly furnished apartment. White goods included. Stunning views of the Park of Nations. Great location, close to all amenities and Torreviejas beaches. Optional garage space available. Communal Pool.

350 euros per month plus bills. Available end of April.

Contact Zoe on 628 535 479 (Z)

BLINDS

Brand new 2 bed, unfurnished/ furnished apartment. Algorfa town centre, swimming pool, rent €225 monthly Or yearly advance €2400 0044-7949-589-539 londonangels@hotmail.com (111) 2 or 3 bed / 2 bath apartments in San Miguel. Lift, communal rooftop pool & solarium, video entry system. Available for short or long term rent from 350 pcm. Tel 966723437 or 636615716. (110) Ref: 61, A lovely two bedroomed ground floor apartment, located in the centre of the small Spanish town of Los Montesinos, With a pleasant communal swimming pool adjacent & all amenities in walking distance. Long and short term rental available. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref. KBJ3 – Luxury duplex penthouse apartment located near the marina in Guardamar. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, amazing panoramic views, inc.parking and storage. 500 € pcm.

966 923 963 Ref. CBR21 – A rare chance to rent a frontline beach apartment in Torrevieja!

Ground floor with large terrace, 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, direct and full-on sea views. 500 € pcm. 966 923 963

BATHROOMS / SHOWERS

BARBER

AIR CONDITIONING

CAR BREAKERS

ALARMS

AIRPORT COLLECTION

CAR HIRE

CLEANERS

43

Friday, March 22, 2013 Ref. CBR20 – Spanish style 4th floor apartment right on the beach! 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, lovely balcony to soak up the amazing sea views. 500 € pcm. 966 923 963 Ref. CBR19 – 2 bedroom 1 bathroom apartment in sought after area beachside Punta Prima, with communal pool and fully furnished, only 400 € pcm. 966 923 963 CBR25 – Torrevieja town centre, 3 bed 2 bath apartment, bright and modern decor, only 10m from Playa Acequion, inc. Garage parking, unfurnished, long term rental only, 500 € pcm. 966 923 963 Ref. CBR3 – 2 bedroom 2 bathroom townhouse located in Algorfa, communal pool, fully furnished, 300 € pcm. 966 923 963 Ref. RS20 – 2 bedroom 1 bathroom apartment within private enclosed residential in San Luis, large terrace, 300 € pcm. 966 923 963

Ref: 49, 2nd floor one bedroom apartment situated conveniently located in the town centre of Torrevieja, with a small sun balcony overlooking the lovely communal pool. Short or long term rental available. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref 33, Ground floor spacious 2 bedroom apartment, located in Torre la Mata.

Close to all amenities and beach.

3 month rental €300pcm Call: 965 707 188 CBR18 – Detached Spanish villa, beachside Punta Prima, 4 bedrooms, garage, 1200 m2 plot, own pool, 900 € pcm. 966 923 963 Ref: 104, 2 Bedroom apartment in Torrevieja, (near gypsy lane), small balcony, near all amenities and Friday market. €350pcm Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref: 112, Spacious 3 bedroom detached villa with its private pool is located on the El Raso urbanisation near Guardamar. Convenient for all amenities, shops, super-

DANCE ACADEMY

market, restaurants and bars. Short term rental available. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref 702: Beautiful 2 bedroom apartment, located near los Locos beach, beautifully furnished. Short term rentals from 175€ per week.

Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 El Chaparel/La Siesta Two bedroom apartment in a quiet gated urbanisation for rent €350 per month plus bills. Reference No 17 Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref: 709, A lovely 1 bedroom apartment in Aguas Nuevas, within a 5 minute walk of the beach. There is a terrace outside with views to the sea. Short or long term rental available. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref: 63, Two bedroom 1st floor apartment situated in Monino Blanco. The property overlooks a superb communal pool area, in within walking distance of bars, restaurants and shops.

Short or long term rental available. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 CBR23 : Stylish new house in Los Montesinos, 3 bed 2 bath with large 65m2 garage, front and back terraces. 500 € pcm. 966 923 963

LONG TERM RENTALS LOS ALCAZARES Beach House. 3 bedrooms 2 bathrooms. Separate kitchen.

Large Underbuild, possible

GYM, or 4th bedroom. REF LR1600 www.tiptopvillacare.co.uk. e-mail linda@tiptopvillacare.co.uk Telephone 968566011 Mobile 667848582 (109) EL ALGAR detached VILLA. 2 bedrooms. 2 bathrooms.

