The Courier Week 116

Edition 116

www.thecourier.es

Friday, May 10, 2013

SCHOOL FIGHT ON THE ROPES

Education Authorities have counted out a boxing night due to be staged in a Los Montesinos school tomorrow evening (Saturday).

It was due to be held at the Virgen del Pilar School in the town, but they’ve barred it from there because it was “an inappropriate

By Alex Trelinski

event” for a school. The promotion has now been moved to the council-owned football ground and will continue as planned, as an outdoor event.

The boxing night has been the subject of a no punches pulled row between the ruling PSOE council,

and the opposition PP. The PP have said that the event at the Virgen del Pilar school shouldn’t have taken place there because it’s school property and broke guidelines on staging such events in places used by children.

In turn, the governing PSOE in Montesinos initially claimed that local authorities could use school property for out of school activities, adding that money from the event would go to local cancer charities.

The Education Chief Inspector based in Alicante told the Los Montesinos council that he had nothing against boxing as a sport, but staging fights would go against a key principle of schooling, which is to resolve conflicts and issues in a peaceful way. He was also concerned that children would be watching the bouts.

The first deputy Mayor of

Los Montesinos, Ana Belen Juarez, said that to avoid any lawsuits, the council had decided to move the boxing event from the school. She added that they were trying to do something that would be good for the town, including the British community who he believes are big boxing fans.

The promoter, Danny Heywood from Montesinos, told The Courier that the uncertainty over the venue had made it difficult for people to pre-buy tickets, but he added that he is confident of healthy sales at the gate.

“The evening has the necessary sanctioning from the sporting authorities including the Spanish Boxing Federation,” said Heywood, “and it promises to be an entertaining night as I’ve flown in eight guys from the UK to take on Spanish opponents”.

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Friday, May 10, 2013

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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 EDITOR Alex Trelinski 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

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Picture of the Week

JUNGLE DRUMS

The Sierra Nevada, from a pasture between Guadix and Lacalahorra Photograph by ROB BARNES

Open plan prompts Brit switch PASSPORT TO BELFAST

After some 35 years, the British Consulate in Alicante is moving home this Tuesday, and it’s all to provide an even better experience. The British Consul, Paul Rodwell and his team will be some ten minutes walk away in a new office that provides far better access, especially to those people who are elderly or disabled.

“The new Consulate will help us to assist better those who are most vulnerable”,said Mr. Rodwell, “ whilst offering an improved customer experience particularly in terms of access for those with reduced mobility.

Furthermore, a new open plan office will deliver a better working environment for the team and the location in the centre of Alicante with excellent access to public transport links will mean that those

who need to find us can do so easily.”

The Consulate will now be based on the Rambla Méndez Nuñez, just near the port area of Alicante, a short walk from the Mercado tram stop and the Alicante central bus station.

The new address is : British Consulate in Alicante, Edificio Espacio, Rambla Méndez Núñez 2830, 6ta planta (6th floor),

Alicante 03002. The new office will be open on weekdays between 08:30 and 13:30 and the telephone and fax numbers remain the same.It’s one of the busiest Consulates in the world, helping British nationals who have been hospitalised, arrested or suffered a bereavement, as well as issuing Emergency Travel Documents to people whose passports have been stolen so they can return home.

Information on the new location of the Consulate, and how the Consulate can help, can be found on the new government website – www.gov.uk/world/spain.

British nationals are advised to call 965 21 60 22 before journeying to the office, as most queries can be resolved over the phone.

Madrid is out, and Belfast is in for British passport renewals. From Monday, all applications need to be sent directly to the Identity and Passport Service(IPS) in Belfast, as opposed to the hub in Spain, which is being wound down to cut costs.

Andy Hamilton, head of the regional passport processing centre in Madrid, says: “In real terms, all that this means is that British nationals living in Spain now need to send their applications to a different address.”

“Current passport processing times remain the same. If you are renewing your passport, you should allow at least four weeks from the date the fee is taken and all the correct documentation has been

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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.

DO YOU have a story that might grab the headlines?

What’s all the gossip about round your way? A spate of robberies, perhaps – or maybe you’ve spotted a celebrity in the neighbourhood. Whether your news involves fire, police, ambulance, accidents – or hap-

pier events like family weddings (particularly Golden and Diamond ones!), Just phone the Courier office on 966 921 003 or email office@thecourier.es We’re waiting for your call…and next week’s Front Page story.

Friday Cloudy High 26° Low 16° Chance of rain 0% Monday Cloudy High 22 Low 15° Chance of rain 0%

Tuesday Sunny High 23° Low 14° Chance of rain 0%

Saturday Sunny High 22° Low 15° Chance of rain 0% Wednesday Sunny High 23° Low 16° Chance of rain 0%

received.”

“If you are applying for the first time or if you are replacing a lost or stolen passport, you should allow at least six weeks.”

Another change sees the passport helpline call charges slashed. Instead of paying for a premium rate phone line, customers will now only have to pay for the cost of a call to the UK. All the necessary information about the new passport application process, including a new IPS overseas application form, can be found at www.gov.uk/overseas-passports.

British nationals who lack internet access or want advice are able to call the IPS Customer Service Centre on +44 (0) 300 222 0000.

People who need to travel urgently but whose normal passport is unavailable should contact their nearest British Consulate via 902 109 356 or email info.consulate@fco.gov.uk .

Sunday Sunny High 22° Low 14° Chance of rain 0% Thursday Sunny High 23° Low 14° Chance of rain 0%

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Friday, May 10, 2013

TEACHERS IMPROMPTU LESSON Torrevieja celebrated European Day yesterday, with over 400 people packing into the main square to enjoy some entertainment in the sunshine.

This annual event takes place across the European Union and It gave an unscheduled platform for striking teachers to stage a wildcat protest, as they interrupted the European All Stars Jazz Band. They chanted in front of the stage, and they left peacefully after the band leader, Ed Van Harpen, allowed them to say a few words about their actions.

The day began with a Scottish flavour as Willie Hume played

in the festivities on the bagpipes, and later the Mayor, Eduardo Dolon welcomed everybody in Spanish and English, as well as handing out commemorative certificates to all the performers and community leaders. Four Las Culturas’ schoolchildren from different European countries all spoke in Spanish about the importance of being European.

The Mayor then performed the EU flag raising ceremony assisted by the four youngsters before performances by a group of visiting French Flamenco dancers, ‘Duende Andaluz’, and the Jazz Band...

CRISTINA’S CLEAR SECONDS OUT …FOR NOW FOR SCOTT

In a surprise decision, a Mallorca court has suspended corruption charges brought against King Juan Carlos's daughter, Princess Cristina. In a split vote, two-one in favour of the suspension, it was ruled that Cristina had not been an accomplice in the long running embezzlement case involving her husband, Inaki Urdangarin.

An MP for the United Left party, Ricardo Sixto, said “If it had been any other citizen, the charges would have continued to stand and she would have had to appear in front of a court”.

The High Court verdict overturned an earlier judgment by the examining magistrate of a lower court, although the charges could be reinstated if new evidence is found.

Recent opinion polls suggest a fair deal of discontent with the Royal Family, fuelled by the corruption scandal involving the King’s son-inlaw, as well as the Monarch’s controversial elephant hunting trip to Botswana last year.

The ex World Featherweight champion, Scott Harrison, has lost the longest fight of his career.

The 35 year old Scotsman has been given two weeks by a Malaga court to begin a four-year prison sentence for assault, after his final appeal was turned down over his conviction for assault..

Harrison was found guilty of attacking three men in 2007, but after five years his plea to suspend the sentence was rejected.

Should he fail to travel from Scotland to Spain to start his term before the dead-

line, the court will start extradition action, though he’ll be able to pick the jail that he stays in. He’s already had a taste of life

behind bars in his native Scotland, spending four months in prison after an assault and drink driving in 2008.

SPRING ROLL FOR COPS IN BIG CHINESE RAID

Spanish police have busted a network of Moroccan and Chinese nationals, who laundered hundreds of thousands of euros a week in drug money. Six arrests were made at various places including a major Chinese trading estate near Madrid.

The network sold hashish that was smuggled from Morocco to Spain, distributing it to Britain, France and other

countries, and laundered the money via wholesale purchases of clothes and jewellery. The police said they seized 21 million items of clothing worth more than 100 million euros as well as luxury cars and jewels and watches worth four million euros.

After catching drug-traffickers in December with 11 tonnes of hashish, police traced the gang's financial activi-

ties and discovered it was laundering 500,000 euros of drug money a week.

"The group that has been broken up was mainly composed of nationals from Morocco and China specialised in introducing the illicit money into the legal market," said a police spokesman. "To do so, they carried out a multitude of commercial transactions of clothing, deluxe watches, jewels and other goods."

Moroccan members of the network used the money in transactions involving suspects in the industrial estate of Cobo Calleja, considered the biggest Chinese wholesale hub in Europe. The site was the centre of a major raid last year in which scores of suspects including a Chinese businessman, Gao Ping, were charged with money-laundering and other crimes.

Unsocial benefits

The National Police have blown the whistle on a scam in Orihuela and Murcia, where up to 350,000 Euros of benefits may have been illegally claimed.

19 people have been arrested, including a Moroccan national, and charged with Social Security fraud and forgery.

Allegations centre on the selling of fake work contracts, involving an employment agency in Orihuela, which is accused of making false Social Security claims

UNCIVIL BULGAR

A 30 year old Bulgarian man has been arrested in Altea for impersonating a Guardia Civil officer. The authorities had received reports in the last few weeks of somebody stopping people in the street, handing out false dockets after producing forged ID papers. The genuine Guardia stopped him in his car, and discovered over 1,000 Euros of counterfeit notes, as well as fake identification, and receipts that suggested that he may have obtained money from illegally fining people.

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Friday, May 10, 2013

Legless man can’t foot the bill

A 23 year old patient in a Valencian Hospital had his artificial leg taken off him because he couldn’t afford to pay 152 Euros for it. Adrián Garcia’s story has shocked the country, and since hitting the headlines on Monday, over 80 people have offered to pay his medical costs. But the grateful man has decided to use the prosthesis that has been lent to him by a neighbour. “I didn’t know so many nice people existed!” said Adrian. His family cannot afford their monthly 1,200 Euros mortgage, so they have no spare money at all. The Valencian Health Authorities say that they have a rule that everybody must pay for any prosthesis, but that virtually all the money is eventually refunded back..

Pot growers uprooted

Booking the future School kids and their parents in the Vega Baja have a great chance to save on the ever rising cost of vital schoolbooks. It’s all about swapping and it’s the heart of a project called ‘Tus Libros Valen Dinero’ (Your Books are Valuable), which has just started for secondary schools in the region.

The average cost of books for a youngster is around 350 Euros per year, and with every aspect of family budgets getting tighter, the project is trying to make sure that children get the materials they need via an exchange and sale of textbooks in the Vega Baja. ‘Tus Libros Valen Dinero’ found out that most schools in the area use the same books, and so they got in touch with the schools and the parents to see if swapping or low cost sales can take place.

At ‘Tus Libros Valen Dinero’ students can hand in their schoolbooks from last year and order a new bunch for the coming year. On the ‘Tus Libros’ website, the students can already fill in a form for the books they want to sell and order, and the more youngsters that take part, the bigger the savings that’ll be made.

The website is:- www.tuslibrosvalendinero.es

Mum dumps kids

Money trouble has forced a mum to abandon her two children to the Valencian authorities. The woman, originally from Cuba, didn’t come to school to pick up her boys aged five and nine. The police were called after an hour, and when the mother was tracked down, she told them that she had financial problems, and wanted her sons taken into care. She added that her father was in prison and that she has a four month old baby from her latest relationship.

The boys are said to be in good health, and are being looked after in a children’s home run, whilst the Valencian Social Services are trying to find out if any other family member can look after them

Two British men have been nicked by the National Police in Benidorm on suspicion of growing marihuana plants. The Drugs and Organised crime unit of the police, Udyco, were tracking them for some time, and when they raided their house in the Calpe area, they found 700 marijuana plants. Both men, who have not been named, have criminal records, with one of them having already been found guilty of another drugsrelated offence by the National Court. They are in custody, having been denied bail by a judge in Denia.

Cantabria here we come!

You are more likely to be murdered in the Valencia and Murcia regions, compared to most other parts of Spain. Both areas have unwelcome spots in Spain’s top six list of murder regions for 2012, which is led by Extremadura, with Valencia in third place, and Murcia sixth.

The most murderous cities were Barcelona with 48 deaths, closely followed by Madrid with 47, and Malaga trailing with 18.

According to the figures, the safest part of Spain appears to be Cantabria.

HARDLY A VINTAGE Drop the pilot

A prank went badly wrong, as a 58 year old Granada man drank metal cleaner instead of wine. The acidic mixture was poured by a close relative, who happened to be the barman. He was after some revenge for an earlier stunt pulled by the poisoned man at a pensioner’s bar in the Andalucían city. But it was no laughing matter, as he downed the liquid that had been served to him.

It all started as the victim had complained to the barman about a wine re-fill which he had switched to plain water.

Jokingly, he said that he wasn’t happy with the quality of the wine, which prompted the bartender into action. He refilled the glass with the poisonous brew, which had the same appearance as the wine, but with a more caustic effect.

The cleaner caused severe burning of the man’s lips, throat, mouth, and tongue, as well as perforating his gullet.

It’s not known how permanent the effects of the acidic potion will be.

Hanged man helps jailbreak

Two prisoners at a Tarragona jail exploited the confusion caused by the suicide of a fellow inmate on Monday morning to make their escape.

One of the fugitives has already been recaptured by the Mossos d'Esquadra Catalan regional police, while the other remains at large.

A third prisoner had also tried to escape but was apprehended by a Mossos officer.

The inmates put their escape plan into action at 9.30am when a fourth prisoner who was exercising in the prison yard said he was suffering from back pain and was taken to the infirmary, according to the regional government's director general for prison services, Xavier Martorell. It was there the

inmate took his own life by tying his shoelaces around his neck and hanging himself.

The three prisoners, all from the same cellblock, made the most of the ensuing commotion to climb up to a watchtower. Martorell explained that the escapes occurred because a prison warden failed to follow emergency procedures. "One of our wardens saw a foot sticking out [from the tower], but did not activate the security protocol," he said.

Despite the fact that several inmates were all staring up at the scene, the warden paid no heed to the incident and it was not until between five and 15 minutes later that he mentioned it to another guard.

By then the three fugitives had already climbed on to the roof and got over the prison security perimeter, where they encountered a Mossos officer who succeeded in detaining one of them.

Martorell did not want to reveal the names of the escaped prisoners, though, according to the Catalan regional government, one is a Spaniard while the other is a Venezuelan national. Both were serving sentences for robbery.

This is the second jail escape in Catalonia within a week. Last Wednesday a Pakistani inmate escaped from the Modelo prison in Barcelona by swapping clothes with his visiting brother.

Although not many people noticed it, a remote controlled, full-size plane, with no passengers or pilot, spent last week flying across the Mar Menor. The DRONE was being tested by the European Defense Agency and the European Space Agency, as part of the DESIRE programme, which aims to use satel-

lites for commercial and defense purposes.

The tests are reported to have been successful. The airspace was shared with military and commercial planes, thanks to the air traffic controllers at San Javier airport. The DRONE filmed both land and sea from its ideal vantage point.

30 YEAR ITCH

Football fans in Elche could be celebrating tonight (Friday) as their team tries to book a return to the top flight of Spanish football. Elche just has to beat Barcelona B this evening to put themselves in La Lira after a gap of thirty years. But with a lead of eleven points at the top of the Second Division, and with just five matches remaining, Elche’s promotion appears to be a mere formality.

Friday, May 10, 2013

Pointless thieves leave farmers flummoxed The crisis has meant that people are taking desperate measures in a bid to make a living, and it seems that next to nothing is safe from theft. The latest object of raids is farmland, with crop rustlers making off with thousands of euros worth of fruit, vegetables and equipment. This kind of robbery has always existed, but traditionally the pickings were minimum, and the farmers accepted this. However, Jose Alapont from Valencia says that the situation has got so bad that he is failing to make any profit any more. "The day before yesterday I'd just watered a field and they took 300 onions, which are not even worth much, but they stomped other crops down all over the place... The worst part about the theft is that they destroy everything, and the costs become much higher. We're sick and tired of all this."

In 2011 there were 20,481 cases of theft at agricultural and livestock operations, including robberies of tools, machinery, fuel, copper and food, according to the Interior Ministry. That is 5,000 more thefts than reported the previous year. Associations estimate that figures remained stable in 2012, but they have noticed a spike this

year. The Valencian Agricultural Association (AVA) reported damage worth 15 million euros last year, while the forecast for this year is around 20 million. "The problem is they always steal less than 400 euros' worth, which means they get away scotfree, but the damages often reach 15,000 to 20,000 euros, because two or three weeks of harvesting may be lost while the equipment is being repaired," explains Sergio Carbó, spokesman for AVA. The Union of Small Agriculturists criticizes a lack of effective policing in the countryside. "We need more Civil Guard patrols out in the fields, and you can tell there have been spending cuts because they used to show up from time to time," says Montserrat Cortiñas, vice-secretary general of the union. "People are really disconcerted and worried because every single theft creates a huge sense of insecurity. They're literally inside your home."

"Patrolling is not our job. Our job is to work by day and rest by night," says one farmer, who has just spent 5,000 euros on an irrigation system that is twice as expensive, but harder to pull out of the ground than the one he had stolen last October.

ALL SIGNS POINT TO THE HORSES

It’s going to be a lot easy to find the Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre in Rojales, following a recent visit by the Mayor, Antonio Perez Garcia. The centre has provided a vital service for 13 years, but it has been difficult for first time visitors to find it, so they’ve been given the green light for sign posts to be put up around Rojales.

The Mayor said that the centre was an important

part of the area, and that he wanted links between it and the Town Hall to be strengthened.

Local schools will be encouraged to visit the centre, which will also help them to improve their English language skills. The centre in turn has said that it’s had great support from local farmers, buying horse feed from them, and donating manure to them for their crops.

Antonio Garcia was especially interested in meeting the centre’s latest arrival, a young donkey called Sancho, as well meeting many of the other residents, including the gentle giant, Dexter.

For more information on School visits, open days or the Easy Horse charity shops you can visit www.easyhorsecare.net or telephone Sue on 0034 652 021 980

OH YES THEY ARE!

Heigh-Ho! Heigh-Ho! The Rojales Pantomime Group are going off to work next week for their new production which will be Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

They’re after anybody who can do anything, either on-stage or behind the scenes, as they get ready to

stage the pantomime early next year.

The first meeting will be this Wednesday May 15th at the Casa de Cultura in Quesada from 2pm. You can get more details from Christine Smith on 965 077 090 or E-mail Shimserv@googlemail.com

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Friday, May 10, 2013

editor@thecourier.es

COURIER POSTBAG: YOUR VIEWS ON OUR NEWS

Bank at Bankia and share the pain BANKIA bank have informed us that our deposited monies, which form part of our regular income, are going to be converted to shares. This is evidently due to a directive from the EU (bless 'em) and in spite of a contract. It appears that it will only apply to the government-owned Bankia.

We shall be contacting our financial advisor (NBA) to clarify. Hopefully then we can supply more detail.

I don't think this is a scam as another depositor has had the same news. Same bank, different branch.

It would seem that Spain is going down the same road as Cyprus. As news of that 'rearrangement' of bank deposits has gone

quiet there, I don't know if they actually went through with it.

As this is likely to apply to all Bankia customers I am rather surprised we haven't had any reference to it in any of the local papers. I am hoping you could rectify this especially as you did such a good job with the 'solar scam'.

MIKE PRANGNELL, Brisas Y Golf III I WAS amazed to read on Page 27 of last week’s Courier an article on Rebecca Beattie, who was beaten up by her boyfriend. This was in York in England - my home town. I thought you may be interested to know she is now going to have corrective surgery since the case has been overruled,

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as per the link. http://www.yorkpress. co.uk/news/10400549.Attack_victim_to_get _nose__fixed/ TREVOR HAMPSHIRE I WOULD like to thank the Rascals for a wonderful show, "I Remember it Well", at the School of Music and Culture in Los Montesinos. It was full of memorable songs. Also, congratulations on 20 years of entertaining and giving pleasure to many, and for the amazing amount of over 120,000 euros raised over those 20 years.

My thanks for the generous donation of 850 euros - we are very grateful.

MAUREEN PAYNE, President, Age Concern

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HOW VALENCIA CALLS THE TUNE

AT LAST it has been published in an English speaking paper the music law of Valencia.

With the approaching tourist period, perhaps you would dare to print the information so cafe/bar owners know what they can do, and residents know when they can complain.

The law categorises cafes/bars.restaurants and cafeterias as needing a licence for sound. Then they can then have Karaoke, Music,

Bingo etc.

The noise must be kept to a decent level,as a rough guide, that cannot be heard from around 20 metres away and windows and doors must be kept closed.

Speakers must be kept inside, premises can keep open until 1.30am, then must be vacated, all lights switched off, and only the proprietor can remain inside behind the closed doors.

For special events such as charity

fundraisers, celebrations or fiestas, as long as permission is sought and the owner has the relevant paperwork filled in and agreed in plenty of time.

Obviously it depends on the location of the property and the proximity to other bars/cafes, restaurants and residents.

Let’ s hope this information will cut down on the friction caused by not knowing the law.

P CRANE, La Florida

Brit bigot? I think not!

REFERENCE Ricky Martin´s letter "Spain Bashing shames Brits" (Issue 114), he described me as a Brit Bigot. I have used many norm de plumes as a poet and writer but at the age of 81, on five pills a day and having to walk with the aid of a Rollitor, insults do not bother me.

With my latest disability I have discovered that people in my condition are treated with respect by the Spanish, one of whom is always on hand to assist me to climb steps or cross the road.

Incidentally, did you supply the photo of Richard Wilson to represent me? A good choice – he happens to be one of my favourite actors.

He is about my age but I have a full head of hair and a beard.

Your comment on Tony Mayes’ letter being designed to provoke conversation and comment amongst the read-

ers, well it achieved its aim .

All I have done is to extend his list of Spanish traffic faults committed by a minority,. As for returning to driving a taxi around Brighton, I don´t think I would pass the medical now - but my two stepsons often test me with street names and I think I would pass The Knowledge. Incidentally, do you always use Spanish licensed taxis or unlicensed taxis driven by expats which are not covered by passenger liability insurance?

We fully support the actions of the Alicante airport taxi drivers as we had a similar situation in Brighton.

It was decided by the council and trade representatives that illegal private hire taxis and drivers be licensed to the same standard as Hackney carriages but be restricted to pre-booked journeys only. No problem since!

We migrated to Spain in August 2000 as economic exiles, living in what we refer to as the "Pretend Spain" of Playa Flamenca.

We enjoyed our life there but decided to move onto the "Real Spain" of La Ribera in 2003.

We have registered and voted in both Spanish local and Euro elections!

Zapataro was a good progressive prime minister , we were impressed by his first decree to withdraw Spanish forces from Iraq and declaring the war a disaster, a prophecy fulfilled .Look how long the Hutton report was delayed to protect Blair and Co! The San Javier alcaldesa sent her manifesto in English which included that she would like us to become first class citizens. Perhaps with your Spanish roots you could explain how a first class Spanish citizen would

behave.?

On Tony Mayes list he included "parking on a pedestrian crossing -this is my pet hate . My wife has endured four mobility operations since we have lived in Spain receiving first class treatment and care and a check each year. This has meant me pushing her in a wheelchair during her recovery, ‘ always a selfish Spanish driver who has parked on a pedestrian crossing.! Lifting a wheelchair up the high kerbs here is hard work, especially in my condition.

I often discuss Spanish events and politics with the staff of Santander bank We discussed the UK expenses scandal and the reply was "compared to Spanish politics your problem is just a little inch " Think that one over, Ricky Martin.

P HUMBERSTONE, Santiago de la Ribera

EDITOR’S NOTE: Letters and emails will only be considered for publication in The Courier if an address and contact number are provided

r pal ed to he ‘She turn d something te and spou amie CarraJ in fluent onna’s only D her gher’ to Carrag reference

Lay off Carragher - he’s a legend WHERE is that woman (Donna Gee) coming from with her remarks about Jamie Carragher?

