Sol Times Newspaper issue 226 Costa Calida Edition

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First flight lands at Corvera airport

YOU LOOKING AT ME?...page 15

The first flight has landed at Corvera International Airport in order to test out the navigation and operating systems at the facility.

The test was overseen by AENA, who monitored the radio, radar and navigation systems for aircraft when taking off and landing at the airport from a number of different heights and headings. Such calibration needs to be undertaken in order to prove that the airport complies with the International Civil Aviation Organization and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

The results of the test will also be included in a report to help re-define the airspace by a report be submitted to the Ministries of Development and Defence.

Murcia’s Minister of Public Works, Antonio Sevilla, has said how the required corridor of airspace has been approved by the Military, who will continue their operations from the nearby San Javier airport.

AENA will also submit their findings to the various airlines who have expressed an interest in flying into Corvera.

Sevilla appeared at a press conference yesterday along with Jose Luis Gomez Sierra from Aeromur, and the Director General of Transport Antonio Sanchez-Solis, where they explained the importance of today’s test flights in establishing the future of the airport.

The test flights were originally scheduled to take place in February, but had to be postponed due to delays in the negotiation process with AENA, caused by the change of central government administration at the end of last year.

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SOLTIMES MAY 2012

local news..

Abanilla Five former socialist councillors who were accused of bribery have been acquitted.

The case has been dismissed after 2 years after it has been found that the evidence does not prove the committing of a crime.

Manuel Martínez Candel, José Antonio Gonzalez Rivera, José Antonio Cutillas, Dolores Mateo and Dolores Saurín, are variously accused of bribery and seeking ‘trade-offs’ regarding Council matters, and of ‘doctoring’ tapes and paper evidence that might incriminate them.

After the fiscal report, which was fully endorsed by the judge, he found that the ‘defendants have not only denied the facts, but they have provided, clarified and justified certain disputed facts, clearing any doubts that may arise from irregular recordings, providing records and documents attesting to their legitimate political activity.’

The Executive Committee of the Socialist Group Abanilla is satisfied with the verdict, ‘which proves the innocence of the former Socialist councillors. ‘We’ve said at the time, and we reiterate: no partner or member of our party has committed any crime, but have been victims of gross misrepresentation.’

Sport Murcia

The Consejero de Universidades, Empresa e Investigación, José Ballesta, today joined the Secretario de Estado de Comercio, Jaime García-Legaz at the opening of the conference ‘Apoyo a la Internacionalización Empresarial’ ‘Supporting International Businesses’ which aims to encourage openness to foreign markets for local businesses.

Currently the Region has a business network consists of more than 3,980 exporting companies, which last year expanded their foreign sales by 12.5 percent.

The purpose of conference is, according to the Councillor, ‘to boost the export capacity of our companies; the sooner we increase our presence in foreign markets, the sooner we can overcome the current economic situation.’

‘Companies in the Region need a clear strategy for access to foreign markets, where credit lines have a key role. This conference is a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to

know in detail the various funding instruments that can benefit firms.’

‘Our goal is to increase exports by Murcian companies and strengthen the presence of our productive sectors abroad.’

The day was organised by the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, in collaboration with the Consejería de Universidades, Empresa e Investigación, through the Instituto de Fomento (Info), the Instituto Español de Comercio Exterior (ICEX), the Compañía Española de Financiación del Desarrollo (Cofides), the Compañía Española de Seguros de Crédito a la Exportación (CESCE) and the Instituto de Crédito Oficial (ICO).

Export subsidies of various types and sizes are available from these bodies.

Orihuela The Councillor for Beaches, Communication and Tourism, Pedro Mancebo, has inspected the improvement works on the Playas de Orihuela Costa Primary School in Los Dolses.

The long overdue works include repairing and painting the walls and fences around the school premises, creating a garden including fruit trees as well as flowers and herbs, and watered by drip irrigation, and replacing the symbolic but worn out Spanish, Valencia and European flags with new ones.

Mancebo said ‘This centre, so essential for the education of our children, has been consistently neglected for more than 12 years by both the local and regional governments and the present government team is determined to ensure that the improvements, and also a new school building, will be built as soon as possible.’

Cieza The Consejero de Agricultura y Agua, Antonio Cerdá, opened ‘La Campana’ in the Casa Rural in Cieza. This is a project to promote tourist accommodation and social activities in the area, and which has been renovated and equipped with financial help from ‘Leader’ the Programa de Desarrollo Rural, Programme for Rural Development.

Cerdá said that the rural economy of the region shows a ‘significant improvement in quality, thanks to projects financed with aid for rural development.’

The house, ‘Casa Rural’ which dates from 1919 and stands on 33,000 square metres surrounded by fruit trees and with pines and palm trees over 250 years of age in an area known as ‘El Ginete’ represents an investment of 428,000 euros in

aid, mainly from European funds.

This facility, which is located within 4 kilometre of Cieza, offers 16 accommodation places and created six new jobs. Cerdá noted that ‘such schemes help to curb rural depopulation and encourage the involvement of young entrepreneurs in the rural world.’

The initiative ‘Leader’ has assisted the Region of Murcia in the development and diversification of local economies. The Consejería de Agricultura y Agua has worked closely with the four Local Action Groups restructuring rural areas of the region and providing support for all projects to revitalise and develop the various rural areas.

Rural tourism has increased agricultural income. Since 1994, there have been 235 lodgings, restaurants, inns, and camp sites supported by project ‘Leader’ with a total investment of 32 million euros - 75 percent of the rural houses with ‘Q’ quality rating come from projects co-financed by ‘Leader’.

Murcia The PCRM and UJCE-RM called for ‘Unity and Struggle” against cuts this May 1st.

The Communist Party (PCRM) and the Union of Communist Youth in the Region of Murcia (UJCE-RM) have called today for ‘the unity and struggle’ of the working class on May 1, in defence of a social outlet to the economic crisis cuts not involving the rights of citizenship.

The two organisations said, ‘Never in the context of a May Day since the Second World War had so much aggression been focused at the same time.’

They noted that ‘Robbery through lower wages, reducing the freedom of collective bargaining, increased insecurity, the destruction of the social state and the elimination of public services, are some of the horrific elements being implemented in our country, where 22% of Spanish households live below the poverty line and over 5.2 million people are unemployed.’

After praising the ‘success’ of the general strike on March 29, the PCRM has held that ‘it is more necessary than ever to sustain mobilisation against cuts, and to call on society to participate massively in the demonstrations on May 1st.’

They added: ‘There is a social outlet to the crisis that will come through overcoming the capitalist system. Public intervention is required in strategic sectors and banking as well as a progressive tax policy and tax fraud control, as well as a division of labour through the 35-hour week.’

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Spain mulls pooling bank bad loans

Spain’s government said Monday it may allow banks to dump their mountainous bad property-related loans into a separate agency.

Economy Minister Luis de Guindos, speaking in a joint news conference with his German counterpart, said the scheme would free up capital and let banks focus on banking.

The agency would not be a ‘bad bank’ -- a vehicle used in other countries such as Ireland to help stabilise the banking system and the economy -because the state itself would take no part, government officials said.

The scheme is aimed at cleaning up banks, whose problem real estate loans were worth 184 billion euros ($243 billion) at the end of 2011, equal to about 60 percent of

the entire property portfolio.

Central bank figures show that the ratio of bad loans -those at least three months in arrears -- hit an 18-year high in February of 8.15 percent of total credit extended, the highest since 1994.

Most of the bad loans date to the banks overextending themselves during a property bubble that imploded in 2008.

Banks that want to dump their problem loans into a separate agency would first have to set aside financial provisions that recognise the sharply reduced market value of the loans, officials said.

“If the valuation of the assets is correct, the possibility of separating property assets from bank balance sheets is something that I think makes sense and is positive for the

entities,” De Guindos said.

“It allows them to free up capital and fundamentally allows the banks to focus on their core business which is banking and not real estate,” he said alongside German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble.

De Guindos categorically ruled out turning to European rescue funds such as the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) to bolster the balance sheets of Spain’s banks, however.

“Spain has no plan to turn to the EFSF nor any kind of body to recapitalise the banks,” he said after talks with Schaeuble on the sidelines of a European conference in Santiago de Compostela.

Spain was pursuing its own reforms, pushing banks to boost provisions for possible non-repayment of property

loans and promoting mergers and acquisitions to streamline the sector, De Guindos said.

New mergers and acquisitions were possible within days, he said.

“What we are speaking about is a type of agency where several banks could come together or one could do it perhaps with an outside partner, so they can externalise their property assets,” an economy ministry official said.

“It is so banks can go back to doing their work as banks and someone else can take care of selling the assets.”

The state would not take part, but foreign investors could be invited to join, the official said.

“It is an idea we are considering, one possibility,” the source stressed.

Another financial source

Government plans to curb civil servant absenteeism The Government has announced plans to address the “high” rate of absenteeism among staff in the public sector, and has suggested employees do not receive their full salary during the first three months of sick leave.

As part of the ‘National Reform Programme 2012’, which has been sent to Brussels for approval, changes are expected to be made with regard to civil servants’ “access to and right to continue claiming temporary disability allowance”.

Amongst the measures outlined is the “modification of the full remuneration during the first 90 days of sick leave” and changes to the way temporary disability allowance is calculated - in days rather than months - “to accurately reflect the employee’s real health situation”.

Moreover, salaries will not be paid in cases of unjustified absence or in cases where the employee fails to attend a medical examination.

The Government states that the purpose of this reform is “to reduce the moral hazard associated with securing relatively common contingencies, resulting in a high rate of absenteeism

among public sector employees”.

It is the Government’s opinion that these absences “directly affect public administration productivity, not only as a consequence of the absence in itself, but also because of its negative effect on employee motivation in the workplace and on the work performance of those covering the absentee”.

In addition, it is felt that absenteeism contributes “to the temporary increase in public employment, which can also affect labour productivity”.

The Government also argues that “since absences are remunerated, absenteeism directly affects the public coffers in an unjustifiable fashion, with the consequent costs for society as a whole”.

It is also believed that “after the fourth month of sick leave, there are no adequate control mechanisms that effectively link the payment of subsidies with the real degree of illness or disability”.

Financial Markets Advisory division and management consultancy Oliver Wyman as advisors on cleaning up Spanish banks’ balance sheets.

BlackRock had helped to design the Irish bad bank, the National Asset Management Agency, the paper noted.

Neither BlackRock nor Oliver Wyman was immediately available to comment.

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Orihuela The Coastal Ecology Institute in cooperation with the Orihuela Ayuntamiento is studying the feasibility of creating an ecological corridor between the Orihuela Costa and the Sierra Escalona.

Councillor for the Environment, Manuel Culiáñez announced the initiative after meeting with the Coastal Ecology Institute, which in turn answers to the Provincial Council of Alicante.

It seems that the 3,000€ that the Ayuntamiento receives in grants every year for technical support is under used, and this situation is about to be rectified with the Ayuntamiento giving the go-ahead for a green corridor linking the coast with those on the Sierra Escalona.

Experts from the Institute will create a catalogue of flora and fauna species on the coast, to enable proper measures to be taken to protect the indigenous flora and fauna. - there are twelve species of flora and fauna that are subject to protection and conservation in this area alone.

Among these are 28 species of rumex roseus plants, a very rare plant, currently found in very few places in the Valencian Comarca, but 17 of the species can be found on the dunes of La Zenia and Campoamor.

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close to the matter, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said the study was “still a bit green”.

“They are looking at what is the most appropriate solution to remove the property assets from the banks’ balance sheets,” the source said.

The conservative daily El Mundo said the Bank of Spain had appointed BlackRock’s

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SOLTIMES MAY 2012

Spanish scientists identify British woman stabbed in molecule that spreads HIV virus her home in Alicante

Spanish scientists have identified the molecule the HIV virus uses to spread within an organism, a discovery that will facilitate the creation of new and more effective medicines to slow down the virus’ progress, and which represents another step closer to developing a vaccine against the disease.

The research carried out by scientists at the IrsiCaixa Aids Investigation Institute, published on Tuesday in the international scientific magazine Plos Biology, shows that the HIV virus has, in its outer layer, some molecules, known as gangliosides, that it uses to penetrate the dendritic cells.

In general, these are the cells responsible for capturing and splitting the virus (phagocytosis), spreading the cells to the ganglions, an important control centre for the immune system, where substances are created to destroy the virus and get rid of the infection.

Like the Trojan Horse, AIDS infections caused by the HIV virus hide in these dendritic cells and when they arrive at the ganglions, the virus destroys the immune system, attacking the T CD4 lymphocytes in particular.

“This discovery allows us to limit the

Sport

molecular interaction between the HIV virus and the dendritic cells”, explained the study’s coordinator, Javier MartínezPicado (pictured, left), a researcher with the Catalan Institute of Advanced Studies (ICREA) and IrsiCaixa.

The scientists have not only identified the function of this molecule, which is key to the virus spreading, but have also shown that by eliminating the HIV’s gangliosides, they can stop the dendritic cells harbouring it.

Now research will be carried out to create pharmaceutical formulae that block the interaction between the virus and the dendritic cells.

With 34 million sufferers, AIDS continues to be the most widespread disease in the world, killing hundreds of thousands in poor countries where there is little or no access to treatment.

For many years now, AIDS has turned from a fatal disease into a chronic disease here in Spain, with a life expectancy no different than for those not infected with the virus. The number of new cases has, however, been on the rise, increasing by 17% over the past decade and it is estimated that one in four sufferers does not know that they have the disease.

Andy Wilson Photographer

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A 53-year-old British woman, who has not yet been named, was rushed to hospital in the early hours of Sunday morning, after being stabbed in the stomach by an intruder who broke into her home near the small town of Pinoso (pictured).

It is believed the intruder was attempting a burglary at the time, and grabbed a kitchen knife when confronted by the homeowner.

The woman, who was alone at the time, managed to call the emergency services and was taken to a nearby hospital, where she underwent emergency

surgery. Her condition is now stable.

The mountainous Pinoso area, on the Alicante/Murcia border, has become increasingly popular with foreign buyers in recent years, with a growing British community.

A local newspaper, La Verdad, said that many foreign residents chose to live in isolated countryside houses, making them an “easy target” for crime.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: “We are aware of the hospitalisation of a British national in Pinoso and Consular assistance is being provided.”

French-Spanish border closed due to Central European Bank summit meeting

The border between Spain and France has been temporarily shut due to the summit meeting of the Central European Bank (BCE) and will not re-open until midnight on Friday. This decision has been taken to prevent thousands of protesters from other parts of Europe from descending on the summit en masse. It will be held in Barcelona on Thursday, May 3.

According to the Schengen

agreement, which dictates that citizens of member states may not be prevented from moving freely between countries that form part of said agreement, borders may be closed temporarily for safety reasons in such situations.

Travellers may be allowed to cross between France and Spain, subject to restrictions, and security forces will guard the border gates all week.

Vigilance will also be stepped up at the airports in Barcelona and Girona.

Other times when member state borders have been closed or closely controlled have included major sporting events, international summit meetings and Royal weddings.

The BCE holds summits twice a year outside its headquarters in Frankfurt, in other member states.

Policemen who lost bonus for ‘not fining enough drivers’ win court case

Two Guardia Civil officers from Benicarló (Castellón) who lost their monthly productivity bonus because they only handed out half as many motoring fines as their colleagues have won their case after a magistrate declared the decision illegal. She stated that it was ‘unacceptable’ to consider police officers as mere ‘money-grabbers’ whose purpose was to find excuses to fine the public.

The police force attempted to justify its decision to deduct the 213 euros a month from the two officers’ salaries by claiming they had shown a general ‘lack of productivity, interest and initiative’ during the month in question, saying the bonus also relates to the number of traffic offences they report, as well as issue fines for.

But the officers said the bonus was also a compensation payment for the extra risks they faced on the roads and at night, helping out at the scene of accidents, working bank holidays and Sundays, and working nights.

They say they also carried portable speed

cameras which were aimed at ‘road safety’ and not for ‘netting fines’.

In the summer of 2010, Guardia Civil officers went on a ‘fine strike’ in protest over working conditions, which led to a drop of 120,000 motoring offences being reported that month.

And in retaliation, the force introduced a ‘points system’ to measure officers’ productivity.

They would obtain one point towards their bonus for assisting at an accident on the road – but four points for issuing a fine to a driver.

This means there is more incentive for a police officer to fine a driver than to help save a life.

The magistrate found that the force was unethically encouraging officers to concentrate on clawing back money for the public coffers by seeking out any pretext they could for stopping motorists and making them pay, rather than for enforcing road safety and saving lives in emergencies.

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SOLTIMES MAY 2012

Refusing healthcare to foreigners is ‘a death sentence’ says FACUA

Denying State healthcare to nonEU immigrants who do not have a job is effectively ‘sentencing them to death’, says leading consumer association FACUA. They call it ‘immoral’ and ‘perverse’ that simply being on the census in their town is not enough to qualify foreign residents for medical attention aside from emergency assistance, maternity care and health services for children.

Non-EU expats will now have to prove they are tax residents in Spain, which means those who do not have a job or retirement pension are technically considered illegal immigrants, given that they normally will not have their residence permits renewed unless they can prove they can support themselves.

“This is just another step towards the breakdown of our universal

model of healthcare for all, and towards creating a two-tier system: one for the rich and one for the poor,” condemns FACUA’s head, Francisco Sánchez Legrán.

He calls it an ‘insult’ that those foreigners who cannot find work should be penalised in this way ‘when five million people in Spain are out of work anyway’.

“Does this mean an immigrant with a life-threatening condition will just be abandoned to their fate once the initial emergency has passed?”

Demands Sánchez Legrán.

He said the government would do better to try to uncover the numerous cases where immigrants are forced to work for cash in hand and denied a proper job contract by unscrupulous employers taking advantage of their vulnerability According to FACUA’s leader,

the refusal of State healthcare to immigrants who are unable to pay taxes through lack of work or because their employers will not give them a contract is as ‘unjust’ as denying the right to medical attention to homeless Spaniards based upon the fact they do not pay taxes or have a fixed address.

Yet thousands of early-retired EU citizens and working-age Europeans who have never been able to find a proper job in Spain are already in this situation, since State healthcare is only available to those who pay into the Social Security system either personally or via their employer, or are on a State pension from their native country, unless they are considered to be a dependent of a person who is in either situation.

Dog walker saves pet from eagle attack

A British woman out walking her two dogs along a mountain footpath in Benalmádena (Málaga) has been attacked by an eagle, who tried to make off with one of her pets.

The bird dragged the dog towards a quarry, but the owner was able to hold onto the animal and save it, but got a nasty injury on her hand in the process.

The sudden attack by the bird of prey, which happened last Saturday, made 43-yearold Suzanne Dodd run away from the area, but said the eagle, which was wearing bells and a lead, “did not appear to have any fear of humans”.

The eagle landed on top of one of her dogs, a Jack Russell terrier, and started dragging it by the head towards a nearby quarry. The owner, however, put up a fight, grabbing the bird by one of its wings and giving it a kick to get rid of it, whilst saying to herself : “You

are not going to fly off with one of my dogs”.

Immediately after the attack, Dodd put both dogs back on the lead and began running back down the mountain, but the eagle followed her and continued to attack her and her pets up to another 20 times. She responded by shouting at the bird to make it go away, which in the end it did.

The dog in question suffered a small injury to its snout, and Dodd went to the medical centre to have a minor injury to her left hand treated and to receive a tetanus jab.

The victim, who described the attack as “surreal and horrible”, admitted she got very upset and “panicked”.

She has made a formal complaint to the police to try to make sure similar “dangerous” attacks don’t happen on public footpaths in the future.

Patients forced to contribute towards some healthcare costs

People who use the Spanish public health system will now have to pay part of the costs of prostheses, diet products and even non-emergency medical transportation, according to a decree published on Tuesday.

These products and activities will henceforth be considered “ancillary services” and therefore subject to part-payment by

the user. The percentage of user input “will be governed by the same rules governing pharmaceutical services”.

Under the new rule, “the user input is proportional to the level of income, that will be updated annually.”

Thus, those with an income of more than 100,000 euros will pay 60% of the price of medicines, going down to 50% for those on incomes between 18,000 and

100,000 euros, and 40% for people whose income is less than 18,000 euros.

The government is also preparing a plan to combat “fraudulent use” of the public healthcare system by non-resident foreigners, which will save about 1,500 million euros.

The reform also provides for the creation of a Centralized Procurement Platform for autonomous communities

Another Briton falls to death from hotel balcony

A British tourist has fallen to his death from a hotel balcony at a hotel at the four-star Sol Antillas hotel in Magaluf (Mallorca).

28-year-old Benjamin Harper from Twickenham, south-west London, died after falling from the balcony on Friday. He is the second Briton to die at the same Spanish resort in three days.

It is believed that Harper, a roofer by trade, had gone out on to the balcony for a cigarette, leant over and fell to his death while on a stag do.

His death comes just three days after another Briton, 20-year-old Adam Atkinson from Castleford, West Yorkshire, died in the

resort after reportedly falling down some stairs.

Harper’s father, Kenneth, 64, has been reported as saying: “It looks like he popped out on to the balcony for a cigarette, leaned over and fell. No foul play was involved.

“His mates are really cut up about it. They are coming home tomorrow and coming here to see me.”

The hotel where Harper died offered no comment. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said : “We are aware of the death of a British national in Mallorca, Spain, on 20 April. We are providing consular assistance to the family at this difficult time.”

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SOLTIMES MAY 2012

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SOLTIMES MAY 2012

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Argentine Senate approves YPF takeover PSOE could challenge healthcare decree in Constitutional Court The PSOE is considering challenging the recent decree on public healthcare in the Constitutional Court, deeming it to be “an attack” on constitutional rights that impinge upon the rights of the Autonomous Communities, as the Junta de Andalusia has already alleged.

