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Introducing a brand new, English language Newspaper
See article Page 12
Welcome to THE WORD
NOT JUST GOOD NEWS - GREAT NEWS
Fresh, attractive and engaging is how our new look paper was described when presented to our team of contributors.
Unlike other English free newspapers we will not be reporting on daily events but will concentrate on topical subjects, relevant to the majority of expats living or owning property in Spain. We want to make theWord synonymous with the other mediums where people go to look for, read about and add comments that could benefit everyone. We realise we have a responsibility to the community to provide reliable, trustworthy and honest services through
our advertisers and, taking that responsibility seriously, will never knowingly allow an advertiser that we believe may not be acting in the readers best interests, to promote their service through our paper. Our first edition has just 40 pages, we have to start somewhere. Distributed twice a month and covering an area from Alicante following the coastline down to Los Alcazares, across to Mazarron and surrounding areas,
theWord is a community paper covering a defined area. Our idea is to be a big fish in a small pool, we will not be making claims of being the biggest or trying to cover an area so wide that our features only relate to small sections of our readers. We believe that to be a successful newspaper, to offer the best value to our advertisers and to bring items that everyone find relevant and interesting, is to cover a specific area – and do it well.
We have worked hard to bring you interesting features as well as competitions and offers continued on page 3
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to advertise info@theword.es
got a story? news@theword.es
The Word Avda 13 Octubre 87, Los Alcazares, Murcia. Deposito Legal MU 903-2012 Newsdesk editor@theword.es
Publishers’ Statement All rights reserved. No paragraph or other parts of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means including photocopying and recording without written permission of the publishers. Whilst every reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the publication, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. The publisher accepts no liability in respect of any loss or damage occasioned directly or indirectly as a result of publication of any advertisment, advertorial or article or any loss or damage occasioned directly or indirectly by any total or partial failure, however caused, of publication of any advertisement, advertorial or article scheduled to appear. The publishers take no responsibility whatsoever on behalf of advertisers and individuals with regard to any claims made by opinions expressed or information given in advertisements, advertorials, editorials or articles contained within this publications. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors as a result of poor quality artwork, logos or images supplied by the advertiser. Advertisements designed by the publishers remain the property of the publisher.
FAULTY METERS HIKE UP BILLS
Up to 80% of meters are over 15 years old Consumer Orginasation, Facua brings complaint against electricity boards to the Ministy of Industry.
It is estimated that up to eighty per cent of domestic electricity meters are more than fifteen years old, which often means errors in the readings.
has failed to comply with a substitution plan which obliged the electricity companies to install digital meters in the homes of 30 per cent of their clients – around
Rubén Sánchez spokesman for FACUA-Consumidores en Acción
Consumer associations are now warning that companies are not meeting replacement deadlines, making the situation even worse. Old electricity meters require regular inspection checks to ensure they are measuring the wattage used with adequate precision. This has been brought to the public’s attention by consumers’ organisation Facua, which has filed an official complaint against the electricity boards with the Ministry of Industry. Facua claims that the sector
six million homes in Spain – before the end of 2010. The association maintains that this delay is likely to result in more errors in billing thus costing the consumer even more money. The denucia by Facua states that the sector has been putting off replacing old meters for years “while they continue to profit” explained spokesman Rubén Sánchez. He goes on to say that the “passive attitude” shown by the ministry to deal with this issue in recent years even allow the electricity grid companies to
impose penalties on customers of up to €31 per month if they refuse to install the ICP switch. Facua state that old style meters should be checked periodically to make sure they are working properly. At their age and without maintenance, their readings cannot be guaranteed as accurate. There was a move by the government in June 2010 to abolish the rental charges for old meters however, this seems to have been completely forgotten about. There is a move to replace all meters in Spain with new style digital meters which will allow time differentiation and remote management but for many, this will not happen before 31st December 2018. In the meantime, there are a couple of ways to protect yourself from these meter errors. You can opt to purchase a digital meter at around €96 or, you can switch to the dual tariff and for approximately €30 you can have a new digital meter on a rental basis. If you have an old style meter and think you may be being overcharged because of inaccurate readings or if you would like to have a new digital meter installed, then a call to Iberswitch, Spain’s largest electricity switching company may be prudent. If you explain you want to replace the meter, they will handle the entire process and ensure it is done as quickly and cheaply as possible.
NEWS BITES San Fulgencio Town Hall does their bit to help residents cut electricity bills The Town Hall at San Fulgencio has dedicated offices to help local residents wanting to save money on their utility bills and offer advice on how to go about it. Located next door to the police station at La Marina and at the Civic Centre building in San Fulgencio town, the offices will help people understand their bills and explain what needs to be done to optimise savings on their bills. The staff will explain consumer rights and inform people how to resolve any problems with suppliers they may have. Of course, this is only advice and the individual will still need to contact the suppliers directly to make any applications or changes to their supply which we all know, is not that simple. Information will also be given regarding grants from the social services department that may be available. The La Marina office will open from 10am till 2pm Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and the Civic Centre office the same times but on Tuesdays and Fridays. (We would welcome comments from anyone who has visited either of the offices for advice editor@theword.es)
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A PENNY SAVED
WIN!
Is a Penny Earned More and more people are turning to management companies to reduce their costs and protect them from rising prices. Even with a management fee, you can pay much less than if you follow the traditional route of going it alone, and paying “retail”. The basis of management company representation is similar to that of joining a cooperative, a common occurrence in days gone by. Everyone applies for a product or service as a group and the collective buying power influences the supplier to offer more favourable terms. Using this method of purchase often means you pay less using a management company than if you went to the supplier directly and obtained their best discount – if they offer one. Iberswitch SL is such a company, specialising in the reduction of electricity prices for its clients and now, having formed a collaboration with some of the Spain’s leading insurance companies and telecom providers, it is possible to join their rapidly growing customer base and benefit from their superior buying power. The first step is to sign up for cheaper electricity. Iberswitch is Spain’s leading USC (Utility Switching Company) and their service is a long term solution to rising energy prices. Basically, everyone with an electricity bill should contact them and join the free market revolution. The one thing we know for sure, the upward trend of our utility bills will continue and we have two choices; pay the rates that are demanded by the grid companies or, do something about it, make a stand. You cannot reverse the process but you can slow it down.
Once connected, you will be able to benefit from the Iberswitch monitoring ser vice. Continually watching and negotiating for better rates and terms and conditions with the plethora of electricity companies operating in Spain and the Balearic islands. Once a more beneficial
money saving theme by adding other services and passing on the advantages of their steadily growing purchasing power. In a nutshell, being an Iberswitch client is similar to having a loyalty card but instead of earning points, you get a discount and simply pay less in the first place. G i v e Iberswitch a call today and see what they can offer you. 968 583 511 Benefits of using Iberswitch USC (Utility Switching Company)
rate has been acquired, they switch you automatically to ensure you are on the best rate you can be. You need never concern yourself with electricity providers again, once Iberswitch are looking after you, you can relax. And let us not forget, having Iberswitch as a bridge between you and the electricity company, there will be no more excessively long premium rate calls to put up with and no language barrier. Remarkably, after an initial €30 plus IVA administration fee to make the initial switch, there is nothing to pay until you are connected and then, to manage your account and make subsequent switches the cost is less than €1 a week, fixed. There are no surcharges or hidden payments. Once an Iberswitch client, the other benefits kick-in. Your loyalty is rewarded when you quote your Iberswitch customer account number. The door to discounts, savings and benefits with other suppliers will open. In the months to come, Iberswitch will continue the
• Lower cost electricity supply • A u t o m a t i c switch when better rates are available • Low cost telephone calls and internet • Low cost mobile phones calls • Pay As You Go Internet • Low cost calls for friends & family calling from UK • Preferential car, house and life insurance rates • Low cost money transfer • Periodical exclusive client offers • Much, much more...
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WOOHOO!
FREE
ADVERTISING Apply within In each edition of The Word we are offering three adverts completey free of charge.
The first three names pulled out of the hat, regardless of the size of their ad, will be able to promote their services and products without charge – even if you already have an ad with us! Why are we doing this? It’s simple: We believe it is time that newspapers who claim to be the biggest, the best or insist their publication will bring the most calls, put their money where their mouth is. As the crisis worsens, as business running costs increase but incomes decrease, it is time that we offer whatever help we can to assist the businesses in our area to continue in business. To enter the draw simply go to the website: www. theword.es and click on the free advert icon. Fill in your details and if you are successful, we will let you know. The Editor
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 and the production team looks forward to working with local business, community groups and readers to create a truly local newspaper. As part of our commitment to community media, we encourage submissions and are always eager to hear
from our readers. Some of the regular features that are not included in this edition; births, deaths and marriages and classified ads, will be appearing in future editions once people get to know about us. We welcome offers of interesting articles
and are open to suggestions of what our readers would like us to include in our community newspaper. What do you think of our new-look newspaper? We’d love to hear, email your comments and thoughts to: editor@theword.es
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TELEPHONE LINE RENTAL
Money for old rope, well, old cables...
Phone call charges continue to drop as competition heats up, but what about line rental?
Believe it or not, the average household spends less in calls per month than it costs in standing charges – unless the calls are still with Telefonica that is (Telefonica charges are about 80% more than the cheapest deals around). Paying more for your line than for the calls you make, makes this a luxury item The trend and the future of telecoms in Spain is to switch from the antiquated cable system to the much cheaper, progressive, wireless system. In this article, we explain the advantages of switching and address any questions. One thing to remember,
the more people who leave the Telefonica controlled cable system - and they are in their droves, the more the remaining customers will have to cough up to ensure profits remain high. I have three properties with phone and internet at each. I have switched each one to the wifi system and have noticed no difference in the quality or speed whatsoever. What I have noticed though, is a huge reduction in the monthly charges. In the first property, which is rented out, I have chosen 1MB of speed and a wifi phone line to replace the original line (keeping the old number). In total, I pay just over €1 a month more
for internet and line, than I did just for the line with Telefonica. The second house is where I live, we have two children who like to go on the internet and because of this, we need more speed. The phone line is the same as before, I kept the existing number but switched to a wifi line. I have 3MB internet speed and my all-in cost for internet and phone line is €19.95 compared to the €53.80 a month I paid with Telefonica. The third is my office. I have several computers running and need a good internet connection. With 6MB speed and the phone line my total cost is €24.95 I also added a call package
to the office because for me, this is where I make most calls. For €5 I get 10 hours of calls to Spanish and UK landlines. Terrific value for money. A normal household that has a fixed phone line and 3MB internet will save around €290 a year which is substantial in my opinion. Iberswitch SL offer landlines for just €5 and Internet for €9.95 a free wired router and you can keep you existing number. They don’t use 902 or premium rate numbers and their staff are helpful and speak English. My advice? Give them a call on: 968 583 511 start saving today. All figures shown are exclusive of IVA.
HELP YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS BACK HOME TO SAVE MONEY
When they call you on your landline here in Spain Having one of our free 0844 numbers means you have two landline numbers to offer; one for people here in Spain, another for those living in the UK.
Free 0844 number
(For calling your landline) Callers from the UK pay just 3p per minute to call you in Spain. The calls are charged by the second and have no connection charges. UK Free 0844 numbers are similar to 0845 UK local calls – but the rate is fixed 24/7. The number is “pointed” to your Spanish landline and, callers from the UK only pay the price of a UK local call
when calling you in Spain. Family and friends back home who do not have a calls inclusive package will be able to call you more often, without the worry of receiving huge bills which in turn, will mean you call them less, reducing your own bill. • YOU PAY NOTHING to receive the call and there is no set up cost • Simply ask for a 0844 number which is pointed to your Spanish line FREE. • The caller only dials your 0844 number and not your actual landline number.
• If you move or your number in Spain changes you keep the same 0844 number.
For calls to your mobile We have a generic number for people calling your Spanish mobile from their landline in Spain. It costs just them just 6p per minute but in this case, the caller uses the special number as an access code, they dial 0871 7515 366 followed by 0034 then your mobile number. More long winded, but the savings can be substantial. There’s no need to stay in waiting for an important
call from the UK, whether you are at the beach, the Bowls Club or out shopping, friends & family can call your Spanish mobile to share their news… and pay – no more than 6p per min from any UK landline! • Works with all Spanish Operators. • It’s a low cost way for friends & family to call you. • No monthly rental fee. • No set up fees – it’s completely FREE!
