TM
Costa Blanca
Inside the December edition...
TM
A warm welcome to Tim’s 8th Christmas edition.
Inland and Coastal
It strikes me that there are many different ways as to how people approach the festive season. The two extremes are ultra organised or very much lastminute. com with variations in between. The ultra organised will have had all their presents and cards bought, wrapped and written by the end of the last January sales! The cards are long since posted (ours will be the first they get) and the turkey was ordered by the middle of October. The lastminute.com’ers will soon be engaged in a frenetic shopping spree, buying totally unsuitable, over priced gifts; which, having been graciously received on the day, will inevitably end up at either a boot sale or in our classified ads before Easter. Whichever group you fall into, the TIM team wish you all a very Merry Christmas - enjoy! There is a great selection of Christmas venues in our Going Out section, but do hurry as places are limited and will soon be gone. Bully actually likes Christmas but, for the 85th month running he is still in hiding - last month he was found hiding on page 30 by Mr J Henry of Quesada. The winner of the Pleasure flight courtesy of Sol Aero was Robert Barnes De Campoverde, Pilar de Horadada. The winner of the Galvanic Spa treatment courtesy of Ambiente Beauty was Margaret Cobb of Albatera and lastly the winner of the 2 free tickets to CR La Villa Rugby was Mr Dafydd Jones Evans of Catral 03158. Congratulations to all of our winners.
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Museo de Ramon Gaya
6
The Garden
12
Flip flops - in Albacete?
20
“It´s Christmas” said Noddy Holder
26
Winter Fun
28
La Marina Business Pages
35
Going Out
48
Horoscopes
63
Bargain Ads
Don’t forget place your classifieds FREE, “NO” price restrictions, got a house to sell? Car to sell? Home to rent or just something you no longer need! Then place it for FREE with photo’s in our brand new classifieds section at our brand new web site at www.timspain.com Until 2012.
Re
e TIM gards Th
Team
Want to advertise with TIM? See page 17 for details. Si quieres un anuncio con nostoros mira la pagina 17 para detalles
DISCLAIMER TIM is an independently published magazine and cannot accept any responsibility for claims or advice given in articles or advertisements and reserves the right to withdraw or alter material without notice. It is advisable for the reader to check information prior to acting on it. RENUNCIA La revista T.I.M no se hace responsable de los errores cometidos o de las ideas u opiniones expresadas por los colaboradores o anunciantes. Mientras tengamos un cuidado razonable, los publicistas no tendremos culpa ninguna por insatisfactoria que resulte cualquier transacción realizada atravez de la revista.
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For advertising that works, contact one of our agents in your area, see page 17 for details Tim established 2004 Deposito legal A 1065 2004 NB. Tim tm is a registered trade mark. No .2.665.866. No part of this publication wholly or in part can be reproduced or copied for or by any other publication with out prior consent of the editor, this includes adverts and all written material.
Bank Transfer Number 2090 0038 0102 0003 7361 or write to T.I.M. Apartado de Correos 285 03630 SAX (Alicante)
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TIM Magazine™
Museo de Ramon Gaya in Murcia. A charming little art gallery. THERE ARE MANY REASONS TO VISIT MURCIA; it is a very beautiful city. On a warm sunny day it can rival any other city in Spain. Approaching the centre of town and crossing the Rio Segura to the Gran Via there is a pleasing view along the river. We see the Government buildings of the Glorieta De Espana facing the river on the left bank while the handsome market hall sits in a leafy street a little way along the river. There is the magnificent Cathedral on one side of the Gran Via and on the other side sits the Plaza Del Flores and the Plaza De Catalina. For the casual visitor, driving and parking in Murcia could be a daunting prospect as the fast, torrential traffic and one-way systems appear horrendous. In my modest opinion, the best way to get into town is by rail arriving at the Murcia Del Carmen station. The train ride from Albetera Catral is as ‘cheap as chips’, (certainly less expensive than a days parking), and a good deal less stressful. Helpfully, RENFE train timetables can be found on the internet. Alas, arriving in Murcia, there is a twenty-minute walk from the railway station to the centre of town. Never mind; there are taxis on hand and the walk is not an unpleasant one on a cool spring or autumn day. This brings me to the central point of this article. Being interested in art can take one to some fascinating places. In Spain, every city seems to have painting and sculpture in abundance. Ranging in size and distinction from the Museo Del Prado, arguably one of the top five art institutions on the planet to Alicante and Murcia with two or three excellent art galleries each. Included in this roll of honour must be the Museo De Ramon Gaya in Murcia. Recently refurbished, the gallery interior looks charming in its new coat of paint. The galley building, located on the Plaza De Catalina is an historic monument in its own right. It was the town house of a wealthy citizen and has been converted into a particularly agreeable art gallery.
recently in 2005 in Valencia living to the age of 95. His medium was watercolour, gouache and oil and he used these to produce some delightfully domestic scenes of Spanish life in a bygone age. In the Museo De Ramon Gaya, we see vignettes and glimpses of old Spain painted in an exquisitely expressive style. Gaya is able to use an economy of line and colour that creates a striking impact on the viewer. Every aspiring artist can learn much from a visit to this gallery. Murcia is rightly proud of its talented son and this ‘jewel like’ art gallery is a civic expression of that pride. If you have the opportunity to visit Murcia, if you are artistically minded and if you have time in-between coffee in the Cathedral Square and the two huge Court Ingles pop into to the Museo De Ramon Gaya. Website: www.museoramongaya.es Email: museo.ramon.gaya@ayto-murcia.es Open Monday to Friday 10:00am - 2:00pm and 17:00pm -20:00pm. Closed Saturday & Sunday. Entry is free and there is a lift to the first two floors. The top floor is only accessible by spiral stairs. No information in English available at the gallery. Train timetables in English: www.renfe.com/EN (Click on ‘commuter trains’ section). TTFN artshed.Malcolm@gmail.com
by Malcolm Thompson
Ramon Gaya was born in 1910 in Murcia. He lived in Mexico for much of his life but returned frequently to Spain. During Franco’s administration, artists were often perceived as subversive but Gaya seems to have been nonpolitical and no menace to the authorities. He died fairly
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Costa Blanca
Do you have UK Pensions? Nick Venn DipPFS, Private Client Adviser
QROPS are overseas pensions that can provide excellent retirement planning, providing the scheme remains within the HMRC strict rules. Having made the decision to reside overseas, you have no doubt left your UK Pensions with your previous employer or personal pension provider and it only normal to leave in situ until a little nearer your retirement date or age. You have the facility to consider a transfer of your pension benefits into a QROPS, especially if you have already moved outside the UK with the intention of living overseas for an indefinite time. Most forms of UK Pensions can be transferred into a QROPS, including Personal Pensions and preserved benefits from Company Pensions. It is important that your Adviser provides certain checks on these Schemes to ensure you are aware of any potential penalties upon transfer or guaranteed benefits that you may be giving up. You cannot transfer your State Pension. Most Schemes will pay income to you, gross of taxation, therefore you will be liable for income tax in your country of residence. The top three jurisdictions are currently Guernsey, New Zealand and Australia. Source: HMRC. Guernsey in my opinion, offers the most robust jurisdiction with competitive charging structures, trustees are well regulated by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission and has an excellent reputation for offshore investment. New Zealand has had a series of trustees that has
the ability to commute your pension into cash, although changes will undoubtedly come into force throughout 2012, following consultations and pension changes. The key benefits of a QROPS are: Retirement benefits – once you have been outside of the UK for five complete tax years, you can draw up to 30% tax free cash with a flexible income up to the GAD (Government Actuary Department) rate each Scheme year. Death – there is no taxation on death benefits payable from a majority of QROPS jurisdictions. Taxation in the UK can be as high as 55% in certain circumstances. Age – you can draw benefits from age 55, with prior access to benefits for that age group and younger individuals who satisfy the five tax year residency rule. It is important that you seek quality and qualified advice from professional independent financial advisers, who can select the most competitive charging structure, most suitable jurisdiction for you and build a successful investment portfolio for your pension assets. If you would more information, please contact me by phone or email: nick.venn@aesfinance.com
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TIM Magazine™
The Garden
Winter Draws On! No, I’m not talking about getting your long johns out,
drop in temperature and not all plants can cope with this, so I am going to give a few tips on looking after 4 popular garden plants
just move to a bigger pot. This would also be the time to increase watering and later on a fortnightly feed throughout the summer will increase flowers. If you have geraniums then now is the time to put them away. You need to cut them back by about half and then put them into a frost free shed or store where they can still get a bit of light. Reduce the watering so that they remain quite dry because, once again, too much water will rot the roots.
Canna Lilies are stunning and, if looked after properly,
In early March tip them out and take off some of the
although that’s not a bad idea. With winter coming its time to make sure you take the necessary steps to protect your precious plants during the colder months.
Whether you are at the coast or inland there will be a
will give years of pleasure. Cannas are not fully hardy so you do need to take some steps to protect them.
If your Canna is in the ground then in early December
compost around the sides and base. Pop them back in their pots and top up with fresh compost. Revitalized they should be good to go for a lovely display next season.
Cacti are very popular here but surprisingly not many of them are fully hardy. If you are in an area prone to frosts then any cacti in pots should be put away into a shed, a store, under a nayah or even in a cool room in the house. Cacti
can be awkward to move sometimes, especially if they are very large or very prickly! So, if moving the pot inside is not an option you could wrap the whole plant and pot in bubble wrap and if possible manoeuvre it to a sheltered area
Don’t water at all from mid November until mid or end March. This prevents root rot and will help stimulate the production of flowers in the spring.
sheer off all the growth above ground and cover with a couple of inches of soil. This will offer frost protection and importantly give the plant a chance to rest. They will flower so much better next year if they have had a long dormant period.
Roses generally do very well here and many gardens have one or two. Weather wise, in winter, we get those terribly strong winds which can cause a lot of damage by rocking the plants back and forth and loosening the roots. To try and minimise this sort of damage it’s a good idea to cut your roses back by about half to reduce the height.
If your Canna is in a pot then follow the same method
Proper pruning of roses doesn’t need to be undertaken until the end of February/ beginning of March. Well that’s it for this time; it’s a quiet time of year in the garden and not especially pleasant to be out there either.
Come
O, wind, If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind? Percy Bysshe Shelley
and cut everything away down to the base. Put the pot in a frost free place like a store or shed. A little water once a month would be okay but not too much or it will cause the roots to rot.
the spring, if your plant has outgrown its pot then mid-march you can split it into 2 or 3 plants or
By Barbara Barton 6
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Costa Blanca
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TIM Magazine™
A Quick Getaway to Fez..... Darren & I went to Fez in Morocco recently. It’s distinguished by its history, the oldest in the Kingdom of Morocco and also by its capacity to erect beautiful and long-lasting buildings and monuments. Fez is generally believed to have been founded around 808 by Moulay Idriss 11. When we got to Fez, we discovered all the richness of the medina, the picturesque districts, legendary souks, traditional workshops and historic buildings. The sights, sounds and smells are unique and make you want to see more! There are many appealing reasons for this trip: It’s only a 1 hour flight from Alicante & cheap as chips! It’s also cheap when you get there as well. Earlier on in the Year we went to Marrakech, so I knew a little about the culture, religion, language & generally what to expect. I assumed we would get hassled a lot but we were pleasantly surprised to find it was minimal & indeed they seem a friendly bunch. The locals speak to each other in Arabic, but the general language was French but like so many nationalities, most spoke several other languages as well (putting us Brits to shame as usual!) The currency is the durum (about 10 durum to the euro); they will also happily take euros from you (no surprise there!) You can even eat for 10 durum if you are happy to eat the “street food” and its mighty fine. We joined the locals several times during our trip to enjoy the street food & no dodgy tummies either. You can also sit down to eat in restaurants as well & although you will pay more than 10 durum, it’s still cheap. Kebabs are popular as is tagine (similar to a casserole, slow cooked in a clay pot with a unique Moroccan flavour, the meat being lamb, beef or chicken) fish, Salads, couscous & much more. Being a Muslim country, alcohol is hard to find but not impossible! We found ourselves in a restaurant one evening and decided to sit outside and people watch. When we were asked what we would like to drink, Darren jokingly said brandy. The waiter suggested we try the “Moroccan coca-cola” and we thought why not? Two coca-cola bottles arrived already open filled with red wine!! (We weren’t looking for wine but it certainly found us!) Needless to say, we returned! There are many ways to enjoy Fez but we decided to take a local guide (about 15 euro for a half day or 25 euro for a full day) He was very knowledgeable and took us to all the places that are not on the “Tourist route”, places that we probably wouldn’t have found on our own. Another day we took the “Tourist route” by ourselves with the help of a very informative guide book. The medina has a “Circuit” made up of 6 parts: The wall and ramparts, Fes Jdid (means new fez although it’s still in the old medina), The Andalusian Quarter, Palaces and Andalusian Gardens, Monuments and Souks,Traditional Crafts Fez is basically shopping heaven from rugs and throws, local pottery and ceramics, leather goods, mirrors and lamps, woodwork, one could go on and on! The medina is one huge commercial thoroughfare animated by the hustle and bustle of traders and merchants in open workshops inviting you in without having to be encouraged. If you don’t have room or weight in your suitcase, they will ship it to you...very tempting indeed. The accommodation suits all budgets. We normally use booking.com and choose by customer reviews (then you can’t go wrong) Like Marrakech, we chose a Riyad which means garden. A Riyad is like a very nice B&B in traditional Moroccan style with a garden/courtyard in the centre with the rooms around the edge. From our experience, they are very attentive to your needs and serve a delicious Moroccan breakfast consisting of pancakes, toast, homemade jam, yoghurt, eggs and coffee. (You don’t need much for lunch!) Also, while you are in Fez, try the mint tea, it’s almost addictive. We would recommend 3/4 nights in the old part of Fez. Ryan air fly’s Wednesdays and Saturdays from Alicante direct to Fez airport. The flights are seasonal, I personally think spring and autumn are the best times to go; the summer would be far too hot and sticky. So, if you want a quick getaway without spending a fortune and you enjoy something a bit different, then Fez is the place to go!
by Emma from Ambiente Hair & Beauty in Pinoso. 8
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Costa Blanca
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TIM Magazine™
by Julian Ashington
Hello and welcome to the December motoring section. Firstly I would like to wish all my customers and readers a very merry Christmas and a happy new year to you all.
