Andalucia Life September 2011

Andalucia LIFE September 2011 • Complimentary Copy

What’s On • Local News, Views and Articles • Now in your new supersized Andalucia Life

Cubanga full page

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Editorial

by Gary Beaumont Welcome to the September issue of Andalucia Life, and what a momentous issue it is. After listening to the comments of numerous long term readers of the magazine, the Andalucia Life team have responded to the overwhelming consensus of opinion and have restored it to its original A4 size.

As part of the creative department this is something that for me was an essential move, but it has to be borne in mind that the current economic environment is a difficult one in which to operate, with ever decreasing advertising budgets and greater competition for what remains this decision was not taken lightly.

With this said, we hope to develop Andalucia Life over the coming months and years in a sustainable way that will put it at the top of the list of English language publications in the South of Spain.

We will be introducing some new topics to the already wide range of themes covered within these pages as well as bringing back some old favourites such as the local walking guides.

Well I hope you enjoy this new issue of Andalucia Life and as always we are always happy to listen to your comments and criticisms so don’t hesitate to let us know what you think.

All the best, Gary.

Contents 1 News 7 Nature Watch 8 Health and Beauty 13 Concert Review - Earth Wind & Fire 16 Education and Learning 17 Vet’s Corner 18 Technology 19 Estepona Horror Festival 26 Riding the King’s Road pt 2 29 Puzzles 34 What’s On 40 Book Review For the latest advertising packages and deals contact Andalucia Life: Tel: 656 476 887 Email: info@andalucia-life.com Web: www.andalucia-life.com

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

Copy deadline for the October issue - 18th September, 2011 Contributors: Dr. R. Gonzalez, Joanna Wyndham, Jo Ward, Drains in Spain, Tracey Parker, Zoe Fisher, Gary Beaumont, Camilla, Sally Russell, Ronald Rosenfeld D.V.M., Mark Brake.

Front Cover: Kitesurfing in Tarifa by Simon Littlejohn Design: Manilva Media Workshop SLL tel: 952 936 198 www.manilvamedia.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 advertisers.

Andalucia Life, Local 6, Calle Mijas, Sabinillas, 29692 Deposito Legal: MA-373-2004

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News Gibraltar's FSC issues a warning ‘Venus of Estepona’ discovered to the public regarding "Unique on hospital site Car Insurance" The Financial Services Commission has received information that this entity is operating a website under the name of “Unique Car Insurance” and offering to provide short-term motor insurance in the United Kingdom to drivers under the age of 21.

It claims that “Unique Car Insurance 17+ is Limited company who are (sic) authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Commission in Gibraltar.”

“Unique Car Insurance” is not regulated by the FSC, or licensed under the Financial Services (Investment & Fiduciary Services) Act 1989, or the Financial Services (Insurance Companies) Act 1987, to carry on insurance mediation or insurance business in or from within Gibraltar.

“Unique Car Insurance” is not a Gibraltar registered company or a trading name registered under the Business Names Registration Act. The FSC therefore urges the public to exercise appropriate caution in respect of this entity, whilst it continues its investigations.

People are able to verify whether a firm is licensed by the Gibraltar FSC, by checking the “Regulated Entities” section on their website at http://www.fsc.gi/fsclists/ categorysearch.asp .

Any persons who are already involved in any dealings with the above entity and have concerns, should contact the Manager, Enforcement on +350 200 40283 or by e-mail to enforcement@fsc.gi

San Pedro to stay part of Marbella San Pedro de Alcántara has failed in its long running bid to gain independence from Marbella and become a separate municipality.

The Junta de Andalucia has rejected the application from the San Pedro’s pro-independence association stating that the town does not fulfil certain requirements chief of which being that it does not have the minimum border of 7,500 square metres of green belt around the main population centre.

A team of archaeologists working on the site of the future Estepona hospital have uncovered the 5,000 year old clay figure, dubbed the 'Venus of Estepona' during recent excavations.

The piece, which is believed to have been a fertility talisman is the first discovered in the Malaga province and one of only a few unearthed in Andalucia, and is just one of over a hundred artifacts already thrown up by this dig which began in July after being postponed for a number of years.

The site is located in the Arroyo Enmedio area in the west of the municipality and is being carried out by Estepona's Department of Archaeology supervised by local archaeologist Ildefonso Navarro in collaboration with a team from the University of Malaga led by Professor of Prehistory, José Enrique Márquez Romero.

This collaboration is part of an agreement between Estepona Town Hall and the University of Malaga so as to expedite these excavations as quickly as possible so that the hospital project can move forward. Once completed the land will handed over to the Junta de Andalucia for construction of this much needed medical facility.

The Venus of Estepona will go on display at the new museum which will shortly be established in the former Town Hall building in Plaza Blas Infante, Estepona.

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Ice skating comes to the coast

J

enni Smith, ice skating coach now living in Manilva, is resuming her new term of of skating classes at the Kings Bastion ice rink, in Gibraltar.

Jenni, is an International Coach from the UK and has taken teams representing Great Britain to five successive World Championships. Her individual skaters include Junior and Senior Ladies and Pairs and her vast experience includes choreographing ice shows in France, Germany and UK for over 30 years and touring British theatres with productions on real ice. She worked with Torvill and Dean nationwide on their Farewell Tour, assisting with choreography (another couple who didn’t actually retire, as we know!).

Her biggest honour was producing, choreographing and designing the costumes for the ‘Last Tattoo’ in Berlin.

She was asked by Major Michael Parker to produce an Ice Ballet for the Tattoo, to present to the Queen, which involved sixty four skaters and 2,000 European military representatives, with a magnificent finale. The Tattoo marked the withdrawal of British troops from Berlin and was played to over half a million visitors. Jenni was presented to the Queen on the opening night.

The figure skating programme has been running in Gibraltar for just over two years, with Jenni at the helm and in that time the beginners have now advanced to Academy level and are competing at national level in GB. A group of skaters have recently returned from Blackpool and Dundee, coming away with good places and even a cup. All the skaters started as complete non-skating local beginners and have achieved much in a short time.

Jenni is now starting a new term of beginner classes, with husband Mike, encouraging young people to take up skating as a hobby and to develop their skills in a fun and friendly environment. Why not come along and try? Make a change from the sand and the sea! The ice

rink in Gibraltar is in the Kings Bastion Leisure Centre, off Queensway.

Jenni and Mike will be pleased to see any beginners wanting to give it a try and are offering a free first lesson in September, on production of this article. Come and skate and chill out!

Classes begin Sunday September 18th at 10.15am and skates are available for hire.

For more information contact Jenni at: jennichampagne@ hotmail.co.uk or mob. 600 270 131

Kaymer confirmed for Andalucia Masters Germany’s Martin Kaymer has confirmed his appearance in the Andalucía Masters, a European Tour event that will be held at Club de Golf Valderrama from October 27 to 30, which he describes as “one of his favourite courses”.

Martin Kaymer said: “I look forward to playing again at Valderrama, which for me is one of the most beautiful courses in the world and certainly one of my favourites. I played well the last few seasons but I’m always working on my game because no matter what level you get to with golf, you never reach perfection.

Mi PGA win was a big boost to my confidence, it helped me believe in myself and proved that I was taking the right steps in my career."

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El Meloncillo In recent months we have received a number of reports from our readers regarding sightings of animals similar in appearance to polecats. A little bit of research has determined that what they have been seeing are Meloncillo.

Meloncillo - Herpestes ichneumon, Ichneumon or the Egyptian Mongoose in English, is actually quite a common inhabitant of southern Spain and can often be seen crossing the road, as it moves from one patch of campo to another.

The Egyptian mongoose lives in shrubby, rocky areas, and small woodlands, preferably near water making the local landscape ideal. All mongooses are known for being talented snake killers. Rudyard Kipling’s famous novel ‘Rikki Tikki Tavi’ making people aware of the mongoose’ s snake killing talents.

The Egyptian mongoose ranges anywhere from 19 to 23 inches in length. Adults weigh 2 to 4 kilos. Its tail is 13 to 21 inches long and is very bushy with a black ring at the very end. Egyptian mongooses have long hair. Their coat is usually gray with brown dots. Their coat is sometimes a reddish brown with yellow dots but this is unusual.

Egyptian mongooses have a slender, low-slung body. Their

heads appear to be pointed due to the shape of their snout. The animal’s ears are rounded and don’t project over the head due to their small size. The eyes are surrounded by a naked strip of skin. The Egyptian mongoose has five finger-like claws on each short limb. The animal’ s hind feet are furless. Their front claws are curved and sharp for digging in the earth. They have 35 to 40 teeth that have evolved for tearing flesh apart.

Egyptian mongooses are mostly carnivorous. They also eat fruit if it is available where they are living. Their typical diet consists of rodents, fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects and insect larvae. Egyptian mongooses also eat the eggs of the animals mentioned above. Like other mongooses, the Egyptian mongoose will attack and eat venomous snakes. They have at least two different types of resistance to snake venom. They are up to ten times as resistant to toxins which attack the nervous system, and they are also resistant to toxins that attack the circulatory system. They can run backwards, roll over, swim and stand on two hind feet. They can puff their hair up to appear two times their actual size, change directions quickly and jump. This helps the Egyptian mongoose kill snakes and any prey they encounter.

