RTN Newspaper - Costa Blanca North 4 - 10 August 2017 Issue 928

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Issue 928

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What about us?

MAYBE NEXT TIME: Nationally, Coca-Cola Spain are promoting 15 Spanish hotspots

by Rose Holmes The City of Calpe has written a letter to CocaCola Spain in which it requests to be included as one of the destinations in the ‘Share a Coke’ campaign.

Coca-Cola first ran its ‘Share a Coke’ cam-

paign back in 2011, where people could personalise a bottle with their name, replacing the brand's iconic logo.

Now it has revamped the campaign, putting popular international holiday destinations on bottles all over the world.

Nationally, Coca Cola Spain has joined

€3,000 fine if your terrace is too big Teulada-Moraira bars and restaurants have been reminded to ensure their terraces comply with the regulations guaranteeing footpath accessibility or risk fines of up to €3,000 p5

in the fun, selecting 15 Spanish hotspots to promote – but forgetting Calpe.

The letter to Coca-Cola Spain reaffirms Calpe as ‘one of the most important tourist destinations in Spain, which every summer receives thousands of tourists from all over Europe’ and asks that the municipality is

considered for future campaigns.

It invites Coca Cola Spain representatives to the city to take in all its splendour – from the beaches and coves to the bustling streets of the old town.

Internationally, hotspots featuring on the bottles include Hawaii, Bali, Ibiza and Miami.

More for the city Keeping of skyscrapers with the

BENIDORM, known as the city of skyscrapers or the Spanish Manhattan for many years is to get an addition to their front line p7

times

The Free Spirits of the Marina Alta unveiled its new website recently and members express their greatest thanks to Nigel Webb, Webmaster who has done a splendid job p19

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by Tahnee Wright

Passengers were filmed applauding and cheering as a group of women were removed from a RyanAir flight from Liverpool to Alicante-Elche, Spain over disruptive behaviour.

The video, filmed last Thursday by passenger Josh Daley and posted to YouTube a day later, shows RyanAir staff requesting the women leave the plane, upon arrival in Alicante.

After some discussion the group, who were headed to Benidorm, finally agrees to disembark, with one heard saying: ‘Get your bags, we’re all getting chucked off’.

As they begin to walk down the aisle of the plane, other passengers can be heard booing, then applauding and cheering their departure.

Many of those same passengers have since alleged on social media the women were intoxicated and variously

A SIGHT FOR SORE EYES: Other passengers filmed the drunken group Photo credit: YouTube

shouted, swore and drank alcohol during the flight. Their behaviour prompted RyanAir to request police assistance upon arrival in Spain.

‘The aircraft landed normally and police removed and detained these individuals,’ they said.

‘The safety and comfort of our customers, crew and aircraft is our number one priority and we will not tolerate unruly or disruptive behaviour at any time.’

‘This is now a matter for local police.’

The video has since been viewed thousands of times.

To get your paper If you have any difficulty in getting RTN each week please call 965 842 777 or visit our website www.rtnnewspaper.com for the distribution list.

Edita : RTN Publishing and Media SL S.A.- Deposito Legal : South A-853-1999 / North: A-134-2004 Costa del Sol MA-630-2017 Oficina Av de los Ejércitos Españoles, 54B, 03710 Calpe, Alicante Distribution: iDs Logística. operativa@idssl.es

Seriously injured A young man suffered serious injuries after he jumped into the sea from the Illa del Descobridor last Sunday. The emergency services were alerted to the scene at around 8.00pm.

The Local Police, Guardia Civil, Red Cross, firefighters and an ambulance attended and found the man – aged around 30 – on an inflatable dinghy that his friends had used to move him to the beach at Cala de Ambolo.

The man is reported by the Spanish press to have fractured both of his shoulders and injured both of his legs after jumping from the top of the small island.

Rescuers stabilised the man and carried him to the top of the Cala de Ambolo on a stretcher.

He was then taken by the ambulance to Hospital de Denia-MarinaSalud.

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WEATHER IN BRIEF

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24 feb - 2 march 2017

Benidorm five break silence

by Rose Holmes The men involved in the investigation into the death of Kirsty Maxwell have broken their silence about the ‘tragic accident’.

A statement released on behalf of four of the men said they ‘categorically deny any involvement in the unfortunate incident.’

‘It goes without saying that our deepest sympathy goes out to Kirsty's family and our thoughts are with them all at this terrible time.’

They also said they have had ‘our names dragged through the mud’ by the media and ‘The opinion of the judge is that this was an accident.’

Callum Northridge, 29, Ricky Gammon, 31, Anthony Holehouse, 34 and Daniel Bailey, 32 fronted a closed hearing last week after Ms Maxwell's family asked Spanish judge Ana Isabel Garcia-Galbis to summon them back for questioning.

They were grilled by the judge and their own lawyer but refused to respond to questions from the Maxwell family's legal representative.

A fifth man Joseph Graham, was excused from the hearing having already given a detailed statement to police and Judge Garcia-Galbis at an earlier date.

A TRAGIC ACCIDENT: The 27-yearold fell from a tenth floor balcony at the Payma Apartments on April 29 Photo credit: Facebook

Bring the house down The supreme court in Denia has ruled that a villa on the Montgo that was extended considerably without planning permission must be put back to how it was.

The case has been ongoing since it was first

It’s a girl!

reported to Accio Ecologista-Agro in 2003. The owners of the villa were originally granted permission for ‘repair of deck without touching structure, conditioning of kitchen and repair of facade and painted exterior’ but proceeded to extend

Two Local Police officers delivered a baby in Calpe earlier this week. The officers were sent to a home on avenida Gabriel Miro just after 2.30am on Wednesday morning after the expectant mother made a call to 112.

They found her alone and in the bath – she was in a lot of pain and very nervous. The officers called for an ambulance but were forced to deliver the baby, a girl, before the ambulance arrived.

Both mother and baby are in good health.

the villa considerably, building on 10,000 square metres of protected land.

The owners of the villa have been ordered by the judge to put the villa back to how it was and pay €1,000 in compensation to Accio Ecologista-Agro.

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24 feb - 2 march 2017

Dolphin found dead on beach

€800 fine for using our bins

JUST A BABY: Vets and researchers will analyse the possible causes of the animal’s death Photo credit: Facebook

by Fabio Delucci A young dolphin was found dead on the beach in Denia on Tuesday.

The dolphin weighed nearly 60 kilos and was 1.84 metres long.

Vets and researchers from The Oceanografic Foundation have already begun to analyse the possible causes of the animal’s death – hoping to find out more about the

health of dolphins in the Mediterranean and the threats they face.

Jose Luis Crespo, Head of Conservation at L'Oceanografic in Valencia said that it’s not uncommon for a dolphin to beach itself due to illness or injury, swimming in close to shore to take refuge in shallow water and getting trapped by the changing tide.

‘Dolphins, unlike sea turtles, are very weak animals easily dragged along by the

current’ he said.

The Oceanografic Foundation and the Red Cross recently ran a joint campaign dedicated to educating those living along the Costa Blanca coastline on the stranding of marine animals. The educational sessions were held in Alcossebre, Gandia, Guardamar del Segura, Javea, Nules and Oliva where the associations explained what to do when finding a beached animal.

La Nucia is the only town in the Alicante province that provides municipal rubbish bins especially for its green-fingered residents’ garden cuttings and waste.

The bins are filled daily and often by private companies and residents from other municipalities across the Marina Baixa.

La Nucia residents complain that the bins are always full when they go to use them.

The Town Hall have now amended an existing bye-law meaning the dumping of garden cuttings and waste in municipal rubbish bins by private companies and residents from other municipalities will be considered an offence.

Private companies and residents from other municipalities found dumping in municipal rubbish bins will be fined €800 on the spot.

3 boats abandoned in 24 hours

A boat was found abandoned on Moraira’s l’Ampolla beach on Monday morning and three immigrants of Arab origin were later arrested.

The immigrants will be passed to the National Police who will organise their repatriation. The day before, an almost identical boat was found abandoned in Calpe’s cala Calagla and 12 immigrants were rescued off the coast of Santa Pola. Similar events occurred last year in Benitachell and Javea.

Love thy neighbour

CAUGHT RED HANDED: It did not take officers long to locate the thief

National Police in Benidorm arrested a 43-year-old man who broke into his neighbour’s apartment and stole €480 in cash.