MOTOR ING
This month, I would like to inform you about some of the things you need to know and take with you when taking your car for its I.T.V test. Firstly the paper work you will require is the permiso de circulacion along with the tarjeta de inspeccion tecnica de vehiculos, these are the green so called log book normally kept in a plastic wallet on their own, also you will need your insurance and the proof of payment is now also required.
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Now for the vehicle its self, it is a requirement with tyres not only to have more than 1.6mm of tread left, but also they must be the same make and pattern on the same axle, i.e. you could have Dunlop on the front of the car and continental on the rear this would be fine. But you can not have a mix of different makes around the car regardless of the amount of tread left, so please be very careful when buying a new tyre as it must match the other, or you may need to purchase two of the same. English cars can have an I.T.V test but now must be fitted with left hand head lights; previously you could fit beam deflectors but these are no longer allowed. Also it is a requirement to have a fog lamp on the left side rear, so if your vehicle is not fitted with a fog light on both sides then one must be fitted to the left side. Imported cars are a mine field basically if the Spanish equivalent does not have parts fitted such as bull bars front wing mirrors upper spoilers etc, they may have to be removed. Now for tow bars, if a vehicle is fitted with a tow bar it must have a marker plate fitted to it, and must be also on the tarjeta de inspeccion de vehiculos as it is I.T.V tested as well (visually). One more thing is to make sure that you don’t have any oil or fuel leaks or power steering leaks as anything leaking will be cause for a fail. Now for this months maintenance tip ,when topping up your washer bottle add a small amount of washing up liquid as it is a grease remover and will help reduce smearing also don’t forget when washing your car to lift up the wiper blades and give them a clean as well. Well till next year have a very safe and happy Christmas to you all.
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Costa Blanca
Aspe – Hondon de las Nieves – Pinoso
1 day from 45 €
1 week from 120€
Hyundai Getz, Fiesta or similar Automatic cars available Full airport service Child seats & booster seats available Ex hire cars available for purchase with FSH www.hondonrentacar.com – hondonrentacar@gmail.com Tel: 620 900 690 – 966 195 205
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TIM Magazine™
Our coach left the warm sunny blue skies of the Costa Blanca
Meanwhile,
I always research an expedition, especially one going north, so given the latest weather forecast and numerous years experience of Spain, telling me the sun does not always shine, I was surprised to see many of my fellow travelers clad in light weight summer clothes and even flip flops.
Having
and headed North West up the A31 Alicante – Madrid road. Destination Almansa and Alcala Del Jucar in the province of Albacete.
As we crossed the border into the Castilla La Mancha province I could see dark grey menacing clouds looming on the horizon from my front seat vantage point. Our first stop was Almansa. People getting off the coach were amazed to be blasted by an icy wind with damp spitting rain in the rapidly moving air.
We
looked up at the medieval castle, one of many in this region, but lots had already decided to retreat to shelter from the weather and leave the more appropriately clad to explore. I tagged on with those seeking sanctuary which we found in the local town hall where a welcoming man showed us his pride and joy - a painting depicting the famous battle fought on 25 April 1707. It was one of the most important battles in the War of the Spanish Succession, a complicated affair involving Spain, France, Portugal and Britain. Rather uniquely the British forces were commanded by a Frenchman, probably the only time in history this has happened.
Our
enjoyment was rather shattered when he then explained that the painting was not the original, which was actually in Valencia. The same painting was also displayed next to the local Mercadona which again seemed to degrade its importance. However it is worth a look and you can take your pick of locations.
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a raiding party of cold shoppers was eagerly seeking out the local shops and Chinese bazaars, desperately searching for warm scarves, hats, socks, stouter shoes, someone even bought a jacket. The success of their mission was celebrated with a warming drink before we all climbed aboard the coach, some clutching red carnations donated by the campaigning PSOE political party, and set off for our next destination Alcala de Jucar, another 60 kms inland. left the motorway we travelled along country roads across the flat and rather barren looking Castilla La Mancha tableland before climbing up the twisting narrow road to reach the summit of Alcala. The village houses are set into the steep slopes, many are actually cave houses. Our lunch stop commanded a magnificent view from the restaurant. But misty rain rather spoilt the vistas.
The party, everyone now clad in appropriate warm clothes and shoes, keenly tucked into their lunch. It had been a long time since breakfast. A buzz went round there was an Emu in restaurant garden, encouraging a few brave souls to venture out into the windswept garden for a photo call with the unexpected long necked guest, whilst others queried what was in the stew. The highlight of the day was the afternoon caves visit and walk. A 3€ entrance fee gained you this experience and free refreshment. Las Cuevas Del Diablo are dug into the very heart of the mountain, through a long tunnel from side to side of it. They were excavated in 1905 with the aim of using them for animal pens and storages.
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Costa Blanca
During
recent years they have been restored as a tourist attraction with numerous antiques and tools on display in a constant temperature throughout the year. You will also be amazed at the wonderful views it offers of the geological formations of the mountain slopes and the River Jucar, which can be seen from the magnificent terrace and balconies.
Although a tempting offer I remained on the coach with some others
who decided exploring down town (or down village) Alcala may hold more promise. The River Jucar waterfalls and the plentiful trees alongside the riverbank were shedding their leaves making a very autumnal scene, more British looking and Spanish. The fallen leaves stuck to the damp ground as we explored over the bridge and took our photos before deciding it was time to sample some local bar hospitality in another restaurant, located beside the villages empty of water but full of leaves public swimming pool.
Later our intrepid cave adventurers rejoined us, anxious to explain what we had missed and trying to make us feel guilty (and failing) for coming straight into the village. Then it was time to leave so the coach wound its way slowly down and back towards home where all those new warm clothes and shoes could be stored away until the next trip to Albacete. More photos https://picasaweb.google.com/Robi1305
Words and photos by Rob Innis www.robinnis.wordpress.com
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TIM Magazine™
Top 12 Christmas Presents With Christmas just around the corner, below we have listed what is expected to be the top 10 sellers of this seasons Children’s Christmas Toys. This year, the musical Elmo has made the top ten toys list, along with what surely must be one of the weirdest toys of all time in my eyes, yes the Doggie Doo is a toy that poops
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£29.9
lorer, p x E d a LeapP £79.99
o, m l E Rock .99 Let’s £69
ny, n u B y the 59.99 Milk £
ona’s h Lago , ig H r e n t Mons ation Statio r d Hy 39.99
ouse,
ee H ng Tr
li
Mosh
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The quoted prices below are the manufacturers recommended retail prices, but we fully expect that by shopping around that you will be able to attain better prices than the below, especially when shopping on line.
wist, T m o o Kidiz £49.99
ndy ntypa o P n Sam Rescue set irema
F
on command, not real poo of course. This children’s game is fed plasticine which is pooed out the other end with sound effects “nice”!
9
£18.9
£
ire jago F n i N 9 Lego £91.9 , e l p Tem
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ds, n e i r Fijit F 54.99 £
o, ie Do 99 g g o D £22.
ron x Nit e t r o V 9 Nerf er, £44.9 t Blas
mate s Ulti r a W Star orce Tech 9 F 39.9 ber, £ a s t h Lig
Costa Blanca
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TIM Magazine™
In 1963 some workmen in Villena, found a bracelet in the gravel they were spreading. The foreman hung the bracelet up on the wall so that whoever had dropped it could reclaim it. Some time later one of the workers thought he might just pop it around to the local jeweller to see if it was worth anything. As it was made of half a kilo of 24 carat gold it did have a certain value. Fortunately the jeweller thought there was something odd about it and he suggested showing it to a local archaeologist. In turn this chap recognised it as being 3,000 years old or from the late Bronze Age. Nowadays of course the workman would have taken it to one of those “I Buy Gold” shops that litter every Spanish street corner where they would have gladly weighed it in to be turned it into a nice charm bracelet without batting an eye lid.
El Tesoro de Villena by Chris Thompson
The archaeologist, José María Soler by name, suggested they go and have a look where the gravel had come from just in case there was anything else there. They found a clay urn which contained 59 objects made of gold, silver, iron and amber with a total weight of over 9 kilos. Nine of the pieces are of nearly 24 carat gold. The treasure is the most important haul of prehistoric gold found in the Iberian Peninsula and second in Europe only to a haul in Greece. The iron pieces are the oldest found in the Peninsula and date from a time when iron was considered to be a precious metal. Workmen and archaeologist strolling up to Cabezo Redondo, very close to the current Industrial Estate, may not be as romantic as Howard Carter breaking into King Tut’s tomb under a burning Egyptian sun but it is, nonetheless, a really impressive haul. The treasure is now kept in Villena’s Archaeological Museum alongside the Town Hall. Unless you knew the treasure was there beforehand it would be quite easy to go into the museum and miss it. The haul is kept in an armoured glass case and normally the doors of the case are kept firmly closed until one of the museum staff opens it up for any visitors. The bracelets and bowls are in excellent condition and have a modern contemporary look. I can well see why the workman didn’t recognise how old the original bracelet was. The story of the discovery of the treasure is told in a subtitled version of a No-Do, the Spanish cinema newsreel equivalent to the old UK Pathé News. I thought the No-Do piece told the story rather well even though the re-enactment of the discovery of the bracelet by the real life Spanish workmen, jeweller and archaeologist was of about the same quality as my portrayal of a penguin in the St Paul’s Cub Scout Christmas Pantomime that same year. There is apparently no idea where the pieces come from, who made them or how they ended up in Villena but they really are very pretty and well worth a look if you happen to be in the area.
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Costa Blanca
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TIM Magazine™
Delights of the area of Fortuna
SONRISA CHARITY
Where do you find Flamingos in Murcia? Why, Fortuna of course. And not just a few. I was shown 56 on the Pantano de Santomera in October by Carlos, a park ranger of the Medio Ambiente.
Hondon de las Nieves
7000 EUROS That is the amount we have raised for charity since our first treasure hunt a little over two years ago. Donations have been made as follows -
The Hondon de las Nieves Nursery School The Company The Manor House Amateur Dramatic Society La Montanosa Swimming Pool The Royal British Legion Help for Heroes Sports Trophies The Sienna Trust Paul Cunningham Nurses Total Donations
Euros 440 1,393 40 502 273 22 2,305 2,025 7,000
Thanks to everyone who has supported our events and, as always, we would love to hear from folks who would like to join the Sonrisa team or be prepared to sponsor future events. Please do not forget our Christmas Fun Quiz on behalf of the Sienna Trust, at Bar Rocas on Saturday, December 10th - price 5 euros per person. Tickets are selling fast. The emphasis will be on Christmas & fun, so festive attire will be welcomed. The evening will include seasonal songs & carols, Christmas snacks, spot prizes and a super raffle. We have extended an invitation to Santa Claus. Please see our posters for further details or contact Joan 687 074 097 - Son.risa70@yahoo.com
After a fortunate introduction to Carlos, and because I plan a walking group. He set about educating me in the delights of the area of Fortuna. First up, the Pantano on the southern edge of Fortuna. It is a salty lake fed by one salty stream from a neighbouring valley with salt mines. Other streams feed in but not enough for fish to live. This is where flamingos like to be, along with a myriad of other birds. A walk round the Pantano is recommended. Allow around five hours because of all the inlets that have to be walked around, or tailor your walk to the time available. Next, we visited the salt mine area back towards Fortuna on the left. You can visit the museum here by appointment and see the mines and salt pans. Go to the Fortuna Information Centre and they will arrange it. Then for the biggie. Mount Pila. 1265m high, with its crowning white “bola”. Do you know that some Fortuna residents blame the white ball weather station for the droughts of the area! After a long windy trek upwards passing a refuge, many steep drops and planted roadside trees, we arrived at the fire watch station on the lower peak. The journey is okay for the average car, if a bit rough. See gob smacking flowers in spring. Fire watch is taken very seriously by the Medio Ambiente and with good results, no major fires recently. Fire breaks with ground clearing is maintained. The fire watch platform provides brilliant 360 degree views of mines/canteras, peaks/sierra aguilas and birds. Here earwigs were climbing rocks and flying off to who knows where. More trips with Carlos are planned so watch this space. What is certain is that Fortuna is a splendid place to visit. Colin Bagnall colbagnall@gmail.com. Contact if interested in a free walking group in January. Or joining in with and embryonic choir, at the moment called- Can’t sing but will sing 4U. We will be singing at MABS on 2nd December at Las Palmeras and at the Castle Bar on 22 December in the evening carols of course!
