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CLUB SIERRA BERMEJA
CLUB SIBERME SOCIO-CULTURAL DE ESTEPONA INTERNATIONAL CLUB OF ESTEPONA FOR ALL ENGLISH SPEAKING PEOPLE of San Pedro - Estepona - Casares - Sabinillas Manilva - Sotogrande & Beyond
JUNE 2019 EDITION www.theiceclub.es Email: info@theiceclub.es Telephone 952 802 549
ICE Magazine Contents Page
3
Editorial
Page
17
Future Events
Page
5
President’s Letter
Page
21
Photography Group
Page
5
Lottery Winners APRIL
Pages
11, 25 & 27
Member’s Article
Page
5
New Members
Page
23
Technology Matters
Pages
7&9
Past Events
Page
16
Golf Society
Page
11
Garden Club
Page
29
Puzzles Solutions
Page
13
Classified Advertisements
Page
32
Committee Information
Page
14
Puzzles
Page
32
Advertising Rates
Page
16
Activities at ICE
Page
33
Activity Organisers
Page
17
This Month’s Events
Page
34
General Information
Pages
18 & 19
Social Calendar
Page
35
Essential Telephone Numbers
President: Sue Potter Editor: Sheila Fox Advertising: Richard Wood Disclaimer: - The committee wishes to declare that ICE does not accept responsibility for the contents of articles nor the claims made by advertisers. Printed by Digiprint, Avda Litoral, Edificio Visamar, Blq 2 Local 9, 29680 Estepona Visit Our New Improved Club Website: www.theiceclub.es Free Wi-Fi for members at the clubhouse. The magazine is published on the website on or before the first day of each month.
PLEASE MENTION ICE CLUB & MAGAZINE WHEN CONTACTING ADVERTISERS Editorial: This month starts the wind-down for the summer. We are seeing more of our members returning to the UK for a few months and we have scaled down the events and trips until the weather is bit cooler in September. I have produced a schedule of what is happening and when, on page 17, as a supplement to the usual social calendar. Please keep sending your items for the magazine. Hope you all have a good summer. Sheila Fox - Editor Email: editor@theiceclub.es. Telephone: 951 900 745 Mobile: 671 232 906 PLEASE REMEMBER Your I.C.E. club is managed and run entirely by volunteers, including catering and bar staff, event organisers and your voted committee. All those who have volunteered say it is a great way to make new friends. Why not get involved? Without volunteers, the club could not exist. REQUIRED URGENTLY: KITCHEN AND BAR STAFF
President’s Letter We have had to say our final goodbye to Gillian Wilson, one of our honorary members. Our thoughts are with Paul and her family at this sad time. On the noticeboard I have put Noreen and Dan Cook's new address, as they have moved into a nursing home. I'm sure they would appreciate contact from any of us. It is good to be back in Spain, even though it is for a very short time and good to catch up with friends. A big thank you to Joan and the rest of the Committee for holding the fort so admirably. This month Wilma is organising a trip for lunch at Molino del Santo, a very good restaurant in Benaoján. It is the first time we have organised a trip here and I hope it will be successful. Julie is organising a Summer Dinner Dance at El Paraiso Country Club, a great venue for outside eating, dancing with music by Rocking Johnny. It’s going to be a great night, so don't forget to buy your tickets. Jaqui requires more chefs. If you can help please let her know as the Thursday lunches are very popular. Please, can I remind everyone NOT to park in the space by the front door of the Club as it upsets the neighbours. We hope to have new ovens installed in our quiet period of July and August, we will also take this opportunity to have the kitchen deep cleaned. Enjoy your summer everyone, whether here in Spain or back in the UK. Sue Potter - President THE CLUB WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS
ICE PETANCA GROUP Venue: Playa Ancha Casares, Sundays 10.30am Petanca is a form of boules where the goal is to toss or roll hollow steel balls as close as possible to a small wooden ball called a cochonnet (literally "piglet") or jack, while standing inside a circle with both feet on the ground. The game is normally played on hard dirt or gravel. It can be played in public areas in parks, or in dedicated facilities called boulodromes. Petanca Group will continue to meet on We have a new website address and a new club email address. We also have a new Facebook Group - The ICE Club Join the group and keep up to date with what’s happening Website: www.theiceclub.es General email: info@theiceclub.es For Photos or for Vic or Peter: webmaster@theiceclub.es For Magazine or for Sheila: editor@theiceclub.es
50 YEARS AGO TODAY On 8th June 1969 Spanish leader, Francisco Franco, ordered the closure of the border gate between Spain and Gibraltar, in response to the Gibraltar Constitution Order 1969. The border at La Linea remained closed for more than 13 years until it was partially reopened to Spanish and Gibraltarian pedestrians on 15 December 1982, and was fully reopened to motor vehicles on 5 February 1985.
Your ICE Players, Drama Group Needs You! We take blonds, bald-headed men, you can be over 80 or as young as 65 we don't mind as long as you can learn lines and can stand about for at least up to 2 hours. If you are interested Contact RICHARD WOOD Tel: 639 542 387
PAST EVENTS What a lovely Easter Sunday we all had at the club luncheon on 21st April. A super buffet lunch and delicious desserts, cooked and served by Jaqui and her kitchen team. Easter eggs decorated the tables and colourful plants that were won by members who had a secret ticket stuck under their chair. Then lovely plates of petit fours, made by Jaqui, were put on our tables. The Easter raffle 1st prize was won by Freddie and other members won smaller eggs and some hand-painted eggs by Dyana. Lots of fun and chocolate and a lovely day. Submitted by Julie Wood
SAD NEWS We’re sorry to tell you that Derek Culshaw has died at his home in Jersey. His funeral will be on 4th. June. Margaret & Derek had been ICE members since 2007 and Derek was one of the stars in the ICE Players production of Kismet in 2010. Our thoughts are with Margaret at this sad time.
