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NOVEMBER

2019 ISSUE 178

YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SINCE 2005

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PHONE - ENGLISH : 865 663 993 Lou&Ged PHONE - ESPAÃ‘OL: 676 741 983 Camila

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NOW IN OUR 14TH YEAR

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Hi everybody,

We would like to thank the TOURISM COUNCILLOR for enabling Jose Manuel Blasco to join our magazines monthly column. Many of you will surely have met Jose at the Tourist Information Counter in Santa Pola. He always exudes enthusiasm for all that is happening in our area. Here are his suggestions of “Where to visit” and ‘What to see” for this month

Just a few words to let you know what’s going on this month, as always. November is the quietest month of the year. There are no Moors and Christians parades in November, however there is still something to do and have a look at such as the biggest fair in the Costa Blanca that takes place in Cocentaina from 1st to 3rd November. Cocentaina is next to Alcoy and the fair is divided into many areas: medieval, street market, agriculture trade, typical products, food etc… You will be able to find all kind of products there. You will need at least a whole day to see it all. On the 3rd of November the II Mediterranean Race will take place starting in Alicante, all along the coast to finish in Santa Pola. There are fiestas in Benidorm from 9th to 13th with music and fireworks. I suppose you know how we, Spanish people, go to cemeteries to take flowers to our lost relatives. On that day, the first of November, the cemetery becomes an impressive place with all these thousand of flowers. Also there are pilgrimages and local fiestas in La Nucia, Tibi, and Onil. Bye- bye friends this is all for the quietest month of the whole year.

Hello Everybody, Hope you all had a good Halloween. The evenings are darker sooner now the clocks If you would like to supply news and info have gone back, but there are lots of events to next enlighten youror nights November with for our edition, havethis a question numerous offers and special events in bars restaurants over Gran Alacant. for and Gran Alacant allcouncillor Oscar Please check magazine pages for all offers available. Pedro Valenzuela, please email: info@ granalacantadvertiser.com Have a good month, Ged & Lou Our little dog Zia and our cat Casper have hidden themselves away in the magazine, can you find them? Last month Zia was on page 16 and Casper on page 57

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We at your Gran Alacant Advertiser continue to bring you all of the NEWS, including that from a representative from the Town Hall, as we have since May 2005.

If you have any QUESTIONS or PROBLEMS you would like us to discuss, please just email them to us at the magazine - granalacantadvertiser@hotmail.co.uk Q: Weeds on Calle Malta Hi Lou & Ged , keeping up the good work I see, sorry to bore everyone again but I am fed up of seeing G/A looking so shabby in many areas. The last counsel totally ignored concerns re road sweeping & keeping the pavements & weeding up to date especially off the main roads. I add photos of the weeds across the path on Av. Carabassi . Young mothers with children, on foot or in wheelchairs, once again are forced onto the road as the path is impassable again. This is very dangerous, who will be responsible if someone is injured by traffic? I have complained many times about Calle Malta, its condition & it has never been cleaned since before Christmas despite my complaints. I guess this applies to many other back streets! I hope this new counsel keeps its promise & takes a good look everywhere in G/A & employs & cleaning company that can be trusted to do what we pay for, Keeping G/A clean & give us a G/A to be proud of. Also why do the counsel not put hidden cameras near the bins to catch the inconsiderate people who through the waste bags by the bins & not in them, catch the people who dump beds, mattresses & other rubbish. Lazy people who throw cardboard boxes on the floor, rather than breaking them down & putting them in the bin. Catch them on Camera make the fines pay for the cost of buying & installing cameras. Its will cost the counsel nothing in the long run. So come on you counsellors prove your better than the last give us value for money! Kind Regards, Bill Q: Airport taxi Hi, For years we have been having a taxi

from Alicante airport to Gran Alacant, last Thursday at 9.30 pm we did the same and was charged 25 Euros, normally it is lower and we always give 20 Euros not asking for any change, the driver switched off his machine telling you how much it costs just as we came over the bridge into the estate, it showed 13 Euros, we live on Carrer D'Holanda so l know it didn't jump up to 25 Euros in that short distance, The driver said it was because it was at night, l said 'no', because normally we arrive around 11pm, he then said it was because the price of petroleum had gone up. l paid of course. My neighbours said they only paid the normal 20 Euros 2 weeks ago, so can Taxi drivers charge what they like? Or has it jumped up 25%, should we of asked how much before we got into the taxi? But with their system at the airport it seems you should get into the next available one. Any advice, or do we just have to pay what they demand. Thanking you, M Floyd Q: Vectalia Hi, thanks for the last edition. We read your newspaper with a lot of interest from Sweden. Just a small comment regarding the local bus time table: I don´t think the bus have to run on a 20 minutes time schedule in the winter or maybe not even in the summer. I have tested the rout with a car and that is about what it takes if you drive slowly. It´s much better to have a 30 minutes time table so the bus driver’s don´t get stressed and try to cheat. Please ask Oscar what he thinks is the best way to improve the service? Kind Regards, Lasse Henze

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LARGE ITEMS COLLECTIONS on Tuesdays and Thursdays ONLY. Please message this number T: 686 801 323 any day of the week to let them know the name of the street you are leaving your large items on. This would help to make the service more efficient and keep our Gran Alacant nice and tidy. Just a warning that so far the police have been giving out warnings about leaving rubbish around the bins instead of placing it in the bins, but from now on if caught

750 EURO FINES WILL BE HANDED OUT! GA Councillor Oscar Valenzuela’s Reply: Following our recent meeting with Vectalia I can confirm the following requests were made: • to continue the bus to the end of Arenales for easier connection with Alicante/Elche • the additional bus stop at the Carabassi complex was included during the summer months few times a day to make travelling to Alicante easier for residents living in that area. We would like Vectalia to include this bus stop all year round • “Univeristy Bonus” - discounted travel for students travelling from Gran Alacant to Miguel Hernández University (UMA) in Elche as well as adding an earlier morning connection • 2nd Urbano bus servicing GA continuously all year round • Timetables - to be available on buses We should have the outcome and more information available for you in December issue.

Q: Rubbish Hello again! After a long period without disturbing you, I´m sorry to bother you again about the rubbish problem around our waste containers on the Avda Escandinavia!!

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If you start outside our main entrance of El Faro and drive along to the Salud area, you will be vvvveeeeeeeeeeeerrryyyy upset over the situation. When they moved the containers over to the opposite side the street, now all furniture’s and heavy items (some of them are containing glass, paint and other dangerous items) are placed on the areas outside on the ground (not as before in the sloops around the trees). A small sign on the container inform people to call Urbaser, so they can come and collect these items every Tuesday morning. I don´t know if someone is doing so, but since more than TWO WEEKS nothing has been collected. A CATASTROPHE!! A rumour tells that Urbaser now is asking for extra money to do so. Is that correct?? Hope that you can ask your contacts in Town Hall for some information how to solve this very big problem. Visitors to El Faro ask us if we are living closed to WASTE DUMP!! Best regards, Nils-Ove Sjöström Follow Up: THANK YOU VERY MUCH LOU & GED!! MUCHISIMAS GRACIAS OSCAR!!

They was here around 5 o´clock picking up all the big items with a truck. Now it will be the other Urbaser people to make the remaining cleaning with glass sheets, bottles in the big paper box etc.

