Baywatch April May 2011 by Baywatch Group

Letter from the Editor Hi all! After what feels like a very long winter, finally Spring has sprung, the birds are singing, the almond trees are blossoming, my favourite smell of freshly cut grass is in the air and I am sure all our readers are looking forward to the start of some wonderful sunny days ahead! In this issue we have compiled all you need for a fantastic Spring: A section on sprucing up your home in readiness for summer, a special feature on El Puerto de Santa Maria, a weekend break in the luxurious Los Casta単os hotel near Ronda, a recipe designed for sunny afternoons spent on the terrace, and last, but certainly not least, a round-up of local events in the Chiclana area and a guide to the best April and May fiestas and

ferias in Andalucia including, of course, the merriment that is Semana Santa (I can't wait!) with a special look at events in the Andalucian capital Seville. And finally, animal lovers amongst you may be interested in reading our special feature on animal welfare in Spain on page 26. Please note that we have had many readers asking us to feature their anecdotes on various sad stories relating to the mistreatment of cats and dogs in Andalucia. Whilst it would be impossible to publish all of them, I would like to thank everyone out there who is fighting for animal rights and new laws to see animal abusers brought to justice.

Sophie

Culture: Spring Ferias and Fiesta Guide

Semana Santa in Seville

CONTENTS

8 Don’t Move - Improve. How to spruce up your casa in readiness for the summer and visitors!

Baywatch is a free magazine published bi-monthly by The Baywatch Group

Advertising & Sales Please call 856 101 803/697 552 936 Email:sales@baywatchonline.org Editor Sophie McAdam

Email: editor@baywatchonline.org

Design & Layout Email: design@baywatchonline.org Registered address: The Post House Buzon 72 CC Novogallo, Local No.50 Chiclana de la Frontera 11130 Cadiz, Spain Deposito Legal CA-552/06 Copyright The Baywatch Group All Rights Reserved Reproduction of this magazine in whole or part without the prior permission of the publisher is stricly prohibited The publishers reserve the right to amend any submissions. The views expressed by the contributors & advertisers are not necessarily those of the publishers Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the content and adverts within the magazine, the publishers cannot accept any liability

Property section with Cadiz Casa

Discover: El Puerto de Santa Maria

26 It’s A Dog’s life: Investigation into animal welfare in Spain 31

Health Beauty & Fitness - Digestion Special

News round up from Cadiz and Andalucia

Food & Wine: A look at local restaurants and a recipe of the month from hotel Los Castaños

Hotel Getaway: Los Castaños, Malaga Province

What’s On in and around Cadiz

44 Business Directory. Your guide to local businesses and services in the area

Culture Spring is underway, which in Andalucia means only one thing: Fiesta time! From the Día de Andalucia in February right up until September, all over the province, ferias, carnavals, fiestas and romerias can be enjoyed by all. Whether it’s consuming ridiculous amounts of sherry, flamenco extravaganzas, firework displays, prancing horses or street parades, Andalucíans know how to celebrate in style and you’ll find they don’t need much excuse for a good knees-up! Various Saint’s days, deliverance from the sea, the Moors, or the harvesting of products like grapes, cherries, chestnuts and olives all provide the perfect reason to throw a party. Perhaps the most famous party of all is the Cadiz carnaval, held the weekend after the Andaluz national holiday on 27 February. But if you missed that, there are plenty more spectacular ferias to visit this Spring . Here are Baywatch’s top picks for April and May. 1) What: Feria de Abril Where: Sevilla When: 2 - 8 May Six days of high spirits, glamourous flamenco costumes, fairylights, music, dancing and drinking until dawn, horses and lots of colour make Seville’s Feria de Abril one of the biggest and best annual events in Andalucia.

Spring Ferias and Fiesta Guide and Semana Santa in Seville The fair officially begins on Monday at midnight, two weeks after Semana Santa (see Page 35) and ends with a super firework display the following Sunday. The city is packed with revellers and finding accomodation at short notice can be very difficult to say the least, that said, it’s well worth visiting Seville just for a day if nothing else. The venue for the fair is the 'Real de la Feria' just outside the city centre opposite the Maria Luisa park. Here, along with a huge fairground, there are over 1000 marquees with bars, music and flamenco shows. In the city itself, daily at noon, beautiful girls are carried in horse-drawn carriages through the streets, while in the evenings, the year’s top bullfights are held at Seville’s prestigious bullring. See www.feriadesevilla.andalunet.com. 2)What: Batalla de las flores/Las Cruces de Mayo/ Concurso popular de Patios/ Feria de Primavera Where: Cordoba When: From 25 April,throughout May Spring in Cordoba consists of three main celebrations: The May Crosses (29 April - 2 May), The Festival of the Patios (4 -15 May) and the annual Spring fair (20 - 28 May).

Flower-lovers would not want to miss the aesthetic treats of Cordoba in Spring. Starting with the May Crosses festival, huge crosses decorated with flowers are put up in courtyards and squares and the neighbourhood associations and local clubs set up a bar serving traditional tapas and drinks to the visitors. Traditional Sevillanas music is played and dance shows are performed by night. The crosses follow a street parade called The Battle of the Flowers in which floats decorated with flowers are driven though the city to welcome the coming of Spring. The districts of San Basilio, San Andrés, Santa Marina, San Agustín and the city centre offer the best visual treats. The festival of the Patios follows in the same theme, and Cordoba bursts into colour as floral displays are proudly shown all over the city, where locals compete to make their patios (traditional Andaluz courtyards) the most pleasing to the eye. Cordoba’s annual Spring Fair is the grand finale, with a fairground in El Arenal packed with women in gypsy dress, horses, and marquees for fino and music open to all visitors. For all events see www.turismodecordoba.org. What: Feria del Caballo Where: Jerez When: 8 - 15 May Jerez hosts the most important and prestigious equestrian event in Spain, where thousands of visitors flock to see the incredible displays of horsemanship and Andalucian thoroughbreds. Shows include dressage, showjumping and

even dancing horses in the Como Bailan los Caballos Andaluces- definitely not to be missed! As usual, festivities are accompanied by much merriment, drinking of Sherry and flamenco. See www.turismojerez.com. Also in Jerez is the annual motorbike grand prix, held from 1 - 3 April. See www.moto-jerez.es. And not forgetting… Semana Santa in Andalucia You can’t mention Spring fiestas without mentioning the icing on the cake, Semana Santa (or Holy Week) itself, which this year falls on 1724 April. Easter in Spain is a far cry from the British traditions of chocolate eggs and bunnies: it is an event that transforms every village, town and city across Spain. Whilst there is always a religious feel to any Semana Santa week, as usual it is also a great reason to throw a seven-day party. The biggest and best Easter celebrations are held in Seville (see our special on Page 35) but there are plenty of other notable celebrations on the Costa de la Luz. Cadiz itself hold extravagant, spectacular processions, while El Puerto de Santa Maria (see Page 20), Jerez, Arcos, Sanlucar and Chiclana are also famed for the scale of the parties they hold at this special time of year.