In a press conference this morning, the PSOE’s secretary for Social Policy, Trinidad Jiménez, called for the government to explain “right here and now” what will happen to Spaniards over the age of 27, who will henceforth be considered outside the family unit, and divorced or separated women who have never paid into the social security system, when they need healthcare.

Jiménez accused the government of leaving these people “in limbo” by demanding that a person

pay into the Spanish social security system in order to be eligible for a health card, thus also excluding immigrants who do not have their papers in order or who do not pay taxes in this country.

José Martínez Olmos, the PSOE spokesperson on the Health Committee in Congress, criticsed the decree, saying “there is no political ethic that can justify leaving people, perhaps to die, without treatment”, in reference to the illegal immigrants who will no longer be eligible for healthcare from September 1st.

The socialists are therefore studying “the repercussions in Spanish law” of this latest decree and will “wait and see” what the Junta de Andalusia do before taking it to the Constitutional Court.

Argentina’s Senate early Thursday approved the government’s move to nationalize YPF, a subsidiary of Spain’s Repsol, despite adamant US, EU and Spanish objections.

Sixty-three lawmakers voted in favor of the takeover, with just three voting against it and four abstaining, as the bill was sent to the Chamber of Deputies, which was also expected to overwhelmingly approve of it on May 3.

Argentina announced that it would seize 51 percent of YPF shares earlier this month, with some 26 percent to be held by the federal government and 25 percent going to the provinces.

Spain has led a chorus of international outrage at the move, saying it harmed bilateral relations and would deny Argentina much-needed foreign investment and expertise in the oil sector.

But the takeover is popular in Argentina, where it is supported by the government and the opposition.

Buenos Aires has accused Repsol of failing to invest in its oil sector, forcing a spike in costly imports.

“No one will shed a tear for Repsol in Spain, because they are making investments outside of Spain and confounding a company and a country,” Miguel Pichetto,

head of the governing bloc in the Senate, said ahead of the vote.

YPF produces 34 percent of Argentina’s oil and 25 percent of its gas, and the company holds some 54 percent of the country’s refining capacity, according to the private Argentine Petroleum Institute (IAP).

Argentina’s oil imports doubled to $9.3 billion in 2011 from the previous year and are set to top $12 billion this year, according to official figures.

Earlier this week the Standard & Poor’s ratings agency downgraded its credit outlook for Argentina from stable to negative, largely due to the YPF takeover.

Argentina declared YPF a public utility on April 16. Later the same week it extended the move to YPF Gas, a separate company 85 percent owned by a division of Spain’s Repsol.

Spain’s Santander bank posts 23.9% profit slump

The Spanish banking giant Santander said Thursday that its first quarter profit slumped by 23.9 percent to 1.6 billion euros ($2.1 billion), as it set aside more than three billion euros to cover risky property loans.

The earnings fell short of the

1.643 billion euros forecast by analysts polled by Dow Jones Newswires.

“This decline is mainly due to the significant increase in provisions for non-performing loans, which rose 51 percent to 3,127 million euros,” said the

bank.

On April 17, the Spanish central bank approved a plan that requires banks to allocate a total of 29 billion euros for bad loan provisions and 15.6 billion euros to raise the ratio of their rock-solid core capital.

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SOLTIMES MAY 2012

25-million-year-old bird Spain borrowing rate fossil found in La Rioja soars for short-term debt at La Rioja University, confirmed that the tridactyle (three-toed) bird is an “important discovery” in scientific terms.

The “Uvaichnites riojana” has a similar footprint to the common crane, and, although there are very few references to the presence of this family of birds on the Iberian Peninsula, could confirm the presence of cranes from the early Miocene period.

The fossilised footprint was found alongside footprints from other birds and land vertebrates, including a small horse.

The central toe of the “Uvaichnites riojana” is about 10cm long, suggesting the bird would have been “relatively large”, said Lorente.

The ichnites were actually discoverd about three years ago, during construction work on a cellar in Cenicero, where 14 blocks of sandstone with fossilised footprints from numerous different vertebrates were found.

All in all, 142 footprints were analysed, of which 72 belonged to birds, 46 to Artiodactyla even-toed ungulates (hoofed mammals), six to Perissodactyla (odd-toed ungulates) and 18 were unknown.

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A 25 million year old fossilised footprint (ichnite) found in Cenicero (La Rioja), dating back to the Miocene period, have allowed scientists to discover a hitherto unknown species of bird, belonging to the crane family, which has been named “Uvaichnites riojana”.

One of the paleontologists who discovered the fossilised footprint, Félix Pérez Lorente, a professor

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Spain’s borrowing rate nearly doubled in a short-term debt auction Tuesday as investors fretted over the eurozone’s determination to deal with its debts.

The treasury raised 1.933 billion euros ($2.5 billion) but the timing could hardly have been worse, with financial markets slumping on concern that Europeans are wavering in their commitment to austerity.

The sale of three-month and six-month bills came a day after Spain’s central bank declared the country had plunged back into recession in the first quarter of 2012.

Markets were shaken after a first round of French presidential elections Sunday put Socialist Francois Hollande, who wants the eurozone to focus on growth rather than austerity, ahead of incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy.

The two contenders face off in a final vote May 6.

Further undermining stability, the Netherlands’ government collapsed Monday after failing to reach agreement over austerity measures, placing its AAA credit rating at risk.

Spain nevertheless managed to lure strong interest in the auction with overall demand outstripping supply by more than four-toone. The money raised was towards the top of its targeted range of 1.0-2.0 billion euros.

But it had to pay a steep price.

The borrowing rate leapt to 0.634 percent from 0.381 percent for three-month bills and to 1.580 percent from 0.836 percent for six month bills, when compared with the last similar auction on March 27.

Spain has promised to cut its public deficit -- the annual shortfall of income compared to spending -- to 5.3 percent of gross domestic product in 2012 and just 3.0 percent of GDP in 2013.

Last year it had allowed the deficit to hit 8.5 percent of GDP -- 2.5 percentage points over target.

Desperate to meet its targets, the government approved 27 billion euros in fiscal tightening in its 2012 budget, in addition to an earlier round of tax increases and spending cuts amounting to 15.2 billion euros.

But analysts say those targets will be harder to reach as tax income declines and welfare costs rise because Spain is back in recession just two years after emerging from the last downturn.

Spanish GDP fell by an estimated 0.4percent in the first quarter of 2012 after a 0.3-percent decline in the last three months of 2011, the Bank of Spain said Monday.

Spain, whose unemployment rate at the end of 2011 was already the highest in the industrialised world at 22.85 percent, suffered a further 4.0-percent year-on-year drop in employment in the first quarter of 2012, the Bank of Spain said.

In addition to raising the cost of Spain’s debt financing, worries about Spain’s finances have sharply depressed the stock market.

Madrid’s IBEX-35 index of leading shares has dropped by nearly 19 percent since the beginning of the year, slipping below 7,000 points for the first time in more than three years.

Spanish Women Bussed Into Villages To Slow Population Drain A Spanish dating association is trying to slow a population drain from the country’s beleaguered central villages, introducing bachelors to women bussed in from Madrid with hopes of ending a bride shortage.

Candeleda, a town of 6,000 on the banks of the picturesque Lobera River, hosted a weekend fiesta to welcome 68 women for a meet-and-greet with the village’s single men.

Ancient cave paintings show Candeleda has been inhabited for some 5,000 years. Resident Jose Miguel, 67, said he would hate to

see its population dwindle after such a long history.

“I’ve checked out the few widows and single women here,” said Mr Miguel. “I signed up for this to meet new ladies and to hopefully show them the beauty of my town.”

The group, Asocamu, was set up in 1995 to promote rural re-population by

Spain Police Publish Rioters’ Pictures Online

Police in Spain have published online photographs of people suspected of rioting during a demonstration in Barcelona last month, asking the public to help identify them.

The Catalonia regional police published photographs of 68 suspects taken in the disturbances during a general strike on March 29, some of them hooded and some in the act of trashing the windows of banks and shops.

The police said it promises “full confidentiality of data supplied by citizens and thanks them for their involvement in the fight to eradicate urban violence,” in a statement accompanying the photographs.

Sporadic violence broke out on the sidelines of a mainly peaceful mass demonstration against austerity measures introduced by the conservative government as it tries to rein in high unemployment and its budget deficit.

Regional and national police are bracing for possible disturbances when European Central Bank officials hold a meeting in Barcelona on May 3, as well as during labour day demonstrations on May 1.

organising parties for single men and woman, but Spain’s painful financial crisis and the lure of city jobs has made the need more pressing than ever, Manuel Gozalo, one of the organisers, said.

Statistics show that of Spain’s 5,000 villages up to 100 are under imminent threat of abandonment.

One of the women, Blanca Fernandez, 52, works in sales in Madrid and was attracted by the idea of a nice day out and a chance for romance.

“I know it’s difficult to find the love of one’s life, but some of these meetings have led to marriages,” she said.

King of Spain’s unprecendented apology The King of Spain has apologised for making an elephant hunting trip to Africa following widespread criticism of his holiday choice while his country struggles with a recession.

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2012

9

Adhoc Stage Sex Sensation

POWER PUB IN SAN FULGENCIO FUNDRAISING FOR EMAUS

The power pub in the Village of San Fulgencio was opened in August 1987 by present owner Vicente Murcia Perez and wife Fina Rocamora Vera. The bar is well known locally for karaoke nights, music nights with live bands as well as live sports for most sporting events especially football when Real Madrid are playing as Vincente is a very keen follower. from 9am you can even sample a typical Spanish breakfast also served in the day are sandwiches and pizzas as well as Vicentes special Enpandia which he claims is the best is Spain !!

Vincente and Fina have been keen runners

for 10 years taking part in half marathons.

Now having heard about Emaus the children’s care home in Elche they have decided to run the next race which is next Sunday 6th May to raise funds for Emaus. Obviously they are wanting to raise as much money for the charity as possible so if you would like to sponsor them or take a sponsor form to help raise much needed money for the charity please call int the bar which is situated 100 meters from the only set of traffic lights in San Fulgencio village, or for more information or donations phone Dave on 633 366 701

ON THE BALL FOR MABS CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

Café Golf, San Javier organised a Charity Golf Day at La Tercia in aid of MABS Cancer Support Group in Murcia.

The weather was perfect and the teams started the day with a Putting and Chipping competition before playing 18 Holes.

Competition results for the day were: Winning Team: Barry Beale, Paul Hamlin, Keith Powell and Christopher Paul Second: Gordi, John Stafford, Ian Crookall and Ron Burks Third: Ivor Jones, Denis Eddy, Rod Andrew and Paul Pottage Nearest the Pin: Paul Hamlin Longest Drive: Barry Beale Chipping:Howard Pyrah Putting: John Stafford Holes were sponsored by Iceland and Legs & Co, two of MABS main sponsors.

Café Golf also hosted the presentations in the evening, which took place after a BBQ supper (a regular Thursday night feature).

There was also a raffle and entertainment with Nick Barker, ensuring that everyone had an enjoyable evening. A total of 623€ was raised, which included a donation of £100 from one of the guests. Fundraising Co-ordinator, Janet Bell, thanked the golfers and evening guests, saying “Fundraising is hard work, but made very worthwhile by people like Nike and Neil of Café Golf and the generosity of all who contributed to the day’s success. Without you, we couldn’t carry on helping the people who need it most in the Murcia region, those affected by cancer.”

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.comPhotographs are attached to this email. Photographer: Geoff Bell

“Sex Please We’re Willing” was performed to 3 packed houses at The School of Music in Los Montesinos. The comedy had never been performed in Europe and had the audience applauding from the moment the curtains opened.

The comedy play was full of plenty of laughs and with such vivid characters; the audience were soon drawn into the plot, which revolves around the 4 ladies who devise a plot to swap the local Casanova’s (Dud “The Stud” Davies) Viagra with a newly invented female version.

When the deed is done the 2 men end up getting menopausal symptoms – hot flushes, irritability and bloating, much to the delight of the ladies who have been “done wrong”.

Adhoc Theatre Company had 4 new actors.

Karen Love (Hillary Hudson) and Clive Gray (Henry Mitchell) were treading the boards for the first time ever, and were admirably rewarded for their efforts by an appreciative audience.

Dorothy Gates gave a great performance of the very precise Mrs Stancliffe who owns the Bed and Breakfast where the play is set. There were lots of “Oohs and ahhs when she transformed herself at the end of the play from her usual dowdy clothes to an elegant outfit as she turns the tables and proposes to her long time suitor Henry.

There was plenty of fun to be had when a past paramour of Dud the Stud Davis (played

by John Lockwood) turns up. Charmaine Beauregard (played by Jax Lawson) is a southern belle with a huge appetite for men. Audience members were heard to ask if Jax really was American as she didn’t lose her accent through the whole performance.

Caomihe O’Shea who played Victoria Ambrose, an author who is trying to get over her writers block, brought the house down when she finds out that she may have taken one of the female Viagra that Henry has invented, and bursts into floods of tears.

A spokesman from VIVA TV was quoted as saying “This was the best performance from an amateur dramatic group that I have ever

The

Cl ub

filmed or seen.”

Theatre goers agreed and have been ringing and emailing Adhoc and their members to congratulate and thank them for a great evening of laughter and entertainment.

The Saturday evening performance was concluded by a cheque for €1500 being presented to a representative from ADMISON charity.

Adhoc will be casting soon for their next production of “Allo, Allo”. If you would like to join in the fun, please go to www. adhoctheatre.com or email adhocspain@ hotmail.com or call 677 600 809/ 697 501 992

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Cruces de Mayo - aLICANTE -

guidance and was rewarded by a vision of the cross of Christ in the sky, with the words “In hoc signo vincis” (With this sign you will conquer) emblazoned above it. In response, Constantine had a cross built and carried at the front of his army. Confident under this Christian ensign Constantine marched against his enemy and against all odds won an important victory.

entered the temple and ordered it to be demolished and excavated. Sure enough, three crosses were discovered.

However, she required proof, so she ordered that the dead and dying should be brought to the scene and to be touched by the crosses. When people miraculously recovered after touching one of the crosses, Helen declared this to be the True Cross.

Upon his return to Rome, convinced that his victory was due to the power of the cross, he was baptised into the Christian church. The banner was adopted by the Roman armies, and became known as the Roman Labarum.

She ordered a church to be built on the site, which is still known as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. She was also instrumental in having churches built on many other holy sites.

Helen was Constantine the Great’s mother. Although she converted to Christianity late in life, her great faith and piety influenced her son, who became the first Christian emperor.

The first 10 days of May in Alicante are a wash-out as far as getting anything done! The first of May is Labour Day, so no work that day. The second is Mother’s Day - ladies, you simply can’t work on Mother’s Day. Then the third is the Festival of the May Crosses – when the delightful area of Santa Cruz literally dresses up in flowers, with crosses made of fresh flowers displayed all along the streets.

Santa Cruz is in the highest part of Alicante, nestling on Mount Benacantil, with cobbled streets, intimate plazas and picturesque balconies, just made for strolling around.

During the Festival the streets are completely filled with magnificent floral crosses, some over three metres high, filling the air with wonderful

perfume and creating an unbelievable picture-postcard scene, made alive by the music and dancing that spills over into the streets.

light-hearted, even before the crosses are finished, with whole families entering into the task of preparing and placing the thousands of flowers securely.

Although the city council runs a competition, awarding prizes to the best designs, the local women need no excuse to decorate the crosses. The atmosphere is festive and

There are different theories as to where the origins of the Festival; some believe that it is in memory of St. Helen’s discovery of the True Cross on May 3rd in 325 whilst others

think it is to commemorate the vision seen by her son, Constantine the Great, some 13 years earlier.

The latter story goes that in 312, the Roman Emperor, Constantine the Great, found himself under attack by a far larger troop under Maxentius.

Legend has it that Constantine prayed to God for help and

When Constantine returned from his victory over Maxentius, and converted to Christianity he sent Helen, who was then aged eighty, to Jerusalem to search of holy relics, in particular, the cross on which Jesus was crucified.

Jerusalem was still being rebuilt after the destruction caused by the previous emperor Hadrian, who had built a temple to Venus over the site of Jesus’ tomb near Calvary.

According to legend, Helen

Allegedly, she also found the nails of the crucifixion and used their miraculous power to help her son in battle. She placed one in Constantine’s helmet and another in his horse’s bridle. She brought a large part of the True Cross along with other relics back to Rome in 327, and they can be seen even today, stored in the private chapel within her palace. Her palace was later converted into the Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome. Before she died in Rome in 328, Helen begged for the day that the True Cross was found to be remembered and commemorated each year.

Whichever story you believe, or maybe even both of them, enjoy the beautiful spectacle which is the Cruces de Mayo.

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ANTI-AGEING TECHNIQUES – HELPING YOUR MIND BODY AND SOUL TO HEAL THEMSELVES An experienced counsellor with 40+ years of experience has been scientifically tested in healing and the intuitive application of her abilities by the science department of Tokyo Denki university, Japan. A televised program of her in-depth testing, conducted by Prof. Yoshio Machi, is available on YouTube and www.caroleverett.com What do people want? They want the wisdom and experience of old age, the mobility of youth, and to be happy. Is this possible? Who’s to say it that it isn’t? Even though all our lives ultimately come to an end, I believe we should be able to live as long and healthy a life as possible.

For several years I have been developing anti-ageing techniques. The process I have developed works by boosting the immune system and sending out new information through the blood by first healing a very small sample of blood, and then reintroducing it into the system through the skin. For a normal adult it takes approximately one minute for a blood cell to circulate the body, varying slightly as to whether we are active or resting. What better vehicle could there be to help you do this than your own blood, which is pumped all around your body by your heart so many times an hour?

The outcome of this procedure depends to some extent on certain factors – what age we are when we embark on the treatment (the earlier we walk this road, the more chance we have of a good outcome, before life has taken too much of it’s toll) our basic state of health, and the condition we are in when we begin. But perhaps the most important influence of all is our mindset, because the power of the mind can achieve unbelievable things.

In December 2009 I took part in a controlled trial which was conducted remotely between Spain and South Africa with a doctor and a live blood analysis expert. Using the power of my mind I worked telepathically from Spain on a sample of blood in South Africa. The sample was first examined under a microscope. When I had completed my work on the blood sample it was checked again under the microscope and was found to be fundamentally changed and improved. No one can explain how this happened, it is supposed to be impossible to change it in this way. Doctors in London have also observed me doing the same thing and have said so. But what was evident amongst other things, was that the live blood was cleared and became more active, and the immune system was given an enormous boost. (for further information, the full medical details and results are contained in the medical report, available on my website.)

The results of this trial were regarded as proof that the blood sample had been fundamentally changed through my healing work, even though this was conducted telepathically, and therefore was evidence that live blood is capable of receiving and transmitting messages. This in itself is significant because it means that live blood has a memory. The mind can also draw on that memory using visualisation techniques and meditation, and in this way allowing self-healing of mind, body and soul. For maximum effect you should be in a sufficiently high state of belief and development to do this for yourself, and this is where I, and possibly other people like me, can assist by lifting you to that point in order for you to keep this energy level going in your body. In my work I have to “walk my talk”, and using myself as a guinea pig is a ‘must’ for me, because if it doesn’t work on me then I don’t

want to try it out on someone else. Everything I do I either test on myself, or if that is not possible, then I undergo testing, as with the scientific trials in Japan and South Africa, and “before and after” scans in England.

Eighteen months ago I started healing my own blood. Once every few months. To begin with I had the healed blood injected into my body (only a very small amount is needed - rather like having a blood test by your doctor).

The first thing I noticed was the difference in my mindset. Two weeks after the healed blood went in I was really tired for one day, as if there was a battle going on, but after that, each time I received the healed blood my mind became more focused, I had more ideas and felt more positive and inspired, just as I used to when I was younger. Certain minor ailments improved, but mainly it was my mind that changed the most at first. Happy with the results I was getting I decided to start working on my own face. (I have to confess in the past to having facial skin beauty treatments in the past but very minimal.

I do like the chance to be pampered, sometimes at The Beauty Palace @ C.Sol as it makes me feel good) When I began working on my own face a pattern started to form. It seemed that whatever point I focused on first, either under eyes, cheeks or neck, was where I get the most obvious visual results. But not only this - the healed blood then continued to be pumped round my body and other changes occurred, balancing out the mind and soul and generating a light energy all in these areas. After having the blood put back into my face three times now the results have spoken for themselves; people have walked past me locally that hadn’t seen me for a while because they didn’t recognise me.

I don’t look twenty and neither is that going to happen, but I do look and feel a good ten years younger than when I started healing my own blood.

I have had mixed comments, such as “you should grow old gracefully” and ”why are you using your talents for people who are just being vain?” Firstly it would of course be of enormous benefit to people with skin disorders or scars that are no fault of their own - why shouldn’t they want to look good?

- but more importantly, this treatment is not only about the face. As its been proven over the years, in private and confidential treatments with a number of doctors in london to work with some patients medical conditions when all else has failed. The healed blood that is reintroduced into the face does not just stay there. That may be the point of entry, but the effects eventually spread throughout the entire system and can uplift the mind, body and soul.

Because someone is old why would they not prefer to be as active, happy and energetic as possible, and be able to make the most of the knowledge and experience they acquired with a young body and mind? The ultimate gift surely is to bring someone to a more focused and positive outlook and a new lease of life. I got into this work because I wanted to help people to get the best they can out of life, from whichever angle it can be achieved. If you look in the mirror and you see a worn-out face then this is likely to make you feel worn-out. If you look in the mirror and what you see is a much healthier and positive face, then that is the message that goes through your

body. Positive thoughts are positive, wherever they originate.

