The Almeria Focus - December 2018 by The Almeria Focus

Introduction & Contents

elcome to the Almería Focus Magazine and really useful A-Z Directory for the Levante area, with more than 2000 entries and contact numbers! View it online at www.almeriafocus.com. The Focus is free every month and distributed from Mojácar to San Juan de los Terroros on the coast and inland as far as Albox and Huércal Overa.

Contents Christmas Time! ...............................................................…...10 In the News ........…................…………................................…….12 Register to Vote .........................................................................50 So Now You Know ............................................................................52 Surprise Holiday Destinations ...............................................54 Catch 22 for Young People ........................................................56 Going to the Pub ...............................................................................58 Petrol, Diesel & Hybrid Cars ..........................................................60 Photographing Food ...................................................................62 Useful Numbers ................................................................63 A-Z Directory ……………….......……................................................66 Community News ............................................................................111 What’s On ..................................................................................113 Activities, Clubs and Associations ........................................119 Your Stars …..........…………......……........................................…123 Jokes of the Month ………………............................................124 Coffee Break …………………….............................................…126 For general enquiries, call Clare on 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com For advertising enquiries, call Rob on 619 833 041.

The copy deadline for the February issue is January 18th

www.almeriafocus.com The Almería Focus is an independent publication produced and printed in Almería. We cannot be responsible for claims made by advertisers, nor errors in advertisements caused by poor quality submissions. Neither are we responsible for any loss or damage resulting from any error, inaccuracy or non-appearance of an advert. The purchase of advertising space does not give the advertiser ownership of any advert, unless supplied to us as finished artwork or via a design agency. Adverts designed by the Almeria Focus Layout Department, including its photos, logos and specialised fonts remain the property of the Almería Focus magazine and cannot be scanned, partially or fully reproduced, or proofs supplied to other publications. Action will be taken against persons, companies, publishers, printers or distributors who infringe this copyright. Deposito Legal: AL-956-2008 Nº 105

Christmas Time!

ain is very good for filling up reservoirs that provide electricity from hydro-electric dams, but extreme rainfall can be very dangerous. In the middle of November, Garrucha suffered badly on market day with the market having to be abandoned. We comment on this in our “In the News” section. December and January is the period when nonSpanish EU citizens can sign up to vote in the municipal elections next May 26th. We explain why this is important in an article and our advice is that this is done as soon as possible.

to come back to their family home. The vast majority of Spanish restaurants will consequently be closed in the evening but re-open on Christmas Day (Natividad del Señor) which is a national fiesta day, and in the past Spanish children only received a token present. December 31st, New Year’s Eve (Noche Vieja), is when twelve grapes are eaten at midnight, one on every stroke of the famous clock in the main square in the centre of Madrid, always shown on Spanish television, followed by a national fiesta on Tuesday, January 1st. Puerto del Sol, Madrid, at New Year

Cultural events in the run up to Christmas and in the New Year are often aimed at families and children. We list various events of this type in our “What’s On” section. Thursday, December 6th is a national fiesta, Día de la Constitución, commemorating the written Spanish constitution being signed on this day in 1978. Last year there was a major show of solidarity by politicians in Madrid because of the independence bid in Catalonia, and the problems there are still not resolved. The large event in Madrid is liable to be well supported this year as well, and the Spanish King Felipe VI and Queen Leticia review a ceremonial parade of the Spanish military and police forces. Events take place in other main cities, and lesser ones at town halls. Saturday, December 8th is a religious national fiesta relating to the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and is another day when official offices will be shut. If people take Friday, December 7th as part of their holiday they can have a long weekend spread over four days.

January 6th, another national fiesta, is the day when the Three Kings are said to have arrived in Bethlehem, and this is the day when children are given presents. They write letters to their favourite king, and on the day before there are processions when the kings appear on different floats in all their regalia. Garrucha is a very good example of this and sweets rain down. Some school children ‘El Gordo’ (The fat one) is the very popular Christmas receive presents at a special town hall ceremony. lottery on Saturday, December 22nd that has taken place since 1812. Holders of tickets wait with baited As with other years, there will be no January edition breath to see if they have won a fortune, or at of the Focus magazine. We return in February, and least got back the 20 Euros (or 23 Euros if you buy wish all our readers a happy Christmas, and our from organizations) that is the cost of a ticket. advertisers a prosperous 2019. “Felices Fiestas” In Spain, December 24th (Noche Buena) is a very (Happy Fiestas) is the traditional Spanish greeting important day when a special evening meal is at this time of year. The current and previous enjoyed. People get together with their family, and editions of the Focus magazine are always available those living and working in other areas endeavour to view in an easy format via www.almeriafocus.com.

In the News Anti-Flu Jabs It’s not too late to have the anti-flu vaccinations that are now available and remember that the target population is persons over the age of 65, people suffering from chronic illnesses, and pregnant women. Appointments can be made at health centres or contacting ‘Salud Responde’ by phoning 955 545 060 or via the internet, and the vaccination period will run until the end of December. Persons unable to access Spanish health care can purchase the vaccine at chemists. January is always the month when the most cases of ’flu occur and in some cases there will be fatalities usually owing to complications such as pneumonia. If you have the ’flu, taking Paracetamol is better than taking Ibuprofen as Paracetamol will reduce any fever, but antibiotics have no effect on ’flu symptoms. Municipal Elections May 2019 Non-Spanish EU citizens can vote in municipal elections and the next ones take place on May 26th 2019. We explain in an article why it is important that you apply for a vote and the necessary procedure, which should not be complicated. (If you have already done this prior to previous elections, your registration to vote is still in force.) The deadline to apply is January 30th, 2019, not December 30th which was the deadline for the 2015 municipal elections, but you should apply as soon as possible. Councils voted in remain in power for four years until May 2023.

major damage. Large areas of the beach had enormous channels carved out, pedestrian access boarding on the beaches was swept away, information signs flattened, beach showers displaced, and one beach bar had the foundations exposed, with no way of gaining entry. Water went into two schools and the church, and residents stated that they had seen heavy rains before, but nothing on this scale. The mayoress, María Lopéz Cervantes, stated that the cost of dealing with all the damage was going to be considerable and when the full cost was quantified the town hall would apply for money from the Junta de Andalucía. The PAWS shelter was badly damaged and we report on this in the Community News pages. Scrapping the ‘Módulo’ Tax System In 1993, a system of tax and IVA (VAT) for small businesses was introduced known as ‘(el) módulo’. It was intended to help small businesses and make their tax liability much simpler. The Hacienda (Spanish Tax Authority) made an estimation of the taxes due each quarter from information supplied by the owner of the business. The information that had to be supplied was the m2 of the premises, the number of employees, consumption of electricity, and in the case of bars and restaurants the number of tables. There are about 400,000 small businesses that still pay taxes based on the módulo system, but the Hacienda think that this is now obsolete and serves no useful purpose. In 1993 there were not the computer program available now for tax to be declared, and there was much more paperwork. The Hacienda also considers that the módulo system encourages fraud and is also part of the submerged economy in many cases, where the actual income is much higher than is declared. As yet there is no date for the scrapping of the módulo system, but it is quite clear that it will be superseded.

Floods in Garrucha and at the PAWS shelter. In our Levante coastal area we seem to have a mini-climate. What is amazing is that weather in Mojácar, Garrucha, and Vera Playa can be very different in these locations at the same time. On November 16th there was torrential rain in the morning in general, but in Garrucha it rained cats and dogs which in Spanish is “gatos y perros”. A tremendous amount of damage took place and the market had to be abandoned. Videos on social Digital Currency media showed potted plants and plastic crates carried away and many stallholders experienced The ‘Hacienda’, the Spanish Tax Authority, is keeping

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In the News tabs on 15,000 people in Spain who use “cryptocurrencies”. This is partly because digital currencies such as Bitcoins have been used to launder money, and by criminals to hide their identity, since they first appeared. The Spanish tax man started looking at these currency transactions last year and they want to make sure that any trading profit is shown on the 2018 tax returns that have to be completed by the end of June 2019. Last April they sent requests for information to 16 banks, the headquarters of currency exchange companies, and 40 companies that advertise that they accept Bitcoins and other digital currency in payment within Spain. Profits made from trading in digital currencies should be declared for tax purposes and are subject to a tax of 19-23%. Taxpayers now have to fill in three new tax forms relating to digital currency. The Spanish Government have green-lighted an antifraud bill in parliament designed to stop criminal activities associated with cryptocurrencies amongst other things. Big Business in Murcia In 2005, when it was difficult to buy specific components for PCs, Alfonso Tomás set up PcComponentes at Alhama de Murcia with four employees in premises of 80m2. Now, the company has 400 employees working in 40,000m2, and in 2017 they invoiced 314 million Euros with a profit of 9.3 million. This year they anticipate an increase of 20% that will place them in third place for computer sales on the internet after Amazon & El Corte Inglés and in front of Media Markt. All orders, deliveries, customer services, and billing are done from Murcia, and their second shop that they opened in Madrid along with a warehouse is also serviced from Murcia as they consider this is the best way to deal with all sales. Their ‘PCcom’ computers are assembled to order in both locations. They claim that many of the specialist components cannot be purchased anywhere else in Spain. In 2017, at their Black Friday event they sold 22.5 million Euros worth of goods with 90,000 orders, and this year they anticipated sales of 27

million Euros with 120,000 orders. They are now dealing with three companies who supply and despatch electronic products advertised on the PcComponentes website, but Alfonso Tomás states that they are closely monitoring the procedure. They will withdraw from any of the companies that do not come up to their high standards of delivery time and after sales services.

Six Driver Points for Using Mobile Phones? We have previously commented that Pere Navarro has returned as the Director of the DGT (Spanish Traffic Authority) which introduces traffic regulations enforced by the police. He was formerly in charge when the driver points system was introduced in 2006. His hobby horse since he took up this position again has been the use of mobile phones whilst driving, and the “necessity” drivers feel to read and respond to WhatsApp messages. The present penalty for using mobile phones whilst driving is a loss of 3 points, but he has previously suggested that this should be increased to 4 or 6 points. In early November he announced that he favoured the loss of 6 points, and an increase in points lost from 3 to 4 where drivers were not wearing seat belts, helmets, or not using child safety restraints. If a driver exceeds a speed limit by no more than 20km/h in speed limits of 30-60 km/h, or no more than 30k/h in a speed limit of 70-120km/h, there is a fine of 100 Euros but no loss of points. At the moment, on a motorway with a speed limit of 120km/h, at

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In the News a speed of 151km/h-170km/h a driver will be fined 300 Euros and a loss of 2 points. Pere Navarro intends to introduce a loss of 2 points where there is an existing fine of 100 Euros, rising to a loss of 6 points for very serious speeds infractions. He has continually stated that the prime point of traffic offences is not to generate an income and fines will not be increased, but the number of points lost will be increased as road safety is the overriding consideration. Wearing a Hijab To School A secondary school in Murcia province has objected to the wearing of a hijab by a 14yr old pupil. The school is a private one that receives some state funding and has told the girl and her parents that their regulations prohibit any pupil having their face covered. Various organizations have complained that the general ban should not apply to a hijab as this is a religious symbol and the religious beliefs should not be penalized. They claim that this prohibition is against the Spanish Constitution. The dispute at the school has been on-going for two months and at one stage the girl was being given private lessons in the library. The Education Delegate in the Murcia Parliament has stated that extended talks with parents had not resolved the problem and eventually the parents have enrolled their daughter in another school that has no objection. Politicians are claiming that only a court ruling can prohibit the wearing of a hijab by pupils or staff at a school.

ousted Mariano Rajoy and the PP Conservative party, MPs from the Basque country and MPs from the political parties in Catalonia agreed to back him. The MPs in Catalonia decided that Pedro Sánchez was more likely to be sympathetic to some sort of revised status. Since then, as we explain in another section, formal charges and requested prison terms have been announced for 18 persons involved in the Catalonia independence bid. Because of this, some MPs are not prepared at present to add their votes to pass the 2019 budget. Pedro Sánchez intends to attempt to pass the budget in December, but if there is not enough support he states he will pass government regulations that enshrine many of his proposals. These include raising the minimum wage, subsidies for unemployed persons over the age of 52, and changes to education and health. He is telling the parties that at present do not support him that they have to answer to their constituents if they block his budget which is for the good of all inhabitants of Spain. Forged Currency Notes Police have broken up a group of three Chinese people who came up with a novel way of altering 5 Euro notes so that gaming machines thought they were 50 Euros notes. Having put the 5 Euros notes into the machine they then collected the “change”. Police state that they obtained an estimated 40,000 Euros from this fraud. Last July police were informed by many owners of gaming machines that a fraud was being done, particularly in Barcelona, the Canaries, and the Balearic Islands, and at one establishment 100 falsified 5 Euros notes had been introduced. A police spokesperson stated that the fraudsters had discovered that the security features of various gaming machines were not able to detect the fraud, but the police haven’t revealed how the 5 Euro notes were modified!

The 2019 Spanish Budget Pedro Sánchez, the Spanish Prime Minister who leads the PSOE Socialist political party, has published his budget proposals for 2019 and the EU have basically approved them. The PSOE has 85 seats in parliament, but not a majority as 176 seats is needed. The Unidos Podemos leftish wing party has 71 seats and the budget has been hammered out by both these parties, but the combined 156 seats are 20 short of a majority. Abusive ‘No Show’ Airline Clauses When Pedro Sánchez became Prime Minister last The Spanish High Court has ruled that many ‘No June when a no confidence vote in the parliament show’ clauses in airline contracts are abusive. These

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In the News

Almería Film News Major stars in the film industry will come to Almería province “probably” before the end of the year. The Mexican star Salma Hayek will join Javier Bardem in a mega film production that will take place in various parts of the province. This puts Almería province in the front of film locations once again, and follows the filming of ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ featuring the Israeli star Gal Gador. The Tabernas Desert has been awarded one of 11 best locations in Europe by the European Film Commissions Network in conjunction with the Cineuropa organization. The award took into account the filming of ‘The Sisters Brothers’ a dark western comedy directed by Jaques Audiard and featuring Jake Gyllenhaal that was partly filmed in Mini Hollywood for street scenes.

mortgage of 200,000 Euros it is 3,000 Euros, and it applies to the documentation tax to obtain a certificate of the mortgage loan at the notary when an escritura (title deed) is signed. This decision sent shivers down the spines of the banks and finance companies as until October the client has always paid this tax since 1995. Banks shares on the Spanish IBEX stock exchange closed down 1.5% when the decision was made known. There was an immediate heated debate in legal circles that this was a wrong decision and it was then announced that the full panel of Supreme Court judges would review this and give their own ruling. After deliberations for two days a new ruling was announced on November 6th. 15 judges were of the opinion that the mortgage client should pay this tax, but 13 judges disagreed and thought that the banks should pay. This showed that there was still major disagreement! Pedro Sánchez, the Spanish Prime Minister, then announced that the law would be changed so that the lender has to pay the tax. He was quite critical of the Supreme Court first saying one thing and then another, and he stated that the court had lost their credibility. Pedro Sánchez announced the new regulation in the B.O.E (The official Spanish State publication) on November 9th effective from November 10th, stating that the lender has to pay this tax. Additionally, legislation is being proposed in the Spanish Parliament that the only cost that a mortgage client should have to pay is the valuation fee. Banks have hit back stating that mortgage interest rates will have to be raised so the general public who obtain a mortgage will have to pay more interest, but government sources say that they cannot do this and they have to absorb the increased costs themselves.

The ‘AJD’ Tax Last month we reported that the Spanish High Court had ruled that the mortgage tax “Actos Jurídicos Documentados” known as ‘AJD’ (a Spanish version of the stamp duty tax), was the responsibility of the lender, not the mortgage client. This tax in Andalucía is 1.5%, so on a

No Trains from Almería City Work is underway in Almería city to excavate a tunnel for part of the track of the ‘AVE’ (High speed train) and this has meant that the normal station is out of action. The work will take at least a year to be completed. A station that has not been in use for decades at Huércal-Viator has

apply if a passenger does not turn up to fly outward bound. The court has stated that this applies to Iberia, Iberia Express, Air France, KLM, British Airways, Lufthansa, Air Berlin, Emirates Airlines, and Air Europe. These companies often have contract terms that apply if a passenger does not turn up for the outward flight and if they want to use the return flight they are either stopped from doing this or face a surcharge often based on a special price for a single one-way ticket. These can range from 125 Euros for short haul flights or 3,000 Euros for long haul flights. Some airlines allow a passenger to use the return flight subject to prior notice of different periods of time, but regulations will be introduced that will apply to all airlines flying in or out of Spain. The ‘No Show’ clauses do not apply to Ryanair, Vueling, or Easyjet on short haul flights. The full terms of the court judgement will be made known during December.

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In the News been extensively modified and re-opened, and a person wishing to board a train has to first go on a free bus from the Almería city bus station. Any train journey from Almería is already very slow and time consuming and the closure of the Almería city station adds another half hour to any journey. Critics are complaining that a bypass where the work is being carried out should have been done instead, and Almeria city is now the only provincial city in Spain that has no station!

55 seats. In 2015 the PP Conservative party won 33 seats, but the predictions were that they would suffer badly in these elections and only have 2022 seats. Similar predictions were that the Ciudadanos party increased their number of MPs to 20-22, and the Adelante Andalucía (in English “Forward Andalucía”), a left wing coalition party, obtained 20 seats. It seems certain that another coalition will have to emerge. There is no chance of the PP and PSOE party joining forces.

‘Alibaba’ Amazing Online Sales The Chinese Alibaba online site held their 10th annual “Singles Day” or “Double number1 day” on Sunday, November 11th. Analysts were watching with interest as Alibaba has had some downturns this year on stock exchanges because of the US trade wars. The special online sales started at midnight for a 24hr period and broke all records. They sold goods to the value of $1 billion in 1 minute 25 seconds, $10 billion in 1hr 48 seconds, and a total of $25 billion when the sale ended. After 8 hrs 8 minutes they beat the sales figures for 2016 and the $22 billion sales total in 2017 after 15hrs 49 minutes. Clothes and technology sales were very high and they took reservations for 7,000 Buick cars! Daniel Zhand, their CEO, stated that the sales this year were very encouraging and showed that the Chinese economy was still very strong.

Armin van Buuren

Elections in Andalucía On December 2nd elections took place in Andalucía (the governing body for Almería province) to decide which political party, or parties, will run the Junta de Andalucía Parliament for a nominal period of four years. Only Spaniards in Andalucía can obtain a vote. The PSOE Socialist party has had a stranglehold for an amazing 40 years, except that in the parliament that was recently dissolved the Conservative party Ciudadanos with 9 MPs formed a coalition so that there was a majority. It was anticipated by political pundits that Susana Diáz the President and her PSOE party would gain 45-47 of the seats, but an absolute majority is

The 2019 ‘Dreambeach’ Music Festival The 7th Dreambeach Music Festival at Villaricos next year will take place from August 7th-11th. With no prior line-up of performers, tickets went on sale from the website at 5pm on October 28th. There were 12,000 tickets made available at the special price of 35 Euros per day, and within 24 hours they had all been sold, together with another 2,000 tickets that the organizers then put on sale. It has been stated that there will be more music next year and concerts in the afternoons and evenings from 4pm-9pm. Improvements will be made at the campsite where 25,000 booked last year, and a better map that shows exactly where everything takes place. Shortly afterwards it was announced that the legendary Dutch DJ Armin van Buuren, considered the king of Trance, will be the headline opening act. In 2015 he closed the event and 25,000 people stayed on to see him. He has been voted best DJ in the world five

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In the News times from 2008-2012 by the prestigious British magazine DJ Mag. The German Boris Brejcha who has pioneered his own style known as High-Tech Minimal joins the line-up. The trio Drum & Bass, Technique International Sound, made up of Derby Drumsound, Bassline Smith, and soloist Tantrum Desire will also appear. Tickets are now on sale from 55 Euros & 80 Euros for the ticket and campsite, only available from www.dreambeach.es Grants in Huércal-Overa Huércal-Overa town hall have announced that 20,000 Euros in grants will be made available to small businesses that have been trading for the last five years. The money is to purchase software that will enable the business to be run more efficiently with the access to modern computer programs. Part of the grant can be used to improve energy efficiency, shop signage, publicity and company promotion. The maximum grant is 2,000 Euros in qualifying cases. Full details are available from the town hall. A Very Unfortunate Mis-identification A 68yr old British tourist, Eddie Gossard, went with his wife to Magaluf for a holiday and was questioned by police at the passport control. The next morning he was arrested at his hotel, fingerprinted, appeared in court the following day, and was taken to prison on remand. He had been confused with a 63yr old drug baron, Michael David Phillips, who had a “Most wanted” European arrest warrant against him for escaping from Hatfield prison in South Yorkshire in 2013. Unfortunately for Eddie, Michael Phillips was known to be using the false name of Edward Gossard so the Spanish police were convinced they had arrested the right person. Despite protesting his innocence Eddie was kept in prison for 8 days. Eventually, the British Consulate intervened and contacted the UK National Crime Agency who emailed Michael Phillip’s fingerprints to the Spanish police (although they were already on file), and it was accepted that Eddie’s fingerprints did not match up. Eddie’s family state that they will make

an official complaint. The location of Michael Phillips is still unknown. Reduced Speed Limits In another item we deal with the proposals by Pere Navarro, head of the DGT (Spanish Traffic Authority), to make the use of mobile phones whilst driving a more serious offence, and his proposals to increase the loss of driver’s points for various infractions. He has announced that from January 1st the speed limit on non-urban single carriageway roads will be reduced from 100km/h to 90km/h. The only exception is where there is a barrier between the lanes. On the new 90km/h stretches vans, lorries, and buses will have a speed limit of 80km/h. Pere Navarro points out that 77% of deaths in 2017 were on conventional roads and 1,013 people were killed. He considers that the reduction in speed will mean that in major accidents there will be fewer fatalities and there will hopefully be more protection for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorbike riders. The owners of conventional roads (some belong to the Spanish State and some to the autonomous communities) will put 90k/h adhesive stickers on the 100k/h signs which will cost the least amount of money. An army of workers will attempt to change all the speed limit signs overnight. In March 2011, for a short period of time to save fuel costs, motorway speeds of 120k/h were reduced to 110k/h with the same use of adhesive stickers. The potential saving in fuel costs was estimated at 2.3 billion Euros. Iberia, Vueling Airlines and Brexit The Spanish Iberia and Vueling airlines are based in Spain but are part of the IAG group that includes British Airways. They have been in talks with the Spanish Government and the EU Commission to make sure that there are no post-Brexit problems, and they are both recognized as being companies based in Spain, so part of the EU. IAG bosses and the Spanish Minister for Transport have been involved in the talks. Brexit negotiators in the UK consider that air traffic from and into the UK will

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In the News not be affected after Brexit. They state that apart from other EU states where there is an existing arrangement that will be unchanged, there are another 17 countries where there are similar agreements including the US, Canada and Morocco. Brits Convicted of False Food Poisoning Claims Four Brits, who are members of the same family, have been convicted in a court at Liverpool of making false claims for food poisoning whilst on holiday in Spain. In 2015 the family stayed at the Agua Magic Rock Gardens Hotel in Benidorm and on their return home sued Jet2Holidays for 50,000 pounds sterling on the grounds that the food had given them gastric food poisoning. Despite this claim they had put messages on social media sites that they were “Having the best holiday ever” and “Enjoying every minute”. Hotel records revealed that they ordered copious beers, gins, vodkas, and brandies throughout their stay on their “allinclusive” holiday. The court handed down a prison term of three months for each person with a 750 pounds fine, and they have to pay the Jet2Holiday court costs that will be considerable. Claims of food poisoning made to a tour operator become the responsibility of the hotel, and Pilar Lafuente from the hotel stated in court that this was obviously a false claim as their food was prepared to the highest standards. Spanish courts started investigating after a very large number of claims for food poisoning from Brits were made against hotels. Private detectives discovered that touts were approaching Brits at various resorts and telling them that they could make a successful claim against their hotel if they went to a chemist and kept the receipt for the purchase of medication that would combat nausea and vomiting. They were put in touch with unscrupulous law firms in the UK who were continually making claims for as much as 18,000 pounds sterling, but kept 60% of the money awarded. In 98% of the cases the hotel gave in and paid the claims rather than disputing them. In January 2018, a judge in Mallorca stated that

phoney food poisoning claims from Brits had cost Mallorca hotel companies an estimated 60 million Euros since 2014. The UK Justice Ministry has stated that from 2013-2017, claims went up by 500% from Brits, but claims from other European nationalities were minimal. Taken to court in Mallorca in May 2018, a British woman stated that she had set up a company with other people from 2016-2017 and was paid 5,600 Euros for every thousand names, addresses, and phone numbers she supplied of Brits staying at hotels. She stated that the names and addresses were for “marketing” purposes only, but agreed that the information was supplied to three UK law firms. She stated that this did not relate to potential food poisoning claims but the court dismissed this. In 2017 the company Allsure Ltd in the UK had their operating licence cancelled after the UK Claims Management Regulator stated that they had encouraged Brits to make claims for gastric complaints and had made exaggerated statements as to the amount of compensation that would be paid. High Tech Ambulances The first of a new type of ambulance has been put into service in Almería city, and more will follow on in due course. One difference is that the colour of them is the shade of yellow known as “euro yellow” which is considered the colour that gives the greatest visibility to other road users. Inside there is a refrigerated compartment that stores up to 80 types of drugs at a steady temperature of 20 degrees centigrade. Until now, very hot weather means that some drugs cannot be carried on board. The ambulance crew can consult the digital medical history of any person who they are aiding or have in the ambulance that are in the Spanish Health System, and in the latter case the crew can be in digital contact with staff at the accident and emergency department so that full details are available to them whilst the patient is in transit. Instead of the ambulance bed being in the centre it is now located to one side that makes it easier for the medical staff to

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In the News move round and gives better access to the patient which can be of critical importance. A powerful engine enables the ambulances to go from 0 to 85k/h in 35 seconds.

with other places in Andalucía and Spain in general. The average mortgage amount in Almería province on September 30th was 76,737 Euros which is the 8th lowest in all 52 provinces in Spain. This is partly because there is a glut of unsold properties and banks are now trying to off-load their property portfolio where they have repossessed properties, at a sensible price. There are reputedly 20,000 unsold properties in the province. The price rise in general is given as only 8% more than in 2015. Overall, the average amount of money to pay off a mortgage in our province is stated to be 15% of gross earnings, 2% less than the average throughout Spain and 6% less than in Málaga and 8% less than in the Balearic Islands. A rough guide to the average price of property in our province according to the College of Property Valuers is 992 Euros per m2, although in Almería city it goes up to 1,100 Euros.

