Week 124

Edition 124

www.thecourier.es

Friday, July 5, 2013

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THIEVING LIBERTY AT DAYBREAK Robbers on spree attack cycle owner

By Alex Trelinski Thieves went on a robbing rampage through the Entre Naranjos urbanisation in the early hours of Wednesday morning in a burglary bonanza that affected at least eleven properties.

Most of the incidents appeared to happen between 3am and 4.15 am on the estate which is located between San Miguel and Los Montesinos.

In one incident, at 4.15am, two men tried to steal a padlocked bicycle from a garden. The criminals cut off the heavy duty lock and made such a noise that the owner was woken up and went outside to see what was going on. He then had a go at the men, who attacked him with the lock

INSIDE TODAY

chain, cutting his wrist. The robbers then ran away, presumably towards a getaway vehicle. In another case, a man caught the robbers in the act inside his property, and got injured as he gave chase.

One family had their apartment broken into whilst they were asleep as their mobile phones, watches, and money were stolen.

In another incident, an apartment was robbed with the owners also in the land

of nod. In that case, three locks were actually ripped off the front door. In a daytime incident, a family was relaxing in their garden, as the thieves struck after walking in through the front door. It’s not known how many of the targeted properties had open front doors, windows or grilles, or whether any alarms had been disabled.

Entre Naranjos residents have long campaigned for better security on the

urbanisation, including security patrols; a greater police presence; and the use of CCTV cameras. The calls have dramatically increased on social network sites over the last two days following this week’s burglaries.

All of the incidents are being handled by the Guardia Civil in Jacarilla, and it’s unclear whether a gang had coordinated the break-in’s or whether it was just two individuals.

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Friday, July 5, 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 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

A photo taken in Fortuna in April.

By SONIA KNIGHTSBRIDGE

THE PRIDE OF WHALES! Our Donna’s Grand Slim triumph

IT’S official – the Courier’s Grumpy Old Gran is dumpy no more!

Nearly six months after launching a sponsored slim to raise money for a charity close to her heart, Donna Gee hit the jackpot this week – right on cue.

Her mission, which began on January 10, was to lose 16 kilos (that’s 35lbs or two-anda-half stone) by the end of June – and to raise £500 for CICRA, the Crohn’s in Children Research Association.

“I was getting really tubby,’’ said Welshborn Donna, reflecting on bloated images of herself that hardened her resolve to regain her figure. “My granddaughter Daisy was also seriously ill with Crohn’s Disease, so I thought ‘I’ll try to raise some money for Crohn’s research at the same time. It will give me extra motivation.’’’

Former Editor Donna admits her weekly

progress diary in The Courier has been a great incentive to keep going. As she says: “I could hardly inform readers ‘Sorry folks, I’ve messed up and the diet is off. So it was basically tunnel vision from the start.’’

At one point, Donna’s goal weight of 77.2 kilos (12st 1lb) looked unreachable. But a final spurt saw three kilos melt away in the last two weeks – taking her half a kilo BEYOND the finishing line. At the same time, friends joined the CICRA fundraising quest and the original £500 target has now mushroomed to well over £2,000.

Donna’s final Diet Diary is on Page 6 – along with a chance to share the secret of how she trimmed her 5ft 5in frame from 14st 9lb to exactly 12 stone. Meanwhile, Donna plans to have a whale of a time catching up on all the chocolate and cakes she’s missed out on this past six months.

RABIES ALERT ALL pet owners in Murcia will have to have their animals vaccinated against rabies immediately.

There’s been no case of rabies in mainland Spain in 35 years, but following a recent incident in Toledo in Castilla La Mancha, where a recently arrived dog f r o m Morocco had bitten some children, authorities have gone on maximum alert. The dog had shown some signs of the disease,

and precautions have been put into place include a restriction area and the quarantining of stray dogs.

The Murcia Government ordered on Tuesday, as a preventative measure, the vaccination of all cats, dogs, and ferrets in the region.

They’ve also told all local the councils to step up the rounding-up of stray animals. Up to Tuesday’s announcement, only dogs in Murcia had to be vaccinated against rabies.

A naked man caused chaos in Elche as he tried to stop and hit cars that were travelling in the road.

When the local police arrived, he kicked one of the officers so hard, that he had to be treated at the Doctor Sapena Medical Centre. The nude offender

refused to give his name, and continued to lash out as he was carted off to the police station. It was unclear whether he was intoxicated or on any medication.

BUM RAP

WANTED – MORE HEADLINE NEWS!

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.

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Friday, July 5, 2013

FROM MALAGA WITH LOVE

EX-007 actor, Sir Sean Connery may be facing his toughest challenge yet: - stiffer even than fighting his arch-enemy Ernst Blofeld in the early James Bond movies.

Connery, is who 83 in August, has been given a license to appear before a Malaga judge, along with his wife Micheline, and if they don’t turn up before the end of the year, they will be arrested on an international ‘search and capture’ warrant.

The judge has sent a written notification to the couple, ordering them to his courthouse to answer tax charges on a property, Casa Malibu, that they sold ten years ago, with it being demolished and the land used to build 72 luxury flats. Spanish tax authorities estimate that the project raised some 60 million Euros, most of which ended up being stashed away in tax havens.

The couple are believed to live in the

Bahamas, but other reports mention California. The Connerys have rebuffed previous requests over the last 3 years to appear in court, with a variety of excuses including ill-health, or just ignoring the various invitations from the Spanish judiciary.

The Connerys became implicated in the scandal after police raided the law practice which handled the sale of Casa Malibu as part of one of the biggest urban corruption investigations ever conducted in Spain. It was then that a separate investigation centred on the Casa Malibu project was launched and codenamed Operation Goldfinger after the Bond film in which Sir Sean starred in 1964.

The judge, who has not been named, said in his written instructions this week that the Connerys had serious questions to answer about what they had asked their Marbella-based lawyers to do.

Not so nice doggy

AN El Campello teenager was taken to an Alicante hospital after a Rottweiler dog bit her in the buttocks. The 17 year old was injured just moments after the creature had pounced on a man. The dog had lunged at him as he tried to climb an olive tree to escape its clutches, as it bit him and tried to tear his trousers to shreds.

As the man took shelter in the tree, he noticed the girl walking towards him, but she could not hear his shouts, as she was

14 people have been arrested, accused of smuggling hashish into Spain inside frozen sardine conlistening to music on her headset. The tainers, imported from canine creature turned its attention on her, Morocco.

The National as he bit into her back and arms, as well Police reeled in 325 kilos of as her backside. A passing driver manthe drug after trailing a freezaged to distract the dog, and the teenager er lorry to Marbella, and findwas then rushed to the nearby Sant Joan ing tablets inside the sardine Hospital with serious injuries, but in a staboxes. A raid in Cadiz, netted ble condition. No more information is the authorities another 570 available on the incident, which happened kilos at a warehouse in last Friday, including the whereabouts of Puerto de Santa Maria. the dog and the identity of the owner.

Agony of the long distance swimmer

A skeleton in a wet suit has been found drifting 40 miles from Calpe. The crew of the yacht ‘Yaiza’ found the body floating in the sea, encased in a wet suit, wearing flippers and carrying a rucksack. The rucksack contained a Moroccan passport; 540 Euros; clothes wrapped in waterproof cellophane; and a mobile phone. The passport belonged to 24 year old Abdelaziz Elfayafi.

A Guardia Civil boat sailed to pick up

FISHY BUSINESS

the body, which had turned into a skeleton with no soft tissue left on it. Experts say that was caused by extended periods in the water coupled with attacks by marine fauna. The remains were taken to Calpe and later to the Legal Medicine Institute in Alicante where an autopsy was carried out last Monday.

The Guardia are working on the theory that the man was trying to swim from Morocco to Spain, with his attempt failing in a tragic fashion.

IDIOT SWIMMERS RISK LIVES Two La Marina bathers who ignored red flag warnings had to be rescued within a few minutes of each other on Monday lunchtime.

A 10 year old boy and a woman both got into difficulty in the strong currents, despite the red flags being flown. Elche local police officers had to be brought in to emphasise the dangers to potential swimmers, but reports suggest that their advice was ignored by other bathers, who were not punished either by being fined up to 1500 Euros.

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“High life” traps drugs gang

A drug trafficking ring which also dealt in stolen luxury cars has been broken up by the Guardia Civil. 9 Bulgarians and 4 Spaniards have been arrested in Operation Mejana, which was led by the Guardia in Alicante.

The gang would sell the stolen vehicles to drug traffickers, as well as stealing narcotics from other drugs gangs, whilst pretending to be police or government officials. The crew worked out of Benidorm, Madrid, Malaga, and Cadiz, with ten of the arrested having past

criminal records. 800 kilos of hashish; six luxury cars; and a kilo of cocaine were some of the items seized by the Guardia.

The authorities started taking an interest in the gang towards the end of 2011 when officers in Benidorm flagged up the behaviour of a Bulgarian man who was in frequent contact with drug dealers and distributors.

They found that he was living “the high life”, and that he was living in an expensive Benidorm villa which was used as a major base for the gang.

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Friday, July 5, 2013

Speedy sweat CARRY A CARD FOR PEACE OF MIND

Over 300 passengers on the new high speed AVE train service between Madrid and Alicante had to put up with melt-down temperatures in a 90 minute hold up last Sunday. It was the third break down since the service launched in June, and now means that operator RENFE is pledged to pay 50 thousand Euros in compensation to close to a thousand people.

Sunday’s breakdown saw 310 passengers from Madrid suffering temperatures

close to 35 degrees Celsius due to a power cut, with the air conditioning failing. They had to wait for more than an hour outside Albacete, before being transferred to another train. Passengers were given leaflets to fan themselves in an attempt to keep cool.

RENFE has claimed that the incidents are ‘normal’ and that there were similar ‘teething troubles’ when they opened other AVE lines around the country.

Spanish police have arrested two rival Chinese rings that brought women from China, some of them children, to Spain with the promise of high paying jobs and then forced them into prostitution.

The operation, carried out in cooperation with French police, led to the arrest of 26 suspects in Spain and 25 in France as well as "the liberation of 25 victims", a statement said.

"The victims, some of them minors, were recruited in their homeland with the promise of a job in Spain with a monthly salary of over 4,000 euros," it said. The women were sent to Spain on

fake visas and charged between 12and 14 thousand Euros for the trip, part of which had to be paid before they left China.

Once in Spain, the rings seized the women's passports and kept them in tiny windowless rooms in Parla, a southern Madrid suburb. The women were forced to work as prostitutes for at least a year and turn over 40 per cent of their income. Police seized 35 thousand Euros in cash as well as several weapons and four cars. The two rings owned 11 properties with a combined value of around 2.75 million Euros.

Chinese sex ring smashed

POINTLESS CHANGE?

50 thousand Euros will be spent on signs around El AltetAlicante Airport, with a name change to Alicante-Elche.

Most of the alterations will be paid for by local businesses that have backed the change, according to Elche’s Mayor, Mercedes Alonso, who sees it as a major marketing boost for the city and the area. The move will make no difference to international travellers, as the code for Alicante will stay as ALC.

Baby deal goes gaga

A two year old baby from Elche has been put into state care by the Valencian state authorities after it was sold to a couple in 2011. Four people have been arrested by the National Police in Elche, namely the mother; the couple who bought the child; and a solicitor who set up the deal.

The biological mother had five children already and had problems with alcohol and drugs, and was allegedly paid small instalments of money. The solicitor instituted a fraudulent adoption, with the argument that the adopted father to be was in fact the biological dad, after having had an extra-marital affair with the real mother of the child.

ROBOCOPS?

Torrevieja police used shields and batons as protection to clear part of the city of illegal street vendors last weekend.

Officers rushed to the Plaza Waldo Calero last Friday to disperse the mainly African sellers of fake goods. There was no physical confrontation though a few chairs were thrown.

Police have ramped up their personal protection after stones were hurled at them by the illegal vendors in previous incidents.

The British Embassy is reminding anybody who has got family and friends staying with them this summer to make sure that they have a healthy visit! The Embassy is extra keen to remind people to bring a European Health Insurance Card with them to Spain, and that they have every right to use it in health facilities and hospitals. That follows the recent European Union dressing down over Spain not being happy about their use, and some hospitals trying to make an illegal charge.

“This simple piece of plastic entitles the holder to all

medically-necessary treatment during a temporary stay in Spain,” said an Embassy spokesman.

“Although most people’s trips are trouble-free, things can go wrong. An EHIC will provide peace of mind in case someone needs to see the doctor. It’ll help to ensure they don’t take home a big hospital bill should they need medical care.”

“Visitors to Spain should be aware that they do not have to provide travel insurance as payment for medically necessary treatment in a public or state healthcare facility”, added the spokesman. “They should insist that their EHIC is accepted. Anyone asked to sign a form or disclaimer in a state hospital should check that they are not forfeiting the right to be treated under an EHIC. If someone’s EHIC is refused or for other concerns about using an EHIC whilst in Spain, call the Department of Health team at the British Consulate on 902 109 356.”

Spain’s medical brain drain Spain’s medical research centres are being hit hard by the recession with medical experts being sacked, forcing them to go abroad.

A team at the Prince Felipe Research Centre in Valencia that looks at nanomedicine has had their project suspended. One of their members, Maria Jesus Vincent said it’s dreadful news for research: - “We were set to be among the best in this field in Spain. We have made

great advances in prostate cancer research, and we wanted to go to the next stage with animal tests. But I am waiting to get specific financing for that because I don't have enough money and it's much more expensive than chemical research.”

She claimed that the country's most talented scientists who were working in the CIPF have left adding that “It was tragic to see such talented people having to leave.”

Spain this week

BRITS QUIT OVER CRIME British residents around Cartagena are claimed to be selling their homes and quitting the area because nothing is being done about the high rates of burglaries.

A meeting between local representatives and the Guardia Civil this week in Cartagena, led to a claim that British people are unhappy about the lack of security patrols in areas where they live like La Magdalena, which is forcing them to leave. Over on the Mar Menor, there was criticism about the lack of street lighting which made burglaries more likely in residential areas.

GREEN SHOOTS OF RECOVERY?

There was a rare boost for the Government last Tuesday with news of a record monthly drop in the number of Spanish jobless benefit claimants. The Labour Ministry said that more than 127 thousand people had gone off the register, mainly due to the availability of summer season jobs. It was the fourth straight month of declining job claimants after Spain had shot to a

record 27 per cent unemployment figure earlier in the year.

DRIVERS WON’T PAY THE PRICE

Spain’s motorway toll roads are continuing to lose drivers and money. The number of toll road users for the first three months of 2013 has fallen by 8 per cent compared to the same period in 2012, with the number falling by a third in the last six years.

LIFE’S A GAS

Natural gas has come to the Orihuela Costa, with an 800 thousand Euro investment from provider, Cegas.

A 6 kilometre distribution network taking in La Zenia/Playa Flamenca, La Regia, Dehesa de Campoamor and the Las Calas urbanisation has been officially launched, with plans to extend further across the area.

STAND AND DELIVER

It’s going to be harder to find a free parking spot close to Guardamar’s beaches as of this Sunday (July 7th).

Pay and Display machines have been installed to cover 850 parking spots, with some local residents saying that it will make things harder for them

MACAW OR THE GREAT GONZO?

Benidorm’s animal and nature park, Terra Natura, has three new residents: - three baby Macaws born to their parents, Wendy and Muan. It’s the first time that Macaws have been born in the park.

The three small chicks hatched in the middle of last week, and with their parents not knowing how to feed them, a team of caregivers is feeding them slurry through a syringe. The new-born are also spending another week in an incubator, before being introduced to Mum and Dad, as well as the other macaws in the park

trying to park close to their homes, especially in the Benamor area.

LITTLE QUAKE

The Torrevieja area was hit by a small earth tremor, registering 1.2 on the Richter Scale early on Monday morning, just before 12.30am.

HOT HOT HOT

A heatwave is hitting Spain, with a blast of North African air meaning some inland areas could reach 40 degrees Celsius.

After the coldest June on record, forecasters say that the sweltering temperatures will run until at least the middle of next week, though the Costa Blanca and Costa Calida will not be as hot as areas like Madrid and Extremadura.

CRIME DOWN

Crime is claimed to be falling in the Elche area, which also takes in La Marina, Santa Pola, and Alicante Airport. The Guardia Civil say that rural crime has gone down by a quarter in the last year, along with a general fall in burglaries. They promised an extra focus on drink drivers in the coastal area during the summer.

Friday, July 5, 2013

FC TORREVIEJA ASK FANS TO HELP Cash-strapped FC Torrevieja has set fans a target of raising 4 thousand Euros for the rest of 2013.

70 supporters were briefed by the club’s Commercial Director, Kevin Green, at an Open Day at the Vicente Garcia stadium last Tuesday. Green said the money would be used to help build the team up and to bring in new players during the transfer window in January. ”We are launching a 12th man scheme where the fans are going to organise all kinds of things like lunches, quizzes, and bingo sessions to raise money for the club”, said Green. ”….and we are kicking things off with a live music boat trip from Torrevieja Harbour on Thursday July18th”.

Top names like Ray Wilkins and Kerry Dixon are being lined up for a triangular Veterans tournament featuring a Spanish team and two British clubs including the Chelsea Veterans. ”This will be a fun event that FC Torrevieja will be hosting”, added Green,”and it will be the first of a number fundraising activities that we have in the pipeline that will please football fans across the area”.

The club are also planning to develop the bar facilities around the ground, with TV screens available to watch English and Spanish matches before and after FC Torrevieja’s games.

FC Torrevieja President, Vincente Boix Mora praised the fans for coming to the Open Day, calling them “the true backbone

Kevin Green speaking at the open day

of the club”. He challenged them to help sell a thousand season tickets, pledging to ensure that the pitch was properly repaired and managed, in addition to ensuring that last season’s top scorer and Player of the Year, Koeman is back for the new campaign next month.

The club have a big incentive to get the pitch up to a proper standard with the prospect of La Liga newcomers, Elche, offering to play a pre-season friendly if everything is sorted out. Boix Mora was critical of Torrevieja Council for not helping with this, as well being late with their April grant to the club. He told the supporters that he was currently covering all of the club costs and expenses out of his own pocket. The President also announced plans to ask the Socios to change the name of the club to FC Torrevieja Internacional.

WILL ELENA BE MISS WORLD?

An 18 year old from Spain’s Basque region will carry the country’s hopes into September’s Miss World finals in Indonesia.

Elena Ibarbia from San Sebastian in northern Spain took the Miss Spain title in Tenerife last weekend. She said that taking the title was more than a win and represented the renewal of her commitment to a social assistance programme she was involved with.

Ibarbia said she spent several months working with elderly people and received "a lot of love," as well as the satisfaction that comes from "helping the people that society sometimes forgets." "Her beauty, her elegance," and the social work she performed sealed the win for Ibarbia, the judges said.

The finals will not feature a swimsuit section so as not to offend Indonesia’s Muslim population. A sarong parade will take place instead.

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Friday, July 5, 2013

editor@thecourier.es COURIER POSTBAG: YOUR VIEWS ON OUR NEWS

The death of La Torre

Justice - squat justice?

MANY thanks for publishing my letter under the title. ‘Squat’s the Point of Calling Cops?’ (Issue 123). Since then things have developed.

I had a visit from the Guardia Civil, who asked me to attend the station at Torre de la Horadada. They were relaxed and said any time that day was fine.

When I arrived they asked me to make a statement of what had occured the previous Wednesday. With my interpreter, I duly did this. Then he informed me that the woman I had sur-

prised in the act of theft, had made an accusation that I had "chased her down the road, punching and kicking her to the floor".

Despite the fact that she said nothing to the police at the time, or that I produced an independent witness who reported the incident on her phone and confirmed my version of events, what happens? I have to go to court, while they take no action on the squatters. Justice, Squat Justice!

GARY RICHARDSON, Los Almendros

TORRE de la Horadada is a lovely place nestling between Mil Palmeras and Pilar de la Horadada.

The beaches are the best on the Costa Blanca south and there are two lovely squares with restaurants and bars.

The place used to be popular with northern Europeans and Spanish alike. Unfortunately the local council want it to remain a sleepy hamlet with nothing going The council do nothing at all to promote La Torre, they concentrate on Pilar which is a tiny working town.

As a consequence the place is dying on its feet, and within two years unless there is action, there will be nothing here at all.

So please, people, give Torre de la Horadada a go and come and see what it offers.

ROBERT COOK (Los Balcones)

CASE FOR CONCERN OVER AGE CONCERN

The Courier’s a Cracker, but...

I HAVE just visited the new office for International Residents at the Playa Flamenca Town Hall and was both pleased and surprised to see two ladies from Age Concern occupying a small corner of the office.

What really amazed me was that I had never seen any publicity informing the local population that Age Concern actually held twice-weekly sessions at this venue every Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

I asked the ladies why their twice-weekly drop-in sessions were not publicised and was informed that it was not the policy of Age Concern.

This really flummoxed me because I could not see any reason for this lack of publicity.

However, it would explain why these two ladies sat doing nothing for over an hour.

What is the sense of having a drop-in surgery when the people it is intended for know nothing about it?

Come on Age Concern, you are doing sterling work, but please make sure you advertise your drop-in sessions so that those needing your valuable help know when they can consult you.

IRENE SHEPHERD

LOVE the paper. It's my favourite free paper and I enjoy everything in it. Lots of humour involved as well as serious issues covered.

BUT.....my most favourite pages are the puzzle pages Brilliant except PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE increase the size of the text in the Code Cracker! I lose patience after the first few minutes of screwing my eyes up to make out the numbers - and that's with my glasses on!

Other than that the whole paper is great - even the lunatic who does the Horoscopes!

LYNNE WELLS

q DON’T FORGET YOUR DETAILS Letters and emails will only be considered for publication if an address and contact number are provided to confirm authenticity

Glad delighted to hear you like the paper, Lynne. As you can imagine it’s a bit of a puzzle to fit the Puzzle Pages all together and we are unable to make them any bigger without having to change the whole page about.

The only help we can offer is to suggest you look on the website www.thecourier.es/latest-issue where you can zoom in on the numbers. We hope this helps and that you continue to enjoy the paper!

GRUMPY OLD GRAN’S SPONSORED DIET

Light read? Try Mrs Whale’s Diary IT was just before 2pm on than £2,000 raised for CICRA, Tuesday that it finally regis- TOTAL LOSS, 22 WEEKS the Crohn’s in Children tered. I jumped on the bathResearch Association. room scales for probably Thirty-five pounds, two and the 1,000th time in the last a half stone or whatever else five-and-half months - and you want to call it, I had (that’s 2st 9lb) there it was. My number was reached the end of my journey. well and truly up.

