SPRING CLEAN YOUR BUDGET pg 27
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They’re at it again!
DUAL TARIFF ELECTRICITY
Savings of
around 25% See pg 23
We’re all in the same boat Stress! pg 36
Worried about the impending switchoff and how you will be affected? Register online to reconnect on pg 20
Those of us who have been trying to reduce the amount of electricity we use over the past couple of years in a bid to get smaller electricity bills, may well have shot ourselves in the foot. On our electricity bill there is something known as “potencia” or “contracted power”, this is part of your standing charges and defines the “strength” of electricity you have coming into your property and most of the 17 million houses in Spain have between three and ten kilowatts of potencia. The latest “initiative” will affect everyone who uses more than ten percent of their
average usage consumption in the form of – you guessed it, financial penalties. This time, the penalties amount to between one and eight percent.
Lottery of charges
This is the introduction of the brand new electricity tax which we reported two months ago as being rumoured within the industry. We had hoped there would be no truth in the rumour but perhaps this was a little naive. Before this latest announcement, we could always “best guess” what our bill is likely to be whether a
summer or a winter bill. With the penalty system, we are going to have to wait and find out if we have been charged the extra and if so, by how much. This latest move will hit those of us on a fixed income the most. We all know the country is in a terrible state and more taxes will be needed to lift us out of the depression but it doesn't make things easier when we have to find the extra money - from somewhere.
Crossing the poverty line
There is only so much that pensioners, those on a fixed income, the unemployed and
people with families can do in order to rob Pedro to pay Pepe. I have spoken with people who have made radical lifestyle changes to facilitate the higher living expense charges imposed on them over the last couple of years and many of them are at the point, where there is nothing more that can be done, short of missing meals altogether. Personally, I would prefer it if the government were a little more transparent. Rather than saying their “initiatives” are to encourage us to use less electricity and petrol and therefore reduce our carbon continued on page 2
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The Word Avda 13 Octubre 87, Los Alcazares, Murcia. Deposito Legal MU 903-2012 Newsdesk editor@theword.es
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Editor’s comments
Dear Readers Firstly, many thanks to all those who have sent messages of congratulations and support for our new newspaper. It seems the format we are using for The Word means our newspaper is, as we had hoped, a welcomed addition to the other English language newspapers already available in the area. We hope that by simply placing a couple of staples in the paper means more copies
will be passed to people who have not been able to get a copy and who would otherwise not be able to see the articles which we feel are relevant and topical to many of us. That said, there is always the online copy. Just go to our website and click on “Online Copy” you can also see backcopies if you missed one. We need to hear from shops and bars who would like to be added to our distribution list so
we can be sure we are where we need to be in order to get sufficient coverage. We plan to raise the bar in the coming months, to add some remarkable reader offers and for advertisers, we plan to do our bit to get the economy back to somewhere closer to where it was. We can only achieve this if advertisers work with us; we will give unbeatable rates to help them advertise their services and products but,
they have to ask us first. 2013 is going to be a very special and exciting year and we feel honoured to be supporting our fellow expats, bringing news, information and entertainment to you at this time.,
The Editor
They’re at it again, continued from page 1
footprint, burn less fossil fuels and save the environment, I would feel less bitter if they told it as it was and said, “actually, we know full well you are not going to use less electricity but we need the extra money to help run the health system, keep the schools going and subsidise the unemployed.” I could live with that.
History repeated
I cannot help but wonder if this latest method of squeezing a little more from us is a new thing or something that was planned a long time ago. It also makes me wonder what is going to be next. In the last four years alone we have seen several penalty systems introduced to electricity consumers: thirty percent penalty for commercial customers for not joining the free market, doubling of standing charges for not having an inspected ICP switch and the latest one which was as a result of the government unlawfully freezing prices last October.
During the last year or so, we have been hearing rumours of a new “electricity tax” to be introduced onto the bill. Of course, it may well never happen, there is no shortage of rumours or speculation but it would tip the scale for many businesses already running close to the edge it turned out to be true.
Strength in numbers The only thing we all know for sure is, things are going to get a lot worse before they get better and knowing this, on some level, makes it easier to deal with. It is the unexpected which shocks us, catches us off-balance and upsets us the most. Knowing we are all in the same boat also affords us some comfort, and we truly are all in the same boat - so long as it doesn’t turn out to be The Titanic!
ICP Fitting Service Fitting an ICP is law in Spain Protect yourself from penalties Fitting from €70 plus iva
Call for details: 902 027 517
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is your house leaking electricity? 20% Of Properties Suffer From Leakage that covers the wires) which can expose the core of the wire to the elements. If this exposed “live” wire is allowed to touch an earthing wire (or any ground, such as metal water piping or wet earth), a short will be made that can allow an uncontrolled and continued release of electricity to flow into the ground. This results in wasted electricity and often, a very high electricity bill. A RCD (trip switch) is installed in most properties to avoid the dangers of leaking electricity, but many of these divides do not function correctly.
High Electricity Bills
It has been estimated by major electricity generating companies in Spain that more than 20% of properties suffer from electricity leakage. A poor electrical installation can cause electricity to simply “bleed” away. An indication that you are suffering from this issue is if your electricity usage has increased significantly in the last few years.
Technical Information
In some cases, a short circuit can be made to the earthing system. This situation is created when a “live” wire (one which carries the electric current) connects to an earthing wire. This is often caused by faulty, old or decaying insulation (material
To eliminate this cause as a reason for spiralling electricity bills, a simple, relatively inexpensive test can be carried-out using a specialist piece of testing equipment called an Earth Leakage Device. This tool allows the test to be carried out without needing to disconnect the supply. The cost of the Earth Leakage Test is €30 and will give you peace of mind that
your electrical installation is intact and functioning properly or, will highlight an issue which when resolved, will save you money. (Existing Iberswitch customers pay €20) If you feel you are included in the estimated 20% you can have this test carried out by our team, call Iberswitch SL Spain’s largest USC (Utility Switching Company) and they can arrange for one of their team of highly qualified electricians to visit your home. Within minutes they can tell you if your house has electricity wastage. It is fairly rare for a property to have no leakage whatsoever, and in some extreme cases can be attributed to very high electricity bills. Many Iberswitch customers have already benefited in safety and monetary terms. Give Iberswitch a call today on 902 027 517 to arrange an Earth Leakage Test, as with most things, if a problem exists, it is always better to know.
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WIN!
WOOHOO!
free
advertising Apply within In each edition of The Word we are offering three adverts completely 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
We are looking for writers/contributors 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. Sorry there is no remuneration at present.
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Power don’t shoot the production costs continue messenger to increase More bad news for consumers Far from backing down from its fight with power companies, the government is tightening its hold by raising taxes on power generation by 6-7% and reducing the price of natural gas used for industrial purposes. Power bills should go up at least 17% for industrial companies and
6% for residences. The hikes will attempt to raise €200 million in order to trim down the 24-billion tariff deficit. The tariff deficit is created because the charges relating to the costs of electrical production are insufficient to cover the revenue. The Spanish Association of the Electricity
Industry (Unesa) warns that in 2012 and 2013 could generate another 6,500 million electricity debt. The struggle between industry and government has reached an alarming level, because power will become more expensive to produce and use.
san fulgencio: increaseD payments to councillors and advisers
As reported in the Spanish press the Mayor of San Fulgencio appears to be ignoring the austerity measures placed on all local councils as decreed by Spain’s Prime Minister. The official bulletin for the Alicante Province On 4th December shows that Mayor Carlos Ramirez has approved pay rises for the councillor responsible for Fiestas, Health and Social Services. Councillor Conception Castell Espinosa is being paid €2,100 per month, and will also receive two extra months pay each year as a bonus! Mayor Ramirez approved the pay increase to this councillor on 15th May 2012, however, in what is seen as a deliberate
attempt to conceal the wages increase, he did not release the information for publication in the official BOP bulletin of the province until 4th December. The annual payroll for San Fulgencio councillors and their personal assistants is now more than €500,000! Also revealed last week is an annual payment of €9,480 being paid from the public coffers to a newspaper editor for his journalistic work for the press office of San Fulgencio council which is reputed to be pure propaganda reporting for the PP Mayor in a national Spanish newspaper. Another regular payment of €2,323 each month is the fee paid to a company that provides
a doorman for the outdoor sports facility in La Marina urbanization. The employee recruited to be the doorman was a member of the local election committee of the PP party and, coincidentally, voted in favour of Carlos Ramírez as candidate for Mayor just before last year’s elections. There are continuing tensions within the San Fulgencio local government team headed by Mayor Ramirez following the resignation of María Asunción Prieto. She is deemed to have had insurmountable differences with the PP Mayor. This article is from The APSFU and PSOE Shadow Councillors In San Fulgencio.
Government back-charges do not represent profit for your current electricity company Last October, the government announced a freeze in electricity prices. This was a move to get the“popular vote”in the December general elections. It didn’t work. In the meantime, the electricity industry started legal action against the government and on 23rd March this year, won. For consumers this meant a whole six month period (1st October 2011 to 31st March 2012) of bills would need to
be recalculated and “catch-up” bills paid. We are now seeing an additional charge appear on our bills which represents what should have been paid but were not. Economista Newspaper foresaw this issue and warned consumers to brace themselves. If you are not with Iberdrola and you notice this charge on your current bills, it is a charge being made by and not for your current supplier. And don’t think it is limited to a certain few, this charge is for every single house and business in Spain.
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*Small Print: 18 month contract - €69 installation Charge
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Electricity prices continue to rise
The year starts with a 3% increase
Electricity bills are set to increase by an average three percent beginning January 1st 2013. To many, this will be a relief as last January, normally the time when the highest price increases are applied, we saw a 9.9% increase. Many were anticipating a similar increment this January. The increase is expected after power companies, which took part in a bidding procedure under the so-called TUR (Rate of Last Resort) system, offered higher rates for megawatts of power in December. At the same time, consumers who have contracted between three and ten kilowatts of usage with utility companies (known as potencia), with exception to those on a government hardship plan, and who use more than 10 percent of their average consumption could also see extra charges on their bills of between one and eight percent.
Residencial Alhambras
Mosa Trajectum A 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, ground floor luxury apartment. Overlooking one of the communal pools, the total build area of this property is 77.59M2. In addition there is a porch of 20.1M2, accessible via French windows from the lounge. This property is brought to the market furnished to a high standard and includes golf rights. Spacious Lounge. 2 x patio doors to rear terrace. Double storage cupboards. TV & telephone points. Open plan to kitchen. Kitchen Fully fitted eye & base level units. Electric oven & ceramic hob. Extractor fan. Fridge/freezer. Integral dishwasher & microwave. Breakfast bar. Door to utility room containing washing machine, scrub sink & gas boiler. Natural gas. Bedroom 1 Fitted double wardrobe. TV point. En-suite with corner Jacuzzi bath with shower over. Basin with built in cupboard under. Mirror. W.C. Bidet. Bedroom 2 Fitted double wardrobe. TV point. Bathroom Corner shower cubicle. Basin. Mirror. W.C. Bidet. In addition there is ducted air conditioning throughout the property, electric persianas on all windows, alarm system & video entry phone. An underground parking space and a trastero are included. There is a large rear patio which is fully tiled and includes a porch area. South east facing this is a high quality property with luxury fittings throughout.
Reduced to €150,000. Call: 664 050 979
Power rates to more than 17 million households and small businesses are based on the government’s TUR (Rate of Last Resort) system. Rates are charged under a different scheme for large companies, industries and some other sectors. Recent bidding closed with the companies offering an average price of €54.18 per megawatt hour. In July 2009 the previous Socialist government introduced the TUR system to help keep power rates down by freezing prices. But the Supreme Court in 2011 found in favour of the private electricity companies, who filed suit against the government. Throughout the year, rates under TUR have gone up four percent in April and seven percent in July. In October they dropped 2.4 percent but consumers didn’t notice a change given that valued added tax (VAT) was increased from 18 to 21 percent the previous month.
Have your bills doubled? There are several possible reasons why your electricity bill may have doubled in the last couple of years. • Prices have increased almost every 3 months during the past couple of years • If you have an electric water heater and live in a hard water area it may be full of scale which will have a dramatic effect on consumption • Your water heater could have a very small leak • The earth connection for your property may be corroded • Your meter may be faulty if it is an old analogue type • The rubber seal on your fridge may be damaged • You may simply be consuming more power because you have more appliances/equipment • You may be on the wrong tariff for your use Whatever the reason, there is a solution and help and advice is only a phone call away
Call Iberswitch on 902 027 517 info@iberswitch.com
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top 10 new year’s resolutions • • • • • • • • • •
Spend more time with family Find time for fitness Start a calorie controlled diet Stop smoking Stop drinking Enjoy life more Get out of debt Learn something new Help others Get organised
Resolutions often don’t work for 4 reasons 1. The timing’s all wrong Not only are you coming off the back of the holidays and getting back to the harsh realities of the world, but you see the whole of the year stretching ahead of you and summer is a whole 6 months away.