Semana Santa in Seville Gretelle Daﬀón Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Seville can be somewhat overwhelming. The crowds choking the streets, the heat, and the shocking scene of hundreds of masked figures carrying candles, accompanying Christ in various stages of his passion and the Virgin, can seem alien to any outsider visiting during this time of year. The traditions go back to centuries of brotherhood, with bits and pieces being added on throughout the years. The Cofradias or brotherhoods are clubs whose main interests year-round, is to provide social assistance to the community. During the Semana Santa they take on the hood and cloak and march in penitence. Originally the Nazarenos were sinners who wanted to redeem themselves of their sins, by walking for hours without food or water, while caning or whipping themselves. The hood and cloak are worn to hide their identity as ‘’we are all the same in the eyes of God’’. While the extreme demonstration of penitence, like caning or whipping, is no longer practiced, the march of penitence lasting at least 13 hours, sometimes barefoot, lives on.

Many of the visitors that come to witness this event are art lovers. Each brotherhood depicts with a float, either one of Christ’s sufferance leading up to his crucifixion and later his resurrection, or an allegory from the Bible. Later the Virgin follows, also exemplifying different stages of her grief and agony for her Son. These scenes are demonstrations of the skills and techniques of the sculptors, tapestriers, and gilders that devote themselves to the spectacle that is Semana Santa. Today Semana Santa has a more festive air about it. Sevillian families take this time to reunite, gathering in their red-clothed balconies, chatting and dining gaily while processions take place below them. The ´hipper´ crowd flock the city in their best attire, filling the bars and restaurants to over-capacity, or battling it out for the best spot on the street to watch the procession go by. Semana Santa is for the traditional and the modern. The young and the old. The religious, the artist, the historian. It is a living, breathing piece of history, both perfectly preserved and yet evolving.

Mark Bates comes from a family of builders and architects, has 25yrs experience in the trade, and was a member of the Federa.on of Master Builders for 10yrs. As a result, all of his building is done to UK speciﬁca.ons which means damp courses, visqueen membranes in the ﬂoors to prevent water seepage, stainless steel wall .es, cavity walls and insula.ons if required. In short all the standards you would expect from a UK built home. “I used UK Building Services to build a new roof. The prepara.on, workmanship and commitment to the job were excellent, I would and already have recommended them to my friends” says J.Cox (Chiclana). “I now only use UK Building Services for both small and bigger work because of their consistent thoroughness and high standards of workmanship”.

All extensions have damp courses and cavity wallswhich can be insulated Extra room extension - before and after Architect services and CAD drawings also available

A.Jones (Chiclana) If you have any ques.ons or would like any furthe informa.on regarding these services then call Mark on 633 344 280.

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Move - Improve Taylor Rose

A KISS from the talented Taylor Rose collection - Keep It Simple Silly Just by changing the colour of your soft furnishings can lift your surroundings and your mood and without breaking the bank too. Take a look at these few tips from interior design expert Taylor Rose. One of the simplest ways to perk up the living room is to take out all those cushions and ornaments (you probably brought from the UK way back in 2005) and take a look at your sofa and chairs and see what would suit from this seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s colour range.

*No need to buy cushions if you can recover them in fabric (San Fernando Market has good fabric stalls) *Match up coloured candles, 3 or 5 (always odd numbers) eg 3 in lime and 2 amethyst and in staggered sizes and place on a plain glass or wooden tray *Shopping for candles – Casa (Spain’s answer to Habitat and good for knicky knacky knoos), El Corte Inglés, KA and Zara Home - check the web for their nearest outlet - an dtry the local bazaar shops too! * On your coffee or dining table, invest in a piece of glass ware, a vase or plate in the most vibrant of the colours you have chosen – use it for your candles or flowers *Try to buy all your new coloured things at one go, it´s not always easy to keep colours ‘in your head’ and you may get home with a mismatch *Maybe a small rug in one of the colours to complement the cushions *Finally, and a good way to show off is a vase with a single coloured flower from your scheme - not always necessary to have bunches – flowers bring a room to life. Keep It Simple Silly Time for a new kitchen? Take a look at the kitchen you are using at the moment and think about what you like and don't like about it. Are the appliances or storage spaces worn down? Do need a bigger space for preparation? Do you like the atmosphere of your kitchen, but your equipment do not work properly anymore?

Prior to a discussion with a professional, however, it helps to have a pocket folder containing photos of kitchens you would like to have. This will help them understand your needs and taste. Buy magazines, window shop or visit websites that offer kitchen and design products to help you find out what is available in the market and estimate how much your dream kitchen will cost.

Getting Started with Home Improvements Home improvements can help you turn your home into a nicer place to live and increase its value in the long term. So whether you are building a conservatory, converting your loft, making the place more energy efficient, or just giving it a lick of paint get help from the many professionals listed in this magazine

Extensions Many people choose to extend their home as an alternative to moving, particularly in areas where house prices are rising fast. Otherwise it may just be that you love where you live but need some extra space. Whichever camp you fall into, remember that good planning is the key to a successful extension. Initially, you need to think about the space you’re hoping to create and what you want it to be used for. You’ll need an architect to draw up plans for you and a good architect should be able to make suggestions as to the best way to maximise your extension and therefore your investment. Once you’ve decided what you want and your plans have been drawn, you’ll need to

Do not forget to check your plumbing and electricity. Ideally, you should do this before any re-plastering is done. Most of the appliances in your house are concentrated in the kitchen, so it is wise to check if the existing wiring in the area has the ability to cope with the load during busy periods. Installing a new kitchen will be a breeze, as long as you carefully plan how to do it with the help of professionals.

get the plans passed by your local planning authority and building control department. Most architects will help with this part of the process, but if in any doubt at all, do call your local ayuntamieno Importantly, you’ll need to find a building company that will build your extension within a timescale you’re happy with and at a cost you can afford. Recommendations from friends and neighbours are often the best way to find a good builder, but make sure you also fully research your builder’s credentials. Remember: Plan your extension properly. Employ an architect and ensure you have fulfilled all the legal requirements of your local authority before the builders start. Do your research – make sure any tradesmen you employ have the correct credentials for the job they’re doing. Plan your finances and bear in mind that costs for large scale projects sometimes exceed original budget expectations. It’s worth keeping some money to one side in case this happens, in most cases a 10% contingency should cover this. Remember, any building work on your home can be stressful, inconvenient and dirty – be prepared! You’ll need to decorate and furnish the new part of your house once it’s built, so make sure you have enough in the budget to cover this.