Carragher has a a record that 90% of present day players can only look on with envy, and hopefully emulate.

Then she goes on about the passengers sitting next to her, the two women from Liverpool were not up to her obvious high standard - and I don’t suppose the two were, guys Spanish either.

But that’s all you can expect from a former SUN journalist from about the time of the Hillsborough disaster and cover-up.

The SUN treated the people of Liverpool like a

sub-species. never leopard A changes its spots.

TONY CONLAN, Orihuela Costa replies: DONNA You’re a rare breed, misery guts - a Scouser (if you are one) with no sense of humour. Either way, you talk out of where The Sun doesn’t shine.

The whole article was a light-hearted mickey take – I mentioned Jamie Carragher merely for the way he speaks, not his football skills. As for leopards, I had no involvement with The Sun until long after Hillsborough.

PS. I make no apologies for being rude. You asked for it with your offensive and inaccurate insults.

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Facts the priority THANK you for printing my letter - it seems that Keith Smith (Issue 115) knows better than anyone else what happens to them.

For HIS information, I have booked seats with BMI baby and Vueling and NEVER been given priority boarding in with the price, you always had to pay more for this. Is HE so special that he gets this for free?

I was not told in my booking with Ryanair that this was what I had paid for. I was told when I checked in at Alicante that I had priority boarding but what do I know? I'm just a liar according to Mr Smith.

So many people think they know everything, I think that’s why nobody wants to bother with people as they used to do.

C TAYLOR (Mrs), Almoradi

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Friday, May 10, 2013

Bigger than United: Two-faced Fergie’s ego trip I’ve met Sir Alex Ferguson on a couple of occasions (well, been in his company) and I have to say it was a pleasant experience. Even if the Manchester United boss’s red-nosed jollity had been inspired at the time by a glass or six of vintage vino.

So why do I find it so pleasant to see his 27-year reign at Old Trafford finally coming to an end?

It’s not that I’m anti United — how can I be when half my family are dyed-in-thewool Reds? It’s just that I have no time for two-faced people.

And I’m afraid Fergie is a classic example of a split personality.

You can’t argue with the Scottish super-boss’s record as a football club

manager. He has no peers in terms of success over more than two decades.

What I find disgusting is that Mr McMighty has become bigger than Manchester United—and that his employers allowed him to do so.

Fergie’s press conference bans on newspapermen who dare to criticise him or his team have become folklore in Fleet Street. One agency reporter felt the full weight of Fergie’s wrath a while back just for asking a question about Ryan Giggs. But it was nothing new. Over the years, Fergie has slapped ridiculous sanctions dozens of journalists who dared to write or say something he didn’t like.

Sir Alex is vindictive with it, too. Not for

him the "let bygones be bygones" approach. His ludicrous vendetta against the BBC went on for almost a decade— fuelled by a Panorama programme which investigated the business activities of his son Jason, who was then a football agent.

Another example of his petulance was the recall of two players on loan from United immediately after Preston North End sacked another of his sons, Darren.

The fact is that Sir Alex became the victim of his own success. He seems convinced that he is even closer to the Almighty than Jose Mourinho and the late Brian Clough.

And the United board are entirely to blame for the situation. Quite simply ,

they lacked the bottle to tell Ferguson ‘‘Either talk to the BBC along with the other broadcasting companies, or find yourself a new job.’’

OK, we all know what would have happened. United would have been looking for a new boss many years ago. That has been the problem at Old Trafford for a long time. Quite simply , the board were just as scared of Fergie as the frightened media rabbits who bowed and scraped to his every whim.

They humbled themselves in the eyes of the Mighty Dictator, which makes me suspect that few of those who cover United matches on a regular basis always write exactly what they think.

And I find that very discomforting.

A QUESTION OF ASKING IF there is one thing the British expat community excels at, it’s raising money for charity.

Everyone seems to be raking it in for a cause – and some people make a career of it. Albeit an amateur career.

I’m talking about gifted fundraisers like Susan Reader, the brain behind the Fun Walk through El Raso on May 26 in aid of Crohn’s Disease research .

Susan and Sofia’s Bar owner Dee Williams are spearheading the organisation of the Sunday event, which will benefit CICRA, the Crohn’s in Children Research Association.

It’s a cause I began to support at a time Crohn’s almost cost my 13-year-old granddaughter Daisy her life.

My own ongoing sponsored diet has already raised over £750 and with Susan and Dee’s help I’m confident

Susan Reader and my of lifting that sum well into four figures by the end of this month.

What staggers me is that people like Susan find it so easy to (a) think up fund-raising ideas and (b) ask people to part with their cash.

Personally, I find it extremely difficult to ask anyone for money, even when the opportunity begs to be taken.

their campaign reports and photos in The Courier. That surely would have guaranteed me a euro or two’s sponsorship.

Instead, all I have on my sponsorship form is one entry – five euros from my boss Barry. So it hurt when Marie, our community President, told me on Tuesday that her form is almost full of sponsors for the 2.5km walk. It also delighted me, of course…because we are in this together after all.

But why can’t I pluck up granddaughter Daisy, who suffers from Crohn’s the courage to ask people to On Sunday, for instance, I opportunity to pick the sponsor ME? Well, not in the flesh anyway. was cornered at a restaurant pinkies’ pockets in return.

The obvious way to do it is in Dona Pepa by a group of I have no idea if they Pink Ladies (with a few pink recognised me, but the logi- via my ramblings in this colgentlemen in tow). I happily cal thing would have been to umn. So, how about sponparted with a few euros for ask them to support the May soring me to walk as much of the route through El Raso as cancer research and the col- 26 Fun Walk. lectors’ words of appreciation The problem is, I have no my Parkinson’s and anginawere both warm and sincere. idea HOW to ask without battered heart will allow me?

Just one euro will do if it’s Maria’s pink panthers turning bright red in acute know exactly how to claw in embarrassment. On this all you can afford.

For more info, email me at much-needed funds for the occasion, I didn’t even let on AECC…and here was my that I’m the person who puts donna@thecourier.es

TOTAL LOSS, 14 WEEKS

11.1 kilos (1 stone 11 lbs )

January 10th - 93.2 kilos May 8th - 82.1 kilos Target weight - 77.2 kilos I BLAME it on my neighbour Claire - but I actually added 600 grams to my dwindling frame over the last week. But I promise to avenge the strudel attack which threatens to destroy my four-month diet.

“Come round for a cup of tea and a chat,’’ begged Claire. So I went...and was shamefully talked into sampling the most delicious home-made fruit strudel imaginable.

It was so nice that I couldn’t resist a second helping - and quickly discovered just how heavy the consequences can be.

The message is clear: beware chocolatey Claires.

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Friday, May 10, 2013

Friday, May 10, 2013

9

10

Friday, May 10, 2013

TROUBLED WATERS

MY social life took a serious plunge on Monday.

The pub, my spiritual home for many years, had the audacity to bar me.

'But what have I done?' I cried as Dave the barman pointed at me and then indicated the exit.

'I'm not talking to you so I can't tell you,' sniffed mein host. 'Mind you, having just told you that I'm not talking to you indicates that I AM talking to you so I CAN tell you.'

Ol' Red Eyes, slumped across the bar, woke up, lifted one eyebrow and said to Dave: 'Your sense of logic makes no sense whatsoever.'

Dave the barman glared at Ol' Red Eyes. 'But I WASN'T NOT talking to YOU!' he snapped. 'For your information I was NOT talking to Dave Silver.'

'And everyone thinks I'M barmy,' observed Daft Barry to the empty mackintosh

hanging from the coat rack next to him.

'So what have I done to earn your displeasure?'

I repeated to Dave the barman.

'I've changed my mind. I'm not telling you,' he replied.

'And that's all I have to say. This is Dave the Barman.

News at Seven.

Utterly Miffed.'

'I'm off,' said Ol' Red Eyes, falling from his stool and going back to sleep on the floor.

'Excuse me but am I caught up in some surreal nightmare?' said Indoor Lou, the latest member of our pub discussion group. 'I have absolutely no perception of what is going on here.'

'YOU don't understand?' I cried. 'I'm the one who's just

been barred from this establishment and I've no idea why.'

Indoor Lou stood up and shook his head in disbelief.

'I've spent years hiding at home because I thought shadowy figures on high were after me. It was mostly through my friend Dave

Silver (that's me!) that I was returned to the real world.

'But then that same friend (still me!) took me by my trusting arm and dragged me into this madhouse of a public house.'

Indoor Lou paused briefly to shift Ol' Red Eyes out of his way. The latter had been using the former's Hush Puppied feet as a pillow.

Lou went on: 'I have never known such a bunch of basket-case blockheads gathered in one place. You are all stark, staring mad.'

'I think he likes us,' said Daft Barry. 'Apart from that surly Dave Silver, of course.'

Indoor Lou's complimentary remarks put the pubsters in a good humour. Ol' Red

Eyes even got up off the floor to shake Lou by the hand.

Dave the barman turned to me. 'Seeing you were my best customer before I refused to serve you ever again, I shall tell you why I've barred you.'

The whole pub hushed.

Somebody started to hum The Sound of Silence very loudly in an attempt to accentuate the quietness.

Dave the barman cleared his throat. 'You, Mr Snitch Silver, have been spreading stories that I water my beer!'

As one silence ended another one began so instantaneously that one would have thought it was the same silence.

'But you DO water your beer!' I retorted in my defence.

'I KNOW that!' said Dave the barman in HIS defence.

'It's for my customers' benefit though. I dilute my ale so that it will last longer and there

will always be enough for everybody. I am a funnel to my people!'

The pub crowd erupted in cheers at Dave the barman's self-congratulatory little speech.

'I still don't understand,' I said. 'What have I done wrong?'

'You've divulged my activities to the readers of The Courier.'

I scratched my head puzzled. 'But the readers live in Spain. They're not exactly queuing up at Alicante Airport to fly back to the UK in order to report you to the licensing authorities.'

'Maybe I did overreact,' mumbled Dave the barman.

'Okay then,' he nodded to me. 'I shall review my ruling to bar you and give you my decision forthwith, if not sooner.'

'Can he have a drink while he's waiting?' asked Daft Barry.

11

Friday, May 10, 2013

SAY IT IN SPANISH Learn the lingo - with a little help from JEANETTE ERATH Spanish 70 Hello again, I hope you´ve had a good week and are ready for a revision lesson here in The Courier. First here are the answers to last weeks translations: I think you´re wrong – creo que estás equivocado, I think about my family a lot – pienso en mi familia mucho, you think about life – piensas en la vida, I think that I´m going to go – creo que voy a ir, have you thought about the expenses? – ¿has pensado en los gastos?, he thinks that he will write a book – él cree que escribirá un libro, yes, I think so – sí, creo que sí, I think she´s very clever – creo que ella es muy lista, I won´t believe it without seeing the proof – no lo creeré sin ver la prueba.

As with everything in Spanish using the words makes them easier to remember and you will get the sense of what sounds right, so take very opportunity not only to speak Spanish but also to listen.

We are going to revise some past lessons this week, there isn´t much point in moving on too quickly in Spanish, as I have mentioned before this is a marathon not a sprint, therefore it´s important that you remember what you learn each week forever, and not just for that week, there is not much point learning each week if by the next week it´s all forgotten, we have to work hard to remember what we are learning and if we go too fast it is harder to maintain the knowledge, therefore with this column we will be revising more and more to ensure that you are learning and remembering, not just reading. Take your time with the following translations, you have a week to complete them, any you are not sure about check with past lessons either online at www.thecourier.es and click on my name or if you keep the lessons you can check them from the paper. Have fun

La semana que viene me voy a quedar en casa de una amiga with these translations, you know more than you may think but any you don´t know gives you a good idea of where you need to revise. Taken from many past weeks, there will be different tenses and types of verbs, bear this in mind and remember your conjugations. Before you start you may want to revise or you may want to just go for it and check when you´re not sure.

Let´s start with translating into Spanish the following: I like dogs, we have sold the house, you know Mary, we are eating pizza and drinking lemonade, put the book here!, where will you be tomorrow, you had worked hard, maybe they live here, I am studying Spanish, what are you going to do tomorrow?, tomorrow is Saturday, I understand Spanish, I will be able to do it tomorrow, there is a dog in the car, had you washed your hands before eating?, I doubt that he works much, he is reading a newspaper, you wash your hair, what do you want for your birthday?, it is very hot, I know your address, I wake up at seven thirty in the morning, don´t you like the houses?, we will get up at eight o´clock, next week I am going to go to the cinema, will you speak Spanish tomorrow?, we haven´t done anything, make the bed!

Now I am going to write a paragraph in English for you to translate into Spanish, remember tenses and conjugations: Next week I am going to go to my friends house, I will be there for a week and I will live in their house with them.

They have a big house, it has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, I will be very comfortable there. I doubt they know that I will want to be there longer because it will be very nice. They will cook for me and I won´t have to do very much. I have seen the house many times but I have not slept there. I am very happy that I am going and I hope they let me visit them many more times in the future.

We will finish with some more translating, just sentences with maybe a change of tense, maybe not, remember there are no tricks, just translating: There is always a reason to be happy, If you help me you are a good friend, I have studied Spanish for three years and now I can speak it very well, Usually we do not like to work on weekends but I will work Saturday, some of the students do not want to study but none of the professors agree, we read the magazines when I buy them, when our team doesn´t win we are sad, The children went to bed at seven o´clock but hadn´t fallen asleep at nine (to fall asleep - quedarse dormido), Karen is preparing dinner and Martin is watching tele.

There are a few tricky ones this week which should get you thinking, enjoy finding out any words you don´t know and try to remember them, I have given very few hints this week, as if you´ve been with me since the beginning you have been learning Spanish with me for seventy weeks, and I hope your practical knowledge is as good as your written.

Cuídate y tengas una buena semana... ¡Hasta la próxima!

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Friday, May 10, 2013

REST IN PEACE FERGUS, MY DEAR FRIEND

Fergus, our new rescue dog that we were nursing back to health, died last Thursday, after something had gone seriously wrong neurologically.

I spent the whole night with Fergus, the night before he died and Jean, my wife, the night before that. I have never witnessed a dog in so much distress in my life and it was a very sad ending to what must have been a life full of neglect and suffering.

When I took Fergus to see our vet on Friday morning, we both agreed that the kindest thing to do for him would be to let him now rest in peace. I held him while he passed and my tears flowed as he sighed his last breath. At least he knew what it was like to be so loved, right at the end of his life.

Afterwards, the first thing I heard on a Spanish radio station was the hymn, Amazing Grace. The words to this song are so fitting to Fergus, as he was once blind and had no hope. Some of the lyrics I have listed below and I really feel this was a sign from Fergus, telling me he was now at peace and could once again see, with his newly restored health: Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see.

Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; 'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess, within the veil, A life of joy and peace.

There is also a poem called Rainbow Bridge, which is comforting to read after the loss of a dear pet. For anyone who has lost a pet, I'm sure you will find the poem as helpful as I did.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs

Rest in peace Fergus carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Rest in peace dear Fergus, until we meet again at Rainbow Bridge.

PETS’ CORNER: CAN YOU TAKE IN A HOMELESS DOG OR CAT? Boycee is now around 12 weeks old and was found in a bin, he is a lovely, happy pup and will be medium /large when fully grown. Call: 645 469 253

Boycee Charly: Super friendly Jack Russell type, born in 2005.

He’s full of character; loves playing with kids and is great with cats and other dogs. For more info please call 650 304 746.

Charly Rita was born in August 2012 she’s a medium sized retriever X. She’s a loving and affectionate girl who loves to be close to you.

She is very well behaved For more info please call 650 304 746.

Rita

Mozart is now around 9 weeks old was found with his mother and brothers at just 1 week old, his mum weighs 6 kilos and Mozart will be around the same size. Call: 645 469 253

FLORENCE & FITZ were featured back in March as part of a litter of six puppies.

They are now almost 4 months old, a sweet and happy little duo who are fully vaccinated and micro chipped.966 710 047

Sancho is a beautiful male pointer about 18 months old He is very friendly and loves people and other dogs. Like all pointers he is very lively and would benefit from a reasonable amount of exercise. Please contact K9 or PHONE 600 84 54 20 for more info www.k9club.es

Zippy (black hair) and Bungle are 5 month old boys who were dumped out of a car by the side of the road.

They are very healthy, very funny and love a cuddle.

First vaccinations and heath check have been done.

610188349

Mozart

Florence

Sancho

Zippy and Bungle

Fitz

Born in January 2011, Tyson is a lovely natured dog.

Although he is a large dog, he is very friendly and gets on well with people and other dogs. He is quite strong, and would need a loving owner who is able to cope with a large dog.

Please contact Yvonne on 630 422 563.

Tyson

Friday, May 10, 2013

13

LÍNEA DIRECTA REPORTS ON NEW LEGISLATION FOR PAYING FINES On March 4th this year, new legislation governing the payment of fines for traffic offences was introduced in Spain. According to the new law, drafted and passed by the Spanish DirectorateGeneral of Traffic (Dirección General de Tráfico) and the Ministry of the Interior, the payment of traffic fines in cash will no longer be accepted, and only payment by debit or credit card will be allowed. The authorities have cited security and economic efficiency as the reasons behind their decision due to the fact that once this new measure has been introduced, the risks and expenses involved with transporting money, will no longer exist.

According to the DGT, the measure will only apply to the payment of fines. All the other administrative operations carried out at Provincial Traffic Headquarters, such as processing or renewing a driving licence, can still be paid for in cash.

In order to make the payment, drivers must access the DGT webpage, www.dgt.es, or call the number 060. Although Provincial Headquarters will no longer accept payments in cash, drivers can still pay their fines in cash at any post office or Banco Santander branch. In this case, drivers will still be required to provide and attach the fine reference number.

For further information: 902 123 104

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Friday, May 10, 2013

WHAT IS A FRIEND?

It is very important in life to have people around you that can support and help you and who never make you feel obliged to return the favour. You provide that support because it is the natural thing to do. This life is difficult at times and to have good people around you makes the roller coaster journey that much easier to bear. I write a lot about friendship because especially in a foreign country, when you may not have family around you, friends become lifelines.

I have been lucky in my life to have had some good ones; at different ages I have had one or two people there for me.

Of course times change as do the friendships, I have got some friends from my youth that I have kept in touch with, albeit with occasional years of non-contact in-between and I have also made new friends here in Spain. I am not the type of person to have lots of acquaintances. I am not naturally gregarious, although as I get older I find it easier to talk to new people and make friends, but I still maintain a limited circle of people around me.

I like to go for a coffee and chat, putting the world to rights with one or two friends. If there more there at the table, I feel we cannot all be part of the same conversation and there tends to be two or three topics flying around. That said, I have been for meals in a group where at times we are all chatting and at other times people talk amongst themselves and I feel comfortable, but I still prefer small numbers of people to large groups. I guess it´s because deep down I´m a shy person and so can get lost in large groups, but with age comes a sense of confidence that I can participate in a ´grown up´ conversation.

I am lucky in that most people I help, are only too happy to return the favour if I need it. I never give help in order to make

someone feel they have to do something for me. What I can do for my friends, I do willingly and happily, knowing I am making their lives a little better or less stressful. That being said, it is nice to know that I can also rely on certain friends when the need arises.

As a single parent, my life is that little bit more difficult than if I had a partner, and so I tend to rely on my friends a little more. Some friends, like Rachael and Ali for example, give without consideration to anything. They ask no questions nor want anything in return. If I phoned either in the middle of the night with a problem, one or both would be there. We help each other in any way we can, that is a true friendship and one that is never taken for granted.

However, chatting to another friend he pointed out the other side to friendship: - that is the one sided friend. That’s somebody who is always happy to take help but very slow to return it. I, for one, have known a few people like this, though

luckily not too many! However, one is enough. I once spent a whole summer helping someone with translating as travelled all over the region from Orihuela to Alicante and in-between.

She always said she would help with my son whenever I needed, but at the times I needed her help, she would always be busy. On the one occasion she had him when I was working a fiesta evening in a bar, she ended up in an argument with her male friend and left my son with other friends!

That experience taught me a lot about her, though it did little to stop me from helping others. Maybe I’ll be a bit choosier in future as to how much help I give someone, as I have less free time now anyway. I will always be available should I get a knock on my door from a neighbour or a phone call from a friend. Before I started writing this article, I was just helping a neighbour with a Spanish website which she didn´t understand.

Then there will always be those people you consider to be friends, who will never invite you to their days out or mini breaks even though they invite people you know. I like to think in my case it´s because I am a single parent and they assume that I will not be able to find anyone to care for my son, rather than the fact that they do not want me there, I don´t expect to be invited every time someone goes for coffee or lunch but I do feel that being overlooked time after time says a lot about a so-called friendship. It´s nice to know who I can rely on and who uses the word ´friend´ more loosely. As long as I’m aware, then it is up to me to maintain a friendship or decide that it has run its course. A person comes into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. Time always tells who is there for which. Have a great week, never take friendship for granted and enjoy the great weather in great company: the greatest gift you can give is your time. So, give it wisely but freely.

Friday, May 10, 2013

15

SEND IN THE CLOWNS?

Coulrophobia is the fear of clowns and it’s spreading faster amongst the Westminster elite than a dose of the old Delhi belly after a strong Vindaloo on the back of a drunken Saturday night.

Tory veteran, Ken Clarke, who has nothing to do in the Cabinet, now that he has the title of Minister without Portfolio, dropped a big one (hopefully not after a curry) by calling UKIP a collection of clowns just before last week’s English local elections. There’s nothing better for a small disorganised minority party than to get a big beast trashing them with UKIP’s clown prince, Nigel Farage, laughing his head off at every minute of it. The old establishment parties were running scared, as the voters blew them a big raspberry in the polling booths.

In terms of the popular vote, UKIP astonishingly pushed the Tories into third place, with Labour unable to even get thirty per cent of the votes with an unpopular

government in power, whilst the Liberal Democrats trailed a bad fourth. In most European countries under proportional representation, UKIP would have returned hundreds of new councillors, but the ridiculous electoral system, that the establishment doesn’t want to change (for their own very good reasons!), didn’t give them the return that they actually deserved.

It’s just not good enough to trash UKIP with cheap jibes. The old guard at Westminster just doesn't seem able to get it. The voters don’t like the Coalition, and have little confidence in Labour, who they still blame for creating a lot of the mess in the first place. So, yes there’s a big protest element here, but protest votes can produce something more substantial as we’ve seen in elections elsewhere. For the big boys to attack UKIP, they need to expose some of their policies that just don’t add up, rather than clowning around with childish insults.

How would UKIP fund their plans to scrap National Insurance as well as big Income Tax reductions, and large rises in state pensions? It’s fantasy stuff from a group of people who can say anything knowing that they will not have the responsibility of taking tough decisions in the future. UKIP also has a problem in that besides Nigel Farage, they don’t really have anybody else in their leadership that can appear on national media outlets with any degree of confidence. I remember interviewing some local UKIP candidates a few years ago, and there was more stimulation in looking at the wallpaper, whilst they were trying to string a few words together into a cogent sentence. I really would like to see UKIP actually run a council to see what happens as they get a reality check of what it’s like to administer a local authority.

Political movements and parties have to

make a start somewhere and UKIP’s rise is certainly welcome in giving the old guard a real kick up the pants, who will hopefully realise that they have got themselves disconnected from the ordinary people of Britain. If they ignore this warning, then Mr. Farage might just have the last laugh at the 2015 General Election if he has a small clutch of Westminster seats that make him more of kingmaker than a clown.

Ken Clarke’s foolish words might just come back to haunt him!

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Friday, May 10, 2013

MORE TO DISCOVER IN VILLAMARTIN

NESTLED between beautiful beaches and prestigious golf courses, Villamartin is one of the Costa Blanca’s hidden treasures, and with so many exciting attractions on offer, well worth finding!

The Urbanisation of Villamartin was established in 1972, following the global recognition of the Golf Course, which forms the nucleus of the area. As its popularity grew, so too did demand for property in the vicinity, with many foreign investors showing a keen interest. Developers took

advantage of the opportunity to purchase land and develop the much sort after area, and with this sudden explosion of building work also came the need for services and shops, and Villamartin Plaza was borne.