Welcome back to Spain for Rob after his treatments Presentation made by Joan Thompson at the Thursday morning meeting on 9th May.
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PAST EVENTS First batch of scones out of the oven for the Foreign Residents Day on 27th April at the Parque Del Calvario in Estepona. Jaqui Parrick, Fran Horwood and Michael Dowling, were amongst other members who supported the ICE Club at this event. This year it was held outdoors, but thankfully was a lovely sunny day.
TRIVIA QUIZ No.
Answers on Page
A. B. C. D.
Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert are members of which British band? Who has served as Queen of Tuvalu since 1978? What is the first book of the Hebrew Bible? What is the name of the constructed international auxiliary language created by L.L. Zamenhof? E. Which author’s works include The Twist and The BFG?
QUICK CAT TAR SCHOOL DOWN WORD SQUARE No. 20 (Answers Page 29 ) How many words can you find in this square? Every word must be at least 3 letters in length, and a letter square can’t be used more than once in a given word. There is at least one word that uses every letter
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PAPER ABLE TING BIRTH LESS
ACTIVITIES AT ICE GARDEN CLUB GARDEN CLUB: On Tuesday, 14th May the Garden Club, plus other ICE members, had a really lovely day out at Paloma Park in Benalmádena. It is a truly beautiful park - with no entry fee. So many unusual attractive trees, shrubs, an amazing cactus garden - some in flower - (see photo). It was a shame no nameplates were given or, in fact, any data referring to the park. The park covers an area of 200,000 square metres offering SO much. - it’s hard to believe that a lot of the land was derelict 10 years ago. There is a large man-made lake with ducks, geese, swans, and terrapins just swimming around or sunbathing on the rocks. One can wander along the many walking paths, or just sit on benches to enjoy so many chickens, roosters, rabbits, parrots, pigeons, even goats and donkeys and the occasional pretty butterfly. I believe there are peacocks too. The Park also has three cafes too for refreshments. I think I speak for all of us when I say it was a thoroughly enjoyable day and a huge thank you to Diana Hackett for all her help and another thank you to Dave for the photos he has taken and passed on to Vic for the website and ICE TV. The next Garden Club meeting, with other ICE members joining us, will be on Tuesday June 11th when we shall visit the Award Winning Molino del Santo. The train journey from San Roque to the Restaurant is a very enjoyable experience as we travel past so many little railway stations adorned with window boxes, hanging baskets, flowerpots etc. They all look so pretty. The restaurant itself has flowered terraces alongside a mountain stream. Don’t miss this trip - see the menu on the board in Ice clubhouse. Submitted by Sandy Avis
or
FOR SALE ITEM
DESCRIPTION/ DETAILS
Outdoor Furniture Oval Table and Set of 6 Chairs Excellent Condition. Original price 3,500
PRICE (EUROS)
CONTACT DETAILS
Ala Luchian Tel: 744608487 500
HOUSE CLEARANCE SALE OPEN HOUSE – SATURDAY 1st JUNE 2019 (10.00am to 4.00pm) Villa Llamedos, C/. La Caracola 33, Linda Vista Baja, San Pedro de Alcántara 29670 Bob & Vera Culley have just sold their 4 Bedroom villa unfurnished. It is necessary that they clear it for vacant possession by Wednesday 26 June 2019.
Call Bob & Vera on 0044 7860 190515 or 952 785 654 from Saturday 25 May 2019
And they think they speak English! Submitted by Vic & Margaret Loughran Message from our daughter in Oz. G'day Ma, Happy Aussie mofers day from Oz, hope ya ave a bonza day wiv loads of fun in the sun and get a few stubby's down ya neck later in the arvo!! Big smackaroonies. Sheila.
Google Translation: Good Morning Mother, It is Mother's Day in Australia; I do hope you have a beautiful day and the weather is glorious. I am sure you will enjoy some drinkies later this afternoon. Lots of kisses to you. With warm regards. Your Loving daughter Louise Anne.
CANASTA is a unique South American card game of melds and strategy, and a member of the Rummy card Family. The ICE Canasta Group meets every Tuesday at 7:00pm for 7:30pm. Beginners by Appointment at 6:30pm Anyone interested in playing, please contact the Organiser, Nigel Nevshehir at 689 457 410 or see him on a Thursday at the Club.
PUZZLES
CODEWORDS No. (Answers Page Codewords are like crossword puzzles - but have no clues! Instead, every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number, the same number representing the same letter throughout the puzzle. All you have to do is decide which letter is represented by which number! To start you off, we reveal the codes for two or three letters. With these letters filled in throughout the puzzle, you'll have enough clues to start guessing words and discovering other letters. SUDOKU No. 25 (Answers Page ) Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each 9-box square contains all of the numbers from 1 to 9.
