Andalucia LIfe Magazine January 2011

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Contents Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 15 Page 16 Page 18 Page 26 Page 30 Page 32 Page 38 Page 42 Page 44 Page 47 Page 48 Page 50

Editorial Andalucia Life News Health and Beauty View From the Clubhouse Pet Care Technology The Book Review Art and Craft Generalife, - Granada The Urge for Altitude Happy Chinese New Year Discovering Jimena de la Frontera Ruta Gastronomique What’s On Sotogrande International School

Andalucia Life invites readers to contribute articles of interest, news and views, details of special events and special occasions.

Copy Deadline for February Issue - 15th January 2011 Contributors: Bob Gaston, Dr. R. Gonzalez, Age Concern, Pauline Bowden, Joanna Wyndham, NADFAS, Tracey Parker, John Thurston, Tom Crowley, Zoe Fisher. Front Cover: The Tower, Estepona Port Design: Hewitt & Hewitt Graphic Design tel: 952 893 970 www.hewitt-hewitt.com Disclaimer: No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without prior permission from the publisher. Andalucia Life does not accept responsibility for the contents of articles supplied by contributors nor for the claims made by advertisiers. Andalucia Life S.C. Aptd. De Correos 119, Sabinillas 29692, Manilva, Malaga. CIF: J92740919 Legal: Andalucia MA-373-2004 Please mention Life when talking to our advertisers 4Deposito

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Editorial by Nick Nutter ,Q WKLV ¿UVW PRQWK RI WKH 1HZ <HDU , DORQJ ZLWK everybody else at Andalucia Life, wish all our UHDGHUV DQG DGYHUWLVHUV D +DSS\ 1HZ <HDU DQG hope they had a good Christmas. During December the weather was pretty KRUULEOH LQ WKH 8. ZLWK VQRZ SUHYHQWLQJ ÀLJKWV from major airports, even Heathrow closed for a time just before Christmas. The result was thousands of would be visitors to the Costa el Sol spending their hard saved cash in the cafes and bars at the airports instead of here. So, a personal message to all would be travellers, WDNH EXWWLHV DQG D ÀDVN WR WKH DLUSRUW \RX NQRZ it makes sense. Well, everybody is looking forward to the 2nd January. The day the no smoking anywhere policy is introduced. On health grounds and even because VRPH QRQ VPRNHUV ¿QG LW offensive I can understand the policy but the timing? With bars and restaurants closing down due to the recession and would be customers stuck at airports the last thing they need now is a measure guaranteed to further reduce income. When politicians get it wrong they do it with ÀDUH :KHQ ZLOO WKH\ HYHU OHDUQ WKDW UHYHUVLQJ or delaying a measure is sometimes sensible and not a matter of losing face or credibility.

LQ WKH DUWLFOH LV WKH ¾RI¿FLDOœ GDWH DFFRUGLQJ to the Chinese tourist board. Some Chinese restaurants disagree and will be celebrating one day before or after the 3rd February so if \RX ZDQW WR FHOHEUDWH ZLWK WKHP MXVW FKHFN ¿UVW to make sure you are not turning up after the party is over. All this wet weather has brought the allotment on a treat. Turnips and carrots sowed last month are now well up and thinned out, the EURDG EHDQV DUH ÀRZHULQJ DQG WKH VHHG potatoes planted in October have been earthed up for the third, and last, time. We should EH HQMR\LQJ WKH ¿UVW HDUO\ potatoes in a salad on Boxing Day all being well. Julie went on an expedition to Alcampo the other day and returned with a couple of raspberry canes and some saffron crocus bulbs. I had to dig out an old Spanish Country Kitchen book, similar to a Spanish Mrs. %HDWRQ WR ¿QG RXW ZKDW \RX GR ZLWK VDIIURQ Apparently you only take three stamen and WKH SLVWLO IURP HDFK ÀRZHU 7KHQ \RX GU\ URDVW them and put them in an airtight container. *UHDW ZH KDYH WHQ EXOEV WKDWœV IRUW\ VWUDQGV of saffron maximum, about two paellas worth. I am beginning to see why, gram for gram, saffron is worth more than gold. As for the raspberry canes. I put them in well composted ground in a spot that I hope will shelter them, not from the wind or rain particularly, but from the noonday sun. My Spanish gardening book recommends only growing raspberries above 300 metres in this part of Spain so we will just have to experiment a little. I will let you know as WKH PRQWKœV JR E\

“I am beginning to see why, gram for gram, saffron is worth more than gold�

This month, in anticipation of the Chinese New <HDU LQ HDUO\ )HEUXDU\ , SXW VRPH HIIRUW LQWR ÂżQGLQJ RXW KRZ WKH &KLQHVH RUJDQLVH WKHLU calendar. The summary given in the article later LQ WKLV LVVXH LV YHU\ PXFK VLPSOLÂżHG WKHUH LV in fact also an underlying ten-year cycle. So complicated is it that even the Chinese are QRW HQWLUHO\ VXUH ZKHQ WKHLU 1HZ <HDU RFFXUV In anticipation of complaints, the date given

sponsored by Bruno’s Car Rental C. Levante, Edif. Boquerón, Puerto de la Duquesa

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ANDALUCIA LIFE NEWS

New Flights to the Costa for Easter -HW ZLOO EH VWDUWLQJ D QHZ ÀLJKW WR 0DODJD from Edinburgh on the 2nd April and Easy Jet announced a new route, Gibraltar to Liverpool starting on the 28th March. Both routes open in time for the expected Easter rush. Easter Sunday this year is late, on the 24th April.

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Inguinal Hernias A hernia is an opening or weakness in the wall of a muscle, tissue, or membrane that normally holds an organ in place. If the opening or weakness is large enough a portion of the organ may be able to poke through the hole. Hernias happen more frequently in certain parts of the body, like the abdomen, groin upper thigh, and belly button area. They can also happen in any place where you may have had an incision from surgery. Inguinal hernias are more likely to occur in boys than girls. More than 70% of all hernias that occur are inguinal hernias, which means that a part of the intestines protrudes through an opening in the lower part of the abdomen, near the groin, called the inguinal canal. In boys the inguinal canal is a passageway between the abdomen and the scrotum through which a cord called the spermatic cord passes (the testicles hang from the spermatic cord). In girls, the inguinal canal is the passageway for a ligament that holds the uterus in place. Nearly all cases of inguinal hernias in teens are due to a congenital defect of the inguinal canal. Instead of closing tightly, the canal leaves a space for the intestines to slide into. If you have an inguinal hernia, you might be able to see a bulge where your thigh and your groin meet. In boys the protruding piece of intestine may enter the scrotum, which can cause swelling and pain. Other symptoms of

an inguinal hernia might include pain when you cough, lift something heavy, or bend over. These types of hernias require surgery to repair. In fact inguinal hernia operations are the most common type of surgery performed on kids and teens. Except for umbilical hernias in babies hernias do not just go away on their own — you must talk to your doctor and receive treatment. Over time your hernia may become larger and more painful and in some cases, a piece of the intestine could become trapped (this is known as incarceration). In a true surgical emergency, the blood supply could be cut off to the incarcerated intestine (this is known as strangulation). This situation is painful and dangerous because it can cause infection and may cause the strangulated tissue to die, so it is important to call your doctor. If you have had a hernia operation and you notice redness or discomfort around your incision (the area where the cut was made to perform the operation), be sure to let your doctor know. It could be a sign of infection that will require further treatment.

sponsored by Dr Gonzalez Medical Centre Top Plaza Ginebra, Sabinillas

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

STM Nummos Life SL are registered intermediaries for Bupa International and Sanitas. Both companies are part of the world renowned Bupa group. Founded over 60 years ago, it has over 10 million members of 115 nationalities in 190 countries world wide. Bupa International and Sanitas offer a wide UDQJH RI SODQV VSHFL¿FDOO\ GHVLJQHG WR PHHW the needs of expatriates and to suit all pockets. We are able to advise on the best plan to suit your personal needs. STM Nummos Life SL also has a team of client relationship managers to help and advise on any aspect of your Private Medical Insurance policy. This includes: ‡ $VVLVWLQJ PHPEHUV LQ ¿QGLQJ WKH appropriate medical provider ‡ 2EWDLQLQJ SUH DXWKRULVDWLRQ IRU KRVSLWDOLVDWLRQ operations & scans ‡ &ODLPV DVVLVWDQFH ‡ $GYLVLQJ RQ SROLF\ PDWWHUV DQG UHQHZDO ‡ 3URYLGLQJ LQIRUPDWLRQ RQ QHZ SURGXFWV and promotions We can also assist medical providers obtain SUH DXWKRULVDWLRQ IURP %XSD IRU WKHLU SDWLHQWœV treatment and liaise with Bupa on their behalf on claims and payment issues. Our aim is to provide members and providers alike with a highly personal service which capitalises on our local knowledge and close working relationship with Bupa. 2XU RI¿FH KRXUV DUH Monday – Friday 09:00 – 18:00. 24 hour 365 days helpline <RXU FOLHQW UHODWLRQVKLS PDQDJHUV DUH Sonia Fendley – sonia.fendley@stmnummos.es Lesley Thomas – lesley.thomas@stmnummos.es Telephone: +34 956 796 148 Address: STM Nummos Life SL, Avenida de Los Cortijos 8, Urb Sotogrande, 11310 Cadiz OR VISIT OUR STAND AT THE LIVING WELL SHOW AT THE PUENTE ROMANO HOTEL ON 6$785'$< TH $1' 681'$< TH )(%58$5< STM Nummos SL are registered with DGSFP in Madrid (registration number AJ0038).