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Costa Blanca
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The Inland Magazine™
mas!!!"
"It's christ What better edition of T.I.M. magazine is there than December
to write about all things Crimbo, both Spanish and English? Obviously, and in keeping with British stores and television, had T.I.M. been published in the UK, a Christmas article would first have appeared in about September, probably just before the first tin of Quality Street hit Sainsbury’s shelves. It is quite remarkable how differently two countries, just a two and a bit hour flight apart, celebrate one of the biggest Christian holiday seasons of the year. I’ve lived in Spain for getting on for six years now and feel reasonably well qualified to pass comment on both, so here’s the low down, or my interpretation of it.
point in time English television begins to screen one-off specials and repeats you may not have already seen. Spanish TV remains unchanged from the previous eleven and a bit months. A tad crap actually!! Once a year though, Spain screens an event that appears to completely transfix the nation, just like FA Cup Final day used to back in the day.
T
Just as with much of Spanish life, Christmas on the Costa Blanca
he event occurs on December the 22nd, is broadcast live and once finished three odd hours later, will have made quite a few Spanish families very happy and considerably wealthier. Known hereabouts as “El Gordo” (The Fat One), it’s the biggest lottery draw in the world and is eagerly awaited by everyone. In addition to being the most mind numbingly boring TV you’ll ever see, it is notable too for the fact the winning numbers are sung, religious hymn style, rather than announced. This honour falls to choirs of children from the San Ildefonso primary school in Madrid, itself once a former orphanage. At least the little ones are a big improvement on Dale Winton I suppose.
W
he nativity features prominently too; proud British parents crane their necks to catch the briefest glimpse of little Johnny or Jane in the school play or slightly out of tune carol concert. The streets of Spain go one better in the meantime with realistic, outdoor models of Bethlehem and the nativity scene, some of which are enormous, on display in town squares for all to walk past and enjoy. Look closely at a typical Belén, (The Spanish name for Bethlehem), and you might catch sight of an added extra you definitely won’t see in the school production. Many Belén models also feature a little bloke defecating; that’s right, taking a poo!! Apparently, many residents of the Valencia and Cataluña regions kick up a bit of a stink, pardon the pun, when the “Caganer” isn’t included.
seems to occur with no undue haste; shopkeepers eventually cotton on something important is just around the corner and, in the languid way of things in this part of the world, eventually knock up window displays, attractive lights and understated Christmas trees. By contrast, the celebration of JC’s birthday in the UK seems to be money, money, money with stores, both chains and privateers, treating much of the last third of the year as a cash making opportunity, the religious context largely forgotten. In this regard then, how refreshing is Spain compared to the money grubbing British example, a cool draft of fresh air perhaps?
hether you like it or not, the fabled twelve days of Christmas almost always ends up being something nearer the twelve weeks of Christmas on the Stansted side of the North Sea. Wherever you live, and speaking generally, the festive fun doesn’t tend to start in earnest until about ten days or so before the big day. At this
T
As the big day looms large, factories and offices the length of
Britain prepare to close down, quite often until the New Year. By around noon or shortly after on Christmas Eve, UK workforces head to the pub for a quick drink that will invariably last four or five hours and result in one or more errant husbands scurrying to the petrol station round the corner to buy the missus chocolates or perfume because all the shops have long since shut. In point of fact the pub is probably the safest place to be on the 24th because the city streets will be under siege from teenagers, not yet old enough to drink, armed with silly string and in the big supermarkets it’s like the coming of Armageddon.
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Costa Blanca
said Noddy Holder Meanwhile, on the same day in Spain, life carries sedately on
as before with not even a hint of Roy Wood or Slade to be heard anywhere as extended families gather for an immensely important afternoon and evening, Noche Buena, the highlight of which is a huge feast. After mountains of exotic starters, traditional delights on the menu might include, lomo y naranja, (pork and orange), seafood of all kinds and an Alicante speciality, turrón; sweet nougat made from almonds, eggs, sugar and honey. Around midnight, just as drunken young British people stumble home or queue for nightclubs, Spanish families open small gifts, before heading off in large numbers to church to celebrate mass.
Christmas morning in the UK dawns bright and early, about five
am for some unlucky parents, as excitable children tear off gift wrap, studiously ignore the expensively acquired present within and greedily go on to the next. In Spain four or five hours later, a leisurely breakfast is followed by an even more leisurely, shirt sleeved stroll through the municipal park, culminating in another coffee at one of various agreeable cafeterias, often with friends encountered along the way all out doing the same thing. In contrast, anyone foolhardy enough to risk going for a walk in dear old Blighty would be nearly invisible beneath coat, hat, gloves and a scarf because, usually, Christmas Day is the kind of frosty affair even someone as hard as Bear Grylls would find a bit parky.
T
hose Brits that do venture out, do so secure in the knowledge that a roaring coal fire will greet them on their return and any frost bitten fingers will be functioning as normal well before it’s time to go to the pub when it opens for two hours at twelve o’clock. With the men folk out of the way, Mum and her eldest daughter busy themselves in the kitchen preparing Christmas Dinner. A meal made bigger than any other Sunday lunch of the entire year by the addition of one-off ingredients such as turnips, swedes, and
“pigs in blankets” small cocktail sausages wrapped in bacon. Just before tucking in, The Queen broadcasts her message to the nation, a message you know was recorded in June because all the flowers are in full bloom.
I
t’s just as well the horses aren’t that popular in Spain, because as Britain settles down to watch a six race card from Kempton Park, the Spanish are hard at work again the day after Christmas because Boxing Day isn’t actually a holiday, (they’ll get their own back early in January). I guess British men consider the King George IV Chase a little present to themselves for sitting through ET or The Wizard of Oz for the umpteenth time the day before. Boxing Day evening wouldn’t be complete without a buffet tea, the highlight of which is the Dundee Cake thoughtfully gifted by Dad’s grateful boss. The whole family then enjoy the blockbuster film on ITV that SKY first aired four years ago.
New Year’s Eve in Britain passes in another drunk, and for
the people in London’s Trafalgar Square, wet blur. Noche Vieja in Spain is the night for best clothes; an evening of dining and dancing. The Iberian Peninsula then prepares to enjoy “dia de los Reyes Magos” - Three Kings Day on January 6th. The previous evening, street processions “cabalgatas” precede an early bed for the children, who, before they turn in, leave shoes at the front door in hopeful anticipation of them being filled by yet more gifts from the “visiting” Kings. Last year, 2010, I tried to liven things up a little by introducing Christmas crackers for my Spanish girlfriend’s nieces and nephew. Unfortunately, the four year old boy burst into tears at the sound of the explosion. They probably won’t catch on.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAVE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY 2012 WHEREVER YOU ARE
Kevin Rendall
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TIM Magazine™
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TIM Magazine™
Come in Number 58, Your Time’s Up MotoGP lost one of its young stars recently with the tragic death of Marco Simoncelli in the Malaysian Grand Prix. The young Italian lost control of his bike in the second lap and was hit by two of his fellow riders Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi, neither of whom had any chance of avoiding him. It was immediately obvious he was very badly hurt and even lost his helmet in the incident. His funeral in Rimini was attended by 25,000 including Rossi and a number of other stars from the sport. In his address the Bishop of Rimini thanked Marco for his contribution of time and money to a local orphanage, an indication of the type of guy he was. There was never a dull moment when Marco was around, he rode with his balls out and he never forgot his humble origins. His sad loss is a reminder to all of us about vulnerability. If it can happen to the best, you know it can happen to us weekend warriors. This winter weather hasn’t been kind at weekends lately, There’s all sorts of unwanted crap on the roads near us, mud, gravel and even rocks so be extra careful out there mis amigos. Remember your wet weather braking ratios, it’s 50% front and 50% rear the experts say. Always check your bikes and make sure you carry your wet weather gear, even if the sun’s shining – it can change so quickly. That said there’s still lots of riding available and let’s have some pictures of your Santa rides. Any news, groups who want publicity or relevant information let me know at harleysinspain@yahoo.com. It only remains to say a very Merry Christmas to all of my readers. Enjoy the festive season and ride carefully, Jack Dees.
By Jack Dees
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TIM Magazine™
CROSSWORD
SUDOKU
ACROSS
DOWN
1 Influence (someone’s) opinion in advance (9) 8 Rip (4) 9 American climbing plant that causes dermatitis on contact — 1992 film with Drew Barrymore (6,3) 10 Street of houses formerly used as stables (4) 13 Quick-witted — keen (5) 15 In recent times (6) 16 Lets us (anag) — fight (6) 17 On the way (6) 19 Classified — problem solved! (6) 20 Nominal — souvenir (5) 21 Summer month (4) 24 Circus performer (4-5) 25 US avant-garde composer, d. 1992 (4) 26 Improvised (9)
2 Fleece — bird (4) 3 Quip (4) 4 Small boat (6) 5 Concealed — vector (anag) (6) 6 Prerequisite — poverty (9) 7 (Of music) gradually increasing in loudness (9) 11 Vingt-et-un — pirates’ ensign (9) 12 Study of words (9) 13 Tilt — bias (5) 14 Apply (to a surface) — present (on stage) (3,2) 18 Peeping Tom looked at her riding through Coventry (6) 19 Encase (anag) (6) 22 Money in the form of notes and coins (4) 23 Unable to hear (4)
If you would like the answers for this month’s crossword and can not wait for next months magazine to get the answers please go to our website at www.timspain.com where December’s answers are available all ready on line.
Novembers Crossword Answers
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Costa Blanca
Christmas Word Search ANGEL BELLS BETHLEHEM CANDLES CANDY CANE CAROLS DECORATIONS EGGNOG FAMILY FRANKINCENSE FRIENDS FRUITCAKE GABRIEL GIFTS GOLD GREETING CARDS HOLLY ICICLES JESUS JOSEPH LIGHTS
Once you have completed the word search the remaining letters spell out a hidden message
MANGER MARY MISTLETOE MYRRH ORNAMENTS POINSETTIA SANTA SHEPHERDS SKATES SLEIGH SNOWFLAKES SNOWMAN STABLE STAR STOCKING THREE WISE MEN TOBOGGAN TOYS TREE WREATH
The object is to try to figure out the wellknown saying, person, place, or thing that each picture is meant to represent. (ANSWERS ON THE LEFT)
1. Falling Temperature 2. Two Under Par 3. Fat Chance 4. Broken Heart 5. Hot Under the Collar 6. Head in the Sand Answers: E-mail: editor@timspain.com • Web site: www.timspain.com
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1. Over my Dead Body 2. Right Under the Nose 3. See Eye to Eye 4. Looking Out for Number One 5. Be-Line 6. Home is Where the Heart Is
TIM Magazine™
Author’s Angst By John McGregor I was half-an-hour into my first-ever UK book-signing event in Waterstones, Chichester in September, and as I had sold and signed two books already I was feeling quite pleased with myself. The second buyer however, was trying to pick my brains (not usually a lengthy task) on how to get his book published, when I became aware of someone immediately behind him. I moved slightly to one side to have a look, and got a shock. A ‘middle-aged’ lady, clutching a well-thumbed copy of my book, was staring intently at me. Despite fortytwo years, I immediately thought ‘Oh, my God, it’s Jill!’ Way back in 1969 we had gone out together; but it had not ended very well. I had written about her in the book, and from the expression on her face it looked as though I might have some explaining to do! In those far-flung, fun-filled RAF days our gang’s emphasis was more the ‘Bumble Bee syndrome’, i.e. flitting from flower to flower, distributing pollen etc. At that time, due to a coach-load delivered to our monthly station dance we were all going out with GPO telephonists, and in the book I refer to these lively girls as ‘a rum lot’: they told us some great stories about listening into the rich and famous’s calls. I tell of a cracker about the lead singer of probably the most famous rock’n roll band in the world - still rolling today; stone me - which was dynamite at the time, but history proved it true – read all about it... The relationship with my telephonist Jill ‘wasn’t going anywhere’ after a couple of months and we were going out on what was to be, unknown to her, our last date when unfortunately we were involved in a car accident and ended up in hospital. We had told each other we were both 24 (I was 20), but as she was being attended to I saw her notes, and saw that she was actually 29! After the accident I went round with flowers and chocolates, but didn’t invite her out again and so we fizzled out. Fortunately in the book I started off by describing Jill as petite, dark and attractive - which she was - but I also described her as ‘staid’, still living with her parents. Ooh-er... Two weeks after the accident I met a red-haired raver called Raquel (no, not that Welch one, but similar…). After several passionate nights I went to ring her one morning from the call box on the station but had lost her number, so I rang Directory Enquiries. Unfortunately for me Jill answered, gave me the number and asked me to ring her back after my call, so we could ‘have a chat’. I couldn’t get the dialling tone back and after a little while a different female voice came on to ask me if I was having trouble, and what number was I trying to contact? She put me through and I had a very steamy conversation with Raquel, blissfully unaware our conversation was being listened to by half the exchange, 28
including Jill. I found out later via a mate who was going out with another in their gang, that they’d all had a good laugh at my expense! Now reunited back at Waterstones, fourscore years and two on, Jill’s rather acid opening gambit to me was ‘I bet you don’t remember this “old maid”, do you John? – you know, the “staid” one, “still living with her Mum and Dad”.’ ‘Of course I remember you, Jill - how are you? You’ve hardly changed a bit!’ I gushed, smiling and giving her a peck on the cheek. The temperature was still on frosty: ‘This is my husband, David’. I turned to look at a large forbidding-looking man, arms folded, gazing intently at me, but we shook hands civilly. Jill and I chatted warily for a few minutes about old times, and soon she began to thaw out: we even laughed about one or two instances, exchanging old friends’ names, playing the ‘where are they now?’ game. After about five minutes (mercifully) someone else joined the mini-queue. Jill asked me, quite sweetly by now if I would sign her book, adding ‘ and would you write something nice, please John?’ So I wrote ‘How lovely to see you again after all these years, Jill! All my very best wishes for the future!’, and signed it: so we all (three) parted on ‘relatively’ good terms – phew! Call me naive, but I just didn’t expect my past to be catching up with me like that when I wrote the book: but I’m learning! Oh, and last week I had another similar experience, although by e mail this time: equally as riveting though – maybe I’ll tell you about it next month?