Whilst an efficient predator El Meloncillo is also considered a tasty snack by some larger birds of prey, but the colour of their fur blends in with their surroundings, and their speed and agility make them a difficult target for any but the most skilled of hunters.

In the wild mongooses live for 12 years, whilst the longest lived captive mongoose was over 20 years old.

The Egyptian mongoose can be found in Egypt, Spain, Portugal, Israel, and most of sub-Saharan Africa, except for central Democratic Republic of the Congo, western South Africa, and Namibia. It has also been introduced to Madagascar and Italy.

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Arnold-Chiari Malformation A recent case of this rare but quite well known malformation, has given me the opportunity to talk about it here.

Described in 1883 by John Cleland, Scottish physician, it was later published by Hans Chiari, Austrian pathologist in 1891, and Julius Arnold, German pathologist, three years later. Basically, the brainstem is underdeveloped with a downward draw of some of the lower parts of the cerebellum, and the 4th ventricle, into the spinal canal. In other words, there is a hole in the bottom of the skull by which the brain connects with the medulla. Parts of the cerebellum, which is located at the lowest part of the skull, is “pushed down� through that hole causing compression on some nerves and the medulla.

Even then, these phycians recognized different degrees of this malformation, giving a technical clasification of four types. Type II, III and IV are related to other malformations and, are normally detected at birth.

Type I, is the least severe form of it. While present at birth, it is in adult life when it can be detected because of the symptoms, or even on a routine MRI scan for other reasons.

It has always been considered a rare malformation, with a prevalence of 1 in 10005000 births, and the incidence is higher in women than men. But the increased use of Skull MRI scans has shown that there are a significant number of patients with positive findings but no symptoms at all.

diagnosis may be delayed. Headache is the commonest, and the patient usually describes it as beginning in the neck or base of the skull, and may radiate through the back of the head. Coughing, sneezing, or bending forward may bring on these headaches. The headaches can last minutes or hours and may be linked with nausea. There may be pain in the neck or upper arm. Patients often report more pain on one side, rather than equal pain on both sides. There may also be weakness, tingling, burning, or numbness in the arm or hand.

Other symptoms can be difficulty in swallowing, hoarseness, double vision and feeling unsteady.

As mentioned above, the diagnosis is made by MRI scan.

Once diagnosed, treatment will depend on the severity of the symptoms. Obviously, patients without symptoms do not need treatment. In most cases, pain control may be enough to have a good quality of life. The only curative treatment will be surgery, relieving the pressure caused onto nerves and spinal cord. Experienced neurosurgical units can have a very high success rate on this operation. But bear in mind that full recovery may take few months after surgery.

Most symptoms arise from the pressure on the cranial nerves or brain stem. The symptoms may be vague or they may resemble those of other medical problems, so

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Get Moving! - the benefits of being active Most people know that physical activity is important to maintaining a healthy weight.

I

n an earlier article I mentioned the US National Weight Control Registry, a database of successful weight losers who have lost over 2 stone and kept it off for at least a year. 94% of those people increased their physical activity and exercise on average for an hour a day. The most frequently reported activity was walking.

This percentage shows it is hard to lose weight and keep it off by changing diet alone.

However regular activity benefits you in many ways. It has been shown to reduce blood pressure, increase movement of food through the bowels, exert pressure on the bones to maintain bone density, improve the body’s sensitivity to insulin, thyroid, stress and other hormones, and release endorphins or feel-good hormones. Increasing physical activity is particularly important for those with hypertension, under active thyroid, type 2 diabetes, insomnia, constipation, depression and osteoporosis.

Regular exercise also reduces the likelihood of getting a cold and reduces the severity of the symptoms too because it improves the function of immune cells in the blood.

Exercise can even increase libido by increasing blood flow to the genitals (particularly soon after the activity). Activity really does benefit everybody.

Physical activity not just increases your metabolic rate whilst you are doing it but you continue to burn energy (particularly fat) at a faster rate for approximately 24 hours afterwards. It’s a good idea to schedule your activity in

the morning if you can. That way its less likely to slip due to other commitments or low energy later on. If you like a cup of coffee or tea in the morning have one before you exercise as caffeine is a proven (and legal!) performance enhancer . You may walk that little bit faster!

What puts many people off is finding an activity they enjoy and making it part of their routine. There’s a good NHS website link that has suggestions for finding an activity to suit http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/ fitness/Pages/Howmuchactivity. aspx Find something that fits with your personality, for social people chose a group activity (maybe a walking group), for competitive people play team games or enter competitions.

For other people activities that can be done at a pace alone (swimming, walking/running) allow them time for their mind to unwind and this helps to relieve stress. Doing a sponsored event helps motivate and encourages regular training.

But physical activity is not just sports. Gardening, walking the dog, chasing children or grandchildren, cleaning the house, DIY, can all count if you do them so they make you feel warm and slightly out of breath. Aim for a couple of different activities building up to an hour a day in total.

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Over 50 and Overweight?

It’s not your fault Are you over 50 and fed up with your aging body? Do you start the day fresh but end it in pain with numbness, itching, twitching and cramp? Are you slowly but surely, becoming less agile and more solid with protruding veins and wrinkly skin? Are you breathless just reaching for your toes, which many men can no longer see? And finally, are you frustrated because nothing, not eating less nor exercising more, seems to stop the growth of those fatty bulges; as women develop stomach rolls, saggy arms and cellulite “saddlebag” thighs while men grow “beer bellies”, “love handles” and breasts?

Well the good news is: you are normal. And more good news, you are not fat.

You are damaged.

Hello, my name is Linda Dodds, I’m 58 and I’d like to welcome you to my new page. At the age of 50 I too was fat, 10¼ stone, 65 kilos. I was frustrated and not only was I full of daily pains and backache, I also had 2 broken bones in my left foot and I was limping. Frighteningly, my body was out of my control. Even the thought of exercise made me feel tired and I was certainly eating less not more.

I was achy, weighty and worried.

Enthusiasm for my future was marred with uncertainty, a lot tiredness and some dread.

You can restore your body to health; agile, slim and pain free with the new and unique Muscle Renewal System.

During my 32 year, international career as a systems analyst, I had qualified in Swedish Therapeutic Massage, therefore, using my skills of analysis and my knowledge of the human body, boosted by the fact that I was both giving and receiving my own treatments, I embarked upon the challenge of “physician heal thyself” and I succeeded with no diet and no exercise.

My body began to change shape and I started to ask questions. Why does this happen, why is that there, why is this different, why has that changed?.

In just a few weeks, my posture

improved. The more I treated my muscles, the more weight I lost. My aches and pains became fewer until one day whilst taking my better health for granted, I noticed that I hadn’t actually been in pain for weeks. My legs didn’t twitch anymore and I didn’t wake in pain with a numb “dead” arm.

It is a process that continues. Piecing together and analysing this new information, the knowledge evolved into one realization. One logical and totally practical explanation of how our body functions, protects itself and how, our body’s own “mechanism for self-preservation” is behind why, we all age, as we do.

Over the next issues I will reveal to you a brand new yet completely logical explanation for every one of our symptoms of aging; from our middle-age spread and varicose veins to wrinkly skin, sciatica and erectile dysfunction. This is something which you will have never heard before but it is in fact, based upon knowledge known to and accepted by western medicine for more than 400 years.

You will be astonished but very relieved to learn that every single one of our symptoms of aging, all have just one simple cause and moreover, one simple solution. A natural, drug free, diet free and exercise free solution.

You can reverse the process of aging.

You can once again have an agile, slim, toned and pain free body.

Muscle Renewal System The Muscle Renewal System is a completely natural, one to one, hands on therapy applied to the body in the form of a massage.

Posture improvement and weight loss are guaranteed as the body realigns itself becoming erect, symmetrical, slimmer and toned.

Every day, a million, million body cells are created to replace those that die. From the inside out to the skin, cell by cell, our body renews becoming balanced, flexible and strong. Our eyes and skin acquire a vibrant glow as pain free, energized and more confident, we look and feel years younger.

Photo of the author (aged 58) taken May, 2011

Every treatment gives a result within 2 days.

You will feel the difference.

Call Linda Dodds on 666 24 17 20 Qualified and with 18 years experience.

Invest in your body, it is worth more than your house.

And you don’t have to diet.

And you don’t have to walk a yard, nor even a metre. You just lie down.

Backache Bothers Billions, Yet to this Day, It Baffles the Boffins of Western Medicine

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Earth, Wind & Fire at Puente Romano By all accounts one of the best concerts in a summer of musical delights, was Al McKay’s Earth Wind and Fire experience at the Puente Romano Tennis Club. El Intercambio's Grande Gordo Papa was in the audience and penned this review of that great night.

Do you like Earth Wind and Fire?

T

his to me is one of the defining questions about your musical tastes. Why? Because, for a band who has survived over 40 years in the music business, penned so many albums which have spawned so many hits. A Band that can satisfy both the music purist and the commercial music lover and has had spin off connections that reach from the most avant garde musical tastes to the most pop and commercial, your view of them says a lot about your musical view as a whole. So it was with this in mind that I hurried to see the Al McKay’s Earth Wind and Fire experience at the Puente Romano Tennis Club this August.