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Maintaining a Healthy Weight It’s that time of year, after the festivities, when many people make resolutions about losing weight. A client said to me recently ‘I have no problem losing weight, absolutely no problem, but I can’t keep it off’. Lots of people have the same issue in that they can keep to a diet for a certain amount of time before life gets in the way. I think part of this is the mindset, the concept of a diet, a short-term strategy to reach a weight goal, rather than a different way of eating, on-going. The challenge with on-going is that this requires a permanent change in behaviour, which works best when it includes whoever shops, cooks and eats with you. In business one strategy is to copy the successful. In the US there is the National Weight Control Registry which is a database of successful weight losers who have lost at least 30lb (approx 2 stones/13.5kgs) and kept it off for at least one year. Looking at this database there are some common themes: 1. These people eat breakfast almost every day. This helps control blood sugar and helps to stop you snacking on sugary foods later on. $ ORW RI SHRSOH WHOO PH WKH\ GRQÂśW HDW EUHDNIDVW DQG VRPH GRQÂśW HDW OXQFK HLWKHU 7KLV JLYHV WKH body the wrong message about its food supply and can lead it to hang on to more calories when you do eat. 2. They do a lot of physical activity - on average 1 to 1 ½ hours a day. The most common activity was walking but most walked along with another, planned exercise like swimming, cycling or an aerobic class. This level is greater than many current government health advice recommendations but physical activity has such a huge effect on health, not just weight. People who are physically active suffer less from conditions like diabetes, hypertension, heart attacks, strokes and dementia. Exercise variety is a great idea as it stops your body becoming accustomed to one activity and burning off less calories as it becomes HIÂżFLHQW DW LW 3OXV LW FDQ EH IXQ DQG PRUH motivating especially if the activity is sociable.

3. They weighed themselves frequently, at least once a week. This self-monitoring was often accompanied with a plan of what to do if the scale reached a certain level. Planning and self-monitoring seems a key part of sustained weight loss success in research VWXGLHV +DYLQJ D ÂľSODQÂś PDNHV VHQVH SDUWLFXODUO\ when faced with temptations such as Christmas, family celebrations, holidays or eating out. This is particularly tricky on the Coast where so many people have a multitude of visitors in ‘holiday PRGHÂś 6XFFHVVIXO ZHLJKW FRQWUROOHUV KDYH individual plans that work for them, like deciding beforehand exactly how much or what they will eat or drink, skipping a course, sharing portions, or just avoiding the temptation altogether. 4. 98% of them altered what they ate to lose weight, with the majority sticking to a low-fat, high carbohydrate plan. Research shows that weight loss over a year, although it may differ initially, is virtually the same on a variety of different diets studied. But some diets give better results for different health measures like control of blood sugar or fat and cholesterol blood measurements which can be very important depending upon the individual and the reason for losing weight. Most healthy eating regimes are very similar to a low-glycaemic index Mediterranean style diet which ensures healthy OHYHOV RI ÂżEUH IUXLW DQG YHJHWDEOHV SURWHLQ IURP PHDW ÂżVK DQG SXOVHV DV ZHOO DV KHDOWK\ W\SHV RI IDWV $W OHDVW WKDWÂśV RQH EHQHÂżW ZH FDQ WDS LQWR RQ the Coast! Perhaps, rather than focusing on diet and weight loss, the focus should be on an overall eating ‘plan’ along with activity levels to keep the weight off. sponsored by

Zoe Fisher Nutritional Therapy At clinics in Estepona and Gibraltar

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

olf in the Sun Celebrates First Year The Golf in the Sun Society was formed less than 12 months ago by Paul Allies and Barry Gill. The express aim of the society, is to provide golf at reasonable rates for guys who either live here, or regularly visit the area, and wish to play competitive golf in a friendly environment. sen from 40 to over 200 members mainly due to the policy of free membership. “We decided from the outset that we wanted a golf society that was not about money. We wanted to create something that that would grow year on year based on good organisation, reasonable green fees, and great prizes. Based on the fact that our membership has grown from 40 to well over 200 in 12 months is confirmation that we must be doing something ULJKW´ VD\ÂśV %DUU\ The other aim of the society was to raise money for a worthwhile local charity. After much deliberating they decided to support Ciudad de los Ninos (The City of Children), in MĂĄlaga. The centre is for disadvantaged children and young people and is approved and monitored by the Andalusian Regional Government. On-site residence is provided for destitute children and those removed from parent custody while the on site school is also open to children from low income families and caters to their special learning needs. The charity relies heavily on donations and we feel proud to be able to help via our golf society. To date the society has raised nearly 1,000 Euros and by the end of the year we hope to increase this substantially.

Charity Dinner at Los Arqueros We finally rounded up the year with a great golf day at Los Arqueros, followed by our prize giving dinner with a plethora of prizes for all. 63 players turned out to play in December sunshine in our mixed invitational competition. There were many winners on the day, not just for golf, but for some special people also who helped make our first year such a success. We gave prizes to Patrick and Adam, our resident SURÂśV 5XXG *ULQ ZRQ WKH )XQGUDLVHU RI WKH <HDU 6WHYH 0DFNHQ]LH ZDV WKH EHVW * , 7 6 Support Player, and there were many winners of gratis green fee vouchers in our “on the table rafflesâ€?. On the golf, Fran Whelan won the day with a very respectable 37 points off his G.I.T.S

handicap of 8. Dave Dalton took the 2nd prize with first timer Terry Spencer winning the 3rd prize. Nearest the pin was won by Pepe Torres. We also held an auction prize for our chosen charity, Ciudad de los Ninos, of 4 green fees and 2 buggies at Valderrama, which was so YHU\ JHQHURXVO\ GRQDWHG E\ 9DOGHUUDPDÂśV General Manager, Derek Brown. A bidding war between Ruud and Terry Hibbert finally ended with Terry picking up this prestigeous prize for 800 Euros. Thank you both Derek and Terry for your generosity.

Next year promises to be even more exciting as we plan two more golf days throughout the year (10 in total), and with a more solid base of members than we started with last year, we anticipate our numbers growing ever faster. If any golfers are interested in this format then checkout our web site at www.golfinthesun.org. Any donations to our charity pot would be greatly appreciated and anyone wishing to donate should contact Barry Gill on 661 297209 or email at golfinthesun@hotmail.com 14 Please mention Andalucia Life when talking to our advertisers

Welcome to the New Golf Page fromTom Crowley of Clubhouse Golftours. Clubhouse Golftours have been operating throughout the Costa del Sol for the past 3 years and Tom himself has been playing, reviewing and organizing golf on the coast since 2002. Operating from The Clubhouse Restaurant (over The Eroski Supermarket) Tom is committed to offering his clients the very best in service and quality.

Here is just a sample of what is on offer: 7KH :HGQHVGD\ *ROI 6RFLHW\ IRU ERWK Ladies & Gents 6SHFLDO RIIHUV RI WKH 0RQWK *ROI KROLGD\ SDFNDJHV LQFOXGLQJ transport & accommodation *UHDW )RRG DQG 0HQX RIIHUV DW 7KH Clubhouse Restaurant including private functions, prize giving’s & presentations.

The Trafalgar Trophy Marbella Golf & Country Club was the venue for the Trafalgar Trophy last September. It was organized by our semi-regular, Geordie Stan Storer. Nearly forty ladies and gents played on that Wednesday afternoon in lovely conditions. Stan claims that it was Vice Admiral Collinwood, who is coincidentally a Geordie himself and not Vice Admiral Nelson who won the famous battle that took place only up the road in Cádiz in 1805. The winner of The Trafalgar Trophy was William Hessert the Major General of U.S Air Force (retired). Nelson must be turning in his grave!