Here’s a nice example of how you can turn your porch area into an extra room and in this case gain a nice sitting area alongside.All work done by the company Painting & Refurbishment

Property Section by CadizCasa Q: This is from Angela and Toby “we rented a holiday apartment through an advert on the internet in Vejer de la Frontera. When we arrived the apartment we were shown was not the same one as we had seen on the internet and the furniture was not as nice. We pointed this out and were told that they do not allocate apartments specifically, you just have to take the one that is available when you arrive. Is this the case in Spain” A: This is certainly not the case in Spain and it sounds to me like these people are taking liberties. If you book a specific apartment then that is the apartment you should get. The only time another property should be substituted is when there is a problem like a leaking boiler where the apartment you booked is not suitable for use. However, you should have been informed of this prior to your arrival and offered a refund if you do not want the new apartment. If properties are advertised with reference numbers then always give the reference number in any correspondence or emails to ensure that you have written proof of the agreed property. Q: This is from Monique “We rented a villa with a pool for our holidays last year, when we arrived we were told that the pool could not be used as the pump was broken. They said it had just happened but the water looked very green so we think it had been that way for some time. We asked for a part

A: It may not be the fault of the property owner that the pool is not usable when you are visiting but it is their responsibility to inform you if there is a problem before you arrive. From the sound of things I think you are right and the pump had not been working for some time. In this situation we would offer a part refund to make up for the loss of this facility if the clients were still happy to stay in that house. Q: Mark says “My wife and I booked a holiday home on the Costa de la Luz and on the second day after our arrival the hot water failed. We have 2 small children so it was a problem for us. I only had the number of the lady who showed us in to the house but she said she could not help us as the owner lived in the UK and she had no authority to deal with the situation. We spent a very miserable week having to shower ourselves and bath the children at the local pool complex. What should we have done in this situation”? A: Well Mark living in the UK does not devoid you of your responsibilities to your guests. If the owner cannot be present while their property is on rental then they have to make alternative arrangements through a local management company. You are entitled to a point of contact in the country you are staying in who can deal with situations of this nature. We give all our clients the name of our member of staff who will be responsible for assisting them during their stay

refund as the pool was a very important part of our reasons for booking but they said it was not their fault and we were not entitled to a refund is and if they need anything all they have to do is call. that correct”

Property sales and rentals Suenoandaluz has been selling and renting property throughout the region for over 6 years and have developed a reputation for honest and correct advice. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s short holiday rental or long term residential rentals, Suenoandaluz have managed to help many customers fulfill their wishes Property management Coupled with the rental properties on our portfolio we able to offer full property management, covering all aspects of a property, keeping it in a presentable and functional order for paying guests or owners alike. Garden maintenance Our regular maintenance plans allow the flexibility to maintain your property on a economic basis, or supply the man power and tools to give that once a year spring clean to bring it back to a manageable level. We also include a garden waste removal service to the nearest recycling centers in your area. Building project works Our resources also offer small build projects, whether an enclosed sun terrace for that extra room or wall parameter building to assist in protecting your property Swimming Pool Maintenance and Cleaning Constant maintenance is needed to keep your pool maintained to a safe and enjoyable standard. We offer various services in this field from pool cleaning and grouting, to regular cleaning and chemical checking services throughout the season.

If you are contemplating purchasing a property, do not leave your common sense behind and make sure that you are buying a well built property or at least you are aware of its deficiencies.

Many Spanish properties have been built illegally but later legalised by the authorities. These have been built without any control or adherence to the codes of practice at the time. Many problems are hidden at the time of sale, having been tidied up during the long periods of good weather and only become visible when adverse weather happens. Many problems arise through lack of water control and poor quality materials and workmanship. In the UK a survey is nearly always carried out before a purchase, in Spain for some reason this is rare and a big risk for the purchaser. So to be sure it makes sense to have a survey carried out. If you employ us you will gain the benefit of many years of experience of a chartered structural engineer including years of dealing with Spnaish properties. A detailed report for a fixed fee depending on the property size will be provided. Call for a no obligation quotation on 617 458 977

Are you fed up with low voltage/poor quality electricity or frequent power cuts? Is your electric bill eating up more and more of your income? Try one of our invertor/battery systems. These will give you high quality electricity and provide a back-up for those power failures protecting your sensitive electronic equipment and valuable household appliances and giving you power when your neighbours have none.

AndJlower your electric bill!! These high quality systems start at just over 4,000 euros and go up depending on the desired storage capacity. Need a full solar electric system? Our advanced sun tracker can increase efficiency by as much as 70%, reducing the number of panels needed and the initial investment. Our Outback inverters and voltage regulators have self-contained, multi-stage chargers which can extend battery life out to as much as 10 years. We have more than 30 years in the alternative energy business. We offer the most efficient, modern technology and equipment in the market today at competitive prices and superior personal service. We live on solar power in Chiclana; come see our system and learn how it works and what life on solar power is like. Or, for a no-obligation survey and estimate, contact Bob Hamilton at 678 511 087

Filter sand some.mes referred to as silex has a finite life. We are o en asked how o en you should change the sand in your filter. We would recommend changing the sand, on average every five years. While we have seen filters go 20 years or more without changing the sand and s.ll do the job, they are not as efficient as they should be. Filter sand has been ground to a size of .45 to .55 mm in diameter and is very rough when new. This roughness is what makes the sand efficient at filtering out the par.cles of dirt in your pool water. As this roughness is smoothed out - as stones in a stream wear smooth over .me - your filter's efficiency goes down.

This means that your system has to run more frequently to accomplish the same task.

17 Sun, Sea and Sand Filters If you own a pool you probably have the most common method of keeping your water clear, a sand filter. Your sand filter is the large, round vessel situated next to the pump. The media contained in the filter strains the impuri.es from the water as the water passes through. The sand filter uses a mul.port valve to direct the water through the filter or out to backwash. In filter posi.on, the water is directed over the top of the sand bed and, as the water flows down through the sand, the sharp edges of the sand catch the par.cles in the water. The clean water is pushed out of the filter through the bo/om lateral assembly. The laterals are in the shape of a wagon wheel, with .ny holes, to allow the clean water back to the pool and the sand and dirt to stay in the filter. Also, this can increase the amount of sani.zer used, thereby increasing your chemical costs. As the sand ages, it may start to clump and the water flow can form channels in the sand, allowing the debris to pass through, channelling. In addi.on we have found that a er five years, your sand has worn enough to allow dirt to penetrate so deep that normal backwashing doesn't clean it completely. The result is shorter filter cycles which requires more frequent backwashing. If you would like a free inspec.on visit to see if your filtra.on system is working at its best please contact us - email, clearwaterpoolmaintenance@hotmail.co .uk You can ring us Billie 658382237. Isabel 687554335. www.clearskyholidayhomes.com

THERMOAQUA wishes you a very happy Springtime!