Again many music purists question the credibility of cover and tribute bands whereas my view of them is pretty consistent with my view of music. If they are good, then they are a good thing and if they are not, then they are not. That said knowing that only one member of the original line up would be present created a certain amount of trepidation on my part as I was worried that the result would be the latter, but in fact I couldn’t have been more wrong.

The Al McKay Earth Wind and Fire experience was a sensational show to watch. In contrast to what occasionally occurs when the full original line up of a band with a 40 year history appears i.e. lacklustre performances and zero energy from having lost their enthusiasm many eons ago, I got to experience what it must have been like to see the original Earth Wind and Fire in their heyday. By the inclusion of younger and very energetic singers and

musicians, we were treated to the kind of accomplished and polished show that only the Americans can create.

Slick dancing, incredible vocals, great instrumentation, crowd participation and of course a nonstop list of brilliant hit songs. As an EW&F fan I was pleased that they did not only stick to the crossover stuff that they are most famously known for. “Shining Star” and my personal favourite “That’s the Way of the World” made an early appearance as did their timeless classic and rare improvement on an original, their cover version of The Beatles “Got to get you into my life”. Personally I would have preferred more representation of the music they made circa the early 70s but I guess there is only so much you can fit into a two hour show and like all good showmen they had to play to their audience and roll out the hits, and this they did and then some.

“After the Love has Gone”, “Reasons” and “Fantasy”, (and no, the singer could not hit that 5th octave Phillip Bailey note much to the amusement of myself and the two young girls next me who had been jamming constantly to the band throughout the night), had the whole auditorium begging for more whilst “Boogie Wonderland”, “September” and “Lets Groove” had the whole audience up on their feet.

What was also great to see was the sheer age range at the show. There was the usual contingent of kids who had been dragged to the show by their parents staying at the hotel who couldn’t get a babysitter and spent the night on their Nintendo’s or mobile phones on Facebook. But like the two ladies I previously mentioned there was also an age range from what looked like about 15 to about 70, of people dancing, partying and singing along to every word of their favourite songs from their favourite era of Earth Wind and Fire which is something very few groups could achieve and was absolutely magical to see.

The show itself was stereotypical classic black American entertainment. Polished and slick just like a US big budget movie or sitcom that you promise yourself you are not going to like because it seemed corny and contrived but you end up being thrilled and excited by and falling in love with all the same. The vibe and the spirit behind the polish and suave was just too overwhelming and irresistible to fight.

Do you like Earth Wind and Fire? To me a defining question in gaining an idea of someone’s musical barometer. Well for myself and the hundreds of the people at the Puente Romano Tennis club of all ages, sexes and backgrounds the answer was a resounding yes. We loved you Al McKay and the Earth Wind and Fire experience. Come back soon.

Grande Gordo Papa El Intercambio, www.elintercambio.org

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International walking event in Marbella This autumn Marbella will be filled with walkers from all over the world. From the 9th until the 12th of October they’ll participate in the Marbella 4Days Walking event.

Thousands of people will walk 20 kilometres per day, enjoying Marbella, beach and nature.

Marbella 4Days Walking takes place from the 9th till the 12th of October, a time of year when the temperatures for walking usually are perfect. On Saturday the 8th all participants will have to present themselves in order to get the last paperwork done and in the evening there will be an inauguration party. On Sunday morning between 8.30 and 9 am the walkers will start their route of 20 kilometres.

They have until 4 pm to finish. On the last day, the 12th of October, the return to the centre of Marbella will be special: the Avenida Ricardo Soriano will be renamed ‘Via Gladiolo’ just for the day. That is where the participants will be received with the Roman symbol for victory, the gladiolus. Apart from that, all those who walked the 80 kilometres during these 4 days will receive the Marbella 4Days Walking medal.

The idea for this sportive event is from Hans Wohl, a Dutch resident of Marbella. Councilor José Luis Hernández once

said in a meeting for foreign residents that the Town Hall would welcome new initiatives and Hans immediately thought about the four day walking event (vierdaagse) that takes place every year in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, and which attracts some 47,000 people. He contacted the organization in the Netherlands and the Town Hall for advice and found willing cooperation. The Royal Dutch Walking Association even decided to get officially involved and sent an expert to Marbella to give some practical advice. The Dutch walking association has been involved in other international walking events and is now collaborating with the organization of the Walk Challenge that will take place in the United Kingdom in 2012.

The walking routes have been marked, allowing the participants to see unexpected parts of Marbella. There is a different route for every day, the first day will be the easiest one, walking on the Paseo Maritimo to Puerto Banús and San Pedro de Alcántara. The third day is probably the most challenging one passing by Altos de Marbella.

There will be controls, medical posts and water points on all routes. Local businesses are offering special discounts for accommodation and products, all can be found at the website.

The organization hopes to make this an annual event, getting bigger year by year. So far there are already inscriptions from the Netherlands, Spain, Israel, the UK and Switzerland. The fee for participating is 40€ and people can subscribe at www.marbella4dayswalking.com.

Packer’s ‘icebreaker’ cruises the Costa

A

nyone driving along the coast road between Duquesa and Sotogrande can’t fail to have noticed the large vessel anchored off Sotogrande Port in recent weeks.

Looking like some oceanic survey ship or even a Russian spy trawler, the ship is actually James Packer’s luxury yacht, the Arctic P. The 287 ft superyacht started out life as an icebreaker before being bought by Mr Packer’s late father Kerry in 1995. The family then spent €14.5 million refitting the work vessel to provide the ultimate luxury cruising experience. With a separate owner’s suite and ultra luxury accommodation for 12, the fully crewed superyacht also features a helipad, observation lounge, games room, cinema, screening room, swimming pool, gym, jacuzzi, and gadgets galore.

Arctic P has a cruising speed of 20 knots, max speed of 22 knots and a range of 20,000 nautical miles from her 1,400,000

litre fuel tanks.

In 2006, US magazine ‘Power And Motor Yacht’ listed Arctic P as the 15th largest private vessel in the world.

Among some of the most notable guests treading the decks of the Arctic P in the past were Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, who spent their honeymoon cruising the Maldives onboard, whilst it is rumoured in the tabloids that Aussie cricketer Shane Warne and English actress Liz Hurley have recently enjoyed its hospitality whilst here in Spain.

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An Education in Learning by Mark Brake Going to school for some can be a fairly traumatic “I hear what you are saying” experience, especially when it comes to doing exams.

“I see what you mean” Unfortunately for these children and adults alike, the “I feel I can understand you” method of teaching doesn’t appear to have deviated much Or, if you were to put some flat pack furniture together, from Victorian times. A system of learning by rote, with would you; desks in lines and masses of pretty dull information in text Read all of the instructions before you start. form presented by an authoritarian figure who demands Just look at the image for each process and visualize how its assimilation! It’s no wonder many of us struggle. it’s done.

We all take in information in different ways. On a basic Throw the instructions to one side and get stuck in, level, we can categorise our learning into three distinct figuring it out as you go. groups, or “learning styles”. In everyone, one of these If you do an online test, there would be 30 to 50 of learning styles will be dominant, although we all use a similar questions to these and the results tend to be fairly combination of them all to take in the information around accurate. us. The three styles are; Auditory, Visual and Kinaesthetic.

This is all very interesting, but what has this got to do with Auditory, (The least common of the three), is when education. Unfortunately quite a lot! Almost everything people have a dominant left hemisphere of the brain we now know about the human brain and the manner and is actually the main focus of the education system in which it processes information, we have discovered throughout Europe. For people who are predominantly in the last 25 years. But the principles of our education auditory learners, they can take system were developed around in information easily if it is told Unfortunately, in our current 200 years ago. Imagine if you to them. This also suits reading, will that you have been given a system, many of our children task to develop a car. There are because when we read our brains are marginalized. They simply certain criteria which needs to translates the images of the text into an internal narrative which be met. The car must be capable don’t fit into the “one size fits is then in our preferred style of of doing 200mph, 0 to 60mph in all” system. learning. under 3 seconds and also able Visual, as the title suggests, is when to achieve 100mpg. All of these we prefer to take in information things are possible with currently as a visual image. Of all of our senses, we have more areas available technology, but if I then told you that this car in our brains devoted to the processing of visual stimuli must be based around a Model T Ford, one of the first than any other sense. Most of our information processing, cars ever to be mass produced, all of a sudden you see on a conscious level at least, uses imagery as a means to there is a problem. With the best will in the world, making interpret the world around us. For example, if I asked you improvements and changes is never going to allow you to to think of an Apple, you don’t get a strong smell of an achieve your goal. What you need to do is throw out the Apple, or even hear the crunch of biting into an Apple, old outdated model and start from scratch. what you do get is a strong clear image of an Apple in your So my point is this. Should we continue to make mind. incremental changes to our antiquated education system, Kinaesthetic is were we take in information physically. If or is it time to draw a line under it? Throw it out and start you are a kinaesthetic learner, you will be more inclined again! There are some very bad educators out there and to be a “hands on” person. To understand something you some amazingly good ones, as well as everywhere in will want to touch it, feel it and most likely want to take between. But how can even the very best ones make a it apart. You learn through your body. This type of learner difference when the very method they are required to use is very common, probably at least equal to the visual is so outdated and flawed. learner, but unfortunately is catered for the least in the Unfortunately, in our current system, many of our children western education system. How many times when you’re are marginalized. They simply don’t fit into the “one size in a learning environment are you told to “sit still”, or “don’t fits all” system. It is estimated that up to 80% of children mess with that”! currently diagnosed as having a learning disability such It is pretty straight forward to find out what type of learner as ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia, could be brought you are, or anyone else for that matter. There are plenty of back in to the category of “Normal”, (whatever that is), tests online you can do, but simply watching and listening if the method of education was changed. Is it not time to people will normally give it away pretty quickly. You to stop our schools from churning out poorly educated, see it comes out in our actions and speech patterns. Out labelled children with low self esteem and began to inspire of these three options, which one would you feel more knowledge, self confidence and joy in future generations! comfortable saying?