GOLF With its fantastic climate and pleasant surroundings, Villamartin has continued to expand ever since, being a preferred choice for investors and holiday makers alike. In close proximity to the beautiful beaches of

Playa Flamenca, Cabo Roig and La Zenia, and with additional golf courses lying in nearby Las Ramblas and Campoamor it has all of the attractions of a resort, and yet the volume of residents also gives it a friendly community feel. The Golf Course offers a range of diverse challenges, including a number of hills, pine and olive trees to manoeuvre; and none of the holes are equal. It was placed under the international spotlight when it hosted a European tour event, The Mediterranean Open in 1994. The result was very tight and concluded with a play off between Paul McGinley and Jose Maria Olazabal, with the latter eventually claiming success.

ENTERTAINMENT Thriving commercial centre, Villamartin Plaza, is situated beside the first tee and golf course club house, and forms the hub

of the community. A variety of apartments overlook the square, whilst below, there are two levels to explore, lined with a plethora of shops, services, bars and restaurants, and set within typically Spanish architecture. The central fountain is surrounded by sunny terraces, making the Plaza the perfect spot to

take advantage of the mild Mediterranean climate, as you gaze at the parrots perched in the beautiful palms overhead. It is also an impressive sight when all lit up by night, with the ornate Spanish lamps and glow from the businesses adding to the warm atmosphere.

A wide range of gastron-

omy can be enjoyed throughout the day and night, from light snacks to fine dining, and including traditional Spanish, German, Argentinean, Indian, American, Italian and British cuisine.

The Plaza also offers some booming nightlife, with many of the bars and discotheques opening late; and offering cheap drinks and live music or DJ’s. This makes it a great spot for younger thrill seekers who arrive in their droves throughout the summer. Plus, round the clock on site security makes Villamartin Plaza one of the safest places to enjoy a night out, in the knowledge that you will be well looked after.

Located just across from Villamartin Plaza you can find even more attractive bars and shops, meaning that you will never be short of things to do here! In fact, the only thing that you may find yourself short of, is time to enjoy it all!

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Friday, May 10, 2013

Smooth Smoothies MANGO & PASSION FRUIT SMOOTHIE Ingredients 400g/14oz peeled and chopped ripe mango 2 x 125g pots fat-free mango yogurt 250ml skimmed milk juice 1 lime 4 passion fruits , halved

Method

1. Whizz the mango, yogurt and milk together in a blender until smooth. Stir in the lime juice, then pour into 4 glasses. Scoop the pulp of a passion fruit into each one, and swirl before serving.

CHERRY SOYA YOGURT Ingredients 100ml (¼ tall glass) cherry juice 200ml (½ tall glass) unsweetened soya milk 1 cherry soya yogurt 3 tbsp or 50g firm silken tofu 75g (1 empty yogurt pot) frozen cherries 2 tbsp porridge oats

Method

1. Measure all the ingredients exactly or use a tall glass and your empty yogurt pot for speed - they don't have to be exact. Put them into a blender and blitz until smooth. Pour into 1 tall glass (you'll have enough for a top up) or two short tumblers.

CREAMY MANGO & COCONUT SMOOTHIE Ingredients 200ml (½ tall glass) coconut milk 4 tbsp coconut milk yogurt 1 banana 1 tbsp ground flaxseed, sunflower and pumpkin seeds (we used Linwoods) 120g (¼ bag) frozen mango chunks 1 passion fruit , to finish (optional)

Method

1. Measure all the ingredients or use a tall glass for speed they don't have to be exact.

Put them into a blender and blitz until smooth. Pour into 1 tall glass (you'll have enough for a top up) or two short tumblers.

Cut the passion fruit in half, if using, and scrape the seeds on top.

PEACH MELBA SMOOTHIE Ingredients 410g can peach halves 100g frozen raspberries , plus a few for garnish 100ml orange juice 150ml fresh custard , plus a spoonful for garnish

Method

1. Drain and rinse peaches and place in a blender with raspberries. Add orange juice and fresh custard and whizz together.

2. Pour over ice, garnish with another spoonful of custard and a few raspberries. Best served chilled.

SUPER BERRY SMOOTHIE Ingredients 450g bag frozen berries 450g pot fat-free strawberry yogurt 100ml milk 25g porridge oats 2 tsp honey (optional)

Method

1. Whizz the berries, yogurt and milk together with a stick blender until smooth. Stir through the porridge oats, then

pour into 4 glasses and serve with a drizzle of honey, if you like.

CRANBERRY & RASPBERRY SMOOTHIE Ingredients 200ml cranberry juice 175g frozen raspberries , defrosted 100ml milk 200ml natural yogurt 1 tbsp caster sugar , or to taste mint sprigs, to serve

Method

1. Place all the ingredients into a blender and pulse until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve topped with fresh mint.

FOREST FRUIT & BANANA SMOOTHIE Ingredients frozen fruits of the forest banana , sliced low-fat fruits of the forest yogurt

Method

1. Whizz frozen fruits of the forest and sliced banana in a food processor with low-fat fruits of the forest yogurt.

SMOOTHIE CUBES Ingredients blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, passion fruit , mango, any other fruits you like

Method

1. Purée a fruit (try blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, passion fruit and mango, in a food processor, leave pips in or sieve.

2. Freeze in ice trays ready to whizz up (3 per serving) with a banana, 150ml pot plain yogurt, and milk and honey to taste.

SMOOTHIE JELLIES WITH ICE CREAM Ingredients 6 sheets leaf gelatine 1l bottle orange, mango and passion fruit smoothie TO SERVE 500ml tub good-quality vanilla ice cream (you might not need it all)

Method 1. Put the leaf gelatine into a bowl and cover with cold water.

Leave for a few mins until soft and floppy. Meanwhile, gently heat the smoothie in a saucepan without boiling. Take off the heat. Lift the gelatine out of the water, squeeze out the excess water, then add it to the smoothie pan. Stir well until smooth, then pour into 12 moulds, pots or glasses, or use 24 shot-glass-sized pots. Chill for at least 1 hr to set.

2. For perfect mini scoops of ice cream, dip a tbsp measuring spoon into a cup of hot water, then shake off the excess.

Scoop the ice cream, dipping the spoon in the hot water each time. Serve each smoothie jelly topped with ice cream.

FOREST FRUIT & BANANA SMOOTHIE Ingredients frozen fruits of the forest banana , sliced low-fat fruits of the forest yogurt

Method

1. Whizz frozen fruits of the forest and sliced banana in a food processor with low-fat fruits of the forest yogurt.

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Friday, May 10, 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: Ellen wanted to know how to print off emails in ADVICE: Vic wanted to know how to turn off the pop-up Sky email. blocker in Internet Explorer 10

Q

Hi Richard, can you please tell me how to alter the size of the print when printing off my emails as I need to do from time to time it appears to have happened since sky changed the email and it is now so small they are difficult to read even with my glasses on thank you hope to see you at diving soon. Ellen Hi Ellen, I suspect that you are not printing off your emails correctly, hence the problem you are experiencing with print size.

Sky use Yahoo’s email system and many people click File, Print to print off their emails, this results in a number of problems with the printing, including the printing out of adverts and banners at the edges of the email page. In order to correctly print your email, first open up the message you wish to print, then click ‘actions’ then ‘print message’ this will result in a new page opening that has only your email in it, none of the menu’s, adverts or other things that get in the way, then just click ‘print’ to get your email.

Hopefully that will sort out your problem.

A

ADVICE: Miriam wanted to know more about printing from her iPad

Q A

Hi Richard, thank you for your informative column. I'm hoping you can help me. I have a wireless Epson SX235 printer and I've been trying to connect my Apple IPad to it through Epson iPrint without success. It does find the printer but cannot seem to print from it!!!! Any ideas.

Hi Miriam, I wrote an article for the Jungle Drums last month on this very subject, you can get hold of a copy of the article at… http://www.bluemoonsolutions.es/wireless-printers/ …if you find it interesting and want to receive future articles you can sign up to our newsletter by going to the following address and entering your details… http://eepurl.com/Mqph Hope that helps answer your questions.

Hi Richard can you help please I upgraded to Internet explorer 10 from 9 on my window 7 laptop my home page MSN when I click on outlook.com the pop up blocker stops it from opening and I have use the address bar what can I do please.

Regards Vic

Q A

Hi Vic, you can turn the popup blocker off in Internet Explorer 10 by clicking on the cog icon in the top right hand corner of the browser, then select Internet Options, then Privacy and you should see an option on that page to turn it on or off (i.e. add or remove the tick from the box next to Turn on Pop-up Blocker).

Hope that helps.

Richard, This may help fellow Courier readers.

From the day Hotmail became Outlook (What a pain!), I have been unable to get my Epson printer, to print more than the first page from a an e-mail, that is known to have 2/3 or more pages, unless "Blue wipe, click word, paste, and click print" is carried out.

I now have found by ticking on the 3 dots, far right of the delete/reply etc., on the top tool bar, I get the option to print all the pages!!!!

Eureka.

Keep up the good work sir.

Robert

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.

ADVICE: Morag wanted to know how to stop Amazon sending her emails.

Dear Richard, is there any way I can stop unwanted e-mails being sent from "Amazon books".

As I don't have daily access to a pc these e-mails mount up quite considerably and I have no intention of ever reading these e-mails. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Yours sincerely, Morag

Q A

Hi Morag, yes there is, the next time you get access to the Internet, go to the Amazon website and log into your account. Once logged in scroll down to the ‘settings’ section, you will see a sub section called ‘e-mail from Amazon’, it’s from within this section that you can control which emails, if any, you want to receive from Amazon.

office@bluemoonsolutions.es www.bluemoonsolutions.es Mobile: 655 044 970

Office: 902 906 200

Friday, May 10, 2013

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Friday, May 10, 2013

Face it like a Pro Have you ever wanted to have a certain makeup look but have never been able to achieve it by yourself?

Sitting down with a professional make up artist and having them show you how to use your current makeup properly is a great investment in yourself and makes a great gift to a family member or friend. When having a make up lesson bringing all of your make up and make up tools with you allows the make up artist to evaluate your products and lets you know what works and what doesn't for you. She can then introduce you to new products that you will love or think will work with your colouring, complexion

and face shape. Having a make up lesson can teach you new looks including a smokey eye, a basic daytime look and a night time look, it can also teach you about the different makeup brushes needed to create these certain looks.

Here at Medathestics we have a professional Make up Artist who has being working in the beauty and make up industry for 10 years, doing make up for portfolios, weddings, fashion shows and special events.

If you´re wanting to update your look or even learn a few tricks about make up.... Book now for a make up lesson and receive 10 euros off!

What Exactly Are Calories?

You hear about them all the time, we eat them, cut them and burn them, but what exactly is a calorie and what do you do with it?

In simple terms, a calorie is a unit that measures energy, originally from the Latin word calor, which, directly translated, means heat.

Therefore a calorie is the

amount of heat that is required to raise the temperature of one litre of water, one degree Centigrade and create energy.

You body needs energy to function, just like your car needs fuel to get moving on the road. The food we eat can be thought of as our body's "fuel". The foods we

eat contain calories, which are broken down into energy by the metabolic system.

Unfortunately that's where our similarities with our cars end. If you overfill a car, the fuel will simply flow over.

With human bodies however, an over-consumption of calories and consuming more than we need and more than

we use, gets stored as fat within the body.

Calories and the energy they provide are required for daily functioning. Our brain, organs and nervous system all need energy to operate.

So, without food, calories or energy we would simply not be able to perform. It is also important to note that exercise burns calories and the more active you are the more calories your body will require.

Some interesting facts on calories. . .

• Did you know that one piece of cherry flavoured cheesecake can burn a sixtywatt light bulb for one and a half hours? That's how powerful its heat generating ability is.

• There are 9 calories per gram of fat.

• There are 7 calories per gram of alcohol.

• here are 4 calories per gram of carbohydrate (potatoes, rice and starches as well as fruit and vegetables).

• There are 4 calories per gram of protein (animal products such as meat and dairy as well as soya products).

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Friday, May 10, 2013

TOXIN TERROR OF THE QUICK DRAG Q

I am a 62 year old retired man, and in fairly good health even though I spoke half a pack of cigarettes a day. Other than quitting, which I don’t see myself doing in the near future, what can I do to improve my health?

A

The most important thing for you to do right now is to detoxify your body. By that I mean helping your body get rid of toxins that would have accumulated from smoking cigarettes. It has been estimated that the smoke from cigarettes contains over 4000 different chemicals, many of which are extremely toxic and have been linked to cancer.

These toxic chemicals are the reason why cigarettes are harmful to our health. Many people are aware of Carbon monoxide as a toxic by-product of cigarette smoking.

Carbon monoxide displaces oxygen in haemoglobin – the red pigment that transports oxygen. A lack of oxygen equates to a lack of energy in cells. Without energy, cells cannot get rid of toxic waste mostly from cigarettes, thus creating a vicious cycle. Cigarette smoking is recognised as the biggest source of cadmium contamination in the body.

Cadmium is a highly toxic heavy metal. In my experience with performing diagnostic scans, I have observed that nearly all smokers and even ex-smokers are heavily contaminated with cadmium. A number of international agencies have recognised cadmium as a cancer causing chemical. Cadmium has clearly been documented to decrease attention span and memory in people. In men, it reduces sperm count and libido, and has also been linked to disorders of the prostate gland. Arsenic, Cyanide and lead are known poisons, and are found in cigarette smoke. In addition, cigarette smoke is known to contain other deadly substances such as Polonium- a cancer causing radioactive

metal, Formaldehyde – used to preserve dead bodies, Methoprene – an insecticide, Bezene – used in making dyes and rubbers, among many other toxic substances. You can see that the most useful advice for any smoker is to undergo a complete detoxification process to rid the body of these toxins. First, it is important to make the distinction between a ‘Metabolic Detoxification’ and a ‘Colonic Irrigation’. Metabolic detoxification eliminates toxins from inside the cells, while a colonic irrigation is more of an external process, to clean out the intestines. The difference between them can be likened to the difference between having your car cleaned out in a car wash, and having it cleaned out in a garage. Properly done detox usually takes several weeks. In my experience, the most effective products for eliminating toxins from the body are ‘Metabolic Cleanse’ and ‘Pecta Sol’. I usually use both products together for a more complete cleanse. Metabolic cleanse is a special formulation by Douglas laboratories. It contains special nutrients required by the liver and intestines to remove toxic substances from the body. These special nutrients include: N-acetyl Cysteine, Inositol, and many amino acids required for the body’s detoxification processes. Pecta Sol is one of the most effective agents for removing from the body heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium, lead and arsenic. Research has shown that Pecta Sol increases the urinary excretion of heavy metals a hundred fold. Smoking is also known to destroy Vitamin C from the body, and so smokers are better off taking lots of vitamin C. Vitamin C is extremely useful to the body as a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C is quickly used by the body and the best form for smokers to take is ‘Slow release vitamin C’. In summary to improve your health as a smoker you should

consider having a complete detox to eliminate toxins from your body, and also supplementing with slow release Vitamin C supplements.

Q A

What is Black Cohosh?

Black cohosh also known as black snake root is a plant native to North America. The dried roots of Black cohosh contain substances that a similar in their chemical nature to the main female hormone, estrogen. It is mainly used to relieve menopausal hot flushes and night sweats, relax menstrual cramps and treat painful or irregular periods. It has been especially helpful for managing depression, anxiety, tension and mood swings. Black cohosh has a normalizing effect on female sex hormones, and is known to improve sex drive caused by hormonal imbalances. Such imbalances especially occur after child birth, with irregular menstruations and around the time of menopause. Black cohosh is one of the most used and studied natural alternatives to hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Several clinical studies have demonstrated its benefits. A German trial showed that black cohosh and St John’s Wort was effective in treating 78% of women with flushes and other menopausal problems. Most women experienced improvement in symptoms within 2 to 4 weeks. In another study, black cohosh out-performed diazepam and oestrogen based HRT in relieving depression and anxiety. Very few side effects – nausea and headache are associated with Black cohosh. It should not be taken during pregnancy or while breast feeding.

FOR A FULL BODY DIAGNOSTIC SCAN AND MEDICAL CONSULTATION CALL 965 071 745

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Friday, May 10, 2013

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Friday, May 10, 2013

MY PET ANSWER TO ALL CRUEL ANIMAL OWNERS

Is Britain a nation of animal lovers? The majority certainly are, but a growing number are not and a hard core think nothing of ill-treating them and some even torture them. This is yet another example of the big divide between sections of the community in today's Britain - and it's sickening.

If there's one thing I detest, it is people ill-treating children and animals. There is no need for it, no excuse for it and no place for it in a civilised society. The RSPCA say that convictions for animal cruelty rose from 3,114 in 2011 to 4,168 last year and that they are struggling to keep up with a growing animal cruelty crisis. Inspectors investigated a staggering 150,833 suspected cruelty cases. These ranged from puppies buried alive to animals being slashed with knives. They even found a horse being kept in a garage. So what is going on? I believe the main cause is a generation that has been bred in the UK with very low moral values.

People prepared to go to any lengths to get what they want, caring nothing for anyone else, neither people nor animals.

If, on a whim, they think they want a pet, they get one, and then quickly realise that it doesn't fit in with their lifestyle, or is a nuisance, or an unnecessary expense, and they then turn their frustration on the animal. We all know that some people have children just because it's a "must have" accessory, keeping up with peers and it's the same with animals.

Owning a pet is hard work. Dogs need taking for walks, you have to clean up after their mess, they are extremely expensive, with vet bills and food, and at holiday times kennelling can be a massive extra burden on the budget. Cats are easier, but are still a tie if the family want to go away for a few days. If you are house proud, cleaning up after animals is a daily additional job, quickly becoming an annoying chore.

We have a dog and a cat and our friends often say to us they like to see them but would never have any themselves.

"We love animals, but other peoples', we don't want any ourselves," is what we're often told.

The recession has put a squeeze on people's pay packets and lifestyles, and the family pet has become one expense too many. And breeders out to make as much money as possible are breeding more - a perfect storm of unwanted pets.

In Britain the RSPCA and other charities do their best to cope. Here in Spain, it's a different story. We visited a sanctuary where many dozens of abandoned pets are being cared for, but we see far too many dead pets in roads – animals, once pets, thrown out for one reason or another. The

for injury or repairing damage.

But the disturbing aspect is that these resolutions are increasingly being used in cases of serious violent crimes, like causing grievous bodily harm and assault causing actual bodily harm. And resolutions don't involve the perpetrator having a criminal record. I wonder if this is a way of trying to convince a gullible public that crime and violent crime is going down when in fact it's going up alarmingly? And how does this "resolution' become fair justice when you think of the sentences that were imposed on people who committed very minor offences during last year's riots?

Finally, both the Tories and Labour are growing increasingly worried that their cosy, near as damn it, two party system is being rocked to the core by a growing love by the public of UKIP as the salvation from the madness of Europe and immigration. What is their answer? Milliband and Cameron have been considering how to deny UKIP a place in any pre general election TV confrontation. They fear that if the public hear what UKIP can offer and what has been denied to them by the two main parties, there will be a stampede of protest voters, even more than at last week's county council elections. I watched the UKIP leader in a round-table discussion on BBC News after the election result and he ran rings around the other party representatives, so it's no surprise they are worried.

Projections on a likely general election result if the county elections were repeated show that no party would reach even 30% of the vote. It would give Labour a majority in the House of Commons and because UKIP votes would be spread rather than concentrated, it would gain very few seats.

What last week's election result did show, most dramatically, was the massive discontent the public has with all the main parties. People are sick to the back teeth with a lack of action on immigration, of seeing massive amounts of money going to Europe (up to 10billion), overseas aid going to countries which should be supporting themselves, the apparent inability to rid Britain of dangerous Islamists, lack of real action on reducing the deficit, and an apparent inability to create more jobs.

If Britain goes into the next election with these matters still unresolved, then the main parties will be in for real damage and it wouldn't take much more of a swing to really tip the balance in favour of UKIP big time.

q

RSPCA is highly critical of judges for not taking the problem seriously and handing out sentences which are far too lenient. Regular readers of my column will know I think far too many UK judges are a soft touch. One woman had kept dogs cooped up in her home for years and they had become balls of knotted fur more than a foot long. They could hardly walk for the weight of the knotted fur and filth. Obviously the woman was a screw loose, but what did she get? A suspended prison sentence and a lifetime ban on keeping animals. If there's one thing I think should be ended, are suspended prison sentences. Send them to prison - and make it as detestable as possible.

q

This takes me conveniently on to news that the prison regime is going to get a bit tougher. Nowhere near tough enough, but a small step in the right direction.

Prisoners in future will have to earn their privileges, not have them as a right just so long as they behave. So they will have to do work or go to classes before they can enjoy recreational pursuits. It would be far better if they were made to work, with a rule of no work: - no food! There are far too many people that think nothing of committing offences because they are not frightened of the consequences.

And when we have a soft police force, as well as soft judges, there really is no hope. Recent press reports have suggested that Britain is becoming a safer place in which to live. Yes, it may be compared to some of the ‘hell on earth’ countries around the world.

But now we hear that police are increasingly using "community resolutions" to deal with crimes. These may involve making an apology to the victim and/or paying compensation

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Friday, May 10, 2013

ELVIS IS IN THE ROOM AS YOUNG ONE CLIFF SWOONS Where you an Elvis Presley fan back in the fifties and sixties or did you have a crush on Cliff Richard?

The rivalry and banter between Elvis Presley and Cliff Richard fans was commonplace in a golden era for pop music, and battle is set to re-start again shortly on the Costa Blanca!

After two years of sell out shows in this area, the Cliff & Elvis spectacular is back and even more fun than before!! Eight venues in early June will feature two tribute artists that have made it their business to take you back in time with memories of the original stars. Cliff-asif looks like, sounds like and banters like Sir Cliff himself and having met the "real English answer to Elvis" was told by him:-"It's nice to meet me"!

The co-star of this tour is Peter Day with his lifelike Elvis vocals as well as those all-important looks.

The tour will also feature the 50s side of Jukebox Legends with Fiona McLean singing the songs of Connie Francis, Brenda Lee and others from that era! These

HARMONY BOLSTERS CANCER COFFERS

Music often brings people together and that was certainly the case recently in Los Montesinos as over one thousand Euros was raised for the AFE Cancer Charity in Torrevieja.

Local choirs:- The Harmonisers, The Velvetones, The Fourmidables, and Hullabaloo all took part in the concert held in the Los Montesinos Music School.

The Harmonisers and The Velvetones would love to hear from you if you’d like to join them to have a lot of fun as well as raising money for local charities.

You can check out their websites:www.theharmonisers.com or www.velvetones.org for more information.

CLICK SURE

What do you know about taking photos? If you want to get past the first stage of just pressing and hoping with your camera, there’s a special two day course coming up in Los Montesinos.

David Stokes and Paul Ashton will be inviting you to ‘Get to know your Camera’ on May 28th and 29th at the La Herradura Restaurant. The cost will be eighty Euros and is aimed very much at beginners who will be taught the basics.

For more details, call David on 649 613 517 or look at www.photogenics-cb.net

three stars have featured in this tour many times and have built up quite a following across the area!

Dates & venues are: Sunday 2nd June - The

Rendezvous, Campoamor 608467597 This show is a special Birthday celebration for Cliff-asif!

Monday 3rd June - Emerald

LADIES 3

Isle, La Florida 647681294 Tuesday 4th June - La Marina Sport Complex 966796389 Wednesday 5th June - Los Rosales, Lemon Tree Rd, Guardamar 606192691 Saturday 8th June - Bar San Miguel, Cooperativa Murla, Murla, Jalon Valley 633076588 Tuesday 11th June - The Club House, Camposol Golf 968978855 Wednesday 12th June - The Lounge Bar, Torrevieja 966922743 Thursday 13th June - Rocajuna, Punta Prima 965997260 / 664591795 Tickets are 8-50€, though slightly more at The Rendezvous and Los Rosales with food included.

Shows start at 8-30pm. This is a fund raising tour for Help at Home (Costa Blanca) except at Camposol where it is for MABS.

GENTS 0

Getting a hole-in-one, even on a minigolf course, is something of a red letter day. So when three ladies got a hat trick of them at the weekend, and beating the fellows into the bargain, then there was plenty of fun to be had for the Help Murcia Mar Menor Friendship Group! The gents just could’nt match them, unable to hit a oneshot wonder, ending up with of them getting the wooden spoon!