The thief stole two wallets and as he went to leave the house, was caught red-handed by his victim, who – with a struggle – managed to recover one of the wallets. The man made off with the other wallet, which happened to be the

one containing the cash.

The victim called the police and explained that the thief lived in the same apartment block.

After a series of investigations, officers located the man and arrested him. They were able to recover some but not all of the cash he had stolen.

The thief will be charged for stealing with violence.

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€3,000 fine if your terrace is too big

by Rose Holmes Teulada-Moraira bars and restaurants have been reminded to ensure their terraces comply with the regulations guaranteeing footpath accessibility or risk fines of up to €3,000.

Bars and restaurants need to ensure a specific amount of space to allow accessibility not only for pedestrians but also for people in wheelchairs, those with pushchairs and larger groups of people.

Councillor Raul Llobell explained back in May that chairs and tables would have to be moved back if the footpath space was not consistent

with the municipal regulations and any establishment now found to be breaking the bylaw will face a fine of up to €3,000.

The municipality has intensified its monitoring of establishments in recent weeks and repeat offenders will lose their terrace licences.

IMPROVING ACCESS: Llobell reminds residents and visiThe byelaw tors of ACE (Atencion Ciudadana Exguarantees pres), the service provider responsible access for for public roads. one and all Complaints can be made to ACE by Photo credit calling 900 504 000, WhatsApping Teulada646 635 571 or emailing Moraira ace@teuladamoraira.org.

Ayuntamiento

Out with the old, in with the new Esteban Chornet Adsuar took office at the Town Hall in Denia last week.

He replaces Mari Martinez who resigned in May citing ‘strictly personal and professional’ reasons. Martinez thanked residents of Denia

for their ‘confidence’ and the ‘immense honour of having been able to work for them.’

This marks the third councillor resignation in Denia this year after those of Fran Vives and Antonio Losada.

Arenal beach worker beats 13-year-old boy

A 13-year-old boy was assaulted on the Arenal beach last Friday by a water sports company employee.

Alex Serra was with a group of friends hiring pedalos when, for reasons unknown, the employee became aggressive.

He pushed the boys before kicking Alex to the ground.

Alex came away from the altercation with many bruises both to his body and one of his eyes and a broken nose.

He required four stitches across his eyebrow.

Jose Serra, Alex’s father is reported to have met with Javea Mayor Jose Chulvi on Monday morning to discuss the case and what further action will be taken.

Come unstuck

Local Police officers rescued a cormorant that had become entangled in fishing line with a hook in its mouth off the playa del Tango rocks in Javea.

Officers were carrying out surveillance work when they spotted the struggling bird.

Together with staff from Minina Canina vets, they untangled the cormorant from the fishing line and removed the hook from its mouth before setting it free.

Fishermen are encouraged to be careful with their fishing gear to protect wildlife from serious injury.

Plans for new temple

The highest authority in the Russian Orthodox Church in Mediterranean Europe was in La Nucia this week and announced the municipality as the chosen location for a new Russian Orthodox temple. A ‘campaign mass’ was held on the 6,000-square metre plot where the new temple will be built on Calle

Sorolla. The event was attended by the First Counselor of the Russian Embassy in Spain, La Nucia’s mayor, councillors and parish priest. The new temple will not only provide a place for religious worship but a cultural centre to spread Orthodox culture and promote religious tourism to La Nucia.

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No rest for the Local Police Javea’s Local Police attended to a car accident on on Carrer de la Noguera earlier this week.

A car had flipped on its side on Tuesday morning and crashed into a wall, leaving the driver and the passenger trapped. Both the driver and the passenger were unharmed but had to climb out of the car using a ladder provided by officers.

Also on Tuesday morning, officers were involved in the rescue of a man who passed out whilst on a boat trip at the cala tango.

With the help of the Red Cross, officers were able to take the man to the port by boat where he was then met by an ambulance and taken to hospital.

A STERLING SERVICE: 58 people have been taken to hospital

by Red Cross ambulances Photo credit: Cruz Roja

183 beach-goers rescued by the Red Cross

by Tahnee Wright

HOLD TIGHT: Officers helped stabilise the car as the driver and passenger climbed out Photo credit: Policia Local

The 100 Red Cross rescue workers who service the 18 beaches in Guardamar, Javea and Santa Pola have already rescued 183 people this high summer season.

A further 58 people have required a Red Cross ambulance to take them to hospital.

Most of the rescue operations were carried out when lifeguards had hoisted the yellow and red flags.

Yellow flags have flown on 145 occa-

sions and red flags on 52 occasions.

The Red Cross remind swimmers: Red Flags: The most serious of all beach warning flags, red flags warn swimmers of serious hazards in the water. One red flag means that the surf is high or there are dangerous currents, or both. It means that the water is closed to swimming, as conditions are too dangerous for even the strongest swimmers.

Yellow Flags: When ocean conditions are rough, but not life-threatening, you might see a yellow flag on the beach. A

yellow flag indicates potentially high surf or dangerous currents and undertows and means that swimmers should exercise extreme caution. If there is a yellow flag, swim only near lifeguards and heed all lifeguard warnings. If you're swimming with children, or you aren't a strong swimmer yourself, wear a life jacket when swimming on yellow-flag days. Some beaches have a permanent yellow flag because of rocks, a sudden drop-off or a high population of bait fish that attracts predators.

Boozy bunch

A study from the Spanish Federation of Hospitality (FEHR) and Coca Cola has lifted the lid on which Marina Alta municipalities boast the most bars.

Teulada-Moraira, Calpe, Javea and Denia – in that order – top the list.

The study compares the number of bars to the number of inhabitants (per thousand).

There are 101,397 bars across Spain, representing an average of 2.8 per thousand inhabitants.

In Teulada-Moraira, there are nearly six

(5.91) bars per thousand inhabitants, in Calpe and Javea there are exactly 4 and in Denia there are 3.62.

Benitachell has only 0.97 bars per thousand inhabitants whilst Els Poblets and Benissa top 2 with 2.16 and 2.27 respectively.

Ondara exceeds the national average with 3.16 bars per thousand inhabitants

whilst Pedreguer (1.61), Gata (1.55) and Pego (1.48) fall short.

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More for the city of skyscrapers

Photo Credit: Icelolly.com

by Steve Collins BENIDORM, known as the city of skyscrapers or the Spanish Manhattan for many years is to get an addition to their front line.

Under normal circumstances, such building projects wouldn’t make the news especially as it’s not planned to stand more than 100 metres high; others in close vicinity streak as high as 200 metres or more into the heavens with the Hotel Bali and the Intempo Towers leading the way.

However, the forthcoming launch of the Delfin Tower planned for the Poniente beach breaks the mould with its most striking design.

Shaped like a sail, the construction will fill one of the last available spaces on the beach front and adjacent to the iconic Gran Hotel Delfin, regarded as one of the original hotels in Benidorm built in the 1960s.

The Delfin Tower will feature 22 floors of 44 luxury two

Phoebe and Geovanny blocked, kicked and striked the day away Photo credit: Sam Ackland

Karate challenge raises over €1,200 and four bedroom flats with 59 garages and prices are expected to range from €700,000 to €1,500,000 for one of the best views Spain and the Mediterranean can offer.

In the name of Dr. Juan

Jalon Valley Help are celebrating their 25th Anniversary Year this year.

The charity – recognised with a plaque by Jalon’s Alcalde for all its

efforts in supporting the community - recently purchased a new adjustable examination bed for the Parcent Medical Centre. The bed was much needed at the centre and as the Par-

cent doctor, Dr. Juan Bisquert Soler was retiring after 27 years, it was decided to dedicate it in his name, for his professional services to the village from 1990 to 2017.

ELEVEN year-old karate kid Phoebe Ackland took to Javea’s Arenal last Saturday, completing a five-hour karate challenge and raising an astonishing €1,236.58 for the Stroke Association.

It was an early start for Phoebe and her instructor Geovanny, who performed various routines from 9.00am with some help along the way from Phoebe’s karate classmates.

The Stroke Association is a charity which holds a special place in Phoebe’s heart as her grandmother, Diane has suffered at least four strokes in recent years.

Phoebe well and truly smashed her €800 target, both her mother and her grandmother expressing how ‘very proud’ they are of her.

Phoebe expresses her greatest thanks to instructor Geovanny and all her karate classmates for their support.

Well done, Phoebe!