Bio;

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After 23 years in business, Mark Brake decided to make a shift change in his life. He trained as an Executive Business Coach, Personal Performance Coach and in Accelerated Learning. Eventually he achieved the level of Master Coach with the International Coaching Academy. Mark also trained in order to be able to teach teachers how to deliver their material using Accelerated Learning techniques.

Mark is a published author and is currently working

on 3 books in the subjects of Community and Society, Relationships and Emotional Conflict within us all.

If you are interested in the subject matter of this article, or have concerns about your children or someone you know and would like to ask any questions, please feel free to contact Mark directly on his email, mark-brake@live.com

Vets Corner - Canines with Discerning Taste

The pleasures of gastronomy have come to the canine kingdom, restaurants, wines, beers, non-alcoholic of course, and pastries.

That a dog is man's best friend is a topic that has often proven to be real, but humans can feel so passionate about their pets wishing not only to honour their individuality but their palate. It's not just collars and leashes or luxury designer brand outfits, but the canine oriented world expands more and more to include unique local food options. To raise a dog's quality of life and tend to their almost human needs, the passion that some owners feel for their "four-legged friends" leads them down two pathways, it is almost unbelievable at times and in some cases, available only to privileged pockets. The fashionable restaurants canine owners support emerged in Japan. Over the years it has spread everywhere and has diversified into exclusive foods, to emphasize that they are eating only natural products, in providing a healthy diet not only for their dogs, but also themselves, if they wish to share dishes and the dinner table with their guardian and the other members of household. There is in Mexico City, since 2006, "Bow Wow Deli", a meeting point for dog lovers. The dogs have their own table there at their height with two bowls, one for drinking and one for food, which ranges from sushi to sandwiches, with a menu prepared by a veterinarian. To enter the premises the dogs must be leashed, the dogs cannot enter if they are in heat, for reasons of hygiene and animals cannot sit in the place for people. In Brussels the "Toutou Bar " has just opened its doors, nestled in a park in an upscale neighborhood of the Belgian capital, which serves a beer which is bone flavored for about 4 â‚Ź a bottle.

The menu, low in salt and developed by dietitians, includes pasta, wild rice, vegetables or burgers, with prices hovering around the 5.5 â‚Ź. But if what you want for your pet is not leaving home, it is best to live in Rio de Janeiro, where the

pet owners can go to Pet Treat to buy a fresh or frozen selection of homemade dishes, you can even adapt to the specific needs of your pet, if you can spare a few pounds.

Sumellieres No Alcohol is in the gourmet universe, dogs cannot miss an exclusive winery to accompany special dinners with "family". The signature "Bark Vineyards" offers a collection of non-alcoholic wines to share with "their beloved furry friend to savor the bouquet and unique flavor" of this product, as its website reads. Formulated with concentrated ingredients like chicken, carrots, oregano or parsley, dehydrated potato flakes in addition to lactic acid and the proposal is that the component four-legged family can enjoy the canine version of renowned wines.

Thus Pinot Grigio becomes Leasheo, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Bark, and Burgundy is Barkundy. Of course, nobody said that luxury was cheap and we must be willing to pay about 20â‚Ź per bottle. But if the dog, or especially the master, are more beer oriented they also offers a wide range, including the "Hondenbier" or "Happy Tail Ale", a pale and non-carbonated beverage, distilled from malt and barley ingredients unfit for human consumption, so as not to give up sharing a beer with the man's best friend.

LOW SUGAR Although many do not know this, dogs can also be diabetic and insulin dependent for life. But for the rest there are designer cupcakes "Petit Four Legs" sweet delicacies "really beautiful and delicious" handmade with pastry ingredients. Cookies, apple based artisan truffles, with carob as a substitute for chocolate, and even a kit to make "cupcakes", more select but less gourmet dog bakeries are the perfect place to end the daily walk, where you can find a wide selection of doggy cookies and even birthday cakes, as featured at the Dog's Deli in Duesseldorf (Germany). But not everyone is willing or ready to give to their pet expensive products, so internet is full of recipes for cakes and all sorts of dishes that the owners of dogs may share in forums and blogs. It is also possible to find cookbooks in bookstores. including "The New Cookbook for Dogs" with recipes that take into account weight control and allergies, Lisa Fortunato, in proposing these delights easy to prepare recipes for chicken parmesan and eggs in the microwave with anchovies, or even "Another Dog with that Bone," by Ingeborg Pils.

Ronald Rosenfeld D.V.M. Sabinillas Tel: 952 891 387

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What is Social Media?

D

o you really understand what Social Media is? This might sound like a relatively simple question, and one that you might feel undermines your intelligence, but it is amazing how many companies are not using Social Media platforms to market their business.

Social Media is not just about chatting to your friends on Facebook or tweeting about what you had for lunch.

Agreed, it does manifest itself in many different forms, amongst which are social networking, forums, podcasts, digital videos, games and microblogging. However if you are using Social Media as a marketing tool it is vitally important to implement a clear strategy and then follow it through.

There are two main routes that you could take; do-ityourself in-house by either taking on a new employee or designating an existing member of staff to manage your online presence full time, or by hiring the services of experts. There can be no middle line if you want to maximise your marketing potential.

Does this sound like your company?

customers. You can easily build an online community and identify new business opportunities. There is also the opportunity for consumers to share both positive and negative feedback, but don’t be afraid of this aspect. Here is your chance to respond tactfully and turn a negative into a positive. Show your expertise in your field and, if you have to, apologise for their unsatisfactory experience and thank them for their feedback. You can make Social Media work for your company. Try it now! workITspain - Contact us here: jo@workitspain.com www.workITspain.com www.facebook.com/workITspain

• You are genuinely interested in developing your business and you’re prepared to find out how Social Media can work for you • You want to improve your company/brand presence across Social Media channels • You want to develop relationships that may result in future sales for your business • You want to increase traffic to your website Embracing Social Media in the workplace can be a daunting prospect, but it is one that you have to address otherwise your company will be left languishing in the Social Media revolution whilst your competitors are forging ahead. Do you know what your customers and clients are saying about your brand or business on Facebook and Twitter?

Social Media requires time to engage with your audience in a way that is both informative and interactive. In the long term the benefits can be huge, and your company or brand will benefit from a noticeable impact that results in attracting and maintaining a new audience of potential

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XII Estepona Horror and Fantasy Film Festival 19th to 24th September, 2011

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very year for the past eleven years Estepona has played host to the annual Estepona Horror and Fantasy Film Festival. Fans of this genre have been treated to some of the best (and worst) films, often having their premieres at this event, and have the opportunity to mingle and chat with the directors, producers and stars of the films.

Alongside the glitz and glamour is the more serious business of a film festival with a number of awards up for grabs, both in the feature and short film competitions, as well as lifetime achievement awards for some of the big names of cinema.

This year Estepona celebrates the 12th edition of the popular Estepona Horror and Fantasy Film Festival from the 19 to 24 September, 2011.

With a wide range of activities split between the Palacio de Congresos and the Padre Manuel Cultural Centre the week offers a feast for horror and fantasy film afficionados including screening of feature and short films, documentaries, seminars, exhibitions, book presentations, as well as award ceremonies honouring some of the giants of horror cinema.

In attendance will be a number of stars from both sides of the camera, one of whom is Kevin Sorbo, probably best known in the role of Hercules in the popular TV series and films. Kevin will be in Estepona to receive the coveted Unicornio de Honor on the opening night. Former recipients of this prestigious award are Christopher Lee, Dolph Lundgren, Dario Argento, Ray Harryhausen, Kristina Lokken, Michael ParĂŠ and Roger Corman.

Kevin Sorbo will also be attending a 2 day fan convention which will be held at Hotel Fuerte Estepona Suites and which is drawing fans from all over the world.

All the screenings and activities are free to attend, apart from the fan convention. A full list of screenings and a programme of activities will be available at www. theresident.es by the middle of September.

Kristina Lokken - Terminator 3

Dolph Lundgren with Festival Director Julio Peces

Christopher Lee

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Mixed fortunes for Gibraltar's birds of prey

The Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society publishes survey results The Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society reports mixed results in its annual census of nesting birds of prey on the Rock. Four species are now surveyed annually by the GONHS Bird of Prey unit, led by Vincent Robba. These are the Peregrine Falcon, the Common Kestrel, the Lesser Kestrel and the Little Owl, with observations on Tawny Owls and Eagle Owls also being taken into account.