A cut Above
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ICE Club Golf Society Hello to everyone. Another month passed with the Spring Cup competition and lunch being the most important event. It was played at Dona Julio course in excellent weather conditions. The course was in very good condition with well-grassed fairways and consistent greens. The combination of the weather and the course produced some very good scores from the men and the ladies. Twenty various prizes were available to win, but the principal ones were: Gentleman champion: Stephen Hyde with 40 points. Second: Jan Blind with 37 points Ladies champion: Evelyn Byrne with 33 points. Second: Tineke Christensen with 32 points The Order of Merit Trophy played for over year was also presented. The winner was Peter Henry with an average of 36.9 and the second place was taken by Stephen McMurtry with 35.7. The prizes were all presented as usual during the lunch at La Choza restaurant who once again provided a first class meal with excellent service. A successful day was had by all. The twice-weekly roll-ups continue with generally good numbers turning up. Tee off times are changing to 08:30 as from 17th of May to avoid some of the hotter weather. Roger Bass who was playing regularly with us, has moved to another part of Spain for family reasons. We wish him well, as we enjoyed his company on and off the course. We notice that the tree planted in memory of Martin O'Gorman is now flowering well and seems to be thriving in its location. We look forward to seeing some pomegranates on it! An away day is being played on the 15th of May and on the 12th of June, both at La Cala golf, but on different courses. Results in the next magazine. Finally, the writer of this article would like to thank the golfing 'gods' for directing his golf ball for a hole in one on the first tee at Casares! Can't think of a better way to start a round of golf. Enjoy the summer. Contacts: Peter Henry: 93105180 Jan Blind: 603670330, Stephen McMurtry: 608854505
BOWLING OUR WAY! We meet Monday mornings at Benavista Bowls Club. It is quite a sociable morning, why not come and join us? 9.45 for 10.15am start, 16 ends for just 8 each, with a coffee break after 8 ends, price includes hire of woods if required. Dress code is predominately white but the critical factor is footwear, shoes must be smooth soled with no ’pimples or crinkles’. The Management at Benavista strictly applies this rule. Drinks and food available at the bar at very reasonable prices. Beginners, novices or your guests are always welcome. - Organisers Audrey Jinks 650 883 252 and Terry Smith 677 656 319
QUIZ NIGHT is held on the first Friday of the month at 8.00 for 8.30pm. Teams are made up of about 6 members and if you’ve never been before, we will help you join a team and make you feel very welcome. There are bottles of wine for winning teams, snacks and chocolates to munch on to feed the brains The bar is open before the quiz starts and again during the interval. Next quiz Friday 7th June.
THIS MONTH’S EVENTS JUNE Friday June 7th - 8.00 for 8.30pm Quiz Night - Quiz Master - Doug Proctor - Organiser Joan Thompson Tuesday 11th June - Trip to Molino del Santo in Benaoján for Lunch. Travelling by train from San Roque. Tickets 21 (incl. tip, but not transport) - Organiser Wilma Keeley Saturday 22nd June - 7.00 for 7. 30pm - Midsummer Dinner Dance - at the Paraiso Restaurant & Country Club. Welcome drink on arrival (cava or wine). Menu - Prawn Pil Pil, Paté, Melon & Ham Sirloin Pork with Brandy Sauce, Sole Waleska, Duck Confit, Ice Cream, Strawberry Cake, Brownie with Ice Cream & Baileys. Music by and dancing To Rocking Johnny Dress Code: Formal or Smart, Members 35 Guests 38 A coach has been arranged 12 for those not wanting to drive. - Organiser Julie Wood
FUTURE EVENTS JULY Friday July 5th - 8.00 for 8.30pm Quiz Night - Quiz Mistress - Maggie Whittley - Organiser Joan Thompson SEPTEMBER 24th to 27th September - Trip to Salobreña - 4 days (3 nights) Price 340 Half board - includes 2 lunches, wine and water with meals, free drinks! Deposits 50 (non-refundable) now being taken. Single supplement 54 Price may reduce if more people book. (See page 20 of this magazine for a full itinerary) - Organiser Joan Thompson
Proposed events for the Autumn Trip to Science Park and Planetarium in Granada (joint trip with C.A.P.) Lola Boys if and when available Festive Fair Treasure Hunt Camel Race Evening November 2nd or 3rd - ICE Birthday Party – venues being considered.
JUNE 2019 DATE
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REGULAR EVENTS
EXTRA EVENTS