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24 feb - 2 march 2017

Seeking a solution for all

by Tahnee Wright The Costa Nova Owners and Residents Group met on Monday to discuss the issues and implications of the Costa Nova Park & Ride Pilot, its rapid deployment and the current consequential effect to the Costa Nova Community: ‘We are pleased to report that the meeting was very well attended. It was conducted and received in a positive and constructive manner. It lasted in excess of 2 hours, an indication of the strength of feeling and concern.

It was however clear that the majority objected to the location of the pilot site and its method of implementation.

It has become apparent that the pilot lacked in-depth assessment, logical analysis of potential problems (which have occurred) and the effect on the residents of transferring the problems that have manifested themselves in Granadella to Costa Nova.

There were 46 people in attendance from most resident nationalities including Spanish, English, German, French and Dutch. In addition, there were apologies and letters from 8 further people who expressed their views and concerns.

The consensus of the meeting is that we would very much like to work with our town council and to bring our concerns and issues to them and to find a mutually agreeable and beneficial way forward.

The meeting included discussions of the following items: • The clear lack of consultation with Costa Nova residents • The ad-hoc implementation to date • The lack of clarity and the incongruity in the objectives of the project and the criteria used to determine the success of the project • Fire Safety Implications. This was of extreme concern to residents particularly since Costa Nova was severely affected by evacuation last year during the fire emergency • Other Health and Safety issues - sanitation, visual pollution,

ALTOGETHER NOW: There were 46 people in attendance from most resident nationalities Photo credit: Costa Nova Owners and Residents Group

dust, rubbish, noise, extra potential for traffic accidents, etc.

•Other effects on residents - quality of life, partial destruction of a much-loved green zone etc.

• Consideration and ideas of other solutions and sites to achieve the same objectives. e.g. A public and commercial bus service operated privately running from the town centre to serve all the coves and miradors (potentially cost neutral to residents of Javea and the Council) • Concerns regarding large numbers of people in the coves in high season in the event of a disaster/emergency scenario The meeting resolutions included: • A mandate for a small team to represent the residents in discussion with the Council • To compile a full report of the meeting and make represen-

tation to key members of the Council to include: Jose Chulvi, Kika Marta, Isabel Bolufer, Doris Courcelles and Pepa Gisbert • To undertake a petition in Spanish, English, German, Dutch and French and present this to the Council • To commission an independent Fire Safety Assessment The group stressed that they want to work with the Council to achieve a positive outcome that will both meet the requirements of a safe solution to the Granadella parking issue and that will satisfy the residents serious and valid concerns.

It is in the interests of both the residents and the Council to achieve a long-lasting solution, and this is surely the best possible outcome for Javea.

To achieve this, we have requested meetings with the above Councillors to engage with Costa Nova residents within the next 2 weeks.’

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70 migrants injured trying to rush Spanish border

by Tahnee Wright Around 70 sub-Saharan African migrants were injured when they tried to cross through the razor-wiretopped fence separating northern Morocco from the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Tuesday.

Local police said 200 people rushed the border in a bid to reach Europe. Around 60 managed to enter the territory.

Migrants frequently jump or cut through the fences of Spain’s two enclaves in northern Africa, Ceuta and Melilla, or attempt to reach them by swimming along the Moroccan coastlines.

Spain’s Interior Ministry reported the number of migrants entering Spain via Ceuta and Melilla to have more than doubled in the first six months of the year from the same period last year to 3,200 people.

Once within the enclaves, migrants are either returned to their country of origin or moved to the Spanish mainland, which many use as a jumping-off point for the rest of Europe.

€300k for freedom

LISTEN HERE: Police surround a group whilst they are treated by the Red Cross Photo credit: Reuters

The migrants used wire cutters to breach a gate on Tuesday, according to a spokesman from the Ceuta government.

Between 1,000 and 1,500 people are camping out in the scrub and woods around the enclave waiting for the opportunity to rush the border, he said.

The Red Cross said 14 people had to be hospitalized.

The last major push in to one of the enclaves was in May when some 300 migrants attempted to jump the fence in Melilla.

Around 100 successfully managed to enter the territory.

Spanish Football Federation President Angel Maria Villar, currently suspended, gave his thanks ‘to all the people’ who have backed him ‘privately and publicly’ after he was arrested and then bailed for €300,000.

Villar and his son were arrested in July as part of an anti-corruption investigation.

Villar did not accept questions from the media, and he also thanked those who defended him and his son Gorka Villar, as well as Juan Padron, the economic vice-president of the RFEF. Villar and his son left the Soto del Real prison in Madrid earlier this week after paying €300,000 and €150,000 respectively.

22,000 evacuated in stage blaze More than 22,000 fans were evacuated after a fire erupted on stage at the Tomorrowland music festival in Spain.

No injuries were reported as attendees fled the concert area in Barcelona late last Saturday night, the city’s fire officials said in a statement.

The fire was caused by a technical malfunction, according to a post on the Tomorrowland website. ‘Authorities will follow up and continue the investigation with the local Spanish organizer,’ the post said. The music festival takes place in various locations simultaneously, with the main stage based in Belgium.

Tomorrowland hosted its first event in 2005 and has grown in popularity since. In 2013, tickets for the event sold out in one second.

A flying second Two Spanish NATO jet fighters briefly violated Finnish airspace while intercepting three Russian aircraft near Estonia on Tuesday, NATO said.

The alliance said the fighter planes violated the airspace when they were in the process of asking Finland, which is not a NATO member, to take over the chase.

‘In handing over the intercept to the Finnish jets, the Spanish jets accidentally entered Finnish airspace,’ NATO spokesman Dylan P. White said in a statement. ‘NATO’s Air Command has explained the incident to the Finnish Air Operations Centre to improve future coordination.’

Finland’s defense ministry said the F-18 Super Hornets, part of NATO’s air policing mission in the Baltics, flew into Finnish airspace southwest of Helsinki Tuesday for under a minute at around 9.00am. The aircraft are currently based in NATO’s air base in Amari, Estonia.

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24 feb - 2 march 2017

50 treated in commuter train crash

Woman steals ‘priceless’ painting from private collector

BUSY MORNING: Francia is Barcelona’s second main train station after Sants, Photo credit: newsletter. co.uk

by Rose Holmes Running as part of minimum services as rail workers staged strike, over 50 people received medical treatment after a Spanish commuter train crashed into the buffers in a station in northeastern Barcelona last Friday.

Regional health chief Antoni Comi said 54 people in all received medical treatment, with 51 taken to city hospitals.

He said just one person was seriously injured.

‘When the train arrived at Francia

station it applied the brakes but at the same time it made a noisy crash,’ Said Saharaui, a passenger on the train told the Spanish press.

‘The passengers were thrown to the floor,’ he said. ‘Even though the train did brake it wasn’t until the crash when it reached a full stop.’

Damage was done to the train’s nose and between the train’s first and second car.

RENFE rail company spokesman Antonio Carmona said there were no immediate details on the cause of the

accident, which happened at 7.15am in Francia station.

The train had started at the coastal town of Sant Vicenc de Calders, south of Barcelona.

Comi said some 18 emergency service units were deployed. ‘We were able to attend to the injured very quickly,’ he said.

The accident came as RENFE rail workers staged a one-day strike. The affected train was running as part of minimum services ordered by the Public Works ministry.

Spanish police arrested a 67-year-old woman accused of stealing a Jean-Michel Basquiat painting in Mallorca. The woman allegedly stole the artwork from a private collector and entrepreneur based in Alcudia, with the intention of demanding a ransom for its safe return.

According to the Spanish press, both the woman and the collector are British and the woman had been working for him for some time. The woman claimed she took the painting to push the collector to pay her €30,000 she was owed.

The collector alerted the police last week that the painting had gone missing. In a matter of hours, the woman was detained and the painting was located in a house in nearby Pollenca.

The police brought the painting back to the station, where the owner collected it.

He was accompanied by a team of experts, who certified that the painting had suffered no damage.

Jean-Michel Basquiat was an American artist whose art focused on ‘suggestive dichotomies’ such as wealth versus poverty, integration versus segregation, and inner versus outer experience.

He died of a heroin overdose at his art studio at age 27.

Police have not disclosed the estimated worth of the painting, although it was described as ‘priceless’ given that it was acquired directly from Basquiat’s father and hasn’t been on the market since.

Photo credit: Guardia Civil

14

South Korean rescue dog rehomed by… the President!

by Fabio Delucci South Korean President Moon Jae-in welcomed rescue dog Tori to his official Blue House residence recently.