Having said all this, it is what you are inside that determines the end result, for beauty comes from within. If the healed blood brings with it a much higher vibration into a person’s whole being, this can change lives and create different futures. A year ago I discovered that there was a process called Dracula Therapy being used in London, which meant that the principle of this procedure had already been approved, along with other similar procedures.

Earlier, in the UK re introducing live blood was not on even though many other european countries were ok with it. I have been meditating on my healed blood theory since I came back from America over ten years ago and I believe that because of my life’s work and mind control, what I am doing is affecting people on a much deeper and spiritual level.

The other area of the body I have been drawn to is the hypothalamus/ pituitary gland, which holds the key to the ageing of the body, along with the blood. Human growth hormone (HGH) is released from the pituitary gland and normally as we get older this slows down. HGH has been called the anti-ageing miracle but unfortunately it has also been shown to have side effects, and everyone is different in their need for dosage, so more is not necessarily good. Too high a dose has been known to cause diabetes, sleep deprivation, bones to grow on top of bones, and a spurt in tumour growth.

This is not so in everyone, but there are enough for the warning signs to be there.

By stimulating the hypothalamus naturally instead of with HGH i.e. healing of the blood and directing energies into this area, I feel this is a more natural way of tackling this. In the past when working on women with hormonal problems, e.g. where their cycle has stopped or where they have been unable to get pregnant, or by increasing their sex drive, I directed all the healing energies into the hormone body, starting with the hypothalamus/ pituitary gland and this helped them a great deal and produced some wonderful results.

So all my experiences and trials over the years have now brought me to this place. I don’t claim to know or do things that nobody else can do, I am just using all the skills and knowledge that I have gained - not from books, but from instincts and experience. Research is continuing and I am currently collecting more testimonials which will be available to read on my website, big thank you to Linda Gibson from Maediasthetics in Punta Prima for helping me with recent case studies in her clinic. I am still on the journey, just following where the road takes me - one road leads to another. It’s exciting though. If there are any doctors in this area who are interested in this procedure please contact me. Full reports and articles about this type of blood healing can be read on my website.

Carol Everett is a scientifically tested healer and medical intuitive. now living in Spain. Her website is at www.caroleverett.com

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SOLTIMES MAY 2012

• Nails & Ingrowing • Callus & Corns • Diabetic Footcare • Biomechanics • All Foot Problems

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At first it seems like a paradox on our plate - a study has found the French adopt a shoulder-shrugging attitude to reading nutrition

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labels on food while Americans scrutinise the calorie content.

Yet France has an obesity rate of just 12 per cent, which is three times lower than in the U.S.

The unusual finding suggests that the UK Government’s drive to encourage food manufacturer’s to provide clear labels may do little to encourage healthier eating habits.

For the study, scientists asked more than 300 French, Quebec, and American consumers to answer a questionnaire designed to test what they knew about dietary fats.

Questions dealt with the amount and types of fat contained in various foods

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Fifty-five percent of French respondents said they did not know the percentage of fat in whole milk, compared with five per cent for Quebec and four per cent for the United States.

When the participants tried to answers, the Americans were most likely to be right, followed by the Canadians, with the French bringing up the rear.

Twice as many French respondents(17percent)didn’t know the recommendations regarding avoiding saturated fats compared to unsaturated fats, as Americans (nine per cent.)

Professor Maurice Doyon from Université Laval said: ‘The difference among respondents’ knowledge essentially indicates that the French don’t take much of an interest in the nutrients contained in the foods they eat. The information is on the package, but they don’t read it.’

‘It’s an approach that presents information to consumers in a broken down form,’ suggested Dr Doyon.

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‘This may lead them to think of food in terms of its fat, carbohydrate, and caloric content and lose sight of the whole picture. It might be better to focus on what constitutes a healthy, complete, and balanced meal.’

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The scientists from the Université Laval in Canada, Cornell University in New York and Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Paul Bocuse in Écully, France, found French respondents said they didn’t the answer to 43 per cent of the questions. This compared to just 13 per cent from Canada and four per cent from the U.S.

The same trend was observed for butter, margarine, and vegetable oils.

According to the researchers, the correlation found between extensive nutritional knowledge and high obesity rates suggests that focusing on detailed nutritional information may not be the best strategy for encouraging healthy eating habits.

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and what the nutritional recommendations are regarding these fats.

Participants were asked to answer ‘Don’t know’ rather than hazard a guess.

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www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2012

GLADRAGS FASHION SHOW

‘No evidence’ that mobile phones damage your health

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true 10 years ago, and we have much firmer information than we had on several areas, for instance symptoms, cognitive effects, brain tumours, than we had then.

‘There is no convincing evidence that radiofrequency exposure causes health effects in adults or in children.

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Convincing evidence that mobile phones damage health is yet to surface despite an ‘explosion’ in research - a new study claims.

A leading scientist insisted that driving while using a mobile remains the only proven health risk; with the publishing of a report about exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields.

The review, billed as the most comprehensive yet, found a large number of studies have been published on cancer risks; but claimed none of the results had demonstrated that mobiles cause brain tumours or any other types of cancer.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) report still warns that evidence needs to be constantly assessed as there was little information about risks beyond 15 years from first exposure to RF. This should include awareness of nationwide brain tumour trends; which have so far given ‘no indication’ of any risk, the report said.

The HPA said it would continue to advise a “precautionary” approach and keep the science under close review.

The agency recommends that “excessive” use of mobile phones by children should be discouraged while adults should make their own decision.

Epidmologist Professor Anthony Swerdlow is chairman of the HPA’s Independent Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation (AGNIR).

He said the last similar large-scale review was in 2003.

He said: ‘There has now been a very large amount of research conducted, which wasn’t

‘But beyond 15 years for mobile phones, we have to say we have little or no information.

‘I think it is important therefore, to some extent, to keep an eye out on this, which we will do into the future.’

He added that brain tumour rates were not rising in age groups that had been exposed for the last 10 to 15 years.

‘This is an exposure that 20 years ago nobody had and now practically everybody has; so you might expect that if there were appreciable effects that you would see them in the tumour rates,’ he said.

Dr John Cooper, director of the HPA centre for radiation, chemical and environmental hazards, said: ‘There is still no convincing scientific evidence that RF field exposures from mobile phones and other radio technologies affect human health at exposure levels below internationally agreed guidelines.

13

The annual Gladrags Fashion show in aid of MACS Cancer Charity was a huge success again this year. Held at the Vera Hotel, in Almeria, it was attended by guests arriving from all over the area. Margaret Norman (RIGHT), Gladrags proprietor supplied all the clothes, and they were certainly eyecatching! Salas Opticas based in Huercal Overa supplied accessories as did Ann’s Accessories. Cutting Edge made sure all the ladies hairstyles were perfect, and they all looked absolutely lovely. The coreography was organised by Sue from Living Design and all the models had obviously worked hard to get their steps in order. There were eight models on the day and they showcased a variety of this years fashions keeping the crowd entertained with their routines.

More photos can be seen at http://gladrags.almeriafotographia.co.uk ~ all photos kindly suppled by Almeria-Fotografia

‘However, as this is a relatively new technology, the HPA will continue to advise a precautionary approach and keep the science under close review.

‘The HPA recommends that excessive use of mobile phones by children should be discouraged and mobile phone-specific energy absorption rates values should be clearly marked in the phone sales literature.’

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This year, for the first time in Albox, Ann Webber will be joining us with her beautiful accessories which includes sunhats, beach wraps, handbags and much more!

14

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SOLTIMES MAY 2012

MONCAYO MARKET

Moncayo Market is looking for serious retailers and service people!

If you are looking for a business opportunity, or you already have a business, but are finding it difficult to meet the monthly costs – We may have the answer you are looking for!

For as little as 120€ a month you could have your own sales outlet with massive, guaranteed passing trade.

The Moncayo Retail Village is up and running and we are looking for people with a positive attitude, who would like the

opportunity to trade within our Retail Village, which is situated alongside the busy Moncayo market which is currently open every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.

With over 20 units already let and another 20 reserved, there is limited space available within this unique marketplace – but you need to move quickly!

Anyone interested should either come along to the Moncayo Market, which is situated behind the Procomobel Home Centre or call Paul on 660 249 876

WELCOME GROUP UPDATE

On Wednesday 25th April Welcome held their Race Night at the Trevi Restaurant.

It was very well supported and everybody really enjoyed the evening.

Thank you to Colin for running it so well for us.

The evening raised 243€ and Welcome were very pleased to present MABS with a cheque for 500€ made up from money raised at their other events.

BE NICE DAY - Walk with HELP

As part of Bay Radio’s Be Nice Day HELP Murcia Mar Menor is organising a 5 km walk on Sunday 6th May, simultaneously with other walks along the Costa Blanca/Costa Calida.

HELP’s walk will start at 11.15 a.m. from Hotel L’Ascension and entrants will walk along the promenade from Pintor Pedro (the junction of Calle del Pintor Pedro Flores) to L’Ascension and return i.e. go back to the Hotel L’Ascension. Water stations will be available approximately every 850 metres.

The entry fee is €5, which will be deducted from sponsorship monies raised. All money raised (less costs) will be shared between HELP MMM and the local Caritas charity.

If you can’t do the run yourself, please sponsor someone else. Phone the office

on 968570059 or ring Bernard on 659751611 for details or entry/sponsorship forms, or call into the office at Calle Penelope 11, Urbanisation Oasis, Los Narejos.

It is a walk, not a race, and you can wear fancy dress or walk with a pet.

Bernard Ash, president of HELP Murcia Mar Menor HELP Murcia Mar Menor aims to provide a service to ALL:o Mobility Equipment Loans o Hospital Visiting o Information on Living in Spain, o Support Groups o Interpreter details o Assisting and liaising with other charities.

Big Band Dance Nights

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Last Thursday’s 8th; ‘Big Band Dance Night with Swingtet-Plus big Band’ at Hotel Spa Costa Narejos, Los Alcazares was a great success. With an ever increasing, and very appreciative audience - an evening of good, live entertainment from this very talented band of musicians, with their featured vocalist Ms Patti Ross The group of people from the HELP Organization wer very impressed with the musical renditins from the band and the vocals from Patti. their representative was presented with the proceeds of the evenings raffle - prizes were donated by local businesses and the hotel management.

The Next ‘Swingtet -Plus Big Band Dance Night’ at the Hotel Spa Costa Narejos, will be on Thursday, 24th; May Tickets - 7 euros - are on sale already, and will be limited.

Obtainable from the hotel reception - Tel; 968 - 583 - 980.

The evening’s entertainment begins at 9.00 pm to 11.30pm and doors open at 8.30pm.

For all other information Tel: 968 - 432 - 630.

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2012

15

Rare white killer whale Pretty in Purple spotted off Russian coast Photograph courtesy Hendrik Freitag

Sighting in waters off Kamchatka peninsula is believed to be first time an adult white orca has been spotted in wild

Scientists have glimpsed a white adult orca, or killer whale, while on a research expedition off the far eastern coast of Russia.

The sighting in waters off the Kamchatka peninsula is believed to be the first time such a whale has been spotted in the wild.

Researchers said the marine mammal, whom they nicknamed Iceberg, was swimming with its mother and siblings, and appeared to be fully accepted by its 12-strong family.

White whales are not unheard of, but only young white orcas are thought to have been recorded by marine conservationists before.

The whale was spotted by a group of scientists on a research cruise co-led by

Erich Hoyt of the Far East Russia Orca Project.

“We’ve seen three white orcas in the past few years, but this is the very first time we’ve seen a mature animal that is all white,” Hoyt told the Guardian.

Hoyt, a senior research fellow at the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, said the whale was last spotted in August 2010. The team is returning to the same waters next month to try to track it down again.

The scientists hope to confirm whether or not Iceberg is an albino by photographing his eyes. “If we can get a full close-up of the eyes and they are pink, it would confirm Iceberg is an albino, but we don’t know much about albinism in

orcas,” Hoyt said.

Fully albino orcas can have weak immune systems and die young, but partial albinos can live into adulthood. Iceberg appears to be white all over and, judging by his two-metre dorsal fin, is at least 16 years old, Hoyt said.

“We’ve photographically identified 1,500 orcas in the region in the past 12 years there,” Hoyt said. “If we see any of his pod and he’s not there, we’ll know he’s gone.”

During the expedition from May to September, researchers will lower hydrophones into the sea to record the sounds the whales make. There are believed to be three to four “clans” of whales in the waters the team surveyed, each with its own distinctive dialect.

A purple crab stares down the camera in the Philippine island of Palawan (map) in an undated picture. The colorful crustacean, dubbed Insulamon palawanense, is one of four new species in the Insulamon genus described in a recent study.

The crab’s brilliant hues may simply help the species recognize its brethren, said study author Hendrik Freitag, of the Senckenberg Museum of Zoology in Dresden, Germany.

“The particular violet coloration might just have evolved by chance, and must not necessarily have a very specific function or reason aside from being a general visual signal for recognition,” said Freitag, whose study was published in February in the Raffles Bulletin of Zoology.

Freitag described the four new crabs—each between about an inch (2.5 centimeters) to 2 inches (5.3 centimeters) wide—from museum specimens and individuals collected during two field surveys in Palawan. Only one other species, I. unicorn, is already known in the genus, and it was identified in 1992.

16

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SOLTIMES MAY 2012

LEGAL CORNER WITH MICHAEL DAVIES, ABOGADO/SOLICITOR

If you wish us to print an article about a particular topic, please e-mail info@daviessolicitors.com

BANK REPOSSESSIONS FANTASTIC DEALS: MYTH OR REALITY

Q. Is it really true that you can buy properties very cheaply from the banks? Everybody talks about it, but I do not know anyone that has actually done it!

A. Yes it is true. Up to now it has been mostly Spanish investors who have purchased in this way, but there is absolutely no reason for individuals not to take advantage of the very good deals that are available.

All you need to do is keep an eye on the different websites that have been set up by the banks to sell their properties (very often available in English also). On these websites you will find description of all their properties and their prices. In addition to very good prices the bank will normally offer a mortgage of 80 to 100% with very competitive interest rates. The lists of properties change constantly and the best deals in each complex are sometimes sold very quickly, so it is essential to monitor the lists constantly and if there is something you like contact them immediately. Some investors play with advantage, as they are aware in advance of the builders who are in trouble and therefore visit the properties in advance so that when the banks put them up for sale they can reserve immediately if they feel the price is good.

There are a lot of them so I would concentrate on the banks that have branches in the general area you are interested in as if a bank does not have branches in the area they will probably not have properties either.

For a full list of bank websites, please contact me on info@daviessolicitors.com Michael Davies is a Spanish Abogado and has been practicing law in Almería since 1993. He is member of the Law societies of Almería and Madrid and has offices in Mojacar and Almeria High Street.

DETACHED VILLA for sale

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Neater Heaters succeed where other heaters fail

By Tony Sim, from Neater Heater

It is very obvious the more customers we deal with, that, in this economical climate, people are rightly concerned about getting value for their money when buying heaters. The main question is: “Why Neater Heaters and not another type?

I can only think of reassuring people that Richard and I both started out as consumers ourselves. My first winter, I think, reflects the experiences of most people.

Having survived the initial shock of our first cold-snap in Spain, Cathy and I realised that winters here were serious and that we needed to defend ourselves better against them.

Like most people, we started with Gas Estuffas which I wasn´t too happy about as they stipulate that they should be used in a well ventilated area. We then looked into central heating, and soon realised that the installation cost was too much for us. That left electric heaters. We investigated the lot, and tried a few. It became obvious that the mediocre-togood ones were seriously expensive and that the ones we could afford were seriously rubbish.

Anyway, we eventually installed an electric heater in our son´s bedroom. It was a flat paintable panel that was pitched to us as being a heater that was very economical to run. Neither of these statements was correct. I certainly wouldn´t call it a heater, and it was irrelevant whether it was economical or not!!! My son’s room was too cold for him to concentrate for long on his homework, so he had to do it in the living room disturbing us in the process.

Then we accidentally discovered these super Norwegian Heaters made by BEHA. We put one in my son’s room and it was life-changing for me, let alone him. He no longer felt as if he was being banished to an igloo, and I could now watch telly because he was doing his homework – in his room! As for the cost of running them? They were actually cheaper to run than the “Eco” heater-that-wasn´t-a-heater, which was now on the tip.

Very soon we were asked to get some for our friends Richard and Nikki, then my mate Hugh wanted some, then Nikki’s brother..... soon we realised we had our hands on something that lots of people wanted, but didn´t even know existed. That was when Richard and I had our Victor Kiam moment. Remember him? “I was so impressed I bought the Company!” The rest, as they say........is History.

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LA MARINA Foreign Trust Financial Services Tel. 965 993 275 BENIJOFAR: Vincent Real Estate Tel. 966 712 440 For home inspections throughout the Torrevieja area, call Colin Tel: 636 537 338 TORREVIEJA: S J & A. Digital Tel. 966 319 253 Playa flamenca: Buster’s Bar Tel: 965 325 120 BLUE LAGOON: The Electrical Shop (Euronics) Tel: 966 188 169 NEATER HEATER DISTRUBUTORS:

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www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2012

17

CALLING ALL UNITED HANDS CONCERT Charity Extravaganza WALKERS at OREHUELA TO LEND US success THEIR FEET ONCE AGAIN!!

On behalf of HELP Vega Baja, a big THANK YOU to all those who made our recent Charity Extravaganza such a success, over 1000€ was raised for the ‘HELPCare’ programme, which is a health scheme for those recently discharged from hospital.

To Raquel Peña and her ‘Flamenco for All Dance Group’, for Catherine and Sue and not forgetting Paul from Gigi’s for their professionalism and for the use of all those lovely clothes and The Studio for the models. To the ‘B’ Poppers, Buddy Holly Tribute, PDQ and Suzy G for the brilliant entertainment.

Thank you for the generous items for the raffle from Discount Electrics, Gigi, Maritao III, La Finca Country Club, El Mirador, Medaesthetics and The Tone Zone.

To the many HELP volunteers who did so much throughout the day and during the evening.

We would also like to thank all the staff at Los Rosales restaurant for the food and excellent service and who made us so welcome and most importantly to all those who supported this event with their presence.

HELP is completely self-funded and to enable it continue its work in the community, we rely on donations and a couple of annual fund raising events.

Once again thank you to everyone for his or her support.

SUNDAY MAY 6th COME AND JOIN US FOR THE FIRST ROJALES/QUESADA WALK FOR PAUL CUNNINGHAM NURSES THE WALK STARTS AT 11.15a. m. Registration from 10.30a.m.

Starting from Tu Cantina in the Rojales Thursday Market Car Park on Sunday May 6th there will be a short pleasant stroll along the river and then around the golf course and into Rojales to the waterwheel. This walk is just 3 miles 5 kilometres and is all on the flat, suitable for everyone and there is even a 1k.m. and 2 and a half k.m. for those who cannot walk too far!

With stops along the way for a free tapa at The North and South, The Bridge Bar and Finally at Tu Cantina this is a fun walk for all of the family – do join us and in costume too if you want to as there is a host of prizes to be won on the day! It is just €5 to register and although we would love you to have sponsors it is not essential. For more information and a sponsor form please call or email 639 318 526 or sueinthesun@hotmail. co.uk We also need marshals for this event – we think the total duration will be around one and a half hours.

Hope to see you there, walkers please bring a bottle of water and a high energy snack a banana is also a good idea!

The venue for the concert on Saturday April 21st was the fabulous Teatro Circo, the circular theatre, in Orehuela, with it’s huge central chandelier. There were four choirs taking part raising money for a ‘Manos Unidas’ project in Mozambique.

First on the stage was the International choir Crescendo led by their new young assistant musical director Irene and accompanied by Toni on the keyboard. They started with the ‘Humming Chorus’ from Madame Butterfly, then sang ‘I Had a Dream’ followed by ‘Sentimental Journey’ and finishing with ‘Swinging with the Saints’ which had everyone tapping their feet and clapping.

Next to take the stage were the children of the cathedral choir; seventeen girls and four boys aged between seven and sixteen. They looked and sang like angels in their white robes (one wonders if their parents think they are?) They

were the highlight of the concert, especially four of the older girls who stepped forward to sing one of the pieces.

Third choir of the evening was the small group Chorale, led by Christine Eames. They started with a madrigal then sang three religious pieces.

Last choir of the evening was the Coral Bella Torrevieja a mixed voice choir who sang a couple of habaneras and finished with the popular ‘Granada’.

To finish the evening, all of the choirs gathered on the stage to sing the chorus of the Hebrew slaves from Nabucco by Verdi, in the original Italian, accompanied by a small group of musicians.

Presentations of certificates and bouquets were made to each of the conductors, with many thanks from the organizers to all the choirs for taking part.

Simply Doors Espana (Quesada)

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SOLTIMES MAY 2012

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SOLTIMES MAY 2012

Spain’s world famous sherry producing town, Jerez de la Frontera, plays host to the most prestigious equine heritage event in the whole of Europe, the ‘Feria del Caballo’. The annual horse fair began as a livestock show in 1284 and is now a magnet for horse lovers. It attracts many thousands of visitors each year who come not just to witness, but to participate in one of the biggest street parties in Spain.

The opening of the feria is an official event initiated by the Mayor of Jerez. As the crowd gathers at dusk, they are treated to a spectacular massive firework display which is followed by the big switch on of the impressive feria lights.

Usually the mornings host all kinds of horse related activities such as dressage, carriage competions, accoso y arriba, international show-jumping competitions, vaulting, select livestock exhibitions and auctions. However, the highlight of the Jerez Horse Fair is undoubtedly the ‘Como Bailan los Caballos Andaluces ‘ - the dancing Andalusian horses, performed by the world famous Royal Equestrian School.

From lunchtime onwards, the González de Hontoria

park begins to fill with beautifully decorated carriages that parade the showground. Everyone gets involved and both horse and riders are dressed a la Andaluz, a spectacle well worth seeing.