* Stop press - now over 350 copies sold! * If you like John’s reminiscences of his RAF (and very social!) life in the late sixties and early seventies, his very entertaining book ‘Fairy Tales of an SAC’ is easily obtained by ordering by credit card directly from Woodfield Publishing on 0044 1243 821234 at £9.95, or you can simply pick up a copy here in Spain at Bookworld in The Habanares, or Bargain Books in Torrevieja, both at €9.95: John has a web site http:// johnmcgregor.110mb.com/ to find out more - you can even phone him on 600088341 and he will arrange a signed copy for you!
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La Marina Business Pages
Costa Blanca
Contact John McGregor If you want your La Marina business advertised here
600 088 341
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TIM Magazine™
La Vila hold their own against the mighty Agen La Vila made their home debut in the European
and two more tries were scored. La Vila hit back with a try from
Amlin Cup against Agen who are flying high in
James Knight and dominated the closing stages of the game. They
the French Top 14.
were unlucky not to gain another try by Jarrid Els. The standard of refereeing was much higher than the team is used to with advantage
After an incredibly tough first six minutes during
being played again and again allowing a free flowing game.
which Agen scored two unconverted tries, La Vila
Unfortunately Neil Chivers suffered a broken ankle just before the
settled into the game putting together a number
first half ended and will be out of the game for a few months.
of phases and Nick McCashin kicked a penalty bringing the score to 10-3 to the visitors. La Vila
Coach, Mark Hewitt, said ‘The step up in quality from the Spanish
found themselves up against a team that was physically much
League de Honour is a huge jump and La Vila managed to achieve
bigger than them with an average 10kg per man and had a difficult
some great play during periods of the game, although the massive
first half which ended in a score line of 25-3.
physical and technical advantage showed in the final score of 5010.The team will learn from this experience as we move on to
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After the break La Vila came out of the changing room and made
tackle Sale Sharks in Manchester on Friday, which is again another
some great passages of play. A few errors allowed Agen to capitalize
huge step up for La Vila.’
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Costa Blanca Quesada Focus
Page 6
Nr17 C/Los Arcos, Ciudad Quesada, Rojales, 03170, Alicante, (above howards GYM) Quesada Gold Centre Calle Caballero de Robas 35 Torrevieja.
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The Inland Magazine™
IS TIME RUNNING OUT FOR YOU? If you are non-resident and own Spanish property you do have owner’s tax liabilities which are due before December 31st of every year.Do not confuse Property Owner’s Imputed Income Tax with Municipal IBI Taxes, (which could be thought of as a UK equivalent of Council Tax) collected by SUMA in the Alicante province, All non-residents should be paying their annual Property Owner’s tax to the AEAT Spanish tax office or still sometimes known by its old name Hacienda. Although it is no longer obligatory to have a financial representative, unless you engage in other financial activities in Spain, it is advisable to appoint a tax expert to ensure that you annually pay the correct amount of tax. The good news is the actual amounts due are fairly reasonable and are calculated on the valor catastral (rateable value) which is shown on the SUMA bill as it is also the basis for that tax as well. If your property is so new that the SUMA bills have not started to arrive (they will!) then the escritura value is used. Of course it is easy to ‘conveniently’ forget or claim that you do not understand but these outstanding taxes will accrue with added fines for late payment. Complications will also arise if you decide to sell the property and could mean your sale fails to complete. The AEAT must also be kept informed of your Spanish address. If they send out notifications which you fail to receive this could lead to either property or bank accounts being embargoed in lieu of outstanding tax liabilities. If non-resident property owners are earning a rental income from their property then this also necessitates different taxes being paid and again it is wise to appoint a professional to deal with this more complex issue. Non-residents do not get the tax advantages that fiscal residents benefit from. This is not to penalise non-residents, but because the system is geared to provide the most benefits for the tax payer in the country in which they are fiscally resident and have their main accommodation which is their ‘centre of economic interest.’ So if non-residents are regularly residing in Spain in excess of 183 days per year then it might be in their interest to become fiscally resident in Spain. Do not confuse applying for residency and obtaining the green form – Certificado de Registro de
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Ciudadano de La Union, with being fiscally resident. This means actually making a tax declaration in Spain and paying taxes or maybe even obtaining a tax refund as well as other taxation benefits of being Spanish fiscally resident. Depending upon individual circumstances this can be a complicated decision to make and understand. So professional expert advice is essential to ensure that you are living within the law and gain any tax benefits to which you are legally entitled. We are aware of all government’s current financial difficulties so it is not difficult to understand that they are exchanging information to ensure as much tax income is generated as is possible. The Spanish government is analyzing data supplied by Iberdrola to see which properties are consuming power, who owns them and if they are declaring for tax. Many EU countries, including the UK, have double taxation treaties meaning that you do not have to pay in both countries. The British are very fortunate in that if they take up fiscal residency in Spain and make annual Spanish tax declarations then they do not have to declare and pay tax in the UK. There are exceptions including civil servants and again expert advice should be taken. Taxation can be a very complex issue and is subject to frequent amendments meaning it is sometimes difficult to keep up to date with the system. Added to which the language barriers mean that for many this is a potential minefield. The easiest solution is to appoint professional advisers and then be assured that your tax affairs are in good order. It is highly likely that they will save you money and take away the worry of dealing with complicated forms and visiting the tax office etc. I would like to again thank Pellicer and Heredia, see their advertisement on the front cover, for providing their expert assistance with this article. They have just opened another office in Pinoso and along with their other offices throughout our region offer a professional taxation and legal service and have already helped many TIM readers. Why not contact them now, they speak English and have the solutions for all Expats taxation situations for both residents and non-residents. Their contact details are on the front cover.
Words by Rob Innis http://www.robinnis.wordpress.com
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TIM Magazine™
“ Get on yer bike.” Monthly cycling tips / advice and routes.
the company-----building bridges i went along to the little theatre at the manor house in paredon for the first night of the companys production of building bridges.
by Gary and Lynn “Cyclogical” Quesada.
Cycle Route 16.
Quesada to Torremendo / Torreaguera and San Javier. This was a really long ride and we had all been looking forward to it. It was our last all day trip of the year and we enjoyed some fantastic scenery that you just do not appreciate when in a car. We left Quesada on a lovely morning having met at the shop at 10am (10 of us, 5 couples) and headed to Los Montesinos. Passing through the high street we picked up the Vistabella road and after 2 roundabouts turned right and cycled up and over the AP7 then turned left onto the canal that we followed all the way to the pumping station just passed Entre Naranjos, then turned right. We cycled up the hill and onto a dirt track that takes you right into the car park of the Fortaleza restaurant where we had our first coffee of the day. We then turned right and first left heading for the reservoir La Pedrera and followed this road to the first junction where we turned left and after 100metres turned right, signposted Torreaguera. This was a beautifully picturesque route and we followed the road for about 11kms until we came to a roundabout where we went straight across and headed for Sucina. We picked up the blue cycle track and followed it all the way past Canada de San Pedro where we stopped for refreshments. We then continued along the blue track passing Sucina and El Mirador and on into San Javier and Santiago de la Ribera where we cycled along the sea front and stopped for lunch. After lunch we cycled along the coast road through San Pedro and El Mojon towards Pilar de la Horadada where we took the new cycle track that runs alongside the N332. We followed this track all the way to the hospital at Torrevieja, through the town, and picked up the old railway line cycle track which runs all the way back to Los Montesinos where we turned right and cycled on the track back to Quesada. We arrived back about 6pm, found a nice restaurant and settled down for supper and to discuss the days events. We had a great cycle and it was probably the best one that we have done all year, certainly the longest for most of us. Well done Team Cyclogical! Lynn and I would like to wish all of our customers and friends a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and we hope that Santa brings you some exciting cycle accessories or even a new bike!
the theatre was full but the tiered seating made it easy so see what was happening on stage. i dont think anyone expected to see the cast actually building a bridge(or more acurately, a boardwalk) on stage but they did and did it well i immagine it must have been difficult for them to remember their lines and build the boardwalk at the same time so well done. all the cast performed very well and the characters were both funny and believable. the little twist at the end of the play took everyone by suprise i think. i enjoyed the whole evening and mustnt finish without mentioning the wonderful scenery. my congratulations to the company for a lovely evenings entertainment, i shall certainly be going to their next production Celia Entwhistle
The Royal British Legion Pinoso Branch The Royal British Legion in Spain, Pinoso Branch, Service of Remembrance Pictured are members of the Pinoso Branch of the RBL walking behind the Unión Lírica Pinosense on their way to the Parochial Church of St. Peter in Pinoso.
Total Distance: Approx 110 kms. Time: Allow 8 hours. All Routes are now available cyclogicalcostablanca.com.
from
our
website:
www.
Gary and Lynn are available at Cyclogical in Quesada, Monday to Friday9-30am till 5-30pm and from 10am till 2pm on Saturdays to assist and advise you on all your cycling requirements, including route maps
The Pinoso Branch of the Royal British Legion held its second Service of Remembrance at the Parochial Church of St. Peter in Pinoso on Sunday 13 November 2011. The service was again a great success with both a Spanish and British congregation. Afterwards members of the Royal British Legion and their guests, together with local dignitaries and the priest who conducted the service, Father Manuel Llopis, enjoyed a lunch at the nearby El Timon restaurant. The Pinoso branch of the Royal British Legion in Spain holds meetings on the last Tuesday of every month at La Blanca Paloma restaurant just outside Pinoso. New members are always welcome. For more details, please contact: Ann Booth, Branch Secretary. Email: annbooth46@hotmail.co.uk; Tel: (0034) 686 696 365.
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Going Out
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The Inland Magazine™
CHOCOLATE IS A SUPER-FOOD!! Just the word is nice to say; CHO...O...L...A.T.E.......it rolls of your tongue indulgently, but what actually is it and why is it good for you?