Doña Julia As we go to print it is great to hear that Doña Julia is re-opening its 18 holes. Good news also is that Caddy Master Paddy Robinson is back again to help and assist all with his cheerful manner.

Stan Storer with Trafalgar Trophy Winner William Hessert

Clubhouse Golftours Offer of the Month

El Paraiso - €90 2 Greenfees incl. Buggy Call Tom on 646 420 547.

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PETS & PET CARE

The Feast Day of St. Anton – Patron Saint of Domestic Animals 6DWXUGD\ -DQXDU\ WK EULQJV $'$1$œV IRXUWK DQQXDO FHOHEUDWLRQ RI WKH )LHVWD RI 6DQ $QWRQ Please bring your pet – of any type or size -to join the procession culminating with a blessing in 3OD]D $QWRQLD *XHUUHUR (JJ 6TXDUH :H ZLOO PHHW RXWVLGH WKH 7RXULVW 2I¿FH LQ (VWHSRQD DW 12.30 and walk along Calle Real and Calle Terraza to be met by Padre Pedro who will perform the benediction.

Remember – all pets – and their owners are welcome!

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PETS & PET CARE

Spring Equine Event Against Drugs - 101 km’s in 24 hours The Foreign Legion began this event over 10 years ago and some 8000 runners and mountain bikes take part. We have convinced them to allow horses to enter. We have als received permission to participate in the VII HOMENAJE D /26 .0œ6 '( 521'$ LQ 0DUFK KHOG E\ WKH $\XQWDPLH RI 5RQGD $QRWKHU JUHDW FRXS 7KLV LV D ZDUP XS RI NPœV WR WKH NPœV DURXQG 5RQGD LQ KRXUV LQ 0D\ ZLWK 7KH /HJLRQ 6RPH SHRSOH HQWHU WKH ¿UVW HYHQW VR WKH atmosphere will be fantastic. Show everyone that a horse is to enjoy all year, not just at the feria. We have set the speed limits low so you can enjo what will promise to be two fantastic experiences and help a good cause. Get training (you and your horse). Riders age 10 upwards can participate. For the advance program, rules, inscription and a basic training plan email info@ espiritu-del-viento.com. Come and see for yourself how our barefoot horses perform. We are so excited for this opportunity to open the doors of the equine world to another discipline. One the whole family can enjoy enjoy. Tracey Parker Parker.

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Technology The Importance of Listening to Google Earlier this year I wrote an article alerting people to the measures Google would be LQWURGXFLQJ LQWR WKHLU VHDUFK DOJRULWKPV WR PDNH ¿QGLQJ ZHEVLWHV PRUH DFFXUDWHO\ UHÀHFW WKH VHDUFK , DOVR JDYH VRPH KLQWV DQG WLSV FRQFHUQLQJ KRZ *RRJOH ZRXOG IDYRXU RQH VLWH RYHU DQRWKHU )RU WKRVH WKDW PLVVHG WKDW DUWLFOH LW FDQ EH IRXQG E\ going to the web address at the end of this article. One of the measures mentioned in that earlier article, introduced in December 2010, was the µUHDGDELOLW\¶ IDFWRU %DVLFDOO\ LI WKH WH[W RQ WKH web page can be easily read and understood by a person of an age likely to be interested in the subject matter then the website achieves PRUH SRLQWV WKDQ RQH WKDW LV GLI¿FXOW WR UHDG and understand. Google recognises that if your site is examining nuclear physics or exploring the intricacies of DNA analysis then it is likely to be understood by fewer people than one that, for instance, sells books or tells you about herbivores. The readability factor is not something that Google has dreamed up, it is a recognised set of rules known as Flesch Kincaid used for many years to assess the readability of books and categorise them according to the age group likely to read them or for which the book is suitable. The same rules apply as for writing an article. Ensure that words are not spelt incorrectly. Keep sentences as short as is practicable. If there are two words that suit any situation, choose the one that more people will understand. Use correct grammar, and that LQFOXGHV FDSLWDO OHWWHUV IRU WKH ¿UVW OHWWHU RI D word at the beginning of a sentence. Use a font size that is easily read on a standard screen and colours that allow the text to stand out from the background colour. Try to have an

introduction, a main body and a conclusion. A new option will soon be appearing alongside the Google Search Box that allows you to set a reading level of basic, intermediate and advanced.

The question is, in which category do you want your website to appear? <RX PD\ DVN ZK\ WKH ODVW SRLQW LV LPSRUWDQW Part of the readability test looks at the use of titles, headings, sub headings and bold text. Those four items are opportunities for you to use key words and Google will recognise them as more important than the text used in the SDUDJUDSKV )LQDOO\ GR QRW WU\ WR µEODJ¶ *RRJOH Keywords and phrases used in meta tags, the invisible tags used by search engines to discover what a site is all about, must appear on the page in visible text or you will be awarded negative points with consequent loss of position in the search result rankings. www.costadelsolwebdesign.com

sponsored by Plasabi Computer Shop C/Miguel Delibes 2, Sabinillas

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Health, Wealth and Happiness for 2011 How many New Year resolutions have we all made and broken? Let’s start a new trend for 2011. There are the three basic wishes listed above and I wish all Andalucia Life readers a Healthy, Wealthy and Happy New Year. HEALTH. None of us know what is around the corner. Do you have adequate provision for future health care requirements? The Spanish Social Security system is very good but like everywhere there are waiting lists. Private Health Insurance can be a lot less expensive than you might think. There are many types of private health cover to suit \RXU OLIHVW\OH DQG EXGJHW 6R 1HZ <HDUœV resolution Nº 1 should be to ensure that you have your future health care requirements secured.

HAPPINESS. This is a state of mind and being which is very personal. Happiness to one person may be misery to another. (DFK LQGLYLGXDOÂśV SHUFHSWLRQ RI KDSSLQHVV LV GLIIHUHQW MXVW OLNH WKHLU ÂżQDQFLDO circumstances, needs and priorities are different.

:($/7+ If you are already wealthy then you need to ensure that you are protected against WKH HIIHFWV RI LQÀDWLRQ <RX DOVR QHHG WR understand the complicated Inheritance Tax situation regarding assets inside and outside Spain. If you want to acquire future wealth for retirement or simply a better lifestyle for you and your family then savings and investment DGYLFH WRJHWKHU ZLWK JRRG ¿QDQFLDO SODQQLQJ VKRXOG EH \RXU 1HZ <HDUœV UHVROXWLRQ 1ž

If you would like more information or DGYLFH RQ VHFXULQJ \RXU IXWXUH ÂżQDQFLDO security or details of different private health care plans available in Spain, call Pauline Bowden now on 95 289 0383. 3ULYDWH DQG FRQÂżGHQWLDO FRQVXOWDWLRQV

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ANDALUCIA LIFE NEWS

Wikileaks Reveals a Spanish Obsession With the whole world waiting with bated breath for the next tranche of secrets to be revealed on the Wikileaks website it was with a sense RI DQWL FOLPD[ WKDW *LEUDOWDU UHFHLYHG LWV ¿UVW proper mention in a document dating back to 2008 that revealed the ‘Extent of Spanish REVHVVLRQ RYHU *LEUDOWDU¶ DFFRUGLQJ WR DQ RI¿FLDO UHVSRQVH WR WKH OHDNHG GRFXPHQWV E\ the GSLP/Liberal Opposition. The Opposition may be surprised but not many others were. In 2008 the new Spanish defence minister, Carme Chacon, raised the question of United States warships calling at Gibraltar during a meeting with the US Ambassador in Madrid whilst simultaneously encouraging the use of Rota.

Málaga Loses the Top Spot According to a leading European airline reservation portal, Málaga is no longer the number one destination for holidays in Europe. That place, in December, goes to Tenerife with Málaga second and Alicante third.