Communal Pool. Near Schools. Nearby Apartment also available. REF LR1223 www.tiptopvillacare.co.uk. e-mail linda@tiptopvillacare.co.uk Telephone 968566011 Mobile 667848582 (109) EL CARMOLI 3 Bedroom 2 bathroom Villa available.

Stunning Views. Minutes to beach.

REF LR1335 www.tiptopvillacare.co.uk. e-mail linda@tiptopvillacare.co.uk Telephone 968566011 Mobile 667848582 (109) SANTIAGO DE LA RIBERA 3 Bedrooms, 2 Living rooms, 2 bathrooms, LARGE Corner plot. Others available with Communal pool.REF 1459 www.tiptopvillacare.co.uk. e-mail linda@tiptopvillacare.co.uk Telephone 968566011 Mobile 667848582 (109) LA APARCEIDA DETACHED VILLA. 3 bedrooms 2 bathrooms overlooking countryside.

Communal Pool. www.tiptopvillacare.co.uk.

REF LR1235 e-mail linda@tiptopvillacare.co.uk Telephone 968566011 Mobile 667848582 (109) SAN CAYETANO Apartment. 2 bedrooms, Large South facing Terraces.

REF KC44

www.tiptopvillacare.co.uk. e-mail linda@tiptopvillacare.co.uk Telephone 968566011 Mobile 667848582 (109) VALLE DEL SOL APARTMENT Large private terrace.

Use of Owners pool.

REFLR1628 www.tiptopvillacare.co.uk. e-mail linda@tiptopvillacare.co.uk Telephone 968566011 Mobile 667848582 (109)

PROPERTY FOR SALE Home and Contents cover Comprehensive policies for house and contents with CASER Seguros - excellent prices for expats; policies available in. Call 966 923 963 for a quote.

Playa Flamenca. 3 bed, 2 bath duplex apartment with solarium, communal pool, secure parking and library.

Price €77.750 including furniture. Tel 697 243 365 (111) Villamartin. 2 bed, 2 bath house. Close to the famous plaza. Communal pool, off road parking, car included.

109,750€ Tel: 697 243 365 (111) Ref. BRJ1 – 1 bedroom top floor renovated apartment in San Luis. Great sea and lake views. 55.000 €. Tel. 966 923 963 Ref: 510, €70,000.

Bungalow located in San Luis. It is close to the supermarkets, bars and restaurants and is on the local bus route. An Opel Corsa car is included in this sale. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397

Ref. RS63 – 2 bedroom 2 bathroom townhouse in Torrevieja, with communal pool and lots of extras.

95.000 €. Tl. 966 923 963 Ref. RS59 – Detached 3 bedroom 2 bathroom villa in San Luis, plot of 350m2, private pool, and additional “granny annex”. 169.000 €.

Tel. 966 923 963 Ref. RS1 – Detached 3 bedroom 2 bathroom villa with 900m2 plot located in Toretta Florida. Has private pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and much more! 320.000 € .Tel. 966 923 963 Ref. RS67 – 2 bedroom apartment with lovely sun terrace located in Playa Flamenca urb with communal pool. All amenities nearby. 59.995 €. Tel. 966 923 963 Ref. RS98 - Spacious 2 bed, ground floor apartment 250m from La Mata beach, inc private parking and storeroom. 115.000€ Tel. 966 923 963 Ref. RS58 – 2 bedroom 1 bathroom second floor apartment located in La Mata, communal pool, fully furnished, 79.000 €. Tel. 966 923 963 Ref. RS84 – Large 3 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment of 100m2 situated in Los Montesinos.

Communal solarium upstairs with pool.

79.900 €. Tel. 966 923 963 Ref. RS20 – 2 bedroom 1 bathroom apartment within private enclosed residential in San Luis, large terrace, 90.000 €. Tel. 966 923 963

44

Friday, March 22, 2013

Ref. RS65 – 2 bedroom 1 bathroom penthouse apartment, communal pool and parking area, located near the beach in Guardamar.

79.950 €. Tel. 966 923 963 Ref. RS90 – 2 bedroom detached villa all on one level, fully furnished, as new! Located in El Raso (Guardamar) 145.000 €. Tel. 966 923 963 Ref. KEIGUA – Luxury duplex atico apartment in Guardamar. 3 bedroom 2 bathroom, 118 m2, private parking, storage room, communal pool, magnificent views of forest, beach and sea. 169.000 € Tel. 966 923 963 Lovely Corner property in Novamar V, Gran Alacant. 2 bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms Being sold fully furnished including appliances, Has secure underground parking and faces large oasis communal pool. Walking distance to beach. 139.000 Euros, Call 627 711 155 and quote Ref No. K10 Ground floor duplex, with splendid views. Quiet location in Gran Alacant.