10.30 a.m. Petanca Playa Ancha, Casares 12.30 - 2.30 p.m. Bar Open &Tapas 12.30 - 2.15 p.m. Mahjong 9.45 a.m. Bowling, Benavista Bowls Club 2.30 - 5.00pm Art Class Golf Casares Golf Club, Ist tee off 8.30am 11.00 a.m. Mahjong 11.00-1.30 p.m. Bar Open Spanish Classes Beg 10.30a.m. Adv 11.45 7.30 p.m. Canasta 10.30am-2.30pm Bar Open 11.30am Weekly Meeting 1.00pm Lunch 7.00pm Duplicate Bridge Golf Casares Golf Club, Ist tee off 8.30am 10.00am - 1.00pm Art Group 10.30 a.m. Petanca Playa Ancha, Casares 12.30 - 2.30 p.m. Bar Open &Tapas 12.30 - 2.15 p.m. Mahjong 9.45 a.m. Bowling, Benavista Bowls Club 2.30 - 5.00pm Art Class Golf Casares Golf Club, Ist tee off 8.30am 11.00 a.m. Mahjong 11.00 -1.30 p.m. Bar Open Spanish Classes Beg 10.30a.m. Adv 11.45 7.30 p.m. Canasta
8.00 for 8.30pm Quiz Night
Trip to Molino de Santo 10.30am Committee Meeting
10.30am-2.30pm Bar Open 11.30am Weekly Meeting 1.00pm Lunch 7.00pm Duplicate Bridge Golf Casares Golf Club, Ist tee off 8.30am 10.00am - 1.00pm Art Group 10.30 a.m. Petanca Playa Ancha, Casares 12.30 - 2.30 p.m. Bar Open &Tapas 12.30 - 2.15 p.m. Mahjong
11.00am Family History
4.30pm Songs of Praise
EVENTS MAY CHANGE, ALWAYS CHECK CLUB HOUSE NOTICE BOARD
Mon
9.45 a.m. Bowling, Benavista Bowls Club 2.30 - 5.00pm Art Class
18 Jun
Tue
Golf Casares Golf Club, Ist tee off 8.30am 11.00 a.m. Mahjong 11.00-1.30 p.m. Bar Open Spanish Classes Beg 10.30a.m. Adv 11.45 7.30 p.m. Canasta
19 Jun
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10.30am-2.30pm Bar Open 11.30am Weekly Meeting 1.00pm Lunch 7.00pm Duplicate Bridge Golf Casares Golf Club, Ist tee off 8.30am 10.00am - 1.00pm Art Group
11.00am Photography Groip 7.00 for 7.30pm Summer Dinner Dance Paraiso Country Club
10.30 a.m. Petanca Playa Ancha, Casares 12.30 - 2.30 p.m. Bar Open &Tapas 12.30 - 2.15 p.m. Mahjong 9.45 a.m. Bowling, Benavista Bowls Club 2.30 - 5.00pm Art Class Golf Casares Golf Club, Ist tee off 8.30am 11.00 a.m. Mahjong 11.00-1.30 p.m. Bar Open Spanish Classes Beg 10.30a.m. Adv 11.45 7.30 p.m. Canasta 10.30am-2.30pm Bar Open 11.30am Weekly Meeting 1.00pm Lunch LOTTERY DRAW 7.00pm Duplicate Bridge Golf Casares Golf Club, Ist tee off 8.30am 10.00am - 1.00pm Art Group 10.30 a.m. Petanca Playa Ancha, Casares 12.30 - 2.30 p.m. Bar Open &Tapas 12.30 - 2.15 p.m. Mahjong
Eve of San Juan Feast of San Juan Local Holiday
Trip to Salobreña & Lecrín Valley 24th to 27th September The price includes: 3 nights accommodation on HB basis including water and wine. Drinks at the hotel bar from 11am to 1 1 p m . Visit to a winery including wine tasting. Visit to Nerja. Full day excursion to Valle de Lecrín including a visit to an olive oil mill, the Müller Gardens, a meal including water and wine at a local restaurant and the visit to a rum distillery in Motril. Full day excursion to Alpujarras including the visit to a ham cured factory with cured ham tasting and a tapas lunch with wine at a local restaurant. Full day excursion to Axarquía area including a traditional Andalusian meal with housewives in a “Cortijo”. English speaking tour manager for the duration. All transportation needed as per itinerary. Estepona area pick-ups and travel to Salobreña with a stop at a famous winery in Málaga and then a stop in Nerja, a lovely town, free time for lunch. Then continue to Salobreña for check in and an included drink (or two !) before dinner. Dinner at the hotel. We will take a very interesting excursion into a hidden gem of a spot: El Valle de Lecrín. Our first stop will take us to an old but very well preserved oil mill, followed by some beautiful gardens and it will finish with a tapas meal at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we will visit a distillery in Motril, which specialises in the unique "Ron Pálido " (pale rum), before making our way back to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel. The Alpujarras is a great experience. The last part of Spain to be inhabited by the Moors, it has a great legacy in its culture and architecture. Our first stop will take us to the quaint village of Pampaneira , with a lovely little square where we stop for coffee and a chance to see the local "jarapas" (the colourful rugs used by the shepherds). For those with a sweet tooth, there is also a very interesting chocolate workshop. After this we continue to visit one of the finest foods a Spaniard can eat: "Jamón ". The Alpujarras have the perfect conditions for curing the ham and our hosts will be telling us all about it before we get a taste. Finally, we go to the highest of the villages and sit down for a lovely tapas lunch including some local wine before we go back to our hotel. After time for a leisurely breakfast, we go to Frigiliana, one of Andalucía's best preserved white villages, where we can take a walk with the guide, or take the little tourist train, and see its pretty little whitewashed streets and quaint boutiques. Once done here, we make our way to Maria's Cortijo. From her beautiful house and terrace, we have views all over the Axarquia region as well as the Mediterranean. We hope you have a healthy appetite, as Maria's lunch is delicious, abundant and washed down with wine a plenty. On this high note, we return to the Estepona area.
PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP Some free photographic editing apps and software While editing a photo isn’t mandatory, many times a photo can be improved by a few tweaks. Wonky or not perfectly straight horizons can be straightened, colours brightened and/or increased, and a bit of “cropping” will often give the subject of the photo added impact by making it the centre of attention. Editing can also mean getting the creative juices flowing, and the many filters and pre-sets available can totally change a photo, give it a different look or simply enhance an image. Editing should not be confused with “photoshopping” which by it’s fullest definition is heavy manipulation of images using very powerful software tools. What we’re looking for is simple visual improvements and a bit of fun. If you photograph in “RAW”, then editing IS mandatory, as a Raw file is comparable to an old fashioned roll of film, it needs developing. Raw files have had no tweaking in-camera, and are basically a clean canvas for the photographer to bring them to life on the way he/she sees fit. Most of the free editing apps and software programmes listed here can be used to process Raw files. The List Some of these will be compatible for both IOS and Android and will work on computers and on tablets and smartphones, as mentioned. Snapseed Totally free, will support RAW files. One of the best mobile photo editing apps, this one is perfect for making those tweaks to improve a photo, and includes some fun filters and “looks”. A good, powerful totally mobile app. Mobile App, Android and IOS, great for beginners upwards. Darktable Initially a go-to free RAW editor for Mac, it now has support for Windows users as well. Darktable has all the editing functions one would expect to find in a paid software editing suite, has a photo management system to allow cataloguing and keyword searching. The learning curve is a bit steep, so this one’s for those who want to spend some time learning, but the bonus is the closest you’ll get to Adobe Lightroom for free. Mac/Windows GIMP Been around for a while and has stood the test of time. As with Darktable above, GIMP is the closest you’ll get to Adobe Photoshop without paying to get into the Adobe world. It’s a powerful editing tool and offers a very large number of manipulation and editing tools. So again, expect a bit of a learning curve, this one may take a while to figure out but as it’s free and open sourced will be worth it to more experienced photographers because of the ability to use third party plug-ins (you will need Darktable or a tool like UFRAW to convert RAW files for editing), and because it’s totally free. Mac/Windows Fotor Good for simple and quick edits, comes with a variety of filters and pre-set effects, allows you to add text and stickers, and will support RAW files. There are various free versions, if you’re using a Windows Computer then download this from the Windows Store (this will avoid confusion with paid for Pro only features, and offers better access to the one click solutions). Has good platform availability with options for Windows, Android and IOS (no version for Mac). There’s a pro version that you can pay for, subscription based, but if you’re looking at paid software it might be better to investigate Adobe and other paid software before upgrading. Use the free version to see if it will meet your needs. Next meeting Friday 21st June at 11.00am - Organiser Debra Coleman
Anglican Church of Costa del Sol West SAN PEDRO at 10-00am Every Sunday we hold an Anglican Service of Holy Communion in the Hall adjoining the Parroquia Virgen del Rocio (near McDonalds). SOTOGRANDE at 12-00pm Every 2nd and 4th Sunday we hold an Anglican Service of Holy Communion in La Iglesia Sra.de la Merced, the ‘Big Church’. 1st and 3rd Sundays are Methodist Worship services. You will receive a very warm welcome at our Churches, and children are particularly encouraged to join in the Sunday school fun activities. We hold a Messy Church at Marlow’s Fish and Chip restaurant at the Eroski roundabout in Duquesa on the first Saturday of each month, between 11-00am and 1-00pm. This is well attended by children, who enjoy the various activities, and also parents and adults who come along to give their support. We conduct Wedding Blessings, Baptisms, Funeral services, and undertake pastoral care visits to the sick or needy. Coffee Morning each Tuesday in Sabinillas from 11-00am, at the Café American Bistro at the eastern end of the Paseo near the children’s play area. Our new Chaplain is Adrian Low, so do come and meet him together with his wife Joanna at any of these events. For further details about us, please contact Adrian on 952 808 605 or, Church Wardens: San Pedro Church - Patricia Gommersall (an ICE Member) 951 965 762 / 620 149 215 patricia.g2515@hotmail.co.uk Sotogrande Church - Christine Sabin, 686 234 377 chrisabio@hotmail.com Visit our website for even more information: - www.costachurch.com
Matters Be Aware of ALEXA (or: Are you worried about being overheard?) There are times when one feels especially proud, e.g. when technical knowledge and a healthy dose of scepticism dominate the blog comments. Amazon admitted to eavesdropping on and having staff members transcribe conversations from all over the world, through Alexa. Bloomberg were able to question seven Amazon employees and what they had to report was more than interesting. Not only are vocal utterances from Alexa users computer-processed but they're also overheard by 7,000 Amazon employees. Last week, Amazon had their hands full appeasing outraged users of "smart" (i.e. interactive) devices such as Alexa or Echo. The news had broken that user recordings were not only stored by the system itself, to improve voice recognition (or so they say), but also processed by human workers. According to Bloomberg, a staff of 7,000 employees from Costa Rica all the way up to Romania each review up to 1,000 clips a day, a daily total of 7 million cases of eavesdropping and 2.5 billion privacy intrusions per year. Or maybe it's "just" 1 billion, depending on the assiduousness of the workers. Interestingly, Amazon themselves report an "extremely small number of interactions". So they don't listen in every time but in a fair number of cases. Very reassuring. As with most companies, not every recording is handled strictly professionally. Bloomberg reported the case of one female shower singer whose hilarious out of tune singing became a local phenomenon. Particularly entertaining, bizarre or incomprehensible recordings are seemingly prone to being shared through chat conversations between workers. Two of them, Bloomberg says, had also encountered cases of sexual assault, They were, however, advised against notifying the authorities. Since when is it okay to ignore these crimes? At least, they were allowed to share the clips with other colleagues - to ease their conscience. Sounds like a full-blown scandal By the way: It would appear the faint of heart should steer clear of any such job offerings. If you've already begun disposing of your Amazon-enabled devices, know that Amazon apparently only record conversations that include the code word "Alexa". This part of Amazon's ample promises seems to be intact, even though there are "malfunctions". After all, there exist a number of words that sound a lot like "Alexa", and Alexa is also quite a common first name - How unfortunate, or fortunate depending on your motives. Interestingly, recordings aren't deleted automatically. At least, users can object and have existing recordings deleted. But what percentage of users are even aware of this option or would go to the app to leverage it? We thought our input would be computer-processed only. This allows Amazon to create comprehensive profiles to better tailor their devices and services to the voices and preferences of their users. Users weren't informed of this practice, though. "We use your requests to Alexa train our speech recognition and natural language understanding systems" is the delightfully neutral wording in Amazon's terms of use. At least, users can object and have existing recordings deleted. If you have any questions or suggested topics for future editions, please email us webmaster@theiceclub.es