Tori’s arrival sees the president delivering on his campaign promise to boost awareness of the fast-growing numbers of abandoned animals accompanying a surge in pet ownership.

Tori, a four-year-old black mixed breed, becomes the first shelter dog to attain the title of First Dog, joining Moon’s two other pets, a 10-year-old Korean-breed Pungsan dog called Maru and a former stray cat, Jjing-jing.

‘As a society, we need to pay more attention to abandoned animals and care for them,’ the president told animal rights advocates at the welcome ceremony, adding that as many as 300,000 animals had been abandoned.

Like many shelter animals, Tori suffered the double stigma of being abandoned and

having darker fur in a country that favours lighter-coloured animals as pets, and avoids those with black pelts out of superstition.

‘Tori had to wait for two years to be adopted while his lighter-furred friends easily found new homes,’ said Park Soyoun, president of Seoul-based animal shelter Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE).

Before his rescue, Tori was kept on a short leash in a deserted farmhouse and fed scraps.

‘We wish Tori all the best in the Blue House, unlike the nine dogs abandoned by the former President Park Geun-hye in March after she was removed from office,’ added Park.

Moon’s predecessor had faced criticism for leaving behind nine Korean Jindo breed dogs at the Blue House when she was removed from office over a corruption scandal.

HOLD ON, WE’RE GOING HOME: Tori loved being centre of attention Photo credit: Reuters

€722,000 bank hacker to be extradited

A Spanish court has agreed to extradite Russian computer programmer Stanislav Vitaliyevich Lisov to the United States, where he is wanted for allegedly creating and using software to steal bank account details.

Lisov, who is also known as ‘Black’ and ‘Blackf’ according to a court statement, was arrested at Barcelona–El Prat Airport in January. He is wanted by the United States on suspicion of computer abuse and fraud and on another count of electronic

fraud, which between them carry sentences of up to 35 years in prison under U.S. law, the Spanish court said on Tuesday.

Lisov was accused of defrauding several banks of $855,000 (€722,000) between June 2012 and

January 2015.

He has been under investigation by the United States for two years, suspected of developing and using ‘NeverQuest’, a computer virus that spreads itself via social media, email and file transfers.

Sunbathers killed Two sunbathers were killed after a plane made an emergency landing on a packed Portuguese beach.

The victims, a man and a girl, are said to be aged 56 and 8, according to Portugese media.

People on the beach at Caparica - about 20 miles south of Lisbon - scattered in panic as the plane flew low over the sand, some running into the sea.

The two occupants of the plane are said to have survived the crash and were led away by police.

Breaking records

Spain continues to break tourism records, with the number of tourists visiting up 12 per cent in the first six months of 2017.

Spain has broken its own tourist number records each year for the past four years as economic and security concerns elsewhere lure visitors away from rival Mediterranean destinations. The National Statistics Institute said on Monday that 36.3 million tourists arrived January through June. Most - 8.6 million - came from Britain, an increase of 9.1 per cent over the same period last year. German visitors were in second place, up 10 per cent at 5.5 million. The government said 75.3 million tourists visited Spain in 2016. Tourism represents some 11 per cent of Spain’s €1.2 trillion gross domestic product.

16

Double delight

Spain to preserve language of Jewish exiles

CALM BEFORE THE STORM: Huan Huan and Yuan Zi relax in their enclosure Photo credit: Reuters

by Tahnee Wright Keepers at Beauval zoo in France were doubly delighted on Tuesday after finding out that their pregnant panda is expecting not one but two cubs this weekend.

A final scan revealed that Huan Huan, who is on loan to the zoo from China with her male partner Yuan Zi, is expecting twins on Friday or Saturday.

The impending birth will be the first of a panda in France.

While an adult female panda can weigh up to 125 kilograms (275 pounds), a baby panda weighs barely 120 grams (4 ounces) at birth.

It was announced at the end of July

that the nine-year-old bear - who arrived in Beauval in 2012 after intense, high-level negotiations between Paris and Beijing - was carrying a single cub.

But on Tuesday veterinarians assisted by two Chinese panda reproduction specialists noticed a second foetus.

‘The problems are only just starting!’, the zoo's director Rodolphe Delord joked.

His sister Delphine Delord, the communications director, acknowledged that the situation would be ‘fragile’, with mothers often known to abandon the second cub.

‘We're doing everything possible to ensure it goes well,’ she said.

Huan Huan's carers will place the second cub in an incubator and rotate the

tiny bears every two hours, Beauval's head veterinarian Baptiste Mulot said.

Breeding pandas is notoriously difficult. The female panda is only in heat once a year for about 48 hours.

The gestation period for pandas is a mere 50 days.

Huan Huan (meaning ‘happy’) and Yuan Zi (‘chubby’) are the only giant pandas living in France.

The pair were brought together in February, in the hope they would mate, but it didn't happen. In the end, the zoo performed an artificial insemination.

They are due to stay in France until 2022 before being returned to China.

Their cubs will stay in France until the age of two or three.

The Spanish Royal Academy (RAE) is to establish a new branch in Israel that will work to preserve Ladino – the language of Jewish communities that once hailed from Spain before the expulsion of the country’s Jews in 1492.

The new Israeli branch will sit alongside the 23 existing academies dedicated to the Spanish languages across Latin America and in countries such as Equatorial Guinea and the Philippines.

Ladino, also called Judeo-Spanish, combines old Spanish with elements of Hebrew and other languages, among them Ottoman Turkish, Arabic, Aramaic and some of the Balkan languages, depending on where it was spoken in the intervening centuries.

Exiles from Spain, known as Sephardim (the Hebrew word for people of Spain), moved to North Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America after the expulsion.

While Ladino is still spoken by small numbers of people all over the world, most speakers today live in Israel.

Shmuel Refael, director of the Salti Center for Ladino Studies at Bar-Ilan University in Israel, estimated that some 400,000 Israelis have some knowledge of the language.

Dario Villanueva, RAE’s director, told the British press that Judeo-Spanish was ‘an extraordinarily important cultural and historical phenomenon.’

‘The Jews who were expelled in 1492 dispersed around Europe and the Americas, taking with them the Spanish language as it was spoken at the time of their expulsion,’ he told the Guardian.

‘All of this has been miraculously preserved over the centuries. There’s literature, folklore, translations of the Bible and even modern newspapers written in Ladino.’

Isaac Querub, president of Spain’s Federation of Jewish Communities, described Judeo-Spanish as ‘the language that mothers have used to rock their babies to sleep with for more than five centuries…that’s been used to pass down recipes and the one that is spoken in the intimacy of home.

Even after all these hundreds of years, it’s still being used.’

18

Do you look like Donald Trump?

Man pods a big hit

by Rose Holmes Bosses of a corporate hospitality company in England say they are struggling to recruit a Donald Trump lookalike to get involved in their ‘Apprentice’-themed teambuilding events.

London-based Team Tactics is willing to pay the right candidate - who will have to undergo weekly spray tans and daily hair appointments and agree to remain ‘in character’ throughout eight-hour training sessions - a pro rata salary of £50,000 (€56,000).

‘Finding someone suitable’ is ‘proving more difficult’ than first anticipated, according to the company’s press release.

It cites Trump’s current unpopularity in the United Kingdom and the rigorous demands of the job as being possible contributing factors.

The company shared the advertisement for the job to its website on Monday.

Tina Benson, managing director at Team Tactics, said: ‘The Apprentice treasure hunt has been very popular since its launch, but now we want to give visitors an even more immersive experience.’

‘Donald Trump was an iconic part of the Apprentice in America and we’re sure his character will be an excellent addition to the event.’

‘Whether it’s a lack of people willing to work as a lookalike or that there are a lack of people that do indeed look like him, we don’t know, but we’re willing to pay a great rate to finally be able to tell a lookalike 'you're hired'.’

YOU’RE HIRED: The right candidate will have to undergo weekly spray tans and daily hair appointments Photo credit: Wikimedia

At a Shanghai mall, rows of ‘man pods’ equipped with video games are proving a big hit, providing a refuge for hundreds of husbands and boyfriends as their other halves shop until they drop.

The first pods were launched at the Global Harbor shopping mall in Shanghai in June and since then over 1,000 men have used the facilities, according to Ruwo Smart Technology, the firm behind the scheme.

‘Man pod’ users can recline in a chair with a large screen and play video games while enclosed behind transparent glass walls that shut out the bustle of other shoppers.