CHOCOLATE- THEOBROMA CACAO is made from the cacao bean. This is inside a pod which believe it or not grows on tress. The beans are sorted and then crushed in a mill, next they are roasted which and mixed with liquid coca mass ( the white bit that surrounds the cacao beans) this silky liquid is sweetened and turns into to that delicious goo we call chocolate. Chocolates dark past... Chocolate is known the world-over as the ‘feel-good’ food, a therapeutic and ancient whole food and an indulgent treat. But what are the true origins of this culinary versatile delight? For sure it’s been around for centuries but it’s come a long way from the chocolate Mars bar we see on a shop shelves today. The history of chocolate chequered past starts in the new world .It’s known that the Aztecs and Mayans created a drink made from the beans of the cacao tree. They called the beverage cocoatl. In 1528, the conquering Spanish brought the concoction known as chocolate (choco-LAH-tay) back to Spain. In 1615, chocolat (sho-co-LAH) debuted at a royal wedding in France. From there, it made its way to England in 1662 as chocolata. The first chocolate house was opened in London in 1657. Chocolate cost 10-15 shillings per pound and was considered a beverage for the elite class. Chocolate is a super-food! This humble cacao been that is the origin of what we know as chocolate is grown in Ecuador, Brazil, Mexico Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru and The West African countries of cote de ivory and Ghana. All of these cultures a have been using chocolate for medicinal means for a long while like moisturizing skin with cacao butter cream, Chocolate contains powerful antioxidants called flavonoids, as well as some magnesium. These nutrients may help lower blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. So chocolate is what Nutritionist call a super-food. Raw chocolate is highest in anti-oxidants but dark chocolate is the most nutritious common form of chocolate. Compared with milk chocolate, it contains more than double the amount of heart-healthy flavonoids. Milk chocolate has another strike against it: The added milk it contains may reduce the body’s ability to absorb the beneficial flavonoids. To enjoy the delicious taste of chocolate and receive the benefits of flavonoids, choose a dark-chocolate variety that contains at least 70 percent cacao, or cocoa. The dark chocolate also serves as a powerhouse of antioxidants. It reduces blood pressure. Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants It helps in the proper functioning of your cardiovascular system It increases the appetite. It helps in reducing weight It can help in curing several diseases like heart disorders and cancer. Dark chocolates help the brain to release endorphins, which help in mood elevation and also remove headaches. It is also a good remedy for treating depression. People undergoing through the treatment of high blood sugar can also have dark chocolate as it is beneficial for diabetes. A sweet goodbye from the Nutri Fit Food Coach- Lucie Perkins. 36
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TIM Magazine™
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TIM Magazine™
KITCHEN E UROPEAN
Ponche Navideño
PREPARATION
PLACE the nutmeg pods in a cloth napkin and break them into pieces with a hammer or other blunt object. Combine the nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon in a large stainless steel saucepan over medium heat. Toast the spices until aromatic, about 5 minutes. Add the juices and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the mixture is reduced by one-third, about 30 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and strain the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer or chinois into a container large enough to hold all of the punch. Discard the spices.
Add the wine, Cognac, and rum, and stir well. Add the simple syrup 1 cup at a time until the tannins are tamed. Add the orange slices, cover the container, and place in the refrigerator to chill. To serve, transfer the mixture to a large glass punch bowl with a ladle. Serve the ice on the side.
INGREDIENTS 3 whole nutmeg pods
Spanish red wine
3 tablespoons whole
1 (750 ml) bottle Cognac
allspice berries
1 (750 ml) bottle dark
3 (3-inch) cinnamon
rum
sticks, broken into
1 to 5 cups simple syrup
pieces
to taste
2 quarts orange juice
10 oranges, sliced into
2 quarts pineapple juice
wedges
12 (750 ml) bottles
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The Inland Magazine™
Something’s Fishy Expatriates, visitors and locals to Spain take pleasure in the
country’s rich and varied seafood offerings. Might many of them be surprised to discover that a significant amount of the oceanic edibles consumed on the Iberian Peninsula come from distant places such as the British Isles, Scandinavia, North and South America, Africa and India? Following an unhurried Sunday lunch, my Andalusian suegros were a bit taken aback to read Origen: Escocia printed on the box containing the Norwegian lobsters they had just bought from their local fishmonger’s. What Spaniard would have dreamt that her succulent cigalas come from the icy shores of the British Isles? Expatriates and foreigners who are familiar with Spain likely know that the Spanish dictum of “all the fish and shellfish we eat are from Spanish coasts” has taken on the status of unquestionable verity. Pressed a tad more, it isn’t uncommon to hear a Spaniard say, “Bueno, si no es de España, tiene que ser de Marruecos.” To which statement is often quickly added, “Los mariscos son muy buenos en Marruecos también, eh, eh.” So were my suegros’ British cigalas a mere anomaly, outlier crustaceans that hardly ever show their offensive shell in the all hecho en España Spanish seafood market? Or does a true misconception about the origin of some of Spain’s seafood exist?
At the Supermarket Seafood Counter As Mercadona, the Valencia-based company, is the largest supermarket chain in Spain, I decided to pay a visit to its seafood counter in search of native fish and shellfish. Mercadona helpfully posts a diminutive placard next to all its seafood products which indicates the products’ origin. Since the sole had good color and clear eyes, I peered more closely at the adjacent sign; it read: Zona de Captura: Atlántico Nordeste / Puerto de Desembarco: Holanda. But sole isn’t as commonly eaten in Spain as other fish, and it
thrives in colder waters such as those of the North Sea. Foreign sole, therefore, is quite explicable and not shocking. Next, my glance fell upon the sea bass, whose sign indicated that it was fished in Greece. This is likely another pardonable offense as Greece is the world’s largest exporter of sea bass. And perhaps because Greece is a Mediterranean country with a celebrated cuisine of its own, Spaniards may accept the Greek fish as “bueno también, eh, eh.” Yet I was determined to find fish and shellfish from Spain. Turning towards the mussels, I was nearly certain they’d be from Spain. True: the sign said, “Producto de Galicia.” Those mariscos are succulent indeed from Galicia, and mussels are, of course, regularly found on Spanish supper tables. Like the mussels, I was also pretty sure that the prawns and jumbo shrimp would come from Spanish coasts. But no! The stickers shouted, “Producto de Colombia!” and “Producto de Argentina!” How could the exalted gambas originate from anywhere else but España? I immediately asked for the store manager, but he coyly suggested that I contact Mercadona’s department of “relaciones de externas,” promising me that they would be happy to “informar.” As I entered my flat, escaping the caustic Iberian sunrays, all I could hear was my suegro’s eternal admonishment, “Oye, las gambas de aquí son muy buenas, eh, eh.” Nevertheless, as instructed, I sent an e-mail to Mercadona’s customer service department, asking why approximately half the fish and shellfish in their store did not hail from Spain. In less than an hour’s time, I received a phone call from Lucia Rivas, a representative of Mercadona. In a defensively inquiring tone, Ms. Rivas provided an unclear answer: “Our products follow normas comerciales, intereses de empresa, and motivos de empresa.” Before I had a chance to respond, she quickly asked, “Why does it concern you?” Despite Ms. Rivas’ ambiguous reply, the fact that company as large and successful as Mercadona responded to my online enquiry so quickly is a testament to the importance given to seafood provenance. The French company Carrefour is the largest food retailer in Spain. It sells sporting goods, clothing, domestic merchandise, etc., in addition to groceries. Carrefour, like Mercadona, places signs along side of its fish and shellfish which display product source. But, different from Mercadona, Carrefour’s do not show the country of origin; rather, using the standards of the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), they simply indicate the part of the ocean or sea from which the product was extracted. FAO standards can be geographically vague. For example, the blue whitings’ sign said, “Atlántico Noreste,” whereas the cuttlefish and the baby squid were natives of the “Océano Índico.” And the sardines, a Spanish staple, hailed from the familiar “Mar Mediterráneo.” Cartographically confused, I went back home to write Carrefour.
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In two days, I got an e-mail from Carrefour Customer Service, in which they guaranteed that “el porcentaje de pescado extranjero en nuestra compañía es similar al de nuestros competidores.” And insofar as product origin, they were much more elucidating than Mercadona: “En cuanto al país de origen, Carrefour cumple la legislación vigente que dice que se debe indicar la zona FAO en el caso de la pesca extractiva y el país de origen en el caso de la Acuicultura.” So since all Carrefour’s signs show the FAO zone, not the country of origin, and Mercadona’s signs display the country of origin and the FAO zone, are all Carrefour’s seafood products wild caught and all Mercadona’s farm-raised, notwithstanding country of origin? It seems very improbable.
Visiting Local Fish Mongers’ in Search of Spanish Seafood Perhaps the big-box stores have corporatized, or at least, internationalized, their seafood products, which may leave small, mom-and-pop fish mongers’ as the only remaining places to find exclusively national fish and shellfish. Like Mercadona and Carrefour, local fishmongers’ containers and boxes nearly always display origin. But unlike larger retailers, they do not post signs which show the origin of their unpackaged vendibles. However, many fishmongers at local markets are willing to openly discuss product provenance. My neighborhood fishmonger, who wishes to remain anonymous, told me that, “Antes la mayoría del pescado y los mariscos venían de aquí [Spain], “pero ahora vienen de todas partes.” His prawns were from Ecuador, while the cod on display was Canadian-born. And although he did have white baby clams and hake from the Homeland, I once again eyed a box of those Norwegian lobsters from Scotland! The Fishy Numbers
seafood consumption can be satisfied by fish and shellfish from European Union waters, which means that far less than two-thirds of the seafood eaten in Spain is domestic! In other words, annually Spain devours its share of EU-caught and -raised marine victuals in four months! And in 2007, a study by the New Economics Foundation (NEF) and Ocean2012 calculated that Spain imported 764,351 tons of seafood from countries outside the EU. The numbers clearly demonstrate that from the verdant estuaries of Galicia to the russet plateaus of Castile-La Mancha, from the rocky shores of Catalonia’s Costa Brava to the breezy beaches of Andalusia, non-EU maritime comestibles are plentiful. Calling all Seafood Connoisseurs What lingers unknown is whether domestic products taste better than imported ones. Is the seafood’s flavor inversely related to the distance it travels to the table? I am uncertain, to say the least. But I’ve since had those cigalas británicas many a time with my Andalusian father-in-law and they’ve always been scrumptious. Does a seafood critic equivalent to Robert Parker, the most widely-known wine writer and taster in the world today and founder and editor of the übersuccessful The Wine Advocate newsletter, exist? I am not sure, but, since the seafood market in Spain is now more internationalized than ever before, there does seem to be logic behind the Spanish misconception about the origin of much of their deep-sea munchies. In fact, my father-in-law, who is in his 60s, has said that when he was a boy, there weren’t red bell peppers, “sólo los pimientos verdes.” As red bell peppers are so commonplace in today’s Spanish cuisine, it’s nearly impossible to consider food in Spain without them. In a globalized world of rapidly mixing cultures, I suppose even something as sacred as la comida española isn’t impervious to change.
Carrefour’s e-mail was honest and correct in saying that “el consumo de alimentos está cada vez más internacionalizado, y la demanda de ciertos productos excede la oferta nacional.” It is indeed a straightforward question of supply and demand: Spain’s demand for seafood exceeds its capacity to catch and farm certain fish and shellfish. According to a 7 May 2011 article in La Vanguardia newspaper, “España Agota sus Reservas Pesqueras,” just a third of Spain’s domestic
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by Jeff Brodsky
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The Inland Magazine™
The food you are eating may be fine but research shows that average portion sizes have increased by up to 50% over the last thirty years so if you are struggling to lose weight it could just be that you are eating too much.
The fix: Use the guide below and reduce the size of your meals and snacks by 15-20%. You’ll be amazed how such a small and simple change can make such a big impact on your waistline. 2 cupped handfuls = a serving of milk, yogurt, lettuce or green leafy veg. 1 cupped handful – a serving of cooked pasta, rice, breakfast cereal, couscous, bulgur wheat, beans, pulses, fruit or vegetables The size of your hand = a serving of bread The size of your palm = a serving of meat, chicken, fish, poultry or cottage cheese, The size of a clenched fist = a serving of potatoes, bread The size of 2 fingers (index and middle) = nuts and seeds, hard cheese The size of the tip of your thumb = margarine.
Mistake 2: Skipping breakfast Breakfast eaters are invariably thinner and healthier than breakfast skippers. This is because missing breakfast cheats you of a great opportunity to bank a whole host of important nutrients and causes blood sugars to plummet increasing the likelihood of overeating throughout the rest of the day.
The fix: If you can’t face the idea of eating first thing, try stimulating your appetite by getting up a little earlier and going for a run, do a few minutes yoga or just take a brisk walk around the block. Research from Kansas University shows that people who exercise before breakfast not only burn more calories and experience better fat loss; they also automatically eat a healthier diet throughout the rest of the day. If lack of time is the main reason for skipping breakfast prepare something in advance that you can eat on the run such as a whole meal pitta spread with a little peanut butter or Tahiti paste, banana slices and honey, a tin or carton of fruit in natural juices or a home-made, whole meal fruit muffin or a fresh fruit smoothie in a flask. See part 2 in next month’s edition of TIM magazine. 46
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Four weight loss mistakes and how to avoid them!
Mistake 1: Ignoring portion size
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TIM Magazine™
Horoscopes
November 23rd - December 21st
Aries Intense emotions cause you to do something totally out of character. You might confess a crush on the object of your affection, or surprise your amour with an impromptu trip. Don’t be afraid to wear your heart on your sleeve. Lately, you’ve kept your feelings bottled inside, making you nervous and irritable. The only way to regain your sense of calm is to express yourself. If that’s not possible, make a few diary entries and put your thoughts into words
Leo You prefer to keep your own counsel, refusing to talk about your private life with all and sundry. That’s a rarity these days. It seems like everybody is eager to discuss their business, especially the most embarrassing details. While your discretion is admirable, it can get in the way of getting help. If a relative is struggling with emotional troubles or a substance abuse problem, be honest about it. Covering up the issue will only cause a lot of unfounded rumour.