The ‘casetas’ are structures that range from small tents to large pavilions, from plain to elaborate, serving up food that ranges from the simplest tapas to full-scale restaurant fare, and drinks (lots of sherry of course). Many of the casitas are sponsored by various groups of families, local businesses, bodegas, clubs, trade unions and political parties. Each tent is decorated with its own theme and most of them compete for the 1st prize award. The municipal caseta is usually the largest and offers a fantastic programme of free entertainment.

19

People eat, drink and dance sevillanas, rumbas, bulerias and other traditional dances in one of the beautifully decorated casitas (small bars) until the early hours of the morning with an incredible, enjoyable atmosphere that seems to transform the park into one big flamenco fiesta.

A busy street market open day and night, a huge funfair which attracts both adults and children, bullfights, sevillana dance competitions and more fireworks are other festive activities that complete the programme of the Fair.

For full details and the schedule of events go to: www.realescuela.org/ing/home.htm (Article: www.theluz.com)

JEREZ HORSE FAIR 7th - 13th MAY d,, nd i m f o n i e m c f a o e ‘Peace ‘P y’’ ay wa aw arr a ott ffa no sn iis

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SOLTIMES MAY 2012

Summer Time…

There’s nothing like summer to get people excited about summer outdoor decorating. One of the wonderful things about summer weather is that it lets you expand your living space without a costly home renovation or addition. In many cases, you don’t have to do much decorating at all; all you really have to do is sweep off the terrace and move a comfortable chair outside. Others of you may want to create a room outside, and the newest products for outdoor living can help you do that at a minimal cost.

..and, they say, the living is easy! It’s time to enjoy the wonderful weather and beauty of nature.

Comfortable outdoor furniture is a must, but doesn’t have to be expensive. Two lounging chairs and a table with four chairs for eating will really make your outdoor space comfortable. Many products are available in a wide range of prices and come ready-to-assemble.

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Wicker furniture looks wonderful and classic outdoors, but does not wear well in the elements. Cushions must be brought in from the rain and the wicker will deteriorate in the hot sun and humidity if not cared for properly.

A glass- or porcelain-topped table will hold up well throughout the season. Top it with an umbrella to keep the sun off. You may want to look at a fade-proof umbrella. Some new umbrellas are enhanced with solar-powered LED lights strung up the inside on the spine; they give a wonderful light for 8 hours after dark and are easy to maintain.

To enhance your outdoor space, flowers and plants are a must! Classic terracotta pots can be put anywhere to create a border around your outdoor space and with the choice of style and colour available here in Spain, there’s no excuse!

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SOLTIMES MAY 2012

Tinsa Adds New Geographical Breakdowns to their Report

Spanish house prices are continuing to fall, according to the recent statistics published by Tinsa. Their Spanish Real Estate Market Index shows a reduction of 9.2% during the first quarter of 2012 over the same period of 2011.

Tinsa’s index reflects the change in price per square metre of real estate using information gathered from more than 200,000 housing valuations made by the company annually.

The data refers to both new and second hand properties.

The appraiser, who usually has data broken down into five major areas (‘Capitals and Major Cities’, ‘Metropolitan Areas’, ‘Mediterranean Coast’, ‘Balearic and Canary Islands’ and ‘Other Towns’), has taken “a step further to deliver a product with high statistical precision” and is now including Local Markets in the Index, which reflects the value of homes by autonomous communities and provinces.

In this new geographical division, Aragon led the declines between January and March with a fall in real estate prices in the region of 16.2%, followed by Navarra (-16%), Catalonia (-12.8%), Madrid (-11.7%) and Andalusia (-10.1%).

On the opposite side, the autonomous communities where properties depreciated less are the enclave of Melilla (-4.5%), Galicia (-5.2%), Asturias (-5.3%), Cantabria (-5.6%), Extremadura (-5.8%), the Canary Islands (-6%) and the Balearic Islands (-6.5%).

The remaining regions (Murcia, -9.6%, Castilla y Leon, -9.4%, Valencia, -9.2%, Castilla-La Mancha, -8.9%, and the autonomous city of Ceuta, 8.4%) recorded similar declines to the national average. “The Basque Country is not reflected in the list since the sample is not representative,”

says Tinsa.

By province, the year-on-year decline in prices has also been widespread with the exception of Cuenca, where the variation was 0%. At the head of the decline in prices stood Almeria (-17.3%), followed by Huesca (-16.5%), Navarra (-16%), Lleida (-14%), Seville (-13.4%) and Guadalajara (-13.2%).

In addition to the aforementioned case of Cuenca, the housing prices have remained resistant to declines in Orense (-0.5%), Pontevedra (-1.7%) and Ciudad Real (-2.1%).

The reductions in the first quarter of 2012 are highlighted for Madrid and in Barcelona, reaching 11.7%, and 12.4% respectively.

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Slippery Floors?

In total, house prices have become cheaper by almost 29% on average in recent years, reported the Director of Business Development and Marketing for Tinsa, Raul Garcia. Aragon, again, leads the ranking with a cumulative decline in the value of their property of 34.6%. CastillaLa Mancha follows with -33.9%, then Catalonia (-33.8%), La Rioja (-32%), Valencia (-30.2%) and Madrid (-30%). At the other end of the list are the autonomous cities of Melilla (-6.9%) and Ceuta (-12.8%), followed by Galicia (-15.5%), Asturias (-18.2%) and Extremadura (-19.1%).

By province, El Mundo reported that the largest negative percentage from 2007 to the first quarter of 2012 also appears in Almeria (-37.4%).

Guadalajara (-36,%), Zaragoza (-36%), Toledo (-34.7%), Barcelona (-34.5%) and Tarragona (34.5%), are the other provinces where properties have depreciated most in the last five years. The provinces with least declines are Lugo (-9.8%), Zamora (-9.7%) the autonomous city of Melilla (6.9%) and Ourense (-5.7%).

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...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES MAY 2012

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The National Statistics Institute said the economy shrank 0.3% over the three months to the end of March, the second consecutive quarterly contraction.

But the contraction was not quite as much as economists had been expecting.

Concern over the weakness of the economy and the deficit have driven up the cost of borrowing for Spain, raising fears it will need a bailout.

Separately, Standard and Poor’s downgraded the credit ratings of nine Spanish banks, including Santander and BBVA. A report in the Financial Times on Monday said that the Spanish government is considering helping the banking industry by allowing them to put bad loans

into a fund.

government-organised

only emerged from a year-long recession in early 2010.

But according to the report it is not clear how much benefit the scheme will have, as government officials say banks will have to match the bad loans deposited with provisions for that debt on their own balance sheets.

That prompted the Foreign Minister Jose Manuel GarciaMargallo to say: “The figures are terrible for everyone and terrible for the government... Spain is in a crisis of huge proportions.”

Meanwhile, many Spaniards are affected by the crisis.

Guillaume Menuet, an economist at Citigroup, said: “Spain’s still very much recession and we think that this isn’t going to improve soon.”

On Friday the government said that unemployment hit a record in March of 24.4%.

And on Sunday, tens of thousands protested planned cuts in healthcare and education.

The cuts are part of the government’s effort to reduce the public deficit to to 5.3% of gross domestic product in 2012, from 8.5 percent last year.

But that effort is being hampered by the lack of growth. Spain

“It’s likely they’ll have to create more fiscal tightening in order to catch up if they wish to avoid going into [a bailout] plan, and that’s going to be counterproductive.”

Spain’s performance contrasts with Germany, which on Monday announced that retail sales had risen 0.8% in March.

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SOLTIMES MAY 2012

23

Spanish unemployment hits record 5.64 million

Spanish unemployment has hit a new record high, official figures have shown.

The number of unemployed people reached 5,639,500 at the end of March, with the unemployment rate hitting 24.4%, the national statistics agency said.

The figures came hours after rating agency Standard & Poor’s downgraded Spanish sovereign debt.

Official figures due out on Monday are expected to confirm that Spain has fallen back into recession.

Earlier this week, the Bank of Spain said the economy contracted by 0.4% in first three months of this year, after shrinking by 0.3% in the final quarter of last year.

Other figures released on Friday showed that Spanish retail sales were down 3.7% in March from the same point a year ago, the 21st month in row sales have fallen.

In the first three months of the year, 365,900 people in Spain lost their jobs.

The country has the highest unemployment rate in the European Union and it is expected to rise further this year.

The rate has risen sharply since April 2007, when it stood at 7.9%.

“The figures are terrible for everyone and terrible for the government... Spain is in a crisis of huge proportions,” Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo said.

The new government has announced reforms to the labour market, including cutting back on severance pay

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and restricting inflation-linked salary increases, that it hopes will ease the problem.

These measures have angered unions, which have organised widespread general strikes in protest.

The government has also introduced drastic spending cuts designed to reduce its debt levels and meet deficit targets agreed with the European Union. These cuts are contributing to Spain’s economic contraction.

“In Spain today, a cycle similar to Greece is starting to develop,” said HSBC chief economist Stephen King.

“The recession is so deep that when you take one step forward on austerity, it takes you two steps back.”

The yield on Spanish government bonds traded in the secondary market rose following the release of the unemployment figures and the S&P downgrade.

The yield on 10-year bonds rose to 5.96%, up from 5.81%, suggesting investors were becoming more wary of Spain’s ability to repay its debts.

Also on Friday, the interest rate Italy has to pay to borrow money from international investors rose. In a sale of 10year bonds, the government offered a rate of 5.84% compared with 5.24% at a similar sale a month earlier.

However, the government raised 5.95bn euros ($7.88bn; £4.85bn), towards the top end of its target range.

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SOLTIMES MAY 2012

Another Successful Rescue

At the start of April the Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre received a call that has taken them on yet another tumultuous journey. They were contacted by one of the charity’s great supporters, Solvi Jansen. She had been notified by a worried volunteer from Galgos del Sol who had seen a horse with a severe eye infection who was in need of urgent medical treatment.

Easy Horse Care were given advice and directions from Galgos del Sol of where to find the mare and went to the location of the horse on Monday 9th April and negotiated with the owners about her condition. The mare was quickly and successfully moved to the Rescue Centre, but her fight for a better life didn’t stop there.

Having been told that she caught her eye in metal wiring, she had never seen a vet or received any treatment for which the infection became gruesome and extremely painful. Easy Horse Care’s dedicated vet Dorothea was once again straight to the scene but after examination told volunteers she was unable to save the eye and it will have to be surgically removed.

In appreciation of all the support the charity receives from Solvi Jansen, who also offered to assist them with the medical bills for the treatment of the mare; Easy Horse Care decided to call their new arrival Solvi and just days later she underwent her operation.

After Solvi received a sedative Dorothea started administering the local anaesthetic.

The surgery was completed successfully with a drain being left in her eye. This needs to stay in her eye for a week; antibiotics are injected through this drain as well as

saline to clean both the eye socket and prevent infections. She is also receiving additional antibiotics and painkillers to fight off the existing infection.

But despite the condition when she arrived and the obvious pain she must have been in Solvi has adapted very well to life at the centre “Solvi is now a free spirit. We put her in with Mimosa, Blanca and Dakota but she decided she wanted to join Dexter the mule and walk leisurely around the grounds of the Rescue Centre.” Say co-founder Sue Weeding. “The way she has settled in and adopted to life here so quickly reminds us so much of when we had Chance and Gypsy who were also free range horses. The resemblance is uncanny!”

For the final stage of Solvi’s transformation Enrique the farrier worked his magic and now she can walk about the centre in comfort.

For the Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre it is another story of successfully rescuing a horse in need, but that that comes at a cost and Solvi’s vet’s bills are continually rising so fundraising by the army of supporters is crucial. You can also sponsor the mare for just 5€ a month by emailing sponsor@easyhorsecare.net For Sue Solvi’s rescue is also a little bitter sweet as she remembers the horses they left behind. “For us, this case just highlights the amount of abuse and mistreatment of horses there is out there.

There were other others we would like to have removed from there and brought to the centre but as they did have water and food at their disposal, it does meet the minimum requirements by law so this is not a case for the Seprona. However; our volunteer has meanwhile forged a relationship with the owners of these horses to be able to assist in the future.” She continued, “Whilst we work as hard as we can rescuing horses this also shows the importance of education and that is what we try and do at the centre; educate people, particularly youngsters so we can eradicate this abuse in the future.”

For more information on the Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre call Sue on 652 021 980 or email www.easyhorsecare.net and don’t forget to follow them on Facebook and check out Faith’s new Facebook page where she will be chatting to Molly the Pony in America.

An Evening With Dramatic Licence

Who would believe the village fete organised by Gordon Gosforth could descend into such chaos? Everything from an unexpected storm and a bad-tempered tea urn conspire against him – not to mention a real scandal involving Millie, the tea lady. This is the farcical one act Play, Gosforth’s Fete by Alan Ayckbourn, one of three to be performed at by our talented local theatre in their next production En Evening With Dramatic Licence. Albert Stokes, playing Gosforth is at his comic best.(Pictured with his unforgettable puppet show from Season’s Greetings) The second play, A Chip in the Sugar, is one of the Talking Heads series by Alan Bennett – a funny but thought-provoking monologue performed by Tony Holden.

The third play, Last Tango in Little Grimley by David Tristram is a hilarious comedy which we hope will give our audiences a glimpse of the problems all amateur theatre companies have, simply trying to put on a play. But sex sells.

To find out how, you’ll have to come along to The Cardenal Belluga Theatre, San Fulgencio.

Performances are at 8.00pm from Thursday 17th, Friday 18th and Saturday 19th May. Tickets are 8 euros and available to order on line at www.dramatic-licence. eu for collection and payment at the door; by phoning 616 089 943 or to purchase directly they are available from:Cards & More, La Marina The Card Shop, Ciudad Quesada The Post Box, Dona Pepa The Card Place, Benimar The Post Room, Benijofar The company has so far donated more than 30,000 euros to local Alzheimer’s Societies

www.soltimes.com

Poemas

viewpoint

I had long been beguiled by the stories of the Shangri-La that awaits those who weather Life’s storms and tempests long enough to be welcomed into the bosom of the Spanish Pensionista Club, where the chosen are rewarded with riches and treasures beyond measure.

Having achieved the first requirement – age – I was uncertain as to my next step. Contradictory information was thrust at me from all sides, so before my resolve was crushed under a mountain of well-intentioned advice I betook me to the Ayuntamiento, and Ana. From the Ayuntamiento I was directed cheerfully to the Museo, and Mari. From the Museo I repaired to the Biblioteca, complete with encouragement and written instructions to ask for Juan Patricio.

I entered the hallowed hall of the Biblioteca to find it disturbingly empty, apart from a small chubby man in a small cubbyhole of an office. ‘Juan

Patricio?’ I enquired. His face broke into a delighted smile at the prospect of human company, even if it was only English company.

I explained my mission, and he busied himself enthusiastically with photocopying and form filling, his eyes shining with zeal though his goldfish bowl glasses.

I had time to look around while he put together all the necessary information on a card which would verify me as a member of this most select group of my peers. I noticed a shelf with several hundred slender paperback books, and, thinking that they might be a simple easy Spanish read, I picked one out, then put it back again, quickly.

It was poetry. I am easily overwhelmed by poetry. Apart from Rupert Bear, Roald Dahl and Pam Ayres poetry is generally above me.

Business completed, chit-chat took over, and he asked if I liked Spanish books. I countered quite honestly by saying yes, but I found them difficult, and it took me a long time to read

them.

With evangelical fervour oozing from every pore he flicked along the row of paperbacks that had so recently repelled me. Triumphantly he extracted one and handed it to me. ‘It is for you.

Look, it is an easy one. Very short lines.’

The Three Kings themselves could not have presented their gifts with more genuine well-meaning than Juan Patricio as he held out the book.

How could I explain to him that short lines weren’t the same as short words?

I thanked him profusely with dread in my heart.

I am now looking for an English translation of ‘Poemas’ by José Moreno Villa. I don’t think I’m going to live long enough to struggle through them in Spanish!

By Jos Biggs josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk

Laughter - The Elixir of Long Life

They say and with some justification, that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and although we immediately imagine a well proportioned face and attractive features when someone is described as beautiful, genuine beauty is not just a superficial quality.

My own lovely wife for instance, is to me just as beautiful today, as when I first caught a glimpse of the tanned long legged stunner all those years ago. But it’s by no means simply the way she looks that earns her the title, but the real her - the person behind the face. Genuine beauty you see, is – in direct contradiction of the popular axiom – much more than only skin deep.

It’s a mutual thing too. My lady is forever telling me that I look young for my age – something I know in my heart of hearts to be ridiculously untrue – and paying me unsolicited compliments. It’s all lovely and of course and does wonders for morale even though the content of such remarks would fill several family size pork pies.

As nice as it is, unfortunately it doesn’t convince me and studying the bedraggled stranger in the bathroom mirror in the mornings, it tells me a whole different story.

Where once I had a thick mane of blond hair, it has somehow

lost its Pantene good looks and has surrendered to the grey invader - although on the plus side, there is still a lot of it. But where my beard could at one time have been described as Noel Edmunds Nordic, it is now snowy white. All it needs is for me to start growing man boobs and I could be mistaken for Santa and Dolly Parton’s love child.

As for the inner man - the essential CB - well I leave that for others to judge.

Leaving character aside, the fact is that some people are naturally youthful and manage to age serenely; they have what are known as good genes and perhaps a few keep portraits in the attic. Others, like me, simply don’t and there’s not a lot we can do about it. Oh sure, we can go to the gym and strain and heave until the sweat run’s off us in tsunami’s as we struggle to put our trainers on.

And we can show admirable self restraint and will power as we choose carefully what we shovel into our mouths and calorie count till the cows come home; but as good as these things undoubtedly are, they rarely reflect on the visible ageing process.

Sometimes this process acts in reverse. Take Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones. When the band first started out way back in the

‘60’s, many of us wondered who the old man was playing the bass guitar. While Mick was leaping around the stage like a man with a ferret in his strides, old Bill would be about as animated as a stuffed sloth. Apart from a finger or two occasionally tweaking the guitar strings and a slow movement of the jaw as he slowly chomped his Wrigley’s gum, you would have been hard pressed to detect life.

But here he is nearly fifty years later and – apart from the fact that he smiles a lot now - he doesn’t look any different and amazingly not a year older. He may have contracted the odd case of measles or whooping cough along the way from some of his early girlfriends, but overall he looks remarkably sprightly and well.

There was a bloke in our village back home, who looked pretty ancient when we first arrived. He must be retired or very close to it we thought, but as the years progressed he would ride past the house every day on his equally ancient treader, as he travelled to the farm where he worked. This carried on for another 27 years until the day he did actually hang up his bicycle clips and wellingtons.

We assumed that he must be at least a hundred and ten, but no, just the statutory sixty five. Old Bill

– yes it was another Bill – had probably been born with chin stubble; certainly with wrinkles and no teeth and three score and five years later had finished up looking the same way.

What we do for a living can have a profound effect on how we look of course. Crushing responsibility or the necessity of having to make life and death decisions on a daily basis, can and do take their toll. But that’s a life choice that some people make.

As for the rest of us. Forget age. Throw away the polyfilla and trowel and stop worrying about what people think. Just treat your fellow man as you want to be treated and above all – laugh until you gasp for breath.

By Colin Bird badbirdnow@gmail.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2012

25

oh, by the way....

Like an umbrella on a day with sporadic showers, the new Corvera airport has been announced to open virtually every month from March this year. Latest news is that it will open in October, and the first plane has actually already landed in the airport. However, the plane did not bring any passengers with it, but was loaded with electronic instruments for calibration of the flight path in to the airport.

Spain seems to be riddled with political corruption scandals.

Every day a new case is revealed, and at a time there were 730 cases open at the same time. Now, when they call the roll in any of the Spanish parliaments – regional as well as central – the politicians do not know whether to answer “present” or “not guilty”.

Merkel has been stomping all over EU, demanding cuts as the only remedy for getting out of the crisis. European politicians have now started to put their foot down, and are rebelling against “Kaisarin” Merkel’s recipe so Merkel, realising that she cannot bully Europe any longer, has started to retreat and has tenderly embarked on plans for boosting the economy. Well, ‘Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realise that it bears a very close resemblance to the first.’ Ronald Reagan The latest un-employment figures for Spain says 5.7 million.

50% of all youth are without a job. I come from a country with 5.6 million inhabitants. My fantasy simply does not stretch to imagine the equivalent of all my country-men out of work – or 10% of England’s population; or more than the Scottish population. Kind of puts a whole new perspective to the issue.

It is a well known fact that things look different, depending on which side of the table you are sitting. When Rajoy was in opposition a rise in VAT (IVA) was a real stupid idea. Having moved to the government’s side of the table, it is a great idea. In a packet together with a special rise in taxes on tobacco, petrol and alcohol, the VAT in Spain will rise next year. That is, as a true politician, he and his government have decided to call it “modificación de la estructura impositiva en España” – modification of the tax structure in Spain! That should make it easier for the consumer to swallow!

And thus, once again the smokers are to save the public economy. Can I ask whether we could get just a bit of compensation for our efforts, as it is obvious that by totally eliminating smoking the government will lose a substantial income. In return, could you return to the old law on smoking in public places? It would be pure gain, as we will pay elevated tax on both our smoking and our drinking. Who are now the good citizens?

The liveliness of Barça will soon be over. No more pep at the end of the season. My knowledge of football is limited to the fact that it is a game of two halves. In spite of this, I have always admired Pep Guardiola for his style, and judging by the results, he must have been a great football trainer for the club. But, all good things eventually come to an end, so Pep has decided to call it a day and leave the club.

Independently of Pep’s decision, I have also decided to call it a day – at least for the next couple of months. I would like to thank ‘all the reader’ of my column for faithfully reading my silly comments about daily happenings and the society we live in. May you find somebody else to shake your head over in exasperation!