Online Gambling in Spain The PSOE political party in Spain, who are presently in government without a majority, are proposing a joint initiative with the Unidos Podemos party. This will lay out various regulations relating to gambling, particularly online gambling. Online gambling in Spain is a big business with an estimated 250,000 employees, is worth 13 billion Euros, and gives an income of 150 million to the Spanish State in taxes. There have been various criticisms that TV adverts, particularly for ‘888poker’ are extremely aggressive and totally ignore the fact that gambling can become addictive leading to personal problems, lying, stealing, the destruction of family and social relationships, and psychological problems. 500,000 persons in Spain are stated to be in this category. One proposal is that less aggressive TV adverts are only allowed in the late evening, so after the time that children watch TV, and well known personalities such as Rafa Nadal or Cristiano Ronaldo cannot figure in the adverts. Another proposal is that the online gambling companies have to verify the identity of anyone staking more than 150 Euros. This could include the provision of a digital fingerprint or other means of identification apart from the DNI (Spanish identification number) to stop anyone except the registered person from using the account. A further proposal is that deregistering from being a member of a gambling company is made much Ryanair and the Spanish Unions easier, or automatically ceases after a period of Ryanair suffered a large drop in income when pilots and cabin crew went on strike during the perhaps six months. summer. A previous EU ruling was that in the House Prices in Almería Province countries where these staff lived, the In our Levante area of Almería province house corresponding labour rights had to be observed, prices reflect that many non-Spanish people wish not the terms in Ireland where unions are banned. to live here and according to estate agents the Ryanair have now announced that any of their market is buoyant. In Almería province as a whole Spanish based staff can decide before the end there are various factors that are out of step of the year if they want to be treated as Spanish

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In the News workers, although the airline still maintain that some labour rules in Ireland are better. The cost to Ryanair is calculated to be 1.3 million Euros. Immediately following the announcement, a spokesperson from Ryanair stated that maternity and paternity allowance that are only 15 days in Ireland without pay, would be changed to 5 weeks with pay. The “trial period” for staff that is one year in Ireland will be changed to the six months that is normal in Spain. The unions for the staff in Spain are still asking for more rights particularly for holiday allowances, or increased pay in periods when they are required to work such as Christmas. A Foiled Assassination Plan The nightmare scenario for security services and bodyguards that protect members of a royal family, heads of state, and senior government figures, is that there is a lone assassin that has a high-powered rifle that may have telescopic sights and is an expert marksman. The assassination of John F. Kennedy is a prime example. These marksmen can choose a location that is a considerable distance from their target, and are very difficult to spot. In November it was revealed that an intended assassination attempt, with the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez as the target, had been foiled by the Spanish police. Pedro Sánchez and other political groups in the Spanish Parliament have agreed that the body of the former dictator General Franco is exhumed from the Valley of the Fallen Monument near Madrid to a location that has yet to be agreed. A 63yr old man who was the son of the last mayor to be appointed during the Franco regime near Barcelona took great exception to the plan and allegedly decided to use his skills as a marksman to assassinate Pedro Sánchez. Fortunately for the Spanish Secret Service he put this “clear intention” on social media sites in various WhatsApp groups and asked for some logistical support as he wanted to know Pedro Sánchez’s agenda over the next few days and a place where he could hide. This was revealed to the local leader of the VOX political party who

promptly notified the authorities who already had him on their radar. As they knew he had a licence to have arms because he was a registered security guard and marksman, he was arrested in the street rather than at home. When the police went to his home they discovered that he had amassed a total of 16 weapons of which 13 were legally acquired as he was also a member of gun clubs in the area. He had four precision rifles, a military assault weapon and a submachine gun. The assault gun had been purchased as a weapon for gun collectors that did not function, but he had modified it himself so that it worked, and he had a precision Czech rifle of the sort used by snipers. Neither of these weapons can be owned by a private person. To legally obtain the majority of these weapons he had to satisfy the authorities that he had no criminal record and pass psychological tests. Police found two revolvers in his car, one of which was legal but the other one had the serial number removed. The arrested man lived with his mother and sister, and in court he attempted to claim that his actions and intentions on social media were merely a fantasy, and he had been under the effects of alcohol on several of these occasions. He claimed that the assault rifle he had modified to become a working gun was purely done for his own satisfaction. The court dismissed these claims; he was remanded in custody, and will face a variety of serious charges. Pedro Sánchez issued a statement congratulating the police and stated that this was an isolated incident and at no time was his personal security at risk. The police did not share this opinion at all! Tax Fraud In Spain It is claimed that fraudulent activities in Spain every year result in the loss of 70 billion Euros to the Spanish State, and the submerged economy is as much as 20% of the PIB (Gross National Product). In 2015 a total of 15.7 billion Euros was clawed back by the Spanish anti-fraud department of the Hacienda (Spanish Tax authority), 14.9 billion in 2016, and 14.8 billion in 2017. New

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In the News proposals by the Spanish government are that another 800 million Euros are recouped from various changes in the legislation. One of these is that businesses including the self-employed cannot make cash payments of more than 2,500 Euros as at present, and this sum will be reduced to no more than 1,000 Euros. Currently, the list of debtors published by the Hacienda is persons or undertakings owing more than one million Euros and these people are targeted. The new amount of money will be reduced to 600,000 Euros. International money transfers from persons or companies in Spain domiciled out of Spain for tax reasons will be reduced from the existing cash amount of 15,000 Euros to 10,000 Euros. It is calculated that the use of tax havens by companies in Spain (and Gibraltar is a prime example) results in an annual loss to the Spanish State of 11 billion Euros. The Hacienda department will be beefed up with more anti-fraud inspectors as the numbers at present are not considered sufficient. Some financial analysts consider that the figure of 800 million Euros is not feasible and is unduly optimistic, but 500 million Euros may well be the correct amount. False Kilometre Readings In a very large operation in the Zaragoza area of Spain, 105 people were arrested and investigations are ongoing regarding another 85 people. Allegations are that just over 1,000 vehicles had the true high mileage falsified to show a reduction by as much as 610,000km in the severest case. A reduction of 25,000km was the least amount and figures of 80,000-100,000 were common. The cars were purchased from high mileage operators such as car hire companies and large businesses, manipulated and then sold on. Luxury vehicles with a high mileage were imported from Rumania, UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Italy, and the Czech Republic, before being registered in Spain with Spanish number plates. The fraud came to light when a private owner of a car they had purchased discovered that the actual mileage shown on the instrument display

was 75,000km less than on the car paperwork accidentally left in the vehicle. Police allege that the fraud amounted to 4 million Euros and the total number of kilometres that were drastically reduced amounted to 165 million! Solar Energy Changes Up till now, persons who were thinking of installing photovoltaic solar panels to produce electricity faced some financial obstacles. Despite the “free” electricity, the amount the panels produced was taxed if above a certain size, known as “the sun tax”. Also, if the amount of electricity generated was more than was needed, the surplus could not be put back into the general electricity supply to produce an income, as has been common in many countries for years. The Spanish government have now rectified this as they want to greatly increase green and sustainable energy and they agree that the situation where solar energy was penalised for the normal consumer is obviously a bad idea. The amount of money that the surplus energy can generate by being put back into the supply network has not yet been disclosed, but for installations with a total power of less than 100kW the paperwork has been greatly reduced, as well as the time needed to process it. To put surplus electricity back into the supply chain needs special equipment that could add as much as 700 Euros to the cost of the installation but this will now be free. The new regulations mean that the cost of installing solar panels and the equipment can be recouped in a much shorter time period. Another Enormous Cocaine Seizure Specialist police have dismantled another extremely large cocaine smuggling gang and seized 6 tonnes of cocaine, the second highest amount ever discovered in Spain. A major drug dealer had previously been arrested and imprisoned but his prison category eventually allowed him to spend some time each week out of prison. Police observed that he was in regular contact with two Dutch people and mounted a new investigation. It was discovered that one of them was well known

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In the News to the authorities in Holland for drug smuggling and the other man had an arrest warrant pending from Belgium. It became clear that the drugs were being taken to Portugal from Costa Rica and then to the Málaga area for distribution. The gang used encrypted phone calls, but in a raid on premises at an industrial unit in Benalmádena police found the 6 tonnes of cocaine hidden in a consignment of bananas. 13 Dutchmen, a man from Estonia, another from France and a further one from Spain were arrested. The houses of the two ringleaders had sophisticated CCTV and alarm systems and 12 luxury cars were seized at these locations. A police spokesperson stated that the investigation was ongoing and further arrests would almost certainly follow. The man who owned the industrial premises that were rented by the gang was told that he could do what he liked with the bananas. He rang various charitable organizations around Málaga and one of the charities stated that the bananas they collected would be shared with the 600 people they provided with food every day. Other people in the industrial estate with legal businesses were invited to take away boxes of bananas for friends and families. Summer Tourists From June to the end of September nearly 8 million tourists spent 25 million nights in accommodation in Andalucía, which includes Almería province. After Málaga and Cádiz, Almería province was in third place with 3.4 million nights of accommodation. A total of 45,000 new employees were set on during this period, and the average spending in Andalucía was 75 Euros per day, up 2% on 2017 and above the average throughout Spain. Reclamation of Catalonia Illegal Funding Various persons who are going to appear in court in Catalonia in relation to the independence bid are accused of misuse of public funds. This relates to any expense that came out of public funds in Catalonia that should not have been used for this purpose. Politicians and others who are accused

of the more serious charge of sedition will be in court in the New Year to answer these and other charges. This doesn’t apply to Carles Puigdemont, the former President, and six other people who fled Spain to avoid arrest. As they were not arrested and did not appear in court there are no formal charges laid against them at present. It has now been decided that a court that deals with misuse of public funds and other financial irregularities will rule on the amounts of money that is claimed to have been obtained illegally, rather than the Supreme Court that will deal with the other serious criminal charges. This will speed up the time period and means that five of the persons who fled Spain can have orders made against them for the repayment without them being in Spain. The amount of money spent illegally is put at 3.5 million Euros in total from various accounts, although investigators from the Guardia Civil police think the amount is as much as 4.2 million Euros.

A Dangerous Drug The Spanish Health Authorities have issued a health warning to tourists regarding the drug ‘metamizole’ available in Spain under the brand name ‘Nolotil’ in the majority of cases, or ‘Metamizo Aristo”. This drug is a powerful painkiller and anti-inflammatory but there can be serious side effects that on rare occasions can drastically reduce the white cell count and can lead to death. The Spanish Minister of Health stated that there have been deaths in the UK from taking the drug in Spain and it should only be prescribed by a

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In the News doctor who can monitor the treatment, but some chemists sell it over the counter. The normal time the drug should be taken is no more than 7 days but if prescribed for a longer period blood tests should be carried out. There is also a higher risk with elderly people whose immune systems are weaker but side effects occur on a completely random basis. If a tourist obtains the drug and then keeps on taking it there is no follow-up care and because of this it is too dangerous. The Health Authorities state that the drug should not be prescribed or sold to “the floating population”. Spanish health experts consider that people from Northern Europe seem to have the worst side effects, not Spaniards or inhabitants of Latin America, but there is no clinical evidence as to why this is the case at present. A Spanish hospital in Barcelona has reported that Northern European tourists and residents in Spain are three times more likely to suffer problems. The drug is banned in Sweden, the UK, the US, Australia and Ireland. A Major Credit Card Fraud Specialist police in Madrid have broken up a gang that were stated to be extremely well organized and manufactured cloned credit cards. After obtaining credit card information partly from the “dark web” the gang manufactured credit cards that were then used to withdraw money from cash machines and for very large purchases of goods, once it was established that a “test” purchase using the cloned cards went through without any problem. Police established that they had credit card details of 200,000 people from Spain or other countries. The mastermind of the fraud had been convicted of credit card fraud in the US where the money obtained was used to finance the September 11th attacks. If this person went out into the streets of Madrid he was protected by his own bodyguards and he wore different disguises so that he was not detected. The police stated that the potential fraudulent amount of money that could have been obtained was 5 billion Euros, but after banks and large

companies became suspicious and transactions were blocked, the gang only obtained 500,000 Euros before the 19 members of the gang were arrested. Charges Levied in Catalonia The Spanish judge Pablo Llarena who has been investigating the crimes that followed on from the illegal declaration of independence in Catalonia on October 27th, 2017, has laid formal charges against 18 people. Six of them faced charges of rebellion against the Spanish state and the written constitution that carries a potential prison term of 15-30 years if it also includes illegal use of public funds. Three other people are charged with misuse of public funds and disobedience of legal rulings, and four other people face the sole charge of disobedience that if convicted would ead to them being fined and banned from holding public office for a period of time, but not imprisoned. Some legal analysts considered that the crime of rebellion should be downgraded to “sedition” (conduct or speech inciting people to rebel) that carries a lesser sentence, and at the start of November lawyers for the Spanish state announced that all the charges of rebellion would be downgraded to sedition. This followed a meeting with government ministers who suggested that this was done, but left it to the lawyers to decide whether they were going to do this. Prison terms from 8-12 years are being requested for 9 people, and 7 years for a further three. Two of the persons accused have been on remand since November 2nd , 2017, and seven others for a lesser period of time. Carles Puigdemont, the former president of Catalonia who fled to Brussels, along with six other MPs in exile have not been formally charged at present, but face immediate arrest if they come back to Spain, in which case charges would then be levied, they would appear in court to answer the charges, and then face formal charges. A European arrest warrant was issued for Carles Puigdemont who was arrested by German police when he was returning to Brussels by road following a political

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In the News rally. A German court decided that the offence of rebellion in Germany needed a violent act such as the use of arms. Carles Puigdemont and other senior politicians in Catalonia had been warned by the police that if the independence referendum and declaration of independence went ahead there would undoubtedly be serious repercussions with criminal acts by demonstrators from both sides. The German court approved the extradition for misuse of public funds but the Spanish judge and High Court decided that they wanted him extradited for rebellion, and as this was not forthcoming they withdrew the extradition request. A further European arrest warrant can be invoked again if the Spanish court decides to do this, and an accusation of sedition instead of rebellion would almost certainly result in extradition. Ryanair Potential Aircraft Collision Finding Spanish aviation authorities that deal with air accidents and incidents state that from their initial investigation a very serious offence of being “at risk of collision” occurred on October 2nd involving two Ryanair planes. One Boeing 737-800 plane was in the air travelling from Santiago to Palma de Mallorca and an identical plane was travelling from Toulouse to Seville. Both planes were in touch with Madrid Air Traffic Control when they were 30km from Pamplona. Collision alert warnings were triggered on both planes when it is alleged that they were only 4km (2.5 miles) apart horizontally with only 122 metres (400 feet) height difference. Regulations in Europe state that the horizontal separation has to be a minimum of 10km (6.2 miles) and vertical separation has to be a minimum of 300 metres (984 feet). Both pilots corrected their positions after the alarms went off. A Ryanair spokesman said: ‘As the details of this incident confirm, there was no “near collision” as both aircraft took appropriate diversion measures when they were separated by more than 2 miles and 400ft of vertical air space.’ The US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) defines a near mid-air collision as

an incident in which “a possibility of a collision occurs as a result of proximity of less than 500ft to another aircraft.” To put this in context, the cruising speed of a Boeing 737-800 is 580 mph, so it travels 9.6 miles every minute or 4.83 miles every 30 seconds. When ascending or descending, aircraft have to comply with a maximum of 450 metres (1,480 feet) per minute. If this is not complied with and higher levels take place this can lead to potential collisions. Ryanair may face sanctions from the Spanish Aviation Authority as a result of the occurrence. Ryanair faced another problem on November 9th when the French authorities seized one of their planes at Burdeos airport that was destined to fly to London. In 2008 & 2009, the French authorities had given subsidies totalling 525,000 Euros to Ryanair to capture their business in France, but the EU Commission ruled that this was illegal. Ryanair had not paid this money back, as they had been ordered to do, so the plane was seized until the money was repaid! Ryanair paid back the subsidies almost immediately to get the plane released but the 149 passengers were delayed for 5 hours. Fining Prostitutes In various cities in Spain there are regulations that result in fines for women engaging in prostitution along with their clients, or in some cases the clients are the only ones affected. There is a large debate as to which is the correct path to take. Women earning a living from prostitution on the streets can accumulate huge fines that are impossible to pay off, but it is considered that in many cases the women are the vulnerable victims of extortion by others. In the 10 years up to 2015 in Barcelona, fines were given to 2,600 women, but only 1,200 men who engaged their services. Since 2015, the emphasis has been to try and get women off the streets and provide them with assistance to find other work and not continually fine them. There are various institutions or charities that undertake this work. One argument is that women with heavy outstanding fines have to work longer

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In the News hours to pay them off gradually. There is also the situation where some women have no other option than to engage in prostitution to accumulate any money, but others choose to become prostitutes because of the potential income, although they could find other work. There are calls for regulations that apply throughout Spain, not just from various cities with differing aims and viewpoints. In eight European countries (The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, Turkey, Hungary, and Latvia), prostitution is legal and regulated. In the UK, prostitution is not illegal, but a number of related activities, including soliciting in a public place, kerb crawling, keeping a brothel, and pimping are outlawed. In Northern Ireland paying for sex is illegal since 2015 on the grounds that it is human trafficking and exploitation. Food & Drink Labelling The Spanish Minister for Health and Consumer Affairs has announced that a new labelling system called “Nutri-Score” will be introduced for food and drink sold in Spain. This is to improve the health of the population, and cut down on obesity and illnesses related to a bad diet. María Luisa Carcedo states that it is impossible for consumers to understand if products are healthy or not because the “small print” of ingredients and wide variety of claims are impossible for the average person to understand. There will be five categories from a green “A” label that is the healthiest, going through to a red “E” label that has the least nutritional value. The labelling system will take into account sugar content, saturated fat, salt, proteins and fibre. At present this will be a voluntary scheme for supermarkets but it is hoped that the system becomes a marketing idea with clear indications to the general public that their range of products is the healthiest. It is thought that Mercadona, who are in the forefront of food technology and consumer preferences, will endorse the scheme. There is already guideline legislation in schools for children under the age of 15 that apply to food or drinks that can be

purchased, or provided as ingredients of a meal, with the same aims. Some schools have meetings that parents can attend where nutritionists point out the food and drinks that are healthiest, can easily be prepared in the home, and cost the least amount of money. Health professionals link severe obesity to psychological problems that can occur in both children and adults.

Gibraltar & Brexit The draft Brexit document addresses the status of Gibraltar after Brexit and in particular the labour rights of the 10,000 Spanish workers who cross into Gibraltar every day, which will be monitored every 90 days. The agreement between the UK and Spain includes the provision, as not yet fully detailed, relating to cigarette smuggling, money laundering, and the status of Gibraltar as a tax haven that many Spanish companies take advantage of. The criteria will be as laid out following the G-20 agreement and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines. Fabian Picardo, the First Minister of Gibraltar, has stated that a full agreement is vitally necessary and a no-deal Brexit would be very bad news for Gibraltar. On the eve of the Brexit document being signed in the EU, the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez threatened to not sign the agreement, as he considered the “Memorandum of understanding” was too woolly.

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In the News Rigid Inflatable Launches Very large and powerful, rigid, inflatable launches are the favourite way that drug dealers ferry drugs across the straits of Gibraltar into Spain, and they are sometimes used to bring illegal immigrants here. Very powerful outboard motors enable these boats to be piloted at a very high speed to make the journey as short as possible and outrun police or customs craft. New laws are being introduced that deal with contraband and other matters, and specialist anti-drug smuggling police will be able to confiscate the existing boats that are often moored in river estuaries or taken on a trailer to the houses where the drug barons live. At present, if items such as luxury cars, these types of launches, yachts, or very large boats are seized, they are eventually auctioned off. It has become clear that drug barons attend the auctions and buy them back! The rigid inflatable launches will not now be auctioned and will become the property of the police or customs officers. The possession of these launches will be banned if they are approximately 8m in length and can travel at a speed of over 100k/h with powerful outboard motors over 240 horsepower. The small print in the new regulations gives the drug barons six months to destroy or surrender these launches whether or not they have ever been used for illicit journeys. Instead of fines that are normally handed out, an anti-contraband law from 1995 is being invoked, and the ownership of these launches can entail a prison term of up to five years. Apart from large ones being banned, police can seize launches below this size if they are being navigated erratically (to avoid capture), are at sea without navigation lights, have anti-radar detection special paint, modified outboard motor power levels, or are considered to be “of a sole use” for drug smuggling. The new regulations will have a great effect in stopping smuggling, and in the straits of Gibraltar from 2012 to this September, 81 of these launches have been seized, 282 people arrested, and 165 tonnes of drugs taken out of circulation. The exception will be launches belonging to the armed forces, police, customs,

rescue services, or boats that are definitely only used for sporting events in rivers and lakes. In these cases they will have to be put on a register with the owner ship fully established. A New Independence Party for Catalonia On October 27th last year, following an illegal referendum, a declaration of independence was made in the Catalonia parliament. The same day, central government invoked article 155 of the written Spanish constitution that allowed central government to take over an autonomous community “in exceptional circumstances”. Parliament was disbanded and democratic elections were announced for December. Carles Puigdemont, the President of Catalonia at the time, fled to Brussels to avoid arrest along with other MPs. He imagined that he would be able to address the EU parliament and be given due recognition as the ex-president of Catalonia, but this did not happen at all and he found that no EU governments were prepared to listen to him or allow him to address them in their respective parliaments. He is still in Brussels, and after the December elections there was a proposal by the hard-line separatist MPs in Catalonia that he was elected “President in exile”. This had to be rethought as it was quite clear that any elected president had to appear in parliament to accept office. This October 27th, hard-line MPs led by Quim Torra, the elected president in Catalonia, announced the formation of a new political party ‘La Crida Nacional per la República’ (The call for a National Republic). Carles Puigdemont is the leader with other separatist MPs or ex-MPs, and 6,000 people in Barcelona attended a demonstration shouting slogans such as “liberty”, “independence”, and “not a step back”. It is claimed that this new movement has 10,000 followers and a congress will take place on January 19th. As regards central government, this is seen as merely a propaganda attempt with no legal framework. The other problem is that the political parties in the Catalonia parliament who favour some sort of self- rule are not at all united in their hard or soft proposals for the future. Dialogue

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In the News with central government is seen as being the best known as “the marble motorway” because of all approach by many of the MPs and parties, not the marble producers in the area, has been put out to tender. The new section is from the El confrontation. Cucador (Zurgena) junction to the A-7 motorway The Boat People at La Concepción. The budget price of the work No organisation is able to quantify the number is 39.4 million Euros and companies have until of boat people who die whilst trying to find a January 4th to put in their proposals and cost. better life in Spain during journeys on the high Money will come from the EU ‘Feder’ funding that seas. Sheer numbers that are increasing all the is for infrastructure work considered to be of time make this an impossible calculation. Recently, vital importance. Peak traffic on the existing roads coastguards intercepted a boat off the coast of is stated to be 10,000 vehicles every day. Almería in the Sea of Alboran and rescued 36 people and retrieved three dead bodies. Survivors are always questioned to see if the ‘mafia’ type groups of people who charge extortionate sums of money can be identified. In the case of this latest episode it became clear that the number of persons who had died was almost certainly 20. Questions are always asked to establish if anybody on board is one of the organisers and several of the passengers stated that a 24yr old man from Gambia was responsible. They had been threatened with dire consequences if they revealed who the man was. He had piloted the boat from Nador on the coast of Morocco to where it was found. The craft was only 5m in length and 2m wide, but 56 ‘BIC’ Goes To Court people were on board and each person had been The French cigarette lighter company BIC that charged the equivalent of 1,100 Euros. During the first produced lighters in 1945 is denouncing journey the boat developed a leak and the motor France and Germany to the European court, but broke down. As it became much lower in the water it could equally apply to Spain or the UK. They are numerous people were ordered to go overboard claiming that 73% of all lighters sold in Europe and hold onto the ropes. At this point it seems and 86% in France and Germany are in breach of that 20 people drowned. The man from Gambia the ISO 0049 European safety standard. The US, then rang the coastguards who found the boat Canada, Australia, and Brazil prohibit the sale of 56 nautical miles off the coast of Almería after badly designed lighters on safety grounds. Imports a helicopter had located it. He was subsequently of lighters from Asia mostly enter the EU through arrested and charged with 20 cases of involuntary the ports of Hamburg and Rotterdam. They claim manslaughter and offences against the rights of that there are 30,000 accidents every year and the passengers. When persons like this come some of them cause severe burns. Their CEO before the Spanish courts, and in this case it will states that 15% of all accidents involving lighters be a court in Almería, long prison sentences in France up to the end of September this year came from children playing with defective ones, invariably follow. in 36% the lighters exploded, in 32% the flame “The Marble Motorway” Out to Tender did not shut off as it should, and in 17% droplets The extension of the Almanzora motorway, also of inflammable gas came out of the container.

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In the News The ISO regulation specifies that a lighter must stand three drops from 1.5 m, a temperature of 65 degrees for four hours and an internal pressure of 15 bars. BIC maintain that all their lighters exceed these requirements. They point out that a lighter is a container of pressurized gas that ignites to produce a flame, and poorly designed or badly manufactured lighters are very dangerous. BIC employ 15,000 workers in France producing lighters, and invoice 2 billion Euros annually. A clear BIC lighter is displayed in the MoMA museum of modern art in New York as an example of an item that combines function with design. Other BIC companies produce throw-away razors, Tipp-ex, White-out, Conté pencils and crayons, and BIC Sports make surf boards, windsurfers and kayaks. The UK World Travel Market This event, known as “WTM”, that takes place in London, is considered to be of the utmost importance to attract tourists to Spain, and the Junta de Andalucía (that includes Almería province) always have a large stand. Susana Díaz, the President of Andalucía, officially opened the stand and was joined by the Spanish Minister for Tourism, Reyes Maroto, the Secretary of State for Tourism, Isabel Oliver, and the head of the Turespaña tourist organization, Héctor Gómez. This heavyweight attendance was to increase UK tourism and talk to the 150 UK companies that took part. There has been a slight drop in UK tourism this year, partly due to the higher temperatures in the UK, and some tourists going back to countries that were formerly considered to be too dangerous such as Turkey, Egypt and Tunisia. The concerns over Brexit are also considered to have a damaging effect this year. Susana Díaz announced that the “target” number of foreign tourists coming to Andalucía in 2020 was 30 million, but this number has now been reached. This puts Andalucía in the forefront compared to many parts of Spain. This means that the population of Andalucía has had 3.5 times as many tourists so far this year. Up to the end of September 2018, a total of 1.2 million

UK tourists stayed in hotel accommodation, but this was 3% less than 2017. The 5.7 million Euros they spent was slightly down on 2017, but a feature of UK tourists coming to all parts of Spain so far this year is that fewer tourists overall stay here longer and spend more money! Surveys of foreign tourists coming to Andalucía awarded it 8.4 points out of 10. As always, the infrastructure, such as no ‘AVE’ (High Speed Train) to Almería, was a negative experience. Numbers of tourists coming to Andalucía from other parts of Spain was up 1.5%. As Almería has been awarded the status of 2019 Gastronomy City it is thought that this will have a very positive effect on tourism next year. Fake Cigarette Manufacturers Raided Apart from the enormous amounts of cigarettes that are seized by Spanish police coming from Gibraltar, gangs set up manufacturing premises within Spain where raw tobacco is turned into fake packets of cigarettes purporting to be wellknown brands. At the end of October, police raided two such “factories” in Toledo and Seville and seized 34,000 fake packets. The hourly production sold on the open market would have brought in about 153,000 Euros, and 120,000 Euros of tax fraud in excise duties. The estimated income from the three months when both factories had been operational was put at 7.5 million Euros. Police seized 62 tonnes of tobacco and 600,000 Euros in cash, along with several vehicles. In two other industrial units in the same locations machinery was being prepared to manufacture the fake cigarettes there. 47 people were arrested but only two of them were Spanish. The alleged mastermind who was arrested is a Bulgarian and 28 persons came from Moldavia, 9 from the Ukraine, 6 from Rumania, along with one Frenchman. Police stated that the two factories worked 24hrs a day, and specialist workers who knew how to work the sophisticated machines were flown into Spain, transported in vehicles with heavily tinted windows so they had no idea where they were taken to, and they had to sleep on the premises and not venture outside. Also,

In the News the workers were not allowed to smoke any of the cigarettes! Both factories had comprehensive CCTV and alarm systems in place, and generators were installed so that in the case of a power cut production was not halted. Most of the fake cigarettes were destined to be sold in Spain, but some of them had English writing on the packets that were presumably for the UK market. Fake cigarettes invariably have high levels of nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide, and dangerous substances such as trace elements of lead and cadmium that can be lethal or cause major illnesses. Homeopathy Products Approved Last month we commented on demands by medical specialists in Spain that “fake” homeopathy products were made illegal throughout the EU. This followed many examples where specialists stated that patients who could probably have been cured of serious illnesses including cancer were abandoning treatment for pseudo-scientific homeopathy remedies that lead to their premature death. Regulations have now been published by the Spanish Organization for Medicines and Health Products who state that companies were invited to send in the exact composition of their products and the intended use before the end of July. Only 12 of them were considered to be absolutely beneficial for the condition they were supposed to treat, subject to further laboratory testing. 2,008 homeopathy remedies were considered to comply with a 2007 EU informative and will be placed on a register, but the manufacturers will have to include a written advice on the packaging by April 2019 that states they have no therapeutic value. There are an estimated 14,000 homeopathy products available in Spain with many of them sold at chemists. The Spanish authorities state that all of the products that are not part of the 2,008 will not now be able to be sold, and existing stocks at chemists and other outlets must be withdrawn from sale. The Spanish company Boiron are the largest suppliers of homeopathy products in Spain, and they consider that the new regulations are a big step forward and “fake”

products need to be taken off the market so that consumers are not misled into believing that they are a cure. Another complaint is that many homeopathy remedies are sold at prices that have no relationship to the ingredients, and purchasers are alleged to be swindled in many cases.

Problems at the Dia Supermarkets The Dia supermarket chain has 7.8% of the market compared to Mercadona with 25% and Carrefour with 8.2%. They have many financial problems and are looking for ways to improve the situation. In 2016 they sold products to the value of 8.7 billion Euros, wich fell to 8.6 billion in 2017 and projected sales for 2018 are 14% less. Their annual sales amount to 3,000 Euros per m2 of their supermarket area, but Mercadona achieve three times as much. Dia figures are 50% of those obtained at Carrefour. They have invested in businesses in France, Turkey, China, and Brazil where they have been hit by numerous strikes, and in Argentina where the currency has been devalued. Financial analysts consider that this has been an over ambitious expansion. They intend to sell their 1,200 ‘Clarel’ perfume shops and 35 ‘Max Descuento’ warehouses and are hoping to obtain 250 million Euros from their sale. They have substantial debts from loans made from 10 different banks and are asking these banks to be patient whilst re-structuring takes place. Their major shareholder with 29% is the Russian millionaire Mikhail Fridman who is a friend of Vladímir Putin.

ince 2006, non-Spanish EU citizens in Spain can vote in municipal and European Parliament elections. Despite Brexit, ex-pat Brits should still be able to vote in the next elections on May 26th, 2019. The first reason will be because the UK has not definitively left the EU, or secondly because the UK and Spain have come to a reciprocal agreement, which already exists between 12 non-EU countries.

The INE state: “The deadline to express your intent to vote in Spain ends on 30 January 2019”, but you should do this as soon as possible. You can go in person to your town hall and strictly speaking you have to take a current certificate that you are on the padrón, but many town halls will just check that you are listed. Your surname and Christian name on the form has to be the same as that on your padrón entry and you need your passport and your NIE /NIF identification number which starts with an “X” or “Y”.

The INE (Spanish Institute of Statistics) deals with voting procedure and the compilation of numbers. In a press release on October 31st they stated: “Although the United Kingdom has expressed its intent to leave the EU on 30 March 2019, as a precautionary measure the Electoral Census Office (ECO) has not excluded its citizens from the electoral roll for the municipal and European elections.” The Spanish Census Office is posting notifications to all non-Spanish EU citizens that are on the padrón (the official list of inhabitants in a municipality) who are at least 18yrs old on or before May 26th and are not on the voting list stating that they can apply for a vote. This applied on October 31st to 16,665 people in Almería province.

The intent to vote application needs two completed copies with one given back to you stamped by the town hall. May 26th, 2019, is coincidentally the same date to elect the 59 Spanish Euro MPs. There is a section on the form that allows you to apply for this vote but you You may ask why it is necessary that you vote, don’t have to unless you want to. and there is one very important reason. From May 2019 local councils stay in place for four years You can apply to go on the padrón and then apply until May 2023. If you are completely satisfied to vote before January 30th, 2019, but if you are that your council is doing a good job, your vote applying for both of these allow plenty of time is important to re-elect them. Conversely, if you before January 30th for them to be registered think your council has not done a good job, have successfully. used their majority in an unsatisfactory way, or there is corruption, your vote along with Spanish Your town hall has a duty to help you fill in the nationals could stop them being re-elected. If form if you need any assistance, and a duty to there are four, five, or six political parties putting make sure it is done in time. For this reason some up candidates an additional 30, 40, or 50 votes town halls will eventually have a person there in could be decisive. If you don’t vote and complain the afternoon when the town hall is normally shut; on May 27th that you don’t like your elected and this will apply in Mojácar. Do register to vote council this could partly be your fault. – a.s.a.p.!

So Now You Know... The Tallest Christmas Tree Every year at the Manhattan Rockefeller Centre they erect a real Christmas tree that is designed to be the tallest in the US. This year the 75 year old Norwegian spruce tree that is 72ft tall, 45ft in diameter, weighing an estimated 12 tons, has been felled in Wallkill in New York. It was cut down on November 8th and a crane put it on a lowloader lorry for the journey to Manhattan. After erection, 50,000 LED lights were installed that have a cable that is 5 miles long. It was first lit up on November 28th just after the US Thanksgiving. It will remain on display until January 7th and half a million people are expected to come and see it. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer The character Rudolph was created for a 1939 Christmas promotion for the ‘Montgomery Ward’ store in New York. Rudolph featured in a book given to children by Santa. Robert L. May wrote the advertising material which became a great success but the store owned the copyright. Subsequently, Robert May faced bankruptcy with expensive medical bills for his very ill wife. After a lot of pressure the store gave the Rudolph copyright back to Robert. Rudolph became extremely famous when Robert and his brother-in-law set the story to music. The famous version by Gene Autry became one of the bestselling records of all time. Christmas Celebrations Banned! Cromwell was a very successful military leader turned politician and entitled himself “Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland”. He was a strong defender of the Protestant religion and banned the celebration of Christmas in 1647. He ruled that it was immoral to celebrate pagan rituals on the most holy day of the year. A Christmas service was allowed in churches but nowhere else. Elsewhere it became a criminal offence with large fines or imprisonment. He died in 1658, and in 1660 the ban on Christmas celebrations was lifted. He killed large numbers of Roman Catholics in Ireland in “ethnic cleansing”.