‘I think this idea is pretty good because nowadays many boys like me are not willing to go shopping with their girlfriends,’ 26-year-old user Yao Lei told Reuters.

With retail spending increasing another 10 per cent in the second quarter of 2017, there could be huge demand for such facilities and the firm said it plans to expand the service to other shopping malls in the future.

‘We found in most malls men and women go shopping together but men cannot accept spending a long time shopping,’ said Zhao Wei, an operator of one of the pods. ‘Sometimes they’ll even start having arguments. So, we think in this situation, we have a product that gives a man something to do and the girls can go shopping at ease.’

‘What bothers people is my brilliance’ ‘What bothers people is my brilliance, insects only attack lamps that shine’ said Cristiano Ronaldo, accused of tax evasion by Spanish authorities. Ronaldo made these comments on Instagram on Tuesday, a day after he appeared in a Madrid court in connection with a tax evasion case. The Real Madrid star has been accused by the Spanish prosecutors of defrauding the authorities of almost €15 million. Ronaldo spent over 90 minutes on Monday answering the questions of investigat-

ing judge Monica Gomez at a closed door hearing in Pozuelo de Alarcon, the wealthy suburb of Madrid where he lives.

Ronaldo told the judge that he had ‘never tried to avoid taxes’. According to a statement in Spanish released by his public relations firm, the 32-year-old Ronaldo told the judge: ‘I have never hidden anything, and never tried to avoid taxes.’

Ronaldo is accused of defrauding Spanish authorities of €14.7m between 2011 and 2014.

19

Keeping with the times

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Giving4Giving Founder Gary with Wayne from Busy Bees Benidorm Photo credit: Giving4Giving

Giving4Giving turns five

by Tahnee Wright Leading local charity organisation Giving4Giving is celebrating its fifth anniversary this month.

Founded by Gary Burr, the organisation has raised over €81,000 for local charities and those who need it most - hosting numerous fund raising events whilst also running 3 charity

shops - one in La Nucia and two in Altea - along with a charity auction house in La Nucia.

Gary - who founded Giving4Giving after losing friends and family members to cancer – expresses his greatest thanks to his ‘fabulous’ team of volunteers for their dedication and hard work and says ‘without them, there would be no Giving4Giving!’

The charity auction house is

one of the organisation’s newer ventures and donations are always welcome – Giving4Giving can arrange both collections and house clearances.

The auctions are held on the third Friday of every month at 3.00pm, with viewing from 12.00pm.

For more information or to get involved, get in touch with Gary on 603 137 697.

The Free Spirits of the Marina Alta unveiled its new website recently.

Members express their greatest thanks to Nigel Webb, Webmaster who has done a splendid job in setting up the site, which now offers pages for club clothing, future events and much more.

The Harley Davidson enthusiast group is made up of over 50 English-speaking members - riders and passengers – who enjoy a ride out at least every other weekend in the summer months, winding the forgotten country corners and the cool coastal routes.

The routes are well planned, with coffee and lunch stops on the way.

Free Spirits in its current form launched last January and the group and its rides are administered and regulated by five road captains. Members must own a Harley Davidson and of course, be able to evidence their corresponding licence and insurance.

The Harley Davidson biking community has made a name for itself in recent years having raised in excess of €54,000 euros for the children of EMAUS and Make A Smile.

In the coming weeks, Free Spirits will be announcing its chosen charity for the next 12 months.

Free Spirits is always ready to welcome new members, for more information get in touch with President Barry Haylor - 629 728 375 / freespiritshd@gmail.com.

BEHIND IT ALL: Free Spirits President Barry Haylor (left) with Webmaster Nigel Webb

20

Another fine mess by

Michael Walsh

keyboardcosmetics@ gmail.com

If the world was a bar, America would be the angry drunk waving around a loaded gun. Yeah, the other people in the bar might be afraid of him, but they sure as hell don’t respect him.

Expressed by an American this view is constantly in my thoughts as I watch our world slide towards all-out war. Ousted from Syria, Iraq and Turkey, humiliated by the Afghanistan debacle, Washington DC neocons seek ever new ways to challenge their Russian and Chinese rivals in trade and natural resources.

The U.S cannot win a hot war as the onset of nuclear weaponry ensures there being no victors. However, Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) is the last resort of neocons backed into a corner.

Unlike the British Empire which capitulated over several decades the USSR converted itself over months. Destiny is about to put the last nails in the U.S coffin but will the nation dubbed ‘the great Satan’ go without a fight.

There are several ignition switches. The most immediate one is that much provoked North Korea will pre-emptively strike U.S targets. Response would finish Pyongyang but does the U.S win if Seoul, Seattle and Tokyo are reduced to radioactive dust. Furthermore, as China borders Korea would the Chinese accept collateral damage?

Another flashpoint is Ukraine which disappeared from media’s radar following America’s successful toppling of the elected Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych in February 2014.

The separation of Europe’s largest country from its Russian mentor resulted in civil war and the plunder of Ukraine’s natural and public resources by EU and U.S corporations. Ukraine, once the brains, science and engineering redeemer of the USSR, is now one of the world’s most impoverished countries.

Could the U.S installed Kiev junta trigger WWIII? A U.S bill may soon be passed that permits the supply of lethal weapons to Kiev. Ukraine could be Syria Mk. 2 in Europe itself.

Another tinderbox is the Baltic States. NATO com-

manders concede that they simply don’t have the military means to defend northern Europe. Why then the arms build-up, the constant provocative ‘exercises’ and endless prodding of the Russian bear.

CIA Director Mike Pompeo whined that Russia was constantly looking for ways to ‘stick it to America’. This is a bit rich coming from a country whose 1,050 bases surround Russia, China and Iran? Reality is that Washington and NATO constantly pursue an agenda that has as its aim ‘sticking it to Russia’ and provoking China.

Alarmingly, the West is being run like a school playground. It seems we are all on the handcart to hell; a handcart being dragged by a clutch of unelected bullies who in total number wouldn’t fill a single decker bus.

One for the road ‘Work is the curse of the drinking classes’, at least according to Oscar Wilde.

Alcohol is one of those things that used sensibly can enhance a conversation, inspire great deeds, and even have medicinal benefits. Well that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

But of course, in the wrong hands it can cause extreme unpleasantness.

There is a fine line between being hilariously tipsy, and embarrassingly plastered.

We laugh along with the giggler trying to carefully enunciate each word, but rightfully shy away from the aggressive loudmouth drunk throwing up outside Mercadona.

But it’s a fact that numerous amusing stories and fond memories are unashamedly based on silliness brought about with the aid of a sherbet or three.

Many years ago, four of us were in our regular harbour-side watering hole, aptly named The Rum Runners, when two young Royal Navy ratings staggered in. They were no more than lads and had obviously been painting the town red in the time honoured way.

We were ordering drinks and they overheard us ask for four specials.

“Wos that then?” one of them asked, as he saw the bartender extract a bottle from beneath the bar.

“Black Seal rum”.

by

Colin Bird

“Wos speshul ‘bout that?” he demanded.

“It’s 151 proof”.

“We’ll have two large ones”, the bar tender was informed as he finished topping up our own glasses with ginger ale.

“Straight” the matelot added.

We looked at each other before gently explaining to young Hornblower that it would be advisable to dilute the rum with something, even water. But they were having none of it and raised their glasses for a toast.

“The Queen!” they bawled and downed the drinks in one.

There was a pause.

We knew something was about to happen because vocal sailor number one, tried to focus on sailor number two, mouthed something inaudible and began to keel over backwards in

21

slow motion.

Stiff as a tailor’s collar, he hit the floor, bounced a couple of times and lay there inspecting the ceiling with a puzzled half smile on his boyish face. His friend fell into a chair, then slid like melting snow onto the floor muttering, “The Queen, the Queen”.

Luckily their ship was moored opposite and between us we managed to haul them across the street into the waiting arms of their colleagues on evening watch.

Forty years ago now, but a story always recounted when we get together.

Never mind the length, feel the quality by

Barry Duke

Recent reports that the retirement age of Brits is to raised once again suggests to me that the cash-strapped, Brexit-bemired British government is secretly hoping that crumblies such as I would just hurry up and snuff it instead of tottering on into extreme old age.

But there’s a better solution to the Treasury’s problem, one that will not only produce bucket-loads of dosh to pay the final multi-billion pound Brexit divorce bill but will also finance a world-class health service.