To get your FREE numbers simply call us on: 966 265 089
theWord ADVERTORIAL
Car, House & Life Insurance The Word recommends Knight Insurance and by simply mentioning this ad, you will receive preferential rates when you renew your car, house and life insurance. All you need to do is call 965 713 343 and ask to speak with Carlos (English speaking). You may be surprised how much you can save by shopping around and Knight Insurance, as one of Spain’s most well known and respected brokers will do just that to make sure the quote you get, is the best available.
70% INCREASE IN ELECTRICITY BILLS IN JUST SIX YEARS According to Eurostat figures Between 2006 and 2011, the price of electricity for Spanish consumers rose 69.9 percent. Meanwhile, in the 27 European Union countries, the average rise over the same period was 19.9 percent. In the euro area, the rise was just 13.1 percent. What’s more, the companies that make up the electricity sector in Spain are running a deficit of 24 billion Euros, due to the system of price fixing that is in place - a system that many say simply does not work. One of the problems that the sector is facing is that the design of the pricefixing system was based on continual growth in the market. But due to the crisis, demand for electricity has plummeted since 2008. The association that represents the sector, Unesa, is calling on the government to introduce reforms to the system, and to make these public “as soon as possible” in order to avoid “even greater damage” to the power companies.
RISK FREE TV
150 TV & Radio channels FREE Installation FREE Dish FREE HD Receiver www.iberswitchtv.com 966 265 089
your advert
here
Advertise your business or service here from €10 Call for details: 902 026 105
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“AT LAST!”
Broadband prices come down Unlimited broadband for just €9.95 a month
Internet prices in Spain have always been higher than most other European countries and has made surfing and emailing a luxury item for far too long. A couple of years ago, the standard industry monthly charge was €39.99 but this has crept slowly down to settle somewhere between €20 to €30 a month. Of course, while ADSL has been coming down, line rental charges have not which in essence, has made line rental the expensive and necessary partner in order to have internet. To have a fixed line internet service, you have to pay €14 for the basic line meaning your bill is at least €50 before you even pick up the telephone to make a call. Well, times have certainly changed, you can now have broadband and a telephone line for just €14.95 and you can even add 10 hours of calls for just €5! So what do you get for €9.95? This package gets you broadband with 1MB speed which is more than enough for emails, banking, booking flights and general use. For those who need more speed, you can upgrade to 3MB for an additional €5 per month or 6MB for an extra €10, you choose.
Other Charges Installation is a one-off charge of €69 and includes a free router. You simply plug your normal house phone into the router and away you go. The market is moving away from wires in just the same way all the gadgets on sale now have versions that are wireless: routers, telephones, headphones, printers and on and on. Internet is no different, the trend is to hand back the landline – keeping your existing number if you wish and converting to a completely Wi-Fi service. The downside? Actually, we cannot find one. I cancelled my Telefonica/Movistar landline and internet service several months ago in favour for this system and I can honestly say, other than my monthly bill, I have not noticed the difference. Any kind of a change presents its doubts and worries but my own experience was without either. I would recommend changing and like me, you could save around €350 a year without compromising on quality or service. Give Iberswitch SL a call today for more information and build your own package to suit your own needs: 968 583 511
Build your own Internet, Phone and TV Package Internet Options a 1 MB Internet for only €9.95 as standard Now choose your Internet package add ons Increase to 3 MB €5
Wired router FREE
Increase to 6 MB €10
Wireless router €5
Telephone Options Choose your Phone package add ons Telephone line add €5
Television Options
Keep existing number
New number
a Installation FREE
Choose your TV package add ons Satellite TV (150 channels) €15
All prices shown subject to IVA
966 265 089 www.iberswitch.com info@iberswitch.com
Sky Sports Add €15
10 hrs free mins to EU landlines p/m €5
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EMAIL ETIQUETTE - NETIQUETTE
Ever wondered why sometimes, your emails are not replied to? It takes just a minute or two to press reply and type a line or two, so why, especially when it is really important to you, is your email seemingly ignored. Of course, one reason may be that your email is going to the recipients SPAM or JUNK MAIL folder. Overcome this problem by asking them to add you to their list of contacts. Another reason, and more likely to be the case, the recipient may feel offended by the tone of your email. It is not always possible to express yourself in the written word as it is on the telephone or face to face. Have you ever tried to use sarcasm in an email but it has been taken completely the wrong way? Let’s take a look at some of the Do’s and definite Do Not’s: The biggest of all the Do Not’s has got to be the use of CAPITAL LETTERS. Writing using capitals is more often than not perceived as shouting, and no one likes to be shouted at. The way to almost guarantee non-reply or at the very least, a tardy reply is to do something that would be considered as completely unacceptable if you were doing it face to face. Here are some more: Don’t over use exclamation marks!!!! Like capitals, this is almost always seen as shouting. And, if you use red in the text, this emphasizes your intent. Personally, I would simply delete an email sent in this way. Keep messages brief and to the point. Just because your writing is grammatically correct does not mean that it has to be long. Nothing is more frustrating than wading through an email message that is twice as long as necessary. Concentrate on one subject per message whenever possible. Don’t use email as an excuse to avoid personal contact. Don’t forget the value of face-to-face or even voice-tovoice communication. Email communication isn’t appropriate when sending confusing or emotional messages. Think of the times you’ve heard someone in
the office indignantly say, “Well, I sent you an email.” If you have a problem with someone, speak with that person directly. Don’t use email to avoid an uncomfortable situation or to cover up a mistake. Remember that email isn’t private. I’ve seen people fired for using email inappropriately. Email is considered company property and can be retrieved, examined, and used in a court of law. Unless you are using an encryption device (hardware or software), you should assume that email over the Internet is not secure. Never put in an email message anything that you wouldn’t put on a postcard. Remember that email can be forwarded, so unintended audiences may see what you’ve written. You might also inadvertently send something to the wrong party, so always keep the content professional to avoid embarrassment. Use the subject field to indicate content and purpose. Don’t just say, “Hi!” or “From Laura.” Giving the recipient an idea of the content will stop your message being opened later while more important emails are attended to. Use the blind copy and courtesy copy appropriately. Don’t use BCC to keep others from seeing who you copied; it shows confidence when you directly CC anyone receiving a copy. Do use BCC, however, when sending to a large distribution list, so recipients won’t have to see a huge list of names and more importantly, to maintain the privacy of the other email addresses you are contacting. Be cautious with your use of CC; overuse simply clutters inboxes. Copy only people who are directly involved. Don’t send chain letters, virus warnings, or junk mail. Always check a reputable antivirus Web site or your IT department before sending out an alarm. If a constant stream of jokes from a friend annoys you, be honest and ask to be removed from the list. Email communication can’t convey the nuances of verbal continued on page 32
Citroen Picasso 1.6 Diesel €5,250 ono
One owner from new, full Citroen service history, 179,000 km. Registered January 2007, No accidents, no insurance claims, new CAM belt. Tel: 664 050 979
Renault Megane 1.4 Diesel €5,000 ovno
Full Renault service history. One carefull lady owner. First to see will buy Tel: 680 556 133
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ELECTRICITY MOT
Not just your car!
We have created a 50 point safety check for domestic installations.
Why is it that we give our car an MOT every couple of years but there is no official requirement or procedure for checking our properties for issues which left unattended, can cost us a small fortune at a later date? Over the last couple of years, we have installed literally hundreds of ICP units for people in the Alicante and Murcia regions. We have been shocked at the high number of illegal and dangerously wired installations where people have “upgraded” their supply using qualified and respected electricians who have taken it upon themselves to fit larger main fuses, than the contracted supply.
On the face of it, it sounds like a good dodge, a way to beat the system. Unfortunately, if there is a fire and the house owner needs to make an insurance claim, the policy becomes void when the inspector sees what is in the fuse box. One gentleman whose house was about 20 years old and had never needed any electrical work, innocently applied to Iberdrola for the dual tariff meter (white meter). As his electricity supply had never officially been inspected, upgraded or changed since the original install, before Iberdrola agreed to fit the digital meter, they requested a “boletin”.
VIABTOR
A boletin is a stamped certificate from an approved electrician which states that in his opinion, the installation is safe and legal. So, Mr. C from Torrevieja simply called a recommended electrician and asked him to pop round. Later that day, the meter was removed from the cupboard in the street and the house was condemned. It took several weeks and over €2,000 to get the meter reinstalled. If Mr C had a safety check before he had requested his digital meter (to save him money ironically) he would have been pre-warned of the potential outcome and could have made an informed decision.
F o r these and other reasons, we have created a 50 point safety check for domestic installations. Once completed it gives you a clear picture of your supply, highlights any areas of concern and offers suggestions how to remedy them. Naturally this comes at a price which has been fixed until 31st December 2012 at €40 plus IVA. We recommend Tony Sparks for this area and he can be contacted on: 626 693 440 or by email: tony@ sparksinspain.es
combustion process of the engine. This will cause an increase in CO2 emission. A car engine’s combustion is controlled by a micro computer called an ECU (Engine Control Unit). The ECU continuously calculates the optimum air/fuel ratio in order to achieve the most
blog at: http://tonysparksinspain. blogspot.com.es
reader offer
Fuel Saving Device If saving money on petrol or diesel is of interest – read on! The VIABTOR fuel saving device simply plugs into the 12V cigarette lighter in your car and reduces consumption and emissions and is available to our readers with a 10% discount - saving you even more! Over the past few years an increasing demand for in-car electronics to operate equipment such as satellite navigation, DVD, TV etc. has emerged. Electricity is furthermore needed for other electronic components such as the engine’s computer (ECU), the climate control system, the head/rear lights etc. As most cars have a power supply providing between 12 to 14.5 Volts and with all the cars electrical components running at the same time electricity can actually run short for brief periods of time. Even though this occurs for only a fraction of a second it is still enough to disturb the
Visit Tony Sparks’
efficient combustion process at all times and thereby reduces the CO2 emission. The ECU needs between 13.5V and 14V continuously in order to calculate the air/fuel ratio. At steady driving it is no problem for the power supply to continuously generate a voltage within this interval.
Unfortunately steady driving is not actually possible. In normal traffic the driver often has to brake and accelerate over and over again. During the acceleration the voltage from the car’s power supply will reach levels below 13.5V for a fraction of a second resulting in the ECU
briefly stopping calculations for the optimum air/fuel ratio. There will be thousands of these small calculation breaks on every normal drive. The core of the VIABTOR’s technology is based on voltage compensation principals. A bespoke electrical circuit has been developed to stabilize the voltage from the car’s power supply thus eliminating the brief outages of the ECU. A stable and consistent electrical flow secures optimum performance. The effect of the VIABTOR is that the car’s combustion process is stabilized and optimized thus reducing the CO2 emission of the car. The VIABTOR works independently of the car’s ECU, thereby leaving the car’s original system untouched. The VIABTOR normally retails at €49.90 but you can order your discounted unit by calling: 968 583 511 You can also visit the website: www.viabtor.com
10 theWord
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR... Dear Ed, For the last few months I have received letters from Iberdrola telling me there is money owed on my electricity account but I am not even with them! I switched from them about two years ago and have been with three other companies since then. It is impossible that I owe them anything but every couple of months, along comes another letter threatening to cut my supply, the last sent by registered post just to add impact. My management company told me to ignore the letters and that there was no risk to my supply. I took them at their word and sure enough, the cut-off date came and went with no disruption to my supply. Having looked into this deeply I now know they are sending communications that relate to previous bills that have long been settled by my then supplier. In my opinion, they are trying to scare me into going back to them. Obviously they know nothing of British resolve. I remember a similar thing happening about 12 years ago when I had the bare faced cheek to change my telephone supplier from Telefonica to BT. I had a letter telling me my line was going to be cut because BT had not completed paperwork properly. It would be interesting to hear from any of your other readers who have also received similar letters, has anyone actually been cut off? Thanks Name Withheld
It Pays To Shop Around I have used a well known and highly publicised insurance company for eight years, never questioning their renewal price for mine and my wife’s cars. That is, not until last year when I realised the premiums were going up at an enormous rate when they should really be coming down since I turned fifty years old. So, when I received the “shall we debit your card” call, I said no. I decided to shop around and see if I really was paying an acceptable rate, it didn’t feel like it. I called a broker (Knight Insurance) who immediately reduced the combined premiums by 40%! I thought it could not be possible and questioned them about the excess charge, breakdown, courtesy car and anything else I could remember. All questions answered satisfactorily.
time. I decided to give them a chance but they were so far out the year before, I didn’t think they would get anywhere near what I had already been quoted, but they did – they matched it. I wish I had been a fly on their wall to see their face when I told them I didn’t want it. My opinion is, if they could give it to me then, then why not the year before? Sorry but they increased the price year on year simply because they could. It seems to be the Spanish way – offering new customers a deal but making no concessions to existing customers. Do they not realise there is a crisis and we are all in the same boat? Or do they think that because we are foreigners, we must have more money than sense? Don’t answer that.