Immaculate condition. Price has just been reduced to 105.000 and includes everything. For viewing call 627 711 155 Ref. No K27 Rare opportunity to purchase on Mediterrania III, Gran Alacant. 2 bedrooms,

2 bathrooms, Private Parking, F/Furnished, Large communal pools & Tennis courts S/W facing, Dramatically reduced for quick sale to 126.000 euros.

Ref No. K58 Call 627 711 155 for immediate viewing Ref: 521, €105,000. This comfortable bungalow is located in San Luis with a new roof and solarium tiles.

It is close to supermarkets, bars, restaurants and is on the local bus route. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Don Pueblo, Gran Alacant. 3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, Large Kitchen with Galleria, Secure underground parking, Gas Central Heating, Glazed in Porch, Solarium with stunning views.

Viewings absolutely essential. Very large property at reduced price of 190.000 euros. Ref No. K38 Call 627 711 155 Opportunity to purchase at the off plan price of 195.000

KITCHENS

ELECTRICIAN

DAMP PROOFING

euros. Large 4 Bed, 3 Bath Brand new property. Secure underground parking for 2 cars and communal pool.

Situated opposite Gran Alacant and over looks projected golf course. Ref No. K52. 627 711 155 Viva Villa and Vacation Services are pleased to offer property sales for the Torrevieja and Oriheula areas of the Costa Blanca, Spain. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 or Visit : www.villaandvacation.com 2 Bed, 1 Bath Ground floor duplex. Central heating, Grills, Fully furnished, Glazed in Galleria, 2 communal pools, private parking and walking distance to the Gran Alacant commercial centre. Situated in the popular urbanisation of Puerto Marino. Now only 96,500 euros for quick sale Ref No. K46. 627 711 155 Immaculate ground floor Duplex, 2 beds, 2 bath, Private Parking, Situated in Novamar, Gran Alacant.

Price includes very tasteful furniture and white goods.

Walking distance to all local amenities and beach. Now only 129,750 euros. Ref No K24. 627 711 155 Gran Alacant Detached villa, located in a very sought after location.Situated on a 560m2 S/W facing plot and constructed in 2005.

Comprising of 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (2 full baths), Lounge-Diner, fully equipped Kitchen, Porch and Solarium with Alicante & Sea Views. ref.L81. €258,000 neg.

Tel. 680333242 Ref 533: Lovely 2 bedroom Townhouse located in the popular area of Punta Prima, the property has a large lounge and fully equipped kitchen, 2 double bedrooms, one with balcony,

bathroom with double shower. €126,000 Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Gran Alacant Town House with a difference.

2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Glazed in Porch, Quiet Location, Extra storage areas, and South Facing Private Pool as well as 2 communal pools. Fully Furnished, All mod cons.

Greenland Views and all local amenities close by.

Ref. No L79. 179.000 euros 680 333 242 Ref: 520, €85,000. Two bedroom apartment in Dream Hills, with a fully equipped kitchen, large lounge, glazed-in terrace and a large solarium. This property comes with a large communal swimming pool. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref: 78, €120,000. Three bedroom Quad in Jardin Del Mar VII. There is off-road parking and small storage shed in the enclosed garden area, communal pool nearby. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Top floor Duplex. Very good price of 108.000 euros for a quick sale. Furnished to a very high standard, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, Lounge Diner, Glazed in Porch, Large Roof Top Solarium.

Choice of Communal Pools, Private Parking. Walking distance to all amenities and on the First urbanisation as you enter Gran Alacant.

Viewing essential. Ref No. K44. Tel. 627 711 155 Gran Alacant immaculate villa, 3 bedroomed, 3 bathroomed property maintained to a very high standard inside and out and the interior furnishings are top quality, offering a feeling of luxury and good taste. The plot size is 400m2 and has been beautifully tiles, and graveled and has established palms and plants. Oil fired central heating throughout, log effect fire place, ceiling fans in all rooms, towel heater rails, glazed in shower units, instant hot water, water purifier, free English TV, phone & internet lines, fitted double hanging wardrobes, safe, glazed in

front porch, vanity units and much more. The pool is an 8 X 4 m2 salt water pool, meaning maintenance is much easier plus outside toilet and shower. Sea views to front with Greenland views to the rear. ref K51. €245,000 Tel 680333242 Balsares is opposite Gran Alacant where the proposed golf course is now being started so this property will virtually be on the golf course, it is an investment not to be missed. The property is on a small gated urbanisation of 18 houses with private underground parking for 2 cars and direct access to the house, communal pool and toilets/changing rooms etc.

