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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 Easter Is Not Too Far Away .....................................................…...10 In the News ........…................…………................................…….12 Electricity Fraud ........................................................................50 Password Protection .............................................................51 So Now You Know ............................................................................52 More AVE News .........................................................................54 The Long Awaited Court Case .....................................56 A Rocky Road for Ryanair ...............................................58 Long Term Lets in Spain .....................................................59 Julen, the 2 Year Old Toddler ...........................................60 Taking Over Abandoned Villages ..............................................62 Useful Numbers ................................................................63 A-Z Directory ……………….......……................................................66 Community News ............................................................................108 What’s On ..................................................................................111 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 Lee on 634 32 22 76

The copy deadline for the April issue is March 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 107

Easter Is Not Too Far Away

eneral Elections take place in Spain on April 28th, one week after Easter Sunday. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez from the PSOE socialist party will dissolve the parliament on March 5th, after he did not have enough votes to pass the 2019 budget. All the political parties will be dealing with the situation in Catalonia in their election manifestos. The situation there is still extremely fluid without any solution on the cards, and on February 12th a very major court case started in Madrid. This relates to the events prior to the October 1st 2017 illegal independence referendum in Catalonia, and the subsequent independence declaration on October 26th 2017. There are 12 people from Catalonia in court in Madrid, and we explain what is happening in an article.

to release the sweets, except in Cuevas where they beat it with a stick! The origins of this event are not terribly clear, but it is thought that as Lent was a time for sober reflection on the religious importance, children didn’t have much fun. Grannies may well have chosen the middle Thursday as a good idea for a picnic with treats. “Old Lady Day” is hardly celebrated outside our local area, and is almost unknown elsewhere. Businesses may well shut for the afternoon, and barbeques and a general get together are the order of the day. Some “old ladies” for Día de la Vieja

Sunday, May 26th is when councillors are elected for every municipality in Spain, including the 103 in Almería province. The UK & Spain have reached an agreement that there will be reciprocal voting rights as regards these municipal elections and the corresponding ones in the UK. This means that all expats on the voting register can cast their votes on May 26th, and those eligible can also stand as councillors. The dates for Easter change every year, and this year Easter Sunday is relatively late, on April 21st. Carnival events are supposed to take place on or before Mardi Gras (Shrove Tuesday in the UK), this year March 5th, as Lent starts the following day. The very famous Águilas carnival always goes over and the final procession this year is on March 9th. We list the key events in our In the News section. Local town halls put on their own carnival events, and the dates may vary. A very strange event in our local area takes place in mid-Lent, and this year is on Thursday, March 28th. This day is known as “Día de la Vieja” (Old Lady Day). Brightly coloured effigies of an old lady, made with tissue paper on a wooden cross, are taken to country areas or sometimes a beach. The head is filled with sweets and children throw stones

The date for the UK Mothering Sunday, often called Mothers’ Day, also changes along with Easter, and this year is on March 31st. It is thought that in olden times people “in service” at large houses were given this Sunday off to visit their mother, pick wild flowers on the way, and ideally go to church, but Spanish Mother’s day is always the first Sunday in May. March 17th is St Patrick’s Day and Spaniards are now used to seeing the fancy dress and may even sample a pint of Guinness. Spanish Father’s Day (Día de San José) is always March 19th, so a Tuesday this year. This is a “red fiesta” date in most parts of Spain, but not in Andalucía. Instead, people in Andalucía have Maundy (Easter) Thursday off. Apart from this Thursday and Good Friday there are no other national fiesta days in March or April.

In the News General Elections in Spain Last June, the PP (conservative party) was in power led by Mariano Rajoy, the Prime Minister. They only had a minority of MPs so relied on other parties to support them in a coalition. Pedro Sánchez, the leader of the PSOE (socialist party), put forward a motion of no confidence, but noone thought this would succeed as there had never been a successful challenge in all the history of the Spanish Parliament. To the surprise of Pedro Sánchez, the MPs from the Basque party backed him, and at the last minute MPs from Catalonia joined forces as they considered he might well be more sympathetic to their bids for more say in their own parliament. Pedro Sánchez was successful, and as he had put forward the no confidence motion he had to form a government, which he did, but with a minority of MPs once again. He has passed various legislations using a device that means he can put them into law, and this includes pension reform, mortgage reform and raising the minimum wage. What he needed to do was to get his 2019 budget approved, and he couldn’t do this without the backing of enough MPs. On February 13th he formerly proposed this in parliament but needed the support of the MPs from Catalonia again. He had been in talks with them regarding increased autonomy, but this did not satisfy some of the hard-liners, so they refused to help him and his budget wasn’t passed. As Pedro Sánchez had taken over without new general elections he could have stayed in place until 2020 when new elections have to be called, but he decided that calling general elections immediately was a good idea. These will take place on Sunday, April 28th, one week after Easter Sunday. He could have chosen Sunday, May 26th, which is being called “Super Sunday” as on this day there are municipal elections, Euro MP elections, and Autonomous Community elections in some cases (but not in Andalucía). He is gambling that if he gets more MPs this may help sway voting for his party in the autonomous community elections on May 26th, but the reverse is true! If he loses MPs this may rebound, and the PSOE lost out

completely in the recent autonomous elections in Andalucía. A quick survey result on February 16th was that he would gain 24% of the vote, the PP 21% and reduced percentages for other parties. If he does get the lion’s share of the vote he will still have to form a coalition. New Help for Self Employed Persons In any economy, encouraging people to become self-employed is important, with the added possibility that they then employ others, and there are currently 3.2 million persons registered as being self-employed in Spain, which is 17% of all workers. There are incentives such as paying a greatly reduced amount of social security to start with. Instead of the normal amount, a newly selfemployed person only has to pay 60 Euros a month for the first year and then a reduced amount on a sliding scale. This has been possible if a person has not been paying social security on their own account during a previous five year period, but this has now been reduced to two years. During the time a person is on maternity or paternity leave there is no obligation to pay social security. Also, if a person is working at home they can deduct 30% of their electricity, water and internet bills for the percentage of space they are using. A person can claim back 27 Euros per day for meals, or 53 Euros if they have to stay in a hotel, for which they can claim 91 Euros. These amounts can be claimed if they are working out of their immediate operating area and pay with a credit card. Additional amounts can be claimed if a person has to travel out of Spain. From this January, after the various reductions in social security payments for certain periods, the normal monthly amount has been raised slightly to 283 Euros per month. However, this takes into account that the minimum monthly wage has gone up 22% to 900 Euros, with 14 payments per year. A major change for 2019 is the entitlement to unemployment benefit if a self-employed person ceases their activity. There is a sliding scale depending on the amount of time they have been paying in, such as 4 months unemployment benefit after paying in between

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In the News 12-17 months and 12 months benefit after paying in for 36-42 months. If a self-employed person has an accident or is ill and can’t work, they are now entitled to benefits from the first day this happens. Cajamar Caja Rural Property Sale Following the construction and financial crises, banks found themselves as the reluctant owners of a very large number of properties where the constructor or home owners could not pay the mortgages. Swathes of properties that were toxic debts with little chance of them being sold were transferred to an entity entitled ‘Sareb’, who decided which of them should be demolished, and which of them could be finished without too much further expense. Sareb is selling whole sections of these properties to investment companies who take the long term view that they will go up in value eventually. Banks were left with finished properties that were a millstone round their necks. Initially they tried to sell them on for the value of the mortgage amount, but then became more practical and offered them for sale at an attractive price to try and get rid of them. The Cajamar Caja Rural bank has embarked on a sales campaign and are offering 4,000 properties with many of them less than 75,000 Euros, and the property company Haya Real Estate that they set up is dealing with the sales. There are 1,250 properties in Andalucía and 690 in Almería province with 500 less than 75,000 Euros, and in many cases substantially less. These comprise apartments, garages and retail /office premises. The properties can be seen by going to www.cajamar.es and www.haya.es where there is the relevant information. Potential purchasers can ask to see them by going into any Cajamar Caja Rural bank or Haya Real Estate offices. To get rid of them the bank are offering substantial mortgages of 100% in some cases.

Spanish coastguards intercept boat people from Morocco who are trying to get to Spain, they are almost always taken to a Spanish port, even if ports in Morocco are much nearer. 64,000 people were intercepted in 2018 of all nationalities, and 23,000 were Moroccans, but the numbers are going up each year. Only 4,000 people out of the 23,000 total were taken back to ports in Morocco. From now on, the Spanish coastguards will be able to take people they have intercepted to ports in Morocco when they are closest, and this is in line with an international agreement that up to now has not been in place. The Spanish Government have asked the EU to give Morocco 140 million Euros, and part of this money would be spent on border control, training more Moroccan coastguards, and the purchase of several high speed launches.

Football Achievement for British Brothers The game of football is taken very seriously in Spain and teams vie to go up to the next division. Snapping at the heels of the 2nd division teams are the semi-professional 3rd division. One of the groups in our area includes Águilas FC, Cartagena II, Real Murcia II, Olimpico Totana, Lorca Deportiva, The Moroccan Boat People Huércal-Overa and Pulpí. Managers and trainers in An important agreement has been signed between the 3rd division pick the best players they can Morocco and Spain whilst the Spanish King Felipe find, regardless of nationality, who have “the right VI was visiting Rabat, the capital city. When the stuff” to help them go up to the 2nd division B.

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In the News The Pulpí team Atlético Pulpileño founded in 2002 is absolutely unique in that two young British men have been selected to play for the team. Even more remarkably, they are brothers, Lee and Jay Spires, aged 32 and 22 respectively, who came to Mojácar 19 years ago. When not on the football field, Lee turns his enthusiasm to being the sales representative for our Focus magazine. . Food Poisoning in Valencia The reason for people suffering from food poisoning when eating out is often bad hygiene in the kitchen where the correct chopping boards are not being used, insufficient hand washing, or products that may contain bacteria such as raw eggs, raw meat and seafood. An investigation was launched in mid-February in Valencia after people became ill, but the restaurant ‘Riff’ where they had eaten has one Michelin star. Three family members experienced nausea and diarrhoea the day after having a meal and whilst the father and a son only had minor symptoms the 46 yr old mother collapsed and died the next day. Health inspectors immediately visited the restaurant the following day and found nothing at all that indicated bad food handling or preparation. They traced 75 people who had eaten there from February 13th-16th and 29 had suffered minor food poisoning but quickly recovered. The restaurant has morel mushrooms on their menu which are gourmet wild mushrooms that are gathered by hand, and are consequently very expensive to buy. Only high-class restaurants have them on their menu. Samples of the mushrooms and other raw food were taken away for testing and the owner of the restaurant immediately shut it whilst tests were being carried out. Whether the death of the woman has any relationship to the food she ate has yet to be determined. Major Problems at Dia Supermarket The Dia supermarket chain has been experiencing major problems for some time, but the 2018 figures are even worse than had been anticipated. They finished up the year in the red with a loss

of 352 million Euros, compared to a profit of 109 million Euros in 2017, and the net worth of the company fell by 116 million Euros. Sales of their products fell by 11% in 2018 and finished up at 7.3 billion Euros compared to 8.2 billion in 2017. It has been announced that 2,100 employees will lose their jobs, but exactly where this will take place has not been specified. There are 42,000 employees spread between Spain, Portugal, Argentina, and Brazil with 26,000 in Spain. The Russian magnate Mijaíl Fridman is the major shareholder and is hoping to raise 500-600 million Euros to refloat the company. Banks have agreed to keep the business going until May when the situation will be reviewed. Analysts state that their exposure in Argentina and Brazil is a major problem with devaluation of the currency in both countries, and Dia should never have expended there in the first place as it was far too ambitious. The May 26th Municipal Elections Every four years, in every municipality in Spain, elections take place to choose councillors, and this will happen on Sunday, May 26th. Before the end of last year the Spanish Institute of Statistics published the number of people able to vote, and gave guidelines for Brits resident in Spain. They stated that despite the prospect of Brexit UK, residents not on the electoral roll should apply to vote as normal, along with residents from other EU states, and this would be reviewed. In January, the UK and Spain signed an agreement that Brits resident in Spain, and Spaniards resident in the UK would be entitled to vote in municipal elections, such as the forthcoming ones in Spain. This was in line with other existing agreements between Spain and Norway, Iceland, and several Latin American countries. There was one important difference, as the agreement specified that Brits could stand as councillors, which was not part of the other agreements. At present in our area, Jessica Simpson and Lucas Mayo are councillors in Mojácar, Jim Simpson in Zurgena, MarianMay Simpson in Bédar, and Maura Hillen was a councillor in Albox until she resigned. All these people can

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In the News stand again if they wish to do so, along with any other resident Brits who put themselves forward. (The three councillors with the surname Simpson are not related!) In all of Spain there are 37 British councillors at present. The new agreement has to be ratified in both the Spanish and UK parliaments, and this may not be possible before May 26th. In this case it is envisaged that the signed agreement will be considered as being “effectively law”. Arboleas has the most Brits registered on the padrón (the official list of residents) with 2,538 people. Mojácar has 1,536, and Albox has 1,218, so votes from Brits can be very decisive as to who is elected, providing they have registered to vote. Our advice last month, that still applies, is that any person who requested a vote for the first time before January 30th this year, should go back to their town hall with their stamped application to ensure that this has gone according to plan. If not, there is a period of eight days from Monday-Monday during April when mistakes can be rectified and the electoral roll amended, and this looks like being April 8th-April 15th. We will confirm these dates next month. London Buses Last month we commented on Almería having received the award of “2019 Gastronomy Capital of Spain”. The tourist department have quickly exploited this by having London city buses display the logos of Spain and the 2019 design for Almería, along with “Spanish Capital of Gastronomy” down both sides and the back of the bus. Various large companies have sponsored this initiative and their logos are displayed as well. Apart from the iconic London buses, there are flights from London airports all the year round. The cost of the campaign for the month of February was the equivalent of 12,800 Euros per bus. The campaign may be extended to other capital cities in different countries. The British Ex-Pat Mummy In mid-February a woman went into a police station in Benemérita in Málaga province and told them

that the body of her mother was in a room in a family chalet. She told them that her mother aged 71, born in the UK in 1946, had died on March 12th, 2018, the day after Spanish Mother’s Day, and they had kept the body there. Police established that this was absolutely true and the body had been covered with a mattress, sheets of cardboard and clothes. The daughter had come forward when her adolescent daughter, the granddaughter of the dead woman, revealed the existence of the body to the woman’s former husband who was visiting them. An autopsy carried out confirmed that the woman had in all probability died from natural causes and her body had slowly mummified. Neighbours had noticed a smell but put it down to the various dogs that lived in the house. The woman told the police that they could not afford the cost of a funeral, but police took note of the fact that a pension for the dead woman was still being paid as the pension company had no idea that she had died. Airport Investments The company AENA own the vast majority of airports in Spain, and apart from running these 46 they run 16 others outside of Spain including Luton airport. The new Murcia-Corvera airport is the exception to the norm as it is owned by the Region of Murcia, but run by AENA. Their president has announced that 9 million Euros will be spent at Almería airport over the next three years. The money is for a variety of improvements, rather than a large project and will include increased security for passengers and infrastructure, draining of land, and the modernization of basic items such as the electricity installations. 80 million Euros will be spent at Málaga airport and 62 million Euros at Seville airport that handled 6.4 million passengers in 2018. The aim is to cater for 10 million passengers by 2021. All the airports in Andalucía (which includes Almería) handled a record 29 million passengers in 2018. AENA had an income of 4 billion Euros last year, and 40% related to sales or rent from the commercial premises within the airports.

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In the News Who Owns Iberia and Vueling? After Brexit, if there is a no deal, airlines in the EU that are not more than 50% owned by EU shareholders will lose their flying rights. This will affect the Spanish airline Iberia and their low cost airline Vueling, which are part of the IAG group based in the UK that includes British Airways and Aer Lingus. The EU has agreed that any airline that will be affected will have a six-month period from March 26th to prove a majority EU ownership, or modify their shareholding. In 2011, Iberia merged with IAG but economic rights and voting rights were split. Iberia became 100% owned by the company ‘Ib Opco’ that became part of IAG. The voting rights were shared, with IAG having 49.9% and the company Garanair having 50.1%. Garanair is a company wholly owned by the Spanish store company El Corte Inglés. Iberia considers that the 50.1% stake is sufficient to prove they are EU controlled, but they are in talks with IAG and EU regulators to totally clarify the situation.

expanded and now has increased space and a cafeteria. They have 560 members and there are workshops, regular teaching sessions (particularly for young persons), and various concerts every month. These include ones from the professional “Big Band Clasijazz” that performs throughout Europe to packed audiences. Almería city council partly subsidizes the organization that helps to mount the very popular annual Almería Jazz Festival.

Almería Exports Up to last November, goods exported in 2018 from Almería totalled 3.4 billion Euros, the best ever figures. This is 5% more than 2017, and is twice the increase in the Gross National Product in Spain as a whole. The main exports are marble and stone derivatives and fruit and veg. The difference between exports and imports is 1 billion Euros, so a very healthy positive balance. The large Natural Gas pipeline from Algeria coming across to Almería near the port counts as an import, but the gas is then distributed to various parts of Spain. The value of imported vehicles totalled 35 million Euros which is 9% less than in 2017. Including large provinces such as Barcelona, Valencia, and Madrid, Almería province is number 21 in the export rankings of all of Spain.

Mojácar Awards From ‘FITUR’ The annual Madrid ‘FITUR’ international tourist fair is an enormous event, and a team from Mojácar were part of the Almería Provincial Tourism stand. On the opening day, Mojácar was honoured to receive the “Destino Más Top” award, organized by Cadena TV, which broadcasts 76 channels throughout Spain. It was handed to Emmanuel Agüero Leclerc, Mojácar’s Tourism Councillor, who was especially appreciative and honoured to collect this award as it is given to the best destination as voted by the viewers. Mojácar also received a SICTED tourist quality award, which is granted by the Secretary of State for Tourism. This award has been given to Mojácar at the FITUR fair for several years running. The Mojácar team took an immense amount of material The Almería ‘Clasijazz’ Company to hand out to the public and the tourism The mayor of Almería, Ramón Fernández-Pacheco, companies. These included updated brochures recently visited the headquarters of the ‘Clasijazz’ along with maps and guides of the town with organisation in Almería city. The centre has been information on the most important spots to visit.

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In the News lady in a pedestrian area, and she died from head injuries. The scooter is alleged to have been travelling at 30k/h, and the “driver” was looking at Google maps on his mobile at the time. At present, persons using personal electrically propelled vehicles do not have to have mandatory insurance against accidents, but this is being A Prize for the Torrecárdenas Centre considered. Pere Navarro head of the DGT, thinks The large commercial centre built by Bogaris that driving these devices under the effects of Retail near the Torrecárdenas hospital in Almería drink or drugs should be an offence with a loss city has won an international design award. The of driver points, the same as with other vehicles. “Digital Signage Award” gave the award in the “Public places” category for the extremely large Grants for Electric Cars illuminated digital screen erected by Necsum The Spanish government will dissolve parliament Technology at the entrance. It is considered to on March 5thwith new General Elections on be the largest digital screen of any commercial Sunday, April 28th. In mid-February, a plan was centre in the world. The centre has other digital announced to give incentives for the purchase displays that record the many films made in of electric vehicles. As regards normal vehicles, Almería province, particularly the spaghetti the government department Sustainable Ecology westerns. The award was presented in Amsterdam Transition will give purchasers 5,000 Euros, and to the CBRE company who run the centre. the manufacturer 1,000 Euros, off the retail price. This amounts to a 20% discount on a Personal Electrically Propelled Vehicles medium-price car that costs 30,000 Euros. A The DGT (The Spanish traffic department) have grant of up to 700 Euros is available for electric been working on regulations that will be effective bicycles and up to 15,000 Euros for electric lorries throughout Spain regarding personal electrically and buses. 45 million Euros has been earmarked propelled vehicles. There are many problems in for the grants, and some of the money will be large cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, Málaga, used for installing more charging points. A big Granada, and Seville, with large numbers of problem at the moment is the almost complete scooters, Segways, electric skate boards, electric lack of charging points in public places, and in bikes, and mobility scooters. The new regulations another news item we explain that two charging that will apply throughout Spain have now been points will be installed at La Inmaculada hospital published and are remarkably similar to ones in Huércal-Overa. There is no other hospital at passed in Almería city in 2016, although there is present that has charging points, but for some not a big problem here at present. In general, strange reason these will only be available from these types of personal transport will be banned 8am-3pm. Some main car dealers in Almería from pavements, and have to use bikeway lanes province have charging points; there is one for where they exist. In large pedestrian areas they clients of the Parador hotel in Mojácar, and one will be allowed to be used with a maximum speed at the Carrefour supermarket in Almería city. of 10k/h. There have been no major accidents in Installing charging points at private houses is Almería city, but the first death in Spain occurred expensive, although there is a discount price for when a 40 yr old woman fell off her electric the electricity used overnight. Various companies scooter in front of a lorry which had no chance are introducing self-charging hybrid cars that are of stopping in time. In Barcelona, two young men not plugged into a charging point but they are riding on another scooter ploughed into an old not cheap. The “ideal” use is for short to medium They were also armed with copies of their "Mojácar Viva" and "Mojácar Unforgettable Memories" publicity material. Emmanuel Agüero Leclerc stated that there is no doubt that besides being officially one of the most beautiful villages in Spain, it is also now one of the best known.

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In the News journeys, not long daily journeys that company cars make. It is anticipated that when there is a new Spanish Government these new discount plans will be kept in place, but with some delay in implementing them. A Purge on False Medicines at Farmacias Spain has 22,000 farmacias (chemists) and in the middle of February a major new system was introduced to detect and ban falsified medication. The initiative extends to manufacturers, distributors, and the farmacias. All medication will have a unique code number and a raised “datamatrix” design. Seals will indicate straight away whether the medication has been tampered with. Items scanned at farmacias will be compared with a national database linked to a European database, and this will confirm that the medication has been officially put into the system. Jesús Aguilar, the President of the Association of Farmacias, states that falsified medicines is not a big problem in Spain as there is a very good control system in place, but any new security system such as the new one will give an increased protection for patients. A farmacia in La Rioja region of Spain was the first one to try out the new procedure as an experiment at the end of January. No problems were experienced. Custody Denied For Father Who Smokes In a landmark case, a children’s court in Córdoba has ruled that the exposure of the children to smoke in closed rooms from their father, who is a chain-smoker, is prejudicial to their health. Because of this, custody has reverted to the mother. The children are aged 10 and 13 and the parents divorced in 2017. The children stayed in the family home and the mother and father stayed there alternate weeks. The mother recently went to court claiming that the constant smoke was dangerous for the children. The court agreed and ruled that the continual smoky atmosphere was bad for the children, the father was being irresponsible, and exhibited no signs that he wished to give up smoking. The mother was given custody with visiting rights for the father.