‘NORAD’ and Santa The organization ‘NORAD’ is a highly secret US & Canadian military centre that provides highly accurate “real-time” information on airspace data such as rocket launches. Every December 24th volunteers share their “Santa information” on their website. They claim that they use radar, satellites, and fighter jets to track the location of Santa. In 1955 the enormous US ‘Sears’ department stores printed a phone number for children to tell Santa what they wanted. The mis-printed number was the “hotline” number for the NORAD Director of Operations. He told his staff to provide “Santa flight co-ordinates”, now a mobile phone app! The 12 Days of Christmas The 12 days of Christmas start the day after Christmas and continue until January 6th. 12th night is the night between January 5th & 6th. The 12 days are the last six of the old year, and the first six of the New Year. It was believed this was the time the Three Kings spent searching for the baby Jesus. For religious reasons the 12 days did not start until December 26th as Christmas Day was considered too holy to be a day for festive parties! Festivities continued until January 6thwith plenty of eating and drinking. People working on the land were allowed to have all the 12 days off as holiday, but only as long as any animals were fed and watered. Christmas in Russia The Russian Orthodox Church still use the original “Julian” calendar for religious events. This means that Christmas is celebrated on January 7th, and only the few Roman Catholics will celebrate Christmas on December 25th. In the days of the Soviet Union, Christmas was not considered important but New Year celebrations took place. Christians consider that advent takes place from December 2nd-24th when the coming of Jesus is celebrated but in the Orthodox Church advent starts on November 28th and continues until January 6th, a total of 40 days. Official Russian Christmas and New Year holidays are December 31st- January 10th.

Surprise Holiday Destinations

www.waynabox.com who started up in 2015 and has provided surprise holidays for 60,000 people up to mid-2018. The airports you can choose from are Barcelona, Madrid, Málaga and Alicante. All destinations are in Europe so a person signing on is not going to the US or Russia.When you choose your airport there may well be a list of all the possible countries, but you can’t choose one particular one you fancy. www.WowTrip.com is another company set up in 2017 that have The next step is to find suitable flights and how provided holidays to 7,000 people. much they cost. Finally, most people going to a foreign town or city want to look at the location of tourist attractions and recommendations from previous visitors, and printing off a map may be a good idea. Many websites help with bookings and if you want to do so some internet sites will book you the whole package including flights, hotels, and car hire. eople planning their holidays abroad this summer had to decide where they would like to go, as the first step. They then decided on their budget and looked on the internet for accommodation, prices, and the facilities on offer, with questions if it is a hotel such as, “How many stars does it have?”, “Has it got good reviews?”, and “Is it in the centre of the town or city, or a long way off ?”

In the last three or four years there is an alternative method on offer that is very simple. Various websites, after a suitable series of preferences that you supply such as dates, budget, and an airport, do everything for you. The difference is that you have no idea where you are going! Usually a person will be allowed to select one country they don’t want to go to. Many people would find this method of going on holiday to be the last thing they would even Most of these sites will give you an indication of consider, but others with a sense of adventure, the expected weather a week before your holiday or not at all interested in booking their own so you know whether to take summer clothes or holiday package or even thinking about it, consider wrap up well. The next step is that the time you this is an exciting idea. Reviews during the holiday have to be at the airport is revealed. Finally, you and afterwards from most operators are almost establish where you are going! Some sites allow 100% positive. One couple who left finding out you to find out 48hrs before your flight date, where they were going until they arrived at the or they post you a scratch card with a code airport thought that the thrill of finding out their number. It is up to you whether you want to find destination just before they flew was as exciting out where you are going at this stage, or wait as taking a pregnancy test at home! until you are at the airport with your mobile phone or laptop. The last email provides the Perhaps surprisingly, it is not just young single airline, check-in time, and hotel name and address. people or couples who choose to have a surprise The first company to do this was the Dutch holiday. Families book up for these as well, and company www.srprs.me but it soon spread to people of all ages. Fancy a Christmas break this other countries. One of the ones in Spain is year to an unknown destination?

Catch 22 for Young People

or the vast majority of young people entering the job market a few years ago, an offer of employment was open ended. Providing they performed well, the expectation was that the work would continue for the foreseeable future. Obtaining a better paid job after they had gained experience put them further up the employment ladder, and the next step was to get married and look for a property to buy. Mortgages for steady employment with prospects were not difficult to obtain.

encourage employees to set on staff, but the situation has now got out of hand. 27% of all employees in Spain now have temporary contracts, double the EU average. For employers in Spain, wages for temporary workers are often 33% less than permanent employees and there is usually no job training for better qualifications. Redundancy money, if the employee is laid off, is also much worse. Mercadona is the shining example of all Gibraltar employees having a fixed contract after a very short trial period. Wages are good with a well-paid All this has now changed dramatically, particularly bonus scheme based on sales. in Spain. People in work have to have contracts, and the ones that are open ended are called ‘contrato indefinido’ and there is the guarantee of continuous employment. The other types of contracts called ‘contrato temporal’ are for a limited period that may be less than 3 months, 6 months, or (rarely) one year, with the possibility of further temporary contracts. Workers in this situation have no security of employment with no guarantee that work will continue. Obtaining a mortgage is impossible, so many persons in this situation have to continue to live with their parents unless they can find somewhere cheap to rent. In Almería city, ignoring the rest of the province, the number of unemployed persons is 21% of the population, totalling just less than 20,000. When this is broken down, 50% of these unemployed persons are between the ages of 18 to 28. If there are offers of employment the employers have an enormous number of applicants. The new Torrecárdenas Commercial Centre is now open and 4,000 people applied for 50 jobs spread between four companies. The restaurant Muerde la Pasta needed 25 employees who had to have experience in the restaurant trade including cooking and 500 people applied. The Springfield fashion chain needed a handful of employees and 1,300 sent in their CVs. All the job offers were for a temporary period with the “possibility” that this might lead to permanent contracts.

In Almería province there is a pool of 20,000 unsold properties with the majority now belonging to banks, large property promoters, or investment companies. There is no prospect of young people on temporary contracts being able to get a mortgage. There is a shortage of rental properties, but the cost of renting is going up. In tourist areas such as Almería, Roquetas de Mar, El Ejido, and Mojácar, holiday lettings take rental properties out of the general market. In Almería city, the cost of renting a property anywhere within a short travelling distance is typically 400 Euros a month, more than a mortgage might cost. In Germany, the cost of rental properties is now subject to limits on the annual rise in price based on previous years, unless major improvements have been carried out. A similar system needs to be introduced in Spain and large Temporary contracts in Spain were introduced in numbers of subsidised rental properties have to be 1984, when there was an employment crisis, to built.

Going to the Pub

paniards going to the UK on holiday are very interested in going to a pub. They are quite distinct from the normal bars found in Spain and 50% of the annual 20 million foreign tourists want to go and sample a pint. Despite this interest from UK foreign tourists, economists state that in the last 35 years 25% of all British pubs have closed and the present total is about 51,000. In the 1990s the average annual consumption of beer was 174 pints / 99 litres per person, but this has now fallen to 118 pints / 67 litres, a decrease of 32% despite a rise in population. In comparison in Spain, the average annual intake of beers and lagers in 2017 was 48 litres / 84 pints. Just as Spaniards like to drink wine, the consumption of wine in the UK has now risen to an annual average of 35 litres per head of population. In London, where the most foreign tourists go for holidays, the decreasing number of pubs is still very distinct. 25% have shut in the last 15 years down to the present number of 4,800, but the population has expanded by 24%. A study by economists and social trends investigators from Oxford University points out that in large cities there is now an increase of Muslims, Sikhs, and other nationalities, where going to the pub is not so common. This sector of the population in London has gone from 13 to19% in the last 10 years, but the number of British residents has gone down from 60% to 45%. ‘CAMRA’, The Campaign For Real Ale, states that throughout the country there are 18 pubs closing every week. They put part of the problem down to the customs tax on beer and increases in rent, and are of the opinion that without tourism the decrease would be much more pronounced. The money that comes from pubs that goes into the UK economy is 23 billion pounds sterling, so an appreciable amount of money, and CAMRA point out that fewer pubs means less income. The British Beer & Pub Association which represents

20,000 pubs considers that the decline in the number of pubs is very bad and something needs to be done to stop the decrease. Tom Parker Bowles, the son of Camilla, thinks that the reduction in numbers will level out and the social interaction in pubs is one of the “high altars” of society that will never die out. He points out that when James Watson and Francis Crick unravelled the secrets of DNA they both went to ‘The Eagle’ pub in Cambridge and announced their achievement there!

Just as beer drinkers seem to be declining and drinking wine is more popular, the same thing applies to drinking tea and coffee. In Spain there are hardly any places except British ex-pats bars where tea is served up, and the overwhelming drink is coffee. In 2017 the daily intake of cups of coffee in the UK amounted to 70 million cups, still a long way below the 165 million cups of tea bought from cafés and other public places, but the trend is expected to continue. Coffee now comes in a wide variety of different types partly following the opening up of 1,600 ‘Greggs’ establishments, 1,500 ‘Costa Coffee’ outlets, 719 ‘Starbucks’, and 500 ‘Caffe Nero’ shops. Buying coffee to take away to be drunk at work, on public transport, or on the way to the gym, is a major part of coffee sales that didn’t exist previously.

Petrol, Diesel & Hybrid Cars

he Spanish Minister for Industry, Reyes Maroto, has put forward a proposal in parliament stating that by 2040 the manufacture and sale of petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicles in Spain will cease and everybody will be driving electric ones. This has gone down like a lead balloon with Spanish vehicle manufacturers and dealerships, who claim that it is completely unrealistic. Reyes Marota quickly replied and emphasised that this was a working document subject to discussion.

to buy new cars in 2019 and wait until 2020. From 2012 to 2016, subsidies from the Spanish government and the motor manufacturers, known as the PIVE schemes, were put in place to encourage the sale of new vehicles as the car sales in Spain had declined. This was initially 2,000 Euros split between both parties, later reduced to 1,500 Euros, if an old vehicle was scrapped. There were eight PIVE purchase periods with a cap on the total subsidies and this was very successful, resulting in the purchase of 1.2 million Marta Blázquez , the President of the Spanish new vehicles. vehicle dealership organization ‘Faconauto’, has added her reservations and doubts. She points out that the industry is experiencing some difficulties at the present time, partly because of the new EU emissions regulations with new engines having to be supplied and fitted. For this and other reasons, sales of cars up to the middle of November 2018 were 23% less than the same period in 2017. The purchase of cars by private individuals has gone down 28% in the same period and the number of new cars being registered went down by 17% in September and 7% in October. The government have announced that in 2019 the cost of diesel fuel will be put up by 3.8 céntimos per litre to the same price as petrol The DGT has been calling for older vehicles in (apart from professional drivers who will continue general to be replaced on the grounds that they to pay the current price), and Pere Navarro, head lack the safety features of modern vehicles, and of the ‘DGT’ Spanish Traffic Authority, says that the mechanical condition is worse than newer potential purchasers of vehicles do not know vehicles so there are more accidents and fatalities. which type to buy, so they are hanging back. The Pere Navarro agrees that old vehicles need to be ‘Dieselgate’ scandal is still fresh in the minds of replaced, but as all older cars have to pass the the general public, and despite the new engines, annual ‘ITV’(MOT) tests he doesn’t agree that they there is a fear that purchasers will face an increase are all dangerous. in cost, or some sort of extra tax, apart from the Electric cars are expensive and the amount of rise in fuel cost. charging points in public places is minimal. Marta Blázquez is firmly convinced that immediate Volkswagen has stated that they will invest 44 plans have to be made to give incentives to the billion Euros between now and 2023 for the owners of the 12 million diesel cars in Spain that production of electric cars. The power company are over 10 years old to trade up. The Minister Endesa are proposing to install 8,500 charging for Industry is already talking about this in 2020, points in Spain by 2020 with 2,000 in places with but Marta Blázquez says that by giving the date more than 35,000 inhabitants, and another 6,500 of 2020, potential purchasers are quite likely not by 2023. This is hardly a solution!

Photographing Food

tarting in the US, after the craze of taking “selfies” with smartphones, people started photographing food, coffee with swirly patterns, artisan ice creams and cocktails. The main Christmas meal for Spaniards takes place on Christmas Eve and family members living away from their home towns and villages try to return for the event. Other nationalities including Brits look forward to their Christmas Day mid-day meal. There will be millions of photos shared with friends or put on social media.

customers. Many people of all ages keep coming back to try different brands.

‘Be Waffle’ is a franchise with outlets in Almería city and Roquetas de Mar that opened a short time ago. They serve “Bubble waffles” and doughnutswith a wide range of specialist handmade ice creams and toppings and are rated 4.5 on Tripadvisor. Their owners, Francisco Fernández and Francesco Poda, also state that without photos on social media they might have been struggling for customers. Occasionallythere is a small queue Gourmet food has become an art form, and people but they have many faithful clients and are popular eating out want to share photos as a means of with people of all ages, particularly children! showing that they are partaking of a good lifestyle. Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook are very popular for birthdays, weddings, family events such as parties, and even funerals, and invariable have photos of the food. The other side of the coin is that photos taken in restaurants publicise the food on offer so that friends or social media followers may well decide to go there, taking and sharing their own photos, which has a major continuing impact on the establishment. This has been given the name “influencing” and can be ‘Ice Wave Show’ is another franchise in Almería extremely important. city and specialise in natural artisan ice creams For niche restaurants with very specialized items, produced on a show-cooking “freezing pan” at photos of what is on offer have become vital to minus 30 degrees, to eat inside or take away, publicise the establishment and there are new along with filled crepes. They are another company ventures in Almería province that are becoming that have received enormous publicity from social very popular from the sharing of photos and media sites and they accept that being social media. ‘Cereal Sweet Secret Café’ in “fashionable” or “chic” is a major requirement, Aguadulce is a venture that on the face of it aided by the large numbers of photos that clients would not seem to be extremely popular. Their share with their friends. main menu is a large selection of more than 40 international and exotic “breakfast” cereal brands, Supermarkets such as Waitrose in the UK have served up in bowls with small bottles of milk in a found from observations by staff in their stores variety of colours. The owner, Douglas McLaughlin, that young people aged 18- 24 are really keen to is delighted to see extremely large numbers of upload photos of their products. They consider 5* photos put on Facebook and Instagram and that this is a trend that they cannot ignore, he soon clocked up nearly 5,000 followers with needing colourful and attractive displays and many clients posting mini-videos. He has copied presentation. Borough Market’s “Bread Ahead” the idea from the US and the UK and sees no doughnuts quickly achieved 5,000 tagged photos reason why his products will cease to attract new on Instagram.

Useful Telephone Numbers Emergencies (Multi-lingual)...................112 Health Emergencies: Life Threatening .........................................061 Other Health Emergencies...........902505061

HACIENDA (TAX OFFICE) Huércal Overa .......................950 470209 / 950 471013

FUNERAL DIRECTOR Albox (Funerarias Teruel) .......................................950 430122 Guardia Civil ..................................................062 Huércal Overa (Colly Fer) ...............................950 616161 Local Police ....................................................092 Garrucha (Funerarias Funerga) ..............................950 460295 Coast Guard .................................900 202 202 Mojácar (Funeraria Pérez) ...................................950 478102 Vera (Funeraria Ntra. Sra. de las Angustias) ..950 390884 AIRPORTS Almeria airport .....…..............…902 404 704 / 950 213 700 HOSPITALS Huércal-Overa, Alicante airport ….............………913 211 000 / 966 919 000 Hospital La Inmaculada..................................................950 029000 San Javier airport ……...……….902 404 704 / 968 172 000 Almería Torrecárdenas............................................950 016000 Almería,Virgen del Mar (Private).....................950 217100 BRITISH EMBASSY Virgen del Mar Emergencies:............................950 217240 Madrid ......................................................................917 146300 LOCAL POLICE BRITISH CONSULATE Albox ...............................................................................950 121080 Málaga (for this area) ................................................952 352300 Carboneras .................................................................950 136136 Cuevas del Almanzora ................................................950 548700 UK PASSPORT INFORMATION Garrucha ............................................................................950 460002 www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/passports Huércal-Overa ..............................................................950 470585 Mojácar ...........................................................................950 472000 EMERGENCY UK PASSPORTS Pulpi ……………......................................................................950 465049 www.gov.uk/emergency-travel-document Vera .................................................................................950 390010 CREDIT CARDS 24hr EMERGENCIES 4B(Visa/Mastercard) …..902 114400 / 913 626200 American Express …...................................................900 814500 Diners Club …..........................................................902 401112 Mastercard …..........................................................900 971231 Servired (Visa/Mastercard) …............................902 192100 Visa …..........................................................................900 991124

TOWN HALLS Albox ....................................................................................950 120908 Antas ............................................................................950 619015 Arboleas .............................................................................950 449430 Cuevas del Almanzora .................................................950 456488 Los Gallardos ....................................................................950 469000 Garrucha ...............................................................................950 460058 Huércal-Overa ...............................................................950 134900 Mojácar ...........................................................................950 615009 ELECTRICITY Sevillana Endesa Enquiries: ..................(free).800 760333 Turre ..................................................................................950 479011 Breakdowns:.........................(free).900 850840 Vera .....................................................................................950 393016 WATER Galasa Enquiries: ..................................................950 391200 TELEPHONE (Telefonica) Breakdowns: ...........................................902 355575 Normal Operator ..................................................................1004 Gestagua (Albox) ....................................................950 120649 Faults Operator ....................................................................1002 International Operator ......................................................11825 GAS Speaking Clock .........................................................................093 Cepsa (Silver bottles) Leaks ….......................902 100224 Cepsa, information …......................................902 416416 TAXIS See Directory pages Repsol (Red bottles) Leaks .......................901 121212 Repsol, information .........................................901 100100 MOBILES LOST OR STOLEN (From any 'phone) ITV (Spanish M.O.T. Centres) Orange …........................................................................656 001470 Vera, Albox, Veléz Rubio Telefónica Movistar …............................................095 702611 Central number ……………........................................959 999999 Vodafone …....................................................................607 123000 Yoigo …..................................................................................622 622622 TRAINS Renfe www.horarios.renfe.es ……..........…….902 240202

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

The Focus A-Z Directory

2000 entries!

This A-Z directory is the only comprehensive listing of all the businesses and services you routinely need, and can never find!

For a free directory entry, call 670 84 92 65 or e-mail almeriafocus@gmail.com Keep this magazine in your office, by your 'phone, in the car or beside your bed! It's unique and updated every month. Red line entries signify that there is a display advert for that advertiser.

ACCOUNTING

AIR CONDITIONING

Asesoría Forte (Vera) ..........................950 395778 / 682 372196 ABC (A Better Climate) (See p.29)...647 247494 / 950 092604 Cool Solutions ...........................................................600 621436 DCM Digitek Comms (Mojácar) (See p.19) .950 472947 / 670 084438 Digital Vision (See p.33) ...................950 472081 / 645 294064 Electrotorres ........................................950 472898 / 610 750771 MD Air Conditioning & Refrigeration S.L. 607 364917 / 950 432110

Asesoría López (Vera) ……...................................….950 393071 Asesoría Torres (Mojácar) .........................................950 472748 Asesoría Sánchez Moral (Mojácar) ...........................670 099726

Barbara Caparros Ridao (Vera) …..........................950 390427 CG Legal & Financial (Mojácar Playa) ..950 472504 / 670 215926 Cabrera Cervantes (Turre) ................950 099400 / 627 464545 Cazorla Martinez (Turre) .........................................950 479137 Cervantes Alarcon Consulting (Garrucha) 950 106490 / 647 863787 Concepción Rivas Gil (Arboleas) ….....950 438092 / 647 577716 Flores Montoya Asesoria S.L. (Garrucha) ..................950 132577 Gecko Legal Services S.L. (Mojácar) 950 475949 / 638 264621 Gestoría Salvador (Mojácar Playa) ................................950 473 192 Mayor Consulting S.L.(Mojácar) .................................950 615185 Mojácar Playa Asesores ……................…….…………950 472710 Sintra Consultores (Vera) …......................................950 393815 Vera Advisors (Vera) ………………..................………950 390621 Villalba Asesores (Albox) ..........................................950 431720

ACUPUNCTURE

Richard Hayes ...........................................................603 567676 Solo Satellite & Air-Con. (See p.55)...950 398146 / 699 909737 Williams Electrical (Andy)........................................…..677 741366

AIRPORT PARKING AA Parking (Almería, Murcia, Alicante) ......................639 081067 Aqua-Car (Alicante) ……………........................................966 790 011 Coastline Alicante Airport Parking .............................661 517890 Plane Parking S.L. …………............................................966 840 289 ...............(24hrs Alicante) 656 532725, (24hrs Murcia) 656 532724 Seguro Parking (San Jávier – Murcia) ……............622 062115 Victoria Parking (Alicante).................................................965 830 254

AIRPORT TRANSFERS (LEGAL) Exclusive Airport Shuttles (See p.11)......................950 092602

Acupuncture Antonio Herrero ......................................670 099725

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ART & ARTISTS Adolfo Prado ...............................................................950 472668 Alison .......................................................................630 833873 Buy Buy Auctions ...................................................681 095096 Caz (art classes) ………................................……….607 444034 Dee Butler (Albox) ................................................….663 341904 Delfos Gallery (Mojácar) …........................................647 163681 Evie Fox ................................................................ 603 493163 Isabel Raths (Bedar) ................................................677 034957 Jeremy Fox-Rayner ...................................................653 714767 Jill Bennett (Mojácar) .........................950 478383 / 600 070188 Living Design (Albox) ...............................................678 308073 MarianMay Simpson …...........................………..……629 113436 Melanie .....................................................................638 495784 Miki ...........................................................................628 458491 Roberto Lombardi ................................950 930757 / 671 800317 The Gallery (La Concepción) ..................................607 146352

ALARMS & SECURITY AC Security ........................................950 387822 / 657 AXA .........................................................................950 CD Electrical Services ......................662 414043 / 617 Prosegur Alarms .........................................................608 Safes & Security (Dean)...........................................666 SE Telecoms ..............................................................697 Securitas Direct (Phil Lennon) .................................696

397218 478763 410534 825509 949213 AUCTIONS 780499 A & A Auctions (Albox) ………..............950 064576 / 661 759882 116803

Auction Subasta SL (Zurgena) ...........622 288750 / 681 095096 Location Warehousing S.L. (Antas El Real) ..............950 528565

ANTIQUES

AUTOMATIC DOORS & GATES

Buy Buy Auctions ...................................................681 095096 The Metal Works (Albox).......................950 930520 / 638 900949 Delfos (Mojácar) ......................................................647 163681

AWNINGS & BLINDS

ARCHITECTS Angel Pardo (Técnico) .......................950 121960 / 687 939315 Antonio Martinez de la Casa .....................................950 092094 Blas Haro Morales ...................................................950 615345 Daniel González Aranda (Vera) ......................................686 846 624 Elena Acebo Architects (Huércal-Overa) .669 680098 / 950 134976 Paula Puente (Mojácar) .............................................610 433001

Curtains with Style (Interior blinds) ...950 069032 / 678 811125 Costasol S.L. (Lloyd Dean) (See cover)...........................667 652 888 Coverbox (Albox) …................................................…615 992007 Cristalería Omega (Mojácar) …..........950 478137 / 670 500711 Lifestyle Enclosures Europe S.L. (See p. 9) 950 459060 / 638 063196 PersiVera 2005 S.L. ..................................................627 978635 Sol Shaders S.L. (See p.45).....................................627 907207

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Speedyfit ...................................................................600 006032 Toldos Farrago (Vera) ...............................................667 567564

BABY See Children & Baby BAKERIES Cornish Pride (Albox) …................................………666 618933

BARS & CAFES See also Restaurants Albox Bar Lepanto ................................................................642 906638 Cafe-Bar Oasis ………......................................…....669 242166 Chapman’s ...............................................................642 447663 Cornish Pride ...................................................………666 618933 La Palmera ….............................................................950 430993 The Travellers Inn, Los Marcelinos ...........................642 011900

Alfaix La Venta de Alfaix .....................................................671 272464

Antas Bar Gloria ...................................…….950 453150 / 625 668613

Arboleas Hotel Rural Azabache ...............................................690 258813 Humbugs Cafe …......................................643 123253 / 643 075387

Bédar El Paso ...................................................................678 868963

Cerro Gordo Bistro Bonita .......................................650 599739 / 950 930169

Cucador La Vida .....................................................................950 634562

El Campico (Bédar-Lubrin) La Montaña .............................................................670 589788

Garrucha Tierra y Mar .............................................................850 992808

Huércal-Overa

Cafeteria Bellagio .......................................…………950 472323 Cafetería Pizzería Alcazaba ………...........................645 414793 Café Latino ...............................................................626 717323 Captain's Tapas Bar & Restaurant...............................617 477797 Cave Bar ...............................................................…..950 478799 Delfos .......................................................................647 163681 Dolce Vita .................................................................950 478476 El Ángel (Mojácar Pueblo) ..................950 478343 / 607 537101 El Antler ………...........................................................600 540661 El Barrio Libre .............................................................950 475739 El Deseo ....................................................................670 018035 El Toro .....................................................................622 456560 Enrico ...................................................950 472995 / 642 514738 Fany …………...........................................………….634 312820 Jazz Life Café (Mojácar Pueblo) ........................…….647 724367 Koi ….........................................................................950 615452 Kukis ........................................................................686 038259 La Cantina (Mexican) ................................................950 478941 La Parata (See p.7).....................................................950 478186 La Piká .....................................................................950 930744 La Taberna (Mojácar Pueblo) ....................................647 724367 Los Amigos .......................................…………………950 478489 Lucer ………..................................................……….673 544617 Marcelo’s .................................................................950 031812 Martinis ....................................................................950 285330

El Capricho …..........................................................697 297235 The Hub ......…………….....................................……950 135039

La Alfoquía Bar La Unión ...........................................................642 Bar Los Mellizos ……….........................................…667 Cielos …...................................................................634 El Local ……......................................950 634449 / 633

008003 919025 393235 684855

Las Buganvillas Gnomo Feliz II ..........................................................950 132350 La Colonial ……………….........................................….636 140307

Los Gallardos

Mesón Felipe San Bernabé ................950 475966 / 631 301368 Apolo ……………................................................……600 495182 Mesón Mémé ……………...........……….674 141159 / 647 954405 Meson Verfran ………...................................................637 810143 Mimi’s Bar ..................................................................651 872604 Mojácar Moca Cafe Bar …......................................................950 452885 Bar Alizee ...............................................................950 091810 No 353 (Mojácar)..................................950 104937 / 662 164424 Bar Esencial ...............................................................618 826092 Playa Blanca ........................................950 473001 / 639 507520 Bar Luz ....................................................................654 866110 Rincon de Zahorí ................................630 314400 / 625 103672 Beachcomber ..............................................................634 339216 Rose & Crown (See p.15)........................................634 796884

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Rob on 619 833 041

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com Grace’s Bar ................................................................950 532339 Pub Millionaire ....................................950 617467 / 637 255978

San Juan de los Terreros Mi Cortijo ………......................................................…950 466323

Turre Alice’s Bar ……….......................................................677 Chili ...................................................950 468425 / 608 La Pará ……………............................................……637 Rosie Lees .............................................................643

Rusty Nail …………....................................................950 San Pedro Belgian Bar .............................................722 Scotty's …...................................................................687 The Emerald Isle .....................................................950 The Irish Rover (See p.43).........................................950 The Lemon Lounge .............................................….950 The Roof Garden .................................................674 Trufibar ....................................................................664 Twister (Mojácar Playa) ........................………………950 Valery Music ..............................................................950 Wine Not? ............................................................... 950

472786 485340 382540 475391 473135 472659 113218 103611 472357 615537 100077

Palomares

161705 802227 545590 198600

Valle del Este Hole in One Karen’s Bar ......................950 461068 / 677 655790

Vera

102 Tapas Bar …………...........................……………..615 157905. Casa de la Vega ......................................................950 Asagía Asador ........................................................640 210185 La Amistad …………….…......................................…666 Centro Plaza ................................................................950 618614 Vera Playa La Dulce Casa ….................................................…….950 467768 Bar La Reva .................................634 398465 / 618 The Oasis Bar ....................................950 467381 / 676 365010 El Balconcito .............................................................635 Piedra Amarilla, Partaloa Frankie’s Bar .....................................950 467541 / 622 Lorena’s ...................................................................634 397621

391208 622085 541115 589909 649469

Pueblo Laguna Bar Restaurant Laguna ……….........................……..950 132566

La Buena Mesa ……............................950 467222 / 610 La Peperina .............................................................677 Restaurante Tibu .....................................................950 The Blue Parrot ......................................................950

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Rob on 619 833 041

356387 420243 133747 467682

Free directory entries. Villaricos

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

Bar La Plaza Villaricos .........................................…950 El Galeon ……...................................................……600 La Casa del Siret ....................................................950 Los Conteros .....................................950 618629 / 699 Lucky Bar Pizzeria ...........................................…….647

467590 559379 467777 010705 073598

Casa Montes Guesthouse (Arboleas) ..................... 686 Castellón (Bédar) .......................................................642 Las Persianas Azules (Velez Rubio) ..950 068054 / 630 Hostal La Parata (Mojácar) ........................................950 The Palms (Urcal) …………......................................678

400331 435909 149622 472670 832036

BEDS & BEDDING

BARS (BEACH BARS)