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ANDALUCIA LIFE NEWS

Art Exhibition by Axarquia Art “New Year – New Artâ€? 7KH $[DUTXLD $UW JURXS LV KROGLQJ LWV Âł1HZ <HDU Âą New Artâ€? exhibition at the Ethnographic Museum, Riogordo. Since its formation last August the group has grown rapidly and attracted many new artist and associate members. The exhibition shows high quality work from 10 artists, many well known in the Axarquia region. Work being exhibited includes Ceramics, Paintings in a variety of media and Sculpture. The exhibition runs from Saturday January 15th 2011 until Saturday February 12th 2011. The museum, situated at Calle Iglesia 14, Riogordo is open to the public on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10.00am until 2.00pm and 4.00pm until 8.00pm. Further information is available on the groups website at: www.axarquiaart.blogspot.com or Email axarquiaart@gmail.com

Mast of Fear Book Launch On the 10th December Bar Duquesa took on a literary atmosphere as William Downes (Billy the Fish) appeared to VLJQ FRSLHV RI KLV ÂżUVW ERRN Âľ0DVW RI )HDUÂś /RRNLQJ VXLWDEO\ academic in a chequered bow tie and pinstripe suit, Billy declared himself pleased with the attendance as he sold yet DQRWKHU FRS\ Âľ0DVW RI )HDUÂś LV DYDLODEOH IURP DPD]RQ FRP

Spanish Elections 6DQ 5RTXH %RURXJK &RXQFLOÂśV )RUHLJQ 5HVLGHQWV ,QIRUPDWLRQ 2IÂżFH )5,2 ZRXOG OLNH WR announce that 22nd May 2011 is the date set for the next municipal elections in Spain. If you are an EU citizen (or from certain other non-EU countries), hold a NIE number and you have registered on the local population census (“padrĂłn municipalâ€?), you are entitled to exercise your right to vote in both local and European Elections. If you have not voted in Spain before, we would like to let you know there is a deadline to register DV D QHZ YRWHU WKH RIÂżFLDO SHULRG IRU DOO QHZ LQVFULSWLRQV RQ WKH HOHFWRUDO UROO HQGV RQ WK -DQXDU\ 2011 What’s On Calendar, Business Directory and much more.... on www.andalucia-life.com 23

ANDALUCIA LIFE NEWS

Firstly may I wish all of you, on behalf of Age Concern, a Very Happy New Year and hope that the Christmas Season passed peacefully. We have had a few delays in getting to the stage where we could open the Drop-In-Centre but we took the decision to only RSHQ ZKHQ ZH ZHUH VDWLV¿HG WKDW HYHU\WKLQJ ZDV LQ RUGHU $IWHU the building work had been completed and the electrics sorted out the place had to be decorated. We were very fortunate in getting the work done for free (apart from the paint that is) and WKDQNV KDYH WR JR WR $QG\ 'DYH DQG 6YHQ IURP )HUJXVRQœV EDU in Estepona. By the time you read this we may well have VRUWHG RXW WKH IXUQLWXUH DQG ¿WWLQJV DQG EH RQ WKH YHUJH RI D JUDQG RSHQLQJ OHWœV KRSH VR DQ\ZD\ $JH &RQFHUQ VHHP IDWHG QRW WR UXQ D JROI FRPSHWLWLRQ 7KH ¿UVW DWWHPSW EDFN LQ 6HSWHPEHU KDG WR EH FDQFHOOHG IRU UHDVRQV EH\RQG RXU FRQWURO DQG WKH VHFRQG ¿[HG IRU 1RYHPEHU WKH th last year had to be cancelled because of the atrocious weather on the 27th (O 3DUDLVR *ROI EDVLFDOO\ ÀRRGHG DQG WKH course director rightly took the decision to call the game off. Guess what, the 28th was a lovely wall to wall sunny day, but the course was far too wet to play. Thanks have to go to all who put their names down to play and to the main sponsor, Ibex insurance. What was a success, though we would have liked more people to attend, was the talk on strokes organised by Age Concern and given by Dr. Mark Sageur, a neurologist specialist from Hospiten, held on the 25th November at Padre Manuel, Estepona. The doctor gave an informative talk about the different types of strokes, how a stroke can be recognised, what treatments are available and how the likelihood of a stroke can be minimised. The important message was, and is, for people to remember how to spot someone having a stroke – FAST, which can be summarised as follows.

HOW TO SPOT SOMEONE HAVING A STROKE ) VWDQGV IRU IDFH Âą KDV WKH SHUVRQÂśV IDFH dropped on one side. $ VWDQGV IRU DUPV Âą GRHV RQH DUP VWDUW WR drop when both arms are raised? 6 VWDQGV IRU VSHHFK Âą LV WKH SHUVRQÂśV VSHHFK slurred and/or does it make sense? ,I WKH DQVZHU WR DQ\ RI WKRVH WKUHH LV Âľ<HVÂś then use T which stands for time. Act at once and call the emergency services as the earlier treatment starts the better chance of recovery, or in the case of a transient stroke (where the person recovers fairly quickly) the avoidance of a full stroke.

$JH &RQFHUQ UDQ D VWDQG DW 7KH 2YHU œV 6KRZ KHOG DW 7KH Palacio de Congresos, Estepona on the 27th and 28th November. Thanks to the organisers, Sports and Leisure Promotions Limited. In spite of the horrendous weather on the 27th both days saw brisk trade with people wanting advice and information and those ZLVKLQJ WR EX\ UDIÀH WLFNHWV 7KH UDIÀH UDLVHG Ÿ WR VXSSRUW WKH work of volunteers working in the community with older people – WKDQNV JR WR WKH UDIÀH SUL]H GRQRUV LQFOXGLQJ 6DQ\UHV 5HWUR DQG Hotel Molino del Puente, along with individuals who do not wish to be named.

What’s in store for 2011 – watch this space!!

),1$//< )RU HOGHUO\ SHRSOH ZKR UHTXLUH KHOS RU DGYLFH Age Concern, Estepona and Manilva operate a telephone service called Lifeline. This gives the individual a direct point of contact with the charity. The telephone number is 650 163 928. 24 Please mention Andalucia Life when talking to our advertisers

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Estepona Reading Group Book Review

The Elegance of the Hedgehog - Muriel Barbery If you are looking for a book that will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, then this is the one for you. You’ll hate it and then you’ll love it as Muriel Barbery takes us up and then brings us down again on a philosophical journey through this, her second novel which has been translated from the original French into more than thirty languages, and which has made Barbery something of a literary phenomenon. Combining themes taken from her academic background as a Professor of Philosophy and her love of Japanese culture (where Barbery now lives) with motifs taken from Tolstoy, the novel is at times hard to follow, but my recommendation is to stay with it and you will, ultimately, be rewarded with a tale that blossoms and that at the end might just break your heart. Set in Paris, we meet RenÊe, a post-menopausal woman who is the concierge of a grand apartment block on the Left Bank, and Paloma, a pre-pubescent twelve-year old girl. The lives of these two females become intertwined and, although they are from very different backgrounds, they converge in a surprising way with the arrival of wealthy Japanese tenant, Kakuro Ozu, who befriends them both and transforms their lives. The story LV ZULWWHQ LQ WKH YRLFHV RI 3DORPD ¿UVW SHUVRQ narrative), the precocious but brilliant daughter of rich parents who plans to commit suicide on her 13th ELUWKGD\ DQG 5HQpH ZKR ZH ¿QG RXW LV an autodidact and has a greater understanding of literature and the arts than any of the upperclass, snobby residents in the building she looks after. 'RQœW LPDJLQH KRZHYHU WKDW WKH ERRN LV all doom and gloom. There are some truly comical, laugh-out-loud moments such as when

5HQpH Ă€XVKHV WKH WRLOHW LQ 2]XÂśV DSDUWPHQW DQG 0R]DUWÂśV ÂľRequiemÂś booms out. “I should have warned you. This is a Japanese thing‌ my daughter’s idea to import it. When \RX Ă€XVK LW VHWV RII WKH PXVLF WÂśVÂŤ PRUH SOHDVDQW \RX VHH"´ he explains. The title of the book is explained by Paloma who opines hat Renee “KDV WKH HOHJDQFH RI D KHGJHKRJ RQ WKH RXWVLGH VKHÂśV FRYHUHG LQ TXLOOV D UHDO IRUWUHVV but my gut feeling is that on the QVLGH VKH KDV WKH VDPH VLPSOH HÂżQHPHQW DV WKH KHGJHKRJ D GHFHSWLYHO\ LQGROHQW OLWWOH FUHDWXUH ÂżHUFHO\ VROLWDU\ Âą DQG WHUULEO\ HOHJDQW ´ This book celebrates the meaning of life and makes a connection between beauty and death whilst also making a radical comment about class and hypocrisy. Barbery highlights the irony of a concierge looking down on the intellectual pretensions of the residents of her building in much the way she imagines that they look down on her. A case of ‘do not judge D ERRN E\ LWV FRYHUÂś ,W LV D FRQWHPSRUDU\ IDEOH DQG KDV EHHQ FDOOHG D ÂľOLIH DIÂżUPLQJÂś QRYHO Decide for yourself whether it lives up to the K\SH VXUURXQGLQJ LW EXW LI \RX ÂżQG \RXUVHOI struggling with the philosophical bent, please persevere – it does get more readable after the ÂżUVW RQH KXQGUHG SDJHV DQG , KDYH WR DGPLW that I shed a tear at the surprising ending! Joanna Wyndham

The next meeting of The Estepona Reading Group will be held at the Elemi CafĂŠ, near Estepona Port on Thursday, 20th January from 6pm until 7.30pm, when we will be discussing Paper Money by Ken Follett. For Further information call 956 794 279 26 Please mention Andalucia Life when talking to our advertisers

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CAP Raise 2,300€ for CUDECA On the 2nd and 3rd December Club Charity and Pleasure raised 2,300 Euros for Cudeca with their fund raising show, ‘Capricious Capers’’ held at El Paraiso Country Club Benavista.