We keep in touch, Regards.......Nils-Ove Update one week later: Hello once again! When we went away this morning all the ”big items” were collected. Coming home about 6 o’clock there were a complete catastrophe again!!!

Still the ground around the containers is full of glass and other small items which also should be taken away. This is not normal living private persons who are doing this. It’s different professional companies doing “reformas”, who has found this very easy and cheap way to solve a problem for them!! Took this picture (hope I can make an attachment) to show you and Oscar how bad it is!! Perhaps it’s a good idea to install a camera showing how people are acting with their waste items? Regards, Nils-Ove GA Councillor Oscar Valenzuela’s Reply: The long term plan is to make Gran Alacant “ Smart city” by installing latest technologies and surveillance cameras in key parts of Gran Alacant such as entrance of GA as well as a number of well known “black spots” (such as certain bins which we are aware are used by building companies). For the time being, we have 3 policemen monitoring these areas and issuing fines, we realize it’s not enough and hope to have

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more of them available in a near future. Q: Taxis/ Airport Bus Hi Ged & Lou, Following on from recent emails regarding taxis, legal or illegal, to and from the airport and the unreliable bus service, I just wanted to let you know that I found a solution to the problem. Hire a car to get back to the airport. I was out last week and I hired a car for 4 days for 8.87€,it was 70 € cheaper to hire for 4 days than just for one day, I picked it up Monday from the airport and dropped it off Friday morning and as I only did a trip from and to the airport I just put 5€ of fuel in, making a total cost of 12.87€.The taxi from the airport on arrival cost 25€ Can’t be bad!!!! Regards, Michael

moment and the one that we would like to see replace it. GA Councillor Oscar Valenzuela’s Reply: Gran Alacant is in a neighbourhood of Santa Pola but I will certainly communicate the problem with the government team and find a suitable solution. ********** NEW HOTEL Gran Alacant’s first hotel is growing every month. Another two pictures for you of the

BARRY’S BITS OF NEWS GRAN ALACANT SIGN Something that really annoys me and many others. Under the previous political party it was agreed to renew the Gran Alacant sign as it was getting a bit grubby.

transformation.

********** RUBBISH Still the same old story, even with most of

And what did they do…….put up this terrible sign, meaning so many people thought we were Santa Pola. We are Gran Alacant! And proud to be Gran Alacant! And want to be Gran Alacant! We have printed the sign as it is at the

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the holiday makers now gone home, certain areas are an utter disgrace. This proves that holidaymakers are not the main course of the bin men’s nightmare. Just chuck it down

Pablo and the team at Bicicosta today presented me with a long-term loan road bike, shoes and a helmet! This means so

by the bins; someone will clear it up for me. RICHARD From Richard Cavendar (Bluemoon Solutions) So, many of you know that I love cycling, some of you also know that is really important to help manage my Ankelosing Spondylitis (a condition that will eventually lead to the complete fusing of my spine). Many of you also know that I lost all of my cycling gear and bikes (including my lovely Cipollini bike) in the recent flooding (along with my house and everything we own of course). How amazed and humbled I was when

much to me, not only for my mental health to be able to get back on a bike but also for my physical well being - thank you so much! ********** HEALTH CENTRE It seems like weeks and weeks since the only toilet in the health centre has a door that will not shut. It is amazing that something as ¡important of this, still has not be attended to. Come on…….cut out the

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embarrassment to your patients. ********** MEANWHILE IN THE UK The 4 young thugs who battered a teenager amid a posh “turf war” have been spared jail after their lawyers told a judge they wouldn’t cope in prison. Kieran Clifton, 19, dragged the 17-year-old victim out of his car in March last year before yob cronies Se Smith, 18, Daniel Clifford, 22, and Joshua Campbell, 19, attacked him while screaming “you’re going to be unrecognisable after this” and “do you want me to stab you? MEANWHILE IN THE UK I am a Spanish doctor working in the NHS for the last 7 years. My husband is British, as is my daughter. I have been denied the settled status. Guess who will be leaving the NHS soon adding a plus one to the 10,000-doctor shortage. MEANWHILE IN SPAIN Benefits working in Spain The recent storms here have left so much devastation that will take hours and hours to clear up. Town halls in the area are asking all of those on benefits to turn up and help with the big clear up. If they turn up they will get their benefits paid, with no extra from the town halls. If they do not turn up their benefits will be stopped. Working for benefits, what a great idea. Britain please take note.

strong bond between residents to process requests to the Town Hall. The Councillor of the area, Óscar Valenzuela, may hold a periodic meeting each month to discuss what measures have to be taken in the neighborhood. ********** TROLLEY Yes I know I have mentioned it before.

But ….how lazy…just a few steps to the supermarket trolley park. Never mind, someone else will put it away for you. I wonder how much these trolleys cost. ********** ALICANTE AIRPORT Month after month, year after year, our airport is breaking passenger records. This August, yet again, was better than the previous figures. Brits now make up over a third of all passengers arriving to our airport, fifteen minutes down the road from Gran Alacant. ********** MEDICAL CENTRE Work has started on upgrading our heath centre. Looking forward to seeing

********** The residents of Gran Alacant have asked for services in the Santa Pola neighbourhood to have an official means of communication with the City Council to promote improvements in public roads. Thus, a Neighbourhood Association was formed a month ago, which at the moment encompasses about thirty residents representing communities so that they can discuss the problems they have in their urbanizations. The objective with this union is to have a

the results in the NEAR FUTURE. In our meeting with Oscar we were told that the new concept is to make the medical centre brighter and more airy, especially the pediatrics department as well as expanding the nurse’s surgery.

If you would like to supply news or info for our next edition, or have a question for Gran Alacant Councillor Oscar Pedro Valenzuela, please email: info@granalacantadvertiser.com

THIS MAGAZINE IS NOW IN ITS 14TH YEAR. TRUST US. WE MAKE YOUR ADVERT WORK.

PORTABLE SCANNER DONATED TO ELCHE HOSPITAL In 2008 Maureen Keeler started to raise money for a Canon portable scanner for the Oncology department of Elche hospital. She raised 23,000 Euros under the charity licence number of an organisation in Javea. This organisation was also raising money for a machine for the Hospital in Denia.

The first contribution was from the local church; they gave their collection of 58 Euro, she was on her way. When Maureen tried to get the money she had paid to the treasurer of this organisation he would not let her have it.

Maureen then entered a nightmare, after going to the police and taking legal advice she took them to court; this was a long and drawn out operation, it took her 8 years. She was shunned by people, ignored and even spat at. Of course her friends stuck by her for which she is eternally grateful. Taking anyone to court in a foreign country was no mean feat. It took eight years to go through the courts to get the money back. This was to the detriment of Maureenâ€™s health. Maureen presented the money to Canon, the order was placed in early October 2019. She is now in the care home Domus, Santa Pola after a long stay in Elche Hospital where is was a patient on the Oncology ward. The scanner Maureen and the people of Gran Alacant donated to Elche Hospital is a Canon Xario 100G. Thank you all x

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MONTEMAR BOWLS & SOCIAL CLUB

Sponsored by The Pub, Bowling Abroad, Avalon, LoungeD, Rogers, La Piazza & The Belfry

MONTEMAR BOWLS & SOCIAL CLUB CLUB TRIP TO CUENCA September 24th - 26th The three day two night trip to Cuenca was thoroughly enjoyed by all who went. It was well organized with excursions every day. On the afternoon of arrival we had a guided walk around Canete which was the village where we stayed.