Almería Fruit and Veg Agriculture in Almería province is a major motor of the economy, and there are 31,000 hectares (120 square miles) of greenhouses. Because there are two or even three sowings during the year for some products the total area used goes up to 45,600 hectares (176 square miles). The most important products are tomatoes and peppers that each that make up 18% of the cultivated area, 17% for watermelons, and 14% for courgettes. In the 2017-2018 period the average prices obtained went up slightly with respect to 2016-2017 although there were some exceptions particularly in the sale of cucumbers. Growers are always complaining about the mark up when the products reach the shops and in the case of cucumbers when prices were very low for the growers, the supermarket price was kept at 600% more. Total production in 2018 was 3.6 million tons and 2.6 million tons were exported to a value of 2.4 million Euros, mostly destined for the EU. Countries that took the most exports were Germany, France, the UK, Holland, Poland and Italy. Sales to Poland have shown a major increase, and there was an increase of 64% regarding sales to Norway. Once all the agreements have been signed the shipping of goods to mainland Europe will be changed to a lorry service to Almería port, and then on a Ro-Ro ship that can take 100 lorries to the port of Sète near Marseilles for onward travel. This will avoid over 1,000km of road journeys, and there will be two ships per week.

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In the News Renewing Driving Licences Every holder of a Spanish driving licence has to renew it at various intervals that are 10 years for persons below the age of 65, and every 5 years for those above this age. Professional drivers have to renew their licences every 5 years and 3 years according to their age. Until now, it has been up to each driver to check when their licence expires. Pere Navarro, the head of the ‘DGT’ traffic authority, has put into motion a new system. Two months before a licence is due to be renewed the driver will be sent a letter indicating the expiry date. Drivers can be prosecuted for not having a current licence, but Pere Navarro states that 10% of drivers do not realise that their licence has expired and they have no intention of driving without one. The new system started up on February 5th, and 2.75 million drives will be sent a letter in 2019. Bacteria for Plants A group of scientists at Granada University are working with a University in Argentina to develop bacteria that will help plants grow in dry areas. Manuel Espinosa heads the department in Granada and he points out that by 2050 it is estimated that the population of the world will be 90 million. Ways have to be found to make the best use of agriculture and produce the greatest yield. Plants need micro-organisms that encourage the roots to grow, and the experiments are to determine which are the most beneficial, and which ones are bad. In salt areas in Argentina there are plants that have adapted themselves to grow in these salty locations, and part of the study is to determine if hardy micro-organisms from these plants can be introduced into other plants. It is hoped that a cocktail of bacteria can replace the use of fertilizers and turn dry areas into the equivalent of fertile land. Almería Gastronomy Capital 2019 Tourist organisations and hotels in Almería province are delighted that Almería has received the 2019 award. Surveys from tourists reveal that food

and cuisine are of interest, as much as culture and historic buildings. 60% of Spanish tourists state that gastronomy and local cuisine influences their choice of location, and tourists with medium to high spending ability are happy to spend money on eating out in specialist restaurants. The Arab influence is an important part of regional menus in Almería province, and the Almería castle is a prime example of Moorish architecture after the Alhambra Palace in Granada. A report in the Guardian Newspaper recommended Almería province as being of particular interest to holidaymakers who liked gastronomy with very good fish dishes.

El Cable Inglés Last month we mentioned that money is being advanced to turn the iron ore discharge pier at Almería port into an attractive area for residents and tourists. Mari Carmen Ortiz, who runs the port, has announced that the architect Rámon de Torres has been appointed, and work will start this summer, with a finish date of 2020. It may be that the existing rail track is retained, and there will be lifts to the various levels. Street lighting, seating, toilets, and exhibition areas will be provided, and premises such as cafes. The Central Government Cultural Department is advancing 2.2 million Euros, and the port authority 800,000 A Bédar Cultural Centre The Almería Diputación (County council) has approved a grant of 240,000 Euros for the building of a new cultural and social centre in Bédar. The building will have an area of 320m2 with a stage

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In the News and various other facilities. Ósacr Liria from the diputación states that the grant is in line with others given to municipalities with medium or small numbers of inhabitants that have no such facilities. Paying Tax on Holiday Lettings Any property let for holidays in Almería province has to be put on a register for Andalucía which stipulates various conditions including a reference number. When this was first announced, there was a period of 12 months for property owners to install items such as hot/cold air-conditioning. The names of the persons occupying the property have to be given to the Guardia Civil police, the same as for people who stay in hotels, as an increased security requirement. Inspectors do check the properties to ensure that they comply, and heavy fines can be levied if a property has not been registered. The other side of the coin is that the income should be declared for tax purposes. As it is a requirement that the property reference number is quoted on any advertising and booking documentation, the Hacienda (Spanish tax authority) can see if income is being declared. ‘Airbnb’ initially refused to quote the property reference numbers, but after heavy fines, they and other companies now comply. Since 2014 the Hacienda has been sending out letters pointing out that any income has to be declared, and 120,000 people have voluntarily done this on their annual tax return. Now that companies such as Airbnb have complied with the regulations in place in various parts of Spain, the Hacienda can now tie these up to the owners. Holes in the Ground We highlight in an article the tragic death of a two-year old boy who fell down a very narrow borehole that had been drilled to find water. Police have started an investigation relating to the legality of the drilling as it should have had a licence, and the way it was capped. Unfortunately, there are thousands of holes in the ground particularly in the countryside, which do not have any protection

against a person falling down them. The Seprona branch of the Guardia Civil police patrol countryside areas for a variety of reasons and will always take action where they find a bore hole or a well where there is no protection against injuries. Geologists and water experts consider that there are probably 400,000 cubic hectares of water below Spanish soil, and as Spain is such a dry country this is a resource that needs exploiting. This amount of water is seven times the amount that is stored in reservoirs in Spain if they were 100% full, and would be enough for 58 million people, so 12 million more than the current population of Spain. Companies that drill for water charge 35-65 Euros per metre depending on the geological properties (rock takes much longer to drill) and usually only charge 50% if no water is found. The borehole that the young child fell down had been drilled to a depth of 110m, without finding any water. Fines for illegal drilling are very small, and the maximum of 6,000 Euros is an exception to the normal fines that are usually given. After the death of the toddler the whole system relating to boreholes will be reviewed. Police take the view that leaving a dangerous borehole exposed could be tantamount to a criminal offence and even involuntary manslaughter where a death results, as happened in this case. A Confirmed Compensation Award A case that has been dragging through the courts relates to a Cajamar Caja Rural Bank employee in Almería city who threw himself off the roof of the bank and was killed, in 2013. The Andalucía High Court has ratified a decision from a court in Almería in 2017. The bank employee had an argument with a client who later came back and said they were going to make a complaint to the police. The employee was summoned to see the manager who stated in court that the employee was very nervous, sweating, and banged the desk. He was told to calm down and he left the bank, but then returned and threw himself off the roof. The courts were asked to rule whether this was considered to be an industrial accident that

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In the News occurred during work, and as such the family was liable for normal compensation for the widow from Social Security funds, and compensation from the bank. Both courts ruled that this was the case. Mojácar Cycling Events Mojácar tourist department has been to the largest European fair for cyclists in Belgium that attracts many teams and organisers of tours. This is aimed at attracting cyclists in the low season in Mojácar, and in the past various teams have come to train, as the surrounding terrain is considered ideal. The Rabobank team have been regular visitors here. There is already a major event that will take place in May organized by the Kortweg Cycling Travel Group, and the hotel Marina Playa will host the event with distances of 185km & 125km. We give more details in our “What’s On” section. Emmanuel Agüero Leclerc from the tourist department who attended the fair stated that there was considerable interest from teams and organisers. Spanish Airports after Brexit The Spanish customs department is planning for the arrival of Brits at Spanish airports after Brexit when they are no longer EU citizens. It is anticipated that new desks will have to be opened at airports, and there may have to be different procedures for luggage. The airports of Alicante and the Balearic Islands receive the largest number of Brits who are processed at present as being EU citizens from an EU state. There may well be other modifications that apply to Brits on cruise ships. The Boy Gabriel During January, Spain was transfixed by the enormous rescue attempt to rescue a two-yearold child who fell down a narrow borehole, and we explain what happened in an article. In February 2018, there was a very large search over 11 days in Almería province to find an eight-year-old boy who had gone missing on a walk of just 100m

from his grandparent’s home to his own home. The parents were amicably separated and in constant touch and the father had an Ecuadorian partner. She was eventually arrested, and the body of the child found in the boot of her car. What was particularly chilling was that the woman, Ana Quezada, had apparently been very supportive of the family and took part in press conferences, but she had murdered the small boy almost immediately after he disappeared. The court case with a jury will eventually start and La Fiscalía (Spanish Crown Prosecution Service) is asking for a “permanently revisable” prison term, which is relatively new in Spain since 2015, and has been granted in three cases where children have been murdered. After a sentence of either 25 or 30 years the convicted person can apply for release that would be refused if it considered that there is no remorse or rehabilitation. Other petitions for release can only be made at two year intervals; and in this case after the 30 year sentence that is being sought. There is also a request for a ten year sentence of two five year terms (that could be consecutive) for the “psychological and moral damage” she caused for both of the parents and a compensation order is being requested of 300,000 Euros for each parent. La Fiscalía is also asking for a compensation order of 200,000 Euros towards the cost of the search. Low Cost Rail Fares & Expansion The company ‘Renfe’ run the Spanish rail services, but in 2020, throughout the EU, the rail operating market is being opened up for other companies to apply to run services. Renfe have announced that as part of their 2019-2023 strategy they intend to introduce a “low cost” service designed to attract more passengers and discourage any competition. The Madrid-Barcelona line will be the first to have a reduction in cost that will then be extended to other lines. The average cost of this journey is 52 Euros, and it is anticipated that this could be reduced to 30 Euros. This line is the first one where a consortium of companies headed by Air Nostrum have applied to partly take over the

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In the News running of the line in competition with Renfe. Internationally, the Spanish rail authority ADIF, along with a large consortium of twelve Spanish companies, have exported their expertise to Saudi Arabia where they have built a multi-billion AVE (High speed train) line of 450km from Medina to Mecca. At present the trains are only running at 200km/h but this will gradually be increased to 330km/h in 2020. Renfe have the operating licence that includes an initial 36 trains that will be increased to 56. This model will be extended to the 240 mile US “Texas Bullet Train” AVE that will join Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth. Renfe consider that alongside ADIF they are ideally suited to compete for other major rail line projects in various countries, with a proven expertise. A Major Rise in Pensions For 2019 Rises in retirement pensions in Spain used to be increased by a certain amount and then an allowance made for cost of living rises. In 2013, the annual cost of living rise was fixed as being only 0.25% and this has been in force since then. With the new PSOE (Socialist) government, pensions have gone up by about 7% for 2019, the highest increase since 2008 when they went up 8%. Last January the Social Services paid out 9.5 billion Euros for all pensions in Spain, whether for retirement, widows or orphans, and 6.7 billion was for retirement pensions with a 7.18% rise. The Bank of Spain is warning the government that with the rise in life expectancy in Spain, pensions are going to reach unsustainable levels by 2050 and this has to be addressed. A non-Spanish worker paying into the Social Security system is entitled to a retirement pension of 50% providing they have paid in for fifteen years. Any additional period of payments increases the pension amount prorata. On retirement (at present), a Brit who is an EU resident has their pension contribution in the UK and Spain examined as to the total amount and entitlement. If they are short of the 15 year Spanish period by a small amount the UK will make this up. This system is stated to be continuing by a prior agreement if the UK leaves the EU. The

average monthly amount of the state retirement pension in Spain is 1,129 Euros, and for widows 707 Euros. This does vary somewhat in the different autonomous communities which in our case is Andalucía. All employees in Spain are paid 14 monthly amounts that are usually averaged out over the year, but pensioners and widows receive an extra payment in July and November.

The ‘AVE’ (High Speed Train) We comment on the progress of the AVE as it applies to Almería province in an article, and that a contract awarded for the Pulpí to Cuevas section fell by the wayside when the construction company ‘SACYR’ threw in the sponge as the rail company ADIF did not own all the land. The Pulpí to Cuevas section has now been extended to Vera. On January 24th, the local newspaper ‘Ideal’ had 10 pages detailing the required compulsory purchase of large numbers of parcels of land, together with the owners, needed in Pulpí, Cuevas, and Vera. A contract for this section has now been awarded to a consortium who will carry it out for 147 million Euros, and a start to finish period of 30 months. However, the rail company ADIF acknowledge that work cannot start until they totally own all the land! No date has been suggested for when this will be completed. Toxic Till Receipts A Spanish survey has concluded that 95% of till receipts from shops, restaurants, and other outlets

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In the News secondary roads such as the A-322 from Cuevas del Almanzora to the border with Murcia and the RM-332 to Cartagena. From February 1st, many stretches of these secondary roads have had the speed limit reduced from 100k/h to 90k/h. The reduced charges for the toll road almost immediately resulted in an increase in use of 15%, and about 4,000 vehicles per day are now using it. The average daily use in 2017 was 3,500 vehicles but in 2013 it was only 2,700. When the toll road was opened in 2007 the construction and operating consortium had been told by the Ministry of Transport that the expected average daily use would be 7,000 vehicles. This was never achieved, and in the construction crisis many large developments such as those planned by the Polaris Group were scrapped. Other “first generation” toll roads have been taken over by a new Department of Transport company known as Vera Cinema Awards Seittsa as the operating licences have expired, Along with Almería city, Vera has started holding and they have bailed out the consortiums that a film festival and the second one starts on March were bankrupt. Travelling on these toll roads is 29th. Apart from showing films that relate to the now free. province, and a competition for the best short films, they are awarding “City of Vera Awards” for A Coffin Swapping Accusation famous film-makers or actors. Peter Beale, the Police have confirmed that since 2017 they have British producer, has been selected to receive the been investigating a funeral company in Valladolid 2019 award and is considered to be one of the in northwest Spain. Claims were made from an most important film producers of all time. He was ex-employee that the company was moving dead in charge of 20th Century Fox from 1973-1978 bodies out of expensive coffins where there was and was an Executive Director for EMI during the going to be a cremation and putting them in 1980s. Famous films where he has been the much cheaper coffins. It is alleged that the director or assistant director include, “Alien, Five expensive coffins were then sold again to other Days One Summer, The Elephant Man, Star Wars, families, and expensive floral bouquets or wreaths The Omen, Julia, The Other Side of Midnight”, and were also sold on. The company that is family run “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”. He will sit on has been trading for 34 years since 1985 and has the committee that will give awards for the best five large funeral homes and chapels of rest, with another three in the course of construction. short films submitted. Searches were carried out by the police at three The Vera-Cartagena Toll Road funeral homes and the private residences of some Last month we reported that the toll fees for the of the family members and so far 16 people have 114km Vera-Cartagena AP-7 toll road has been been arrested. It is alleged that the fraud ran into scrapped from midnight to 6am, and reduced by several million Euros, although the total amount 30% to 41% at other times depending on the has not yet been determined, and one million distance travelled. Motorists have been using other Euros in cash was discovered and seized at one contain Bisfenol A which is a toxic substance and has been outlawed in various countries. It is claimed that it can be carcinogenic and cause infertility. In 2011 it was banned in the EU for waxed-paper milk containers, and in 2014 France prohibited the use in till receipts. Since 2017 it is on a list of “worrying substances” in Europe. In Spain it is being prohibited from 2020 which is the last year that action can be taken in EU states. The level of Bisfenol A varies, and in Spain it is about 7.9 milligrams per gram of paper, in Brazil it is 8.8, but only 1.36 when it was banned in France. Some health professionals consider that the toxicity is almost nil in practical terms and compare it to the risk of cancer from smoking one cigarette, and state that there are many other substances that do have a bad effect on health, particularly in fabrics and cosmetics.

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In the News of the homes. Coffins can cost anything from 600 to 4000 Euros which is a major cost in funerals that typically cost 2,500-6,500 Euros. The company issued a short press statement stating that the matter was in the hands of their lawyers, and the original accusation had come from a disgruntled former employee who had tried to blackmail them and had been convicted of extortion. They further stated that the company had 70 employees who provided personal 24hr services all year “to cover and take care of the entire death process”. The Criada Party for Catalonia On October 1st, 2017, there was an illegal referendum for Catalonia to be an independent republic, divorced from Spain. The referendum was completely flawed and the slight amount of people who appeared to have voted for this was not at all representative. On October 26th this was agreed in their parliament, and the same day Central Government invoked article 155 of the written Spanish Constitution that allowed them to take charge of an autonomous community “in exceptional circumstances”. The President of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, and five other MPs fled to Brussels and Geneva to avoid arrest, and new democratic elections took place on December 22nd. There was a proposal to elect Carles Piugdemont as “President in Exile”, but central government and lawyers in Catalonia accepted that to take office a President had to be there in person, and if he did appear in person he would be arrested. A new party has now been formed entitled “La Criada” (The Call) that proposes once again that Catalonia becomes a Republic, and Carles Puigdemont, who now lives in Brussels has been elected Honorary President. It has been registered as a “Political action group for seeking 100% independence”, and the first meeting took place in Barcelona at the end of January with Carles Puigdemont appearing via a video link. Militants shouted that 2019 was the year of freedom. There is still far from being a clear consensus of opinion in the Catalonia Parliament

as to what happens next. Some MPs want independence, some would like it but agree it is utopia, and others are willing to hold discussions with the objective that Catalonia is given increased powers for self-determination, but is still part of Spain. Apart from this, there is no agreement to pass other laws, and in the last six months only three proposals have been passed, all of them modifications to existing legislation. Similarly, they are still using the 2017 budget as a 2018 or 2019 version has not been approved. There are some calls in Central Government for article 155 to be put into action again, and the present parliament dissolved to try and break the deadlock. Meanwhile, on February 12th, Oriol Junqueras, the ex-Vice President from 2017, and 11 other people were in a court in Madrid to answer various charges of rebellion, misuse of public funds, and disobedience of legal court dictates. We highlight this in an article. DJ Ghastly

The 2019 Dreambeach Villaricos Music Festival This year’s event takes place from August 7th11th and the organisers announced some new names for the line-up at the ‘Fitur’ tourism fair held in Madrid. The Dutch DJ Don Diablo is returning for the third year running and is

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In the News currently 7th in the world ranking of DJs from DJ Mag. The German Paul Kalkbrenner will feature his Minima Techno style with his 8thalbum “Parts of life”. The Italian Marco Carola is considered to be the foremost exponent of the Techno style and he returns after his 2017 appearance. The famous US DJ Ghastly will be putting in an appearance with his style billed as “disruptive”. New names announced include Adam Beyer, Agoria, Coone, Dimension, Nerno, Nina Kraviz, and W&W. These join Ran-D, the UK duo Matrix & Futurebound, Holy Goof, Boys Noize, Goncalo, and Wade from Seville. Ticket prices and outlets are in our “What’s On” section. Taxis, Uber and Cabify There have been vigorous complaints from large and small taxi companies after operators such as Uber and Cabify set up alternative services using vehicles whose locations can be seen on an app and journeys requested. In Spain these companies are known as being VTC (private hire) and have to have a licence. Uber own no vehicles and hold no licences but supply technological support to the private owners who sign up with them. The disputes are related to the number of licences that are issued, and in Andalucía (which includes Almería province) a guideline is that there can only be one VTC licence issued for every 30 taxis. In Barcelona and Madrid there have been extended strikes by taxi companies, and in Madrid this was before and during the ‘Fitur’ trade fair that attracts thousands of visitors. Large numbers of taxis parked on major roads and their drivers staged a “sit in”. Taxi owners claim that they may clock up 200km daily, but a major part of the distance is when they are plying for hire which extends to about 50% of the working day, and the compulsory health and safety tests, and the cost of a licence, was a major expense. Licences for taxis in Madrid that can be sold on normally sell for 135,000-160,000 Euros when they change hands. Recently in Barcelona it was announced that people who wanted to book a Uber or Cabify vehicle had to do so 15 minutes before the

requested journey time if it was local, and one hour for long journeys. In response, Cabify, that is a US owned company based in California, announced that they were suspending operations in Barcelona and pulling out and they sent out a “So long Barcelona” message. They stated that 3,500 vehicle owners would lose their jobs and the pre-booking time period was not in force in any other locations where they operated. Uber then followed suit. In Madrid the major taxi companies had meetings with the Transport and Licencing authority and the city council in February. The authorities stated that they hoped an agreement could be reached and eventually the strike was abandoned. A spokesperson from the Madrid traffic authority stated that during the strike the use of buses had greatly increased by at least 60%, and commuters had found that “there was something called the Metro” that worked really well! Large Crowds On a miserable cold and rainy night on February 6th, 48,000 spectators turned up at the San Marmés stadium in Bilbao to watch a football match. In this case it was the quarter final of the Copa de Reina (Queen’s cup) and the players were the female teams of Athletic Bilbao and Atlético Madrid. Atlético won 2-0 and advanced to the semi-final. No-one expected such a heavy turnout and this marked a milestone in the history of the Spanish Women’s League football events. No other stadium in Spain has ever seen such large numbers for the Women’s League, and this is the second largest number in the world following on from a match in Mexico last year. The previous record number of fans at the Bilbao stadium was in 2003 when 36,000 people watched a male football match between Athletic Bilbao and the Hispalis team from Seville. José Sánchez, the Atlético Madrid coach, was delighted. He told TV interviewers, “This is a memory that will last forever. There is nothing better than beating an attendance record; and in this case for Women’s League teams”.