A year on and renewal time loomed. To my surprise, the annual premium stayed exactly the same. Of course, I had made no claims and I was a year older but I was expecting some kind of increase. Out of the blue, the original company called me, they obviously knew I would be renewing at this
Send your letters to editor@theword.es
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ADVERTORIAL
DON’T LET YOUR DREAM HOME GET SWEPT AWAY BY THE TAX MAN
If you own a property in Spain or are considering owning a property in Spain or know someone with a property in Spain then you need to read the rest of this article. Most owners are not aware that their heirs and their estate may have to pay inheritance tax both in their country of domicile and in Spain. Spanish law dictates that the beneficiary of your estate must pay tax on the amount that they inherit. The level of tax payable is not a fixed rate and is determined by the relationship to the deceased, their residency status and their existing wealth in Spain. In addition the estate of the Deceased could be liable to pay inheritance tax in their country of domicile. For example if the Deceased was UK domiciled and had worldwide assets in excess of £325,000.00 then the Estate could also be liable for inheritance tax at 40% payable in the UK. What are the options to minimise the liability? Unfortunately it is common practice for lawyers and tax advisers who are not conversant with both jurisdictions to advise based on their own knowledge and this is often insufficient. We have known of cases in the past where property owners in Spain have been advised to prepare a Spanish Will to avoid the tax. In fact this does not avoid any tax and it is unnecessary to have a separate Will in Spain. The tax is paid by the person inheriting the asset and therefore the existence of a Will does nothing to minimise this. There are also times when the existence of a separate Will in Spain complicates matters and increases legal costs. It is vitally important
that all British owners of Spanish property have a UK Will dealing with their worldwide assets and therefore no other Will is required in any other country. Another misconception is that by simply taking out a mortgage on the property it will reduce the tax liability on death. It is true that the value of the asset will be reduced by the amount outstanding on the mortgage however, the Banks often insist that life policies are taken out which pay off the mortgage on death and the beneficiaries are back to inheriting the whole of the unencumbered property. Even if there is not a life policy then there is a substantial debt outstanding which will have to be paid before the property can be transferred. Finally the most dangerous option that is put forward is to transfer the property to your children or beneficiaries now. The Spanish tax is payable not only on the inheritance of a property but also the gifting of a property so the tax would be paid sooner rather than later. Also once the property is in the names of your beneficiaries then you have to be able to trust that they will not dispose or charge your asset and leave you homeless. Issues of insolvency, divorce and your beneficiary predeceasing you can also add complications to what appeared to be a simple transaction. At Wincham our solution has been tried and tested for many years and we are constantly updating our processes to ensure that the advice we give is in line with current legislation both in Spain and the UK. Our business is expanding and we have recently opened an office to provide assistance
for Spanish Property Owners who originate from Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
The Solution
Quite simply you invest your Spanish property into your own UK Company of which you will be the Director and shareholder and have total control. Contrary to popular belief there would be no 7% Property Transfer Tax payable on this transaction. Our method enables you to utilise Spanish legislation to conveniently own and maintain your home within
a corporate structure in the most tax efficient way. Although the use of an off shore Company creates an additional 3% tax burden each year, the UK is not classed as off shore and in line with EU treaties Spain must provide UK Companies with the same benefits and opportunities that they allow their own Companies. If you would like to know more about our solution and to receive your ‘complimentary’ Spanish Inheritance Tax illustration please visit www. winchamiht.com or scan the QR code to the right. Alternatively contact one of
our advisers on +44 (0)1260 299700 (UK) or 0034 965 830 991 (Spain). We aim to provide a friendly and professional service for our Clients with a unique ability to cover their affairs in both jurisdictions with a comprehensive approach.
12 theWord Cartagena Guide By Debs Jenkins
We’ve published a new Kindle guide of Cartagena. It’s the kindle version of the Cartagena android App for those people who don’t have an Android phone. The Kindle “My native guide to Cartagena” covers a wide geographical area encompassing Beal and Canteras with their mining works, Cartagena City full of Roman remains and some of the best restaurants in the area, Escombreras a much-maligned fascinating industrial area, La Algameca Chica where you can still bump into the odd pirate, La Unión the heart of the mining and flamenco area, Perín with some of our favourite beaches, Portmán in the national park of Calblanque, San Antonio Abad with its Bond-like fortresses and Santa Lucía the quaint fishing village. When we were developing the Android App earlier in the year we visited and re-visited over 100 places in Cartagena, took photos, checked locations and opening times, tried the food (such difficult work!) and enjoyed the beaches, walks, attrac tions and Roman remains. We focus on towns and places that the usual guides just can’t reach. Inland villages, forgotten hamlets, the best authentic food and hidden panoramas, with frank reviews, objective descriptions and useful contact details. Visit: www.mynativeguide.com
PHONE WARS
Lifting the lid on the cheap call fiasco Have you ever wondered why there are so many companies offering cheaper and cheaper rates for calling the UK?
Prices have been coming down during the last few years it’s true, this is the result of healthy competition which was made possible by deregulation. It takes a few years for the market to find its feet but eventually, consumers begin to see the benefit. Exactly the same thing is beginning to happen in the electricity market. However, there are questions that need to be answered: Why, if Telefonica (now known as Movistar) charge 15 cents a minute to call UK landlines, can the likes of Europa, Telitec, RTN Network and EW Telco charge as little as 1 cent a minute? After all, they use the Telefonica infrastructure... are we missing something?
The truth is, most companies make little or no profit on the landline calls you make, but they promote them using pages and pages of advertising. Why do they invest so much to get you to sign up with them for something for which they make no money? The answer is a simple one – they are not interested in the
slightest about your landline calls, it is a “lost leader”. They want your account for your mobile calls. All telecom companies, UK, Spain and Europe, make their profit, large profit, on the revenue from mobile calls. The calls they like you to make the most, are the international ones. Spanish landline to UK mobile are the calls they depend upon to keep them in the lifestyle to which they have become accustomed to, which allows them to throw money at advertising. Don’t get me wrong, I have absolutely nothing whatsoever against companies making a profit after all, the more profit they make, the more people they employ, the more tax is paid, the quicker the economy recovers. That said, there has to be a point where making a profit and paying over the odds cross over. I went on to the websites of the previously mentioned companies and surprise, surprise, I could find no mention of the mobile phone charges however hard I looked. So I called each one in turn, I had to ask the question over and over but eventually got the answers I wanted. So now we know the charges for calling mobiles and the reason why our mobile call traffic is so important. Now let’s get the best of both worlds – the cheapest landline calls and the cheapest mobile calls.
If you connect a phone dongle to your line, your calls to mobiles will be routed through a separate PAYG system giving you savings of up to 60%, massive! There seems little benefit in getting a massive discount in one hand if you are paying completely over the odds from the other. Unfortunately, we have all become accustomed to this kind of “creative marketing” and generally accept it, why? Calls using the Phone Dongle are charged by the second, from the first second so there is no “rounding up” of the first minute as there are with many companies. You can buy a dongle for €9.95 which includes €5 of calling credit. It is a Pay As You Go system which allows you to track your spending. You can go onto the website and look at the calls you have made, the duration and cost and see how much credit you have left, at any time you wish. There are no prefixes to dial and the service is completely transparent. You can order your Phone Dongle from Iberswitch by calling: 968 583 511 Start saving straight away.
COST COMPARISON Company
EWN Telco
RTN Europa Telitec Movistar Network
Phone Dongle
UK Mobile per min
20.00
27.00
27.00
25.00
25.00
8.00
Spanish Mobile
20.00
26.00
26.00
22.00
15.00
11.00
a a a a a
r
First Whole Minute
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BEWARE!
ROUNDABOUTS
A warning for consumers...
Swear words and rude gestures Statistically, there are more swear words and rude hand gestures delivered on Spanish roundabouts than there are in any other country, anywhere in the world... at least, there should be. In Spanish driving schools, the students are taught that, when circulating in a roundabout you should always be in the far outside lane no matter which exit you are planning on taking. How ridiculous is that? Any driving student with half a brain should raise their hand and ask, “Then what are the other lanes in the roundabout for?” But no one does because the authoritarian Spanish school system has extinguished any such behaviour. I’ve lost track of the number of times that I’ve narrowly escaped
an accident when trying to exit a roundabout from the inside lane and somebody is trying to keep going around the roundabout in the outside lane. I suspect that if we were to collide, the authorities would rule the accident as being my fault. A couple of years ago my son was forced off the road by the driver of a VW Golf GTI (of course) travelling behind him on a slip road leaving the motorway. I turned up at the scene to hear the Golf driver telling the policeman he crashed into my son because he was not going fast enough. At that point I left to take my son to hospital with a foot injury only to learn later that the police said the accident was caused by my son’s careless driving and he
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should have been going faster to accommodate the other traffic leaving the motorway. He was doing 80kms per hour! We have wonderful roads in Spain and the driving conditions and scenery are great. My only advice would be to avoid roads at two o’clock in the afternoon because all the Spanish are racing home...to relax.
If you have been asked to pay your telephone line rental in advance recently please do not, under any circumstances, be tempted to. Even with inducements such as discounts over the total amounts, to pay this charge in advance may well prove to be a very big mistake. If you have received a call regarding this or, if you have already paid your line rental in advance, please contact us immediately on: 966 265 089
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HERBAL TEA For Menopause
During the years leading up to a woman’s final menstrual period, she may experience uncomfortable physical, emotional and mental symptoms as her hormones fluctuate. The Mayo Clinic lists hot flashes, mood swings, insomnia and irregular periods as some of the symptoms of menopause. Drugs to stabilize hormone fluctuations are available, but some women prefer a more natural approach to their menopausal years. Herbal teas may offer relief for some of the symptoms associated with menopause.
Chasteberry Tea – Libido Loss This herbal tea, sometimes called chaste tree tea, comes from the dried leaves and the dried fruit from the Vitex agnuscastus plant. Brewed at the ratio of 2 tsp. of herb to 1 cup of water, this tea may reduce hot flashes and control excessive menstrual bleeding, reports Gale. In addition, Chasteberry Tea may boost your mood if you suffer mild depression related to menopause. The PDR lists Chasteberry’s as “dopaminergic,” meaning it may increase feel-good dopamine production in the brain. Pregnant women or nursing mothers should not take this herbal tea.
Ginkgo Tea – Mood Swings & Depression This tea is made from Ginkgo biloba, a herb native to China, and is most commonly used as a natural treatment for blood circulation and cognitive function. By improving blood flow to the brain and other organs and balancing a woman’s estrogen levels, Ginkgo biloba helps to combat menopausal symptoms associated with cognitive functions – mood, depression and concentration.
Black Cohosh – Mood Swings Available in tea bags or lose, the black cohosh herb (Cimicifuga racemosa) may reduce the intensity and the duration of hot flashes, advises the Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. It may also ease painful cramping associated with heavy menstrual periods, which some women experience during menopause. The PDR for Herbal Medicines attributes this benefit to black cohosh’s potential ability to relax uterine tissue. Brew black cohosh tea as recommended on the package or pour 1 cup of boiling water over approximately 2 tsp. of the herb and steep for 10 minutes. Do not drink black cohosh tea if there is a chance you may be pregnant.