In the evenings after dinner the wine continued to flow and we all enjoyed more music and dancing. On the way home we called in to Las Lagunas and then the city of Cuenca. Another successful trip organised by our social committee, a big thank you to the committee from all our members.

On day two after the excursions we all enjoyed a fabulous barbecue (some of our members assisted in the kitchen), the wine flowed followed by music and dancing. The day was a great success.

CHICKEN RUN Sunday 29th September Before the competition started we held a spider competition in aid of the flood relief. The winner was Colin Bedford and

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MONTEMAR BOWLS & SOCIAL CLUB

Sponsored by The Pub, Bowling Abroad, Avalon, LoungeD, Rogers, La Piazza & The Belfry

MONTEMAR BOWLS & SOCIAL CLUB the runner up Bill Winterburn. Forty four members took part in the competition, as it was another very hot morning we played

Sheila Roberts won the ladies chicken and Alan McGinn won the men's. The eggs were won by Janet Gatwood and Paul Dodd. Thank you to Gina and Steve Hindle who donated the chickens and Joan and Chris Harding who donated the eggs. All monies from the chicken run plus donations went to the flood relief fund. The total was 270 euros a big thank you to all who participated and donated.

two games of seven ends. After a play off

WINTER LEAGUE Wednesday 2nd October Monte Mar v La Marina Away to La Marina for the first game of the season. Monte Mar won on one rink and drew on one rink. Well done to the winning rink Jean Chamberlain, Chris Harding, Rod Chamberlain skip Don Cleeter and the drawing rink Lynne Armitage, Cindy Bedford, Howie Williams skip Dave Melville. Shots Monte Mar 73 – 101 La Marina. Points Monte Mar 3 – 9 La Marina.

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MONTEMAR BOWLS & SOCIAL CLUB

Sponsored by The Pub, Bowling Abroad, Avalon, LoungeD, Rogers, La Piazza & The Belfry TOURING TEAMS Saturday 5th October We welcomed our first touring team who were mostly from Wickford Essex. Everyone enjoyed the mornings bowling played in good spirit and lovely sunshine. Afterwards we all enjoyed a meal and drinks in the Belfry.

SOUTHERN LEAGUE Friday 11th October Monte Mar Matadors v Toreadors.

Monte

TOURING TEAM Saturday 12th October we welcomed our second touring team from Hesketh Bowls Club. It was another successful mornings bowling, once again in lovely October sunshine. The lunch was at La Piazza which everyone enjoyed.

Mar

The Matadors were at home to the Toreadors. A good mornings bowling by both Monte Mar teams. Even though we had to play against each other we all enjoyed the match. Well done to the winning Matadors teams of Lynne Armitage, Mike Farrelly skip Ronnie Caurns, Harry Dobson, Paula Cleeter skip Don Cleeter, Pauline Merry, Alan Ashberry skip Chris Merry and the winning Toreadors teams Cliff Norris, Neil Crawford skip Joan Harding, Jean Chamberlain, Les Bounds skip Iain Sheridan, Sue Bounds, Peter Morley skip Ian Hamilton. Shots Matadors 106 – 102 Toreadors Points Matadors 8 – 6 Toreadors

For further information about Monte Mar Bowls and Social Club check out our website or email us at info@montemarbowls.com. We are also on Facebook. www.montemarbowls.com

Sadly we lost one of our founding members in September after a short battle with cancer. Many members attended Keith’s funeral and the wake afterwards. Our thoughts are with Wendy and her family.

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PLAZA MAYOR

C/Holanda 9, bajo 8 Gran Alacant

• • • • • • • • • • •

DENTAL CLINIC PEDIATRICS CARDIOLOGY GYNECOLOGY PSYCHIATRY PSYCHOLOGY OSTEOPATHY PHYSIOTHERAPY AESTHETIC MEDICINE GENERAL PRACTICIONER HOME ASSISTANCE 24H

www.familydoctors24h.com info@familydoctors24h.com

T: 865 789 554

WHAT INJURY DOES TOBACCO DO TO OUR MOUTH?

is the name given to the tissues, ligaments and bones that surround the teeth). Left untreated, it can cause severe damage and ultimately result in the loss of teeth. Halitosis: is bad breath, tobacco has a characteristic smell that originates from other substances that are added to

The mouth is the gateway to the body and tobacco is the worst enemy of teeth and gums. Smoking can cause a variety of harmful diseases in the mouth as it alters the micro-environment and predisposes smokers to conditions such as: Gingivitis: this is when the gums bleed because they are irritated and inflamed. The gums are soft tissue that easily absorb the chemical components of tobacco and if you don’t cure this first stage of the disease, it can lead to periodontitis. Periodontitis: is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the periodontium (this

cigarettes including tar which can cause and aggravate halitosis. Yellow teeth: is another problem that smokers may have due to the nicotine and tar being inhaled into the mouth from

PLAZA MAYOR

cigarettes.

•

Basic and more frequent hygiene: it is very important to brush your teeth after eating, using mouthwash and dental floss. Smokers should do this more frequently.

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Professional cleaning: your dentist can remove tobacco stains from your teeth with deep dental cleaning. You should talk to your dentist to discuss how often you will need this done as each patient is different.

Taste and smell decrease: smokers often feel that their sense of taste and smell decrease due to the mixture of components in tobacco. This may result in the inability to identify dangerous odours or flavours and can also contribute to an increase in salt intake, which in turn can lead to hypertension. Cavities: smoking increases the risk of cavities and reduces the natural flow of saliva in the mouth. Increased risk of dental implant problems: smokers have twice the probability that their dental implants may fail or easily become infected. Delay in the healing of injuries: the decrease in the defenses and blood flow in smokers gums increases the risk of infection and reduces the ability of tissue to repair, this can delay the healing of traumatic or surgical injuries. Leukoplakia: is a condition that produces white spots or patches anywhere in the mouth. These patches are often premalignant lesions. Increased risk of mouth/oral cancer: tobacco contains a lot of substances that cause cancer, the most harmful are nicotine and tar. If in addition to smoking you frequently drink alcohol, the risk of being diagnosed with oral cancer is very high. Oral cancer has a high mortality rate as well as serious aesthetic side effects. TIPS TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR MOUTH: To improve the appearance and health of your mouth it is essential that you quit smoking as soon as possible. There are many treatments that can correct the damage that smoking has inflicted on your teeth:

At Gran Alacant family doctors we have a health unit with multilingual and multicultural professionals at your service.

THIS MONTH’S PROMOTIONS : CARDIOVASCULAR RISK CHECKUP - Two consults with GP, complete physical examination - Blood test - ECG (electrocardiogram) 50 euros (normal price 110 euros) COMPLETE EVALUATION WITH CARDIOLOGIST - Complete examination - ECG (electrocardiogram) - Echocardiogram 130 euros (normal price 200 euros) WHITENING WITH LED LAMP in only one session 150 euros (normal price 200 euros) 20% DISCOUNT ON CONVENTIONALLY ORTHODONTIC

PLAZA MAYOR

SIERRA MAR Mayka’s Kitchen TRUST US

Hello all, First I would like to thanks every single one for all your support after the bad times. My parents and I feel we own all of you a big deal, the love and support you all gave us is incredible thank you so much!!!