With some glorious sunshine, everybody got together at Golf Deluxe, as the lady players showed the gents the way!

Barbara Scott(pictured in the middle) was the overall winner, in what was an entertaining event that had been organised by Doreen Sykes.

The group’s next event is a lunchtime session of stand up bingo at the La Zona bar in Los Alcazeres on Friday 31st May, starting at noon.

CANTABILE’S IN TUNE AGAIN!

The pleasant tones of the Cantabile choir will be wafting around Torrevieja’s Palacio de la Musica on Saturday 18th May. They’ll be singing in support of Age Concern, who will be hoping for a good turnout, especially as Torrevieja Town Hall has laid on a free coach to go the Concert, which will take people to the venue from the Age Concern office in La Siesta. The concert starts at 7.30pm with free admission, and if you fancy taking in the coach, then just pop into the Age Concern office to get more details.

Cantabile have been helping St.Peter and Paul’s Church in Toretta 2, with a recent concert that raised 130 Euros, that was enjoyed by an audience of English and Spanish speakers. It’s the second time that the choir has sung at the church, and they are already making plans for a return over Christmas!

If you want to know more about Cantabile, then have a look at their website:- www.cantabilesingers.es

Edition 5

PROPERTIES OF THE MONTH Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

Page 6

Legal Services Page 7

Page 8

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Friday, May 10, 2013

Buy, Sell Or Part Exchange With Spanish Life Properties

SPANISH LIFE PROPERTIES is a busy estate agency in Quesada and has been successfully selling properties in the Costa Blanca South area for the last three years.

It was established to provide a much needed personal service for anyone who is wishing to buy or sell a property in Spain.

For clients wanting to find their dream property, Spanish Life Properties listens carefully to what the customer wants and offers them personalised viewing trips, tailored to meet their specific needs so that they find their ideal home.

Wanting to sell your property? Then look no further, as their dedicated ´Listings Specialist´ offers a free, no obligation, valuation service, and all the properties that they have are advertised via their shop, website, local media advertisements, property web portals and trade shows, as well as distributed to their extensive list of collaborative agents from all over Europe, so your property will certainly be seen!

Spanish Life Properties primary aim is to

Top Tips For Securing Your Power Supply

Here are a few common faults which have been uncovered during a routine electrical survey: 1) Power Surges – Unfortunately these are quite common in Spain and can not only seriously damage electrical equipment and appliances but also result in fire in the worst cases. They are often caused as a result of faulty or overloaded builders supply or bad wiring, but can also be caused by surges from sub-stations and lightning.

2) Dangerous upgrades – Again this is common practice in Spain, as constructors or indeed homeowners attempt to cut corners ensure that clients receive outstanding and lower their costs. service and receive the help and support However, if the supply is not upgraded propthat they need during the purchase and erly, and a circuit breaker with a potential sale process. To assist customers even furthat is higher than necessary is fitted, it can ther, they have an extensive portfolio of lead to badly burnt cables and melted insuservice providers giving clients easy access lation inside Consumer Units. This affects to the best solicitors, conveyors, banking or the function of the circuit breaker, preventing money exchange providers, in fact, any it from tripping out and causing damage to area of help that someone buying or selling the installation and a high risk of fire. a property will need 3) Residual Current Device (RCD) / Trip A unique service offered by Spanish Life Switch not working – You can easily safeProperties is the Part Exchange scheme. guard yourself and your family from the risk This can assist some clients who want to of electric shock, by ensuring that all RCD’s move up the property ladder.

Part are functioning correctly. The homeowner Exchange works best in this difficult time, should ideally test these on a monthly basis as even though client´s property maybe and employ a qualified Electrician to carry worth less than a few years ago, the propout a full test every ten years. erty they want to buy is also dramatically 4) Air conditioning units overloading circheaper. cuits – In summer it is extremely tempting to For more information about buying or hammer your A/C units for instant refreshselling a property, or the Part Exchange ment. But if they are not wired into the mains scheme, give them a call today on +34 supply correctly, you will find that your power 966719689 or visit them at their Quesada keeps tripping out. office, behind the SabadellSolbank.

5) Light fittings not wired correctly – It is scary how many light fittings are not earthed, or at times the earth cable has been deliberately cut off, causing a risk of electric shock when carrying out a simple task like changing the bulb. This is due to the cables not being properly protected from the heat of the light source, eventually causing the insulation to melt and exposing a dangerous bare copper live wire.

6) Water and damp leaking into an installation – This is easily avoided by using the correct materials to secure the unit. Ensure that they are weatherproof and durable to avoid a more expensive problem further down the line.

7) Wrong size cable used when fitting extra sockets – Cable must be strong enough to handle all of your appliances. If not they will become burnt or damaged due to the power overload.

8.) Reversed Polarity – It is essential to make sure that the live and the neutral on the main supply cable are connected the correct way round. If you are not sure ask an expert!

9) Bad Earthing - When an installation is not earthed sufficiently it greatly increases the risk of a serious electric shock.

10) Obsolete Socket Outlets – This is a common problem in antiquated properties, where no earth connection is installed. In this instance, should the live cable accidentally come loose and come into contact with the metal case of an appliance, the electricity will travel through your body rather than to earth.

Friday, May 10, 2013

3

Getting To Grips With The Community Many properties located in Alicante Province are situated within a residential urbanization, which has its own set of observed rules and regulations. So it is important to understand the benefits and obligations to homeowners.

Depending on the location and type of property which you chose to buy, you may be obliged to become part of an officially recognised “Comunidad de Propietarios” or Community of Owners, which gives you a voice and equal say in the day to day running of the urbanization.

If this is to be the case then your Solicitor or Estate Agent should advise you of your obligations prior to signing at the Notary to avoid any confusion later on. Essentially, the running costs, maintenance and eventual resale value of your property will be greatly affected by how well the Community of Owners cooperate as a team, and on this basis it is beneficial to play an active part on the committee. As a general rule, newly constructed properties will remain the responsibility of the developer until they have reached completion and approval by the relevant Town Hall, or are sold. At this stage, the new owners will usually be invited to a meeting when the developer will officially “hand- over” the responsibility of the general care and maintenance of the entire estate to the newly formed Community of Owners. If you are purchasing an older or resale property you will probably find that a Community of Owners is already in place, although this does not exempt you from becoming involved. One resident must be democratically elected as President, with an opportunity for each homeowner to review the position and elect a new President each year at an Annual General Meeting. Other official roles are allocated using the same process, including VicePresident, Treasurer and Secretary.

The primary purpose of the Comunidad de Propietarios is to guarantee that the houses or apartments of the urbanization are all well kept, and communal gardens or swimming pools are also maintained. The system is meant to benefit all concerned, ensuring that they continue to live in the pleasant environment in which they made their investment.

Naturally there has to be a legal element involved; specifically several laws and bylaws with regards to the creation, administration and statutes of the Community, to ensure that all owners take their responsibilities seriously.

With the British being renowned for their good organiza-

tional skills and attention to detail, combined with the large number of Brits living in the region, it is common to find that they have a significant presence on the Committee- sometimes more so than native Spanish speakers. The shift has meant that certain administrative changes have been required in the running of the communities, mainly due to the fact that the English speakers cannot understand much Spanish! In past years most meetings were conducted in Spanish and accompanied by minutes written in Spanish, although a translator would usually be present. However, this was widely contested as in many cases there were few or no Spaniards present, but plenty of English speaking residents. Therefore, it was legally agreed that a vote may be taken by the community over which language the meetings should be held in, with the majority taking precedence.

For British residents who speak little Spanish, it may be easier to settle in an area with a large English- speaking population, where you should also find that much of the information required to get you started is available in English. Many expats welcome the idea of becoming involved in the local Spanish Community, and the opportunity to meet their neighbours, of all nationalities, and get a taste of the various languages and cultures that are alive on the Costas. However, generally speaking most of the Spanish tend to live outside of urbanizations where they will

have an established social network and often family living close by.

As a property owner you have the right to be kept informed of any problems which have arisen on the urbanization, as well as any proposed improvements that affect you or your property. Some communities find it beneficial to produce a monthly newsletter conveying these details, particularly where there are many non-resident owners. Whilst some members of the community may be happy to help out with administrative tasks on a voluntary basis, there are usually certain costs involved, such as printing and official translations for legal purposes when required. This means that all owners are obliged to pay an annual community fee “Gastos de Comunidad”, which may be paid in stages or in full and is meant to cover all of the day to day running costs of the urbanization including : • Lighting for public buildings and streets • Cleaning and sweeping of the streets, pavements and stairwells • Maintenance and painting of Building exteriors and communal areas • Lift maintenance • Community personnel such as security guard or caretaker • Security monitor and/or gates/doors • Maintenance of common areas such as roofs, gardens etc…

• Legal costs • Official translating costs • Printing • TV Aerials (If community responsibility) • Private water supply (If the Community does not have Municipal Water) The payment of community fees is obligatory and anyone failing to do so will be served an official notification from the community before legal action will be taken. It is important to note that the community fee only covers your obligations within the urbanization itself and you will still need to make a separate payment to the local authority which is similar to UK council tax.

In most cases the Comunidad de Propietarios is a very effective system, which will help to protect your investment in the longer term.

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Friday, May 10, 2013

Information abou Certificate Legilisa

In The UK when you buy or sell a property, you have a surveyor ! In Spain now you need a European Energy Certificate from a qualified Architect or Technical Engineer specialised in Energy ratings. "Spain is two years behind the rest of Europe in introducing the residential energy certification". It was introduced into Spain by law on 1st January 2013 by Royal Degree.235/2013 The Spanish Government drafted legislation that is going into effect in June 2013 and will force all the properties / houses / commercial properties that are for sale or rent, to hold a certificate of energy efficiency to be produced at the Notary as part of the sale / purchase of the property.

Professional Business Support put the following Questions to our Certified Architect

PBS: What is the certification of energy efficiency?

Architect: Energy certification is a measurement that is made to assign properties with an appraisal by assessing the energy efficiency of the property. In general the formula of the certificate is Kg Co2 / m2 year. Exactly what it involves is taking a series of data of the property, to calculate some variables then study the data to get a result as an energy rating. The Data taken includes photos, Building qualities, Insulation, orientation, plan, heating, appliances. This then becomes a rating, as currently incorporated with all new electrical appliances, and that goes from A to G, with qualified properties obtaining an A rating being the most efficient and G the least efficient one. Most properties here on the Costa Blanca would achieve a E, F or G Rating.

PBS: What are the main aspects that make a property obtain a good energy efficiency rating?

Architect: First a measurement is made of the property (KgCO2/M2year) through the plans where aspects are observed as to there orientation. It is not the same as a house is south facing against one that is facing north, or having many or few facades to the outside, even if other buildings overshadow it. This does not mean a south facing house is better than a north; a South facing house may have to use more electric to cool it down in summer. The architect also measures the size of the windows and the type of glass that have, the materials of construction of the housing, heating, air conditioning available and an efficient water heater.

For example, energy efficiency is quite different with a diesel / oil or electrical installation, which are rather inefficient, than an installation of gas or biomass, which are more efficient. Also taken into consideration is the age of these installations.

PBS: Who is responsible for obtaining a certificate for a property?

Architect: The Owner of a property is responsible for having a certificate made.

PBS: How long is a new energy rating certificate valid for?

Architect: The Certificate is valid for 10 years, unless major changes will be made to the property.

PBS: What impact will good energy efficiency have?

Architect: Having a good energy rating in principal creates lower power / energy consumption. Knowing the energy rating of a home you can tell if you the consumer more or less throughout the year in heating costs or air conditioning.

In short, a better rating would mean that the property will be better valued as it is more energy efficient.

If the reforms are made that the architect suggests an annual saving of energy costs would be noticeable.

PBS: What difference in consumption would there be between a home with a better or worse energy efficiency rating?

Architect: We have studied cases where a G-rated family home, the less efficient, had a monthly consumption of heating of 600 euro a month in winter. After the survey and refurbishment of the property, among which was the installation of a biomass boiler, the house rating changed to a B and a monthly consumption was significantly reduced per month.

The energy rating certificate is to inform prospective customers, buyers, on how efficient are these homes. Having transparency means for improved energy efficiency of buildings.

PBS: What average cost may be incurred in restoring a home to improve one level in the scale of energy efficiency?

Architect: The cost is relative, each case is totally different. But for example, you could make a change of windows in a building with an average of five windows, and the cost would be between 3,000 and 5,000 euros, but also depend greatly on the type of windows that you choose. In any case, this housing reform would have a great improvement in energy efficiency. On the other end of the scale a few energy efficient light bulbs can help a lot.

PBS: What does it cost to qualify and certify a home?

Architect: For an average property, the price is about 230 euro plus IVA. This price includes the site visit, measurement, plans, photographs, building specifications and valuation of housing and the delivery of the certificate and the energy efficiency label, with a declaration of responsibility from the architect. Also including recommendations to

Friday, May 10, 2013

ut the New Energy tion 2013 in Spain increase the energy efficiency of you property and estimated costs to do so.

PBS: What do you an architect think about the rules the government want to introduce to certify the energy efficiency of all homes for sale or for rent?

Architect: The law seems very positive, in fact it is already worked in virtually all countries of the European Union, here in Spain we are two years behind the rest. What this legislation will mean is that all prospective tenants or buyers will have a graphic energy efficiency report of the property in which they are interested. Currently, when we buy a house and make a major investment in our life, we have virtually no information about that property and yet when we buy any electronic gadget they come with an instruction book and guarantee.

Any initiative involving greater information for buyers or tenants is very positive. The important thing now is that the initiative is carried out.

PBS: What type of property is required to make the energy certification under the new rules?

Architect: All property that is offered for sale or rent, private and commercial. But there are other private homes, of more than 500 square meters, while not entering the housing market, whether they are publicly accessible spaces (such as offices, stores, hotels, financial institutions) will be required to make the certification energy.

PBS: Can a property fail the Energy Certification?

Architect: It is not a pass or fail situation. It is merely and informative certificate for the purchaser or tenant of that property.

PBS: Do you think it is all right that the legislation ordered by the Government of Spain make it

mandatory for the certification for anyone who wants to rent or sell their home or do you believe it should be the decision of the owners?

Architect: Ultimately it is the owner who is providing information on their own property which is for sale or rent, to the advantage of the buyer. What is being promoted is transparency in the real estate market, to attract and inform possible buyers.

PBS: What do you think about the positives and negatives of the energy efficiency certification to an owner who wants to rent or sell your home?

Architect: Obviously the owner is going to bear paying the initial fee to certify their home. But what this is going to do is encourage some competition between energy efficiencies of various buildings and therefore the rehabilitation of homes. Households with improved energy efficiency will have a better argument to sell property quicker.

PBS: Can the energy rating of new home sales benefit the newer properties which are supposedly be constructed more efficient, compared to older homes?

Architect: N e w e r homes

Property Management With OP Group

Do you own property in Spain and are looking to achieve the best possible returns from your investment with the least possible effort? Then let OP Group take control…

OP Group Spain is one of the Costa Blanca’s leading Property Sales, Rental and Management Companies. A family-run business, it was launched over 7 years ago, and now embraces offices in Algorfa, La Marina and Gran Alacant, with hundreds of properties spanning the coast from Alicante to Campoamor. Directors Steve Austen and Stuart Markham explained that their core business is looking after the client’s investment, and helping them to get the best out of it in accordance with their requirements, at the most competitive prices. They are joined by a friendly, bilingual team who are happy to help clients with all manner of tasks from obtaining Residence Certificates to signing on the Padron. The team visit each property regularly to ensure that everything is safe and secure, and report this back to the owner for their peace of mind. This simple step can save the homeowner money in the long-term, for example, if there is a water leak, electrics have been left on, or if the property has suffered a break-in.

The long term rentals market is currently extremely buoyant, as many who moved out of Spain when the crisis hit have began to return, while others are arriving in search of a better life. All letting contracts arranged by OP Group are fully legal, and designed to protect both parties, ensuring that the tenancy runs smoothly. The tenant can contact the office with any concerns, and a maintenance man is on-hand for swift attention to any problems which should arise with the property. In the event of non-payment, they operate a Rental Guarantee Scheme, using an inde-

pendent arbitration company, for quick eviction and prompt legal action. OP Group also extends a comprehensive holiday lettings service, where they will market the property, arrange bookings and organize any cleaning and maintenance required so that everything is in perfect condition when the guests arrive. The team “meet and greet” the clients, either at the airport with a rental car or transport them to their accommodation; or they may collect keys from the office and be shown to the property from there. Plus, to help them make the most of their vacation, OP Group will even book activities such as golf, scuba diving, hot air balloon rides, boat rides and other excursions on their behalf!

Meanwhile, for those who are looking to sell, OP Group is a great place to start. With clever marketing initiatives and collaborating Agents out in the field, they can offer maximum exposure for your property, and thus a quick sale at the right price!

So to start getting more out of your property give them a call today on 966 729 653.

Alternatively, you may email enquiries to info@opgroupspain.com.

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that are built under the current technical code since 2007, are also required to have this energy certification but with the new work codes will have a better rating. Probably the oldest buildings have a worse efficiency, but it is also quite possible that during the life of these buildings have had renovations. The rating will be shown that these properties have been reformed in certain aspects to have better energy efficiency.

PBS: Do you think the Spanish homes have a better or worse energy efficiency over the European housing?

Architect: They are less efficient. In fact in England, where these rules came into force a few years ago, it was found that the properties had increased energy efficiency reforms and therefore have gained better energy ratings.

PBS: What are the most common deficiencies of Spanish homes in terms of energy efficiency?

Architect: The issues that are deficient in Spanish properties are heating; diesel, for example is very inefficient. Also insulation issues in the construction of housing and the type of windows are the worst offenders.

PBS: Will a Notary let a house sale go ahead without an energy certificate?

Architect: As from the 1st of June 2013 no property can be signed at the notary without Energy Certification provided by a qualified Certified Technical Engineer or Architect.

PBS: Thank you for the Explanation, How do clients get in contact with you?

Architect: All clients can contact yourselves Professional Business Support on 966 923 963 or visit your offices. They can leave their details with you, I will then arrange to visit their property.

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Friday, May 10, 2013

Top Ten Property Buying Blunders It is all too easy to get carried away with the thoughts of endless sunny days and the colourful culture that comes with living in Spain. But when investing in something as valuable as a future home you need to go in with a clear head.

If you are seriously considering investing in a Spanish property you may already have heard of the “Association of International Property professionals” (AIPP), a UK based association which works to protect the interests of buyers of overseas property. They have a wealth of knowledge of the protocol that is involved in overseas investment, and are also familiar with some of the most common blunders that buyers continue to make. AIPP argue that there are a plethora of magazines and websites which offer advice on what to do when buying property abroad, but there are very few which advise you of what not to do. Therefore, in this week’s Property Plus we have included a list of the top ten things to avoid when buying your next home.

1) Entrusting in a Solicitor who works for, or closely with the developer or agent- Great big NO NO! It is vital to use a Solicitor when purchasing property as they know the in’s and out’s of the Spanish system, but make sure that they are entirely independent, so that there would never be a conflict of interests should you have an legal problems with the developer further down the line.

2) Confusing a Solicitor with a Notary- This is a common mistake and easy to confuse, as Notaries do not form part of the conveyancing process in the UK. However, in most popular overseas destinations including Spain, it is the Notary who must by law rubber-stamp all property transactions. If not they are not legally binding and will not stand up in court.

3) Signing a contract without seeking independent legal advice- It can be tempting to side step this process, especially if you are in the hands of a very good salesman!

However, it is vital to appoint a Solicitor no matter how clued up the agent might appear. Remember that they want you to buy, and may put pressure on you to sign something which may not be quite as it seems if you get a professional in to read the small print! It is very easy to find an English speak-

ing Solicitor in Spain, who will usually be available by email/fax to check a contract for a small fee.

4) Counting on a verbal agreement- Even if you are buying or renting off someone who you know, you must always ensure that every last detail that you have agreed is put in writing, from the payment of utility bills to the fixtures and fittings. Ensure that your contract is watertight and that every page is signed so that no unauthorized changes can be made later on.

5) Overlooking additional buying costs- In some countries, including Spain, the addition of legal fees and property taxes can increase your purchase price by as much as 15%, which can come as real shock if you haven’t budgeted for it. Your

agent should be able to advise of the entire cost to you, and if you are not convinced then ask a Financial Advisor or Solicitor to give you a break down.

6) Dismissing the consequences of fluctuating exchange rates- If you are making your investment in sterling, remember that your buying power will vary according to the strength of the pound against the euro at the time of signing at the Notary. Naturally if the value of the pound sees a dip the amount of capital which you propose to put down against the property will have to increase.

7) Overstretching your finances- It is very easy to convince yourself that you can afford something which you really want, even though the reality is that you are going to struggle in the long term. Plus, if planning to let the property, it is also very risky to rely entirely on rental income to cover your monthly mortgage repayments, as you cannot guarantee that you will always have a tenant, or indeed, that they will pay!

8) Ignoring your taxation obligations- You should get advice regarding your tax obligations prior to committing to a purchase, as this will help you to budget for the future. Most importantly, do not assume that the system in Spain is the same as in the UK, as it has its own set of regulations, particularly when it comes to property and inheritance issues.

9) Under-declaring the purchase price on the Escritura- this was common practice several years ago, and some companies will still encourage you to do it as the cheapest option, but don’t be tempted. It is considered as fraud under Spanish law and could leave you behind bars rather than in your dream home.

10) Letting your heart rule your head- the perfect point to finish on. The vast majority of property purchases in Spain run smoothly, but the dream could soon turn into a nightmare if you dive in at the deep end without doing your homework.

So to re-cap…. entrust a respectable Estate Agent, appoint an independent Solicitor, ensure that you have a fully legal fool-proof contract and glean as much information as you can about your property, rights and obligations before you buy.

Friday, May 10, 2013

Spain Sees a 30% Fall in the Cost of Housing Here and now is still the ideal time to invest in property in Spain, as housing prices continue to plummet.

The average value of a Spanish property has dropped by an incredible 30% since prices hit their peak during the first quarter of 2008. This was largely due to the drastic decreases witnessed during 2010 (-6.6%) and 2011 (-10.5%), with the trend continuing into last year when prices fell by over 13%.

According to the 2012 statistical real estate registry yearbook of the College of Property Registrars, house purchases fell by an estimated 10.6% last year, with a drop of 10.5% in new houses and 10.7% in resales, amounting to a total 330,750 transactions.

They believe that “the new tax changes – the end of tax deductions for home purchases and the increase in VAT from January 2013 – have not changed the fundamental trend of past years”, adding that property transactions were distributed almost equally between new housing (49.9%) and resales (50.08%).

Mortgages According to the latest figures released by the National Statistics Institute, the number of new mortgages on homes stood at 24,197 in February this year, signifying a drop of 7.5% when compared with the same month during 2012. During last year, the average mortgage value measured 105,421 euros, which equates to 9.7% less than in 2011, and is on a par with values of 2003- clearly as a result of the fall in house prices. However, the average interest rate on residential mortgage loans stood at 4.08%, increasing over a two year period from 3.37% in 2010 and 3.72% in 2011, in spite of a series of major reductions in the Euribor.

Meanwhile the borrowed capital reduced by 9.2% yearon-year, to 2,507.4 million euros.

During January and February of this year, mortgages on homes witnessed a drop of 4.9%, compared with the drastic fall of 9.9% experienced in February 2012. The statistics agency’s records state that of mortgages borrowed during February, a total of 37,656 were constituted on rural and urban properties, equating to a decrease of 13.7% compared to February 2012. Mortgages which constituted a variable interest rate have b e c o m e favourable to those with a fixed rate, representing 92.3% of the total amount; with the Euribor being the reference interest rate most commonly used in constituting mortgages with a variable interest rate, specifically in 87.1% of new contracts.

According to Spanish economy portal “El Economista”, the regions which have registered the greatest number of new

mortgages since the start of the year include Andalusia (4,545), Madrid (3,900) and Catalonia (3,420). Further to this, the regions with the highest annual growth rate included La Rioja (+42.8%) and the Canary Islands (+37.5%), while the most significant downturns were witnessed in the Balearic Islands (-30.5%) and Castilla-La Mancha (30.1%). Madrid was found to be the region where buyers would provide the largest sum of capital towards their purchase, summing 550.7 million euros, followed by Andalucia (404 million euros) and Catalonia (396.3 million euros). A spokesperson for the College of Registrars stressed that “Consequently we are seeing a strong reduction in the housing investment component of the Spanish real estate market”.