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In the News British Tourists Spain has been concerned that Brexit may have an effect on tourism, but as yet there is no sign of this happening. There has been a slight decrease in all tourists coming to Spain in 2018 but 20% of the 82.8 tourists came from the UK. In absolute terms this was a decrease of 1.6% compared to 2017, but Brits spent 2.8% more money that totalled 18 billion Euros. The Spanish tourist company ‘Exceltur’ are very pleased with the overall figures, and all the tourists who came to Spain in 2018 spent an estimated record amount of 89.9 billion Euros. One reason for the slight decline in numbers is considered to be due to holidaymakers returning to Egypt and Turkey and putting aside the fears of terrorism that stopped them going in recent years. As regards Brits, the high summer temperatures in the UK resulted in some people not going abroad. 41million tourists spent time in Spain on day trips from cruise ships, and this number is an increase on 2017. The demand for hotel rooms went up by 2.6% as opposed to the use of holiday apartments. 5 million “business tourists” came to Spain in 2018 in connection with their trade and profession and this was an increase of 7%. This is considered to be a sign of the economy in Spain recovering from previous down-turns. After UK tourists, the next largest sector came from Germany with 12 billion people, but they spent 1.9% less money. A Spanish Government ‘Brexit’ Website A website has been launched by the Spanish Government to give information on the likely effects of Brexit, particularly if there is no deal and a hard exit that they refer to as a “cliff-edge”. It explains the various procedures, a calendar of key events, and information under the headings “What is Brexit”, “Current Situation”, “How to get ready”, and “News”. It gives advice for Spanish citizens and economic operators and envisages that large numbers of extra staff may be necessary to process residency applications for ex-pat Brits in Spain. A “Citizens” section deals with the effects on Spanish and UK residents and

refers these people to the website of the British Embassy in Madrid. There is a list of the most frequent questions and the answers. It explains that along with other agreements, the right to vote and stand as councillors in the UK and Spain has been agreed. The website deals with the problems that might be experienced if there is a no deal by Spanish Airlines flying to the UK. The website mentions the desire to keep the existing security agreement and exchange of information between the UK and Spain in place. Another subject that is being discussed in Spain is how the customs and border authorities might have to deal with the non-EU UK passengers coming to Spain, and the proposal that short term stays would be visafree. A current plan is that there would have to be special desks at airports to process UK travellers who will be distinct from Spanish travellers and EU travellers. Not mentioned on this website is a proposal that companies in Spain who find themselves in financial difficulties will probably be able to apply for special emergency funding, known as “A Brexit cheque”. The Population in Almería Province Twenty years ago, in 1998, the population of Almería province was 505,000 and there were 13,000 non-Spanish residents. In 2011 there were 155,000 non-Spanish residents out of a total of 701,000, but since then with construction and financial crises the numbers of non-Spanish has decreased by 15,500 to the present total at the end of 2018 of 140,000. These numbers of nonSpanish residents are taken from the numbers of persons on the ‘padrón’ (the official list of residents) in all of the 103 municipalities in the province, but the padrón does not give a 100% accurate figure. There are advantages for town halls and residents as the number of people on the padrón increases, but some people don’t register. The largest numbers of non-Spanish residents come from Morocco followed by some other African countries, but there are 58,000 European residents. Rumanians make up 25,000 of this number, and there are 14,000 registered

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In the News Brits. In our Levante area there are many municipalities where the Brits congregate and in Arboleas there are 3,000 non-Spanish (the vast majority Brits) with only 1,500 Spaniards. In Zurgena the padrón has 1,100 non-Spanish and 1,700 Spaniards. In Mojácar there are 2,900 nonSpanish (almost all Brits) as opposed to 3,400 Spaniards and in Turre there are 1,000 non-Spanish with 2,300 Spaniards. This shows that if all the Brits in various municipalities are on the padrón and are registered to vote, they can have a decisive effect when the next municipal elections take place on May 26th. This is why in many previous issues of the Focus magazine we have been encouraging Brits to register to vote. Elected councillors and their political parties in all the municipalities are in power for four years from next May. In another news item we explain that a new agreement with Brexit in mind between Spain and the UK means that UK nationals in Spain can vote and stand as councillors in the May elections and vice-versa in the UK. Palomares Radioactive Soil Ecologists in Action have started a court case relating to the level of radiation and the amount of soil at Palomares. In an article last month we explained how this came about in 1966 when two US planes collided and fell to the ground. A plan to clear and clean the area was approved in 2010 but never carried out, because it was hoped that the soil could be taken by the US to Arizona where there is a suitable location. This was promised by Hilary Clinton who was Secretary for State in the first term of Barak Omaha being the US President. The tribunal in Madrid has asked the Spanish Nuclear Authority to provide details of 1,500kg of soil that was removed in 2016 for testing and is now in containers. A lawyer for the Spanish State has argued that this is not relevant but the tribunal have said that it is. A previous figure of 50,000m2 of contaminated soil has been downgraded to 28,000m2 and the Ecologists in Action allege that this was a political decision rather than a scientific one. The Spanish Nuclear

Authority is claiming that the 28,000m2 is a more realistic amount and the other 22,000m2 do not have a dangerous level of radiation and that this is a justifiable scientific decision.

An Auditorio Maestro Padilla Expansion The major Maestro Padilla ‘Auditorio’ in Almería city holds cultural events of various types. Almería city authorities are holding an architectural project competition for major expansion, and one of the proposals is that the Almería City Orchestra (OCAL) has a dedicated space. The orchestras and choirs for adults and young persons are very well respected, and the chief conductor for many years has been Michael Thomas who comes from Middlesbrough in the UK. At present, the orchestras have space at El Toyo conference centre, but have to cease operation when there is a congress. In the expanded space there will be various offices, rehearsal areas, a library and a bar-cafe. The intention is that the new building merges into the existing one with more parking than at present, and green spaces. Almería Social Security Figures The number of people paying into the Spanish Social Security Department from employment is a critical figure as pensions have to be paid out, and for many years the department has been

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In the News severely short of funds. Large amounts of money have been “lent” to cover the deficit but there is little prospect of it being repaid. There are now 300,000 persons paying social security in Almería province as of December 2018, which is 9,000 more than 2017, and 52,000 more than in 2012 when the financial crisis started to bite. This rise is 21% and is more than the average amount in the rest of Andalucía. There are now 177, 000 self-employed persons in Almería province paying in, and this is 26% more than in 2012. Large numbers of self-employed persons work in Roquetas de Mar, Vicar and Níjar, and 26% of workers in Roquetas de Mar are self-employed. This number includes non-Spanish workers including large numbers of Brits who make up a substantial sector. This is more people in total than in the tourist areas of Mijas, Fuengirola, Benalmádena, and Estepona in Málaga province. Fraudulent Beauty Treatment in Garrucha At the end of last year, complaints became known to the police in Garrucha that two women were providing beauty treatments at what was stated to be a clinic in two rooms of a house, at very reduced prices. Two women complained that they had suffered a great deal of pain, and medical staff at health centres became very concerned. One of the women, who had undertaken lip treatment involving acid injections, experienced considerable pain and inflammation but had been told it was normal and would go away. As it didn’t, and she was having considerable bleeding, she went to her doctor who was very concerned. One of the women providing the treatment claimed that she had been trained as a doctor in Russia. When police visited the house they discovered that there was minimum hygiene, particularly with the beds, and products that were being used were found to be out of date. A 41yr old woman was arrested and charged with various offences including fraud and causing bodily injury. The second woman could not be located and police think that she has probably gone back to Russia when she realised that complaints were being made.

Spanish Airport Figures In 2018 a total of 264 million passengers arrived or departed from Spanish airports, and 60% were non-Spanish. This is 6% more than in 2017 and is a record number. There are six airports that had reduced numbers in 2018 and one of them is Almería with a reduction of 1.5%, down from 1 million passengers in 2017 to 992,000. In 2007 a total of 1.2 million passengers came to Almería but the numbers then fell steadily until 2015. They went up to 919,000 in 2016 and 1 million in 2017. There are various reasons put forward, and one of them is the slight drop in tourists that Spain experienced last year, although the money they spent went up. San Javier airport handled 1.3 million passengers in 2018 that was an increase of 6%, so this had a negative effect in Almería, and Granada airport saw an increase of 24%. It remains to be seen what will happen in 2019 now that the Murcia-Corvera airport is open. This airport is in private hands as it belongs to the Region of Murcia and they have been offering very competitive landing and handling fees for airlines to try to obtain the maximum number of passengers. In terms of destinations at Almería airport, 211,000 went on flights to Madrid and back, 122,000 to Gatwick, and 115,000 to Barcelona. A Dog Rescue Centre in Huércal-Overa A new municipal dog rescue centre has been opened in Huércal-Overa that has an area of 200m2 and has cost 107,000 Euros. 135m2 comprises an office, clinic, a bathroom, disinfection and treatment room, and a store. Outside there are 14 individual areas for dogs of different sizes and room to walk them. The mayor of HuércalOvera, Domingo Fernández, who opened the centre, stated that this was a very important necessity for the municipality and was intended to solve the problem of abandoned dogs. Representatives from a dog association “Nueva Vida (New life) Huércal-Overa” were at the opening ceremony and the mayor congratulated them on the work they had done over the years. To close

In the News the ceremony, the Policía Local from Huércal- earnings from his “image” activities where he Overa brought along their police dogs for a appeared in adverts for various companies and demonstration of their abilities. goods. They stated that from 2011-2014 he only declared 11.5 million Euros of income, whereas Albox Ex-mayor Accepts Seven-Year Ban the true amount was about 43 million. In court, If mayors or councillors are convicted of Ronaldo claimed that he had no intention of corruption, or ignoring legislation, they can be defrauding the Spanish tax authorities and had given a prison term, fined, and usually banned relied on his financial advisers. The Columbian from holding public office (so they can’t be a singer Shakira, who technically lives in Barcelona, councillor or mayor) for a certain period of time. has also been negotiating with the Spanish tax Quite often they will have been convicted of office through her accountants Price Waterhouse consistently denying information to opposition who she hired in 2012. Hacienda started an councillors that they are legally entitled to see. investigation in 2017, and it is stated that the This is why Rogelio Mena, an ex-mayor of Albox, singer paid 20 million Euros in back tax and interest received a 30 month ban on holding public office. charges relating to 2011. She has now paid another Another ex-mayor of Albox, José García, has 14.5 million Euros for the years 2012-2014. Her accepted a ban on holding office for seven years. accountants state that in various years she was This is a deal done with the prosecution services frequently working out of Spain for more than who initially asked for a ten-year ban, and there six months so technically she was not a resident. is no fine. He was convicted of consistently Along with her family, she has spent long periods employing people without going through the of time in other countries, particularly the US. correct procedure between 2007-2011, so the Her accountants claim that all of the tax she is four year term when he was mayor. The liable for has now been paid. In a “first offence” prosecution cited 10 cases where people had a prison term of less than two years invariable been employed purely because the mayor decided becomes a suspended sentence, so Ronaldo will he would do this. The proved allegation was that not spend any time in prison. If there is a second this was done entirely “without necessity, merit, offence within two years a prison term usually or capability”. It was noted that as of May last follows for the two convictions. year some of these people were still current Alzheimer and Down’s Syndrome Markers employees. The Sant Pau hospital in Barcelona has identified Cristiano Ronaldo & Shakira Tax Payments a bio-marker that from a simple blood test can The very famous Portuguese footballer Cristiano indicate the early symptoms of Alzheimer disease Ronaldo was in court in Madrid recently where, in people suffering from Down’s syndrome. This in a deal with the prosecution, he accepted a is a real breakthrough as until now the detection prison term of 23 months and a fine of 18.8 has been very difficult. Various levels of mental million Euros. Ronaldo now plays for the Italian activity in Down’s syndrome persons have until team Juventus and was the striker in the Real now made a reliable diagnosis very problematical. Madrid team for many years. The conviction 376 people were tested, and some of them relates to tax fraud from 2011-2014 when he already showed signs that they suffered from paid tax on his earnings that was based on a Alzheimer’s. The important discovery has been much reduced amount of money. The Spanish published in a scientific journal. tax authorities, ‘Hacienda’, had stated that in 2010 Ronaldo and his financial advisors set up a El Algarrobico Hotel, Carboneras web of companies designed to avoid tax on the In 2003, Carboneras town hall issued a building

In the News licence to Azata del Sol, a promotor who embarked on the building of the 21 floor 421 room El Algarrobico hotel, and they had bought other parcels of land nearby for further development. When the hotel was 90% finished, and interviews were being set up for the 500 staff needed, Greenpeace discovered that the hotel was there and sailed their “Rainbow Warrior” into the bay. They lodged various objections including the hotel being too near the sea, that later emerged as being a genuine mistake on boundary maps in Madrid. In 2006, a judge in Almería stopped any further work. There has been a multitude of court cases since, in Andalucía and Madrid, and the Junta de Andalucía agreed at one stage to refund the purchase price of the land that was stated to be 2.3 million Euros, but Azata del Sol refused to accept the payment. Greenpeace turned up on two Sundays in different years and in large black lettering put “HOTEL ILEGAL”. Local residents painted out the “I” both times! The Junta de Andalucía and Central Government agreed in 2011 to demolish the hotel and restore the land to the original state, which will be difficult as each stepped floor is on a large reinforced concrete base. Azata del Sol say that large amounts of dynamite would be needed. For legal reasons that have still not been concluded this has never taken place and the Junta de Andalucía cannot occupy the site. Greenpeace are in court again at the Andalucía High Court as they are firmly convinced that the original building licence has to be revoked. Carboneras town hall are sticking to their guns that when it was issued it was totally legal. Since then the land has been re-classified as nonurban, but the town hall says this doesn’t make any difference and the licence was ruled to be legal in 2014. The developers will be able to try to obtain hefty damages from the town hall if the licence is withdrawn so this is partly why the town hall has dug their toes in. The town hall is also refusing to confirm the demolition order. The developers told the court in a letter that the work had been stopped by a court order,

not by them, and as such the building licence was still valid, and no demolition can take place! Azata del Sol have had the almost completed structure independently valued and want 71 million Euros in compensation if it is demolished. Very tongue in cheek, Carboneras town hall has suggested that the hotel is turned into a residential and day care centre for elderly people, as there is not one at present in Carboneras. 13 years after the work was stopped very little has happened since, except in court!

The DJ Moree Mk Born in Morocco but resident in Garrucha since the age of five, the DJ Kamal who is better known as Moree Mk has had considerable success in 2018 and is looking forward to 2019. At the age of 19 he produced his “Mujeres, Mojito, Mojácar” composition that rapidly spread to Latin American countries and received 5 million views on YouTube. It was high on the charts of the World Dance Music top 40 for a number of weeks. Moree Mk became very popular in Ibiza at the Bora Bora venue and he started international tours including the US and Africa. He will be performing at Dreambeach Villaricos, Tropical Fest Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, and Waterfront Jaddah in Saudi Arabia.

Electricity Fraud

he consumption of electricity forms a major part of the cost of living for domestic consumers but increasingly people defraud the electrical supply companies with illegal connections. The power company Endesa have given as an example the situation where 15 air-conditioning units are functioning (8 industrial and 7 domestic), 30 fans, 6 extractor fans, 9 filter machines, and 234 halogen lamps. They calculate that the cost of electricity needed is 500 Euros every hour, so 12,000 Euros every 24 hours.

kilowatts, the fraud in 2018 was equivalent to the normal consumption of 2,400 homes, which is the annual power consumption used in Albox, or the whole of the province for three days!

The arm of the Guardia Civil police known as Seprona is responsible for wildlife, animal and bird trafficking, illegal dwellings built on rural land without permission, and inspections of agricultural growers. This is to ensure that there are no prohibited chemicals or fertilizers being used. On one inspection last year the smell from cannabis plants was very strong and This amount was calculated by Endesa and the they found two large scale plastic covered Guardia Civil police when they raided three greenhouses full of plants. apartments full of cannabis plants in the same complex at Vicar and found all the equipment listed above. Four people who were arrested had bypassed the meters to grow the plants, and an illegal connection had been made where the main supply came into the apartment block. With illegal connections, transformers can be damaged when consumption from normal users who are paying for their electricity is high, and this frequently causes power cuts. This January there was a fire in an apartment in Almería city and only the prompt action of the fire-fighters stopped it spreading to other apartments, where they may well have been injuries from smoke inhalation or even deaths. The cause of the fire was an illegal connection that burnt out the wiring and set fire to the property. In 2018, the detected illegal use of electricity for growing cannabis was 46% more than in 2017, and the police state that there were 3.572 cases throughout Almería province, with the most fraud in large centres of population. Out of the 103 municipalities in Almería province there were some illegal connections in 57 of them, and the total fraud in terms of power in 2018 was calculated to be 24 billion kilowatts. (A kilowatt is the power needed for an electric water heater with a 1000 watt element that is switched on for 1 hour). As the average annual consumption for a normal dwelling with four family members is about 10,000

Endesa is using various tools for detecting illegal connections including measuring the total power being consumed in a particular area and relating it to the number of legal consumers using a mathematical algorithm, and robot cameras that can be sent down large underground pipes that contain the wiring. They have equipment that, when run over a surface such as walls in a building, will detect hidden wiring and indicate the power being transmitted. These have helped detection of very large illegal connections that have gone up in Almería city from 38 in 2016 to 54 in 2017, and 115 up to the end of November last year. Even with sophisticated filters there is a strong smell from the cultivation of cannabis, and quite often this will be reported to the police or Endesa. They have set up the telephone number 800 760 222 for people to anonymously report suspected fraud, and the email anomalias@endesa.es.

Password Protection

his January, Troy Hunt, who is an American cyber-security expert, revealed that on the dark web there was a file named “Collection # 1” with millions of hacked passwords and email addresses. He considers that this is the biggest “dump” of hacked material ever, which has been put on the cloud server MEGA. It contains 773 million email addresses and 21 million passwords in 12,000 files with 87GB of data. The use of passwords or PIN numbers are now a large part of life particularly on the internet, but the first general PIN number came into being when one of the new ATM bank machines was installed by Barclays Bank at their head office in London in 1967. The machine accepted cheques with a required PIN number, and James Goodfellow patented the PIN number system. The ATM inventor, John Shepherd-Barron, had specified a six-digit number, but his wife who he used to try out the machine could only remember the first four digits. Consequently, he decided that four digits were more practical. In 1972 Lloyds bank introduced the first ATM that took plastic cards. PIN numbers (normally four digits) then became common for wall safes with a combination lock, and then for adult programmes on TV to stop children accessing them. The International Standard for PIN numbers in the financial services recommends a number from four to twelve digits, but accepts that for “practical purposes” a six-digit number is the longest number that should be given out. In Switzerland a six-digit number for financial services is compulsory. The big problem is that to remember PIN numbers, the vast majority of users choose something that they can remember. This is often the year they were born, the birthday of their wife, husband, or partner, with the date and month, the first four numbers of their driving licences or Social Security numbers, or a series of numbers that easily come to hand. 1million of the hacked passwords were 123456, and 3 million used 12345678. Identical numbers such as 1111 or 2222 should not be used

and some institutions won’t allow these repetitive numbers. Many devices come with a “default” setting and burglar alarms always come with a factory set PIN. Clever burglars familiar with the manufacturer know what these are. Sometimes, when a credit card is used for the first time it is compulsory that a new number is chosen.

Having a PIN number in a part of a wallet or handbag where you also have the credit cards is a very bad idea, and in many offices or businesses the PIN number for accessing information is put on a “postit-note” on the computer or monitor. Cyber experts point out that no-one would ever put a note on the front of their safe with the combination number! Experts consider that an eight-digit combination of four letters of the alphabet and four numbers is a very good idea, but not the first letters of your Christian name or surname, and not 1234. Some people recommend that you use a nursery rhyme or a song where you can use the first, second, third, or fourth letter of each word. Using a mixture of upper case and lower case letters is also a good idea. Nowadays, finger prints are being introduced instead of a password, and this would seem to be much more secure. In some cases recently, where police have found a dead body with no identification but they have a protected smartphone, they use their finger to see if this works and gives clues as to who they are!

So Now You Know... The Tallest Building The 828m (2,717ft) high Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai has been the tallest building since 2008, with 163 floors, and has been classified as being “Mega-tall”. Emarr Property Developers in Dubai have announced plans to build one higher and say it will exceed the Burj Khalifa tower by a “notch” but without any definite height as yet. The Jeddah tower in Saudi Arabia is designed to be 1,008m (3,307ft) and is due to be completed in 2020, so will then become the highest with 167 floors. The proposed Suzhou Zhonghan Centre tower to be built in China will be the third tallest with a height of 729m (2,392ft) and 137 floors when completed. The Largest US States Alaska is the largest US state with 665,000 sq. miles and has 18% of the total land area. Texas is the next largest with 269,000 sq. miles and 7% of the land area. California is in third place with 164,000 sq. miles but only 4% in total area, and Montana has 147,000 sq. miles with just less than 4%, so Alaska is larger than the next three largest states put together. New Mexico is in fifth place with 121,000 sq. miles but only amounts to 3% in total land area, and in all of the US there are eight states that are each over 100,000 sq. miles. In the whole of the US, total land area amounts to 3.8 million sq. miles which is 157 times the total area of the UK The First Road Traffic Death In August 1896, Bridget Driscoll, aged 44, became the first person in the UK to be killed by a motor vehicle. She was with her daughter and a friend in the grounds of the Crystal Palace in London. The car belonged to the Anglo-French Motor Carriage Company who were giving demonstrations. A witness described the speed as being “reckless, like a fire engine”. A few weeks before, an Act of Parliament increased the allowable speed to 14mph, from 2mph in towns and 4mph in the countryside. A verdict of accidental death was given after a six hour inquest, and the coroner, Percy Morrison, said he hoped “such a thing would never happen again”.

The Lowest Temperatures The lowest recorded temperature on earth, measured at ground level at a weather station, was minus 82.6 degrees centigrade (minus 128.6 degrees Fahrenheit) at the Soviet Vostok Station in Antarctica on July 21st, 1983. In the Mongolian part of China on December 31st, 2009, the temperature fell to minus 58 degrees centigrade (minus 72 degrees Fahrenheit), the lowest recorded temperature on mainland China. On May 26th, 2010, at the K2 mountain peak in Pakistan the temperature was measured at minus 62 degrees centigrade (minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit). As a country, Russia consistently has the lowest recorded temperatures. The Smallest Bird The colourful bee humming bird (Mellisuga helenae) is the smallest bird and is found in the Isle of Youth in Cuba. It is only 57mm (2.2in) long with half its length taken up by the bill and tail. The bird's slender, pointed bill is adapted for probing deep into flowers. The males weigh about 1.6gm (0.056 oz) although female birds may be very slightly larger. This is currently the lowest known weight of any warmblooded species and is in the Guinness World Record for this category. Because they are so small they have to compete for food. In order to have their ideal pick of nectar, male bee hummingbirds defend their favourite flowers from hawk moths and bumblebees.

Bentley Cars The first Bentley car was unveiled by W. O. Bentley at the London Motor Show in 1919 with a 3 litre engine. A 6.5 litre version won the Le Mans 24hr race from 1927-1930 and again in 2003. An 8 litre engine was described as being â€œA dead silent 100 mph carâ€?. Experiencing difficulties in selling enough cars in the recession, Bentley sold the marque to Rolls Royce in 1931 who transferred production to Derby. After WWII production was switched to their factory in Crewe, but in 1980 the aircraft company Vickers bought the manufacturing rights. Still made in Crewe, Volkswagen A.G. bought the luxury car company in 1998.