The Peregrines managed to raise more young (14) than last year (7), although numbers are still down on recent maxima of 20 (2009) and 23(2006). Disturbance is probably a contributing factor. Worryingly, these 14 young were raised by only six pairs. One pair has disappeared altogether. This pair occupied an eyrie in the area of Mediterranean Steps and was absent for the first time since the annual surveys began in 1974.

Lesser Kestrels raised 31 young to fledging, but only 13 nests produced young, the smallest number since 2004.

Several nests have been taken over by feral pigeons.

Another concern is that a number of young were found dead at the base of their nesting cliffs on the North Face, apparently predated by cats.

The plight of these globally threatened birds needs to be addressed. GONHS has long identified these problems and prepared a Species Actrion Plan within its Gibraltar Biodiversity Action Plan published in 2006, but no measures have yet been implemented by Government.

Common Kestrels raised a minimum of 30 young, from a minimum of 9 occupied nests, two fewer than last year. Eight Little Owl nest sites were identified, the same number as in 2010. Eagle Owl nests were not located, but

Lesser Kestrel chicks Photo: Paul Acolina/GONHS there was some evidence of the presence of the species in its usual locations. However, the presence of Tawny Owls has greatly reduced, with no contacts in the latter part of the nesting season in the South District or the Botanic Gardens. A concern is that the liberal use of rat poison may have caused casualties in this species through secondary poisoning.

Birds of prey continue to nest on the Rock with no assistance. We are lucky that they have survived, but the annual censuses detect problems in some cases which need to be tackled if they are to continue to live here.

For more information contact: The Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society Upper Rock Nature Reserve, PO Box 843, Gibraltar Tel. 00350 200 72639

Worlds First 24/7 Solar Power Plant Solar energy’s major drawback is how to generate electricity when the sun is down. It is this conundrum which has hampered the rapid development of this technology from the beginning. But now generating power even in the night is possible thanks to the GemaSolar Array.

It’s a 19.9MW concentrated solar power plant located near Seville, and operating since May, 2011. Two tanks of molten salt (MSES) are the secret behind the plant’s ability to generate power even during the sun’s absense, they suck up and store all the thermal energy generated during the day. The Gemasolar plant is a result of a joint venture between Sener of Spain and Masdar a future energy company in Abu Dhabi.

The magical MSES consist of a special ingredient of 60% potassium nitrate and 40% sodium nitrate. This highly potent combination allows the MSES “battery” tower to

store upto 99% of the heat energy being thrown at it.

What’s more, the battery lasts an amazing 15 hours and is not even considered toxic. Can you believe that?

The plant can generate around 110,000 MWh by operating for 6,500 hours throughout the year which allows it to power 25,000 homes easily.

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Las Galerias It’s surprising what a little exploration can unearth. Up on the second level in Puerto de la Duquesa, and just through the archway off of Plaza de la Fuente, you will find that oasis of calm that is Las Galerias.

Don’t be fooled by the tranquil atmosphere that emanates from the cool interior, inside you will find a hive of activity, with several shops and businesses providing a wide range of goods and services.

Businesses such as recently opened Beautyspot, providing manicures, pedicures, waxing, acrylic and gel nail extensions as well as the much talked about Fish Foot Spa!.

If you feel a bit peckish then pop into The Gallery Coffee Lounge and Bar and sample one of their homemade cakes and scones, or just relax with a drink.

And for the golfer there is the newly opened CD Golf, where you can pick some of the latest golfing fashion items at some of the keenest prices on the Coast.

So next time you’re walking past the entrance to Las Galerias, why not pop in, it will be well worth your time.

Quality, branded, fashionable golf wear for both men and women at affordable prices!

REGRIPPING NOW AVAILABLE Official stockists for Adidas, Ashworth, Bridgestone, PING, Nike, Masters and Daily Sports.

skorts 55 euros polos from 37,50 euros shorts from 39,99 euros

Opening Times: Mon – Fri 10 am – 6 pm Saturday 11 am – 2 pm Sunday – Playing Golf!

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Insurance claims

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veryone has insurance policies (home, health, vehicles/car, accidents, etc.) and usually, sooner or later, a situation will arise which should be covered by the insurance company, for instance; damages occur which affect a neighbour; or in a car accident someone is injured; or a situation in which we suffer damages or injuries that should be covered by another insurance company (for instance; we suffer a car accident caused by another driver; or are hit by a ball when playing golf ).

At some stage in all our lives it is likely that we will have to deal with an insurance company to make a claim, and it is important to know how to do it. These are a few tips to be followed:

1. When an insurance policy is contracted, always keep 2.

3.

4.

5.

an original set of the general conditions and the particular conditions of the policy, for future reference.

Always report to your insurance company on any incident a.s.a.p. by phone, and ask for a reference number for the incident.

If possible, you should always try to take photos of the situation on the same day that the incident/accident occurs or at the latest by the following day Write your own statement of accident/situation (date, hour, etc) for future reference.

Always keep all original documents of the situation (medical reports, police reports, etc.) and never provide the insurance companies with originals, just provide photocopies of the required documents.

6. Do not allow time to pass by with no progress. Within 3-6 months from the time of accident/incident send a letter to the insurance company by registered post with an acknowledgement of receipt request. Mention in this letter the reference number of your insurance policy, reference of the incident/accident and date of it.

7. Never use the legal representation offered by the insurance company. Many insurance policies include legal assistance and representation, but it is normally not independent representation, so always use your own solicitor, as it will not cost you anything. Your insurance company is obliged to pay the legal fees of your own independent lawyer. By choosing your own solicitor you will be 100% sure that your interests and rights are fully protected and that you are told all of the facts.

8. If you do not receive a satisfactory result for your case within 6 months, contact an independent solicitor and instruct him to represent you and to claim on your behalf.

9. Legal action must be taken within 1 year from the moment of accident/incident as there is a time limit of 1 year to file a civil claim against insurance companies.

Often insurance companies use delaying tactics to hold things up, playing for time, until it is too late for a client to have the legal right to make a claim.

10. Unfortunately, insurance companies are very diligent in collecting insurance premiums from customers, but are later, very reluctant to compensate customers when something happens that is covered by the insurance policy. There is always an excuse or argument to try to avoid their responsibility to compensate their customers. Be careful when dealing with insurance companies. Always seek independent legal advice should you suffer an accident, or if you are not happy with the way they are dealing with the situation, or if they are not paying attention to you, or if you are not justly compensated, etc.

If you are involved with an insurance problem or claim and wish to discuss your problem with us, free of charge, please contact Manilva Solicitors on 952 901 225, via e-mail on mail@manilvasolicitors.com or visit their website, www. manilvasolicitors.com To arrange an appointment at the Sabinillas offices, you can also contact Denise Molony on Mob. 669 428 998.

Jos茅 M. L贸pez-Avalos Solicitor Manilva Solicitors

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Riding the King’s Road

‘One man, One horse, 6,000 kms’ Readers will recall in the previous issue of Andalucia Life, the story of German adventurer Peter Ritz and his project to ride the old trading route, the Via Regia from Spain to his home town of Görlitz in the East of Germany, a journey of some 6,000 kms.

After an official send off by Estepona's local authorities, and a blessing by Cura Francisco from the Brotherhood of San Isidro Peter and his Estepona-born stallion, Corvacero, set off on their adventure. As promised here is an update on their progress.

The road to Santiago de Compostela Despite a catalogue of setbacks in recent weeks, Peter Ritz and his purebred Andalucian stallion, Corvacero, are just a couple of weeks away from Santiago de Compostelo in the north of Spain where they will pick up the Via Regia and the long trek to Germany.

This first leg from Estepona to Santiago was always going to be the most difficult, and Peter had anticipated that most of the problems would be getting Corvacero settled into the long journey.

Many experts had doubted the suitability of the Andalucian for such a long distance trek, but on the contrary Peter has proven that his selection was the right one “There are breeds such as the American Mustang which trace their ancestry back to the Spanish horse, and which are well suited to long journeys. The wide chest and long straight legs of the Andalucian, make it ideal, and Corvacero’s strength and resilience have made light work of the 730 kms covered so far”.

In fact the major crises have been centred around the mechanical woes of the support vehicle and the seeming inability of manufacturer’s officially appointed workshop in Ronda to fix a particular problem despite three attempts at the job!

Fortunately this has been offset by the many friendly and supportive people they have met on the journey so far, which will ensure that the overriding memories of Spain will positive ones.

Follow Peter and Corvacero’s adventure in next month’s issue of Andalucia Life

Estepona Town Hall arranged a big send off for Peter and the team with a blessing by the Brother hood of San Isidro.

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You have to laugh

A blonde lady motorist was about two hours from Fuengirola when she was flagged down by a man whose lorry had broken down. The man walked up to the car and asked, "Are you going to Fuengirola?"

"Sure," answered the blonde, "do you need a lift?"

"Not for me. I'll be spending the next three hours fixing my truck.

My problem is I've got two chimpanzees in the back which have to be taken to the Fuengirola Zoo. They're a bit stressed already so I don't want to keep them on the road all day. Could you possibly take them to the zoo for me? I'll give you â‚Ź100 for your trouble."