In our shop in El Colorado (Conil) you will find a brand new SHOW ROOM with all our products and MUCH MORE:

- HEATING SYSTEMS: big variety of boilers, radiators, PELLET STOVES, underfloor heating & accessories - SOLAR ENERGY: all panel sizes and tank capacities – for hot water only, heating and/or POOL HEATING - POOLS: everything you need for your pool! Pumps, filtering systems, chemicals, accessories & POOL COVERS! - WATER TREATMENT: water analysis, softeners, filters – clean & healthy water! - PLUMBING: tubes and pipes – from your well to your taps and to the pit! All installation jobs done by our experienced professional team! Come and visit us or ask for a FREE QUOTATION!

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Discover: El Puerto de Santa Maria The town of El Puerto de Santa Maria, 10 kilometres from Cadiz, is best-known for being the third town in the ‘Sherry Triangle’, also comprising of Jerez and Sanlucar. It was also the port from which Colombus sailed on his second voyage to the Americas: El Puerto came to prominence in the 18th Century as a place where seeds were brought from the New World. This made the town very prosperous and it became known as the cuidad de los cien palacios, the city of the hundred palaces. Indeed, in addition to its many Majestic casas grandes, El Puerto de Santa Maria also boasts a medieval castle, many splendid churches, and Spain’s most prestigious bullring after Madrid and Seville. Much of the town is very pretty and picturesque: traditionally Andalucian, with white-walled streets and flowers tumbling from window ledges. Bodegas Like Jerez, El Puerto de Santa Maria has many bodegas open to the public, the most famous of which are Osborne and Terry. Both of these, named after Irish merchants who settled here, export sherry and brandy worldwide. In the cellars of El Puerto, the dry, pale sherry known as Fino, along with Muscatel and Oloroso, are produced using traditional methods. .

Plaza de Toros El Peurto de Santa Maria The Osborne bodega offers daily tours at 10.30am. You can book by calling 956869100, or ask for more information in the tourist office Beaches El Puerto de Santa Maria is also home to several clean and attractive beaches, the best of which are Vistahermosa, Valdelagrana, and La Puntilla. Valdelagrana and La Puntilla are said to be the best of the bunch, but in the summer months they can become very crowded, and if you don’t care much for lively bars and discos you should avoid Puntilla and Valdelagrana in favour of Playa Santa Catalina, a little further west.

In July and August there are evening boat trips around the bay. They begin at 9.45am, last for 90 minutes and cost five euros. All details can be given by the tourist office, which also produces a handy map of the town, all its palacios and other key attractions. Eating and Drinking El Puerto de Santa Maria also has some of the best seafood restaurants on the Costa de la Luz, Apart from the bars lining the beaches of Puntilla and Valdelagrana, many of the best tapas and seafood bars can be found on the Ribera del Marisco, a street upstream from the ferry dock near to the Plaza de la Herrería. Try Restuarant Andaluz in Avda. Michaela Aramburu - fabulous local fayre! Ferias and Fiestas El Puerto de Santa Maria is quite lively and is home to many fiestas and ferias. The ones worth noting are the Feria de Primavera, held on the fifth or sixth week after Easter, and the Feria del Vino in mid-May. This sees 180 thousand bottles of sherry drunk in four days, complemented by people dancing Sevillanas in the street. Semana Santa in El Puerto is as lively as any Spanish town, with processions daily from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, and like other towns on the costas, the town also celebrates the Hogueras de San Juan on June 23rd with midsummer bonfires and

fireworks on the beaches.

Finally, on 16 July El Puerto celebrates the Dia de la virgen del Carmen, a patron saint whose statue is taken from the church, carried into the sea on board a fishing boat, and paraded around the town. Things to see - Churches, Monasteries, Museums and more: •El Puerto’s plaza de toros dates back to 1880 and seats 15 thousand people. •Iglesia Mayor Prioral, a baroque and gothic church dating back to the 13th century. •Castillo de San Marcos, built in 1364 over the remains of a 10th century mosque. •Casa de la Marquesa de Candia- showing archaeological finds from the local area, and artwork. •Fundacion Rafael Alberti (www.rafaelalberti.es) which is a museum dedicated to El Puerto’s artist and poet, friend and associate to other Spanish greats such as Lorca and Picasso. •Monastery of the Victory (early 16th century •Hermitage of Santa Clara (16th-18th century) Casas de Palacios: •Palace of Aranibar •Palace of Almirante Valdivieso •Palace of Imblusqueta •Palace of Marqués de Villarreal y Purullena

•Casa Vizarrón (Casa de las cadenas)

23 GRUPO PACC is a nationwide insurance broker with oﬃces all over Spain. There are two oﬃces the province of Cadiz, one in Jerez and the other one in El Puerto de Santa María. We also have an agent in Chiclana.

We have bilingual employees, ENGLISH and GERMAN, to give personal and direct service for EXPATS. We are UNE ISO 9001 2000 Certified and registered with The General Directorate of Insurance in Spain (Dirección General de Seguros de España) registration number J340. Why choose a broker instead of an agent? Well, By law agents work exclusively with one insurance company which limits their scope, whereas a broker (correduría de seguros) can offer you quotes from a number of different insurance companies which gives them the opportunity to offer you the best option for each case. We have specific products tailored to expat clients' needs, a range of products available in English and German: • Motor insurance • Home • Accidents • Communities, Golf, Boats, Business, Life, ..... • Funeral policies Special terms and guarantees and flexible underwriting, including “All Risk” in home policies. Liability in home policy up to 1.000.000€ Car insurance, all models and values, even with a foreign number plates Car insurance no claims discounts of up to 65% Claim Credit (protection of no claims bonus for the first accident) Key-Facts adapted to British law and English speaking experts. Customer service in English and German for travel assistance and home assistance.

CADIZ TO EL PUERTO DE SANTA MARIA FERRY (Timetables opposite) If you fancy something a little bit different to while away a few hours this Springtime then why not take a ferry from Cadiz to El Puerto de Santo Maria and back. Whilst on dry land you can shop, have a long relaxing lunch or do some sightseeing in these beautiful cities, and what better way to avoid the traffic than by making the journey across the delightful bay of Cadiz and see the scenery from a different point of view. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cheap, fun and makes a nice change!