2. They’re all about what you think you should do Too often, resolutions are decided upon by looking at other people’s expectations or by reading a magazine that tells you how to ‘get fit by summer’. Nonsense – forget about what you or other people think you ought to be doing and look at what you really want. 3. Resolutions are like goals The problem is that as soon as you set yourself a goal you’re saying to yourself that you want more in your life than you have right now. The very nature of goals make you look forwards at what’s next, never at what you’ve got right now. 4. There’s no motivation or commitment What you need is something more fundamental, more central and more important to you. What you need is
something that comes from the inside, something that’s based on what’s important and what matters to you. So forget about making New Year’s Resolutions...
Living a full life isn’t about making some woolly, halfhearted decisions that don’t really mean anything. That’s not what truly confident people do. Instead, make confident choices based on what really matters to you, and jump in with both feet. Why wait for one particular day to make a decision, when there are 364 other equally great decision-making days available to you?
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buy now pay forever
Ever wondered why electricity bills are so complicated?
higher and more frequent price increases during the coming years and, to expect them every three months. There is a difference between telling it as it is and scare mongering. I would sincerely hope you believe I am simply trying to arm you with the knowledge of what is ahead rather than the latter when I say; if you think your electricity bill is high now, just wait a couple of years and do the comparison.
So what?
I watched YouTube with open mouthed disbelief as Señora Carman Monforte of Spanish National Newspaper Cinco Dias explained the breakdown of Iberdrola bills to stunned interviewer Jordi Evole. It appears that in 2000 the Party Popular (PP) who was then in power, ordered Iberdrola not to apply price increases to consumers in a bid to look good and win votes. This was reminiscent of the government’s freezing of electricity rates in October 2011 and we all know how that ended – with the bill payer having to foot the bill.
Hence, the much spoken about “electricity deficit” was born. Currently standing at twenty four thousand million Euros or, to put it another way €24,000,000,000 which we the consumer, are obligated to pay back. Naturally, Iberdrola still needed to be paid for their supply so they financed the money which we should have paid in the first place and what we would indeed have paid had the PP not been looking for votes, and they did this through banks and other financial institutions.
Put it on the tab
One of the reasons our bills are so high is that part of the bill pays the interest charge on the bank loans needed to pay for electricity used by us but not applied to our bills during the past twelve years. The loan
The PP was not suggesting the price increases should just “go away” but, should be charged to the consumer some time later, during the buoyant times ahead....
Interesting
is currently being charged at a rate of 6%, nice work if you can get it. It is plain to see why the Supreme Court overturned the latest decision to freeze electricity prices, I am sure that the bosses at Iberdrola nearly choked on their morning coffee and churros when they heard the phrase “price freeze” once again back in October. So, bearing in mind electricity prices have risen 70% in the last six years, how much of the deficit has been paid off, how much has the interest charge been reduced? I have a feeling you know exactly what I am going to say... Nothing - on both counts.
The only way is up
Not surprisingly, Señora Monforte said we should buckle ourselves in for a long, hard ride and should anticipate
With all this negative, albeit realistic information, is there an upside? Are there things we as individuals should be doing or are we completely in the hands of the government, the banks and bureaucrats? In no particular order we can: Switch electricity provider, Change to a cheaper tariff, Install solar energy products/ system to simply use less from the grid, change to gas for cooking and water heating and change to energy efficient bulbs/appliances.
Surprise, surprise!
The thing that shocked me the most about this, was the fact that none of my Spanish friends knew about this. Some of them know something but none knew everything. I would be interested to know if my friends have been living under a rock somewhere and the rest of the population are fully appraised and “in the know”.
If you have Spanish friends, get them to visit YouTube and go to http://tinyurl.com/axl9pfj watch their faces as they watch it and then wait for the tirade which will undoubtedly follow.
Divine inspiration
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a “green” but I do agree that we should pay more so that necessary investment can be made in the development of alternative energy methods and part of your electricity bill already goes towards this but, I am also a realist. Massive leaps have been made in solar and wind power but it is not encouraged, we get almost no assistance but why, especially when we live in almost constant sunshine? If we change to a free source of energy, fewer taxes are paid, it’s that simple. This latest revelation has inspired me to introduce at least one solar power solution and I am going to start with solar central heating because electricity for the winter period makes up my largest outgoing. The additional benefit of this particular solution is that during summer, when heating is not needed, I get free electricity during daylight hours. I will record my journey and share it with everyone in future editions and anyone who is doing the same, or wishes to join me (this may be a journey best accompanied with others) drop me a line at info@theword.es
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bon voyage!
Underprivileged Moroccan Kids get unexpected delivery Veteran petrol heads Gerry Graves and Richard Colborne set off on the Maroc Challenge in March and their pre-race preparations include accepting donations of educational materials to be doled out in the remote villages they pass during the gruelling 3,600 km desert and mountain route. Pictured here with Gerry, and on behalf of all the Iberswitch staff, David Rook presents a substantial collection of books, pens and
One Bed Apartment – Los Alcazares
Commerical Unit
many other items that will be given to kids of school age at the various stop-off points along the way. The race passes through some of the remote and least developed parts of Morocco and these are where those who need it most are to be found. If you would like to make a donation, contact Gerry and Richard by email sandstormers70@yahoo.com
Beach Side Plot suitable for Water Sport Activities
Playa Honda Plot: 2,600 m2 Situated at Playa Honda. Previously used for a sailing school. The plot is located in Playa Honda and suitable for water activities with direct access to the beach. The ground is level and has a perimeter fence. Facilities for water, electricity, sanitation, etc are available.
100 metres from the beach
Call for more information
Situated in the centre of the town just 100 metres from the beach.
Situated next to the AP7 between Los Alcazares and San Javier this corner unit has two access points and all modern facilities.
Hot and cold air conditioning, fully equipped and with lift. Available for short or long term rental.
Divided into two parts: 300m2 and 280m2.
Legal use (licensed) is for nautical sports and other activities linked to this activity. The plot is licensed to install a building for business use, entertainment and recreation. Licence includes installation of accommodation for guests and for people who manage the company’s business. Excellent rental terms available and may consider sale for the right offer.
Please call for more information: 968 58 22 77 or email Paqui: losalcazares.apartmentos@gmail.com
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50 Point Safety Check
Is your electricity installation safe and legal?
Citroen Picasso 1.6 Diesel €5,250 ono
SOLD 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 €4,000
Full Renault service history. One carefull lady owner. First to see will buy Tel: 680 556 133
It is quite normal to only call an electrician when there is a technical issue, to fix something when it goes wrong. Of course, we also call one when we need a new light or electrical socket fitting but when he comes, does he look at the rest of the installation? Many properties go for years and years without any safety checks and there are an abundance of things that could go wrong and which may ultimately cause major issues, including risk of shock and unnecessary waste. One thing in particular which is found in many properties and which most people are actually unaware of is the installation of a much higher main fuse than there should be which is illegal and in the unlikely event that
an insurance claim was made, is likely to make the policy void and, could even result in a fine. Knowledge is power and in this case, could also be peace of mind. We offer a 50 point safety check which covers the entire installation and gives a written report detailing any issues which should be attended to. The charge for this service is €50 which of course, we believe to be money well spent. Alternatively, you can just opt for the earth leakage test which will tell you if you are throwing money out of the window (see our ad on page 5). The charge for this is €30. For more information please call: 902 027 517
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fundraising challenge
Elche orphanage gets a much needed boost
Fundraisers Gerry Graves and Richard Colborne are pictured accepting a cheque for €300 on behalf of the EMAUS Children’s Home Elche from Caroline McGregor-Lovell of Iberswitch SL. Soon to depart on the Maroc Challenge (see page 13), Gerry and Richard are raising money for the well-known Elche children’s home as well as the Moroccan school kids they meet along the way. Caroline said, “It is a pleasure to be able to offer support to those who need it the most”. “The children’s home is very worthy and we fully intend to offer continued assistance whenever possible”. Pictured left to right: Richard Colborne, Caroline McGregor-Lovell and Gerry Graves
Funding to provide basic needs is covered by government grants and public donations. However, the extra things such as toys, cloths, books, decorating – things that make the orphans feel like normal kids, are not included and rely solely on public support. The Elche children’s home is only one of a group of homes in the region which rely on both government and private funding and is a popular choice for many companies and individuals alike, wishing to help those less fortunate than themselves.
12 theWord
letters to the editor... Dear Editor I recently read about a man in Malaga who doled out 333 lottery tickets to unemployed people waiting in line for benefit payments to lighten their despair and sadness and give them hope for the future. It’s all very well how and on what he spends his money on but has no-one explained the concept of lottery tickets to him? His very kind gesture gave a few seconds of relief and false hope to a lot of people however, imagine how much further his €2,000 would have gone had he given essential food and supplies. We are probably talking about a carrier bag full of food for each person rather than a one in a - goodness knows how many - million percent chance. It is probably wrong to knock him for such a kind act but all I can see in my mind’s eye is the look of disappointment on 300 people’s faces when their number didn’t come up. That said, he has inspired me to do something for those worse off than myself – right now. Mr R Jackson Algorfa Dear Editor
Anyone looking to start a business in Spain should either get into hobbies” or “removals services” at least, according to a heated discussion at my local bar the other night.
Many of my friends are split into two camps regarding the big television switch-off that is threatening to happen at any minute. One group are trying to come up with alternative activities that will hold their interest without costing a fortune (these are the hobby group) and the other group well, let’s put it this way, if they are denied Corrie or Eastenders, they will be stuffing things into suitcases as fast as they can (these will be known as the Sad group). Seriously, anyone who would actually consider moving to another country because they cannot see a soap programme should seriously see someone and get their bumps read. Am I right, or am I right? Name Witheld La Marina
Dear Editior Just a quick line to say a huge thank you! The last couple of editions have given practical advice on several issues which have helped me to avoid what would have been unnecessary expense. I’m looking forward to the next copy. Dianne Camposol, Mazarron
Dear Editor I would like to share a recent experience I had in a Supermarket car park in La Zenia in the hope that your readers don’t fall for the same trick. I am not mentioning the name of the supermarket because it could just as easily have been any one of them. Having finished my shopping and being thoroughly loaded down and exhausted, all I wanted to do was get home and have a cup of tea. After taking the trolley back, I jumped into my car and started to reverse out of the space only to see a bunch of leaflets and advertising material under my rear wiper which was obscuring my view. I jumped out of my car and walked back to remove the offending items which I don’t actually remember being there when I was loading my shopping. I only saw the back of the young man as he exited the driver’s door carrying my handbag and running off at full pelt. My heart stopped for a second as I realised what had happened. My advice to others, which I will be following myself from now on is, take your time. Think carefully before doing anything as a knee-jerk reaction. The extra second could save you loads of unnecessary inconvenience and expense. Keep up the good work, thoroughly enjoying reading The Word! Janice Playa Flamenca
Send your letters to editor@theword.es
theWord
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Rojales Sandstormers The Maroc Challenge 2013
We thank all the above companies and all our friends for there support.
Retired petrol heads and rally enthusiasts Gerry Graves and Richard Colborne are set to leave the relaxed comfort of their Rojales homes and confront the open roads once more. With the aim to raise money for under privileged children, the duo is set to take part in the 2013 Maroc Challenge. The Maroc Challenge ‘Aid Raid’ is a fund raising motor vehicle event collaborating with the “Association des Generations Solidaires” which is a non-profit Moroccan association that strives for the promotion and development of social, cultural and economic initiatives to improve the quality of life in the poor rural areas of Morocco. Covering 3600kms, starting from Jávea in Spain and finishing at Essaouira in Morocco. Driver Gerry who worked as a Sales and Marketing Director first took an avid interest in motor sport and particularly rallying in the early 1960s primarily in the North of England, whilst Co-driver Richard based in the South shared a similar interest and worked as an Electrical Engineer. Both enthusiasts hold a wealth of mechanical expertise and driving competency having competed to high levels within the National and International motor sporting circuit. The six day event gets under way on the 23rd March 2013 when Richard and Gerry known as The Rojales Sandstormers
will depart from Javea in their borrowed seventeen year old Nissan Patrol RD-28 and will be required to complete the journey over difficult terrain of deserts and mountains all across the Alawite Kingdom. By collaborating with the ADGS the Maroc Challenge Aid Raid helps to generate sponsorship raising funds for equipment and aids in their projects to help remote villages and schools in the least developed areas of Morocco. This work can be carried out thanks to our sponsors who advertise and provide materials for Raid participants to deliver to their destination. These donations will be documented from start to end (photo / video) to ensure total transparency and that each contribution arrives directly to those most in need. Also due to the financial crisis in Spain and the restrictions by the government regarding financing of charities we are actively engaged in fund raising activities for Asociacion Emaus. The Maroc Challenge is a unique raid which aims to provide a low cost alternative for those who wish to experience an extraordinary event that incorporates both sporting and humanitarian spirit. We both firmly believe that, ‘by participating in the Maroc Challenge we are committing ourselves to an educational and enriching experience.’