Merluza a la gallega

We are going back to Galicia as you know (very hard decision) but my mum said she is taking with her so many son’s, and you all are more than welcome to come and visit us (not all together, please). The cold weather is coming and last month when we were in Galicia we went to the oldest restaurant that cooks our traditional dishes and I had fabulous “Merluza a la gallega”, so let’s start

Let’s Start!

PREPARATION Peel and cut the potatoes into thick slices and put them in a casserole dish to cook in a light stock. Add the white part of the leeks, cut into three pieces, the onion in its peel and a little salt. Allow everything to boil over a low heat for 8 minutes. Then remove the casserole dish from the heat and pour off the stock, reserving a little. Garlic mixture: Sauté the chopped onion and the garlic cloves in a frying pant with oil. Remove from the heat and add the paprika, so it does not burn. Add the bay leaf, salt and a little fish stock and heat again.

Ingredients • • • • • • •

INGREDIENTS FOR 6 PEOPLE: 1/2KG OF HAKE STEAKS IN 6 SLICES 500G OF POTATOES 2 LEEKS 1 ONION 300 G OF PEAS COARSE SALT.

PRESENTATION Put the fish in a serving dish with the vegetables and pour over the garlic mixture. Get lots of crusty bread and Enjoy Lots of love Mayka xxx

MAYKA’S KITCHEN THIS MAGAZINE IS NOW IN ITS CARABASSI 14tH YEAR. CENTRE TRUST US. WE MAKE YOUR ADVERT WORK. CARABASSI CENTRE

CARABASSI CENTRE

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The Royal British Legion

Caring and campaigning for our ex-Service community.

The Gran Alacant & La Marina Branch meets

on the First Monday of each month 18:00 at “LoungeD”, Plaza Mayor (MASA Square) Gran Alacant.

THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE THE BRANCH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON 4TH NOVEMBER2019 AT 18:00 New members always welcome and you Do Not need to be Ex Service to join. Further details from – Chairman 96 669 5423 or Email:granalacant.secretary@rbl.community

CARABASSI CENTRE

DRAMA IN A TEACUP

The Aftermath

Consciousness seemed to return from somewhere at the back of his head, seeping through to the part of his brain that had been some other place. The sound of galloping horses filled his ears, piercing into the side of his head and meeting somewhere in the centre from where it exploded into an intense pain that he thought would shatter his skull form the inside. His nose detected acrid smells the like of which he had not experienced but which he wished he had not. They forced their way through his nostrils and into his throat which felt as if it has swelled to twice its normal size. He very gradually lifted his eyelids in anticipation of the devastation that he was sure would be surrounding him. It was gloomy but not dark. The room was filled with smoke and what seemed to be a fine dust, through which he could make out the flickering of some distant lights. He was sitting on the floor and appeared to be propped up against something soft. The thought of what it might be brought a cramp to his stomach. He could make out his legs stretched out in front and his arms and hands resting on his thighs but there was no sense of touch or feeling in them. He concentrated through the pain and imagined his fingers moving. Result! Still no feeling but they worked. In the distance was a bright vertical white light which he guessed was the light filtering through a doorway. Very gently easing himself forward from the soft object he was leaning against, he rolled gently onto his hands and knees and manged to stand up by leaning on the person who lay behind. As he staggered forwards towards the door, he was aware of the number of people still lying on the floor or slumped in chairs and sofas. Upturned furniture and drinking glassed were mingled on the floor with pools of liquid and other slurry the source of which he could only imagine. He knew he should be helping them but first he need fresh air.

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ac nb y Te r r y L

His chest hurt with the effort of breathing, because although he was able to draw breath, the atmosphere entering his lungs was not what his body needed. The horses in his ears were now at a canter and the thumping inside his head had changed to a fierce but constant pressure, no longer threatening to split his skull. The flickering lights no longer pushed needles in his eyes. Feeling was beginning to return to his fingers and feet making the journey to the doorway seem more likely to be successful than when he started. Then he slipped. The trip to the floor seemed to happen in slow motion and he landed awkwardly in a pool of “stuff”. The feeling of disgust provided an instant reaction and he leapt to his feet and took in a huge gasp of foul air. Throwing himself against the door he fell into the bright daylight and greedily replaced the foul air with fresh. The intense light caused an automatic reflex to close his eyelids. Even although his eyelids were tightly closed, the brightness of the light punched through to his brain causing his forehead to feel like it was about to blow out. There seemed to be little point in keeping his eyes shut and as the lids lifted to allow the searing light to reach his optic nerves he began to see blurred images of the outside space. A figure gradually came into focus from the surrounding landscape. It was the figure of what he assumed was a female dressed in a ragged cape. Her orange coloured hair was completely dishevelled and streaked with bright red strands. Her blackened eyes stood out starkly against her white face and black tears seemed to run down her cheeks. Beneath her blackened nose, her lips were a bright crimson and streaks of red dribbled down her chin. Her mouth began to move and through the ringing in his ears he could hear her say “That was the devil of a Halloween Party last night, I can’t imagine how they will better it next year”.

FIVECARABASSI MINUTE FICTION CENTRE

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The Reiki Room

COMMERCIAL CENTRE

Harmonious Healing

with Jackie Canale

International Practicioner of Holistic Medicine, fully licensed & insured

A LITTLE YOU TIME

It is so very important in this fast-paced world to allow yourself to fully immerse in you. Do you hide away from things you don’t like about yourself? Brush them under the carpet of our memory hoping it disappears. It won’t, unless you change your daily behaviour. I practice reiki daily…even if only for 5 minutes I make sure it is as much a part of my daily ritual as my skincare routine is. This allows me to balance any negative emotions I may be feeling in that moment, channel them & breathe deeply and properly putting me on a higher vibration. It really is such an amazing energy and it’s hard to explain unless you experience it for yourself. what is Reiki? Simply beautiful would be my answer.

For so many of us, hours turn into days and days turn into weeks and before we know it, we still haven’t spent any time on ourselves. Even all the retired people in GA who feel they have lots of free time, how many of you actually spend time alone with your own thoughts? I call it my “crucial” time every day… living in a house full of boys and a very hectic school/work life balance I am always seeking ways to improve the quality of our together time. To do this I feel it is very important to always spend time with myself first and foremost…I get up extra early just to have that time to address my balance and adjust my mood and the energy within me.

We all have people around us who can be quite toxic in their outlook of situations or other people for that matter, always being negative or horrible, it is easier to learn to have compassion towards these types when the reality is nothing more than the fact they are unhappy with aspects of their own personal lives but while they behave this way and give off these vibes their bad energy can spread onto us and if we are feeling on a low vibration that day, the consequences can bring stress & anxiety to our lives. I learned a long time ago how to deal with these types of energies around me and you too can learn it if you haven’t already, Afterall life is too short to be anything but happy!