It’s a Dog’s Life Investigation into Animal Welfare in Spain

Kira, a German Shepherd Puppy, is lying on my sofa and staring up at me with the biggest, sweetest brown eyes I’ve ever seen. I’m completely in love with her, but unfortunately I rent my home and I’m not allowed pets. This is the third time I’ve rescued a dog that I am in no position to look after, but I don’t seem to be able to help myself. I discovered her in a friend’s stable where she had spent all her five months of life alone, whimpering, cold, and crying out for some love and affection. I was told with a shrug of the shoulders that another friend of ours was planning on using her to guard his sheep and that she’d soon be out of the dark, depressing hole. After some investigation, it later transpired that she was ‘getting too old’ and since the sheep hadn’t actually been purchased yet, she would probably live alone in the stable forever and be replaced by a younger puppy in a few months. Before I knew what I was saying, I’d offered to take Kira home. I have now re-homed her, but many puppies aren’t so lucky. I feel sad and angry sometimes as an expat in Andalucía that so many of my close Spanish friends treat animals in a way that most Brits wouldn’t dream of doing. Traditionally, dogs serve a purpose, nothing more or less: they guard homes or fincas or they hunt, and are tied up indefinitely as a consequence of their

practical, not emotional, role in life. When they are too old, or otherwise useless to a man of the campo, the poor animals are made redundant from work and usually abandoned without mercy I was told by one friend that puppies in our village are still systematically drowned in bags or beaten over the head with a club at birth to avoid expensive veterinary fees that would protect against unwanted preganancies. In Britain, killing puppies would (rightly) warrant blazing tabloid headlines, a torrent of hate mail and a possible prison sentence. One of the most gruesome and shocking tales of animal cruelty here is the plight of the galgos, a greyhound breed used by many Spanish hunters. When the season is over and the dogs are no longer needed, it is traditional to kill them. This is often carried out by a brutal hanging, and as Olga Fernandez-Flygare of KIMBA points out, ‘It's an agonizing death and the hanging is intended to be long and painful. It is happening right now, at the end of the hunting season.’ But it’s not just dogs that often have unfortunate lives. Stray cats are often seen as vermin, with poison being used to rid villages of their presence, One reader, Julie Crowson, has been campaigning on behalf of Rota’s street cats for most of the twenty years she has been living in the area, and contacted Baywatch with her concerns.

‘Last year a tourist was bitten by a flea and and so the harbour master decided to kill the 100 cats who live on the harbour,’ she explains. ’I started petitions, slept on the harbour and tried to find a way to get the cats neutered.’ Julie’s determination paid off and she eventually found a local vet willing to neuter the cats. But although this meant last winter 140 females were neutered and subsequently only one litter was born, unfortunately the success was short-lived, and her contact cannot help Julie’s crusade this year. ‘I have sent out 80 emails for help and have only had one reply,’ Julie says. ‘The local council wash their hands of the problem because cats don’t generate money for the town, and the situation is desperate.’ But Marjorie Bedford of charity ADANA thinks we need to look at the problem of animal mistreatment from a historical and cultural perspective.

certainly, many people I spoke to regarding cruelty in Spain cited tradition as a key factor in the treatment of animals. Many local ferias and fiestas involve an element of animal cruelty, especially towards bulls, while in the countryside donkeys’ feet are tied together with rope so tight that they no longer have any hair around their ankles and the skin is very red and painfully sore. In January, Refugio de Fuente de Antequera Donkey Sanctuary reported a 30% increase in abandoned mules, while the manager of the smaller sanctuary in Nerja said his shelter was receiving calls from farmers threatening to put their animals down if they were not taken in.

But it’s important to note that Andalucia is Spain’s poorest region and many people still live entirely from the fat of the land. Clearly in most cases, treatment of animals is more a question of finance than a case of over-simplified ingrained cultural cruelty. Unfortunately donkeys are often the first thing to go if a struggling farmer facing significantly reduced payment for castanas, ‘I think that we sometimes forget, or don't even olives and other produce can no longer survive realise how pampered we can be living in or the costs of feeding a once-essential working coming from Britain and that even in modern animal. Europe things can be very different,’ she says. However, integration and education can be a useful tool. In my village a British friend successfully persuaded a mutual Spanish friend to allow his horses to run free, rather than being tethered in a 350 hectare plain that they had no way of escaping from. As a result, a few other neighbours followed suit, and now at least 20 horses have been saved from a miserable life.

Talking about animal rights to Spanish friends is, I have found, a great way of campaigning very effectively; although it goes without saying that as expats, we need to be respectful and understanding of the culture we have chosen to be part of. Consider, for example, that while the RSPCA was set up in 1824, the first NGO for animal welfare here in Spain was founded in 1976. Without a doubt, Spain is a late starter, but nevertheless things seem to be slowly changing for the better. Last year Cataluna banned bullfighting, and earlier this year the ‘sport’ was also banned from TV. According to Eddie Taylor of ADANA, ‘We now have more Spanish visiting the kennels than we used to and their attitudes have changed considerably over the 20 years I have been here. More often now it is the Spanish that are denouncing people that mistreat animals.’

Eddie’s experience is reflected in a recent survey, which showed that 98% of Spaniards believe you should go to prison if you abuse an animal. The sad fact is, quite often it is the expats that are adding to the number of abandoned cats and dogs in Spain. Many animal charities on the Costa del Sol report that the recession is forcing some Brits to give up their Spanish dream, and also, in many cases, their pets. According to Mary Page, vice-president of ADANA. ‘Sadly, many British people in Spain have a poor attitude to animal welfare and regard their unwanted pets as items to be handed over to shelters or abandoned when circumstances change for them - when money is tight or unemployment occurs.’

And Peggy Klain, a long-term volunteer with RAWL and Siempre Contigo Protectora, agrees that we cannot simply point the finger at the Spaniardswithout acknowledging the wonderful work they do. ‘I know so many wonderful, loving and involved Spanish people that work long hours in the name of animal rights and rescue,’ she says. ‘The people at Siempre Contigo Protectora and KIMBA are incredible. They try so hard without proper funds, only donations.’ Despite the fact that animal charities here receive little or no financial support from local and national government, the number of Spanish-based animal charities is increasing, and more financial donations are flooding in from Spaniards themselves. Luckily, the younger generation of Andaluzes tend to have the same attitude as the majority of we animal-loving Brits. Beloved pets usually live in the house and are treated as part of the family rather than tools, and dogs are increasingly sought in rescue centres rather than from a breeder, recognising the fact that so many are already in need of homes. As Mary Page puts it, ‘A real change can only be achieved through education, and progress is being made in this respect. The chief hope for a more humane attitude will come from the more enlightened younger generation. Change will come but we need to expedite it!’

If you would like more information on any of the animal charities in your area, or if you can help reader Julie Crowson find a neutering project, please contact us and we will put you in touch: editor@baywatchonline.org We also had an email from a reader who told us the tragic story of a dog knocked down in Pago el Humo who desperately needs veterinary treatment. If anyone wants to know more or can help, please contact Michelle at: practicasinternacionales@gmail.com.