Movement Of the total number of properties sold during 2012, 68.24% had belonged to the same owner for more than five years, compared to 64.74% in 2011 and 49.74% in 2009.

Comparatively, the number of people who had lived in the same property for less than two years and were already looking to sell up was far less during 2012, measuring only 13.64%, compared to 22.5% in 2007.

Foreign Investment El Economista reports that foreign investors accounted for 8.12% of the house purchases recorded in Spain in 2012, which equates to 6% more than in 2011 and a record high since the property boom of 2007, when the figure stood at 8.2%.

Figures show that foreign buyers still prefer to settle on the coast, with the Valencia Region in third position in the popularity stakes at 18.01%, trailing only the Balearic Islands (24.95%) and the Canary I s l a n d s ( 2 2 . 11 % ) .

O t h e r popular

coastal regions include Murcia (11.24%), Catalonia (9.34%) and Andalucia (8.86%). In terms of nationality, these purchases were divided between British (16.6% of the total), French (9.9%), Russian (9.6%), German (7.9%), Belgian (6.5%), Norwegian (5.7%), Italian (4.9%) and S w e d i s h (4.6%). Dutch people were the largest investors in new property, with 58.6% of their total purchases relating to this type of property, with Russians (56.8%), Swedish (54.6%), Belgians (52.9%), Norwegian (52.8%) and British investors (52.1%) also opting for new developments. This was in contrast to resale properties where Algerian buyers made the greatest impact (70.4%), followed by Moroccans (64.8%) and Chinese (64.5%).

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Friday, May 10, 2013

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Friday, May 10, 2013

RESCUED MURPHY BECOMES A TERRIER’S BLOOD BROTHER WE know about humans giving blood and the great demand that there is for it by a transfusion clinic, but how often do you hear about doggie blood donors? So, welcome to the story of an abandoned 6 year old German Wire-haired pointer called Murphy!

Mark Lewis, the founder of the animal charity, Pets in Spain, found Murphy abandoned and, starving next to a busy road. He made sure that Murphy was taken to a foster home, but little prepared him for something special that Murphy was going to do.

Antonio Fajardo, a local vet, remembered that he had done a full blood analysis on Murphy and that the results were negative for contagious diseases. The vet knew that Murphy was fit and well and would be a suitable blood donor for a client’s Yorkshire Terrier that urgently needed a transfusion. Antonio called

ON YER BIKE!

Mark and straight away he and Murphy went to the Veterpet animal hospital in Guardamar where Murphy donated some of his blood. It was a 12 year old Yorkshire Terrier that got it and now he’s back home with his family. Murphy too will have a happy ending very soon as he’s been adopted by an English couple and will travel to his new home in Hampshire next week The PETS IN SPAIN animal rescue and rehoming charity rely solely on donations to fund their efforts to help rescued animals. Daily they receive many calls and requests to take in stray and abandoned pets and funds are urgently needed. To make a donation, to give your support or to receive updates on Murphy, please visit and ‘LIKE’ their Facebook page: info@petsinspain.info or call 0034 645 469 253. Web site: www.petsinspain.com.

How do you fancy winning a 110cc Bike Scrambler?

That’s the star prize of this weekend’s Junior Strikers Fundraising Raffle at the Mirador Bar in Villamartin.

Tickets have been selling quickly over the last few weeks, and the draw will be made at the Mirador tomorrow at 5pm.

The bike is worth 300 Euros, but there’ll be many other prizes that you can win, as the bar has organised a whole afternoon of Saturday fun for the Junior Strikers.

That includes a Pig Roast and BBQ from 2.00pm, as well as a Tombola and Tabletop Sale.

BIGASTRO’S HOME HELP

SIBLINGS SUCCESSFUL IN EURO SPLASH

Variety is going to be the spice of life for Help at Home, as they get set to put on an afternoon of entertainment this Sunday in Bigastro. The La Terraza Bar will be hosting the fund-raiser from 4.00pm, which will take in the Local Supremes and Cindy Sings Country amongst a big line up of local acts. The entry fee is just six Euros, which includes a buffet, but you do have to book in advance by calling Darren on 625272256 or email darrenyar1967@yahoo.co.uk. And if you don’t want any food, then you can pop along and just pay two Euros to get in to enjoy the show.

And Help at Home are busy getting ready for their Summer Ball at the Asturias Restaurant. It’s going to be on Friday 24th May at 7.30pm, with a three course meal plus drinks for just twelve Euros fifty per person. You can buy tickets from the Help at Home shop at Calle Niagara 2 in Playa Flamenca or by phoning them on 691585167 or email helpathomecb@gmail.com

SWINGS THE THING!

Swing Music is very much alive and well in our area, and those great traditions are being kept going by the 'Swingtet -Plus Big Band'. It’s a ten piece line up of ex-professional musicians, who know their craft.

They’ve all worked world-wide with a lot of famous names, be they vocalists and big bands, in theatres or on cruise ships. So if swing is you thing, then you can check them out with a Big Band Dance Night at the Hotel Spa, Costa Narejos in Los Alcazares on Thursday 30th May. Patti Ross will be joining the band to supply the vocals, and as well having a good night, any money raised will go to HELP Murcia Mar Menor.

The roof of Torrevieja’s Virgen del Carmen Theatre will be very much raised on Sunday 19th May with two choirs coming together to raise money for the Red Cross. The Crescendo International Choir will join forces with the Mas Coral Jose Hodar Choir for a joint evening, with an admission of just five Euros. You can buy tickets from the Municipal Theatre box office in Torrevieja.

Then at the end of the month, Crescendo will link up with up with the Torrevieja Christian Fellowship Singers for a Summertime concert on Friday 31st May. That has a starttime of 7.30pm and will be at the TCF church, not far from the Torrevieja needle. The tickets will only cost two Euros, and you can get hold of them from the church itself or from members of the choir.

You can learn more about the Crescendo Choir via their website:- www.crescendo-choir.com

q Adam and Lucy Stewart have returned in glory with a clutch of medals from the recent Downs Syndrome Open European Swimming Championship.

Adam ruled the roost at the Quays Sports Centre in Southampton, with three gold medals (800metres Freestyle, 400metres Freestyle,

and 100metres Freestyle), as well a silver and a bronze. The Club Natacion Torrevieja swimmer rose to the occasion by notching up personal best times in all of his races.

And there was plenty more for the Stewart family to celebrate, as Adam’s sister, Lucy, picked up a silver medal in the 50metres

Breast-stroke, and got a fourth placed ribbon in the 25metres.

Lucy has just started training with Adam’s club to increase the family bond still further, and he’s hoping that his personal best times will get him into the World Downs Syndrome Championships in Mexico next year

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Friday, May 10, 2013

UK HEADLINES

CLEVELAND CAPTIVES

‘bound by ropes and chains’ Amanda Berry, Michelle Knight and friends with the family."

The Mirror Gina DeJesus, the three women held Antony Quiros said he was at the captive in a house in Cleveland, which is comprised of the FBI and vigil about a year ago and saw Castro Ohio, for nearly a decade, were Cleveland officers, has been interview- comforting Gina DeJesus' mother. restrained with ropes and chains, ing the victims since last evening and Mr Berry, 27, Ms Knight, 32 and Ms police have said.

DeJesus, 23, were freed after almost a they'll continue today," he said.

The trio were allowed out into the Neighbours and community activists decade inside the Ohio home. A sixback garden occasionally, according to claimed on Wednesday that Ariel year-old girl, Ms Berry's daughter, was Chief Michael McGrath.

Castro handed out fliers when Ms also held in the house.

Chief McGrath told NBC's Today pro- DeJesus went missing, and even perThe women, who were reunited with gramme that the physical condition of forming music at a fundraiser held in their family members, remain in secluthe three women was "very good con- her honour in the years after she van- sion. They were rescued after Ms Berry sidering the circumstances." ished. He attended a candlelight vigil kicked out the bottom portion of a "We have confirmation they were for her only a year ago. locked screen door and used a neighbound and there were chains and Tito DeJesus, an uncle of Gina, bour's telephone to call the police. An ropes in the hall," he said. played in bands with Castro over the officer showed up minutes later and Ms Separately, Kevin Freeman, Berry ran out and threw her a reporter who works for arms around the officer, a Cleveland's Fox News, told neighbour said.

CNN that according to his The first picture of Michelle sources: "The letters R. I. P – Knight meanwhile has Rest in Peace – are scrawled emerged. She is reportedly sufon the wall in the basement fering from hearing loss and and there's a woman's name facial bone damage after years which would lead you to of abuse. believe that another woman Her mother, Barbara Knight, was in there at some time." The speaking from her home in claims realise speculation that Florida, told the Today show there was a fourth woman, or that she had not yet been perhaps even more, in the reunited.

Amanda Berry (C) reunited with her sister house at one point.

"I don't want her to think that He added: "They also say Beth Serrano (L) in Cleveland, Ohio I forgot about her," she said. that one of the girls told investi"Hopefully whatever happened gators that that woman was with them last 20 years. He recalled visiting between us, if something did - I hope it for a while and then one day, she woke Castro's house but never noticing any- heals because I really want to take her up and the girl was no longer there." back to Florida with me." thing out of the ordinary.

Ariel Castro, 52, is the prime suspect Police are facing questions about Juan Perez, who lives two doors in the kidnapping of the three women. down from the house, said Castro was their handling of the missing persons He has been arrested along with his always happy and respectful. "He case. One neighbour alleged on two brothers, Pedro, 54 and Onil, 50. gained trust with the kids and with the Tuesday that she had once seen a Chief McGrath said that the three parents. You can only do that if you're naked woman crawling around the men who "are talking" but he would not nice," Perez said. back garden, but police had not done say if they have confessed. He says a Castro was friends with the father of anything about it. Another claimed to charging decision could come later Gina DeJesus, one of the missing have once heard banging coming from Wednesday. women, and helped search for her after the house.

He said that until the interviews with she disappeared, said Khalid Samad, a Chief McGrath said he was the three women were complete, it friend of the family. "absolutely" sure police did everything would not be possible to describe in "When we went out to look for Gina, they could to find the women over the detail how they were treated, and said he helped pass out fliers," said Samad, years. He disputed claims by neighhe could not confirm reports that the a community activist who was at the bours that officers had been called to captives had had multiple pregnancies. hospital with DeJesus and her family the house before for suspicious circum"The investigative task force team, Monday night. "You know, he was stances.

Brain Drain Doctors found the membrane surrounding his brain had a hole in it and his ‘snot’ was actually brain fluid.

A man who went to the doctor with a constant runny nose was shocked to be told his brain was leaking.

Joe Nagy put up with liquid leaking from his nose for around 18 months before going to seek help.

What started off as one or two episodes a week later turned into an every day nightmare.

But doctors in Phoenix, US, found the membrane surrounding Mr Nagy’s brain had a hole in it and his ‘snot’ was actually brain fluid.

Before he recently underwent surgery to plug the hole, Joe said: “I was scared to death.”

Afterwards, he added: “I was waiting for the dribble, the leaking because I was so used to it every day.

"I got my hankie out and nothing. It’s never come back.”

Joe said it first started when he sat up in bed one morning and: "This clear liquid dribbled out of my nose like tears out of your eyes. I go ‘What is this?’”

Within months it was constant but the final straw was when he couldn’t get to his tissues in

time as he picked up blueprints for his beloved model airplanes.

Joe said: “It was about a teaspoon full. Splashed all over the top sheet. I said ‘These damn allergies...’ I was embarrassed as hell.”

Neurosurgeon Peter Nakaji, who performed the surgery, said: “This is one of the more common conditions to be missed for a long time because so many people have runny noses.”

Dr Nakaji said they fixed the leak with a needle and glue before the body took over to properly heal the hole.

Each day our bodies produce around 12 ounces of brain fluid, enough to keep the brain bathed in liquid and not dry out from a such a leak.

Friday, May 10, 2013

UK HEADLINES

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Tarbuck arrest fury POLICE behind comic Jimmy Tarbuck’s sex case arrest were blasted last night for covering it up for 11 days.

Campaigners branded it “secret justice” with the public kept in the dark.

Shami Chakrabarti, of civil rights group Liberty, insisted: “Police briefing against arrested individuals is clearly abusive. But it’s equally chilling for officers to refuse to confirm names of those detained or charged.

“Aggressively volunteering identities is one thing, arresting people without the knowledge of Press and public is another.”

Scouse comedian Tarbuck, 73, of Kingston, South West London, was arrested on April 26 over allegations he abused a boy in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, in the 1970s. He was quizzed and bailed. But it was only made public on Monday.

AN evil mum who murdered five members of a family His case echoes that of fellow TV star Rolf Harris, 83, who was branded “despicable” by their relatives today as she was questioned by Operation Yewtree cops over alleged sex was jailed for at least 30 YEARS. offences in November but only named by police last month.

Alcoholic Melanie Smith, 43, started the devastating It is normally common practice for police forces to release blaze because she was angry that a pushchair had been some details of high-profile arrests on the day they take left in a shared hallway close to the front door of her flat. place. The Association of Chief Police Officers wants susLee-Anna Shiers, 20, her four-year-old nephew, Bailey, pects’ names kept secret. But cops admitted news of their and two-year-old niece, Skye, were trapped in their raid on TV pervert Stuart Hall saw more women approach upstairs flat and died in the arson attack in North Wales them. on October 19 last year.

Firefighters managed to rescue Ms Shiers’s 15-monthold son, Charlie, and his father Liam Timbrell, 23, but they died in hospital.

Smith, who lived in the flat below the victims in Maes y Groes, Prestatyn, was jailed for life today.

She was convicted of five counts of murder by a jury at Mold Crown Court last Tuesday.

Steve Allen, the father of Bailey and Skye, told a press SCIENTISTS half a mile conference after the court hearing Wednesday that he had believe they underwater. been looking forward to seeing them grow up. have found the R o b e r t o He said: “Instead, one despicable person has taken fabled sunken Ventura Santos, them away.” city of Atlantis. of Brazil’s He added: “Nothing will ever bring any of our family Research G e o l o g y back to us, but Melanie Smith will now be given what she subs collected Service, said: deserves.” rocks from a “We are almost Peter Shiers, the children’s grandfather, told the press huge land mass certain this conference: “Justice is now served and all our little under the could be angels can rest in peace.”

Atlantic Ocean Atlantis.

Smith had wept as the sentence was passed by trial 900 miles off "From an judge Mr Justice Griffith-Williams.

Brazil. analysis, we He said she must serve a minimum of 30 years.

E x p e r t s began to see the She was convicted last Tuesday of five counts of muranalysed the area could be a der and one count of making threats of arson after the jury of seven women and five men reached 10-2 majority stones and found they were com- piece of a continent that disappeared posed of granite and quartz sand — into the sea.” verdicts following 15 hours of deliberations.

He said confirmation is expected Karen Dixon, the Crown Prosecution Service’s district which only form on dry land.

And fossils picked up nearby suplater this year after more rock samcrown prosecutor for Wales, said Smith started the fire “knowing that a family with children lived in the flat port the theory they have found a ples are tested. “lost continent” claimed by the The legend of the lost civilisation upstairs and with no regard for the consequences”.

She said: “At no stage has she chosen to take any Atlantic when Africa and South — first mentioned by ancient Greek responsibility for the five lives tragically lost as a result of America drifted apart millions of philosopher Plato — has captured years ago. imaginations for centuries, and in the her actions.

The find was made on the Rio 1970s spawned TV series Man From “The sentencing has at least ensured that she has had Grande Rise — a mountain range Atlantis, starring Patrick Duffy. to face up to that responsibility in a criminal court.”

DESPICABLE

Stone me, I think we Devoured have found Atlantis by vultures A WOMAN who fell to her death from a cliff was devoured by vultures in just 45 minutes.

The woman was hiking with friend in the French Pyrenees last month when she fell off the side and plummeted to her death nearly 1,000 feet below.

Desperate rescuers were met with a gruesome sight when they found her, describing what they saw as "only bones, clothes and shoes."

Rescuer Major Didier Pericou told The Times: “When we first went out in the helicopter looking for the body, we saw numerous vultures without realising what they were doing.

“There were only bones, clothes and shoes left on the ground.

"They took 45 to 50 minutes to eat the body.”

The woman died before she made it to the ground.

Local farmers say they now want permission to shoot the Griffon vultures, which are currently a protected species.

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Friday, May 10, 2013

LA OCA – UNIQUE QUALITY DESIGNS IN SAN JAVIER

La Oca is one of the most important and well known stores in Spain, due to its presence all over the country, its reputation and popularity in the press, its catalogues of unique and innovative products and the constant high quality of its products.

The first Oca store opened in 1982, so there is 30 years’ experience behind the chain’s success. The brand has become both prestigious and reliable, the leading choice for many homes in Spain, due to the contemporary and avant-garde style it offers in furniture, home furnishing and gifts.

The products on offer at La Oca are at the forefront of the latest designs. The team of staff at the stores are experts in the latest materials, designs and fashions, participating in international fairs on home

design and reinforcing the up to date and long-lasting popularity of the stores. La Oca has an intimate relationship with its designers, carrying out strict quality controls, giving them the confidence to guarantee satisfaction and lasting quality.

Most of the suppliers for La Oca are Spanish or European.

The La Oca shop in San Javier boasts 1,000 square meters of showroom, and has become one of the most important stores in the area, with a world of experience and thousands of satisfied clients.

For further information see their main ad on page 7.

LA OCA SAN JAVIER Avenida de Pinatar, 44 30730 - San Javier - Murcia – Spain T: (34) 968 566 359 laocasanjavier@laoca.com www.laoca.com

Friday, May 10, 2013

SPANISH NEWS

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PLANE CRASH:- DID CUTS AFFECT RESCUE ATTEMPT? When the control tower at the Cuatro Vientos sounded the alarm at 1.50pm on Sunday after the fatal crash that killed Air Force Captain Ladislao Tejedor, there were just two firefighters on duty at the aerodrome.

Staff numbers at the installation, which falls under the remit of Spanish aviation authority AENA, have been slashed by more than half as part of a viability plan approved last November by the Public Works Ministry.

Workers at the aerodrome had warned before Sunday’s accident during an air show that the reduction was a safety risk. One of the fire chiefs at Cuatro Vientos last December sent a letter to aerodrome director, Gerardo Delgado González, and to the aviation security authority calling the cutbacks “barbaric.”

The fire deployment at the aerodrome has been reduced from 46 to 21.

“In an emergency, two firefighters are needed to oper- An emergency medic rushes to the scene of the fatal ate the hose and a third to manage the water supply,” crash on Sunday at the Cuatro Vientos airport in Madrid the letter read. “If there are only two firefighters, we do not have the minimum required to use a fire truck in complaints, but said in an email that Cuatro Vientos “more than meets the required measures pertaining to emergency situations.”

The International Civil Aviation Organization permits a rescues and extinguishing fires.” minimum of two firefighters at public-military airports At least two firefighters have also taken AENA to task like Cuatro Vientos, but the service had a complement over the trucks they have, which they say do not comply of three per shift until the cutbacks. AENA refused to with the service manual of the ICAO — an international answer questions from this newspaper about internal regulation. The employees alerted AENA that one is

over 15 years old (when the manual states no vehicles of that age should be in service) and cannot reach the minimum speed of 105kmp/h also laid out in the manual. The airports authority again has yet respond.

“I will not be held responsible if I am not able to respond [to an emergency] in time,” one firefighter wrote in an internal email to the director of the aerodrome. Professionals at Cuatro Vientos asked that the airport be removed from operational status while these shortcomings were addressed. Delgado González replied in another email: “The top speed of a fire truck is not a parameter for this service to be non-operational.”

After Sunday’s fatal accident, the main opposition Socialist Party called for Delgado González and AENA chief José Manuel Vargas to appear in Congress.

Socialist deputy for Madrid, Rafael Simancas, said: “We would like them to explain what the normal operative complement is and whether or not the regulations have been followed. It would not be responsible to link the accident with the cutbacks in the number of employees, but the debate is there and we want to determine if the forecast cutbacks affect security.”

Tejedor was 35 years old and an experienced pilot, who was flying a vintage Saeta HA-200 trainer jet at a monthly exhibition held at the airport.

SPAIN’S NO TO GENEVA Spanish/French co-op nabs terror dividend GEEK RETURN Spain’s High Court has turned down Switzerland’s request to extradite Hervé Falciani, the former HSBC Private Bank employee whose tax-evasion whistleblowing activities have become a cause célèbre. The French– Italian computer expert, who in 2008 made off with files detailing 130,000 of the Geneva-based bank’s clients, will not be required to return to Switzerland to face four charges relating to his data grab.

The court ruled that the principle of “double incrimination” is not satisfied in this case, meaning that the offenses of which Falciani is accused are not listed as such in Spanish criminal law.

The Monaco-born IT expert was arrested in Switzerland – where he is accused of financial espionage, violation of the bank secrecy law, revealing commercial secrets and stealing clients’ private data – but he left the country, finally being arrested again in Spain last July.

The High Court in Madrid also considered that the information Falciani had facilitated to the tax authorities in France, Spain, Germany, Italy and the United States was related to criminal activities that are “in no way eligible for legitimate protection.”

Falciani, who had been

released on bail for by the Spanish courts before his April 15 extradition hearing, is now free to travel outside Spain. Had the court ruled in favor of the Swiss request, the Spanish government would have had the last word on the extradition process.

Information released by the former bank employee has allowed the Spanish state to recover more than 300 million euros of lost taxes between 2010 and 2011, with further related investigations still in progress.

A joint operation by French security forces and the Civil Guard in the early hours of Tuesday morning resulted in the arrests of six of Spain’s most-wanted ETA members in various cities across France. According to sources close to the investigation, the detainees formed part of ETA’s logistics apparatus, known as Elosa, among whose functions is the storing of weapons.

Two of the suspected terrorists, Raúl Aduna Vallinas and Antonio Goikoetxea Gabilondo were detained in Brive-la-Gallairde, south of Limoges. Two others, Ekhiñe Eizagirre Zubiaurre and Kepa Arkauz Zubillaga, were picked up in Blois,

southwest of Paris. The remaining two, Igor Uriarte Löpez de Vicuña and Julen Mendizabal Elezcano, were arrested in Montpellier.

No further details about the operation have yet been released but more arrests have not been ruled out.

“The nucleus of ETA’s logistics apparatus has been dismantled,” Interior Minister Jorge Fernández Díaz said.

“These arrests and the extreme weakness of the organization leaves it facing the inevitable: its dissolution.”

The latest operation against ETA brings the number of arrests to 11 this year, and 43 since the terrorist organization announced a “definitive” end to violence in October 2011.

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Friday, May 10, 2013

PALACE REIGNS WITH VEGAS GLITZ By the normally hard-to-please MIKE THORNTON

As a rather difficult person to please, especially when it comes to food and entertainment, I really was a bit worried about what lay ahead. I’d read some rather damning reviews of the Benidorm Palace show, but it soon became apparent that those who posted the stunted reviews must have been brought up differently! Their idea of a good night out is to get sloshed, fall over, bring back what was eaten for breakfast, and to fall asleep whilst praying to the toilet!

Wow! Las Vegas has arrived in Spain, and in our own backyard! Why did nobody tell me how good the Benidorm Palace is? We were greeted with a big smile, ushered through the

impressive lobby and after the palace paparazzi forced us to pose for a picture, we swept down the staircase to the glitzy cruise-ship style auditorium to our table. It was well laid out with a table lamp, bottle of wine and ice bucket with chilled Cava and linen napkins. We were soon served a meal fit for any deserving culinary critic, even those able to verbally slaughter the efforts of the galley chef serving 300 people in the space of an hour or so.

The first course of soup was followed by smoked salmon and then fillet steak and dessert to finish, washed down with our choice of wine that wasn’t half bad. This was all accompanied by a very subtle but entertaining fivepiece Jazz band.

The evening continued with a mixture of impressive traditional and modern Spanish dance scenes, spectacular circus acts, comedy and illusion with a grand finale (Moulin Rouge style), with much more in between!

Going on until well after midnight, I definitely recommend a night at Benidorm Palace. Whether you are a party of 20 or a couple looking for a touch of class and sophistication, it’s well worth a visit.