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What’s On Calendar, Business Directory and much more.... on www.andalucia-life.com 29

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Get Away From It All – Generalife Granada In the 13th century you could have been sat in the whimsically named Vegetable Garden of the Gypsy Festivity Organiser and, a few years later in the Governors Garden. Today it is NQRZQ DV *HQHUDOLIH 7KH 0RVOHPV KDG D ÀDUH for choosing the most attractive surroundings in which to relax and the Generalife has to be one of the most idyllic spots in Spain situated on a small hill called Cerro del Sol, overlooking the Alhambra, the city of Granada and the valleys of the rivers Genil and Darro. The gardens were built during the 13th century as a refuge for the nobility from the hectic court life and intrigue within the Alhambra Palace itself. Despite being within easy walking distance of the Alhambra, Generalife was always considered to be outside the city.

Mohammed V (1353 – 1391) was relaxing there when a rebellion broke out in the palace itself which probably saved him from a premature end. Nowadays the main part of the garden is called the Patio de la Acequia, Patio of Irrigation. As the name suggests the principle feature around which the garden is formed is water. A central channel is fed from the main water supply to the Alhambra. In the channel there are a number of small jet fountains fed from a water source at a higher altitude than the main supply so that the water pressure feeding the jets creates the small fountains. It would be considered very clever today and this feature is six hundred years old. Careful planting of myrtle bushes, orange trees, cypresses and rosebushes create a wonderfully peaceful and fragrant atmosphere. The garden is a walled garden with one wall inset by eighteen arches, the central arch leading to the lower gardens. A similar arch on the opposite wall leads to the upper gardens. Next you arrive at the Patio de los Cipreses, Patio of the Cypresses. The old Cyprus trees date back to the Muslim period and the most famous one is called the Cipres de la Sultana, WKH 6XOWDQD¶V &\SUXV $FFRUGLQJ WR OHJHQG LW ZDV EHQHDWK WKLV WUHH WKDW %RDEGLO¶V ZLIH XVHG

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to meet a knight of the Abencarrajes family. The triste had unfortunate consequences for WKH IDPLO\ :KHQ %RDEGLO GLVFRYHUHG KLV ZLIHVœ LQ¿GHOLW\ KH KDG WKH ZKROH $EHQFDUUDMHV WULEH put to death by having their throats cut. Again water is a primary feature of the garden within which there is a staircase, considered the oldest staircase in the gardens, that is divided LQWR WKUHH ÀLJKWV HDFK ZLWK D IRXQWDLQ DQG D handrails that are actually channels taking water to the lower levels. Generalife can be visited separately to the Alhambra but why not treat it as part of the overall tour? After spending three or four hot, energetic hours touring the palaces and IRUWUHVV DQ KRXU RU VR LQ WKH VRSRUL¿F SHDFHIXO gardens allows you to fully appreciate why they ZHUH EXLOW LQ WKH ¿UVW SODFH To enjoy a tour of Granada and a guided tour of the Alhambra, including prebooked tickets for the Nasrid palaces, and Generalife, without the hassle of driving yourself, you can call in at Estepona Port Business and Internet Centre. 7HO What’s On Calendar, Business Directory and much more.... on www.andalucia-life.com 33

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Estepona Floral Art Club $I¿OLDWHG WR 1$)$6 /RQGRQ 2YHUVHDV

A very Happy New Year to all our Members, Visitors and Readers! We hope that you all had a very Happy Christmas and are now ready for the great programme of design, colour, and entertainment, that we have planned for the coming year. If you feel that your afternoons could do with a lift after the busy festive season, then come along and have an afternoon of good entertainment which will give you plenty of inspiration and ideas to bring colour into your homes! All our Demonstrators arrive from the UK, and are either NAFAS National or Area Demonstrators. We are very fortunate to be able to bring to Spain each month such high expertise in the art of Flower Arranging. NAFAS (National Association of Flower Arrangers Society) is a World-wide organization so if you would like to become part of such a great club then please attend our demonstration.

Each month we have a well-stocked Sales Table where all your purchases for Flower Arranging can be made at extremely reasonable prices. Plus, we run at certain months in the year, µ)ORZHU $UUDQJLQJ &ODVVHV¶ for all levels of abilities, so even if you have never done anything like this before now is the perfect chance to learn a new skill and make new friends. Estepona Floral Art Club will be getting the 1HZ <HDU RII ZLWK D JUHDW VWDUW E\ ZHOFRPLQJ Stephanie Laing NAFAS Area Demonstrator from East Grinstead, Sussex, on Tuesday, January 18th 2011. The demonstration will take place at ‘The Benavista Country Club’ Benavista, N340 Km EHKLQG WKH VKRSV QHDU WKH WHQQLV FRXUWV the programme commences prompt at 3pm until 5pm. Refreshments will be available before and after our demonstrations.

A raffle at the end of each demonstration ensures five lucky ladies take home a stunning arrangement.

For information on the above events and future events please contact our Chairman Marilyn Pemberton on Tel: 952 928 197 Alternatively go to our website: www.thebestofmarbella.com and click on the link, Culture and Associations, or enter Estepona Floral Art Club in the Google space bar, to view all our forthcoming events. 34 Please mention Andalucia Life when talking to our advertisers

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International Club Of Estepona ICE is for all English speaking people and meet at Urbanisation Bahia Dorada Entrada 4 or 5 at km 149, A7 Estepona. Tel 952 802 549 VISIT OUT WEBSITE www.siberme.com Every Sunday from 12.30 to 2.30pm and every Tuesday from 11.00am to 2pm the bar is open for drinks and tapas. Every Thursday from 10.30am to 2pm the bar is open for drinks and lunch. Weekly meeting 11.30am. New Members always welcome.

Special Events January Wednesday 5th January

- Trip - The Russians Are Coming The Russian Army Choir and Dancers are coming to the beautiful Cervantes Theatre in Málaga. Friday 7th January - Quiz Night Monday 10th January - Film Night Wednesday 12th January - Ladies & Gents Lunches Friday 14th January )LVK &KLS 6XSSHU ± :LWK µ)U\HU¶ 5RE 3RWWHU Monday 17th January - New Members Welcome Night Saturday 22nd January %HUQLH¶V µ%XUQV¶ 1LJKW Friday 28th January - Music Night Saturday 29th January - Evening with Maureen Calaghan & Sean Connaughton 7.30 for 8.00pm Maureen will introduce her book ‘A Note to Self’ )XUWKHU GHWDLOV RQ RXU ZHEVLWH RU E\ FRQWDFWLQJ WKH FOXEKRXVH www.siberme.com What’s On Calendar, Business Directory and much more.... on www.andalucia-life.com 35

ANDALUCIA LIFE NEWS

El Camino – March 2011 The Animals Return to the Camino! The Spanish Animal Protection Association “planeta animalâ€? whose main objective is to raise awareness in the human population through targeted projects, invites everybody to walk with them to Santiago de Compostela, a pilgrimage for the animals. In 2009 many people joined a magical SLOJULPDJH IRU $QLPDO 5LJKWV Âś (O &DPLQRÂś following the St.James Trail to Santiago. Some came from animal protection backgrounds, to experience another way to WDFNOH WKH SUREOHPV WKH\ÂśYH EHHQ WU\LQJ WR solve for years. Others had no experience of the groups working for years to highlight ill treatment of animals and promote their care and protection, but liked the idea of hiking with a dog. 7KLV EUDYH JURXS RI ÂżIWHHQ WZR OHJJHG KLNHUV IURP DOO RYHU WKH ZRUOG DORQJ ZLWK ÂżIWHHQ IRXU legged hikers, gained respect from many who witnessed them along the way. Just to see them arrive tired but happy, after another long days walking and to witness the shared feelings of the two and four legged beings, made people think a bit more about the animals.