Ginseng – Hot Flushes Panax ginseng tea offers menopausal women potential relief from hot flushes and night sweats, and it may also boost the ability to focus on daily tasks. The root of the ginseng plant contains the beneficial ingredients. Brew a ratio of 1 tsp, of ginseng herb to 1 cup of water and drink up to 3 cups per day. Consult an herbalist before exceeding the dosage. In large amounts, ginseng consumption may cause insomnia, water retention and it may elevate blood pressure.
Raspberry Leaf – Balancing Benefits The raspberry leaf herb (Rubus idaeus) may normalize a hormone imbalance, according to Gale, offering relief from general symptoms associated with menopause. Steep a raspberry leaf teabag in 1 cup of water and drink 1 or 2 cups per day. Discontinue use if you experience diarrhea, nausea or vomiting and do not exceed the recommended dosage unless under a doctor’s supervision. The PDR advises that side effects increase with high dosages of the herb.
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16 theWord
DEBTORS AND COWBOYS BEWARE!
Name and shame website soon to launch The Spanish legal system, like any other country, is slow and expensive Often, there is no recourse other than to simply walk away when someone that owes you money, rents your house and trashes it leaving big bills or, provides you with a service which is far from adequate. We will soon be able to warn others about perspective issues with businesses or individuals so they do not fall into the same trap.
Soon to be launched in Spain is w w w. nameandshame.es where the alleged perpetrator of such actions will have their names and even photographs, on display for all to see. Forewarned is forearmed If you are thinking about renting out your property, employing someone or contracting the services of a builder, you will be able to visit the website, put in the person’s name to see if anyone else has previously
had dealings with them or have had an experience they would like to share. In the name of fair play, there will be a possibility for the named person to respond and give their own account of things, as we all know, there are always two sides to every coin. If you would like to make an entry to the site, send an email to info@nameandshame. es giving the name of the person or business in question and describing your own experience.
POTENTIAL SCAM ALERT We are receiving an increase in the number of calls about door to door canvassers mainly related to electricity services. Residents in the Quesada and Rojales areas have reported visits from presentable young ladies, who say they are from Iberdrola, trying to get information from the householder in order to either save them money or avoid disconnection of supply. The scare tactic is frequently used to get a quick decision from unsuspecting householders, shocking you into decisions you would not usually make. We would strongly advise that business over the doorstep is not a good policy and although it can often be legitimate, the callers should at least have verifiable proof of where they are from and who they represent.
Please follow these simple rules: · Do not allow anyone into your home unless you are sure who they are · Ask for photographic evidence of who they are before the conversation continues · Contact a landline number (not mobile) to verify the callers identity · Arrange a future appointment and have someone with you when they return · Try to avoid doorstep business altogether · If in doubt – do nought Any legitimate company would have telephone numbers and websites where you can get the information you need to make informed decisions. Many of the people who do doorstep business, often regret it later, it is called buyers remorse. Don’t fall for a scam don’t be a statistic.
TELEFONICA CUTS DEEP
Two Gulf 650s for sale
Image courtesy of Gulfstream
Telefonica the Spanish phone company whose net debt is bigger than its market value, plans to reduce its fleet of private jets as part of an
effort to cut costs, according to two people familiar with the matter. Telefonica, which has more private planes than any other
Spanish publicly traded company, plans to put up for sale two of its four Gulfstream business jets in the next month, one of the people
said. The company could raise about 35 million Euros for the jets, the person said. Spain’s biggest telephone operator will replace one of the jets by March or April with a new Gulfstream G650, which it ordered about three years ago, the person said. Madrid-based Telefonica, which has a department for aviation, may have paid about 50 million Euros, less than the 70 million Euros a new G650 costs now, the person said. The jet sales are part of a cost-reduction program that spans office supplies, employee refreshments and asset disposals. After an $85 billion acquisition spree over the past decade, Chief Executive Officer Cesar Alierta is cutting back, selling assets that include shares in German and Latin American units as well as the call-centre business Atento.
Saddled with more than 58 billion Euros of net debt, Telefonica also scrapped this year’s dividend and halved next year’s to save an estimated 10.2 billion Euros as it rushes to avoid further debt downgrades. Both aircraft to be sold carry between 10 and 14 passengers and include leather seats, couch, Internet, TV and satellite connection, the person said. The average maintenance cost for this type of jet is about 10,000 Euros for each hour of flight. Telefonica’s other two jets are Gulfstream G550 models. The company bought its first jet, a second-hand Gulfstream GIV, from the Sultan of Brunei in the late 1990s under the leadership of Alierta’s predecessor, Juan Villalonga. A Telefonica official declined to comment.
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FREQUENT TIPPLE REDUCES ARTHRITIS RISK BY UP TO HALF Swedish long term study reveals Drinking a beer or a glass of wine two or three times a week cuts the chance of developing rheumatoid arthritis by half, a study found. Researchers discovered those whose long-term lifestyle included having three or more drinks a week were at a 52 per cent reduced risk of the disease, compared with abstainers. Specialists think alcohol could help prevent the disease by damping down the immune system. The researchers, from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm,
looked at alcohol consumption and rheumatoid arthritis in 34,000 women born between 1914 and 1948. They interviewed them twice, once in 1987 and once a decade later, asking them questions about alcohol consumption, diet, smoking history, physical activity and their level of education. About 400,000 people in Britain have rheumatoid arthritis, and it is three times more common in women than in men. Not all are old - almost half are under 65. Sufferers have joint swelling and pain, which is caused by
the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy tissue. Professor Alan Silman, medical director of Arthritis Research UK, warned: “This study should not be regarded as a directive to binge drink.
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ENGLISH TV
A closer look We have taken a good look at the different versions of English Television that are available to expats in Spain in a bid to translate the many claims into reality. It seems there are three different methods being advertised with varying prices and with distinct advantages, or disadvantages. Satellite, Internet Streamed & Re-Broadcast There are things to consider when shopping around or thinking about switching from your current provider. Let’s take a look
on your PC or wiring your computer to the TV set. In my investigations, the majority of people who watch TV this way are more dissatisfied than satisfied. That said, if you are paying a premium to get a good internet speed, then you get TV for nothing – apart from the inflated price of ADSL. Re-Broadcasting Several companies which offered this service have come and gone, why? Simply because this method is not strictly legal and should the authorities decide to take a stance, it’s gone, just like that.
Eastenders courtesy BBC TV
at each of the different systems on offer: Streaming This requires a very good ADSL speed which even if you have, we all know speed can vary throughout the day which in turn, will drastically effect the viewing quality. As programmes are streamed through the internet, it also means watching them
Then there is the issue of quality. Most prone to atmospheric conditions, you can count on a break in this frustrating (for me) service right at the least most welcomed moment. With programmes beamed directly from the satellite to your dish, with quality equipment (dish and receiver box), this should give you the best viewing quality of the three.
Unlike the other two, HD (high definition) programmes and channels can be viewed. You will need an HD receiver and not just a standard box as most companies supply and of course an HD television set. If you have both, your viewing experience is vastly improved. Iberswitch TV, for me, ticks all the boxes and we recommend that you give them a call on 968 583 511.
Moving up a notch Having established itself as Spain’s leading USC (Utility Switching Company), Iberswitch SL have now launched a new Satellite TV service.
For just €15 per month (plus IVA) you can enjoy 150 TV and radio channels. Dedicated to saving its client’s money, Iberswitch install the system completely free of charge – including an HD receiver so that channels or programmes made in high definition can be viewed the way they were meant to be, so long as your TV is an HD television of course. Because the signal is beamed directly from the satellite to your dish and not received somewhere else and rebroadcasted, the picture is sharp, clear and rarely suffers from interference as many of us are used to when watching UK channels. Iberswitch have branded their new service as the “No Risk TV” service because there is no financial commitment from the client and if their circumstances change, if the customer moves, if for technical reasons the service is lost or, they simply change their minds, the equipment can be returned and the monthly rentals stop. Many of us who have lived in Spain for a few years have experienced TV companies that have come and gone which has in the past, left us with obsolete equipment having paid small fortunes for the installation in the first place. This is now a thing of the past. The only thing they ask for is a fully refundable equipment deposit of €90 which is held as security and repaid once the equipment has been returned in working order. For the sports fans among us, you can even add Sky Sports channels for an additional charge of only €14.95 plus IVA per month.. As an Iberswitch customer you may also be able to benefit from other low cost services they provide such as: Telephone Line €4.95 per month & ADSL just €9.95 per month. The full channel list is available on their website: www.iberswitchtv.com or you can give them a call on: 968 583 511
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20 theWord
IBERSWITCH SL
COMPANY PROFILE
Providing money saving alternatives for a better life Iberswitch is Spain’s largest independent USC (Utility Switching Company) and conducts its business all over Spain.
As Spain’s largest USC (Utility Switching Company) Iberswitch was originally conceived more than 10 years ago and was extremely active during the first few years of telephone deregulation. They are no strangers to the stunts the monopoly companies pull or the depths they will travel in order to “shove a stick in the spokes” of the free market vehicle. In 2011, the five electricity generating companies were caught with their fingers in the cookie jar, so to speak, and were fined €61M for colluding to slow down or even block altogether the exit of their long suffering customers to other providers who are willing to offer discounts as enticements to persuade consumers to use their services. Of course, the longer it took to prise the fingers from the Iberdrola customers, the worse it looked for companies such as Iberswitch. Seemingly, they were sometimes blamed for dragging their feet or, not taking the electricity giants to task. The Iberswitch ethos is to save its clients
money, as much as possible and from any quarter possible. In many cases, simply being an Iberswitch customer opens the door to savings and discounts for other goods and services. The marketing department at Iberswitch make no apology for sending information regarding the savings its customers can make in fact, spokesperson Jonathan Winkleman says, “For us, nothing would be worse than not telling people who we already represent, how they can make further savings on services they use. Besides, things change in Spain and although you may not be looking for something today, you could be tomorrow. Never say never in Spain”. Utility switching in Europe has been the norm for a long time but is relatively new here in Spain. When the company was formed, it was generally accepted that there would be a learning curve but even the senior staff at Iberswitch were surprised at the lengths Iberdrola would go to hold on to their customers. In retaliation for taking so many of its customers, Iberdrola have, since last November, been sending to people who have left them,
letters which suggest their present supplier owes them money and because of this, there is a risk to the supply - even going so far as to send the letters by registered post to add more impact. Of course, some of the recipients have been sufficiently scared into running back to Iberdrola in a bid to avoid the cut off that was suggested, a cut off that would never have happened. When asked for a comment, Managing Director David Rook said, “I really don’t want to go to war with Iberdrola, it doesn’t bode well for the customers who naturally get dragged in. I want Iberdrola to accept that the general public can make choices for themselves”. “That said, they have thrown down the gauntlet and we have picked it up, we will not be bullied. The government have opened the market for competition and nothing should If you would like to profile your company stand in the in The Word, simply way after all, it is send an email to supposed to be a info@theword.es free market”.
CUT YOUR ELECTRICITY BILL - IN HALF! Slash the kilowatt rate You can now get a How it works How to apply The day is divided into two Once you decide the dual 50% reduction on rates, from the evening through tariff is for you, Iberswitch SL as to almost mid-day you pay 50% one of the services they offer the standard elecless for your electricity, which will arrange the change of tariff can have a huge impact on your on your behalf, there is no need tricity charge by bill. for you to do anything. If you use the things during There will be a charge by switching to the dual the off-peak times that are the grid owner for the new renowned for consuming a lot meter which is normally in the of electricity; swimming pool region of €20. Once installed, tariff system. pumps, washing machines, there is a small change to your water heaters, dishwashers, standing charges, slightly more It means that for night storage heaters and expensive, naturally. half of the day, you under-floor heating systems etc, then you will undoubtedly Other things see big reductions to your pay half what you With dozens of companies monthly bill. now offering electricity services You pay a little bit more normally would on a in Spain, there is no need to per kilowatt for the peakcontract yourself to the high time electricity but with all 24/7 tariff. things considered, if you are prices associated with the grid conscientious, this tariff will work well for you and will help to keep more money in your pocket rather than in the bank accounts of the electricity companies.
companies; Iberdrola, Endesa, Gas Natural Fenosa, Hydro of Biscay and E-On. These are the companies who produce the electricity and have held the monopoly
for so long, they are also the companies who have forgotten the meaning of being competitive. Having made a start to reduce your bill by selecting the rate that fits your needs, the next move would be to join the free market and reduce your kilowatt rate and for that, help is at hand. Iberswitch SL is Spain’s largest independent USC (Utility Switching Company) they select the best company, the best rate and, the best terms and conditions available. They act as a bridge between the consumer and the suppliers. Rate selection, change of tariff, supply issues and billing will be handled by them and, all in your own language. For a one-off admin fee of just €30 plus IVA they will switch you from your current provider to one that offers a discount. Once connected, there is a
small monthly charge of just €3.50 plus IVA which covers you for subsequent switches. Once you have filled in a simple form, provided a copy of your electricity bill and your ID, they handle the entire switch process. Iberswitch monitor the market on a continual basis. Using their huge customer base as leverage, they negotiate better rates and for a small monthly management fee, switch you automatically to ensure you are never paying more for your supply than you need be. It’s time to make a stand against the continually rising cost of electricity, give Iberswitch a call to see how they can help you or visit their website: www.iberswitch.com
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ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS VS HARD WATER
A story from Altea
heater and leave it off until 12 noon the following day and take a further meter reading. This shows exactly what her charge is for heating the water. 3. Note the kilowatt usage from previous bills, divide that number by the number of days in the bill – this gives the average daily kilowatt usage.