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Our Veterinaries have Emergency Services 24 hours a day every day of the year. We have a fully equipped Laboratory room ready to do tests in minutes. Also we have all the necessary diagnostic equipment, ultrasound, radiology and electrocardiogram •Chiclana: Fernando Magallanes,17. . Phone 24hrs: 956 402972. Fully equipped operating rooms where •Puerto Real: Ctra. Medina Km 1,5. we perform all types of soft tissue Phone: 956 804543 & 24hrs: 956 surgeries such as sterilization, biopsy, 870717. •Puerto Santa Maria: Plaza de la Espe- mouth cleaning, and trauma surgery & ophthalmology specialties. The centres ranza,1. Phone 24 hrs: 956 870717. provide hospitalization and intensive care Also we can advise on preventive unit. medicine and internal medicine. We have a wide range of specialities for We have everything your best friend may your pet: exotic animals, ethology, need, and most importantly, the cardiology, geriatrics, neurology, personalised attention that your pet reproduction, and ophthalmology. deserves. CLINICAS VETERINARIAS AVILA We have an excellent team of veterinarians, auxiliary and biologists, divided between our three centres:

Health, Beauty & Fitness Digestion Special: Getting to the Guts of it Kirsty Davies, nutrition guru Our bodies are talking to us all the time - and for most, none more loudly so than our stomachs and digestive systems. With our digestive system being so interactive, responsive, and central to our physical and mental wellbeing, it seems surprising to me that we know so little about what it is trying to tell us. The discomforts of indigestion are so common in today’s society that indigestion is almost considered normal. The fact that over two billion dollars per year are spent on antacids is proof of this. But rather than using drugs to suppress the symptoms of indigestion, wouldn’t it be wiser to learn how to understand what they mean and how we can tackle the root causes? Knowledge about 'Food combining' is a basic component of optimal nutrition. It makes things easier for the body to digest and utilize the nutrients in our foods to their full extent. The principles of food combining are dictated by digestive chemistry. Different foods are digested differently... • Starchy foods (carbohydrates) require an alkaline for digestion. This is called ptyalin and produced in the mouth) • Protein foods require an acid for digestion (in this case, hydrochloric acid, also produced by the body)

Three Basic Rules of Food Combining 1. Eat protein foods and carbohydrate foods at separate meals. 2. Neutral food can be eaten with either protein or carbohydrates. 3. Don’t eat more than one kind of protein food at a meal. 4. It is recommended that you don’t drink (even water!) with a meal, as it can debilitate the body’s digestive juices. Food combining can be a daunting area when you first look into it, but one way to find out what is right for yourself is to experiment. Try it and see how you feel. Listen to your body. What works for one person may not work for another person. Overall, food combining is a lifestyle, not a diet. You can eat pretty much everything, just eat smarter! Basic Food Types A. Protein Almonds, Cashew nuts, Hazel nuts, Hickory nuts, Lentils, Peanuts, Gooseberry, Avocados, Pecans, Pine nuts, Pistachio nuts, Soy beans, Walnuts, Sunflower seeds, Coconuts. B. Starches (carbohydrates) Artichoke, Bean (lima)*, Beets, Chestnut, Carrots, Corn, Hubbard squash, Jerusalem artichoke, Peanuts*, Peas, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Yam (* Peanuts, lentils, beans, and all cereals are considered as protein and starch combinations).

C. Neutral Bamboo shoots, Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, Romaine, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Cucumber, Eggplant, Endive, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce: Boston, Bibb, Leaf, Romaine, etc., Okra, Parsnip, Pepper (sweet), Rutabaga, Sorrel, Sprouts: Mung bean, alfalfa, wheat, barley, etc., Squash (ex. starchy), Turnip.

D. Fruit Should always be eaten on an empty stomach, and with nothing else.

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Barefoot & Beau ful is a brand new Foot to Monopoly and will be open in April. The

Spa & Nail Salon coming soon to Chiclana. The salon will be offering a unique pedicure and manicure experience using Grarra Rufa Fish. These fish were first discovered in Turkey in the 1800´s, and are fast becoming the most popular way to rid your feet of problem areas. There will be a double spa with two separate tanks, which are filtrated and hygienically monitored to ensure your safety. Client’s feet are placed into warm water then the fish go about their natural business of exfolia.ng the dead skin, leaving it feeling so . Healthy skin is le untouched. The treatment is totally painless as the fish are just sucking which s.mulates and boosts circula.on. This treatment is a must for anyone with skin problems such as eczema or psoriasis.The new salon will be situated in Los Gallos next

owner Lisa Clark, a professional nail technician and beauty therapist, is already well known in the Chiclana area and she sees this new venture as an exci.ng extension to her already successful business. “Foot spas are extremely popular in the UK and the rest of Europe and now I am bringing them here to Chiclana” says Lisa. Also on oﬀer in the salon will be a wide range of nail treatments including: Crea.ve manicures and pedicures, Crea.ve acrylic nail extensions and overlays, Bio sculpture gel nails on ﬁngers or toes and the new and exci.ng minx nail coverings. If you need any informa.on about the foot spa or any other treatment, please don´t hesitate to contact Lisa by phone, email: lisaclark-@hotmail.co.uk or visit: www.baywatchonline.org

News Round Up National Good news for illegal homeowners The British Embassy has welcomed a forthcoming decree that would enable thousands of illegal property owners across Andalucia to request regularisation of their property through their town hall, and to be issued with a licence of first occupation. British Ambassador to Spain, Giles Paxman said: “This is a real step forward. The announcement will bring relief and hope to many people whose lives have been blighted by property and planning irregularities.” For more info please visit www.ukinspain.fco.gov.uk. EU takes Spain to court over its refusal to give expat pensioners free healthcare The European Commission has accused Spain of discrimination against pensioners from Northern Europe amid controversy that many retired expats are currently denied free healthcare. Under EU law, pensioners living in Spain should be allowed to use their European Health Insurance Card to receive healthcare under the same conditions as Spaniards. But the Spanish health ministry claim that because the card does not specify whether or not an individual is a pensioner, they have the right to deny free medication. The case will be taken to the European Court of Justice. Spanish air traffic controllers to strike from April to August Spanish unions are threatening a series of summer strikes to protest against privatisation by airport operator AENA.

Cadiz & Andalucia Spain’s tourist industry fears a ‘black summer’ after 22 strike dates were released. These are: • April 20, 21, 24, 25 and 30 • May 2, 14, 15, 19 and 20 • June 13, 23 and 30 • July 1, 2, 3, 4, 15 and 31 • August 1, 15 and 31 Unions claimed they had tried to negotiate with AENA but did not receive a reply, but after their strike announcement AENA called for a meeting to discuss negotiations. We will keep readers updated. National Animal Welfare Day March 25th The first Nationwide Rally against Animal Abuse is being organized by a Spanish pressure group for March 25 all over the country. For this unprecedented event to be successful, it is essential that all associations, charities, no-kill shelters and individuals struggling to change Spanish laws on the subject participate. Readers are asked to visit www.noalmaltratoanimal.org and follow instructions to help in changing the future of animal welfare in Spain. Please also see our special feature on this subject on Page 26. Community and Cadiz Province Glenn Hoddle Academy cuts ties with Jerez industrial The former England manager has severed his relationship with the Cadiz province club in a row over money. Hoddle lent 150,000 euros to the third division Spanish team last July but has now pulled his players from the team after they failed to pay the money back.