"I'd be happy to," said the blonde. So the two chimpanzees were ushered into the back seat of the blonde's car and carefully strapped into their seat belts, and off they went.

Five hours later, the truck driver was driving through the heart of Fuengirola when suddenly he was horrified to see the blonde walking down the street holding hands with the two chimps, much to the amusement of a big crowd. With a screech of brakes he pulled off the road and ran over to the blonde. What the hell are you doing here?" he demanded, "I gave you â‚Ź100 to take these chimpanzees to the zoo."

"Yes, I know you did," said the blonde," but we had money left over so now we're going to Sea Life in Benalmadena."

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

CODEWORD - Numbers are substituted for letters in the crossword grid. Below the grid is the key and you will see that some letters are solved. When you have completed your first word or phrase you will have the clues to more letters. Enter them in the key grid and the main grid and check the letters on the alphabet list as you complete them. Solution page 47.

Notepad

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Integrated Tax Planning and Wealth Management since 1975

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What's on Whilst the busy schedule of events that marked this summer is drawing to a close there is still plenty to do over the coming weeks and months.

Here is a selection for your diary:

Pomelo Fest The El Buen Pomelo cultural collective and Louie Louie Rock'n'Roll Bar presents the Pomelo Fest '11, a weekend of great music at Louie Louie's on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th September from 9 pm.

Friday, 9th - Havalina followed by Holywater Saturday, 10th - Atleta followed by local band Oh, Trikelians!

Louie Louie, Calle Real, Estepona.

Tickets are a mere 12 euros giving you entry to both nights plus 2 drinks included.

Last Night of the Proms Party Friday 16th September Armstrongs Restaurant and Lounge in collaboration with Manilva Town Hall’s Foreign Residents Department presentss Last Night of the Proms with the Calpe Rooke Orchestra and the Kings Chapel Singers.

Tickets just 18€ per include a selection of Tapas Tickets available fron Armstrongs Puerto de la Duquesa or The Foreign Residents Department in the Castie, Castillo de la Duquesa.

Call 664 442 629 for more details.

Salon Varietes Theatre Fuengirola's Salon Varietes theatre reopens after the summer break with a number of productions for September:

Divas & Divos A spectacular show for all the family this musical revue devised and directed by John Pyne runs from the 9th to 11th September.

A Celebration of Take That and Westlife Atribute to two of the world's biggest and best boy bands.

One night only Friday 16th September.

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Edward Albee's black comedy about an unhappily married couple who'se verbal sparring at an impromptu cocktail party, devolves into a no-holds-barred battle of wits and wills.

Wednesday 28th September to Sunday 2nd October Box office: 952 474 543 www.salonvarietestheatre.com

Looking further ahead...

Cirque du Soleil The world-renowned Cirque du Soleil returns to Malaga in December to present their show Alegria.

Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th December at the Palacio de Deportes "Jose Maria Martín Carpena".

Tickets on sale now from www.livenation.es/artist/cirquedu-soleil-tickets

XII Estepona Horror and Fantasy Film Festival 19th to 24th September See page 19 for full details

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Spanish Meatballs (Albóndigas) One of the more famous Spanish recipes, meatballs are often served in tapas bars as a snack or an appetizer. Spanish meatballs are made as a main dish at home. Albóndigas are also often offered as the

starter in the set menu (menú del día) which many Spanish restaurants offer to customers. There are lots of recipies for Spanish meatballs - we think this one includes the best things from most of them!

1. Mix the minced chicken or turkey with the minced bacon. Grate one onion and chop or crush one clove of garlic. Add the grated onion, chopped garlic, soya sauce, oregano, pinenuts and breadcrumbs to the meat, and mix all ingredients together very very well.

Basic ingredients for 4 people

2. Make small balls with the mixture - about the size of a large marble. Coat them lightly in the flour (get a bowl, put some flour in and roll each ball around) and put all the balls on a large plate until you are ready to fry them.

3. Now make the sauce. Cut up the other onion and chop the other garlic, and put both of them in a non-stick pan with a little olive oil, the fresh parsley and some salt and pepper. Fry gently until they are soft, and then chop the 2 tomatoes and add them. Finally grate the carrot and add that too. Add the white wine and the cloves, half a stock cube dissolved in half a cup of water, the peas, a bayleaf and a bit of tomato puré (or tomate frito if you live in Spain). Stir well and put on a low heat.

4. Put some olive oil in a non-stick frying pan, enough to cover the bottom of the pan, and fry the meatballs until they are brown all over. You don't have to use lots of oil turn them over so that they cook on all sides, and make sure the heat isn't too strong, otherwise they might burn.

You will probably need to fry them in two or three batches, depending on the size of your frying pan. As each batch is ready, put the meatballs straight into the pan with the sauce and when they are all done and in the pan, leave them to simmer in the sauce for about half an hour.

5. You can serve the meatballs on their own as a tapas dish, or as a main course accompanied by a green leafy salad and/or a red pepper salad.

2 medium onions 2 cloves of garlic 2 whole cloves 1 small glass of white wine A little flour Salt and pepper 1 Carrot 1 bayleaf Tomato puré or tomate frito Half a stock cube 400g minced chicken or turkey 100g minced bacon 1 desertspoon pinenuts (optional) 1 tsp. chopped fresh parsley 3 desertspoons soya sauce 2 desertspoons bread crumbs 1 tsp. of oregano Olive oil 2 small, ripe tomatoes A small cup of peas

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The Saturday Club visits the Animal in need Sanctuary in La Linea

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he Saturday Club is a group of children between the ages of 6 and 11 who come to our finca in Manilva every weekend They groom the horses, play with the dogs, collect eggs, look after baby chickens, and generally get very dirty. We also visit interesting places, the Donkey Sanctuary, The Animal Hospital, The Parrot Farm and this week it was a visit to La Linea to see the Animalinneed Sanctuary.

Animalinneed is a charity in La Linea run by Peter Koekebakker, known as Pedro. The sanctuary has up to 600 dogs, 80 cats, a couple of horses, the occasional donkey and recently a couple of geese. All these animals are strays, lost, neglected and unwanted. Some are close to death when Pedro and his team find them, some just unloved and all need his love and care. Assisted by Anna and her helpers, no desperate animal is ever turned away however the work is never ending and the cost is daunting. With

the aid of a resident vet, all the animals are wormed, chipped, injected and neutered before being re-homed.

Some sadly are too injured or ill to survive and some are so traumatised that months of TLC are needed to help them. Pedro has a fantastic network of helpers throughout Europe and every week 30 or 40 dogs are flown to new homes. Also the sanctuary receives an amazing amount of food and veterinary products from all over Europe.

There is a group of wonderful people living locally who organise dinners, dances, bring-and-buys, sell goodies, make cakes, collect clothes, newspapers and anything that can be turned into money. It costs a euro a day per dog so funds are vital.

David and I have had various fund raising events at our home, The Grand National Day and The Derby. Some of our Saturday kids have been very helpful at these events so a visit to the sanctuary was a lovely thank you to them .

I go , most weeks , to help with the grooming of the dogs, through this we met and adopted our lovely Spanish Water Dog , Lulu, so the kids were keen to see where we got Lulu from.

I explained to the children that the many dogs they would see are all lucky to be at the sanctuary, and within minutes of arriving the kids were in an enclosure with a dozen or so puppies.

The hardest part of the day was to deter the children from adopting them all.

It is a sad fact that there are so many dogs, and cats, needing rehoming, and it was gratifying that the children understood that having an animal is a very serious commitment.

England stand raises 355€ for charity Manilva’s X International Festival, held over three days from 29th to 31st July, proved a huge success with thousands of residents and visitors enjoying the wide selection of entertainment and activities on the busy programme.

This year the England stand was organised by The Resident newspaper, and manned by volunteers from the Animal in Need charity which supports the animal refuge in La Linea.

Thanks to the hard work of those volunteers the stand raised 355 euros for the charity.

A big thank you must also go to those businesses and individuals who donated produce for sale on the stand including: Armstrongs Deli, the English Bookshop, Fox’s, Green Olive, La Barca, O’Callaghans and The Gallery along with Fathoms and San Miguel who kindly donated a keg of Blackthorns Cider.

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WITH LÍNEA DIRECTA,

THE BEST COURTESY VEHICLE Línea Directa, a company specialising in car, motorbike and home insurance for foreign customers residing in Spain, offers the best courtesy vehicle service in the whole insurance sector as part of its optional cover, with the best quality-price relation in all the market.

You will always have a courtesy vehicle with Línea Directa …

• If you have an accident which prevents you from completing your journey and requires over 24 hours of repair work, you will be able to use a courtesy vehicle for up to 21 days.

• If your car is written off, this cover will last for up to 15 days.

• If you are unfortunate enough to have your vehicle stolen and it cannot be located, you will be able to use a courtesy vehicle for up to 30 days.

In each of the three cases above, if required we can offer you a taxi so that you can collect and return the courtesy vehicle.

These services have been specifically designed for our foreign customers residing in Spain and are offered exclusively by Línea Directa, a company which is fully aware of the special requirements expats might have in Spain. Such an offer is only possible due to our experience of having offered expats its services for over 15 years.