Make me Chancellor of the Exchequer and I’ll immediately begin implementing a five-point plan designed to put the economy back on an even keel – and ensure that people die happy well before old age puts them back in nappies and renders them completely gaga.

ously, but haven’t the cash to pay for things like skydiving, running with bulls in Pamplona, tight-rope walking between tower blocks without a safety net, being shot from cannons, wingwalking on vintage aircraft, wrestling alligators in Florida or swimming in piranha-infested waters.

5. I’ll give a massive grant to support the work of the Society for Rational Old Age Suicide. Oh yes, SOARS really does exist.

Taken together, I estimate that that will cut the cost of state pensions and geriatric care by a whopping 80 percent.

Of course, the government has only

itself to blame for the fact that we are carrying on well beyond our “sell-by” dates. For decades, politicians and other assorted do-gooders have been giving us incessant ear-ache about the dangers of “unhealthy lifestyles”, and millions unthinkingly fell for their sanctimonious blather.

Not content with simply bombarding us with propaganda, the UK “health police” gave themselves draconian powers to ban smoking in bars, then extended the ban to vast swathes of the great outdoors.

They put gruesome images of diseased lungs and throats on fag packages, and then forced retail outlets to conceal their cigarette stocks behind

1: I’ll introduce a state subsidised scheme that will compel everyone over the age of 60 to buy a high-powered motorcycle. Anyone riding on an open road at less than 80 mph will face heavy fines. Crash helmets will be outlawed.

2: I’ll provide free tobacco and alcohol to everyone over the age of 65.

3: I’ll decriminalise cannabis use, and encourage everyone over the age of 60 to turn their gardens and allotments over to weed cultivation. Fifty percent of the profit made from dope sales will go to the Treasury.

4: I’ll provide generous grants to the over-60s who’d love to live dangerPhoto Credit: freakingnews.com

shutters. For pity’s sake, there are now even health warnings on booze bottles and beer cans, but curiously, not on cars which belch out terrifying levels of carcinogenic fumes and, in crashes, seriously injure around 27,000 people a year in the UK. Back in 2004, outraged by a report that the then Health Secretary Alan Milburn had urged people to significantly extend their lives by taking 30 minutes of exercise each day, I blasted off a letter to the Brighton Argus, saying that, in common with most politicians, Milburn hadn’t bothered to take a reality check before trumpeting his “get-healthy-live-live- longer” appeal.

The reality, then, as it is now, is that Britain is entirely incapable of taking care of its existing elderly population, and the NHS will ultimately collapse under the weight of people who packed in the fags and the booze and are now desperately regretting having deprived themselves of pleasures that an assortment of pious prodnoses deemed “life threatening”.

What’s important about life is its quality, not its length. The horrors that accrue from living with debilitating age-related conditions are well known, and I, for one, would far rather drop dead outside a bar sucking on an e-cigarette and necking Famous Grouse than faffing around waiting for the arrival of a scythebearing hoodie.

24

The way I see it…

Harvey Mann

agreed and as I was formerly trained as a photo journalist, and my Professorship in natural history and sciences, helping to save the mountain gorillas was to me the ultimate challenge.

The next thing I had to do was to go off to Rwanda. climb the Virunga mountains and confront the mighty gorillas and the threats enforced on them.

After meeting the governments head of national parks, I was taken to meet the then President. He offered me twelve soldiers from his palace guard to escort me into the mountains owing to the unrest along the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo who had been fighting each other for a number of years.

I spent the first night at the research centre in the cabin once lived in by Fossey, there were occasional blood spatters on the wall, this was where Fossey had been hacked to death by poachers using machetes.

The Virunga rain forest really means what it says on the can, torrential rain hammered down most times, this night it drummed excessively on the corrugated roof keeping me awake most of the night, next morning one of the boys employed at the research centre brought me a bowl of hot water heated over an open fire, breakfast was taken in another hut reserved for dinning. With my escort of soldier’s and a tracker, we made our way up towards where the last group of gorillas were sighted the evening before. The climb was steep and the rain from the night before made the already sodden ground

Titus backed off even further, satisfied that I was not going to do him or his family any harm, as if I could with an animal that size. He opened his mouth, he had large incisor teeth and his head was enormous with a Mohican style crest from the front that ended at the back of his head, eventually eyeing me up and down he turned his back and shambled off on all fours to his family group. I followed and sat at a reasonable distance watching him and his family feed and play with each other. It had been an extraordinary experience to encounter then being able to watch these almost human animals, our cousins socialise and interact with each other, 4 babies rolled on the ground going head over heels, running up to Titus as he dozed, slapping him on the head, then bounding off in case he chased them.

slapping him on the head, “then bounding off in case he chased them

“

by

What is wrong with the people in this world, either they are killing each other or their heritage. I was so saddened to read about the 6-year-old lion Zanda who was shot by a big game hunter in Zimbabwe, after his father 13-year-old Cecil was also killed by a game hunter two years ago. Why I am so livid is because I am a Professor of natural history and wildlife sciences, and travelled the world for 22 years lecturing on the wonderful attributes of all types of wildlife particularly African, and I have worked in Central and East Africa with lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants and much more.

When I talk about heritage, it is the wildlife and the understanding of animals that has been handed down for millions of years through family to family. What people have got to understand is that all animals bleed, feel pain, reproduce and then bring up their off spring, teaching them how to have respect within a family environment.

I’ve seen with my own eyes at the famous panda reserve at Ghandzu how the Chinese have introduced IVF to increase the number of pandas from a level where they were on the brink of extinction with great success, and I am pleased to hear that IVF is going to be used on the only two white female rhino still alive in captivity in Britain, using the sperm from the only white male rhino left in Africa.

So, I would have hoped that my respect for wildlife during my lectures to thousands of people over the 22 years, would have rubbed off on many. If only the big

That night we spent under canvas knowing that our soldiers would protect us? Hopefully.

Then the next day we visited other groups, now using the vocalisation that I had been taught by tracker Vitari making myself smaller than the gorillas to make sure I was not a threat to them, I was able to get very close, on one occasion a baby gorilla Titus reafirming his authority

A huge silverback in Rwanda

game hunters would have been in some of my audiences, I would have throttled them with my bare hands.

Now let me take you to another country that at one time had a bad reputation in its behaviour to wildlife, this is Rwanda.

was where Fossey had “this been hacked to death by

One of the Pandas on the Ghandzu reserve

“

poachers using machetes

American Dian Fosse a former child minder travelled to Rwanda after a famous British Professor Louis Leakey had employed her to conduct a census on the number of mountain gorillas still alive and living wild in the Virunga mountains in Rwanda, the numbers she returned were pitifully low, in fact Leakey could not believe the small amount recorded and believed Fosse had failed in her work.

Four years after Dian Fosse was murdered on December 26th, 1985, in her cabin at the research centre she called Karisoke that she had established at 10 thousand feet in the saddle of two mountains Karisimbi and Bisoke the chain of mountains that straddle the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic of the Congo, I received a request from Denver, Colorado from the US by the Dian Fossey charity asking if I could help them establish the organisation in Great Britain.

At the time of the request I was the Associate Editor of the Mail on Sunday magazine called YOU. I readily

like a quagmire, on one occasion one of my wellingtons got sucked off my foot, sometimes the distance of a thousand feet would take one hour.

Finally, we reached about 11 thousand feet and some 300 yards away I could hear grunts and chest thumping sounds, I knew from the sounds we were very close now to my first encounter with the great apes.

Suddenly a huge figure of a silverback come crashing through the thick undergrowth, the next second I was pushed to the ground by my tracker, I looked up realising I was in the shadow of a fully grown male silverback that blocked out the light, he poked me with a huge finger to see if I was alive, as my breathing had stopped, next with a balled fist the size of a football he struck me on my back, luckily I was wearing a back pack stuffed with a roll up mattress, all my organs shook inside my body and my brain rattled.

my organs shook “ allinside my body

“

Me with one of my soldier bodyguards on the Virunga mountains in Rwanda

and my brain rattled

Titus was my assailant, he stepped back about a yard, allowing me to rise to my knees.

He must have stood at least 6 feet tall and probably weighed at least 50 stone, he grunted several times, his breath was rank, then he put his huge hand on my head as if he was going to crush it, then I made grunting sounds that I had been taught to do by the tracker.

He said the grunting at the right level of sound would hopefully appease any angry gorillas.

come bounding up to me and pulled at my camera strap, trying to relieve me of my camera in a playful way.