Team Website is ; Maroc Challenge.es if you wish to send us a message then go to smiley faces and click on the two guys in white shirts, or contact us by email at: Sandstormers70@yahoo.com
Donation tins can be found at the following: Rojales Steakhouse Delice, Rojales CEF, Torrevieja The Post Room, Ciudad Quesada The Post Shop, Ciudad Quesada In-Forest, Los Montesinos Cydogical, Ciudad Quesada Muebles 43, Ciudad Quesada TV Products, Ciudad Quesada Howard`s Gym, Ciudad Quesada MG Wines, Benijofar El Canal Pharmacy, Ciudad Quesada El Mundo de Espana, Benimar Saveways, Benimar The Dutch Butcher, Benimar Petanca Club, Rojales Plaza Diferente, Benimar Meson El Prado, San Miguel
Our Sponsors are: Agrobio Ambifuego Benimar Social Club Benimar Chess Club Bradley Construction Bricolage P. Alcaraz e Hijos,s.l. Carredent Costa Car Trader ECS Dataconnect El Mundo de Espana Iberswitch MG Wines
Quesada Fish & Chips Rapid Repairs Rojales Steakhouse Ros-Costejon, Abogados Signaron Solar Choice SLU Solar Solutions.es Soltura The Spectrum IFA Group The Word
Donation Boxes are at: Rojales Steakhouse, El Mundo de Espana, Benimar and Quesada Fish & Chips
14 theWord
it’s all about politics A sideways glance at UK current affairs By Quentin Cope Author/Writer/Commentator www.quentincope.co.uk
That was the year that was! So, with the odd ex-chief whip riding his bike around London, with nowhere to park it, and the Metropolitan Police Chiefs struggling with the after effects of a newly acquired truth drug, the Westminster crowd have much to ponder upon as they reluctantly welcome in the New Year. Of course, if the prophecies of the ‘Mayan Calendar’ had proved to be somehow correct, our hard working and substantially upright MP’s in London would not have needed to worry about such menial matters and you would not be reading this carefully prepared offering. The question then must be, was 2012 a good year for British Politics, and more importantly the subjects of Her Majesty … wherever they may be? The answer of course depends upon the shade of your politics, the size of your bank account and whether you are a pensioner, or not. The nearly married couple
in charge of our taxable fortunes have had a few ‘spats’ during the year, but if you are under sixty, not a winner of the X-Factor and not gay, then much stays the same for you. The figures have moved round a little, but in effect, the result is that all the procedures and new laws put in place over the past twelve months, to make you poorer, have worked. If you are unfortunate enough to be a pensioner of course, there is the small matter of a £3.5bn raid on income tax breaks, the fall in investment income to 1977 levels and Mervyn King, the bank of England Governor, apologising for the fact that he simply had to print more money, even though pensioners had to suffer because of it. So, enough of all this downbeat stuff; what about looking forward to a possibly great year ahead? Well if you are a selfish ‘Costas’ expatriate, soaking up the sun for seven days a week rather than baby-
sitting your grand children in Bradford, free of charge for five of them until you finally turn up your toes, things could be getting worse. For example, as it never ever gets cold in sunny Spain, the good, the bad and the ugly will be looking to take the pensioners winter allowance away. They had a trial run last year and are looking for success in 2013. What else is worth mentioning? Well there is the change of rules relating to Pension Credit. There is also the matter of a woman reaching the age of sixty in 2013, needing to work longer before claiming the UK State Pension. The small matter of interest rates of course, continues to hound all reliant upon investment income to finance the weekly visits to their favourite fish and chip restaurant. However, take heart dear friends. The 649 members of our democratic chamber will continue to tirelessly
strive for a better Britain, a fairer Britain and a political system that is transparent and ‘fit for purpose’. How do I know this is true; because the two big ‘C’s’, Clegg and Cameron have said so. Probably the major difference between UK Politicians and Spanish Politicians is that we can usually translate what ours are saying, more or less immediately. The commonality between both is that we still don’t have a clue what has actually been said. With Mr Clegg’s strong links to Spain and his frequent visits here to ‘look and learn’ in relation to the state of the Spanish economy, he will be well placed in his attempts to copy such healthy Iberian fiscal masterstrokes during 2013, in preparation for the next General Election. Through the columns on this page, we will be watching with a smile, and don’t forget in the end … It’s all about Politics!
NEWS BITES Palm Weevil Attacks Car tagena parks department were forced to cut down 67 palm trees throughout the town due to infestation by the red palm weevil. Treating the trees in the fight against these persistent bugs is very expensive and with austerity measures, this measure is likely to be way down the list. False economy? Based on the manpower and equipment necessary in order to cart the trees away, I think so. Taxes More taxes are to be applied to electricity, seven in total, which will see households and businesses facing further hikes in their bills. Government vicepresident Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría said that the full weight of the taxes will not be borne by the consumer, as this would mean bills would go up by a massive 43 per cent. Residents are being advised to be extra vigilant as burglary related crimes increase. Areas where there are lots of unoccupied holiday homes seem to be the focus for criminals.
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how dare you!?
Piers Morgan touches a nerve No, he wasn’t being sexist or racist. He didn’t make offensive comments towards people with disabilities nor did he suggest Americans have a weight issue. Following yet another school massacre, this time in Newtown, Connecticut, he had the bare faced cheek to suggest that gun laws in the USA needed reviewing and he took an aggressive stand against the right for Joe Public to bear arms. Americans immediately demanded he should be unceremoniously deported for challenging their bill of rights and in particular, the second amendment. The law in the US states that a petition with more than 25,000 signatures must receive a response from the White House and this figure has been massively exceeded. Piers tweeted saying; “I don’t care about the petition to deport me. I do care about the New York fire fighters who were murdered and injured with an assault
weapon” after it emerged that a gunman had ambushed the fire fighters killing two. If American patriotism is the true motivator of the uproar caused by this TV presenter’s comments what does it say about British leader’s patriotism when tax payers are made to pay for known terrorist’s accommodation, not to mention the legal costs for extradition proceedings? It’s our upbringing if you ask me, what other nation of people do you know that would apologise when people barge into them on the street, who, when trying to get a waitresses attention start the conversation with an apology -“excuse me, sorry, can I have a cup of coffee please”? On a lighter note, in response to the petition, Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear fame has tweeted saying; “Americans. It took us 40 years to get rid of Piers Morgan. Please don’t send him back”.
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Beat The Monday Blues!
Blue Monday January 21st 2013 Blue Monday is a special day, for people to focus on doing some good for each other. Not necessarily presents and cards, just little acts of kindness, or big ones, if you like. It comes at a time when people might need a bit of cheering up: the gloomy, post-Christmas, back-to-work-andschool month of January. And of course, it had to be a Monday. Blue Monday occurs on the 3rd Monday of January each year. In 2013, this will be Monday 21 January. A couple of years ago the organisers of the day had a thought; wouldn’t it be good to start a new tradition that encouraged people to do nice things for each other? This inspiration then
lead to the formulation of a wider day of happiness, and so Blue Monday was born. Blue Monday ideas should benefit others (a person, an organisation or even internationally) and will probably be something you wouldn’t normally do (but might do regularly from now on), voluntary (compulsory kindness doesn’t really count), thought up by those involved (there’s no formula or template) and fun and creative for everyone involved. If you do something to spread a little cheer, or know someone else who has, why not drop us a line. It may inspire others to do the same – from acorns....
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Healing Power of music Noticeable benefits of music therapy for Alzheimer suffers What better medicine than a “treatment” that has only positive side effects and “therapy” that is actually enjoyable? That is the miracle of music when applied with intention. Music is shown to have the ability to help organize the brain; especially vital to those who are afflicted with Alzheimer’s. Usually after twenty minutes of music, there are observable effects, such as singing, foot tapping, and clapping. Studies have shown that the results of a musical therapy session last for several hours afterward. Positive results include elevated mood, increased socialization and appetite and reduction in agitation. These benefits are attributed to the stimulation the brain receives during a music therapy session, a sort of “cognitive workout” inspiring us to coin the phrase, “What exercise is to the body, music is to the brain.” The power of music often inspires physical movement and can be used in combination to encourage gentle exercise. As speech, writing and traditional forms of communication are compromised, music provides an alternative means of maintaining a connection, thereby helping to normalize interaction between caregiver and patient. Music used
therapeutically creates an environment where the patient can be nurtured and cared for in a way that is safe, gentle and appropriate. Music is central to maintaining human bonds when those with dementia have lost the ability to initiate communication or to respond verbally. The powers of music when focused and used therapeutically are many. Critical to maintaining quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s is management of emotions and preserving the connection with others. Music is conducive to keeping those connections strong as long as possible while helping the participant to focus, increase awareness and orient to the environment. A number of research studies have looked at music therapy as an important adjunct to medical treatment and findings suggest a possible link between the use of music and slowing the progression of dementia. From the rhythms of the heartbeat experienced in the womb to the stirring sounds of a marching band, rhythmic patterns and music surround us. Language itself has a musical quality to it and from the beginning of mankind, as expressed through chanting and drumming, resembled music more closely than speech. Music is primal to life
and expressed by each of us every day whether through dancing to a favourite tune, keeping rhythm with a pencil or remembering a special time when hearing a forgotten melody. It is central to our lives and is embedded in our culture, defining how we acknowledge milestones, rites
of passage and celebrations as well as providing comfort, transformation and inspiration. Music links us to our world and provides a pathway back to our past. You don’t need to have any special musical training to institute a therapeutic music program. You will need to select
appropriate music, however. This music consists of familiar tunes from the 30s, 40s and 50s with more contemporary music included, depending on the preference or age of the participant. Before you invest in any CDs, check in your own home for possible sources of music.
fishy business
Eat two portions of oily fish per week to ward of strokes Many surveys shows eating two portions of oily fish a week can Ward off strokes Observational studies show that including omega 3 fish oil can reduce the possibility of strokes by up to 6%. However, as the studies observed the normal habits of a group of people who usually included fish in their diets, it could be assumed that these people had a healthy eating approach towards life anyway. Naturally, it follows that those who do not have a healthy lifestyle but decide to include oily fish to an otherwise, unhealthy diet, are unlikely to benefit as much. Surveys and studies often raise more questions than answering them and adopting a general “common sense” attitude towards food and drink intake is likely to be as good as any other diet.
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Solar Central Heating An acceptable alternative to massive winter fuel bills We are all fed up with talking about how electricity prices are spiralling out of control, how much our bills are compared with previous years and how much it costs to heat our homes, homes that were not built with the cold damp winters in mind. Solar power has moved on over the last few years and we can now heat our homes for free during the winter. By free of course I mean without running costs, installing solar systems are not free but then again, they cost nothing like they used to, but before we move on to that... Fotovoltaic panels are the Rolls Royce of the solar world and only three panels are needed to heat an average
home compared with the lesser quality panels which would need to cover the entire roof in order to achieve the same.
Extra advantages of solar heating The thing that makes this system a “no-brainer” for those who can afford the initial outlay, is the fact that in addition to no heating costs in winter, during the summer months when you are not using the power generated to heat the radiators, you can utilise it for your other electricity needs. During daylight hours your three panels produce 600 watts an hour which
can be used for your air conditioning, pool pump, fans, fridge, and so on. It may not generate the power you need completely but whatever it does provide, you won’t need to draw it from the grid – essentially, putting money into your pocket.
Mind boggling When you go out, your panels continue to put electricity into your system, even if you don’t use it. When this happens, if you have an analogue meter fitted, it actually turns your meter reading backwards. Let me just repeat that in case you missed it:
You go out for the day or maybe a week, when you come back, the reading on your meter will actually be less than it was before you left. You put unused power back into the system and for that, you are credited. I didn’t believe it at first either but from 2nd January 2012, it became law. If that is not incentive to have solar, I don’t know what is.
Cost justification So, we come to price. How much can we expect to pay for such a wonderful system? Well, a five radiator system, fully installed and guaranteed costs €5,700. We are all watching our pennies and spending our savings is something we have to think very carefully about.
Here is one way to look at it: €5,700 in a high interest savings account will earn you around €160 a year. Savings bonds will earn you around €230 a year so, if we compare this to what you would save in electricity costs from day one with a solar system, you can clearly see that your money earns you far more by sitting on your roof, than it does in a bank. In fact, looking at the overall income and expenditure, most people would be better off financially after just one winter bill which I have to say, I find completely staggering. If you would like a free survey and quotation without obligation, call Cosy Casa on 968 584 562 or visit the website: www.cosycasa.es
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cooking on gaS
Exchange electric hob for gas hob In this edition we look at how you can save money by changing your electric hob to gas.