Sagittarius Have the courage of your convictions when dealing with a troubling matter. You’re no good at keeping secrets, especially ones that are hurtful. If someone asks what is happening, be honest. Covering for a friend is making you miserable. Yes, your relationship with your confidante will suffer. Still, it wasn’t fair to expect you to keep quiet about such a toxic situation. The only way to fix this problem is to shed light on it. Don’t stay silent any longer.
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Taurus You’re having difficulty making a decision, but that’s nothing new. Still, you feel an added measure of pressure, because your family’s welfare is at stake. Be assured throwing money at a problem won’t make it disappear. You shouldn’t dig into savings to boost your ego or pursue a fanciful idea that looks likely to cost a packet. Finding extra help for a senior citizen will take some time. Look for a career who is kind, patient, and laid back.
Virgo
Gemini
Cancer
People know they can depend on you to handle an important job. You’re able to find quick solutions to stubborn problems. This comes as a real relief to your boss, who is already overburdened. Your willingness to take the initiative should result in extra pay. Take this opportunity to ask for a raise or bonus. Nobody can deny you’re a valuable asset. If you don’t get the money you want, start looking around for a new position that pays better.
Libra
Scorpio
Taking the helm of a volunteer organisation gives your spirits a much needed lift. You love stretching resources to help the greatest amount of people. You also have a knack for recruiting talented, capable workers. By assigning the right jobs to the right people, you’ll exceed your expectations. Don’t be surprised if you’re offered a salaried position as a result of this endeavour. Making money by helping others is like the answer to a prayer. You love being of service to others.
Your high standards make you a good leader; you won’t accept second best. Pushing your team to exceed their expectations will yield impressive results. At first, people will grumble at your exacting ways. Once they see how far they can go by using your methods, they’ll sing a different tune. You’re especially good at knowing just how to motivate individuals. Some need threats to get to work, while others require gentle praise. Adjust your methods accordingly.
Capricorn
Aquarius
Resist the urge to abandon a project at the first sign of trouble. Normally, you’re very good at completing jobs. This situation is a little different. Your peers are eager for you to join them on a pleasant outing. The lure of leaving work for play is strong. What you don’t realise is your reputation is at stake. If you prove you can withstand pressure with this assignment, you’ll be given bigger and better jobs. A little persistence will pay off handsomely.
Sometimes you have to pretend you’re confident, even though you’re unsure of yourself. People will be more willing to follow your lead if you look like you know what you’re doing. If you encounter insubordination, treat it with humour. Being able to laugh at jokes will increase people’s respect. It will also relieve a tense situation. Your methods are different from those of your predecessor, but that’s a good thing. You’re a much better judge of who will do the best job.
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This is a wonderful day to take a risk. Ask someone for a date, go on an audition, or enter a competition. You’re got a fire in your belly that is impossible to extinguish. Fortunately, you’re able to wrap your ambition in an attractive package. People are drawn to your sex appeal, and eager to wait on you. Go ahead and ask for favours and special treatment. The Universe is beaming helpful energy your way. Take advantage of all the opportunities you can grab
It’s important to obey your conscience in all things. Someone may try to tempt you to take the easy way out, but this will only tarnish your reputation. By demonstrating you don’t cut corners, you’ll win the confidence and respect of the public. That may seem like a minor consideration now, but it won’t in the near future. These days, it’s hard to find someone who always keeps their promises. You’ll notice a definite upsurge in business after taking the high road.
Pisces Your warmth, generosity, and humour make you a hot commodity on the romance market. If you’re single, you will meet someone special at a waterside retreat. Fortunately, you won’t have to make the first move. You have to admit, you love being courted. Are you already in a relationship? Let your partner pamper, pet, and praise you. Normally, you’re the one who is always waiting on your amour. Take this chance to exchange roles. You won’t be sorry.
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Build: 120 m2 Plot: 130 m2
Build: 30m2
€ 119,995
€ 33,000
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TIM Magazine™
Kramer goe s into an ele vator, looks this great b up and sees ig huge gu y standing e T al m h fe e a th b wi ig next to him guy sees th o’s living . e little guy sit her son John wh esn’t like the lo do o r A Mom comes to vi k he s ot s ta m d ’s r o in hn w Jo g n a. th a a an t n m h d Sa d im an says, “7 fe , roommate named , as he’s in college inch penis, et tall, 350 , ing with a woman ies liv rr n te lb so wo s r s ti r’s he , c he of 2 le ot ea 0 m s 3 lbs each id se his , Turner Br distractions. To ea doesn’t need any own”. . er nn di r fo y sta to r Kramer jus John invites he t fa ints dead a ’t help but way and fa floor. The l, his mother couldn ea m e lls to the th b of ig en se be ur d co ng u lo d d ha e e k Sh During the n s. eels down him to, by roommate wa ’s hn Jo ly ty a on et d n pr ha d s w lapping his brings notice ho e two and this face and sh tionship between th a k suspicious of a rela in H g e him. asks, “Are rious. you Ok?” made her more cu ract, tching the two inte In a very w e evening, while wa th eak voice K and of se hn ur Jo co n e ee th r tw be Ove e or m ramer says s wa but what did er if there nd ts, , “Excuse m wo gh ou to th ed ’s rt om sta m s y she hi o g u in ad ju e, Re e. s t say to me? met the ey I t an bu th s , e a at om y m M s om ” , ng ro ki “ T s in hi W h th e h ur b e yo ig n at wh I dude saw the cu “I know rious look face, I just John volunteered, e just roommates.” ar I d o an fi a n th g u an y m our r ed I’d give assure you, Sa the questio you the an r ve “E swers to ns everyon to John saying, e always as feet tall, w r, Samantha came find to k le s ab m un e en About a week late e . be ig “I’m 7 e h 350 lbs, came to dinner, I’v h ok it, a to v e m e sh y e a os te since your mother pp 2 s su 0 t ti inch penis, cles weigh tter jar. You don’ 3 lbs each, the silver peanut bu t I’ll email her, just bu it, t a ub n do d I , m ell y name is , “W Turner Bro do you?” John said w n .” to be sure.” Kramer said , “Oh Than d wrote: an wn do k God! I th t sa he So ought you said ‘Turn Around’ r, r butter ja ar Mothe De anut you ‘did’ take the pe I’m not saying that ‘did not’ take u not saying that yo at it has from my house, I’m ai the fact rem ns th t Bu r. ja r tte bu the peanut for dinner. since you were here been missing ever
A biker was riding along a California be suddenly the ach when sky clouded ab ove his head booming voic and, in a e, the Lord sa id, “Because TRIED to be fa you have ithful to me in all ways, I will one wish.” The grant you biker pulled ov Love, er and said, “B bridge to Hawai uild a i hn so I can ride ov Jo er anytime I w s hi an m t.” email fro The Lord said John received an r, te la ys , da “Y l ra ou ve r request is mat Se the enormous erialistic. Think : challenges for of Mother which read that kind of un The supports re dertaking. quired to reach the bottom of th The concrete e Pacific! and steel it w Dear Son, mantha, Sa th wi ep ou sle ld take! It will o’ ex ‘d haust several na you nearly th wi tu I’m not saying that ra ep l sle re t’ sources. I can hard for Me to that you ‘do no do it, but it is s ju wa st e if sh y and I’m not saying if yo at ur desire for wor Take a little mor e fact remains th ldly things. e time and thin Samantha. But th have found d ul wo k of something e sh d, be N W O r that could he in po g ssibly help man sleepin kind.” der her pillow... un r ja r tte bu ut an the pe The biker thou ght about it fo r a long time said, “Lord, I Finally he wish that I and Love, al l men could un our wives. I w derstand ant to know ho Mom w she feels in she’s thinking side, what when she give s me the silent why she cries, treatment, what she means when she says wrong, and ho nothing’s w I can make a woman truly ha ppy.” The Lord replie d, “You want two lanes or fo ur on that bridge?.”
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TIM Magazine™
Dog rescue Registered association no. CV-01-045701-A
Our 2012 calendar is on sale, priced 6 euros. Please support us in raising money for our desperate puppies and dogs. Contact us on: Phone: 659274573 Email: barneys.hope@gmail.com Web site: www.petsinspain.info
Vivace Mixed Choir and Phoenix Concert Band unite for Christmas Carols The Vivace Choir and the Phoenix Concert Band, both based in San Miguel de Salinas, are embarking on a new venture for this year’s Christmas Carols. The event which will take place on Friday 9th December at 7.30 p.m in the Parochial Church in San Miguel will give both the choir and band an opportunity to provide a varied programme with carols in both Spanish an English for the audience to join in. The choir is under the direction of Tom Pargeter who also plays trombone in the band. Ian vine directs the band and both the choir and band will perform items on their own as well as leading the community carols. This should be a most enjoyable evening, entrance is free and it is hoped that there will be much support from both the local people and those who live further afield.
In collaboration with San Miguel de Salinas Town Hall. Department of Culture. Looking ahead, Vivace Choir will be performing Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana in March.
Hondón Valley RBL
The Hondón Valley Branch of The Royal British Legion
The Branch are now putting the final touches to their Remembrance Service on llth November. It will be held in the Church at Hondón de los Frailes (in the pedestrian area) and everyone is asked to take their seats by 10.30 a.m. A lunch is available afterwards, and to book a meal, please ring our Secretary on 650 896 923 or email secretary. hondonvalley3577@gmail.com Branch meetings are normally held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month and new members are always welcome to come along. (December meeting on 13th ) www.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/hondon-valley 52
Paul Cunningham Nurses try to be there at the latter stages, free of charge, for any terminally ill patients. Already they have supported many patients and their families. This service needs a constant stream of funds and is supported by many fund raising events.
To help further raise the ongoing monies needed, there are now three Paul Cunningham Nurses charity shops Our team of nurses, carers and fundraisers are dedicated to working tirelessly. Many in the community have taken the Charity into their hearts and give generously, and not just money, as often just a little time can help a lot. Please help us continue helping more people spend their final days with dignity. If you would like to find out what you could do to help or find out more about the fund raising we do, please email: sueinthesun@hotmail. co.uk or call 639 318 526. Give a little - help a lot!
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The Inland Magazine™
Quick Fix for your Hair by Karen of Kazcuts
Volume In A Flash When your hair is flat and lifeless add body and volume by using a root lift spray on dry hair. Tip your head upside down and lift hair away from scalp, rubbing spray into the scalp in a circular motion. For even better results, blast the roots with a hair dryer as you do this, then spray the roots from a few inches away with a strong but lightweight hairspray, flip head back up and gently smooth into style.
Adios To Greasy Roots When you don’t have time to wash greasy hair, there are are a few tricks you can use to degrease. The cheapest is to sprinkle a little talcum powder onto the roots to soak up excess oil, don’t go too mad with the powder though or you will be left with a greyish tinge toyour hair!
Stop The Frizz When wavy or curly hair goes frizzy, it is usually due to humid weather conditions. There are many products on the market now to help combat this, usually in the form of creams or sprays, these put a coating on the hair which act like an umbrella. When dryness is the cause, use a serum on towel dried hair, then rub a tiny bit in from the mid lengths to ends once the hair is dry.
Covering Up Regrowth When your roots need doing, but you have no time to get them done, there are now a few products available on the market designed especially for this purpose, there is a powder that just washes out, and a pen that does the same. The colour choice is a bit limited, but you should be able to find one near enough to your colour to do the trick. A longer lasting solution is a colour specifically made to blend your re-growth into the existing colour, you just put it on your roots, leave for ten minutes, then wash off, giving you a few weeks grace before having to re colour.
Banish Bed Head If you look like Worzel Gummage every morning and you do not want to wash your hair every day, try sleeping on a satin pillow. Satin allows hair to glide across the pillow as opposed to cotton which creates more friction, disrupting the hair cuticles.
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Costa Blanca
THE artificial grass experts Artificial grass supplied & installed Complete garden design service Many different effects available Free site survey & quotation Patios/paths/planters/garden lights • 8 year guarantee • • • • •
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The Inland Magazine™
www.pcresolver.es Web Site
Design
UK TV on Internet 20 € (+iva) per hour Printer Ink - 50%
Websites designed from 200 € (incl. iva) Quality Hosting from 80 € (incl. iva) Computers Repaired and Upgraded; Sales; Training steve@pcresolver.es Sax, Alicante STEVE: 966 967 439 or 650 354 629
Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Qualified computer repairs Websites, Training & Advice
Covering Pinoso, Fortuna, Hondons, La Romana and all surrounding areas FREE computer clinics: Tue in “T” de Tapas, Pinoso (10am - 2pm) Thrs in The Casle Bar, Baños de Fortuna (1pm - 4pm)
Web: www.thepcdoctor.es email: david@thepcdoctor.es
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Costa Blanca
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TIM Magazine™
Hondon Valley Golf Society ROB BROWN WINS MATCHPLAY FINAL AT EL PLANTIO AS BOB BERRIMAN TAKES GOLD TO WIN AGAIN!