And it’s irrelevant that another The digital display flashed January 10th - 93.2 kilos 700 grams had melted awayby briefly, then settled on July 2nd - 76.5 kilos the time I weighed in officially exactly 77.2 kilos. Not a par- Target weight - 77.2 kilos for the last time on ticularly memorable figure - TARGET REACHED 2/7/13 Wednesday. but the one I had been desThe 14st 9lb whale had perate to see since starting my sponsored dumped those 16 kilos of blubber in 22 diet in aid of Crohn’s research way back on weeks - with virtually no exercise because January 10. of my heart problems.

I had reached my goal weight! Fully 16 I beat the bulge using my own ‘minimal kilos (or 35lbs) of blubber gone...and more calories’ recipe of no carbohydrates, cake

16.7 kilos

or gooey desserts rather than the methods recommended by Weightwatchers, Slimming World and other programmed diet regimes. And I can confirm that it works. Well, it did until I celebrated my achievement by giving a late breakfast the full English treatment at Bar Sofia in El Raso on Wednesday! (See picture).

If you’d like to know more about slimming without exercise the Mrs Whale way, send an email to me at donna@the courier.es If there’s enough interest I’ll make a week-by-week diary available of my descent from 14st 9lb to exactly 12 stone, which will hopefully provide some useful hints you can utilise if and when YOU decide to take the plunge.

Friday, July 5, 2013

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AFFAIR OF THE ART WHEN my artistic friend Claire suggested recently that painting might be good therapy for my health problems, I was anything but convinced.

I might have been able to produce something acceptably average a decade ago, but being diagnosed in 2010 with Parkinson’s disease really shook me up – both literally and metaphorically.

These days I can’t hit a dartboard from 10 feet – or chuck an arrow into the same room, let alone target that big, round cork thing full of wire and numbers.

To me, the concept of trying to paint was a non-starter, particularly since my left (writing) hand trembles much more than my right (wrong) one. Then, as lay in bed listening to the latest albums by The Tremblelows and Shakin’ Ceilings, I got a quake-up call from within.

Give it a go, girl, I thought – if your left hand shakes too much, you can always try using your right (wrong) one. There’s no arm

Great shakes, I can paint!

in it and if nothing else, your funny bone will find it humerus (give us a break, did I hear you all scream?).

Anyway, as there’s no law in Spain against possessing hand puns and I had

nothing else to do, I decided to join Diana Davies’s Monday morning art class in El Raso. “Don’t worry if you can’t draw a straight line,’’ Di assured me when I broke the news that my left (good) hand was feeling a bit Parky.

“There’s no such thing as a straight line in nature anyway.’’

She thrust a small canvas board in front of me with a piece of tape stuck across the centre.

The idea was to paint a simple panorama of sky, mountains and sea – the straight-line division between mountains and sea to be exposed by the removal of the tape.

Within a couple of hours, Di had talked me through my first modest work of art, It was certainly no oil painting, as they say – but it was recognisable for what it was, And

more importantly, I had enjoyed every minute of creating it.

A week later I was back at Di’s class.

“Have a go at this,’’ she Di, this time providing as a guide a picture of a small country cottage on an English hillside. “It doesn’t matter if your version looks different. It’s all about personal interpretation.’’

In my case, it was also a matter of slapping paint straight onto the canvas with no outlines drawn first.

This time the end product looked a real mess….at least it did from the other end of my paintbrush.“Donna, I think that’s REALLY good,’’ enthused Di, standing it up and stepping back to admire it from a distance.

I thought she was either joking or just trying to be nice. But as praise began to come in from other areas, I realised that some people actually liked the cackhanded casa creation I had titled ‘Parkinson’s Palace’.

So if anyone is mad enough to want to buy it, my maiden masterpiece will go to the highest bidder over €12 (the cost of the frame it is now in). Sale money will be donated to CICRA, the Crohn’s In Children Research Association.

8

Friday, July 5, 2013

HELP FOR THE HEROES The songs of Cher will be in the front line to raise money tomorrow night (Saturday July 6th) for the forces charity, True Heroes. Angie McKay will be performing her entertaining Cher tribute act at the Restaurante Los Rosales, Guardamar in a special show in aid of True Heroes. The charity has supported British forces and their families since 2009, and there’ll be a special raffle as well as items for sale in aid of the cause.

Angie McKay will be joined by the Spanish born guitarist, Nilo, as well as the singer, Johnny Fox with a selection of songs spanning the last half century.

After May’s tragedy of the off duty soldier who was hacked to death in London, the True Heroes Charity has been getting overwhelming support from both the UK and here in Spain. The charity, formerly known as Afghan Heroes, has

launched a big rehabilitation programme in Britain and also retrains and supports military personnel and their families. Their latest project is The Retreat, which is a self supporting facility where injured soldiers can get professional counselling and mentoring to help them get back on track. True Heroes are aiming to open another ten of these facilities. For more information please visit www.trueheroes.org.uk Tickets are 12.50 Euros for the show and two course meal. Doors open at 7.30pm.

Tickets are available from Restaurante Los Rosales Guardamar; Cards and More La Marina; The Card Place Benimar and Punta Prima; The Hire Centre San Luis; and The Card and Gift Shop Quesada. You can also reserve online at www.lrshows.com, or E-mail lrshowsinfo@gmail.com or phone 697501992.

FUN AT LA FUENTE The La Fuente Commercial Centre at Campoamor was awash with entertainment and generous people last Saturday with a Family Fun Day raising money for the AECC cancer charity.

Over 1 thousand Euros was raised, with local businesses and entertainers helping out to make it a resounding success.

Maria Wilson of AECC and the Pink

Ladies said:-“It's amazing how the wonderful people of the Orihuela Costa come together time and again to help raise funds for the AECC and its early detection and research programmes. I also want to thank my wonderful hard working Pink Ladies and Pink Panthers who worked tirelessly in the summer heat to ensure all went well on the day.”

Bbq sizzles for elche kids

The Elche Children’s Home coffers were swelled by more than 300 Euros thanks to an enjoyable BBQ night at the Quesada Country Club. Radio Torrevieja’s Dennis Christian and singer Emily Hulman led the entertainment for the fund-raiser. The Home is the main charity supported by the club owner’s Anita and Dave Patrick, who took over the premises last year. The next fundraiser for the Home will be a Fashion and Shoe Show on Thursday September 19th, followed by an Art Competition in October.

MUSICAL FINGERS Beetles on the WANTED Mar Menor menu Do you know your Open Diapason from your Night Horn? Then you could be the person to help out the Torrevieja Branch of the Royal British Legion. They need someone to be the organist and accompanist for their special show in Torrevieja on Wednesday November 6th. The evening is part of their Remembrance Day poppy appeal commemorations. If you fit the bill, then phone Grahame Ward on 617227485 or E-Mail gandaward@gmail.com.

Some expenses can be paid.

A hearty fish and chip lunch gave the Help Murcia Mar Menor Friendship Group the perfect launch pad for their recent Beetle Drive. 44 people joined in the fun at San Javier, with a quiz being lined up for the Yachtsman Restaurant in San Pedro on Friday July 26th at 11am.

If you want a good laugh and to meet some new people, then phone Doreen Sykes on 637920882.

DROP OF THE HARD STUFF Spirits were well and truly lifted as over 900 Euros was banked last Saturday for the ALPE school for disabled children and young adults in Torrevieja.

A gallon bottle of vodka went for 110 Euros as part of a special fun afternoon at the Lo Marabu Bar and Restaurant at Dona Pepa 2, Quesada. Hazel Vincent was the successful bidder, but nobody was sure whether she’d have enough mixers or orange juice to go with her prize!

The fund-raising was coordinated by the Torrevieja Costa Lions club, who will make a presentation to ALPE after the school holidays.

Samaritans swing into success

The Samaritans in Spain got a big 3260 Euros boost as 80 golfers took to the tee in the Annual Golf Day for the charity.

All of the competitors at the Las Colinas Golf and Country Club won prizes, courtesy of all the generous sponsors, with the winning team from the Chemies Lounge Bar picking up the first prize of four flat-screen TVs, thanks to the Rentals and Sales Centre, Los Dolses.

The Samaritans Golf Day events have now raised more than 12 thousand Euros over 3 years. Samaritans in Spain now provide a 24 hour telephone service 902 88 35 35 and have a Drop in Centre/Shop at Punta Marina which is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 2pm.

Having the bottle to give up If you think your drinking is getting out of control, or if you know of a relative or friend who has an alcohol problem, then help is at hand with A l c o h o l i c s Anonymous.

There’s an Open Meeting coming up for the La

Marina group at the Centro Social on the Urbanisation this Wednesday July 10th starting at 6.00pm.

Non-members will be made very welcome at the 75minute meeting, where you can find out how AA

helps people to move on with their lives after dealing with alcoholism.

You can phone the confidential helpline on 62591278 for more details about all the AA groups and their meetings in the Costa Blanca South area.

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Friday, July 5, 2013

SONGS THAT WON’T DIE IN A PERFORMANCE ON HIGH

By PAULINE CARTER SOME 600 music lovers filled the exotic venue of the Orihuela Costa Resort at La Zenia for the second performance of the day by two of the region’s leading choral entertainment groups.

The musical magic, titled Songs That Will Live Forever and featuring the Melody Makers International and the Cantemos!

Children's Choir’s talented youngsters, started with the rousing 'Rhythm of Life' from Sweet Charity.

It was followed immediately by the quodlibet 'I Believe' - the men of the choir singing I Believe and the impressive ladies chorus the Bach/Gounod Ave Maria - at the same time!

This tour de force of choral singing laid the ground plan for the entertainment which followed.

The eight nationalities of Cantemos! Children's Choir

sang the favourites Streets of London and Skye Boat Song to enthusiastic applause by the audience.

More evergreens followed, including Imagine, Night and Day, and One Moment In Time in which the two choirs combined to outstanding effect.

Special mention must be made of the performance of Nun's Chorus sung by the ladies of the chorus and the superb solo voice of the Costa's leading soprano, Mary Beer. The audience appreciation of this piece was rapturous and vocal.

As a finale to the first half, we were treated to a bubbly, happy performance of Get me To The Church On Time

by Derrick Davies, who was described by conductor and presenter Nigel Hopkins as 'our Welsh cockney', and the MMI. The children’s choir joined the whole company on the stage for an encore which sent the audience into

PICTURE OF TOGETHERNESS: The Melody Makers International and Cantemos! choirs at Saturday's big event the interval with huge (but warm) smiles on their faces.

The second half opened with Jeff Hyde and chorus singing Annie's Song. We were then treated to an absolutely delightful rendition of the Eva Cassidy version of Over The Rainbow sung by the 18-year-old Janelle Gaskell. The audi-

ence were wild with excitement and appreciation of this exceptional performance. In fact all three young soloists, Elise MacGregor (Winner Takes It All), Holly Neeson (Danny Boy), and Janelle Gaskell showed that music on the Costa is in safe hands with their outstanding performances.

There were several other memorable moments in the second half. Firstly, the Children's Choir performed a very emotional song, Can You Hear Me?, in which they actually signed the words of the chorus in British Deaf Sign Language - in total synchronisation. There was hardly a dry eye in the

house!

Nigel Hopkins then made a rare stage appearance himself in a duet with French singer Christine Lombardy, performing I Remember It Well from Gigi. This, along with the excellent Eric Berg who sang Swinging On A Star with the children, drew some of the night’s most enthusiastic applause.

Melody Makers versions of When I Fall In Love, Unforgettable, One Day More (Les Miserables), and the enigmatic The Prayer continued the show from the well-trained chorus who sing the entire programme from memory!

The grand finale, a version of Unchained Melody, rose to a rousing finish when Cantemos! joined in - and 600 people went home not only flushed with happiness, but also from the heat which built up in this magnificent venue throughout the evening.

For better or purrs: Cat Man Sing-a-lung Joe finally retires…at 86! Nigel’s secret

JOE the Catman has finally retired – at the age of 86.

The former SAS man whose home doubled up for 20 years as a rescue centre for hundreds of moggies, has finally called it a day.

He and partner Rose Lyon shut their shop in Quesada for the last time at the weekend and have decided to limit their future involvement in feline welfare to their own adopted cats.

Joe, a Welshman from Newport, arrived in Quesada from the UK with wife Caroline and their three cats in April 1992 relishing the prospect of retirement.

An animal lover all his life, they had barely moved in before Joe took in his first “rescue” cat, Tiddles. Not long afterwards, Tiddles was joined by tabby Friday. And so Joe’s new career of The Cat Man was born…with Friday still going strong at the age of 21!

Over the years Joe ran stalls at various boot sales to raise money for his cat rescue work. He met many lovely people along the way who donated items for his stall and others who gave homes to the many, many cats he has rescued during the last two decades.

After Caroline passed

End of an era: Marie, Kathy, Rose, Joe, Marilyn, Carol, Hilary, Denise and Janet. away in 2002 Joe put all his energy into rescuing and caring for the many ill-treated and abandoned cats – his work increasing with the influx of new Costa Blanca residents. Rose came to live with Joe in 2006 and they have been working together ever since for the welfare of cats.

In 2011 they decided to take a chance and open up a charity shop, even though Joe was about to celebrate his 84th birthday. Joe and Rose feel they have been very, very blessed with all

their volunteer workers and they leave the shop with a lovely family of friends.

Among the many who have assisted Joe’s work are Valerie and Margaret, who have now returned to live in the UK, Kathy, a volunteer at the boot sales since 2008, and Wilma, who still rescues cats where she lives on the Orihuela Costa.

Then there was Mo - who is known as a “Cat Lady” in her own right – Marie and Hilary, who were there from the start, followed by Marilyn, Janet, Denise and

Carol – all lovely ladies.

Another helper was Angela, who assisted in the early days, while Sylvia volunteered for a few weeks while she was staying temporarily in Quesada. Not forgetting Carol and Ian, who look after all the cats to enable Joe and Rose to get away for a break.

Joe and Rose would like to extend a big ‘thank you’ to all their customers and the people who brought in donations of saleable items.

Without them and all the volunteers they would have been able to help only a small fraction of the number of cats that have happily gone to new homes or been helped in other ways.

They also offer a big “Gracias” to Javier and all the vets and Priscilla at Benican.

Joe is starting his retirement with wreath-laying trips on behalf of his Regimental Association and then hopes to enjoy life with Rose. They still have cats and kittens needing new homes (check out the free papers) but are not taking in any more.

The shop in Quesada has been taken over by Cats and Dogs Aid Association and Joe and Rose wish them every success.

HE hadn’t planned it that way, but when Nigel Hopkins metamorphosed briefly from conductor to Super Voice last Saturday, I twigged what had been missing.

For all the terrific talent of the Melody Makers International and Cantemos! in their presentation of the most glittering songs ever written, the night’s humour and wit had been limited to Nigel's own snappy snippets between songs.

With respect to the two wonderful choirs, a couple more interludes like the ‘I Remember It Well’ duet with Christine Lombardy would have generated a tiny bit more variety on a stage where the songs were great but the performers a little short on animation.

While the adult soloists all received stunning receptions – and justifiably - the only one whose personality really shone through was Arthur Askey lookalike Eric Berg. Until, that is, musical director Hopkins brought the house down with his rare rendering of a song from the silver screen that epitomised the Gallic charms of Maurice Chevalier.

That number from ‘Gigi’ also demonstrated a side of multi-talented Hopkins we hear all too rarely – his superb singing voice. It’s a valuable asset that emanates from the phenomenal lung power he developed during his youth.

“I used to run four miles uphill to school every day,’’ he recalls. “This had benefits in that I developed huge lung power which enabled me to become a county champion runner.

“It also put me in good stead for a future professional singing career in which many of my illustrious peers nicknamed me 'leather-lungs' because of my quite exceptional lung power.’’

Now you’ve got that lot off your chest, Nigel, let's hear more from the leather department. And lung may your multi talents entertain us.

10

Friday, July 5, 2013

IT’S MURDER AT THE PUB

Mrs. S complained the other day that I hadn't taken her to the pictures for ages.

So that evening I dropped her off outside the cinema, where they were having a Peter Sellers revival, and continued on to the pub, which perhaps would have been a more fitting venue for some Sellers-type stupidity.

'I can only stay three hours,' I told Dave the barman.

'Why, what's the rush?' he asked.

'I promised to pick up Mrs S after the performance ends.

The last time I took her out it slipped my mind to

go back for her and she laddered her tights legging it for the last bus.

'I swore that I would never let her -- or her hosiery -down again.'

'You are one fine gentleman and considerate husband,' said Dave the barman.

H e leaned over the bar to give me a pat on the back but couldn't quite manage it. So he reached across and patted my t u m m y instead.

'Thanks for the compliment, Dave,' I said.

'But I'd much prefer a drink on the house. Make it a flat pint to match your flat roof.'

Dave the barman called time on our friendly banter and went off to serve my fellow members of the pub discussion group who had just wandered in from their late afternoon naps in the park.

Ol' Red Eyes wasn't with them. He was already in the pub, still asleep on the floor from the night before.

Dave the barman waited patiently as the group fumbled in their pockets to raise the cost of the round.

He returned to my end of the bar, rang up the sale on the cash till and dropped in the money which, as always, included several crumpled Monopoly banknotes, a few dented coins and a couple of old metal tap washers.

'I've got to find a way to bring in proper paying customers,' grumbled Dave the barman. 'I'm even thinking of holding one of those murder mystery events. Somebody dies and the punters have to guess who did it and how.

The winner gets a free bot-

tle of champagne . . . er, I mean spring water.'

'Why wait?' I said, licking my dry lips. 'I could murder a drink right now.'

Everybody laughed at my wicked wit apart from Dave the barman, who glared at me, and Ol' Red Eyes who, lying on the floor comatose, looked as if he'd already volunteered to play the corpse.

'Just think this through,' I said to Dave the barman.

'Even Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple would be baffled by a murder mystery in this pub on a Saturday night.

'For a start, there'd be too many victims. Half of the regulars would be draped over the furniture BEFORE the crime is even committed.

'And the identity of the killer could never be properly established. Just promise to buy any of the suspects a drink and they'd readily confess -- even the innocent ones.'

Dave the barman scratched his head. 'You're probably right, Dave,' he said. 'But I definitely need a gimmick to improve busi-

ness. I'm afraid it's either a murder mystery event or I'll have to hire a karaoke machine.'

I shook my head vehemently. 'Karaoke? Over my dead body!'

Dave the barman chuckled. 'Thanks. You've just volunteered to play the murder mystery corpse.'

I snorted. 'At least you can rule out alcohol poisoning as cause of death in this waterhole.'

Daft Barry was killing himself laughing. Dave the barman glared at him. 'It wasn't THAT funny!'

'Oh, I wasn't laughing at what grouchy old Dave Silver said,' Daft Barry said. 'I was still thinking of that hilarious Hercule Poirot trying to solve those murders in the Pink Panther films.'

'I am NOT grouchy!' I snapped at Daft Barry. 'And anyway, it wasn't Hercule Poirot in the Pink Panther films. It was Inspector Clouseau.'

'No it wasn't,' said Ol' Red Eyes who had just woken up.

'It was Peter Sellers.'

11

Friday, July 5, 2013

SAY IT IN SPANISH Learn the lingo - with a little help from JEANETTE ERATH Spanish 78 This week we are going to learn the future perfect and conditional perfect, two more compound tenses.

The future perfect is any action or event that will be completed at some time in the future, before some other event or action occurs. Being a compound tense it has two elements; an auxiliary verb and a past participle As ever, it sounds more complicated than it is and the best way to learn is to see an example.

You should remember the present perfect and past perfect tenses, e.g I have gone, I had gone. This is the future therefore it is I will have gone.. so to make a sentence we could say ´I will have gone by the time you arrive´ The act of going happens before the action ´you arrive´.

The conjugation of the verb haber in the future perfect is as follows: yo habré, tú habrás, él/ella/usted habrá, nosotros habremos, vosotros habréis, ellos/ellas ustedes habrán The second verb is used as in the present perfect, etc. e.g. pagado, ido, salido, comido, vuelto Remember all the forms of haber in the future perfect have an accent apart from the nosotros form.

The elements of compund tenses cannot be seperated haber conjugated must be next to the other verb conjugated When do we use the future perfect?

As mentioned we use it to state something is happening before something else: They will have left by this time tomorrow – ellos habrán salido a estas horas mañana To express conjecture or probability in the past: he must have left – se habrá ido To express doubt or question the reality of an action in the past: Lucy may have lost weight but it doesn´t show – Lucy

habrá bajado de peso pero no se nota.

Now some work for you to check if you´ve understood, translate the following into Spanish using the future perfect tense: The weather will have improved tomorrow - , I will have fixed the problem, I will have bought the milk, we will have paid the bills for this month, they will have changed their lifestyle (estilo de vida), in ten years the government will have reduced a lot of taxes.

Now we move on to the conditional perfect. This is an action that would have occurred but didn´t due to whatever reason, to put it another way the event never happened. We use ´would´ in this case, they would have come.... the conditional perfect is usually followed by if or but.

The conjugation of the verb haber in the conditional perfect is: yo habría, tú habrías, él/ella/usted habría, nosotros habríamos, vosotros habríais, ellos/ellas/ ustedes habrían In this case all conditional forms of haber have an accent mark on the í As in the future perfect the two elements cannot be seperated, haber (conjugated) + verb (conjugated) always together.

When is the conditional perfect used?

It is most easily used when an action or event would have happened if something hadn´t stopped it: we would have bought the presents – habríamos comprado los regalos It is also used when and action or event didn´t happen followed by an if-clause, this clause states the situation that prevented the action from occuring: The party would have ended later if you had sung – la fiesta habría terminado más tarde si hubieras cantado (we are using the imperfect subjunctive after ´if´ which we will get to in later lessons) The conditional perfect is also used to state probability or conjecture in the past, the phrases used in English would be: I wonder, could...? or probably: they had probably left –

habrían salido.

Translate the following into Spanish using the conditional perfect: I would have helped you, I wouldn´t have sunbathed, the stone would break the window, I would have woken up late every day, the teacher would not cancel the class, she would have rested all day, I would have given you the money, we had probably walked five kilometers.

Again the above tenses are not too difficult as long as you remember the conjugations and when to use them, some areas of use I understand are more difficult to remember than others, but now you know the words when you hear them you will hopefully understand what is being said, or at least have an idea. These verbs need to be put into practise and used whenever possible, it´s not every day we use the future or conditional perfect in English therefore we are not going to be constantly using it in Spanish, however you need to know it so that when you do need it you have it there.