“We live in a world full of needs and do not see that everything is related. If we do not teach our children to respect the animals and nature, they will not respect their fellow citizens either. And we all know that respect is the basis of a functioning society�, says Johanna Mayrhofer, the director of El Camino Project. 12: 3ODQHWD $QLPDO LQYLWHV HYHU\ERG\ to take part in ‘El Camino 2011’ :H ZLOO ZDON IRU KDUPRQLF FR existence between human beings, animals and our natural planet. Those who do the walk will have a great opportunity to combine a responsible week long holiday with a chance to experience the legendary pilgrims trail. The Silver route will take us through some of the wonderful, unknown landscapes of Spain, up to Astorga, then continuing on the French route to Santiago de Compostela.

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ANDALUCIA LIFE NEWS

MARCH 19th to APRIL 29th 2011 “The animal companions on the Camino ZLOO EH GRJV DQG GRQNH\V VR IDUÂś VD\V -RKDQQDÂś EXW DQ\RQH ZKR ZDQWV FRXOG bring another animal, as long as they are sure that it would be capable of covering 24 kilometres a day.â€? Planeta Animall will provide all the infrastructure needed by human and animal travellers, with guides, accommodation (in pilgrim lodgings, rural houses, hotels etc.), food and water, transport of baggage etc. Volunteers who want to take part, can do so in periods of one to six weeks, choosing the most attractive week of the route and making sure of a realistic distance for their own animals.

3URÂżWV IURP WKLV ZLOO JR WRZDUGV IXQGLQJ RXU nationwide education programs.

Those who cannot join us walking will be able to follow our progress through a blog on the For more information, visit our webpage: ZHEVLWH <RX FDQ DOVR VXSSRUW XV E\ VSRQVRULQJ www.planeta-animal.org one of the four donkeys doing the Camino, one euro per kilometre.

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The Urge For Altitude Across the Strait lies Africa and a drive through Morocco leads to the High Atlas. Does not the name draw you? It did me five years ago in the summer of 2005. Djebel Toubkal was waiting, the highest peak there. At 4167metres there is the possibility of mountain sickness so it’s a serious ascent. Imlil is the road head for the start of the climb, just one street and a couple of hotels of the basic sort. The plan was to make late start, reach The Neltner Refuge before dark, spend a night there, ready for an alpine start next day, in order to do the top and get down before the regular afternoon thunderstorms sweep in. Spurning guides and mules standing in a shady area, I strolled upwards through the village, turned left at the last house and zigzagged VWHHSO\ XS XQGHU D SDQRSO\ RI ¿J WUHHV XQWLO , reached the Kasbah, where Scorsese made KLV ¿OP DERXW WKH 'DODL /DPD 7ZHQW\ PLQXWHV walking along an irrigation canal brought me to a bridge and a steep climb to a dirt road, all the time being passed by muleteers trying to tempt me to ride like a proper tourist. Another half hour in the strong sun got me into the village Aroumd. Ahead through the trees that surrounded the houses I could see a broad stony riverbed, dry then but obviously formed E\ PDVVLYH ÀRRGV LQ WKH UDLQ\ VHDVRQ /HDYLQJ to the right a small walled orchard, the path led on across the stony watercourse until it became obvious that it was necessary to climb up to a contouring path on the hillside leading to a sluice gate on a water channel, overlooked by a half hearted hut. A local entrepreneur attempted to sell me a bottle of water from several cooling in the ditch. The all had different labels so I feared he had bottled them himself from the channel at his feet. We parted with no ill feeling but no sale either and a rocky scramble brought me out on to a broad level track that delivered me to Sidi Chamharouche, a blindingly white marabout tomb in good condition but closed to non-believers. Nearby however the was a huddle of huts along a shaded street, to refresh any visitor or pilgrim, with fruits, juices and trinkets.

Even after three hours of climbing I resisted the offers to mount some very strong looking fourlegged assistants and pushed on up another ]LJ]DJ SDWK WKLV WLPH FOLPELQJ DQ RXW ÀXQJ VSXU of Djebel Aquelzim, until the gradient slackened and was comfortably gaining height on a gradual incline that took my eager eyes up the to the valley head, and there on the left skyline , FDXJKW P\ ¿UVW JOLPSVH RI 'OHEHO 7RXENDO tantalisingly far away. In the foreground a huge rock narrowed the path, where two builders were narrowing it even more to turnstile width by constructing a drinks and trinket shop. Eat your heart out Carrefour! Once past the nascent shopping centre, I saw in the distance just beneath, the start of a clearly visible path to a col called on my map 7L]L Qœ2XDQRXPVV WZR EXLOGLQJV RI ZKLFK the newer is called the Neltner Refuge. Half an hour later I was there booking a space on a communal mattress, an early call and a breakfast. As night fell on the mountains and while waiting my turn on the cooker, I was conscious the SODFH ZDV ¿OOLQJ ZLWK IHOORZ FOLPEHUV PRVWO\ \RXQJ DQG ¿W LQWHQW RQ D IDVW WULS XS WKH SHDN in the morning. With the intention of being away before the mass exodus, I brought forward my reveille call and got into my sleeping bag, listening to the wind from the Sahara moaning round the thick walled building. After a lot of youthful Moroccan chatter to keep me awake, it was possible to sleep until I had to drag myself out into the dark morning. The route went gently past a waterfall falling LQWR D EODFN SRRO WKH ZDUGHQœV LGHD RI HQ VXLWH

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facilities and became a good narrow track on ZHOO FRQVROLGDWHG ÂżQH VFUHH IRU D VKRUW GLVWDQFH after which it deteriorated into a confused scramble over boulders getting gradually larger. After about thirty minutes on my own I heard chatter behind and in ten minutes, as day was dawning over the skyline up ahead, I was overhauled by my room mates of the night before, effortlessly leaving me struggling behind. No amount of will power or gritting of teeth could stop me falling further and further behind. They did show the route but also the massive scale of the huge scree shoot I was now ascending. All this time I was stopping for deep breaths and to take photographs of the stupendous surroundings. Just as I passed a cluster of house sized rocks I looked to see tiny ÂżJXUHV RQ WKH VN\OLQH JRLQJ OHIW XS WKH ÂżQDO ULGJH 7KH JRLQJ QRZ ZDV YHU\ GLIÂżFXOW WZR steps up and one back, so it was another two KRXUV EHIRUH , FRXOG JHW RQWR WKH ÂżQDO ULGJH As I did so the crowd of spring-heeled jacks came running down the scree with many cries of happiness and encouragement. The joys of youth. The summit was slightly disappointing, rubbish strewn and equipped with a huge steel surveying tower. The temperature as soon as I stopped was distinctly chill and storm clouds ZHUH EORZLQJ XS ÂżOOLQJ WKH YDOOH\V EHORZ 6RRQ the sun was covered and it was time to get off the highest peak of the High Atlas. I wished my legs were strong enough and young enough to run the scree, but caution and sundry aches advised against it and slowly and painfully I retraced my steps, taking almost as long to get down to the refuge as it had taken me to reach the summit. When I reached the Refuge the rain was spattering heavily on the rocks, the crowds had gone and the valley was calling.

Away we went, the owner following. At steep parts of the path he held us by leaning back RQ WKH PXOHÂśV WDLO :KLOH RQ JHQWOHU SDUWV KH encouraged the poor critter doing unspeakable invisible things to it with his stick. I told him I was slipping forward and he showed me how to put my feet inside the deep panniers. I then realised that if the overloaded animal lost LWÂśV IRRWLQJ RQ WKH FUXPEO\ SDWK HGJH , ZRXOG probably not be able to get free as we rolled down the rocky hillside. I was not a happy hiker! He must have got the message, because when we got to the shrine, he handed me over WR KLV ÂľGLVSDWFKHUÂś ZKR LQ TXLFN WLPH EURXJKW out a huge mule the size of a warhorse. On we went at breakneck speed over the easing gradient until at the dry riverbed he insisted on climbing up behind to persuade the willing animal to gallop. We stormed through Aroumd like Valkyries until the mad ride ended at the last zigzag into Imlil. By this time I had got the hang of the single rein and asked my driver to let me go on into town like Clint Eastwood. So hat brim over my eyes, cigar smoke drifting lazily behind, one hand on hip, I prepared to give my wife a visual treat should she be waiting on the hotel terrace. As I slipped professionally to the ground and threw the rein casually over the rail as all desperados do, I was informed in French that my ever-loving had driven off to a famous mosque seventy kilometres away with a one legged taxi driver. John Thurston 25 Nov 10.