Rob Brown beat Paul Richards 2 and 1 to win the Matchplay Trophy. Giving Rob 11 shots was always going to be a difficult hurdle to overcome and so it proved. Paul fought back hard from being 4 down at one stage and started the Back Nine only 1 down. But Rob played some excellent golf, held his nerve and hit the ball a long way to become a worthy winner. Elsewhere on the course Bob Berriman coped well with the blustery conditions to win the Gold Section as Dave Tomlinson and Cliff Parkinson carded 33 and 23 points respectively to win Silver and Bronze. In readiness for a ten o’clock start, thirty members, including 3 new members and 2 guests assembled at a busy El Plantio for the November Stableford. The weather was set fair with plenty of sun about although it felt cooler in exposed parts of the course where the wind played its part. The course was in very good condition even though some areas had been recently re-seeded. The Caddymaster, Santiago, and the girls on the desk, especially Maria Carmen, were their usual helpful selves in making the HVGS very welcome and ensuring everyone enjoyed their day’s golf at this very popular venue. During the prize giving Captain John welcomed the three new members, Steve Ingerson, John Ainscough and Steve Munn. He also thanked guests Barry Smith and B Knowlton for supporting the golf day. He reminded members of the forthcoming AGM and the proposed amendment to the HVGS Constitution which will, if adopted, mean that, in future, the Captain’s year of office will start on January 1st following the AGM and cease on December 31st when the Vice Captain takes over as Captain. Therefore, subject to the members vote at the AGM, Graham Palmer will take over as Vice Captain from Geoff Rabey who will take over from John Wilkinson as Captain on 1st January 2012. There are only 7 tickets left for the Presentation Dinner Dance. Please contact The Chairman on 966180657 or 618636754 to reserve your ticket - only €15.00 for members and first guest; €20.00 for non members or second guest.
For information on how to join HVGS contact the Secretary, Jim Lynch, on 666 208 416 or email jamesandsue.lynch@ gmail.com . To reserve your place on the list for the Society Golf Days contact the Captain, Geoff Rabey, on 966 191 763 and 619 577 169 or e-mail him at rabbiofvillena@gmail.com
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Forthcom
ing HVG
Friday 2n
S Golf D
ays and O
ther Eve
nts
d Decemb er - La Fin Presentati ca Restau o n rant a n d Dinner (Featurin Dance 7.3 g the fabu 0 pm lous voic e of show man And y Jones) Tuesday 13th Dec Alicante: ember Meet 09.1 5 am in C lubhouse Tues Alenda: M day 10th January eet 09.15 am in Clu bhouse
Winners HVGS Stableford – El Plantio Golf – Tuesday 8th November2011 Rob BROWN Matchplay Winner 14 2 and 1 Bob BERRIMAN Gold Winner 13 29 Dave TOMLINSON Silver Winner 17 33 Cliff PARKINSON Bronze Winner 23 23 VOID Nearest the Pin 7th Bernard COX Nearest the Pin 9th VOID Nearest the Pin 14th Martin TAYLOR Nearest the Pin 18th Albert BAGGALEY Longest Drive 4th Bob BERRIMAN Hidden Partners 29 pts 56 Bernard COX Hidden Partners 27 pts Best Guest B KNOWLTON 17 26 Alan PEARSON Green Fee Refund George BROMLEY Football Scratchcard Aston Villa
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Trophy & Brandy 1 Ltr 501 Brandy 1 Ltr 501 Brandy 1 Ltr 501 Brandy Bottle Fundador Bottle Fundador Bottle Fundador Bottle Fundador Beer and Glass Set Bottle of Gin Bottle of Gin 2 Bottles of Wine €40.00 Cash €20.00 Cash
Costa Blanca
CAMPO GOLF SOCIETY The October meeting of the Campo GS was held at Altorreal with an excellent turn-out due to their very competitive prices and it is intended to make this a venue once every quarter. There was a very close finish with Brian Johnson winning on count-back from Doug Blair. On the question of handicaps, there still appears to be some confusion between members playing for HVGS and the Campo. A golf society can make its own rules regarding handicaps and even considering the close proximity of the two societies, it has not been possible to coordinate the two - not for the want of trying! As everyone knows, if you do not play in competitions, your handicap does not change. It is only when you play that your handicap changes in line with the rules of the particular society. Therefore, any golfer playing for 4 societies on the Costa Blanca, could have 4 different handicaps. As far as the Campo is concerned, all handicaps are logged on the computer and are updated only when you play. We are playing at Alicante on 16th December which will be a Texas Scramble with prizes followed by Christmas lunch.
RESULTS WINNER BRIAN JOHNSON SECOND DOUG BLAIR N/P 5TH DOUG BLAIR N/P 8TH J. AINSCOUGH N/P 17TH H. LAMBOO L/DRIVE 11TH MICK REEVES DATES FOR 2011 Jan 12th El Plantio €45 incl.buggy 1st Tee TBA GOLF BREAK TO BENIDORM The society is organising a 3-day golf break to the 4* Hotel Villatana in Benidorm for 20th March 2012. The cost is €155 for 3 nights B & B and 3-day’s golf. Can those interested please speak to Brian so he can add your name to the list. Transport will be arranged nearer the time. If this is successful, it is hoped that this could become an annual event. The Society would like to wish all members and the staff at TIM a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
CONTACT BRIAN ON 966 677 852/ 618 834 774 OR BARRY 965 480 716/686 374 717 IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES WHATSOEVER
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59
TIM Magazine™
Win a Pleasure Flight Courtesy of Sol Aero Simply answer the question below, fill in your details, cut out the coupon and send to T.I.M. Apartado de Correos 285 • 03630 SAX (Alicante) Question: What type of aircraft do Solaero fly? Answer.................................................................................. Name..................................................................................... Email Address......................................................................... Address.......................................................................... ....................................................................................... Your Contact Tel number.......................................................... Closing Date for entries is the 19th December 2011 TIM’s decision is final Weight and height restrictions apply.
BOXED TRADE ADVERTS
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Costa Blanca
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TIM Magazine™
MORE PROPERTIES NEEDED
Fixed fee with no upfront costs
Tel : 645746176 www.pinosovillas.com
Pitches will be on a first come first served,unless pre booked
We have clients out everyday
No new goods will be allowed for sale with exception of hand crafted products
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For further information Call English 661 145128 Spanish 618 331 523Pere ducompo
NURSING & RESIDENTIAL CARE OF THE ELDERLY. PLACES AVAILABLE NOW. REASONABLE RATES.
TEL 659401945 or 677804691
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House Clearance whole and part houses and garages cleared moving house? having a clearout!We will buy all unwanted items from furniture to single items including vehicles Removals large van and driver for hire on hourly rates,prompt professional service guaranteed for further information please call 661 145128
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Classifieds | Forums
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La Romana Village Community Car Boot Sale Central market la Romana On Sunday 18th December Sellers .7.30 am Buyers 9am
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Costa Blanca
CLASSIFIEDS BARGAINADS@YAHOO.ES
Sell it Fast Sell it For FREE! You can place your unwanted items in our Classifieds section FREE of charge up to the value of 500 euros. Simply text your unwanted items too 680 976823 or email them to bargainads@yahoo.es remember, no more than 25 words per item and no more than 3 items per household, and please always include what area you live in, we do not take FREE classifieds over the phone. Last day for Free ads is the 18th of the month
If you have an item for sale over 500 euros or if you have a commercial advert and would like them listed in the Classifieds section of the magazine, then call 606 891644.
Advertise Your Classifieds For FREE No Value Restrictions. Sell anything fast at www.timspain.com classifieds, its totally FREE. Sell you House/car/boat or what have you at www.timspain.com Send your small ads for print to BARGAINADS@YAHOO.ES
When sending through your items by email, please only send in normal size text. GENERAL FOR SALE; Golf clubs, Maxfli golf bag and collapsible trolley, umbrella and various accessories. Complete set includes; 5 wood, 3 wood, 1 wood, sand wedge, pitching wedge, 9 – 3 irons and 1 iron. All in excellent condition. Bad back forces reluctant sale – collection from Elche. 90€ TELEPHONE 650 594 112 FOR SALE; FENDER Squier right handed electric lead guitar, case, Squier SP-10 Amplifier, cabling and Squier digital quartz tuner. Collection from Elche. 75 € TELEPHONE 650 594 112 Quality push bikes, as new 60% off showroom price. Trek fuel ex6 610 euros. Trek 3900 210 euros, Trek 3700 110 euros few sizes available, bought for business that never started, helmets and accessories free with bike, also bike trailer 330kg, takes up to 13 bikes Tel Philip “Pinoso” 653 164 357 3+2 seater sofas both blue and beige material,with kick outs,good con 500euro/pine book unit 150-coffee table with draws 80 -tv corner unit 50.builders tools ranging from scaf-mixers-cutters,to many to print, call 695 427 300 more info.
GlowVista Skin Analyzer Mirror and travel case www. glow-essence.com. Instantly view sun damaged, dead, oily, dehydrated skin. As new. Cost 700E accept 350E. 639 523 618 (Torrevieja area). Indoor bird aviary on wheels, 6ft high 30 in wide, with perches 90 euros Tel 669 363 936 Pinoso For Sale Adults cycle very good condition 30euros Hondon 667 359 808 A.P.C. (made in the U.S.A.) 3k..w. 48v Pure Sine Wave Inverter/Battery Charger ideal for Computers and electronics etc . Bargain 250euros Villena area Tel 664 551 270 For sale; Philips DVD recorder to record tv programs as new; Euro 50,-AEG Espresso maker Euro 20, Vaillant Geyser with electr.ign. Euro 50,-Pine tv Corner Cabinet or desk h2.00xw1.10xd1.10 Euro 50,Aspe: tel. 628 029 279 Lauara Ashley 5 branch chandelier in antique gold, was 175 euros sell for 50 euros, I also have some other light fittings for sale, Call 669 547 068 Pinoso Woodburner with top oven H66cm, W46cm, D51cm 150 euros. Pinoso area 693 489 987
Antique office desk with front carving and chair. 250e. Office desk 80e. 6 white office chairs 35e. brochure display stands 25e each,Pool table light/ canopy. 90e. patio heater with bottle 60e. 3 tiffany lamps, bought from tiffany. dragonfly detail. large 80e, 2 smaller 40e each, Portable tv wall bracket. 10e. playstation 3 games 20e each, Hoover 20e. stainless steel freezer.commercial. 250e. Beer pump/cooler with 4 outlets for bar. 110e,Pub wooden table and 4 chairs 110e a set, several sets. Green plastic pub tables 15e each. Huge cooking pot. stainless steel 20e tel 965 698 052 Busot Micro lathe for metal turning,complete with a set of cutting tools. Speeds from 100/ 2000RPM . Never been used.€200 , Nutool 940 woodworkers lathe on stand. Cast Iron bed and swivel head to accommodate upto 16” dia blanks. Complete with all tools. €150. Tel. 965 562 534 Castalla. 2.4 Sat dish petal style, good working order complete with fllor stand and lnb can deliver 200 euros 639 234 048 Monovar 100 ltr elec wall heater-new still in box 70 euros. /big air compressor old style needs wheels replacing good for
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using with any air tools 50 euros/ single bed with nice pine headboard clean con 30 euro. tel- 695 427 300/966 967 947 after 6 oclock. Sax 2 freestanding electric oil radiators. 15 euros each o.n.o. Pinoso area 693 489 987 Full set off drums, 4 piece,hihat, 2x cymbals,16” crash and 20”ride, and stands. Excellent condition. €450. Black with chrome snare. Hondon de las Nieves.Mob. 619 937 237. Large metal dog cage 2 door fold flat W55cm L78cm H62cm - 39euros Small plastic animal transporter W36cm L62cm H33cm - 15euros Pinoso area 672 834 925 Sky plus box, with white viewing card 100 euros, playboy bunny shaped mirror, also 2x playboy cushions all 10 euros each, also spogebob and playboy sets of curtains and bedding to fit uk double bed 25 euros per set Villena 622 889 816 Brand new, unused, BBQ cover by Camping Gaz, size Large H 103cm x L 125cm x W 48cm. Bought wrong size in error, 20€. Tel Pinoso 666 102 127 For sale electrolux energica vacume cleaner upright glide along 1600 w super filtration no bags plus attachments as new 63
TIM Magazine™ 70.euros bargain., also voltor 2 stroke strimmer brand new & boxed v-2125p 25.cc 0.75 watt power 90 euros or 150 euros for both .tel 966 194 726 or 654 414 590 hondon frailes. For Sale :- ( Brand New & Boxed ) Astral Sena Pool Pump & Multi Port Filter Valve, includes connection fittings all documentation included, suitable for 10m x 5m Pools, 225 Euros / Lot Tel 678 490 861 (Hondon De Los Frailes) Bridgestone tyres 10R15lt 109 50 euros, 4 x radial tyres complete with wheels 31x10.50 109 Q 60 euros Villena 664 551 270 For Sale 1 x 26in tv plus stand, 1 x 20in tv, €100 for both tv sets. Sax area. 690 765 257. Generator petrol Fujiyama model F5GF-3H 5kw, new, unused. 485 euros. Available from 11 December as on holiday. Hondon Frailes Tel. 610 667 706 Jumpers. 2 mens colour navy with high collar zip. light wool. brand new. €4 each. tel 671 493 090 pinoso area Log Burner, 2 to 4 meters of pipe, excellent condition 325 euros Tel 680 483 482 Samsung tv 25 in screen gwo 40 euro ono, white bidet complete with taps and waste 15 euros Hondon 618 845 899 Woodburner fire insert, electric fan vgc 80x45x60 250 euros Tel 666 27 121 Hondon Solid Wooden Shed. 6ft 8inches square by 7ft 9 high. Very good condition. Buyer collects & dismantles. 150 euros,generator. Generac EG1200. Unleaded. Almost new. 75 euros,sony Car Stereo. Almost new. 50 euros,industrial Bouncy Castle. 350 euros,C.B. Radio 25 euros,pair of Iron Double Gates for Driveway 100 euros. Telephone 686 818 971 Sell all your unwanted items on the TIMSpain.com classified section. It’s free, why not try it! 64
SERVICES Crystal Clear Window Cleaning Service Telephone to arrange a free quotation!! Ed or Graham 618 200 657 or email kerryclark7@hotmail.com Do you need a Translator! Translator available for doctors/ hospital appointments etc in Sax, Villena and Elda areas, complete discretion assured, Call Samantha on 697 925 947
Spanish lessons at Bar Pepin, group or private from 5 euros per hour. Contact Adele on 667 858 434
Very nice man with a big white van, Removals, deliveries, pick up service, all jobs considered. Call now on 669 547 068
Joiner/Carpenter Fully qualified joiner. 35 years experience (12 in Spain), anything from a shelf to a new roof. All general repairs. Decking a speciality. Tel 966 182 839/662 048 869 or text 680 755 943 Hablamos tu lengua – We speak your language.