We are going to start some past tense work soon and it is very important before we do that your knowledge of the Spanish we have learnt so far is up to date and you are confident with it, if you need to revisit a revision lesson do so now, as we get more and more into the language it becomes more complex and more difficult to remember everything which is why you need to be speaking or at least writing Spanish daily. The hardest thing about Spanish is the amount of verb tenses, that´s why the majority of my lessons are on verbs, and the majority of my revision lessons concentrate on them. As I´ve said many times but never tire of repeating, without a verb you cannot make a sentence, therefore they are very important and need to be learnt properly so Spanish speakers know exactly who you are talking about and what you are saying.

Have a great week with these new tenses and get ready for some more fun next week.

12

Friday, July 5, 2013

RSPCA ISN’T WHAT IT SHOULD BE

We have recently started our own animal rescue charity in Spain, where we help the most abused and injured animals.

Trying to raise funds for the charity, I often get asked by people in the UK, why do I help Spanish dogs? Many people in the UK say they would prefer to give money towards dogs in Britain.

My answer to these people is simple. If you compare rescue centres in the UK to the ones in Spain, the UK ones are like a five star hotel in comparison! The cases I see in some of the rescue centres in Spain are simply desperate. I have seen burnt dogs; dogs with missing limbs; dogs with broken limbs; and dogs with broken spirits.

That is why I and my wife Jean have decided to start the charity and help these poor animals as much as possible until our dying day. I had a huge debate a couple of weeks ago on a radio show, when their topic was the RSPCA and whether people believe that it does all they can to help animals in need. Well, I think the answer to this question is very easy to answer and it is a subject I am passionate about.

To let you make up your own minds, I will give you the statistics. In 2011, the RSPCA destroyed 53,000 animals, which was 44% of those it took in. Now my argument is this: To help animals who have been subject to abuse, you need empathy

A recent rescue case in Spain!

and compassion. You also need a passion to want to help animals and NEVER destroy them, because of excuses like, the animal is too old; the animal needed veterinary care; or was aggressive or was too large to be re-homed. Does the RSPCA show the level of empathy and compassion needed, when so many animals have been destroyed and their chief executive is earning £105k per year? I will let you answer that question yourselves.

Our animal charity never puts animals to sleep and will

NEVER give up on an animal.

The money we receive goes towards the animals and making the facilities they have with us the best they possible can be.

To keep our passionate work up, we do need donations and I have asked readers before for one euro as every penny counts towards helping the animals and in six weeks only two Courier readers have donated! Please don’t ignore this plea and think the next person will donate, because they haven’t!

Please don’t think you cannot be bothered to at least give one euro, because that is all we are asking! I am imagining many of you have been reading my column for some time, so you know who I am and what I do and I would like to think there are at least some readers who will support our work Please can you help change that and if you would like to donate, you can do by using Paypal, where the account payment details are peter@thedogyouneed.com or to our Nat West Charity account, where the sort code is 60-16-03 and the account number is 73754900.

We are now living in Alicante, and I am also available for home consultations, if you are experiencing problems with your dogs. The consultation includes a home visit with no time limit, a personal written report and lifetime support for you and your dog via phone and email. To book, please visit www.thedogyouneed.com where you can either call or email me at peter@thedogyouneed.com

PETS’ CORNER: CAN YOU TAKE IN A HOMELESS DOG OR CAT? Lucy is around 15 months old and looks like a Labrador cross Whippet, she weighs just 8 kilos, is good with other dogs, has been sterilized and is house trained. Call: 645 469 253. www.petsinspain.com

Grito is a darling little tortoiseshell girl born about the middle of April 2013. Caspar is a little boy with one blue eye and one yellow eye!

Born in early April he is all white except his tail which is black with a white tip! They are both very friendly and love to play with their toys.

To meet them please call Joe (The Cat Man) on 966719272.

Carrie born approx Jan 2013 is a beautiful mixed breed dog who was found wandering with her two sisters, the only thing we know is that she will be a large girl. For more information on Carrie please telephone the PEPA helpdesk on 650 304 746.

Or email p.e.p.a.animalcharity@gmail.com

Lucy

Grito

Carrie

8 galgo puppies were rescued along with their mum, the pups are very young but we need to get them reserved as they can only stay where they are for a limited time, they are all stunning 4 girls and 4 boys. If you can offer one of these puppies a home or if you want to find out more about them, please call 650 304 746 or email p.e.p.a. animalcharity@gmail.com

AILSA is a 16 month old large crossbreed. She was found wandering in the fields, very thin, covered in fleas and ticks when she was about 5 months old.

She loves going for a walk, lots of cuddles and would make a super pet. She is fully vaccinated, micro chipped and sterilized. 966 710 047

Ailsa

Pedro is a German Shepherd Cross, he is medium build and is about 20 months old. He has a lovely nature and walks well on the lead. He is looking for a permanent home, where he can be part of the family. Please call 680856235 or visit our website www.catsndogsaid.com

Molly is 7 months old and one of a litter of 9 puppies who were left abandoned when they were only a few weeks old. She is an energetic little girl, who is happy, friendly and very sociable.

Molly will only be a medium sized dog when she is fully grown. To arrange to meet Molly or any other APAH dog/cat, please contact Yvonne on 630422563.

Pedro

Molly

Friday, July 5, 2013

13

LÍNEA DIRECTA ADVISES YOU HOW TO ACT IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT Línea Directa Insurance advises you of the steps to follow in case of a road accident in Spain.

1.

Call the emergency number: 112. They will co-ordinate the procedure and will ask you in detail about the circumstances of the accident.

2.

Remain calm at all times. Switch on the emergency lights and if the state of the vehicle permits, remove the vehicle from the road, in order to avoid delays and further accidents, to the extent possible.

3.

Signal the accident location. Before stepping out of the car, put on your high-visibility jacket, which is compulsory, and place the emergency triangles correctly. The first must be placed about 50 metres behind the car in the direction of the traffic, and the second about 100m.

4.

If someone is seriously injured, never try to move them, except if in danger of fire or imminent explosion. Cover the injured person, keep them calm and wait for the emergency services to arrive.

5.

If the circumstances of the location allow, always fill in the European accident report, which is an essential document for speeding up the procedures and handling between the insurance companies.

If you have any doubt about how to do this, don’t hesitate to call your insurance company.

For more information, Call 902 123 104

14

Friday, July 5, 2013

OLD HABITS COST LESS! Why are people always trying to come up with a different way to do something that has worked for tens and sometimes hundreds of years?

Reading the news, I always notice articles over the latest way to lose weight but what has happened to eat less and exercise more? Eat healthily and get regular exercise; don´t eat fatty food too often; drink alcohol in moderation’, less calories in than out, which is hard to do of course! A calorie is much easier digested than worked off, but it´s the only sure-fire way to get those pounds off. However I have read so many articles that claim to be the new way to weight loss, when in fact it´s the same old tried and tested formula rewritten or it just simply could not work.

But I have now seen more ways to change old habits, noticing an inundation of articles about looking younger. I even read one (research of course) about how to look younger through acupuncture, and although the writer who had tried it admitted it wasn´t very effective, it was still being hailed, in this particular paper at least, as the next best thing for younger looking skin. Facial exercises to keep the muscles firm, a good face cream and not too much sun would be my (non-expert) recommendation, yet people(both men and women), are still paying for expensive treatments. As a side-line, a word about face creams. In a test, Aldi´s face cream was shown to be as good, if not better than some of the more expensive creams out there. I use it daily and my skin is still looking good. Don´t forget for healthy skin we need to drink lots of water, especially in this hot weather.

These are articles that come up time and again in the

dailies, but a new one caught my attention and inspired my column for this week. When we have a baby, we are inundated with advice, from papers, books, magazines and wellmeaning friends. There always seems to be a new idea to make your baby smarter or walking and talking earlier. There are methods for potty training and night time care, however this new advice is about weaning your baby: - that is what to do when your little bundle of joy starts eating solid food. This new method, which apparently has been around since 2008, involves what´s called ´baby-led weaning´ which does exactly what it says. Instead of giving your six, seven or however many months old pureed food, they are given whatever the rest of the family is eating, but without the salt and in handy pick up pieces. They´re also given a spoon and left to get on with it! The mother said it left the place in a mess when the

little one had finished, but the baby seemed happier and was getting fruit and vegetables down them whereas before he was refusing everything that had been pureed. I have three children and fed all of them with mashed food. I can´t imagine having given any of them food to feed themselves with at the start of weaning but if it works for some parents why not try it? This is nothing new with older children. I guess the new part of this is that finger feeding is starting younger, however, it is still not new but a way to rehash an old idea into something that will sell books.

The other way to sell books with something and nothing is to invent a way to exercise that has never been done before. The newest item on the market is apparently ultrasound, which breaks down fat cells and means over a course of treatments you can lose over an inch from your waistline, belly, thighs or knees. Not surprisingly, the treatments are not cheap and for those results I would not pay that much, and the results are not instant either. It is a lazy way to lose inches and fat, and for the same timescale a regular exercise regime would have the same results. It reminds me of those belts we have all tried at least once: - the ones with the pads or the belt that vibrate the fat away and that didn´t work!

I am sure we will continue to be told about the latest way to do something the inventors tell us is the latest and best way and we will continue to pay to find out if it works, whether we buy the book, the treatment or the advice.

People will make money for something that is either obvious or nothing new. Maybe a few of us can get together and think of a plan? There´s cash to be made!!

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Friday, July 5, 2013

COVER UP OR COCK UP? One my first journalism lessons that I was taught over thirty years ago by a fiery but brilliant news editor, was to never ever trust a press release.

Public and political organisations churn them out endlessly in this E-Mail age, and so you need to be even more careful, as time seems to be more precious than ever.

Take a fortnight ago as a brilliant example. The Courier, along with most other English publications in Spain got a press release from the British Embassy in Madrid, saying that Simon Manley would be replacing Giles Paxman as UK Ambassador this autumn. An interesting enough story, but the release conveniently air-brushed any news about the fate of Mr.Paxman, who only a fortnight earlier had been smiling away at the official opening of the new British Consulate office in Alicante.

My first hot-tempered boss told me that the story in any release was the story that was never mentioned, and

so it was the case in this piece of Soviet-style propaganda that came out of Madrid.

It was akin to a Politburo member in Moscow being mysteriously shunted out in the days of Khrushchev and Brezhnev!

Most English publications in Spain sadly belong to the “copy and paste” school of journalism.

That means they just merrily print any press release verbatim, because it’s an easy way of filling some space, with most of them never hav-

ing had any UK journalism experience, or a questioning mind. They couldn’t be bothered to ask the big question.

What of Giles Paxman?

A call from The Courier to Madrid produced no reply from the Embassy Press Office, which in itself was a major surprise after news of Mr.Manley’s appointment.

You’d have thought the Press Office would have expected a number of inquiries about that? We then didn’t even

get the courtesy of a “No Comment” or “Get Stuffed” when we sent an E-Mail.

Perhaps somebody somewhere thought that the story could be buried quickly, but fortunately the excellent Tim Walker from the Daily Telegraph managed to at least find out that Paxman had been ‘re-called’ by Foreign Secretary, William Hague. No reason was given, and then it took another three days for more words to appear from the Foreign Office, again thanks to the Telegraph, which said that Paxman was “… retiring this autumn from the Foreign a n d Commonwealth Office after years of distinguished service, and that he’d been planning to do so for some time.”

Pull the other one! If that had been the case,

then why was it not mentioned in the news release that had so heartily trumpeted the appointment of Simon Manley a week earlier? It may of course have been a glorious cock-up, but my experience in having fried some bigger fish in the past is that there’s no smoke without fire.

I for one hope it is just a glorious retirement, but a British source with Foreign Office experience suggested to me that David Cameron wanted a friendlier relationship with Madrid, and that Paxman’s tough talking over matters like Gibraltar were rocking the boat too much. I don’t know, but was it just a coincidence that just days after Paxman’s recall, a Guardia boat took pot shots at a British jet skier in Gibraltarian waters? The incompetent handling of Paxman’s departure had me smiling and wondering how Sir Humphrey and the team would have handled this shambles on the wonderful TV show, Yes Minister.

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Friday, July 5, 2013

CHOCOLATE TREATS MINI CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKES Ingredients

14 milk chocolate digestive biscuits, finely crushed 100g butter, melted For the filling 500g tub ricotta 3 eggs, beaten 1 tsp vanilla extract 200g cheap dark chocolate, broken into chunks and melted 125g icing sugar 36 mini chocolate eggs

Method

1. Heat oven to 150C/130C fan/gas 2. Line the holes of a muffin tin with 12 paper muffin cases. Put the biscuits in a food bag and bash to small crumbs with the end of a rolling pin. Tip into a bowl, stir in the melted butter until the crumbs are nicely coated, then spoon between the paper cases.

Press down into the bottoms to make a firm base.

2. To make the filling, put the ricotta, eggs, vanilla and melted chocolate in a large mixing bowl. Sift in the icing sugar. Beat everything together with an electric whisk or a wooden spoon until very well combined. Spoon into the paper cases right up to the tops, then tap the whole tin on the bench to get rid of any air bubbles. Bake for 30 mins, then remove from the oven and gently push 3 mini eggs into the top of each cheesecake. Let the cheesecakes cool completely before serving. Can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days.

RASPBERRY CHOCOLATE TORTE Ingredients 225g dark chocolate, 70% cocoa solids 175g unsalted butter, chopped, diced 2 tsp vanilla extract ¼ tsp instant coffee powder or extract 100g toasted almonds 2 heaped tbsp plain flour ½ tsp salt

5 eggs 140g golden caster sugar 2 fresh or defrosted frozen raspberries, plus about 40 more for decoration 4 tbsp raspberry jam For the glaze 140g dark chocolate, 70% cocoa solids, chopped 100ml double cream icing sugar and sweet vanilla cream, to serve

Method

1. Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Line the bases of two 23cm cake tins with baking parchment. Melt the chocolate and butter in the microwave; leave to cool. Stir in the vanilla and coffee powder.

2. Whizz the almonds in a food processor until finely ground, then add flour and salt, and transfer to a bowl. Whisk the eggs with an electric mixer for 5 mins, until doubled in volume. Slowly add the sugar, whisk for 1 min more. Fold in the cooled chocolate mixture until just combined. Sprinkle over half the flour mixture and fold in, then the other half. The mixture will be rather runny.

3. Divide between the two tins and bake for about 15 mins until a skewer comes out with a few crumbs attached – the sponges should be slightly undercooked. Cool in tin, then turn out onto a wire rack.

4. Choose the less perfect of the two, then set it on a serving plate. Mash 12 raspberries and stir in the jam. Spread on the base, then top with the other cake. 5 For the glaze, bring the cream to the boil, pour it over the chocolate and whisk until smooth. Leave for a few mins until starting to thicken, then spread over the top and sides to cover. Decorate with raspberries. Chill for up to 24 hrs. Remove from fridge 1 hr before serving, dust with icing sugar, and serve with vanilla cream.

CHERRY CHOCOLATE PAVLOVA Ingredients 6 large egg whites 300g caster sugar

1 tbsp cornflour 2 tsp white wine vinegar 25g cocoa powder 50g finely chopped dark chocolate 284ml pot double cream 3 tbsp icing sugar ½ 600g jar stoned cherry compote fresh cherries, to serve

Method

1. Heat oven to 140C/fan 120C/gas 1. Whisk the egg whites just until they form stiff peaks. Gradually whisk in the sugar, a couple of tbsp at a time, making sure you whisk really well between each addition. When all the sugar has been added, keep whisking for a couple of mins until the mixture is really thick and glossy and looks a little like shaving foam. Carefully stir in the cornflour, vinegar, cocoa powder and chocolate with a large metal spoon, just until incorporated.

2. Tear off a sheet of baking parchment and use to cover a baking sheet. Mark a 25cm circle on the paper. Spoon over the meringue mixture, swirling into the circle, building up the sides a little, ready to keep the filling in. Cook for 1½ hrs.

Leave to cool.

3. When ready to serve, whip the double cream and icing sugar together in a big bowl until soft peaks form. Spoon the cherry compote over the meringue, dollop over the cream, then swirl around. Arrange a few of the fresh cherries on top to finish.

MALT CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM WITH OREO COOKIE CRUNCH Ingredients 750ml milk 250ml double cream 6 egg yolks 140g sugar 85g milk chocolate, chopped 25g plain chocolate, chopped 140g original flavour ovaltine 154g pack Oreo cookies,

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Friday, July 5, 2013

broken into chunks about the size of a large pea

Method

1. Bring the milk and cream to a simmer in a pan. Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until combined. Pour the milk onto the eggs, stirring well. Pour this back into a cleaned-out saucepan and slowly heat through for about 10 mins, stirring all the time. Don’t allow the liquid to simmer. It should thicken as it heats up and is ready when it’s thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon.

2. Pour the hot custard mix over the chocolate in a bowl and allow it to melt. Add the Ovaltine and whisk until smooth.

3. Cool, then churn in an ice-cream machine. As it thickens, add the biscuits. Freeze. When ready to eat, serve with White chocolate sauce.

WHITE CHOCOLATE BERRY CHEESECAKE Ingredients 2 x 150g bars white chocolate 2 x 300g tubs soft cheese 284ml pot double cream 50g caster sugar 170g punnet raspberries 5 tbsp raspberry jam 85g amaretti biscuits 200g small strawberries a few blueberries (optional)

Method

1. Break the chocolate into a glass bowl, then put it over a pan of just simmering water to melt, making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Line a lightly oiled 900g loaf tin with cling film.

2. Whisk the cheese, cream and sugar together, preferably with electric beaters, then stir into the almost-cool melted white chocolate until well combined.

3. Stir 50g raspberries with 2 tbsp of the jam. Spoon half the cheese mixture into the loaf tin, then spoon the jammy raspberries down the centre. Top with the rest of the cheese mixture, level the top, then press in the biscuits. Cover and chill for 6 hrs or overnight.

4. Set aside about 6 strawberries. Halve the rest, then warm in a pan with the remaining jam until soft. Whizz in a food processor or with a hand blender, then rub through a sieve to remove the seeds and make a sauce. Add a drop of water if the sauce is too thick.

5. To serve, carefully turn the tin onto a plate, lift it away and strip off the cling film. Halve the remaining strawberries, then arrange on top of the cake with the remaining raspberries and blueberries (if using). Pour over a little sauce and serve the rest separately for drizzling over.

CHOCOLATE & RASPBERRY MACAROONS Ingredients 170g icing sugar 160g ground almonds 120ml egg whites from about 4 medium eggs, separated into 2 equal batches 160g granulated sugar ½ tsp red food colouring For the filling 120g double cream 110g dark chocolate, finely chopped 25g unsalted butter, room temperature 75g raspberry jam

Method

1. Place the icing sugar and ground almonds in the bowl of a food processor and pulse about 15 times until fully combined.

Sieve this mixture into a large bowl, discarding any particles that stay in the sieve. Add the first batch of egg whites to the almond mixture, mix to form a thick paste and set aside.

2. Tip the second batch of egg whites into a spotlessly clean, heatproof bowl and have an electric whisk at the ready. Place 50ml water and the granulated sugar into a small saucepan on medium heat. Bring to a boil and cook until the syrup registers 110C, using a sugar thermometer, at which time start to beat the egg whites on high speed. Once the syrup is at 118C pour it slowly down the side of the mixer bowl, avoiding the moving whisk. Continue to whisk on high until the mixture has cooled slightly and

you have a shiny peaked meringue mixture – the bowl should no longer be hot to the touch, but still warm. Add the colouring and whisk to combine.

3. Tip the meringue onto the almond mixture and gently fold together. It is important not to over-mix the batter – it should fall in a thick ribbon from the spatula (A). The ribbon should also fade back into the batter within about 30 secs – if it doesn’t, fold a few more times.

4. Heat oven to 170C/150C fan/gas 3-4. Line 3 baking sheets with baking parchment. Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a plain nozzle. Pipe rounds about 2.5cm in diameter onto the prepared baking sheets (B). Leave to rest for 30 mins out of the fridge, or until the macaroons have developed a skin.

5. Bake the macaroons for 14 mins (this needs to be precise so you could test a macaroon first). Immediately slide the parchment onto the work surface and cool for a few minutes before gently peeling the macaroons off the paper.

6. To make the filling, place the cream in a small saucepan and the chocolate in a medium bowl. Bring the cream just to the boil and pour over the chocolate. Leave to stand for a few mins, then stir to combine. Add the butter and stir until smooth, then leave to set until thickened. Place the chocolate mix into a clean piping bag with a smaller nozzle and pipe around the edge of half the macaroons (C). Fill the centre with jam and sandwich with another macaroon shell.

CHOCOLATE & BANANA FRENCH TOAST Ingredients 1 ripe banana 75g milk chocolate, chopped 4 slices crusty white bread from a round loaf 3 medium eggs 1 tbsp double cream 1 tbsp maple syrup 1 tsp vanilla extract 25g unsalted butter ground cinnamon, to serve icing sugar or extra maple syrup, to serve (optional)

Method

1. Slice the banana into a small bowl and mash using a fork.

Add the chopped chocolate and mix to combine.

2. Lay 2 slices of bread on the work surface. Divide the chocolate and banana mixture between them, spreading it almost to the edges. Top each with a second slice of bread and press together to make a sandwich.

3. In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, double cream, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Melt the butter in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Lay one sandwich into the egg mixture to coat one side, then carefully flip it over so that both sides of the sandwich are soaked in the egg. Lower the sandwich into the hot frying pan and cook for about 1 min on each side, until golden brown and the chocolate has started to melt. Repeat with the second sandwich. Cut the sandwiches in half to serve and sprinkle with a little ground cinnamon and either icing sugar or extra maple syrup if you’re feeling superindulgent.

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Friday, July 5, 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!

Joyce wanted to know how to get the British £ sign on her ADVICE: Rose wanted to know the difference between Spanish keyboard uninstall and delete

Q A

Hola. I asked you how we can utilise a British pound sign on a Spanish keypad when you gave a talk to our social club at the Asturias Restaurant some time ago.

I need to use my Internet bank account. Hoping for a speedy reply Joyce.

Hi Joyce, it really depends on how your computer is set up.

Ok, physically it has a Spanish keyboard based on your email, however what happens for example when you press SHIFT and the number 3? If you get a pound sign then you have an English keyboard loaded on your computer and you can use that method in the future to get your pound sign, if you get a dot when you press that key combination then you have a Spanish keyboard loaded on your computer and there simply is no pound sign so you will have to use the work around below.