Mrs. C from Altea lives on her own and has always had what she would consider to be, excessive electricity bills. She changed to another provider and was surprised when her bills didn’t seem to change very much so she called the management company to express her disappointment. Her normal two monthly bills are usually in the region of €200 and yet she is very frugal with her usage and apart from a water heater, considers herself to have a low consumption. Rather than the usual disinterested response when calling large companies, the person on the end of the phone asked several very specific questions and finally suggested the following action: 1. Isolate the power using the main switch and then look at the meter to see if it is still spinning, which would indicate she is paying for electricity she is not using. 2. Take a meter reading at 12 noon, turn off the water
Having done these things, she was able to establish that the water heater was in fact using 15 kilowatts a day which is the total average daily usage for a midsized house with two people living in it! She called a plumber in and within an hour they discovered that hard water was responsible for a massive build up of calcium inside the water heater tank which in turn, is responsible for the huge consumption of electricity. The first step was to change the water tank. This was done and the usage went down. Water tanks can be flushed but if the tank is quite old, it is better to change it completely. Step two, Mrs C changed to the night and day tariff which gave her 14 hours of half price electricity every day so naturally, this is when she heats her water. Having changed from Iberdrola to a free market company, her electricity bill is discounted by a further 2 cents per kilowatt saving her even more money plus, the rate can be fixed giving protection from future price increases. When the plumber asked how old her water tank was she said she thought
it could be no more than four years old. Actually, it was seven. With time passing as quickly as it does, general maintenance sometimes gets overlooked and, with some areas having extremely hard water, we should be checking things such as this more often than we do. Now her monthly bill is less than half what it used to be. Although she realises how past bills have been larger than they needed to be, Mrs C is happy to be back on track.
Calcium hydroxide, which is often found in hard water, is more commonly known as lime or limescale. As water evaporates, the calcium hydroxide is left behind to create a white, chalky, scaly residue that can clog hot water heaters and vastly reduce their efficiency – by about 40%!
22 theWord NOVEMBER
MOVIE RELEASES
November is a great month for movie releases. Here are just a few featuring some great actors to watch out for. The Man With The Iron Fist
alongside iconic heroes and against soulless villains, one man must harness this power to become saviour of his adopted people.
Flight
RZA, Russell Crowe, Jamie Chung, Lucy Lu & Dave Bautista Synopsis: Since his arrival in China’s Jungle Village, the town’s blacksmith has been forced by radical tribal factions to create elaborate tools of destruction. When the clans’ brewing war boils over, the stranger channels an ancient energy to transform himself into a human weapon. As he fights
Denzel Washington, Kelly Reilly, John Goodman, Melissa Leo & Don Cheadle Synopsis: Denzel Washington stars as Whip Whitaker, a seasoned airline pilot who miraculously crash-lands his plane after a
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mid-air catastrophe, saving nearly every soul on board. After the crash, Whip is hailed as a hero, but as more is learned, more questions than answers arise as to who or what was really at fault, and what really happened on that plane?
The Silver Linings Playbook
The Frozen Ground
Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Chris Tucker, Julia Stiles & Shea Whigham Synopsis: Pat Peoples (Bradley Cooper) is a man always trying to look on the bright side of life – the title of the story takes it’s name from the expression that “every cloud has a silver lining.” Released from the hospital after losing his wife to another man, Pat believes this age-old adage is just the ticket to trying to win her back and get his life on track. Trying to remain resolutely undiscouraged, Pat moves back in with his parents and devotes himself entirely to becoming the man his wife always wanted him to be. But it’s an uphill battle. Until Pat meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), a beautiful young woman whose life also has not turned out the way she wanted. Together, the couple will try and navigate through their lives and stay true to who they are, always just one adventure away from a unique friendship, and possibly even love.
Nicholas Cage, John Cusack, Vanessa Hudgens & 50 Cent Synopsis: Follows Alaskan detective Glenn Flothe (Cage) as he sets out to end the murderous rampage of Robert Hansen (Cusack), a serial killer who has gone unnoticed for 13 years. As the bodies of street girls start to add up in Anchorage, fear strikes a chord with the public. Risking his life, Detective Flothe goes on a personal manhunt to find the killer before the next body surfaces. When a seventeen year old escapee reveals key information about the case, Flothe is finally able to trail the killer. But will he catch him in time to save the next victim?
Lincoln
Sally Field, Daniel DayLewis, Tommy Lee Jones, Joseph Gorden-Levitt, Hal Holbrook & James Spader Synopsis: During President Lincoln’s tumultuous final months in office, he pursues a course of action to end the Civil War, unite the country and abolish slavery. Steven Spielberg directs two-time Academy Award® winner Daniel Day-Lewis in Lincoln, a revealing drama that focuses on the 16th President’s tumultuous final months in office. In a nation divided by war and the strong winds of change, Lincoln pursues a course of action designed to end the war, unite the country and abolish slavery. With the moral courage and fierce determination to succeed, his choices during this critical moment will change the fate of generations to come.
Advertise your business or service here from €20 Call for details: 902 026 105
Jack and Diane
Killing Them Softly
Brad Pitt, Sam Rockwell, Bella Heathcote, James Gandolfini, Richard Jenkins & Vincent Curatola Synopsis: The story centers on Jackie Cogan, a professional enforcer who investigates a heist that takes place during a high stakes poker game under protection of the mob.
Juno Temple, Jena Malone, Kylie Minogue, Riley Keough & Cara Seymour Synopsis: Jack and Diane, two teenage girls, meet in New York City and spend the night kissing ferociously. Diane’s charming innocence quickly begins to open Jack’s tough skinned heart. But, when Jack discovers that Diane is leaving the country in a week she tries to push her away. Diane must struggle to keep their love alive while hiding the secret that her newly awakened sexual desire is giving her werewolf-like visions.
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Call UK Mobiles from your landline for 8 cents Use the Iberswitch phone dongle to call UK mobiles from your landline for just 8 cents a minute!! No connection fees and charged by the second!!
Keep Existing Line Rental Provider
Telecoms Dongle
No Additional Prefixes to Dial
By using our phone dongle you continue to pay your line rental supplier for the line. Only your calls are routing through us which are paid for using pre-paid credits.
The small phone dongle unit is connected to your phone socket, and then you connect the phone into it. It’s no larger than a Mars Bar and doesn’t require any power from the mains.
The phone dongle autodials the prefix for you, so you don’t have to remember to add prefixes to your calls. This means that every call you make can cost you less.
Honest and Transparent Service
Flexibility With No Contracts
Works On All Spanish Landlines
No dipping into your bank account! Our service is pre-paid which helps you take control of your spending.
We provide you with complete flexibility to use this service. Unlike other providers, if you wish to stop using or transfer it to another location, simply disconnect the dongle.
This solution works with all providers including Telefonica, Europa, Direct Telecom, Telitec, RTN Network and EW Telco. Simply plug the dongle in and calls are directed through Iberswitch instead of your line or call provider.
Decide Which Calls to Route
Auto Top-Up Credit Options
Amazing Global Low Cost Call Rates
What Calls Should We Handle? Only want us to bill you for calls made to the UK or mobiles? Or would you prefer us to route all your calls? You decide and we will program the phone dongle to handle this request for you prior to dispatching it.
You tell us how much and when you would like to top your account up, and when your credit runs low it will be charged to your card automatically. This will ensure you don’t run out of calling. credit in mid-conversation.
Unlike other telecom providers, we not only review our rates monthly, but provide easy methods for you to see the cost of these calls at any time, so you know exactly what you are paying to any destination.
€9.95 INCLUDES €5 FREE CALLING CREDIT All our call charges are clearly displayed on our website and are free from call connection charges or rounding to the nearest minute which makes us one of the cheapest call providers in Spain. ONE-OFF CHARGE FOR THE DONGLE - NO SUBSCRIPTIONS FEES Your monthly line rental on your phone bill doesn’t change each month, it is the cost of your phone calls that pushes your bill up. Our solution helps provide transparency to the call costs and saves you money! If you currently pay a fixed monthly cost for your phone calls, are you getting good value for money from it? They sound good in principle, but unless you make use of all the minutes you may be paying much more than you should be. Paying for only the calls you make can save you a lot of money each month with the Iberswitch telephone dongle. We don’t apply any hidden costs, rounding, or connection charges. What’s more we provide you with €5 free credit to start with!
For more information or to order your Iberswitch telephone dongle call: 966 265 089
a a a a a a a a a a a
Keep your existing number Keep your existing line rental Minimum call charges Calls costs the same price 24/7 - 365 No call connection charge No minimum contract Email warning when credit runs low English customer support Pre-paid facilities Auto top-up option Your pre-paid credit doesn't expire
24 theWord
EXACTLY HOW MUCH CAN YOU SAVE?
If you looked really closely at your spending habits, we believe there are many ways in which to reduce your annual outgoings Running a household budget is the same as running a business, you have an income which can be variable or fixed and you have your costs. Not many of us create a spreadsheet of both to see our actual disposable income but if we did, we would see more clearly, where saving can be made.
Pensions
Electricity
If you transfer your pension each month using a bank, you can save money using a money transfer company such as Moneycorp.
Changing from 24/7 electricity supply to dual tariff (white meter) saves approximately 25% but you must be aware of the cheap rate hours for it to work well.
We have listed just a few areas of potential savings and figures shown relate to an average consumer spend.
Line Rental
TV
If you switch your line rental from Telefonica/ M o v i s t a r / E W Te l c o / RTNNetwork/Europa/ Telitec to Iberswitch SL, you can reduce your monthly charge. The calls you make to mobiles in Spain or to the UK can be reduced by more than 50%.
You not only save money switching from Torresat, Ole or Teleast to Iberswitch TV, you change from a rebroadcast system to direct satellite - and in HD quality.
ADSL Changing your ADSL to Eurona can save you money without affecting the performance you receive.
Monthly Saving Annual Saving Pension Transfer (â‚Ź1,000 per month) 45.00 540.00 Telephone line rental
9.00
108.00
Phone calls to mobile
15.00
180.00
ADSL
15.00
180.00
TV
6.00
72.00
Dual tariff
20.00
240.00
Totals
110.00 1,320.00
Help, assistance or advice on any of the above can be offered by calling: 966 265 089
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26 theWord Customer Support Staff Experienced customer services personnel required to join the Care Team at Iberswitch SL, Spain’s largest USC (Utility Switching Company) based in Cartagena. The successful candidate will be required to deal with customer enquiries and must be able to demonstrate enthusiasm, professionalism and a desire to help others. Other prerequisites include; polite telephone manner, computer literate and able to work within a team. Nonsmokers preferred. Please send your CV to: info@iberswitch.com
Self Employed Agents Promote our portfolio of services on a part or full-time basis. No experience is needed and we offer full training and excellent commission rates. Our services include: Satellite TV, Wifi Internet services, Mobile phone and PAYG mobile Internet services. This is an excellent opportunity for people wishing to add quality, great value services to their own service or, for people wishing to embark on a new career move with a future. For more information please call Susie on: 680 556 133
Telemarketing Staff Part-time and Full-time staff needed for a busy telemarketing office based at Los Alcazares. Obviously we are looking for people with a polite, articulate telephone manner as well as a genuine personality. These things are more important than experience as full training will be given. Please telephone 966 265 089 to find out more.