More AVE News

Murcia and 348 million Euros in Almería has been included in the 2019 budget. The money is for three sections in our province including the PulpíVera one and two others in Murcia province. As regards the Murcia link, there is now only the 26km section from Lorca to Pulpí that has not Originally the plan was that from Almería the AVE yet been put out to tender and all the sections line carried on down the coast to Motril and are twin track. Algeciras, but as the cost (particularly in Granada province) was extremely expensive there is now no continuation from Almería, and connecting lines from Madrid will go to Algeciras instead. Because of this, amidst great complaints and furore, the twin track from Murcia to Almería has been abandoned on any as yet un-built sections in Almería province. The two large tunnels at Sorbas completed many years ago will provide a passing point for trains going in each direction. It had been hoped that the single line might be built on a double track-width to allow for a second The rail pressure group in Almería, ‘La Mesa del track sometime in the future, but this has not Ferrocaril’, have welcomed the news that 348 been adopted. million Euros is for Almería, but point out that no work on any new sections has been awarded to During the seven years when the PP (Conservative any company as yet. The arrival of the AVE in government) was in power from 2011 no money Almería station has consistently been given as at all was spent in Almería province, apart from 2023, but a study published of extensions work some studies. As these included twin tracks all of necessary to the main stations in Madrid has put these became waste paper when a single track the arrival in Madrid from Almería as being 2025. was substituted. The AVE line from Pulpí, on the The Ministry of Transport have agreed that if the border of Almería and Murcia provinces, to Cuevas AVE does get to Almería in 2023 there will then was put out to tender, and the construction be extensive testing and certification that “might” company SACYR were given the contract. They extend to 2025, although this date is considered pulled out when no work was possible even after “overly pessimistic”. the finish date, as ADIF, the train authority, didn’t own all the necessary land! This section has now As yet, no-one has mentioned the tortoises! In been extended to Vera where there will be a the Pulpí to Cuevas line it passes through a natural station, so the Pulpí-Cuevas link is now the Pulpí- habitat of the endangered ‘Tortuga Mora’ breed Vera link. of tortoises. These have to be moved “at the right time of year”, and two locations were proposed In all fairness to the PP government, some finance that would have meant the expropriation of some for the missing sections was earmarked, but a houses, agricultural buildings, and fertile land. PSOE (Socialist) party coalition took over the After strenuous protests a third location was Spanish Government in June 2018. María Jesús agreed, suggested from the word go by ecologists Montero, the new Finance Minister, has announced from Almería University, where the tortoises and that 258 million Euros for work on the AVE in agriculture will co-exist in harmony. he acronym ‘AVE’ refers to the Spanish High Speed train projects, ‘Alta Velocidád Española’. In our area, as part of “The Mediterranean Corridor” from France, the AVE comes from Murcia to Almería city.

The Long Awaited Court Case

n February 12th, an extremely important and unique court case started in the Madrid High Court. Predicted to last until May it has attracted 80 international accredited journalists. Very unusually, the entire proceedings with seven judges are being televised on Spanish TV. 500 witnesses are due to appear including Pedro Sánchez, the current Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, the previous Prime Minister, and Soroya Sáenz de Santamaría, his Deputy Prime Minister.

term of 25 years for rebellion. Other prison terms requested for rebellion and misuse of public funds for five people come down from 17 years to 7 years, three persons are charged with misuse of public funds and disobedience, and three charged solely with disobedience. The Solicitor General is asking for prison terms of between 7-12 years. All of the accused face a ban on holding office (so they can’t be MPs, mayors, or councillors) for a number of years. There are six people who are not in court including Carles Puigdemont, the ex-President of In the dock are 12 people from Catalonia which is Catalonia, and five other ex-MPs who fled Spain to one of the 17 autonomous communities of Spain, avoid arrest and are still in exile. Carlos Puigdemont with 7.5 million inhabitants. To give an idea of size, there are 8.34 million inhabitants of our autonomous community of Andalucía. 11 of the persons on trial are former politicians, most of them ex-ministers, including the ex-Vice President, who made up the government in Catalonia until October 26th, 2017. The same day, the parliament in Catalonia was dissolved by central government who took over the running of Catalonia with Soroya Sáenz de Santamaría assuming overall responsibility. In Spain, prosecutions in court are made by La Fiscalía, the equivalent of the UK Crown Prosecution Service, but what is completely unique is that the Solicitor General of Spain, who represents the Spanish State, is also mounting their own prosecution. All the offences relate to the preparation and holding of the illegal independence referendum in Catalonia on October 1st, 2017, and the declaration of independence made on October 26th. As far as La Fiscalía is concerned, all the offences are against the Spanish Criminal Code or defiance of legal court rulings which include rebellion (with incitement to violence), misuse of public funds and disobedience of legal orders. They do not consider that the prosecution is politically motivated. As regards the Solicitor General her accusations are that some of the offences were against the Spanish written constitution and the Spanish state, and amount to treason. Nine of those in the dock have been on remand in prison since the end of 2017. The most serious charges relate to Oriol Junqueras, the ex-Deputy Prime Minister, and La Fiscalía is asking for a prison

The first series of offences relate to demonstrations for independence that were called for September 20th & 21st but banned by the courts which had authorized the police to make 40 raids to confiscate documents. Despite this, 40,000 people turned up with a lot of violence between police and demonstrators and two Guardia Civil vehicles were wrecked. On October 1st an illegal referendum banned by the courts took place, and this developed into a shambles. Various polling stations had been shut, and it is absolutely clear that many pro-independence persons voted multiple times. Finally, on October 26th a document was signed in the Catalonia parliament stating that Catalonia was making a unilateral declaration of independence, outlawed by the Spanish Constitution. The same day central government dissolved Parliament and took over the running of Catalonia.

A Rocky Road for Ryanair

yanair is still the undisputed king of low cost flights, and when they first started offering cheap flights they revolutionised the passenger industry. They adopted the market trader principle of “stack them high and sell them cheap”. 2018 was their annus horribilis year with many problems, some of their own making, and they finished up with a previously unheard of negative profit of 19.6 million Euros. So far, they have cut their predicted profit for 2019 three times from 1.2-1.3 billion Euros down to 1.1-1.2 billion Euros, and now 1.0-1.1 billion Euros. There is a warning that a further adjustment downwards may have to be announced. Ryanair is by no means the only low cost airline facing difficulties, and Norwegian Air, one of their rivals, is closing operating bases in Rome, Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Palma, all airports where Ryanair compete with them. This low cost airline has rebuffed a proposal that they are taken over by the UK based IAG group that includes British Airways and Iberia. FlyBMI have been in big trouble, a proposed takeover by Virgin Atlantic didn’t happen, and they went bust on February 16th. The Icelandic low cost airline WOW has been in difficulties with a purchase agreed from their rival Icelandic Air. Will Ryanair go bust? The absolutely sure answer is that by their sheer size they can weather the storm. Michael O’Leary, the flamboyant boss of Ryanair, is quite optimistic that as rivals disappear they will be able to attract more customers.

is looking at flights months in advance and they juggle prices continually. Low seat prices encourage bookings and passengers may well decide this is going to be the cheapest price, but after the prices have risen they can go back down even lower. Other passengers book when prices are going up and they are worried about further increases, but then they go down again! In the middle of February, Ryanair were offering flights in May from Málaga to Stansted for 9 & 10 Euros.

Apart from all the cancellations at the beginning of 2018 Ryanair have been forced to recognise unions in various countries. Previously, they considered that all employees who were permanent, or part of a pool that they employed when they wanted them, were effectively Irish, and treated accordingly. The EU ruled that the country their staff treated as their home determined the labour laws they were subject to, and Ryanair have had to accept this. They hope that 90% of disputes have been settled with no major strikes for the rest of this year.

Common problems are that the winter is always a period when airlines have to tighten their belts with reduced passenger numbers, and there has been a very serious increase in the price of fuel. Current prices are 40% more than the same period in 2018, but at the end of 2018 they were 50% higher. Ryanair normally have long term contracts with fuel suppliers for a fixed price, but this has not stopped an overall increase in their costs. It has been announced that Michael O’Leary has stepped down from his daily “hands on” position All low cost airlines have been reducing fares to try and is now Group CEO with a five year contract. His and get a larger share of the market. Anyone looking overall responsibility will be the running of the whole at the wide swings in the price of fares from Ryanair Ryanair group comprising Ryanair, Laudamotion, finds them completely incomprehensible! The airline Ryanair Sun, and Ryanair UK.

Julen, the 2 Year Old Toddler

t 1.57pm on Sunday, January 13th, Málaga’s 112 emergency centre received an urgent call. A woman told them: “A child has fallen down a small hole, he needs to be rescued, his mother is crying and screaming.” The woman and her husband were hiking when they heard screams from a rural property near Totálan, a small town near Málaga with only 700 residents. Three adults were kneeling beside a bore hole and two of them were the parents of Julen, a small two-year-old toddler, who had fallen down the hole.

80,000m2 of material was excavated and the platform carved out was 25m below the top of the bore hole. The Spanish Minister of Defence sent a military plane to collect a mine rescue team based in Asturias and a company in Murcia despatched large steel pipes to line the shaft. Engineers designed a capsule big enough for two men and some equipment, which could be lowered down the hole.

Within half an hour, teams from all sectors of the emergency services had arrived on the scene and found a bore hole only 28cm in diameter. By 2.30pm a company with a robotic camera were on their way there and at a depth of 71m they found a blockage and a bag of sweets that the toddler had been carrying. As the news spread, a company in Cádiz set off with long suction pipes used to suck up sand. Vehicle access was extremely bad, so local companies were asked to send JCBs and excavators to carve out a proper road. Meanwhile, structural and mining engineers from Málaga were called out to give their advice, and it was obvious that any rescue was going to be extremely difficult. Large extra numbers of police, firemen, and civil protection personnel were called to the scene, a command post was set up, and floodlights and generators arrived. The suction lorry was only able to suck out a small amount of material, so this plan was abandoned as being impractical. The owner of the company who had drilled the bore hole told the police he had gone down to a depth of 110m to find water, but stated he had capped the hole. Engineers decided that a parallel vertical shaft would have to be drilled and a machine that could drill a 1.5m hole was located near Madrid, so it set off with a police escort. Earthmoving and large dumper truck equipment were needed to cut into the side of the hill, and downwards as far as possible.

Local townspeople provided accommodation and a team of women set up a canteen and soup kitchen that operated round the clock. Eventually 300 people were involved in the rescue. The drilling machine encountered some hard rock and the optimistic time of 15hrs to complete the shaft stretched into 50hrs. When the mining rescue team were able to use the capsule to dig a 4m horizontal connecting shaft this took another 20hrs and small explosive charges had to be used. They broke into the bore hole at 1.25am on the morning of January 26th after 13 days, but encountered Julen’s lifeless body. An autopsy revealed that he had suffered multiple injuries and almost certainly had died when he fell down the hole. Police and a judge in Málaga opened a formal investigation relating to the initial drilling of the bore hole. Devastatingly, Julen’s parents had had another son, Óliver, who died of a heart attack at the age of three in 2017. Julen was laid to rest alongside his older brother.

Taking Over Abandoned Villages

fficial figures are that there are 2,800 villages in Spain that are abandoned with no residents. In Galicia the total is given as 1,600 with 690 in Asturias, and 240 in Castilla y León. In other areas, including Almería province, there are several. In the vast majority of cases the abandoned villages are in rural areas where the former population moved out. Usually, there are no mains water or electricity connections, and no proper roads. Various groups of persons who wish to enjoy an alternative lifestyle have moved into these villages and restored many of the houses, set up solar panels, basic sewage systems, and cultivation and craft workshops. Many of these are run as communities with decisions made by the whole group and they all live in harmony. Visitors are made welcome who may be thinking of setting up their own group and wish to see how it is done. This would seem to be an ideal solution for those people who wish to preserve the ecosystem with an alternative lifestyle. There are about 14 major settlements in Spain who have formed organizations, and in Almería province we have the Sunseed Desert Technology group at Sorbas. One group is in Fraguas in Guadalajara in the Natural Park of Sierra Norte that covers 125,000 hectares (483 square miles). In 2013 a group of 15 young people abandoned their homes and lifestyle in Madrid and formed their own association, ‘Fragua Revive’. They have repaired houses, installed solar panels, use spring water, and state that they have an extreme respect for the rural countryside and the environment. Unfortunately, the authorities are not impressed and they have been taken to court for occupying public land. Six members have been given an 18 month prison term (so a suspended sentence) but have to bear the cost of demolition. There has been a large condemnation of this locally and more than 1,000 people signed a petition. Another collective live in the Natural Park of Sierra de Aracena in Huelva province (part of Andalucía), and people started going there 35 years ago. There are now 115 families with about 50 children in three

linked areas. Only one of them has a decent road access and mules provide transport for the other two. The collective point out that they have stopped a school being closed, they have their own nursery, and craft workshops that provide some income. Over the years they have bought various plots of land but recently the Environment Department of the Junta de Andalucía have decided that 22 houses don’t comply with regulations. In this case a court in Huelva has highly criticised the town hall for being “inactive” for all this time. One family where there was a test court case previously were ordered to demolish their house, and the couple given another prison term of 18 months. The higher court has now ruled that nothing can happen for five years and in this time the settlement should be made legal.

The left wing political party, Unidos Podemos, have tabled a motion in the Spanish Parliament. They are asking that regulations are changed so that many of the settlements in Spain can be declared legal with proper regulations, no longer be in a legal limbo, and this needs doing soon. Toní Marin is the spokesperson of the Spanish Association of Settlements in Rural Areas and states that living with the environment, restoring some rural areas to agriculture, and disconnection from mains electricity by using solar panels, should be congratulated and not condemned.

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

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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. Cervantes Alarcon Consulting (Garrucha) 950 106490 / 647 863787 ACCOUNTING AFIRA (Mojácar) .........................................................622 549019 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 Acupuncture Antonio Herrero ......................................670 099725 Asesoría Forte (Vera) ..........................950 395778 / 682 372196

AIR CONDITIONING 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 Richard Hayes ...........................................................603 567676 Cazorla Martinez (Turre) .........................................950 479137 Solo Satellite & Air-Con. (See p.55)...950 398146 / 699 909737

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Williams Electrical (Andy)........................................…..677 741366

ANTIQUES

AIRPORT PARKING

Buy Buy Auctions ...................................................681 095096 Delfos (Mojácar) ......................................................647 163681

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)

ARCHITECTS Angel Pardo (Técnico) .......................950 121960 / 687 939315 Antonio Martinez de la Casa .....................................950 092094 Blas Haro Morales (Mojácar).......................................639 317429 Daniel González Aranda (Vera) ......................................686 846 624 Elena Acebo Architects (Huércal-Overa) .669 680098 / 950 134976 Paula Puente (Mojácar) .............................................610 433001

Exclusive Airport Shuttles (See p.11)......................950 092602

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 ALARMS & SECURITY Melanie .....................................................................638 495784 AC Security ........................................950 387822 / 657 397218 Miki ...........................................................................628 458491 AXA ...........................................................................950 478763 Roberto Lombardi ................................950 930757 / 671 800317 B-Safe Digital Security Solutions ..............................634 349859 The Gallery (La Concepción) ..................................607 146352 CD Electrical Services ......................662 414043 / 617 410534 AUCTIONS Prosegur Alarms .........................................................608 825509 Safes & Security (Dean)...........................................666 949213 A & A Auctions (Albox) ………..............950 064576 / 661 759882 SE Telecoms ..............................................................697 780499 Securitas Direct (Phil Lennon) .................................696 116803

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

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AUTOMATIC DOORS & GATES The Metal Works (Albox).......................950 930520 / 638 900949

AWNINGS & BLINDS 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 Speedyfit ...................................................................600 006032 Toldos Farrago (Vera) ...............................................667 567564

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

Los Gallardos Apolo ……………................................................……600 495182 Meson Verfran ………...................................................637 810143

Mojácar Bar Alizee ...............................................................950 091810 Bar Esencial ........................................630 26626 / 618 826092 Bar Luz ....................................................................654 866110

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

BARS & CAFES See also Restaurants Albox Bar Lepanto .........................................................................642 391433 Cafe-Bar Oasis ………......................................…....669 242166 Chapman’s ...............................................................950 091188 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

Beachcomber ..............................................................634 339216 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 Lucero ………..................................................……….673 544617

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

Huércal-Overa El Capricho …..........................................................697 297235 New Why Not? ............................................................950 135614

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

008003 919025 393235 684855

Las Buganvillas To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

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Marcelo’s .................................................................950 Martinis ....................................................................950 Mesón Felipe San Bernabé ................950 475966 / 631 Mesón Mémé ……………...........……….674 141159 / 647 Mimi’s Bar ..................................................................651

031812 Pub Millionaire ....................................950 617467 / 637 255978 285330 301368 954405 872604

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

Turre Alice’s Bar ……….......................................................677 161705 Moca Cafe Bar …......................................................950 452885 Chili ...................................................950 468425 / 608 802227 Peaky Blinders ........................................................602 890151 La Pará ……………............................................……637 545590 Playa Blanca ........................................950 473001 / 639 507520 Rosie Lees .............................................................643 198600 Rincon de Zahorí ................................630 314400 / 625 103672 Rose & Crown (See p.15)........................................634 796884 Rusty Nail …………....................................................950 472786 San Pedro Belgian Bar .............................................722 485340 Scotty's …...................................................................687 382540 The Emerald Isle .....................................................950 475391 The Irish Rover (See p.43).........................................950 473135 The Lemon Lounge .............................................….950 472659 The Roof Garden .................................................674 113218 Trufibar ....................................................................664 103611 Twister (Mojácar Playa) ........................………………950 472357 Valery Music ..............................................................950 615537 Wine Not? ............................................................... 950 100077 Valle del Este Hole in One Karen’s Bar ......................950 461068 / 677 655790

Palomares

102 Tapas Bar …………...........................……………..615 157905. Vera Casa de la Vega ......................................................950 Asagía Asador ........................................................640 210185 La Amistad …………….…......................................…666 Centro Plaza ................................................................950 618614 La Dulce Casa ….................................................…….950 467768 Vera Playa The Oasis Bar ....................................950 467381 / 676 365010 Bar La Reva .................................634 398465 / 618 El Balconcito .............................................................635 Piedra Amarilla, Partaloa Frankie’s Bar .....................................950 467541 / 622 Lorena’s ...................................................................634 397621 La Buena Mesa ……............................950 467222 / 610 Pueblo Laguna La Peperina .............................................................677 Bar Restaurant Laguna ……….........................……..950 132566 Restaurante Tibu .....................................................950 Grace’s Bar ................................................................950 532339 The Blue Parrot ......................................................950

391208 622085 541115 589909 649469 356387 420243 133747 467682

Villaricos 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

BARS (BEACH BARS) Aku Aku (Mojácar) .(See previous page).950 478981 / 607 347612 Alma (Mojácar) …......................................................950 805928 Ankara Beach Terrace (Mojácar) ………........………..950 473042 Armony Beach Club (Vera Playa) …......……………..617 745021

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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 Sol y Arena (Mojácar) ..............................................950 478308 Tito’s (Mojácar) ..........................................................950 615030 Trufibar ....................................................................664 103611

Castellón (Bédar) .......................................................642 435909 Hostal La Parata (Mojácar) ........................................950 472670

BEDS & BEDDING Buy Buy Auctions ...................................................681 095096 Colchón San Gines (Huércal-Overa) ........................950 809519 Furniture Plus (Puerto de Mazarron)...968 153907 / 678 083491 Me & Mrs Jones (Los Llanos market) ......................0044 7850 840288 Sleepcentre (Albox) (See p.6) ..........868 931872 / 671 715294

BATHROOMS & SHOWERS ABS Advanced Building Services ..............................687 846016 Ana Rodríguez (Huércal-Overa) ..........950 939154 / 606 784598 Cerrajería Jara (Las Buganvillas) ……………………..950 109986 Complete Renovations (See p.17) .....644 389255 / 672 379960 BICYCLE HIRE Cristalería Omega (Mojácar) …..........950 478137 / 670 500711 Dorothy Baños (Albox)...................................................661 463842 Aguila Bike (Las Buganvillas) ........................................950 133063 Enrique Aguirre S.L. (Garrucha) .................................950 460028 BiciStar (Vera) ……............................................……667 024001 Homes & Beyond (Garrucha) ....................................950 132458 BikeRun Sport (Albox) …………………950 930190 / 678 166252 Bikespin (Huércal-Overa) ................. 950 927678 / 662 543056 Dazzlem (Vera Playa) ...........................627 818719 / 673 589874 Doltcini (Mojácar) ................................950 092600 / 658 028646 Lufran Bike Sport …………....................................….607 074753 Mountain Biking Spain …...............……637 831509 / 661 178656 Rock & Road (Garrucha) .............................850 992805 / 628 2633389 Rodeca Bike Zone ..................................................950 132525 Weekend Sport (Las Buganvillas) .........................950 460738

BICYCLE SALES, MAINTENANCE & CLOTHING Mojácar Home Improvements ...................................950 473104 Aguila Bike (Las Buganvillas) ........................................950 133063 BikeRun Sport (Albox) …………………950 930190 / 678 166252 Bikespin (Huércal-Overa) ................. 950 927678 / 662 543056 Doltcini (Clothing) (Mojácar) ..............950 092600 / 658 028646 Lufran Bike Sport …………....................................….607 074753 Rock & Road (Garrucha) .............................850 992805 / 628 2633389 Rodeca Bike Zone ..................................................950 132525 Weekend Sport (Las Buganvillas) ............................950 460738

BLINDS see Awnings & Blinds BOATS & NAUTICAL Veramotor S.A. ............................................................950 392552 SpeedyFit (Screens) ..................................................600 006032 BOAT TRIPS Toldos Farrago (Screens)(Vera) ................................667 567564 Glass Bottom Boat (Villaricos port) ….......................662 604456 BEAUTY See Hair, Health & Beauty Orca Steve (Mojacar, Garrucha) ..............................634 352873 Partylevante (Puerto Deportivo Garrucha) ...............680 942141 BED & BREAKFAST Sunshine Charters (Garrucha) ....................................634 398074 Casa Barranca (Huercal Overa) ..............................648 250699 BOOKS Casa Montes Guesthouse (Arboleas) ..................... 686 400331 Librería Nobel (Vera) ................................................950 392642

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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 Indalo 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 VeraSur SL (Vera) ....................................................950 393028

BUILDING SERVICES ABS Advanced Building Services ..............................687 846016 Adam's Building Services .............................………..600 041820 Alan Barker ........................................950 099913 / 600 268176 AlmeriaBuilders.com ……......................659 685133 / 950 9305202 Arboleas Building ………........………........................634 306690 Ben Foster Building Services (See p.61)..................642 471236 CES Builders (Paul) ................................................685 017178 Charlie Fyre ..............................................................686 833444 Complete Renovations (See p.17) .....644 389255 / 672 379960 Cutler’s Carpentry .................................................697 907708 David Croft (Urcal) ………....................................……661 148067 David Pritchard Construcciones ................................617 698418

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Elegant Homes S.L. ..............................950 092603 / 687 629777 Caracola (Mojácar) .............................950 473157 / 637 545814 Elite Constructions .......................................................636 092632 Genco Construction ...................................................607 271869 J B General Builder ................................................. 687 024884 Mario the Handyman ................................................642 245017 Mat Murray ...............................................................647 841750 MD Building Services ..........................628 414861 / 628 414862 Nash Groundworks ..................................................722 546192 PR Building Services ................................................662 422170