In order to get the pound sign on a keyboard that doesn’t have one by default you should hold down the ALT key and press 0163 and then release the ALT key, you should see a pound sign after releasing the key if you have done it correctly.

Additional keyboard shortcuts can be found at http://www.bluemoonsolutions.es/more-keyboard-tips

Rita was having problems with Skype being blocked by McAfee

Q A

Hello - I wonder if you can help me. I accidentally said "block" when my McAfee Security asked if I wanted to block Skype and so now I can't access my Skype.

How do I get back my Skype? My mistake of course but I don't know how to rectify it. Would appreciate your assistance. Many thanks - Rita Hi Rita, you will need to open up McAffee and do the following…

1. Open security centre 2. Go Web and email protection 3. Go to firewall 4. go to Internet connection for programs 5. Locate the program that you want to unblock and change its access to the Internet Update: Richard - thank you so much. I really REALLY appreciated your help. Well done. Regards - Rita

Don’t forget you can follow me on twitter @bluemoonspain Alternatively 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.

Q

Hi Richard, Hope you are coping with this hot and muggy weather? I must admit to struggling a bit! Some time ago you wrote about how to change the spacing in word to the 2007 version; I meant to keep this article but forgot!! Can you please refresh my memory and also is "uninstall" the same as "delete" please? I know how to delete but not sure how to uninstall. Keep cool, Rose

A

Hi Rose, if you are referring to the question about Microsoft Word margins then you can find the answer on our website at http://tinyurl.com/WordMargins With regards to uninstall and delete, usually they are referred to in different circumstances, when you uninstall an application or program you are permanently removing it from your computer, now you could call that deleting it but usually that’s not the same thing. You might delete an icon from your desktop and that would remove the icon but not the program itself, to do that you would need to uninstall it.

Hope that makes sense?

Chris wanted to know what to do in the event of leaving her computer for several weeks unattended.

Q

Hi Richard, I am going away to Northern Ireland tomorrow for four and a half weeks, and just wondered if I should turn my Computer off completely. I have put everything that is important to me on my extra hard drive, as I am not sure what the FBI would do to my computer while I am away. Nothing I hope!!!!!! Looking forward to your feedback, regards Chris

A

Hi Chris, I would certainly unplug it from the power and Internet (if you are not WiFi) and yes I would shut it down fully, if you have already checked out your computer for the 9th July virus by using the instructions in our article… http://www.bluemoonsolutions.es/the-fbi-could-turn-off-your-internet-on-the-9th-july …then you are not at risk.

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

Office: 902 906 200

Friday, July 5, 2013

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PANIC ATTACK: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES AND TREATMENT

The symptoms of a panic attack often strike suddenly.

Sufferers have explained a panic attack to be a sudden feeling of fear, where their heart pounds, chest cramps up and breathing normally becomes difficult. An attack can often last a few minutes. Some people may suffer from panic attacks more than once, often, for no reason at all.

What are panic attacks?

As described in the opening paragraph, a panic attack can appear suddenly, and often for no reason. They are often feelings of intense fear and terror. Some of the common symptoms experienced during a panic attack, include chest pains, heart palpitations, hot flushes, chills, fear and tingling or numbness in the fingertips.

Other common symptoms include: • Shaking and trembling • Chills and hot flushes • Nausea • Cramping • Weakness or dizziness • Chest pain or chest discomfort The symptoms of a panic attack are often very closely related to those of a heart attack. It has been reported that people who are taken to hospital for what they think is a heart attack, are often admitted as panic attack patients.

Panic attacks can strike once or twice in a lifetime, however, frequent attacks for no apparent reason would be considered as a Panic Disorder rather than an attack, and specific medical attention would be required. Even if you experience a panic attack once in your life, you should consider mentioning it to your doctor, who will be able to let you know the severity of your attack.

Panic attacks could affect just about anyone, just about

anywhere. Common places for attacks include at shopping malls and at social gatherings. However, panic attacks can strike even whilst you are asleep.

After experiencing a panic attack, sufferers often associate their attack with a specific place or situation and can actually develop a phobia about being in that place or situation. So, they naturally avoid those places or situations in the fear of going through another attack.

A very common type of panic disorder is known as agoraphobia. Translated from the Greek word agora meaning market and phobos meaning fear, sufferers of agoraphobia commonly avoid busy places (such as shopping malls and markets) in the fear that they may get trapped inside.

Agoraphobic attacks may be triggered by crowds, travelling and wide, open spaces and make sufferers feel as though they are unsafe in unfamiliar environments. Sufferers are also embarrassed by their disorder, that they will get an attack and embarrass themselves.

Causes of panic attacks Although the exact causes of panic attacks are not clear, there does seem to be a genetic link. Although you may never get a panic attack, if say, your grandfather has had them, you are still at an increased risk for developing them, as opposed to someone who has no family history of panic attacks.

Panic attacks commonly strike when you are experiencing life changing alterations. For example, moving into a new house, getting married or changing careers could all be life altering changes that could bring on a panic attack.

Treating panic attacks If you have only experienced one panic attack, there may be no reason to get alarmed. However, it is advisable to

REVERSING ALZHEIMER’S WITH COCONUT OIL DR MACHI MANNU’S ADVICE CLINIC Email your questions and comments to contact@medb.es

We all want to live to a nice ripe age, but we all want to do so with our minds intact. In any case, the risk of developing dementia as we age is a real one.

Alzheimer’s disease is the commonest cause of dementia, and has been considered irreversible and incurable, until now.

Dementia is not a mild form of Alzheimer’s as many believe, but rather a group of symptoms characterized by memory loss in addition to loss of other aspects of cognition such as language, judgement, orientation and balance.

Memory loss occurs as we grow old, but is considered serious when it is more than expected for a person’s age. And so we can say that dementia is a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease.

Other causes of dementia include depression, multiple strokes, medications such as valium, and hormonal disorders such as thyroid disease. Alzheimer’s is diagnosed from brain scans by the presence of

abnormal proteins known as beta amyloid plaque and neurofibrillary tangles.

These abnormal proteins simply called plaques and tangles react with sugars to form complexes known as AGEs (Advanced Glycation End-products). And as the name suggests, AGEs accelerates the ageing process. The main symptom of Alzheimer’s is memory loss. The recent memory is the first to go, while remote memory remains intact for longer. And so sufferers can remember events that occurred many years ago, but will have problems remembering what they had to eat the day before for example. The major risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s is increasing age. People less than 65 years have a 1 % risk of developing Alzheimer’s, but by age 85, the risk increases to 50%. Interestingly above the age of 90 the risk starts to decrease. Heavy metals, especially aluminium are also known to cause

Alzheimer’s. The brain tissue of Alzheimer’s sufferers has high levels of the toxic metal aluminium. Sources of Aluminium contamination in the body include cookware, deodorants and non-dairy cream. The use of coconut oil for managing Alzheimer’s was popularized by Dr Mary Newport, a medical doctor whose husband developed early onset Alzheimer’s disease. In her search for a cure for his badly deteriorating Alzheimer’s, she discovered that a type of fat known as medium chain triglycerides (MCT) improved Alzheimer’s in a clinical trial.

And as she couldn’t get hold of the drug used in the trial, she started giving her husband coconut oil, which contains high concentrations of MCT. She immediately noticed a dramatic improvement in his condition. Since then many others have reported an improvement with Alzheimer’s symptoms and even reversals with coconut oil. Furthermore, researchers recently discov-

ered that Alzheimer’s sufferers have an insulin deficiency or insulin resistance of the brain. This prevents glucose from reaching the brain cells to provide them with energy. This has led scientists to reclassify Alzheimer’s as diabetes type 3. However the brain can use an alternate fuel known as ketone bodies instead of glucose for energy. This usually happens during periods of starvation when the body converts fat stores to ketones to provide vital organs with energy.

Contrary to popular belief, coconut oil is one of the healthiest types of oils because unlike other vegetable oils, it does not break down into deadly metabolites when heated. It also improves blood cholesterol profile. In place of coconut oil, you can take Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT) oil available from MedB health store.

Call 965071745 for more information.

seek medical advice, especially if the attack occurred spontaneously. If you were in a stressful situation and feared losing your life, a panic attack could be a common experience.

If you have regular episodes of panic attacks, then you might be diagnosed with having a panic disorder. One of the ways to treat a panic disorder is to undergo Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT. This type of treatment has been successful for patients suffering with panic disorders and agoraphobia.

CBT treatment is carried out by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist. This treatment helps you to change your thinking patterns and prepare you for panic attacks. The theory is that education about your disorder can help you to learn to identify the sensations and feelings brought upon by a panic disorder. Knowing what to expect could make you feel a bit more at ease about what is going on and not let you think that you are losing your marbles.

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Gran Alacant Property Wise Property Investors Needs have a passion for Choose The Costa Blanca Spanish property Gran Alacant Property Needs have a passion for Spanish property. Over the last eight years we have built up our family run business based firmly around honesty, integrity and excellent customer care & service. We pride ourselves on understanding our client’s needs & strive to ensure that your viewing experience is relaxed, un-pressured and most of all enjoyable. If you have a property to sell then we will use the latest systems, marketing techniques and online advertising media to ensure your property has the widest possible exposure to the biggest potential market.

Customer satisfaction is always foremost in our minds and that is why we not only offer a comprehensive service to property buyers but after care service to ensure that you continue to enjoy your new home for many years to come.

The Costa Blanca is pulling ahead of other destinations in Spain, establishing itself as a tourism and investment hotspot. In particular, the area's beaches are proving themselves to be worlds apart. In the recent 2013 list of Blue Flag beaches, 114 were in the Valencian Community, home to the Costa Blanca. Conversely, Andalusia - where the Costa del Sol is located - had 78.

Unsurprisingly, the Costa Blanca is performing well in other areas too. In March, Taylor Wimpey Espana reported that it had experienced a 57 per cent increase in sales in the Costa in 2012. This is despite the arguably fraught Spanish property environment.

The appeal of Costa Blanca is proving to be global too, with buyers flocking from the UK,

Russia and Scandinavia. Vicente Domine, head of the Housing and Public Works Department of the regional government in Costa Blanca, said foreign citizens purchasing homes in the Costa Blanca accounted for 29 per cent of total sales a rise of 32 per cent on 2011 levels.

Furthermore, Middle Eastern buyer numbers are set to increase as the new 'golden visa' - set to come into effect next year will enable non-EU nationals who invest more than €500,000 (£424,000) to earn automatic right to residency in the country.

Recovery in Spain certainly seems to be happening at the moment, albeit incredibly slowly. Experts predict things will start to improve in the country by 2014, meaning those looking to take advantage of cheap property prices need to act relatively swiftly. Property prices at this time are also based on sellers situations, we have to be realistic, but with the increase of second home buyers from different regions of Europe still wishing to buy in Spain, especially the Costa Blanca, houses are continuing to sell and Gran Alacant Property Needs strives to help sellers achieve a price they are happy with.

If you are considering buying or Marketing or buying a property in Gran Alacant or surrounding areas please do hesitate to contact us we have buyers waiting and properties to show you.

Our website has a selection of properties for your perusal at www.granalacantpropertyneeds.com Kim Carey – Gran Alacant Property Needs

Although the Spanish Property Industry has suffered some difficult periods in recent years, all indicators show that things are now on the up Whilst the world’s media is still intent on publishing doom and gloom articles relating to the global economic crisis, official statistics have proven that there IS movement, particularly in the property market. Slight improvements were recorded during 2011, with the upward trend continuing throughout 2012.

According to figures compiled by the National Statistics Institute (INE), the sale of property across the country rose by 0.9% in September 2012, compared to the figure for the same month of 2011, equating to a total of 25 985 transactions. Of these 50.9% were resale properties and 49.1% new developments.

This was regarded as very positive news by optimists, who considered it a clear indication that the economy was recovering; particularly as it showed the second consecutive increase, with figures for August also registering improvements of 3% after a stagnant run of 17 months. What is even more reassuring for those of us living on the Costa Blanca, is that the highest number of house sales per 100 000 population were executed in La Rioja (128) and right here in the Valencian Community (103). Valencia continued to attract large numbers of buyers through to the close of 2012, with 3 912

properties being sold during the month of November.

Costa Blanca Real Estate Agents have confirmed that this is indeed the case, and are pleased to report an increase in sales at both ends of the property scale, from small apartments to luxurious detached villas. And with the increased demand, particularly among the resale’s sector, Agents have even began to advertise for new property listings to satisfy demand. The major property investment markets now mainly lie with the Scandinavians and Russians, although British investors hoping to take advantage of the soaring value of the pound do still favour the Costa Blanca. As a whole, property prices are far lower than they were five years ago, although they have only dropped marginally since 2011, suggesting that they are currently beginning to stabilize. This makes NOW the perfect time to buy, as prices are more attractive than ever, with local realestate agents promoting two-bedroom properties for as little as €40,000. In light of recent trends, it is also makes sense that from here prices are more likely to go up then down.

At Property Plus, we are making it easy for you to take advantage of these positive movements, by bringing you all of the best deals in one handy supplement. So why not make 2013 the year to put the ball in motion and make your Spanish dream a reality!

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Friday, July 5, 2013

THE MOST EXPENSIVE BILLIONAIRE HOMES Antilia, Mumbai, India

Owner: Mukesh Ambani, worth €16.58 billion Value: upward of €1 billion The twenty-seven story, 400,000-square foot skyscraper residence, named after a mythical island in the Atlantic, has six underground levels of parking, three helicopter pads, a 'health' level, and reportedly requires about 600 staff to run it. It is the world's most expensive home far and away with construction costs topping €1 billion.

Villa Leopolda, Villefranche-surmer, France

ued at 500 million euros in 2008, when Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov attempted to buy it. He eventually pulled out of the deal, forfeiting a 50 million euro deposit.

Fair Field, Sagaponack, N.Y.

One Hyde Park, London, U.K.

Owner: Ira Rennert, worth €5 billion Property value: about €191 million, according to 2012 tax assessments The industrial billionaire's hulking 29-bedroom, 39-bath Hamptons compound has not one, but three swimming pools, plus its own power plant on premises.

Kensington Palace Gardens, London, U.K.

Owner: Lily Safra, worth €1 billion Price: 500 million euro ($750 million at the time) in 2008 King Leopold II reportedly built a series of waterside homes for his many mistresses. This 20-acre estate was val-

Owner: Lakshmi Mittal, worth €12.7 billion Purchase Price: 117 million pounds (€90.2 million at the time) in 2008 The steel magnate is believed to own three homes on the high-security street known as Billionaires Row, including a neo-Georgian mansion near the Israeli embassy. The home (not pictured), rumored to have been purchased for Mittal's son, was sold by hedge fund billionaire Noam Gottesman.

Owner: Rinat Akhmetov, worth €11.8 billion Sale Price: €170 million in 2011 The world's most expensive apartment, located in posh Knightsbridge, was purchased by the Ukraine's richest man. It boasts a staggering 25,000-square feet, bullet proof glass and 24-hour hotel concierge service.

Ellison Estate, Woodside, Calif.

Owner: Larry Ellison, worth €33 billion Value: estimated €154 million to construct The Oracle founder, arguably the world's most avid collector of real estate, built his 23acre Japanese-style estate in 2004 with 10 buildings, a man made lake, a tea house, a bath house and a koi pond. The property is currently assessed at just over €54 million.

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Friday, July 5, 2013

A DOUBLE TAX SAVING OPPORTUNITY

Ever since taxes were first imposed, people have been finding ways of avoiding them. In today’s world, though, tax planning has become highly complex, with the Spanish, UK and international tax agencies declaring war on tax evasion and teaming up to track down evaders. In July 2005 we also entered into a new era in how expatriates structure their financial affairs with the start of the EU wide Savings Tax Directive.

One of the first things many Britons do on moving overseas is to open an offshore bank account. These accounts have many practical uses, particularly if you will be spending time in more than one country, and banks in the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands offer services specifically geared to expatriates.

Another reason many people choose to deposit their capital offshore is because they believe it’s an effective means of tax avoidance.

However, according to the law in both Spain and the UK you must declare your worldwide income, so you are as obliged to declare your offshore interest earnings as those from onshore banks.

Failure to do so is tax eva-

sion – a crime under money laundering laws.

The EU savings Tax Directive ensures that these offshore savings will be taxed regardless of whether they are declared or not, and will help the tax authorities find out who has been illegally under declaring their income.

The key points of the Directive are:

• Most EU States automatically exchange information on your personal tax situation, including identity, residence and interest earnings.

• Your tax authority will compare this information with your tax return. If the figures do not match up, they are likely to investigate.

• Some jurisdictions, including Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Switzerland and Luxembourg are, instead of automatic information exchange of information, applying a withholding tax for a transitional period. It is currently 35%.

• The definition of “savings income” is broad and includes interest earnings from bank accounts and some income producing

investment funds.

• UK investments like PEPs, ISAs and premium bonds are not tax free in Spain, and fall under the scope of the Directive.

• Some income payments are excluded from the Directive. These include pensions, dividends from shares, income withdrawals from life assurance policies and payments to compa-

nies or trusts.

The fact that life assurance policies are not subject to the Directive is particularly good news, especially as they benefit from a very advantageous tax treatment in Spain.

Insurance bonds therefore provide a possible solution to a wide range of tax planning concerns. They have a variety of names, i n c l u d i n g

Personal Portfolio Bonds (PPB) and Offshore Bonds, and they are also sometimes referred to as tax “wrappers”.

It is basically a specialised form of life assurance arrangement, specifically designed to enable investors to hold their own choice of assets.

The PPB offers many unique tax benefits, but when held within a suitable Trust the advantages are exceptional.

In summary, the benefits of a PPB in Spain are:

Income and capital gains: These are not taxed when retained with the Bond. If you do not need to take withdrawals you do not pay tax, allowing the gain to accumulate entirely tax free within the Bond.

Withdrawals: In the event of a withdrawal, only the gain element is taxed and not the whole value of the withdrawal. For example, if your bond has increased by 10% and you withdraw €10,000, only €1,000 is liable to tax and €9,000 is tax-free. Of the amount taxable, there is a further reduction depending on the length of time you own the Bond. It is reduced by

Friday, July 5, 2013 40% if held between two and five years and by 75% if over five years (although only one withdrawal per year qualifies for this remarkable tax benefit).

Wealth tax: Holding your assets inside a Bond usually leads to a significant reduction in wealth tax too. This helps high net worth individuals lower their tax bills considerably. It is also possible to set up your Bond so that is has no value at all for wealth tax purposes and will therefore be excluded from your wealth tax return.

Succession tax: On death, if the contract is not a Spanish one and it is left to an individual who is not resident in Spain (or is held in trust for such beneficiaries), succession tax is not payable either.

Assigning your Bond to a

Trust arrangement can create some very unique tax and other advantages.

However this is a very specialised field and it is therefore essential that you seek professional guidance about what is appropriate to your personal circumstances.

Some of the advantages of a Trust include:

Succession tax: The assets in the Trust are not liable to succession tax in Spain.

Inheritance tax: If the settlor dies in Spain as a non-UK domicile there is no liability to UK inheritance tax.

Probate: No probate is required and your heirs can obtain benefit from the Trust quickly and easily.

Family situations: With a Trust the Trustees act to look after your beneficiaries without the assets being dissipated.

For example, the

5

Spain to sell off a quarter of properties

Trustees can ensure that your children do not lose any of the Trust assets if they get divorced. The Trustees will look after the money if they think any of your dependants could be a spendthrift or simply incapable of managing the money, for whatIn plans approved last week by Spain's ever reason. The Trustees cabinet, some 15,000 properties – from office will be guided by you. buildings to agricultural land – will be put up Asset protection: for sale over the next seven years.

Assets in Trust are norThe measure is the latest in a series of mally protected from person- moves to bring Spain's budget deficit to within the EU target of three per cent by 2016 from al creditors.

If you are looking for a 7.1 per cent of GDP last year.

Spain's government has introduced a raft “home” for your investments which is both tax efficient of unpopular austerity measures as the nation and capable of producing struggles with its sixth quarter of negative above average returns, a growth and an unemployment rate of nearly Personal Portfolio Bond, 27 per cent.

A parliamentary commission has drawn up with your choice of underlying investments and which is an extensive list of assets that will be sold to held in Trust, is highly likely private investors in the hope of raising milto be a possible solution to lions to reduce its public deficit.

Among those being offered include disused both your tax and investarmy barracks, an aerodrome on the island of ment requirements.

Minorca, a military shooting range and thouWhen it comes to tax sands of office buildings. planning, the earlier you The government said the portfolio will start thinking about it the include around 10 buildings "considered better. You can evaluate unique" that it hopes will be snapped up by your options, quantify your potential investors. tax liabilities, plan your Among those is a mansion house on investment strategy, decide Madrid's central avenue, the Paseo de la on ownership structures and Castellana, that used to house the Secretary take steps to avoid tax on of State for Security, and a country estate in leaving the UK (if you have Andalusia comprising 35,000 acres of natural not already done so) at the parkland planted with cork trees. same time as minimising Mariano Rajoy's conservative government them in Spain. announced plans last year to set up a comExpert professional mission to draw up an inventory of all stateadvice is essential. owned property and identify those that could The PPB can be a be sold off. beneficial structure for The first properties to go under the hammer both Spanish and UK res- include the former headquarters of RTVE, idents, as long as you set Spain's state television and radio channel in up your financial affairs cor- Madrid and Galicia, and a disused army barrectly and, ideally, from the racks in Seville.

The government has not yet released the outset.

portfolio of properties for sale over the next seven years or said whether they will be sold by auction or by public tender.

"There will be some real gems in the portfolio I am sure but also a lot of dross," commented Mark Stucklin, founder of Spanish Property Insight, an independent website.

"Those properties that will be sought after are those of historical or architectural interest in the most sought after areas of cities. But it will boil down to the price. There will always be interest in good real estate by foreign investors if it is sold at a bargain."

He said that despite the glut of unsold commercial property across Spain, state-owned property could still sell well.

"We are not talking about new developments on the outskirts of towns but for the most part it will be prime plots in sought after areas."

The government is yet to outline how much money it hopes to raise in the asset sell-off.

Last year Spain's government raised 90 million euros (£77 million) in sales of stateowned buildings that had lain empty and made a further 37.5 million euros saving by renegotiating rental contracts.

Much of the rural property that will be put on the market will be offered with the opportunity for development to create local jobs.

La Almoraima, a finca in the Natural Park of Alcornocales, which has been owned by the Ministry of Environment since 1983 is being sold with the option to develop a resort with two golf courses and a five-star hotel.