Experienced Plumber
THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS. YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS THIS! Sarah Sweeting, Soprano, and Eddie Muliaumaseal'i, Bass baritone, will perform an evening of music in aid of MABS Cancer Support Group on November 23rd, 8.00pm at the Salon Canor, Teulada. Tickets are €30 and include an excellent three course meal. The evening has been arranged and staged by Karina Woodford. Eddie (born in New Zealand) has sung for Opera NZ, Opera Australia, Tiroler Landestheater Innsbruck and the Darwin Festival. He has sung leading roles in such musicals as Showboat, Kiss me Kate, and The Full Monty, amongst others. In Opera he has starred in Porgy and Bess, Faust, Rigoletto, Carmen and
the Barber of Saville at various international venues. Sarah, born in England has enjoyed an extensive operatic career in the UK, Europe and Australia. She has performed with, Opera Australia, Opera South Australia, Opera Queensland, Covent Opera Garden Festival, Lyric Opera Dublin, Opera Holland Park, Holders Barbados Festival, and sang in the recent film, La Traviata, Opera on Sydney Harbour. The film is now doing the rounds of UK showcase cinemas. Name an opera and Sarah has sung a role in it, Turandot, Il Trovatore and Carmen, Cosi fan Tutte and the Magic Flute and many, many more. Sarah also enjoys a reputation
singing leading roles in musicals, Hello Dolly, and the Pirates of Penzance, as examples. Eddie and Sarah are planning a wide-ranging programme for the concert at the Canor. It will include, but not be limited to, music from The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, The Magic Flute, Showboat, Carmen, Porgy and Bess, My Fair Lady and Phantom of the Opera. It is going to be a magical evening! Seats will be sold on a first come, first served basis and are expected to sell really quickly. You can book now by calling Jacqui Phillips on 686 305 006 or Barbara Wilson on 96 558 4010.
PUZZLE ANSWERS
Self-employed plumber required to carry-out maintenance checks on domestic dwellings. This will involve irregular hours/days and you will need to be flexible. Please call David on 664 050 979 for further details.
KNOW YOUR VOCABULARY?
job spot
more answers on page35
1. A 2. B 3. C 4. C
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27
THE ICP SWITCH What it really means to you and what you should expect.
Roughly translated, ICP stands for “a way to generate more money from consumers”. More importantly, if we don’t get one, what happens? The ICP limits the amount of electricity you use at any moment and ensures you do not use more than the co n t ra c te d capacity. If your supply is 5.5 kilowatts for example, having an ICP stops you using more than this at the same time and the result if you do? Your power supply trips out – like it used to a few years ago when you boiled a kettle at the same time as using the microwave.
kilowatts and those with 5.5 kilowatts would be charged as if they had 20 kilowatts! Considering most new properties in Spain come standard with 5.5 kilowatts you can begin to see the bigger picture and why this is an excellent way to create addition income without actually providing an additional service.
A Royal Decree was passed in 2008 making it law for every household and business to have one, but what does it do?
Make no mistake, this law was introduced so that those who did not have one could be penalised by doubling the standing charges which in turn, would increase the electricity tax and IVA payable. And those who had one but the contracted supply was not strong enough, would upgrade their supply thus pushing up the standing charges. Making a “damned if you do – damned if you don’t” situation. It is customary to be notified by the grid company if you are on the list and normally, you would be given 30 days to do something about it. This custom seems to have fallen by the wayside and now, people are seeing the increase in “potencia” charges suddenly appear on their bills. Those with a supply of 3.3 kilowatts would see their charge increasing to 10
If your bills compared to last year seem to have doubled, it may be you are already being penalised for not having the ICP switch.
So, let’s look at the various scenarios: 1. You don’t have an ICP and you are not being penalised. In this case it would be prudent to have an ICP pre-installed by a qualified electrician and wait until you a) receive a letter ordering installation or b) notice a penalty on your bill. You can expect to pay anywhere between €60 – 90 for the installation depending if there is room in your fuse box or an additional box is needed to house the switch. Of course, you can wait until you are ordered to get one before you go to the expense but then time will be against you.
2. You have an ICP but it is not sealed (thin wire with a lead seal). Excellent news, it means someone has had the foresight to install one previously and it would be a simple case of requesting the grid company to inspect it and seal it to either avoid the penalty or, remove it from your bill if you are being penalised already. 3. You have an ICP, it is sealed but you are still being penalised. U n fo r t u n a t e l y, this happens all too often and means there is no record at the grid company of an inspection of the unit. It would mean requesting an urgent inspection to rectify the matter. Rebate of penalty payments? You know the answer to that one already. 4. Your ICP is connected, inspected and sealed but your supply keeps tripping. This will happen in a lot of cases because the average contracted supply is not sufficient to service the needs of people with pool pumps, water heaters and the other many items that the modern household now have and without the ICP, take for granted can be ran at the same time. The only way to overcome this issue is to increase the potencia. This will involve
contracting a qualified electrician to obtain a Boletin from the grid company. An inspection is made of your electrical installation to ensure the wiring is able to handle the
addition load. Once you have paid no small amount for this, your contracted supply will be charged at a higher rate reflecting the revised monthly standing charge.
Guidance & Assistance Help is at hand in the form of Iberswitch SL, whichever of these examples applies to you, they will advise and guide you through the minefield and if you wish, will take the responsibility of communicating with the electricity company out of your hands completely. For a minimal one-off charge of €20 (existing Iberswitch clients pay just €10) they will hold the necessary application for the inspection of the ICP unit and make the request at the appropriate time. This means, when you receive the notification to install or, when you notice the penalty being applied, it takes a simple telephone call to Iberswitch and they will take over. If you are worried you may already be paying too much on your electricity bill either because of the ICP or in general, give them a call and they will offer free advice how you can make reductions to your annual outgoings. Give Iberswitch a call on: 968 583 511
28 theWord
SUDOKU Sudoku solutions page 26
Sudoku
ANIMALS
Fill in the grids in such a way that every row and every column and every 3 x 3 box contains the number 1-9.
How’s your vocabulary?
Which is the correct meaning of each word? 1. Yaffle 2. Yagger A. Green Woodpecker A. Boyfriend of a WAG B. Rock Dove B. Scottish Pedlar C. Guillemot, in the Orkneys C. Stupid talk 3. Yakut A. Yogurt B. Japanese ganster C. Turkic langauage of Siberia
4. Yamen A. Last word of a mantra B. Philippino sweet potato C. Residence of a mandarin
Vocabulary solution page 26
T E A
Warm drink Friend
ALLIGATOR BARRACUDA BISON CHINCHILLA COUGAR DONKEY EAGLE FERRET Wordsearch solution page 35
GOAT JACKAL LEOPARD LLAMA MEADOWLARK MOOSE OTTER PARROT
PELICAN QUAIL REINDEER SLOTH SWORDFISH TURKEY WOLF
Signified Cry Over Blankets Illnesses Fibrous Tissues
The Word Pyramid
Each answer except the first uses all the letters - usually in a different order - from the previous answer plus one extra letter. We have started the pyramid for you. The Word Pyramid solution page 26
theWord 14
22
18 9
18
1
2
2
11
26
23
9
26
19
2 13
21 7
10
14
22
17
14
26
3
23
13
23
24
22
2
13 8
22
1 14
10
4
26
3
22
18
11
10
1
9
14
24
9
18
10
9
6
18
3
18
22
17 13
10
15
21
10
22 1
13
2
3
18
17
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
S
24
18
1
26
10 6
2 14
22
11
20
10
18
3
4
14
10
16
13
10 2
4
19
12
26
22
23
18 2
3
9
26
24
26
6
29
22
13
22
24
14
25
14
22
23
3
16
10
9
5
10
11
12
13
24
25
26
E 23 U
18 26
9
ANAGRAM:
Wet, rich bliss
25
(clue - one of our advertisers) Anagram solution page 35
Match the numbers in the grid to the correct letters in order to complete the crossword. We have got you started with your first word. Codeword solution page 26
Across
Down
1 - Photographic device 7 - Out of the ordinary 8 - Frozen water 9 - Body of running water 10 - Flightless birds 11 - Tilts (anag) 13 - Small booth 15 - Score less four 17 - Change 21 - Lies (anag) 22 - Laud 23 - Fishing tool 24 - Love song 25 - Electrical detector
1 - Crevices 2 - Breakfast cereal 3 - Increased 4 - Damaging 5 - Exalted 6 - Practice 12 - Cluttered 14 - Change colour of car 16 - Sent out 18 - Alters 19 - Sauce for fish 20 - Eg oxygen and nitrogen
Crossword solution page 35
30 theWord
GAS OR OIL CENTRAL HEATING? The answer may suprise you - neither! The burning question when considering central heating in Spain
More and more people are thinking twice about putting the heating on simply because of the excessive running costs. We have all experienced the shock of opening our winter fuel bills and wishing the warm weather they advertise in the brochures would come quicker. The problem is, houses in Spain are not really designed for the cold, damp weather that we experience for six months of the year. Heating using oil filled radiators is expensive and not really effective. How would you like to have a modern, efficient and effective central heating system that is also cheap to run? No, we are not talking about solar panels or wind turbines. German designed and manufactured slimline electric storage radiators are the answer. We don’t question the fact that technology in other areas; mobile phones, televisions and computers, has moved in massive leaps and bounds – we can certainly agree on that. So it stands to reason that night storage heater technology has done the same. But what makes them cheap to run? Simple, one reason is they are equipped with high density refractory accumulation bricks, allowing them to accumulate maximum energy at night and
effectively emit heat during the day. The second reason is to use half price electricity through the night using the dual tariff system.
Look at the figures:
Power consumption 2.7 kW, running cost 16.44 cents per hour ... compare that to a 3 kW electric heater on the standard kWh rate for 42.03 cents per hour. The saving is terrific. Advantages of a night storage central heating system; • Provides heating 24 hours a day – fully automated • Instant savings – using the night tariff reduces electricity by shifting consumption of washing machines, fridge f re e ze r s, dishwashers, water heaters, pool pumps, lighting, etc. to the cheaper night rate • Heaters are specially designed to adapt to the new Day & Night Energy tariff – low power consumption, high energy output • Easy installation, no building work required – cables are installed in existing conduit networks, no exposed cables. • Green – uses clean energy, heaters do not emit fumes • Aesthetically very advanced • Virtually no maintenance
WINTER FORECAST Warm and toasty Spanish houses are simply not built with winter in mind and in my finca, I am used to being hot in summer and cold in the winter. With that in mind I moved my family out and rented a modern built house with oil central heating not last winter but the one before. It was wonderful! It was like a blast from the past, only having to flick a switch to make the house lovely and warm – opening the windows when it got too warm. Nice. Then I received the quarterly bill of €700 and nearly fell through the floor. It beat previous years when we had used the oil filled electric radiators to beat the cold and damp, but it was still a shock. So much so it made me take a really good look at what was on offer, after all, it may be a long hot summer in Spain but cooler weather is with us for six months of the year and not the three months the brochures would have us believe. Spain – over 300 days of sunshine...... It’s not sunny through the night though, its blooming freezing. No-one was more surprised than me when I realised the best, cleanest and cheapest system was something I had in England 30 years ago... night storage radiators. There are two main reasons for this, the first is, storage radiators are no longer massive, cumbersome lumps of metal and brick, they are slim, sleek and attractive. The second reason makes the most sense; the dual tariff electricity tariff offers half price electricity for 14 hours a day. So, heating 24 hours a day and electricity at half price, wonderful.