Translation/interpretation service. 10€ per hour. Need a translator/interpreter? Are you a translator/interpreter looking for more work? Please call 679548451
B. J. TOOL HIRE Macisvenda
You need it? We’ve got it! From Acrows to Wacker Plates Collection/Delivery available Repairs & Servicing to most types of tools. Chain Saws re-sharpened.
650 763 177 or 636 286 841
benandjanebennett@gmail.com
SORRY TO HEAR YOU’RE LEAVING SPAIN! WE BUY MOST MAKES AND MODELS OF SPANISH & UK REGISTERED CARS ALL LEGAL PAPERWORK COMPLETED. CALL US TODAY! 965 368 274 VENUS CARS S.L TORREMENDO (See our main ad.)
CASH CASH
CASH Large van leaving Spain to the UK and UK to Spain every month. space available both ways, very reliable Tel or 690 818 090, UK mob: 07504 927034 email: v.webster@yahoo.co.uk
We pay INSTANT CASH for ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING. Cars, Vans, Bikes, Quads, Caravans, Power Tools, Garden Furniture ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING!!!!!
From 1€ - €10.000 Same day collection Ring Phil Now 607 848 332 Lee 663 673 143 FORTUNA
Nissan Vanette Cargo, 2003, 2.3 diesel, tinted back windows, 5seater, 6 doors, itv, suma paid 2,800 euros Tel 695 427 300
UK CHIMNEY SWEEP
based in FORTUNA Murcia. Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps qualified. For more info. Tel 868027019/677107977 or sweep@chimneydoc.co.uk www.chimneydoc co.uk
VEHICLES
CRAFTSMEN & DESIGN SERVICES 35 yrs unique skill base all work licensed and guarenteed specialising in
“Bargain Seat Ibiza. 2002. Spanish reg. LHD. A/C, CD/ Radio, 5 door. ITV’d until Nov 2012. Genuine reason for sale. 2150 euros ono.Tel: 636 167 650 or email claro_steve@ yahoo.co.uk for more info & photos
* plastering internal/ external wall covering *stone masonry / brick & block work *plumbing, painting& decorating
2nd hand cars bought and sold Tel 691 260 502
Free estimates help & advise Tel :966180636 or 620543155 e mail: craftsmendesign@ hotmail.com
Avon representatives required. Be your own boss, earn good commission and have fun! Call Jacqueline 679 548 451
JOBS
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Costa Blanca ENTERTAINMENT Auction every 2nd and last Wednesday at bar central in Barbaroja starts 2pm, good food/ great atmosphere Call for info 636 456 139 EG Disco and Karaoke, available for private parties, functions, bars, special occasions. From 70€ for a night of entertainment!! Also outside catering available from 5€ pp!! tel 618 200 657 or email grahamclarklfc@hotmail.com for more info!!
Wanted 2 old style wooden beams 5mtr length 15”-16” diameter, in a good condition. tel 671 493 090 Pinoso area Wanted, I am looking to buy a treadmill/walking machine Tel Robert 660 760923
PROPERTY SALE Inland Properties Town houses from 65,000e, 3 bedrooms,2 bathrooms Villas from 105,000e
Bored enthusiast looking for classic scooter ( Lambretta or vespa ) or motorbike project. May even consider classic car project . Ring Roy on 634 656 075 Castalla
Also large selection of Coastal properties
Wanted fridge/freezer tel. 671 839 685
Phone 0034 617 987 859 email ardnahomes@live.com
WANTED
Wanted to purchase, Toshiba Dvd/ Vhs recorder, model dvr17 Call 665 116 692
Automatic car. Picasso or Citroen 3 style. Must be high for easy access. Price depends on age/condition 696 209 567
Wanted - Wrought iron/metal garden gate. 90 cms wide and about 1.5m high. Sax area. Tel: 636 167 650.
Land with water and electric from 35,000e all totally legal
properties required!
WE CAN SELL YOUR PROPERTY
CALL US NOW 645 746 176 NO UPFRONT COSTS AND A FIXED FEE
Want to sell your Spanish country house? Fabfincas Estate Agency is looking for country houses for sale for up to 150,000 euros in the following areas. Sax, Salinas, Villena, Biar, Caudete, Pinoso, Onil, Elda, Petrer, Castalla and Monovar. We have clients looking in these areas at houses in this price range. For more information, please call Steve or Claire on 965 474 314, 675 218 436 or email fabfincas@ gmail.com
ADVERTISING ACROSS EUROPE
Country properties wanted under 150,000 euros in and around Sax/Salinas/ Pinoso/ Villena/ Caudete and the surrounding areas Call Isa on 615 984745 or 966 153425 Wanted all types of household items, electrical/ power tools/ ladders and almost anything WHY! Call 671 251332 don’t delay get cash today. Wanted experienced plumbers to work on and fit all types of central heating, not gas. For more information, please Contact Steve on 650 464 166
BIG CLIENT WAITING LIST
CONGRATULATIONS
ZUMBA! The worlds fastest growing fitness programme inspired by both Latin & International dance. Classes in Sax & surrounding areas. Call Tina 659 422 501
Pinoso Vineyard Christian Fellowship Traditional Christmas Carol Service Thursday 15th December 7pm. Followed by mince pies and mulled wine. c/veintiocho de marzo 20, Pinoso Tel 965478253/679 548 451
Veronica a happy 60th birthday for Dec 1st Lots of Love Pat and Mark Veronica, its a good age,” I will not say how old” but you get lots of things for nothing, and everyone thinks you look good for your age, so enjoy it and the years to come. Happy Birthday Lesley and Steve
Tell us what you want!
I buy fridges / washing machines / furniture /electricals / tools/ bikes, ! Anything! Get cash call Sue on 636 456 139
EVENTS
A very happy 60th birthday for Veronica in Sax from Shane
Wishing Veronica Sutton-Rowe a very happy 60th Birthday for the 1st of December from her loving husband David have a wonderful day darling.
TRAVEL Special Christmas Offer. Driving to or from the UK? English guest house in France. Bed, Breakfast and Evening Meal for two, only 50 euros! www.millefleursbb.co.uk or 0033 562331962 PETS Claire Crofts - Mobile Dog Grooming - Tel 649 280 204 4 beautiful peach faced lovebirds 14€ each, also my young cockatiel 30€.Selling due to illness. Well below shop prices. Hondon Tel: 966 192 581 YORKSHIRE TERRIER Puppies and young adults looking for kind, loving homes. Male and female. Sweet, loving temperaments. Please call 650 757 622. Fortuna
Very Happy 60th Birthday wish to Veronica Sutton Rowe from Ken and Cindy Gibbons Pert To my mum Veronica SuttonRowe a very happy 60th Birthday for the 1st December hope you has a lovely day lots of love Brooke Michael and two grankids Hayden and Oakley miss you loads xxxxxx HAPPY 60TH VERONICA, HAVE A GREAT DAY........... VAL AND RICHARD
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Need help with Yorkshire family history? No charge until anything found and then any contribution to Crevillente cereco adoptiones for dogs. email objoypet@gmail.com tel 966 181 213 mob 646 671 467 65
TIM Magazine™ Bengalese finches, cocks and hens 3 euros each Tibi 664 753231
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Inland Property Specialists
PROPERTY RENTALS
Are you house hunting/ or looking for a relaxing Holliday 30 minutes inland from the coast and 25 mins from Alicante Airport in the real Spain! Long and Short lets available, fabolous road connections to all parts of Spain. Golf Couse 15 mins drive away.Two beds, two bathrooms, American kitchen/ dinner, Sky tv, Air con, use of pool and jaccuzi, beautifull views, great for walking or cyclists. Sax area call 638 026 230 for more info and prices.
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new year, new career, start your own business! Supply of good Key holding - from 50€ pa quality electronic cigarettes Pool maintenance - from 30€ pcm Garden Maintenance - from 10€ pcm for sale, good repeat business! Lack of time to run business Cleaning Services forces sale, for more info tel. Documentation 965 978 768 or 630 681 408
Sales, Rentals & Management
NIE, Residencia, Car re-registration, Driving licences, Change of car ownership, Padron, SIP card etc.
Low Prices Guaranteed 966180624 / 630976105
info@countryfincas.com www.countryfincas.com
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Send your small before the 18th of each month to: BARGAINADS@YAHOO.ES
Costa Blanca
Winging it!
Cut out and get 15% off!!
A View from the pilot’s seat By Chris Pickles. (Sol-aero Flyers)
As this is the Christmas edition we think we deserve an unashamed plug! So, we´d like to remind you that we offer vouchers for trial lessons, and pleasure flights. The perfect Christmas gift for your loved ones, and we try to make the flight a truly memorable, and fully hands on experience. The price is 120€ per hour with a minimum half hour, although you may split the time you purchase between several people (within reason).Vouchers can be e-mailed or collected from the Manor House bar at Pinoso. Present the above sample for a 15% discount!! OK…A couple of 2011 awards. The “Pretentious Pratt” trophy goes to the guy who arrived at a local airfield dressed in full airline captain uniform, climbed into a crappy Cessna 152, and bounced it down the runway on three successively appalling take offs and landings! Thank you Captain Kangaroo….! I would have laughed with everyone else, but why, oh why, did you have to be English!! This sport is awash with egotistical posers. So, redressing the balance, the “Howling mad Murdoch “ award goes to the maverick pilot who had this exchange with air traffic control last month.
Aircraft:- Eastern 702 switching to departure on 124.7 advise that there is some sort of dead animal on the end of the runway. ATC:- 702 copy that. Have you notified your caterers?!! Having said all summer how good autumn flying is, it´s been an awful month, with a string of low pressure systems from the Atlantic bringing wind, rain, and the dreaded fog. Thanks to all our clients for your patience with the inevitable delays and postponements. Let´s hope for a better December! We are flying between Christmas and New Year, and hope to see you soon. To all our customers past and present, have a great Christmas, and a happy new year. Until next year, Chocks away!
Sorry about the F in fog…..! (The old ones are the best!)
Unknown Pilot (on radio):- I´m flippn bored! Controller:- Pilot using inappropriate language on air-band!…. identify yourself!…say your call-sign sir!! Pilot:- I said I was flippin bored, not flippin stupid!! As a flying instructor I must say that such conduct is unacceptable, irresponsible, and not funny……except, it is! I bet he´s a brilliant pilot rejected by the airlines for the wrong accent! Deliberate radio abuse aside, communication cock-ups between aircraft and ATC are often hilarious. Here´s a corker…..! Pilot:- Denver tower, November 7128….I´m out of fuel. ATC:- November 7128… roger…adopt your best glide speed, close the fuel lines, and try to find a forced landing area.... squalk 7700…. mayday declared…. what is your position? Pilot:- Errm… next to the Beech Baron in the parking area… ..I need fuel…can you call me a fuel truck? ATC:- Jeeezuz! Sir, you are a fuel truck!! All stations cancel mayday! And a Kebab classic from Turkey…….!
For more information call Chris / Janet 609 685 132 / 966 195 508 or see our main advert. (above)
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