"We will wait for a reasonable offer – we are not going to sell it off for peanuts," confirmed a spokesman at the Ministry of Environment referring to the sale of La Almoraima property.

"Our best hope is that we can generate foreign interest as there are few in Spain right now who could afford it."

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6

Friday, July 5, 2013

BRITISHS STAYING LOYAL TO SPANISH PROPERTY and struggling to sell, but some bargain basement prices are turning heads, particularly those of the British, and there may never be a better time to buy a Spanish home."

However, a lack of mortgage availability is still a barrier for investing in the country. "Mortgage availability, unsurprisingly, isn’t as good as it was a few years ago, but there are still lots of opportunities, especially if you

have a healthy deposit to put down," Ms Nessling said. Currently, buyers can borrow around 65-70 per cent of the value of a property and rates start from just 3.2 per cent, she continued.

Spain is certainly proving attractive to British investors and regional estate agents and tourism boards are continuing to improve Spain's image following the financial crisis. It is hoped these

efforts will lead to further foreign activity, with the General Council of Notaries already recording a 28.4 per cent increase in overseas buyers during 2012. The market is also set to get more competitive with the introduction of the Golden Visa scheme, which will grant automatic residency to non-EU nationals buying property worth at least €500,000 (£426,769).

IT'S EASY TO FIND YOUR DREAM HOME WITH SME Despite difficult economic times, British buyers are staying loyal to the Spanish property market.

Figures from mortgage specialist Conti show that in May alone, Spain accounted for 44 per cent of mortgage enquiries received by the company.

For the first time in a year, these figures put the country ahead of France,

which experienced just 37 per cent of enquiries.

This activity follows statements from banks such as UBS claiming real estate prices have another eight per cent to fall before bottoming out.

With property cheaper than ever, it is no surprise investors are seizing the opportunity to get their foot in the Spanish door.

For Britons in particular, the lure of the country is compounded by easy transport access, good rental opportunities and favourable weather.

Clare Nessling, director at Conti, said: "There’s no denying that the country’s financial and economic woes have left a huge glut of new and repossessed properties sitting empty

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Through their experiences, SME have developed an impressive portfolio of reliable contacts, including other realtors and developers, solicitors, mortgage advisors and brokers, and other associated members of the building trade. Jan provides the friendly voice on the end of the telephone, also dealing with major admin work, compiling contracts and customer service. Eddie is mainly based out in the field, accompanying clients

to view properties; and organising new listings, where he advises property owners of the appropriate price range and as a semiprofessional photographer, takes stunning shots that really support the sale.

What makes SME so different from many other Real Estate companies is that they offer a truly personalised service, where they first meet clients to determine their needs and taste, eventually compiling a list of potential viewings that fit this profile. This can take time, as the company has literally hundreds of new and resale properties on its books, as well as plots of land, which are located throughout the Costa Blanca, Murcia and even overseas.

Prices range from as little as €33,000, for a bargain one bedroom studio apartment, up to around €800,000 for a stunning detached villa. SME are also putting their properties on more websites which results in even more enquiries for their properties from around the world SME are pleased to provide personal advice relating to schools, doctors, golf courses, nightlife, management and a range of other elements that may help the buyer make a decision on where they want to be.

And if they are still undecided, SME have a wide range of rental properties on their books too, allowing clients to have a look around and get to know the area a little better before they commit to a purchase!

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Friday, July 5, 2013

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Friday, July 5, 2013

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Friday, July 5, 2013

HOW LAMININE CAN REBUILD YOU Q

Last year in March, I started having pains in my lower left leg. I went to the salud and the doctor prescribed pain killers which didn’t help at all. Then sometime in March I was hospitalized because I had very severe chest pains and was unconscious for many days. The hospital later found out that I had clots in my leg. I was discharged from hospital unable to walk without support. I don’t have pain in my legs, but feel a bit off balance when I try to walk. I am a 75 year old woman, and I take tablets for blood pressure. I will appreciate any advice you can give.

A

It’s unfortunate your doctor missed the blood clot in your leg. From your history, it appears the clot from the lower leg eventually found its way to your heart and brain causing the symptoms that led to your hospital admission. Blood clots in the legs are usually caused by atherosclerosis, the medical term for hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to plaque build-up. Atherosclerosis can develop in any of the arteries of the body; however it commonly occurs in the arteries that supply blood to the heart and brain. When these arteries are blocked, a heart attack or stroke occurs. The hospital will have prescribed blood thinners such as aspirin or warfarin to prevent future recurrences of the clot. It is still unclear if these medications are useful for preventing blood clots. Aspirin has been shown to damage the kidney and liver at doses above 100 mgs daily. The difficulty you are having with walking is probably due to brain damage from the possible stroke you suffered. This type of minor damage is known as a neurological deficit, and it means that an area of the brain has been damaged. In such cases, the only useful treatment is a regenerative therapy to rebuild the damaged area. The good news is that nerve tissues can regenerate if adequately supported.

Laminine is a unique supplement that supports regeneration of nerve tissues as well as other tissues. It stands alone because it is the only supplement available that contains Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) – a protein that stimulates the growth of reserve or stem cells. These reserve cells or fibroblasts are found in the heart, nerves, brain, bone marrow and muscle tissues. In other words, the FGF contained in Laminine helps our body repair itself. Laminine also contains all 22 essential amino acids. These amino acids are known as essential because we need them but our bodies cannot make them, and so we can only get them from food. Amino acids are vital for making DNA and other genetic materials, and so are referred to as the building blocks of life. Our skin, muscles, hair and many organs are mainly built from amino acids. We receive amino acids by digesting proteins from plant and animal food.

But as we age, the entire digestive system may become dysfunctional, leading to poor digestion and absorption. Many studies have shown a reduction in the absorption of amino acids in the elderly. Without amino acids our bodies are unable to repair the damage that occurs from the everyday wear and tear of our organs which leads to many diseases that we have come to associate with ageing especially disorders of the heart and brain. Laminine contains readymade amino acids that are absorbed straight into the body for repairing damaged organs. Amino acids also help detoxify the body.

Laminine can be ordered by calling MedB on 965071745 or Calling Susan on 627371731

Q A

How safe are medical diagnostic scans?

Diagnostic scans are useful for looking inside the body.

The most popular kinds available are X-rays, CT scans,

MRI’s endoscopies, and blood tests. Other kinds of diagnostic scans are EEG (Electroencephalograph) and ECG (Electrocardiograph). X-rays and blood tests are routinely used in hospitals because they are cheap. However X-rays exposes the body to deadly ionizing radiation. The damaging effects of x-rays are cumulative, so the more x-rays a person is exposed to, the greater the damage to their organs. X-rays have been associated with many chronic diseases especially many kinds of cancers. Recent studies have shown that mammograms (breast x-rays) contribute to 20% of all breast cancers. CT scans are like X-rays on steroids. CT scans takes a 3D picture of the body, and in the process, exposes the body to thousands of times more radiation than X-rays. Many studies have suggested that the rampant use of cheap CT scans have contributed to the current high incidence of cancer. MRIs are similar to CT scans in a lot of ways, but they are a lot safer.

However, because MRI’s are expensive, they are rarely recommended to patients in public hospitals. ECG’s and EEG’s are also safe and effective diagnostic technologies because they measure the frequencies or vibrations coming from the body to reach a diagnosis. The diagnostic scan performed at MedB clinic is the most advanced form of diagnostics available anywhere in the world today. Unlike other diagnostic imaging technologies such as MRIs that is subject to human error during result analysis, our technology uses advanced computerized systems and calculations to make a diagnosis. And this way the analysis has an accuracy of 94%. The scan also checks for toxins in all the organs of the body, and in the process also carry out a blood test, without blood samples. To book a full body scan or to find out more, call 965071745 or visit : www.medb.es

Treating Athlete's Foot Naturally Ketchup: Redder Athlete's foot is a very common skin problem caused by a fungus, and unfortunately it is not limited to athletes. In an acute outbreak of athlete's foot, the skin on the foot becomes red or white, with cracks, scales, cuts, blisters and painful inflammation. Burning, stinging and itching can also occur. The most common place for athlete's foot to manifest itself is between the toes, but it can appear anywhere. Chronic athlete's foot causes the skin on the sides and the sole of the foot to become pink and scaly, but no itchiness generally accompanies the chronic variety.

The fungus that causes athlete's foot lives off of dead skin cells, and it thrives in warm, damp environments, such as those found in locker rooms and the areas around indoor swimming pools.

Athlete's foot is often confused with other conditions, such as dermatitis, allergic contact eczema, atopic eczema, psoriasis and erythrasma, so it is important to get a definitive diagnosis before starting treatment. In addition, you should consult your physician if you see an accumulation of pus in the cracks or blisters on the skin, or if your symptoms interfere with your day to day activities.

After treatment, it is important to take steps to avoid the infection from coming back. The fungus that causes athlete's foot is quite contagious, and it can be difficult to eradicate. Taking the following steps will help you avoid re-infection: • Keep your feet as dry as possible, particularly between the toes where moisture can accumulate; • Wear cotton socks, and change them at least once a day; • Avoid tight, closed toed shoes. The moisture and heat built up by this type of footwear can cause athlete's foot fungus to thrive; • Never go barefoot in public places. Always wear some sort of shoe, such as sandals or flip flops; • Use a foot powder to keep your feet dry. Plain cornstarch makes a great foot dusting powder; • Always wash your socks in the hot water setting of the

washer.

There are many natural treatments to keep athlete's foot infections at bay. Some of the most effective are listed below.

Herbs and essential oils Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil is the most common way to treat athlete's foot naturally, and one of the most effective. Tea tree oil is one home remedy that has proven to be as effective as over the counter athlete's foot medications. Tea tree oil contains anti-fungal qualities, and for best results it should be applied directly to the affected area three times per day. The usual dosage of tea tree oil is from four to ten drops. Treatment with tea tree oil should continue for two weeks after the infection seems to have disappeared to make sure that it is gone.

In addition to its use as a stand-alone therapy, tea tree oil can also be used in combination with aloe vera gel. A good approach is to mix about four ounces of aloe vera gel with 1/2 teaspoon of tea tree oil in a spray bottle and spray this on the affected area twice a day. The feet should then be allowed to dry completely before putting on socks and shoes. Tea tree oil is available at health food stores and on the Internet.

When buying tea tree oil it is important to buy a 100% solution of the essential oil.

Grapefruit seed extract: Grapefruit seed extract has been shown to have strong anti-fungal effects. The best way to use this extract is to apply a few drops to the palm and rub it into the feet two or three times daily. Grapefruit seed extract can also be added to the washing machine when washing socks.

Diet and athlete's foot Those with chronic athlete's foot conditions, or those who suffer from recurrent athlete's foot, are advised to avoid high consumption of breads, baked goods and other yeast containing products. It is thought that excessive consumption of yeast can exacerbate an athlete's foot outbreak. Vinegar and alcohol are also best avoided by chronic athlete's foot sufferers.

is Better

Not all ketchups are equal.

Researchers compared lycopene levels and found that organic brands have three times the amount of the cancer-fighting phytochemical compared to ordinary brands.

Study co-author Dr. Betty Ishida says it's because they're made with riper tomatoes. "The darker red a tomato ketchup is, the greater the lycopene content," says Ishida.

As a powerful antioxidant, lycopene helps neutralize harmful free radicals, which are implicated in cancer, heart disease, macular degeneration and other age-related illnesses.

The evidence for a benefit was strongest for cancers of the prostate, lung, and stomach. Data were also suggestive of a benefit for cancers of the pancreas, colon and rectum, esophagus, oral cavity, breast, and cervix.

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Friday, July 5, 2013

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Friday, July 5, 2013

EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY!

Are you feeling happy? I hope so. I met a friend this week who has just retired and he confided in me that he was bored, depressed and felt he had nothing to live for.

His wife works, so he is on his own most of the day and has few outside interests. So he has time to mope about and feel sorry for himself. He was so envious of me because I have so much going on in my life I only have to blink and the day's gone just like when I was working.

I suggested he got some literature from the University of the Third Age which has meeting groups on just about everything, and also to get involved in charities and other organisations to occupy his time and give him a purpose to life.

Scientists in Rotterdam have been trying to find out what makes people the happiest and here are their findings. I can commend them to readers: You tend to be happier if you: Are in a long-term relationship - so get out there and get one!

Are actively engaged in politics Are active in work and in your free time Go out for dinner Have close friendships (though happiness does not increase with the number of friends you have) And there are some surprising findings: People who drink in moderation are happier than people who don't drink at all.

Men tend to be happier in a society where women enjoy greater equality.

Being considered good looking, increases men's happiness more than it does women's.

You tend to be happier if you think you're good looking, rather than if you actually, objectively speaking, are.

Having children lowers your happiness levels, but

unhealthy and bone idle.

Sadly those Welsh valleys have done themselves no favours either - steeped in left-wing principles.

Employers have fought shy of investing there, fearing that they would have one labour problem after another, making them totally unprofitable. If ever there's an example of why Socialism doesn't work, it's in the Welsh valleys!

q

your happiness increases when they grow up and leave home.

So there you have it folks...eat, drink, be active, live with a kindred spirit and boot the kids out!

q

Do you remember the appalling cases of the Pakistani men who groomed young white girls in the UK, getting them hooked on drink and drugs before sexually abusing them and passing them around fellow Muslim men? It's now happened in two British cities and police believe there are other cases yet to be uncovered. Well, it's amazing isn't it when the shoe is on the other foot and Muslim men see a nonMuslim man make a play for one of their own girls.

It happened in Turkey, where a 17-year-old holidaymaker was foolish enough to kiss a Turkish girl in a bar. He had been enjoying a night out with his older brother and was "having a bit of fun." He was hit over the head, then stripped naked before being stabbed 17 times, slashed on the throat, chest, groin, legs and back. The attackers even tried to slash his wrists to "finish the job".

Many Muslim men keep their own women if not under lock and key, well under wraps - supposedly so no

other men can ogle them.

Amazing, isn't it how there are such double standards in the Muslim world?

I have written before how the Muslim world must get its act together. Far too much of the world's problems stem from divisions in Islam between different factions, between the religious and secular and between different ideologies. It can only change from within, but that change is long overdue, and, for a start, Muslims should be taught that non-Muslims or "infidels" as we are called are not inferior. We didn't tolerate that attitude with the Nazis in the last century; we cannot tolerate it in a different guise in this. I am not afraid to write about this appalling hypocrisy - it's a shame other journalists and politicians do not do likewise rather than trying to pretend the problem doesn't exist.

q

A measure of how the recession has hit a generation of people comes with the latest set of UK housing statistics, which shows that the number of 25 to 34-yearolds who own their own home, with or without a mortgage, has fallen from 2 million to 1.3 million in the last decade. It was Maggie Thatcher's dream that Britain would be a home-owning

nation, with the need for people to rent or to need social housing ever decreasing.

But the recession has put paid to all that - and the majority of home owners are now aged 50-plus. The level of home ownership has slumped to 64 per cent of the population, the lowest since 1980, when Maggie had her dream financial revolution.

2 million young people are now renting, compared with 1.5 million in 2001. And now, 8.3 million of the entire population are renters - the highest since 1961.

The figures show the huge rise in people who now own two or more homes, with one or more of them being rented out - an increasing number deciding it's the best way of building up a pension pot.

But the change does nothing to help redress the widening gap between rich and poor.

And it also does nothing to help the Tories win the next election - because renters are less likely to vote Tory than home owners.

Prozac, Doxepin and Trazodone are handed out.

It's costing the NHS ÂŁ600,000 every month.

The town was once the heart of the mining and steel industry in South Wales, but that was decimated when it became uncompetitive and cheaper coal could be imported.

The workforce was thrown on the dole, and even now, male unemployment is double the national average, a third of the population is on benefits and life expectancy is one of the lowest in the UK. Doctors say they are so overwhelmed that they cannot properly assess patients and so they hand out tablets like sweets. But there is a more sinister reason why so many people are seeking anti-depressants. Being prescribed such drugs is evidence of mental ill health and that opens the door to gaining benefits - disability, income support, etc., etc., and some with children notch up more in benefits than ever they can by working.

The saddest story of the Here's the perfect example week comes from of how the explosion of benBlaenau Gwent, South efits and the increasing numWales, where one in six peo- ber of people relying on ple in the population of them, has done so much 60,000 are on anti-depres- damage. Without them, peosants. Every month, 10,000 ple would have been forced prescriptions for 16 different to get off their bums and find types of 'happy Pills' such as work rather than becoming

q

Hats off to the EU!. Yes, it's me saying it strangely after the criticisms I usually level against it. Why am I pleased? It's because they have forced the mobile phone providers to reduce once again their roaming charges, making it cheaper for people to use mobiles and apps from one EU country to another. There are hopes they will be eradicated next year.

Personally I would like to tell the greedy sons of bitches to end them now or face nationalisation. Just the same as the British government should tell water companies to pay their fair share of tax or be nationalised.

After all it was privatisation which created them and what can be given can be taken away. The government also doesn't like the antics of payday loan companies because of sky-high interest charges.

My solution would be to make it illegal to charge more than 40% interest, rather than more than 4000%.

Those vultures should not be able to soak the poor one day longer.

q

Finally, there's another story from Wales this week - a little more lighthearted, this one. Apparently, a fire service there has spent ÂŁ17,000 on buying 10,000 two-foot long sticks with a plastic finger on the end.

Why? To give out to people to test smoke alarms rather than have them risking injury falling from ladders or chairs.

Now, there's the ultimate in health and safety!

No droop for The Guardia EU calls time on mobile rip-off

Thousands of packets of unlicensed medicines including Viagra illegally imported from China and India have been seized by the Guardia Civil.

More than 250,000 units of illegal medicines were recovered, with a spokesman saying they were destined for Spain’s Chinese inhabitants.

Police seized the medicines in three

weeks of raids at shops and airports in Spain after an operation in 30 countries coordinated by the international and European agencies Interpol and Europol.

They shut down 26 websites selling unauthorised medicines, which the police said were "potentially harmful to health".

Mobile phone calls are going to be cheaper in Spain. The telecoms regulator, CMT, has ordered mobile operators to slash the fees that they charge each other for connecting calls.

Competition in the Spanish market has heated up in recent months for operators Movistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo as they struggle to cling on to customers during the recession.

When a customer of one operator calls

someone who has a different provider, the second network charges the first a fee for connecting and terminating the call on its network - known as a termination fee. The European Union is pushing telecom regulators across the bloc, who set limits on these rates, to force networks to lower them in an attempt to cut bills for consumers, which will also mean lower rates for UK tourists using mobiles in Spain.

24

Friday, July 5, 2013

Horrorscopes Aries March 21 - April 19 In Roman times, Emperors employed minions to walk at their side telling them: "Remember you are mortal." Employ a server from your local Dunkin Donuts to provide this service for you this week pay â‚Ź2 above the minimum wage for this part time, evening only, position. Your optimal meditation color this week is purple with yellow stars, and your chant sound is "ppppptttfffft" (using pursed lips).

Taurus April 20 - May 20 Thoughts, which can only really be described as Kamikaze in nature, are predictably badly starred this week, especially after Tuesday. Avoid oriental cuisine 5 days either side of this date, but, if this is unavoidable, try not to sit near an open window. Your favored meditation technique is to hold your breath while reciting quotes from the motion picture Dumb and Dumber.

Gemini May 21 - June 20 You will aggressively overtake a circus dwarf whilst he is taking his driving test this week. This will anger the dwarf so much that when you inevitably attend one of his performances, around Friday, he will mercilessly harangue you until you cry. Take two boxes of tissue and a small blanket to avoid the media when you leave the performance.

Cancer June 21 - July 22 A prehistoric find will adversely impact on your well being this week when it appears that a picture of your dog was carved in a newly discovered Red Indian cave 14,000 years ago (yes it is him, his name is written underneath). Resist the temptation to call the media, they will track you down in due course, use this lead time to find a hiding place.

By Pandora Leo July 23 - August 22 Now that the Summer solstice has passed you are 50% more likely than usual to invent a new world religion and construct a hypothesis for water purification for the third world. Publish your findings and arrange for your accountant to find the best tax efficient means of holding any money you get from this in an offshore bank account, Venus suggests Bermuda, Saturn prefers Uzbekistan.

Virgo August 23 - September 22 Frankincense and tinned beans in a tomato sauce are two substances which are set to make this week a much more livelier one than of late. Jupiter has cast its proverbial net over the imaginary tropic of Malaysia with the result that any attempts to make your TV remote work without massaging the batteries first is doomed to failure.

Libra September 23 - October 22 Listen to your neighbour's meanderings for no more than 7 minutes tops before claiming there is something in the oven you must urgently attend to. Your neighbour will recognize this as the international time traveler's sign of '10-4 over and out' and will completely understand your speedy exit. Kenyan cuisine is well starred, as is any exotic bread with nuts on the top.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21 A conjunction on the cusp of Pluto has many likely rational explanations, do not immediately assume you are part of an international conspiracy despite very clear signals that this is the case. A cuddly toy has gone missing in a Toy Story type incident your kind will never understand.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21 A well meaning, but completely inappropriate, Plutonian interference is to blame for a seemingly accidental meeting with a man who had at one point in his life lost everything, but then found it all again in Tibet.

Mercilessly pummel this forgetful person for philosophical thoughts for a book that you intend to write in your retirement. WARNING: DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TELL HIM WHERE YOU LIVE.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19 A homosexual will give you a piece of advice that you will later rely on to place a large, successful, bet with a heavily set thug from the docks.

This week your best meditation technique will be to sit quietly, cross legged, on a meditation mat. Your favoured sound will involve the word "icky".

Aquarius January 20 - February 18 Itemize all of your expenses this week in a small blue book which you should keep safely and secured from flood and fire, but not pestilence. In a freak professional wrestling inspired planetary confluence, your favoured wrestling move will be a 'forearm smash' and not your usual 'flying grapevine from off the top rope'.

Pisces February 19 - March 20 This week dream premonitions are likely to be more accurate than ever as Mars is ingratiated with Neptune in a moment of cautious nocturnal bondage. Allow these dream messages to determine every single one of your decisions this week. Dreams about fish, time travel and knee-high boots are particularly good. Dreams about Smurfs, hotel reservations gone wrong and open air Operas are dire warnings of your mortality.

Friday, July 5, 2013

25

26

Friday, July 5, 2013

Volvo develops a Smart brake lights car that parks itself being tested

Volvo has made a concept car which parks itself.

Not only can the autonomous vehicle find a vacant space and park in it with no input from a driver, it can also interact with other cars and pedestrians which might get in the way.