Buy Buy Auctions ...................................................681 095096 Aku Aku (Mojácar) .(See previous page).950 478981 / 607 347612 Furniture Plus (Puerto de Mazarron)...968 153907 / 678 083491 Alma (Mojácar) …......................................................950 805928 Me & Mrs Jones (Los Llanos market) ......................0044 7850 840288 Ankara Beach Terrace (Mojácar) ………........………..950 473042 Sleepcentre (Albox) (See p.6) ..........868 931872 / 671 715294 Armony Beach Club (Vera Playa) …......……………..617 745021 Chiringuito Manacá (Mojácar) .....................................600 045599 Costa Tranquila (San Juan de los Terreros)..664701457 El Cid (Mojácar) ...................................950 472063 / 696 056128 El Patio (Mojácar) ........................................................629 287265 Hola Ola (Mojácar) ..................................................664 097279 Lola Bbme (Palomares) ……………….634 062350 / 657 303043 Los Tarahis (Agua Amarga) .......................................950 138235 Lua Beach Club (Mojácar) …......................………… 950 472643 Mandala Beach Club (Mojácar) ................................902 442420 Maraú (Vera Playa) ………...........................…………671 580340 Maui (Mojácar) ……...................................................950 478722 Neptuno (Mojácar) (See p.41) ...............................…616 005387 BICYCLE HIRE Sol y Arena (Mojácar) ..............................................950 478308 Aguila Bike (Las Buganvillas) ........................................950 133063 Tito’s (Mojácar) ..........................................................950 615030 BiciStar (Vera) ……............................................……667 024001 Trufibar ....................................................................664 103611 BikeRun Sport (Albox) …………………950 930190 / 678 166252 Ciclos Mountain Bike Aguilas …..........................……968 413984 BATHROOMS & SHOWERS Dazzlem (Vera Playa) ...........................627 818719 / 673 589874 24hr Casaserve ...................................950 466438 / 676 306269 Doltcini (Mojácar) ................................950 092600 / 658 028646 ABS Advanced Building Services ..............................687 846016 Lufran Bike Sport …………....................................….607 074753 Cerrajería Jara (Las Buganvillas) ……………………..950 109986 Mountain Biking Spain …...............……637 831509 / 661 178656 Cristalería Omega (Mojácar) …..........950 478137 / 670 500711 Rodeca Bike Zone ..................................................950 132525 Diamond Bathrooms ..................................................671 717149 Weekend Sport (Las Buganvillas) .........................950 460738 Dorothy Bathrooms (Albox) .........................................661 463842 Enrique Aguirre S.L. (Garrucha) .................................950 460028 BICYCLE SALES, Mojácar Home Improvements..............950 473104 / 689 296432

MAINTENANCE & CLOTHING

Aguila Bike (Las Buganvillas) ........................................950 133063 BikeRun Sport (Albox) …………………950 930190 / 678 166252 Doltcini (Clothing) (Mojácar) ..............950 092600 / 658 028646 Lufran Bike Sport …………....................................….607 074753 Rodeca Bike Zone ..................................................950 132525 Weekend Sport (Las Buganvillas) ............................950 460738

BLINDS see Awnings & Blinds BOATS & NAUTICAL Veramotor S.A. ............................................................950 392552 Shower Master screens ...........................................677 604497 BOAT TRIPS SpeedyFit (Screens) ..................................................600 006032 Glass Bottom Boat (Villaricos port) ….......................662 Toldos Farrago (Screens)(Vera) ................................667 567564 Orca Steve (Mojacar, Garrucha) ..............................634 BEAUTY See Hair, Health & Beauty Partylevante (Puerto Deportivo Garrucha) ...............680 Red Line Coast Tours ….....................950 133082 / 687

BED & BREAKFAST

604456 352873 942141 189230

BOOKS Casa Barranca (Huercal Overa) ....... 95 0952947 / 648 250699 Casa Jasmine (La Alfoquía) ......................................950 449513 Librería Nobel (Vera) ................................................950 392642 To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Rob on 619 833 041

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Tabernas Books …..............................663 121256 / 676 256083 The Book Box (Albox) ……................................…….662 585098 The Book People Almería …........……686 817945 / 626 578164

BOOK PUBLISHING Costa Books ............................................................634 304344

BOWLING CENTRES (10 pin) Almería Ten Pin Bowling (Arboleas) …...................….950 439013 Ozone Bowling Mojácar ............................................950 473073

BUILDING MATERIALS (& Sanitary Ware, Tiles etc) Aridos Mojácar S.L. ……..........................................650 914257 Brico Depôt (Huércal de Almería) …........…………….950 625652 Casa Conchillo (Albox) …..........................................950 430740 Contrucciones Angel Oller (Albox) ...........................950 431453 Comercial Vera (Vera) ........................902 112236 / 950 393329 Enrique Aguirre S.L. (Garrucha) .................................950 460028 Leroy Merlin, Gran Plaza (Roquetas) ….................……950 339800 Sanyfer (Antas El Real) ………....................................950 459082 VeraSur SL (Vera) ....................................................950 393028

BUILDING SERVICES 24hr Casaserve ..................................950 466438 / 676 306269 ABS Advanced Building Services ..............................687 846016 Adam's Building Services .............................………..600 041820 Alan Barker ........................................950 099913 / 600 268176 AlmeriaBuilders.com ……......................659 685133 / 950 930520 Andalucian Con Co Print .................................….…..628 408197 Andaluz Building Services.......................................…950 439094 Antas Building Company …..........…..........................661 075802 Arboleas Building ………........……….950 930536 / 634 306690 Armadillo ........................................…......................950 528128

Ben Foster Building Services (See p.61)..................642 471236 CES Builders (Paul) ................................................685 017178 Charlie Fyre ..............................................................686 833444 Construcciones DISACA (Mojácar) ...........................639 817778 Constructions Martinez Moreno (Rambla de Oria) ….696 052044 Cutler’s Carpentry .................................................697 907708 Daniel ……………..................................................….642 236810 DAGA Construction ……...................................……686 846624 David Croft (Urcal) ………....................................……661 148067 David Pritchard Construcciones ................................617 698418 Deco-house (Ismael) …………....................................670 596085 Diamond Plastering and Building Services .................671 717149 Elegant Homes S.L. ..............................950 092603 / 687 629777 Garden Works ...........................................................666 847583 Genco Construction ...................................................607 271869 Hire a Husband …………............……..677 557 190 / 950 930596 J B General Builder ................................................. 687 024884 Jasmine Construction C.B ...................................... 659 185189 Mario the Handyman ................................................642 245017 Mat Murray ...............................................................647 841750 MD Building Services ..........................628 414861 / 628 414862

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Free directory entries.

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BUTCHERS Ávila (Vera) …….................................................……663 126062 Casa Jose (Garrucha) ..............................................950 132573 Juan’s Carniceria (Mojácar Playa) ........................950 478409

Nash Groundworks ..................................................722 546192 P & S Building Services ……...….…….950 449639 / 671 318982 PR Building Services ................................................662 422170

CAKES TO ORDER Crazy Cakes Almeria .......................634 335821 / 634 345558 Joan's Cakes & Bakes (Albox) ..................................678 166272 Moca Cafe Bar (Mojácar).........................................950 452885 No 353 (Mojácar)..................................950 104937 / 662 164424 Occasion Cupcakes (Velez Rubio) ............................634 329403

CAMPSITES Camping el Cantal (Mojacar) ................................... 950 478204 Camping Los Gallardos .............................................679 970399 Campsite Marion (Vera) .............................................607 316553

CAR HIRE Al Andalus Car Hire ...................................................664 269440 Auto Corner (Limousines) .....................950 069198 / 667 439671 Caracola (Mojácar) .............................950 473157 / 637 545814

Paul Acreman (General Builder) ..............……………607 196779 Professional Bricklayer ……………........................…..626 730764 Property Consultation & Project Management (Tom) 603 670218 Saxon’s Complete Building Services ....618 920126 / 968 485729 Valley Construction ..............…………..665 517643 / 610 905173 Valoser Obras .........................................................642 016954 Costa Coches (Mojácar) ........................950 459208 / 950 069272 Vision Design and Build ........................950 459523 / 600 985583 Europcar ............................................950 615101 / 654 297681

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Free directory entries.

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CARD SHOPS C.A.T. Services (La Alfoquía) (See p.31).950 634388 / 627 635514 Colin the Card (Albox) .........................................…..650 600032 Forget Me Not (Las Buganvillas) ............................663 302740 Total Entertainment (Albox) ......................................950 121318 Total Entertainment (Arboleas) .................................678 009051 Total Entertainment (Mojácar) ……….................……950 615596 Total Entertainment (Turre) .........................................950 468295

CARPENTRY Mo-Car (Mojácar) ................................950 478307 / 626 976973 Solvi Car (Mojácar) …………....................................950 478151 SRS Vehicle Services ................................................950 449095 Tikka RentaCar (Mojácar) ............................................950 472662

CAR WASH & VALETING Autos Gowi (Garrucha) ........................950 806066 / 607 863939 Integral Autos (El Real) ...........................................950 459304 Jones’s Mobile Valeting ............................................661 571939

Khaled - Valeting (Mojácar) ......................................671 715285

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A.N.S.T.E.Y - Carpentry & Joinery ………...............687 251629 CHIROPODIST & PODIATRISTS Cutler’s Carpentry .................................................697 907708 Alexandra Coll (Clinic Reverdy-Coll) ......................616 673116 Go2 Joinery & Services ...........................................674 963957 Clinica Podológica (Garrucha) ..................................950 132768 Inspired Timberwork ..................................................610 988371 Mojacar Carpentry & Home Improvements ...............603 688622 Simon the Woodworker .............................................667 989270 TJ Carpentry (Albox) …….....………….619 584405 / 635 979829 Unicraft …..............................................................…692 176069 Vision Design and Build ........................950 459523 / 600 985583 Wildwood Bespoke Joinery ......................................634 328574

CARPET CLEANING Jones’s Mobile Valeting ............................................661 571939

CATERING / EVENTS See also Wedding & Party Planning Elite Cuisine ..........................................................610 Hog Roasts .............................................................671 La Capilla Restaurant (Las Alparatas, Mojácar) .......950 The Whole Hog / Hog Roast parties ..968 485729 / 618 Soft Ice Cream and Frozen Yoghurt Machines............600

994435 851135 479305 920126 006032

CATTERY see Kennels CHILDREN & BABY Baby Basics (Equipment Hire, Albox) ........................950 104345 Brian’s Furniture (Equipment hire) (Mojácar Playa) ...674 280268 Kim White (Vera Playa) ………...................................637 149659 Mobility Almería (Mojácar Playa) ..............................634 322475 Meditania, Children’s Activity Centre (Turre) ...........661 751244 CHIROPRACTOR Menudo Park (Mojácar) ............................................627 830499 Maximilian Bolté (Garrucha) .............950 133515 / 650 700783 Funky Monkeys, Pre-school Group (Mojácar) .....……697 264179 CIVIL ENGINEERS Smartie Pants the Clown ............................................617 815221 Isabel Morales ........................................................617 749105 The Baby Hire Centre ..............................................615 806126

CHIMNEY SWEEPING & REPAIRS Paul the Chimney Sweep …………..617 150300 / 850 993057 Sammy Sweep ..........…............................…………..619 070839

CHINESE & ASIAN RESTAURANTS Casa Sun (Mojácar Playa) ......................................950 099914 Chino Peking (Garrucha) .............................................950 132948 China Town (Aguilas) ................................................968 414786 Chino Tsing-Tao (Aguilas) ........................…...............968 448548 Dragon Chino (Las Buganvillas) ..................................950 133226 Gran Muralla (Albox) ................................................950 120166 Gran Muralla (Turre) ……............................................950 618880 Palacio Imperial Marina (Mojácar Playa) ….................950 472208 Restaurante Asia - Maribo Kitchen ...........................950 110420

The Almería Focus is the magazine that everyone keeps to hand. If you want to advertise your business, just call Rob on 619 833 041, Clara (español) on 670 849 265 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Rob on 619 833 041

Free directory entries.

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CLAIRVOYANCY / PSYCHIC READINGS Anna (Tarot) ……….........................................………670 897832 Chrissie Cremore ....................................................634 349638 Psychic Karen (Turre) …..........................................678 118108

CLOTHING (Personalized) AdverTees (Mojácar Playa) ......................................634 33678

Computer Services (Dani) ..................678 490639 / 630 007430 Connexions (Turre) (See front cover).......................950 479502 C.Y.G. Vera ...........................................................950 393350 Don Robinson .........................................................646 587746 Dynos Informatica (Albox) …………...................……..950 430806 First Call Computer Solutions …......618 539500 / 628 251399 George Boricean .....................................................661 375489 IKamale-on ……………...............................................950 616521 Mark Adamou (Mojácar) ........................634 324918 / 634 306799 Mi PC (Almeria) …..............................................….950 633015 Mr. Micro (Turre) ....................................................950 479502 Palomares Computer Services ..................................659 353708 PC Playa (Mojácar) ......................................................634 356498

Rascals Designs ............................... 950 064665 / 686 582140 Tikka Uniforms (Mojácar) ….......................................667 479903

CLEANING SERVICES A1 Cleaning ..............................................................666 340190 Amba Cleaners ........................................................697 516955 Chris .......................................................................627 565049 Clean Sweep ………..........................950 469345 / 662 390453 Clean Team …………..............………850 993202 / 694 440184 Cherie's Ironing & Cleaning (Mojácar) ............………634 301389 Crystal Clear ............................................................637 229464 Daisy Proaño Alcivar (Contract & private) ……...….663 538596 Elite Cleaning Agency ........................629 113860 / 699 699617 Freshclean …………….........................659 353708 / 638 272482 Idea (Mojácar) .. ......................................................605 162709 Jone’s Upholstery & Rug cleaning ….........…………661 571939 Limpiezas Cristina ….............................................…660 306695. Limpiezas Maxlim (Palomares) ……...678 567783 / 629 680161 Upholstery & Leather Cleaning ...................................636 193256

PC-Solutions (Mojácar) ..............................................637 459293 PhonePC (Garrucha) .................................................950 133502 PRYS Informatica (Antas) ........................................617 382511

CONSERVATORIES AA Window Doctor ......................…............................630 231644 Screenmasters (See p.45)......….…..........................677 152911 SpeedyFit ........................................950 472357 / 600 006032

COUNSELLING / HEALING

COMPUTERS Advance Digital ........................................................616 506569 Beep (Garrucha) ……………..................................….950 133059 Compleo Personal I.T. Centre .................................….950 393689

Computer Care (Nick) ...............................................600 070075

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Rob on 619 833 041

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Ashlí (Naturopath & yoga therapies) .......................643 102335 Acupuncture & Massage ...........................................637 120429 Barbara Clarke ...........................................................637 469937 Chrissie Cremore (Reiki)............................................634 349638 Donald Mackinnon (Hypnotherapist) ........................628 651022 Emotional Freedom Technique/Healer …....................645 290728 Eve Morgan .............................................................647 203652 Fred Smithers (Acupuncture) ...............950 930456 / 618 107351 Gill Ballard (Healer/Counsellor) ...............................663 336655 Heaven Scent Holistics ...........................................663 923733 Hypnotherapy (Karen) ............................................678 118108 Dr. Jane Thompson (Psychotherapy)...968 485729 / 618 920126 Kate Roberts ...........................................................950 469540 Lucy Lovejoy (CraneoSacral Therapist) .....................647 045919 Malcolm Forrest-Hazell (Counsellor/Psychotherapist) ...693 489725 Norman & Carole Monro ..........................................950 439205 Sara Vigar (Aromatherapy) .......................................665 334895 Shiatsu (Wendy) ....................................................671 851135 Sue Osman (Healer) ………...............950 473021 / 600 847964

COURIER DELIVERIES Nacex (Mojácar) ………..................................……….950 472940 Offex Spain ................................…….......................966 765950 Spanish Property Choice (Easypost) ..950 615388 / 635 722290

CURRENCY Currencies Direct (Mojácar) ...............950 478914 / 626 916443 Eurochange (Mojácar) ................................................615 403877 Global Currency Exchange (Mojácar Playa) ..............950 615319

Unicraft Upholstery ...................................................692 176069

CYBERCAFES Can Connect (Albox) …........................................…..950 The Hub (Huércal-Overa) …............…………………..950 Servidea 2020 (Mojácar Playa) .................................950 Total Entertainment (Albox) ......................................950 Total Entertainment (Arboleas) .................................678 Total Entertainment (Turre) ........................................950 Total Entertainment (Mojácar) …….............................950

121149 135039 399726 121318 009051 468295 615596

DAMP PROOFING Southern Spain Damp Proofing .................................652 358672

DENTISTS / DENTAL TREATMENT Centro Dental Dr. Cremades (Vera) ........................950 390655 Clinica Dental (Aguilas) ….........................................968 449121 Clinica Dental (Albox) ..............................................950 120732 Clinica Dental, Multicentro (Mojácar) ........................950 478989 Clinica Dental Palomares .....................950 109710 / 670 878427 Clinica Dental, Parque Comercial (Mojácar) .............950 478534 Clinica Dental Saludent (Huércal-Overa) ……………..950 135672 Dental Clinic Belen Oliver (Olula del Río) ................950 443265 Dentalbox (Albox) .........................................................950 121284 Nadal Pérez, M A (Turre) .........................................950 479444 Odonto Stetic (Los Gallardos) ...........722 706732 / 950 398993 Puerta de Vera (Vera) ........................................950395319 Valero Martinez (Garrucha) ………............................950 132047

DIET PLANS & WEIGHT LOSS

CURTAINS & SOFT FURNISHINGS

Ashlí (Naturopath & yoga therapies) ..........................643 102335 Curtains with Style (See p.21)...........950 069032 / 678 811125 Image (Helen) ........................950 930192 / 665178326 Curtainsandthings.................................................……678 684564 Issysweigh (Albox) ...................................................600 334318 Solo Style ………...............................950 528334 / 626 319907 Pam (Turre) ..............................................................639 465631 Vicki (Turre) .............................................................650 764623

DIGGER HIRE Antas Mini Diggers .............................950 069288 / 650 906114 Aridos Mojácar S.L. (Vera) .....................................650 914257 Bob (Mini digger) (Albox) ..........................................642 392922 Diego Ramos S.L. (Los Gallardos) ……..............…..647 841750 Elite Plant Hire (JCB) ………….................................636 092632 Lubrin Plant Hire (Mini and Micro) .......950 592922 / 664 327898 Mick (Mini Digger) .....................................................634 375428 Nash Groundworks ...................................................722 546192 Paco .................................................................................637 777 238 Tropicana Mini Digger ………………650 906114 / 950 069288

DIVING See Scuba Diving DOCTORS & CLINICS (Private) Centro Médico Mojácar ...............................................950 475105 Clinica Medica Garrucha ……...........950 133157 / 617 404500 Dr. Maria Rose (Garrucha) ..........................................950 132803 Euroclinicas (Vera) ........................................................950 391300

DOG GROOMING Anita (5 Bone Kennels) …………......................……662 344734 Brigbe’s Dog Grooming ...........................................630 557123

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Abbott Electrical ….............................638 010691 / 950 137208 Andrew Morrison .....................................................627 250204 Anglo Electrical ........................................................671 948213 Andy …..............................…................950 438237 / 679 656450 Baltasar .....................................................................655 691107 Charlie Fyre ................................................................686 833444 Connexions (Turre) ……..............................………….950 479502 DJT Electrical Services (Vera) .............686 817945 / 626 578164 ElectroTorres .....................................950 472898 / 610 750771 DOG TRAINING EMI Electrical Installations .......................................673 502867 Didi Arias (Mojácar) ……............................................639 724521 Fernando (Huércal Overa)...........................................677 549247 DOORS See Windows & Doors Francisco Montoya (Mojácar) .........................……….687 466352 José Cortés Electrical ……................950 363751 / 619 881325 DRY CLEANERS City Sec (Vera) .........................................................950 390255 N.E.Electrics (Arboleas).............................................634 358777 Peace of Mind 24/7 ............................................... 637 974662 DVD & VIDEO Williams Electrical (Andy)......................................…..677 741366 Cinebank (Turre) .......................................................627 738957 ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES Total Entertainment (Albox) ......................................950 121318 Total Entertainment (Arboleas) .................................678 009051 Jules Clothing (Montemar Centre) ...........................633 640918 Total Entertainment (Turre) ...950 468295 ...(Mojácar) 950 615596 Voluta's Place (Parque Comercial Mojácar Playa) ….699 975552 VHS to DVD conversion .. ........................................647 202599 ENTERTAINERS Elite Dog Grooming (Albox) …….…..617 313587 / 647 897533 Luis (Clinica Veterinaria Garrucha) ....950 132200 / 628 663616 Lulu’s (Albox) ...........................................................600 046557 Pampered Pooches (All areas)..................................662 344734 Paws & Claws (Palomares ...........+44 7828251913 / 686 501593 Shampooch professional pet grooming ........................642 276442 SoloPerros (Turre) ..................................................674 509382 Ulti-Mutt .....................................+44 7894747657 / 634 332578

ELECTRICAL GOODS Buy Buy Auctions ...................................................681 095096 Centro Comercial Almanzora (Olula del Rio) .............950 442012 Centro Ferretería Lopez Mojácar ...........................950 473111 De Pablo S.L. (Vera) ..............................................950 390129 Electro Ahorro (Albox) .............................................950 121069 Electro Hogar Rodriguez S.L. (Garrucha)..................950 460832 Economesticos La Juaida (Viator) ……………………..950 315560 Euronics .............. (Albox) 950 430702 (Garrucha) 950 460832

ELECTRICIANS A1 Services ………..............................635 810941 / 679 631458

Abbie Lou (Female vocalist) .......................................687 340544 Amy Amy Amy Tribute Band ....................................645 886919 Ashley Cathcart .......................................................693 486788 Bass Player with Vocals .........................................681 286291 Belly Dancer & Fire Eater ....................................... 680 124159 Blues Brothers ........................................................680 355376 Bob Management .......................................................666 310251 Brendan O'Dee (Singer/Guitarist) ..............................610 855964 Brian Dee ………........................................................647 897533 Carmen Yuste GR ...................................................675 101355 Carol George (Female Vocalist) ............................634 285009 Catchlove Music (Varied styles duo)…..950 634402 / 678 397536

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Chris (Solo Guitarist) .................................................950 437606 Darren Antony (Vocalist) ......................................... 672 112933 DJ Digit-Al ...............................................................634 338014 Dominic Doolittle ..........................................................681 339778 Don Tadeo ..................................................................670 860386 Driftwood …….............................................................687 672028 Dynamite International Rock Band ............................666 310251 Emma Wild ..............................................................642 276385 Flamenco Dancer (English speaking) ...............687480694 Francisco J. ‘Pasus’ ..........................950 397401 / 699 510966 Funky Nomad ..........................................................643 256459 Georges Femenias (vocalist/guitar) ……...…………….634 300356 Good stand in drummer ...........................................648 699733 Graham D.(Mobile) Karaoke ......................................662 480966 GuitarMac ( Guitar/Vocals ) .....................................634 340476 Harmony Duo .........................................................687 340544 Infinity (Vocal duo & tributes) ..................................678 821330 Jazz Flautist .............................................................634 326672 Jill Farmiloe (Female vocalist) .................................607 443908 Jim Mackie (Piano Man) ..........................................651 751629 Johnny Slade (DJ Extraordinaire) ............................ 647 202599 JuJu Entertainment ............................950 950797 / 697 462746 Kay Frances (Vocalist) ........................950 069288 / 689 404244 Kayleigh Easton (vocals) ...................................... 642 581198 Kev Moore .............................................................600 762856 Kim Allen .................................................................699 950257 Kris Kelly (Female Vocalist) .................................. 634 374525 Lady Ellen Sings .............................673 459331 / 677 475268 M & M's Rock & Roll Revue ...................................699 462859 M Soul & Motown (all music styles) ........................634 340409 Marcela (Belly Dancing) ..............................................666 952089 Maurice Casanove ....................................................671 386947 Maximum Output Karaoke /Disco ............................697 317557 Mel J (Female Vocalist) ........................................664 111990 Melodee (Duo) ................................610 855964 / 664 111990 Melodeemusic (Backing Tracks & Recording Studio).....610 855 964 Menta & Canela Duo ..............................................645 886919 North South Country Boys ........................................634 332135 Northern Lights Karaoke …...............................……..697 500673 Phil and The Invisibles ..................... 950 475752 / 651 045120 Replay Duo ..............................................................950 124154 Richard Hill ..............................................................670 243461 Roadrunner (duo) ......................... 628 122363 / 684 330431 Robin Lamble ..........................................................602 469425 Rocio Starry (Vocalist) .............................................645 886919 Sabrina Lloyd .............................................................661 055440 Shirin (bellydancer) .................................................607 805367 Short-Fuse Blues Band...............................................651 610189 Smartie Pants the Clown ............................................617 815221 Solo Simon ...............................................................667 989270 Spotlight Entertainment (Karaole, disco etc.) .............634 311652 Starry Jazz trio/quintet .............................................645 886919 Sue Moretta .............................................................672 148730 The Fat Lizard Band .....(English) 651 045120 (Esp) 617 464728 The Jaguars ............................................................634 397513 The Opium Buddhas ………………….687 033106 / 667 989270

The Twilight Shadows (Duo) ....................................950 Tom Lee ……............................................................671 Tony Matthews (Quiz organiser) ..............................634 Tony Justice ……….............................950 950797 / 637 Trio Chaos ................................................................687 Triple Trouble Blues Band ........................................671

437606 754851 391414 159249 361440 754851

ESTATE AGENTS Alhambra Holdings (Mojácar)...............950 475199 / 629 673450 AlmeríaCasas ...........................................................950 387852 Almería Homes ................................0044 1273 929286 / 950 930 259 Almería Property Agency (Arboleas) ..850 993099 / 628 872334 Almeria Property Finder (Albox) ................................950 431624 Almería Prop. Investments (Las Buganvillas).950 460874 / 666 260792 Angel Property (Palomares) .....................................950 618054 Antonio Martinez de la Casa (Energy certs)..............950 092094 Arboleas Property Shop .................…....................…958 003391 BMS Huerta Nueva ............................950 615035 / 669 355914 Calida Homes (Arboleas)......................950 430763 / 634 302801 Casa y Campo (Lubrin) .............................................678 587007 Casas Almería (Huércal Overa) ..........950 134434 / 649 777218 Casas y Sol (Aguilas) …........................................…..968 446663 Citrus Homes ...........................................................638 849254 Cole's of Andalucia ...............................950 469592 / 697 640681 Complete Holiday Care .......................950 478612 / 610 808631

Cortijos Almería …………............……........................676 916088 D & D Property Care, Sales & Rentals .....643 335386 / 643 337063 Destination Spain Property Services .........................672 668803 Euroxan (Vera) .........................................................699 067922 Fincas Vera Playa ..............................950 460670 / 639 314767 Find Me A Home .................................951 914195 / 636 266641 FW Properties ................................634 325152 / 634 352285 Gogo Estates (Aguilas) ........................968 414459 / 615 282151

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Grupo Platinum Estates (San Juan)(See p.17).950 466122 / 666 687251 Property Floor Plans ................................................619 672431 Homes of Spain (Huércal Overa).........950 616516 / 616 562447 Realtors MB Spain .................................................678 347125 Indal-futur S.L. (Mojácar) ……............950 615156 / 609 026526 Indalo Real Estate ...........................950 091137 / 616 760409 Indasol Mojácar S.L. .................................................950 472200 Inmobiliaria Almanzora ..................... 9501 20406 / 637 251238 InmoTerreros (San Juan) ...............950 096180 / 666 255765 K7 Mojácar ...............................................................950 478555 Linnitt Properties (Turre).............................................950 479054 Mojácar Estates (See p.48)......................................950 478935

Rural Almería (Mojácar Playa) ................................…950 472200 Santiburi Properties (Cabrera & Mojácar) 694 404971 / 647 901478 Sol y Mar (Albox) ...............................950 064584 / 635 979829 Sonia Cantalejo Bueno (Energy Certs.)......................608 147640 Spanish Estate Agents (Albox) ………950 431855 / 661 143871 Spanish Hideaways (Oria) ....................634 366672 / 676 604008 Spain Assured (See front cover)............950 469622 / 634 300020 Spain Property Finder …..............……........................686 878789 Mojacarmar ......................................950 475891 / 636 903184 Spanish Property Choice (Mojácar Playa)...................950 615388 Sun Med Properties (Vera Playa) ............................…..950 618209 Vaitier SL (Cabrera) .....................................................609 626140 Veritas Homes (Mojácar) ............................950 472430 / 610 053563 VIP Almería (Mojácar Playa) (See back)..950 472524 / 617 587903 Voss Homes (Huercal-Overa) ...................667 891 741 / 950 616 827

Multicasa Aguilas .................................................... 968 493009 Neinor Homes (Mojácar) ..........................................900 110022 New Horizon Villas (Zurgena) ..................................950 438221 New One Stop (Mojácar) ...........................................950 473040 New Wave Villas (Mojácar) (See p.25)..950 475800 / 607 146352 Next Stop Almería (See p.3)..............950 617518 / 678 034651 WPMS Inmobiliario (Villaricos) ..........678 321111 / 950 618697 Nicla Property Consultancy S.L. ............950 133508 / 628 585538

EVENT MANAGEMENT

See also Wedding and Party Planning JuJu Entertainment .............................950 950797 / 697 462746

EXCURSIONS

Okisur (Mojácar) .........................................................950 478386 Olive Property Sales (Bédar)(See cover) .950 469624 / 687 938466 Polansky and Associates ..........................................950 478086 Price Brown Partnership (Mojácar) (See p.64/65)....950 478915

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Andinas Buggy Treks ..............................................645 984122 C.A.T. Services (La Alfoquía) (See p.31).950 634388 / 627 635514 Costa Almería Tours ..................................................646 760389 Day Tours Almería ............................651 592836 / 645 253155 Indalo Quads (Mojácar) ...........................................634 315074 Mojácar Jeep Tours .................................................611 028716 Rancho Luz del Sol (Partaloa) …..........……...……………..642 1185467

FABRICS

CG Legal & Financial (Mojácar Playa) ..950 472504 / 670 215926 Currencies Direct (Mojácar) …....…...…950 478914 / 626 916443 Indalo Partners (See next page).................................950 472242 Kennedy Financial Services .........................................678 035992 Offshore Money Management .............952 830916 / 950 398078

FIREPLACES Chimeneas Mojácar S.L. (Mojácar Playa) ..............950 472135

FIREWOOD See Logs for Sale FITNESS & DANCE

Curtains with Style (See p.21)...........950 069032 / 678 811125

FASHION Dandara (Garrucha) ................................................950 617013 Etcetera (Mojácar Playa) (See p.31)...........................950 532810 Garabatis (Children's) Mojácar Playa …..........………670 035630 Glad Rags (Albox) ……….........................................634 313071 H & R Men's Fashion (Albox) …................................692 682164 Jules Clothing .........................................................633 640918 Liz Fashion Accessories (Garrucha) .627 970819 / 607 511179 Manumaga (Mojacar Playa) …………..........................659 884479 Modern Times (Mojácar Playa) …..........…………….950 475207 Oasis Fashions (Mojácar Playa) (See p.5)...............950 473222 Palme (Mojácar Playa) ............................................950 472813 Prins Vitali (Mojacar) ….............................................950 478690 Saga Boutique (Mojácar) .........................................950 475258

FENCING

See also Activities-Clubs-Associations Alison .....................................................................666 273168 Aqua Aerobics - Marianne (Arboleas) .......................637 435864 Club Deportivo Puerto Rey ......................................950 460545 Betsy Fox Zumba ....................................................603 493163 Debbie James (Personal training) (Mojácar) ...........687 619239 Dorothy Rowntree, personal trainer (Mojácar)..........666 815838 Entrenador Personal I.F.B.B. …….....................……..676 871950 Fitness For All (Bédar) ………..........…………………..647 593323 Gimnasio Formas (Turre) .............................................950 468065 GymXtreme Yoga (Vera) ..........................................643 102335 Indigo Gym (Mojácar Playa) ...........................................950 475 403 Javi Orta, personal trainer (Mojácar) .........................651 693681 Jova Sport Center (Mojácar Playa) …………………..950 473137