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The Reiki Room is situated in Don Pueblo across from The Life Resort

Ways to bring the relaxation to your life: • Mindfully awaken to your new day, take a nice deep breath and a big stretch when you rise, tell yourself you are wide awake and ready for the brand-new day. • Take the morning to just “be” no electronics…just be at one with your own thoughts and feelings. • Don’t overwhelm yourself with your “to do” list…take it…break it down…prioritise what will be done for that day and what can wait and be done another day…and if your workload is too much, speaking from experience, when self-employed, don’t procrastinate…make sure you do have that to do list, and you will get through it at your own pace. I love ticking off my list and I make it manageable to suit me and my family. I coach myself weekly. • When you feel irritable, take a little count in your head from 5 to 1 and exhale that emotion before it becomes a reaction… feel the feeling…and let it pass.

to achieve for myself…it doesn’t have to be “career” driven…some can be weight loss, fitness gain, holiday booked, habit broken. whatever your heart desires. • Get creative- maybe you will enjoy doing the painting or jigsaw more than you think, I love a good jigsaw...it helps give me clarity when I have a mental block. Or you may love baking I find it is very therapeutic, but only eat a little, share that love and it wont all be wasted on your waist. • Aromatherapy- everyday!! You all know it’s a personal favourite of mine- but that’s for the simple reason that it truly works… it is part of all my family’s daily life, our handwash, toothpaste, kitchen cleaner, diffusers, you name it, we use it…get with the blend you feel your body needs the most for that day, energised, relaxed, hormones balanced, digestion, whatever it may be. Any questions contact me, and I will happily assist and remember I do free 30-minute consultations for any health matters.

• Fuel your body with some friendly fuel, some friendly feel good nourishment- think ‘colours of the rainbow’ for your diet and you are on the right track…all natures good colourful produce. • Walk for 30 minutes a day if you have no time to fit an exercise class in…the walk will be just as rewarding…30 minutes a day can reduce symptoms of depression by 36% • Smile- even when you don’t feel like it… do it…it releases those happy chemicals to the mind…so even if it wasn’t a genuine smile at first, it soon will become genuine. • Start each day with 3 things to be grateful for in your life. •If you need that extra boost- write down some positive affirmations and stick them to your make up or bathroom mirror where you will have that daily reminder- I do vision boards, it’s part of my life coaching habits and a very good habit to have, over a 6 month period I create the vision that I want READ THE MAGAZINE EVERY MONTH AT www.granalacantadvertiser.com READ THE MAGAZINE EVERY MONTH AT www.granalacantadvertiser.com

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SANTARA LIFE RESORT

III Carrera Nocturna (Carrera de la Luz), Santa Pola (Against Cancer) 10km Run as experienced by Geoff Young Saturday 19th October at 8.00pm saw the start of the 3rd run in support of the Cancer Charity.

Over 470 competitors of all ages took to the streets of Santa Pola to participate in this 10km run which was, as always, a well hosted event. On the start line I talked to a 71 year old French man, and once the run started a large number of youths passed me as they raced towards the finish line. We were treated to a fireworks display on the Avenida Granada in Santa Pola, where the run started and finished outside of the St Jaimes Bar, from where music played out into the night air. The residents of Santa Pola came out to support the runners offering encouragement along the way, and every so often, volunteers lined the course with lighted torches (Carrara de la Luz). My preparation for the run was erratic, but I knew I could complete the course in around an hour, meaning I had to run at 10 minutes a mile pace. It’s always the same in an organised event, you get carried away by the pace of those around you and as we ran passed the Santa Pola Football stadium I knew I was running too fast. To my amazement, I went through the first mile in 8 minutes and 28 seconds. “Too fast Geoff, Slow down, you can’t sustain this pace, you will suffer for it later”. As we came back towards the Port along Playa Lisa the temperature was showing 23 Deg C. I had now gone through 3 miles at sub 8 minutes 30 pace for each mile and I was seriously over heating. Fortunately there was a drinks station as we came back to the port where I poured a bottle of water over my head to bring my temperature down. And this is where the mind games started. How could I possibly maintain this pace, but with such a low number of competitors, was there a chance I could finish in a podium position for my age group (Daft old sod!!!!). Taking the water on board had disrupted my rhythm and I had slowed down. “Don’t think of your pounding heart and gasping lungs, concentrate on your leg speed and the heart and lungs will look after themselves”. This is where I saw competitor 165, Canales Bautista, who was in front of me and looked like he would be in my age category. If I let

him stay in front of me he was going to take my podium position. “Concentrate on your leg speed, not too fast, reel him in slowly” until, eventually I passed him. Now I had to put some distance between me and him to make sure he didn’t come back at me. “Concentrate on the leg speed”. “But your lungs hurt”. “Shut up and concentrate

on the leg speed”. So on I went to finish in 53 minutes and 35 seconds. Every competitor wears a chip which records their progress throughout the run. At the finish it is a simple task for the organisers to print out the results where they are posted on a board which attracts a throng of competitors eager to learn of their individual performance and position. I joined the rugby scrum to see which of the three podium positions I might have earned. 12th in my category and 253rd overall. I was wrecked. All that effort for what? In fairness, the three podium positions in my category finished in 43 minutes, a time I would have struggled to achieve in my 40’s. As I didn’t have to wait around I dragged my weary body home for a well earned rest and reflected on an evening well spent. And so begins the preparation for the half marathon in Santa Pola on 19 January. If you are thinking of taking part why not contact me through The GA Advertiser. It would be good to have a GA team taking part. For the record, The winner was Caudill Dalton in 33minutes 42 seconds. The first female was Fuencisla Juan Mas in 42 minutes and 16 seconds. FORTHCOMING EVENTS: 17th November Gandia: Half Marathon and 10km 19th January Santa Pola: Half Marathon 2nd February 2020 Murcia: Marathon, Half Marathon and 10km 9th February 2020 Orihuela: Half Marathon and 8km For a full listing check www.chiplevante.com

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SIERRA MAR

Animals as Teachers By Jemma “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged in the way in which it treats its animals”. Gandhi

Life is a Tear and a Smile ...

Hi, I’m Jemma, I conclude what I have learnt from animals through my work as a volunteer with them at www.satanimalrescue.com/ fb SAT Sociedad Protectora para Animales Dolores and at www.easyhorsecare.net / fb Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre. Please do get in touch with either if you are interested in volunteering in any way. Well we had a fabulous response to the SATs Charity Cabaret Evening at LoungeD on 3rd October. It was a lovely evening, with so many people, well over a hundred. We were really blessed to have Sheila and Stuart who organised the whole event for

made cakes, calendars and many other extras … So a MASSIVE thank you to you all, and of course to all the wonderful people who came, donated, spent money and helped to make it all such a success. It made me quite emotional… And I think everyone knows by know we made 1250 euros so that was fantastic!!! Anyone who as not yet seen the photos and videos, they are inside this magazine as well as on the SAT and Gran Alacant Advertiser websites. So as the weeks have followed the kennels reappeared from under the waters and the response from the volunteers to help with everything from cleaning, scrubbing, sorting,revamping and clearing was immense. Everyday there were different people who offered anything from their

Thank you Stuart & Sheila x

SATs and donated a hand painted framed picture for the raffle and made lovely cakes and snacks; so many talented artists who entertained for free, the gorgeous venue at LoungeD and the space of La Piazza, Lou and Ged (who made a generous donation as well as taking the photos and creating the perfect atmosphere, and the bar staff (yes I did sneak in there somewhere!!!) who worked for free, the local businesses and people who donated raffle prizes, Bobby, George and friends who sold raffle tickets,

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Thank you ... LOUNGED CHARITY NIGHT FOR S.A.T.