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Friday, May 10, 2013

Horrorscopes Aries March 21 - April 19 Comedy bunnies / hippopotami / cheetahs and whales are 6.7% better starred than the real thing this week, especially on Tuesday morning. Approaching from the east is a better strategy for most of the week especially at day break on the 12th in any military maneuver in Iraq or Afghanistan. Favor going up stairs rather than going down them if at all possible for 70% of the time.

Taurus April 20 - May 20 Wearing sunglasses inside is set to provide a moment of poser-introspection this week, especially if you are also playing a piano or saxophone or guitar at the time.

The mixture of your Taurus buff good looks and an ability to play an instrument make you irresistibly attractive to everyone once again this week.

Gemini May 21 - June 20 HOROSCOPE ADVISORY: There is a stubbing your toe advisory in force now until well into July 2013. Sunflower, peanut, but not walnut oils are your preferred frying oils this week especially when flipping the contents in the pan is required in any Jamie Oliver inspired cooking performance.

Gemini drug dealers should hide their stash particularly securely on Wednesday.

Cancer June 21 - July 22 Bats, birds, bulls, and pissy goats that need milking are all well starred, especially Thursday, as Pluto slowly gesticulates up and down.What you need right now is a period of blind faith and what looks like cherries, as Saturn and Neptune become aligned on your chart that is becoming increasingly difficult to read.

By Pandora Leo July 23 - August 22 'Oi, you', 'Excuse me, Sir, but are you...?' and 'What are you looking at friend?' are the sort of spontaneous interjections you should expect from people you don't know this week, in meetings on the street, in car parks, or in darkened alleyways. This week your destiny is learning to whistle.

Virgo August 23 - September 22 Yawns, loud sighs and slurping your tongue with your lips and saying 'num num' are all perfectly starred this week.

Singing, dancing and walking in the rain continue to be so-soly starred.

You will be tempted to go against ages old advice and attempt to teach an old dog a new trick. Saturn will decide if you are successful or not.

Libra September 23 - October 22 An ongoing gang feud, neighbor from hell argument or a contretemps with a shelf stacker in a supermarket, indicates that your need for a period of quiet reflection is needed again once the initial storm has passed. Cushions, a hot drink and a really stupidly loyal pet will probably do the trick unless the pet has been kidnapped again.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21 A bird thrown head first at a window by the planet Saturn this week will set in train a miscellany of thoughts surrounding your own mortality which will ultimately lead to the discovery of the joys of poetry of the Dead Poets Society (carpe diem variety) or maybe just a really hairy picture of Robin Williams on Google...

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21 Now may be the time to learn how to do one of those backwards summersaults from a standing on your feet to standing on your feet position. Sounds unlike you?

That's because Jupiter has been stopping you even thinking about trying this cool exercise. Until now that is... Double kisses on the cheek greetings like Russians do are very badly starred this week.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19 Every single decision, no matter how seemingly trivial it may appear at the time this week, is potentially of pivotal import later on in the year, in the way small things sometimes make a big difference in a murder mystery television movie, particularly a Columbo. Beware butlers, magicians and anybody who befriends you out of the blue.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18 What is your life's work this week? Forget the bigger picture, forget the rest of your life bit, just what is the point of you in May 2013? The answer is about to be revealed to you in a surprisingly theatrical way. Expect fireworks, bangs and puffs of smoke, literally, figuratively and euphemistically.

Pisces February 19 - March 20 Dangers of being afflicted with Foreign Accent Syndrome are set to increase 5% for Pisces in English speaking countries this week: 10% chance of French accent, 6% German, 12% Spanish. Mild to medium slanders of people you barely know will come back to haunt you, especially if a friend talks behind your back, or you have a radio mic on. Sucking it up is all you can do, really.

Friday, May 10, 2013

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Friday, May 10, 2013

GOLDEN BOLT

Nissan has given multiple Olympic gold medallist and “world’s fastest man” Usain Bolt his very own gold GT-R, as a thank you for his work on the Nissan Global Brand Campaign.

As a brand ambassador, the Jamaican sprinter has been helping to build Nissan’s sporting profile the world over since April 2012, appearing on posters alongside the original “Bolt Gold” GT-R that was auctioned for charity late last year.

Bolt is already a GT-R owner, but is said to have experienced ‘love at first sight’ when he saw the gold GT-R Nissan had specially prepared for the charity sale.

Proceeds from the auction went to the Usain Bolt Foundation.

However, a second gold GT-R has now been built based on the latest 2013/2014 specification, and presented to the ath-

lete during a ceremony at his home training facility in Jamaica.

In addition to the striking paint, this particular car has been finished with a “flamboyant” white leather interior and 10-spoke Rays forged alloy wheels, colour-coated in “hyper-titanium” – all at Mr Bolt’s request.

An exclusive “Spec Bolt” emblem is also present, and it’s no joke either.

Nissan’s engineers have apparently customised the GT-R to specifically suit Bolt’s driving style, based on data recorded during a test-driving session at the company head quarters in October 2012.

This car and the charity car – which will be presented to the winning bidder over the summer – are the only two Nissan GT-Rs to ever feature a gold finish from the factory.

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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, 20 represents R and 24 represents Z, 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 1 Commended form of despair (7) 5 Mistakes made on the cricket field (5) 8 Pitchers from broken sewer (5) 9 Cooked kippers for the Captain (7) 10 Bat with caution, it may divide the field (9) 12 Scarlet from boredom (3) 13 Passes the time shopping? (6) 14 Sets topless hairdos shockingly (6) 17 Time inside a Federal Prison (3) 18 Untidy USA, a trial country (9) 20 I’m going to a London art museum to reproduce (7) 21 Goddess hid in a Cambodian art gallery (5) 23 Clean defective weapon (5) 24 Where the stage is set for an operation (7) STANDARD CLUES

Down 1 Looks intently at aristocrats (5) 2 Cutting edge in tax evasion (3) 3 Sends up disorganised hold-up (7) 4 Some Methodism alternatives are dreary (6) 5 Tip out a mixture of pills (5) 6 Having no favourites, although it seems I say I have (9) 7 Good man travels in long trousers (7) 11 Change to open-air function (9) 13 Menu extra is exclusive (7) 15 Condense a card game (7) 16 Going up a track (6) 18 To lower a root (5) 19 Not sleeping at a vigil (5) 22 Cunning skill? (3)

FILL IT IN

Complete the crossword grid by using the given words:

3 letter words Are Ash Bar Ebb Era Eye Flu Key Lei Mar Net Nip Sac Sap Sty Sun Ted

Tin Use Vow 4 letter words Area Aria Aril Arty Baas Bill Cell Deer Erse Isle Misc Oman Omen Talc

Test Trot Urge Uses 5 letter words Above Avian Costs Flung Ledge Mumps Obese Panel Relit Stare Tasty Tongs

6 letter words Airbus Arable Arisen Basest Cacaos Floret Ignore Incise Metric Otiose Peseta Racism Retire Slushy Strewn Tanner

7 letter words Cinemas Evinces Trifles 8 letter words Coalesce Moleskin Pictures Preclude 9 letter words Ruination Sarcastic 11 letter word Progression

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

Down

Across Across

Down

1 Demand (6) 4 Group of bees (5) 8 Changes direction (5) 9 Include (7) 10 Hide (7) 11 Distribute (4) 12 Plunge (3) 14 Chaos (4) 15 Stare at (4) 18 Finish (3) 21 Loan (4) 23 Non-attendance (7) 25 Covetous (7) 26 Reproduce (5) 27 Rise rapidly (5) 28 Superior (6)

1 Unbroken (6) 2 Odd (7) 3 Anticipation (8) 4 Rational (4) 5 Conscious (5) 6 Mix (6) 7 Tell off (5) 13 Likely (8) 16 Merciful (7) 17 Seniors (6) 19 Yellow flower (5) 20 Bid (6) 22 Not at any time (5) 24 Drill a hole (4)

Last weeks Solution

Across: 1 Scan, 4 Fuchsia, 9 Rundown, 10 Alert, 11 Area, 12 Pertain, 15 Gather, 16 Easier, 18 Cockier, 19 Pass, 22 Obese, 23 Surmise, 24 Odyssey, 25 Many.

Down: 2 Confectionery, 3 Noon, 4 Finger, 5 Claptrap, 6 Specification, 7 Alto, 8 Arrange, 13 Weakness, 14 Prosper, 17 Jersey, 20 Polo, 21 Grim.

Scribble Pad

1 Colleagues (5) 1 Commended (7) 2 Hatchet (3) 5 Falls off (5) 3 Hang (7) 8 Pitchers (5) 4 Dreary (6) 9 Sea captain (7) 5 Upset (5) 10 Delay (9) 6 Unprejudiced (9) 12 Scarlet (3) 7 Big steps (7) 13 Pays out (6) 14 Wirelesses (6) 11 Procedure (9) 17 Epoch (3) 13 Exceptional (7) 18 Large island country (9) 15 Shorten (7) 20 Copy (7) 16 Climb (6) 21 Roman goddess of the 18 Humble (5) hunt (5) 19 Attentive (5) 23 Long weapon (5) 22 Skill (3) 24 Playhouse (7) Last weeks Solution Across: 1 Omit, 4 Ancestor, 8 Cranks, 9 Neared, 10 Round the bend, 11 Trusts, 14 Travel, 16 Permanent way, 20 Talent, 21 Acacia, 22 Rehearse, 23 Tone.

Down: 2 Mario, 3 Tenants, 4 Asset, 5 Consent, 6 Shake, 7 Overdue, 12 Replace, 13 Shatter, 15 Attract, 17 Reeve, 18 Evade, 19 Alien.

Across 1 Peines (5) 4 Hormiga (3) 8 Rollos (de tela, papel, cuerda fina, cable fino) (5) 9 Soldier (7) 10 Ojo (3) 11 Butterflies (insects) (9) 13 Leg (of person) (6) 14 Costas (6) 17 Traducir (9) 19 Because of (3) 21 Terrace (patio, verandah) (7) 23 Cebolla (5) 24 Viejo (de mucha edad) (3) 25 Sunset (5)

Down 1 Escuela (establecimiento de enseñanza superior) (7) 2 More or less (3,1,5) 3 Tailor (6) 4 Todo (en su totalidad) (3) 5 Equipos (deporte) (5) 6 Libre (persona) (4) 7 Moses (6) 12 Teacher (in secondary school) (f) (9) 13 Potato (6) 15 Seventh (7) 16 Cheap (inexpensive) (6) 18 Sour (not sweet) (5) 20 Alquiler (de inmueble) (4) 22 Añadir (3)

37

Friday, May 10, 2013 Across 1 What word can mean both ‘building material used as siding or roofing’ and ‘coarse beach gravel of small waterworn stones and pebbles’?

(7) 5 What name for a ‘situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, especially ones that are equally undesirable’ is derived from the Latin for ‘double proposition’? (7) 9 In Greek mythology what was the name of the manyheaded snake whose heads grew again as they were cut off, which was eventually killed by Hercules? (5) 10 Which character in Italian commedia dell’arte is the mistress of Harlequin? (9) 11 What name is given to a period of temporary economic decline during which trade and industrial activity are reduced, generally identified by a fall in GDP in two successive quarters? (9) 12 What relation is Lady Sarah Chatto to Queen

Elizabeth II? (5) 13 What is the English equivalent of the American ‘elevator’? (4) 15 What name is given to a coil in which voltage is induced by motion through a magnetic field? (8) 18 The name of which famous London street is derived from a mallet-andball game that was played there during the 17th century? (4,4) 19 What name, often applied to a distinguished female operatic singer, comes from the Latin for ‘goddess’? (4) 22 What name is given to the dry outer coverings of some fruits or seeds? (5) 24 Which city is the capital of Scotland? (9) 26 Which verb means ‘to verb create and perform (music, drama, or verse) spontaneously or without preparation’? (9) 27 Which addictive narcotic is extracted from seed capsules of the white poppy? (5) 28 Which swing-like apparatus used by acrobats, con-

SUDOKU

Quiz Word

sists of one or more crossbars suspended between two ropes? (7) 29 The American professional baseball team based in

The Bronx are known as the New York [What]? (7)

Down 1 Which vast desert in North

Africa is the world’s hottest desert and the third largest desert after Antarctica and the Arctic? (6) 2 What name is often applied to the peninsula of southeastern Asia that includes Myanmar and Cambodia and Laos and Malaysia and Thailand and Vietnam? (9) 3 Which word can precede: court, over, roots, skirt, snake and widow? (5) 4 Which Mexican dish consists of a tortilla with meat filling baked in tomato sauce seasoned with chilli (9) 5/21 The ‘play for voices’ Under Milk Wood is the best known work of which Welsh poet and writer? (5,6) 6 Which verb means ‘overlaid (a flat surface) with a layer of plastic or some other protective material’? (9) 7 Augusta is the state capital of which New England state? (5) 8 What name for sharp, narrow ridges found in rugged mountains is derived from the French for ‘fish bone’?

(6) 14 Which monocular optical instrument possessing magnification is used for observing distant objects, especially in astronomy? (9) 16 What name is often used for ‘women’s hats’ or ‘a shop that sells women’s hats’? (9) 17 What is the name of the football stadium in Middlesbrough, which has been the home of Middlesbrough F C since it opened in 1995? (9) 20 The name of which sea pink, seaside and alpine plant of the Plumbaginaceae family also means ‘extreme care in spending money’?

(6) 21 See 5 23 Which rich brown pigment is prepared from the ink of cuttlefishes? (5) 24 Which word completes the title of double LP by the Rolling Stones, released in May 1972, [What] On Main St? (5) 25 On a map of the London Underground, what colour is the Bakerloo line? (5)

SALLY’S SIMPLE SPANISH EL VERANO - SUMMER

Match these words with their Spanish translations then find them in the wordsearch.

(Answers below)

geography QUIZ

ANSWERS: 1. "Damascus, Syria" 2. Algeria 3. Cambodia 4. Denver 5.

Netherlands 6. Vancouver 7. Vanilla Essence 8. Sargasso Sea 9. Madrid 10. The Rupee 11. Asia 12. Canada 13. A Type Of Coal 14. Will Adams An Elizabethan Adventurer 15. Plate Tectonics

Last Week’s Solutions Code Cracker Last weeks Quiz Word Solution Across: 1 Orchard, 5 Martial, 9 Ebola, 10 Remission, 11 Economics, 12 Rodeo, 13 Nile, 15 Glycogen, 18 Leapfrog, 19 Roll, 22 Oasis, 24 Ambulance, 26 Alabaster, 27 Waive, 28 Sweater, 29 Abscess.

Down: 1 Opener, 2 Crocodile, 3 Alamo, 4 Derringer, 5 Mumps, 6 Reservoir, 7 Iliad, 8/25 Lennox Lewis, 14 En passant, 16 Yogi Berra, 17 Eglantine, 20 Molars, 21 Recess, 23 Stave, 24 Astor.

la playa

el aire libre

las terrazas

el balancin

las toallas

el granizado

los helados

el sol

nadar

el ventilador

silla mecedora

la hamaca

tomar el sol

la piscina

un paseo

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

1.comer fuera, 2.el aire libre,

15.tomar el sol, 16.un paseo.

j.the rocking chair,

3.el balancín, 4.el granizado,

a.the outdoor seating areas,

k.the ice-creams, l.the fan,

5.el sol, 6.el ventilador,

b.the sun, c.to sunbathe,

m.the beach, n.the towels,

7.la hamaca, 8.la piscina,

d.the swimming pool,

o.a walk, p.the swing seat.

9.la playa, 10.las terrazas,

e.the slush puppy,

11.las toallas, 12.los helados,

f.the hammock, g.eat outside,

13.nadar, 14.silla mecedora,

h.the fresh air, i.to swim,

Soduko

Span - Eng

Quizword

Answers: 1g, 2h, 3p, 4e, 5b, 6l, 7f, 8d, 9m, 10a, 11n, 12k, 13i, 14j, 15c, 16o

1. What Is The Oldest Inhabited City In The World?

2. In which country are the ports Oran and Bone?

3. What Was The Former Name Of Kampuchea?

4. Which US state capital is known as the (mile high city) because of its elevation above sea level?

5. "Which European Country has a name that literally means, lower lands? "?

6. "He visited Australia and New Zealand, then surveyed the pacific coast of North America. "?

7. "Created By German Scientists In 1876, What Was The First Artificial Favoring "?

8. Which sea on Earth has no beaches?

9. What European capital city is not on a river?

10. What Is The Unit Of Currency In India?

11. In which continent would you find the Mekong river?

12. In what country is Banff National Park?

13. What Is An Anthracite?

14. On Whose Real Life Exploits Is James Clavells Novel Shogun Based?

15. Which Theory Is Used To Explain Continental Drift?

comer fuera

Fill It In

38

Friday, May 10, 2013

TRELI ON THE TELLY LECTER'S GRAB A BITE!

with ALEX TRELINSKI I'll admit to letting out a groan and dropping my expensive bottle of Chianti on the floor with the news that there’s yet another vehicle for the adventures of that fun loving cannibal, Hannibal Lecter.

We’ve seen big screen prequels and sequels, none of which lived up to the best movie, Silence of The Lambs, with an Oscar winning performance from Anthony Hopkins. Now, we have Hannibal on TV, and I’ve got to say that it is rather tasty, based on last Tuesday’s opener on Sky Living…or perhaps that channel should be renamed as Sky Dying!

Put together by Bryan Fuller, who did some great work on the fantasy show Heroes (and when he quit, it became rubbish), this is a very good piece of TV which

is based on the first Hannibal novel, Red Dragon. Mads Mikkelsen, who was the baddie in the Casino Royale movie, plays Lecter who links up with an FBI profiler, Will Graham, played by the British actor, Hugh Dancy.

There’s even the brooding figure of Lawrence Fishburne as Graham’s boss, so we are talking of a high class cast here. With the FBI hunting a serial killer, Hannibal, as a top psychiatrist, is brought in

to help, but the cops (as opposed to us) don’t have a clue about he really enjoys having for dinner! It’s certainly bloody but you can argue that it is far more akin to what Thomas Harris was after in his books compared to anything else. Bryan Fuller has also said that each series will be limited to just thirteen episodes to keep up the quality, and he’s to be applauded for that. There’s some fun as well with each

episode in the thirteen part series being named after an aspect of French cuisine, so next week we have AmuseBouche, to follow on from Aperitif. I’ll certainly be stocking up on my Chianti for next three months or so!

It may be nine series old, but The Apprentice shows absolutely no sign of sagging, and we had a treat of two outings on BBC1 this week. What totally baffles me is the complete

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ignorance of the candidates, as if they’ve never ever watched the programme before. Of course the whole thing would be as boring as sin if they were all brilliant, but Lord Alan Sugar hit the ground running by calling them all a “bloody waste of space” on the first programme. Nothing changes then!

Is there a crisis at ITV’s Coronation Street? With Michael Le Vell’s absence as Kevin being explained by a mercy dash to his ill father to Germany, we now have all of Ken Barlow’s scenes being snipped out, due to William Roache’s legal problems.

Add the fact that Michelle Keegan (Tina), John Michie (Karl), Julie Hesmondhaigh (Hayley), Peter Gunn (Brian), and Tony Hirst (Paul) are all leaving over the next year, then I would suggest that the producers might have something of a problem. No wonder we get occasional unsubstantiated rumours that Kevin Kennedy may make a return, some ten years since he last

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played Curly Watts. Let’s get Hilda Ogden out of her Derbyshire retirement cottage whilst we’re at it, as well exhuming Ena Sharples and her hairnet!

What’s the secret of the success of For the Love of Dogs, which is back on ITV on a Thursday night? The answer is Paul O’Grady who just comes as genuine and unrehearsed in his passion for the doggies, and it’s given him a far bigger hit than his disastrous primetime chat shows for the same channel.

If you were left on the edge of your seat watching Channel Five on Tuesday night with the end of series cliff-hanger on Dallas, then do not worry. An even longer run for next year has been ordered by the American channel, TNT, but I still can’t work out why UK viewers have deserted a show that has delivered an entertaining mix of the absurd and melodramatic every week. I’m all for quality escapist nonsense like this and long may it continue.

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The Courier Friday TV 00:35 This Week 01:20 Holiday Weatherview 01:25 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Fake Britain 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Don't Get Done, Get Dom 12:45 Animal Frontline 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 Perfection 16:45 The Hairy Bikers' Food Tour of Britain 17:30 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Weather 20:00 The One Show 20:30 A Question of Sport 21:00 EastEnders 21:30 Would I Lie to You? 22:00 Have I Got News for You 22:30 Not Going Out 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News and Weather 23:35 The Graham Norton Show

00:20 Keeping Britain Alive: The NHS in a Day 01:20 Boris Johnson: The Irresistible Rise 02:20 This Is BBC Two 05:00 Schools: Tales from the Old

Bailey: The Blackguard Boys 05:15 Schools: Tales from the Old Bailey: The Grave Robber 05:30 Schools: Tales from the Old Bailey: The Murderess 05:45 Schools: Tales from the Old Bailey: The Suffragettes 06:55 Homes Under the Hammer 07:55 Don't Get Done, Get Dom 08:40 Animal Frontline 09:10 Saints and Scroungers 09:55 Formula One 11:35 The A to Z of TV Gardening 12:00 BBC News 12:30 BBC World News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 Formula One 15:45 My Life in Books 16:15 Rewind the 60s 17:00 Life in the Undergrowth 18:00 The Great British Bake Off 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Flog It! 20:00 Hairy Bikers' Best of British 21:00 Nature's Microworlds 21:30 Gardeners' World 22:00 Pride & Prejudice: Having a Ball 23:30 Newsnight

00:05 The Job Lot 00:35 All You Can Eat 01:35 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 Rory Bremner's Great British Views 16:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:59 ITV Meridian Weather 17:00 Tipping Point 18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News Meridian 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 The Martin Lewis Money Show 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Life of Crime 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:20 ITV Meridian Weather 23:25 The Suspicions of Mr Whicher

LIFE OF CRIME New series. Police drama chronicling the career of a risk-taking officer over three decades as she progresses through the Met ranks. In 1985, novice WPC Denise Woods becomes emotionally involved in the rape and murder of 15-year-old Amy Reid, whom she happened to meet the night before she was killed. As the investigation hits a wall amid the chaos of the Brixton riots, Denise takes matters into her own hands.

00:05 24 Hours in A&E 01:05 Random Acts 01:10 The Hoarder Next Door 02:10 Mary Queen of the High Street 03:05 Edward VIII's Murderous Mistress 04:00 Unreported World 04:25 A Place in the Sun 05:20 SuperScrimpers 05:30 Deal or No Deal 06:25 Countdown 07:10 The Hoobs 08:05 According to Jim 08:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:25 Frasier 11:00 The Secret Millionaire 12:00 Come Dine with Me 12:30 What's Cooking?

13:25 Channel 4 News Midday 13:30 Sarah Beeny's Selling Houses 14:30 Channel 4 Racing 16:30 1001 Things You Should Know 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:30 Unreported World 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Come Dine with Me 22:00 Ben Earl: Trick Artist 23:00 Alan Carr: Chatty Man

May 10

00:45 True Crimes: The First 72 Hours 01:15 SuperCasino 04:55 House Doctor 05:20 House Doctor 05:45 Divine Designs 06:10 Nick's Quest 06:35 Nick's Quest 07:00 Thomas & Friends 07:10 Rupert Bear 07:20 Fireman Sam 07:30 Jelly Jamm 07:45 Peppa Pig 07:50 Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures 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 Make Way for Noddy 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:25 Peppa Pig 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:45 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Motor Morphers 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 The Removal Men 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 The Mentalist 16:15 Fatal Trust 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News at 6.30 20:00 The Removal Men 21:00 Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers 22:00 The Mentalist 23:00 CSI: Miami

39

The Courier Saturday TV

May 11

02:50 This Is BBC Two 07:00 This Is BBC Two 00:25 The Wright Way 00:55 The Ruins 02:20 Weatherview 02:25 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 11:00 Saturday Kitchen Live 12:30 Football Focus 13:00 BBC News; Regional News and Weather 13:10 Formula One 15:15 Live Challenge Cup Rugby League 17:35 Escape to the Country 18:20 Celebrity Mastermind 18:50 Pointless Celebrities 19:40 BBC News; Regional News and Weather 20:00 Doctor Who 20:45 The National Lottery: Who Dares Wins

01:20 Jackpot247 04:00 Columbo: Last Salute to the Commodore 09:25 Sealed Cargo 05:35 ITV Nightscreen 10:55 Formula One 07:00 Special Agent Oso 07:25 The Hive 12:10 The Sky at Night 07:40 Dino Dan 12:30 Indian Food Made Easy 08:05 Canimals 08:20 Almost Naked Animals 13:00 Just a Minute 08:35 Ultimate Spider-Man 13:30 Talking Pictures 09:00 Jessie 09:25 ITV News 14:15 Kind Hearts and Coronets 09:30 Saturday Farm 10:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show USA 15:55 The Man in the White Suit 11:20 My Tasty Travels with Lynda 17:20 Coast Bellingham 12:20 Murder, She Wrote 18:05 Restoration Home 13:20 ITV News and Weather 19:05 Flog It! 13:29 ITV Meridian Weather 13:30 All Star Mr & Mrs 20:05 Dad's Army 14:30 River Monsters 20:35 The Culture Show 15:30 You've Been Framed!