Chain Link Almanzora ………...................................697 801875

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS Aero Extinción S.L. (Almería) …............………………..950 263565 Extin-Torres S.L. (Mojácar) ............................................950 475067

FINANCIAL SERVICES AMASS ……......................................................……..678 035992 Blacktower (See p.127) .........................................657 684094

Lotus Integral Yoga Centre (Mojácar) ........................617 719913 Pam - Fitness & Slimming .........................................639 465631 Sansonora (Mojácar Playa) .....................................630 688615 Sierra Club Desert Springs .......................................687 599115 Sol Yoga Centre (Arboleas) .....................................686 400331 Sophia Wellness Centre (Arboleas) .........................950 449451 Valle Del Este Spa & Health Centre ..........................950 548600 Vicki’s Fitness & Slimming .....................................650 764623 Yoga therapies & slimming (Turre & Vera) ....................643 102335

FISHING Orca Steve Sea Fishing (Mojacar/Garrucha) ……… 634 352873 Pete Fishing Trips (Mojácar/Garrucha) …..................634 379173 Rio 600 Boat Fishing (Sid & Graham). 647 020929 / 647 803030

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Armadillo …......................................…950 528128 / 663 303350 Kingfisher (Pueblo Laguna) ................950 093135 / 622 559384 Bugs ...........................................................................600 049515 Coastal Mosquitoes ...........................606 040462 / 610 000700 Curtains with Style (See p.21).........950 069032 / 678 811125 Dave ........................................................................634 351275 Lifestyle Enclosures Europe S.L. (See p. 9) 950 459060 / 638 063196 SpeedyFit ..............................................950 472357 / 600 006032 Toldos Farrago (Vera) ...............................................667 567564 Tony Justice ...................................…..950 950797 / 637 159249 Ventanas y Puertas Mojacar S.L. ......................…….950 473104

FISH & CHIPS

FOOD SHOPS Catch of the Day UK Fishmonger ........634 301490 / 634 304288 Eurowise (Albox) ……………….............................…..950 439801 The Chippy (La Alfoquía) ........................................634 324484 Gastronomía (Delicatessen) (Las Buganvillas) .......950 132048 Home Sweet Home (Turre) ...............................……..950 479487 FLORISTS La Maruja (Mojácar) ..................................................664 647171 Hortiflor (Mojácar) ....................................................950 478985 La Venta de Alfaix Minimarket (Alfaix) ..........................950 469660 Penny’s Florist (Mojacar) ..........................................645 351767 Las Buganvillas Minimarket ………........................…..635 036408 Manoli (Arboleas) …...................................................627 941654 Price Busters (Albox) .................................................950 951494 Sol Supermercado (Albox) ….......................................950 430043 Spar Supermarket (Huércal-Overa) ...........…………..950 135222 Spices n' Herbs in Spain (Albox)...............................689 482694 Super Corner (Turre)..........................950 468303 / 637 016107 The Corner Shop (Albox) ………………950 930539 / 680 776791

FUNCTION VENUES Persa Floristas (Albox) …….......................................950 120211

La Capilla (Las Alparatas, Mojácar) .........................950 479305 Miraflores Restaurant (Camping Los Gallardos) .........650 418954 The Palms (Urcal) ………...................950 958167 / 678 832036

FUNERAL COMPANIES

FLY SCREENS AA Window Doctor ..............……….........................…630 231644

CollyFer (Huércal Overa) …….............617 456259 / 617 456335

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Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com Brian’s Furniture & Removals (Mojácar Playa) .........674 280268 Buy Buy Auctions ...................................................681 095096 Casa Carma (Turre) ...................................................645 080310 Casas Nativa (Valle del Este) ..................................629 624286 Continental Descanso (Antas) 950 459011 (Albox) ...950 633288 El Pinar (Los Carasoles) ……......................…………950 104272 El Rincón de Mueble.(See p.33) (Vera)950 460867 (Antas) 950 459071 Elleann’s Homestyle .................................................674 514999 Embargos Bestiales (Antas El Real) ......................950 105711 Fig Furnishings (Mojácar Playa) ...............................643 065179 Furniture Plus (Puerto de Mazarrón)....968 153907 / 678 083491

Funeral Homes Robles (Cuevas) ..............................657 921383 Funeraria Ntra. Sra. de las Angustias (Vera) 950 390884 / 607 705672 Funeraria Pérez (Mojácar) ........................................950 478102

FUNERAL PLANS Avalon Europe S.L. ............................950 069012 / 634 321296 Golden Leaves Funeral Plans (Benitachell)............. 966 493082 Iberian Funeral Plans (See p.35)...........951 203994 / 965 993498

Homecentre (Albox) (See p.6)...........868 931872 / 671 715294 Homes & Beyond (Garrucha) ..................................950 132458 Ideas del Mueble (Antas) ...........................................950 452816 Indalocio Garden Furniture & BBQs ...........................850 993090 Inspired (Furniture & BBQs) (El Real, Antas) (See p.4) 950 147763 Koala Furniture (Antas) (See p.39)...................….........950 392307 La Lonja (Lorca) (See p.27) ........................................968 443322 Linea Nueva (Arboleas) ……………….620 237529 / 950 120630 Me & Mrs Jones (Los Llanos market) .....................0044 7850 840288 Muebles Rodríguez (Los Llanos, Arboleas) …...........950 430778 Sofa & Sofa (Las Buganvillas) ................654 596247 / 654 596220 Unicraft (Upholstery) ..................................................692 176069

FURNITURE PACKAGES Furniture Plus (Puerto de Mazarron)...968 153907 / 678 083491 Homes & Beyond (Garrucha) ....................................950 132458

FURNITURE, RUSTIC/HANDMADE Andinas (Antas, El Real) ...........................................950 Artisanos (Antas) …...…….......................................…696 Casa Nativa (Valle del Este) …….............................629 El Pinar (Los Carasoles) ....................950 104272 / 670 La Buena Artesania (Mojácar) ....................................950 Soluciones Rusticas (Carboneras) …950 364835 / 646 The Furniture Doctor .............................................667

459128 431510 624286 845498 475508 821821 989270

FURNITURE & FURNISHINGS Abodes (Mojácar Playa) ...............................................647 901478

GARDENS 24hr Casaserve ..................................950 466438 / 676 306269 Agave …….................................................................617 826334 Cedar Landscapes …….............……....................…620 112193 Chris (Gardening) .................................................643 082899 Clare’s Hanging Baskets …………...............………….634 331440 Clean Team …………..............………850 993202 / 694 440184 Complete Pool & Property Maintenance 634 343541 / 634 891709 Garden Works ..............................…..950 132518 / 666 847583

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Indalocio Garden Furniture & BBQs ..........................850 993090 Inspired (Furniture & BBQs) (El Real, Antas) (See p.4) 950 147763 Jardin Natural ............................................................685 478187 L & M Landscapes .................................................670 409538 La French Touch ......................................................607 226269 Lady Muck Gardening .............................................697 317557 Madera Mania (Garden Supplies) ….........................667 562872 Mediterranean Gardens …….................................. 661 577019 Mel Wood Landscapes ...................................0044 7973843706 Mobile Shredder & Mulch Garden Service .............687 024884 Nash Groundworks ..................................................722 546192 Potty Finca Services ..................……..950 163930 / 616 855294 Riegos y Conducciones (Antas, El Real) .................950 459146

GAS INSTALLATION & REPAIRS

Gold & Jewellery Buying ...........................................616 453813

GOLF COURSES Aguilon Golf (Pulpi) ......................................………..672 Cortijo Grande ..........................................................950 Desert Springs ........................................................637 Macenas Beach Golf ...................…....................…..950 Marina Golf ..............................................................950 Valle del Este ...........................................................950

655600 479176 861591 548240 133230 398743

GOLF TUITION Gareth Edwards (Cortijo Grande) …...........................950 Marcus (Mojácar) .....................................................610 Neil Evans (Desert Springs Golf Resort) ............... 638 Valle del Este (Vera) ...............................................676

479176 526671 531821 256923

GRASS, ARTIFICIAL

Smith Plumbing (Spanish Authorised).........................950 468041

Grass 4 U .................................................................638 574145 Greenfingers Arboleas S.L. ..........……......……………629 947633 Inspired (El Real, Antas) (See p.4) .................... 950 147763 Nash Groundworks .....................................................722 546192 Tiger Turf ............................................950 431624 / 635 652745

GUTTERING Lifestyle Enclosures Europe S.L. (See p. 9) 950 459060 / 638 063196

HAIR, HEALTH & BEAUTY Affinity Beauty Treatments (Turre) ............................678 992093 Anavi Estillistas (Palomares) .....................................670 094722 GEO-TECHNICAL SOIL REPORTS Ashlí (Naturopath & yoga therapies) ..........................643 102335 Sonia Cantalejo Bueno ............................................608 147640 Avon Co-ordinator (Jane) ……...................................670 722705 Avon Cosmetics (Arboleas) ………........................….691 987454 GIFT SHOPS Avon Cosmetics (Bedar) ...........................................950 398980 Isabella (Vera Playa) ......................................................637 188901 Avon Cosmetics (Húercal Overa) …....647 092010 / 950 137208 Avon Cosmetics (Los Gallardos) .............................687 960362 GLASS CURTAINS Lifestyle Enclosures Europe S.L. (See p. 9) 950 459060 / 638 063196 SpeedyFit .......................................950 472357 / 600 006032 Toldos Farrago (Vera) ...............................................667 567564

GLAZING (Supply & Repair) AA Window Doctor ......................…............................630 231644 Cristalería Mojácar …............................................…..950 475376 Cristalería Omega (Mojácar) …..........950 478137 / 670 500711 Cristalería Rubi (Vera) ………......................................950 390546 SpeedyFit ............................................950 472357 / 600 006032

GOLD & JEWELLERY BUYING

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Avon Cosmetics (Los Gallardos camping ) ..............950 469684 Avon Cosmetics (Turre & Vera) .................................643 102335 Avon (Total Entertainment, Albox) .............................950 121318 Avon (Total Entertainment, Arboleas) ........................678 009051 Beauty by Marilyn ....................................................950 398852 Beauty Center (Mojácar) (See p.37)..........................687 480694 Bonita Hair & Beauty Salon (Mojácar) .........................950 473159 Centro Estética (Mojácar Playa) …..................………950 472680 Claire & Inma (Mojácar Playa) (See p.17).................950 147630 Cloud 9 (Mojácar) (See next page)...........................662 226086 Cutting Edge (Hair & Beauty) (Albox) .........................950 633086 Dave Eccles (Mobile Hairdresser) ......950 525790 / 687 033106 Donna's (Albox)..................................950 930167 / 628 669456 El Rincon de Mary (Mojácar) ................................... 663 561521 El Rincon de Mary (Mojácar) Yasmin .....................656 646257 Elaine Mobile Hairdresser (Coast & Inland).................634 379424 Elegance (Turre) ......................................................634 308877 Etticut (Turre) .............................................................667 971960 Euphoria Hair & Beauty (Esparragal) ...868 188706 / 657 713571 Farrow's Hair Design (Arboleas) .................................950 634346 Favola (Las Buganvillas) (See p.13).........................675 622216 Heaven Scent (Huércal-Overa) ……....................…..663 923733 Hollywood Beauty & Hair ..............................................965 326082 IIsabel Castaño (Hairdresser, Bédar) ..666 045552 / 950 469462 Jax Hair & Beauty (Albox) …..................………………645 560367 Jean & Co.(Mojácar Playa) ……..............................…950 615094 Jing ........................................................................622 251432 Julie Rodriguez .......................................................634 338017 Kim White (Beauty)(Vera & Mobile) ………...……….637 149659 Kuts 2 (mobile) ..........................................................662 094372 LAB (Hair & Beauty) (Mojácar) ..............................950 473110 Loulou’s (Albox) …..............................850 993141 / 642 015920 LU & NA (Valle del Este) …….............................…950 461113

Marcela Torres (Manicure & Pedicure) .....................697 421672 Naturalmente Mediterraneo (Skin care) (Garrucha) …655 299494 Oceanic Massage Therapies (Mojácar)...666 710964 / 687 619239 Opulence (La Alfoquía) …...........................................619 467295 Pascal Chevallier Emporium (Mojácar) (See p.41).......950 472790 Pampered Beauty Centre (Palomares) (See p.39).......950 618129 Phoebe (at Pampered) .............................................662 573939 Pure Natural Deodorant ...........................................950 066163 R retreat (Cucador) ……...........…...............................626 144680 Room 97 (La Alfoquia) .............................................683 479261 Salon de Peluqueria y Estetica (Garrucha) ...............950 133162 Sarah Noble (mobile hairdresser) ...........................692 195500 Shiatsu Centro de Terapia (Huércal Overa) .............671 851135 Sophia Wellness Centre (Arboleas) ...........................950 449451 Stella’s Hair & Beauty (Las Buganvillas) ..................950 699973 Sunlight Spain (Herbal Products) ...............................684 212474 The Spanish Beauty Club (Mojácar / Vera) ..............637 149659 Wacky Barber & Hairdresser (Mojácar) ....................667 961645 Wavelengths (Albox) .............................................…950 120309

HARDWARE OUTLETS Enrique Aguirre S.L. (Garrucha) .................................950 460028 Ferretería Gonzalez (Mojácar) ……….........................666 471384 Ferretería López (Mojácar) ……..................................950 615026 Ferretería Longo (Albox) ……....................................950 430064 Ferretería Soler (Garrucha) ……..................................950 460073

HEALING See Counselling/Healing HEALTH FOODS Girasol (Albox) ….......................................................639 Home Sweet Home (Turre) ..............................……..950 La Maruja (Mojácar) ...............................................664 Las Hierbas de Maria (Mojácar) ..............…………….657

089170 479487 647171 513990

HEATING ABC (A Better Climate) (See p29).......647 247494 / 950 Andrew Morrison (Econo-Heat)..................................627 Graham (oil heating) ……….....................................620 Mike Lacey ..........................................950 069073 / 636 Neater Heater ………...................................………….634

092604 250204 112193 407543 312171

HIRE Baby Basics (Equipment Hire) ...................................950 104345 Mobility Almería (Mojácar Playa) .............................634 322475 Expecting a Baby (Almanzora Valley) ....950 436581 / 666 375688

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Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com Hotel Valhalla (Carboneras) ......................................950 130444 Hotel Valle del Este ...................................................950 398743 Hotel Virgen del Mar (Mojácar) ..................................902 472222 Las Colinas Suitotel (San Juan de Los Terreros) .........950 466353 Parador de Mojácar ...................................................950 478250

HOUSE & PET SITTING Chris .........................................................................634 David .............................................................................. 950 Linda Pettit .............................................................642 Sharon Presley ..........................................................648

325073 099905 016954 069200

HOUSE CLEARANCE Items For Sale Mojácar .......................694 439275 / 950 478753 The Attic (Cucador) ..…….…................672 184354 / 648 250699

HOUSEHOLD GOODS Home Store ........………..............………850 993202 / 694 440184 Home Sweet Home (Turre) ................................……..950 479487 Simone Senft (Tupperware) .................950 068181 / 676 308217

HYGIENE & FOOD HANDLING Grupo Sedesa (Vera) ...............................................950 390990

INSURANCE Nursery Hire (San Juan de los Terreros) ….............666 255765 Sound Systems ..........................…............................630 231644 Adeslas ............................................950 472701 / 633 431900 The Baby Hire Centre ................................................615 806126 Albox Insurance .......................................................950 121943 HOME CARERS see also Nursing Angels Nursing Group ...............................................902 Committed2ucommunitycare ......................................684 Helping Hands Mojacar (Kirsty Ratcliffe) .................678 Michaela Talbot .........................................................622

026468 333442 590988 015765

HORSE RIDING Centro Hipico Valle del Almanzora .........................691 Didi Arias (Mojácar) ...............................................639 Media Legua Equestrian Centre (Vera) ..............……667 Rancho Luz del Sol (Partaloa) .................................642 Sanctuary Limaria .....................................................628

241878 724521 243561 118546 239696

Alhambra Holdings (Mojácar)...............950 475199 / 629 673450

HOTELS & HOSTALS Casona Granado (Nr Lubrin) ...................................950 069077 Hostal El Olivar (Mojácar Pueblo) .........950 472022 / 672 019767 Hotel Al Sur (Calabardina) .........................................968 419466 Hotel Carlos 111 (Aguilas) ......................................968 411650 Hotel Carmona (Vera) ..............................................950 390760 Hotel - Casa Rural, Cortijo de la Media Luna (Mojácar) 950 478813 Hotel El Paso (Aguilas) ….........................................968 447125 Hotel Family (Agua Amarga) ......................................950 138014 Hotel Madrid (Aguilas) ................................................968 411109 Hotel Mamabel's (Mojacar Pueblo) .....950 472448 / 663 700542 Hotel Mayari (Calabardina) .................620 629508 / 968 409338 Hotel Puntazo (Mojácar) ...........................950 478265 / 950 478 229 Hotel Rural Azabache (Arboleas)..................................690 258813 Hotel Mexico (Puerto Rey) ......................................950 132061 Hotel Salinas (Cabo de Gata) .....................................950 370103 Hotel & Spa Don Juan (Aguilas) ................................968 493493 Hotel Tikar (Garrucha) ..............................................950 617131

ASSSA Seguros (Vera) .............................……………950 392487 Asisa (Vera) ................................................................950 391950 Axa .....................................................950 478763 / 609 667333 BWI Bryan White Insurance (Mojácar) ......................950 472098 Catalana Occidente (Palomares) ..............................950 618054 Catalana Occidente (Mojácar Playa) .........................950 478307 Edward William (Marine Insurance) ……………….….952 476090

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Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com 4wayconnections .......................................................646 844708 Alpha Interpreting and Translation .......950 133508 / 677 530690 Andrés (Mojácar) ........................................................679 932632 Antonio García Russell (Mojácar) ..............................606 198958 C.A.T. Services (La Alfoquía) (See p.31).950 634388 / 627 635514 Carolina Pérez Gallardo (Sworn Translator) ..............647 863745

García & Trinidad (Albox) …….............950 120340 / 620 240563 Gestoría Salvador (Mojácar Playa) ..........................950 473192 Grupo Catalana Occidente (Mojácar Pueblo) 950 478061 / 653 806 908 Ibex Insurance Services Ltd (Mojácar & Albox) ........950 120070

Carolyn (Mojácar area) ........................950 132905 / 608 692545 Cristina …….......................................................…..626 741386 Clara Mata ..............................................................629 132529 Starena (Vera Playa) ..............................................672 668803 Donna González-Linnitt ...........................................699 067922 Elizabeth ..................................................................662 504734 Espanglish Translation & Interpreters . 950 390037 / 950 392876 Hind (Mojácar - French, Arabic, English) .................616 605341 Joanne Tissington ……………...................................637 267150 Kathryn Jones .........................................................629 931125 Laberinto (Spanish, English, French, Dutch) .............609 781438 Marcela Chávez Riveros (Mojácar) .......................... 676 951352 Marguerite ……....................................................…..687 814157 Marisa .......................................................................636 179128 Michaela Talbot .........................................................622 015765 Milena (Albox) ………....................……654 359607 / 711 794366 Paul Jessop (Aguilas) .............................................626 421623 Robert Boucher .........................................................693 618705 Simply Solved ………............................................….617 882689 Solutions Almería ......................................................687 632435 Susi ..................................................................................617 920 190 Liberty Seguros (Turre) ….................950 479568 / 620 179206 Traducciones Levante ...............................................606 953775 Liberty Seguros (See p.23).....................................913 422549 Wendy Interpreter/Translator ................................. 661 194278 Linea Directa ………....................................................902 123248 Yamile (Written Translations) ....................................626 207575 Mapfre (Mojácar) ...950 478151 (Garrucha)................950 617376 INTERNET CAFES see Cybercafes Maxine Morgan Liberty Seguros (Las Buganvillas) ........669 074 996 Mojácar Insurance ...................................................634 323399 INTERNET PROVIDERS Sol y Mar (Albox) ……….....................950 064584 / 654 590258 Albox Online ...........................................................950 091111 Sol Insure ………..........................................………..950 472098

INTERIOR DESIGN Evie Fox-Rayner ................................603 493163 / 653 714767 Curtains with Style (See p.21) ..........950 069032 / 678 811125 Deco-house (Ann) .....................................................666 260792 Essential Solutions …….............................................627 245658 Light & Luz (Vera) ...................................................686 457714 Lola Barranco ………..........................950 086116 / 691 261818

INTERPRETING/TRANSLATIONS 1-2-1 Translations (Spanish, English, Norwegian)......662 390453

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Connexions (Turre) ……..............................…………..950 479502 KENNELS, CATTERIES & PET Next .............................................................................950 479369 SITTING GSF Communications ...............................................950 473102 Animal Hotel (Águilas) ..............................................639 722197 Satcomms ..............................................951 406556 / 622 524335 Berben petsitting (Velez Rubio) ..................................658 087966 Boarding Kennels Los Llanos de Rosa (cats & dogs) ..629 448073 INTERNET TV Connexions (Turre) (See front cover).......................950 479502 Country Kennel (Turre) .........................950 473011 / 627 564640 DCM Digitek Comms (Mojácar) (See p.19) .950 472947 / 670 084438 Dog & Cat Sitter Service …………………..................676 389592 Europa Digital .......................................950 133233 / 678 332815 Gail .....................................................693 769079 / 697 500673 Ezetv .......................................................................950 091112 Five Bone Hotel (Turre) ............................................630 234556 GSF Communications ................................................950 473102 IPTV UK ....................................................................603 613918 IPTV Spain UKTV ...............................619 893214 / 699 386277 Mobility Almería (Mojácar Playa) .............................634 322475 PC Playa (Mojácar) ......................................................634 356498 S E Telecoms ............................................................697 780499 UKTV Almería (See p.51).......................850 993202 / 694 440184

IRONING Cherie's Ironing & Cleaning (Mojácar) ............………634 301389 Clean Team …………..............………850 993202 / 694 440184

JET WASHING Gatotel .....................................................................634 678852 Aguaclean …………….........................950 064608 / 697 559395 Home from Home ...................................950 069010 / 677 382713 Mobile Jet Washing ………..................950 069121 / 605 376873 Horse & Dog sitting …………..............................……607 554984 Kareclif Cattery (Albox) ...........................................677 791165 JEWELLERY Castellón (Bédar) .................. ....................................642 435909 Kit Cat Luxury Cat Suites (Los Gallardos) ..............674 113217 Jewellery Paula (Albox) ...........................................960 430871 Louise ....................................................................... 680 124159 Joyería Pérez (Garrucha) ........................................950 460636 My Place or Yours ....................................................607 554984 La Luna (Garrucha) .................................................950 132543 Palomino Kennels & Cattery …………........................950 093087 Paws*A*While (Nr Albox) …....................................…696 562662 Serendipity (Albox) .................................................617 699624 Personal Pets (sitter/ walker) ….................................634 378193 Pet Hotel (Los Gallardos) ........................................634 312821 JOINERY - see Carpentry Pet Sitting in Your Home ………….......................…….637 061482 Sharon Presley ..........................................................648 069200 To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Rob on 619 833 041

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Sleepy Hollow (Huércal-Overa) ….............................617 313587 The Hilton Cattery ............................950 163489 / 664565479 Woodhouse Boarding Kennels/Cattery (Arboleas)….950 930585

KEY CUTTING

KITCHENS 24hr Casaserve .................................950 466438 / 676 306269 Artizan (Vera) (See p.47) ................…950 390635 / 661 985310 Cocinas Puntocom (Huércal-Overa) ...950 921975 / 722 136950 Harlequin Kitchens (Albox) ……........………………….619 584405 J.B. Kitchen Fitters (Turre) .......................................687 024884 KDI Kitchens .............................................................605 163613 La Lonja (Lorca) (See p.27) ........................................968 443322 Mojácar Home Improvements ...........950 473104 / 689 296432

LANDSCAPING La French Touch .................. ..................................607 226269 Mel Wood Landscapes ...................................0044 7973843706 Nash Groundworks .....................................................722 546192

LAUNDERETTES Bish’s (Mojácar Playa) ...........................................639 161725

LAUNDRIES City Sec (Vera) .........................................................950 Clean Team Laundry Service ...................................634 Costa-Azul (Aguilas) ……..........................................968 Ivi's Lavanderia (Las Buganvillas) ............................950

390255 332502 414327 132657

LEGAL SERVICES See also Solicitors 4wayconnections ...................................................646 844708 ALO Services (Zurgena) ......................950 449179 / 667 994682 Asesoría Sánchez Moral (Mojácar) ...........................670 099726 Barbara Caparros Ridao (Vera) …..........................950 390427

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CG Legal & Financial (Mojácar Playa) ..950 472504 / 670 215926 Nautarium Sea Museum (Garrucha) ………........…..950 139554 Paintball Almanzor (nr. Arboleas) ..................………..619 559261 Paragliding ………................................635 243539 / 680 358549 Sol-Aero (Vera) ..................................609 685132 / 661 985358 Water Park (Vera Playa) …...................................…..902 361294

LIGHTING Light & Luz (Vera) ...............................950 391804 / 697 643653

LINGERIE & UNDERWEAR Bras Etcetera …………...............................................950 Corpore (Garrucha) ………….....................................950 Lunas (Turre) ………................................................661 Manuelas Lenceria (Mojácar) ..................................626 Mya (Huércal Overa) .................................................950

121909 132253 642341 730088 135742

LOCKSMITHS 24hr Locksmith (See opposite)............950 472982 / 658 828560 Guzman Seguridad (Albox) ................950 431497 / 674 141559 Locksmith (Dean) ....................................................666 949213

Cam Concepts S.L. (Huércal-Overa) …......…………. 950 471357 Cervantes Alarcon Consulting (Garrucha) 950 106490 / 647 863787 English Wills Spain …......................…...................607 646027 Gecko Legal Services S.L. (Mojácar) 950 475949 / 638 264621

Phil the Pick 24hr (Arboleas) …................……………..697 243181

LOGS FOR SALE Antonio Diaz .............................................................689 127535 Colin & Carlos ....................................660 903158 / 630 455328 Las Norias Carden Centre (Los Gallardos) ..............670 215902 Gestoría Salvador (Mojácar Playa) ........................950 473192 Gestoría Soria Bonilla (Mojácar) ................................950 478420 Kim Clark UK Benefit advice ……..….950 169729 / 663 297568 Mayor Consulting (Garrucha) .......................................950 615185 Mojácar Playa Asesores ……........………...……………950 472710 Pilar Pérez Gestión S.L. (Mojácar) ............................950 478863 Vera Advisors (Vera) .................................................950 390621 MS Legal ..............................................950 479613 / 634 322827 Villalba Asesores (Albox) ..............................................950 431720

LEISURE ACTIVITIES see also EXCURSIONS and TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Leña Ramos (Arboleas) …...............….630 356095 / 616 044719 Lee (Arboleas) …………………....................................636 092632 Levante Logs ............................................................670 243724

Almería Ten Pin Bowling (Arboleas) …...................….950 439013 Extreme Adventure Mojácar ......................................687 919840 MARKETING Indalo Bowling Mojácar ............................................950 473073 Edela Media (Social Media) (Mojácar) ....................607 146352 Karting (Garrucha) ….........................................……950 460207 IndaloMarketing ...................................................... 671 509116 Lunar Cable Park (Cuevas del Almanzora) .................665 512873

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MASSAGE Authentic Thai Massage (Jom) ..................................616 Acupuncture & Massage ..........................................637 Holistic Massage, Lorraine ................950 064484 / 687 Alternativa (Jessica Rippin) ......................................676 Oceanic Therapies (Mojácar) ......................................687 Ray Daniel (Sports massage)………...........................617

922612 120429 569113 284170 619239 741564

MEALS ON WHEELS Committed2ucommunitycare ......................................684 333442

METAL WORK AA Window Doctor ....................…............................630 Angel Welding …………............................................610 Carpentería Metalica Chacón (Albox) …................950 Cerrajería Jara (Las Buganvillas) …............………….950 Coastal Rejas ...........................................................610 FS Fabrications …..............…………..627 167167 / 671 Ideal Metal Designs ...................................................656 Metalbox (Albox) .......................................................950 Mojácar Home Improvements ...........950 473104 / 689

231644 601524 431738 109986 000700 424558 834064 633090 296432

Speedy Fit Security Grilles ....................................600 006032 The Metal Works ..............................950 930520 / 638 900949

MOBILE HOMES & CARAVANS Camping Los Gallardos .............................................679 970399 Caravan Storage (Antas) …….............................….661 508776 Casa Móviles .....................................637 418906 / 951 161348 Cherribar Park Homes ............…………950 396908 / 629 688153 Flor de Vida (Aguilas) ..........................968 438535 / 660 329907 Hispavan (See p.59).................................................687 845730 Veramotor S.A. ...........................................................950 392552

MOBILE PHONES See Telecommunications MOTORCYCLES & QUADS D Perez Motor (Antas) ...............................................950 069022 Harley Dees …………................................................600 685550 Indalo Quads (Guided treks) ..................................634 315074 Montoya Motos (Garrucha) …...............................…..950 133033 P & D Metals ............................................................638 707406 Nafta Custom (Antas) ………...............950 619293 / 615 938352

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NURSING see also Home Carers Angels Nursing Group ...............................................902 026468

Committed2ucommunitycare ......................................684 333442 Michaela Talbot .........................................................622 015765

NEWSAGENTS Total Entertainment (Albox) ......................................950 121318 Total Entertainment (Arboleas) .................................678 009051

Natural Optics (Garrucha) .........................................950 133921 Opticas Indalo (Garrucha) ..........................................950 133865 Opticas Indalo (Carboneras) .......................................950 130707 Opticas Indalo (San Isidro de Nijar) ...........................950 366200 Óptica Albox …………….......................................…..950 121991 Optica Mahis (Vera) ………...................................…..950 390777 Optica Orbera (Huércal Overa) ....................................950 135596 Optica Orbera (Albox) .....................................950430101 Opticalia M&G (Albox) ................................................950 121084 Primera Opticos (Aguilas) .........................................968 493482 Salas (Huércal Overa) ................................................950 135081 + Visión (Aguilas) …....................................................968 414279 Villazar (Mojácar Playa) …....................................….950 472783

OSTEOPATHS Alice Bellot (Mojacar & Arboleas) ….................………633 352259 Centro Physis (Olula del Rio) .................................695 355381 Enrique Arias (Mojácar) .........................950 472974 / 629 289385 Hector Gutiérrez (Vera Playa) ............607 479379 / 950 132765 Osteo Maestra (Arboleas) ......................................950 449451 Total Entertainment (Turre) .........................................950 468295 Yannick Reverdy (Clinic Reverdy-Coll) ...................616 673116