Waiting expectantly on the level area used for camping was the smallest skinniest mule I had HYHU VHHQ 1HYHUWKHOHVV WKLV WLPH WKH ÀHVK was weak and I allowed the muleteer to put my rucksack in one side of the straw pannier, followed by a huge rock as a counterweight in the other. Its owner, who hoisted me onto the EHDVWœV EDFN WR ¿QG QR VWLUUXSV QR VDGGOH DQG a single rein, ignored silent looks of reproach from the animal. What’s On Calendar, Business Directory and much more.... on www.andalucia-life.com 39

Dfas De La Frontera and The Sacred Art Of Tibet -RLQ ')$6 GH OD )URQWHUD IRU WKH ÂżUVW OHFWXUH RI WKH 1HZ <HDU RQ WK -DQXDU\ ZKHQ Independent Art Consultant, lecturer and exhibition curator Zara Fleming will be giving an illustrated presentation about The Sacred Art of Tibet. Isolated from the outside world for centuries, Tibet is home to a rich and vibrant Buddhist culture and artistic tradition. Zara will

explain how the paintings and sculptures are created and used as visual aids for meditation and will also give an overview of Tibetan history from the time of the great Tibetan Empire (6th-9th Century) up to the present day. Zara ZDV WKH ÂżUVW JXHVW OHFWXUHU RQ WKH LQLWLDO %ULWLVK tour to Tibet in 1981 and has travelled and led tours to this part of the world ever since.

The end of 2010 was celebrated with a seasonal Hog Roast at La Vizcaronda in Manilva. This event is proving to be so popular with members and friends that we are sure it will become an annual occasion. What better place to be in December than enjoying drinks on the verandah in beautiful sunshine before moving inside to devour a scrumptious lunch and then, to top it all, singing carols in a rousing manner and getting us all in the festive spirit!

The de la Frontera lectures are held at 11.00am on the third Wednesday of the month at the San Roque Golf and Country Club, Km. 127 (A7). There is a chance to socialise with

members and friends at our after-lecture drinks reception and an opportunity to win a book on WKH OHFWXUH VXEMHFW LQ RXU UDIĂ€H (QWU\ DW WKH GRRU LV Âź ZLWK IUHH HQWU\ IRU PHPEHUV

More information can be obtained by calling (00 34) 956 796 622 or 956 794 279 or at our new website www.nadfas-delafrontera.org. 40 Please mention Andalucia Life when talking to our advertisers

LĂ?NEA DIRECTA HELPS EXPATRIATES Since 1995 LĂ­nea Directa KDV UHYROXWLRQLVHG WKH LQVXUDQFH PDUNHW GXH WR LWV ÂżUP commitment to innovation, the quality of its service and personalized customer care, which LQ OHG WR LW EHFRPLQJ WKH ÂżUVW LQVXUHU WR RIIHU LWV FXVWRPHU VHUYLFHV LQ ERWK (QJOLVK DQG German. As a result, the processes of purchasing a policy, making enquiries, claims handling, forwarding documentation and 24-hour assistance can be carried out entirely in both English and German, at a convenient time with a single phone call. LĂ­nea Directa also offers its policyholders a translation service when dealing with repairers. LĂ­nea Directa also offers a wide range of products and services, which include car and motorbike insurance, as well as extensive and exclusive home insurance, specially designed to satisfy all the personal requirements of expatriates.

Motor Insurance /tQHD 'LUHFWD $VHJXUDGRUDÂśV PRWRU LQVXUDQFH GLYLVLRQ DUULYHG LQ 6SDLQ LQ KDYLQJ originated in the United Kingdom, and completely revolutionised the market, due to its highly innovative pricing system, which allows the customer to purchase personalised insurance at the most competitive price. With currently almost 1.7 million customers in this segment, LĂ­nea Directa Aseguradora offers pioneering products on the market with an excellent quality-price ratio. Car and motorbike insurance customers can also enjoy innovative services such as Nighttime Assistance or Full Medical Treatment completely free of charge, guaranteeing those LQMXUHG LQ WUDIÂżF DFFLGHQWV FRPSOHWH DQG LPPHGLDWH PHGLFDO WUHDWPHQW ZLWKRXW KDYLQJ WR SD\

Home Insurance Since 2008 LĂ­nea Directa Aseguradora has offered a business line specializing in Home Insurance, which after hardly three years now has 100,000 customers, due to its simple, transparent products without the small print.

About Línea Directa Línea Directa is owned by Bankinter, one of 6SDLQœV SULQFLSDO ¿QDQFLDO RUJDQLVDWLRQV )RU IXUWKHU LQIRUPDWLRQ FDOO What’s On Calendar, Business Directory and much more.... on www.andalucia-life.com 41

ANDALUCIA LIFE NEWS

Gong Xi Fa Cai Why does the Chinese New Year fall on a different date every year? The answer is quite simple. The Chinese use a different calendar o that used by the western world. The very old Chinese used a lunar calendar. &KLQHVH 1HZ <HDU IDOOV RQ WKH ¿UVW GD\ RI WKH ¿UVW PRQWK RI WKH Chinese lunar calendar, which comes on the day of the second new moon behind the day of the winter solstice, unless there is an intercalary eleventh or twelfth month in the lead-up to WKH 1HZ <HDU ,Q WKDW case, the Chinese New <HDU IDOOV RQ WKH GD\ RI WKH WKLUG QHZ moon after the solstice. The Chinese calendar has been in use since the 12th century BC. Simple when you know. The Chinese years are represented by the so-called 12 Earthly branches. In order they are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and a pig. A legend explains the sequence in which the animals were assigned. Supposedly, the twelve animals fought over the precedence of the animals

in the cycle of years in the calendar, so the Chinese gods held a contest to determine the order. All the animals lined up on the bank of a river and were given the task of getting to the opposite shore. Their order in the calendar would be set by the order in which the animals managed to reach the other side. The cat wondered how he would get across if he was afraid of water. At the same time, the ox wondered how he would cross with his poor eyesight. The calculating rat suggested that he and the cat jump onto WKH R[¶V EDFN DQG JXLGH KLP DFURVV 7KH R[ was steady and hard-working so that he did

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ANDALUCIA LIFE NEWS

not notice a commotion on his back. In the meanwhile, the rat sneaked up behind the unsuspecting cat and shoved him into the water. Just as the ox came ashore, the rat MXPSHG RII DQG ¿QLVKHG WKH UDFH ¿UVW 7KH lazy pig came to the far shore in twelfth SODFH $QG VR WKH UDW JRW WKH ¿UVW \HDU named after him, the ox got the second year, and the pig ended up as the last year LQ WKH F\FOH 7KH FDW ¿QLVKHG WRR ODWH WR ZLQ any place in the calendar, and vowed to be the enemy of the rat forevermore. rd

2011 is the year of the rabbit and the 3 February sees the start of this particular 1HZ <HDU 7R VDYH \RX ZRUNLQJ LW RXW 1HZ <HDU VWDUWV RQ WKH rd January, 2013 on the 10th February, 2014 on the 31st January and 2015 on the 19th February. 7KH 1HZ <HDU )HVWLYDO ODVW GD\V DQG culminates with the Lantern Festival. Red is favorite colour for Chinese people and that clearly appears in the masks they PDNH &KLQHVH 1HZ <HDU FHOHEUDWLRQV UHÀHFW WKH EHOLHI RI &KLQHVH SHRSOH RQ gods, spirits of ancestors, legendary beings, good or evil, the dead, animal

spirits, and on the beings who are believed to have supreme power over human beings. These traditional masks UHÀHFWLQJ VXFK VXSUHPH SRZHUV DUH QRW only respected but are also worn during the various rituals performed in Chinese 1HZ <HDU 7KH\ SHUIRUP WKHLU WUDGLWLRQDO dragondance or lion dance wearing those masks.

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A Walk Through Jimena de la Frontera Dating back to pre-Roman times when it was known as Oba, Jimena de la Frontera is a typical Andalucian white village. Any visitor cannot fail to notice the town’s most prominent feature, its castle. Perched on a high ridge between the rivers Hozgarganta and Guadiaro the castle is imposing rather than looming, it must have been a reassuring edifice rather than a threatening one. As with most of the villages in southern Spain, the best way to appreciate Jimena is on foot. The luxurious guest house, Vina de Linan, offers a superb base from which to explore the village and it is from there that we start our exploration. As you pass through the guest house gates you immediately emerge in a lush, narrow, green ravine with rocky buttresses emerging from the woods opposite. A track leads right up to the middle level of the village where you can turn right and walk to the castle in about ¿IWHHQ PLQXWHV EXW the more scenic option is to turn left. This track takes you down to the Hozgarganta where you turn left on a well-worn footpath with the river on your ULJKW <RX VRRQ UHDFK D UXLQHG PLOO DQG FRPH across a narrow, deep, canal. This was built in the 19th century to supply water to a set of bellows that fed a furnace in a cannon ball factory 650 metres further downriver. Many of the cannonballs were used during the Great Siege of Gibraltar. Stay on the unmade road as it takes you back into Jimena with the castle appearing in view above on your left. The unmade road joins a proper road where you turn left and climb into the village.