MEMBER’S ARTICLE Spanish History – The War of Independence 1808-14
Part IlI of IV Author Geoff Fabron
In 1810 the French went back on the offensive invading Andalucía, one of the last significant areas under formal Spanish control. The Spanish government retired to Cadiz where it remained protected by its fortifications and provisioned by sea. Another French army of 65,000 men invaded Portugal to deal with the British. Wellington steadily retreated to Lisbon where he had built an extensive set of fortifications around the city. The French found that they were unable to assault these defences and after a month, with starvation threatening, they withdrew into central Portugal having accomplished very little. 1811 was the high water mark for the French. An attempt to raise the siege of Cadiz by Spanish and British forces failed despite inflicting a defeat on the French and the key fortress of Badajoz fell to Napoleon’s forces. The French army in Portugal, unable to supply itself, retreated in March and Wellington followed up besieging the recently lost Badajoz as well as the fortress of Almeida. Two different French armies tried to relieve the French garrisons at these two cities but were defeated by the Anglo-Portuguese army. Almeida was abandoned but the French held onto Badajoz which was relieved later when a reinforced French army forced Wellington to withdraw. The North East of Spain had been a trouble spot for the French from the start but a major effort during 1811 partially and temporarily pacified both Aragon and Catalonia. Valencia also fell to the French in December. Although the French appeared to be in a good position at the end of 1811 their hold on the country was precarious. They could not afford to weaken their garrisons to concentrate troops to deal with Wellington in Portugal or the Spanish armies which kept rebuilding themselves despite constant defeats. Napoleon also began to withdraw units for his planned invasion of Russia. In 1812 Wellington took the offensive. The fortresses of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz controlled the two main routes from Portugal into Spain and the British army took both these cities by assault in January and April 1812 respectively. The losses in storming these fortresses were high and the sack of Badajoz which followed including the massacre of thousands of Spanish civilians was a blot on the reputation of Wellington’s army. With the invasion routes into Spain now open, Wellington advanced into central Spain where at Salamanca in July Wellington decisively defeated a French army and then took Madrid the following month. This forced the French to abandon Andalucía abandoning the siege of Cadiz. Together with the army defeated at Salamanca the French forces regrouped in Valencia whilst Wellington advanced on the city of Burgos which he besieged for a month but failed to capture it. The reorganised and concentrated French armies launched a counterattack towards Madrid forcing Wellington to abandon the siege and retreat back to the Portuguese border losing around 10,000 men in the process. Despite the French pushing back Wellington and retaking Madrid, their prospects were poor. The enormous army Napoleon had assembled for his invasion of Russia had been destroyed and the Emperor was fighting for his survival in central Europe. Regiments were recalled from Spain and King Joseph could expect few replacements to make up his continuing losses from fighting the Anglo-Portuguese army and the Spanish partisans Look for Part IV in the next edition of ICE magazine
MEMBER’S ARTICLE The Party of the Gilded Age of America. In the 1880s and 90s, America was awash with money. Railroads, hotels and new businesses had created a new sector of society who were seen as ‘merely trade’ and would not be included in the society led by the ‘old-money’ families of New York, like the Vanderbilts. In 1883 Alva Vanderbilt had thrown a party of such magnitude it was widely accepted that no one would ever surpass it. ‘Oh yeh?’ Cornelia and Bradley Martin thought otherwise. Cornelia was already dripping in jewellery but was still not accepted into the upper echelons of New York society. Their daughter had married into English society, the Earl of Craven, but there was still that stigma that became known as ‘nouveau riche’. So, what to do? Cornelia set about planning a party. It would be big! Having inherited a massive fortune of about six million dollars (roughly equivalent to $162 million in today’s money), they had the means. They had thrown a series of balls and dinners throughout the early 1890s, perhaps as a warm-up for what was to come. She ensured that the press had ample notice of the 800 guests that would be invited, and the New York Police were also advised that there would be a lot of well-heeled people on the streets during the night of 10/ 11 February 1897, and who might feel rather vulnerable. Only during the last week before the Ball did she announce that it would be a fancy dress ball, where all guests would come as Royalty, allowing them to adorn themselves with their jewellery, but with little chance of getting anything special for the event. Cornelia dressed as Mary Stuart, wore $60,000 worth of diamonds in her tiara, collar, bodice and almost everywhere else. It was said that the jewellery worn by the wife of John Jacob Astor was later valued at over $100,000 (about $5 million today!). The ball was held on February 10th, 1897 at the newly completed Waldorf-Astoria on Fifth Avenue (now the site of the Empire State Building). Money being no object, the Bradley-Martins instructed the hotel staff to do whatever they had to do to make the hotel look like Versailles during the reign of Louis XV. On the night several Mary, Queen of Scots appeared, some Marie Antoinettes, and assorted European Duchesses and Marchionesses. And some of the men arrived in suits of armour – inlaid, of course, with gold – and carrying swords that were to interfere with the dancing. And jewellery everywhere. Thousands of flowers were brought in from hot houses as far away as South Carolina and Alabama. Countless roses were thrown against the walls and allowed to rest where they fell to be crushed underfoot. Flowers covered the tables and the walls and even managed to obscure the orchestra who played pieces by Chopin and Mozart and Hungarian Court music throughout the night. The party started at 11.00 pm and one hundred waiters served dinner at 1.00am. The twenty-eight dishes on offer included such party classics as caviar-stuffed oysters, canvasback duck, turtle, plovers eggs, foie gras, and suckling pig. 4,000 bottles of Moet & Chandon, or five bottles per guest, were consumed in just five hours. The cost of the party then was about $200, 000, at today’s value was $9.7 million (Average income in the US at that time was about $400 a year). Despite the advance publicity in the newspapers that so many rich people would be wearing unimaginable wealth, the two hundred police prevented any serious problems. The party had been heralded as a stimulus to the City following the slump of the 1890s, a generous creation of new work for many, as waiters, decorators, security, as well as the suppliers of the food and drink. In reality, each man and woman employed for the event earned a handsome $1 a head. Well, you can’t please them all! Submitted by Geoff Morgan
SOLUTIONS CODEWORD No. ?? SOLUTION TRIVIA QUIZ No. ?? ANSWERS A. B. C. D. E.