Generally, the electric hob is on e of the highest consuming items in the house. As electricity pries continue to soar this has to be on the list of the top five things that you can do in order to reduce your bill. There are other benefits of converting to gas for hob cooking and at your very next power cut, when you can still boil a kettle, cook and heat water to wash, all will become clear. Of course, there is the gas bottle issue to consider. If the gas delivery man does not come past your house every week you will need to visit the petrol station every now and again but, if it is only the hob that you use gas for, collecting replacement bottles would be a rare necessity. The cost of changing is relatively low, taking the electric one out is quick and easy, as is fitting the gas one. You will need space in a cupboard for a bottle or better still, will need to drill through the outside wall so the gas
bottle is not inside the house. So how much can you save? Obviously that depends on how much cooking you do and there is no simply or accurate comparison. To see the greatest benefits you will need to do several things, all of which make a difference but together, can save you a small fortune over the year.
Some other things you can do: Change to a dual tariff system Service your electric water heater Have a check to make sure you are not “leaking” electricity Change old analogue electric meters to digital Switch to a “free market” provider.
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20 theWord
Forearmed is The miracle of forewarned the 20 cent loaf
The Future of Satellite Television Worried about the impending switch-off and how you will be affected? Widely publicised, the new Astra Satellite that was recently launched and is fully functional will be replacing the older satellite narrowing the footprint and is believed that when this happens it will leave tens of thousands of ex-pats throughout Spain, without service. Register your name and contact details so that if and when you lose your signal, we can contact you automatically with details of the solution. It doesn’t matter if you are a currently connected to a satellite service, a rebroadcasted service or, have no service at all. It costs nothing and by registering your name, you
Valencian baker claims discovery of the secret of yeast-based alchemy
are not committed in any way to use our service, this action is simply so that; A. You are informed about what needs to happen in order to get your signal back. B. If you choose to use us to get you switched on, your place in the queue in secured. Re-connection will be on a first come first served basis regardless of which package you select or where you live. The Astra satellite could be switched off at any time, act now to avoid unnecessary delays.
To register, go to: www.iberswitchtv.com
complete the simple online form giving your surname, email address, contact number, town and province. It’s that simple. Let’s be ready for this one together.
to register go to www.iberswitchtv.com
People queue for up to two hours at Horno Navarro, in Quart de Poblet, Valencia: Unemployed, retired and those evicted from their homes wait patiently to buy bread at a quarter of its normal price. The line forms at 6am and reflects the new face of social exclusion in Spain. There is a predominance of retirees, who have suddenly been forced to support entire families on their pensions. Antonio Sánchez is 74 and travels three kilometres a day just to come to this bakery. He is helping out his seven unemployed grandchildren, he says, as he buys five loaves of bread. The miracle of the 20 cent loaf emerged last September in the suburbs of Valencia. Its creator, the baker Pepe Navarro, marketed his aggressive commercial campaign as a gesture of solidarity with the victims of the crisis. His three bakeries in Quart de Poblet, Gandia and Torrent have attracted thousands of customers who used to buy their bread at traditional bakeries and supermarket chains, where
the same product costs twice as much. Industry professionals accuse Navarro of selling at a loss Industry professionals are accusing Navarro of selling at a loss, which is illegal but hard to prove because only internal account books would show it. They also blame him for starting a price war, which, they say, will result in thousands of lost jobs in the coming months. And if the large supermarkets get in on it, hundreds of small bakeries will shut down forever. But Navarro insists that his numbers do add up. His secret, he says, is preparing the dough “with love.” And it is this which pushes this middle-aged man with 20 years’ experience in the sector to produce 50,000 loaves a day of his 190 gram loaf, slightly smaller than the traditional baguette. Navarro is planning to increase his production and hire more people (the workforce is currently close to 100) in order to reach as many as 6,000 customers. He knows that this will not go down well with his baker colleagues.
Rising concerns for the future The other bakers who were consulted for this story said they do not know how to produce a loaf of bread for 20 cents. “The numbers don’t add up,” they said. Some people believe this is a strategy to bust the market and fix prices. The 40 bakeries in Torrent, where Navarro operates one of his outlets, are fighting back with a new product also priced at 20 cents, but which has so far not met with much success. This particular loaf is made with cheaper flours obtained through a subsidy from their providers. “I cannot compete with that man; it is impossible for him to be turning a profit,” said a resigned-sounding Javi Caro. The owner of a centenary bakery in Valencia summed up the industry feeling: “In a few months I’ll be standing in line in front of Navarro’s bakery along with my 10 employees.”
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come rain or come shine for mabs
Left to Right: Val Vickery, Malcolm Vickery and Ali Chaps (owner The Arches) with the MABS Certificate of Appreciation. Photographer: Alfonso Fernandez
The MABS Cancer Support Group’s book stall at The Arches on the Oasis urbanisation is a familiar sight for bookworms in Los Alcázares and the surrounding areas. MABS volunteers, Malcolm and Val Vickery work tirelessly running the stall, come rain or come
shine, with a smile and a few words for everyone who call by. Kindles and Tablets don’t seem to have made an impact on book sales because, during 2012, they have raised an incredible 6696€ for MABS Murcia. “I’m staggered that they have managed to raise
such an amount on book sales.” remarked MABS Director, Lyn Baines. “Malcolm and Val are so conscientious about their book stall turning up every Saturday, without fail, and they have established a good, regular clientele. I am very proud of them and would also like to thank Ali, the owner of The Arches, for her continuing support. It means a great deal to us.” The MABS book stall is open at The Arches every Saturday from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm with books to suit all tastes. MABS Murcia is a registered charity (No. 7261) offering help and support to local people of all nationalities who have been diagnosed with or are being treated for cancer. If you or someone you know would like some confidential help or support call our HELPLINE 693 275 779 or visit their website: www.mabsmurcia.com
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DUAL TARIFF electricity There has been a great deal of publicity and rumour regarding dual tariff electricity, and the possible benefits. Exactly what is it and, if a dual tariff system is as great as we are led to believe, shouldn’t we all be on it? Let’s look initially at how the dual rate works. Firstly, you need the new Smart Meter, it records your usage through the day and through the night – peak and offpeak. Currently, the off-peak time is from 10pm through till 12 noon the following day.
Substantial reductions
Anything you consume during off-peak times is charges at 50% discount. Most people who use this system typically see around 20 to 25% savings on their bills which over the year, represents a huge saving. Things we use all day long like fridges and freezers also provide cost savings, although power used in the peak-time is charged a little higher than normal, the massive reduction for the remaining 14
hours more than compensates for any additional charge.
Other benefits
The problem with choosing this tariff is - you don’t actually know how much you can benefit until you try it. Regardless of the tariff you are on, the most important thing that everyone who receives an electricity bill needs to do is fix the rate. We all need to protect ourselves from the price increases that we know are coming. To do this you need to switch to a free market provider. According to El Economista, electricity prices are likely to increase by at least 20% during 2013. It will make a huge difference to our monthly bills unless we do something about it and the most effective course of action is to nail the rate down. There are several things you can do to reduce your bill but, by fixing the rate you do the thing that has the most positive effect. Sounds good but where do you start?
Help is at hand Iberswitch S.L. is the only independent and impartial USC (Utility Switching Company) in Spain and they negotiate electricity rates on behalf of thousands of consumers. By using their service you can switch to the dual tariff and may be able to fix your kilowatt rate and avoid paying price increases (except those which relate to the government taxes).
Bridge the gap They offer customer services in English and act as a bridge between the consumer and the electricity provider. Give them a call on 968 583 511 or visit their website: www.iberswitch.com to see how their service can save you money. The one thing we know for sure, the cost of electricity continues to rise completely out of proportion to the cost of living. Act before the next huge price hike hits.
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24 theWord J A NU A RY
movie releases
2013 brings the following movie releases for January. Quartet
Maggie Smith, Billy Connolly, Michael Gambon Synopsis: Dustin Hoffman makes his directorial debut with this British Film adapted by Ronald Harwood from his own play. The plot centres around a retirement home for opera singers where three residents, Wilf, Reggie (Tom Courtenay) and Cissy (Pauline Collins), attempt to put on a concert to celebrate Verdi’s birthday. The concert is thrown into disarray when Reggie’s ex-wife and former grande dame of opera, Jean, arrives at the home. This will be Hoffman’s first project since his HBO series ‘Luck’ was cancelled after a third horse died during production.
infidelities, the offer is too good to pass up. But by the time the mayor reveals his true intentions, Billy is already in too deep.
The Last Stand
Broken City
Mark Walhberg, Russell Crowe, Catherine Zeta-Jones Synopsis: The mayor of New York City hires a disgraced ex-cop to identify his wife’s lover, setting into motion a scandalous series of events. Billy Taggart (Mark Wahlberg) was on his way to becoming one of the Big Apple’s top cops when a high-profile shooting cut his promising career short. His reputation destroyed in the flash of a muzzle, Billy gets a break when the city’s popular mayor (Russell Crowe) pulls some strings to ensure he doesn’t serve time. Meanwhile, Billy puts his investigative skills to work as a private detective. When the mayor offers Billy $50,000 to expose his wife’s
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Movie 43
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Forest Whittaker, Jaimie Alexander, Johnny Knoxville, Luis Guzman Synopsis: After leaving his LAPD narcotics post following a bungled operation that left him wracked with remorse and regret, Sheriff Ray Owens (Arnold Schwarzenegger) moved out of Los Angeles and settled into a life fighting what little crime takes place in sleepy border town Sommerton Junction. But that peaceful existence is shattered when Gabriel Cortez (Eduardo Noriega), the most notorious, wanted drug kingpin in the western hemisphere, makes a deadly yet spectacular escape from an FBI prisoner convoy. With the help of a fierce band of lawless mercenaries led by the icy Burrell, Cortez begins racing towards the US-Mexico border at 250 mph in a specially-outfitted Corvette ZR1 with a hostage in tow.
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Elizabeth Banks, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Chloe Moretz, Johnny Knoxville, Gerard Butler, Anna Faris Synopsis: This movie is not for the weak-stomached, faint of heart, or easily offended. In Movie 43, comedy is served steaming hot by director Peter Farrelly of The Farrelly Brothers (Something About Mary, Dumb & Dumber) in one of the most original comedies ever made. It is An anthology of twenty comedic shorts. Starring Seann William Scott, Hugh Jackman, Richard Gere, Uma Thurman, Halle Berry, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts, Kate Bosworth, Kate Winslet, Terrence Howard, Liev Schreiber, Elizabeth Banks, Justin Long, Kristen Bell, Patrick Warburton, Josh Duhamel, Jason Sudeikis, Chloe Grace Moretz, Stephen Merchant, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Jack McBrayer, Kieran Culkin, and Chris Pratt.
A Dark Truth
Andy Garcia, Kim Coates, Deborah Kara Unger, Eva Longoria, Forest Whitaker Synopsis: In ‘The Dark Truth’, Garcia plays an ex-CIA op-turned political talk show host. He’s hired by a corporate whistle blower
to expose her company’s cover-up of a massacre in a South American village. The film draws attention to man’s inhumanity and unconscious actions against the environment and questions if there is a moral and ethical obligation when talking about boundaries, borders and human interaction. With the ever-increasing depletion of earth’s natural resource of water serving as the backdrop, a multi-national corporation disregards basic human needs that result in widespread illness and a people’s uprising. The distress causes unlikely allies to conspire and seek redemption for past deeds and the greater good.
The Baytown Outlaws
Billy Bob Thornton, Eva Longoria, Serinda Swan, Clayne Crawford, Thomas Sangster, Meagan Good Synopsis: When three redneck brothers agree to help a woman save her godson from her murderous ex-husband, they become targets on the run from an odd cast of characters. After her ex-husband Carlos shoots Celeste three times in the gut, it’s time to play dirty. In the fight for her godson, Rob, she hires three outlawed and redneck brothers to bring him back to her. But nothing can be that simple in the South. What begins as a small rescue mission rises to a southern battle royale. This odd team must shoot their way through gorgeous female assassins, Native American hunters, Federal agents, and a whole lotta metal coming after them, while protecting Celeste’s innocent child.
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26 theWord 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!!
Call 902 027 517 for more information Keep Existing Line Rental Provider
Amazing Global Low Cost Call Rates
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.
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.
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.
€9.95 Includes €5 Free Calling Credit
Auto Top-Up Credit Options
One-off Charge For The Dongle
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.
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.
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!
theWord
Spring clean your annual household budget Start 2013 with a closer look at your normal spending habits, you may be surprised by the possible savings. The household budget, especially for those of us on a pension or a fixed income has become the focus for cost cutting exercises however, removing things altogether is not always possible and, leaves us feeling we have taken a
2013 SAVINGS
Pensions
Electricity
Line Rental
Solar Water Heating
If you transfer your pension each month using a bank, you can save money using a money transfer company such as Moneycorp.
step backwards. Also, we often find that the effort required to change does not always justify the amount we save.