PERSONAL

POOL TABLES

PETS

PARTY PLANNING

DRAINAGE PLUMBERS

PLASTERER

45

Friday, March 22, 2013 The house is brand new and consists of 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, lounge with working fire place, large kitchen 12 m2, large galleria/ utility room, bedroom balcony and front tiled terrace.

This property also has a converted under build for an extra lounge or bedroom. ref K52 €198,000 Tel 680333242 Ref: 516, €39,999. Studio apartment in San Luis, close to amenities. Open plan fully equipped kitchen. Good sized lounge, bedroom and out onto balcony which has been glazed to create another room. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref: 709, €60,000 A lovely 1 bedroom apartment in Aguas Nuevas, within a 5 minute walk of the beach.

There is a terrace outside with views to the sea. Short or long term rental available.

Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Gran Alacant Opportunity to purchase a beautiful 3 bedroomed, 3 bathroomed,large kitchen, detached property with roof- top solarium. Well established gardens and drive way for 2 cars, whilst also overlooking the projected 18 hole golf course.

Comprising of fitted wardrobes, utility room, air con H/C, alarm system, electric wall heaters, intercom system, fireplace, ceilings fans, 8x7 gazebo, use of 2 large communal pools, immaculate condition with many extras. ref K12. €180,000 Tel 680333242 Ref: KP3100, €183,000.

Three bedroom, two bath-

room detached villa, located in San Luis, on a 450sqm plot, with communal pool.

Garage to side of house.

Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Gran Alacant bargain, detached villa with pool on 400m2 plot. Briefly comprising of 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, Lounge Diner, independent kitchen, solarium with views, well maintained gardens. Quiet location yet within walking distance of all amenities. Top quality furniture and appliances included in the price. Extras include, mosquito nets, grills, toldos blinds, built in wardrobes, gas fire, electric heating, ceiling fans, English & Spanish TV, tastefully tiled & graveled garden with irrigation system. ref K43. €229,000 Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant South facing attractive corner house Situated in the sought after urbanization of Monte Faro, this secure gated urbanization offers a stunning oasis pool, with mountain views, tennis courts and football courts. Consisting of 3 double beds with balconies, 2 bathrooms, kitchen leading onto court yard which can easily be converted into an extra room, lounge diner with working fireplace, front garden with private parking for 2 cars. Being sold fully furnishes with white goods, built in 2006 so immaculate condition hardly lived in. Ref K48 €168,000 priced for quick sale Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant, Large detached villa with beautiful

gardens set on 550m2 plot, built in BBQ area and large 10x6 pool.Comprising of 3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, Lounge Diner with fire place, Independent Kitchen, air con H/C, Solarium, front porch, converted under build with 3 extra rooms, private covered parking, irrigated gardens, close distance to beach and amenities.

Ref. K18 €250,000 Tel 680333242 Ref: 513, €115,000. Two bedroom ground floor apartment, in Aguas Nuevas, close to all amenities including the beach. It has a good size lounge, kitchen and has off road parking facilities.

Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Gran Alacant, Ground floor south west facing apartment in Puerto Marino close to

G.A commercial centre, comprising of 2 Bedrooms, 1 Bathroom, Lounge-Diner, Independent Kitchen with Galleria, Porch area and large tiled front garden, The property is being sold fully furnished and includes all kitchen appliances, H & C Air con is fitted as well as sky TV. The apartment enjoys the use of 2 large communal pools and has private parking in an enclosed electronically gated car park.

Competitively priced for a quick sale. Ref. K40 €91,000 Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant, Situated in the "Alto" part of Gran Alacant, this 3 bedroomed, 4th floor apartment, offers luxury accommodation, with absolutely stunning sea views, as well as views of

RAG AND BONE

Alicante bay and the famous Santa Barbara Castle.The apartment is 89 square meters with open plan kitchen / living room and includes all electrical appliances & furniture also there is a utility room, open terrace, and private parking.

