LOOKING FOR CHEAP ROMANCE?

unless they've been at the health whisky.

Under Literature on Sale, what caught my eye was 'Reluctantly Home' -- did that refer to the Lockdown or the Freedom, the past or the future, I wondered? Reading the blurb: "Dealing with the past -- and finally facing the future", I saw that I was right.

I'm guessing "You should get out more," will no longer be the punchline for a joke.

A schoolchild once informed me that he always judged a book by its cover because this often meant he didn't have to read its contents. He proved his claim to me by referring to one of the books on the syl- labus. "Treasure Island," he said. "It's about treasure on an island." He may have mistaken my slumped head for a nod of acquiescence .

And yet that child's claim has eventually come true to a certain extent. I would still draw the line at A Tale of Two Cities (since neither is named in the title) but when I look at the cover of Batman v Superman, I feel I already know the essential features of the plot. Both protagonists mentioned in the title, you see, and that 'v' suggests there may be trouble ahead.

"The person who has not pleasure in a good novel," said Jane Austen, "must be intolera- bly stupid." Jane never minced her words. Her first six novels were published without her name on the cover (she could have learned a thing or two from Stephen King, if he had been alive then) and earned her a mere £631 before tax, grr.

The rewards of selling romance have risen considerably since then, so perhaps we should have snapped up those £1 bargains while we could. It's a well-known fact that prices rise steeply once pandemics subside. Booksellers, alas, have no romance in their souls, especially not at reduced prices, and their favourite music is "ka-ching!"

Apopular sight, Pride of Madeira - Echium candicans - is perfect for adding a touch of drama to your garden!

As with all echiums, its flowers are rich in nectar and pollen, well known for attracting bees, butterflies, moths, and other pollinators into your garden. They are a short lived perennial, typically grown as a biennial, with tall spikes of intense blue blooms, borne on strong branching stems, blooming from April through to August.

In mild regions, it can grow into a small tree, that will readily self seed, or you can take cuttings. Sow seeds in May, through to July, or plant out cuttings April and May. They grow best in well-draining soil in a sheltered site, that has full sun.

Take care when handling, as the sap can cause skin irritation and is toxic to cats and dogs.

Orihuela Prostitution and Exploitation Ordinance Approved

Orihuela has approved an ordinance for the Abolition of Prostitution and Sexual Exploitation,in order to promote the eradication of prostitution and other forms of sexual exploitation,protecting the rights of victims.

The Regional Government approved measures allowing municipalities to take action, and Orihuela is the latest to introduce measures,to defend and protect women victims of prostitution and sexual exploitation,and to guarantee coexistence so that all citizens can freely exercise their rights.

Torrevieja Town Hall Worst For Cybersecurity

Torrevieja council is one of the worst in the region for cybersecurity protection with only Alicante and Benidorm considered to be doing enough.

This is according to the Audit Office who say in their latest cybersecurity indices that since the pevious security audit town halls have only partially addressed the recommendations. The average maturity index is 52.4%, and nearly all remain "insufficient" in reaching the 80% threshold required by the ENS.

Neighbouring Orihuela is a little closer to the magical figure, reaching 69%.

SPAIN RECEIVE 13.7M INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS IN FIRST QUARTER

Spain was visited by 13.7 million international tourists in the first 3 months of the year, 41.2% more than in the same period in 2022. In the 3 months as a whole, the total spending by tourists was 17.201 billion euros, an increase of 44.7% compared to the same quarter last year, according to data published the INE.

In March, 5.3 million visitors arrived in Spain (an increase of 30% compared to March 2022), who spent a total of 6.657 billion euros, 31.1% more than a year ago.

The Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Héctor Gómez, said that this data is proof that "2023 is being an extraordinary year for tourism, not only quantitatively, but also qualitatively, with higher spending and longer stays".

Region Suffers 2 Earthquakes Within Just 7 Hours

On Wednesday morning,according to the National Geographic Institute,the Torrevieja coastline registered an earthquake measuring 2.6 degrees of magnitude on the Richter scale, the second registered in the province in recent hours.

The first occurred this morning at 2:23 a.m.

southwest of Crevillent.

The earthquake occurred at 9:51 a.m.off the coast of Torrevieja,with the epicenter located 4 kilometers deep.

This seismic movement,greater than 1.5 degrees,is the 39th registered this year in the province of Alicante and the fifth off the coast of Torrevieja.

The previous quakes occurred on March 23, when there were 3 earthquakes,and again on March 27.