Biggy is an independent advisor, translator/interpreter and professional writer. She has lived in Spain since 1992 and has aquired indepth knowledge of Spanish law, administration and culture - Email: lbtmarshall@yahoo.com DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this column are the opinions of the columnist and not the opinions of Sol Times Newspaper Group. The newspaper takes no responsibility for the content or the opinions of columnist.

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...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES MAY 2012

coffee break STANDARD CROSSWORD

Down

1 A feeling of excessive concern (10) 2 Deleted (6) 3 Object of worship (4) 4 Great merriment (8) 5 Maori clan (4) 6 Satirical absurd comedy (5) 8 Inner spirit (7) 12 Storehouse (5) 14 Beekeeping (10) 16 Omits (7) 17 Conduct (8) 21 Not outside (6) 22 A giant with 100 eyes (Greek mythology) (5) 24 Terse (4) 25 A suggestive look (4)

Across

7 Uniform of some quality (5) 8 Giving an account of what’s seen in paper? (9) 10 Where you might see films in English, held by a compere turning back (6) 11 Bit by bit, a head of department enters street weirdly without hesitation (8) 12 Aspiration of a doctor - to put it with charged particle (8) 13 Spoils turning instrument (4) 15 Layabout in minister’s house - no Mass to examine carefully (7) 17 Nearly agree to capture American defendant (7) 20 Graduate’s first ever floor (4) 22 Sweets overemphasised (8) 25 Single-celled organisms play The Queen in ‘Brideshead’, I note (8) 26 Looks, say, for floor-connectors?

(6) 27 Went down dead, not a view without bad ending inside (9) 28 Prize sheet of metal (5)

Down 1 The necessary tools for first election - resign without soft soldiers (9) 2 Making tiara with elm fabric (8) 3 Debates about African leader working on board (7) 4 Servant to medics is not right (8)

5 This may come after recording half of those at university with one Oscar (6) 6 Fish corner (5) 9 Volunteers with football team’s vehicle (4) 14 Profane creeds sadly consumed (9) 16 Set off, making a mistake - losing river when directing (8) 18 New NUS board is likely to collapse! (8) 19 Because boxer’s feeling guilty... (7) 21 ...fasten a tag around bottom of foot - no good before church (6) 23 Starts to realise international students easily get up (4) 24 Values animals holding key (5)

Very Hard!

CRYPTIC crossword

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

SUDOKU PUZZLE

Sudoku is a placement puzzle. Enter the numbers 1 to 9 in each row and column of a grid, made up of 3 x 3 subgrids. The catch is that each row, column and grid must contain only one instance of each number or letter.

6 Surprised greatly (7) 7 Pertaining to modern day Persia (5) 9 Wild African sheep (4) 10 A salad of eggs and meats (10) 11 Recalled (8) 13 Pictures (6) 15 Boyfriend (4) 17 Foolish (5) 18 Lazily (4) 19 Yell (6) 20 Panel of judges (8) 23 Eyeglasses (10) 26 Pulls (4) 27 Pinfish (5) 28 Abides (7)

Ralph Waldo Emerson

HARD SUDOKU

Across

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

STANDARD SUDOKU

26

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SOLTIMES MAY 2012

Ballroom & Latin American Dancing The word Waltz comes from the German word Waltzen meaning to roll, turn or glide. There were several forerunners of the Waltz originating in Europe such as the Matenick, the Furian, the Walt and the Landler. But the Waltz we know today appears to have come from the Weller, the Contradanse and the Volta in the 16th Century which were originally folk dances. The first waltz that we would recognise came out of the suburbs of Vienna in the early 17th century and was played in the court of Hapsburg but was still danced in open hold. By the 1780s the waltz was very popular in Austria but a much faster rhythm that we know today as the Viennese Waltz. Around 1830 the waltz was given a musical boost by the Austrian composers Franz Lanner and Johann Strauss, who set the standard for the Waltz.

The History of the Modern Waltz

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Fortunately opposition faded out and the Waltz weathered the storm emerging today into two accepted forms – The Modern Waltz with its gliding steps and the Viennese Waltz with its fast rotations around the dance floor.

The present form of the dance has been described from around 1910 in England both from the ‘Landler’ and from the ‘Boston’ but was still only danced in English high society until 1914. Due to the first world war the Austrian orchestras disappeared and with them their Viennese Waltzes. The Waltz was almost dead until 1929 except in Austria where it continued to be a folk dance until its revival. Around this time the Foxtrot was becoming the ‘in’ dance in England with its passing steps and this is thought to have influenced the form of the Waltz we have today. In 1921 at ‘The Great Conference’ almost everything danceable was reformed and here the basic figures were set out to differentiate between the Foxtrot and the Slow Waltz. The main difference between the ‘old waltz’ and the ‘new waltz’ was that the Modern Waltz needed much more space to dance and to make the turns, and this continues to be characteristic of todays Waltz. The young German dance teachers looked to the English as leaders and an Englishman called Victor Silvester cautiously taught the Germans the Modern Waltz. With new choreography in the 1930s reference was made to great names such as Bradley, Silvester, Ford, Stern or Smith who dominated the world stage. It was only at the end of the Second World War that the Viennese Waltz reappeared. Today the waltz is one of the most graceful and elegant of the ballroom dances with its gliding pendulum swing. Next week I will describe the characteristics of the modern day waltz and what makes the waltz so graceful.

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the 19th century it was firmly established in US society.

Despite the popularity of the Waltz, opposition was never far away. Dance masters saw the waltz as a threat to their profession and the basic steps could be learned in a relatively short space of time whereas the minuet and other court dances took considerably longer.

Religious leaders condemned the dance as vulgar and sinful, but in July of 1816 the waltz was played at a Ball given in London by the Prince Regent. Seldom documented was the fact that Queen Victoria was a keen and expert ballroom dancer with a special love of the waltz. The fact that it was so portrayed only fuelled the popularity of the dance all over Europe and in Paris alone there were nearly 700 dance halls.

The first documented time the Waltz was danced was in Boston, USA in 1834 by Lorenzo Papanti a Boston dancing master who gave an exhibition in Mrs. Otis’ Beacon Hill mansion and was condemned. This ‘Boston’ was slower than the Viennese Waltz but eventually disappeared.

However it did stimulate the development of the slow Waltz we know today and by the middle of

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...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES MAY 2012

OUT & ABOUT... RUSTIC POTATO DISHES

New within Mercamundo indoor market is JD’s CAFÉ & BAR. Open 10am – 2pm and 5pm – late, specialising in authentic Indian curries cooked fresh to order, tapas, light lunch snacks, cakes & much more all at the cheapest prices around!

Joshua also runs COPYCAT PHOTOGRAPHY, with over 30 years experience in portrait and modelling portfolios. He is offering a free sitting & free 5”x7” photo with a minimum order of only €10! Just quote SOL1 when booking. The studio within Mercamundo’s is also available for rent to any professional or amateur,

it is fully equipped with professional Bowen’s equipment.

For more information call 634 339 655.

THE CRAZY COW BAR & CAFÉ has moved to Mojacar Playa, on the opposite side of the road, but opposite Fantasia and Tito’s. A 2 course menu del dia is from just €8.50 with a free glass of wine, or simply graze their wonderful selection of freshly cooked tapas, cooked to order! With a beautiful view of the playa, indoor and outdoor seating, pop along and try the Crazy

NEW POTATO & FISH STEW

Cow out for yourself!

On Saturday, 12th May from 4pm, come and enjoy a swing, jazz and blues afternoon with Lady Ellen! For more information call 666 891 340 (closed Mondays).

At OASIS BAR & RESTAURANT in Palomares there is always something going on, whether it is darts night on a Tuesday, the popular quiz on a Sunday or Happy Hour from 68pm (6 days a week). If it is delicious food in a welcoming atmosphere you seek, then why not try their Sunday Roast, choose from beef or pork with all the trimmings from just €6.95 or slow roasted New Zealand lamb every Wednesday, enjoy 2 courses for just €10! Find them on Calle Mayor 106, Palomares.

For more information call 950 888 476.

INGREDIENTS 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium onion, sliced 2 sticks celery, chopped 1 teaspoon fennel seeds ½ tablespoon tomato purée 50ml Pernod 900ml hot fish stock

Downstairs on the sea front next to the Irish Rover Look out for our live entertainment evenings

sunday Roast menu of the day

3 course - 12€

including drinks

Bar open 10am - LATE Food served all day from 10.30am Last orders 9pm

3 courses €10

menu of the night

3 courses €11.50

regular TRIBUTE SHOWS see website for details

tel: 950 473 099 www.beachcombermojacar.com

Music at the Crazy Cow

Jazz, Blues & Swing Afternoon with Lady Ellen Saturday 12th May from 4pm Come and graze on our famous tapas freshly cooked to order

Tues - Sat 11am - late Sun 11am - 6pm Closed Mon

697 465 620 / 666 891 340

between Fantasia & Titos on opposite side of the road. Mojacar Playa

oasis

Bar and Restaurant Sunday Roast ~ Beef or Pork with Freshly Cut Vegetables 6.95€ Wednesday Special ~ Slow Roasted New Zealand Lamb 2 X Courses 10€ p/p Friday ~ Fish and Chips & Mushy peas 6.95€ Happy hour ~ 6pm - 8pm (6 days a week) Breakfasts, bar snacks & evening a La carte Tuesday is darts night - Sunday quiz

Calle Mayor 106, Palomares - Tel: 950 888 476 - (Closed Thursday)

Courtney Cafe JD’s &Bar Castles Bouncy Dome Hire Inside Mercamundo, Arboleas Daily Curry Special Any curry with rice

OFFEROFFEROFFEROFFER

Mon - Thurs Only 40€ per day

For only €4.25 Fri - Sat - Sun

Only 75€ per day Proper chip shop, large Weekend special (Fri-Sun) cod & chips, mushy peas/ buy 2 get 1 day free only €150 beans, bread ONLY & butter (Quote SOL2 when booking)

€5

For more info call 634 339 655

Next to appear at BEACHCOMBER on 10th May is Nick Gold who has an amazing range of vocal skills allowing him to turn his voice to almost any type of music from the 50’s to Modern day, Pavarotti to Meatloaf or Tom Jones to The Rat Pack. Then on Wednesday 16th May there will be a Country & Western and Line Dancing Evening which will be split between Terry (Red Strokes) singing mainly country including a special tribute to Garth Brooks and ‘John The Dance’ will be our Line Dancing Compare for the evening. A three course Meal and entertainment is only €12.00. For more info on all their courses including photography, line dancing & computers, call 950 473 099 for more details.

good pinch of saffron 450g firm white fish, skinned and cut into chunks sprigs of chervil or flat-leaf parsley, to garnish

Heat the oil in a large deep pan and gently fry the onion and celery for 15 minutes until softened but not coloured. Add the fennel seeds and fry for 1 minute.

country bread, to serve for the rouille 1 medium egg yolk squeeze lemon juice 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 red chilli, deseeded and chopped 175ml olive oil 40g fresh breadcrumbs

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Stir in the tomato purée and cook for 1 minute, then pour in the Pernod.

Bubble until reduced by two-thirds. Pour in the stock, bring to the boil and add the potatoes and saffron. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.

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JET’S BAR LA PLAZA, in the sleepy fishing village of Villaricos which has a Market day on Sunday.

We open early for the Market offering All Day English breakfast, including Tea or coffee and toast for €5.50 or a smaller breakfast for €4.50. British Sausages and Bacon, Fillet or Rib eye Steaks all cooked fresh each day with mushrooms, tomatoes and fried potatoes, varied menu available.

Free Wi-Fi offered to all clients, HD Sky TV, Pool Table, Darts, Chill room, offering comfortable cane tables and chairs to eat your food or have a relaxing drink watching the waves on the sea. Contact us on 950 467 590 – closed all day Wednesday and Thursday day until 5.00 pm, Normal days opening 10.00, 8.45 on Sunday for the Market.

First make the rouille.

Put the yolk, lemon juice, mustard and chilli in a blender or food processer and blitz until smooth. With the motor running, gradually add the oil until thickened.

Pour into a bowl and stir in the breadcrumbs. Taste and season, adding more lemon juice if necessary.

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Add the fish, then cover and simmer for 2 minutes. Garnish with the sprigs of herbs and then serve with the rouille spread onto toasted country bread.

025

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The best Pizzas in town Open Monday - Friday 8am til late Saturday & Sunday 9am til late

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SOLTIMES MAY 2012

29

INGREDIENTS 25g butter, plus extra for greasing

Los Gallardos Tlf 950 398 799

850g new potatoes 200g smoked lardons 1 medium onion, thinly sliced 50ml vermouth or dr y white wine

TARTIFLETTE

250g reblochon cheese, cubed (including rind)

Ali & Mick welcome you! FREE WIFI

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Saturday 20th May 3 courses

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2 tablespoons double cream

Heat the oven to 220ºC (200ºC fan oven) gas mark 7. Grease a 19cm x 23cm ovenproof dish (or one of similar dimensions). Cook the potatoes in large saucepan of salted boiling water for 15 minutes until tender. Drain thoroughly, then thickly slice when they are cool enough to handle.

pizzas

new winter warmer menu now available

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Eudoxia Greek Restaurant

Meanwhile, heat the butter in a pan and gently fry the lardons to release the fat. Turn up the heat and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until golden.

Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.

In the same pan, gently fry the onions for 10 minutes until softened. Add the onions to the lardons. Turn up the heat to medium and deglaze the pan with the vermouth, scraping up any crusty bits stuck to the bottom.

Arrange half of the potatoes in the bottom of the ovenproof dish, then cover with two-thirds of the bacon mixture. Top with the remaining potatoes and scatter with the rest of the bacon mixture. Arrange the cheese on top and drizzle over the cream (you can prepare ahead to this point and keep it in the fridge until needed). Bake in the oven for 10 minutes, then turn down the temperature to 180ºC (160ºC fan oven) gas mark 4 and continue cooking for 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbling.

Book for a tasteful experience with us Tel: 663 314 445

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open everyday

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Swiss Chard & Potato Tart Heat the oven to 200ºC (180ºC fan oven) gas mark 6. Melt the butter in a pan and gently fry the onion for 15 minutes until soft.

INGREDIENTS

Remove the stems from the chard and roughly chop. Shred the leaves. Add the chard stems to the onion and cook for a few minutes until tender.

Stir in the shredded leaves and cook until wilted.

Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper and plenty of nutmeg. Set aside.

1 medium onion, chopped

25g butter

150g Swiss chard fresh nutmeg, grated

Very thinly slice the potatoes with a mandolin or sharp knife and blanch for 2 minutes in a pan of salted boiling water. Drain well and pat dry with kitchen paper.

250g new potatoes

Roll out the pastry into a rectangle about 3mm thick. With a small knife, score a 2.5cm border around the edge. Prick all over the inside of the border with a fork, then spread with the mustard.

1 tablespoon wholegrain mustard

500g ready-made puff pastr y

100g grated Gruyère

Arrange the chard mixture over the mustard, followed by overlapping slices of potato. Sprinkle with the Gruyère. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the pastry is golden and cooked through.

Monday-Saturday inclusive. Lunch 1pm - 4pm

menu del noche

vegetarian menu available

4 Courses with Wine & Coffee Everyday 7pm - 11pm

sunday roast menu del dia

4 courses with bottle of ESTE wine per couple & coffee included

Lunch 1pm - 4pm Roast Lamb Shoulder & Pork Knuckle, 12oz Entrecote, 20oz T-Bone, 10oz Pork Tenderloin, Roast Potatoes & Fresh Veg. Freshly Baked Bread

Daily roast cooking

Mon: Roast Lamb Shank Tues: Rabbit in garlic & beer Wed: Roast Pork Knuckle Thurs: Roast Pork Loin Fri: Roast Lamb Shank Sat & Sun: Roast Lamb Shank & Pork Knuckle

all nights

Grilled 14oz Entrecote Beef Steak Grilled 20 oz T-Bone Beef Steak Slow roast shoulder of Lamb or Knuckle of Pork

new smoking conservatory now open

Open Mon - Sat 8am - 24pm,Sun 10am - 17pm Spanish Tel: 950 430 145 English Tel: 647 730 103

www.mesondeirene.com

Poligono Industrial Albox, Near the ITV Garage

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES MAY 2012

a l y o R w e N May A t n RA e m n i a t r Ente

Bar & Restaurant

Friday 4th May,

Fish & christine - with

Chips

R A

A

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Saturday 5th May, 70’s night

Friday 11th May,

& chips od C ith w iz u Q Stevie T’s

Saturday 12th May, Barrington

Friday 18th May,

& Chips od C ith w Mataeus

Saturday 19th May, Suzy G

Friday 25th May,

& Chips od C ith w Johnnie Sparrow

, y a M h t 6 2 y a d r u t a S Casband

El Alamillo Plaza ~ Pto de Mazarron Details & Reservations 968 595 864

find us on

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SOLTIMES MAY 2012

COMMUNITY NEWS...

Happy Birthday

Jessica 1 Today

All our love from Nana, Grandad, Ben & Nick xxxx

EDITOR@SOLTIMES.COM

Welcome Events............... ESAMD..................................

Saturday 5th May - monthly meeting at Mariano’s, Camposol A, at 2.00 pm. Tickets on sale for July dance at La Corada.

Price and artiste to be announced.

The Ex Servicemen’s Association of Mazarron District (ESAMD) are meeting on 9th May 2012 at The Antipodas Tavern, La Azohia, at 7.30.p.m.

Wednesday 23rd May - dance at Mariano’s with comedian Alan Wallace. A night of laughter and dancing for just €9. Don’t miss it.

Wednesday 13th June - Ladies Day at Mariano’s, with fashion show, raffle, bingo, buffet and drinks. Entertainment

by Pat Martin. Ladies, don’t miss this one. Just €12.

The Function is open to all members of ESAMD and invited guests. For more information contact by e-mail: esamd_espana@yahoo.co.uk or the Social Secretary on 968 956 058 or 690 780 429. Any Ex Service personnel wishing to join us, please contact the Membership Secretary on 629 818 611

Wednesday 20th June - Summer Ball at Pinoto De Oro, Aledo, with 6 course meal, all drinks, champagne reception, entertainment by Pat Martin plus mystery guest. €29. Coach available at €6.

DIAMOND JUBILEE

Both the October and Christmas trips to Benidorm are now sold out. For more details plus ticket sales, call Rosemary on 620 105 179.

MABS MAZARRON EVENTS..................................................

Saturday 26th May - MABS SPRING FAIR - Sensol Golf Club Camposol – 1.00 pm The MABS Spring Fair with a variety of stalls including Cakes, Tombola, Ladies’ Fashions, Shoes, Bags, Jewellery, and many more. Call 620 582 418 for further details.

Bar, Camposol Sector B - 11.30 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 David on 634 362 954.

Sunday 27th May - JIGSAW BEREAVEMENT GROUP LUNCH - Cats Bar, Sector A - 1.00 pm

Friday 29th June - JIGSAW BEREAVEMENT GROUP Cats Bar, Sector A – 2.00 pm

The group will meet for Sunday lunch this month.

The MABS Mazarrón Bereavement Group - Jigsaw meets on the last Friday in the month at Cats Bar, Camposol Sector A. Call 620 582 418 for further details.

Tuesday 29th May - VOLUNTEERS MEETING - Trevi Bar, Camposol Sector B -11.30am If you would like to find out more about how you can help MABS, come along to our meeting. For further information please ring David on 634 362 954.

Every 2nd and 3rd Friday – BOOK SALE – Camposol Sector B Commercial Centre.

Event tickets are on sale outside Alley Palais every Friday between 11.00 am and 1.00 pm Keep watching the press or visit our website www. mabsmurcia.com for more events For further details, please call 620 582 418

EMAIL YOUR event s and ANNOUNCEMENTS TO

Wanted

Events for our readers If you own a bar or restaurant then let SOLTIMES know what events you have coming up...

BINGO-MUSIC-COMEDY QUIZ-CHARITY-DISCO We want you and so do our readers

Tel: Rosemary now on 647 379 795 or email: rosemary@soltimes.com

CELEBRATION

FUNDRAISER FOR JJ.s PUPPY RESCUE ASSOCIATION FRIDAY 1st JUNE 2012, 7.45pm At MARIANOS RESTAURANT, CAMPOSOL Supper of Sausage & Mash, Dancing to the Music of JOHN SLOMAN Tickets 10 Entrance on the door 5€, no food!

Contact Christine 603 127 984 (Camposol), Mike 634 143 242 (Port) JJ’s shop Monday to Saturday 10.30 to 2.30pm

PALS EVENTS 2012 Summer Jubilee Ball –3rd June Superb menu, wine and beer included. Dance the night away at the Costa Costa Hotel. With The John Lindo Trio Still only 27.50 Euros per head. Coaches available for an extra 7 euros. This promises to be a very pleasurable evening BBQ on the Beach friday 29th June bring the kids. An evening event from 6 till 9 food and drink included 13 Euros Sponsored Bike Ride – 22nd - 30th September TJ’s bar are organising a bike ride from Camposol to Madrid and back. All proceeds to PALS. Forms in TJ’s or from PALS Cruise – 20th to 27th October 7 nights, 8 days FULLY INCLUSIVE from Camposol to Valencia, then Malta, Sicily, Naples, Sardinia, Palma de Mallorca. Pullman tours from 600 euros per person sharing.

Tickets going fast.

EDITOR@SOLTIMES.COM

Thursday 7th June - PETANQUE COMPETITION - Cañadas Social Centre, El Paretón - 4pm To include Fish and Chips or Sausage and Chips. Come along and join in the fun - for further details call 620 582 418 Tuesday 26th June - VOLUNTEERS MEETING- Trevi

31

Please ensure you GET YOUR tickets early...