If you switch your line Here is a list of alternatives and ideas that could make a rental from Telefonica substantial difference to our annual budget without making / M ov i s t a r / E W Te l co / radical changes to our lifestyle. RTNNetwork/Europa/ Telitec to Iberswitch SL, you can reduce your monthly charge. Monthly Saving Annual Saving The calls you make to Pension Transfer mobiles in Spain or to (â‚Ź1,000 per month) 45.00 540.00 the UK can be reduced Telephone line rental 9.00 108.00 by more than 50%. Phone calls to mobile
15.00
180.00
ADSL
15.00
180.00
TV
6.00
72.00
Dual tariff
20.00
240.00
Solar Water Heating
30.00
360.00
Low wattage bulbs*
10.00
120.00
Removing calcium**
15.00
180.00
Totals
165.00 1,980.00
* Based on an average sized water tank serving two people. **Based on an average two bed property
Help, assistance or advice on any of the above can be offered by calling: 902 027 517
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.
An average household spends â‚Ź30 per month heating water using electricity. Solar power can eradicate that cost altogether.
ADSL
Hard Water DIY
TV
Low Wattage Bulbs
Changing your ADSL to Eurona can save you money without affecting the performance you receive.
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.
Removing scale from emersion water heaters can reduce running costs by up to 50%.
More expensive than conventional bulbs but greatly reduce running costs.
27
28 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
ICP Fitting Service Fitting an ICP is law in Spain Protect yourself from penalties Fitting from â‚Ź70 plus iva
Call for details: 902 027 517
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
WIN!
The lucky winners names will appear in the next edition of The Word.
Good Luck!
Native English Teacher A new, fresh, innovative teacher is required at a local academy. Experience and qualifications preferred. Applicant needs to have TEFL or equivalent. In the first instance please email: englishlanguagelearningacademy@gmail.com
Qualified Electrician Self employed, qualified and professional electrician required for contract work in the Mazarron/Murcia areas. Please call: 664 050 979 for more information
Win LONGLIFE
LOW ENERGY
Bulbs for your Entire House*
All you have to do send in your filled-out form to enter the draw Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss
job spot
Name
Email address Telephone
Mobile
Postal address
Pop into an envelope and post to: Apartado de Correos 516, 30366, El Algar, Cartagena, Murcia. *light bulbs do not carry a guarantee
theWord
29
the icp switch
What it really means and what you should expect Roughly translated, ICP stands for “a way to generate more taxes from consumers”. A Royal Decree was passed in 2008 making it law for every household and business to have one, but what does it do? More importantly, if we don’t have one, what happens? The ICP limits the amount of electricity you use at any moment and ensures you do not use more than the contracted capacity. For example, if your supply is 5.5 kilowatts, having an ICP stops you using more than this at any moment and if you do, your power supply trips out – like it used to a few years ago if you boiled a kettle at the same time as using the microwave. Make no mistake, this law was introduced so that those who did not have an iCP 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 enough, would need to upgrade their supply
thus pushing up the standing charges. 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 penalty which is shown as an increase in “potencia” charges, appear on their bills. Those with a contracted supply of 3.3 to 5.5 kilowatts would see their charge increasing to 10 kilowatts and those with 5.5 kilowatts or more would be charged as if they had 20 kilowatts! The penalties, if unchecked, will add around €300 to your annual electricity bill. 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 has not been inspected 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 Unfortunately, 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 and 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: 902 027 517
30 theWord
community noticeboard...
MABS
fortuna
Murica North East Every Other Monday Sew’n’So’s - Sewing Group with Jan Gough - 2.00 pm Urb. Las Kalendas, Fortuna
Murica
East
Wednesday 9th January VOLUNTEERS MEETING Las Claras, Los Alcázares – 11.00 am. If you would like to find out more about how you can help MABS, come along to our meeting. For further information please ring Bev on 693 362 823 Tuesday 15th January EBONY & IVORY LADIES LUNCH CLUB Diamantes Restaurant, El Mojón - 1.30pm for 2pm. Three course lunch with glass of wine and entertainment. € 10. Raffle in aid of MABS. Come along, dress up and meet and make new friends. Book your place with Diamantes on 965 352 947 Friday 18th January SHARE & CARE GROUP MABS Cancer Centre, San Javier - 11.00 am An informal get together for anyone affected by cancer. Come along for a coffee and a chat. For more information call Anne on 693 795 247 Every Saturday BOOK SALE The Arches Restaurant, Los Alcázares 10.00 am - 1.00 pm (weather permitting) The MABS Book Stall is a regular feature at The Arches Restaurant on a Saturday and is popular with book-lovers from Los Alcázares and the surrounding areas. Browse the stall and enjoy a coffee or bargain breakfast while you choose your books.
visit our website www.mabsmurcia.com for more events For further details, please call 634 362 826
1st Tuesday of the month Auction at Bob`s Bar - 2.00 pm Carretera Pinoso, Fortuna Tuesdays & Thursdays “Pick, Try, Choose, Buy & Donate” second hand store - 10.30 am - 12.00 pm Apartamentos Maruja, across the cycle path, opposite Las Palmeras, Baños de Fortuna.
2nd Wednesday of the month Fortuna Ladies’ Luncheon Club - 1.00 pm Las Palmeras Restaurant, Baños de Fortuna Last Wednesday of the Month MABS Fortuna Meeting - 11.30 am La Carcelera, Urb Las Kalendas. Fortuna. For further information on Fortuna events, please contact: mabsmurciane@gmail.com
calasparra
Murica North west First and Third Friday of each month MABS Market Stall in Calasparra Market 9.00 am - 1.00 pm Situated opposite the Gran Via café Second Wednesday of each month MABS Murcia NW Volunteer Monthly Meeting – 5.00 pm New venue: Hotel Argos (between Calasparra & Cehegin) – new volunteers welcome. Call 650 103 095 for further details.
Last Friday of every month MABS Book Stall – 11.00 am – 2.00 pm Outside the Trevol Bar/Cafe on Urb. Tierra del Sol, Calasparra. (This is held the last Friday of every month) For further information on Calasparra events, please contact: mabsmurcianw@gmail.com
Originally named MARINA ALTA BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP, their aim was to provide support to cancer patients and their families on the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol. News travelled fast and the medical profession was soon referring ALL types of cancers to the Group for support, so the name was changed to MABS CANCER SUPPORT GROUP to reflect this. They provide information on the type of cancer, treatment, side effects, where to buy wigs and prosthesis, etc. MABS provides translators for clinic and hospital appointments, as well as drivers who will collect the person from home and deliver them to the place of treatment, wait for them, and take them home again.
theWord
El Algar noche a capella As SABS 2011 Gold Medal Champions, Spangles is delighted to be raising funds for two of our Spanish champion quartets to attend the European Barbershop Convention in March 2013 in Veldhoven, Holland. FourMidables is from Torrevieja and are the current silver medallists and Hanfris is from Cataluna and hold the 2011 gold medal. We will be holding a concert at the town hall’s theatre on Friday, 11 January at 21.00. Tickets are just 6€ each and a proportion of the funds raised will go towards the expenses for these two quartets to represent their country.
31
Just for laughs “I can’t find a cause for your illness,” the doctor said. “Frankly, I think it’s due to drinking.””In that case,” replied his blonde patient, “I’ll come back when you are sober.” If a man is bald at the front, he is a thinker. If he is bald at the back, he is sexy. If he is bald from front to back - he thinks he is sexy. A blonde, a brunette and a redhead went into a bar and ordered their drinks from the bartender. Brunette: “I’ll have a B & C.” Bartender: “What is a B & C?”. Brunette: “Brandy & Coke”. Redhead: “And, I’ll have a G & T. “ Bartender: “What’s a G & T?” Redhead: “Gin & tonic. “ Blonde: “I’ll have a 15.” Bartender: “What’s a 15?” Blonde: “7 and 7” One blonde to another...Have you ever read Shakespeare? No. Who wrote it? A young man goes into a chemist to buy condoms. The pharmacist says the condoms come in packs of 3, 9 or 12 and asks which the young man wants.” Well,” he said, “I’ve been seeing this girl for a while and she’s really hot. I want the condoms because I think tonight’s “the night. We’re having dinner with her
parents, and then we’re going out. And I’ve got a feeling I’m gonna get lucky after that. Once she’s had me, she’ll want me all the time, so you’d better give me the 12 pack.” The young man makes his purchase and leaves. Later that evening, he sits down to dinner with his girlfriend and her parents. He asks if he might give the blessing, and they agree. He begins the prayer, but continues praying with his head down for several minutes after everyone starts eating. The girl leans over and says, “You never told me that you were such a religious person. ”He leans over to her and says, “You never told me that your father was a pharmacist.” What do you do when a Blonde throws a grenade at you? Pull the pin and throw it back. A blonde made several attempts to sell her old car. She was having a lot of problems finding a buyer because the car had 180,000 miles on it. She discussed her problem with a brunette that she worked with at a bar. The brunette suggested, “There may be a chance to sell that car easier, but it’s not going to be legal.” ”That doesn’t matter at all,” replied the blonde. “All that matters is that I am able to sell this car.” “Alright,” replied the brunette and in a quiet voice, she told the blonde: “Here is the address of a friend of mine. He owns a car repair shop around here. Tell him I sent you, and he will turn the counter back on your car to 40,000 miles. Then it shouldn’t be a problem to sell your car.” The following weekend, the blonde took a trip to the mechanic on the brunette’s advice. Sometime after that, the brunette saw the blonde and asked, “Did you sell your car?” “No!” replied the blonde. “Why should I? It only has 40,000 miles on it.” Why are dumb blonde jokes only one liners? So men can understand them!
A blonde decided that she was tired of her empty life. She cut her hair and dyed it brown, and set off for a drive. She wanted to do random acts of kindness to see if it would change her life. While driving through the countryside, she came across a farmer who was trying to get his sheep across the road. She stopped her car and waved the farmer across, thinking this would be her first good deed. After the sheep had all crossed, the blonde said to the farmer, “your sheep are so cute. If I guess how many there are, could I have one.”The farmer thought it impossible and told the blonde it was okay.”637”, said the blonde. The farmer was amazed that the blonde had guessed the exact number, but lived up to his bargain.”I’ll take that feisty one over there”, said the blonde. Then the farmer said to the blonde, “Okay, now if I guess the real colour of your hair, can I have my dog back? A man is dining in a fancy restaurant, and there is a gorgeous redhead sitting at the next table. He had been checking her out since he sat down, but lacked the nerve to talk with her. Suddenly she sneezes and her glass eye flew out of its socket towards the man. He quickly reaches out, grabbing it out of the air, and hands it back. “Oh my, I am so sorry,” the woman says as she pops her eye back in place. “Let me buy you dessert to make it up to you.” They enjoy a wonderful dessert together, and afterwards, the woman invites him to the theatre followed by drinks. After paying for everything, she asks him if he would like to come to her place and stay for breakfast the next morning. The next morning, she cooks a gourmet meal with all the trimmings. The guy is amazed! Everything has been incredible! “You know,” he said, “you are the perfect woman. Are you this nice to every guy you meet?” “No,” she replies, “you just happened to catch my eye.”