Call 902 123 161 and find out more about these and many other benefits designed just for you!

The British Consulate Pension, Benefit and Healthcare Team in Spain Brits in Spain urged to persuade guests to take out travel insurance Overstaying their welcome? Drinking all your beer? Not paying for meals? Hosting friends and family from overseas can always cause stress, but potentially more serious and costly problems are avoidable – if residents remind guests to make simple travel preparations.

Many holiday makers look to save money by not taking out insurance. However, a lack of comprehensive travel insurance cover is a false economy and guests could face serious financial difficulty if they need medical treatment or lose valuable possessions.

Maria Leng, British Consul in the Canary Islands said: “When friends or family visit, it’s natural for them to feel at ease and not prepare in the same way as they would for other holidays. But things can quickly become very stressful if your guests end up in a tricky situation and lack travel insurance. So if you’re asking guests to bring out your favourite teabags or newspaper, ask them to get travel insurance as well, and save yourself and them from what can otherwise be difficult and expensive situations.”

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Great G.I.T.S Golf Day at La Cala

W

e were delighted to include fourteen first timers at our second G.I.T.S outing at La Cala, and for the first time ever a young lady joined us (mainly due to one of our members not being aware that we are a guys only society!). The ironic point of this was that Inci Mehmet is no ordinary lady golfer as playing off the men’s tees, and with a handicap of 2, she put together a very impressive score of 36 points and totally embarrassed the guys she played with by out driving them by some 70 yards on each hole!!! Clearly at 14 years old Inci has the potential to become a fantastic golfer and we will all be watching out for her in the future.

We had had our normal dramas along the way and I have to admit this time that I was the culprit in leading my four ball directly from the 14th green straight onto the 18th tee only to be totally confused when we could not find the 16th tee to continue our round. So back we went with our heads bowed in shame to the 15th tee. Oh what a twit I am! And didn’t they let me know it.

In spite of this small demeanour the day was enjoyed by all with the winning score of 38 points being claimed by Pete Hood. Well done Pete, but beware you have been cut by 1.6 which will make it more difficult when we play Valle Romano next month. Second was Fran Whelan with 37 points winning him two green fees and a buggy at La Cala and first timer Darren McCabe came in third with the same total as Fran but he was edged out on lower handicap.

Daren takes away an €80 Golf City voucher for his great round.

We were delighted that Robin Gadd won the nearest the pin with a great shot just 1.5 meters from a very tricky pin position. I am sure that after the lesson he won with Miguel Perez he will manage to get even closer. Ian Middleton won the prize for guessing that there would be 132 “blobs” on the day. He was nearly spot on as there were cumulatively 133.

We would like to express our thanks for a fantastically organised day by Ana and all of her team at La Cala.

Few clubs can compete with La Cala when it comes to organising a large group like ours and we look forward to repeating the day in the future. Thanks also go to our sponsor on the day, Alan James and Ian Middleton, from The Experience Group, in Benavista. The group specialise in property sales, relocation, holidays, construction and electronics and have been on the coast for 40 years, hence their name.

With 36 players on the day we also managed to put some more money towards our charity Ciudad de los Ninos, in Malaga and we thank all of the guys for their generosity in raising a further €150 to our fund which is now up to €1,175 for the year.

So we now move on to our next outing which is at the fantastic Valle Romano Resort, in Estepona. The price is €60 which will include golf, buggy and all the fantastic prizes that we always have on our golf days. For further information checkout our web site at www.golfinthesun. org.

We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible for what we are sure will be another great day, so for now.....

“Keep ‘em down the middle” Regards, Barry.

Watch out for the GITS golf days over the coming months including: Valle Romano (10th September), San Roque (15th October, Valderrama (12th November) and Los Arqueros final day prize giving dinner once again (11th December). More info at www.golfinthesun.org

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Estepona Reading Group Book Review

The Suspect

By Michael Robotham This is the thriller that might just make you become a crime fiction convert! Maybe a little slow to start… but give it a chance and you will find yourself hooked on a story that is gripping and, eventually, fast moving.

This is the thriller that might just make you become a crime fiction convert! Maybe a little slow to start… but give it a chance and you will find yourself hooked on a story that is gripping and, eventually, fast moving.

Meet clinical psychologist Joseph O'Loughlin who seems to have it all. Joe is 42 with a beautiful wife and a clever eight year old daughter, Charlie. However, all is not quite as perfect as it seems. We find out that Joe was recently diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s disease, and when the police ask for his help in solving the brutal murder of a young woman, his whole world seems to fall apart in spectacular fashion. It turns out that Joe knew the victim, a nurse called Catherine McBride, who was a former colleague and patient of his. When another patient of his, Bobby Moran, starts behaving in an odd manner Joe realises that there might be a connection between Bobby and the murder of Catherine.

On top of all this Julianne wants another baby and Joe is in a state of panic at what the future holds for his family because of his illness, knowing that he can’t even rely on his own body anymore. This leads to Joe keeping secrets from Julianne and Charlie in an effort to protect them, and because he does not want to burden them with issues surrounding his work and his worries about what the future holds for them.

Eventually Joe becomes the number one suspect in the murder investigation led by Detective Inspector Ruiz, one of the best written characters in the novel who is the stereotypical grumpy, tough cop (in fact, Ruiz becomes the main character in Robotham’s second book ‘Lost’) and who hounds Joe until the end. Joe ultimately risks everything to save his family and unmask the killer.

In an interview about the inspiration behind The Suspect, Robotham said:”Psychologists, social workers and judges often decide the fate of entire families. They play God with other people’s lives…but what if they get it wrong. This is the question at the heart of Suspect.”

The characters in The Suspect are credible, and the narrative provides plenty of twists and turns that throw you off the scent of uncovering the killer of the murdered girl. You might think that you know who the culprit is, but

I guarantee you won’t, and the surprise ending will leave you speechless! There is a certain resemblance to The Fugitive – ‘It wasn’t me…’, although the ‘one-armed man’ bit isn’t relevant here! This spectacular debut by Australian novelist Michael Robotham is one not to miss. Look out for more from this author, and because the novel lends itself well to a Hollywood blockbuster - maybe even a film in the future?

Joanna Wyndham The next meeting of The Estepona Reading Group will be held at the Elemi Café, near Estepona Port on Thursday, 8th September from 6pm until 7.30pm when we will be discussing Reading Lolita in Tehran – A Memoir in Books by Azar Nafisi.

For Further information call 956 794 279.

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Manilva Town Hall’s Foreigners Department Wednesday, 14th September 2011 - Presentation of the Autumn Programme of Activities

November 2011 - Morocco Trip to Chefchaouen. From the Foreigner´s Department we want to invite you to enjoy a weekend in this magnificent village in Morocco, famous for it´s blue colours and beauty.

The price for the trip and details are to be confirmed.

December - Cultural Malaga A day dedicated to discovering the capital of our province and enjoy its culture and tradition. The route and price are to be confirmed.

December, Charity Party

Tapa Day, in The Last Resort (La Última Posada), barrestaurant located on the Paseo Marítimo in Sabinillas in the Acapulco area, at 1.30 pm.

The Foreign Residents Department invites you to join us for the presentation of the autumn activities program. The first tapa and drink is offered for free from our Delegation. The tickets can be requested at the Duquesa Castle.

Here are a few of our activities planned for this autumn:

27th October 2011 - Lecture Informative talk about the Life of the Foreign Resident at 6 pm in the Edificio Usos Múltiples. We will have as guest, Susan Pedalino, resident of Manilva, who will share with us her experience and present her ebooks with useful information for the Foreign Resident.

31st October 2011- Halloween Party – The location is pending to be confirmed. At 5 pm will have a kids party and later at 11 pm a party for Adults giving 1 free drink for those who come in a costume.

A magical night dedicated to Halloween.

In aid of Animal in Need, in the Punta Almina area.

The Foreigners Department wishes to offer its support to this charity organization, so well known in our locality. The date, hour and activities are to be confirmed.

16th December 2011 Christmas Dinner Location to be confirmed. The Foreigner´s Department is concluding its autumn activities programme and is preparing for the winter ones with the Christmas Dinner event that has become a tradition in our department, We hope you will join us and celebrate with us this very important holiday.

For more information with regards to our activities, times, etc. please contact us at the Foreigners’ Residents Department in the Duquesa Castle by email: extranjeros@ayto-manilva. com or phone 952 89 35 48.

Photography Classes for Beginners Once more those interested in discovering the art of photography have the opportunity of registering for the photography classes that are organized by the Foreigner´s Department. The classes, which were a big success in our previous programme, will start registration in the month of September. Price and hour are to be confirmed.

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Drop-In-Centre Programme Starting this September Age Concern has arranged a number of events at the Age Concern Drop-In-Centre which is situated in Calle Zaragoza 25, Estepona.

Starting Wednesday 7th September There will be a Social Club with mixed activities from 10.30 to 13.00 Starting Thursday 8th September There will be Yoga for the older person (fortnightly) and talks on health related subjects from 11.00 to 12.00. This is limited to 12 persons maximum – if interested please ring either 608458555 or 951318234 and leave your details.

Starting Friday 9th September There will be a Craft Club from 10.30 to 13.00 - this will include quilt making and embroidery on alternate weeks.