Thomas Broberg, Volvo Car Group's senior safety advisor, said: "Autonomous Parking is a concept technology that relieves the driver of the time-consuming task of finding a vacant parking space. The driver just drops the vehicle off at the entrance to the car park and picks it up in the same place later."

Transmitters in the road surface inform the driver if automated parking is avail-

A hi-tech brake light which can be seen around corners is being tested by Ford.

The experiment of an “early warning” system, which would tell drivers that a car out of sight is stopping, is one of a series of initiatives being developed by car manufacturers to make motoring safer.

Underpinning the innovation is technology known as “car to car” communication, establishing a network which would enable vehicles to “speak” to each other.

The Ford experiment, which was tested on a fleet of 120 vehicles in Germany, able. The vehicle then uses sensors to find entails fitting a small a free parking space, and drives into it. screen – similar in Automatic braking means the car should size to those already safely deal with any other cars or people used by portable satellite navigation who may be moving around the car park.

"Our approach is based on the principle systems – onto the that autonomously driven cars must be dashboard.

Linked to the netable to move safely in environments with non-autonomous vehicles and unprotected work, the screen will flash a red warning light when another car on the same netroad users," explained Broberg.

Although completely autonomous park- work slams on the brakes.

The warning will work if the car is around ing is some way off for series production cars, Volvo will launch increasingly auto- the corner or several vehicles ahead in a mated cars in the future. "We will introduce queue of traffic.

“Car-to-car and car-to-infrastructure autonomous steering in the all-new Volvo XC90, which will be revealed at the end of communications represent one of the next major advancements in vehicle safety,” 2014," said Broberg.

said Paul Mascarenas, Ford’s chief technical officer.

Motor manufacturers have joined forces to promote the technology which could also see it being use to enable cars to know exactly where other nearby vehicles are, even if they cannot be seen by the driver.

The same technology could also be used to warn cars if a vehicle has broken down in the road ahead.

By “speaking” to traffic lights on the same network, the technology could also smooth traffic flow.

“I think we will be moving more and more in this direction,” said David Davies, executive director of Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety.

“The beauty is that this would reduce crashes and casualties and there are a huge range of technologies doing this.

“This may stop cars bumping into each other, but it would be more complicated to develop something that works with cyclists and pedestrians in complicated urban areas.”

Friday, July 5, 2013

27

28

Friday, July 5, 2013

CODE CRACKER Code Cracker is a crossword puzzle with no clues; instead, every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number, the same number representing the same letter throughout the puzzle. All you have to do is decide which letter is represented by which number. In this week’s puzzle, 6 represents C and 21 represents B, when these letters have been entered throughout the puzzle, you should have enough information to start guessing words and discovering other letters.

QUICKIE

Across

Down

1 Employer (4) 3 Cooking pot (8) 9 Retainer (7) 10 Accomplished (5) 11 Emblem (5) 12 Brass instrument (6) 14 Want (6) 16 Programme (6) 19 Indigenous (6) 21 Requires (5) 24 Nimble (5) 25 Make clear (7) 26 Bold (8) 27 Cure (4)

1 Meddler (8) 2 Fragment (5) 4 Raid (6) 5 Seat (5) 6 Come before (7) 7 Comment (4) 8 Vocation (6) 13 Of private concern (8) 15 Energy (7) 17 Awning (6) 18 Delays (6) 20 Perfection (5) 22 Elude (5) 23 Young of domestic cattle (4)

Last weeks Solution

Across: 1 Dubai, 4 Year, 7 Fees, 8 Position, 9 Scatterbrain, 11 Umpire, 13 Haggle, 15 Unrestrained, 18 Restless, 20 Shoe, 21 Dark, 22 Lists.

Down: 1 Dregs, 2 Basmati, 3 Impatient, 4 Yes, 5 After, 6 Jovial, 10 Rehearsal, 12 Manner, 14 Genesis, 16 Extra, 17 Dross, 19 Elk.

Scribble Pad

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 A temporary measure to fill a hole (7) 5 Shed a few tears while cider brewed (5) 8 Snares erratic parents (7) 9 Authorisation to turn back the clock (5) 10 We hear sniffer is acquainted with the facts (5) 11 Lion devouring poor shot in part of Africa (7) 12 Rocky stayed firm (6) 14 Pointless gift is arranged beforehand (6) 17 Trains with a different skilled worker (7) 19 Creep off with a thin pancake (5) 22 Drunken Boers are dignified (5) 23 Hairdo not becoming?

Certainly! (7) 24 In front of a leader (5) 25 School in wasteland is sweet (7) Down 1 South Staffordshire town is finely contoured (5)

2 Surpass in bout, Donald (5) 3 Gave information about poor grades around the South (7) 4 It becomes a nuisance for the French to pound it (6) 5 Treats curse by mistake (5) 6 At home with friends and institute members (7) 7 Tried to work out in Michigan (7) 12 Bird and water found in Wales (7) 13 Something palatable came from the wedding of Catherine the Great, a blessed event (7) 15 Canters about then unsays what has been said before (7) 16 Untied complicated joint (6) 18 A little bit of quiet colour (5) 20 Noted composition for spirited duet with energy (5) 21 Maintain former monarch’s car (5)

STANDARD CLUES Down Across 1 Glossy (5) 1 Makeshift (7) 2 Surpass (5) 5 Called out (5) 3 Seeded a lawn (7) 8 Snares (7) 4 Crushing tool (6) 9 Send as payment (5) 5 Heals (5) 10 Understands (5) 6 Jailbirds (7) 11 Landlocked African 7 Largest city in Michigan country (7) (7) 12 Stable (6) 12 Welsh port (7) 14 Adjust beforehand (6) 13 Fit to consume (7) 17 Craftsman (7) 15 Disavows (7) 19 French pancake (5) 16 Joined together (6) 22 Uninebriated (5) 18 Scrap (5) 23 Monk's hairstyle (7) 20 Piece of music (5) 24 At the front (5) 21 Exercise (5) 25 Sweet (7) Last weeks Solution Across: 1 Bails, 4 Lascar, 7 Back, 8 Cypriots, 9 Elementary, 12 Yields, 13 Rustic, 15 Censorship, 18 Talisman, 20 Exit, 21 Remedy, 22 Shone.

Down: 1 Boar, 2 Inkwell, 3 Successor, 4 Lap, 5 Shift, 6 Asteroid, 10 Earphones, 11 Literate, 14 Supremo, 16 Spire, 17 File, 19 May.

FILL IT IN

Complete the crossword grid by using the given words:

2 letter words As Hi It So 3 letter words Ace Age Ago Ant Art Bed Cat Cod Day Dot Dun Eat End

Ere For Had Has Ion Lac Lag Net Ode Pad Pet Pig Pre Sea See Sir Tau 4 letter words Abet Able

Ages Airs Berg Boat Cede Cone Dear Edge Envy Fiat Gets Ices Iota Jest Lake Lout Mung Pals Pane Papa Para

Pert Pony Pore Rasp Saga Saki Sate Shut Sole Sore True 5 letter words Adore Agues Alone Cadre Fjord Garda Hasty Iliac

Miner Pants Safes Tenet 6 letter words Assets Locale Parade Puttee Shrift Stylus 7 letter words Boudoir Ravioli 8 letter words Alacrity Carefree

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

Across 7 Solapas (de chaquetas) (6) 8 Redactor (de periódico, revista) (6) 9 Coffee (4) 10 Day before yesterday (8) 11 Loros (7) 13 Fuerza (electricidad) (5) 15 Museum (5) 17 Hunter (person) (7) 20 Dormitorios (8) 21 Mares (4) 23 Aviso (notificación) (6) 24 Once (6)

Down 1 Berry (4) 2 To want (6) 3 Asphalt (7) 4 Basket (5) 5 Visa (6) 6 Purse (for money) (8) 12 Tiles (floor) (8) 14 Perejil (7) 16 Tijereta (insecto) (6) 18 Respuesta (a pregunta, en examen, test) (6) 19 To sew (5) 22 Birds (4)

29

Friday, July 5, 2013 Across 9 What was the surname of the Italian-born electrical engineer who invented wireless telegraphy and, in 1901, transmitted radio signals across the Atlantic Ocean? (7) 10 Which non-metallic heavy volatile corrosive dark brown liquid element belonging to the halogens, is found in sea water? (7) 11 What is the name of the hero of a story supposed to be from the Arabian Nights, who discovered the magic formula (Open Sesame!) which opened a cave where 40 thieves kept their treasure?

(3,4) 12 What name is usually given to a simplified drawing showing the appearance, structure, or workings of something? (7) 13 What was the name of the Tibetan utopia in James Hilton's 1933 novel Lost Horizon? (7-2) 15 What is the stage surname of the actor born in New York in 1965 and originally named Carlos Irwin Estévez? (5) 16 In which African country was the international track and field athlete Mohamed 'Mo' Farah born, in 1983? (7) 19 Which sloping kind of typeface is used especially for emphasis or distinction and in foreign words? (7)

20 What name was often applied to followers of a loud, fast-moving and aggressive form of rock music, popular in the late 1970s? (5) 21 In the US, what noun is used to describe politicians or administrations in the final periods of office, after the elections of successors? (4,5) 25 Written by Bob Geldof, what was the title of the ‘rock ballad’ single by the Boomtown Rats that reached number one in the UK singles chart for two weeks in November 1978? (3,4) 26 With what type of musical genre that enjoyed its peak popularity between 1897 and 1918, would you principally associate the AfricanAmerican composer and pianist Scott Joplin? (7) 28 Which branch of the Semitic family of languages, especially the language of Syria, was used as a lingua franca in the Near East from the 6th century BC? It was also the language that Jesus Christ probably used the most.

(7) 29 Sometimes, Victim of Love, The Circus and Ship of Fools were all UK Top 10 hit singles by which synthpop duo, consisting of songwriter and keyboardist Vince Clarke and singer and songwriter Andy

SUDOKU (Easy)

Quiz Word

Bell? (7)

Down 1 The name of which large, open boats made of skins

stretched over wooden frames that are propelled by paddles, comes from the Inuit for ‘women’s boat’? (6) 2 The name of which Russian vehicle pulled by a team of

three horses abreast is derived from the Russian for ‘set of three’? (6) 3 Which Hindu discipline is aimed at training the consciousness for a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquillity achieved through the three paths of actions and knowledge and devotion? (4) 4 Which Hindu festival featuring lights, lamps and sometimes fireworks is held in October/November to celebrate the end of the monsoon? (6) 5 Lying between Oman and the Gulf coast, which is the largest of the seven member states of the United Arab Emirates? (3,5) 6 Originally the name of a plot of ground lying outside the north wall of the city of London, the site of a place of execution, what name is now applied to disputed ground between the front lines or trenches of two opposing armies? (2,4,4) 7 What was the surname of the British statesman who, as prime minister, bought controlling interest in the Suez Canal and made Queen Victoria the empress of India? (8) 8 Derived from the Latin for ‘boundary, limit’, what name is given to the end of a railway or

other transport route, or a station at such a point? (8) 14 What is the name of the warm ocean current that flows from the Gulf of Mexico northward through the Atlantic Ocean? (4,6) 16 Clark Kent is the alter ego of which famous comic book hero? (8) 17 Which word, derived from the Latin for ‘trifles’, means ‘the small, precise, or trivial details of something’? (8) 18 Which dried aromatic fruit of a Caribbean tree, used whole or ground in cookery and in the production of certain liqueurs such as Benedictine, is also known as Jamaica pepper, pepper, myrtle pepper and pimenta? (8) 22 What first name is shared by painter Duchamp, mime artist Marceau, novelist Proust, boxer Cerdan and former footballer Desailly? (6) 23 What name for a small close-knit group of people who do not readily allow others to join them, comes from the Old French for ‘make a noise’? (6) 24 What is the basic monetary unit of modern Israel? (6) 27 Which hardy domesticated ruminant mammal kept for its milk and meat, has backwardcurving horns and (in the male) a beard? (4)

SALLY’S SIMPLE SPANISH

DE COMPRAS - SHOPPING Match these words with their Spanish translations then find them in the wordsearch.

(Answers below)

efectivo

otra talla

el mercadillo

otro color

la caja

pagar

la percha

pagar con tarjeta

las rebajas

puedo cambiarlo

lo quiero

puedo probarlo

los probadores

ticket de compra

lo voy a llevar

una bolsa

science QUIZ

ANSEWRS:1. Ganymede 2. 24 Ribs 3. Hummingbird 4.

Potassium 5. Blue Whale 6. No males, females clone 7.

Calf 8. IBM FORTRAN 9. Vacuum Cleaner 10. CPU / Processor 11. European 12. Venezuela 13. Mercury 14.

Stones - to get nutrients 15. Nicotine

Last Week’s Solutions Code Cracker Last weeks Quiz Word Solution Across: 1 Sumo, 3 Espadrille, 10 October, 11 Tripoli, 12 Etonian, 13 Rabbit, 15 Tyson, 16 Elsewhere, 18 Costa Rica, 21 Guano, 23/26 George Best, 25 Emerald, 27 Evening, 28 Ravioli, 29 Tinseltown, 30 Dead.

Down: 1 Smokestack, 2 Matrons, 4 Serengeti, 5 Astor, 6 Rainbow, 7 Leonine, 8 Elia, 9 Obrien, 14 Second wind, 17 Scarecrow, 19 Shebeen, 20 Air mile, 21 Greave, 22 Abalone, 24 Eight.

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

1.efectivo, 2.el mercadillo,

14.puedo probarlo,

i.Can I change it?, j.the market,

3.la caja, 4.la percha,

15.ticket de compra,

k.I’ll take it., l.the till,

5.las rebajas, 6.lo quiero,

16. una bolsa.

m.the sales, n.another size, o.the hanger, p.another colour,

7.los probadores, 8.lo voy a llevar, 9.otra talla,

a.a receipt, b.the fitting rooms,

10.otro color, 11.pagar,

c.a bag, d.I want it,

12.pagar con tarjeta,

e.pay by card, f.to pay, g.cash,

13.puedo cambiarlo,

h.Can I try it on?,

Soduko

Span - Eng

Quizword

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

1. What is the name of the largest moon of Jupiter?

2. How Many Ribs Do You Have?

3. Which animal has legs but can't walk?

4. For What Substance Is K The Chemical Notation?

5. What Is The Worlds Largest Mammal?

6. What is unusual about the mating of the whiptail lizard?

7. What is a baby whale called?

8. Developed in 1957 what was the world's first high level programming language?

9. What invention was nicknamed the 'noisy serpent' in 1902?

10. Which Part Of A Computer Is Responsible For Carrying Out Instructions?

11. What Does E Stand For In E- Numbers?

12. Which Country Containes The Worlds Biggest Oil Refinery?

13. What Metal Is Liquid At Room Temperature?

14. What do male butterflies like to lick?

15. H14 N2 is a poisonous alkaloid that is consumed daily by millions. What is it?

Fill It In

30

Friday, July 5, 2013

TRELI ON THE TELLY with ALEX TRELINSKI As sure as night follows day, ITV always delivers some midsummer Saturday night atrocity to fill the gap between Britain’s Got Talent and The X Factor, and once again they’ve turned up trumps with the return of Stars in their Eyes.

They’ve re-named it as Your Face Sounds Familiar, but you’d get more entertainment trying to exhume the corpse of the original Stars presenter, Leslie Crowther.

Paddy McGuiness, who can’t seem to find another decent vehicle for his

A MIDSUMMER NIGHTMARE

talents besides Take Me Out, has been paired with Alesha Dixon in a double act that has less chemistry than Hilda Baker and Arthur Mullard. Good TV presenting is a skill, and just because you earn your living as a professional judge, it doesn’t mean that you can

hack it as a host. Dixon’s eyes at times were transfixed as if there was a hypnotist standing next to the autocue machine, and why

ITV needed two people to present this hapless drivel is a mystery to me. They just didn't gel!

The studio audience, who were all heavily drugged up to enjoy this garbage, were in total raptures as a bunch of mainly unemployed B-list celebrities were paid by ITV to dress up and sing. As Paddy chose which artist they were going to play, I was more interested in cutting my toe nails, then by the mock excitement being created in the studio, which was akin to a Nazi Party rally of the thirties.

We even had three judges and at least

it was interesting trying to see if there was a wrinkle on the ageless face of Donny Osmond, whilst checking out the type of make up that Julian Clary was wearing. A second rate UK seaside show would be a classier affair than this bag of crap, which is now the worst thing I‘ve seen this year, pipping Splash to that dubious honour. All it missed was a guest appearance from Keith Lemon, yet it got the biggest UK viewing figure of the night: - admittedly just 4 million. I'll bet you anything that drops down big-time tomorrow night!

q

At least there was Wimbledon and Glastonbury to enjoy over the weekend on the BBC. How wonderful that the organisers of both events

have told Sky to take a running jump along with their big bags of money. They take the view that freely available professionally produced coverage is preferable to some extra money and a lack of exposure.

That’s a lesson that too many sporting organisations have failed to learn.

q

I see nothing wrong with repeats so long as they are justified on the grounds of quality.

Therefore, in case you missed it last year, starting tonight on BBC1 is a welcome second showing for series two of Sherlock, including another chance to work out how Sherlock “cheats death” at the end of the third episode. The new series airs either in the autumn or in January.

The Courier Friday TV

July 5

05:00 Schools 00:35 This Week 01:20 Holiday Weatherview 01:25 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Crimewatch Roadshow 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 The Specials 12:30 Escape to the Country 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News; Weather 14:30 Regional News and Weather 14:45 Wimbledon 2013 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Weather 20:00 The One Show 20:30 A Question of Sport 21:00 EastEnders 21:30 Sherlock 23:00 BBC News

07:00 Homes Under the Hammer 08:00 The Specials 08:30 Heir Hunters 09:15 Don't Get Done, Get Dom 10:00 Antiques Roadshow 11:00 Question Time 12:00 BBC News 12:30 Daily Politics 13:30 Wimbledon 2013 16:35 Hairy Bikers' Best of British 17:20 Heir Hunters 18:05 Flog It! 18:50 Wimbledon 2013 21:00 Today at Wimbledon 22:00 Wild Shepherdess with Kate Humble 23:00 QI 23:30 Newsnight

00:35 The Cube 01:25 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 Let's Do Lunch with Gino & Mel 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:55 ITV Meridian Weather 15:00 The Hungry Sailors 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 Harbour Lives 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Britain's Secret Homes 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 ITV News Meridian 23:35 Notting Hill

NOTTING HILL

23:25 Regional News and Weather 23:35 The Graham Norton Show

00:20 Horizon 01:20 Panorama 01:50 This Is BBC Two

Romantic comedy starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. An American film star bumps into a divorcee in Notting Hill and they begin an unlikely affair. But their relationship is put under strain when the press finds out.

00:05 24 Hours in A&E 01:10 Random Acts 01:15 Terror in the Skies 02:10 Why Am I Still Single?: First Cut 03:05 Food Unwrapped 03:35 Dispatches 04:05 Location, Location, Location 05:05 Deal or No Deal 06:00 Countdown 06:45 Baking Mad with Eric Lanlard 07:10 The Hoobs 08:05 Will & Grace 08:30 According to Jim 08:55 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:00 Frasier 11:00 The Secret Millionaire USA 12:00 Double Your House for Half the Money 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 Gordon Ramsay's Ultimate Cookery Course 13:35 River Cottage 14:10 SuperScrimpers 14:20 The Admirable Crichton 16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Brendan's Magical Mystery Tour 18:30 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Four Rooms 22:00 The Million Pound Drop Live 23:35 PhoneShop

00:00 Big Brother's Bit on the Side 01:00 SuperCasino 04:55 HouseBusters 05:20 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 09:35 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 Big Brother 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:20 The Mentalist 16:20 Circle of Friends 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News at 6.30 20:00 Paul Merton in India 21:00 Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers 22:00 Big Brother 23:30 Big Brother's Bit on the Side

31

The Courier Saturday TV

July 6

02:05 Question Time 03:05 This Is BBC Two

00:25 Old School

07:00 This Is BBC Two

01:50 Weatherview

08:05 Government Girl

01:55 BBC News

09:35 Days of Glory

07:00 Breakfast 11:00 Saturday Kitchen Live 12:30 Lorraine's Fast, Fresh and

11:00 A History of Scotland 12:00 Life in the Freezer 12:30 Life in the Freezer

Easy Food 13:00 BBC News; Regional News

13:00 The A to Z of TV Cooking 13:45 The Great British Bake Off

and Weather

14:45 Coast

13:15 Cowboy Trap

14:50 Talking Pictures

14:00 Bargain Hunt 14:30 Wimbledon 2013

15:25 Duel in the Sun 17:30 Flog It!

18:55 Formula One 20:10 BBC News; Regional News

18:30 Wimbledon 2013 21:00 Today at Wimbledon

and Weather 20:30 Pointless Celebrities 21:20 The National Lottery: In It to

22:00 QI XL 22:45 The Late Great Eric Sykes 23:45 In the Loop

Win It 22:10 Casualty 23:00 Mrs Brown's Boys

01:50 Jackpot247 04:00 Sixty Six 05:30 ITV Nightscreen 07:00 Jake and the Neverland Pirates 07:25 Poppy Cat 07:50 Canimals 08:10 Bookaboo 08:20 Kick Buttowski - Suburban Daredevil 08:35 Ultimate Spider-Man 09:00 Gravity Falls 09:25 ITV News 09:30 Dinner Date 10:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show USA 11:15 Murder, She Wrote 12:15 Saturday Farm 13:15 ITV News and Weather 13:19 ITV Meridian Weather 13:20 All Star Family Fortunes 14:05 Me and My Guide Dog 15:05 Midsomer Murders 17:05 Step Up 19:00 ITV News Meridian 19:15 ITV News and Weather 19:30 You've Been Framed!

20:30 Your Face Sounds Familiar 21:45 All Star Family Fortunes 22:45 The Americans 23:35 ITV News and Weather 23:49 ITV Meridian Weather 23:50 Wanted

00:10 00:40 01:10 01:35 01:40 03:10 03:30 03:50 04:10 05:05 06:00 06:45 07:00 07:10 07:35 08:00 08:30 09:00 10:00 11:05 12:00 13:00 13:30 14:35 17:20 19:55 20:25 21:20 23:00

Trojan Donkey 8 Out of 10 Cats The Simpsons Random Acts The Million Pound Drop Live New Girl The Mindy Project Accidentally on Purpose Location, Location, Location Deal or No Deal Countdown Kirstie's Handmade Treasures The Treacle People The Hoobs Ginetta Challenge The Grid FIM World Superbikes The Morning Line Everybody Loves Raymond Frasier The Big Bang Theory The Simpsons The Secret Millionaire Channel 4 Racing Come Dine with Me Channel 4 News Grand Designs The Million Pound Drop Live Scott Pilgrim vs the World

SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD

23:30 BBC News; Weather 23:30 National Lottery Update 23:50 King Arthur

00:05 Glastonbury 2013

Action comedy from the director of Shaun of the Dead, starring Michael Cera and Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Despite having a high-school girlfriend, wannabe rock star Scott Pilgrim can't help falling for the woman of his dreams, the enigmatic Ramona Flowers. But Ramona comes with baggage in the shape of seven ex-lovers that Scott must do battle with in order to win her heart.