PAINTING & DECORATING

NUTRITION

Alternativa (Anne-Marie Pichon) ...............................666 966573 ABS Advanced Building Services ..............................687 846016 Ashlí (Naturopathic & nutritional therapies) ................643 102335 A.J. Painting & Decorating .......................................687 024884 Alan Barker ......................................950 099913 / 600 268176 ONLINE MARKETING Antonio Perez (Mojácar) ………........................…….691 240495 Donna González Linnitt .............................................699 067922 Borders Painting ………..........................................…687 661807 Cabrera Painting and Decoration Works ...................637 524709 OPTICIANS Casanove Interiors ......................................................680 836166 Federopticos (Aguilas) ……........................................968 414468 Federopticas Diaz (Albox) ..........................................950 121122 C.I.S Services (Arboleas) ........................................634 621747 Multiopticas Indalo (Garrucha) ...................................950 460665 Curtis Helm Multiservices .........................................610 394815 Multiopticas Indalo (Mojacar) .....................................950 472285 Daniel ……………..................................................….642 236810 Multiopticas Indalo (Campohermoso de Nijar) ............950 385082 Darpa S.L. ..................................................................691 055726 Darren Hargreaves ...................................................626 855483

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Day’s Painting Services ..............................................634 365553 Sedesa (Vera) …………............................................950 390990 Eurodec ……..........................................................…667 238273 Euro Painters Spain …………….......................………677 557190 Futura España ..........................................................950 615338 Grupo Brideca (shop) (Huércal-Overa) 950 471045 / 950 135881 IPB Painting ........................................661 184848 / 622 524335

PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICES

JPM ...........................................................................627 090422 Metalwork Painting ………………………699 246932 / 659 185039 Mode Services ...................................950 525790 / 687 033106 Paint Magic ..............................................................617 904774 Painting & Decorating ............................................643 397903

20seven photography ................................................634 301635 Almería-Fotografía .....................................................663 627942 Bluwater Photography ….........…………………………616 189002 Chincheto (Mojácar) ....................................................687 489182 Fotomicar (Lyle Mallen) .............................................620 786914 Fotos Fabrega (Albox) ………...........……………………950 430223 Indigo Photography & Video ...................................637 974793 Omar De La Cruz ………..........………950 460213 / 609 284852 Professional Video & Photographic Services inc. Aerial...647 202599 Rod Westwood ………........................950 472321 / 609 611207 The Image Suite …….............................…........................647 918 848 Toros Bravos ............................................................607 117174

PHOTOCOPIES & SCANS C.A.T. Services (La Alfoquía) (See p.31).950 634388 / 627 635514 neö-cöpy (Vera) …...................………..950 390424 / 622 262100 Pronto Printing (La Buganvillas) (See cover).............950 133492 Servidea 2020 (Mojácar Playa) .................................950 399726 Total Entertainment (Albox) ......................................950 121318 Total Entertainment (Arboleas) .................................678 009051 Paul ...........................................................................649 Phil the Painter ……..............................................…671 S.O.S. Painting ……………........................................651 SWH Painting Services .......................622 899167 / 683 Susana's Painting Services ….............................……649 The Fast Brush .........................................................950

186107 PHYSIOTHERAPY 227259 500670 Centro Physis (Olula del Rio) ......................................695 355381 479261 Clinica MOS Fisioterapia (Mojácar Playa) .................644 394335 759053 472668

PATIO & POOL ENCLOSURES See Screened Patio & Pool Enclosures

PERFUMES & COSMETICS Son d’Aromas (Mojácar Playa) ..................................666 348253

PET SHOPS & TRANSPORT InterZoo (Vera) .......................................................950 390075 Madera Mania (Los Gallardos) …..................……….667 562872 Shift My Pets Transport (Spain/UK) …….........………634 368430 Tucano Mascotas (Vera) ....................950 392617 / 650 292670 Union Jack (Pet Transportation) ...........………………….902 109560

Fisiomar Physiotherapy Centre (Albox) ....................667 425197 Fisioterapia Vera-Salud (Vera Playa) ...607 479379 / 950 132765 Ignacio López de la Fuente (Mojácar) ......................627 244730 Physiotherapy Centre (Albox) ...........950 431463 / 657 516247 Remedio clinic (Mojacar) ....................950 472980 / 617 741564 PEST CONTROL Jason …….........................................950 064015 / 680 903609 Vitea Fisioterapia (Vera) ...................950 390655 / 663 024255

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Armadillo ….........................................................…950 528128 PIANO TUNER Terry …...................................................................…697 229753 Ashley Reliable Plumbing (Albox area)......................610 052407 Blocked DrainsRUs ............................950 091109 / 648 768587 PICTURE FRAMING Charlie Fyre ..............................................................686 833444 Buy Buy Auctions ...................................................681 095096 Chris ........................................................................617 313587 Casa de Cabra (Albox) ........................................ 633 364329 Carlos (Saliente) Plumbing & Heating ..950 930900 / 620 742954 Cosy Casa Plumbing (Albox) ……............................950 425049 PIZZERIAS Curtis Helm Multiservices .........................................610 394815 Antonella (Mojácar Playa) ................................……..950 450215 Graham ....................................................................620 112193 BiancoRossi (Mojácar Playa) ...................................950 472682 Knowles ….........................................950 137197 / 606 807797 Bocapizza (Albox) ......................................................950 120506 Fernando (Huércal Overa)...........................................677 549247 Cafetería Levante (Mojácar) .....................................950 615224 Francisco Montoya (Mojacar) …............………………..687 466352 Cafetería Pizzería Alcazaba (Mojácar Playa) ............645 414793 Mike Lacey ..........................................950 069073 / 636 407543 Centro Plaza (Palomares) …...............................…..950 618614 Smith Plumbing S.L. ..................................................950 468041 Chili (Turre) ................................................................950 468425 El Ángel (Mojácar Pueblo) ...................950 478343 / 607 537101 PODIATRISTS El Gaucho (Mojácar Playa) ....................................950 478846 See Chiropodists & Podiatrists Enrico (Mojácar Playa) ......................950 472995 / 642 514738 Meson Felipe San Bernabé (Mojácar Playa) ..…….950 475966 POOL COVERS Imperial (Mojácar Playa) ......................................….950 478098 1 Stop Pool Shop ...............................950 104345 / 637 582696 Indalo Burger (Mojácar Playa) ...............................950 099119 Coverbox (Albox) …….................................................615 992007 La Góndola (Garrucha) ..............................................950 133928 Enclose My Pool ..................................606 040462 / 670 510097 La Muralla (Mojácar Pueblo) .......................................950 472928 Hispavan pool covers ........................950 047033 / 687 845730 Little Italy II (Garrucha) …………...........………………950 133802 Real Covers (Mojácar) ........................950 478763 / 609 667333 Osteria (Mojácar) ......................................................950 615151 WS Cover ...................................................................667 480363 Ottocento (Mojácar Playa) .........................................950 615100 POOLS & POOL MAINTENANCE Pizzeria Gallo (Aguilas) …...........................................968 447862 Pizzeria D'Angelo (Mojácar Playa) .................................950 478517 1 Stop Pool Shop ...............................950 104345 / 637 582696 Pizzeria El Desvío (Turre) ............................................607 804488 24hr Casaserve .................................950 466438 / 676 306269 Pizzeria Portofino (Mojácar) .......................................950 472809 Aguafer Piscinas S.L. ................................................950 617064 Pizzeria-Restaurante Mari Cruz (Turre) …...........…….950 479646 Aguagéstion Cantoria (Maintenance) ……….............653 078040 Pizzería Quick (Garrucha) .............................................950 132305 Alloa Pool Care (Albox) ………….................…………..650 244018 Provenzal (Mojácar Playa) ..........................................950 478308 Aquazul Piscinas ….....................................................647 841750 Pulcinella (Mojácar Pueblo) .......................................950 478401 Samz (Los Gallardos) ..................................................950 398981 Sottocasa (Mojácar Playa) ........................................950 093075

PLASTERERS David Pritchard Construcciones ................................617 698418 Diamond Plastering and Building Services ...............665 706880

PLUMBERS 24hr Casaserve ..............................................950 466438 / 676 3062699 A-Z Plumbing & Heating …………..….616 888058 / 662 342669 A1 Services ………..............................635 810941 / 679 631458 Andy (Mojácar) ........................................................697 302039

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Blue Diamond Pool Care ..............................697238933 Clean Pool Service (Arboleas) ...................................606 654389 Complete Pool & Property Maintenance 634 343541 / 634 891709 D & J Pritchard Construcciones ................................617 698418 Daniel ……………..................................................….642 236810 Guardian Angels (Pool Cleaning) …...950 466396 / 600 470778 Heat My Pool ....................................950 528128 / 663 303350 Hidro-Sport S.L. (Pebbletec) .................................…950 581407 IndalPool (Albox) …………...............................……..950 431859 Mat Murray ...............................................................647 841750 Oasis Pool Cleaning Services ............634 332170 / 634 332178 Piscinas Miguel (Maintenance) .............950 478652 / 607 480865 Pools & Piscinas (Cleaning - Bedar) ..........................637 915898 Pool Medics ……………...................................……….634 353525 Procare Pools (Arboleas) ..........................................642 370681 Proyectados Pool Sureste ............................................630 810299 Reflections Pool Services ........................................642 341603 Salvador (Pool Maintenance) ......................................696 426523 Sundance Spas - Pool Maintenance S.L. ....................950 472845 Tanby Piscinas ............……….............950 468230 / 609 888549 Triton Pool Cleaning ...............................................634 326322 Tropicana Swimming Pool Construction 650 906114 / 689 404244 True Blue Pools & Spas ..............................................661 148998 Underwater Pool Services …….....................................628 662582

POSTAL SERVICES Can Connect (Albox) …….........................................950 121149 C.A.T. Services (La Alfoquía) (See p.31).950 634388 / 627 635514 Connexions (Turre) ..................................................950 479502 Forget-me-not (Las Buganvillas) ....................………..663 302740 Frankie’s Bar (Vera Playa) .........................................662 474861 Mail Boxes Etc (Vera) ................................................950 393835 Offex Spain ................................……..966 765950 / 661 386942 Spanish Property Choice (Easypost) ..950 615388 / 635 722290 The Post Shop (Albox) ………..............950 064584 / 635 979829 Total Entertainment (Albox) ......................................950 121318 Total Entertainment (Arboleas) .................................678 009051 Total Entertainment (Turre) .........................................950 468295

PRE-PAYMENT METERS Sol Digimeters ..........................................................634 348703

PRINTING & GRAPHIC DESIGN A1 Cheapest Print ….....................................………622 AdverGraf & AdverTees ..........................................634 Idea (Huércal Overa) ...............................................605 Mail Boxes Etc (Vera) ............................................950 Mobility Almería (Mojácar Playa) .............................634 neö-cöpy (Vera) …...................………..950 390424 / 622 Pronto Printing (La Buganvillas) (See cover).............950 GSF Communications (Mojácar) ..............................950

493499 336789 162709 393835 322475 262100 133492 473102

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE 24hr Casaserve .....................................950 466438 / 676 306269 ABS Advanced Building Services ..............................687 846016 Arboleas Builders ………...............……950 930536 / 634 306690 Can I Help You (Vera) ………..................................691 662267

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Complete Pool & Property Maintenance 634 343541 / 634 891709 Curtis Helm Multiservices .........................................610 394815 D & D Property Care & Rentals ............643 335386 / 643 337063 Destination Spain Property Services .........................672 668803 Exclusive Holiday Villas ............................................950 092602 Hire a Hubby …………........................950 436679 / 619 066022 IDP Services …………................................................608 238775 Indalfutur S.L. (Mojácar) ……........….950 615156 / 609 026526 J & J Property Care ....…….................950 452106 / 617 657414 Jasmine Construction C.B ..........................................659 185189 Mode Services ...................................950 525790 / 687 033106 Mojacar Estates ..........................................................950 478935 Procare Property Service (Arboleas) .......................642 370681 Triton Property Maintenance ...................................634 326322

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & RENTALS Alhambra Holdings (Mojácar)...................950 475199 / 629 673450 Almería Property Agency (Arboleas) …..850 993099 / 606 281865 Almería Property Services .....................950 060135 / 660 734323 Almeria Rentals ................................. 650 764623 / 648 523073 Apartamentos Torrelaguna (Las Buganvillas) .............950 132580 APT Lets (Valle del Este) ….................950 619227 / 626 578164 Blaumar (Huercal Overa) .....................950 135512 / 670 869533 Blue Sea Villas (Mojácar) (See front cover).............….950 478643 Casa Benedict Rentals (Turre) …...………....…………616 189002 C.A.T. Services (La Alfoquía) (See p.31).950 634388 / 627 635514 Citrus Homes ...............................……......................638 849254 Clean Team Property Care & Rentals 850 993202/ 642 911850 Coastal Properties (Mojácar) ........................................950 475235 Complete Holiday Care ....………...........950 478612 / 610 808631

Exclusive Holiday Villas ..........................................950 092602 Findmeahome ....................................951 914195 / 636 266641 Holiday Home Europe .........................950 120210 / 654 590258 Holiday Letting Service ........................950 472903 / 627 565049 Homes of Spain (Huércal Overa).........950 616516 / 616 562447 Indalfutur S.L. (Mojácar) ……........….950 615156 / 609 026526 Indalo Real Estate .............................950 091137 / 616 760409 Indasol Mojácar S.L. ..................……....................….950 472200 Inmoterreros ...................................................................666 255 765 KJ Property Maintenance (Albox /Arboleas) ............608 625675

D & D Property Care, Sales & Rentals .......643 335386 / 643 337063 Destination Spain Property Services .........................678 203143 E-Property Almería ...................................................677 146592

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KW Resorts Holiday Rentals ......................0044 (0)1293 863320 Loufa S.L.(Mojácar Pueblo) …..........................……..950 472773 Mojácar Estates ........................................................950 478935

Santiburi Properties (Cabrera & Mojácar) 694 404971 / 647 901478 Sierra property Rentals (Bédar) ...............................678 587007 Spanish Property Choice (Mojacar) ..... 950 475823 / 634 351562 Mojácar Holiday Services .......................950 699947 / 634 972377 Sunshine Villas............................………850 993202 / 694 440184 Susana's Property Services ......................................649 759053 The Property Shop (Mojácar) ..................................950 475241 Triton Property Services ..........................................634 326322 Vera Holiday Rentals .............................................634 347109 Voss Homes (Huercal-Overa) ...................667 891 741 / 950 616 827 Year Round Holiday Rentals .............950 619178 / 627 763052

PROPERTY PROMOTERS

Mojácar Long Term Rentals …................................………950 475 891 Mojácar Property Maintenance & Decorators ………..649 304441 New Wave Villas (Mojácar) ................950 475800 / 607 146352 Noble Services ....................................................... 692 188200 Next Stop Almería ................................950 617518 / 678 034651 Price Brown Partnership (Mojácar) ............................950 478915 Rent Mojácar ............................................................950 615042

Almanzora S.L. (Desert Springs) ...............................950 467104 BMS Huerta Nueva ............................950 615035 / 669 355914 Elegant Homes S.L. ............................950 092603 / 687 629777 Elide Group S.L. …............….............950 390009 / 950 615076 El Pinar de Bédar ......................................................950 469496 GM Associates (Mojácar) ……….........……..............…950 475225 Miramar (Marina Golf) ................................................950 397060 New Villas (Albox) ………………........………..............…950 121036 Nicla Property Consultancy S.L. .................................950 133508 Polansky and Associates ..........................................950 478086 Promobys …………….................................................950 618889

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PROPERTY VALUATIONS Philip Chesler (Chartered Valuer) …................………687 814369

PSYCHOLOGIST Dr. Jane Thompson ............................968 485729 / 618 920126

QUAD BIKES see Motorcycles RADIO STATIONS Cadena Ser Levante (Spanish, local and national) ....950 Onda Aguilas (100.1) ….............................................968 Plusfm ……….................................….609 818283 / 617 Smooth FM online (89.8) ........................................634 Spectrum FM (96.1) ............................950 615142 / 678

615006 447864 528121 332666 332815

REFRIGERATION MD Air Conditioning & Refrigeration SL .607 364917 / 607 366040 Thermotech …………….....................…950 069637 / 699 856372

REMOVALS & STORAGE See also Van & Man Hire Buy Buy Auctions ...................................................681 095096 Amanda’s (Lubrin) ............................950 069682 / 634 310512 Andy (Trailer hire/drive) (Mojácar) ……...........…………..600 225 929 Brian’s Furniture & Removals (Mojácar Playa) .........674 280268

Countdown Removals (UK/Spain/UK) ..................…678 855994 Dave’s Transport (International / Local)....................620 049524 De Lima’s International Removals ........................+44 7467341106 English Move (Tony) ….............................................699 819213 Eurozone Removals UK(0044) 7452888063 Spain (0034) 662 569138 Indalo Transport .......................................................634 336468 Items For Sale Mojácar .......................694 439275 / 950 478753 J & B Removals (Albox) …......…………...................616 888058 Light Removals .........................................................643 608587 Location Warehousing S.L. (Antas) .............................950 391412 Moovit Transport & Storage ...............950 930316 / 642 586701 Moves2Spain (Antas) ..........................950 452869 / 661 969393 Orange Box ...........................................................610 887757 Reliable Removals (Albox) .UK 0044 1942 418951 Spain 664 857920 Speedlink Logistics (Garrucha) ...................................637 011686 Sprinter Services (Vera Playa) .............605 376873 / 950 609121 St. George’s European …UK 0044 207 193 5984 / 952 485984 Storage Solutions (Arboleas) ................950 930316 / 671 220105 UK Direct ..................UK 0044 7719.118.879 / Spain 642 099479 Union Jack Removals (International) ….......………….902 109560

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100

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com Arboleas El Mirador …………….............................................…678 Happy Garden .........................................................950 Hostal Meson ………..........................950 430137 / 635 Hotel Rural Azabache ............................................690

160806 120851 612738 258813

Bédar El Paso ...................................................................678 La Fuente .................................................................950 Malcolm’s Restaurant ..............................................634 Miramar .....................................................................950

868963 469185 318633 469308

Cabrera Swift Transport (Arboleas) ........................................618 511234 Los Pastores .............................................................950 468002 Riad Cabrera ………………….....................................950 092042

RESTAURANTS

See also Chinese Restaurants & Pizzerias

Cerro Gordo Bistro Bonita .......................................650 599739 / 950 930169

Cortijo Grande Casa Los Pinos ……......................…..950 468236 / 619 136877 Finca Listonero (See p.61)...........................................950 982045

Cucador La Vida

……….................................….........……….950 634562

Desert Springs Resort El Torrente Restaurant …....................................……637 861590 The Crocodile Club ...................................................678 746706

El Campico (Bédar-Lubrin) La Montaña ...............................................................950 398856

El Marchal

Agua Amarga

La Chumbera ............................................................950 168321 El Paniajo ................................................................950 477202 Restaurant Family ......................................................950 138014 El Pilar de Lubrin

Aguilas

Restaurante Albar ....................................................950 069077

Carlos III ..................................................................968 411650 El Faro .....................................................................968 412883 El Guacamole (Mexican) ...........................................968 413491 Hotel El Paso ...........................................................968 447125 La Calica (Hotel Cala Real) .....................................968 414562 La Vía ........................................................................646 430496 Piccolo Mondo ............................................................968 411946

Garrucha

Albox Club de Tenis …….....................................…………..667 671578 El Gallego ...........................................950 120590 / 615 717978 La Cena ……........................................……………..950 430930 La Parrilla ................................................................950 430024 Little India (Albox) ….................................................632 454505 Maloan’s Bar ….........................................................634 300752 Mesón de Irene ………........................647 730103 / 950 430145 Oliver’s Bar …............................................................950 930988 Paché ….....................................................................950 431659 The New Delhi (Indian) ……...........….950 431705 / 639 231507

Angus & Hereford .....................................................950 Casa Adriana ...........................................................950 GBG ……………...................................950 132625 / 639 Góndola ....................................................................950 La Gurulla ………................................................….657 La Plazoleta ……….........................................…….666 Maui Gastro ….................................................………950 Nautico …................................................................622 Restaurante Andalucia ..............................................950 Restaurante Azul, Hotel Tikar ...................................950 Rincón del Puerto …….......................950 133042 / 950 Tierra y Mar .............................................................850

Alfaix La Venta de Alfaix .....................................................671 272464

Antas Asador Gloria …..............................…...950 453150 / 625 Cortijo Carlotta ......................................950 619226 / 638 El Fogon, Asador Argentino ........................................950 Mi Casa .................................................950 453007 / 950

668613 549646 459081 453048

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101

460588 133154 915993 133928 058929 711997 460882 451935 460604 617131 133043 992808

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Huércal-Overa

Bellavista ..................................................................950 El Capricho …........................................................697 297235 Botaniq ...................................................................696 Bowen Resto Bar .............................. 666 406203 / 634 Las Alparatas (Mojácar) La Capilla ..................................................................950 479305 Burladero ...................................................................950 Cafetería Pizzería Alcazaba ………...........................645 La Alfoquía Captain’s Tapas Bar & Restaurant ...........................617 Bar La Unión ...........................................................642 008003 Casa Egea .................................................................950 Cielos …..................................................................634 393235 El Local ……......................................950 634449 / 633 684855 Los Mellízos …………................................……………667 919025

478800 809035 357654 615041 414793 477797 472190

Lijar Mesón La Hoya ........................................................638 298507

Limaria Welcome Stranger …........................………...........….950 432719

Los Carasoles Restaurante Kalevala ...............................................607 484414

Los Castaños Cortijo Las Piezas ........................……..950 951498 / 634 780943 Casa Juan …………................................................….950 450305 Cortijo de la Media Luna ..........................................950 478813 Apolo ……...................................................…………..600 495182 d’Angelo .....................................................................950 478517 Bistro @ the Colosseum .............................................615 387947 Delfín Dorado......................................950 475212 / 645 220095 Dolce Vita ................................................................950 478476 El Deseo .................................................................670 018035 El Gaucho ................................................................950 478846 El Sitio ....................................................................950 615411 Enrico (Italian) ...................................950 472995 / 642 514738

Los Gallardos

La Ambrosia ..............................................................950 093086 Meson Verfran ....................................................………637 810143 Miraflores ...........................................679 970399 / 609 506869

Mojácar See also Mojácar Pueblo Agra Taj (Indian) ......................................................602 Al Punto (Brazilian) (See p.2)....................................950 Antonella (Italian) .............................................……..950 Azeefa (Indian) ...................................950 109758 / 660 Badgers ...................................................................950

197417 475899 450215 173987 478525

Imperial (Italian) .......................................................950 Imperial Playa (Italian) ..............................................950 Indalo Beach ……………...........................................950 Indian Curry House ...........................632 416554 / 632 Bar Alizee ...............................................................950 091810 Kukis ..........................................................................686 Beachcomber ...........................................................634 339216 La Cabaña ................................................................950

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102

478098 475360 099119 711667 038259 615179

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Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com Palacio Imperial Marina (Thai, Japanese, Chinese) ...950 472208 Parador de Mojácar ...................................................950 478250 Playa Blanca .......................................950 473001 / 639 507520 Restaurante Martín Morales .....................................950 478812 Restaurante Mediterráneo ..........................................950 472268 Robert (Marina de la Torre) …………..............………950 110412 Sal Marina ...................................................................950 472405 Sensations ................................................................950 472057 Sottocasa (Italian) ...................................................950 093075 The Irish Rover (See p.43).........................................950 473135 The Lemon ....................……...............................…….950 472659 The Roof Garden .....................................................674 113218 Torre Bahía ...............................................................950 478651 Trufibar ....................................................................664 103611 Twister ...................................................………………950 472357 Zaika Fusion ..........................................................632 727851

Mojácar Pueblo

La Cantina (Mexican) ................................................950 478941 La Caracola .............................................................622 520925 La Cometa ...............................................................950 615209 La Estancia …….............................................………654 562396 La Gaviota ……………...............................................950 472117 La Parata (See p.7)..............................................…950 478186 La Piká ....................................................................950 930744 La Posada …............................................................661 595845 La Table de Cathy (French) …..............…………….650 745807 Le Magnifique …………….......................................…634 310816 Los Amigos ......................................…………………950 478489 Marcelo’s .................................................................950 031812 Mesón Felipe San Bernabé ...................…………….950 475966 Meson Mémé …........…………………..674 141159 / 647 954405 Mandala Beach Club ................................................902 442420 Meson de Perico ....................................................950 615582 Mountains of the Moon (Indian) ........950 472002 / 637 914632

Arlequíno ..........................................950 478037 / 649 337781 Casa Minguito ………...............................................950 478614 El Ángel ..........................................950 478343 / 607 537101 El Antler ……....................................................……600 540661 El Reclamo …….......................................................950 472881 La Candela …...........................................................647 724367 Pulcinella (Italian) .....................................................950 478401 Restaurante Aires del Sur ..................606 061811 / 950 478014 Restaurante Calima ………………........................….663 286962 Restaurante Mamabel's ....................... 663 700542 / 950 472448 Rincón de Embrujo …....................…………………….600 531270 Rincon de Zahorí ................................630 314400 / 625 103672

Palomares Asagía Asador .........................................................640 210185 The Oasis Bar ...................................950 467381 / 676 365010

Partaloa Mis Amigos ..............................................…………….671 608498

Pueblo Laguna Bistro .......................................................................950 132022

Restaurant Laguna …………….........................……..950 132566

San Juan de Los Terreros Mi Cortijo …………......................................................950 466323 Mont Martre (French) ..............................................634 388867 Neptuno ..............................................................…616 005387 Omega ........................................................................950 475317 Ostería Ristorante Italiano ..........................................950 615151 Ottocento (Italian).......................................................950 615100

Turre Chili .................................................608 802227 / 950 Hostal Rural .............................................................950 La Pará ……………………..................................…….637 Orsoca ………………............................................…..602 Pizzeria-Restaurante Mari Cruz ……....................…..950

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103

468425 478806 545590 554609 479646

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RUGS & CARPETS

Urcal

The Palms …………...............................950 958167 / 678 832036 Buy Buy Auctions ...................................................681 095096 Homecentre (Albox) (See p.6)..........868 931872 / 671 715294 Vera Casa de la Vega ......................................................950 391208 P & R Rugs (Los Llanos de Aroleas) .......................665 258680 El Paseo de Oscar ...................................................950 392496 RURAL TOURISM Gran Muralla (Wok Buffet) ..........................................950 391691 2 Poplars (Velez Blanco) ……...............................….670 243856 La Mariposa de Fran ………........……..950 166774 / 683 641957 Cortijo Pocio de la Nava (Mojácar) ............................670 777752 Terraza Carmona ...................................................950 390760 Finca Arboleda (Vera) ..............................................678 027656 Vera Playa Mi Abuela Maria (Mojácar) ……..........................……659 198424 b2 Mohana (Argentinean) ........................................678 642856 SATELLITE TV El Balconcito .............................................................635 589909 Gateway to India (Indian) ...........................................950 923994 ABC (A Better Climate) (See p.29).....647 247494 / 950 092604 La Buena Mesa …………..…................950 467222 / 610 356387 Cuevasat ...........................................950 523740 / 628 153340 La Pampa (Argentinean Grill) ……….950 397702 / 671 653116 DCM Digitek Comms (Mojácar) (See p.19) .950 472947 / 670 084438 Maraú (Vera Playa) ……………...........................……671 580340 Digital Vision (See p.33......................950 472081 / 645 294064 Restaurante Tibu ......................................................950 133747 Europa Digital ....................................950 133233 / 678 332815 Taj Mahal (Indian) …............…………950 618691 / 671 231465 GBTV (Albox and Mojácar) .......................................616 888058 The Blue Parrot ......................................................950 467682 GSF Communications (Mojácar) ...............................950 473102 Solo Satellite & Air-Con. (See p.55) ......950 398146 / 699 909737

Villaricos

Don Tadeo ..................................................................670 860386 SCREENED PATIO & POOL Goah ........................................................................950 467030 ENCLOSURES La Esperanza ............................................................625 737025 Enclose My Pool ...............................606 040462 / 670 510097 Los Conteros ....................................950 618629 / 699 010705 Inside Out In Europe S.L. .................677 114576 / 695 118960 Zurgena Lifestyle Enclosures Europe S.L. (See p. 9) 950 459060 / 638 063196 Tiger Bar (Indian) …..................................................950 449000 Screenmasters (See p.45)......….…...........................677 152911 Sol Shaders S.L. (See p.45)........................................627 907207

RETRACTABLE ROOF SYSTEMS

Lifestyle Enclosures Europe S.L. (See p. 9) 950 459060 / 638 063196

SCUBA DIVING

Buceo (Aguilas) ……………......................................968 ROOFING Buceo Mojácar ..................................950 472760 / 629 Ark Roofing ...............................................................634 379173 Molasub (Villaricos) ............................950 467572 / 675 SES (Aguilas) ………..................................................669

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493215 049229 321404 040963

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SECOND HAND Buy Buy Auctions (Los Carasoles)..................................681 095096 Amanda’s (Lubrin) ............................950 069682 / 634 310512 Brian’s Furniture & Removals (Mojácar Playa) .........674 280268 Designer Thrift (Albox) ...........................................950 064576 Merka Recycla (Huércal Overa) .........950 616683 / 666 577006 Second Time Around (Albox) .......................................950 431871 The Attic (Cucador) ..…….…................672 184354 / 648 250699 The Treasure Trove (Turre) ……….................………..666 281316

SECURITY & SAFES See Alarms SEWING Alice .........................................................................620 876485 Coser y Planchar (Vera) .........................................689 303765 Alexis Shillinglaw .....................................................642 107453 J.F.M. Modas Sedal (Turre) ..............950 468031 / 606 945502 Lola Alterations & Repairs (Mojácar Playa) .950 475994 / 637 963835 Nicky (Mojacar) ..................................................... 667 479903 Solo Style .............................................950 528334 / 626 319907 Sew n Sew Susie (Albox area) ..........950 930643 / 633 683872 The Sewing Room ....................................................607 375697

SEPTIC TANK SERVICE Drainage Solutions …...........………….616 531283 / 670 Blocked DrainsRUs ............................950 091109 / 648 Ginés Millán (All areas) ……….............(after 4pm) 607 Lymasur (Vera) ……..........................950 390732 / 609 Sepserve (All areas) …..............................................675 Septic Tanks Cleaned ……….....................…………..675