It starts with quilt making and Julie Wood on Friday 9th September. The following Friday, the 16th, Alex Aldous will be running an embroidery session., then back to quilt making and so on, on alternate weeks.

Starting Tuesday 18th October There will be a Creative Writing course from 10.30 to 12.30 - this will run for 6 to 8 weeks course under the guidance of Vera Ivers.

Apart from the yoga these activities are open to all age groups.

Feel free to turn up on the day(s) you are interested in but it would be helpful if you called to let us know that you are coming – the number is 951 318 234.

ADANA Animal Park Project

A

DANA President Maria Cawsey and Vice- President Mary Page opened their campaign to enlist the support of the Municipalities of Estepona, Manilva, Casares and Sabinillas with a very productive meeting with Juan Jesus Rodriguez, a Casares Consejal.

Juan Jesus was given a guided tour around the ADANA Perrera in the Parque de los Pedregales which is currently home to two hundred abandoned dogs in a site suited for half that number.

He then viewed the yet to be finished new perrera which ADANA is in the process of constructing near the existing perrera but which cannot be completed due to lack of funding.

ADANA, which is funded entirely by volunteers, takes in and rehomes dogs and cats from the area covered by the four municipalities. It has been a long-cherished ambition to have a sanctuary where all abandoned animals – dogs, cats, horses, donkeys – could be looked after pending adoption and which could also be a centre for education in the care of animals. It is hoped that the Ayuntamientos could help with this project, both financially and in other ways such as assistance with construction.

Senor Rodriguez expressed his full support for the project which he viewed as important in many respects: in keeping the streets free from stray animals thus helping to create a cleaner, more healthy environment and in

Juan Jesus Rodriguez listens to Maria Cawsey as she outlines the ADANA Project

being a place of interest to tourists and other visitors as well as greatly enhancing the welfare of the far too many abandoned animals in the area.

He will raise the issue at the next meeting of Casares Ayuntamiento and will also arrange a meeting with the Mayors of Casares, Manilva and ADANA early next month.

The Mayor of Estepona, Jose Maria Garcia Urbano, met with ADANA President and the Vice-President earlier this year and expressed his total support for the plan but stated that there was currently no possibility of funding.

ADANA is now seeking a meeting with Estepona Consejales to discuss their future involvement in this project which could be beneficial to the town.

The ADANA Board hopes to organise a meeting to be held in October at the Kempinski Hotel to which politicians and businesspeople from the area will be invited and where the project will be outlined and support for its realisation sought.

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Discrete Hearing full page

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An Exciting and Diverse Programme of Lectures The programme for the 2011-2012 season offers an exciting and diverse range of lectures. Whilst last season had a distinctly English flavour, this season’s programmes promises to take you on a journey around the world of art in its finest forms.

Our first lecture on 19th October 2011 will look at how men have behaved badly, both on and off the canvas!

John Iddon will tell us about artists such as Hogarth and Reynolds and their portrayal of some of these ‘rogues’, as well as other ‘rakes’ that featured in PreRaphaelite and Victorian narrative paintings. We will also investigate men behaving badly off the canvas, such as Picasso, Augustus John, Lucian Freud and others, and to compensate for all this male chauvinism we find out how “Women Strike Back!”

The following lectures focus on ‘Architects as Designers’, ‘Monet’, ‘Revealing Images – Music in Paintings’, ‘Persepolis’, ‘Aboriginal Art’, ‘El Greco and Toledo’, and finally ‘Klimt’ – in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of his birthday.

DFAS de la Frontera has become an increasingly popular society over the past few years, not just as one that educates our members and visitors about works of art, but a place where friendships are formed and one that fosters a great social atmosphere. If you haven’t come along before, please remember that whilst the topic of a lecture may not always appeal to you, it is the exceptional skill of our professional lecturers who are experts in their field that will enthral and inform you.

To complement our lecture season we have a great selection of trips and events for members to take

advantage of. At the moment the society is a victim of its own success and there is a waiting list for membership, but please don’t let that put you off. The committee will be delighted to welcome you as visitors. There is a chance to socialise with members and friends at our after-lecture drinks reception, and an opportunity to win a book on the lecture subject in our raffle. Entry at the door is €12, with free entry for members 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).

The Rake's Levée by William Hogarth

More information can be obtained by calling (00 34) 956 796 622 or 956 794 279 or at our website www.nadfas-delafrontera.org.

International Club of Estepona For all English Speaking People

Urbanisation Bahia Dorada, Entrada 5 at km 149, A7 Estepona Tel 952 802 549 Every Sunday from 12.30 to 2.30 pm and every Tuesday from 11.00 am to 2pm the bar is open for drinks and tapas. Every Thursday from 10.30 am to 2 pm the bar is open for drinks and lunch, weekly meeting 11.30 am.

New Members always welcome.

Special Events SEPTEMBER Friday 2nd September - Quiz Night Saturday 10th September - Last Night at The Proms

Monday 12th September - Film Night Saturday 17th September - Welcome Back Party Sunday 25th September - Trip to Cartama Market & El Tintero Campero Friday 30th September – Music Night, Andre Rieu in New York

For further regular events & information visit our website www.siberme.com

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Estepona Floral Art Club (Affiliated to NAFAS London & Overseas)

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e are delighted to announce our Chairman for this coming year is Barbara Salisbury who has been a popular resident on the Coast for many years.

The new Club year will commence on Tuesday 20th September 2011, with a flower arranging demonstration by Charles Barnard, NAFAS Area Demonstrator from London. This will take place at from 3pm to 5pm at The Oak restaurant, Urb. Benamara, N340 km 168, Estepona 29680.

This is the first in our exciting programme of events planned for the coming year when every month we shall be welcoming a NAFAS National or Area Demonstrator to show us how to achieve splendid displays of colour and texture.

Estepona Floral Art Club is a very friendly club and we welcome visitors old and new and of course all our members. Refreshments are available before and after our demonstrations, which are held from 3pm to 5pm on the third Tuesday of every month, except in December when we meet earlier in the month.

We also have a well-stocked Sales Table where you can purchase flower arranging items at very reasonable prices.

Come and join us for some entertaining flower arranging demonstrations!

For more information on the above event and future events, please contact our Chairman Barbara Salisbury on 951 17 05 73.

“So tell me… what exactly is Tantra?”

… continued

Tantra is often seen by most as a sexual activity – and in some cases, massage is too! Whenever I mention that I am a masseuse – that in itself raises eyebrows – as even admitting to touching others is seen as a little risqué.. or daring – but I usually tell people not to worry – as I am ‘licensed to touch’ …. but when I mention the word Tantra – that is nearly always a conversation stopper – and the most common comment is – oh is that about 8 hour sex sessions? – Sting has a lot to answer for!!

Tantra works with the natural energy of the body – here in the Western world, we call it ‘sexual energy’ because it originates from the area of the body where the sex organs are located. It is no accident of nature that these body parts are the most sensitive, delicate and pleasurable parts of the body – and by touching, stroking and playing with this part of your body – you can get immense pleasure, and experience energy pulsing through your body – in what is called orgasm. This energy however, is present in the body all the time – it is your ‘life-force energy’, and can

actually be used for other activities – but we have been conditioned to see it as only for sexual activity. In our culture, we have a very narrow use for this energy…. but Tantra can change this.

You can see this energy coming through spontaneously in other situations … when a footballer scores a goal… you see his arms come up with a rush of energy that comes up through the body and out through his upraised hands… or perhaps you have sat on a beach, watching the sunset over the mountains… and felt a warm feeling of pleasure welling up in your core centre… this is your life-force energy… and you can learn to work with it, to use it to make you feel good, to empower you whenever you need it – to give you strength for a challenging activity – or to give you confidence for an important meeting….

There are many ways to learn how to recognise and use this energy, in the form of Tantric practices, such as meditations, breathing techniques, exercises and muscle locks. None of these are difficult to achieve, given practice, and over time you can become more sensually aware of your own body, and able to connect with and utilise the natural energy and strength with.

For more information on the practice of Tantra, you can visit my website at www.astartelife.com or call me on 669894550. I look forward to hearing from you.

‘Namaste’ Amanda.

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FOR SALE 4 BEDROOM - 4 BATHROOM DETACHED VILLA FANTASTIC VIEWS REDUCED 40% - NOW WELL UNDER 400K Being sold by owner - see owner’s website:

www.puertosotogrande-villa.com

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Property management services

Key Holding Maintenance Laundry & Cleaning Meet & Greet Welcome Packs Estepona / Manilva / Sotogrande

Lesley Handford Tel: 952 936 825 Mobile: 619 346 526

email: marigold.manilva@gmail.com www.marigold-manilva.com

Tantra … on the Costa del Sol….

Qualified Tantric practitioner offering ….

Ask about our latest advertising rates.

Tel: 656 476 887 Email: info@andalucia-life.com

Codeword solution from page 29

* Tantra Massage Sessions for men, women and couples,

* Tantric Seminars to learn the basic Tantric Practices,

* Tantric Weekend Retreats on the Coast

* Presentations On Tantra For more information visit www.tantracostadelsol.com Email Amanda@astartelife.com or call 669894550.

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