00:30 Big Brother 01:00 SuperCasino 04:55 Motorsport Mundial 05:20 House Doctor 05:45 Divine Designs 06:10 Michaela's Wild Challenge 06:35 Michaela's Wild Challenge 07:00 Peppa Pig 07:05 Roary the Racing Car 07:15 Fifi and the Flowertots 07:25 Bubble Guppies 07:40 The Mr Men Show 07:50 Chloe's Closet 08:05 Roobarb and Custard Too 08:10 Bananas in Pyjamas 08:25 Noddy in Toyland 08:35 Milkshake! Monkey 08:40 City of Friends 08:55 Little Princess 09:05 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 09:25 Angelina Ballerina 09:45 Rupert Bear 10:00 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 10:10 Toby's Travelling Circus 10:25 Roary the Racing Car 10:40 Jelly Jamm 11:00 Power Rangers Samurai 11:35 ThunderCats 12:00 The Hotel Inspector 13:00 Big Brother 14:25 Torpedo Run 16:15 Away All Boats 18:30 CSI: NY 19:25 CSI: NY 20:10 CSI: Miami 21:55 5 News Weekend 22:00 Big Brother 23:00 Big Brother's Bit on the Psych

The Courier Sunday TV

July 7

08:10 Spirit of the People 01:45 Weatherview 01:50 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 10:00 The Andrew Marr Show 11:00 Sunday Morning Live 12:00 Sunday Politics 13:20 The Muslim Premier League 13:50 Wimbledon 2013 19:00 Formula One 20:30 BBC News; Regional News and Weather 21:00 Countryfile 22:00 The White Queen 23:00 BBC News; Regional News and Weather 23:25 Luther

01:25 The Boys & Girl from County Clare 02:50 This Is BBC Two 07:00 This Is BBC Two

10:00 Monty Don's French Gardens 11:00 Saturday Kitchen Best Bites 12:30 What to Eat Now 13:00 EastEnders 14:50 Flog It! 15:50 Nature's Weirdest Events 16:50 Nature's Weirdest Events 17:50 Songs of Praise 18:30 Coast 19:00 Wimbledon 2013 21:00 Top Gear 22:00 Burma, My Father and the Forgotten Army 23:00 Blackadder II 23:35 Mock the Week

01:50 Jackpot247 04:00 In Plain Sight 04:45 ITV Nightscreen 07:00 Jake and the Neverland Pirates 07:15 Jake and the Neverland Pirates 07:25 Poppy Cat 07:40 Poppy Cat 07:50 Canimals 08:00 Canimals 08:10 Bookaboo 08:20 Kick Buttowski - Suburban Daredevil 08:30 The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes!

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 ITV News and Weather 12:24 ITV Meridian Weather 12:25 Death on the Nile 15:05 Love Your Garden 16:05 A Touch of Frost 18:05 Johnny English 19:35 ITV Meridian Weather 19:45 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Tipping Point: Lucky Stars 21:00 All Star Mr & Mrs 22:00 Mamma Mia!

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG Musical fantasy starring Dick Van Dyke. An inventor restores a clapped-out racing car with the help of his eccentric father and two children. They christen it Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and, much to their surprise, the vehicle turns out to have magical power

01:10 Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny 02:55 C4 Comedy Presents: Them from That Thing 03:20 The Million Pound Drop Live 04:45 Hollyoaks 06:50 Kirstie's Handmade Treasures 07:00 The Treacle People 07:10 The Hoobs 07:35 Blancpain Endurance Series 08:30 Ironman Triathlon 08:55 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:25 Frasier 10:30 Sunday Brunch 13:20 The Big Bang Theory 13:45 The Simpsons 14:15 The Simpsons 14:45 Baby's Day Out 16:40 Celebrity Come Dine with Me 17:40 Deal or No Deal 18:45 Alvin and the Chipmunks 20:35 Channel 4 News 21:00 Time Team 22:00 The Returned 23:10 Hot Tub Time Machine

00:00 The Walking Dead 00:55 Inside Hollywood 01:00 SuperCasino 05:00 Michaela's Wild Challenge 05:25 Make It Big 05:50 Roary the Racing Car 06:00 Angels of Jarm 06:05 Hana's Helpline 06:20 Angels of Jarm 06:25 The Funky Valley Show 06:40 Roary the Racing Car 06:50 Hana's Helpline 07:00 Peppa Pig 07:05 Roary the Racing Car 07:15 Fifi and the Flowertots 07:25 Bubble Guppies 07:35 The Mr Men Show 07:50 Chloe's Closet 08:00 Mio Mao 08:05 Roobarb and Custard Too 08:15 Bananas in Pyjamas 08:25 Noddy in Toyland 08:40 City of Friends 08:50 Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures 08:55 Little Princess 09:10 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 09:20 Milkshake! Show Songs 09:25 Angelina Ballerina 09:45 Rupert Bear 10:00 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 10:10 Toby's Travelling Circus 10:25 Roary the Racing Car 10:40 Jelly Jamm 11:00 Power Rangers Samurai 11:35 ThunderCats 12:00 Meerkat Manor 12:30 Monkey Life 13:00 Big Brother 13:55 Big Brother's Bit on the Side 14:55 Teen Wolf Too 16:45 Harry and the Hendersons 19:00 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 21:55 5 News Weekend 22:00 Big Brother 23:00 The Siege

32

The Courier Monday TV 00:25 Live at the Apollo 00:55 The Sky at Night 01:15 Klute 03:05 Weatherview 03:10 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Heir Hunters 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 The Specials 12:30 Escape to the Country 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News; Weather 14:30 Regional News and Weather 14:45 Land Girls 15:30 Only Fools and Horses 16:30 Perfection 17:15 Flog It! 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Weather 20:00 The One Show 20:30 Fake Britain 21:00 EastEnders 21:30 Panorama 22:00 The Apprentice 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News and Weather 23:35 Andy Murray: The Man Behind the Racquet

00:05 00:35 01:35 02:30 03:30

What a Load of Buzzcocks Today at Wimbledon Countryfile Holby City This Is BBC Two

07:05 Homes Under the Hammer 08:05 The Specials 08:35 Bargain Hunt 09:20 Don't Get Done, Get Dom 10:05 Town with Nicholas Crane 11:05 Country Show Cook Off 11:35 Click 12:00 BBC News 12:30 BBC World News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 Instant Restaurant 14:45 Weakest Link 15:30 Classic Mastermind 16:00 The A to Z of TV Gardening 16:45 A Taste of My Life 17:15 Frozen Planet 18:15 Antiques Roadshow 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Britain's Empty Homes 20:00 Top Gear 21:00 The RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2013 21:30 Count Arthur Strong 22:00 Rick Stein's India 23:00 What a Load of Buzzcocks 23:30 Newsnight

00:05 ITV News and Weather 00:24 ITV Meridian Weather 00:25 The Talent Show Story 01:20 Murder, She Wrote 02:10 The Store 03:55 Monk 04:40 Motorsport UK 05:30 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 Let's Do Lunch with Gino & Mel 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:55 ITV Meridian Weather 15:00 The Hungry Sailors 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 Long Lost Family 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 ITV Meridian Weather 23:35 Benidorm

01:05 Naked Gun 331/3: the Final Insult 02:30 Letters from Iwo Jima 04:50 Location, Location, Location 05:45 Countdown 06:30 Baking Mad with Eric Lanlard 06:55 Kirstie's Handmade Treasures 07:10 The Hoobs 07:35 The Hoobs 08:05 Will & Grace 08:30 According to Jim 09:00 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:00 Frasier 10:30 Frasier 11:00 The Secret Millionaire USA 12:00 Grand Designs Australia 13:00 Channel 4 News Midday Summary 13:05 SuperScrimpers 13:25 Tora! Tora! Tora!

16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Brendan's Magical Mystery Tour 18:30 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 21:30 Food Unwrapped 22:00 Undercover Boss 23:00 The Greatest Shows on Earth

THE GREATEST SHOWS ON EARTH Daisy Donovan heads to South Korea as she concludes her exploration of TV around the world. She takes a role in one of the country's most popular programmes, in which six comedians face a series of madcap challenges, and goes behind the scenes on a Loose Women-style talk show where 15 female North Korean defectors chat, dance and share jokes, but also reveal shocking details of their past lives in the isolated dictatorship.

01:10 The Town the Travellers Took Over 02:10 SuperCasino 05:00 Michaela's Wild Challenge 05:25 Make It Big 05:50 Roary the Racing Car 06:00 Angels of Jarm 06:10 Hana's Helpline 06:20 Angels of Jarm 06:25 The Funky Valley Show 06:40 Roary the Racing Car 06:50 Hana's Helpline 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 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:45 Milkshake! Monkey 09:50 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Gibraltar: Britain in the Sun 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Big Brother 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:20 NCIS 16:15 Gospel of Deceit 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 NewsTalk Live 20:00 The True Story 21:00 The Gadget Show 22:00 The Travellers' Secret Cash Stash 23:00 Big Brother

The Courier Tuesday TV 00:35 01:05 01:55 02:00 07:00 10:15 11:00 12:00 12:30 13:15 14:00 14:30 14:45 15:30 16:30 17:15 18:15 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00 23:00 23:25 23:35

The Muslim Premier League The Graham Norton Show Weatherview BBC News Breakfast Heir Hunters Homes Under the Hammer The Specials Escape to the Country Bargain Hunt BBC News; Weather Regional News and Weather Land Girls Only Fools and Horses Perfection Flog It! Pointless BBC News Weather The One Show EastEnders Holby City Luther BBC News National Lottery Update Imagine

00:20 The Women's Football Show 01:00 Burma, My Father and the Forgotten Army 02:00 The Culture Show 02:30 Luther 03:30 This Is BBC Two 05:00 Spark 05:30 Schools - Play On! 06:00 Schools - Bringing Books to

Life 07:00 07:05 08:05 08:35 09:20 10:05 11:05 11:35 12:00 12:30 13:00 14:00 14:45 15:30 16:00 16:45 17:15 18:15 19:00 19:30 20:00 21:00 Well 21:30 22:00 23:30

This Is BBC Two Homes Under the Hammer The Specials Bargain Hunt Don't Get Done, Get Dom Ice Age Giants Country Show Cook Off HARDtalk BBC News BBC World News Daily Politics Instant Restaurant The Super League Show Mastermind The A to Z of TV Gardening A Taste of My Life Frozen Planet Antiques Roadshow Eggheads Britain's Empty Homes Australia with Simon Reeve Raymond Blanc: How to Cook The Cruise: A Life at Sea Piper Alpha: Fire in the Night Weather

00:05 Monk 01:00 Jackpot247 04:00 The Jeremy Kyle Show 04:55 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 Let's Do Lunch with Gino & Mel 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:55 ITV Meridian Weather 15:00 The Hungry Sailors 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 Nature's Newborns 21:00 Love Your Garden 22:00 Robson Green: How the North Was Built 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 ITV Meridian Weather 23:35 Piers Morgan's Life Stories

THE CRUISE: A LIFE AT SEA New series. Documentary following life aboard the cruise ship Balmoral during its 112-day journey around the world, with 1,700 passengers and crew setting off from Southampton in January. A sick holidaymaker has to be airlifted off the ship in the middle of the Atlantic, while choir mistress Sue Alderson drills her volunteers for a performance of The Pirates of Penzance at the end of the leg in Acapulco.

00:05 Coming Up 00:40 Random Acts 00:45 Child Genius 01:50 Eye Spy 02:50 First Dates 03:45 Secret Eaters 04:45 Location, Location, Location 05:40 Deal or No Deal 06:35 Baking Mad with Eric Lanlard 07:00 The Treacle People 07:10 The Hoobs 07:35 The Hoobs 08:00 Will & Grace 08:25 According to Jim 08:55 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:25 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:00 Frasier 11:00 The Secret Millionaire USA 12:00 Grand Designs Australia 13:00 Channel 4 News Summary 13:05 SuperScrimpers 13:25 Objective, Burma!

16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Brendan's Magical Mystery Tour 18:30 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 Ramadan Diaries 21:00 Gok Live: Stripping for Summer 22:00 The Murder Trial

July 8

July 9

00:00 Big Brother's Bit on the Side 01:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 01:55 SuperCasino 04:55 HouseBusters 05:20 House Doctor 05:45 House Doctor 06:10 Michaela's Wild Challenge 06:35 Michaela's Wild Challenge 07:00 Thomas & Friends 07:10 Rupert Bear 07:20 Fireman Sam 07:35 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 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:45 Milkshake! Monkey 09:50 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Extraordinary People 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Big Brother 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 CSI: NY 16:15 After the Fall 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 NewsTalk Live 20:00 Monkey Life 20:30 Highland Emergency 21:00 Gibraltar: Britain in the Sun 22:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 23:00 Big Brother

33

The Courier Wednesday TV

July 10

07:00 Homes Under the Hammer 08:00 The Specials 01:00 The Old Grey Whistle Test

08:30 Bargain Hunt

02:10 Weatherview

09:15 Don't Get Done, Get Dom

02:15 BBC News

10:00 Helicopter Heroes Down

07:00 Breakfast

Under

10:15 Heir Hunters

10:30 Auction Hero

11:00 Homes Under the Hammer

11:30 Country Show Cook Off

12:00 The Specials

12:00 BBC News

12:30 Escape to the Country

12:30 Daily Politics

13:15 Bargain Hunt

14:00 Instant Restaurant

14:00 BBC News; Weather

14:45 Weakest Link

14:30 Regional News and Weather

15:30 Mastermind

14:45 Land Girls

16:00 The A to Z of TV Gardening

15:30 Only Fools and Horses

16:45 A Taste of My Life

16:30 Perfection

17:15 Frozen Planet

17:15 Flog It!

18:15 Antiques Roadshow

18:15 Pointless

19:00 Eggheads

19:00 BBC News

19:30 Britain's Empty Homes

19:30 Weather

20:00 Australia with Simon Reeve

20:00 The One Show

21:00 Restoration Home

20:30 Rhys Jones's Wildlife Patrol

22:00 Horizon

21:00 Your Money, Their Tricks

23:00 The Apprentice: You're Fired

22:00 The Apprentice

23:30 Weather

23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News and Weather 23:35 A Question of Sport

00:20 Who Were the Greeks?

01:20 The Apprentice 02:20 This Is BBC Two 05:00 Schools - Empire

00:35 01:25 04:00 04:45 06:05 07:00 09:30 10:25 11:30 13:30 Mel 14:30 14:55 15:00 16:00 16:59 17:00 18:00 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00 23:00 23:30 23:35

In Plain Sight Jackpot247 In Plain Sight ITV Nightscreen The Jeremy Kyle Show Daybreak Lorraine The Jeremy Kyle Show This Morning Let's Do Lunch with Gino & ITV News and Weather ITV Meridian Weather The Hungry Sailors Dickinson's Real Deal ITV Meridian Weather Tipping Point The Chase ITV News Meridian ITV News and Weather Emmerdale Coronation Street The Zoo Love and Marriage ITV News at Ten and Weather ITV News Meridian Royal Babies

00:05 Random Acts 00:10 999: What's Your Emergency?

01:15 The Greatest Shows on Earth 02:10 Poker 03:05 KOTV Boxing Weekly 03:35 Sailing 04:05 Beach Volleyball 05:00 The Grid 05:30 Ginetta Challenge 06:00 FIM World Superbikes 06:25 Ironman Triathlon 06:55 SuperScrimpers 07:10 The Hoobs 08:05 Will & Grace 08:25 According to Jim 08:55 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:00 Frasier 10:30 Frasier 11:00 The Secret Millionaire USA 12:00 Grand Designs Australia 13:00 Channel 4 News Midday Summary 13:05 SuperScrimpers 13:15 Cheyenne Autumn 16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Brendan's Magical Mystery Tour 18:30 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 21:00 Hollywood Me 22:00 24 Hours in A&E 23:00 Secrets of the Pickpockets

FAT, SICK AND NEARLY DEAD

Australian Joe Cross is 100lbs overweight and reliant on steroids for a debilitating autoimmune disease. With doctors and conventional medicine unable to help him long-term, he trades in his junk-food diet and sets out on a road trip across the United States, vowing to drink only fresh fruit and vegetable juice for 60 days and achieve a balanced lifestyle.

06:00 History Hunt

00:00 Big Brother's Bit on the Side 01:00 CSI: Miami 01:55 SuperCasino 04:55 HouseBusters 05:20 House Doctor 06:10 Michaela's Wild Challenge 07:00 Thomas & Friends 07:10 Rupert Bear 07:20 Fireman Sam 07:35 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 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:45 Milkshake! Monkey 09:50 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Cowboy Traders 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Big Brother 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 CSI: NY 16:15 Next Stop Murder 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 NewsTalk Live 20:00 Cricket: The Ashes 21:00 Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead 22:00 NCIS 23:00 Big Brother

The Courier Thursday TV

July 11

00:05 Life Savers 01:05 Weatherview 01:10 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Heir Hunters 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 The Specials 12:30 Escape to the Country 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News; Weather 14:30 Regional News and Weather 14:45 Land Girls 15:30 Only Fools and Horses 16:30 Perfection 17:15 Flog It! 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Weather 20:00 The One Show 20:30 EastEnders 21:00 Great British Menu 22:00 Nick and Margaret: We All Pay Your Benefits 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News and Weather 23:35 The Apprentice

00:20 Who Were the Greeks?

01:20 Horizon 02:20 This Is BBC Two 04:55 Pompeii: The Mystery of the People Frozen in Time 05:25 Schools - The Science of Space Dive 05:50 Ancient Egypt: Life and Death in the Valley of the Kings

06:30 History Hunt 07:00 This Is BBC Two 07:05 Homes Under the Hammer 08:05 The Specials 08:35 Bargain Hunt 09:20 Don't Get Done, Get Dom 10:05 Rhys Jones's Wildlife Patrol 10:35 Peter Jones Meets 11:35 HARDtalk 12:00 BBC News 12:30 BBC World News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 Instant Restaurant 14:45 Weakest Link 15:30 Mastermind 16:00 The A to Z of TV Gardening 16:45 A Taste of My Life 17:15 Frozen Planet 18:15 Antiques Roadshow 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Britain's Empty Homes 20:00 Australia with Simon Reeve 21:00 The RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2013 22:00 Hebrides: Islands on the Edge 23:00 Mock the Week 23:30 Newsnight

00:35 The Dales 01:05 Jackpot247 04:00 Columbo 05:15 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 Let's Do Lunch with Gino & Mel 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:55 ITV Meridian Weather 15:00 The Hungry Sailors 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 Married to the Job 22:00 Brady and Hindley: Possession 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 ITV Meridian Weather 23:35 The Zoo

BRADY AND HINDLEY: POSSESSION Fifty years ago, Ian Brady and Myra Hindley began their child-killing spree across north-west England, claiming five victims. This documentary exploring the Moors murders includes Hindley's version of events recorded from her prison cell, and details of a photographic system that Brady used to celebrate their crimes, which could hold the key to finding the grave of 12-year-old victim Keith Bennett. Paul McGann narrates.

00:05 Undercover Boss 01:10 Random Acts 01:15 Mercury Prize Sessions 01:30 One Born Every Minute USA 02:25 Akeelah and the Bee 04:25 A Very British Ramadan 04:50 Location, Location, Location 05:45 Countdown 06:30 Baking Mad with Eric Lanlard 06:55 Kirstie's Handmade Treasures 07:10 The Hoobs 08:05 Will & Grace 08:30 According to Jim 08:55 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:00 Frasier 11:00 The Secret Millionaire USA 12:00 Grand Designs Australia 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 Three in a Bed 14:10 Kirstie's Handmade Treasures 14:30 Channel 4 Racing 16:30 Countdown 17:15 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Brendan's Magical Mystery Tour 18:30 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 Ramadan Diaries 21:00 Supersize vs Superskinny 22:00 First Dates 23:00 Eye Spy

00:00 Big Brother's Bit on the Side 01:00 National Heads Up Poker Championships 01:55 SuperCasino 04:55 HouseBusters 05:20 House Doctor 05:45 House Doctor 06:10 Michaela's Wild Challenge 06:35 Michaela's Wild Challenge 07:00 Thomas & Friends 07:10 Rupert Bear 07:20 Fireman Sam 07:35 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 09:25 Peppa Pig 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:45 Milkshake! Monkey 09:50 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 The Hotel Inspector 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Big Brother 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 CSI: Miami 16:15 Rosamunde Pilcher's Summer 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 NewsTalk Live 20:00 Cricket: The Ashes 21:00 Cowboy Traders 22:00 Extraordinary People 23:00 Big Brother

34

Friday, July 5, 2013

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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.

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All air conditioned vehicles (no vans) www.pettraveluk. co.uk UK 0800 612 4922 or Spain 678 756 644 (124)

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.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) meet at 10.00 each Sunday at their Torrevieja meetinghouse in the Torreaguas building on the corner of Rambla Juan Mateo Garcia 104, close to the windmill in Torrevieja, 667 533 597.

CARS FOR SALE

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.

AIR CONDITIONING

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Call Frankie 634 337 301 manuslaben@gmail.com (124)

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.

PROPERTY FOR RENT Viva Villa and Vacation Services, For Short or Long Term Rentals visit: www.villaandvacation.com or Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 2 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 616 493 487. (128) 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

BLINDS

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 available. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref 702: Beautiful 2 bedroom apartment, located near los Locos beach, beautifully furnished. Short term rentals from 175€ per week.

Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 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

LONG TERM RENTALS WANTED! Properties, all types, in the Torrevieja area wanted for long term rentals.

Call us on 96 692 3963 Algorfa: 2 bed f/furn. Apt. close centre, school, etc. F/f kitchen, breakfast bar, lounge/diner, balcony. Bed1 dbl, bed2 twins. F/tiled bathroom. 315€ pcm incl. contract.

Ref: 145.