For more info: www.pals.sm4.biz or call 626 460 465

realturf

THE ARTIFICIAL TURF COMPANY

A la vanguardia del Cesped artificial

Top Quality Artificial Grass supplied & installed

by Qualified Professionals.

Gardens designed & planted, Terraces, Pool Surrounds, etc For a FREE, no obligation, inspection & quotation

Call NEIL SMITH on 693 496 510 or 968 543 077 mands24@googlemail.com Visit our show garden in Estrella de Mar, Los Urrutias. Exit 794 {AP7}

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL

Camposol sector a tel: 699 518 535 Entertainment quiz monday from 9pm

Dance Night with Trev & Suzie

Every Thursday at Mariano’s Restaurant Camposol Sector ‘A’ - 8pm - €5 pp Can’t dance or a little rusty and want to learn or practice in an informal FUN atmosphere?

Learn Basic Steps...

Absolute Beginners usually dancing by the end of the first session...

Practice what you already know...

A partner is helpful but not essential!

Everyone welcome

...and Dance the night away to your favourite R‘n’R songs

Email: ready2rock@hotmail.co.uk

General knowledge quiz tues & thurs from 9pm mon from 9pm Sunday Lunches from 12.45pm onwards 2 menus 4.50€ or 6.50€...

Booking Advisable 4th June ~ Jubilee celebration in conjunction with Cats Entertainment with Bernie Mac - (More info to follow)

Friday 4th may

karaoke

Thursday Market Day Special

For More Information Call: Trevor Mob: 689 892 745 Suzie Mob: 662 607 371

Sausage or Bacon Sandwich plus Tea or Coffee only 3€ Beefburger plus Tea or Coffee only 3€

Homemade Pies Full english breakfast & Full menu also includes bread & butter or toast & available 50 tea & coffee.

Mon - Sat 10 - 3

€4.

32

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES MAY 2012

SOL CLASSIFIEDS

to place your advertisment....

Furniture first

ALL SEASONS I Fully fitted by R C City & Guilds O Trained Installation team N Fully Legal & Insured S.L. company

WE BUY, SELL & PART EXCHANGE QUALITY FURNITURE Open Mon - Fri 10 - 18.00, Sat 10 - 14.00 C/Pablo Neruda 2, Local 5, Rojales

PLEASE CALL JAMIE ON: 966 713 075 OR 680 545 923 www.southcostablancaonline.com

A1 Constuction for skip hire, tipping, digging, rubbish removal & all building work, Tel: 628 505 733 or 608 179 450 (tc)

• Vertical Blinds • Window Blinds • New Covers • Repairs

COMPUTERS

At least 150 Colours To Choose From

Tel: Mick 676 583 246

from la Marina to San Javier

beds

boats

Sweet Dreams

B O A T I N G LICENSES ARE NOW A LEGAL REQUIREMENT IN SPAIN Serenity Sailing RYA Training Centre, Competent Crew to Yachtmaster, VHF & ICC. Own-boat tuition on sail and power. If you have a yacht or powerboat get qualified and certified. Contact Richard +34 638 056 224 Email: e n q u i r i e s @ serenitysailing. com or visit: www. serenitysailing.com

Centro Commercial, Flamenca Beach, La Planta, Playa Flamenca

Tel: 965 321 701 businesses for sale

Mañanas

Popular Cafe Bar in Algorfa Traspaso/Lease for sale full legal license 40 covers inside 20 covers outside Fully stocked Existing business ready for immediate takeover

no job too small & free estimates! specialists in all electrical & plumbing works

new icp’s fitted - swimming pool heaters & air-con, electric gates & burglar alarms hot water boilers,gas heaters & solar new bath/shower suites - spanish legal

Simply Doors Espana

Pet Beds from €7.95 Linen Mills, Calle Los Arcos, Quesada Tel: 620 582 063 Gran Alicant Tel: 865 663 333 Memory Foam Pillows €14.95 Linen Mills, Calle Los Arcos, Quesada Tel: 620 582 063 Gran Alicant Tel: 865 663 333 bedside tables x 2, wicker/wrought iron, top drawer plus bottom space 42 x 32 x 50 high (can email photo) €20 for the pair! (Playa Flamenca area) Tel 606 850 666 Cushions from €3.95 Linen Mills, Calle Los Arcos, Quesada Tel: 620 582 063 Gran Alicant Tel: 865 663 333 .Pillows from €4.95 Linen Mills, Calle Los Arcos, Quesada Tel: 620 582 063 Gran Alicant Tel: 865 663 333 Denon Music System, Amplifier, Tuner, Tape deck and CD player together with two box speakers. 30€ euros.

Tel 647 101 663.

(Quesada)

uk manufactured, made to measure, composite & pvc doors & windows with up to 25 years guarantee over 40 styles to choose from with colour options on composite doors

from €595 fully installed Calle azul, cuidad quesada tel: 966 718 738 see our main ad on page 17

businesses opportunities

for sale Over 40 composite and PVC doors, fully installed from only €595, Tel: Simply Doors on 966 718 738, or call at our showroom at Calle Azul, Ciudad Quesada, see our main ad on page 17 Pool tables, snooker tables, table tennis tables, darts. Tel:666 933 726 www.spainpool.com Aluminium Gates, Double and Electric Sliding. Guaranteed No Rust.Call Tracy on 966 726 891

N E W S PA P E R G R O U P

cement paving

Good condition but a bit sunbleached.

30€ Tel: 966 848 086 Area Villa Martin.

Sheets from €2.95 Linen Mills, Calle Los Arcos, Quesada Tel: 620 582 063 Gran Alicant Tel: 865 663 333 Lalizas Inshore sailing jacket, Yellow/ blue adult size S reasonable condition.

Photo available 35€ Tel: 966 848 086.

Dell desk top home computer xp. Complete slim moniter, speakers, lexmark 3 in 1 talking printer, instructions 165€ Tel: 634 108 702 Electric wall mounted water heater 75 ltrs 50€ Tel: 634 108 702 Cushion Cases from €1.95 Linen Mills, Calle Los Arcos, Quesada Tel: 620 582 063 Gran Alicant Tel: 865 663 333 3 & 2 seater sofas, Blue, very good condition. Have been recently professionally cleaned (can email photo) €165 ono (Playa Flamenca)Tel 606 850 666

See our mail advert on Page 5

insurance asssa medical insurances Asssa Mazarron, Diane Nolan, Tel: 968 153 396, mazarron@asssa. es

qualified UK Care Home Manager available for caring, cooking, cleaning,shopping etc.

Husband also available for any DIY tasks, gardening, decorating etc, Reasonable Rates Contact Jennifer: 965 008 495 or 634 332 682

locksmiths

Digital hearing

Pattern Imprinted Concrete

digital hearing aids

Low maintenance

Matt or Gloss finish Wide variety of colours & patterns

Free survey & quotation Tel / Fax 966 797 651 Mobile: 606 869 121 email: info@pbpavingspain.com www.pbpavingspain.com

618 315 933 (eng) 634 321 024 (esp) info@tuxedolimousines.es www. tuxedolimousines.es

jewellery

GOLD WANTED

English jeweller wishes to buy broken or unwanted Gold jewellery, silver and coins

IMMEDIATE CASH PAYMENT Call Peter

664 890 990

Member of the National Association of Goldsmiths

musician DRUMMER, seeks a band 50’s, 60’s, 70’s etc. Contact Mick Tel: 965 701 525 / 676 122 051 Lenny Mitchell, guitarist singer, international, professional, solo act. lenny Mitchell & his musical time machine invite you on a trip back to the 60’s & 70’s.

Available to play in any venue. tel: 658 321 891 or email lennymitchell@live.co.uk

photography

hearing aids

The ultimate in concrete design

Weed Free ~ Non Slip

Move in and start work immediaTely TELEPHONE & INTERNET ACCESS CONVENIENTLY SITUATED - FREE PARKING

IN THE COSTA BLANCA

for sale

SOLTIMES

Tel: 902 750 190

ELECTRICS & PLUMBING

doors

LOS CARASOLES, NEAR CUCADOR

OFFICE SPACE TO MEET YOUR NEEDS

NEATER HEATER

call clive: 617 268 346 or frank: 639 988 487

OFFICES & SERVICE CENTRE

TEL: 902 750 190

Jane Salon in Bolnuevo for all health & beauty treatments including hair, nails, massage, skin care & much more. Tel: 968 158 433 or 611 611 858 (tc)

heating

Locks r us 24hr emergency locksmith, tel: 653 145 300, see main ad on front 10Mbps Internet page.

ANYWHERE in Europe.

Phones limousine www.electriancostablanca.co.uk for immediate installation from less than 1 cent Electrician ELECTRICITY, PLUMBING, for sale minute, no monthly AIR-CON available for all 1.4m Satellite fee.

Computer in Torrevieja & surrounding Dish inc wall bracket works. sales and repairs areas. and LNB. 25€. Tel. Denia to Mazarron. Small or large.

No call out fee 647 101 663 Call Clive 966 260 Call Dave Tel: 622 381 979 Cute Dora bike for 403 or 648 883 Tel: 658 632 056 girls 3-5 years with 202 www. clivegray 693 251 562.

Tel: 968 969 648 davendonc@aol.com wheels. www.hacerman.webs.com stabilizer computers.eu

Please contact Tel: 966 781 307

www.soltimes.com

health & beauty

homecare

electricians

building services

AWNINGS DIRECT

See our Advertisement on page 13 for more information

sl

house clearance specialist FREE LOCAL DELIVERY SERVICE

awnings

50% off all matresses

est 2006

ROJALES SPECIALIST OF PRE - OWNED FURNITURE & AccESSORIES AT SENSIBLE PRICES

Prices from as little as 349€ supplied and fitted Free no obligation survey and quotation www.allseasons-spain.com email:info@allseasons-spain.com AUTHORISED INSTALLER FOR SIMULSAT TV Call John on 608279075

• Retractable Awnings Plano • Toldo

(Glorieta) • Balcony Blinds

Costa blanca areas christine 966 718 979 Costa calida area lesley 902 750 190 ext 334

Furniture

car hire

air conditioning

By PERSON: Quesada business centre, calle los arcos 7, quesada

Private sale ads are free under 300€ (3 ads per week) email them to: blancasales@soltimes.com

calle los arcos 7, quesada business centre

‫٭‬30 day free trial-money back guarantee ‫٭‬free no obligation hearing tests ‫٭‬fully qualified UK dispenser 95 4 ‫٭‬Michael Burke RHAD MAHA € m fro

Tel: 698 418 642 www.prestigeguides.com/hearing

plastering English Plasterer internal finishing, external rendering, 15 years experience, good rates. Call Chris 671 444 246 email: c_pettit@hotmail.co.uk

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2012

property for sale

removals

FOR SALE

VANTASTIC

Apartment (Top floor / Penthouse) Almoradi, Costa Blanca 4 Bed, 2 Bath, Large Terrace, Lounge, Sep Kitchen, Utility Room, Communal Solarium, Lift, Furnished inc. White Goods, UK TV , 90m² Interior Living Space plus, 15m² Terrace / Balcony with Awnings Spacious apartment overlooks a newly reformed Plaza, views of the church & mountains, unusually large terrace. 2 min walk away from the town’s attractive central square, all other amenities are also within easy walking distance,12 mins drive from the resort of Guardamar del Segura. Close to La Finca Golf course

3.5 tonne removals or any handyman & van service Also Spain-UK Tel: 693 251 562

See our main advert on page 5

E MAIL: davendonc@aol. com

Tel: 968 654 667

LWB Sprinter

simply removals

van going from south to North

Spain ‹ UK › Spain

of the UK & back

• Full & Part Loads • Local-No jobs too small • Pets Welcome • Experienced owner/driver (Playa Flamenca)

every 2 weeks,

Price (Private Sale)

based near Murcia

€ 79,950

Airport. Tel: 610

for SALE

Tel: 603 192 957/966 848 607

846 260/ 0044

Tel: (0034) 676 534 978

UK: 00 44 790 519 8895 MEL LANDON melvyynleo@yahoo.com

7519 186 355. or email: van.man@ hotmail.co.uk

massive detatched cortijo with 50m2 workshop 20mins from mojacar

Linen Mills

For Sale

Express

1 bedroom apartment on This is a unique spanish country cortijo Cortijo Grande with 4 beds, 2 bath, Open plan living areas, Golf Course. kitchen & dining room as well as a workshop, New kitchen & white goods courtyard front & back & room for a Lovely views. pool. Mountain views.

Parking. possible B& B Close to Mojacar.

All legal with Build 256 m², Terrace 100m², Plot 1200 m² paperwork.

Telephone 649 186 107

email for more info at thunderpaul2003@hotmail.com

removals low cost spain - uk - uk - spain local moves full or part loads pets welcome

Telephone

property services

potential customers. call soltimes on 902 750 190

Ring Bill 676 527 348 or Rita 676 527 186

• airport collections • proprty cleaning/changeovers • regular checks & key holding

sally219@hotmail.co.uk

From a pocket watch to a piano....

If it’s under 300€ you can advertise your items

free of charge in the

christinetaffe@hotmail.co.uk

• Gates 7 Grills to order • Home Security by Experts • Pool Cleaning • Car Hire & more

SOLTIMES PRIVATE ADVERTISERS ONLY • NO PETS

SELL IT FAST SELL IT FREE

EMAIL YOUR ITEMS FOR SALE TO

BLANCASALES@SOLTIMES.COM property wanted

SALE & RENTAL PROPERTIES URGENTLY REQUIRED in Cabo Roig/Villamartin, Orihuela Costa & Costa Calida

We have clients enquiring in this area

620 582 063

dead or aliv e

wanted

we are interested in your unwanted items including bric a Brac electricals and small furniture.

Also Light Removals.

tel: 699 036 922

Selling Homes In Spain Since 2001 WE URGENTLY REQUIRE PROPERTIES IN COSTA BLANCA / COSTA CALIDA FOR OUR SERIOUS CASH BUYERS...!

RING NOW 0034 966 733 079 FOR AN APPOINTMENT

UK Spain Uk

weekly service

Spring cleaning, decluttering, moving or just have too much.

villamartin

tony@casasolrealestate.com

business in this space

wanted

Sally at

Contact CASASOL REAL ESTATE tel: 965 325 601 Email:

Advertise your

for only 15€ and reach over 35,000

brian Playa Flamenca Tel: 965 326 920 666 847 648 email: beechdale@hotmail.co.uk

€59,950 o.n.o

an absolute bargain! 664 291 793 only €150,000 ono

• Key Holding • Changeovers • Cleaning Services • Starter Packs • Regular Checks

33

don’t ch uc i’ll ta k e ikt it

Wanted Scrap Gold

Cash paid for all gold jewellery or exchange for new

swimming pools

The Treasure Chest: Swimming Pool 966 718 100 / 966 765 374 Maintenance wigs

Salon Margarethas 24 years in Torrevieja hair/wig specialist for medical illness and hair loss problems. We offer different hair replacements, top fillers, hair prostheses, toupees & wigs. Natural & artificial hair & much more. Also fashion/ festival accessories. TV/TS are welcome to our service. Call Margaretha on 966 921 846 for an appointment.

• weekly cleaning visits • private & communal • repairs & re-grouts

661 208 917

www.swimmingpoolmaintenance.eu

watermaid europe swimming pool maintenance, satellite tv heat pumps, saltwater & Filter Rainbow Satellites for all your TV system. instualtions needs with clients all over the Murcia Region. Contact Matt or Alan 686 358 475 or rainbowsats@terra.es

www.watermaideurope.com

tel: 636 698 501

34

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES MAY 2012

body repairs

Vehicles wanted

cars for sale

Citroen Xsara 1.9 Turbo Diesel

BODYWORK & PAINT SPECIALISTs

CASH CASH CASH

Vehicles registration

“RE-PLATE” MATE GB

E

Don’t take a chance!

Don’t break the Law! Let us take the hassle away from you and re-register your vehicle on to Spanish plates 490€ plus Road Tax plus CO2 emission if applicable WE PROMISE TO BEAT ANY GENUINE QUOTATION For a full service contact:

Alan 662 249 159

www.replatematecostablanca.com

vehicle imports & matriculation.fast and competitive rates. call 687 845 730

For re-registration of cars, motorbikes and motor homes contact Graham Shelton Who after re-registering over 1000 vehicles will put you on the right side of the road.

FULLY LEGAL WORK GUARANTEED LATEST PAINT TECHNOLGY COURTESY CARS AVAILABLE PLASTIC WELDING (BUMPERS) SAME DAY SERVICE FOR MINOR DAMAGE HEADLAMPS REFURBISHED

Approved Insurance Repairers

Ken brooks: 645 162 808/654 907 247 Behind the Sunday Zoco Market CV940 Benijofar • San Miguel Finca Garroferos • Nave 8 • Algorfa 03169 Email: rapidrepairs2668@yahoo.co.uk

Clutches, Brakes, alternators, service kits Starter Motors, headlights

Free quote go online or phone www.carpartsinspain.com

or telephone 692 930 326

headlights

RECYCLING NOW FULLY OPERATIONAL IN THE REGIONS OF MURCIA

Turn your old or unwanted CAR into CASH. We will dispose of in our Authorised Depollution End of Life Treatment facility.

WANTED

Spanish or English Also buyers of COPPER, BRASS, ALUMINIUM, LEAD, STAINLESS STEEL

WANTED

JCB’s, Mini-Diggers (All Makes), Tractors, Trailers & all other types of plant machinery.

Any age, any condition.

Cash buyer All 4x4 vehicles

Urgently Required

ALL Mitsubishi Shogun, Monteo, Pajero, Landrover & all other makes

collect from anywhere

Tel: 645 094 339 or 950 064 763

Vehicles wanted SPECIALISTS IN SUPPLY OF LHD HEADLIGHTS & RESTORATION OF LHD HEADLIGHTS

CA4RS CASH

FOR SERVICING TO PRE-ITV CHECKS TO AIR-CONDITIONING RECHARGE

TEL: 966 877 145/618 547 491 EMAIL: admin@headlights4u.com

mechanic

All vehicle repairs, servicing, small bodywork repairs, ITV and paperwork needs. Ken Sherwood, British Mechanic Tel: 679 646 859 (Costa Calida area only).

Tel 968 199 227 or 660 080 240

JT METAL

TEL: 645 094 339 / 950 064 763

for sensible prices on all parts

Kia Carnival EX. 2003 diesel. 2.9L. 134,000 km.

LHD Spanish reg. Good condition.

ITV till Apr 2013.

Available end May. Owner leaving Spain

vehicles wanted

Need quality new parts for any car

Car parts

From 1€ to 10,000€

WE BUY

Cars, Vans, Bikes Damaged or Scrap Reliable Cars Bought For Cash bangers4cash@yahoo.co.uk

603 100 692

WANTED

ALL VEHICLES

Cars, Motorhomes, 4x4’s, Boats, Vans, Trailers, Quads, Classics

FOR CASH Telephone:

699 805 995

2250€ (transfer tax/fees inc) Tel 661 136 136

Used

cars for sale

jig facilities

car parts

www.spanish-number-plates.com info@spanish-number-plates.com

We pay instant cash same day for cars, vans, bikes, quads, caravans, trailers, absolutley anything!

Call Phil: 607 848 332

We also take Certificates issued House & garden fridges, washing cle arances machines, , skips supp lied microwaves, CARS, VANS, LORRIES, TRACTORS, all electrical TRAILERS, PLANT MACHINERY appliances

605 319 889 or 966 753 375

Same day collection

1999, LHD Spanish reg, Manual, ITV 03/13, all taxes up to date, Aircon, EW, PAS,CL, good clean condition

wanted cars for cash

€6,000 personals cont... before La Florida.

35 years, attractive, classy lady, private house, parking.

Offers all erotic services, massage, sexy lingerie, prices from 40€.

Full discretion. Tel: Ana 680 735 412 natasha , Divorced, diverse

super sexy, private apartment, complete massage with massage bed.

Very discreet. Call 677 676 554 San Policarpo No. 87 Apt 1-17 Cerca Calle Orihuela.

Can accommodate one person or accompanied.

Motorbikes

sell, buy & repair

transfer on Spanish reg home service pickup

Call Marcel 644 166 347 Guardamar

Established International Real Estate Company in La Zenia requires Swedish / English Speaking Personnel for immediate start call

0034 966 773 079 for an interview

recruitment

field SALES representative required

Best prices paid Spanish English Anything considered

telephone Tim on 662 211 993 personals “Readers of a sensitive disposition may find some of the ads in this section offensive”

elegant Slim, sexy italian lady available home/house visits.

Torrevieja, La Manga, Torre pacheco & Mazarron. Escort available, home & house visits Tel: 693 357 526 Spanish lady Playa Flamenca near new Carrefour

To continue the success of

SOLTIMES in this area

We are looking for someone special to work with local businesses to help them create more business from the large weekly distribution and readership of Sol Times � Are you local to the Costa Blanca area and enjoy meeting new people? �C ould you sell advertising to new business owners whilst looking after our loyal base of regular clients?

� S ol Times needs an outgoing friendly professional….could this be you? � Are you able to work to deadlines? � Are you well organised and able to manage your own territory?

If you can say yes to the above, then we want to meet you!

We provide on going training.

We offer a good package, including commission, petrol allowance and mobile phone plus the opportunity to work for the best weekly Newspaper in the area.

Please send your CV to cmm@soltimes.com

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2012

35

spanglish Mum

We have been enjoying a four day ‘puente’ which means ‘bridge’ due to the fact that another bank holiday ‘fiesta’ landed on a Tuesday so the school includes the Monday off as well.