New Order Queen Elizabeth II Book of Genesis Esperanto Roald Dahl
WORD SQUARE No. ?? ANSWERS pet, pets, pip, pipe, pop, pope, pot, pots, step, stop, stove, stovepipe, top, vote
LINK WORD No. ?? ANSWERS
SAND CALL GET CHILD TIME
QUICKSAND CATCALL TARGET SCHOOLCHILD DOWNTIME
SANDPAPER CALLABLE GETTING CHILDBIRTH TIME ESS
SUDOKU No. ?? SOLUTION
Take control of your finances in an uncertain world By David Bowern, Partner, Blevins Franks They say the only certainties in life are death and taxes; at times like these, this has never seemed more true. However, there are some things you can be sure of and that you can control to your benefit, whatever happens around us. Taxation of assets You can usually find Spain-compliant investment opportunities that can offer significant tax benefits, while also providing additional benefits like currency and income flexibility. Meanwhile, expatriates who favour UK-centric assets and investments may see increased taxation after Brexit, as some non-EU/EEA assets are treated differently. At any time, the UK can potentially increase the tax burden for non-residents, as happened recently with property. Tougher tax rules are also possible following a change in UK government, including the possibility of a new wealth tax on higher-value UK assets. A locally-based adviser can advise about protecting your assets and taking advantage of tax-efficient opportunities in Spain. Taxation of pensions Today, UK pensions can potentially be accessed by Britons abroad without paying any UK tax (under the double tax agreements), but the government may take steps to recoup more taxes from expatriate pensions post Brexit. The 2017 25% ‘overseas transfer charge’ may indicate things to come. Currently, EU residents are only affected if transferring UK pension funds QROPS outside the EU/EEA, but the scope may increase after Brexit. Once you no longer live in Britain, you may find fewer advantages to keeping UK pensions there, but take regulated, personalised pensions advice to establish the most suitable approach for you. If you are considering transferring, review your options before the tax-free window potentially closes. Investments Diversification is the key to minimising risk. A portfolio made up of a mixture of asset types from different countries, regions and market sectors is best placed to ride out turbulence. This reduces exposure to under-performance in any single area and enables the opportunity to produce positive returns over time. Conversely, if you mainly hold UK assets, your returns will be more vulnerable to the fortunes of sterling and the British economy during these uncertain times. Of course, you need to make sure your investments offer the right balance of risk and return for your peace of mind. Your financial adviser should use appropriate tools to create an objective risk profile for you. Estate planning With good estate planning we can control who receives our legacy and when. You can override local ‘forced heirship rules’ by applying the law of your nationality to your estate instead through the EU regulation, ‘Brussels IV’. While this would enable you to divide your estate as you wish, beware this can have tax implications. If you are seen as UK-domiciled your estate is liable to UK inheritance tax (as well as local Spanish succession taxes). With careful tax, pensions, investments and estate planning, you can steer your financial future in the right direction. Cross-border financial planning is complex and should be designed around your circumstances and wishes, so take specialist advice for the best results. Summarised tax information is based upon our understanding of current laws and practices which may change. Individuals should seek personalised advice. Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www.blevinsfranks.com
PRESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENT SECRETARY TREASURER MAGAZINE EDITOR CATERING MANAGER MEMBER MEMBER (Housekeeper) MEMBER (Estepona) MEMBER (Welfare)
Sue Potter Joan Thompson Margaret Whittley Ted Lunniss Sheila Fox Jaqui Parrick Brenda Taylor Diane Hackett Julie Wood Wilma Keeley
686 107 835 653 488 030 603 846 698 691 392 156 671 232 906 634683705 628 523 444 626 080 829 639 542 387 679 138 952
952 636 627 952 804 799 951 972 577
MEMBER MEMBER
Fran Horwood Michael Dowling NON COMMITTEE POSTS Nigel Nevshehir Rob Potter
602 291 855 608 873 217
+44 770303357
689 457 410 671 725 243 610 047 228 667 998 800 667 998 800
952 791 449 952 636 627
LOCAL KEY HOLDER BAR MANAGER ASST. BAR MANAGER AUDITOR MAINTENANCE MANAGER ASST. TREASURER MEMBER (Publicity & Membership)
Mac McIntyre Doug Mitchell Doug Mitchell Vic Loughran Sally Holloway
678 897 275
HOSTESS (Introduce new members) Maureen Winckle
951 900 745 952 805 739 952 893 965 952 913 174 951 577 050
952 897 977 952 897 977 952 886 772 952 808 992 952 791 812
MAGAZINE ADVERTISING RATES AS FROM 1ST APRIL 2017 For adverts presented in desired layout, will have inclusion on our web site with links to your site. Classified Ads: Members Only, Free Colour now available anywhere in the magazine. Advertising fees to be prepaid before the 15th of the month to:Richard Wood, Advertising Manager, Tel:639 542 387 or 952 913 174 Copy to be in before the 15th of any month, for inclusion in the following month’s issue. Copy can be e-mailed to me - Sheila Fox at editor@theiceclub.es