Tel: 966707074 (PP 124) Torrevieja/La Mata: 1 bed Apt. Convenient shops & buses. Furnished, Spacious, Com. Pool/Gardens. 400 mtr to beach. 300€ pcm incl. contract. Ref: 159 Tel: 966707074 (PP 124)

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INSURANCE CASER SEGUROS - for all your insurance needs,

AUCTIONS

mountains. 2.5 baths, utility room & garage, private pool, summer kitchen with bbq.

Plot size 675 sqm, build size 136 sqm. For long term let 750€ pcm - 965 720 766 (PP 124) SM154 - 2 bed apt on first floor of secure building with lift in the centre of San Miguel. Communal rooftop pool and solarium with fantastic 360˚ views over salt lakes, Torrevieja and San Miguel. Underground parking and short walk to town centre, bars, shops & restaurants. For long term let 350€ pcm 965 720 766 (PP 124)

BARBER ALARMS

CATERING

Torrevieja/La Mata: Furn. 2 bed Apt, conv. location.

Balcony, Com. Pool & Gardens. Contract incl.

385€ pcm. Ref:161 Tel: 966707074 (PP 124) Acequion/Torrevieja: 3 bed atico Apt. close beach, shops, etc. F/F. Lge. Balcony, 2 beds. 450€ pcm incl. contract. Ref: 130. Tel: 966707074 (PP 124) Pinamar/Guardamar: 2 Bed T/Hse. mins to beach.

Terrace back & front. from 435€ pcm incl. contract. Ref: 171 Tel: 966707074 (PP 124) SM21 - West facing spacious third floor (top) 3 bed apt in a secure building with lift near town centre overlooking the Ramblas, Pilar de la Horadada. Build size 106 sqm, 2 full bathrooms, separate kitchen, small terrace, large communal roof solarium and lovely communal pool. For long term let 500€ pcm 965 720 766 (PP 124) SM181 - Modern 2 bedroom basement apartment in Lo Crispin, Algorfa. This apartment consists of 2 bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, lounge/dining room, shared use of garden and communal swimming pool. There is a sofa bed in the living room.

Within walking distance to Quesada and fifteen minutes to beaches and golf.

For long term let 350€ includes water and electricity bills. For long term let 965 720 766 (PP 124) SM100 - Large 4 bed detached villa in Blue Lagoon, San Miguel. 3.5 baths, dining room & utility room. Air con and communal swimming pool. 2 terraces, solarium and tiled garden with room to park 3/4 cars. The Villa has views of the Mediterranean. For long term rent. 700€ pcm 965 720 766 (PP 124) SM65 - San Miguel Unfurnished 3 bed detached villa in Torrestrella. Villa has stunning views across the valley of San Miguel and

CAR HIRE

CLEANERS

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Friday, July 5, 2013 Long term let, 2 bed park home, own patio, communal pool, off road parking, tv, dvd, washing machine, 270€ a month + bills. 617 599 470 (124) El Chaparel/La Siesta Two bedroom apartment in a quiet gated urbanisation for rent €350 per month plus bills. Reference No 17 Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref: 709, A lovely 1 bedroom apartment in Aguas Nuevas, within a 5 minute walk of the beach. There is a terrace outside with views to the sea. Short or long term rental available. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 CBR33 : Townhouse for rent in San Luis, 2 bed 1 bath with garage, furnished, 300 € per month plus bills, call 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

CBR18 – Detached Spanish villa, beachside Punta Prima, 4 bedrooms, garage, 1200 m2 plot, own pool, 900 € pcm. 966 923 963 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

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.

Butia Espana Are you trapped. Need to sell quick.

We are the only answer for a speedy sale. UK buyers waiting. www.butiaespana .com Telephone 0800 612 7514 or Spain 678 756 644 (124)

CAR BREAKERS

Ref. BRJ1 – 1 bedroom top floor renovated apartment in San Luis. Great sea and lake views. 55.000 €. Tel. 966 923 963 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: 104 Lovely 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 Ref: 521, €105,000. This comfortable bungalow is located in San Luis with a new roof and solarium tiles.

It is close to supermarkets, bars, restaurants and is on the local bus route. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Don Pueblo, Gran Alacant. 3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, Large Kitchen with Galleria, Secure underground parking, Gas Central Heating, Glazed in Porch, Solarium with stunning views.

Viewings absolutely essential. Very large property at reduced price of 190.000 euros. Ref No. K38 Call 627 711 155 Opportunity to purchase at the off plan price of 195.000 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 dou-

ble 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 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

JEWELLERY

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Friday, July 5, 2013

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 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

MAN AND A VAN

DAMP PROOFING

DRAINAGE

Gran Alacant Opportunity to purchase a beautiful 3 bedroomed, 3 bathroomed,large kitchen, detached property with roof- top solarium. Well established gardens and drive way for 2 cars, whilst also overlooking the projected 18 hole golf course.

Comprising of fitted wardrobes, utility room, air con H/C, alarm system, electric wall heaters, intercom system, fireplace, ceilings fans, 8x7 gazebo, use of 2 large communal pools, immaculate condition with many extras. ref K12. €180,000 Tel 680333242 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

PETS

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 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 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 bed-

rooms 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 bathrooms, fully furnished, Anti-Glare 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 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 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

PLUMBERS

POOLS

POOL TABLES

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Friday, July 5, 2013 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 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 terrace, and private parking.

The urbanisation also offers many communal pools, tennis courts, restaurants and bars. Ref. K20 €109,000 Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant villa located in a very quiet area , situated at the end of a cul-de-sac means there is no through traffic.3 bed, 3 bath, 330m2 plot, established large gardens, working fireplace, solar panel for hot water,private parking, south facing great views, fully furnished, fantastic opportunity. ref.

L85. €215,000 Tel 680333242 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

SURVEYOR

STORAGE

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 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 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 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 wood-

RAG AND BONE

land 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

REMOVALS Move It Now Small removals and deliveries.

Spain/UK Budget prices.

Last minute jobs undertaken. www.moveitnow.co.uk Telephone UK 0800 612 4922 or Spain 678 756 644 (124)

QUIZZES Experienced quizmaster/question setter with personality available to host quiz nights in local bars.

Tel:- 664 838 581

SITUATIONS VACANT RADIO COSTA INTERNATIONAL needs motivated sellers. Spanish, English and German language is a bonus but not essential.

Training and good earnings guaranteed. For more info call 644 126 600 or email info@radicocostainternational.com Installation company "Joval Accesibilidad" is looking for independent representatives to sell their products in the province of Alicante and Murcia. Spanish and English language skills are essential. For an interview call 966 090 762. (125)

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

REMOVALS

VAN HIRE

WARDROBES

38

Friday, July 5, 2013

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

JOVIAL JIMENEZ’S HAPPY LIFE OF FUN

Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez enjoys cigars, wine and winning golf tournaments, not necessarily in that order!

Over the years, I have had the pleasure of interviewing Miguel Angel and would like to share my enjoyment of meeting him with you.

His approach to his career and life is simple. A few glasses of Rioja wine, a puff on a Cuban cigar and a few clubs.

His favourite cigar is a 52 – 56 ring Siglo VI. His nickname is “El Mecanico” not only for his love of Ferrari’s, but in his early years he used to tinker with cars. He is also an aficionado of good shoes, with his golf shoes and his street shoes custom-made by Gigi Nebuloni, a small, family-owned business in Milan.

When Miguel Angel Jimenez, at the age of 49, became the oldest ever winner on the European Tour following his triumph at the Hong Kong Open in November, he celebrated in the only way he knew how -- with a big, fat cigar. While the rest of the world rushes around at breakneck speed, Jimenez often sits, looks out onto the Mediterranean in Malaga and contemplates the meaning of life.

He says "You have to do whatever you want in your life when you are alive," He loves to ski, drink, smoke, to compete and to have time with his friends. If sport these days is characterized by a winner takes all mentality, summed up by a remark -- "Show me a good loser and I'll show you a loser" -- then Jimenez's approach is the very exact opposite to that philosophy.

He does what he likes in his life and he is not going to change that. If a ‘Major’ is coming ,then it will be 'wow', but if the ‘Major’ is not coming, he will still go on do what he likes with his life. But don't let Jimenez's "pleasure pursuit principle" disguise the ambition which still burns fiercely within his heart -- the passion and determination to compete with the latest generation of stars remains as strong as ever “I’ll spend many days a week working at the gym and if I don't at the age of 49, then I’ve no chance of competing with the younger ones”, he said.

"You know somebody told me a long time ago that this life we're going to spend more time dead than alive. So, when you're alive, live!"

TITTER ON THE TEE Bill and Ralph meet on the golf course and decide to finish off the round together. Bill has a little dog with him and on the next green, when Bill holes out with a 20 foot putt, the little dog starts yapping and stands up on its hind legs, clapping his front paws.

Ralph is quite amazed at this clever trick of the dog and says, "That dog is really talented! What does it do if you miss a putt?" Bill replies, "Somersaults." Ralph exclaims, "Somersaults! How many of them does it do?"

Bill calmly replies, "Mmm, depends on how hard I kick it up the bum!"

KNOW YOUR RULES QUESTION In a Stroke Play event, golfer ‘A’s ball lies just off the green and golfer ‘B’s ball lies just behind the hole. Is it OK for golfer B to ask golfer A not to mark his ball, thinking the ball would act as a good backdrop?

ANSWER No. If two golfers were to agree to ignore Rule 22, both would be disqualified. Under Rule 1.3 - Players must not agree to exclude the operation of any Rule or to waive any penalty incurred. Rule 22:- If a player considers that a ball might assist any other player, he may: a. Lift the ball if it is his ball. OR b. Have any other ball lifted.

In stroke play, a player required to lift his ball may play first rather than lift the ball.

In stroke play, if the Committee determines that competitors have agreed not to lift a ball that might assist any competitor, they are disqualified.

going forward.

• Don't come to play golf if you want to do something else and don't do something else if you want to do golf.

• I give all my life to golf, and golf gives me all my life.

• You have to make a compromise with yourself about what you want to do.

• Golf has always been professional, but now it's getting more so.

• People are more like horses when they wear blinkers -- they don't see sideways.

• You have to be yourself and if you're like that then it’s fine, you have to respect those things.

However, as he wrings every last ounce of pleasure out of life, you won't find Jimenez telling the world about it on social media networks.

The Spaniard prefers the old-fashioned method of talking to people he says.

"Sometimes people forget that you need to enjoy it, we need to enjoy friends, we need to enjoy family and we need to enjoy the things which happen around ourselves," he responds.

“I feel that people have lost communication between people I prefer to touch the people, to talk to the people."

Jimenez made his professional debut 30 years ago.

During that time, the clubs have got bigger and heavier -- as have the pay cheques and the relentless media attention which comes with life on the Tour. He makes no judgments on how others choose to lead their lives, but he is insistent that his laid back and carefree attitude remains at the center of his equilibrium.

Some of his quotes are:

• The most important thing is, you have to enjoy what you do in your life.

• I do a little bit of this, a little bit of that and my life is

When asked about his playing career in golf and his layoff he replies, "I love the game and those three months of not competing, I'm missing some important venues. I love to compete. It's the only thing I know how to do properly in my life, It doesn't matter whether you win or not, but you're doing what you like in your life and I stopped doing things”. He went on, "I've stopped competing with the young guys. I've stopped competing in the tournaments. I miss all these things and that's what I want to do."

Jimenez's 19 tour wins remain a source of great pride of satisfaction as does his success with the European Ryder Cup team -- most recently as assistant captain at Medinah.

It says a lot about a person, and professional golfer that he would be willing to dig into his own pocket to make sure a golf tournament goes on, and in the proper manner. That is what Jimenez has been doing for the Open de Andalucia. To watch Jimenez play golf; to watch him connect with other players; to watch him acknowledge his fans, is to see a man who savours what he is doing. His long, sweeping, fluid swing; his easy, deliberate stride; his smile that brings an extra crease to his well-weathered face all speak of a man who will stop to smell the roses.

A final comment from him: - “If I don't play well and just finish winning, it's time to go!"

Miguel Angel Jimenez is a true gentleman and a thoroughly nice man. That’s not just my view but my wife’s as well, and I guess anyone else who has ever met him.

LORCA’S LAST GASP WIN

Lorca snatched a last minute try to win last weekend’s Formentera del Segura Rugby 7’s tournament. Each team played five matches, and the top two teams Lorca and Elche met in the final showdown. With their contest heading towards sudden-death, Lorca crossed over the line for a try, with just seconds remaining. Teams from San Javier, ITV Orihuela, Alcoy, and Santa Pola also took part in an entertaining day of rugby. Meanwhile, a lack of teams has forced the cancellation of this weekend’s Guardamar exhibition beach rugby event.

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Friday, July 5, 2013

IS THE REIGN IN SPAIN PLAINLY ON THE WANE? As Brazil goes nuts, is the España era eroding?

Remember the old Les Dawson joke: Do you want some constructive criticism?

I think you’re crap! Well, I thought Spain were crap on Sunday as I yawned into the night (too much Rolling Stones the night before) while watching the final of the Confederation Cup – and I also thought Brazil were brilliant. Just for the record, our adopted country was also rubbish in the semi-final against Italy. They should have been at least four down by half-time, only scraping through eventually on sudden-death penalties.

S o h a v e o u r feared FIFA footballers, the reigning World and European champions been ‘found out’ by partying Brazil - and Italy?

Soundly beaten 3 – 0, Spain never recovered from going a goal down after two minutes from ‘Right said Fred’ again. Y’know, the one the ‘experts’ criticise for not having typical Brazilian flair – but hombre,

does he deliver, he scored two of the three. Supplying the silky skills and traditional expectations, the host nation have the brilliant top-tournament scorer Neymar, and budding stars strutting their stuff on the pre-

World Cup catwalk, like the aptly-named Hulk, Spursbound Paulinho and baby-faced Oscar – and more… Big Phil Scolari’s young side are getting better all the time - and have laid down the gauntlet to Spain, announcing to t h e

and Xavi all looked past their sell-by date. Hey, that Spain were even in the final was only down to Spanish goalkeeper, captain and national icon Iker Casillas. N.B - were you watching, Jose Mourinho - you who hadn’t even played Casillas in a La Liga game since January?

Mourmouring, as usual, Chelski’s Juan Mata has had a great season in the Prem, but looked shell-shocked in the Confed and clearly needs a rest. I’m also a great

world their intentions as THE team to beat in their own back yard in Brazil (again) next year in the real World Cup. Vincent del Bosque’s Spanish team looked like yesterday’s men against Brazil and Italy, an ageing side that’s been found out, neutralised, outthought and outplayed.

The final proved the inevitable end to a magnificent world record unbeaten run of 29 games. Perhaps I’m being overly hard on a really great team, but Torres, Sergio Ramos, Pique, Iniesta

Fernando Torres fan, he’s scored some belters in his time, but will he survive at Moudy old Chelsea? Andre Schurrle has already arrived from Bayer Leverkusen - and will there be others, perhaps, Rooneying around The Bridge?

What of those Spanish superstars from Real Madrid and Barcelona? Iniesta and Xavi look exhausted and ineffective as rumours of Barca’s slide are aired…what slide? They’ve just won La Liga with 100 points, 15 points clear of you-know-who – and now the Catalonia kings have bought Brazil’s diamond, Confed Cup player

Has Gatland welshed on O’Driscoll?

Saturday, 6th July 2013: Melbourne. High noon Spanish time. Everything is set for a winner-takes-all decider of the thrilling three-match Test series between the British and Irish Lions and the Australian Wallabies to win the Tom Richards trophy. After two tremendously-tight Tests the series is locked at one win each, just like 12 years ago when this tour last took place. The Lions won the first, but the Wallabies stormed back to win the next two. Is history now about to be repeated?

After the first nail-biting 23 -21 win for the Lions, last Saturday’s cliff-hanger ended 16 – 15 to the Aussies. This time a missed Lions penalty in the final moments would have won it, just as the Wallabies missed a similar opportunity to win the first game. Now everything on the tour is at stake, and there is so little between the sides anything could happen on Saturday. It’s sixteen years since the Lions won a Test series. ‘We’re desperate to

win it’ - said head Lions coach Warren Gatland.

But has his desperation spread to an extraordinary series of changes for the final show-down? The evergreen centre, the Irish Lion Brian O’Driscoll, hot favourite to take over as captain from the injured Sam Warburton, has been inexplicably dumped by Gatland, who has gone Welsh for the match. Ten of the players that he coaches in Cardiff have been named, including lock Alun Wyn Jones as skipper: - there haven’t been that many Welshmen in a Lions side since 1950!

The real battle looks to be upfront between the forwards, but if the tourists can keep their discipline, and Leigh Halfpenny maintains his solid kicking, so hugely effective throughout the tour, the Lions are still in with a great chance of an historic series win down under. It’s Saturday lunch time here en Espana– don’t miss it!

of the tournament Neymar.

More La Liga laggards are at the bruised Bernabeu where there is mucho trabajo for new boss Carlo Ancelotti to ponder on: Christiano Ronaldo to stay? Gonzalo Higuain to go? Luis Suarez to lure? ‘Old’ Sergio Ramos to go? Will the Italian boss revert to Casillas or stick with Mourinho’s man between the sticks? New blood in midfield or will Alonso and Modric do?

Outside Bar-drid there’s

some terrific talent – did you see Jesus Navas? Bet Man City’s fans got excited, though David Silva was also disappointing.

Summary: recently the Spanish under 21’s won their European Cup tournament, so the long-term future en Espana still looks rosy - but the Confed Cup showed there are some problems that need addressing - if Spain are to mainly reign some more.

RUTH COASTS TO VICTORY

Torrevieja was awash with swimmers last weekend, with close to 300 competitors from 40 clubs battling it out in the final of the Valencian Alevin Championships, as well as the 13th Sea Swim across the city!

Club Natacion’s Ruth Brassington and Yuriy Lymar swam along the 2 and a half kilometres of the Torrevieja coastline to great success last Sunday. Ruth won joint 1st place in the Infantil Feminine category and 3rd place in the local swimmers women’s category. Team mate Yuriy came 3rd in the Senior men’s section and like Ruth, picked up 3rd place in the local men’s category.

Indoors, the Club Natacion Torrevieja Alevin team of Elian Del Rio Castillo, Alexandra Amat, Zoe Connolly, Paula Garcia and Eva Kovalenko, finished a very respectable 9th in the competition at the Municipal Pool.

EVERY DAY’S A FOOTBALL DAY July 6th 1977 Li Jinyu is born. Who he? Only the Chinese League’s all-time record goal scorer!

7th 1957 Edson Arantes Do Nascimento, or Pele as he is known to the world, makes his international debut in a 2-1 loss to Argentina, aged 16years 9 months.

8th 1980 Robbie Keane, Ireland’s all time record goal scorer is born in Dublin.

9th 1867 A group of unidentified men in Glasgow form Scotland’s first football club, Queens Park. It is the first football club in the world outside England and Wales.

10th 1989 Ex Celtic player, Mo Johnston, ignites a firestorm of controversy across the Old Firm when he signs for Rangers (having previously agreed to return to Celtic from Nantes) In so doing, he becomes the first Catholic to play for Rangers since World War 1.

11th 1977 Don Revie becomes the first manager to resign from the English national team.

12th 1998 France beat hot favourites Brazil 3-0 to win the World Cup. Brazil’s preparations were marred by the ‘will he, won’t he play’ surrounding Ronaldo’s mysterious pre match illness.

Compiled by STUART EVANS

Friday, July 5, 2013

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IS ANDY MURRAY IN POLE POSITION? Will the joker play tricks on Del Potro?

For the anoraks and quizzers, it’s five semis in the last five years for our BRITISH (all Celts, please note) number one and 2nd seed Andy Murray– but, more importantly - is this THE year, 2013 the one the Scot finally achieves his destiny of winning Wimbledon?

Just one thing - well, two really… all ‘our’ Andy has to do is firstly Pole-axe a young 6ft 8” giant, the 24th seed Jerzy Janowicz from Lodz, Poland today on the Centre Court. Hey, doddle that - oh no it isn’t! In 2012 the 22 year old Pole beat Murray on the way to the final of the Paris Masters, after only being a contender. As Murray rightly said after beating Fernando Verdasko in the quarter-finals, everyone you play at this stage is highly dangerous, otherwise they wouldn’t be there. Polish no 1 Janowicz beat his compatriot Lukasz Kubot in straight sets to set up today’s semi against the Scot.

Wednesday’s quarter final: did you hear the drums, Fernando? The rumblings round the Centre Court

John McGregor reports

erupted in the early evening as Andy Murray boomed down his serve to win that deciding final set 7 – 5.

What a great match it was, it will go down in history, especially if... well, you know. Incredibly Verdasco is only ranked ninth in Spain, and 54th in the world, but his sound-all-round game looked to be too much for Murray as the Spaniard won the first two sets. But the superb never-say-die Scot doesn’t know when he’s beaten and steadily fought back to level it at two sets all. The final set went with serve until Andy broke Fernandy in the eleventh game to go 6 – 5 ahead - and then boldly serve out the match, to give those lucky ones on the Centre Court a day they will never forget. Oh, plus the ‘British’ nation, of course, giving us all agonies as we bounced around screaming on our settees (well, I did...).

In the other semi-final, do you give Juan Martin Del Potro any chance against Novak Djokovic? Nah, me neither… though DP efficiently disposed of David Ferrer from Javea (hey, does ‘our’ Dave have a touch of Corrie’s Roy Cropper about him? Is it the rounded shoulders and slouch?). The Argentinian should give the number one seed Djokovic a good game on paper, but this is grass, and the Serbian hasn’t

dropped a set yet. Just can’t see the Joker losing it.

I want to dislike Djokovic, only because he’s Andy Murray’s second, and biggest threat after Pole dancing to winning Wimbledon – but I can’t, he’s a nice bloke, and gave a good midweek TV interview to gushing, flirting Sue Barker. The man’s very funny, and popular with his fellows, and off-court he and Andy Murray are friends. He’s not known as ‘The Joker’ for nothing. One of his specialities is taking off the other tennis stars mercilessly. Did you see Maria Sharapova creased up (yes, her, the ice-maiden!), as she watched his mimicking her? She squealingly denied ‘I don’t stick my ass out like that before I serve!’ (oh yes, she does...I’ve watched.).

So seedings, and form, and everyone outside Poland and Argentina says it’ll be Murray v Djokovic in the final – but Federer and Nadal were s’posed to have been around too, and look what happened to them.

Murray will need to up his game to win both matches judging by Wednesday’s performance, but he’s fully capable of doing it, and going all the way – and it’ll be a right royal roller-coaster if he does. C’mon our Andy Murray - the nation expects!