32 theWord
SUDOKU 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. Solution on page 43
TRAVEL
Wordsearch solution page 43
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Aeroplane Bike Boats Canoe Cars Dinghy
Hovercraft Liner Locomotive Lorry Motorcycle Omnibus
Pedalo Sailboat Scooter Ship Sidecar Taxi
Train Truck Vans Yacht
A little spanish
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ACROSS
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1. English word for “los zapatos” 6. English for “el cuarto de baño” 8 ¿Cómo se dice “door” en español? 9. If you think he/she is special, say “Te......” 10. Spanish for hamburger” 12. Spanish verb for “to believe” 14. Spanish word for “school”
Down
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2. Spanish verb for “to be (temporary)” 3. Spanish verb for “to wake up” (reflexive) 4. Spanish verb for“to fall asleep”(reflexive) 5. English word for “el jabón” 7. English word for “corto” 11. Your mother’s mother (in Spanish) answers on page 43
3 LETTERS AHA ALP ASH BAA BET DRY ELF ERR ERS ICY OLE POA SAD SHY TNT TOE 4 LETTERS ABLE ACTS AGAR ARES AXER
Fill ‘Em In
BEST CAME CERE CLEW DAIS DAME DOMS EARP EBAY ERST ESAU EYRE FLAY GETS IRON ITEM LEER LUMP MILE NOSE PACT REEL RELY SAUL
SENT SNUG SPAN STIR TELE TOYS TRAP WREN YEST
LITRE MEANT ORSON PITCH PLIES PULSE SEEDS SOTHO TAMES
5 LETTERS ABIDE ADEPT ASSAY AUGHT AWARE BIGOT DERMA DWELT EXEAT HEMAN IGLOO ILLER ITCHY
6 LETTERS CALVED PREPPY SEEDED SILENT 8 LETTERS BOASTING LONGEVAL NEWSCAST SEESAWED
Place all the words listed into the grid. Each word can be used once only. The first word has been filled in for you. Answer on page 43
theWord 1
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17. City of northwest Colombia that was once the richest port on the Spanish Main (9) 18. The religious and classical literary language of India (8) 20. Musical direction to go back to the point indicated by the sign (3,5) 24. Italian film director whose films include La Notte and Zabriskie Point (9) 27. Hormone that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood (7) 29. 18th century Italian physiologist who pioneered the therapeutic use of electricity (7) 30. Film for which Holly Hunter, Anna Paquin and Jane Campion won Oscars in 1993 (3,5) 32. A scientific name or algebraic expression of three terms (9) 33. French playwright whose works, such as Antigone, juxtapose harsh reality and fantasy (7) 34. Mining and industrial region of western Germany (4) 35. Novel by Mary Shelley, published in 1818 (12)
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1. Weapons for toxophilites (4) 2. A light-sensitive pigment in the retina, also known as visual purple (9) 3. A strong rich cheese, often with blue veins, originally made in Leicestershire (7) 4. Opera by Ruggiero Leoncavallo first performed in 1892 (9) 5. Roman coin worth a quarter of a denarius (8) 6. Territory in the western Himalayas divided between India and Pakistan (7) 8. Display stand with open shelves (7) 9. Department of France with Agen as its capital (3-2-7) 10. Husband of Helen of Troy (8) 15. The unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought (12) 19. Any herbivorous marsupial of the family Macropodidae (8) 21. Leading lady in films of the 30s and 40s, once a singer with Rudy Vallee’s band (5,4) 22. A dish of boneless cooked white poultry or fish served cold in jelly (9) 23. An athletic contest in skiing and shooting (8) 25. Fringed shawl worn by some Jewish men, especially at prayer (7) 26. English actor, producer and director given a life peerage in 1970 (7) 28. Small pegs or plugs for stopping the vents of casks (7) 31. A title of respect used in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and other countries of Asia (4)
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ACROSS
1. Russian world chess champion who lost the title to Bobby Fischer in 1972 (5,7) 7. Fir or pine wood (4) 11. US state containing the national monument Shoshone Cavern (7) 12. 1992 comedy film with Whoopi Goldberg and Maggie Smith (6,3) 13. French philosopher and writer whose works epitomize the Age of Enlightenment (8) 14. Actress whose name was used for an inflatable life jacket (3,4) 16. Highly poisonous metallic element, with the chemical symbol As (7)
oweodnm
4
entwe
WORD JUMBLE
gnegsnii
Unscramble each word below. Unscramble the highlighted letters to form the final word in the puzzle.
nanetive “being two identical”
Answer pg43
AEEILLSTT How many words can you find using the letters above? Must be 4 letters per word or more. 1 word uses all 9 letters. We found: 84 words. You may use plurals & use each letter only once! Our list on page 43.
10
Crossword solution page 43
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Match the numbers in the grid to the correct letters in order to complete the crossword. We have given you a few letters to get started. Answer on page 43. 6
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Codeword
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34 theWord Do you call uk mobiles? If the answer is yes, read on... You can now call UK mobiles for an unbelievable 8 cents per minute from either your landline or your mobile. Everyone knows that calling UK mobiles is expensive, but it doesn't have to be. Using our new system, you can call whenever you wish without the fear of a large bill. Simply dial the access code and you will be told how many minutes you have remaining. When you have used your credit, you can top up again using your debit card or Paypal. You can even opt for auto topup.
For more info call: 966 265 089
â‚Ź10 buys you 120 minutes of calls NO CONNECTION CHARGES - PER SECOND BILLING - NO TIME LIMITS
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
Call for more details or to arrange a home survey*: 902 027 517 *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 your free central heating survey
theWord
35
Ecosense = Good Sense Don’t throw good money down the toilet Renting Spanish property has become a less viable option for many people. When comparing the income gained compared to the running costs and in particular, those of electricity, there is often a fine line dividing profit from loss. Even when this is not the case, avoiding wastage means higher profit margins. The first thing that people do when they arrive at the apartment or house they have rented in Spain, is turn on the air conditioner and whizz the control down to 16 degrees, full fan speed, often leaving the cold air blowing as they depart the property for a day at the beach. Accepted by many as a by-product of rental business, you can easily and cheaply eradicate this which over time will put a completely different complexion on your rental income. There are two Ecosense products that will help you to reduce your electricity consumption whilst you are renting your property. One product turns off the air conditioner unit if it doesn’t detect movement after a set period. The other dictates the minimum and maximum temperature levels, as set by you. Ecosense products may be purchased separately or together, if using both you maximise on your potential savings. Visit the Ecosense website for more information: www.ecosense.co.uk. Alternately call our Spanish distributor Iberswitch SL: on 902 027 517 and if you quote reference: TWES you can claim a 20% discount.
EcoRemote Replaces the existing remote control of your A/C unit and allows you to pre-set the minimum and maximum temperatures thus stipulating how hard you are prepared for your equipment to work. By simply reducing the units capability by a couple of degrees at the end of the scale where it works it’s hardest will have a substantial impact on your consumption. The EcoRemote retails at €25
Ecosense 2000 Ecosense uses Passive Infra Red (PIR) technology to scan the room for occupancy. PIR will only detect body heat and will not therefore be affected by items such as ceiling fans, curtains etc. When no movement is detected it will send a signal to the air conditioning (A/C) unit to switch it off. Ecosense also has a comfort night sensor, enabling the A/C to be used, if required, throughout hours of darkness. Reduces energy costs by up to 80% Battery operated Easy installation Built in comfort night sensor Tamper proof lockable function buttons Compatible with most A/C units The Ecosense 2000 retails at €74
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Stress Management
How to Reduce, Prevent & Cope with Stress It may seem like there is nothing you can do about stress. The bills won’t stop coming, there will never be more hours in the day and your career and family responsibilities will always be demanding. But you have more control than you might think. In fact, the simple realisation that you’re in control of your life is the foundation of stress management. Managing stress is all about taking charge: of your thoughts, emotions, schedule, and the way you deal with problems. Stress management starts with identifying the sources of stress in your life. This isn’t as easy as it sounds. Your true sources of stress aren’t always obvious, and it’s all too easy to overlook your own stress-inducing thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. You may know that you’re constantly worried about work deadlines. But maybe it’s your procrastination, rather than the actual job demands, that leads to deadline stress. To identify your true sources of stress, look closely at your habits, attitude, and excuses: Do you explain away stress as temporary “I just have a million things going on right now”? Do you define stress as an integral part of your work or home life “Things are always crazy around here” or, as a part of your personality “I have a lot of nervous energy, that’s all”? Until you accept responsibility for the role you play in creating or maintaining it, your stress level will remain outside your control.
Look at how you currently cope with stress Think about the ways you currently manage and cope with stress in your life. A stress journal can help you identify them. Are your coping strategies healthy or unhealthy, helpful or unproductive? Unfortunately, many people cope with stress in ways that compound the problem.
Learning healthier ways to manage stress If your methods of coping with stress aren’t contributing to your greater emotional and physical health, it’s time to find healthier ones. There are many healthy ways to manage and cope with stress, but they all require change. You can either change the situation or change your reaction. When deciding which option to choose, it’s helpful to think of the four A’s: avoid, alter, adapt, or accept. Since everyone has a unique response to stress, there is no “one size fits all” solution to managing it. No single method works for everyone or in every situation, so experiment with different techniques and strategies. Focus on what makes you feel calm and in control.
Avoid unnecessary stress Not all stress can be avoided, and it’s not healthy to avoid a situation that needs to be addressed. You may be surprised, however, by the number of stressors in your life that you can eliminate.
• Learn how to say “no” – Know your limits and stick to them. Whether in your personal or professional life, refuse to accept added responsibilities when you’re close to reaching them. Taking on more than you can handle is a sure-fire recipe for stress. • Avoid people who stress you out – If someone consistently causes stress in your life and you can’t turn the relationship around, limit the amount of time you spend with that person or end the relationship entirely. • Take control of your environment – If the evening news makes you anxious, turn the TV off. If traffic’s got you tense, take a longer but less-travelled route. If going to the market is an unpleasant chore, do your grocery shopping online. • Avoid hot-button topics – If you get upset over religion or politics, cross them off your conversation list. If you repeatedly argue about the same subject with the same people, stop bringing it up or excuse yourself when it’s the topic of discussion.
Alter the situation If you can’t avoid a stressful situation, try to alter it. Figure out what you can do to change things so the problem doesn’t present itself in the future. Often, this involves changing the way you communicate and operate in your daily life. • Express your feelings instead of bottling them up. If something or someone is bothering you, communicate your concerns in an open and respectful way. If you don’t voice your feelings, resentment will build and the situation will likely remain the same. • Be willing to compromise. When you ask someone to change their behaviour, be willing to do the same. If you both are willing to bend at least a little, you’ll have a good chance of finding a happy middle ground. • Be more assertive. Don’t take a backseat in your own life. Deal with problems head on, doing your best to
anticipate and prevent them. If you’ve got an exam to study for and your chatty roommate just got home,
say up front that you only have five minutes to talk. • Manage your time better. Poor time management can cause a lot of stress. When you’re stretched too thin and running behind, it’s hard to stay calm and focused. But if you plan ahead and make sure you don’t overextend yourself, you can alter the amount of stress you’re under.
Accept the things you can’t change Some sources of stress are unavoidable. You can’t prevent or change stressors such as the death of a loved one, a serious illness, or a national recession. In such cases, the best way to cope with stress is to accept things as they are. Acceptance may be difficult, but in the long run, it’s easier than railing against a situation you can’t change. • Don’t try to control the uncontrollable. Many things in life are beyond our control— particularly the behaviour of other people. Rather than stressing out over them, focus on the things you can control such as the way you choose to react to problems. • Look for the upside. As the saying goes, “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” When facing major challenges, try to look at them as opportunities for personal growth. If your own poor choices contributed to a stressful situation, reflect on them and learn from your mistakes. • Share your feelings. Talk to a trusted friend or make continued on page 37
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Reader Offer
continued from page 36
Don’t Drink The Water
an appointment with a therapist. Expressing what you’re going through can be very cathartic, even if there’s nothing you can do to alter the stressful situation.
Make time for fun and relaxation Beyond a take-charge approach and a positive attitude, you can reduce stress in your life by nurturing yourself. If you regularly make time for fun and relaxation, you’ll be in a better place to handle life’s stressors when they inevitably come.
The conversation about drinking tap water in Spain comes up regularly, usually after a trip to the supermarket and the ritual walk from the car to the house lugging the huge bottles of water. Is it really necessary to do this, can we not just draw the water from the tap? Sometimes, the morning cup of tea, to me at any rate, is reminiscent of the local baths I used to go to as a teenager and where my eyes would go completely bloodshot from the chlorine in the water. If it was simply a case of getting used to the taste, I would indeed be drinking the water directly from the tap but as it is, I even use bottled water to fill the kettle otherwise my nice cup of Tetleys would be completely spoilt. Am I being precious? Should I persevere and push past the taste barrier? Well, if the state of my old kettle or my taps is anything to go by I would say no, I am not. Hard water is one of the biggest issues in Spain and as a subsequence, having to carry the heavy water bottles is one of the others. A solution would be to have the water delivered directly to your door.
and it is in my opinion, long overdue. EDEN WATER We h ave all seen the commercial water dispensers in offices with the huge water bottles sitting on top of a cooler unit. Image these in miniature, a desktop version with an eleven litre water bottle. The unit itself comes with two eleven litre bottles and is brought to your home. For replacements, you simply call, text or email and within 48 hours, another three bottles will be delivered. You can order more if you wish but three is the minimum. Eden Water offers this service and the only stipulation is, you order a minimum of 24 bottles per year. As a special offer for theWord readers, the cost of the cooler unit and first two bottles is reduced from €65 to just €25 but hurry, the offer ends soon.
reader offer
There is just such a service available
Healthy ways to relax and recharge Go for a walk Call a good friend Take a long bath Curl up with a good book Watch a comedy
Spend time in nature Sweat out tension workout Work in your garden Listen to music Savour a cup of coffee or tea
Adopt a healthy lifestyle You can increase your resistance to stress by strengthening your physical health. • Exercise regularly. Physical activity plays a key role in reducing and preventing the effects of stress. Make time for at least 30 minutes of exercise, three times per week. Nothing beats aerobic exercise for releasing pent-up stress and tension. • Eat a healthy diet. Well-nourished bodies are better prepared to cope with stress, so be mindful of what you eat. Start your day right with breakfast, and keep your energy up and your mind clear with balanced, nutritious meals throughout the day. • Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. Self-medicating with alcohol or drugs may provide an easy escape from stress, but the relief is only temporary. Don’t avoid or mask the issue at hand; deal with problems head on and with a clear mind. • Get enough sleep. Adequate sleep fuels your mind, as well as your body. Feeling tired will increase your stress because it may cause you to think irrationally. Don’t get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that you forget to take care of your own needs. Nurturing yourself is a necessity, not a luxury.