Luckily everything was open on Monday so we used the time to get in a quick dental appointment. I’m wondering if we’ll need to take out a second mortgage to fund dental treatment because our eldest now grinds his teeth and the younger seems to have an underbite. Treatment here is much less expensive than in other countries but it just seems to be another thing we’ve had to add to the ‘to pay for’ list. I think that the longer it goes on i’m actually getting used to living during this ‘crisis’. I might though just ask my 20 year old University student sister in law to maybe seek out a nice dental studies boyfriend for future family discounts?

Two extra days off school meant time to catch up on school work so we’ve had the books out and pencils at the ready. There seems to be so much for such little people.

It’s good that the school pushes them to learn the most they can, but maybe they are also rushing them through the curriculum with so much homework to make up for the amount of holidays they have?

Often my boys tell me that their teachers cancel their PE class if they’ve all been badly behaved. I would have thought that was the polar opposite to what is best for children? If they get out and run around then they’ll be able to sit down and concentrate more on reading and writing. If sport is cancelled as a punishment won’t the children be even more excitable and less likely to behave well? I think that maybe i’m going to have to brave a parents meeting and try and get my point across. If it was up to me they’d have an hour of sport every day as that is what I believe children need.

Time to race around, use up their pent up energy so that they are able to sit still and concentrate for the rest of the morning at school. Expecting children to sit still and concentrate with pent up energy is counterproductive in my opinion. Now let’s get outside in the sunshine, as that’s a major plus for living over here in Spain.

If you’d like to share your thoughts with Lucy - our Spanglish Mum - email editor@soltimes.com and we’ll pass them on!

Alqueria Unido - The Game The team that Alqueria Unido were meeting in the final of El Trofeo Desafío del Pueblos, the Village Challenge Trophy is academic. For the record however it was Tontos del Mar. The match was to be played on mutual territory, away from the polite gaze of nearby population centres. The Civil Guard were on standby and plain clothes police mingled with the crowd. Crowd, being a grand title for the diminutive group of spectators that had bothered to make the trip. The forces of law and order easily outnumbering those watching.

The referee was specially chosen for his work in government correctional institutions. The linesmen did the job as an alternative to a custodial sentence. None of them knew much about the game and some of their decisions were inspired. One linesman when signalling a throw in kept changing his mind as the two teams argued. His flag was going in all directions. One ex-naval rating in the crowd thought he might be signalling ‘Enemy in sight’.

Alqueria lost the toss, which was surprising as they called and supplied the coin. Unfortunately a Hill Person called, they use a double headed coin. However the coin used was a Newcomer’s and that was doubled tailed.

Their opponents had been in training for the final, in fact they had been in training for the whole season. Alqueria Unido didn’t bother with such trivialities. Putting on their shirts required enormous effort. Nor was their much interest, free beer supplied by the sponsors was the main attraction. Nestor Clacketo thought they were there to celebrate the Feast of San Sebastian and continued genuflecting throughout the whole game.

The Alquerian side refused to be panicked into playing football and never let the fact they couldn’t pass, dribble or tackle affect their game. Playing as a team was impossible as the two factions in the side refused to pass to each other.

It was as if

Cambridge Manufacturing Company Ltd (part of Cambridge Nutritional Foods Ltd) has won The Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.

The Corby based business wins the UK’s most prestigious business award for the first time for its outstanding achievement in overseas earnings growth with year-on-year increases in export sales calculated at 119% since 2008.

Established in 1984, Cambridge Manufacturing Company Ltd (CMC) employs 177 people and is part owned by an Employee Benefit Trust. The company manufactures and markets Cambridge 800 in Spain.

In the UK Cambridge Weight Plan is sold through more than 2200 accredited independent Cambridge Consultants who provide advice, guidance and support during all phases of weight care from initial weight loss to long-term weight maintenance. Here in Spain we operate the same professional

John MacDonald (El Sordo) www.caratacus.eu

Alqueria

Leading weight management company wins Queen’s Award for International Trade

model as the UK, but with a different product, Cambridge 800. However, obesity is now a global health issue and the company operates in markets as diverse as Holland, Vietnam, South Africa and Saudi Arabia. The brand has also just been launched in Australia.

CMC’s Managing Director, Eileen Skinner, said: “We are very proud to win The Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade especially as this is also Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee year. The growth in our export sales since 2008 has been built around a very successful UK business model that encourages and empowers individuals to be entrepreneurial. In partnership with our distributors around the world we have taken this model and successfully exported it to many international markets.

As such we have not only helped more than 25 million people to lose and maintain their weight worldwide, but also empowered many people in both developed and developing countries to realise their dream of owning and running their own businesses. In Vietnam for example many of the Consultants are earning their own income for the first time.

This has had a direct impact not only on their families but also on the wider communities in which they live”

Winner Announced in Knight Insurance Survey

there were three teams on the field. This totally confused the opposition and allowed Alqueria to score. This was alien to the side and they had to be shown how to restart.

Resorting to intimidation, brutally and bribery Alqueria managed to hold off the opposition for the remainder of the game. During one flurry of activity when Tontos del Mar almost scored the Alquerian keeper, Blythe Gruntmore was seen on his knees. The righteous in the crowd thought he was praying. In fact he was trying to open a bottle of brown ale without an opener.

The score stood and Alqueria Unido emerged victors.

The cup is duly on display in the Ayuntamiento off the Calle Horno. The victorious team returned to Alqueria with two minor injuries, five summonses for grievous bodily harm, three for will-full destruction of property and one for indecent exposure. The latter was Nestor Clacketo who carried a hip-flask of Remitroot liquor and started to hallucinate.

The winner of a magnum of Champagne in a recent Knight Insurance customer survey is Geraldine Munday from Nerja. The lucky winner was the first name out of the hat and is seen here collecting her prize from John Knight.

Knight Insurance recently conducted a survey to determine how expats purchase insurance.

The results proved as expected with 68% of survey-takers choosing their insurance by using the advice from their broker over buying online or over the phone. When faced with the decision of choosing between price and quality offered, 84% said their decision was based on quality of cover. Although, several participants stated they take price into account as well.

If you need to purchase insurance or are looking to renew your policy, visit a broker to help you make the right choice and give you the best value for money. Knight Insurance offers a complete service and a

range of comprehensive insurance products including: car, home insurance (buildings and contents), health, life, marine, commercial, pet, travel, golf and other types of leisure, and legal insurance. This extensive range of products means that customers have no need to go anywhere else for their insurance needs and will receive face-to-face personal advice.

Customers can be assured that if they switch to Knight Insurance, for any or all of their insurance needs, they will be cared for by an established and professional insurance broker who has been in Spain since 1966 with a proven track record! Pop into your nearest Knight office or visit http://www. knight-insurance.com for more information.

We would also like to thank all those who took the time to complete the survey and entered the free prize draw.

36

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES MAY 2012

pause for thought

These past weeks I’ve been discovering that many people find difficulty with the Easter story. “After all”, one remarked, “Christmas, with the manger, the animals and the birth of a baby in such difficult circumstances, is so romantic. And the life, the work and the teachings of Jesus, with his emphasis on tolerance, forgiveness and reaching out to the poor and unloved, is quite brilliant - so ahead of his time. Whilst his uncomplaining acceptance of his cruel and untimely death is necessarily something from which we can all learn. But Easter, with its claim of resurrection, is something else – attributing superhuman powers to this carpenter, is simply not credible and consequently devalues all he otherwise stands for.”

One person who shared this view, determined to examine all available historical records and witness statements, using his skills as an investigative journalist to demonstrate the fallacy of the ‘myth’ of resurrection; but as he examined the statements and characteristics of the available witnesses and the ineffectuality of any efforts by the authorities to disprove them or prevent such beliefs from spreading, Frank Morison found himself forced to conclude that the resurrection of Jesus was an indisputable fact. There could, he stated in his book entitled “Who moved the Stone?”(ISBN 9780571032594) be no other explanation for the utter transformation to the small band of followers, seen cowering and terrified of their own shadows at his arrest and trial, to forthright public proponents of his message, willing to face torture and death rather than question their certainty that Jesus had risen. And the very implausibility of the accounts of the risen Jesus suddenly appearing in locked rooms (long before Dr Who made such appearances seem quite normal) actually add credence, as those simple disciples could never have invented so fantastic a tale.

So if we accept this and the assertion by the Historian, Thomas Arnold, that “Christ’s resurrection from the dead is the best-attested fact in human history”, then just what, I wonder, are the implications so far as we’re concerned Details of a number of English Language Churches are given in Sol Noticeboard for any who wish to Worship, but further information about the Anglican Church and details of forthcoming events may be seen on the web site www.mojacarchurch.org Duncan Burr is Licensed Lay Reader for the Anglican Chaplaincy of Costa Almeria and Costa Cálida and may be contacted at djburr@avired.com

The joy of travel

It started off well with the usual breeze through security at Almeria airport and yet again the water machine kindly gave me two bottles instead of one.

Arriving in Blighty I knew a delay at UK passport control was likely and 30 minutes of queuing later I was gently stewing as I had missed my connecting train. It’s not the poor staff’s fault that the powers on high have slashed staffing levels. I joked to a supervisor that at least the phrase ‘I blame the Tories’ can be used again.

Needing to exchange some Euros at the airport MoneyCorp kindly offered to take them off my hands in exchange for the shirt of my back! The rate was only 1.47, later the Post Office gave me 1.37. Next time I shall use my Spanish debit card as I think this way is the most cost effective and currently the rate is around 1.27.

Train tickets can now be paid for in Euros.

Well I know UK PLC is hard up (aren’t we all?!?) But when I tried to pay with a 50€ note for a £25 train ticket the amount I would have been charged was 39€! Last time I checked the exchange rate was about 1.24 not 1.56 the robbing bleep bleeps!

On the way back at Gatwick airport at first all was well as the new boarding pass readers speed people through ready to be humiliated by the Gestapo; sorry I mean the security staff. I always make sure I have nothing in my pockets yet the light flashed and the buzzer sounded and I won a free body rub down by a security guy. He pawed every part of my

body and put both hands down the inside of my trousers. As I recovered my poise he then told me to remove my shoes so that they could also be scanned.

I was given the usual excuse ‘Well the borders have to be kept safe!’

Walking away someone else gave me a free chemical swab and analysis of my wallet!

I walked into the shopping area and a lady offered me a shopping guide. Stupidly assuming she had read the darn thing I asked her where I could buy a CD as HMV is now a sunglasses shop. The computer said NO! I slumped into a chair to wait for my flight and a lovely lady came over asking me to answer a survey about The Gatwick Experience. I said I was not the best person to ask yet she persevered. She listened to my moans about strange men putting their hands down my trousers; the lack of any clocks in the departure lounge; and finally I asked just how much perfume and bottles of whisky can they seriously expect their customers to buy as there seems to be nothing else on offer. She agreed and said that most complaints recently were about HMV and Next closing.

I arrived in Rome and I was almost out of arrivals when a plain clothes policeman stopped me and did the strangest thing.

Firstly he asked where I was coming from then he picked my suitcase up seemingly to weigh it and said ‘on your way’ or it could have been Ciao. I must stop dressing like an arms smuggler in future.

Stephen Amore has lived in Almeria since July 2006 and owns Findmeahome estate agency. Writing on a variety of topics close to his heart such as environmental issues, animal welfare, food and drink, music and travel, as well as commenting on the absurdities of living in Spain! email: stephen@findmeahome.es - www.facebook.com/stephen.amore

Trucker ‘didn’t notice wheel fall off’ A lorry driver who was pulled

over by police in the Czech Republic claimed he was too tired to notice he’d lost a front wheel.

Ales Stastna, 38, told police in Senov Havirov that he had just finished a marathon shift and hadn’t even felt the wheel drop off: “I could have sworn it was there when I set off,” he told officers.

Police spokesman Gabriel Holcakova said: “He’s lucky he didn’t kill himself or cause a serious accident. He was given a warning, his truck was impounded and he had three points put on his licence.”

Man drove car down metro steps

A confused driver drove down the steps of a Paris metro station - after mistaking it for an underground car park.

The 26-year-old managed to brake in time to stop the vehicle on the steps, leaving the back wheels sticking out on the pavement.

“There’s a sign saying ‘Haussmann Parking’ right in front... I made a mistake,” said the driver, who was named only as Johan.

No-one was hurt in the incident, which immediately drew a crowd of onlookers.

Many took pictures of the car a Dacia Duster - stranded on the stairs at the Chaussee d’Antin-La Fayette metro station.

The driver was later asked by French police to do an alcohol test, which he passed.

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www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2012

sport

ICC Europe Conference to be held at Lord’s Cricket Ground.........................................

ICC Europe Conference to be held at Lord’s Cricket Ground Providing a Platform for Success The ICC European Conference 2012 will be hosted at Lord’s Cricket Ground by ICC Europe bringing together all 30 European Associate and Affiliate members of the International Cricket Council on 30 April and 1 May 2012.

The conference strap line ‘providing a platform for success’ to be held over two days invites all European member countries to London to take part in a workshop, plenary and interactive conference with invited speakers from across cricket and other sports. The sessions will include topics on the four P’s developing Partnerships, increasing Participation, enhancing Policy and improving Performance.

Nick Pink, ICC Regional Development Manager remarks that “this is an exciting opportunity to bring together all of ICC Europe’s members alongside many high profile speakers and presenters from around the world of cricket and sports administration. The 4 P’s are fundamental to what we all do and it should be a great two day platform.”

A range of speakers have been invited from the world of sport including include Debbie Lye, Director of International Development at UK Sport; Danny Kazandjian, General Manager at The Rugby League European Federation; Joy Tottman, Sport & Recreation Alliance’s Governance & Compliance Officer; Pedro Velazquez, Head of the Sports Unit at the Directorate General for Education & Culture at the European Commission; Paul Shaw, Women’s and Girl’s High Performance Manager and Clare Connor, Head of Women’s Cricket from the England &

Alongside the conference will be an interactive session which brings together ICC Europe’s partners and suppliers including Cricket 4 Change, Cricket Factory, CP Sport, Notts Sport, Surridge, Flicx, Kookaburra and PCM Risk Solutions. This is an opportunity for ICC Europe members to experience a range of creative cricket products as well as Cricket 4 Change street cricket, Flicx’s crazy catch minute challenge and the innovative Cricket Factory.

Mark Moodley, General Manager for France Cricket who is leading one of the workshop sessions says, “I am very excited by the conference programme I am hoping that the information coming out of the workshops, interactive and plenary sessions will help and inspire all countries in their efforts. The information obtained I hope will also help the ICC European region to make those crucial re-adjustments that are necessary to help us develop the game across our continent.” Concluded Mark Moodley.

The ICC European Conference aims to improve the game of cricket in Europe in partnership, participation, policy and performance.

For more information go to: www.icc-europe.org

TORREGOLF.EU at Hacienda Riquelme Thursday the 26th. Saw us descending for the first time on this Jack Niklaus course on a beautiful day but a little wind to make every one think about club selection in order to avoid the many bunkers, renowned JN obstacles, on the way to the pin and when one arrived at the green, to be greeted by some great greens that needed very careful reading. On the whole a great day but generally our members struggled with the lay out and the slow greens and this was reflected in generally low scores.

The winners on the day were first the course and then followed by in Category 1. 1st.

Sally Brian with 39 points, 2nd.

Paul Hurrell 34 points, 3rd.Jane Woodward with 31. Category 2.

1st. Peter Wells 35 points 2nd.

Orihuela Costa F.C. Cadetes 3 v’s Sporting Guardamar C.F. 0......................

Wales Cricket Board.

Joy Tottman is leading a session on good governance which is vital in her experience; “Good governance is essential to the success of sports organisations.

Having good governance enables an organisation to be effective at whatever it is trying to achieve and is a way of planning success. I am looking forward to sharing ideas on good governance and hearing from the ICC European members on the issues they face so we can work through solutions together,” states Tottman.

Vince Lannon 31 and 3rd.Con Moore 29 points. Category 3.

1st. Terry Sangwine 27 points 2nd. Roger Twigg 26 3rd. Mike Zebedee 25 Our 4 nearest the pin winners were Hole 5 and 7 Joyce Paterson Hole 15 Mike Zebedee and Hole 17. Jane Woodward Our next outing is the Alenda Golf on Tuesday 14th.May and then Font del Llop on the Friday 1st.June.

For those interested in joining us, membership of 10 Euros will see you through till the end of July 2013 for the fastest growing golf club here on the Costas. For more details call David Winder on 626774157 or email him at davidwinder.torregolf@gmail. com. Photograph show some of the winners on the day

37

Torrevieja Swimmers

Pre Benjamin and Masters Torrevieja Swimmers race this weekend.

Saturday 28th April saw the last of the League events for the Prebenjamin category and Masters in the region. The morning saw 8 year old Artem Nikolaev and 7 year old Amy Connolly swim the 50m freestyle and 50m breaststroke events in the Municipal pool, San Vicente. Swimming first Artem gained 13th position from 46 swimmers in the freestyle and Amy 21st place. Followed quickly by the 50m breaststroke both worked hard in a stroke not competed in before to earn times for Artem of 1:01:98 and Amy 1:18:54. This places both in the middle of the rankings across the region of Valencia.

Then the club travelled across to the Centro Excursionista Eldense pool in Elda for the afternoons Masters Competition. Vicki Connolly then swam the 200m freestyle

in the 45 – 49 year category with a time of 3:09:52. This was followed 3 minutes later with the 50m breastroke event. Tired but persistent, Vicki improved upon her previous time by 1 second and was beaten by Maria Martinez from Club Natacion Almansa by only 17 hundredths’ of a second with a time of 47:87.

The Torrevieja swimming club is always looking to invite new members. The club meets each evening, in three sessions, Monday to Friday between 5.30pm and 9pm.

The club trains in the 50m pool at the Palacio de Deportes Infanta Cristina, Torrevieja. For more information regarding Torrevieja Swimming Club please contact Eddie Cagigao on 637869602, Rosa - 665454126 or President Felipe on 609418776 or by e-mail on ecagigao@hotmail.com or at info@clubnataciontorrevieja.com

San Fulgencio Vs C.F. Dama De Elche

This was a game we really need to win today if we expected any chance of a miracle to get promoted because we were 7 points behind second place and knowing that this was the case you could expect The Saints to come straight out of the traps and put Dama De Elche under intense pressure.

15 minutes in and Elche broke and were towards goal when Sergio stepped in and broke up Elche’s attack and then passed the ball to Libby who again beat the defender but shot wide.

Then, 40 minutes into the game, Elche attacked in force, the ball was passed to their left winger who ran into The Saints penalty area and beat Jovi. Somehow the Saints were 1 nil down.

The kick off was taken and again the Saints attacked , Samu was bought down and Jairo took the free kick, he passed to Fernando who in turn passed to Libbi who put a great cross into Elche’s penalty area but there was no one there, so the first half ending 0-1 to Elche.

The second half started like the first half. From the kick off Gary got the ball and passed to Kiki who put another great cross into Elche’s penalty but like the first half there was no one there. This was a game that desperately needed the striking power of Giaco who was unfortunately injured for this game.

Within the first five minutes Fernando put Elche under pressure when he passed the ball to Libbi who again forced a corner. Sergio took the corner again no one able to capitalise on the pressure, the ball came out to Jairo who laid the ball off to Libbi who put the ball into Elche’s goal mouth again but it was easily taken by their goalie. This guy was not going to be easy to beat as was shown in the away game where the Saints put Elche under pressure at their home ground but he could

not be beaten in that game.

The Saints moved forward all the time trying to find an equaliser that was proving to be difficult to get, there were corners after corners.

Again Libbi took a corner and nearly every player from the Saints moved into Elche’s goal mouth and Victor nearly headed the goal that was needed to bring the score all level.

Then the strangest thing I have ever seen regarding substitutions.

Jovi the Saints goal keeper came over to the bench and took his goalkeeper’s shirt off, OH NO! Everyone thought, he’s our best player he can’t be being subbed but no! He then put on a Red Shirt and went up front, Sergio came off injured and Soriano went into goal.

Was this going to be a great idea or a complete mistake, moving a goalie to an attacker, I know he’s a great player but.................

It was no mistake Jovi was as good up front as he is in goal. The Saints attacked again and Jovi was bought down in Elche’s penalty area. A penalty, no way said the ref.

Time was running out for the Saints Victor got the ball just outsides the Saint’s penalty area and he looked up and hit a speculative ball forward which landed at Carlos’s feet, he along with a few other Saints players looked well off side but he did what all good players should do and played to the whistle, he went forward with the ball. Elche’s goalie stood tall but Carlos who had just came on took no notice and slotted the ball into the net 1-1 in a game that the Saints deserved at least a point.

Soon after, the whistle went and the game was over- a draw. The Saints promotion hopes now are gone and all that we can do is look forward to next season where with a bit more luck things might be.

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After a difficult game last week against the league champions Benejuzar it wasn’t going to get any easier as Costa had to entertain second placed Guardamar. The last time these two clubs faced each other Costa took a 9 - 0 hammering.

Costa though this week were in fine form and should have opened the scoring on four minutes when Alex Cope hit the cross bar from his corner kick.

Sam Broadway was next on 17 mins saw his strike just go wide.

Costa were awarded a free kick from some distance outside the Guardamar area but this didn’t stop Glen Lawton from striking a fierce shot which beat the stranded keeper to put Costa 1 - 0 up. One minute later some amazing skill & solo run down Costa’s right wing from Gummi Gudmundsson saw his good effort saved by the keeper.

Through out the Costa team in every position each Costa player was giving 100% and they got what they deserved on 35 mins when Alex Cope struck the back of the net from a run on the left side. Costa went in 2 - 0 up at half time and went into the second half not letting up the pressure. Broadway again unlucky when his shot had beaten the keeper but only to

see it hit the post. Liam Nicholas, Jamie Cockroft, Patrick Bass & Jack Roulston were in amazing form and worked hard to give Costa keeper Scott Brunton and the clubs first clean sheet and on 77 minutes Alex Cope put the game to bed with another great strike to give Costa a 3 0 win over a much respected second placed side.