088966 768587 366355 442695 838808 838808

SHOE REPAIRS

SOLICITORS Alonso & Garrido (Albox) ...........................................950 121040 Alonso & Haro (Vera) ..............................................950 392208 AM & RG (Mojácar) ………….............950 478984 / 649 286437 AVSA Lawyers (Aguilas) ..........................................968 446576 Babelia (Mojácar) ……..........…........635 577562 / 950 397114 C & P Solicitors (Mojácar) ….....…………950 460731 / 675 383 160 Cabrera Cervantes (Turre) ................950 099400 / 627 464545

Keys Copy Centre (Mojácar Playa) ..........................950 472982

SIGNS (Shop & Vehicle) Idea (Huércal Overa) ...............................................605 162709 Pronto Printing (La Buganvillas) (See cover).............950 133492

SKIN TREATMENTS

Francesca Herman (See p.37)....….......................….687 480694

SKIP HIRE Aridos Mojácar S.L. .................................................650 914257 Servacon .................................................................950 475853

SNOOKER HALLS CD Snooker Mojácar ............................634 364311 / 609 026526

SOLAR ENERGY DCM Digitek Comms (Mojácar) (See page 19)...........950 Ecocorp ....................................................................671 Hi-Tec Solar (Turre) ............................609 888549 / 950 Hispavan Solar ..................................950 047033 / 687 Solartech (Las Buganvillas) …..............................….950 Sunergy Almeria ........................................................636

To advertise your business, call Rob on 619 833 041, or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

472947 716597 468230 845730 139568 261240

Casas Almería (Huércal Overa) .................................950 134434 Davies Solicitors (Mojácar) ........................................950 472775 EuroAbogados (Vera) .................................................950 617017

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105

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com Javier Loustau (Mojácar) .........................................950 475086 José Francisco López Molina .............950 133607 / 635 189986 Leticia Moreno-Torres Camy (Vera) ......950 391249 / 607 840182 Lopez & León Solicitors (Garrucha) ..950 888314 / 666 513917 Mario Redondo (Albox) ….................950 430222 / 626 389322 Miguel Angel Rojas Benitez .......................................950 615404 Pablo Suarez (Purchena) ..........................................610 014680 Mundi Abogados (Las Buganvillas) ........................950 460999 Ramírez Abogados (Vera) .......................................950 391171 Ross Legal Services (Aguilas) .................................968 412321 Ruiz Orozco (Vera) ..................................................950 390282 Saugar Abogados (Mojácar) ......................................950 615038

SPAS IndalOcio (Arboleas) ................................................850 993090 Sundance Spas (Mojácar) .......................................950 472845

SPA SERVICING & CLEANING True Blue Pools & Spas ..........................................661 148998

STAINED GLASS Janet Broady ….............................…........................950 130627

SURVEYORS

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Philip Chesler (Chartered Surveyor).............................687 814369 Diamond Plastering and Building Services ..............671 717149 Survey Andalucía (Architect Daniel González) ............686 846624 Elegant Homes S.L. ..............................950 092603 / 687 629777 Sapphire Surveyors ………...................950 064725 / 671 208782 Garden Works .....................................950 132518 / 666 847583 Mode Services ...................................950 525790 / 687 033106 SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS Saxon’s Complete Building Services ......618 920126 / 686 377172 La Maruja (Mojácar) ................... ................................664 647171 Steve Holman .......................................................... 697 678708 United Tile ................................................................667 702817 SWEET SHOPS Vision Design & Build ...............................................672 153298 Forget Me Not (Las Buganvillas)..............................663 302740

TIMBER SUPPLIERS

TATTOO ARTISTS

Wood2Go ..............................................950 614050 / 606 156151 Body-Zone Tattoo (Mojácar) ……………......................634 336789 Classic Tattoo (Mojácar Playa) .................................605 611782 TOURIST ATTRACTIONS Lisa V Tattoos (Cantoria) ....................634 362737 / 642 024810 Almería Castle ………............................................…950 271617 Oscar (Mojácar Pueblo) …................................…….629 944374 Almería Solar Centre ( Nr.Tabernas) ....950 387990 / 670 866122 Aquarium (Roquetas de Mar) ...................................950 160036 TAXIS (Legal) Camelus (Mojácar Camel Rides) ………663 930272 / 950 100076 Levante Radio Taxis (all areas)................................950 888111 Exclusive Shuttles pre-booked airport taxis (office hours).950 092602 Fort Bravo – Western theme park (Tabernas) .....….950 165405 Taxi Emilia (Arboleas) ..............................................618 968497 Nautarium (Sea Museum) (Garrucha) ………………….950 139554 Nijar Butterfly Farm .................................................617 692778 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Oasys Western Park & Zoo (Tabernas) ….............….950 365236 Albox-Online ………..............................…………….950 091111 Western Leone Theme park (Tabernas) …............…950 165405 AlmeriNet-Cheap Calls .........................950 479517 / 627 027758 TRANSLATING - see Interpreters Euphony Mojacar .........................................................677 146592 Connexions (Turre) (See front cover)..........................950 479502 TRANSPORT - see Removals Indalphone .............................(Mojácar) 950 475784 / 622 455 608 Indalphone ...........................................(Huércal-Overa) 950 471470 TRAVEL Autocares Rodriguez (Coaches) ...............................950 469061 Halcón Viajes (Vera) ................................................950 393472 Exclusive Airport Shuttles (See p.11).......................950 092602 Inda Travel (Mojácar) ..............................................950 472431 Levante Travel (Garrucha) ...................950 132258 / 628 604752 Mojácar Tour (Mojácar Playa) (See cover)..........…..950 475757 Viajes Yedra Tours (Aguilas) ...................................968 412498 Viajes Zafiro Tours (Aguilas) ....................................968 410197 Zafiro Tours (Albox) ………..................................……950 121021

TUITION GSF Communications (Mojácar) ..................................950 473102 Maso Telefonia (Albox) ……..............................………….950 121279 MaxiMovil – Plus S.L. Orange ....................................950 393538 Next .............................................................................950 479369 Phone@ Mojacar …….............……....950 882222 / 607 885522 Servcom (Turre) ........................................................902 023268 Telitec Connections S.L. ..............……902 889070 / 965 743473 The Phone House (Albox) …………….950 121045 / 670 359698 WiFi Internet .............................................................950 615156

TILING & PATIO WORK 1 Stop Paving (Albox) ………................................…634 ABS Advanced Building Services ..............................687 A.J.B. Tiling Services ...............................................687 Andalucian Con Co Print .........................................628 Arboleas Paving ……………...............................…….636 Borders .....................................................................647 C.I.S Services (Arboleas) ........................................619 Curtis Helm Multiservices .........................................610

313939 846016 024884 408197 092632 803030 693118 394815

Computer Training & Tuition Call Out (Dani) ...........678 490639 Dave Eccles (Drum lessons) ..............950 525790 / 687 033106 ELC Education & Language Centre .........................950 615489 Espanglish .........................................950 390037 / 950 392876 Girasol, Albox (Spanish) ..........................................639 089170 Guillermo (Spanish conversation, Antas)...................647 525639 Guitar Lessons ………….....................................…..667 989270 Guitar Lessons (Chris Pottle) ................................950 437606 Hind (French & Arabic, Mojácar) ...............................616 605341 Jane Catchlove (Piano/keyboards/violin A.R.C.M) ...950 634402 Jose (Spanish Lessons) ..........................................667 303376 Jewellery making ......................................................642 435909 Kinder Garrucha (Bilingual Education Centre)..950 047026 / 671 608519 La Galeria Art Classes (Albox) …..............................663 341904 Laberinto (Spanish, English, French, Dutch) .............609 781438 Leticia (Spanish Conversation) ……......................…950 615566 Marcela Chávez (Spanish-English school support)....676 951352 Native Spanish Teacher (All levels) ………………….670 619017 Native Spanish Tuition ..............................................661 654812 Pencils English Academy (Garrucha)..........................634 314110

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107

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Penny Baltrus (Piano) ...............................................662 517106 Piano (Mojácar) …………............……950 069803 / 667 408941 Piano tuition. Terry Peace (Limaria/Albox.) ...............868 931815 Professional Writing Services …..........………………..662 067490 Sam Catchlove (Professional drum/latin percussion) ..950 634402 Sarah Dyson (Computer tuition) …....................……687 632435 Simon Farmiloe (Spanish & English)(Albox/Mojacar) 647 677097 Tennis Coach (Diego Rodriguez) ........950 393851 / 607 021280 The I.T.Teacher (Computer Tuition)...............................695 280699

TV & AUDIO REPAIRS Ponce S.L. (Garrucha) ..............................................950 617181 Seth Pittham (Zurgena).......................950 634477 / 666 826886 Upholstery & Leather Cleaning ......................................636 193256 Upholstery Larios (Cuevas del Almanzora) 950 465 364 / 651 998738

VAN & MAN HIRE See also Removals & Storage Amanda’s (Lubrin) ............................950 069682 / 634 310512 Andy (Trailer hire/drive) (Mojácar) ……...........…………..600 225 929 IDP Services ……........................................................608 238775 Indalo Transport .......................................................634 336468 Storage Solutions (Arboleas) ................950 930316 / 671 220105 Way 2 Go (UK/Spain) ……UK 0044 208 0904292 / 965 794682

VEHICLE IMPORTATION

UNIFORMS

Car Check Spain (Andy) ............................................618 043186 Tikka Uniforms & Shoes (Mojácar) …..........................667 479903 Hispavan vehicle importation ..............950 047033 / 687 845730 Uniformes de Levante (Los Gallardos & Vera) ..........902 110218 Talleres Daydo (Antas Real) ….……….950 459116 / 607 373298

VEHICLE REPAIRS

UPHOLSTERY Albox Rugs (upholstery cleaning) .............................950 Curtains with Style (Fabrics) ............ 950 069032 / 678 Jone’s Mobile (Upholstery cleaning) …....……………661 Unicraft (Upholstery) .................................................692

633149 811125 571939 176069

Auto Corner (Turre/Los Gallardos) ….950 069198 / 667 Auto Shine Body Repairs ………........607 324623 / 607 CostaCoches ...........................................................950 Gómez Motor (Huércal-Overa) ............662 502895 / 950

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108

439671 324624 459209 471250

Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

Mojácar Motor (Mojácar Playa) ……..950 478335 / 950 475776 VETS Reparbox (DIY) (Antas El Real) .........687 879744 / 628 648131 Animal Care (La Alfoqúia) …....................................950 449064 SRS Vehicle Services ................................................950 449095 Astrid (Mojácar) ..............950 472252 Emergencies: 629 099920 Taller Daydo (El Real) .........................950 459116 / 607 373298 Talleres Azor ..(Mojácar) 950 478519 ..............(Vera) 950 391400 Talleres Fad (Aguilas) …...........................................968 447565 Talleres Vizcaino (Mojácar) ........................................950 472104 The Car Surgery ...................................................666 272792 The Garage (Llanos de Arboleas) .......950 930922 / 616 453813 Tyre King (El Real) ................................................950 459253

Clinica (Albox) ...............950 430814 Emergencies: 617 305784 Clinica Huellas (Aguilas) ...968 447877 Emergencies 629 445327 CliniVet (Turre) …..........................…..950 069780 / 626 171999 Costa Indalo (Mojácar) ....950 475213 Emergencies: 659 957942 Egesta Centro Vetinario (Vélez Rubio) ..950 411208 / 608 438683 Europa (Mojácar) .................950472262 Emergencies: 629 099921 Javier .............(Garrucha) 950 132200 Emergencies: 619 236059 NEXO (Albox) …...............950 430814 Emergencies: 617 305784 Veravet (Vera Town) …............…............................….667 304876 Veterinary Centre (Huércal-Overa) …........................950 616781

WATER (Tanker Delivery) Sierra Cabrera Water ...................…………………….693 866558

WATER PARK Aquavera (Vera Playa) ....................................................950 467337

WATER TREATMENTS VEHICLE REPAIRS (MOBILE)

Ashley Reliable Plumbing ………..........................…..610 052407 Healthy H2O ..............................................968 437270 / 666 302 987

WEB SERVICES 093051 827517 Divine Logix ...........................................................617 401332 195872 Image Suite ………........................................................647 918 848 827517 MODS ........................................................................600 284975 Paginasweb .......................................902 005799 / 911 011505 VEHICLE SALES WebFaze .................................................................601 628137 Buy Buy Auctions ...................................................681 095096 WEDDING & PARTY PLANNING Auto Corner (Turre/Los Gallardos) ….950 069198 / 667 439671 AutoFex (Albox & Antas El Real) ............................950 431861 Weddings in Spain .....................................................950 475826 Automobiles Bajuma S.L. (Antas) .............................662 167758 WINDOW CLEANING Automobiles Playcar SLU ...................950 459302 / 672 737663 Clean Team …………..............………850 993202 / 694 440184 CostaCoches (Antas, El Real).....................................950 459209 Cristal Clear Windows (Mojácar) …..........……………634 347193 Mojácar Motors ...950 472056 ................(Workshop) 950 478335 Don (Mojacar) .........................................................666 814913 Nissan (Albox) ………..................................................950 430856 Idea (Mojácar) ...................................................……..605 162709 Pit Stop (Oria) ……………....................................…..950 124828 J&A Window Cleaning Services ..........950 122452 / 689 548824 Que Coches Almería (Antas) …...................................627 423675 James .......................................................................678 988812 SRS Vehicle Services ................................................950 449095 Lady Jane Window Cleaning (Arboleas) ...................634 255373 Talleres Azor ...............(Mojácar) 950 478519 (Vera) 950 391400 Mick ...........................................................................634 327075 Teresa Jimenéz …………….............................……..636 119538 VEHICLE SHIPPING Car Shipping ………………UK 0044 1704 575983 / 671 101220 Window Panes ..................................633 814809 / 677 689077 Woody the Window Cleaner (Almanzora Valley) .......634 349665 Albox Service Centre S.L. …......................................662 Auto Frio .............................................950 104488 / 600 Cool Air (Air Conditioning) .......................................673 Veloc Tuning ECU Remapping Services ..................600

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Rob on 619 833 041

109

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WINDOWS & DOORS

Ortega Windows & Doors .......................................950 Planet Windows …...............................950 449639 / 664 Plas-Tech Windows ...................................................600 Screenmasters (See p.45)......….….........................677 Speedyfit ...........................................950 439228 / 600 Standard Windows (Antas) ........................................950

AA Window Doctor ...................................................630 231644 David A. Pritchard Construcciones ............................617 698418 Direct Trade Windows ............................................. 662 118785 Enrique Aguirre S.L. (Garrucha) .................................950 460028 Interglaze ……..............................….950 121909 / 680 743311 Lifestyle Enclosures Europe S.L. (See p. 9) 950 459060 / 638 063196 WINES Mojácar Home Improvements .............950 473104 / 689 296432 Bodega Gran Baco (Aguilas) .............................…..968 Enoteca Tikar (Garrucha) ……..............................….950 Isalva (Palomares) ………..........................................615 Wine Not? (Mojácar Playa) ....................................950

393305 327863 320761 152911 006032 393121 411538 617131 265092 100077

WOOD & PELLET STOVES Chimeneas Acar (Albox) ...........................................950 120077 Chimeneas Mojácar S.L. (Mojácar Playa) ..............950 472135 Enrique Aguirre S.L. (Garrucha) .................................950 460028

ZOO & PARK

Oasys (Tabernas) ....................................................950 365236

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Rob on 619 833 041

110

Community News The attendees were served a fine buffet of various dishes and the ladies, plus token chap Lewis Irvine, strutted an amazing display of fabulous outfits, including Lady Ellen who also provided live entertainment. Bunny Willis's colourful and original Christmas decoration table was mobbed with many happy customers and the PAWS-PATAS cat people sold a stack of books alongside the jewellery stall and the timeless raffle table. The event raised an amazing 580 Euros which will go towards much needed maintenance at the animal shelter. PAWSPATAS survives entirely on donations and fundraising events and we are desperate for volunteer help in all areas of our charity which can include working from home.

PAWS /PATAS Flooding Plea The road to the shelter has been ripped apart and completely disappeared. Major works to rebuild required. The volunteers on site plus other regulars made a stoic and brave attempt at trying to keep the dogs dry and moving them into other kennels which are not perfect but at least dry. We desperately need money to renovate this shelter - even concreting some of the kennels would make a difference. Everyone reading this article - even if you donated 5 Euros it could make a massive difference. Please visit our website - www.pawspatas.org - for all information regarding the shelter - donations can be made to https://pawspatas.org/donate. (PAWS also have shops in Mojรกcar, Turre and Las Buganvillas where donations can be made).

APSA Charity News APSA, the animal charity based in Albox, would like to thank all the shops, bars and businesses who have APSA collection tins. Your support is much appreciated. Margaret, Pat and other volunteers have been collecting in the money raised from the tins - money that will go directly to help the many dogs in APSA's care - helping to pay for food, vets' bills, homing and transport. As Margaret said, 'We would like to thank all those who put some spare change in the collection tins - every little helps, and this is an important regular donation to help the dogs. If you are a business who would like to have a tin to help a charity please contact APSA via the shop in Avenido Lepanto near Harrisons or their Facebook page. Margaret, an APSA volunteer, collecting a tin from Maria at Juan's Clinica Veterinaria in Albox.

Pitter Patter on the Catwalk raises money for PAWS /PATAS shelter. The sun shone, the queue of people grew at the entrance, and the ladies of the catwalk prepared themselves for the PAWS-PATAS charity fashion show at Maramar Luz de Luna restaurant in Mojรกcar. Lynne Hart and Gilly Bradley worked tirelessly over several weeks preparing the best rail of clothes and accessories which have been kindly donated to our fundraising outlets in Mojรกcar, Turre and Las Buganvillas.

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Community News Wacky Races Villaricos

Cruises, Cava and Canapes This sell-out event, held at Unique Bar, raised a wonderful 1,143.90 Euros for Age Support Almanzora. Ellen, the organiser, thanked everyone for their support, and everybody had a good evening as they enjoyed the fashion show, entertainments and dancing. The cruise theme meant the audience was welcomed on board by Captain Robert and his good lady wife Cathy. The Entertainments Officer from Smooth FM, Jack Savage, provided laughs all night long - supported by Able Seaman (salty old seadog) Bond. Age Support would like to thank all who came, Ellen and the volunteers, models, the staff at Unique Bar and all who provided prizes and services for the raffle and auction. Entertainment was provided by singer Melanie Howard-Coles and Miss Dusty who also modelled some gorgeous outfits. Ladies were able to buy the lovely day and cruiseinspired dresses and accessories having seen them on the models that strutted their stuff between the tables in the terrace area.

On November 8th, at the Avent Hotel in Vera, during a meeting of teachers from the whole of Northern Almeria Province, Wacky Races Villaricos was selected from several projects to receive the award for best example of collaboration between school, community and AMPA (Parents Association). This is a marvellous achievement for the team and we are suitably honoured and thrilled to be recognised. Wacky Races Villaricos were nominated for the award by Gabriela Moral Torralbo - a psychologist and guidance councillor working with AMPA. The meeting was chaired by María Luisa de Haro Carreno, Director of Centro del Profesorado de Cuevas-Olula that includes teachers from Sorbas, Olula del Rio, and the coast. Prizes were presented by Roser Batlle, an international wellrespected pedagogue and promoter of Service Learning - a method of enhancing the school curriculum by collaborating with the local community and businesses. On receiving the award, Ian gave the following speech: “Ladies and Gentlemen, Wacky Races Villaricos are honoured and thrilled to receive this award which recognises our efforts in our village. On behalf of the team - Mark, Cristina, Carol, Jerry, Roy and myself - I want to thank AMPA and Villaricos school. Also thanks to the businesses that sponsor us, the people that support us on Race Day and Juan Canana and his colleagues. We want to continue working together and next year's date is April 27th, 2019”. Contact us by email: wackyraces2017@gmail.com Facebook: wackyracesvillaricos, or tel Mark: 950 467 590 or Ian: 634 368 243.

Age Support has a shop and welfare office in Albox, opposite the Peugeot garage, so pop in for a bargain or to offer help or to see how the welfare team may assist or advise you - the money raised goes to support this welfare work and to purchase much-needed equipment to make lives easier for those in need.

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What’s On Almería The Russian Imperial Dance & Ballet Company performs Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake on December 11th at 9pm at the Maestro Padilla Auditorio, Almería city. Tickets are 25 & 30 Euros. This is a very famous ballet company and 45 artistes are involved in the performance. A Flamenco concert featuring the flamenco dancers Alejandra Gudí & Eduardo Leal who both come from Almería, is performed on December 19th at 9pm at the Maestro Padilla Auditorio, Almería city. Tickets are 15 & 18 Euros. Carlos Núñez performs a concert on December 8th at 9.30pm, Teatro Cervantes, Almería city. This well-known musician from Galicia plays an assortment of wind instruments including Galician bagpipes, Galician and Irish flute, and Ocarina. Tickets are 18 Euros in advance or 20 Euros at the door.

The Clasijazz Big Band perform the Iberiana suite by Albéniz arranged for a big band on December 9th at 7pm, Maestro Padilla Auditorio, Almería city. Along with the band conducted by Luis Vidal there are 25 singers and dancers. Tickets are 7 Euros. The Symphonic Band & Indalecio Group perform a Christmas concert on December 23rd at 7.30pm entitled Pasión Española (Spanish Passion), Maestro Padilla Auditorio, Almería city. Music includes works by Manuel de Falla, J. Turina, and P. Piqueras. Tickets are 5 Euros.

The III Christmas Concert by the Grupo Almenara takes place on December 28th at 9pm, Maestro Padilla Auditorio, Almería city. This is a well-respected orchestral group with instrumental and vocal soloists. Ticket prices not shown at time of going to press.

113

The Concert Foundation Barenboim-Saud joins forces with the OJA Young Person’s Orchestra of Andalucía for a concert on December 28th at 8.30pm, Maestro Padilla Auditorio, Almería city. Works performed are Mozart’s Piano Concerto opus 27 K595, and Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring. The concert marks the 15th anniversary of the Barenboim foundation and 25 years of OJA. The conductor Juanjo Mena is internationally famous and has been a conductor of the Spanish National Orchestra, the May Cincinnati series, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Javier Perianes is the piano soloist. Tickets are 20 & 25 Euros. ‘OCAL’, the Almería City Orchestra, perform a New Year concert on January 1st at 7.30pm, Maestro Padilla Auditorio, Almería city. Composers featured are Von Suppe, Shostakovich & Strauss. The conductor is Michael Thomas and piano soloist Carlos Marín. Tickets are 15 & 18 Euros. Tickets for concerts in Almería available from the ticket office in the Teatro Apolo, 25 Rambla Obispo Orberá, Almería , tel: 950 230 922. Mon- Fri, 10.30am-1.30pm & 6-8pm, or Sat, 11am-1pm. Tickets can be purchased from 2hrs before performances at the venue or from www.ticketmaster.es or call Ticketmaster: 902 1500 25. Main branches of ‘CaixaBank’ have machines which issue tickets; including Vera near the church square.

What’s On Águilas Auditorio Promusica 2018/2019 season classical music concerts with the Region of Murcia Symphony Orchestra, Águilas Auditorio. December 14th: The orchestra and piano soloist perform Ravel’s Bolero, Ravel’s piano concerto for the left hand in D major opus 22, and Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet suite opus 64. The conductor is Virginia Martínez and the piano soloist is James Guam. January 2nd: The orchestra performs varied compositions for the New Year, conducted by Virginia Martínez. February 8th: The orchestra and violin soloist Kyoungjoo Sung perform the Sibelius Concerto for violin & orchestra in D minor opus 57 and Brahm’s 3rdSymphony. The conductor is Félix Ardanás. March 15th: The orchestra perform the Manfred Overture by Schuman opus 115, and his concerto for cello & orchestra in F minor opus 129, & Dvorak’s 8thsymphony opus 88. The conductor is Diego Nasser. All concerts start at 8.30pm this season and tickets are 10 Euros from Oficina Promúsica, C/ Castelar, 2 2º. Tel.: 626 476 389 or Victoria Travel, C/ Isabel La Católica, 1 Tel.: 968 414 752 or from 2 hours before performance at box office.

won 5 Oscar awards and 59 nominations. This concert is part of a world tour that has been a sell-out on numerous occasions and tickets are 30, 35, & 40 Euros Forever King of Pop is a tribute concert for Michael Jackson performed on March 9th at 6.30pm and 9.30pm, Teatro Auditorio Roquetas de Mar. The Jackson Family Foundation have hailed this is as the best Michael Jackson event ever. Ticket prices not available at time of going to press. Roquetas de Mar Auditorio tickets are on sale at www.teatro auditorioroquetas.org or their ticket office, open Tuesdays to Fridays from 11am-1pm & 6pm8pm.

Roquetas de Mar El Mejor Música de Cine (The best film music) is performed by the famous FSO Film Symphony Orchestra on February 26th and March 30th 2019 at Roquetas de Mar Auditorio with both concerts taking place at 9.30pm. The film music per formed has been composed by John Williams who has

114

Vera A String Quartet and Clarinet concert takes place on December 16th at 8pm, Convento de la Victoria, Vera town. Works performed are Mozart’s “Stadler” clarinet quintet K 581, Boccherini’s string quartet no 1 in D major, and Rossini’s string quartet in C major opus 2. Admission is free. Guillermo Fernández is a wellknown classical guitarist who presents his new album “Íntimo” on December 30th at 6.30pm, Auditorio Municipal de Vera, Vera town. Tickets cost 10 Euros including the CD. For this concert tickets are also available from www.artcupa.org

What’s On Tickets for concerts in Vera are available from Convento de la Victoria just off Calle Mayor in advance, or at the door.

Mojácar Grande Christmas Flamenco Gala. Saturday, December 29th at 9pm, at the theatre by the bar tercera edad, Centro de Usos Múltiples (Artisan centre) below Mojácar village. A lively traditional Christmas Flamenco Celebration of flamenco dance and song. Several generations of adult dancers both male and female, and children as young as 6 yrs old who will demonstrate their immense talent. Flamenco Christmas Carols, guest appearances from flamenco families. Tickets 15 Euros on sale from December 3rd at the Tourist Office Mojácar Pueblo, and the Newspaper Kiosk at the Parque Comercial. For more information email info@lagitanainglesa.com.

The ‘CAF’ Centro Andaluz de la Fotografía has an exhibition entitled “Almerias, Fotoensayo de la sociedad almeriense” with photographs and projections until January 20th. “Foto Acción Almería” is an exhibition showing the development of the historic part of Almería city. It is mounted in the Jorge Rueda room and can be seen until December 12th. The centre is at Pintor Díaz Molina 9, open every day from 11am-2pm & 5.30pm-9.30pm.

Trips by Carlos January 2nd. Trip to Torrevieja to see the famous Russian Ice Ballet Company performing ‘Beauty & the Beast’ on ice. Price including coach, ticket, 1 night in hotel with breakfast, 88 Euros. For info & booking call Carlos on 610 681 068 or 950 525 761.

Exhibitions The Mojácar art gallery Casa Añil has an exhibition of various painters that can be seen until February. The gallery is at Calle Puntica 1, Mojácar village, open Tuesdays to Sundays, 11am-2pm & 5pm-7pm.

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The Doña Pakyta exhibition centre in Almería city has an exhibition of 10 paintings entitled “Luis Cañadas: Paísajes de bodegones (1980-2000)”. Luis Cañadas is part of the Indalico group of painters considered to be of major importance. The exhibition can be seen until January 9th at Plaza de Emilio Pérez 2, and opening hours are daily (except Mondays) from 10.30am-1.30pm and also 5pm-8pm Fridays and Saturdays.

What’s On The Archaeological Museum in Almería city has an exhibition entitled “Las edades de las mujeres Iberas” (The ages of Iberian women) that comes to Almería from the museum in Jáen. The exhibition can be seen until February 10th and the exhibition is open daily from 9am-9pm except Mondays, and 9am-3pm on fiesta days, at Ctra de Ronda 91, Almería city.

Miscellaneous Shoestring Productions returns with the third sequel written by local James Dale-Grey...creator, writer and director of Hotel La Resistance. The Return of Hotel La Resistance now delivers... THE GHOSTS OF HOTEL LA RESISTANCE. Come and join the silliness, fun and laughter on 6, 7, 8 or 9 December at MontMartre Bar/Restaurant in Mojacar. Tickets cost 8 euros and can be purchased from PAWSPATAS Fundraising Outlets in Mojacar or Las Buganvillas or Connextions in Turre. Proceeds will be donated to the PAWS-PATAS shelter. Dames in Turre. This is the final announcement for our biggest fund raising event of the year. On Saturday, December 8th in Turre Square from 10am - 1pm we shall be holding our fantastic Christmas Market. Come along and bring some f r i e n d s , yo u w i l l n o t b e disappointed. Have a go on the Grand Raffle, try your hand on the Tombola, warm yourself with a glass of mulled wine with a mince pie or sausage roll, with beautiful items on the craft stall or a bargain on the Bric-a-Brac stall. Dames will be

supported by many outside stalls bearing wonderful gifts for Christmas presents. Come along and join the Christmas spirit with beautiful music you can sing along to. Everyone is welcome and do remember all monies raised will be going to worthy local charities. We look forward to seeing you all there. Dames in Turre would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and Good Health in 2019 and thank you for your loyal support.

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MACS (Mojácar cancer support group) Christmas Charity Walk December 21st starting from 11am at the Rose & Crown with complimentary mulled wine or soft drink and mince pie, followed by walk along the paseo from12 noon for1hr. Donation of 5 Euros, all of which goes to MACS. The 2019 Mojácar Moors & Christians event is on June 14th16th.

What’s On Come and join THE ROSE SINGERS in their annual Christmas concert on Tuesday, December 18, at 7.30pm at Miraflores, Camping Los Gallardos. Join in the singing of some of your favourite carols, have a turkey sandwich and a mince pie at the interval and try for a prize in the raffle, all in aid of ASADIS (Asociación Amigos Discapacitados) supporting disabled children in the Los Gallardos area. Tickets are 8 Euros and are available from Forget-Me-Not (Las Buganvillas), Total Entertainment (Turre), the Camping Los Gallardos shop, Abodes (between 353 and Koi) Mojácar Playa, choir members, by calling Sue on 950 617 737 or on the door. Anglican Church of Costa Almeria & Costa Calida Services during December Mojacar Sun 2 , 11am, Eucharist Mon 3, 8pm, Joint Carol Service, Catholic Church, Mojácar Pueblo Sun 9, 11am, Eucharist Sat 15, 11am, Carols in Mojácar Parque Comercial Sun 16, 11am, Eucharist Sun 23, 11am, Crib Service Mon 24, 11.30pm, Midnight Mass Tues 25, 11am, Eucharist Aljambra Sun 16, 6pm, Nine Lessons & Carols Llanos Del Peral Sun 2, 11am, Eucharist Sun 9, 11am, Eucharist Sun 16, 11am, Crib Service (No Eucharist) Tues 18, 6pm, Carol Service Sun 23, 11am, Eucharist Mon 24, 11.30pm, Midnight Mass “Come and Look at What I Made”, the club for people who

want to learn more about the work of local artisans in and around the Costa Almeria. We organise demonstrations, day trips and workshops. To find out more, see our website: www.comeandlook atwhatimade.club or email us at: welcome@comeandlookatwhatim ade.club Picante Quilting Club at Scotty’s El Tropico, Mojácar on the first Thursday of the month between 10am and 12.30pm. Come and

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join us to learn a new skill; or, if you are already a quilter, to meet up with other like-minded people who love quilting. For more details or to book your place please email Jo at jogibson787@yahoo.co.uk PAWS / PATAS. The next Beachcomber Book Sale will be on Tuesday, 8th January, 10.30am 1pm. Any donation of books or DVDs on the morning of the sale would be appreciated. All proceeds to cat neutering.