The urbanisation also offers many communal pools, tennis courts, restaurants and bars. Ref. K20 €109,000 Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant villa located in a very quiet area , situated at the end of a cul-de-sac means there is no through traffic.3 bed, 3 bath, 330m2 plot, established large gardens, working fireplace, solar panel for hot water,private parking, south facing great views, fully furnished, fantastic opportunity. ref.

L85. €215,000 Tel 680333242 Ref: 520, €85,000. Two bedroom apartment in Dream Hills, with a fully equipped kitchen, large lounge, glazed-in terrace and a large solarium. This property comes with a large communal swimming pool. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT TIPTOP VILLA CARE, total property management, keyholding, holiday and long term rentals. www.tiptopvillacare.co.uk. e-mail linda@tiptopvillacare.co.uk Telephone 968566011 Mobile 667848582

QUIZZES Experienced quizmaster/question setter with personality available to host quiz nights in local bars. Tel:664 838 581

SITUATIONS VACANT Avon need enthusiastic distributors. Turn your spare time into money! For more information phone Rosh on 966 785 520 (108)

SOLICITORS Need English speaking solicitors in Torrevieja? Let us help to solve your problems with debt recovery, divorce, property, fraud, criminal defence. Call us on 966 923 963, give us brief details and get in touch with your specialist solicitor today

WIG SPECIALIST SALON MARGARETHAS, 23 years in Torrevieja Hair/Wig specialist for Medical illness and Hair Loss problems. We offer different Hair Replacements, top fillers, Hair prostheses, Toupees and Wigs, Natural and Artificial hair and much more. Also fashion/festival accessories TV/TS are welcome to our service. Please call our salon reception for an appointment with Margaretha on Tel no 966 921 846 Torrevieja (90)

SURVEYOR WANTED

REMOVALS

STORAGE

VAN HIRE

WARDROBES

46

Friday, March 22, 2013

Greenside Gossip IVIE DAVIES takes a weekly look at the golf scene - golfdavies@gmail.com

HOME FROM HOME

LA MARQUESA Golf celebrates its 24th anniversary this year – and for one top professional, it has become like a second home.

For Miguel Angel Jimenez, the man they call The Mechanic, the Ciudad Quesada course has been a place of preparation for some of his European Tour campaigns.

One of the Malaga-based star’s relatives is Pascual Jiménez, the La Marquesa professional - and Miguel has a road adjacent to the clubhouse named after him. He will be there on April 14 and is expected to play in the pro-am before his comeback in an official European Tour event.

"I am much better," he said at a press conference, referring to his leg injury. He also spoke of his immediate goal – an April 18 comeback at El Saler in Valencia for the Spanish Open.

For Paulino Azorín, the veteran responsible for La Marquesa, the spirit of the anniversary is based on offering "a great celebration for golfers’’.

Saturday April 13 sees a tournament

Celebration time as Jimenez heads back to La Marquesa

for RFEG licenced amateur players.

The format will be Stableford handicap in three categories: two for gentlemen and one for ladies.

The winners of the three categories will receive prizes and be invited to participate in the Pro-Am the following day.

All participants will receive a souvenir

polo shirt and picnic during the competition. There will also be a raffle of prizes with the collaboration of the Costa Blanca Golf Course Association.

The April 14 Pro-Am tournament will be two-ball better ball Medal Play featuring teams of one professional and three amateurs, handicap maximum limited to 26.0 and ¾ differences.

OLAZABAL’S HIGH RYDER

VICTORIOUS Ryder Cup captain, José María Olazábal has been nominated for the prestigious 2013 Prince of Asturias Sports Award.

The award is this country’s most important and the Spanish Golf Federation is seeking to have Olazábal’s exemplary life officially recognised.

Spain’s most important sports accolade was established in September 1980 by the 12-year-old Felipe, heir to the throne of Spain, to consolidate links between the Principality and the Prince of Asturias.

The awards are presented in Oviedo, capital of the Principality of Asturias, at a ceremony presided over by Prince Felipe. A sculpture, expressly created for the prize by Spanish sculptor Joan Miró, is presented yearly to the winners.

There are a number of disciplines but it was not until 1987 that Sport was added. Only one golfer has received the award - the late, great Severiano Ballesteros in 1989.

Among other recipients for the Sports award have been Seb Coe (1987), Carl Lewis (1996), Steffi Graf (1999) the now disgraced Lance Armstrong (2000) and Rafael Nadal

(2008).