Raised €1250

An audience in excess of 150 enjoyed a fantastic night of entertainment at the LoungeD bar and €1250 was raised on the night and donated to the S.A.T. animal rescue centre which has been totally wrecked by the recent storms. A superb total so far! This amount also includes €130 offered in an auction for Stuart's painting, the auction being expertly handled by Dave Melville. The entertainers who gave their time and talent at no cost to the charity included Kim Peters, Bryan Thomas, John Williams, Ian Hamilton (Marvo the magician) and Black Diamond and the evening was compered by Stuart Swallow. We want to thank the local businesses who donated prizes to the raffle - Joan at LoungeD, The Pub, Rogers Bar, Azafran Indian Restaurant, The Belfry, Chill-out Restaurant, Reiki Room and particular thanks to Kim at La Piazza Restaurant for their prize donation and for allowing us to use the restaurant for much needed additional seating. Finally a big thank you to all the helpers, and the bar staff who have given their wages to charity as well as to Jan & Brian who were our treasurers and spent most of the evening counting money! Also to all those who made cakes etc which were a big hit. We have also been informed that further cash donations have been promised. Thanks again to everyone who attended and were so generous during the evening. Stuart, Sheila and SAT continued .... time, donations and expertise. It was wonderful to be part of it all as people pulled together, not only to help the kennels, but also the local community… And slowly the dogs are coming back, and new ones joining them, some from the aftermath of the disaster. But, from tears of sadness for the devastation and what had befallen the local land and kennels, has come some smiles, and tears of joy… For at least 8 of the dogs who were in foster homes have been homed either by their kind fosters or by people who had heard of the plight of the kennels. Two of those dogs, Tommy and Decker had been in the kennels many years and were special favourites of the volunteers (me included ) so such were the tears of sadness at saying goodbye and the smiles of happiness for their futures ahead.

So sometimes out of suffering and adversity can come good things… The horses and donkeys have fared well on the whole, though the worst after affect has been the flies around them. I have never seen such flies and I am unsure how they are able to withstand them without going mad. I am reminded how long suffering and resilient animals can be, and wonder if we humans can learn from them … So to continue with the theme of a tear and a smile , this month with a tear I say goodbye for now, as I journey back to the UK to spend time with my Mum, a smile within at being near her again, a tear in my eye as that time will be limited… Meanwhile may you be blessed and grateful for the presence of animals in your life, and for the teachings that they so surely bring … Jemma x

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INTERCLUB

Interclub is a social group formed in 1983 that aims to provide a meeting point for ex-pats. The club meets on Thursdays in Infernum Restaurant C.C. & stages dinner dances & quiz nights. For more information email: bobnewby@live.com

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. . . g n i s i a r Fund cmillan a M r fo € 7 5 4 d e Zest rais ooding fl f o s m ti ic v r fo & over 300€

OktoberZest with singer Cherry K raised over 300€ with raffle to fundraiser for victims of the flooding Well done to all customers & staff for helping us raise 457€ for Macmillan Coffee morning at Zest! Thank you all! Even beat last year’s total!

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â‚¬ 0 5 2 1 d e s i a r D e g Cabaret at Loun for SAT

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HIKING WITH HEIDI & OLLI THE PATHS LESS TRAVELED

Algueña – Peña Gorda (1085m) Driving Time: 45 mins Walking Time: 2.5 hours Google maps directions: Algueña, Alicante

My name is Heidi and I come from Helsinki, Finland. With my husband Olli-Pekka and our 3 dogs we live in Gran Alacant and enjoy the brilliant Mediterranean climate and possibility of discovering new hiking routes all over our Alicante province and sometimes even a bit further. Ironically, I have a fear of heights, but I love the views from tops of the mountains too much to stay away. Our dogs are getting older so all the hikes need to be suitable for them too as they always go on our adventures with us. I also love photography and always take load of pictures from our hikes. This month we go to Algueña on the border of Murcia and Alicante province. This one will ask strength on legs and good boots. It’s good training for our end of the year hike next month. That will ask some stamina ;-) This is marked route PR CV 339 and it starts

from the Juan Carlos I square in Algueña towards the Plaza de la Iglesia de San José, going down the Calle Mayor towards the CV-841 road that connects Algueña with El Cantón (Murcia). We drove all the way to the mountainside following the PR CV

339 signs past the Casas de la Herrada. The road gets quite narrow, but at the end there’s room to park your car. From that point we’ll continue on foot. The route takes up the ravine in continuous ascent between rocks and with a very dense vegetation at some points. The climbing took us 1,5 hours for 3,5km, with ascent of about 500 meters. If you walk from all the

THE PATHS LESS TRAVELED

HIKING WITH HEIDI & OLLI THE PATHS LESS TRAVELED

way from Algueña the ascent will be about 600 meters in total. The higher you climb the better views you have over the valleys and mountains. You can see the special pink Alicante marble mining site behind your back going up. This route felt quite adventurous because in the beginning we really had to go through some vegetation. Early in the morning all the plants and trees were dripping with dew, which did wet our clothes. But everything dried fast as it usually does. The route is very straight forward up and down the same way. It’s marked very well and you can see where you are coming from all the time. Very enjoyable route and quite a good amount of exercise with fantastic views to Alicante, Murcia and even

province of Albacete. Hope you enjoy this lovely hike, See you next month, Heidi & Olli

CHECK LIST

Always when going on hikes check that: • Your Mobile Phone is fully charged • Water - climbing up is hard job & you will need it • Snacks (Remember to take all the garbage back down with you!) • Have good shoes for walking • Have small first aid kit with you • Have layered clothes. Up hill might be very windy and cold, even on a warm day. Coming down might be chilly, so extra dry t-shirt to change into if needed is not a bad idea • Always tell someone where you are going and when you’ll approx. be coming back

THE PATHS LESS TRAVELED

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After my wife died, I couldn’t even look at another woman for 10 years. But now that I’m out of jail, I can honestly say it was worth it ! Got an e-mail today from a “bored housewife 32, looking for some action!” I’ve sent her my ironing. That’ll keep her busy! The wife’s been hinting she wants something black and lacy for her birthday. So I’ve got her a pair of football boots! My wife asked if she could have a little peace and quiet while she cooked the dinner, so I took the batteries out of the smoke alarm! Anyone got an owner’s manual for a wife? Mine’s giving off a terrible whining noise! My wife apologised for the first time ever today. She said she’s sorry she ever married me! My wife said I needed to be more in touch with my feminine side, so I crashed the car, burnt the dinner and ignored her all day for no reason! Scientists have discovered a certain food that diminishes a woman’s sex drive by 90 percent. It’s called wedding cake! Things turned really ugly at my house last night. The wife removed her makeup!

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Out & About with Star & Ashlee Bocairent

Hi my name is Star and I have been lucky enough to call Gran Alacant my home for over 11 years now. My 9 year old daughter Ashlee and I are often “Out & About” enjoying the local attractions and culture in this part of Spain. Over the next few months I will be sharing some of our experiences with you to encourage you to go “Out & About” yourselves and maybe learn a little bit about this beautiful place we call home.

the local Bull Ring which is unique as it was hand carved from the rock in 1843 and is the oldest in the Valencian community. It has 3,760 seats, animal pens and rest areas for the bullfighters. Neil told us some

of the history of Bocairent which included how it played a very important role in the Spanish Wool industry and is the place where artist Juan de Juanes, known as the Spanish Raphael, died in 1579.