Next week Costa travel away to Elche. For more information on Orihuela Costa F.C. call George on :679 77 44 88 or visit www. orihuelacostafc.com The team train & play their games at the fantastic C.D.M. astro turf pitch at Playa Flamenca. Training every tuesday & thursday 18:30 - 20:00. The club are currently looking for new players to join them.

Lo Crispin Golf Society..........

Lo Crispin Golf Society at Altorreal on 25th April 2012

36 Members and Guests turned out for a singles stableford competition on a very sunny and warm day at Altorreal Golf Course in Murcia. The Course wasn’t in great condition as work had recently been carried out to the greens which reflected the low scores recorded.

Results for the day, Gold Category 1st Phil Rhodes 32 pts 2nd Carl Peden 30 pts 3rd Meirion Roberts 29 pts Silver Category 1st John Featherstone 30 pts

c/b 2nd Gordon Cobb 30 Pts c/b 3rd Dicky Claeys 28 pts c/b Bronze Category 1st Steve Cosgrove 32 pts 2nd David Dodd 30 pts c/b 3rd Scott Blair 30 pts c/b Nearest the Pins Hole 2 in 2 Harry Wilcock Hole 9 in 3 None recorded Hole 14 in 2 Nick Capasso Hole 17 in 1 Bill Acton There was no 2’s’ recorded on the day so the fund will role over to our next game which is our Spring Cup event at Lo Romero.

Our thanks go to David and the staff at the Lo Crispin Tavern for the after game refreshments.

Fairways Golf Society...........

Vistabella Thursday 26th.April

Whilst the hollow tining of greens is accepted as a necessary evil by the majority of golfers,and is frequently given as an excuse for poor scoring,there is no way that the participants playing today needed any excuses whatsoever.Indeed,if the higher than average scoring is anything to go by,some of our members might well choose to play only on freshly treated greens in future.

Leading the field on c/b with an impressive 38 points was Ali Rich,closely followed by Jack Molenaar also with 38 points.

In third place was Graham Lawrence with 37 points.The handicap secretary should be in his element this week!

Best front nine with 20 points was Stuart Taylor,and best back nine was Phil Bowditch with 19 points.

Graham Lawrence won the

nearest the pin and John Saunders won the longest drive.

There was no 2 ball winner,so the kitty will roll over.

Following the changes implemented at this course,we were allowed to play an additional 4 holes,taking us back to the clubhouse. The 4 hole competition was won by Steve Hamilton.

Members are reminded that the next outing will be Captain’s Day,at El Plantio,when we will play the 9 hole course first,followed by a bacon roll and tea or coffee,before then tackling the 18 hole course.

After a drink,we will then return to Fairwayz for a buffet meal and the prizegiving.

Because of the early start on the 9 hole course (0830 hrs.) members are asked to be at the course for 0745 hrs.

Please ensure your reports are approx. 350 words – the Editor retains the right to modify any article submitted in order to meet this limit

38

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES MAY 2012

sport

Giant Killers Rojales show Madrid their heels Sunday 22nd April saw Rojales Netball Club travel to the La Manga Club Sports complex to compete in the annual International netball tournament.

7 Ladies from the Rojales Netball club and New club coach margaret travelled down to the La Manga Club to take on teams from the United Kingdom, Marbella and Madrid. It was a very hot day and full of great netball.

From the first whistle of the first game against a set of elite players made up of players from Team Rock UK, Marbella and Madrid, Rojales threw down the gauntlet with fast exciting netball, using some of the new set plays they have been practising during training. The passes were quick and precise, especially in the attacking third so shooters Sam and Tracey were able to position themselves well to score and matched the visiting team during the first half. The second half saw Rojales defence Ronnie, Louise and Carol marking tightly and all making some great interceptions, but with some excellent edge of the circle shooting Rojales lost the first game of the tournament.

The second game was just what Rojales deserved, in one of the most thrilling games of the tournament.

Both teams played some great netball with end to end action, Some great shooting by Sam kept Rojales on a level playing field. The Rojales defence marking tirelessly resulting in some great interceptions. The passage of the ball down the court

Mazarron FC 2 UCAM Guadalupe 2...................

was rapid and accurate which with only 1 minute to go the score was 10 - 10. Some great attacking play

by Lin and Claire gave Rojales a last chance to score before the final whistle. An edge of the circle shot was put up by Sam and was the best shot of the tournament which gave Rojales a well deserved win 11 - 10.

The third game was played against visiting players from the UK it was a very tight game with a lot of action taking place in thecentre third of the court, Captain Claire kept the ball moving and worked well in attack and covering in defence. The visiting team were forced to slow down their pace of play due to the strong centre court work from Lin, Carol and Claire which worked to the advantage of Rojales. The first half ended level with both teams playing some excellent netball.

The second half saw the visiting team picking up all loose balls and mounting counter attacks against Rojales who were using some long passes in an attempt to get back into the game, but some excellent shooting from Players from Team Rock gave them the win.

The Final game saw Rojales take on the mighty Madrid in a great end to

the tournament. Rojales made every pass count and were determined to beat the team from Madrid. The attack play by Rojales was quick and practised which bought the ball down the court swiftly and into the shooting circle, with every ball into the circle being taken by either Goal shooter Tracey or put away by Goal Attack Sam. The First half showed Rojales make some great moves in defence, with set plays and tight marking kept Madrid from scoring with the first had ending 5-0 to Rojales. Madrid made some strong changes for the second half in a bid to close down Rojales and reduce the lead. Madrid came back with 2 early goals making it 5 - 2 to Rojales but in the end the excellent team work coming down the court from Defence to attack proved to much for Madrid with the final score being 9 - 2 to Rojales.

A great days netball by all the Ladies from Rojales Netball Club on a hot April day. The netball club are always looking for Ladies to join their team and welcome any new ladies. They train on a Tuesday from 7.00 - 8.30 on the courts behind the Norwegian School in Quesada, for more information contact Tracey on 679 539 995 or email traceyburton@ hotmail.co.uk.

Thanks to an injury time penalty, Mazarron gained a deserved draw against UCAM Guadaloupe on Sunday. Once again neither team was able to play good football due to the state of the pitch but Mazarron continued to try for the whole of the match and were finally rewarded in the 93rd minute when Matt Clarke was bundled over by the keeper when chasing a through ball from Jose Da. After a good 5 minutes of disputes and treatment for the keeper, who surprisingly only received a yellow card for his challenge, Jose Da defied his youth and inexperience by coolly scoring from the spot kick.

Play was even for the first 20 minutes with chances coming for both sides but the deadlock was broken in the 26th minute when the UCAM keeper missed a back pass and had to retrieve it from inside the 6 yard box with his hands, thereby giving away a free kick.

With everyone except Ruben in the box the ball was touched to Jose Da who placed it over the top of the wall and keeper into the net to give Mazarron the lead.

Several scoring attempts came and went for both sides until in the 42nd minute Pollo cleared

RODS AND REELS

This weeks competition was the 4th round of the Summer Championship. The venue being the Embalse de Argos. Although this is early in the season for Argos, it still did not fish particularly well, with only one good weight recorded. Barbel are showing up in the water, but are very temperamental.

They seem to move in an out constantly as you can catch one or two, then nothing for quite some time. Lets hope as the weather improves and the water temperature rises, that they may stay a little longer. Also, this week was the long awaited return of one of our members, Pete Hampshire. His return went with a splash, he managed to take a dip up to his chest before the match started. The positive note was that he had all day to dry out!!!!!!. Nice one Pete.

1st Ian (The Irish Wizard) Dalzell fishing the pole using hemp and tares with 28.84 kilo’s 2nd Ian (From the Darkside) Haughton fishing the feeder using corn with 13.18 kilo´s.

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the equalizer in injury time.

It was another encouraging performance by the youngsters, superbly led by Diego who was a tower of strength once again at the back and fully deserved yet another Man of the Match award. Hopefully the new supporters who came to the game as part of the Los Amigos de Mazarron Awareness Week promotion will return again to support the team.

Team: Ruben, Dani, Pollo, Diego, Víctor, Ahmed, Guillermo (Alfonso), Jose Da, Matt Clarke, Pescau (Rollon) , Edin (Jose).

MAGGOTS END............................................................

Top rods on the day

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a corner by hitting it onto the bar but the ball eventually was returned into the box and finally into the net. A brilliant save from Ruben kept the scores level at half time but shortly after the restart with most of the Mazarron defense waiting for a nonexistent offside flag, UCAM took the lead.

In the past, Mazarron heads may have dropped at this stage but this no longer seems to be the case since the introduction of Jelco as coach and despite having a “goal” from Matt Clarke disallowed for offside the team continued to try to the end and were rewarded with

3rd Dave ( Yours Truly ) Hoare

fishing the feeder using pellet with 13.06 kilo’s.

PLEASE NOTE The club has some vacancies at present, if you are interested in joining please contact Derek Swann on 966729293 or 603535771.

ABBEY ANGLING RESULTS Supplied by Terry Screen The 6th round of the Spring Series was fished on the 24th April on the River Segura at Murcia.

The fish have now started spawning in earnest, rolling and jumping about and even flattening the reeds in the water, and causing it to colour up.

Catch rates have now improved with good double figure weights now needed to win, the point on the Crystal Bridge area still seems to be the place to draw, with Dave Hutchinson making the best of it.The best bait at the moment seems to be paste and pellet 1st Dave (The Sweetie Man) Hutchinson with 34.300kg fishing the pole using paste and pellet 2nd Ian (The Irish Wizard) Dalzell with 25.800kg fishing the

pole using pellet

3rd Neil (The Boy) McBirnie with 23.820kg fishing the pole using pellet All details are available on our website WWW.abbeyangling. com or from the Match Secretary Terry Screen on 965328368 ANGLERS TOGETHER The objective of Anglers Together has been reached ( which was to introduce anglers to each other ). Now that newcomers to Spain are few and far between, we have decided that monthly meetings are serving no useful purpose and the friendships that have been made over the past 4 years are now firmly established.

We will continue to provide information through our email address if contacted but there will be no membership renewals in May. Thanks to all past members for their support. Email : anglerstogether@hotmail.com TIGHT LINES DAVE HOARE

CORNISH PRIDE (LOS DOLSES)................................

Ten Pin Bowling League Matches played on April 24th LOS LOBOS won the first 2 games against ODDBALLS and were looking good for a win, but a 222 game by Ivar Henriksen, his highest of the season, for Oddballs, gave his team a win in the last game by enough pins to ensure a 4-4 draw.

BANDOLEROS had a ‘cup winners’ hangover, as they struggled against CARP-R-US, Alan Flitman had his 4 highest scores for the Carp’s, as his team had an easy 8-0 win, top scorer for Bandoleros was Andy (Buddy Holly) Copp, with a 569 hcp series.

BAR MOSQUITOS won the first game against CORNISH PRIDE,

but the

Splash.

pasty boys, fought back strongly to win the last 2 games and win the match 6-2.

TEAM FINLAND got back to the high scores they had in the first half of the season,

RIOJA ROLLERS, still chasing third place, made it 4 wins in a row, as they beat SUNRISE COLLEGAS 6-2, top scorer for the Rollers was Gary Walsh (589), and for Sunrise it was Graham Lewis (588).

The captain of LUCKY STRIKE, Norman Wylie, had his best night so far, with a 566 hcp series, but it was not enough to stop his team losing to an inform SPLASH team.

Juanjo Carral bowling for Splash had a 269 scratch game, and Diego Munoz, their captain had his best night with a 635 hcp series. Result a 6-2 win for

they had a 642 scratch game, helped by Seppo’s 230. But against the new league leaders, HALL y DAY, it was not enough to stop their losing streak. H y D won the match 6-2, helped by husband and wife duo, Lesley and Bob Day, who both had a 579 series.

The MIXERS started the night in third place, but moved up to second, with a 6-2 win over LOS BANDIDOS, top scorer for Mixers was Inga Soderstrom with a 554 hcp series, and top scorer for L.B. was Steve Hibberd with a 600 hcp series.

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SOLTIMES MAY 2012

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Fc cartegena..............................

IT’S TOUGH AT THE BOTTOM REAL VALLADOLID - 2 FC CARTAGENA - 1

BY STEVE HIBBERD This top v bottom div 2a clash, proved to be possibly the most entertaining away fixture that Los Albinegros have featured in all season. Even though they are all but relegated, the players wearing all yellow (Valladolid’s strip of blue and white stripes, necessitated a kit change for Carlos Rios men) gave their all.

I’m convinced that had Reina been the first choice keeper all season, Cartagena would not have leaked half as many goals as they have. Reina was one of 3 changes from last weeks encounter with Almeria, and it was he who single-handedly, for long periods, kept his side in the game.

As early as the 2nd min, Reina was alert to a dangerous move, saving well at the feet of Guerra.

Three mins later, the same combination produced another top drawer save, then from the next attack, Reina tipped a long range effort over the bar. In a one sided battle, Reina could only watch as another shot inched past his far post, as somehow the visitor made it to the half hour mark with their goal still intact.

The gods were certainly smiling on Cartagena on 36 mins, for how Valladolid striker Bueno shot wide of an open goal, only he will know! On 40 mins, Reina pulled off a magnificent double save from close range shots, then from the resulting corner, he acrobatically clawed away Oscar’s goal bound header.

Valladolid did eventually get the ball in the net, but their effort was rightly disallowed for offside.

Unbelievably, on the stroke of half time, with their FIRST shot at goal, Cartagena opened the scoring, courtesy of a magnificent 30 yard screamer by centre back Abraham Paz. The game turned on a 56th min substitution, involving the introduction of Manucho for

When Nauzet made no mistake with the spot kick, it was case of deja vu, as Cartagena were forced to play out the remaining 28 mins with only 10 men.

Although they battled magnificently, being a player short started to tell on the visitors, who should have gone behind on 77 mins, but thankfully Jofre missed a sitter at the far post, from yet another first class cross by Valladolid wide players.

Totally against the run of play, Braulio found himself in a glorious 1 on 1 situation, but instead of taking his time, he chose to shoot straight at the keeper. Then from the rebound he twice more found his goal bound efforts blocked by last ditch defending. As so often happens, this missed golden opportunity proved costly. With less than 5 mins on the clock, Jofre made up for his earlier miss, by striking a fierce long range drive, which took a slight deflection required to wrong foot Reina, and sail into the back of the net. When you are down at the bottom, life sure ain’t easy!!

Next week, Cartagena have again been chosen by Marca tv, as one of their live matches.

This home div 2a match against mid table Numancia, will be at Cartagonova Stadium on Sat 5 May, ko 4pm.

Lo Marabu Golf Society......... (in association with Costa Blanca Green Fee Services) at Hacienda Del Alamo 26th April 2012.

For this month’s meeting a group of 26 players visited the established course at Hacienda Del Alamo taking advantage of the excellent society deal obtained from Costa Blanca Green Fee Services.

The weather was superb and the course was in good condition and the greens were fast and true.

There were some good scores on the day with the winners as follows: 1st – Mike Probert – 35 points 2nd – Chris Cape - 35 points 3rd – Colin Edwards - 32

FC TORREVIEJA – HEARTBREAK FOR TORRY

Valladolid. He had been on the pitch barely 2 mins, when he converted a right wing cross at the far post, but luckily for Cartagena, an eagle eyed linesman spotted he was offside.

His next offering, was to seize on a wayward pass by Reina, although the keeper did atone for his error, by blocking the close range effort. But his biggest contribution so far, arrived when he was sent sprawling in the penalty area, just as he was about to score a certain goal.

Referee Torres not only awarded a clear cut penalty, but also red carded the hard working Kijera for his part in the incident.

points Best Front 9 – Ron Kerry – 19 points Best Back 9 – Dave Marriott – 19 points Nearest Pins – Chris Cape (2) and Winston Blackwood.

After the game we returned to the Lo Marabu, which is located at Dona Pepa, Quesada for a welcome meal prepared by the bar and the prize presentation.

Our next official society meeting is at Alenda on 31st May 2012 but we also have an interim game at Vistabella on 10th May 2012 and there are still a few spaces available.

Report by Mike Probert of Costa Blanca Green Fee Services on 966 704 752 or 661 345 931 or see us at our web-site at www. costa-blanca-greenfees.com.

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39

EUROGOLF SOCIETY On Thursday 26th April the Eurogolf Society played the Annual Captain ‘V’ Vice Captain’s Challenge, at La Marquesa Golf & Country Club.

It was a glorious day with perfect playing conditions, which culminated in some good scores. The format was a 2 ball combined Stableford competition, with the Captain’s team wearing blue and the Vice Captain’s team in white.

The early results in gave the Vice Captain’s team an clear lead but as the day progressed the Captain’s team started to gain strength and at the end of the day they won by a good margin – 12.5 points to 7.5 points.

Full results were as follows:1st Place - Tony Stanley & Mike Gillett 70 points 2nd Place - Ian C. Pegg & Gill Gordon 68 points 3rd Place - Alan Venables & Marilyn Eckersall 67 points Best Male: Eamonn Devine 37 points Best Female: Gill Gordon 39 points Nearest the Pins 5th – Pino Perito, 11th – Ian

Turner, 12th – Frank Britten, 15th Tony Stanley and 17th – Lew Joss Many thanks go to the sponsors of the competition – Manolo’s Restaurant.

TOFF’s Stableford results, on Tuesday 24th April, were as follows:Gold Division 1st Sue Gillett 39 pts, 2nd Bill Martin 34 pts, 3rd David Blanchette 34 pts Silver Division 1st Tom Walker 37 pts, 2nd Pam Davidson 33 pts 3rd Graham Cheetham 32 pts Bronze Division 1st Joy Gray 39 pts (Overall Winner) 2nd Sandy Holland 38 pts 3rd Jan Tocker 35 pts Nearest the Pins 5th – Marilyn Eckersall, 11th – Tom Walker, 15th – Keith Wright and 17th – Phyllis Venables Best Front 9 - Lynn Harris 19 pts Best Back 9 – Mike Gillett 19 pts Diary Dates: Friday 25th May – Captain’s Night at Stan & Ollie’s, El Raso ww.eurogolf-quesada.co.uk

Last Sunday Torry entertained league leaders Catarroja, who were level on points with Levante B. Both sides were looking to win the game with Torry needing a win to pursue their dream of reaching the playoffs and Catarroja needing to win in their quest for No. 1 spot and becoming League Champions.

Both teams came into the game on the back of a series of impressive performances with Catarroja having won`10, drawn 1 and lost 1 of their last 12 games and Torry having won 5 and lost 1 of their last 6 games. Ex-Torry favourite and leading marksman Petu, who joined Catarroja in January was at the game but unable to play through suspension. Torry had all the players in their much reduced squad of 14 players available for selection.

The Torry Starting Line-Up was: Manolo, Vicente, Jorge, Abel, Vidal, Burguillos, Corella (Matías, M. 70), Manu Amores (Victor, M. 86), Manu (Córcoles, M. 75), Juande and Ramiro.

In the first half the game was tight and highly competitive and played with intensity with Torry just shading it. Juande had a chance with a header early on after their keeper flapped at a Ramiro cross but redeemed himself by saving Juandes effort.

In the second-half Catarroja started the brighter and a thunderous volley from their no.9 went just wide of the target. The play went from end

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the table pair San Javier V/S Hacienda fought out a close game with San Javier finally running out winners by 26pts to 21pts.What a climax to the season with the last game to come at Paraleja on the 21st of May not many points separate the top five

638 323 499

League table is as follows:

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1st place Diamantes 234pts

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2nd place Camposol 230pts 3rd place Roco-Gogs 223pts 4th place Sierra Golf 203pts 5th place La-Manga 193pts 6th place San Javier 191pts

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7th place Hacienda 182pts = 7th place Roda Golf 182pts 9th place Sensol 178pts 10th place S P.Crew 160pts

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On Sunday Torry travel up to the City of Valencia to play Ribarroja who are not entirely safe from relegation yet.Torry need to win this and their last game at home a week on Sunday against already relegated Mislata to finish the season as high up the table

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MURCIA MATCHPLAY...................

First teams out on the tight fairways of Las Ramblas it was current champions Diamantes V/S The men from La Manga what a fright for the champs two games each but because diamantes scored the most points they picked up the bonus points.

Next out were second placed Camposol to face bottom of the league S. P. Crew & although they put up a fight the Amigos run out winners by 39pts to 17pts.Next on the tee near neighbours Sierra Golf against Roda Golf a win here for the men from Roda 30pts to 23pts.

Last years runners up Roco Gogs complete with captain Mo Flint then took on Sensol winning all four games & scoring the highest score of the season 45pts to 14pts shooting them up the table.

In the last game middle of

to end. Catarroja made a double substitution with just under 30 minutes to go bringing on a wide-man on the right and the wily old predator Madrigal. These substitutions were to prove to be decisive. On 62 minutes, after Vidal got caught in possession, a dangerous ball to the far post was defended well and deflected for a corner. On 65 minutes Ramiro then had an opportunity with a clear header from around the penalty spot but put his effort over the top. As the game wore on the opposition became more threatening and Manolo was called upon to block a goal-bound effort with his feet with ball somehow going up and over the bar for a corner. The Catarroja team celebrated while the Torry heads fell. The Torry players can, however, hold their heads up high as they again gave their all in a pulsating game which looked liked ending at 0-0 until the wily old fox got his head to the ball for Catarroja. Catarroja had the strength in depth, and made their substitutions count, wheras Torry possibly didn’t. Yellow cards were picked up by Jorge, Burguillos, Manu Amores, Ramiro and Corcoles for Torry.

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40 SOLTIMES MAY 2012

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