Eden Water Domestic Water Dispensers Europe’s number one water cooler supplier 600,000 customers in 16 countries 368 million litres of water distributed each year
To order your water dispenser call: 902 026 105
38 theWord
hard water diy
By Eddy Water Descalers
Dealing with Hard Water
There are a number of ways of dealing with limescale deposits caused by hard water, something experienced by most home owners. This article explores the options, and describes fitting an electronic descaling device. This is a simple job to tackle which will alleviate the problems of limescale build up in most homes for substantially less cost than a conventional chemical water softener and is likely to pay for itself many times over.
The problem
Do these problems affect you? Furred-up kettle? High electricity bills? Clogged shower head? Hot taps running slowly due to clogged pipes? Stubborn tidemarks around baths and sinks? White stains on taps, even though you’ve just cleaned them? If you suffer these, then join the majority of the population. You’ve got a hard water problem.
The solutions
There are three possible solutions: 1: Chemical limescale cleaners and lots of hard scrubbing to remove baked on limescale, added to which you will have to keep on top of the problem week after week. You would be surprised how the cost mounts up too! Also the cleaners pollute the waste water, causing yet more problems to the environment. 2: Conventional (ion exchange) water softener - the most expensive option. These devices must be plumbed into
your mains water supply, and consume a large quantity of salt in order to make them function, about €15 per month for a family of four people. The water generated by these systems is truly softened, but sodium from the salt replaces the calcium in your water. This means that treated water has substantially raised sodium levels. Experts advise that this water is not suitable for drinking, so an alternative source of drinking water should ideally be arranged (separate tap in kitchen). This is particularly important if you have children in the house, as they should consume even less sodium than an adult, and on no account should a baby’s formula milk be made with water treated by an ion exchange water softener. Conventional salt based water softeners also generate substantial amounts of waste water with regular flushing of the resin tanks, increasing the water bill for those households with metered water. 3. Electronic or magnetic water descalers. Some devices are simply powerful magnets placed around the incoming mains water pipe. A much more effective device is the electronic water descaler, an example of which is the Eddy Water Descaler developed by the Surrey based manufacturers Eddy. They produce an up rated model, the ED6002P which more than doubles the output level of previous models to combat
even the most severe limescale problems. This device operates by wrapping coils of wire around the incoming water main to pass a magnetic field through the water. The effect of this is to cause the calcium in the water to stay in solution and so inhibit it from adhering to taps, baths and kettles. When developing this device, Eddy Water Descalers sought to better the output level of all rival devices by a significant factor whilst also managing to produce a unit that is economical to buy and run. During the testing phase they found some competing devices to have
output signals so low as to render them almost completely ineffective. Also unlike some inferior devices which operate with only one coil, Eddy Water Descalers have two, so increasing the time for which the water is exposed to the magnetic waveform. This has been a crucial factor in its success. It’s made in Britain too, and comes with a 12 month money back guarantee if not completely satisfied with the performance. Eddy is also kind to the environment as, unlike with a salt based softener; there are no environmentally damaging discharges into your waste water. An Eddy Water Descaler represents an economical and environmentally friendly way of combating the nuisance of limescale. The treated water has an unaltered chemical composition, so is as safe to drink as normal tap water. No dangerous chemicals or cleaners are washed into your waste water. The build up of limescale is radically reduced, not only on visible surfaces like taps and kettles, but also in places where limescale damage cannot be seen, such as heating elements in washing machines, and hot water tanks. In these places, excess limescale results in increased water heating costs and premature heating element failure. After fitting an Eddy water descaler, any small
deposits of limescale that are still present, in kettles for example, should be powdery and easily cleaned away with a quick rinse or a gentle wipe. Furthermore, of great interest to our readers, the device is easily installed as a DIY operation, taking the average householder no more than 30 minutes to fit. Overall, electronic water descalers such as Eddy present a neat solution to a major problem for those of us in Spain (most of us) afflicted by hard water.
However, if DIY is not your strong point, we can even arrange installation of the unit for a small charge. We recommend a visit to the Eddy website to read how installing a descaler system with 100% money back guarantee can save you money and protect your home from limescale. Go to: www.eddy.uk.com The Retail Price is €179.99 but if you order your Eddy Descaler before 31st January you can claim a 10% discount if you mention Promotion Code TW5004. Call: 902 027 517
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How to design your own personality
39
take a hike!
Anti-depression treatment without prescription
By grahame milton-jones
Psycotherapist working on the Costa Blanca www.san-luis-clinic.co.uk
Almost everyone feels that they would like to change things about themselves. What you may not realise is that your personality is not fixed; it was not a package given to you when you were born or something permanent. This being the case, you have an opportunity to design your own personality. It does not require surgery or years in a Buddhist temple meditating, but it does require a bit of time and effort. If you are willing to take the plunge, you can start redesigning yourself today. Firstly you need to understand a little about who you are. Lots of people feel that they do not know who they are and hope that one day they will find themselves. You are the sum total of all the behaviour that you have picked up over the years. This means that when you are faced with a situation, you behave according to how you have been programmed and not how you decide to
Alcohol Anxiety Bereavement Confidence problems
behave. As a result people who know you well can predict how you will behave when faced with something new. Your behaviour was learned from your parents, your friends and from your school. Of course, some of your behaviour is as a result of you deliberately deciding to behave in a particular way. A large part of your behaviour is your unconscious mind making decisions in response to what it thinks is best for you. To change your personality, all you have to do is retrain your unconscious mind to behave in a new way. You can dispose of unwanted behaviour this way, and acquire new behaviour this way as well. So how do you go about reprogramming your mind? It is easier than you think; it just takes a little time and effort. Follow these steps and be the person you want to be: 1. Pick a new characteristic that you would like. You may want to be more considerate, more confident socially, more courageous, have more will power or anything else that
Depression Drug issues IBS Low self esteem
Panic attacks Phobias Relationship problems Smoking
appeals to you. 2. Decide if the new characteristic is really right for you. If you are naturally quiet and serious, deciding that you want to be the life and soul of parties would not be right for you. Make sure that you do not build in conflict within yourself. 3. Write down how a person with this characteristic behaves. 4. Practice behaving this way for a whole week. 5. Review how the week went, whether you are happy with the new “you�, and if so:
Whenever you are feeling blue, I suggest you get yourself down to the beach at Los Alcazares and take in the blue sky, the beach and the clear calm waters. From the harbour at the south end there are five kilometres of promenade and a number of cafes and restaurants along the way.
This time of the year it is never crowded and everyone is smiling. Do yourself a favour, remind yourself occasionally why you moved to Spain in the first place, it is so easy to get caught up in the stress of life and forget how lucky you are to be here.
6. Practice behaving this way for another 3 weeks. This means that you will have spent 4 weeks training your unconscious mind how you want to be in the future. You will have learned a new habit which should stay with you. You have redesigned one part of your personality and now you can go about changing other parts. Call Grahame for information or an appointment on 96 540 5631 or 699 649 002 www.san-luis-clinic.co.uk Stress Weight control
Most people have emotional problems, they come from experiences that they have had in the past. It is not difficult to set the mind right provided the problems are approached in the correct way. Psychotherapy is like massage for the mind. It is talking therapy, where discussions are carefully directed so that problems can be uncovered and dealt with. Psychotherapy is safe and in professional hands has no side-effects. It is friendly yet professional, privacy and confidentiality is assured. Grahame Milton-Jones is professionally qualified and was trained in the UK. He has been in practice in Spain for over ten years and has treated people along the Costa Blanca. In addition, he also helps people by telephone if they cannot travel to Creviellente or if they live to far away fro a home visit. Emotional problems should not be allowed to spoil your enjoyment of life. Make the call today and start your life again. FCA MSc DHP (NC) MNCHP
A big THANK YOU to everyone who entered our FREE to enter competition to win a PAYG Internet Dongle. The lucky winners are: Mr D. Webb - Orihuela Costa Mrs E. Matthews - Estrella del Mar Mrs C. Richardson - Mazarron Mr J. O'Brien - Crevillente Mrs S Realey - Callosa de Segura To everyone who took part but didn't win - better luck next time! PS. There is another free draw on page 28
40 theWord
Top 10 tips for holiday rental success
Brought to you by the UK´s No. 1 Holiday rental site, HomeAway.co.uk
1
Cover yourself
Firstly ensure you are allowed to let your property on a short-term basis and that you understand applicable taxation laws, as you must declare income earned from holiday lets. You also need holiday rental liability insurance and ideally a booking contract to confirm details of the reservation, deposit/ refund/cancellation policies and terms and conditions of tenancy.
2
Provide a prompt, professional service
4 5
Set up auto-replies for booking enquiries containing further details of your property and travel options, and have a standard email prepared to send with your booking contract. If your calendar looks out of date, or your rates aren’t clear, you will miss out on enquiries.
Have a local representative
3
Ideally you should have someone to ‘meet and greet’ your clients. You will also need a cleaner and someone on hand locally to deal with problems. One person can often fulfil all these roles – ask fellow holiday home owners or your property agent for recommendations.
Know your market
Understand your target audience and research the price of comparable properties and alternative accommodation in the area. What type of tourists visit the area and what will they be looking for? Know your seasons and run offers to attract off-peak holidaymakers.
Set the holiday scene
Great photos and descriptions really help set the holiday scene and sell a stay in your property. Take time writing so carefully prepare every shot. Renters will want to see exterior shots, outside facilities and view, plus photos of every room.
6
Furnish for rentals
7
Go the extra mile
8
Provide comments from past guests
9
Advertise
10
Keep furnishings simple and avoid clutter; invest in a lockable cupboard to store away personal knick-knacks. Ensure the property meets health and safety requirements, and consider what practical items guests will expect.
Little extras can make all the difference – include a welcome pack of basics and local goodies, and provide a file with useful information on local attractions, activities and transport.
Positive testimonials from previous guests will help sell your property. Leave a guestbook at your property for feedback and to gather positive quotes.
Having your own website to refer guests to is great, but there are millions of websites online so you need to advertise somewhere you will definitely be seen. Magazines are one option, but reputable holiday rental websites are a cost-effective way to get exposure to millions of holidaymakers and manage booking enquiries. To reduce the impact of seasonality, advertise with a holiday rental website that provides international visibility like HomeAway.co.uk.
Are holiday rentals for me? Holiday home owners market their holiday home for a number of reasons: Offset mortgage and running costs for the property Earn short term rental income from a property waiting to be sold Earn short term rental income when the property is not being used.
If you are interested in learning more about holiday rentals, see our advert on Page 37
It is important to remember that when renting your property to holidaymakers, you retain full control of when the property is rented, the rental income charged, for how long and most importantly who to.
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42 theWord
• • • • • •
Installation in less than 48 hours from order Easy and quick installation No additional software needed Option to upgrade to 12Mbps English customer & technical support Equipment will be supplied on loan basis FOC (value €500) at the end of contract will be returned in good working order • 8GB per month limit for download if limit is reached, download speed is reduced Download Speed 8Mbps Upload Speed 2Mbps
Monthly Charge €33.90 Installation Charge €99
Contract Term 18 mths
We have all seen the promises of fast broadband speeds which almost never do as they say on the can. Satellite Internet is different, it doesn’t rely on speeds available through the local exchange and it doesn’t slow down when all the school kids start gaming on-line. If you can see the sky, you can benefit from Satellite Internet and you can take it with you wherever you move to. If you live in an area where broadband is not available or, the speed you have been offered is not sufficient, you should consider your own satellite connection. Streaming TV, downloading movies, phone calls etc needs never be an issue.
For more information call:
902 027 517
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43
how to hypnotise animals!
A Light Hearted Look At Hypnosis By alan gilchrist Costa Blanca’s Top Hypnotherapist www.alangilchristinspain.com
We have all been there, the neighbours with the constantly barking dog that seems to get louder at 3.00am in the morning (the dog – not the neighbour). Short of placing a small pellet of lead in its ear that would guarantee you a good night’s sleep, (with the help of a colt 45), there doesn’t seem to be answer to this. As a Hypnotherapist it would be wonderful if I could hypnotise the offending dog to do just that, keep quiet. If that were the case I would have millions of beagles at my door wanting to stop smoking! But did you know that there are some animals that you can “Hypnotise”? Many years ago in Northern Ireland there was a stage hypnotist that was famous for hypnotising chickens and he labelled himself “The one
and only Chicken Hypnotiser”. Hypnosis in animals is more of a physical condition than it is mental. Just because it makes the animal not respond, it makes it appear to be “asleep”.
Ok, let’s start with hypnotising Chickens!...
Take one chicken, preferably not from the freezer as it makes the effect that much more difficult, if not impossible. Hold the (living) chicken flat on the floor with its head down. Take a piece of chalk and draw a line directly out and away from its beak for about 2 feet. When you remove your hands the chicken will stay there. To awaken it just move its head away from the line. Try this one with the cockerel that lives on the local farm that
crows at dawn, you will be the hero of the neighbourhood!
Rabbits!...
Hold the rabbit out in a stretched position on its back with its ears and back legs flat out. Keep it in this position for about 30 seconds then take your hand away. To awaken blow on its nose! (Ever notice the ones in the Spanish supermarkets stretched out, is this how they do it?)