This month Ashlee and I wanted to write about the fun we had when we joined a group of Gran Alacant residents on a coach trip organised by Neil and Antonio, to the historic town of Bocairent.

We then continued past some stepped streets towards the main square where we stopped for a refreshment break, enjoying the amazing interiors of the buildings that

At 9:45 am on a clear and sunny Sunday in October, Ashlee and I excitedly left home, walked to the departure point beside Sierra Mar and climbed aboard the coach which was filling up fast with our equally excited fellow travellers. I enjoyed admiring the passing scenery on the hour and 15 minute journey to our destination, especially as I’m usually in the driving seat! Once we’d all disembarked we headed to

Out & About with Star & Ashlee CARABASSI CENTRE

were etched into the rock. As we were walking around, Ashlee commented on how the majority of the signs were written in Valencian and Antonio confirmed that most of the older residents spoke Valencian rather than Castellaneo.

We then made our way to the outer edge of the town and took in the view of the Chapel of Saint James that stands 720 metres above sea level. On the 1st of May the locals make a pilgrimage up the winding path that is meant to replicate the Road to Calgary and enjoy a communal meal here. At other times of the year visitors can sit in the grounds and admire the view from the many picnic areas.

enjoyed the samples and bought some of the local honey as well as a delicious apple and pear marmalade. We then went to a restaurant with amazing views and ate a salad and local rice dish. Ashlee and I took a stroll around the shops and rejoined the group for the journey back to Gran Alacant. When we returned, there was a tasty buffet ready for us at Dick Turpins which was a great way to end the day.

The next place of interest was the manmade Moorish caves that have window like holes in them. Some of us walked over to get a closer look and enjoy the view looking back towards the town. It is possible to walk through these caves but it takes about an hour and can get tight in some parts. We also saw where ice was stored in a local Ice Cave before taking a slow walk up a rather steep incline through the old part of the town, which is an artistic-historical heritage site. Once at the top we entered the Our Lady of the Ascension Parish Church and Museum where Neil had arranged for us to have a private tour. The architecture, frescos and glass windows were absolutely stunning and we were able to see ceremonial robes and a processional cross from the 15th century. The museum housed many different works of art by Juan de Juanes, Segrelles, Sorolla and a 14th Century â€œLast Supperâ€? by Marcial de Sax. Our next stop was for a free tasting of local produce and wine. Ashlee and I

Neil and Antonio organise many coach trips including Wine Tasting, Medieval Markets, local festivals and shopping in La Zenia. They work hard researching the destinations and learn all about the local culture and traditions, which makes them great tour guides with their unique pink parasol!. Ashlee and I definitely recommend these trips and look forward to going again. Make sure that you keep your eyes open for future events as tickets tend to sell out quickly.

Out & About with Star & Ashlee

Until Next Time Star & Ashlee xxx

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WHAT’S THAT IN THE CLOT? by Mark Etheridge

COMMON CRANE

Most birders keep lists of the birds they’ve seen. We can’t help it, it’s just one of those things we do, and we keep different lists for different places. I have a UK list (278) a USA list (109 – well it was only a two-week visit in 2006), a Spain list (194) an Offshore list (71 while I was working on the oil rigs), and a Life list of every bird I’ve ever seen (521). I’ve even got a Spanish House list – everything I’ve ever seen at or flying over my house in Gran Alacant - and it works out at 41. This is quite extraordinary considering I’m in a large urbanisation, but it is helped by the proximity of the Clot, with wandering birds flying in to the relative safety of the reserve. One of the best birds I’ve seen from my house was this overflying Common Crane. The long, thin neck outstretched, the huge size and the way it was just soaring along without much effort were the main identification points, but the clincher was the bugle-like call – far-carrying and quite distinctive, which first alerted me to the presence of this bird. Unusually, it was on its own, normally you see them in flocks. This was almost exactly one year ago, and it highlights the fact that these birds are winter visitors to our area. They usually forage on cultivated fields, where the farmers have harvested their produce, and will clean up any remnants of crops left by the farmers. The birds fly to Spain, most of them from the vast tundras of Siberia and

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Scandinavia from October onwards, and can form quite large flocks particularly around the El Hondo reserve near Elche. The Common Crane was extinct in the UK for 400 years until quite recently, through hunting and loss of habitat, but in 1979 a few pairs managed to breed successfully in the Norfolk Broads. In 2010, the Great Crane Project - a partnership between the RSPB, World Wildlife

Trust and the Pensthorpe Conservation Trust - set out to help this small population of birds. By creating and improving existing habitat and carefully hand-rearing young birds, the project aimed to restore healthy numbers of wild cranes throughout the UK by releasing them on the Somerset Levels and Moors. What is personally even more exciting for me is that Cranes have bred successfully near my home in Aberdeenshire, and my second picture shows three of the birds on a nearby river estuary in August this year (with a crow in the foreground to provide an estimation of the crane’ huge size!). At the time of writing, they have moved on from the area, so in November when I am looking for Cranes in Spain it is nice to think that I might be seeing these selfsame birds on the Costa Blanca! You can see more photographs of birds from our area by visiting www.marketheridge.smugmug.com See you next month.

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All required equipment supplied. Minimal fitness level required.

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SANTA POLA WALKING FOOTBALL I have got to thank the players who have turned up every Monday for a 10 oclock session this month We are changing to 10 : 30 am for November onwards. Various nationalities and varied skill levels have brought together a new bunch of friends. The great thing about this group is they welcome everybody not just ex footballers. To play on astro turf is as close as you can get to reliving your past footballing days, We even have wives and girlfriends joining us in the local bar for drinks and free tapas after they have played tennis at the same stadium. , A number of players who play on hard surfaces have commented that there is no or little after effects playing on this surface which is why it is worth coming along and trying it. Everybody welcome...nothing to lose!

Contact Ken 679 701 824

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GRAN ALACANT GOLF SOCIETY Those who read this column regularly will know that we could not play our usual course at El Plantio in the week commencing 21

October. Instead the management team

invited us to play their new sister course at Alicante Golf.

At the time of writing this article in mid

October we still wait with some degree of expectation for those visits on our scheduled

Society days of Tuesday and Friday; so more on that next month.

In the meantime we are now at the time of year which brings darker (and colder !)

mornings so its off with the shorts and on with long trousers and sweaters.

As always new members and/or guests are

someone with your own holiday home for regular visits throughout the year or a holiday

maker in the region. We would love to see you.

For more information please contact either Barry C (686180585) or Barry D (966183018).

always welcome, whether a full time resident,

TENNIS CLUB - EURO TENIS For players of all standards near Gran Alacant, Santa Pola, La Marina and Elche. Playing Tuesday and Friday mornings, 10.00 12.00 at Club de tenis Elche. Details from Sally by email: sallymay113@ gmail.com

Group road bike rides with BICI Gran Alacant We are a small group who spend most of the winter here in Gran Alacant. If you are interested in joining one of our rides look us up on Facebook Gran Alacant Road Cyclist (Bici Gran Alacant) where ride details are posted.

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CLINICA VETERINARIA GRAN ALACANT EXOTICS

Tel: 966 698 569

Liliana Aldeguer Cerdán 793 English translation by Sergio Reina Esteban col 747

ALL SAINTS AND PETS - DO ANIMALS HAVE A SOUL?

he joined us everywhere we went, including restaurants, travels and family meals. Apart from being the most handsome dog in the world he was very calm and nice with everybody.