16:00 ITV News Meridian 21:05 The Star Trek Story 16:05 ITV News and Weather 16:15 Live FA Cup Football 22:00 The Many Faces of 20:45 Britain's Got Talent 23:00 Blackadder the Third 21:45 The Cube 23:30 The United States of Television: 22:45 The Jonathan Ross Show 23:45 ITV News and Weather America in Primetime 23:59 ITV Meridian Weather 08:10 Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

00:05 01:00 01:05 01:30 01:50 04:05 04:30 04:50 05:15 06:10 06:15 06:25 07:10 08:00 08:30 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:05 13:05 13:35 14:40 17:15 17:45 20:15 20:45 23:50

10 O'Clock Live Random Acts New Girl The Mindy Project As Good as It Gets Happy Endings The New Normal Accidentally on Purpose A Place in the Sun SuperScrimpers Deal or No Deal Countdown The Hoobs British GT The Grid The Morning Line Everybody Loves Raymond Frasier The Big Bang Theory The Simpsons Heston's Feast Channel 4 Racing The Simpsons Come Dine with Me Channel 4 News Avatar Mirrors

AVATAR

21:35 The Voice UK 22:50 Casualty 23:40 BBC News; Weather

00:00 Weather 00:05 Mansfield Park

Paraplegic marine Jake Sully takes over his dead brother's mission on the distant planet of Pandora, where, by fusing his mind with a genetically engineered native body, he is required to infiltrate and gather intelligence about the local population. But Jake's loyalties become divided when he discovers a clandestine plot to drive out the locals and gain access to the planet's rich mineral reserves.

01:50 Question Time

00:00 CSI: Miami 00:55 Inside Hollywood 01:00 SuperCasino 04:55 Motorsport Mundial 05:20 House Doctor 05:45 Divine Designs 06:10 Nick's Quest 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 Chloe's Closet 07:55 Roobarb and Custard Too 08:05 Bananas in Pyjamas 08:15 Animal Antics 08:25 Noddy in Toyland 08:35 Mio Mao 08:40 City of Friends 08:50 Little Princess 09:05 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 09:20 Funky Town 09:25 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 The Mr Men Show 11:15 Power Rangers 11:50 Batman 12:15 Inside Hollywood 12:20 Ultimate Police Interceptors 12:55 Frontline Police 13:55 Emergency Bikers 14:55 CSI 15:50 CSI 16:45 Columbo: Caution - Murder Can Be Hazardous to Your Health 18:35 Jesse Stone: Night Passage 20:10 NCIS 21:00 NCIS 21:55 5 News Weekend 22:00 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit 22:55 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit 23:50 Law & Order: Criminal Intent

The Courier Sunday TV 00:00 Match of the Day 00:30 A Bronx Tale 00:30 Minority Report

02:20 This Is BBC Two

02:50 Weatherview

07:00 This Is BBC Two

02:55 BBC News

07:35 Press for Time 09:15 Gardeners' World

07:00 Breakfast

09:45 The A to Z of TV Gardening

10:00 The Andrew Marr Show

10:30 The Beechgrove Garden 11:00 Saturday Kitchen Best Bites

11:00 The Big Questions

12:30 Chinese Food Made Easy

12:00 Sunday Politics

13:00 Hairy Bikers' Best of British

13:10 Formula One

13:50 EastEnders 15:40 Triathlon

16:15 Points of View 16:30 Escape to the Country 17:00 Songs of Praise

16:45 Final Score 18:30 Great British Food Revival 19:00 Flog It! 20:00 Coast

17:35 The Diamond Queen 18:35 BBC News; Regional News and Weather 19:00 Countryfile 20:00 The Voice UK 21:00 British Academy Television Awards 23:00 BBC News; Regional News and Weather 23:25 Match of the Day

21:00 The Challenger 22:30 The Fantastic Mr Feynman 23:30 Mock the Week Looks Back

00:00 FA Cup Football Highlights 01:00 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

02:00 Jackpot247 04:00 The Starter Wife 04:50 ITV Nightscreen 07:00 Special Agent Oso 07:25 The Hive 07:40 Dino Dan 08:05 Canimals 08:20 Almost Naked Animals 08:30 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 09:00 Sonny with a Chance 09:25 ITV News 09:30 Country House Sunday 10:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show USA 11:20 Murder, She Wrote 12:20 Dickinson's Real Deal 13:20 ITV News and Weather 13:29 ITV Meridian Weather 13:30 Love Your Garden 14:25 Britain's Got Talent 15:25 About a Boy 17:15 Midsomer Murders 19:15 ITV News Meridian 19:30 ITV News and Weather 19:45 Catchphrase 20:30 Off Their Rockers 21:00 The Suspicions of Mr Whicher: The Murder in Angel Lane 23:00 ITV News and Weather 23:14 ITV Meridian Weather 23:15 Perspectives

BRITISH TVACADEMY AWARDS Graham Norton hosts the annual ceremony celebrating the best of British TV, held at London's Royal Festival Hall. Actors and actresses hoping for a gong include Steve Coogan, Sienna Miller, Miranda Hart, Sheridan Smith, Alan Carr, Olivia Colman and Hugh Bonneville, while the entertainment performance category sees Graham himself competing against Ant and Dec, Sarah Millican and Alan Carr.

01:55 Jaws: The Great White Myth 02:50 Southland 03:35 Hollyoaks 05:45 Deal or No Deal 06:40 Kirstie's Handmade Treasures 07:00 The Treacle People 07:10 The Hoobs 08:05 Will & Grace 08:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:25 Frasier 09:55 Frasier 10:30 Sunday Brunch 13:00 The Big Bang Theory 14:00 The Simpsons 14:30 The Simpsons 15:00 The Golden Child 16:40 Come Dine with Me 17:45 Deal or No Deal 18:45 George Clarke's Amazing Spaces 19:40 Grand Designs 20:35 Channel 4 News 21:00 Celebrity Deal or No Deal 22:00 The Inbetweeners Movie 23:55 The Inbetweeners Top 10 Moments

May 12

00:45 True Crimes 01:15 SuperCasino 04:55 Michaela's Wild Challenge 05:40 County Secrets 05:55 Hana's Helpline 06:05 Angels of Jarm 06:15 Roary the Racing Car 06:25 The Funky Valley Show 06:35 Hana's Helpline 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 07:45 Milkshake! Monkey 07:50 Chloe's Closet 08:00 Roobarb and Custard Too 08:10 Bananas in Pyjamas 08:20 Animal Antics 08:30 Noddy in Toyland 08:40 City of Friends 08:55 Little Princess 09:05 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 09:20 Funky Town 09:25 Angelina Ballerina 09:40 Rupert Bear 09:55 Milkshake! Show Songs 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 11:35 Batman 12:00 How Do They Do It? 12:30 Building the London Underground 13:35 Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild 14:35 See Spot Run 16:30 Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory 18:30 5 News Weekend 18:35 Godzilla 21:00 Once Upon a Time 22:00 The Truth About Travellers 23:00 Blitz

40

The Courier Monday TV

May 13

00:55 The Whistle Blower 02:35 Weatherview 02:40 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Fake Britain 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 The Sheriffs Are Coming 12:45 Saints and Scroungers 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 Perfection 16:45 The Hairy Bikers' Food Tour of Britain 17:30 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 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 Panorama 22:00 The Prisoners 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News and Weather 23:35 Have I Got a Bit More News for You

00:00 00:30 01:40 02:35

The Culture Show Somers Town Countryfile Holby City

03:35 This Is BBC Two 07:00 This Is BBC Two 07:05 Homes Under the Hammer 08:05 Don't Get Done, Get Dom 08:50 Animal Frontline 09:20 Saints and Scroungers 10:05 Coast 11:05 Great British Railway Journeys 11:35 Click 12:00 BBC News 12:30 BBC World News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 My Life in Books 14:30 Weakest Link 15:15 Mastermind 15:45 The Great British Bake Off 16:45 Restoration Roadshow 17:15 Life in the Undergrowth 18:15 Flog It! 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 The Chef's Protege 20:00 Antiques Road Trip 21:00 Auction Hero 22:00 The Fall 23:00 Never Mind the Buzzcocks 23:30 Weather

00:15 Premiership Rugby Union 01:10 The Store 03:15 Motorsport UK 04:05 British Superbike Championship Highlights 04:55 Monk 05:35 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 May the Best House Win 16:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:59 ITV Meridian Weather 17:00 Tipping Point 18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News Meridian 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 The Dales 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Vicious 22:30 The Job Lot 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 ITV Meridian Weather 23:35 The Jonathan Ross Show

00:55 Nacho Libre 02:30 Shopgirl 04:15 Gok's Style Secrets 05:10 A Place in the Sun 06:05 Deal or No Deal 07:00 The Treacle People 07:10 The Hoobs 08:00 According to Jim 08:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:25 Frasier 11:00 The Secret Millionaire 12:00 Come Dine with Me 12:30 What's Cooking?

13:40 Channel 4 News Midday Summary 13:45 Sarah Beeny's Selling Houses 14:45 Four Rooms 15:45 Countdown 16:30 1001 Things You Should Know 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 Dispatches 21:30 SuperScrimpers 22:00 Skint 23:00 Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA

SKINT Documentary following the lives of unemployed people on an estate in Scunthorpe, north Lincolnshire, highlighting social issues such as crime, welfare dependency, truancy and addiction.

The programme meets 37-year-old Dean, who used to have a job at the steelworks, a shoplifter who sells stolen deodorant at discounted prices, and a teenager excluded from seven different schools.

01:05 Soho Blues 02:05 SuperCasino 04:55 Michaela's Wild Challenge 05:45 County Secrets 05:55 Hana's Helpline 06:05 Angels of Jarm 06:15 Roary the Racing Car 06:25 The Funky Valley Show 06:35 Hana's Helpline 06:50 Roary the Racing Car 07:00 Thomas & Friends 07:10 Rupert Bear 07:20 Fireman Sam 07:30 Jelly Jamm 07:45 Peppa Pig 07:50 Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures 07:55 Little Princess 08:10 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 08:20 The Mr Men Show 08:35 Thomas & Friends 08:45 Make Way for Noddy 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:10 Mio Mao 09:15 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 Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Building the London Underground 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 NCIS 16:15 Reverse Angle 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News at 6.30 20:00 Building the Panama Canal 21:00 Motor Morphers 22:00 Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild 23:00 World's

The Courier Tuesday TV

May 14

00:20 The Graham Norton Show 01:05 Flashbacks of a Fool 02:50 Weatherview 02:55 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Fake Britain 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 The Sheriffs Are Coming 12:45 Saints and Scroungers 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 Perfection 16:45 The Hairy Bikers' Food Tour of Britain 17:30 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Weather 20:00 The One Show 20:30 EastEnders 21:00 Holby City 22:00 Frankie 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News and Weather 23:35 The Wright Way

00:20 The Genius of Marie Curie The Woman Who Lit Up the World 01:20 The Apprentice 02:20 Keeping Britain Alive 03:20 This Is BBC Two 05:00 Schools 05:35 Schools

05:40 Schools 06:00 Spark 06:30 History Hunt 07:00 This Is BBC Two 07:05 Homes Under the Hammer 08:05 The Sheriffs Are Coming 08:50 Saints and Scroungers 09:20 The A to Z of TV Gardening 10:05 Watchdog 11:05 Paul Hollywood's Bread 11:35 HARDtalk 12:00 BBC News 12:30 BBC World News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 My Life in Books 14:30 Weakest Link 15:15 Mastermind 15:45 The Great British Bake Off 16:45 Restoration Roadshow 17:15 Planet Earth 18:15 Flog It! 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 The Chef's Protege 20:00 Antiques Road Trip 21:00 Auction Hero 22:00 Keeping Britain Alive: The NHS in a Day 23:00 Later Live - with Jools Holland 23:30 Newsnight

00:40 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 News Meridian 15:00 May the Best House Win 16:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:59 ITV Meridian Weather 17:00 Tipping Point 18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News Meridian 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 21:00 Caroline Quentin's National Parks 22:00 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? The People Play 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 ITV News Meridian 23:35 The Zoo

FRANKIE New series. Drama about district nurse Frankie Maddox whose work always seems to take priority over her personal life. Frankie (Torchwood star Eve Myles) is in a happy if unremarkable relationship with policeman Ian, who she suspects is planning something special for her forthcoming 36th birthday. However, elderly patient Mr Thomas becomes her number one concern when she realises his daughter is struggling to care for both him and her terminally ill husband.

00:05 Alan Carr: Chatty Man 01:05 Random Acts 01:10 Shameless 02:10 The Fear 03:05 Coming Up 03:35 Atlantic 03:40 The Renovation Game 04:35 A Place in the Sun 05:30 Make Do & Mend 06:00 Deal or No Deal 06:55 SuperScrimpers 07:10 The Hoobs 08:05 According to Jim 08:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:25 Frasier 11:00 The Secret Millionaire 12:00 Come Dine with Me 12:30 What's Cooking?

13:40 Channel 4 News Midday 13:45 Sarah Beeny's Selling Houses 14:45 Four Rooms 15:45 Countdown 16:30 1001 Things You Should Know 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 Embarrassing Bodies: Live from the Clinic 22:00 Mary Queen of the High Street 23:00 Shameless

00:00 The Outlaw Josey Wales 02:40 SuperCasino 04:55 House Doctor 05:20 House Doctor 05:45 Divine Designs 06:10 Nick's Quest 06:35 Nick's Quest 07:00 Thomas & Friends 07:10 Rupert Bear 07:20 Fireman Sam 07:30 Jelly Jamm 07:45 Peppa Pig 07:50 Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures 07:55 Little Princess 08:10 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 08:20 The Mr Men Show 08:35 Thomas & Friends 08:45 Make Way for Noddy 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:10 Mio Mao 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:20 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 Emergency Bikers 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Benidorm ER 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 NCIS 16:15 Mind over Murder 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News at 6.30 20:00 Big Body Squad 21:00 Murder Files 22:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 23:00 Body of Proof 23:55 CSI: Miami

41

The Courier Wednesday TV

May 15

00:05 Live at the Apollo 00:40 Mississippi Burning 02:40 Weatherview 02:45 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Fake Britain 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 The Sheriffs Are Coming 12:45 Saints and Scroungers 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 Perfection 16:45 The Hairy Bikers' Food Tour of Britain 17:30 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Weather 20:00 The One Show 21:00 Watchdog 22:00 The Apprentice 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News and Weather 23:35 A Question of Sport

00:20 The Fantastic Mr Feynman 01:20 The Apprentice 02:20 James May's Man Lab 03:20 This Is BBC Two 05:00 Schools - How God Made the English 05:30 The Last Days of Anne Boleyn

05:55 What Makes Me, Me 06:00 Schools - Bringing Books to Life 07:00 Homes Under the Hammer 08:00 The Sheriffs Are Coming 08:45 Saints and Scroungers 09:15 The A to Z of TV Gardening 10:00 The Great British Sewing Bee 11:00 Deadly 60 on a Mission 11:30 Great British Railway Journeys 12:00 BBC News 12:30 Daily Politics 14:00 My Life in Books 14:30 Weakest Link 15:15 Mastermind 15:45 The Great British Bake Off 16:45 Restoration Roadshow 17:15 Planet Earth 18:15 Flog It! 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 The Chef's Protege 20:00 Antiques Road Trip 21:00 Auction Hero 22:00 Bankers 23:00 The Apprentice: You're Fired 23:30 Newsnight

00:35 In Plain Sight 01:25 Jackpot247 04:00 Loose Women 04:45 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 May the Best House Win 16:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:59 ITV Meridian Weather 17:00 Tipping Point 18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News Meridian 19:15 ITV News and Weather 19:45 Coronation Street 20:15 Live UEFA Europa League Football 23:15 ITV News and Weather 23:45 ITV News Meridian 23:50 Dirty Britain

00:05 Random Acts 00:10 Ben Earl: Trick Artist 01:10 European Poker Tour 02:10 KOTV Boxing Weekly 02:40 Sailing 03:05 The Grid 03:35 British GT 04:00 Michael Johnson: Survival of the Fastest 04:55 A Place in the Sun 05:50 Make Do & Mend 06:15 Deal or No Deal 07:10 The Hoobs 08:05 According to Jim 08:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:25 Frasier 11:00 The Secret Millionaire 12:00 Come Dine with Me 12:30 What's Cooking?

13:25 Channel 4 News Midday Summary 13:30 Sarah Beeny's Selling Houses 14:30 Channel 4 Racing 16:30 1001 Things You Should Know 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 Location, Location, Location 22:00 24 Hours in A&E 23:00 10 O'Clock Live 23:55 Random Acts

THE APPRENTICE The hopefuls are summoned to the home of the Design Council, where Alan Sugar sets them a design-based task - they have to come up with an inventive piece of flat-pack furniture, before producing prototypes and pitching their products to retailers. The candidates soon get creative, with one team bringing a folding chair to the table, while the others decide to manufacture a multifunctional cube - but it isn't long before problems begin, with mixed-up measurements and internal squabbles threatening the process.

00:50 CSI: NY 01:45 True Crimes: The First 72 Hours 02:15 SuperCasino 04:55 House Doctor 05:45 Divine Designs 06:10 Michaela's Wild Challenge 07:00 Thomas & Friends 07:10 Rupert Bear 07:20 Fireman Sam 07:30 Jelly Jamm 07:45 Peppa Pig 07:50 Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures 07:55 Little Princess 08:10 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 08:20 The Mr Men Show 08:35 Thomas & Friends 08:45 Make Way for Noddy 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:10 Mio Mao 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:20 Peppa Pig 09:25 Peppa Pig 09:30 Milkshake! Monkey 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:45 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Frontline Police 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 NCIS 16:15 Jane Doe: Yes, I Remember it Well 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News at 6.30 20:00 Frontline Police 21:00 Emergency Bikers 22:00 NCIS 23:00 The Murder of Marilyn Monroe

The Courier Thursday TV

May 16

00:05 Wild Hogs 01:40 Weatherview 01:45 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Fake Britain 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 The Sheriffs Are Coming 12:45 Saints and Scroungers 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 Perfection 16:45 The Hairy Bikers' Food Tour of Britain 17:30 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 BBC London News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 EastEnders 21:00 Waterloo Road 22:00 Britain's Biggest Hoarders 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News and Weather 23:35 Question Time

00:20 Keeping Britain Alive: The NHS in a Day 01:20 Keeping Britain Alive: The NHS in a Day 02:20 Fit to Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History 03:20 This Is BBC Two 05:00 Schools - Beneath the Lab Coat: 1 06:00 Schools - Bringing Books to

Life 2 07:00 This Is BBC Two 07:05 Homes Under the Hammer 08:05 The Sheriffs Are Coming 08:50 Saints and Scroungers 09:20 The A to Z of TV Gardening 10:05 Italy Unpacked 11:05 Great British Railway Journeys 11:35 HARDtalk 12:00 BBC News 12:30 BBC World News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 My Life in Books 14:30 Weakest Link 15:15 Mastermind 15:45 The Great British Bake Off 16:45 Restoration Roadshow 17:15 Planet Earth 18:15 Flog It! 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 The Chef's Protege 20:00 The Dambusters: 70 Years On 21:00 Bradford: City of Dreams 22:00 The Tube: An Underground History 23:00 Watson & Oliver 23:30 Newsnight

00:55 The Dales 01:20 Jackpot247 04:00 Columbo: Forgotten Lady 05:35 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 May the Best House Win 16:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:59 ITV Meridian Weather 17:00 Tipping Point 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 Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs 22:00 Murder on the Home Front 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 ITV Meridian Weather 23:35 Vicious

DAYBREAKES Horror starring Ethan Hawke and Willem Dafoe. In the future, a plague has transformed nearly all of Earth's population into vampires. But with the blood supply running out, scientist Edward Dalton works to create a substitute that will ensure vampire survival and help to save the dwindling number of humans from extinction.

Then he meets someone who claims he knows how to transform back to human form again.

00:00 Secrets of the Shoplifters 01:05 The Repo Man 02:05 Revenge 02:55 Breakfast on Pluto 05:05 Mama Lou 05:10 Deal or No Deal 06:05 Countdown 06:50 SuperScrimpers 07:10 The Hoobs 08:05 According to Jim 08:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:25 Frasier 11:00 The Secret Millionaire 12:00 Come Dine with Me 12:30 What's Cooking?

13:25 Channel 4 News Midday 13:30 Sarah Beeny's Selling Houses 14:30 Channel 4 Racing 16:30 1001 Things You Should Know 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 Secret Eaters 22:00 The Murder Workers 23:25 999: What's Your Emergency?

00:00 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit 00:55 Poker 01:55 SuperCasino 04:55 House Doctor 05:45 Divine Designs 06:10 Michaela's Wild Challenge 07:00 Thomas & Friends 07:10 Rupert Bear 07:20 Fireman Sam 07:30 Jelly Jamm 07:45 Peppa Pig 07:50 Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures 07:55 Little Princess 08:10 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 08:20 The Mr Men Show 08:35 Thomas & Friends 08:45 Make Way for Noddy 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:15 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 Big Body Squad 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 The True Story 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 The Mentalist 16:15 McBride: The Doctor is Out, Really Out 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News at 6.30 20:00 Cricket on 5 21:00 Aliens: Are We Alone?

22:00 Daybreakers

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Friday, May 10, 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 for first consultation free of charge.

AUCTIONS

ANIMALS Pet Travel UK Personalised family pet transporter between Spain/France/UK. Door to door fully accompanied service. Travel overland then on ferries with your pets. No charge for passengers. Pet friendly hotels used if a stop required, All air conditioned vehicles (no vans), DEFRA licence. www.pettraveluk. co.uk UK 0800 612 4922 or Spain 678 756 644

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 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 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 contact PilarChristian.

CommunityChurch@gmail.c om or contact Reverend Eddie on 966769300 or 650509606. Reg No:2009SG/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.

all policies and call centre staff in English. We will call you back with a quote. 966 923 963

PROPERTY FOR RENT

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.

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)

PERSONAL **NEW in the business NEW in Monique’s team **Salma ,English spoken** 25yrs, Canarias girl, slim, sexy , Without time pressure. 654 319 142

CARS FOR SALE Car insurance quotes – new extra discount on fully comprehensive policies at the price of third party!

Excellent prices for expats,

CARPENTER ALARMS

CATERING

**Venezuelan CARLA**, super sexy curvy, long black hair, natural big breast, black eyes, South American temperaments. For all your fantasies. Oral give/receive.