Olazábal, now 47, capped his playing career with two Masters wins in 1994 and 1999 before leading Europe to victory last year in what is now known as the Miracle at Medinah.

His own individual Ryder Cup record is marked by four wins in seven appearances while he and Seve combined to become one of the most feared team rivals as evidenced by 11 wins in 13 games.

Olazabal, nicknamed Chema, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009, joining Ballesteros.

Not surprisingly, his election as captain of the European Ryder Cup team was a unanimous decision, undisputed by players, media and institutions around the world, who value the wide range of qualities for which Olazábal has achieved international respect.

The awards will be presented later this year.

The first vote took place at the Madrid Golf Fair that ended last Sunday, where people expressed their support by signing a book which was located on the Royal Spanish Golf Federation stand.

TITTER ON THE TEE During his physical examination, a doctor asked a retired man about his physical activity level.

The man said he spent three days a week, every week in the outdoors.

"Well, yesterday afternoon was typical,’’ he explained. “I took a five-hour walk; about seven miles through some pretty rough terrain.

“I waded along the edge of a lake. I pushed my way through two miles of brambles.

I got sand in my shoes and my eyes. I avoided standing on a snake.

“I climbed several rocky hills. I took a few 'leaks' behind some big trees. I ran away from an angry ram goat and then ran away from an angry Spanish bull.

“The mental stress of it all left me shattered at the end of it all I drank eight beers and a large glass of whisky."

Amazed by the story, the doctor said: "You must be one hell of an outdoors man!"

"No," the guy replied, "I'm just a really crappy golfer".

Miguel Angel Jimenez, whose victory in Hong Kong last year made him the oldest winner on the European Tour, will participate in this tournament as he has done every year All players will receive a souvenir polo shirt, a picnic during the competition and a cocktail lunch before the presentation in which the first three winning teams will be awarded prizes.

On the Monday April 15, it will be the turn of the Valencian Community Golf Federation professionals to compete in an event which is part of their tournament calendar.

If you’re interested in playing and celebrating this big birthday, telephone La Marquesa Golf on 966 714 258.

KNOW YOUR RULES QUESTION A player’s ball lies in an indentation at the base of a tree in such a position that it is impossible to play a stroke.

Despite this, the player claims relief without penalty under Rule 25, because his stance to play the ball in the indentation would be on a burrowing animal’s hole and droppings.

A: Does the player get a free drop because of the burrowing animal’s hole and dropping?

B: Does the player take a penalty drop?

ANSWER B: Under the exception to Rule 25.1b, a player may not obtain relief from an abnormal ground condition if it is clearly unreasonable for him to play a stroke at his ball anyway. In the circumstances as described above, the player’s ball is unplayable as it lies in an indentation at the base of a tree.

Therefore, the player is not entitled to relief under the Rule 25.1 from the animal’s hole.

47

Friday, March 22, 2013

BUBBLE AND SQUEAK Two defeats…and Elche’s promotion run turns to anal angst Numancia

3

Elche

1

THIS is not an anus horribilus year, actually it should be a great, historical Numancia one as they head for promotion to La celebrate Liga. However, at the moment it’s Juanma’s squeaky-bum time as mighty Elche goal have now lost two on the bounce!

Shock horror, that’s never happened before during this sensational season, where the Illicitanos’ proud record now sits: played 30, won 19, drawn 7, lost 4; games left 12.

Don’t panic, Cap’n Mainwaring!

My Spanish friends who support Elche were not really surprised by the result; in fact they half- expected it. Two reasons: only one win and a draw in the last 11 matches at the unfriendly-to-Elche Los Pajoritas stadium, citadel of 12th-placed Numancia de Soria tells the story that traditionally the Illicitanos’ don’t do well there.

Just to make things worse both stalwart Elche centre backs, Etxeita and Peligrin, were out suspended together - they have been almost ever-present this season.

Elche really have only one ready replacement, young Hector Verdes, who is competent, but not match sharp. Flano, the normally-able deputy full-back filled in alongside him, with captain Generelo also suspended (good!). Mantecon started with the big Dutchman Berry Powel preferred up front to the struggling-for-previous-form

Xumetra. A disappointing 3,000 watched the game with 100 diehard Elche fans making the long journey north.