We make sure our washing machine, dish washer and pool pump are used during the off-peak times too so it is not just our heating costs that have reduced. My only question is why had I not thought about this sooner? Iberdrola offer the dual tariff system for which you will need a new digital meter. However, according to their website, the kilowatt rates are higher than they would be if you changed supplier to a free market company. I changed using utility s w i tc h i n g co m p a ny Iberswitch and my kilowatt rate has been shaved by more than 2 cents per kilowatt during the most important times. All in all, I have done everything I can to ensure my money goes further. Of course, we had to pay to have the storage heaters installed in the first place but I calculate it should only take two winters and I will be in profit, and we all know how quickly time passes by. Tony Sparks (appropriate name) installed our system, we found him to be very reasonable and exceptionally conscientious. He researched the radiators and sourced them from a supplier in Spain that impor ts them from Germany – no surprise there. I recommend to everyone I speak with to visit his website, he has lots of information and many comments from the general public. Just put Tony Sparks electricity into Google and you will find him.
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KEEP CALM & WARM WINTER 2012/2013
The standard package for the forthcoming 2012/2013 winter period consists of 3 x Gabarron radiators including the control box and all the associated wiring. Total power consumption is just 2,700 Watts.
Installation guide price â‚Ź1,699 We offer a free survey, so any adjustment to the price for additional or less radiators can be quoted after we have visited the property.
Call for more details or to arrange a home survey: 966 265 089
Call for your free central heating survey
32 theWord continued from page 8
communication. In an attempt to
infer tone of voice, some people use emoticons, but use them sparingly so that you don’t appear unprofessional. Also, don’t assume that using a smiley will diffuse a difficult message. Use a signature that includes contact information. To ensure
that people know who you are, include your mailing address, Web site, and phone numbers. Use these suggestions as a starting point to create email etiquette rules that will help you stay efficient and professional and, ensure your outgoing messages are replied to.
We are looking for writers If you feel you would have something to contribute and would like to see your by line in The Word. Please get in touch with us at: editor@theword.es.
FOR SALE Year: 2001, Price: EUR 4,000 Tax Paid Located in Costa Blanca, Spain Hull Material: Fiberglass, Engine/Fuel Type: Single Gas This fisher has her own trailer especially modelled for easy launching and towing. Her hardwood was re-varnished in October 2011. She has an auxiliary engine - Suzuki DF 2.5 HP with just 4 hours running Contact Boats & Barcos Mediterráneos SL Please contact Lynn on 966 444 111
WOOHOO!
PAYG INTERNET DONGLES We are giving away PAYG Internet Dongles credited with 150MB to the first 5 lucky people picked out of a hat. The USB dongle can be plugged into any PC or laptop and will give you broadband. Once you have used the credit you can top-up just as you would with a pay-as-you-go mobile.
All you have to do is answer one simple question: What does MB stand for? A Multi-broadcast B Megga-band C Megabyte Tick the box you think is the right answer and complete the boxes below.
Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss
Name
Email address Telephone
Mobile
Postal address
Pop into an envelope and post to: Apartado de Correos 516, 30366, El Algar, Cartagena, Murcia.
WIN! The lucky winners will receive their Dongle in the post and their names will appear in the next edition of The Word.
Good Luck!
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33
NEW RESEARCH SHOWS POTENTIAL DEMENTIA RISK
Common anti-anxiety drugs may increase risk in over 65s New research of effects of using Benzodiazepines
both the benefits and the potential drawbacks of drugs in different groups of people, which can have real implications for clinical practice. With 820,000 people living with dementia in the UK and those numbers increasing, it is important that we continue to invest in research to understand the risk factors of dementia.”
Symptoms Dementia often develops slowly and is not always obvious in the early stages. Symptoms similar to dementia can be seen in other illnesses. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell apart dementia from the usual mild forgetfulness seen in normal ageing. Common anti-anxiety drugs may increase dementia risk in over 65s. New research suggests that a class of drug called benzodiazepines, commonly used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders, may increase the risk of dementia in people over the age of 65. The study of 1063 people was published online on 27 September in the British Medical Journal. The study was carried out by a research team in France who followed up 1063 men and women over the age of 65 for 20 years. At the start of the study, none of the participants had dementia or were taking benzodiazepines. During the follow-up period, 95 participants started using benzodiazepines and 253 of the volunteers
developed dementia. Benzodiazepines are a class of drug recommended for short-term use to treat anxiety and sleep disorders. While they should only be used for a short time period, people can remain on the drugs for longer than a few weeks. Benzodiazepines can also be prescribed to people with dementia, as anxiety, depression and sleep problems can be common symptoms. The research showed that 32% of benzodiazepine users developed dementia during the follow-up period, compared to only 23% of the non-user group. Even after the data was adjusted for potential confounding factors such as age, sex and education, the risk of dementia in those who started benzodiazepines during the study was significantly higher than
those who did not. Dr Eric Karran, Director of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “Long-term population studies are invaluable for helping us to understand how our environment and life-events may influence our risk of dementia, but it can be incredibly difficult to tease out the real cause behind these associations. It could be the underlying conditions that drive someone to need benzodiazepines, rather than the drugs themselves, that are the important risk factors in this case. “While more research is needed to understand why benzodiazepines may be associated with an increased risk of dementia, the study does highlight the importance of careful drug prescription. Research is vital for helping to assess
You should see your GP if you or your family and friends are worried about any changes in: Memory General mental functioning Ability to carry out daily tasks Personality Your GP will be able to either reassure you or, if necessary, refer you to a specialist. Diagnosing dementia early is important to allow you to get the right help and treatments and to plan for the future. Everyone with dementia will experience symptoms
in their own way.
Alzheimer’s
Named after Dr Alois Alzheimer, who observed the disease in 1901, Alzheimer’s disease affects about 500,000 people in the UK, and an estimated 35 million worldwide.
Typical symptoms of early Alzheimer’s include: Regularly forgetting recent events, names and faces. Regularly misplacing items or putting them in odd places. Confusion about the time of day. Disorientation, especially away from your normal surroundings. Getting lost. Problems finding the right words. Reduced judgement, for example, being unaware of danger. Mood or behaviour problems such as apathy, irritability, or losing confidence.
Prevention
Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia are complex. It’s becoming clear that they don’t have a single cause. It is likely that a mixture of our age, genes, environment and lifestyle contribute to whether we develop dementia. The risk of developing most dementias increases with age. That means as we get older, we are more likely to develop dementia. continued on page 35
34 theWord
JUST FOR LAUGHS
TOP 50 JOKES OF ALL TIME
Survey reveals top 50 jokes of all time. Researchers examined more than 1,000 jokes before whittling them down to a final 50 and getting 36,000 people to vote for their favourites. 1. A woman gets on a bus with her baby. The bus driver says: ‘’Ugh, that’s the ugliest baby I’ve ever seen!’’The woman walks to the rear of the bus and sits down, fuming. She says to a man next to her: ‘’The driver just insulted me!’’The man says: ‘’You go up there and tell him off. Go on, I’ll hold your monkey for you.’’
so she goes to a gun shop and buys a handgun. The next day she comes home to find her husband in bed with a beautiful redhead. She grabs the gun and holds it to her own head. The husband jumps out of bed, begging and pleading with her not to shoot herself. Hysterically the blonde responds to the husband, ‘’Shut up...you’re next!’’
2. ‘’I went to the zoo the other day, there was only one dog in it. It was a shitzu.’’
5. ‘’I said to the Gym instructor “Can you teach me to do the splits?’’ He said, ‘’How flexible are you?’’ I said, ‘’I can’t make Tuesdays’’.
3. ‘’Dyslexic man walks into a bra’’ 4. A young blonde woman is distraught because she fears her husband is having an affair,
6. Police arrested two kids yesterday, one was drinking battery acid, and the other was eating fireworks. They charged one - and let the other one off. 7. Two aerials meet on a roof fall in love - get married. The ceremony was rubbish - but the reception was brilliant. 8. Doc, I can’t stop singing the ‘Green Green Grass of
Home’. He said: ‘That sounds like Tom Jones syndrome’. ‘Is it common? ‘It’s not unusual’ he replied. 9. I’m on a whiskey diet. I’ve lost three days already. 10. A man walks into a bar with a roll of tarmac under his arm and says: ‘’Pint please, and one for the road.’’ 11. I went to the doctors the other day and I said, ‘Have you got anything for wind?’ So he gave me a kite. 12. My mother-in-law fell down a wishing well, I was amazed, I never knew they worked. 13. I saw this bloke chatting up a cheetah; I thought, ‘’He’s trying to pull a fast one’’. 14. A woman has twins, and gives them up for adoption. One of them goes to a family in Egypt and is named ‘Amal.’The other goes to a family in Spain, they name him Juan’. Years later; Juan sends a picture of himself to his mum. Upon receiving the picture, she tells her husband that she wished she also had a picture of Amal. Her husband responds, ‘’But they are twins. If you’ve seen Juan, you’ve seen Amal.’’ 15. There’s two fish in a tank, and one says ‘’How do you drive this thing?’’ 16. I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but I couldn’t find any. 17. When Susan’s boyfriend proposed marriage to her she said: ‘’I love the simple things in life, but I don’t want one of them for my husband’’. 18. ‘’My therapist says I have a preoccupation with vengeance. We’ll see about that.’’ 19. I rang British Telecom, I said, ‘’I want to report a nuisance caller’’, he said ‘’Not you again’’.
but don’t start anything’’ 22. Slept like a log last night........ Woke up in the fireplace.
make a complaint, this vinegar’s got lumps in it’’, he said, “Those are pickled onions’’.
23. A priest, a rabbi and a vicar walk into a bar. The barman says, ‘’Is this some kind of joke?’’
36. I backed a horse last week at ten to one. It came in at quarter past four.
24. A sandwich walks into a bar. The barman says ‘’Sorry we don’t serve food in here’’
37. I just came back from a holiday of a lifetime. I tell you what, never again.
25. The other day I sent my girlfriend a huge pile of snow. I rang her and said ‘’Did you get my drift?’’.
38. A lorry-load of tortoises crashed into a trainload of terrapins, what a turtle disaster
26. I cleaned the attic with the wife the other day. Now I can’t get the cobwebs out of her hair. 27. Went to the paper shop - it had blown away. 28. A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel and were standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories. After about an hour, the manager came out of the office and asked them to disperse. ‘’But why?’’ they asked, as they moved off. ‘‘Because,’’ he said ‘’I can’t stand chess nuts boasting in an open foyer.’’ 29. I was in Tesco’s and I saw this man and woman wrapped in a barcode. I said, ‘’Are you two an item?’’ 30. I’m in great mood tonight because the other day I entered a competition and I won a year’s supply of Marmite......... one jar. 31. So I went to the Chinese restaurant and this duck came up to me with a red rose and says ‘’Your eyes sparkle like diamonds’’. I said, ‘’Waiter, I asked for a-ROMATIC duck’’. 32. Four fonts walk into a bar the barman says ‘’get out! We don’t want your type in here’’ 33. I was having dinner with Garry Kasporov and there was a check tablecloth. It took him two hours to pass me the salt.
20. I met a Dutch girl with inflatable shoes last week, phoned her up to arrange a date but unfortunately she’d popped her clogs.
34. There was a man who entered a local paper’s pun contest. He sent in ten different puns, in the hope that at least one of the puns would win. Unfortunately, no pun in ten did.
21. A jump-lead walks into a bar. The barman says ‘’I’ll serve you,
35. I went down the local supermarket, I said, ‘’I want to
39. My phone will ring at 2 in the morning, and my wife will look at me and say, ‘’Who’s that calling at this time?’‘’I don’t know! If I knew that we wouldn’t need the bloody phone!’’ 40. I said to this train driver ‘’I want to go to Paris”. He said ‘’Eurostar?’’ I said, ‘’I’ve been on telly but I’m no Dean Martin’’. 41. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly. But when they lit a fire in the craft, it sank, proving once and for all that you can’t have your kayak and heat it. 42. I’ve got a friend who’s fallen in love with two school bags, he’s bisatchel. 43. My next-door neighbour worships exhaust pipes, he’s a catholic converter. 44. A three-legged dog walks into a saloon in the Old West. He slides up to the bar and announces: ‘’I’m looking for the man who shot my paw.’’ 45. I tried water polo but my horse drowned. 46. I’ll tell you what I love doing more than anything: trying to pack myself in a small suitcase. I can hardly contain myself. 47. I met this gangster who pulls up the back of people’s pants, it was Wedgie Kray. 48. Went to the corner shop bought 4 corners. 49. A seal walks into a club... 50. I went to the Doctors the other day, and he said, ‘Go to Bournemouth, it’s great for flu’. So I went - and I got it.