Carla; 655 364 723**

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 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. (116) 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 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 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, supermarket, restaurants and bars. Short term rental avail-

able. 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 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 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

LONG TERM RENTALS LONG TERM LET TORREVIEJA – 2 bed, park home, aircon, TV, DVD, communal pool and bar. Near Torretta II shops and bars. Close to beach. 250pm + bills. 617 599 470 (113) 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

BLINDS

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

BARBER

CAR HIRE

CLEANERS

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Friday, May 10, 2013 CBR27 – Ground floor apartment in closed luxury residential with beautiful communal gardens, pool, 2 beds 1 walk-in shower, redecorated this year. Only 250m walk to beach, inc.parking. 425€ pcm, call 966 923 963 CBR31 – Town centre apartment in Los Montesinos, all amenities nearby, spacious 2 beds 1 bath 250€ pcm, call 966 923 963 CBR32 : 3 bed, 2 bath apartment in Los Montesinos, very spacious 120 m2, fully furnished, with pool on solarium, only 300 € p/m, call now on 966 923 963 Ref. RS20 – 2 bedroom 1 bathroom apartment within private enclosed residential in San Luis, large terrace, 300 € pcm. 966 923 963 CBR18 – Detached Spanish villa, beachside Punta Prima, 4 bedrooms, garage, 1200 m2 plot, own pool, 900 € pcm. 966 923 963 CBR23 : Stylish new house in Los Montesinos, 3 bed 2 bath with large 65m2 garage, front and back terraces. 500 € pcm. 966 923 963 Ref. RS90 – 2 bedroom detached villa all on one level, fully furnished, as new! Located in El Raso (Guardamar) 400 €. pcm Tel. 966 923 963

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.

Torrevieja. Club with 4 bedrooms and bathrooms, large entrance, about 90 m², furnished. Also suitable for office or other commercial, close to Playa de los Locos.

Price. €89,000 Phone 686935870 (118) Torrevieja. Well-established restaurant and bar for reasons of age for sale €119,000 Including inventory. 100 m², close to Playa de los Locos. Tel 686935870 (118) Bargain apartment for sale on small community, CALASPARRA. Hardly used. Furnished, views to

communal pool, bowling green and gardens.

Stunning views from the rooftop solarium. 2 beds, 1 bathroom, Eng tv connected. 10 mins to town, 45 mins Murcia. Reduced to half price 50.000.00 euros. Tel: 676429116 or 07706111997 (eng mob). (117) Ref. BRJ1 – 1 bedroom top floor renovated apartment in San Luis. Great sea and lake views. 55.000 €. Tel. 966 923 963 Ref: 104Lovely 2 Bedroom Apartment, close to Shops, walking distance to Friday Market and Town Centre and the beach. The property is close to the Habaneres Shopping Centre and Aquapark. Recently refurbished apartment in a good central location.

Conveniently situated for all the facilities of this modern vibrant town, and only a few blocks away from Torreviejas excellent sea front with its abundant cafes, restaurants and shops. Price €43950 Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 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 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 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

CAR BREAKERS

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 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 Ref 533: Lovely 2 bedroom duplex 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 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 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, €80,000. 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.

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 rooftop 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

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Friday, May 10, 2013

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 Ref: KP3100, €183,000.

Three bedroom, two bathroom 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 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 beautiful detached villa with very large pool and within walking distance to the Gran Alacant Commercial Centre.

This villa comprised of 3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, lounge-diner, Independent kitchen, roof top storage, solarium, porch & terrace.

Large private pool, BBQ area, established gardens and private terraces, Private Parking, Solarium with Views to Alicante. 450m2 plot, fully furnished including white goods. Located in very quiet desirable road. ref.L96. €255,000 Tel 680333242

ELECTRICIAN

Gran Alacant Gem! Fabulous detached Villa, with Alicante sea views to the front and wood land views to the rear, means this immaculate villa is very private and un-overlooked.

Comprising of 2 large bedrooms with fitted wardrobes, 2 bath, large fully equipped kitchen,glazed porch sitting area, solarium, Attractive Pool with cover, well maintained Gardens. Central Heating, Air Con, Ceiling fans, Private Parking, Alarm system, Decorative working Fire Place complete with electric Fire. Outdoor workshop/storage area, Quality Pergola & BBQ. Constructed in 2006, on plot size of 380m2 and being sold fully furnished including white goods. ref L80. €234,995 Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant, Rare investment!! corner south facing opportunity on Novamar urbanisation.This immaculate ground floor duplex has been kept and maintained to a very high standard inside and out the position is fantastic, enjoys views over the lovely oasis communal pool, surrounded by lawned gardens. Comprising of plot size 100m2 Build Size 90m2, 2 bedrooms, 2 bath-

PETS

rooms, fully furnished, AntiGlare Windows, Security Door, Security Grills, Built-in Wardrobes, Extra Storage, Galleria, Electric Panel Heaters, Heated Towel Rails, Air Con (h&c), Ceiling.

Fans. Thermo Shower, Vanity Units and decoratively tiled throughout, exquisite garden, Underground private parking.

Ref.K10 €139,000 Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant, Situated in the central area of Gran Alacant and within walking distance to all local amenities such as a selection of different cuisine restaurants, bars, pharmacies, banks, popular GA market and Carabassi Beach.

Comprises of 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms with a private garage and roof-top solarium. This property is part of a small urbanization which has the use of a large decorative communal pool. Ref. K36 €149,000 Tel 680333242 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 Gran Alacant detached villa with converted under build and pool. Comprising of 3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, Lounge- Diner, Front Porch, Large Solarium, decoratively tiled, Irrigated Garden.

BBQ and Log Storage Cupboard. Raised walls for Privacy. Also many extras, toldos blinds, freshly decorated interior, Grills, Mosquito Nets, Air Con H/C,

Ceiling Fans, Log Burner Fire, Electric Radiators, Heated Towel Rails, Alarmed, Phone Line, Satellite UK TV, private parking. Plot size 310m2 under build 100m2. price includes all furniture.The under build consists of 2 beds, lounge, kit/utility room. ref L79. €250,000 Tel. 680333242 Gran Alacant immaculate outstanding south facing villa in sought after road. Set on a 350m2 plot with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths,large porch, solarium and terraces. The large under build includes a lounge, kitchen, bedrooms, bathroom and patio doors leading to pool area. Internal & external access for under build. Extras include electric radiators, air con H/C, ceiling fans, gas fire, heated towel rails, extended walk-in shower, fitted wardrobes.

Decorative tiling inside and out.

Panoramic views towards Alicante Bay, Sky TV, phone line and Internet & Private parking, established gardens, water features and fruit trees. Being sold with exquisite furniture and all white goods.

Immaculate finishes and decor. ref L84. €278,000 Tel 680333242

Gran Alacant, Situated on the very first urbanisation as you enter Gran Alacant, this 2nd floor duplex offers taste and quality. Comprising of 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, lounge-diner, independent kitchen, full roof-top solarium with superb views and recently glazed in porch offering extra living area as well as extra privacy as the glass is mirrored. Ref.K44 €108,000 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 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 ter-

KITCHENS

POOL TABLES

POOLS

PARTY PLANNING

DAMP PROOFING

PLUMBERS

DRAINAGE

PLASTERER

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Friday, May 10, 2013 race, 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 Beach front Line property, over looks Carabassi Beach, Gran Alacant. 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Secure Underground Parking, Fully furnished, Roof Top Solarium. 3 Large Communal Pools, Fantastic communal Gardens, Tennis Courts and much more.

125.000 Euros Ref No. K23.

Tel. 627 711 155 Gran Alacant, Situated front line to the famous blue flag beaches of Carabassi, the

REMOVALS

real beauty of this property is its proximity to the beach, but also on offer is a fantastic communal pool situated in beautifully kept gardens with little Spanish walk ways.Comprising of 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, lounge diner, American style kitchen including all appliances, roof top solarium with stunning views, front porch area with front garden and a secure underground garage. fully furnished Ref. K23 €125,000 rare opportunity Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant limited edition villa, not very often available on the market. Only a few of this type were ever constructed- Very large 5 bedrooms, 4 bathroom(2 ensuit) property, situated on a large corner plot with a 10 x 5 private pool and private parking. Lounge-diner with working fireplace, fully equipped kitchen with utility room. Large landing area, leading onto solarium, with extra storage external room.

Front porch area leading into large well established gardens with irrigation system and fruit trees. Being sold fully furnished. Within walking distance to Gran Alacant commercial centre and 5 minute drive to Carabassi beaches. ref.

K11. €270,000 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, 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 Limited edition bungalow. Only six of this type available in Gran Alacant. Constructed in 2003 and immaculately maintained on a large plot size of 500m2 with a 10 x 5 pool.Comprising of 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms,

lounge-diner leading out onto front porch, independent kitchen including white goods, outside galleria, court yard, large garage with electric door, roof top solarium and private parking. Also built in wardrobes, Toldos blinds, air con H/C, security grills, alarm, security doors, bathrooms heaters, outside toilet, outdoor lighting, irrigation system, attractive and well kept gardens, beautifully tiled inside and out, fire place, English TV, phone line. Being sold with top quality furniture. ref L95. €275,000 Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant large detached villa with 3 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, lounge-diner, fully equipped kitchen, large porch, roof top solarium, 400 m2 Plot, with established low maintenance very private gardens with irrigation system, electronic gates, private parking, outside wc, sink & shower, terraces, air con ( h & c ), mosquito nets, grills, alarmed, large spa pool with separate Jacuzzi section.

Within easy walking distance to Gran Alacant commercial centre and close to local bus and tram route.

Ref K33. €260,000 neg Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant, detached villa in desirable road close to all

RAG AND BONE

amenities, comprising of 3 double bedrooms, 3 baths, lounge diner with working fire place, brand new kitchen with all appliances and black granite work tops, private pool, plot of 550m2, established irrigated gardens and fruit trees, private parking, solarium, also there is a converted under build giving more bedrooms ,bathroom & kitchen, this house has many extras and is being sold fully furnished.

Ref.k47. €280,000 neg Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant south-facing, very private villa, with woodland and Alicante views.

Situated at the end of a small cul-de-sac which means this villa enjoys a very peaceful location.3 Bedrooms with fitted wardrobes, 3 Bathrooms, lounge-diner with working fireplace, fully fitted kitchen with including white goods, large front porch, solarium,workshop and storage in under build, central heating, air con H/C, ceiling fans, grills, UK T.V, off road parking and plenty of outside parking also. Due to its orientation of this property enjoys full sun, all day, something very important in the winter months. Ref.K24. €237,000 Tel 680333242

SURVEYOR

STORAGE

VAN HIRE

WARDROBES

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 Kitchen Assistant Part Time required for busy restaurant near San Miguel de Salinas.

All year round postion for the right applicant. 633 154 038

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)

WANTED

46

Friday, May 10, 2013

Greenside Gossip IVIE DAVIES takes a weekly look at the golf scene - golfdavies@gmail.com

AN ASIAN TOUR DE FORCE

I bet you thought that politics was for politicians and not for those polite gentlemen in tailored suits whose job it is to look after and develop the wonderful game of golf around the world.

Well, you’re wrong! The politics of modern golf makes the politics of Westminster and Washington look like a love-in in a hippy colony.

Over last few years, all is not well between the three biggest Tours in golf: - the PGA, European and Asian Tours. They would gladly choke each other, like three brothers fighting over a ball.

The number one brother is the PGA Tour, which is bigger than the other two. They attract more sponsorship and therefore prize money, and yes the best players all flocking to live in Florida and to become a close neighbour of a certain Tiger Woods.

The youngest of the brothers is the Asian Tour, and it also happens to be the weakest of the trio. It has the smallest amount of sponsorship and prize money as well as a lack of big name players .But, for how long? The economies of India, China and other Far East countries have grown, which means there is more corporate money and sponsorship which brings with it larger prize funds.

This is bad news for brother number two, the European Tour, which has been bullied by brother number one. Take as an example the World Golf Championships, which used to be organised by the various global Tours, to swell the

game around the world, but is now (surprise, surprise!) totally played in the USA. The European Tour complained, but without any parental authority in golf, the PGA can do whatever it wants – which it does. Belly putter also springs to mind.

The European Tour sees its best players leave them for the big pay days, which in turn aggravates its sponsors as there are fewer big names playing in France, Ireland and elsewhere.

Confronted with this almost impossible state of affairs, the European Tour does what middle siblings do, when being bullied by big brother – it bullies the youngest brother.

It has arranged tournaments in India, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and now China.

Business wise this makes perfect sense. But in the environment of golfing politics, it is as brotherly as a kick up the backside! India, China and Korea are supposed to be the domain of the Asian Tour, and by wading into those countries the European Tour has shown that it has picked up a few pointers from the selfish PGA Tour as well as building up a load of resentment.

This created accusations from the Asian Tour that the European Tour was ‘colonising’ and they reported it to the International Federation of PGA Tours. Who? You’ve never heard of them, and neither have I. So the European Tour just shrugged its shoulders and continued as before.

TITTER ON THE TEE A notice seen in a Golf Club’s toilet 1. Back straight, knees bent, feet shoulder width apart.

2. Form a loose grip.

3. Keep your head down.

4. Avoid a quick back swing.

5. Stay out of the water.

6. Try not to hit anyone.

If you are taking too long, let others go ahead of you.

8. Don't stand directly in front of others.

9. Quiet please...while others are preparing to go.

10. Don't take extra strokes.

Well done. Now flush the urinal, go outside, and tee off!

KNOW YOUR RULES A player has a blind shot to a green over a hill. After walking to the top of the hill to judge his line of play he picks up a small twig and sticks in the ground to indicate his line.

QUESTION A: Did the player break a rule of golf?

B: If so, what is the penalty?

ANSWER Yes! In match play, you lose a hole and in stroke play, there’s a two shot penalty.

Ye Wocheng

What could be the long term effect? It is forecast that over the next decade China will be building around 1000 more courses. According to data from the golf education and research centre at the Beijing Forestry University,

the number of golf courses in China more than tripled from 170 in 2004 to over 570 in 2009. India is also enjoying a golfing boom as it becomes more accessible to a new generation of young people with a more dispos-

able income and more recreational time on their hands.

If the USA with its population over 300 million, can produce one Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods each generation, who knows how many golfing super stars will

emerge from China and India with a combined population of three billion? The signs are already there with fourteen year old Guan Tianlang playing in the Masters last month and a twelve year old, Ye Wocheng taking part in the Volvo China Open last week. At the same time the Volvo China Open was being played, the Asian Tour had an event in Indonesia.

And am I right to say that Volvo pulled out of sponsorship here in Spain? So if Asia turns out just one golfing great in the next 10 years, the European Tour just might be in trouble; if a dozen Asian superstars materialize, it could be out of business.

Then there will be just two brothers left fighting over a ball. By the way, isn’t Tigers mother, Kultida, half Thai, quarter Chinese and an element of Dutch? Makes you think doesn’t it!

RUGBY’S SPORTING SPIRIT

This last weekend I was fortunate enough to be at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, Torrevieja, for the National U18’s rugby tournament featuring sixteen Spanish teams, writes GARRY HOLLAND. It turned out to be a brilliant weekend of rugby with Marbella running out as the eventual winners. It was two days of enjoyable sport showing everybody who went what rugby is all about, with respect, friendship and great camaraderie from all the players and supporters, creating a cracking atmosphere.

This weekend ITV Orihuela RFC is back in action in Cartagena for the next round of this year’s Murcia 7’s league, and next weekend there are two choices for rugby 7’s tournaments, one in Orihuela, and the other in Albacete.

Training for Orihuela is at the Miguel Hernandez University ground at 8.15pm on Tuesday and Thursday for the seniors and juveniles, with the juniors starting at 6.15pm. So if you are interested, dig out those rugby boots and come along and see for yourself what it is like.

New players are always welcome no matter what age you are!

If you would like more information about what is going on at Orihuela, you can phone me, Garry on 692 767 242.

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Friday, May 10, 2013

BIG TIME TROUBLE FOR ELCHE?

After 30 years in the wilderness Elche are about to return to the ‘Big Time’.

‘IF’ Elche are to be promoted up to the rarefied atmosphere of La Liga (note the nervous use of ‘IF’), then life is about to become very, very different for this Spanish provincial football club. There are some huge factors to be considered.

Is the parlous state of most of the football clubs in the two top tiers of Spanish soccer well known? That 19 of the 42 clubs are currently in administration? Rampant, reckless overspending on buying players and paying them too much over the last two decades is savagely catching up with them. 690 million euros is the current debt of La Liga clubs to the tax agency.

Actually the emergence of the problems began locally: Elche’s nearest neighbours and deadliest rivals Hercules of Alicante scraped into La Liga three years ago, but it soon became a disastrous season because Hercules came straight back down again in massive financial trouble. The receiver was called in to find the club had 300,000 euros in the bank, with huge debts owed to Suma, Social Security and

more, including Iberdrola and Aguagest, neither had been paid for four months. Nor had many people at the club, including most of the mercenary-type players, bought especially for La Liga. There were 40 legal cases against the club, and there were little assets.

Those players with market values were sold, others left when told they wouldn’t get paid, some stayed hoping

their contracts were honoured. Spanish law had been altered recently in the form of a labour force reduction plan, called ERE, and in Hercules’ case, players were offered 20 days salary for each year at the club. The football world, so previously slanted in the players’ direction was beginning to change. Today, having sold or let go all the expensive players, Hercules sit on the brink of relegation to

(regional) Segunda B. In the same year Hercules went up, Elche came an ambitious sixth, having found themselves a good goalscorer, Jorge Molina, who won the ‘Pichichi’ with his 27 goals tally, the league’s award for their top scorer. The day after the season finished, Elche sold Molina to Real Betis of Seville, who came fourth (the first three, including Hercules were automatically promoted

commissions were revealed, in excess of over 300,000 euros a time for players’ transfers that found their way back to club directors including the then club president Luis Oliver, via dubious figurehead ‘companies’. This corruption has since been weeded out, and Betis sit fourth in La Liga, financially secure with Europe the prize next season. After administration Rayo Vallecano, a minor Madrid club who regularly punch above their weight now operate successfully in La Liga with a total wage bill of half of Christiano Ronaldo’s salary.

So assuming Elche go up, where from here? Buy expensive, to hopefully keep them up like Hercules did, or take a deep breath and hope the existing players will sufthen). Whilst upsetting for fice when they mix it with the everyone at the Martinez big boys?

The off-field Valero, the worst thing was administration of Elche is Betis didn’t pay Elche, shambolic: catering and the despite going up themselves club shop are a joke, opporthe following season, tunities to make much-needhelped, of course by ed monies for the club just Molina’s goals. going to waste. In summary, When the inevitable this is much to do, and much receiver was called into to think about – and from my Betis, massive debts were seat in the stands not much discovered everwhere. Huge appears to be happening.

MARCO HITS THE MARK:- TWICE! EVERY DAY’S A C.F Sporting de San Fulgencio 2-1 Atletico de Catral C.F

Two goals from Marco Aurelio secured the points for San Fulcencio after Catral took the first-half lead against the run of play. After good chances for the home side, Catral broke the deadlock from a set-piece, with a low corner flicked into the back of the net from a tight angle.

San Ful got their reward 5 minutes into the second period. After some neat play, Braulio found Marco with

an inviting cross and the latter took his chance this time to level the score. Marco had tormented the Catral defence all day and it didn't stop in the final minutes.

After being tripped in the penalty box, Marco stepped up and calmly put his side ahead with 10 minutes remaining, as The Saints held on to win their final home match of the season.

CHRISTIAN’S LATE MAULING SPORTING SALADAR 2

CD MONTESINOS 1

A late mistake from goalkeeper, Christian, left Montesinos with nothing from their trip to Sporting Saladar, writes HOWARD YEATS. The first half was goalless, but Montesinos showed a lot more commitment than of late. After an even first half, the home side took the lead fifteen minutes into the second period of play, but it looked like the visitors would get a draw with

Andres equalising from the penalty spot, after Wallace had been kicked in the face. But with five minutes remaining, an otherwise perfect display from Christian was marred by him kicking the ball straight to a Saladar forward to secure all three points. This Sunday, CD Montesinos have their last home of the season, when they entertain Almoradi B with a 5.30pm kick-off.

The home curtain comes down this Sunday on another season for FC Torrevieja, and the club is hoping to create a special party atmosphere for the visit of Ribarroja to the Vicente Garcia Stadium.

Though the match kicks off at 5pm, the gates will open early from 2.30pm, with entertainment provided by the Radio Torrevieja Roadshow. The final home match of the season will see free paella for the fans, and you’ll be able to find out who the Torry Army have picked as their player of

the season, with an on pitch presentation of the award.

Other attractions include a classic card display, as well as a wide variety of refreshments available for the whole family. There’s also the added bonus of free admission for children aged under sixteen.

In a topsy-turvy season, FC Torrevieja started strongly before fading away and getting involved in a possible relegation battle which the team got out of with a consistent set of results to take them to mid-table safety.

FC TORRY’S FINALE THANKS TO THE FANS

FOOTBALL DAY May

13th 1960 Real Madrid win the European Cup for the 5th consecutive year beating Eintracht Frankfurt 7-3 in front of 135,000 spectators at Hampden Park.

14th 1931 France beat England for the first time and start a tradition that has been with us ever since: at the end of the game they asked to keep the shirts of their English counterparts, thus providing the first instance of shirt swapping after matches.

15th 1957 Stanley Matthews makes his final England appearance and breaks two records in the process. At 42 years and 103 days, he becomes the oldest player in history at national level and his career span of 22 years and 228 days makes it the longest term for any England player 16th 2012 Kenny Dalglish is sacked as Liverpool manager 17th 1974 In their first European Cup final, Bayern Munich acheive what was to be the first of three consecutive victories. They beat Athletico Madrid 4-0 at the Heysel Stadium. The game was a replay after the first match (played two days earlier) had ended 1-1 18th 2011 Porto, under the managership of Andre Vilas Boas, win their third trophy of the season.

Following their Portuguese cup success, they win the league without losing a single game and then beat Braga in the Europa Cup final 19th 1977 Coventry City Chairman, Jimmy Hill, controversially delays the start of Coventry’s game with Bristol City, thus enabling them to know the score of relegation rivals Sunderland. Sunderland draw, meaning Coventry only have to draw to stay up, which they do.

Compiled by STUART EVANS

Friday, May 10, 2013

48

DEADLY CHALICE

READY FOR A MOYES SIP

No string pulling promises Fergie As Sir Alex Ferguson gets ready to put on his retirement carpet slippers, is David Moyes going to live up to the legend? It’s going to be a tough task for the ex-Everton boss and something of a poisoned chalice at a club that demands silverware as some kind of birth right. His first problem is going to involve Wayne Rooney, who apparently asked Ferguson for a transfer recently, and since there’s no love lost between them, this is going to be a massive test of what kind of diplomatic skills Moyes has. There’s no doubt that he’s done a decent job at Goodison Park on meagre resources, but he’ll have a lot to prove in a very short time to many supporters who wanted a bigger name with proven European experience.

Back in the late sixties, when Sir Matt Busby retired and went into the boardroom, his replacements like Wilf McGuinness and Frank O’Farrell were totally in his shadow, until the tough Tommy Docherty appeared and took the club to an FA Cup

By Courier Sport Editor

Final win in 1977(and that was after he rebuilt the whole squad after relegation to the old second division), some nine years after United lifted their last trophy, the European Cup. David Moyes is nobody’s fool, and he’ll have studied that history closely. He’ll realise that there’ll be no honeymoon period for him, but a healthy personal financial deal and access to big resources at Old Trafford, should temper some of that pressure for him Most football fans will wish Sir Alex Ferguson well, despite at times doing a very good impression of The Grinch and the dwarf, Grumpy. Even his most earnest enemies at places like Anfield must concede the boy done well. There’ll also be many referees that will be breathing a sigh of relief that their time-keeping skills will not be called into question! You could never accuse him of lacking passion and backing his players, on and off the field. David Beckham called him a father-figure, though he’s still probably nursing that dressing room injury when Fergie through a boot at him. The explosive talents of Roy Keane and Eric Cantona were nurtured, whilst the ageless Ryan

Giggs is probably some kind of Fergie Love-Child!!

The race-owning Scotsman was not the most obvious choice to take over from Ron Atkinson all those years ago, and it’s been forgotten that he didn’t have the greatest of starts at the Theatre of Dreams. Fergie made his name north of the border by taking unfashionable Aberdeen all the way to lifting the European Cup Winners Cup, and there’s been no sniff of international silver for Scottish club football since then.

He also did the unthinkable of not wanting to be the national manager on a permanent basis, preferring the cut and thrust of club football. It will be the great unanswered question as to whether Sir Alex would have taken Scotland to some kind of international respectability. His record at Old Trafford was outstanding, though I’m sure that he would have wanted to have taken the Champions League title more than just two times. You could never please Ferguson, and it was that constant desire for improvement that made him such a good manager, though hardly a favourite of the media, who he had a stubborn lovehate relationship with!