Food & Wine - La Pampa Argentine Restaurant Chiclana

Argentina is one of the high quality meat producers in the world. Their meat has an unique flavour due to the right balance in nutrients. Parrilla La Pampa imports their meats directly from Argentina. This makes Parrilla La pampa a “must place”to visit if you love Argentinian food. Parrilla La Pampa has traditional foods from their “criolla cuisine”: Provoleta (melted cheese) Empanadillas(pastry with mince meat) And the typical Parrilladas (BBQ). Spanish Cochinillo (piglet) Cordero (lamb) Together with home made pasta like “spaghetti” & “canelones”, various salads, omelettes and fish.

At dessert time, indulge in “dulce de leche” (toffee caramel), pancakes & puddings. The Restaurants are cosy and homely and make the right choice for you to spend an evening with friends, on any occasion.10% discount with all reservations. (Please mention Baywatch when you do your bookings) TASTE, FEEL AND BREATHE ARGENTINA...

Food & Wine - Recipe of the Month from Di at Los Castaños

Moroccan Spiced Chicken Breast with Herby Couscous and other delicious accompaniments

The Couscous Here is Spain we can only get instant couscous which is fine - it's simple and fool proof.

An essential ingredient for this incredibly simple but wonderfully succulent dish is Ras El Hanout - a blend of spices used a great deal in Morocco. Spicy not picante! You can make your own and I give a list of ingredients below**

Make the couscous according the the packet directions. When you fluff it up after the soaking period add the following: •chopped black olives •chopped herbs: parsley, cilantro, mint, basil •lemon zest and juice of half a lemon •salt and pepper •olive oil Can be prepared in advance and microwaved.

The Chicken: 1 chicken breast per person Olive oil Ras El Hanout

The Vegetables For each chicken breast mix a tablespoon of the This dish goes excellently with simple steamed spice with about 3 tablespoons of oil. Slice the leeks, carrots and courgettes. chicken diagonally and marinade in the spiced oil for several hours at least. Once on the plate, dress them with a hot blend of butter, honey, cumin, lemon juice and garlic Heat a griddle pan and lightly sauté each piece of chicken until it is golden brown. Two Sauces Serve immediately. Two sauces are de rigueur these days so Minty yogurt - mix thick Greek natural yogurt with a touch of mint sauce Harissa - this is readily available and adds a real kick! Que aproveche!

Wine This is a hearty dish with big flavours and our guests have enjoyed it with a red wine from the Ronda area: Chinchilla Seis y Seis which is a mixture of Tempranillo and Syrah grapes with 6 months in French oak. It is strong and rich wine that complements the strong and rich flavours of the plate. **Ras El Hanout 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground ginger I teaspoon turmeic 1 teaspoon salt 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander seeds

1/2 teaspoon cayenne 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves www.loscastanos.com Cartajima, Andalucia Tel: +34 952180778 Fax: +34 951160236

Are you looking for a very enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours? Would you like somewhere near to Chiclana to take your friends to experience the delights of sherry and fine wine? Then why not take a tour round this small Spanish family run and owned business, the Bodega Sanatorio between Chiclana and El Colorado on the N340? This quintessential, inviting and very friendly Bodega is delighted to receive visitors to tour its sherry making distillery and then taste the superb range of wines they have for sale. Complimentary wine tasting is encouraged to enable you to try before you buy, and believe me there are some fabulous varieties to try. Whether your palette favours dry or sweet wines, there is something for everyone.After you have looked around, why not enjoy a relaxing drink and tapas in the reception area amongst the many special oďŹ&#x20AC;ers the Bodega

has on show.

The local tapa delicacies include Butifarra, Chicharron, Morcilla, Lomo and Queso amongst others. The Bodega is open every day including Saturdays and Sundays and Public Holidays. The opening times are as follows: Mornings from 9am until 3pm Afternoons from 5pm until 8pm Festivals 10am until 3pm For groups of 12 or more personx call 956 400 756 - otherwise just pop in when open, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be pleased you did. info@bodegasanatorio.com

Now if you are a fan of pizza then this is a However the pizzas are definitely the stars restaurant you must visit. of the show with a fabulous variety to choose from. Good, reasonably priced wine As you walk through the door you to accompany your meal and delicious instinctively know that you have made a desserts to finish - fantastic! So the next good choice. There is a warm and cheery time that you are in El Colorado and ambience to the place enhanced by the feeling hungry, go on, pop in and give it a friendliness of the owners Antonia & try. It certainly won’t break the bank! Lorenzo and their staﬀ. Now, the heart of any good pizza restaurant is a genuine Normallly La Artesana is open weekdays stone pizza oven and the skill of the chef is from 7.30pm -12.00mn and at weekends to turn out authentic, freshly made and 1.30pm - 4.00pm and then 8pm delicious pizzas. Well there is no need to 12.00mn. Closed on Tuesdays. The worry on either score here as this chef owners are especially keen to welcome makes some of the best pizzas we have groups for celebrations, especially parties ever tasted in his wood fired oven. during the week and will open at lunchtimes for you if you wish. La Don’t worry if you’re not a pizza fan as Pizzeria Artesana is situated on the main fresh salads and pasta dishes are also N340 in El Colorado, alongside, and slightly behind, the Venta Andaluz - you available on this extensive menu can’t miss it.

Hotel Getaways: Los Castaños, Cartajima, Malaga Province

‘I wanted to create something extremely beautiful and luxurious,’ proprietor Di Beach tells me. ‘You look out from this charming place to see rough and rugged mountains and houses with tumbledown walls.

It looks poor, and the road is difficult, then the valley opens up. It’s the contrast between the luxury of the hotel and the traditional lifestyle of the village that I love. Some people have an epiphanic moment when they come here.’

In Autumn, Cartajima (population 300) is a beautiful riot of colour, as the castaños (the chestnut trees after which the hotel is named) come to fruit and the valley becomes a blaze of golds and oranges. Chestnuts are harvested in October and November, providing an excuse (along with Autumn’s annual Cata de Mosto festival which shouldn’t be missed) for much local merriment.

The Hotel All rooms at Los Castaños are en-suite and boast a king sized bed and balcony. Di bought the building 10 years ago and has been open for eight, after two years painstakingly rebuilding Cartajima is one of seven villages making up the and redecorating the hotel to its lavish, five star picturesque Serrania de Ronda; the area south Moroccan style. of Ronda where pine, chestnut, cork, oak, almond and olive trees cling to the steep forested mountains of the Genal Valley, dotted with the most beautiful of the pueblos blancos.

Di lived in Estepona on the Costa del Sol in the 1970’s, which at that time was a small and very traditional fishing village, and then spent years yachting around the world on a boat she had built with her ex partner, raising two children, studying anthropology as a mature student and finally putting down roots in San Francisco. ‘But after 13 years in the States, I knew I wanted to be back in Andalucia, the place where I’d left my heart.’ Di explains. ‘I’d already conceived the idea of running a hotel,’ she says. ‘But this isn’t a money-making venture, it’s a lifestyle: my own personal stage.’