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About one in 20 people over the age of 60 have dementia, but this rises to about one in five people over the age of 80. Dementia is not a normal part of getting older or an acceleration of ageing. Dementia is caused by different diseases – most commonly by Alzheimer’s. We can’t change our age and there is currently no way we can completely prevent dementia, but research suggests there may be some simple things we can all do that might help lower our risk. A risk factor is anything that can increase your chance of developing dementia. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease (like heart disease and stroke) are also risk factors for all types of dementia. So it’s a good idea to keep healthy by:
• exercising regularly • not smoking • a c h i e v i n g and maintaining a healthy weight • controlling high blood pressure • r e d u c i n g your cholesterol level • controlling your blood glucose if you have diabetes • eating a healthy, balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables and low amounts of saturated fat. Some studies suggest that enjoying an active life, with lots of interests and hobbies might be beneficial. Other researchers have found that spending more time in education is associated with a lower risk. It’s not yet known whether eating oily fish or taking B vitamins can reduce the risk of
dementia as studies so far have had mixed results. It is not advised to take NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen) or HRT (hormone replacement therapy) to protect against dementia, as research is continuing in this area. You should talk to your doctor before taking any supplements or drugs that claim to prevent dementia, as most are unproven and they can have serious side effects. You might read or hear about other risk factors for dementia. Despite occasional publicity, research has shown that meat, aluminium or living close to power lines are not risk factors for dementia. There is also no evidence that turmeric, gingko, ginseng, statins or coffee can protect against dementia.
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36 theWord
BEETROOT JUICE
Beneficial superfood, healthy and tasty The health benefits of beetroot juice aren`t well known, but they are profound. Beet juice is best known as a blood purifier and blood builder that help in the creation of red blood cells. Russian longevity researcher, Mikhail Tombak, Ph.D., tells us that beet juice improves blood structure and cures diseases of the circulatory system, large intestine, and digestive system. Tombak also shares that beet juice dissolves stones in the liver, kidneys and bladder. Not bad for a common item found in most grocery stores. Researchers have found that a glass of beet juice each day beats high blood pressure - and according to the American Heart Association, one in three adults has high blood pressure. In the 1950`s, Dr. Ferenczi of Hungary had his cancer patients drink a quart of beet juice each day, which was effectively breaking down and eliminating tumors. Beets have been found to increase the body`s production of glutathione, which helps the body detoxify cancer-causing poisons. Sherry Rogers, M.D. tells us that glutathione can grab onto hundreds of different kinds of environmental chemicals and pull them into the colon where they can be flushed down the toilet. However, if you`re depleted in glutathione this process won`t work for you. And that means many environmental chemicals will remain inside your body, causing what they so often cause: cancer and other health problems. In studies, animals with
chemically-induced high cholesterol were fed beet fiber. Compared to the control group, the beet fed animals experienced a total cholesterol drop of 30%, while their triglycerides dropped 40%. Essentially, the beets significantly dropped the animals` risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The animals` HDL (beneficial cholesterol) also increased significantly, offering protective benefits. Beets have also been found to increase the number of CD8 cells in the colon, which are cancer-
Getting the Benefits of Beet Juice
and it may help reverse many problems. For taste, beetroot juice can be mixed with carrot juice or apple juice. If you`re into cleansing, you can also get the benefits of beet juice by adding a cup to a two quart cooled coffee enema. Coffee enemas are traditionally done to cleanse the liver, and by adding fresh beet juice, you`ll compound their effectiveness. The effects of doing coffee and beet juice enemas repeatedly are profound and for more for your buck, add in the juice of a couple of cloves of fresh garlic as well.
Detox Carrot, Beetroot, Green Tea and Ginger Smoothie
Ingredients 1 carrot, peeled, sliced 1 beetroot, peeled, sliced 1/2 cup red grapes 1 clementine, peeled slice of ginger, peeled, about the size of a quarter 1/2 cup green tea
Directions Steam carrot and beet until just tender, about 10-15 minutes, depending on how thick your slices are. Let cool. Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.
destroying cells. Colon cancer is the third most diagnosed type of cancer in the U.S. and the third leading type of cancer related death. Sounds like quite a few people could benefit from drinking some more beetroot juice.
Drinking the fresh juice of a beet or two each day is a wonderful preventative health measure,
BEETS HAVE MANY BENEFITS TO THE BODY
It is claimed they have the ability to: • clean and build the blood • lower blood pressure • improve circulation • calm the nerves • improve the health of liver, kidneys, & bladder • clean the intestines • fight cancer • improve menstrual problems • cure anemia
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TRY THESE.... One Pan Roast Lunch of Chicken, Beetroot, Potatoes & Carrots
500g new potatoes, cut into wedges 250g pack cooked beetroot, cut into half 250g Chantenay carrots, or 250g large carrots peeled & cut into 2cm chunks 1 onion, cut into large dice 3 cloves garlic, cut into fine slices 2-3 sprigs for thyme 175ml white wine 4tbsp extra virgin olive oil 4 chicken legs salt & freshly ground black pepper Serves 4 Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 40 mins
What to do: 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas 6 2. In a large roasting tin, mix the potatoes, beetroot, carrots, onion and garlic. 3. Drizzle over the olive oil and pour over the wine, and tuck the thyme in between the vegetables. Season well with salt & pepper. 4. Season the chicken legs all over with salt and pepper and lay them on top of the vegetables. Cover loosely with foil and bake in the oven for 15 minutes. 5. Remove the foil from the tin and return to the oven. Bake for a further 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is golden and crisp and the vegetable are cooked through.
Our Ultimate Beetroot & Chocolate Cake
“There is no sincer er than the love of fo love od.” George B ernard Sh aw
250g plain cooked (vacuum packed) beetroot, drained & pureed 200g quality dark chocolate (70% cocoa) 200g plain flour 200g unsalted butter, melted 100g dark brown sugar 100g caster sugar 3 large eggs 2tbsp cocoa powder 2tsp baking powder 1tsp vanilla extract Icing sugar for dusting
What to do: 1. Pre heat the oven to 180˚C/Gas Mark 4. Grease and line a 23cm loose bottomed cake tin. 2. Break the chocolate into pieces and put in a food processor. Blitz until crumbed but not totally powdered - some larger pieces will give the cake a great texture. 3. Add the beetroot and blend together. Then add the remaining ingredients to the processor and whizz until well mixed. Pour into the prepared cake tin and lightly level out the surface. 4. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. The surface of the cake may have cracked a little. Allow the cake to cool for a few minutes in the tin before removing to a cooling rack. 5. Dust lightly with icing sugar and serve in wedges. For dessert, this cake is great with a little crème fraiche on the side. Serves 8, makes 1 generous cake Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 50 mins
37
38 theWord NOVEMBER FAMOUS SCORPIOS
Cat Deeley 23 October
Alexa Chung, 5 November
Gordon Ramsay
HOROSCOPES Aries
Leo
Sagittarius
21st March - 19th April A developing interest in a fellow worker could cause you some headaches on several levels unless you are able to cool it. Office romances seldom follow a smooth path and if it is serious, one or the other should consider a change of employment, if possible. In health matters, follow the advice of your physician, regardless of the seeming inconvenience.
23rd July - 22nd August When planning a trip, be sure to make important reservations well ahead of time, confirming them with a deposit if necessary. Steer clear of office malingerers and backbiters, as you may be lumped with them when it comes time to separate the sheep from the goats. Exercise your will power when it comes to making major purchases of luxury items. If there is no need, there will be little pleasure.
22nd November - 21st December Set your mind to the task and you will find it not nearly as difficult as you thought at first. In dealing with an old flame who no longer ignites you, try to be both gentle and truthful. Operating within your own framework will prove to be much more profitable to you than striking out for unknown fields. Begin a savings plan now, however modest.
Taurus
Virgo
Capricorn
20th April - 20th May Your vacation plans could be spoiled by carelessness involving planning procedures. Pay special attention to such matters as vehicle safety and reliability. Seek to avoid arguments concerning financial matters, particularly with persons who have no direct interest. Romance could take a side-trip along interesting avenues, but caution should be used when a situation involves someone previously committed.
23rd August - 22nd September Precaution is advised when dealing with one whose vision is limited by jealousy. Anything you say can — and probably will — be used against you if things come to a showdown. Romantic plans could go awry if you are unable to overcome a tendency to flirt indiscriminately. Make the most of your talents and let other know of your abilities. Avoid overindulgence in eating or drinking.
22nd December - 19th January Your latent creative talents have lain hidden long enough. Now is the time to trot them out and run them up the flagpole. If no one salutes, you won’t have lost anything, but if they do, you could be in for some surprising changes in your lifestyle. An excellent chance for matrimony awaits many unmarried Capricorns and — perhaps — for some who are.
Gemini
Libra
Aquarius
21st May - 20th June An old love affair, kept on the back burner for a lengthy period, could either flame up suddenly or die quietly, depending on your reaction to a touchy situation. Individual cases may vary, but the latter course could prove the wisest in the long run for many. Avoid unnecessary arguments with colleagues over credit for minor accomplishments.
24th September - 22nd October This could be your lucky month, if you take advantage of the opportunities that may come your way. Make sure that you clear up any old debts that might be hanging and don’t neglect an important letter that needs writing. A new love partner could enter your life now, but you may not be able to notice him or her because of being too tied up with inconsequential matters.
20th January - 19th February A trip to another city or climate could open things up for you and prove to be much more interesting than you had imagined. Stop mistreating your body, particularly with excesses of food and drink, and your general health will improve dramatically. If you are in the mood for romance, don’t stand on ceremony and let the object of your affections know how you feel. Career problems may improve suddenly.
Cancer
Scorpio
Pisces
21st June - 22nd July An ability to say the right thing at the right time is to be treasured — but sometimes, it is better to say nothing at all. An urgent appeal for financial help should be handled carefully, but a minor amount of money might prove less expensive than injured feelings. Excitement in romance could be intoxicating, but make sure you view the entire picture before saying yes.
23rd October - 21st November Get back to nature. Find your pleasures in simpler things and don’t be too tied to modern conveniences and frivolities. Expect a certain amount of trouble resulting from an overindulgent appetite. You could avoid some of the problems, however, if you rely on the advice of an old friend. Career matters could improve and you may be in line for a promotion or increase in income if you move fast.
19th February - 20th March A new business partnership could enhance your earnings if you choose one who is industrious and talented. Do not become involved with those who merely talk a good game, however. In romantic activity, keep things light and don’t commit yourself too early in the game. Parental concerns could be paramount to you, but may become less of a problem if you are frank.
8 November
Wayne Rooney 24 October
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EVA’S GARDENING CORNER
There’s nothing better than home grown vegetables
Spain’s climate lends itself perfectly to cultivating and harvesting a wide range of vegetables irrespective of the availability of land or space. You have to decide when embarking on growing vegetables in Spain where, when and how you intend
to make the most of your vegetable gardening time and effort. You can either decide to cultivate a wide range of vegetables i.e. those that would normally feed your family or you can decide to cultivate a few more specific vegetables.
Once you have decided where to cultivate your vegetables there are a few simple rules that you need to consider in order to optimise the best use of the temperate Spanish climate. 1. It is essential to correctly prepare your soil with the addition of compost and natural manure. 2. Choose vegetables that you enjoy eating rather than those you are not familiar with. 3. Your first attempts should be made during the cooler seasons as opposed to the warm summer period. 4. Rather than attempting to grow from seed, your initial endeavours should be carried out with seedlings which are widely available in most Spanish garden centres and stores. 5. Manage your expectations properly and do not
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attempt to grow overly large specimens. Try to grow normally sized crops that are packed with nutrients and flavour. 6. Choose the correct tools for the job. Many of the tools that you would normally use in UK gardens will prove in-effective in the hard dry Spanish soils.
7. There is a tendency to overwater in such a warm climate. Ensure your soil is constantly damp rather than flooded. This will avoid cultivation of water filled, nutrient and flavour poor crops. The following
vegetables should be sown from seed during winter: leeks, onions, broad beans, Swiss chard, peas & garlic.
Finally and most importantly growing your own vegetables can be a very satisfying experience, especially when you first sit down at the table and enjoy a meal that includes the ‘fruits’ of your labour.