Costa Coches (Mojácar) ........................950 459208 / 950 069272 Europcar ............................................950 615101 / 654 297681 Mo-Car (Mojácar) ................................950 478307 / 626 976973

Solvi Car (Mojácar) …………....................................950 478151 SRS Vehicle Services ................................................950 449095

CAR WASH & VALETING Denis’s Car Wash (Mojácar Playa) ...............................643 198320 Paul Acreman (General Builder) ..............……………607 196779 Saxon’s Complete Building Services ....618 920126 / 968 485729 Sierra Construcción .................................................611 028716 Valoser Obras .............................................................642 016954 Vision Design and Build ............................................600 985583

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

CAKES TO ORDER Alison’s Homemade British Cakes .............................639 028517 Moca Cafe Bar (Mojácar).........................................950 452885 Occasion Cupcakes (Velez Rubio) ............................634 329403 The Cake Boutique (Arboleas) ............................+44 7800 892244

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 Jones’s Mobile Valeting ............................................661 571939 Auto Corner (Limousines) .....................950 069198 / 667 439671

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Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com Bédar Madera (Bédar) ................................................687 503181 Cutler’s Carpentry .................................................697 907708 Go2 Joinery & Services ...........................................674 963957 Mojacar Carpentry & Home Improvements ...............603 688622 Simon the Woodworker .............................................667 989270 Unicraft …..............................................................…692 176069 Vision Design and Build .........................................600 985583 Wildwood Bespoke Joinery ......................................634 328574

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

CATERING / EVENTS

CARD SHOPS

See also Wedding & Party Planning

C.A.T. Services (La Alfoquía) (See p.31).950 634388 / 627 635514 Elite Cuisine ..........................................................610 Colin the Card (Albox) .........................................…..650 600032 Hog Roasts .............................................................671 Forget Me Not (Las Buganvillas) ............................663 302740 The Whole Hog / Hog Roast parties ..968 485729 / 618 Soft Ice Cream and Frozen Yoghurt Machines............600

994435 851135 920126 006032

CATTERY see Kennels CHILDREN & BABY Baby Basics (Equipment Hire, Albox) ........................950 104345 Mobility Almería (Mojácar Playa) ..............................634 322475 Meditania, Children’s Activity Centre (Turre) ...........661 751244 Funky Monkeys, Pre-school Group (Mojácar) .....……697 264179 Smartie Pants the Clown ............................................617 815221 The Baby Hire Centre ..............................................615 806126

CHIMNEY SWEEPING & REPAIRS Total Entertainment (Albox) ......................................950 121318 Total Entertainment (Arboleas) .................................678 009051 Paul the Chimney Sweep …………..617 150300 / 850 993057 Total Entertainment (Mojácar) ……….................……950 615596 Sammy Sweep ..........…............................…………..619 070839 Total Entertainment (Turre) .........................................950 468295 CARPENTRY

CHINESE & ASIAN RESTAURANTS

Chino Peking (Garrucha) .............................................950 Dragon Chino (Las Buganvillas) ..................................950 Gran Muralla (Albox) ................................................950 Gran Muralla (Turre) ……............................................950 Palacio Imperial Marina (Mojácar Playa) ….................950 Restaurante Asia - Maribo Kitchen ...........................950

132948 133226 120166 618880 472208 110420

CHIROPODIST & PODIATRISTS Clinica Podológica (Garrucha) ..................................950 132768 Kim White (Vera Playa) ………...................................637 149659

CHIROPRACTOR Maximilian Bolté (Garrucha)

.............950 133515 / 650 700783

The Almería Focus 5,000 copies delivered monthly to 250 places. Advertise and get your business seen. Call Lee on 634 32 22 76 or Clare on 670 84 92 65. To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

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CIVIL ENGINEERS Isabel Morales ........................................................617 749105

George’s Sales & Repair (Vera Playa) ..950 042338 / 661 375489 IKamale-on ……………...............................................950 616521 Infordatox (Albox) .....................................................950 633223 Mark Adamou (Mojácar) .....................634 324918 / 634 306799 Mr. Micro (Turre) ....................................................950 479502 PC Playa (Mojácar) .................................................634 356498

CLAIRVOYANCY / PSYCHIC READINGS Anna (Tarot) ……….........................................………670 897832 Chrissie Cremore ....................................................634 349638 Psychic Karen (Turre) …..........................................678 118108 PC-Solutions (Mojácar) ..............................................637 459293 PhonePC (Garrucha) .................................................950 133502 CLOTHING (Personalised) AdverTees (Mojácar Playa) ..........................634 336789 PRYS Informatica (Antas) ........................................617 382511 Rascals Designs ............................... 950 064665 / 686 582140 Tikka Uniforms (Mojácar) ….......................................667 479903

CONSERVATORIES

AA Window Doctor ......................…............................630 231644 Screenmasters (See p.45)......….…..........................677 152911 CLEANING SERVICES Amba Cleaners ........................................................697 516955 SpeedyFit ........................................950 472357 / 600 006032 Chris .......................................................................627 565049 COUNSELLING / HEALING Clean Team …………..............………850 993202 / 694 440184 Ashlí (Naturopath & yoga therapies) .......................643 102335 Cherie's Ironing & Cleaning (Mojácar) ............………634 301389 Acupuncture & Massage ...........................................637 120429 Crystal Clear ............................................................637 229464 Barbara Clarke ...........................................................637 469937 Daisy Proaño Alcivar (Contract & private) ……...….663 538596 Chrissie Cremore (Reiki)............................................634 349638 Idea (Mojácar) .. ......................................................605 162709 Donald Mackinnon (Hypnotherapist) ........................628 651022 Jone’s Upholstery & Rug cleaning ….........…………661 571939 Emotional Freedom Technique/Healer …....................645 290728 Limpiezas Cristina ….............................................…660 306695. Eve Morgan .............................................................647 203652 Limpiezas Maxlim (Palomares) ……...678 567783 / 629 680161 Fred Smithers (Acupuncture) ...............950 930456 / 618 107351 Upholstery & Leather Cleaning ...................................636 193256 Gill Ballard (Healer/Counsellor) ...............................663 336655 Heaven Scent Holistics ...........................................663 923733 COMPUTERS Advance Digital ........................................................616 506569 Hypnotherapy (Karen) ............................................678 118108 Beep (Garrucha) ……………..................................….950 133059 Dr. Jane Thompson (Psychotherapy)...968 485729 / 618 920126 Compleo Personal I.T. Centre .................................….950 393689 Karen Green (Holistic Therapist) .........615 163416 / 850 993150 Connexions (Turre) (See front cover).......................950 479502 Kate Roberts ...........................................................950 469540 C.Y.G. Vera ...........................................................950 393350 Lucy Lovejoy (CraneoSacral Therapist) .....................647 045919 Don Robinson .........................................................646 587746 Malcolm Forrest-Hazell (Counsellor/Psychotherapist) ...693 489725 Dynos Informatica (Albox) …………...................……..950 430806 Norman & Carole Monro ..........................................950 439205 Sara Vigar (Aromatherapy) .......................................665 334895

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

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CYBERCAFES Can Connect (Albox) …........................................…..950 Total Entertainment (Albox) ......................................950 Total Entertainment (Arboleas) .................................678 Total Entertainment (Turre) ........................................950 Total Entertainment (Mojácar) …….............................950

121149 121318 009051 468295 615596

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

DENTISTS / DENTAL TREATMENT Shiatsu (Wendy) ....................................................671 851135 Centro Dental Dr. Cremades (Vera) ........................950 390655 Sue Osman (Healer) ………...............950 473021 / 600 847964 Clinica Dental (Albox) ..............................................950 120732 Clinica Dental, Multicentro (Mojácar) ........................950 478989 COURIER DELIVERIES Clinica Dental Palomares .....................950 109710 / 670 878427 Nacex (Mojácar) ………..................................……….950 472940 Clinica Dental, Parque Comercial (Mojácar) .............950 478534 Offex Spain ................................…….......................966 765950 Clinica Dental Saludent (Huércal-Overa) ……………..950 135672 Spanish Property Choice (Easypost) ..950 615388 / 635 722290 Dentalbox (Albox) .........................................................950 121284 Nadal Pérez, M A (Turre) .........................................950 479444 CRAFTS Odonto Stetic (Los Gallardos) ...........722 706732 / 950 398993 Elaine's Wools (Arboleas) ........................................667 273889 Puerta de Vera (Vera) ........................................950395319 Simply Art (Albox) …...................................................662 443095 Valero Martinez (Garrucha) ………............................950 132047

CURRENCY

DIET PLANS & WEIGHT LOSS

Currencies Direct (Mojácar) ...............950 478914 / 626 916443 Ashlí (Naturopath & yoga therapies) ..........................643 102335 Global Currency Exchange (Mojácar Playa) ..............950 615319 Image (Helen) ........................950 930192 / 665178326 CURTAINS & SOFT FURNISHINGS Issysweigh (Albox) ...................................................600 334318 Cortinas Gredécor (Vera / Huércal-Overa) ..................950 391361 Pam (Turre) ..............................................................639 465631 Curtains with Style (See p.21)...........950 069032 / 678 811125 Vicki (Turre) .............................................................650 764623

DIGGER HIRE Aridos Mojácar S.L. (Vera) .....................................650 Bob (Mini digger) (Albox) ..........................................642 Diego Ramos S.L. (Los Gallardos) ……..............…..647 Elite Plant Hire (JCB) ………….................................636 MD Digger Hire & Construction.................................634 Nash Groundworks ...................................................722

914257 392922 841750 092632 375428 546192

DIVING See Scuba Diving DOCTORS & CLINICS (Private) Analysis Clinic (Mojácar Playa) .................................950 475282 Curtainsandthings.................................................……678 684564 Centro Médico Mojácar ...............................................950 475105 Solo Style ………...............................950 528334 / 626 319907 Clinica Medica Garrucha ……...........950 133157 / 617 404500 Unicraft Upholstery ...................................................692 176069 Dr. Maria Rose (Garrucha) ..........................................950 132803 Euroclinicas (Vera) ........................................................950 391300

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Free directory entries.

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DOG GROOMING

ELECTRICIANS

Anita (5 Bone Kennels) …………......................……662 344734 Brigbe’s Dog Grooming ...........................................630 557123 Centro Garras (Huércal-Overa) ............950 616820 / 617 456548 Elite Dog Grooming (Albox) …….…...........................617 313587 Luis (Clinica Veterinaria Garrucha) ....950 132200 / 628 663616 Lulu’s (Albox) ...................................950 952940 / 600 046557 Pampered Pooches (All areas)..................................662 344734 Paws & Claws (Palomares ...........+44 7828251913 / 686 501593 Pelitos (Los Gallardos) ..............................................637 286176 Shampooch professional pet grooming ........................642 276442 SoloPerros (Turre) ..................................................674 509382 Ulti-Mutt .....................................+44 7894747657 / 634 332578

A1 Services ………....................................................679 631458 Abbott Electrical ….............................638 010691 / 950 137208 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 .....................................677 530410 / 610 750771

EMI Electrical Installations .......................................673 Fernando (Huércal Overa)...........................................677 Francisco Montoya (Mojácar) .........................……….687 N.E.Electrics (Arboleas).............................................634 Peace of Mind 24/7 ............................................... 637 Williams Electrical (Andy)......................................…..677

502867 549247 466352 358777 974662 741366

ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES CDB Natural (Huércal-Overa) ...................................950 882237 Jules Outlet (Mojácar Playa) .....................................633 640918 Voluta's Place (Mojácar Playa) …...............................699 975552

ENTERTAINERS

DOG TRAINING Didi Arias (Mojácar) ……............................................639 724521

DOORS See Windows & Doors DRY CLEANERS City Sec (Vera) .........................................................950 390255

DVD & VIDEO Total Entertainment (Albox) ......................................950 121318 Total Entertainment (Arboleas) .................................678 009051 Total Entertainment (Turre) ...950 468295 ...(Mojácar) 950 615596 VHS to DVD conversion .. ........................................647 202599

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 Euronics .............. (Albox) 950 430702 (Garrucha) 950 460832

Abbie Lou (Female vocalist) .......................................687 340544 Amy Amy Amy Tribute Band ....................................645 886919 Ashley Cathcart .......................................................693 486788 Blues Brothers ........................................................680 355376 Bob Management .......................................................666 310251 Brendan O'Dee (Singer/Guitarist) ..............................610 855964 Brian Dee ………........................................................647 897533 Carol George (Female Vocalist) ............................634 285009 Catchlove Music (Varied styles duo)…...................678 397536 DJ Digit-Al ...............................................................634 338014 Dominic Doolittle ..........................................................681 339778 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 GuitarMac ( Guitar/Vocals ) .....................................634 340476 Harmony Duo .........................................................687 340544 Jill Farmiloe (Female vocalist) .................................607 443908 Jim Mackie (Piano Man) ..........................................651 751629

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

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JuJu Entertainment ............................950 950797 / 697 462746 Kay Frances (Vocalist) ........................950 069288 / 689 404244 Kayleigh Easton (vocals) ...................................... 642 581198 Kev Moore .............................................................600 762856 Kris Kelly (Female Vocalist) .................................. 634 374525 Lady Ellen Sings .............................673 459331 / 677 475268 Loose Change ..............................................................671 754851 M & M's Rock & Roll Revue ...................................699 462859 M Soul & Motown (all music styles) ........................634 340409 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 Northern Lights Karaoke …...............................……..697 500673 Phil and The Invisibles ..................... 950 475752 / 651 045120 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 Opium Buddhas ………………….687 033106 / 667 989270 Tom Lee ……............................................................671 754851 Tony Matthews (Quiz organiser) ..............................634 391414 Tony Justice ……….............................950 950797 / 637 159249 Trio Chaos ................................................................687 361440 Triple Trouble Blues Band ........................................671 754851

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 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 Españarural (Albox) ............................950 102505 / 654 359607 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 Grupo Platinum Estates (San Juan) .950 466122 / 666 687251 Homes of Spain (Huércal Overa).........950 616516 / 616 562447 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

ESTATE AGENTS

Linnitt Properties (Turre).............................................950 479054 Mojácar Estates (See p.48)......................................950 478935

Alhambra Holdings (Mojácar)...............950 475199 / 629 673450 AlmeríaCasas ...........................................................950 387852 Almería Homes ................................0044 1273 929286 / 950 930 259 Almería Property Agency (Arboleas) ..670 596085 / 628 872334 Almeria Property Finder (Albox) ................................950 431624 Almería Prop. Investments (Las Buganvillas).950 460874 / 666 260792 Angel Property (Palomares) .....................................950 618054

Mojacarmar ......................................950 475891 / 636 903184 Multicasa Aguilas .................................................... 968 493009 Neinor Homes (Mojácar) ..........................................900 110022 New Horizon Villas (Zurgena) ..................................950 438221 New One Stop (Mojácar) (See p.13)..........................950 473040 New Wave Villas (Mojácar) (See p.25)..950 475800 / 607 146352 Next Stop Almería (See p.3)..............950 617518 / 678 034651

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

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Nicla Property Consultancy S.L. ............950 133508 / 628 585538 WPMS Inmobiliario (Villaricos) ..........678 321111 / 950 618697

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

EXCURSIONS 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 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 Property Floor Plans ................................................619 672431 Real Almería Property (Mojácar) ...........................647 868119 Realtors MB Spain .................................................678 347125

Rancho Luz del Sol (Partaloa) …..........……...……………..642 1185467

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

FASHION Dandara (Garrucha) ................................................950 617013 Etcetera (Mojácar Playa) ...........................................950 532810 Garabatis (Children's) Mojácar Playa …..........………670 035630 Glad Rags (Albox) ……….........................................634 313071 H & R Men's Fashion (Albox) …................................692 682164 Jules Outlet (Mojácar) ...............................................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

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 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 FENCING VIP Almería (Mojácar Playa) (See back)..950 472524 / 617 587903 Voss Homes (Huercal-Overa) ...................667 891 741 / 950 616 827 Chain Link Almanzora ………...................................697 801875

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

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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 CG Legal & Financial (Mojácar Playa) ..950 472504 / 670 215926 Currencies Direct (Mojácar) …....…...…950 478914 / 626 916443 Indalo Partners ........................................................950 472242 Sano Centre (Albox) ...................................................610 544306 Sano Centre (Huércal-Overa) ..................................666 021259 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

FISH & CHIPS Kingfisher (Pueblo Laguna) ......................................663 553001

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 See also Activities-Clubs-Associations

The Chippy (La Alfoquía) ........................................634 324484

FLORISTS Alison .....................................................................666 273168 Aqua Aerobics - Marianne (Arboleas) .......................637 435864 Hortiflor (Mojácar) ....................................................950 478985 Club Deportivo Puerto Rey ......................................950 460545 Isamy Florist (Los Gallardos) ...................................670 215902 Betsy Fox Zumba ....................................................603 493163 Debbie James (Personal training) (Mojácar) ...........687 619239 Dorothy Rowntree, personal trainer (Mojácar)..........666 815838 Fitness For All (Bédar) ………..........…………………..647 593323 Gimnasio Formas (Turre) .............................................950 468065 Gympower (Personal trainer) (Albox) ......................609 591606 GymXtreme Yoga (Vera) ..........................................643 102335 Javi Orta, personal trainer (Mojácar) .........................651 693681 Jova Sport Center (Mojácar Playa) …………………..950 473137 Lotus Integral Yoga Centre (Mojácar) ........................617 719913 Platino Gym (Mojácar Playa) .....................................950 284845 To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

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LIS Florist (Garrucha) ................................................950 460901 Lifestyle Enclosures Europe S.L. (See p. 9) 950 459060 / 638 063196 Penny’s Florist (Mojacar) ..........................................645 351767 SpeedyFit ..............................................950 472357 / 600 006032 Persa Floristas (Albox) …….......................................950 120211 Toldos Farrago (Vera) ...............................................667 567564 Tony Justice ...................................…..950 950797 / 637 159249 FLY SCREENS Ventanas y Puertas Mojacar S.L. ......................…….950 473104 AA Window Doctor ..............……….........................…630 231644 Armadillo …..............................................................663 303350 FOOD SHOPS Bugs ...........................................................................600 049515 Catch of the Day UK Fishmonger ........ 634 301490 / 634 304288 Coastal Mosquitoes ...........................606 040462 / 610 000700 Eurowise (Albox) ……………….............................…..950 439801 Gastronomía (Delicatessen) (Las Buganvillas) .......950 132048 Home Sweet Home (Turre) ...............................……..950 479487 La Maruja (Mojácar) ..................................................664 647171 La Venta de Alfaix Minimarket (Alfaix) ..........................950 469660 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 Miraflores Restaurant (Camping Los Gallardos) .........650 418954

FUNERAL COMPANIES CollyFer (Huércal Overa) …….............617 456259 / 617 456335 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 Curtains with Style (See p.21).........950 069032 / 678 811125 Golden Leaves Funeral Plans (Benitachell)............. 966 493082 Dave ........................................................................634 351275 Iberian Funeral Plans (See p.35)...........951 203994 / 965 993498

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

Free directory entries.

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

FURNITURE, RUSTIC/HANDMADE La Buena Artesania (Mojácar) ....................................950 475508 The Furniture Doctor .............................................667 989270

FURNITURE & FURNISHINGS Abodes (Mojácar Playa) ...............................................647 901478 Buy Buy Auctions ...................................................681 095096 Casa Carma (Turre) ...................................................645 080310 Continental Descanso (Antas) 950 459011 (Albox) ...950 633288 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

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).................................….........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 Muebles La Simona (Garrucha) ...............................950 132443 Sofa & Sofa (Las Buganvillas) ..........654 596247 / 654 596220 Unicraft (Upholstery) ..................................................692 176069

GARDENS 24hr Casaserve ..................................950 466438 / 676 306269

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Agave …….................................................................617 826334 Cristalería Omega (Mojácar) …..........950 478137 / 670 500711 Antas Garden Centre (El Real) .............................610 243838 Cristalería Rubi (Vera) ………......................................950 390546 Cedar Landscapes …….............……....................…620 112193 SpeedyFit ............................................950 472357 / 600 006032 Chris (Gardening) .................................................643 082899 GOLD & JEWELLERY BUYING Clean Team …………..............………850 993202 / 694 440184 Complete Pool & Property Maintenance 634 343541 / 634 891709 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 Mel Wood Landscapes ...................................0044 7973843706 Mobile Shredder & Mulch Garden Service .............687 024884 Nash Groundworks ..................................................722 546192 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 Potty Finca Services ..................……..950 163930 / 616 855294 Neil Evans (Desert Springs Golf Resort) ............... 638 Riegos y Conducciones (Antas, El Real) .................950 459146 Valle del Este (Vera) ...............................................676

GAS INSTALLATION & REPAIRS Smith Plumbing (Spanish Authorised).........................950 468041

479176 526671 531821 256923

GRASS, ARTIFICIAL 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 GAS TANK SUPPLIERS Gas Alboran ..........................................656 662000 / 950 259382

GIFT SHOPS Isabella (Vera Playa) ......................................................637 188901

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

Affinity Beauty Treatments (Turre) ............................678 992093 Anavi Estillistas (Palomares) .....................................670 094722 Ashlí (Naturopath & yoga therapies) ..........................643 102335 Avon Co-ordinator (Jane) ……...................................670 722705 Avon Cosmetics (Arboleas) ………........................….691 987454 Avon Cosmetics (Bedar) ...........................................950 398980 Avon Cosmetics (Húercal Overa) …....647 092010 / 950 137208 Avon Cosmetics (Los Gallardos) .............................687 960362 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 Beaches (Hair & Beauty) (Mojácar) ..............................950 473110 Beauty by Marilyn ....................................................950 398852 Beauty Center (Mojácar) (See p.37)..........................687 480694

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Bonita Hair & Beauty Salon (Mojácar) ......................950 CDB Natural (Skin care) (Huércal-Overa) ................950 Centro Estética (Mojácar Playa) …..................………950 Claire & Inma (Mojácar Playa) ................................950

473159 882237 472680 147630

Cloud 9 (Mojácar) .......................................................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 Farrow's Hair Design (Arboleas) .................................950 634346 Favola (Las Buganvillas) (See p.7).........................675 622216 Heaven Scent (Huércal-Overa) ……....................…..663 923733 IIsabel Castaño (Hairdresser, Bédar) ..666 045552 / 950 469462 Jean & Co.(Mojácar Playa) ……..............................…950 615094 Jenny’s Hair Design (Albox) .....................................620 447858 Kyra Beauty Salon (Arboleas) ...........950 106294 / 643 357906 Jing Nails .................................................................622 251432 Julian Hair Design ....................................................634 354507 Julie Rodriguez .......................................................634 338017 Kim White (Beauty)(Vera & Mobile) ………...……….637 149659 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) ........................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 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 092604 Graham (oil heating) ……….....................................620 112193 Neater Heater ………...................................………….634 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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Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com 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 David .............................................................................. 950 099905 Linda Pettit .............................................................642 016954 Sharon Presley ..........................................................648 069200

HOUSE CLEARANCE Almeria Castaño House Clearance .........................611 028716 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

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

INSURANCE Adeslas ............................................950 472701 / 633 431900 Albox Insurance .......................................................950 121943 Sound Systems ..........................…............................630 231644

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 Alhambra Holdings (Mojácar)...............950 475199 / 629 673450 239696

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 Hotel Valhalla (Carboneras) ......................................950 130444 Hotel Valle del Este ...................................................950 398743

ASSSA Seguros (Vera) (See p.31)............……………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 García & Trinidad (Albox) …….............950 120340 / 620 240563 Gestoría Salvador (Mojácar Playa) ..........................950 473192 Grupo Catalana Occidente (Mojácar Pueblo) 950 478061 / 653 806 908

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Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com Ibex Insurance Services Ltd (Mojácar & Albox) ........950 120070 Liberty Seguros (Turre) ….................950 479568 / 620 179206 Liberty Seguros (See p.23).....................................913 422549 Linea Directa ………....................................................902 123248 Mapfre (Mojácar) ...950 478151 (Garrucha)................950 617376 Maxine Morgan Liberty Seguros (Las Buganvillas) ........669 074 996 Mojácar Insurance ...................................................634 323399 Sol y Mar (Albox) ……….....................950 064584 / 654 590258 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

INTERNET CAFES see Cybercafes INTERNET TV Connexions (Turre) (See front cover).......................950 479502 DCM Digitek Comms (Mojácar) (See p.19) .950 472947 / 670 084438 Europa Digital .......................................950 133233 / 678 332815 Ezetv .......................................................................950 091112 GSF Communications ................................................950 473102 IPTV UK ....................................................................603 613918 IPTV Spain UKTV ...............................654 617496 / 699 386277 Mobility Almería (Mojácar Playa) .............................634 322475 PC Playa (Mojácar) ......................................................634 356498 S E Telecoms ............................................................697 780499 UKTV Almería ....................................850 993202 / 694 440184

INTERNET PROVIDERS Albox Online ...........................................................950 091111

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Free directory entries.