What’s On Market Days Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Sunday:

Huércal-Overa, Antas, Berja Albox, Los Gallardos, Cuevas del Almanzora Mojácar, Bédar, Lubrin, Vélez Blanco, Palomares, Tabernas Cuevas del Almanzora, Olula del Río, Carboneras, Sorbas Garrucha, Turre, Zurgena Aguilas, Vera, Arboleas, Vélez Rubio Villaricos, Purias, San Juan de los Terreros

Rastros, Car Boot Sales, etc. Saturday: Rastro, Mojácar Playa, opp. Red Cross, 9am - 1pm Saturday: Craft Market, Sopalmo, 11am - 6pm Saturday: Los Llanos, between Arboleas & Albox Sunday morning: Los Gallardos Campsite Sunday morning: Multiple Use Centre (Artisan Centre), Mojácar Village 2nd Sunday of the month: Bédar, from 9am Last Sunday of the month: Velez Rubio on Industrial estate

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Activities - Clubs - Associations Clubs, Societies & Activities

The Royal British Legion, Mojácar Branch, The Artisan Centre, 1st and Almanzora Group of Friends 3rd Thurs. of each month, 11:15am. All Library and Information Centre welcome inc. non-services personnel. Mon - Fri and first Saturday of month For enquiries & Welfare call 950 066053 10am-1pm, Plaza San Antonia, Barrio http://branches.britishlegion.org.uk/ Alto, Albox. Extensive English Library, branches/mojacar/news-events/ DVDs and talking books, monthly magazine, monthly quiz, trips. The Royal British Legion - Albox Tel: 634 343 147 or Facebook: Everyone welcome. Monthly meeting 3rd Thursday of every month, La Parrilla, Almanzora Group of Friends. Albox, 11am. Coffee morning 1st Almería Link Friendship Group Thursday of every month, Oasis Cafe Meetings Wednesdays, 8pm, at the Trufi Bar, 11.30am. For info contact chairman Bar, Mojácar. For information contact Ken Matthews, email ken.matthews10 Bob (Chairman) on 950472551 or @gmail.com. For support, Filip Ostrowski Cynthia (Secretary) on 950472699. on 950066037. http://counties.british Don't be lonely, come and join us. l e g i o n . o r g . u k / b r a n c h e s / a l b o x Living Alone in Spain? The Royal British Legion - Zurgena We are a 60+ group of friends who & District Branch meet for lunch every Wednesday in the Bar Latinos, C/ Granada, La Alfoquia, Mojácar area. Tel: 674 823 697 every first Thursday of the month at 11a.m. Email zurgenaRBLsecretary WOW Women on Wednesday The Roof Garden, Mojácar Playa, from @yahoo.co.uk. See www.britishlegion. 1.30pm. Get together, buy, sell, swap, org.uk/branches/zurgena meet new people. Psychic Development Circle Various classes at different times. Dames in Huércal Overa 3rd Wed. of the month, 10.30am, Hostal Everyone welcome. Tel: Barbara 637 Rural Los Sabores de Miguel. All welcome. 469 937 barbaramoonlight@gmail.com Tel. Carolyn 637 798 494 AUAN - Abusos Urbanisticos Almanzora No. Dames in Spain (Mojácar) Talks, trips, support for local charities. Association campaigning for the 3rd Mon. of the month, 11.00am legalisation of homes in the Almanzora Sensations Restaurant, Mojácar Playa. Valley built without proper authority. Chairperson Carol Threlfall, 671 947 Meeings on 3rd Sat. of every other 035. Secretary Jenny Trask, 628 263 month, 11am, La Parrilla, Albox. Tel: 617 315. See fb Dames in Spain. Guests 118 209 www.almanzora-au.org welcome. The Divine Life Society, Almeria Branch Dames in Turre 11am, last Mon in the month, Hostal Lotus Yoga Centre, Mojácar. Evening Rural, Turre. Talks, trips, support for of Meditation and a talk, 1st Fri of the local charities. Guests welcome. Tel: month, 7.30pm. Spiritual Cinema, 3rd Membership Secretary Eileen McGill 652 Fri of the month, 7.30pm. Meditation 208 072 or President Soo Wallace Tel:- and Yoga classes. Tel Sharon 950 469122 or 672 061 048 or omsharon50 667 362 713 @gmail.com Mojácar Community Library Multi-Use centre. Mon, Wed and Fri, Vera & District Lions Club. 5.00pm on the first Wednesday of the 11am - 1pm . month at El Gnomo Feliz restaurant, Mojácar Walking Group Vera. Telephone Sandie Tinkham on 950 Walks of different levels. Tues & Thurs. 439324 or Pam Mattioli on 950069249 w w w. m o j a c a r wa l k i n g g ro u p . c o m for more information. Mojácar Bridge Club Mon and Thurs, 7pm. Marina Playa Hotel. Contact Les 950 437 100 / 634 219 174 Facebook: Mojácar Bridge Club

Flamenco Forum for English Speakers on Facebook. Information and events. Tel: 687 480 694

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Vera Photo Club First Sunday of month, Bar La Pará, Turre (opposite the Vet), 10am 12.30pm. Presentations by invited speakers, field trips, instruction, studio photography, monthly assignments and exhibitions. All levels welcome. Phone Sarah 670003717 or Claus 628585538. Mojacar Photo Group Contact Lyle Mallen: 620 786 914 Ancestry Club for Beginners & Intermediate Piedra Amarilla. Wednesdays, 2pm-4pm. 5 euros per week. Tel. 634 309 590 Betty's Garden Club 11.30 for 12 noon, 2nd Monday of the month at Miraflores Restaurant, Camping Los Gallardos except in July & August. All welcome. Tel: 603 587 805 Mojacar Computer & Electronics Club Saturdays, Beachcomber, Mojácar. 10 – 12 noon, Laptops. 12 noon – 1pm, smart phones, tablets, cameras, etc Freemasons in the Province of Almeria Craft & Chapter. 661 026 912 or 670 27 27 37 Freemasons – The Side Degrees Mark, RAM, RSM, OSM & Allied. 694 44 43 61 Cabrera Music Club For info call Richard: 666 274 861 cabreramusicclub@albox-online.net Albox Computer Club Hotel La Parrilla, Albox. Fri, 10am. All levels of experience are welcomed. www.alboxcc.com Indalo Hash House Harriers Meet 2nd and 4th Sunday, 11am, various l o c a t i o n s . w w w. i n d a l o h 3 . c o m Mojácar Angling Club Tel. John (Beachcomber): 950 473 099 Traditional Japanese Reiki and Gendai Reiki Ho Classes, workshops, and Reiki shares in Mojacar. Tel: 634 347 930, website: www.gendaireikispain.com Send details of your club, society or activity to almeriafocus@gmail.com Tel: 670 849 265

Activities - Clubs - Associations Clubs, Societies & Activities continued

Church of England Costa Calida and Costa Almeria Mojacar: Eucharist, Sunday, 11am, at the church of San Pascual, Agua de Enmedio. Amigos de los Coches Clasicos Local multi-national group of classic car Albox: Eucharist, 2nd & last Thurs in enthusiasts. Meetings the first Thursday month, 11am. Evensong, second Sun in of the month, 3pm, Hotel Rural Miguel month, 6pm. Comunity Hall Aljambra. Rosi, junction 559 E15/A7. www.a-c-c.es, Llanos del Peral, nr El Cucador: Eucharist email: info@a-c-c.es, tel. David 950 412 or morning worship, Sundays, 11am.at Village Church and Community Hall. 165 Roquetas: No services because no venue. Cabrera Slot Car Club Details: Church Wardens, Pam Carter, Thursdays, 4.30-6pm. Richard 950 970 667947573 & Janet Smith, 671451838 869. Call to check if on first. www.mojacarchurch.org Model Aero Flying Club, Cortijo Kingdom Hall, Jehovah's Witnesses Grande Sun. & Wed., 10.30am. Contact Jeff on Tues 7:30pm & Sun 10.00am. Poligono 950 469304 or Colin on 666 982186 Aljoroque - C/El Cajete 6, Antas. Contact: 652 293 269 Aeroclub ULM Günter (Vera) Living Water Church Mojacar Playa Tel: 607 316 553 Opposite Red Cross Centre and Salas Costa Levante Bird Group Farmacia. Sunday Service 11am. Bible Meets first Thursday of each month. study Tuesday 11am. Cafe Church For more information phone Rod Thursday 11am to 1pm. For further info 634362353 contact Pastors Dave 697 522 521 or John 634 254 781. See FaceBook or visit Pita Escuela Agave School of Río Aguas. A multicultural, www.livingwaterchurchmojacar.com environmental and musical project, Aguaviva Evangelical Church specialized on the integral usage of the Near the health Centre, opposite Biciagave plant and the processing of its Box, Albox. Tel: Rod Southwood, 687 wood.Tel 630 66 18 65 (Timbe) 560 544 pitaescuela@hotmail.com Puerto Lumbreras Christian Sunseed Fellowship A hands-on practical centre for low- Every 1st and 3rd Sunday each month impact living and environmental at 11.00 am. Phone for exact location education in Los Molinos del Rio Aguas (now at their house) Tel 619453283 or near Sorbas. Free tours at 4pm. 968 018 228 Paul and Sandra www.sunseed.org.uk Tel: 950 525 770 New Life Church, Huercal-Overa Come and Look at What I Made, We are a Jesus centred church family A club for people who want to learn learning to love one another. Sunday more about the work of local artisans. service at 11 am, www.newlifechurch.eu We organise demonstrations, day trips (see map) tel. 685 628 184 and workshops. Website: www.comeandlookatwhatimade.club Email: welcome@comeandlookat Support Groups & whatimade.club Charities

Religious Groups & Churches The Evangelical Church, Turre Avda de Almeria on the corner of C/Alberquillica . Sunday 10.30am. Tuesday 3pm Bible Studying. Midweek prayer meeting. Tel. 950 617549 or 950 47 2 3 4 9 . w w w . t u r r e c h u r c h . c o m

Stepping Stones Carers Support Group Turre Evangelical Hall, Thurs, 11am-2pm. Tel 950 472822 or 677 683385 www.steppingstonescarersgroup.wee bly.com Ostomist Support For Expats Call Dee 950 064 322 in confidence. A.A. Alcoholics Anonymous Mojacar area Meetings –Tuesday, 6pm, Artisan Centre, Mojacar Fuente - Friday & Wednesday, 6pm, Living Water Church, Mojácar Playa (opposite Red Cross building). Tel: 634 349 535 or 634 319 746 or email mike@aaspain.org When the Artisan Centre is closed, the Tuesday meeting will be at the Living Water Church. Age Support Almanzora Shop and welfare office near Peugeot garage, Albox. Helpline 634 316 573 Universal Wonderful Street Academy NGO that supports street children in Accra (Ghana). Registered charity. www.universalwonderfulstreetacadem y.org. Beatriz: 617 182 154 FACE (Fundraising in Arboleas, Caring for E ve r yo n e ) . Re g i s te r e d c h a r i t y. face.charity@hotmail.com www.face -charity.com The Helping Hands Support for Animals and People alike. Registered charity. Tel: 968 48 29 48 Harmony Community Support Providing assistance to those in need. Tel. 634 339 192 Mon - Fri, 11:00 - 14:00 help@harmonycharity

Parkinson's Disease Support Contact Joyce Boxall (Santa Maria de Nieva, Huércal-Overa), tel 677 688037 MACS Cancer Support Group General Enquiries call 634 328 334 10am to 4pm. 24/7 Careline: 634 656 555. Fully Spanish registered charity. Shops in Mojácar, Turre, Albox and Huercal-Overa open Mon-Fri, 10-2pm www.macscancersupport.com Email: macscancersuppor t@live.co.uk

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Send details of your group to almeriafocus@gmail.com Tel: 670 849 265

Activities - Clubs - Associations Dance

Arts & Crafts

Music & Drama Groups

Line Dancing Hotel el Puntazo, Mojacar. Fridays, 7.–10pm. Beginners welcome. Contact: Glynis 648217503 or Mary Beth 661671526 or strictlylinedancing mojacar@gmail.com

Sewing Group, Mojacar Meet at Dolce Vita for sewing, knitting etc. Weds 10.30 - 12.30. Tel: Brenda 634 34 34 92 or Sylvia 628 006 197.

Indalo Players Well established drama group always looking for new members to act or help back stage. Tel. Bill White on 671 81 08 19 or email williamwhite9552@aol.com

Ladies Sewing Circle Evangelical Church, Turre, Wednesday 10.30 – 12.30 Tel: 667 702 774

Independent Theatre Group Always looking for new people, novices & full blown Thesbians. Call Ian Jones on 950 436 581 or 666 375 688 or email independenttheatre@hotmail.com

Eleanor & Gilly's Line Dance Class Chapman’s Bar, Albox, 2-30pm- 4-30pm, Mondays. All levels welcome. 950439003. Step2It - Line Dancing Albox. Weds: 6.45 p.m - 7.30 p.m, First Steps/Intro. 7.30 p.m -10.30, Beginners / Improvers /Intermediate. : Carrie Ann 627279584 www.carrieanngreen.com Line Dancing La Vida, Cucador. Tuesday 5pm Almeria Line Dancers Julie - 634304625 / 950110433 Pro Danza Nicky Mainstone Royal Academy Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Dance fit fusion. Children & Adults. Mojacar & Los Gallardos. T. 667479903 Ceroc Dancing Artisan Centre, Mojacar, Tues 8.15pm Beginners/Improvers/Advanced. All welcome. Contact Tracey 687251799 Belly Dancing Mojácar, Garrucha & Huércal-Overa. Contact Fatima: 610 472 596

Glass Bead Making La Cueva del Pájaro, Carboneras. Call 950 130 627 Ladies Pottery Painting Parties Albox - every 2nd Thursday, 6 - 9pm. SimplyArt 662 443 095 Art Classes All levels. Thurs, 11-1pm, Miraflores Campsite. Tel: 653 714 767 Girasol, Albox Art & painting. Tues, 10-1pm. Mosaic classes. Thurs 3-5.Tel 639 089 170 Sophia Wellness Centre, Arboleas Art classes. Tel. 950 449 451. Picante Quilting Club Scotty’s El Tropico, Mojacar. First Thurs of the month, 10am-12.30pm. Beginners welcome. For more details or to book your place, please email Jo at jogibson787@yahoo.co.uk

Yoga

Bellydance Classes Mojácar, Turre, Palomares. Call 639 724 521

Lotus Yoga Centre, Mojácar Mondays. Contact Sharon - 672 061 048 or omsharon50@gmail.com

Oriental and Middle Eastern Folklore dancing classes Tues at Vera, Wed at Turre. Shirin, 607805367, gytanshark@yahoo.es

L.O.T.U.S Integral Yoga Centre Mojácar. Yoga all levels/gentle yoga. Weds, Fri, Sun. Tel. Parvathi: 636063560

Dance Classes with Hollie Newell Ballet, tap, contemporary, modern, jazz, lyrical, zumba and more. Based in Turre. Tel: 634 317 391

Sansonora, Mojacar Wednesday, 2.30pm. All levels, visitors welcome. Sharon 672061048

Performing Arts Centre DanZaVera 54 Verasol, Vera. Royal Academy Ballet, Imperial Society Modern, Tap and Jazz. Also Hip-Hop, Oriental Dance, Spanish Classical. Tel Anita: 670 715 787 Complete Beginners Flamenco classes, Fridays, 5pm, The Roof Garden, Parque Comercial, Mojácar. No specialist shoes or equipment required, friendly hour long class. Email info@lagitanainglesa.com

Sol Yoga Centre, Arboleas Tel: 686 400331 Girasol, Albox Call 639 089 170 Cortijo El Saltador Lucainena de las Torres. Mon, 5:30pm. Tel: Brahmani on 600 34 91 51 Yoga with Ashlí Turre, Vera & private. 643102335 Yoga Therapy with Portia Oliver. Tel: 681301474 www.portiaoliver.es

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The Luvvies New members always welcome for acting or work behind the scenes etc. Te l . 6 34 34 6 3 0 9 o r e - m a i l theluvvies@hotmail.com Jacqueline Welby Productions New members always needed to act or work back stage or with any other activities. Tel. Jacqueline Morris Welby 634 313 531 Almeria Strings Folk Club Third Thursday of the month, 8pm, Turre. Free admission. For location and other events, see www.almeriastrings .org or call 634 347 930 The Rose Singers Small ladies choir singing a variety of musical genres in aid of local charities. 4-5 performances a year. Rehearsals Friday mornings, Los Gallardos. New singers always welcome. Call Alison on 667 408 941 or see us on Facebook. The Incognito Singers A mixed voice group performing a varied repertoire of songs to a high standard. Rehearsals Wednesday evening, Arboleas. See Facebook, w w w. t h e i n c o g n i t o s i n g e r s . c o m , theincognitosing er s@gmail.com Sing Sing Sing A mixed informal singing group, singing all types of music, for the fun of it, and to be able to perform a few charity events. Everyone welcome, Rehearsal Tuesday 6pm Villaricos Social Centre. For info. ring Janet on 617856680. Cariatiz Community Orchestra All welcome, any age, any level, only requirement is to read music. Rehearsals Sundays 6-7pm, Cariatiz (between Los Gallardos and Sorbas). Contact Emma, emma.v.randle@gmail.com 654 164 293

Activities - Clubs - Associations Sports Almería Lawn Bowling Club Contact Shirley: 679 970 399 Bowling Club de Zurgena Friendly, social and competitive bowling, all levels and standards. Contact Keith: 634 335 988 or zurgenabc@gmail.com. www.zurgenabc.com Cabrera Lawn Bowling Club Contact Ian Jackson: 634 340 361 or iandjjackson2@gmail.com. Website www.cabreralbc.com Indalo Lawn Bowling Club Contact Toni: 950 468 165 or 647 703 393 wattsmyt@gmail.com Mojacar Bowls Club Behind Marina Mar Hotel. Everybody welcome - Tues, Thurs and Sat starting with coffee at 9:30. Contact Verna 610 838 644.

Club de Tenis y Padel Indalo Vera. Tel: 608 250 607 - 950 59 28 77 www.tenisypadelindalo.com Tennis & Padel Tennis Sierra Club Desert Springs. Tel: 687599115

Girasol, Albox Pilates, children’s karate & gymastics, advanced gymnastics, Tai-chi. Tel 639 089 170

Tennis Coach Diego Rodriguez Tel: 689 688 226

Body Control Pilates Classes or private. Sharon 638 487 314

Padel tennis lessons At home. Tel: Ulises Gutiérrez, 606 902 691

Aerobics or Pilates Campo de Futbol, Turre. Contact Vicki 650 764 623 or vicki.lynch@live.co.uk

Albox Sub-Aqua Club Wed, 8pm, Travellers Inn (7Km from Albox on Taberno Road). Mojácar Sailing Club Sunday afternoons, Playa Cantal, near Trufi Bar. All ages welcome for crewing or social membership. Contact George on 950 475 428.

PartyLevante Sailing Club Initiation for children from 7 yrs in small groups. Email info@partylevante.com Badgers Golf Society or call 680942141 www.partylevante Mojacar, play Wednesday and Saturday. .com Everyone always welcome. Contact Duncan Smart on 634 331 059 or Santa Irene Sailing Club badgersmojacar@gmail.com Meets Sundays at 10:30 at the boat park Boxers Golf Society Albox All welcome to join us as members or guests. Call in at the Why Not bar in Albox on Saturday mornings or email peterstooks@avired.com Forum Golf Society Plays friendly events at local courses twice a month. Richard Price. Telephone 850993073 or rfp53@yahoo.co.uk. www.forumgolfsociety.webs.com

Fitness & Martial Arts

Slimming Groups Casa Pepa, Turre, Weds 10 am, Sophia Wellness Centre Arboleas, Thurs 12.30pm, Contact Vicki 650 764 623 or vicki.lynch@live.co.uk Slimming & Fitness with Pam Various locations. Tel: 639 465 631 pamsslimming@gmail.com Martial Arts Academy Seidokan Scientific Karate & Taiji-Qigong, Vera. Call John Watson 950 453 681

Performing Arts Centre DanZaVera Almeria. 54 Verasol, Vera. Martial Arts, Karate, Tai ji qigong, ancient weapons including Sword, Self Defence, Tactical of the New Marina, Garrucha, with a pre- Gymnastics, Yoga and ageless mobility. sail coffee at café La Oficina virtually Tel Anita: 670 715 787 opposite at 11:00. Contact Ian via info@ Mojácar Taekwondo santaireneclubdevela.com or call 671 5 years to adults. Various classes & times. 474 385. See www.santaireneclub Contact Serge 646844708. Facebook devela.com GTF Spain Garrucha Table Tennis Club Tel Barry on 677 174 430 Cazadores de Turre Cricket Club. Welcome new members of all ages and experience. Contact Sam Lewis on 663 132 487 or Derek Larkins 634 361 941

Marina Phoenix Golf Society Visitors welcome Mondays and Thursdays. Tel Don Atkins 605 051 238. Adelante Gimnasia Artìstica Email marinaphoenixgolfsociety Classes for fun gymnastics , competitive @gmail.com levels, pre school and adults. Fully Valle del Este Golf Society. qualified coach. From 2 years. Tel 622 Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays. Contact 129 702 or info@adelanteartisitca.es Alan Townsend Tel. 690 090 982 www.adelanteartistica.es Facebook Adelante Gimnasia artistica. Almería Golf League Contact Les on 950 619 273 Walking Football Club Campo de Football, Los Gallardos, 9am Albox Club de Tenis Sun & Thurs mornings, Tues afternoons. Monday for training, exercise & playing. Tel Sue: 950 064 369 www.fclosamigos.com Cabrera Tennis Club El Bandido Runners Email: cabreratennis@gmail.com Run, jog , walk a 5km route along the www.facebook.com/cabrera.tennis Paseo. Free to all. See Facebook. Contact Kevin on ironmankev08 @gmail.com

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Sophia Wellness Centre, Arboleas Gym, Toning tables, Kickboxing, Cross fit, Boot camp, Boxing, Salsacise, Zumba, Step Aerobics, Body Pump. Tel. 950 449 451. Fitness with Alison, Mojácar Full Body Workout, Pilates, AquaZumba, Zumba, Step Aerobics, Total Toning, AeroFit. Tel 666 273 168. Sansonora, Mojácar Qi Gong, Pilates, Dance. Contact Elena, 630 688 615 or elenasansonora @gmail.com Hollie Newell Zumba Almeria Turre, Los Gallardos, Arboleas and San Juan. Contact: 634 317 391 Zumba, La Vida Cucador Fridays 10am.

Your Stars Get back down to earth and to basics. Your reputation may be at stake if you partake in gossip. Don't let your emotions interfere with completing your chores. Offer love and affection instead of conflict and rejection. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday. (Mar. 21- April 20)

Dead end projects could plague you. You may find it difficult to communicate with someone at work. Ask those in key positions to help you overcome the delays and to support your concerns in order to move on. Don't overspend to impress others. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday. (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23) Your diplomatic nature will help you in straightening out unsavory situations. Younger relatives may seek your advice. You have been going through a period of change that has caused problems for you with your loved ones. Set a limit, or you'll wind up on a tight budget. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday.

Unexpected bills will be impossible for you to pay. Take time to relax. Stress and pressure at home may have worn you ragged. Pleasure trips will be a form of healing for your emotional state of mind. You will be able to catch up on overdue paper work. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday. (Apr. 21- May 21)

(Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Get back to the comforts of cottage or home. If you can mix business with pleasure much can be accomplished. Anger could lead to problems. Don't be too hard on yourself. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

Opportunities will develop through those you encounter while attending organizational events. You can sort out any differences you have in an amiable manner. Visitors may be likely to drop by. Find out all the facts before you jump to conclusions. Your luckiest events this month will (Nov. 23 - Dec. 21) occur on a Tuesday.

Social activities that involve the whole family will be enjoyable. You'll be tempted to spend extravagantly this month. Don't allow personal problems to conflict with professional duties. Take a second look; difficulties with appliances, water, or electricity in your home may be evident. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.

You can make profitable investments if you purchase an art object for your home. Try to avoid serious discussions with loved ones. Get together with people who stimulate you mentally. Call a good friend. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

(May 22 - June 21)

(June 22 - July 22)

(July 23 - Aug. 22)

(Aug. 23 - Sept. 23)

(Dec. 22 - Jan. 20) Changes in your home will be positive. Property investments should pay off. You can make headway in the workforce if you put your mind to it. Join groups of a humanitarian nature. You could do extremely well in competitive sports events. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.

Be quiet about your intentions or ideas that might bring added cash. Direct your energy into physical exertion. Residential moves will be favorable. Talk to employers in order to promote your career objectives. Resist secret affairs that could be detrimental to your reputation. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday.

(Jan. 21- Feb. 19)

You could find yourself caught in a one sided relationship. Don't let others take advantage of your good nature. Take time to do something nice for yourself. Put your energy into self-improvement programs that promise to make you into a better you. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.

Stick to doing things that will make you a better person both physically and mentally. Be cautious while traveling; minor accidents are evident. Think hard before going into business with friends or family. Your emotions have been pulled out of shape and you need to do a little backtracking. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a (Feb. 20 - Mar. 20) Friday.

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Jokes of the Month Santa Claus is a Woman

The Blonde Customer

Santa Claus must be a woman because: The vast majorities of men don’t even think about selecting gifts until Christmas Eve and only go for a last-minute shopping spree. A man would inevitably get lost up there in the snow and clouds and then refuse to stop and ask for directions. Men can’t pack a bag. Men would rather be dead than be caught wearing red velvet. Men would feel their masculinity is threatened…having to be seen with all those elves. Men don’t answer their mail. Men aren’t interested in stockings unless somebody’s wearing them. Finally, being responsible for Christmas would require a commitment.

A blonde customer walked into our shop looking for Christmas lights. I showed her our top brand, but, wanting to make sure each bulb worked, she asked me to take them out of the box and plug them in. I did, and each one lit up. "Great," she said. I carefully placed the string of lights back in the box. But as I handed them to her, she looked alarmed. "I don't want this box," she said abruptly. "It's been opened."

The Train Set While I was working as a store Santa, a boy asked me for an electric train set. "If you get your train set," I told him, "Your dad is going to want to play with it too. Is that all right?" The boy became very quiet. So, moving the conversation along, I asked, "What else would you like Santa to bring you?" He promptly replied, "Better make it another train set."

The Postman One December, a postman was making his deliveries and pickups, and at one house he came upon a letter addressed to God. He didn’t intend to read it, but the envelope was not sealed, and the letter fell out. He could see it was a plea for help. The husband and wife were both out of work and had no money for Christmas presents for their little boy. The letter asked for just $20 to help them buy something for their son. Moved by this, the postman opened his wallet and found all he had was $15 in cash. He put all the money in the envelope, sealed it, and wrote “From God” on the outside. Two days later at the same house, there was another letter addressed to God. This time he knew what it probably was, so he opened it and read it. It said, “Dear God, Thanks for the money for presents for our little boy. This really means a lot. But we asked for $20 and there was only $15 in the envelope. We don’t blame you, God. It was probably those crooks at the post office.”

Three Wise Women Do you know what would have happened if there had been Three Wise WOMEN instead of Three Wise MEN? The WOMEN would have: – Asked directions – Arrived on time – Helped deliver the baby – Cleaned the stable – Made a casserole, and – Brought practical gifts (like diapers!)

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Wrong Job At Christmas time, there's nothing I love more than sitting in front of a warm fire, mulled wine in hand, and singing Christmas songs until I slowly fall asleep. Maybe that's why I'm no longer a fireman.

...and next... The Two Boys

Nostalgia I love Christmas...back in the good old days, the family huddled around a coal fire on Christmas Eve...if it got really, really cold, we’d light it. We were a big family, and we couldn't afford turkey back then. Mum used to buy an octopus - that way we could all have a leg. Mum used to put an i.o.u. in the Xmas pud instead of a silver sixpence, we were so poor. I remember the presents the most. Dad once gave me a parcel, and when I opened it, it was just an empty box. It had 'Action Man Goes AWOL' written on a piece of paper.

A family had twin boys whose only resemblance to each other was their looks. If one felt it was too hot, the other thought it was too cold. If one said the TV was too loud, the other claimed the volume needed to be turned up. Opposite in every way, one was an eternal optimist, the other a doom and gloom pessimist. Just to see what would happen at Christmas their father loaded the pessimist’s room with every imaginable toy and game. He loaded up the optimist’s room with a ton of horse manure. On Xmas morning the father went to the pessimist’s room and found him sitting amidst his new gifts crying bitterly. “Why are you crying?” the father asked. “Because my friends will be jealous, I’ll have to read all these instructions before I can do anything with all this stuff, I’ll constantly need batteries, and my toys will eventually get broken.” answered the pessimistic twin. Visiting the optimistic twin’s room, the father found him dancing for joy amidst the pile of manure. “What are you so happy about?” he asked. To which the optimistic twin replied, “There’s got to be a pony in here somewhere!”

Christmas Dinner The White House Nativity Scene The US Supreme Court has ruled that there cannot be a Nativity Scene in Washington, D.C. on Christmas Day which is traditionally staged on the White House lawn with real people. This isn’t for any religious or constitutional reasons, but because all the wise men have packed their bags and moved out, and all the virgins have run away. Anyway, President Trump is planning to play golf all of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

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Lee, a seven-year-old boy, was asked to say thanks for the Christmas dinner. The family members bowed their heads in expectation. Lee began his prayer, thanking God for his Mommy, Daddy, brothers, sister, Grandma, and all his aunts and uncles. Then he began to thank God for the food. He gave thanks for the turkey, the stuffing, the Christmas pudding, even the cranberry sauce. Then Lee paused, and everyone waited ... and waited. After a long silence, the young fellow looked up at his mother and asked, "Mom, if I thank God for the Brussels sprouts, won't he know that I'm lying?"

Coffee Break

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