After four months of looking for the perfect location (Estepona had by this point become a haven for expats and in Di’s view had lost much of its charm), Di noticed she had overlooked the white villages south of Ronda, and immediately knew she had found the right place when she first arrived in Cartajima. ‘I had several criteria to meet’, She explains. ‘To be the first foreigner in a village; to be in a traditional and challenging place, to be within easy reach of both the coast and a large town, and to have gorgeous scenery.’ Di runs the hotel with her partner John, whom she met when she was ten years old. She was born in England but had spent her childhood in Canada up until that point. ‘I was taken back to Cheltenham,’ she explains. ‘But it wasn’t home to me. John was in my class and he fell in love with me. He held my hand and made sure I was ok.’

Just four years ago, Di attended a school reunion and saw John for the first time since childhood. ‘The spark was still there,’ she laughs, ‘so he came to join me in Spain.’ Food and Drink A typical meal at Los Castaños would be Gambas al Ajillo followed by Moroccan Chicken and Couscous (see Di’s recipe on Page 37) followed by chocolate brownies. The wine choices, apart from a selection of Riojas, are Ronda’s finest, one of which is also featured on Page 38). ‘Food is very important and very interesting to me,’ says Di. ‘I love to cook and I love to experiment. I try to blend North African flavours with traditional food of Southern Spain.’ ‘When I first opened I wanted to source everything locally,’ she explains. ‘I started investigating local wine and back then I found there wasn’t much, but now there are 17 vineyards around the Ronda area, two of which are ecological and organic; the wines are superb.’ One Baywatch reader, Ann Harding, contacted us to recommend Los Castaños. She went there with husband Alan to ‘get away from it all’ and thoroughly enjoyed her stay. ‘Los Castaños proved to be the perfect place for a very relaxing week,’ Ann told us. ‘The hostess provides a very substantial breakfast and cooks an evening meal by arrangement with her guests. The food is excellent and the hotel extremely comfortable.’ For more information and booking, please see www.loscastanos.com.

What’s On One day Emergency First Aid Training 18 May 2011 at La Vista Medina Hotel, Medina Sidonia from 10.30 am to 4pm Would you know what to do if your spouse, partner or friend had a heart attack and stopped breathing? No? Then read on..... First Aid Spain’s one day Emergency First Aid courses are designed to be clear, simple, practical and enjoyable. Among the main elements of the course will be how to ´Identify when and how to administer Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and ´First aid for the unconscious casualty – the recovery position.´ What to do in case of: *Heart Attack *Stroke *Choking *Bleeding *Injury *Burns *Epilepsy *Diabetes *Other topics as appropriate. All courses are directed by Lynda Pudney RGN who is both medically qualified and also holds appropriate teaching qualifications. If you would like to attend then contact Gary at the hotel, text or call (+34) 646 48 90 69. Email: info@andaluciahideaways.com or simply call (34) 956 42 00 69. The course price including La Vista de Medina light lunch (menu del dia) is 49 € ************************************* CAR BOOTS for animal charities Kimba and Happy Ending held in front of Casa Curro and Autoservicio Santa Ana (Marquesado Rd)10am - 2pm every Sunday. Wanted - articles in good condition Call Marguerita 617 099 706. Animales de Andaluz now in El Colorado between Hotel Antonio & the Pharmacy in front of Bonia Frutas 10am to 3pm on the

last Saturday of every month. Good articles always wanted for sale call Trudy 692 470 489 Charity Quiz Monday nights at Domingo´s AGE CONCERN on11 April & 9 May and for HAPPY ENDING 25 April & 23 May. Please book your meal 956 538 266 (See ad on P48) PLEASE NOTE the Golf Tournament for AGE CONCERN atVilaNueva Golf was postponed (due to bad weather) to Saturday 16 April. Please contact Edwin Cherrey 691 486 985. Coach tript to Seville 12€ Tuesday 12 April in aid of Happy Ending. Departs at 08.15 San Andres Golf or 08.30 Cadiz bus stop outside Mebles Barlac/Eroski. Call Sue 956 531 566. Restaurant Patria open lunctime over Easter for their fantastic special buffets - Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday 21 to 24 April, plus a la carte menu on Saturday evenings(see P48) RIGHT ROYAL KNEES UP - in aid of the Age Concern Project on Friday 29 April at Casa Blas, Pago del Humo See P38 for details.

COMMUNITY NEWS Carol on behalf of AECC local cancer charity wishes to thank the Azahar Costa, Kris Cody and Los Intocables for their support at the AECC dinner-dance, which raised 1966.50€. SAMMY IS MISSING 100€ reward for the whereabouts of a beloved 18mth old black cat. Sammy has pointy ears and a red collar and was last seen in Rana Verde, Chiclana beginning of March. Please call Bob and Jean 625 184 225. BEN IS MISSING White and brown cocker spaniel/labrador cross missing since the 12 February in the woods at Novo Sancti Petri. If you know the whereabouts of Ben please call sad and worried Matt or Helen 677 192 779.

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Yes, it’s "What shall I get him/her for Easter?" time again! .Choccy Easter Eggs are all right, but they tend to melt in the heat here, flowers only last a day or two and that's about it.. until now that is! Graffiti have come up with another great gift idea .It won't melt, droop or otherwise become useless in a few days, in fact it's a gift that will last virtually for ever. It's a full colour print of your favourite photo on quality canvas. It looks like an oil painting that has been done by someone who can really paint! Graffiti have a really special Easter Offer for you - an A3 print (420mm x 295mm - or nearly 17" x 12" in real money) for just 11.50€. What about that for value…it doesn't cost much more than a card, but means much more. Why not have your spouse's favourite picture of him or her (or you both). For the kids, there's a picture of them with their cat, horse, dog or ferret. Your boyfriend can have a full colour picture of himself throwing up after a night out….the possibilities for either a nice romantic gesture or a bit of a laugh are endless. Contact Lee at Graffiti and he'll sort it out for you. Just provide a good resolution photo and he'll do the rest. See the Graffiti ad for contact details.

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Knowledge of the electrical regulations and installation methods is vital if you are going to do any job involving electricity here in Spain. Steve Harris has worked in Spain for over 8 years and has been dealing with a wide range of urgent and non-urgent domestic electrical problems on a daily basis since moving here from the UK. Steve has customers all over the Cadiz region, Jerez and as far as Estepona, is always prompt and efficient, giving excellent service and good advice to his customers new and old. If you have any electrical problem, from mending a fuse to re-wiring your house, give Steve a call. Remember electricity is dangerous and if you don’t understand the complexities of Spanish installations then don’t meddle, it’s not worth it!