Call 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com Traducciones Levante ...............................................606 953775 Wendy Interpreter/Translator ................................. 661 194278 Yamile (Written Translations) ....................................626 207575

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

JEWELLERY Castellón (Bédar) .................. ....................................642 Jewellery Paula (Albox) ...........................................960 Joyería Pérez (Garrucha) ........................................950 Connexions (Turre) ……..............................…………..950 479502 La Luna (Garrucha) .................................................950 Next .............................................................................950 479369 Serendipity (Albox) .................................................617 GSF Communications ...............................................950 473102 JOINERY - see Carpentry Satcomms ..............................................951 406556 / 622 524335

435909 430871 460636 132543 699624

KENNELS, CATTERIES & PET SITTING

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

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 Pedro ......................................................................655 510420 Robert Boucher .........................................................693 618705 Simply Solved ………...............................................663 327091 Susi ..................................................................................617 920 190

Animal Hotel (Águilas) ..............................................639 722197 Boarding Kennels Los Llanos de Rosa (cats & dogs) ..629 448073 Country Kennel (Turre) .........................950 473011 / 627 564640 Dog & Cat Sitter Service …………………..................676 389592 Gail .....................................................693 769079 / 697 500673 Five Bone Hotel (Turre) ............................................630 234556

Kareclif Cattery (Albox) ...........................................677 791165 Kit Cat Luxury Cat Suites (Los Gallardos) ..............674 113217 Palomino Kennels & Cattery ……....…671 916426 / 950 093087 Paws*A*While (Nr Albox) …....................................…696 562662 Pet Sitting in Your Home ………….......................…….637 061482 Sharon Presley ..........................................................648 069200 Sleepy Hollow (Huércal-Overa) ….............................617 313587 The Hilton Cattery ............................950 163489 / 664565479 Woodhouse Boarding Kennels/Cattery (Arboleas)….950 930585

KEY CUTTING

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KITCHENS 24hr Casaserve .................................950 466438 / 676 Artizan (Vera) (See p.2) ..................…950 390635 / 661 Charlie Fyre ..............................................................686 Cocinas El Real (Los Gallardos) .........639 036051 / 622 Cocinas Puntocom (Huércal-Overa) ...950 921975 / 722 Complete Renovations (See p.17) .....644 389255 / 672 Ergo Küchen (Huércal-Overa) ...................................636 Harlequin Kitchens (Albox) ……........………………….619 Homes & Beyond (Garrucha) ....................................950

Barbara Caparros Ridao (Vera) …..........................950 390427 306269 CG Legal & Financial (Mojácar Playa) ..950 472504 / 670 215926 985310 833444 232186 136950 379960 447730 584405 132458

J.B. Kitchen Fitters (Turre) .......................................687 024884 KDI Kitchens .............................................................605 163613 La Lonja (Lorca) (See p.27) ........................................968 443322 Mojácar Home Improvements ....................................950 473104 Cam Concepts S.L. (Huércal-Overa) …......…………. 950 471357 Cervantes Alarcon Consulting (Garrucha) 950 106490 / 647 863787 Gecko Legal Services S.L. (Mojácar) 950 475949 / 638 264621

LANDSCAPING D & C Landscaping ..................................................634 359082 La French Touch .................. ..................................607 226269 Mel Wood Landscapes ...................................0044 7973843706 Nash Groundworks .....................................................722 546192

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 LAUNDERETTES Bish’s (Mojácar Playa) .............................................639 161725 Pilar Pérez Gestión S.L. (Mojácar) ............................950 478863 The Laundry Room (Vera Playa) ...............................666 007824 Vera Advisors (Vera) .................................................950 390621 MS Legal ..............................................950 479613 / 634 322827 LAUNDRIES City Sec (Vera) .........................................................950 390255 Villalba Asesores (Albox) ..............................................950 431720 Clean Team Laundry Service ...................................634 332502 LEISURE ACTIVITIES Costa-Azul (Aguilas) ……..........................................968 414327 see also EXCURSIONS Ivi's Lavanderia (Las Buganvillas) ............................950 132657 and TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

LEGAL SERVICES See also Solicitors

Almería Ten Pin Bowling (Arboleas) …...................….950 439013 Extreme Adventure Mojácar ......................................687 919840 Indalo Bowling Mojácar ............................................950 473073 ALO Services (Zurgena) ......................950 449179 / 667 994682 Karting (Garrucha) ….........................................……950 460207 Asesoría Sánchez Moral (Mojácar) ...........................670 099726 Lunar Cable Park (Cuevas del Almanzora) .................665 512873

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LOGS FOR SALE

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

Antonio Diaz .............................................................689 Colin & Carlos ....................................660 903158 / 630 Firewood Arboleas .................................................647 Las Norias Carden Centre (Los Gallardos) ..............670

127535 455328 932078 215902

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

Leña Ramos (Arboleas) …...............….630 356095 / 616 044719 Lee (Arboleas) …………………....................................636 092632 24hr Locksmith .................................950 472982 / 658 828560 Leñas Almanzora ................................................950 120309 Guzman Seguridad (Albox) ................950 431497 / 617 272885 Leñas Cazorla (Turre) ........................................607 827783 Locksmith (Dean) ....................................................666 949213 Levante Logs ............................................................670 243724 Log-On-Tommy ……............................................……619 070839 Logs for Sale ..............................................................687 314775 Mr. Leña & Logs .........................................................622 883072 Palm Deliveries (Albox) ...................950 122416 / 686 966008 Phil (Arboleas) ………………….....................................634 328779 Potty Finca Services .........................950 163930 / 616 855294

LOCKSMITHS

MARKETING Edela Media (Social Media) (Mojácar) ....................607 146352 Mojácar Business (Social Media) ............................950 680110 Phil the Pick 24hr (Arboleas) …................……………..697 243181

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MASSAGE Acupuncture & Massage ..........................................637 120429 Alternativa (Jessica Rippin) ......................................676 284170 Authentic Thai Massage (Jom) ..................................616 922612 Holistic Massage, Lorraine ................950 064484 / 687 569113 Lymphatic Drainage & Cranio Sacral-Therapy (Gabi) 950 472263 Mike Sheehan (Neuromuscular Therapy) ......................657 050394 Oceanic Therapies (Mojácar) ......................................687 619239 Ray Daniel (Sports massage)………...........................617 741564

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 Nafta Custom (Antas) ………...............950 619293 / 615 938352

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

METAL WORK AA Window Doctor ....................…............................630 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

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

231644 431738 109986 000700 424558 834064 633090 473104

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

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

P & D Metals ............................................................638 707406 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 Total Entertainment (Turre) .........................................950 468295 Hispavan .....................................................................687 845730 NUTRITION Veramotor S.A. ...........................................................950 392552 Alternativa (Anne-Marie Pichon) ...............................666 966573 Ashlí (Naturopathic & nutritional therapies) ................643 102335

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Antonio Perez (Mojácar) ………........................…….691 240495 ONLINE MARKETING 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 C.I.S Services (Arboleas) ........................................634 621747 Federopticas Diaz (Albox) ..........................................950 121122 Curtis Helm Multiservices .........................................610 394815 Multiopticas Indalo (Garrucha) ...................................950 460665 Daniel ……………..................................................….642 236810 Multiopticas Indalo (Mojacar) .....................................950 472285 Darpa S.L. ..................................................................691 055726 Multiopticas Indalo (Campohermoso de Nijar) ............950 385082 Darren Hargreaves ...................................................626 855483 Natural Optics (Garrucha) .........................................950 133921 Grupo Brideca (shop) (Huércal-Overa) 950 471045 / 950 135881 Opticas Indalo (Garrucha) ..........................................950 133865 IPB Painting ........................................661 184848 / 622 524335 Opticas Indalo (Carboneras) .......................................950 130707 JPM ...........................................................................627 090422 Opticas Indalo (San Isidro de Nijar) ...........................950 366200 Metalwork Painting ………………………699 246932 / 659 185039 Painting & Decorating ............................................643 397903

Paul ...........................................................................649 Phil the Painter ……..............................................…671 The Fast Brush .........................................................950 True Colours .............................................................636

186107 227259 472668 638670

PATIO & POOL ENCLOSURES See Screened Patio & Pool Enclosures

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

PET SHOPS & TRANSPORT InterZoo (Vera) .......................................................950 390075 La Tienda de Basilio Rubio (Albox) ...........................950 431592 Madera Mania (Los Gallardos) …..................……….667 562872 Mojácar Mascots ......................................................679 411203 Shift My Pets Transport (Spain/UK) …….........………634 368430 Tucano Mascotas (Vera) ....................950 392617 / 650 292670 Union Jack (Pet Transportation) ...........………………….902 109560

PEST CONTROL

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 Sanatura (Albox) .................................610 269162 / 642 809453

PAINTING & DECORATING ABS Advanced Building Services ..............................687 846016 A.J. Painting & Decorating .......................................687 024884 Alan Barker ......................................950 099913 / 600 268176

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Jason …….........................................950 064015 / 680 903609 Cafetería Levante (Mojácar) .....................................950 615224 Sedesa (Vera) …………............................................950 390990 Cafetería Pizzería Alcazaba (Mojácar Playa) ............645 414793 Centro Plaza (Palomares) …...............................…..950 618614 PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICES Chili (Turre) ................................................................950 468425 20seven photography ................................................634 301635 El Ángel (Mojácar Pueblo) ...................950 478343 / 607 537101 Almería-Fotografía .....................................................663 627942 El Gaucho (Mojácar Playa) ....................................950 478846 Bluwater Photography ….........…………………………616 189002 Enrico (Mojácar Playa) ......................950 472995 / 642 514738 Chincheto (Mojácar) ....................................................687 489182 Meson Felipe San Bernabé (Mojácar Playa) ..…….950 475966 Fotomicar (Lyle Mallen) .............................................620 786914 Imperial (Mojácar Playa) ......................................….950 478098 Fotos Fabrega (Albox) ………...........……………………950 430223 Indalo Burger (Mojácar Playa) ...............................950 099119 Indigo Photography & Video ...................................637 974793 La Góndola (Garrucha) ..............................................950 133928 Omar De La Cruz ………..........………950 460213 / 609 284852 La Muralla (Mojácar Pueblo) .......................................950 472928 Professional Video & Photographic Services inc. Aerial...647 202599 Little Italy II (Garrucha) …………...........………………950 133802 Rod Westwood ………........................950 472321 / 609 611207 Osteria (Mojácar) ......................................................950 615151 The Image Suite …….............................…........................647 918 848 Ottocento (Mojácar Playa) .........................................950 615100 Toros Bravos ............................................................607 117174 Pizzeria Gallo (Aguilas) …...........................................968 447862 Pizzeria D'Angelo (Mojácar Playa) .................................950 478517 PHOTOCOPIES & SCANS C.A.T. Services (La Alfoquía) (See p.31).950 634388 / 627 635514 Pizzeria El Desvío (Turre) ............................................607 804488 neö-cöpy (Vera) …...................………..950 390424 / 622 262100 Pizzeria Portofino (Mojácar) .......................................950 472809 Pronto Printing (La Buganvillas) (See cover).............950 133492 Pizzeria-Restaurante Mari Cruz (Turre) …...........…….950 479646 Servidea 2020 (Mojácar Playa) .................................950 399726 Pizzería Quick (Garrucha) .............................................950 132305 Total Entertainment (Albox) ......................................950 121318 Provenzal (Mojácar Playa) ..........................................950 478308 Total Entertainment (Arboleas) .................................678 009051 Pulcinella (Mojácar Pueblo) .......................................950 478401 Samz (Los Gallardos) ..................................................950 398981 PHYSIOTHERAPY Sottocasa (Mojácar Playa) ........................................950 093075 Centro Physis (Olula del Rio) ......................................695 355381 PLASTERERS Clínica Fisioalbox (Albox) ..........................................629 402852 Clinica MOS Fisioterapia (Mojácar Playa) .................644 394335 David Pritchard Construcciones ................................617 698418 Diamond Plastering and Building Services ...............665 706880

PLUMBERS 24hr Casaserve ..............................................950 466438 / 676 3062699 Andy (Mojácar) ........................................................697 302039

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 Blocked DrainsRUs ............................950 091109 / 648 768587 Vitea Fisioterapia (Vera) ...................950 390655 / 663 024255 Charlie Fyre ..............................................................686 833444 Chris ........................................................................643 082899 PIANO TUNER Carlos (Saliente) Plumbing & Heating ..950 930900 / 620 742954 Terry …...................................................................…697 229753 Curtis Helm Multiservices .........................................610 394815 Graham ....................................................................620 112193 PICTURE FRAMING Buy Buy Auctions ...................................................681 095096 Knowles ….........................................950 137197 / 606 807797 Casa de Cabra (Albox) ........................................ 633 364329 Fernando (Huércal Overa)...........................................677 549247 Francisco Montoya (Mojacar) …............………………..687 466352 PIZZERIAS Smith Plumbing S.L. ..................................................950 468041 Antonella (Mojácar Playa) ................................……..950 450215 BiancoRossi (Mojácar Playa) ...................................950 472682 Bocapizza (Albox) ......................................................950 120506

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PODIATRISTS See Chiropodists & Podiatrists POOL COVERS 1 Stop Pool Shop ...............................950 104345 / 637 582696 Coverbox (Albox) …….................................................615 992007 Enclose My Pool ..................................606 040462 / 670 510097 Hispavan pool covers ........................950 047033 / 687 845730 Real Covers (Mojácar) ........................950 478763 / 609 667333 WS Cover ...................................................................667 480363

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

POOLS & POOL MAINTENANCE 1 Stop Pool Shop ...............................950 104345 / 637 582696 24hr Casaserve .................................950 466438 / 676 306269 Aguafer Piscinas S.L. ................................................950 617064 Aguagéstion Cantoria (Maintenance) ……….............653 078040 Alloa Pool Care (Albox) ………….................…………..650 244018 Aquazul Piscinas ….....................................................647 841750 Blue Diamond Pool Care ..............................697238933 Clean Pool Service (Arboleas) ...................................606 654389 Complete Pool & Property Maintenance 634 343541 / 634 891709

Sol Digimeters ..........................................................634 348703

PRINTING & GRAPHIC DESIGN AdverGraf (Mojácar Playa) .......................................634 336789 Idea (Huércal Overa) ...............................................605 162709 Mail Boxes Etc (Vera) ............................................950 393835 Mobility Almería (Mojácar Playa) .............................634 322475 Mojácar Business ....................................................950 680110 neö-cöpy (Vera) …...................………..950 390424 / 622 262100 Pronto Printing (La Buganvillas) (See cover).............950 133492 GSF Communications (Mojácar) ..................................950 473102

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

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

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 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 La Casa es Tuya .......................................................663 931471 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 Holiday Rentals ............................................638 701670 Almería Property Agency (Arboleas) …..850 993099 / 606 281865 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 POSTAL SERVICES Casa Benedict Rentals (Turre) …...………....…………616 189002 Can Connect (Albox) …….........................................950 121149 C.A.T. Services (La Alfoquía) (See p.31).950 634388 / 627 635514 C.A.T. Services (La Alfoquía) (See p.31).950 634388 / 627 635514

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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

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 D & D Property Care, Sales & Rentals .......643 335386 / 643 337063 Inmoterreros ...................................................................666 255 765 KJ Property Maintenance (Albox /Arboleas) ............608 625675 KW Resorts Holiday Rentals ......................0044 (0)1293 863320 La Casa es Tuya .......................................................663 931471 Loufa S.L.(Mojácar Pueblo) …..........................……..950 472773 Mojácar Estates ........................................................950 478935

Destination Spain Property Services .........................678 E-Property Almería ...................................................677 Exclusive Holiday Villas ..........................................950 Findmeahome ....................................951 914195 / 636 Holiday Home Europe .........................950 120210 / 654 Holiday Letting Service ........................950 472903 / 627

203143 146592 092602 266641 590258 565049 Mojácar Holiday Services .......................950 699947 / 634 972377

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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

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

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 615006 Onda Aguilas (100.1) ….............................................968 447864 Rent Mojácar ............................................................950 615042 Plusfm ……….................................….609 818283 / 617 528121 Sandy Goldfinch ........................+44 7767 301159 / 670 575897 Smooth FM online (89.8) ........................................634 332666 Santiburi Properties (Cabrera & Mojácar) 694 404971 / 647 901478 Spectrum FM (96.1) ............................950 615142 / 678 332815 Sierra property Rentals (Bédar) ...............................678 587007 REFRIGERATION Spanish Property Choice (Mojacar) ..... 950 475823 / 634 351562 MD Air Conditioning & Refrigeration SL .607 364917 / 607 366040 Sunshine Villas............................………850 993202 / 694 440184 Thermotech …………….....................…950 069637 / 699 856372 The Property Shop (Mojácar) ..................................950 475241 REMOVALS & STORAGE Triton Property Services ..........................................634 326322 Vera Holiday Rentals .............................................634 347109 See also Van & Man Hire Voss Homes (Huercal-Overa) ...................667 891 741 / 950 616 827 Buy Buy Auctions ...................................................681 095096 Year Round Holiday Rentals .............950 619178 / 627 763052 Amanda’s (Lubrin) ............................950 069682 / 634 310512

PROPERTY PROMOTERS Almanzora S.L. (Desert Springs) ...............................950 BMS Huerta Nueva ............................950 615035 / 669 Elegant Homes S.L. ............................950 092603 / 687 Elide Group S.L. …............….............950 390009 / 950

467104 355914 629777 615076

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

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English Move (Tony) ….............................................699 819213

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 Swift Transport (Arboleas) ........................................618 511234

RESTAURANTS See also Chinese Restaurants & Pizzerias Agua Amarga La Chumbera ............................................................950 168321 Eurozone Removals UK(0044) 7452888063 Spain (0034) 662 569138 Restaurant Family ......................................................950 138014 Indalo Transport .......................................................634 336468 Aguilas 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

Albox Bar Lepanto ............................................................642 391433 Chapman’s ..............................................................950 091188 Club de Tenis …….....................................…………..667 671578 El Gallego ...........................................950 120590 / 615 717978 La Cena ……........................................……………..950 430930 La Parrilla ................................................................950 430024 Little India .............….................................................632 454505 Maloan’s Bar ….........................................................634 300752 Mesón de Irene ………........................647 730103 / 950 430145 Paché ….....................................................................950 431659 The New Delhi (Indian) ……...........….950 431705 / 639 231507

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

Antas 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

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

668613 549646 459081 453048

Arboleas El Mirador …………….............................................…678 160806 Happy Garden .........................................................950 120851 Hostal Meson ………..........................950 430137 / 635 612738

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Hotel Rural Azabache ............................................690 258813 Los Carasoles Nueva Trinidad ....................................850 993250 / 634 369833 Restaurante Kalevala ...............................................607 484414

Bédar

Los Castaños

El Paso ...................................................................678 868963 Cortijo Las Piezas ........................……..950 951498 / 634 780943 Miramar .....................................................................950 469308

Los Gallardos

Cabrera

Apolo ……...................................................…………..600 495182 Los Pastores .............................................................950 468002 Bistro @ the Colosseum .............................................615 387947 Riad Cabrera ………………….....................................950 092042

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

Cortijo Grande Finca Listonero .........................................................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 La Ambrosia ..............................................................950 093086 Meson Verfran ....................................................………637 810143 El Marchal Miraflores ...........................................679 970399 / 609 506869 El Paniajo ................................................................950 477202

El Pilar de Lubrin

Mojácar See also Mojácar Pueblo

Agra Taj (Indian) ......................................................602 Alcazaba ………......................................................645 Al Punto (Brazilian) .................................................950 302673 Antonella (Italian) .............................................……..950 Badgers ...................................................................950 460588 133154 915993 133928 058929 711997 460882 451935 460604 617131 133043 992808 Bar Alizee ...............................................................950 Beachcomber ...........................................................634 338460 Bellavista ..................................................................950 494536 Botaniq ...................................................................696 297235 Bowen Resto Bar .............................. 666 406203 / 634

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

El Pinar Bar El Pinar ...........................................................634

Garrucha 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

Huércal-Overa Crisbe .............................................950 134100 / 607 El Paladar .......................................673 695939 / 631 El Capricho …........................................................697

La Alfoquía Bar La Unión ...........................................................642 Cielos …..................................................................634 El Local ……......................................950 634449 / 633 Indian Tandoori .......................................................632 Los Mellízos …………................................……………667

008003 393235 684855 110888 919025

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

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

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197417 414793 475899 450215 478525