From the start Numancia threw players forward, often with five in the Elche area, and Herrera in the Franjiverde goal pulled off several good saves in the first half. At the other end, Coro’s shot went just wide, as did Angel’s header from

Torry keeper swallows tongue Gandia 1 FC Torrevieja 0 BRAVE Torry keeper Javi Tur was treated for 20 minutes on the pitch before being taken by ambulance to hospital after a clash with Gandia's Thankfully despite being knocked unconscious and swallowing his tongue, Tur has fully recovered, testament to the immediate medical attention he received.

Oscar was dismissed for his recklessness but although they had a numerical advantage, Torry were still unable to score - Dani going closest when shaving the crossbar with a 25-yard drive.

Then with ten minutes to go, Manolo seemed to have a routine shot to gather, but allowed the ball to skew out of his arms and drop over the line. It was an undeserved success for the visitors and plummets Torry into 17th place in the table, with all four relegation placed teams below them holding a game in hand over the Salineros.

Torry have two consecutive away matches now - at Utiel this weekend and then second placed Alira. By the next home game on April 7, many will expect to see Torry filling one of those demotion spots.

However, Tur is well and that is what fans are most happy about.

Albacar’s inswinging corner, but it stayed 0 – 0 at half time.

Things were to change dramatically, however, in the second half, with all four goals in ten mad minutes. First Numancia’s Juanma bulleted an unmarked header from a corner past Herrera, only for a mazy run

by Fidel to end with the ball being whipped off his toe by Elche top scorer Coro who coolly slotted the Illicitanos’ level.

The beleaguered Elche defence was beginning to look ragged as the home pressure increased, and from a free kick wide on the left the ball was smartly returned low for Pedro Martin to unsurprisingly slide in number two. As if that wasn’t enough, three minutes later Mari scored a very similar goal to make it three and wrap up all the points for the home side.

Aaron and Xumetra replaced Fidel and Powel, but nothing changed, and Numancia deserved to win for their attacking commitment against the league leaders. If you are an Elche supporter, you would have to say that if Peligrin and Etxeita had been there it wouldn’t have happened like that, but who knows - the home side were totally committed to attack and they got their result.

Fortunately – again – second-placed Almeria are having similar posterior problems to Elche and were hammered 4 – 1 at play-off contenders Cordoba. Madrid-based Alcorcon look the form team at present, beating lowly Mirandes (who beat Elche last week) to move into second. But they are still a huge ten points behind Elche, and 12 the gap now for instant promotion.

So, can Elche get the promotion bandwagon back on track this weekend? They are at home on Sunday to nasty neighbours Murcia, who lost 0 – 1 in their own stadium to Lugo, sitting only three points above the dreaded drop zone.

The needle between the clubs is not as bad as the rivalry of Hercules (second bottom, but 3 – 1 winners over Sabadell) and Elche, but not far off local loathing. So there should be plenty of local passion to sharpen things up! C’mon our Elche!

Mucho Elche!

EVERY DAY’S A Much Edu on a gr-eight day for Monte FOOTBALL DAY CD Montesinos 8 Todo Deporte Montesinos 1

Monte ran out worthy winners on a damp day at the field of fantasies, writes HOWARD YEATS. After only five minutes Wallace followed up a free kick to open the score and Rodrigo made it 2-0 on the half hour after an error by the Todo defence.

Having had a goal disallowed for offside, Edu then scored by dummying the goalkeeper.

Edu then

weaved through the opposing defence to find himself in a one on one with their goalkeeper…4-0.

A penalty against Becker for handball saw Monte go in 4-1 up at half time.

Straight from the restart Todo broke through only to see the ball hit the crossbar and shortly afterwards Iker made it 5-1, forcing a corner over the line.

A long run by Edu saw substitute Manuel score from an unselfish pass. Wallace then put Edu through for his well deserved hat-trick, then the Todo goalkeeper made a couple of good saves from Sergio and Wallace before Diego finished the scoring on 85 minutes.

Several bookings as normal, but the only sending off was a Todo supporting dog from the dugout.

A-team lose out in Orihuela fightback

ITV Orihuela ended their league season with a ding-dong battle at Cartagena in which 57 points were scored.

The visitors trailed 14-0 at half-time despite putting up a brave fight to keep a powerful Cartagena side at bay on their new home ground.

In the second half never-say-die Orihuela fought back bravely, running in a couple of unanswered tries of their own through their A-team of Alvaro and Alvin.

Cartagena hit back with another converted try, but as they have done all season, Orihuela refused to lie down. And

another try, converted by Jose, brought them to within one score of their opponents.

A further exchange of points saw Raffa get his second try in two games. converted by Jose. But it was just not to be and Cartagena ran out 33-24 winners.