My visits became regular about 4 times a year over the next three years, until the terrible civil war broke out between the Tutsis and the Hutus backed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the militia, with almost 1 million people dying in the first 3 months of fighting, the blood lust continued as members of their families were killing each other off, even babies were slaughtered in the streets. The President of Rwanda and all his family were also murdered.

So, I suppose this is where I started this report. Humans killing each other and the wildlife that many of us enjoy wiped of the face of the earth, people like the big game hunters and their supporters believe they are dispensable. Over the years the gorilla population has doubled, many because of the success of the charity funding their protection, but the killers of wildlife must be taught a lesson you are not only killing for the sake of it, but it interferes with the animal’s procreation.

I have pleaded with the country’s Governments of Kenya, Zimbabwe, Uganda and Tanzania to stop big game hunters operating within in their borders, but back handers by these sordid killers to Government employees continues allowing the killers to have body parts of wildlife as trophies hanging from the walls in their palatial homes.

27

legal

How to complain in Spain by

IGNACIO PELLICER MOLLÁ & PEDRO HEREDIA ORTIZ

LAWYERS

Q A

If I want to complain in Spain, what do I have to do?

Ask for a ‘hoja de reclamación’?

The hojas de reclamaciones are issued by the local authority and filling one of these out is the first step in the official Spanish complaints procedure.

Each form consists of three parts: a top (white) original copy, a middle (green) copy for the customer, and a bottom (pink) copy which remains in the book.

The form should be completed, signed and dated on the premises of the business where the complaint is being made. Spanish is prefered, however you can also fill it out in English.

Try to keep it simple. Write what the comlaint is and what solution you would like, eg a refund, exchange of goods, etc.

Then take the WHITE original, plus photocopies of any receipts,

guarantees, any other documents you believe relevant, to the ‘Oficinas Municipales de Información al Consumidor’ or the Town Hall.

If you require help with a complaint or wish to take things further through civil courts, contact us today on 965 480 737 or info@pellicerheredia.com.

If you have any further questions about this or any other legal matter, please do not hesitate to contact us; we have a team of experts standing by to assist you in any way we can. Call 965 480 737 or email info@pellicerheredia.com Videos at www.pellicerheredia.com

money

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Car Insurance and Green Card International Insurance Card The Green Card or International Insurance Card is an internationally recognised document that proves the holder has the minimum compulsory insurance required by law of the country visited.

It helps facilitate the movement of their vehicle across international borders. It also guarantees that victims of road traffic accidents involving foreign registered vehicles are compensated in the country of the accident.

The Green Card System The Green Card System comprises of over 40 countries. National vehicle organisations within the Green Card System including the EU, the EEA, Switzerland, Russia and several countries around the Middle East and North Africa. However, a Green Card is not required to travel through the EEA, Andorra, Norway, Croatia and Switzerland.

The Green Card Bureau Each Green Card Bureau is responsible for handling and guaranteeing the settling of

claims arising from traffic accidents caused by visiting motorists.

Travelling outside the EU If you are travelling outside the European Community to one of the countries listed as requiring a Green Card, you will need to ask your insurance company to issue you a Green Card beforehand.

Road accident If you’re involved in a road traffic accident in a country requiring a Green Card, make sure the police are called to the scene of the accident. You will need a copy of the police report. If you don’t understand what you’re being told, request an interpreter. We also advise that you contact your insurance company as soon as possible, whether you want to make a claim or not. Make notes of what happened. Take photographs of the accident, including plates of vehicles involved. Exchange insurance details as you would in Spain. Take down the names and addresses of any witnesses. Never admit liability or apologise.

We hope the information provided in this article is of interest. If you would like to contact Linea Directa please call 902 123 148.

More information about Linea Directa online at www.lineadirecta.com

Private contract, notary and registration

by Gonzalo Blanco www.blancolawfirm.com available in all Costa Blanca and inland with offices in Denia and Xativa

PRIVATE CONTRACTS You can legally purchase a property using a private contract, as long as it contains some minimum requirements: identification of the parties contracting, the object of the sale and the conditions of the sale.

If you sign such a contract (buyer) and later do not want to go through with it the buyer loses the money he has been paid. On the other hand, if the vendor breaks the contract, for instance if he gets a higher price offer, he may be forced to pay the buyer double the amount of the sum deposited. A private contract may be a good method to agree on a purchase/sale that cannot be concluded at once.

If you as a buyer need some time to check the legal situation of the property you can in the contract stipulate that or do not sign until you know that the property is fully legal.

Even as a vendor, the private contract may be useful, because it gives you the assurance that the buyer will complete, before you take the property off the market. However, it is not necessary in all cases to make a private contract. If you have all the money available, you can go straight to the notary to make an "Escritura Publica de Compra/Venta" (a public purchasing/sales deed).

"La Escritura" While the private contract is legal, it does not give the buyer sufficient legal protection. That can only be given through the registration of your ownership

rights in the Property Register. To be able to register a purchase there, the agreement must always be drawn up by a public notary. The buyer has the right to choose the notary to be used. He is normally also the one who pays the notary fees. The notary will draw up the "Escritura de Compra/Venta" based on the title deed of the vendor and the declarations of the signing parties (details of the price and the payment). He will also include a "Nota Simple" (certificate) from the Property Register as to who are the present owners of the property and if there are any encumbrances existing on it. This certificate shall not be older than 48 hours before the signing of the deed, and blocks out any other inscriptions on the property. You must ask that the notary complies with this obligation! Be aware that the notary does not check out anything else other than the identity of the signing parties, and that the information given in the deed corresponds with what is mentioned in the "Nota Simple" from the registry.

If you do not take a mortgage, and are not getting payment terms on the purchase of the property, it will be written in the Escritura that the purchasing price has been fully paid and that the document is the most firm receipt. In case of a sum lower than the real purchasing price is being declared in the deed, with this receipt the vendor cannot claim any more money. If payment terms are agreed in the Escritura, what is normally added is called a "clausula resolutoria", whereby the vendor reserves his property rights until full payment has been given.

T he registration You should get a "Copia Simple" from the notary as soon as you have signed the deed. That is a photocopy of what you have signed, with the stamp from the notary, but without the signatures on it.

The original stays in the files of the notary (meaning you can always get a new copy if you lose your Escritura), while what is called "La Primera Copia" (first copy) is sent by the notary to the Property Register.

The notary normally asks the buyer if he wants the deed sent by fax the same day it is signed to the Property Register. You should insist that he does so. At the Property Register they will enter the new Escritura at once into the daily journal and thereby block out any other entries on the property. From the daily journal it is later transferred into the main ledgers, and the "Primera Copia" is stamped by the registry and given the pertinent registration numbers. Then it is sent back to the notary, where you can pick it up. Today this process normally takes a few months. Before making a private contract or paying a down payment on a property, it is prudent to ask the vendor to provide you with a comprehesive legal check-up.

Although the vendor and buyer can make an agreement themselves, or they can go straight to the notary and ask him to draw up the "Escritura de Compra/Venta", it may be wise to seek the assistance of a lawyer.

Gonzalo Blanco Legal Lawyers registered at Icaalmeria nº 2717 Marques de Campo 58, 5º Denia. Alicante Reina 21,1 Xàtiva. Valencia. www.blancolawfirm.com Website: http://lawyerblanco.blogspot.com.es/

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television

4th-10th August

friday 4th August

BBC1

BBC2

ITV1

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 5

E4

Sky1

7:00am Breakfast 10:15am Animal Park Summer Special 11:00am Homes Under the Hammer 12:00pm Going Back Giving Back 12:45pm Rip Off Britain 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News 2:30pm BBC London News 2:45pm Red Rock 3:30pm The Code 4:15pm Escape to the Country 5:15pm Flog It! 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm World Athletics

Championships 2017 11:00pm BBC News 11:25pm BBC London News 11:35pm Not Going Out 12:05am Old School

with the Hairy Bikers

7:00am The TV That Made Me 7:30am Animal Park Summer Special 8:15am Bargain Hunt 9:00am Gardeners’ World 10:00am Victoria Derbyshire 12:00pm BBC Newsroom Live 1:00pm Britain’s Great War 2:00pm Two Tribes 2:30pm A Taste of Britain 3:15pm The Best Dishes Ever 3:45pm Natural World 4:30pm This Wild Life 5:00pm The Life of Mammals 6:00pm Golf 7:00pm World Athletics