Lobsters!...
Stand the lobster on its head using its claws as supports. When you hold it in this position for a few moments it will immediately go to “Sleep”. While in this state quietly whisper to it that it will soon be going for a relaxing
sauna. To waken it up just put it back on its legs again. (Then place it into the pot for its lovely sauna).
Guinea Pigs!...
Roll it over a few times and place it on its back. To awaken it, again just blow on its nose. Then return it to the next door neighbour’s frantic child!
Frogs! (And lizards)...
Simply flip it on its back and hold it for a few moments then take your hand away. To awaken it, just flip it back over. As regards lizards, keep them small- Komodo dragons can be a handful! One animal that we would all love to hypnotise is that elusive
Puzzle Answers
A Little Spanish
Fill ‘Em In Solution
Crossword Solution AEEILLSTT - How did you do? Here´s our list: aisle alee allies ease easel east eats eels elate elates elite elites else estate ills isle islet last late latest lease least lees lest lets lies list little sail sale salt sate satellite seal seat sell seta setae settle sill silt site slat slate sleet slit stale stall stat state steal steel stele stile still stilt tail tails tale tales tall tallest tallies taste tea teal teallite teas tease tees teet tell tells test ties tile tiles till tills tilt tilts title titles WORD JUMBLE oweodnm = woodmen, gnegsnii = singeing, entwe = tween, nanetive = venetian. Final answer = “twinned”
Codeword Solution
Word Search Solution
creature – the Bank Manager- to forget all about our overdrafts. Sadly it can’t be done, because if that were the case I would not be writing this article, you would find me down at their office swinging a watch at them, and we would all be Hypnotists! Alan holds his Fast Track Hypnosis sessions in Cabo Roig, Guardarmar, and Benidorm. He is also the Originator of the Stop Smoking in under 30 minutes Fast Track Hypnosis Session which others are now trying to copy! For an appointment, Brochure, or free of charge initial consultation, contact Alan Gilchrist on 659229408. Visit his web site: alangilchristinspain.com or hypnosiscostablanca.com
44 theWord
winter warmers
Beat the chill with these easy recipes. Try these.... Spiced Parsnip & Carrot Soup Serves 4 Prepare 10 mins Cook 20–25 mins
1 Heat the oil in a large saucepan and cook the onion and chillies for 5 minutes until softened. Add the garam masala and cook for 1 minute more.
1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 onion, roughly chopped 1–2 red chillies, deseeded and chopped 1 tbsp garam masala 500g parsnips, peeled and cubed 500g carrots, peeled and cubed 2 x 500ml vegetable stock grated zest and juice of 1 orange 1 tsp cumin seeds, toasted
2 Add the parsnips, carrots, stock and 200ml water. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer gently for 20–25 minutes until the vegetables are tender. 3 Using a handheld blender, whizz the soup until smooth. Stir in the orange zest and juice and heat gently, then ladle into bowls. Scatter over the cumin seeds and serve with crusty bread.
Winter Soup with Bacon, Lentil & Pasta Serves 4 Prepare 10 mins Cook 30 mins 200g lardons, 1 onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, chopped 1 celery stalk, chopped 1 carrot, diced 2 tomatoes, chopped 200g green lentils 1.5 litres hot chicken stock 100g orzo or small size pasta 25g pack flatleaf parsley, chopped
1 Cook the lardons, chopped onion, garlic, celery and diced carrot in a large saucepan for 5 minutes until the bacon lardons begin to crisp – there should be enough oil in the lardons so you won’t need to add more. 2 Add the chopped tomatoes, cook for 1–2 minutes or until pulpy then stir in the lentils and stock. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. 3 Add the orzo pasta and cook for a further 8–10 minutes until both the lentils and pasta are tender. Stir in the parsley then ladle into bowls and serve with plenty of black pepper.
Slow Pork with Dried Fuits and Walnuts 800g pork diced 2 tbsp plain flour 3 tbsp sunflower oil 1 large onion, sliced 3 sticks celery, sliced 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp mild curry powder 2 tbsp thyme leaves 100g soft dates, chopped 100g soft apricots, chopped Juice of 1 orange 500ml dry white wine 25g walnut pieces Chopped parsley, to serve
Serves 6–8 Prepare 20 mins Cook 2 hours 30 mins 1. Preheat the oven to 170ºC, gas mark 3. Toss the pork in the seasoned flour to coat. Heat half the oil in a non-stick frying pan and fry the pork on all sides until browned. Remove with a slotted spoon and place in an ovenproof casserole dish. 2. Heat the remaining oil in the frying pan, add the sliced onion, celery and chopped garlic and cook gently for 3–4 minutes until softened. 3. Add the spices and cook for a minute. then add the thyme leaves, dates, apricots and orange juice and wine. 5. Season and bring to the boil. 6. Pour over the pork in the casserole dish and place in the oven for 1½–2 hours until the pork is tender. To serve, dry fry the walnut pieces and scatter over the top with chopped parsley
theWord
or these....
Paprika Pork & Peppers
Serves 4 Prepare 15 mins Cook 2 hours 1 tbsp flour 850g diced pork 3 tbsp vegetable oil 500g casserole vegetables 2 cloves garlic, crushed 2 tsp bart smoked paprika 300ml chicken stock 230g jar Pimiento Peppers, drained and sliced if needed 170ml soured cream 1. Place the flour in a plastic bag, season and toss the pork in the flour to coat.
2. Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a heavy based pan and fry the pork over a high heat in 2 or 3 batches until browned. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside. 3. Add the remaining oil to the pan, with the casserole vegetables and garlic and cook for 5 minutes until soft and golden. 4. Add the paprika and cook for 1 minute. 5. Return the meat to the pan, add the stock, season and bring to the boil. Cover tightly and simmer for 1½ hours until the pork is almost tender. 6. Add the peppers and simmer for a further 30 minutes, uncovered. Check the seasoning and stir through the soured cream to give a marbled effect. Scatter with chopped parsley and a little extra paprika and serve with rice.
and for pud....
Upside-down Pear Cake Serves 8-10 Prepare 15mins Cook 40 - 45mins 200g butter, softened 75g light brown soft sugar 6 tbsp Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur or red fruit juice 4 pears, peeled, halved & cored 175g golden caster sugar 200g self-raising flour 3 medium eggs, beaten 4 tbsp milk Custard, to serve
Baileys New York Cheesecake
1 Heat the oven to 170ºC, gas mark 3. Mash together 50g of the butter and the brown sugar then mix in 4 tbsp of the Chambord. Spread into the base of a deep, 23cm nonstick cake tin and place on a baking tray. Press the pears, cut-side down, into the mixture. 2 Using an electric whisk, beat together the golden caster sugar, remaining butter, flour, eggs and milk until well blended. 3 Spread over the pears and bake for 45–50 minutes until risen and firm to the touch. Leave to cool in the tin for 5 minutes then turn out. Drizzle over the remaining 2 tbsp Chambord, then slice and serve warm with custard.
200g digestives, crushed 45g butter, melted 600g soft cream cheese 170ml double cream 150g golden caster sugar 2 tbsp cornflour
1 Preheat the oven to 180ºC, gas mark 4. Mix together the crushed cookies and butter, stirring until evenly mixed. Tip the crumb mixture into a deep, 23cm, non-stick cake tin, pressing the crumbs down firmly with the back of a spoon. Place in the fridge for 5 minutes. 2 Place the soft cheese, cream, sugar and cornflour in a large bowl and beat with an electric whisk until smooth. Add the Baileys and eggs and whisk briefly until blended. Pour into the prepared tin and place on a baking sheet. Scatter over the white chocolate and cook for 45 minutes until dark golden — it might still be a little wobbly in the centre but will set as it cools. 3 Turn off the oven, open the door and leave the cheesecake to cool completely. Chill, preferably overnight, until ready to serve.
5 tbsp Baileys Original Irish Cream 3 medium eggs 100g white chocolate, roughly chopped Serves 8 - 10 Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 45mins + cooling
45
46 theWord JANUARY Famous Aquarians
Geena Davis 21 January
Alicia Keys 25 January
Elijah Wood
horoscopes Aries
Leo
Sagittarius
21st March - 19th April Winter has given you the urge to clean house when it comes to work. However, don’t let your temper get the best of you this month. Remain calm and think about what’s best for your future before making any rash decisions. Seek advice from a close friend or relative if you’re not sure what to do.
23rd July - 22nd August Your pride may get you into trouble with a co-worker this month. Don’t make the situation worse by trying to take control. In your personal life, romantic efforts finally will pay off. That special someone will show you that he or she really cares. Don’t rush in too fast. Take your time.
22nd November - 21st December Your determination puts you in line for top honours in the workplace. The higher-ups finally recognize all the time and effort you put in. Don’t be shy when it comes to romance this month. Even though it’s against your nature, let your feelings be known. They’ll be reciprocated.
Taurus
Virgo
Capricorn
20th April - 20th May Don’t go against your nature this month. A loved one helps you realize what you want when it comes to your personal life. So, go out and get it. Don’t let others stand in your way. However, when it comes to work, it’s best to hold back your opinions until you know the whole story.
23rd August - 22nd September You’ll have to fight your fear of crowds this month as a meeting at work puts you in the spotlight. Your organization and perfectionism will pull you through with flying colours — and a lot of praise. Don’t be too hard on yourself after a fight with a loved one.
22nd December - 19th January Now is your chance to get ahead at work. Your boss offers you the opportunity to take a commanding role in the company and you’re up to the challenge. Don’t let your stubborn side take control when it comes to friends. You’ll have a good time, even though you didn’t make the plans.
Gemini
Libra
Aquarius
21st May - 20th June Your ability to think fast on your feet will come in handy during a social outing this month. Don’t let a surprise throw you off guard. Work will keep you busy during the beginning of the month, so you must focus on the task at hand. Your efforts won’t go unnoticed. A bonus is on the way.
24th September - 22nd October Your ability to be a good listener will be needed this month as a close friend goes through a rough time. Your pleasant nature will help get him or her back on track. Don’t let a quarrel with your special someone get you down. Your good nature will bring him or her around.
20th January - 19th February Your sense of realism does well for you in all areas of your life this month. You won’t overreact to a surprise at work, making you a pillar of strength for your coworkers. As for your love life, it’s time to take the next step in a relationship. Think about it.
Cancer
Scorpio
Pisces
21st June - 22nd July A family situation will put you to the test this month. Don’t let your emotions get the best of you. Stay strong and use your sense of humour to keep loved ones calm. You’ll be riding high when it comes to romance. An evening with a good friend will turn out to be much more.
23rd October - 21st November Your determination puts you in line for top honours in the workplace. The higher-ups finally recognize all the time and effort you put in. Don’t be shy when it comes to romance this month. Even though it’s against your nature, let your feelings be known. They’ll be reciprocated.
19th February - 20th March Don’t let feelings of self-doubt keep you from reaching a new level of success. Believe in yourself and you can accomplish anything. A realistic look at finances will help you plan for the future. Pay attention to details at work, especially if you deal with numbers. Diet plays a role.
28 January
Peter Crouch 30 January
theWord
47
Eva’s gardening corner
Bougainvillea
A native to coastal Brazil, the bougainvillea was discovered in 1768 in Rio de Janeiro by French naturalist Dr. Philibert Commerson. The plant is named after his close friend and ship’s admiral Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, who commanded
the ship La Boudeuse which sailed around the world between 1766 and 1769, and on which Commerson was a passenger. Kew Gardens later distributed plants it had propagated to British colonies throughout the world.
Bougainvillea may be pruned, trimmed, and pinched at any time of the year. Bloom initiation does not depend upon trimming – a bougainvillea has a bloom cycle followed by a rest period whether trimmed or not. However, trimming or pinching is recommended after the end of each blooming cycle or at the beginning of the rest period to promote branching and budding for the next bloom cycle. A bougainvillea, like most vine-type plants, will continue to grow outward without sending out side branches from each leaf-bud point unless the stem is trimmed or pinched. If you want one long stem, then don’t pinch out the tip. By pinching out the tip, most bougainvillea cultivars will send out new stems from 2 to 3 leafbuds below the cut, giving you a fuller plant with more buds. Some varieties do not send
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out any new stems, so their appearance is always stringy or bare. Don’t worry if your bougainvillea starts looking this way – that is, unless you forget to trim or pinch! It is important when growing a bougainvillea, not to wait for the branches to grow very far beyond your desired size before you remove all the tips – either with shears or hand-pinching — otherwise, the growth will be bare in the centre of the plant, and the overall look will be misshapen. Definitions of trimming, pruning & Pinching • Prune: To cut or lop superfluous or undesired twigs, branches, or roots from. • Trim: To put into a neat or orderly condition by clipping, paring, pruning, etc. • Pi n c h : To re m ove or shorten (buds or
shoots) in order to produce a certain shape of the plant, improve the quality of the bloom or fruit, or increase the development of buds.