There is an ancient Spanish tradition for All Saints Day consisting on lighting candles at home for “showing” our beloved ones “the way”, so their souls can visit us that night. Do animals have a soul? There is no way to prove if animals (or people) have a soul or not. About 100 years ago the question if women or non-white people have a soul was still under discussion. Most animal lovers like to think our dogs, cats, hamsters, parrots, etc, are something more than just alive beings, since they are able to feel, to share our good and bad moments, and they character make them absolutely unique. We lost our Labrador some months ago. Fredy was brought to our practice in summer 2011 when he was a very young adult. Despite that, he weighed 35 kg. He had been wandering at the street for several days and had no microchip. He had diarrhoea and lots of ticks, but he also had a special gaze. We adopted him, and he was a wonderful companion from the first day. No problem at all with Pufo, our Britton Spaniel, who was quite old by then, or with our massive cat Gary. He got adapted very quickly to us and to our daily routine, and

But the fact of wandering at the street without protection in the middle of the mosquito season had a consequence: he had leishmaniasis, and the disease damaged his kidneys. He developed a kidney failure when he was five, and despite all our attentions his kidneys stopped working definitively 4 years later. It was a very sad moments for us, and we miss him. For that reason, we will light a candle for him this year for helping him to find the way home. It’s also a very sad moment for us when a patient dies, and we can understand very well the sadness of the people who loved it. Mourning is very sad, but it’s necessary for remembering our friends with love and without pain in the future. We don’t want this month article to be a sad one, so we would like to suggest you to watch a happy end Tim Burton’s movie: “Frankenwinnie”, about the way a child loved his dog. About Brexit: nothing sure yet, so we decline to publish anything for the moment. We really would like to write a good, complete and didactic article which works also as a definitive guide for making pets owners understand the new incoming regulation, but we are afraid Prime Minister Johnson will make us go completely nuts before we can do it. It looks like Spanish politicians are not the only ones who are making our task more difficult than it should be.

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PETS IN SPAIN www.petsinspain.com

Pets In Spain is a website dedicated to the re-homing of abandoned and unwanted animals on the Costa Blanca. Whether you are looking to adopt an animal, advertise an animal or if you simply want to know more about taking care of your pet in Spain, please take a look at our site or Call: 645 469 253 Katy is a 2 year old Mini Schnauzer cross looking for a home. She is chipped, vaccinated and sterilized. Katy weighs around 6 kilos and is good with other dogs.

Arko is a 10 year old Labrador, he is a physically active boy and enjoys life but he is almost blind. He lost 1 eye sight due to an unknown accident or illness and has a cataract in the other eye but he still likes to run and will happily play with the other dogs. Arko is great with people and is neutered.

From last monthâ€™s edition Oreo and Amber were adopted. Simba has been waiting for his forever home all his life, he is now 4 years old and is great with other dogs and house trained. Simba is a Galgo cross, chipped, vaccinated and neutered.

Rusty is 3 years old and was found on the streets covered in ticks and feeling very sorry for himself. His blood tests revealed he has leishmaniasis and has had the treatment so just needs a tablet a day. Rusty is good with other dogs and is vaccinated.

To view more animals for adoption visit our website. If you would like to advertise an animal email: info@petsinspain.com

Tel: 645 469 253

The Charity is run by a team of volunteers CV-01-043388-A CIF No G-54353743

Tel: 600 845 420 BLANCA Pointer/Lab cross. She mixes well with other dogs , likes people and is obedient. She also has an amazing personality and is very intelligent.. She has been spayed. D.O.B Approx Sept 2009.

K9 CLUB www.k9club.es

e-mail: k9clubinfo@gmail.com PABLO came into K9 after his owner decided he was no longer wanted. The dog is a real dog used to cuddling up on the sofa and real character. He is bout 6/7 years old and is redy for doption now.

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WORDSEARCH WORDSEARCH: in English & Spanish NOVEMBER: EL HOTEL – HOTEL

Geoff’s 1.The Angel Falls are n which country? 2. What is the chemical symbol for Ozone? 3. Who had the face that launched a thousand ships? 4. In which movie do the 'Oompah Loompahs' sing the Oompah Loompah song? 5. wIn the Olympics, which athletic event requires five judges? QUIZ ANSWERS: 1. VENEZUELA 2. O3 3. HELEN OF TROY 4. WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY 5.TRIPLE JUMP

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SUDOKU Difficulty Rating: EASY To solve the puzzle each 3 x 3 box, each row and each column must contain all the numbers 1 to 9. While the rules of this logic puzzle may be simple, there are numerous strategies to help you solve Sudoku. For hints and information visit www.sudoku.org.uk

6 9

7 8 6 9 5

6 8

1 4

5 1

3 1

9 8

6 7

9 5

2 5

Difficulty Rating: MEDIUM 9 5

7 6

5 6

7 2

2 5

7 3

3 3

6 9

1 9

3 2

7 3 4

8 7

3 5

8 1

8 6

4 9

8 1

Difficulty Rating: HARD

3 7 2

9 4

5 1

7 4

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Find places of interest, and the locaton of all of our advertisers on Gran Alacant.

1. CARABASSI CENTRE • ALEXANDRIA • AQUARIUS • GRAN ALACANT PROPERTIES • THE JOLLY RODGER • SHOOTERS • MAYKA’S KITCHEN • MILEY O’ROURKE’S • LIZARD LOUNGE • HEAVEN STAR

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GA ADVERTISER TOP UP DELIVERY POINT GRAN ALACANT PROPERTIES - QUICKSAVE - EURONICS GA SERVICES TAXI SANTA POLA & GRAN ALACANT Tel: 965 088 398 / M: 677 508 017 24h service - English spoken Accept card payment (VISA, etc)

GRAN ALACANT TOURIST TRAIN

FROM 16/SEPTEMBER TO 21/OCTOBER MONDAY TILL SUNDAYS - 10:00H TO 14:00H AND FROM 16:00H TO 22:00H FROM 22/OCTOBER TO 31/MARCH TUESDAY TO SATURDAY - 11:00H TO 14:00H NO SERVICE ON SUNDAYS AND MONDAYS

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4. SIERRA MAR • PATAGONIA No.2 • LA PALETTA • ZEST

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• 5A CHIROPODY & PHYSIO

• 5B GA SERVICES • 5B VICTORIA • 5B HEMINGWAY • 5C GABY HAIRDRESSING • 5C BAR SIOUX • 5C GA TV

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5c 7. SANTARA LIFE RESORT 7

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Aquagest 24hr..(water co.) 902 250 170 Aeropuerto 966 919 000 Ayuntamiento-GA 966 697 749 Bus Station 965 130 700 Train Station 902 240 202 Bomberos (Fire) 085 Biblioteca (Library) 966 692 773 Butano gas 966 672 222 Emergency 112 Guardia Civil 062 Guardia Civil 965 411 290 Iberdrola (electric co.) 901 202 020

Library GA 966 697 110 Local Police 092 Local Police 965 411 103 Medical Health Service 966 699 081 National Police 091 Red Cross (Cruz Roja) 965 416 936 Red Cross emergencies 112 Rubbish collection 966 693 955 Suma 965 292 000 Taxi sited at LIDL 96 541 11 11 Telefonica 1004

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