091810 339216 478800 809035 357654

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Cachimba (Moroccan) .............................................950 099179 Captain’s Tapas Bar & Restaurant ...........................617 477797 Casa Egea .................................................................950 472190 Casa Juan …………................................................….950 450305 Cortijo de la Media Luna .............................950 478813 / 676 547555 d’Angelo .....................................................................950 478517

Delfín Dorado......................................950 475212 / 645 220095 Dolce Vita ................................................................950 478476 Don Pancho (Mexican) .................................................950 472543

El Deseo .................................................................670 018035 El Gaucho ................................................................950 478846 El Sitio ....................................................................950 615411 Enrico (Italian) ...................................950 472995 / 642 514738 Imperial (Italian) .......................................................950 478098 Imperial Playa (Italian) ..............................................950 475360 Indian Curry House ...........................632 416554 / 632 711667 Kukis ..........................................................................686 038259 La Cabaña ................................................................950 615179 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 Le Magnifique …………….......................................…634 310816 Los Amigos ......................................…………………950 478489 Marama ....................................................................686 820950 Marcelo’s .................................................................950 031812 Meson de Loic y Cathy (French)..............................692 025058 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 Mont Martre (French) ..............................................634 388867 Neptuno (See p.41) ................................................…616 005387 Omega ........................................................................950 475317 Ostería Ristorante Italiano ..........................................950 615151 Ottocento (Italian).......................................................950 615100 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 Arlequíno ..........................................950 478037 / 649 Casa Minguito ………...............................................950 El Ángel ..........................................950 478343 / 607 El Antler ……....................................................……600 El Reclamo …….......................................................950 La Candela …...........................................................647 Pulcinella (Italian) .....................................................950 Restaurante Aires del Sur ..................606 061811 / 950 Restaurante Calima ………………........................….663

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100

337781 478614 537101 540661 472881 724367 478401 478014 286962

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Restaurante Mamabel's ....................... 663 700542 / 950 472448 Villaricos Rincón de Embrujo …....................…………………….600 531270 Don Tadeo ..................................................................670 860386 Rincon de Zahorí ................................630 314400 / 625 103672 Goah ........................................................................950 467030 Palomares La Esperanza ............................................................625 737025 Asagía Asador .........................................................640 210185 Los Conteros ....................................950 618629 / 699 010705 The Oasis Bar ...................................950 467381 / 676 365010 Zurgena

Partaloa

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

Tiger Bar (Indian) …..................................................950 449000

RETRACTABLE ROOF SYSTEMS

Pueblo Laguna

Bistro .......................................................................950 132022 Lifestyle Enclosures Europe S.L. (See p. 9) 950 459060 / 638 063196

ROOFING Ark Roofing ...............................................................634 379173

RUGS & CARPETS Buy Buy Auctions ...................................................681 095096 Homecentre (Albox) (See p.6)..........868 931872 / 671 715294 P & R Rugs (Los Llanos de Aroleas) .......................665 258680

RURAL TOURISM 2 Poplars (Velez Blanco) ……...............................….670 Cortijo Pocio de la Nava (Mojácar) ............................670 Finca Arboleda (Vera) ..............................................678 Restaurant Laguna …………….........................……..950 132566 Mi Abuela Maria (Mojácar) ……..........................……659

San Juan de Los Terreros

243856 777752 027656 198424

SATELLITE TV La Geoda ..................................................................637 020159 Mi Cortijo …………......................................................950 466323 ABC (A Better Climate) (See p.29).....647 247494 / 950 092604 Mondy Playa ........................................600 254314 / 622 807809 Cuevasat ...........................................950 523740 / 628 153340 DCM Digitek Comms (Mojácar) (See p.19) .950 472947 / 670 084438 Turre Digital Vision (See p.33......................950 472081 / 645 294064 Casa Adelina ...............................................................950 479153 Europa Digital ....................................950 133233 / 678 332815 Chili .................................................608 802227 / 950 468425 GBTV (Albox and Mojácar) .......................................616 888058 Hostal Rural .............................................................950 478806 GSF Communications (Mojácar) ...............................950 473102 La Pará ……………………..................................…….637 545590 Solo Satellite & Air-Con. (See p.55) ......950 398146 / 699 909737 La Sorpresa ...............................................................950 099901 SCREENED PATIO & POOL Orsoca ………………............................................…..602 554609 ENCLOSURES Pizzeria-Restaurante Mari Cruz ……....................…..950 479646 Enclose My Pool ...............................606 040462 / 670 510097 Valle del Este Golf Sawadee Thai .........................................................634 393235 Inside Out In Europe S.L. .................677 114576 / 695 118960 Lifestyle Enclosures Europe S.L. (See p. 9) 950 459060 / 638 063196 Vera Screenmasters (See p.45)......….…...........................677 152911 Casa de la Vega ......................................................950 391208 Sol Shaders S.L. (See p.45)........................................627 907207 El Paseo de Oscar ...................................................950 392496 Gran Muralla (Wok Buffet) ..........................................950 391691 SCUBA DIVING La Mariposa de Fran ………........……..950 166774 / 683 641957 Buceo (Aguilas) ……………......................................968 493215 Terraza Carmona ...................................................950 390760 Buceo Mojácar ..................................950 472760 / 629 049229 Molasub (Villaricos) ............................950 467572 / 675 321404 Vera Playa Armony Beach Club .................................................617 745021 SES (Aguilas) ………..................................................669 040963 b2 Mohana (Argentinean) ........................................678 642856 El Balconcito .............................................................635 589909 Gateway to India (Indian) ...........................................950 923994 La Buena Mesa …………..…................950 467222 / 610 356387 La Pampa (Argentinean Grill) ……….950 397702 / 671 653116 Maraú (Vera Playa) ……………...........................……671 580340 Restaurante Tibu ......................................................950 133747 Taj Mahal (Indian) …............…………950 618691 / 671 231465 The Blue Parrot ......................................................950 467682

To advertise your business, call Lee on 634 32 22 76 or Clare on 670 84 92 65 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

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SECOND HAND Buy Buy Auctions (Los Carasoles)..................................681 095096 Amanda’s (Lubrin) ............................950 069682 / 634 310512 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 .....................................................634 361874 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 ...............................................................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

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 SHOE REPAIRS C & P Solicitors (Mojácar) ….....…………950 460731 / 675 383 160 Keys Copy Centre (Mojácar Playa) ..........................950 472982 Cabrera Cervantes (Turre) ................950 099400 / 627 464545

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 Casa Conchillo (Albox) ......................950 430740 / 695 844425 Servacon .....................................................................950 475853

SNOOKER HALLS CD Snooker Mojácar ............................634 364311 / 609 026526 Snooker Ambigu (Los Gallardos) .................................661 973205

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

You’ll always find it in The Focus!

472947 716597 468230 845730 139568 261240

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

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

102

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 Mar Abogados & Consultores (Mojácar) .................950 478911 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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103

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Philip Chesler (Chartered Surveyor).............................687 814369 Curtis Helm Multiservices .........................................610 394815 Survey Andalucía (Architect Daniel González) ............686 846624 Elegant Homes S.L. ..............................950 092603 / 687 629777 Sapphire Surveyors ………...................950 064725 / 671 208782 Mode Services ...................................950 525790 / 687 033106 Saxon’s Complete Building Services ......618 920126 / 686 377172 SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS Steve Holman .......................................................... 697 678708 La Maruja (Mojácar) ................... ................................664 647171 United Tile ................................................................667 702817 Vision Design & Build ...............................................672 153298 SWEET SHOPS Forget Me Not (Las Buganvillas)..............................663 302740

TIMBER SUPPLIERS

TATTOO ARTISTS

Wood2Go ..............................................950 614050 / 606 156151

Body-Zone Tattoo (Mojácar) ……………......................634 336789 TOURIST ATTRACTIONS Classic Tattoo (Mojácar Playa) .................................605 611782 Almería Castle ………............................................…950 271617 Lisa V Tattoos (Cantoria) ....................634 362737 / 642 024810 Almería Solar Centre ( Nr.Tabernas) ....950 387990 / 670 866122 Oscar (Mojácar Pueblo) …................................…….629 944374 Aquarium (Roquetas de Mar) ...................................950 160036 Camelus (Mojácar Camel Rides) ………663 930272 / 950 100076 TAXIS (Legal) Levante Radio Taxis (all areas)................................950 888111 Fort Bravo – Western theme park (Tabernas) .....….950 165405 Exclusive Shuttles pre-booked airport taxis (office hours).950 092602 Nautarium (Sea Museum) (Garrucha) ………………….950 139554 Taxi Emilia (Arboleas) ..............................................618 968497 Nijar Butterfly Farm .................................................617 692778 Oasys Western Park & Zoo (Tabernas) ….............….950 365236 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Western Leone Theme park (Tabernas) …............…950 165405 Albox-Online ………..............................…………….950 091111 AlmeriNet-Cheap Calls .........................950 479517 / 627 027758 TRANSLATING - see Interpreters Euphony Mojacar .........................................................677 146592 TRANSPORT - see Removals Connexions (Turre) (See front cover)..........................950 479502 George’s Sales & Repair (Vera Playa) 950 042338 / 661 375489 TRAVEL Indalphone .............................(Mojácar) 950 475784 / 622 455 608 Autocares Rodriguez (Coaches) ...............................950 469061 Indalphone ...........................................(Huércal-Overa) 950 471470 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 Zafiro Tours (Mojácar) .................................................950 615343

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

313939 846016 024884 408197 092632 803030 693118

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 Pedro (Spanish language tutoring) ..........................655 510420

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

104

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Pencils English Academy (Garrucha)..........................634 314110 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

VEHICLE IMPORTATION Car Check Spain (Andy) ............................................618 043186 Hispavan vehicle importation ..............950 047033 / 687 845730 Talleres Daydo (Antas Real) ….……….950 459116 / 607 373298

VEHICLE REPAIRS Auto Corner (Turre/Los Gallardos) ….950 069198 / 667 Auto Shine Body Repairs ………........607 324623 / 607 CostaCoches ...........................................................950 Fran’s Garage ....................................664 571060 / 950

439671 324624 459209 164912

TV & AUDIO REPAIRS Ponce S.L. (Garrucha) ..............................................950 617181 Seth Pittham (Zurgena).......................950 634477 / 666 826886

UNIFORMS Tikka Uniforms & Shoes (Mojácar) …..........................667 479903 Uniformes de Levante (Los Gallardos & Vera) ..........902 110218

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

Gómez Motor (Huércal-Overa) ............662 502895 / 950 471250 Mojácar Motor (Mojácar Playa) ……..950 478335 / 646 971580 Reparbox (DIY) (Antas El Real) .........687 879744 / 628 648131 SRS Vehicle Services ................................................950 449095 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

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

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

105

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VEHICLE REPAIRS (MOBILE) Albox Service Centre S.L. …......................................662 Auto Frio .............................................950 104488 / 600 Cool Air (Air Conditioning) .......................................673 Veloc Tuning ECU Remapping Services ..................600

VETS

093051 Animal Care (La Alfoqúia) …....................................950 449064 827517 Astrid (Mojácar) ..............950 472252 Emergencies: 629 099920 195872 827517

VEHICLE SALES AA Car Sales (Mojácar) ...........................................950 459208 Buy Buy Auctions ...................................................681 095096 Auto Corner (Turre/Los Gallardos) ….950 069198 / 667 439671 AutoFex (Albox & Antas El Real) ............................950 431861 Automobiles Bajuma S.L. (Antas) .............................662 167758 Automobiles Playcar SLU ...................950 459302 / 672 737663 CostaCoches (Antas, El Real).....................................950 459209 Mojácar Motors ...950 472056 ................(Workshop) 950 478335 Nissan (Albox) ………..................................................950 430856 Pit Stop (Oria) ……………....................................…..950 124828 Que Coches Almería (Antas) …...................................627 423675 SRS Vehicle Services ................................................950 449095 Talleres Azor ...............(Mojácar) 950 478519 (Vera) 950 391400

Centro Garras (Huércal-Overa) ........950 616820 / 617 456548 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 VEHICLE SHIPPING Europa (Mojácar) .................950472262 Emergencies: 629 099921 Car Shipping ………………UK 0044 1704 575983 / 671 101220 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

The Almería Focus

5,000 copies delivered monthly to 250 places. Advertise and get your business seen. Call Lee on 634 32 22 76 or Clare on 670 84 92 65.

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

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

WATER TREATMENTS Ashley Reliable Plumbing ………..........................…..610 052407

To place a box advert or ask for prices, call Lee on 634 32 22 76

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Healthy H2O ..............................................968 437270 / 666 302 987

WEB SERVICES Divine Logix ...........................................................617 401332 Image Suite ………........................................................647 918 848 MODS ........................................................................600 284975 Mojácar Business ....................................................950 680110 Paginasweb .......................................902 005799 / 911 011505

WEDDING & PARTY PLANNING Weddings in Spain .....................................................950 475826

WINDOW CLEANING Clean Team …………..............………850 993202 / 694 440184 Cristal Clear Windows (Mojácar) …..........……………634 347193 Don (Mojacar) .........................................................666 814913 Idea (Mojácar) ...................................................……..605 162709 J&A Window Cleaning Services ..........950 122452 / 689 548824 James .......................................................................678 988812 Lady Jane Window Cleaning (Arboleas) ...................634 255373 Mick ...........................................................................634 327075 Teresa Jimenéz …………….............................……..636 119538 Window Panes ..................................633 814809 / 677 689077 Woody the Window Cleaner (Almanzora Valley) .......634 349665

WINDOWS & DOORS AA Window Doctor ...................................................630 231644 Complete Renovations (See p.17) .....644 389255 / 672 379960 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

Mojácar Home Improvements ....................................950 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

473104 393305 327863 320761 152911 006032 393121

WINES Bodega Gran Baco (Aguilas) .............................…..968 Enoteca Tikar (Garrucha) ……..............................….950 Isalva (Palomares) ………..........................................615 Wine Not? (Mojácar Playa) ....................................950

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 Lee on 634 32 22 76

107

Community News Something for Everyone!

and with so many pleas coming in for help with pregnant cats in every colony we need to start The Incognito Singers, guided by musical director another TNR neutering campaign with some urgency. David Murphy, delivered "Something for everyone" to a packed audience at Miraflores on Friday, February Bringing new animals into the shelter when existing 15th and raised a massive 940 Euros from ticket animals are being prepared for re-homing carries a sales and a raffle. This amazing amount will be added high risk of introducing infection. For that reason to the building fund for the much needed Quarantine we need to ensure that every new animal is kept in Unit at the PAWS-PATAS animal shelter. sterile quarantine conditions until testing for infection

PAWS-PATAS AGM PAWS-PATAS animal charity held their AGM on February 2nd and nominations were made for a variety of positions. The organization celebrates thirty years of existence this year, and during that time thousands of dogs and cats have been saved and re-homed in Spain, Holland, UK, Germany and Belgium. The TNR campaign for feral cats (Trapping, Neutering, Returning) has steadily grown ensuring that the cat population is continually monitored and controlled to their best ability and limited funds. Our four fundraising outlets continue to be the main financial contribution to our income but sadly our fundraising efforts for 2018 have been very limited and we urgently need a team of volunteers to run our annual events and look at new possibilities. The public has been incredibly generous to our main fundraising initiatives which are: TNR, Quarantine Isolation Unit, Jackie Naylor new cattery building, and flooding reserves. We are spending the donations we receive for TNR as quickly as we receive them

is completed. We are intending to build a new quarantine unit for all new animal arrivals. So far we are 50% towards the target and have raised 12,500 Euros. We need to apply for a pending grant which is only available when we have reached a set target ourselves. Please give whatever you can to help as we plan to commence building work sometime this Spring or Summer. Urgent reparation work is also required at the kennels and with donations received to date we hope to start work as soon as possible. URGENT APPEAL - we desperately need more cat food. So if you are able to contribute, please pop a bag of Ultima biscuits or Felix cat food into your shopping trolley and leave at one of our fundraising outlets for collection. We try to stick to the same kind of food, so as not to upset their stomachs. For further information regarding volunteer work, donations, etc., please visit our website - www.pawspatas.org. To have further information regarding the minutes from the AGM or our accounts, please email: info@paws-patas.org The Executive Committee

108

Community News AUAN Welcomes the Suspension of a Demolition Order in Albox. The courts have suspended a demolition order on a house in Albox after 16 years of litigation. The house was constructed in 2003, with planning permission and a licence of occupation, by Noel and Christine Payne, a retired British couple who are now in their seventies. The couple’s lawyer, Gerardo Vazquez, also the lawyer for AUAN, successfully argued that the house could be regularised via an AFO and that according to article 108.3 of the LJCA, (contentious administrative law), demolition is not the only means to execute a sentence nullifying planning permission. His arguments were supported by a report from the technical services of the Town Hall of Albox in favour of granting an AFO to the property. According to Mr. Vazquez the judgement sets a good precedent and he expressed his gratitude to the technical and legal services of the town hall for their support and for the sensitivity shown by the judge. On behalf of AUAN, its president, Maura Hillen, agreed with the comments of AUAN’s lawyer and added “This is a good result for the owners of this house and for the community in general. I hope that it serves as a precedent in similar cases and that the Junta does not appeal it. It is a source of great pride that AUAN has played an important role in the legislative changes that have permitted this result”.

Unity is Strength The homeowner’s association AUAN has begun a series of meetings aimed at uniting similar associations in Andalusia. The association’s president, Maura Hillen, states, “Our objective is to join forces and propose an urgent solution for the issue of access to water, electricity and paperwork for those awaiting legalisation via a town plan so that homeowners can live with dignity and be free from the worry of embargos and inheritance issues by being able to register their property in their own name at the Land Registry, which needs to be made possible. On February 6thAUAN met in Chiclana with representatives of various associations forming the Federation “Extrarradio de Chiclana”. There are an

Noel and Christine Payne with Maura Hillen and their lawyer, Gerardo Vazquez

estimated 14,000 irregular houses in Chiclana, all awaiting legalisation. Many of them do not have access to running water, even though the pipework runs past their door. On the return journey AUAN met with representatives of the SOHA from Axarquia in Malaga. The groups discussed the draft text of a parliamentary bill, developed by AUAN, which, if approved, would allow houses on “asentamientos” (houses awaiting legalisation via the execution of a town plan), to have access to a type of planning recognition called an “AFO”, which would permit them to connect to available services as well as to register their homes. The associations also discussed the need to speak to the new government in Andalusia and the political parties as soon as possible. Maura Hillen stated, “Residents on developments awaiting legalisation via a town plan have been tranquilised over the years by their politicians and town halls into believing that their town plan is just around the corner and then that it is just about to be executed. We believe that there is an alternative to the endless cycle of waiting caused by a byzantine planning process and we hope that the new government thinks the same way. If any groups or associations wish to find out more about this campaign, please contact AUAN directly at president@almanzoraau.org or visit its GoFundMe campaign at https://www.gofundme.com/auan-save-our-homesin-spain

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Community News F.A.C.E to Say Goodbye to their Founder Member F.A.C.E. (Fundraising in Arboleas, Caring for Everyone) is sorry to announce that Founder Member Adele Wrigglesworth is to leave the charity this month. In 2003 the mother of the former F.A.C.E. President, Adele Wrigglesworth, registered her to take part in the “MacMillan Biggest Ever Coffee Morning Event”. Adele had never done charity work before, but with the aid of friends and neighbours, she accepted her mother’s challenge and set about organizing her first ever charity event, which was held in her garden in Los Garcias, Arboleas. Over the following couple of years the event grew from being a garden event to taking over the whole street! However, it was felt at the time that money raised in Spain should remain in Spain, and so from these humble beginnings, and with much help from the Arboleas Ayuntamiento, the present day F.A.C.E. Charity was born with Adele being elected as its first President. A position she held for over nine years.

Adele will be very much missed by F.A.C.E. and all of the present Committee, and I’m sure the many people who have worked with her in the past, plus the people who have benefitted from the money that Adele has helped to raise over the years, will Adele relinquished her position as President when be sorry to see her go. They would like to wish she decided that she wanted to spend more time Adele and husband Kevin all the very best for the in the United Kingdom to be with her family and future. especially her grand-children. However, she has continued serving on the F.A.C.E. Committee as Should you wish to find out more about F.A.C.E. an Honorary Member during the times she has or should you like to make a donation to F.A.C.E been here in Spain. or if you are interested in joining this dedicated group of people, please contact F.A.C.E. on their It was under Adele’s leadership that in July 2015 Web Page www.face-charity.com or at F.A.C.E. was nominated and won a prestigious face.charity@hotmail.com or via the F.A.C.E. award at the 6thAnnual Almanzora Valley Awards Facebook Page. Alternatively you can telephone for its Charity work. This was the first time that 634306727. Richard B. Tolman a British Charity had been put forward for one of these awards. Unfortunately for F.A.C.E., Adele and her husband Kevin have now decided to move back permanently to the United Kingdom so that they can be close to their family at all times, and they are moving to the Midlands close to Stratford-upon-Avon.

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What’s On The Rock to be Wild Festival II, a rock music tribute performance takes place on April 6th at 10pm, Teatro Cervantes, Almería city. Tribute groups are Apache from Jaén, The Cops from Málaga, and FM Rock from Almería. Tickets are 15 Euros in advance or 18 Euros on the door and the performance lasts 4hrs.

Spain Bob Dylan, who will be 77yrs old on May 24th, is coming to Spain with his band for 8 concerts entitled “Neverending Tour” from April 25th until May 7th when his closing concert is in Valencia. Other venues near to us are on May 3rd when he is in Seville and on May 5th he is in Murcia at the bullring. Bob Dylan last came to Spain in 2011. Tickets are available from www.riffmusic.es and www.tickesmaster.es starting at 60 Euros going up to 132 Euros.

Almería La Gran Gala Lírica is a performance of classical and comic opera excerpts on March 21st at 9pm, Teatro Cervantes, Almería city. Three sopranos are joined by the Dieses Ensemble. Tickets are 10 Euros. I Encuentro de Bandas is a performance of Easter music by two bands and two choirs on March 24th at 9pm, Teatro Cervantes, Almería city. Tickets are 12 Euros.