Although Orihuela players felt the standard of refereeing left a lot to be desired, they still came away with a try bonus point for the second time against Cartagena and can hold their heads high.

For all things rugby, call Garry on 692 767 242.

March 25th 1992 Aldershot are expelled from the League and all their results expunged. Their season had begun with a 3-1 away win at the then League Champions Leeds United in a friendly.

26th 1986 Kenny Dalglish becomes Scotland’s first 100-cap player, reaching the landmark in the game against Romania at Hampden Park.

27th 1997 Swiss referee Kurt Rothlisburger is banned for life by UEFA and FIFA for attempted bribery.

28th 1985 The North American Soccer League folds.

29th 1924 Billy Meredith becomes the oldest player to play in a cup tie when he turns out for Manchester City aged 49 years and eight months. Sadly for Meredith, Newcastle spoil the party as they win the semi-final encounter 2-0.

30th 1889 Preston complete the first League and Cup double.

31st 1982 Former England, QPR and Bolton star Dave Clements commits suicide.

Compiled by STUART EVANS

Friday, March 22, 2013

48

ENGLAND EXPECTS EVERY MAN TO DO HIS DUTY – UNLESS HIS CLUB IS MORE IMPORTANT!

CALLING all red-blooded Englishmen – d’you remember young Michael Owen against Argentina back in France ’98? He ran at that brilliant Valencia defender Roberto Ayala, went one way, then the other before cracking in a beauty. As I leapt over the sofa my wife said ‘Did I tell you I saw Sue? She hasn’t half aged‘. So that moment has mixed memories for me, but in a week when the great Owen announced he is retiring we see sudden ‘injuries’ to Gary Cahill, Michael Dawson, Aaron Lennon etc plus the farcical Rio Ferdinand fiasco making me wonder where all the pride has gone in playing for your country these days.

England should be OK. Goalkeeper, full backs, midfielders all look OK - we just need an English 30-aseason goalscorer or two up front. Bring back Owen, I say...

It’s time out from the league this weekend as our once-proud Home Countries take centre-stage in the World Cup qualifiers. Non-international players and skivers can take the wife shopping and/or the kids to

John McGregor reports

Centre Parks for a leisurely long weekend.

Each country has two World cup qualifiers, Friday and Tuesday as England play San Marino (yawn) and Moldova (who?). In the battle of the Celts, Scotland and Wales face each other on Friday with Wales then taking on Croatia on Tuesday and Scotland away to Serbia the same day.

Be interesting to see if Gordon Strachan can manage internationally as well as he talks. Poor old Chris Coleman’s under pressure.

Northern Ireland take on Russia Friday and Israel Tuesday.

O Dimwittie, what can the matter be, he’s tweeted again, West Brom’s gone arsey, At this rate, he’ll be wanted by nobody, Pete’s really mucked himself up…

That Peter Odemwingie’s not the fizziest drink in the fridge, is he? He’s still twittering around to try to manage the club to manage him, and still failing. Who’s gonna want him, a born trouble-maker who can’t make it in a sound, home-spun club that’s really trying hard to get somewhere? Just where he goes from here will be painfully interesting to watch.

What the Sam Kydd are Reading, aka rabid Russian Anton Zingarevich doing? Surely, while the Royals have an outside chance of survival in the ‘must-belong’

Premier League, the urgent need is to get-someone and-fast! If the Royals are relegated, which looks odds on, then it’s regally hard to get back up there. The Championship (and below) is bursting with brave boys busting a gut to get up there.

Apparently there are local calls for academy coach Eamonn Dolan to stay stepped up to the mark. Only losing 1 – 0 to champions-elect Man United was no disgrace - bit late to be trying to save money, though, Antonski?

Talking of the Championship it looks likely that after several straining seasons Cardiff will make it last, and good luck to ‘em. Yaki da, that’ll be two Welsh clubs in the Premier League, so what with Wales rugby-stuffing England, boyo, it’s Sospan Fachs all round. Thing is, who’s going up with the Red Bluebirds? There’s no clear-cut contender for automatic second as Hull, Watford, Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest (Billy Davies for next Pope), Leicester and Brighton are all scrapping it out in the play-off positions.

And you don’t have to come down all that many places and points to see a huge dogfight below, where any three from Burnley in 11th with 49 points, down to bottom-placed Bristol City with 39 points can be relegated. Now that’s sweaty for a lot of clubs...