Black & White Quarter page Half page Full page
Colour
7 per edition 8 per edition 13 per edition 15 per edition 26 per edition 30 per edition
Discounts:- 6 editions 10% 12 editions 20%. There will be 10 editions per calendar year August & September are combined as are December & January
ICE (Siberme) accepts no responsibility for contents of any advertisement appearing. INTERNATIONAL CLUB OF ESTEPONA (Siberme) I.C.E. Clubhouse, Urbanisation Bahia Dorada, Entrada 5, at Km. 149, A7, Estepona 29680 Málaga Clubhouse: Telephone 952 802 549 ICE Web Site: www.theiceclub.es Email: info@theiceclub.es PLEASE TELL ADVERTISERS YOU SAW THEIR ADVERT IN ICE MAGAZINE
Advertising Manager
Richard Wood
639 542 387
952 913 174
Art Group
Audrey Jinks
650 883 252
951 901 134
Art Group
Steve Carter
696 259 644
951 277 240
Art Class Mondays
Ronnie Lilley
Bowls
Audrey Jinks
650 883 252
951 901 134
Bowls
Terry Smith
677 656 319
951 276 690
Bridge…”Duplicate”
Tim Taminiau
Canasta
Nigel Nevshehir
689 457 410
952 791 449
Club Calendar Co-ordinator
Sue Potter
686 107 835
952 636 627
Posters & Tickets
Vic Loughran
Film Night
Sue Potter
686 107 835
952 636 627
Garden Club
Sandy Avis
617 715 749
952 897 309
Genealogy - Family History
Dave Hackett
636 326 599
952 893 965
Golf Organiser
Peter Henry
693 105 180
951 273 949
ICE Players (Drama Group)
Margaret Hall
634 273 194
Ladies’ Lunches
Julie Wood
639 542 387
Librarian
Peter Galloway
Lift Controller
Terry Smith
677 656 319
951 276 690
Lottery Organiser
Dave Hackett
636 326 599
952 893 965
Petanca
Jaqui Parrick
665 894 088
Quiz Night, Songs of Praise, Art Class
Joan Thompson
653 488 030
952 804 799
Rambling
Sue Potter
686 107 835
952 636 627
Spanish Lessons
Martin Holmes
652 272 142
952 892 163
Ticket Sales
Maggie Whittley
603 846 698
951 972 577
Ticket Sales
Jackie Simmonds
652 798 107
952 797 921
Ticket Sales
Fran Horwood
602 291 855
+44 7703 03357
Videos
Cindy Holmes
628 860 093
952 892 163
Wake Organiser
Julie Wood
639 542 387
952 913 174
Whist
Wilma Keeley
679 138 952
951 577 050
952 800 875
951 277 113
952 886 772
952 913 174 952 794 270
GENERAL INFORMATION See trip information for times. Please ensure that you sit in the seat numbered on your ticket. We regret that we cannot stop at any other point unless agreed with the organiser, to pick up or put down. The organiser reserves the right to refuse to include any member they feel is not sufficiently able-bodied to follow the itinerary. Members are responsible for their own travel insurance. BUYING YOUR TICKET Please produce your membership card together with the correct money. Have prepared your choice of the menu if applicable. Final ticket booking: All tickets must be booked and paid for on or before the last Thursday coffee morning before the event. Late phone bookings cannot be accepted. Members are advised to
COACH TRIPS
WELFARE Members are requested to notify
our welfare officer, Wilma Keeley if they know of any member who is ill. Tel: 951 577 050 / 679 138 952 email: wilmakeeley2000@yahoo.co.uk
SMOKING The smoking of tobacco,
electronic cigarettes and any other substance is not be permitted anywhere in or on the premises of The International Club of Estepona, Bahia Dorada.
When visiting the club please park considerately between white lines and never on yellow lines. Please DO NOT PARK in the car parking space in front of next door's apartment. Although it is not officially for their sole use it attend the last Thursday before a trip in is better for peaceful relations that we don't case there are any last-minute alterations. park there. REFUNDS Cannot be given for tickets, unless the organiser is notified MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL in time, and providing the trip is full and a Renewing your annual club membership can be replacement can be found from the waiting done by bank transfer. Send to: Bank - Banco Sabadell, Sabinillas. list. Tickets are not transferable to other IBAN:- ES98 0081 0535 8800 0131 1734 members without the authorisation of the BIC CODE:- BSABESBB organiser. Please advise TED LUNNISS the TIPS Are included in the cost of coach CLUB TREASURER by email if you have sent a travel and restaurants, but not for payment by bank transfer, stating your name and hotels. membership number if possible. DOGS Are not allowed inside the clubhouse. They are permitted on the lower terrace but only when they are under the owner’s control by being attached to a lead which is held by the owner or attached to one of the hooks on the wall which are provided for that purpose.
PARKING
ted_lunniss@hotmail.co.uk TEL: 691 392 156 IMPORTANT, ALL ORGANISERS PLEASE NOTE: THE CLUBHOUSE FURNITURE MUST BE LEFT AS SET FOR A THURSDAY MEETING BEFORE LEAVING THE CLUB. SWITCH OFF LIGHTS, FANS AND AIR CONDITIONERS. SET BUILDING ALARM AND LOCK DOORS. Do not have an answering machine. The phone will ring until someone picks up. If you hear a message in Spanish you have dialled the wrong number.
HELICOPTEROS SANITARIOS