“Revolver” #Básico4Tour comes to Teatro Cervantes, Almería city, on May10th at 9.30pm, to perform their latest album. All tour dates in 2018 were sold out. Tickets are 25, 28 & 32 Euros in advance from the box office. The Almería Tattoo Convention is a bike and live music show at Teatro Cervantes, Almería city, on June 8th & 9th. Tickets (online) are 6 Euros for 1 day, or 10 Euros for both days, or 8 Euros & 12 Euros at the ticket office. Raphael, one of Spain’s most legendary singers from Jaén with a career spanning nearly 60 years, p e r f o r m s h i s l a te s t a l b u m “ResSimphónico” on May 17th at the Almería bullring along with the City of Almería Orchestra, as part of his 2019 Spanish tour. It is anticipated that the concert will be sold out and tickets are 20 & 30 Euros for nonnumbered seats, and from 45 to 65 La Bella y la Bestia (Beauty and Euros in other areas with numbered the Beast) on Ice, by the Russian seats. Ice Ballet Palace Company.comes to Teatro Cervantes, Almería city, The Granada Brass Quintet on March 7th, 9pm.The show Teatro Cervantes, Almería city, features ice skaters, dancers, March 15th, 9pm. Their concert acrobats, and audio visual displays, features popular Americana music and is for all the family. Tickets are from the 1960s. Tickets are 12 Euros 20 Euros in advance and 25 Euros in advance & 15 Euros on the door. at the door.

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What’s On

Cenicienta y el Mundo Mágico, the musical, is the story of Cinderella and comes to Teatro Cervantes, Almería city on Sunday, March 31st at 12 noon. Tickets are 12 Euros in advance or 15 Euros at the door. Simon & Garfunkel ‘Through the years’ is a tribute concert on March 22nd at 9.30pm, Teatro Cervantes, Almería city, by the UK performers Dan Haynes and Pete Richards who comprise “Bookends”. They have toured in the UK, Europe and the US. Tickets are 22 Euros in advance or 25 Euros at the door. The Cooltural Fest 2019 live music event in Almería city takes place from August 15th-18th. The 2018 event has received many glowing reports and awards. The opening event on August 15th that is free features Elefantes, Nixon, Mucho, Wi Bouz, and Twise. Main headline performers include Vetusta Moria, Second, Depedro, Kitai, Nunatak, Embusteros and Los Invaders. The Acoustic Playa events include Baby, Joana Serrat, Perro and Tu. Tickets are available from

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www.coolturalfest.com at 35 Euros 90 céntimos & 55 Euros 90 céntimos. Accommodation for the weekend is available at Almería University. The Lopretti Jazz trio come to Teatro Cervantes, Almería city on April 12th at 9pm, performing a selection of the best Latin jazz music. José Lopretti their pianist has performed alongside many famous artistes worldwide. Tickets are 12 Euros in advance or 15 Euros at the door.

What’s On Tickets for concerts in Almería (except Teatro Cervantes) 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. Tickets for Teatro Cervantes, Almería city, from box office at Calle del Poeta Villaspesa1. Open Mon-Fri, 11am-1pm & 4pm-7pm, Saturday from 11am-2pm, or 1hr before performances, or from w w w. to d a s l a s e n t r a d a s . c o m

May 10th: The orchestra, violin soloist Laura Rodríguez Moreno and viola soloist Isabel Villanueva, perform Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito overture K.621, Mozart’s symphony concerto KV 364 for violin and viola, and Haydn’s London symphony in D major. The conductor is Virginia Martínez. June 28th: The orchestra perform a grand gala concert of comic opera excerpts. The conductor is Virginia Martínez. 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.

Aguilas Auditorio Promusica 2018/2019 season classical music concerts with the Region of Murcia Symphony Orchestra, Águilas Auditorio. 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 8th symphony opus 88. The conductor is Diego Nasser. April 26th: The orchestra perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto no.5 opus 73, and Tchaikovski’s 5th Symphony in E minor, opus 64. The orchestra is conducted by Michael Thomas (Resident conductor of the City of Almería orchestra) and the piano soloist is Gabriel Escudero Braquehais.

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Águilas Carnival 2019 The second Grand Procession with floats starts at 6pm on Tuesday, March 5th. The XXIV procession with peñas (groups) from all over Spain takes place from 6pm on Friday, March 8th. The parade is from Avenida Juan Carlos I to Calle Rey Carlos III The third and last Grand Procession with floats starts at 6pm on Saturday, March 9th. Following the parade, an effigy of Don Carnal is seized in the Plaza de España, taken to La Colonia beach and burned on the bonfire which starts about midnight. A large firework display follows and finishes the carnival events. The XVI National Drag Queen event is on Saturday, March 16that 9pm, Águilas Auditorio Infanta Elena.

What’s On Roquetas de Mar Estrella Morente is a very famous flamenco fusion performer whose father was also extremely famous. She comes to Roquetas de Mar Auditorio on May 4th at 9.30pm to perform her latest disc “Copla”. Ticket prices were not available at time of going to press. Ara Malikian who is a famous Lebanese-born Spanish violinist comes to Roquetas de Mar Auditorio on March 15th at 9.30pm. The concert is part of his world tour “Royal Garage”. He has recorded 40 discs and formed his own orchestra. Tickets are 42, 46, and 53 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.

El Mejor Música de Cine (The best film music) is performed by the famous FSO Film Symphony Orchestra on March 30th at Roquetas de Mar Auditorio at 9.30pm. The film music performed has been composed by John Williams who has 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

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The 7th Dreambeach Villaricos Music Festival takes place from August 7th-11th. We highlight some of the performers who will be there in our “In the News” section. Tickets cost 66 Euros & 93 Euros including the campsite. Various VIP tickets start at 121 Euros. Ticket outlets include www.dreambeach.es, post offices, El Corte Inglés stores, and internet booking agents such as Entradas a Tu Alcance and Ticketea.

What’s On Trips by Carlos March 8th Trip to Lorca to see Puccini’s opera Madame Butterfly performed by the Opera 2001 company with the Hirosaki choir. Coach & ticket 58 Euros. March 16th Trip to Cartagena auditorio for a concert of film music composed by John Williams, performed by the famous FSO Film Symphony Orchestra. Coach & ticket 80 Euros. April 26th Day trip to Granada province to explore the very scenic ‘Ruta del Alpujarras with visit to a

bodega (wine producer) with a free bottle of wine and lunch. All inclusive price 60 Euros. For info & bookings call Carlos on 610 681 068 or 950 525 761

Exhibitions Gustavo Gillman was a Victorian engineer and keen photographer who recorded events and people on the construction of the railways in our area. An exhibition relating to the Águilas railway from 18891912 can be seen in the foyer of

the Águilas Auditorio until May 12th. It is open from 6pm-9pm Tuesdays to Sundays. To mark the 500th anniversary of the construction of the Cuevas del Almanzora castle they are mounting an exhibition of local photographs from 1865-1973. It is in the Sala de la Tercia room and can be seen until March 22nd. Normal opening hours are Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10am-1.30pm & 4pm-7pm, and Sundays 10am1.30pm. The Almeria Archaeological Museum is holding an exhibition of cooking and food utensils mostly from the 8th and 9th centuries of the Al-Ándalus era. 110 different items have been loaned from a variety of places throughout Spain. The exhibition can be seen until March 17th and opening hours are Tuesdays to Saturdays from 9am9pm, & Sundays and fiesta days from 9am-3pm. Admission is free to EU residents, or 1 euro 50 céntimos for non-EU visitors. The museum is at 91 Carretera de Ronda, Almería city.

Miscellaneous Shoestring Productions are performing the play “TWO” by playwright Jim Cartwright directed by Wendy Jones, at the MontMartre Bar/Restaurant Mojácar Playa, on April 11th-14th at 7.30pm. There is a matinee performance at 3pm on the 14th. Tickets are 8 Euros and can be purchased from PAWSPATAS fundraising outlets in Mojácar and Las Buganvillas, and Connexions in Turre. Proceeds will be donated to PAWS-PATAS.

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What’s On The Luvvies Theatre Group presents the comedy ‘Curtain Up’ at Teatro Museo Pedro Gilabert, Arboleas, on Friday, March 8thSunday March 10th. Friday & Saturday at 7.30pm, and Sunday at 3pm, and doors open 30 minutes before performances. Tickets are 7 Euros 50 Céntimos from Total Entertainment Albox & Arboleas, One Stop Pool Shop & Colin the Card Longo’s Albox, The Corner shop Albox, and CAT Ser vices La Alfoquía. The production is supporting A.P.S.A Animal charity. Dames in Turre March meeting will be held on Monday 25th at 11am prompt, at The Hostal Rural in Turre when our speaker will be Lenox Napier. Lenox is no stranger to Turre Dames and at this meeting he will be telling us more about the local knowledge and history of the area. Do come along and listen to this wonderful speaker. We always welcome new guests as we are a friendship group who raise money for local charities. For more information please contact our President Soo Wallace Tel 667362713 or Membership Secretary Eileen McGill Tel 652298072 We look forward to seeing you there. Mojácar town hall is taking part in a Ski & Snowboard trip on the weekend of March 22nd-24th at Sierra Nevada, organized by the Diputación (county council). There are 25 places and children have to be at least 8 yrs old. Ski cost is 140 Euros with accommodation, ski pass, tuition, and equipment, or 120 Euros without equipment. The

snowboard cost is 160 Euros with accommodation, ski pass, tuition, and equipment, or 120 Euros w i th o u t e q u i p m e n t . M o re information and booking at the town hall or tel: 606 999 726 or 639 862 966. The International Gran Fondo Costa de Almería bicycle race takes place in Mojá'e1car on Saturday, May 5th, from 8am. There are two distances of 125km with a height of 2,100m & 185km with a height of 3,700m, starting from Hotel Marina Playa. There are age & male / female classifications. For more info & inscription see www.gfca./es/en Age Support event at La Parrilla in Albox Saturday 16th March at 7pm. Music from Geoff 'the kid' Murrell and friends, the caller is 'Calamity' Lynn. There will be lots of dancing, music, games, raffle and laughs. Tickets are 5 Euros, including light supper, from the Age Support shop, opposite the Peugeot garage, in Albox. The 8th Sierra Cabrera Extreme cycle race La Mojáquera takes place on March 19th. There are two distances of 50 & 78kms and the event starts from the centre of Mojácar village. More information and inscriptions from www.lamojaquera.com. D a m e s i n Tu r r e w i l l b e celebrating International Women's Day on March 8th at the New Shopping Centre in Almeria with lunch at the Barcelo Cabo de Gata, price 28 euros per person. Friends of Dames are welcome and details

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are available from Soo Wallace 667362713 The 2019 Mojácar Moors & Christians event is on June 14th16th. PAWS / PATAS. The next Beachcomber Book Sale will be on Tuesday, 12th March, 10.30am 1pm. Any donation of books or DVDs on the morning of the sale would be appreciated. All proceeds to cat neutering Mojácar Royal British Legion You do not need to have served in the Armed Forces to be a member of the Royal British Legion. Everyone is welcome. If you would like more information please contact the Secretary, Christine White, on 697887362. March Diary: Fri 1st, 7.30pm, Fish n chip quiz. Badger's Restaurant, Mojácar, Quiz 8:30pm, 2 euros. Thurs 7th, 11.15am, Branch Meeting at Sensations Restarant, Mojácar. Speaker, Sue Parmenter – Saving our Coastline. Friday 21st, 11.15am, Branch Social Meeting, Maramar Restaurant, (near MACS), Mojácar Playa. Friday 29th, 4.00pm, Afternoon Quiz at Bar Stop, Turre. Quiz 2 euros. Menu Del Dia available after quiz. To book contact Chris and Mick Coote 634780501. To book any of the above events Please contact B a r b a r a o n 6 2 2 2 07 774 rblmojacar.socialevents@gmail.com

Send details of your events to almeriafocus@gmail.com or call 670 84 92 65

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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: 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 Almanzora Group of Friends Library and Information Centre Mon - Fri and first Saturday of month 10am-1pm, Plaza San Antonia, Barrio Alto, Albox. Extensive English Library, DVDs and talking books, monthly magazine, monthly quiz, trips. Tel: 634 343 147 or Facebook: Almanzora Group of Friends.

The Royal British Legion, Mojácar Branch, The Artisan Centre, 1st and 3rd Thurs. of each month, 11:15am. All welcome inc. non-services personnel. For enquiries & Welfare call 950 066053 http://branches.britishlegion.org.uk/ branches/mojacar/news-events/

The Royal British Legion - Albox Everyone welcome. Monthly meeting 3rd Thursday of every month, La Parrilla, Albox, 11am. Coffee morning 1st Thursday of every month, Oasis Cafe Bar, 11.30am. For info contact chairman Almería Link Friendship Group Meetings Thursdays, 4pm, at the Trufi Filip Ostrowski , email Albox.chairman Bar, Mojácar. For information contact @rbl.community. .For support contact Bob (Chairman) on 950472551 or Mrs Pamela Twissell Cross on 676 451 Cynthia (Secretary) on 950472699. 780 Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm or email: Don't be lonely, come and join us. SpainNorth.CommunitySupport@RBL. Community Living Alone in Spain? We are a 60+ group of friends who The Royal British Legion - Zurgena meet for lunch every Wednesday in the & District Branch Mojácar area. Tel: 674 823 697 Heather’s Bar, La Alfoquia, every first Thursday of the month at 11a.m. Email WOW Women on Wednesday zurgenaRBLsecretary@yahoo.co.uk. See Kukis, Mojácar Playa, from 2pm. Get www.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/z together, buy, sell, swap, meet new urgena people. Psychic Development Circle Dames in Huércal Overa Various classes at different times. 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 Dames in Spain (Mojácar) Almanzora No. 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 Dames in Turre Branch 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 667 362 713 or 672 061 048 or omsharon50 @gmail.com Mojácar Community Library Multi-Use centre. Mon, Wed and Fri, Vera & District Lions Club. 11am - 1pm . 5.00pm on the first Wednesday of the month at El Gnomo Feliz restaurant, Mojácar Walking Group Walks of different levels. Tues & Thurs. Vera. Telephone Sandie Tinkham on 950 w w w. m o j a c a r wa l k i n g g ro u p . c o m 439324 or Pam Mattioli on 950069249 for more information. Mojácar Bridge Club Flamenco Forum for English Mon and Thurs, 7pm. Marina Playa Hotel. Speakers Contact Les 950 437 100 / 634 219 on Facebook. Information and events. 174 Facebook: Mojácar Bridge Club 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 meet 2nd Sunday each month at Grace's bar, Pueblo Laguna with monthly presentations, themes and challenges. Open to all levels, training available for beginners. Contact Andy: 650406167 or mpg@funnell.eu 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

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 Salon de Actos, Centro de Usos Multiples , Mojacar. Fridays, 4.–7pm. Beginners welcome. Contact: Glynis 648217503 o r M a r y B e t h 6 616715 2 6 o r strictlylinedancingmojacar@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

of the New Marina, Garrucha, with a presail coffee at café La Oficina virtually opposite at 11:00. Contact Ian via info@ santaireneclubdevela.com or call 671 474 385. See www.santaireneclub devela.com

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 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 Gymnastics, Yoga and ageless mobility. Tel Anita: 670 715 787 Mojácar Taekwondo 5 years to adults. Various classes & times. Contact Serge 646844708. Facebook GTF Spain

Garrucha Table Tennis Club Tel Barry on 677 174 430

Sophia Wellness Centre, Arboleas Gym, Toning tables, Kickboxing, Cross fit, Boot camp, Boxing, Salsacise, Zumba, Step Aerobics, Body Pump. Tel. 950 449 451.

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

Fitness with Alison, Mojácar Full Body Workout, Pilates, AquaZumba, Zumba, Step Aerobics, Total Toning, AeroFit. Tel 666 273 168.

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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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

(Mar. 21- April 20)

(Apr. 21- May 21)

Don't let your mate bully you into thinking that you owe them your time and your life. Based on your excitement, serious-minded individuals will be more than interested in backing your ideas. Your home environment may be volatile if precautions aren't taken. Stress may cause minor health ailments. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday Do not be surprised if your partner doesn't understand your needs. Business trips might prove unproductive. You may want to make drastic changes concerning your personal partner. Refrain from using the highway as a racetrack. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.

New relationships will surface through work related events. You can win points if you present your ideas this month. Keep calm. Someone around you is bouncing off the walls. Someone you work with may be trying to make you look bad. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday. (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23) You will have no problem getting along with clients. There may be opportunities to attend social functions that are linked to work. You will find the perfect outfit if you shop this month. A second chance will result in good work. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday. (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)

Visit someone who hasn't been feeling well lately. You will be able to borrow money in order to invest. Efforts made to improve yourself will turn out to your satisfaction. Leave your checkbook and credit cards at home. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday.

Do something constructive outside. Financial difficulties may be worrying you. You can put in some overtime and make extra cash. You can make a difference if you offer your help at functions that involve children. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday. (May 22 - June 21)

(June 22 - July 22)

(Nov. 23 - Dec. 21) The answers can only come from within. Concentrate on spending quality time with children and friends. You will meet new and exciting people if you attend social activities or sporting events. You can enjoy doing things that include children. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

Think before you act if you wish to avoid friction. Your bankbook will suffer and your restrictions will put a damper on your relationship. Someone you work with may be trying to make you look bad. Recognition will be yours if you meet your deadline. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday. (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20)

Problems with fire, gas, or oil may cause disruptions and annoyances. Hard work will bring rewards. Travel will turn out to be far more exciting than you imagined. Relax I and enjoy what you've accomplished when you're finished. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.

People trying to entice you to join in will be less than trustworthy. You will attract new love interests. Your home may be in an uproar and you are best to stay out of the line of fire if at all possible. Exhaustion will lead to minor injury if you don't know when to quit. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.

(July 23 - Aug. 22)

(Jan. 21- Feb. 19)

Don't let your jealousy be the reason for a decaying relationship. Take care of any medical problems if they've been troubling you. Try to avoid any drastic/ decisions concerning personal legal matters. Expressing yourself in novel ways should lead you down new avenues. Your luckiest (Aug. 23 - Sept. 23) events this month will occur on a Tuesday.

Don't take advantage of your expense account. Attend to things that you should have done yesterday. This will be a very hectic day if you've made promises to too many people. You'll find love and you'll get into tiptop shape at the same time. Your luckiest events this month will occur (Feb. 20 - Mar. 20) on a Tuesday.

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Jokes of the Month Doorstop

Little Johnny

Two salesmen were going door to door, and knocked on the door of a woman who was not happy to see them. She told them in no uncertain terms that she did not want to hear their offer and slammed the door in their faces. To her surprise, however, the door did not close and, in fact, bounced back open. She tried again, really put her back into it, and slammed the door again with the same result - the door bounced back open. Convinced these rude salesmen were sticking their foot in the door, she reared back to give it a slam that would teach them a lesson, when one of the men said: "Ma'am, before you do that again, you need to move your cat."

Teacher: "If I gave you 2 cats and another 2 cats and another 2, how many would you have?" Johnny: "Seven." Teacher: "No, listen carefully... If I gave you two cats, and another two cats and another two, how many would you have?" Johnny: "Seven." Teacher: "Let me put it to you differently. If I gave you two apples, and another two apples and another two, how many would you have?" Johnny: "Six." Teacher: "Good. Now if I gave you two cats, and another two cats and another two, how many would you have?" Johnny: "Seven!" Teacher: "Johnny, where in the heck do you get seven from?!" Johnny: "Because I've already got a cat!"

A Remedy for Boredom I wondered what my parents did to fight boredom before the internet. I asked my 17 brothers and sisters and they didn't know either.

The Fine A pick pocket was up in court for a series of petty crimes. The judge said, "Sir, you are hereby fined $100." The lawyer stood up and said, "Thanks, your honour, however my client only has $75 on him at this time, but if you'd allow him a few minutes in the crowd..."

In Heaven One day, 3 men died and went to heaven. "Religion?" God's secretary asked the first man. "Jewish," the man replied. "Okay, go to room 23, but be very quiet when you go past room 8," the secretary said. "Religion?" he asked the second man. "Muslim." "Go to room 10, but be very quiet when you go past room 8." "Religion?" he asked the third man. "Agnostic." "Go to room 71, but be very quiet when you go past room 8." "Why must I be quiet when I go past room 8?" the man asked. The secretary replied, "Oh, the Catholics are in room 8, and they think that they are they only ones here."

Taxi Fair Two blondes are travelling to Australia for a girls' holiday. Before they leave home, one of their husbands gives them both a bit of advice: "You watch them Aussie cab drivers. They'll rob you blind. Don't you go paying them what they ask. You haggle." At the Sydney airport, the two blondes catch a cab to their hotel. When they reach their destination, the cabbie says, "That'll be twenty dollars, ladies." "Oh no you don't! My husband warned me about you. You'll only be getting fifteen dollars from me," says one of them. "And you'll only be getting fifteen from me too," adds the other.

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...and next... Hanging A barrister arrived home late after an exhausting day. His client was due to be hanged the next morning, and he and his staff had tried everything they could think of. An appeal to the Supreme Court in the afternoon stating there was new evidence had been turned down, so at 7pm they petitioned the State Governor to grant a stay of execution whilst they presented another appeal. Finally, at 8.30pm the governor’s office rang to say that the plea against execution was being considered, but don’t hold out too much hope. The barrister went home totally depressed and his wife started on him. “What time of the night do you call this? I cooked dinner ages ago, so if you want it you will have to heat it up yourself! I’m off out in a few minutes”. She went on and on at him. Finally he said, “Stop hassling me! I’ve had a terrible day. I’m going to get a large glass of whisky and have a long soak in the bath. You can do what you want!” Just as she was going out of the door the phone rang, so she picked it up. It was Mary who worked with her husband. She screamed down the phone, “I need to speak to John urgently! Is he there?” The wife said, “He’s probably in the bath”. Still screaming, Mary said, “Tell him that we have the stay of execution! James Wright isn’t going to be hanged tomorrow! We’ve done it!” The wife decided that perhaps her husband had really had a really bad day. She went upstairs, flung open the bathroom door, and her husband was bent over the bath naked, just about to get in. He turned to face her and she shouted, “They’renot hanging Wright”. He shouted back, “GOOD GOD WOMAN! WON’T YOU EVER STOP GETTING AT ME FOR CHRIST’S SAKE!”

The Worst Day There was this guy at a bar, just looking at his drink. He stays like that for a half hour. Then a big trouble-making truck driver steps next to him, takes the drink from the guy, and just drinks it all down. The poor man starts crying. The truck driver says, "Come on man, I was just joking. Here, I'll buy you another drink. I just can't stand to see a man cry." "No, it's not that," the man replies, wiping his tears. "This day is the worst of my life. First, I oversleep and I go in late to my office. My outraged boss fires me. When I leave the building to go to my car, I find out it was stolen. The police say they can do nothing. I get a cab to go home, and when I get out, I remember I left my wallet. The cab driver just drives away. I go inside my house where I find my wife in bed with the gardener. I leave my home, come to this bar, and just when I was thinking about putting an end to my life, you show up and drink my poison."

Oh Dear Mahatma Gandhi often walked barefoot which produced an impressive set of callouses on his feet. He also ate very little, making him rather frail and with his odd diet he often suffered from bad breath. This made him a super calloused fragile mystic hexed with halitosis.

The Restaurant Q: Have you heard about the new restaurant called Karma? A: There’s no menu; you get what you deserve

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Coffee Break

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