VWUHHWV ,W LV QRW XQFRPPRQ WR ÂżQG GRQNH\V plodding along or tethered to the grills. This part of town dates back to the 15th century and, as you reach the higher parts becomes older until you reach he castle itself. The gateway through which you pass to enter the castle proper dates EDFN WR WKH ÂżUVW 0RRULVK RUWLÂżFDWLRQ DERXW AD but it has been PRGLÂżHG VLQFH LQ WKH 18th and 19th centuries. Similarly the large tower s built on the remains of earlier towers dating back to Roman times. More obvious Roman ruins can be seen just off the crest of the ridge on the western side. Be careful here, there is no attempt to prevent people wandering amongst the narrow crumbling ruins of walls and it is easy to slip off into what were probably storage rooms and cisterns. More modern cisterns were built by the Moors and they occupy a large area at the northern end of the castle. Still largely intact it is hard to imagine they have lasted almost twelve hundred years.

To return, turn left onto Misericordia and follow this street to the end where it joins the main road through the village. Turn left down a small side street that will take you back to La ViĂąa del Keep on walking uphill through the narrow Linan. 44 Please mention Andalucia Life when talking to our advertisers

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RUTA GASTRONOMIQUE

A new sign in the Bank Reception reads: “Please note that this Bank is installing new Drive-through ATM machines enabling customers to withdraw cash without leaving their vehicles. Customers using this new facility are requested to use the procedures outlined below when accessing their accounts. After months of careful research, MALE and FEMALE procedures have been developed. Please follow the appropriate steps for your gender: )(0$/( 352&('85( 0$/( 352&('85( 1. Drive up to the cash machine.

1. Drive up to cash machine.

2. Put down your car window. 3. Insert card into machine and enter PIN.

2. Reverse and back up the required amount to align car window with the machine.

4. Enter amount of cash required and withdraw.

3. Set parking brakes, put the window down.

5. Retrieve card, cash and receipt.

4. Find handbag, remove all contents on to passenger seat to locate card.

6. Put window up.

5. Tell person on cell phone you will call them back and hang up.

7. Drive off.

6. Attempt to insert card into machine.

Sudoku For Fun 2

9 5

7. Open car door to allow easier access to machine due to its excessive distance from the car.

7

8 3 7 9 4 1

8. Insert card.

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9. Re-insert card the right way. 'LJ WKURXJK KDQGEDJ WR ¿QG GLDU\ ZLWK \RXU PIN written on the inside back page.

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11. Enter PIN. 12. Press cancel and re-enter correct PIN. 13. Enter amount of cash required.

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14. Check makeup in rear view mirror. 15. Retrieve cash and receipt. 16. Empty handbag again to locate wallet and place cash inside. 17. Write debit amount in check register and place receipt in back of checkbook. 18. Re-check makeup. 19. Drive forward 2 feet. 20. Reverse back to cash machine.

There is a light at the end of every tunnel, just pray it’s not a train.

21. Retrieve card. 22. Re-empty handbag, locate card holder, and place card into the slot provided. 23. Put window up. 24. Drive off.

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RUTA GASTRONOMIQUE

Parking in Sabinillas The Ayuntamiento in Manilva have introduced a new parking scheme in Sabinillas. Blue lines delineating parking spaces indicate that, between the hours of 9am and 2pm, parking is restricted to one hour only. Parking is still free. The measure is a welcome move designed to provide more spaces on roads for shoppers at the expense of those who park their vehicles on main shopping streets all day.

December Economy The Spanish economy is the fourth largest in the eurozone, larger than Greece, Ireland and Portugal together and represents 11.5% RI WKH HXUR]RQH¶V JURVV GRPHVWLF SURGXFW ,I Spain needs an Irish style bailout, which some experts consider a possibility, it will cost 420 billion euros. With only 490 billion left in the euro coffers and a bail out for Portugal soon to be determined there may be nothing left for Spain. Strong economies such as Germany are not likely to contribute more to the emergency fund as this would be seen as a bad move by voters. The Spanish Government continue WR PDLQWDLQ WKDW WKH GH¿FLW UHGXFWLRQ VWUDWHJ\ is still on track and that no bail out will be required.

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RUTA GASTRONOMIQUE

What’s On Along The Costa Estepona 15th January – 14th February. Art Exhibition History in the Making at Estepona Port Business and Internet Centre.

MĂĄlaga

All Areas - Three Kings The 5th January is the day of the Three Kings Processions in all the towns and villages. The Cabalgata de Los Reyes is normally one or PRUH ÀRDWV RQ ZKLFK WKH 7KUHH .LQJV VXLWDEO\ attired and accompanied by bands and various performers, make their way through the streets accompanied by crowds of children who pick up the sweets thrown to them by the Kings. Times of processions vary.

Benahavis 5th January - Procession of the 3 Wise Men. Kids food and attractions in the Pabellon.

Estepona DP ¹ &KLOGUHQœV 3DUW\ WR ZHOFRPH WKH 7KUHH Kings at the Palacio de Congresos 11.30am – The Three Kings are awarded the Keys to the Town at the Town Hall 5pm – Procession through the streets.

There is an exciting new exhibition at the Malaga Picasso Museum titled ‘Toys of the Avant-Garde’ which runs until January 30, 2011. This exhibition is interesting for the whole family displaying puppets, miniature theatres, dolls, games, furniture, books and more, which is a result of the effort by artists to integrate art and education. This exceptional collection of objects includes works made for mass production as well as one off pieces for friends and family, such as the Car “Wooden toy painted by Pablo Picassoâ€? which he made for his VRQ 3DXOR <RX FDQ also see the television that Picasso converted into a toy horse for his grandson. Toys of the Avant-Garde includes ZRUNV PDGH E\ VRPH RI WKH PRVW LQĂ€XHQWLDO artists from the 20th century and includes objects from various movements such as Constructivism, Futurism and even Bauhaus.

Manilva The procession starts at Castillo at 5pm, makes its way to Duquesa and Sabinillas and ÂżQLVKHV LQ 0DQLOYD EHWZHHQ SP DQG SP

sponsored by Ryders The 19th Hole

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Top Level, Puerto de la Duquesa

RUTA GASTRONOMIQUE

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The Kindred Project is Sotogrande International School´s own independent NGO. We set this up earlier this year with the VSHFL¿F DLP RI EULQJLQJ together under one umbrella the numerous overseas initiatives which the school is currently involved in and to further develop outreach programmes with others worldwide to help enrich the lives of disadvantaged children and adults worldwide through a variety of education related projects This year M4 are undertaking an exciting project in their Intercultural Education curriculum with a real world application. The ,QWHUQDWLRQDO *OREDO &LWL]HQœV $ZDUG KDV EHHQ a very successful initiative here at Sotogrande and will continue in years M1-M3. M4 will be the recipients of a newly created International Kindred Project Award in conjunction with 0<3 &RPPXQLW\ DQG 6HUYLFH UHTXLUHPHQWV DQG WKH VFKRROœV 1*2

Kindred Project pop-up shop Students in M4 will be pioneering the ‘Kindred 3URMHFW 3RS XS 6KRSÂś ZKLFK was recently launched at the Christmas Bazaar and will be opening in school in the near future. On sale have been a number of solar power packs for recharging i-pods, mobile phones and laptops, as well as solar lights and toys. Students are also sourcing fair trade items like coffee and chocolate to sell in their shop. Linked to this initiative is the construction of the Kindred Project bank and a microÂżQDQFH SURMHFW GHVLJQHG WR HQFRXUDJH VPDOO groups of Ugandan students to borrow small sums of money to start small businesses to enable them to pay for school fees and equipment. This sustainable project offers the opportunity for Ugandan students to pay back the original loan and no longer be trapped by poverty. Our students will be very closely involved and will learn about social HQWUHSUHQHXUVKLS PLFUR ÂżQDQFH DQG IDLU trade. A number of students will be travelling to Uganda at Easter, to the William Hills School and Orphanage to work on a project to bring water and electricity to the school. We have been working hard to raise funds to take to help realise this goal. Along with projected trips to Morocco in the next few months, SIS students are very busy forging new relationships with other communities round the world.

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