Championships 2017 8:00pm Celebrity Antiques Road Trip 9:00pm Mastermind 9:30pm Only Connect 10:00pm Gardeners’ World 11:00pm World Athletics

Championships 2017 11:30pm Newsnight 12:05am The Help

7:00am Good Morning Britain 9:30am Lorraine 10:25am The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30am This Morning 1:30pm Loose Women 2:00pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:20pm ITV News London 2:30pm ITV Racing Live 5:00pm Tipping Point 6:00pm Cash Trapped 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV Evening News 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm The Secret World

of Posh Pets 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm Benidorm 11:00pm ITV News and Weather 11:30pm ITV News London 11:40pm Inside London Fire Brigade 12:40am Tipping Point

7:00am Countdown 7:45am Will and Grace 8:10am Will and Grace 8:35am Everybody Loves Raymond 9:00am Everybody Loves Raymond 9:30am Frasier 10:00am Frasier 10:35am Frasier 11:05am Undercover Boss USA 12:00pm The Simpsons 12:30pm The Simpsons 1:00pm Channel 4 News 1:05pm Couples Come Dine with Me 2:05pm Posh Pawn 3:10pm Countdown 4:00pm The Question Jury 5:00pm A Place in the Sun 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm The Secret Life

of the Holiday Resort 10:00pm The Last Leg 11:00pm Naked Attraction 12:05am Rude Tube 1:05am The Cold Light of Day

7:00am Childrens TV

7:00am Hollyoaks 7:30am Coach Trip 8:00am Made in Chelsea 9:00am Melissa and Joey 9:30am Melissa and Joey 10:00am Black-Ish 10:30am Black-Ish 11:00am Baby Daddy 11:30am Baby Daddy 12:00pm How I Met Your Mother 12:30pm How I Met Your Mother 1:00pm The Goldbergs 1:30pm The Goldbergs 2:00pm The Big Bang Theory 2:30pm The Big Bang Theory 3:00pm Melissa and Joey 3:30pm Melissa and Joey 4:00pm Baby Daddy 4:30pm Baby Daddy 5:00pm Black-Ish 5:30pm Black-Ish 6:00pm The Goldbergs 6:30pm The Goldbergs 7:00pm The Big Bang Theory 7:30pm The Big Bang Theory 8:00pm Hollyoaks 8:30pm Coach Trip 9:00pm The Big Bang Theory 9:30pm The Big Bang Theory 10:00pm This is 40 12:40am The Big Bang Theory

7:00am The Flash 8:00am The Flash 9:00am NCIS: Los Angeles 10:00am NCIS: Los Angeles 11:00am Hawaii Five-0 12:00pm MacGyver 1:00pm NCIS: Los Angeles 2:00pm NCIS: Los Angeles 3:00pm Hawaii Five-0 4:00pm MacGyver 5:00pm The Flash 6:00pm The Flash 7:00pm Futurama 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm Modern Family 9:30pm Modern Family 10:00pm Zoo 11:00pm The Force: North East 12:00am Modern Family 12:30am Modern Family 1:00am A League of Their Own

10:15am The Wright Stuff 12:15pm The Yorkshire Vet 1:10pm 5 News Lunchtime 1:15pm Celebrity Big Brother 2:15pm Home and Away 2:45pm Neighbours 3:15pm NCIS 4:15pm Jesse Stone: Stone Cold 6:00pm 5 News 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm Cricket on 5 9:00pm Funniest Ever Puppy Party 10:00pm Celebrity Big Brother 11:05pm Autopsy: Kurt Cobain 12:05am Celebrity Big Brother’s

Bit on the Side

SATURDAY 5th August CHANNEL 5

E4

Sky1

7:00am Grizzly Tales

for Gruesome Kids 7:10am Grizzly Tales

for Gruesome Kids 7:20am Sooty 7:30am Share a Story 7:35am Dino Dan: Trek’s Adventures 7:45am Dino Dan: Trek’s Adventures 8:00am The Oddbods Show 8:05am The Oddbods Show 8:15am Super 4 8:25am Mr. Bean 8:40am Mr. Bean 9:00am Thunderbirds are Go 9:25am ITV News 9:30am Weekend 10:25am ITV Racing Live 11:20am Gok’s Lunchbox 12:15pm 1000 Heartbeats 1:15pm ITV News 1:25pm Tipping Point 2:30pm ITV Racing Live 5:00pm The Chase 6:00pm Little Big Shots USA 7:00pm ITV News London 7:05pm ITV News 7:15pm You’ve Been Framed!

8:15pm Catchphrase 9:00pm The Hobbit:

The Battle of the Five Armies 11:35pm ITV News 11:50pm GoldenEye

7:10am Tenerife Blue Trail 7:40am Motorsport 8:35am Everybody Loves Raymond 9:00am Everybody Loves Raymond 9:30am Frasier 10:00am Frasier 10:30am Frasier 11:00am The Big Bang Theory 11:25am The Big Bang Theory 11:55am The Simpsons 12:25pm The Simpsons 12:55pm Ramsay’s Kitchen

Nightmares USA 1:50pm Four in a Bed 2:20pm Four in a Bed 2:55pm Four in a Bed 3:25pm Four in a Bed 4:00pm Four in a Bed 4:30pm A Place in the Sun 5:35pm Big House, Little House 6:35pm Kirstie and Phil’s

Love it or List it 7:30pm Channel 4 News 8:00pm Britain at Low Tide 9:00pm Paul O’grady’s Hollywood 10:00pm Red 12:10am American Pie: Reunion

7:00am Childrens TV 11:40am Chinese Food in Minutes 11:55am Dogs Make You Laugh

Out Loud 12:20pm Police Interceptors 1:15pm Police Interceptors 2:15pm Bargain Loving Brits

in the Sun 3:10pm Bargain Loving Brits

in the Sun 4:10pm The Nightmare Neighbour

Next Door 5:05pm The Nightmare Neighbour

Next Door 6:00pm Can’t Pay? We’ll Take it Away!

7:00pm Can’t Pay? We’ll Take it Away!

8:00pm Cricket on 5 9:00pm Can’t Pay? We’ll Take it Away!

10:00pm Football on Five 10:50pm Football on 5 11:20pm Celebrity Big Brother 12:20am Queens of Pop

7:00am The Goldbergs 7:30am The Goldbergs 7:55am The Goldbergs 8:25am The Goldbergs 8:55am The Goldbergs 9:30am Made in Chelsea 10:30am Binky and Jp’s Baby:

Born in Chelsea 11:30am Coach Trip 12:00pm Coach Trip 12:35pm Coach Trip 1:05pm Coach Trip 1:35pm Coach Trip 2:05pm The Goldbergs 2:35pm The Goldbergs 3:05pm The Goldbergs 3:35pm The Goldbergs 4:00pm The Goldbergs 4:35pm The Big Bang Theory 5:00pm The Big Bang Theory 5:35pm The Big Bang Theory 6:00pm The Big Bang Theory 6:30pm The Big Bang Theory 7:00pm The Big Bang Theory 7:30pm The Big Bang Theory 8:00pm The Big Bang Theory 8:30pm The Big Bang Theory 9:00pm Don’t Tell the Bride 10:00pm Bridesmaids 12:30am Gogglebox

7:00am Ashley Banjo’s

Secret Street Crew 8:00am Road Wars 9:00am Attenborough 10:00am Hawaii Five-0 11:00am Hawaii Five-0 12:00pm Hawaii Five-0 1:00pm Hawaii Five-0 2:00pm The Dog Whisperer 3:00pm The Dog Whisperer 4:00pm It’s Me or the Dog 4:30pm It’s Me or the Dog 5:00pm Modern Family 5:30pm Modern Family 6:00pm Modern Family 6:30pm Modern Family 7:00pm Modern Family 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm Duck Quacks Don’t Echo 10:00pm Crocodile Dundee II 12:00am James Corden’s

Late Late Show UK

BBC2

ITV1

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 5

E4

Sky1

7:20am The Instant Gardener

7:00am Grizzly Tales

for Gruesome Kids 7:10am Grizzly Tales

for Gruesome Kids 7:20am Sooty 7:30am Share a Story 7:35am Dino Dan: Trek’s Adventures 8:00am Oddbods 8:05am The Oddbods Show 8:15am Super 4 8:30am Ninjago 9:00am Thunderbirds are Go 9:25am ITV News 9:30am Weekend 10:25am Judge Rinder 11:20am Long Lost Family 12:20pm Love Your Garden 1:25pm James Martin’s

French Adventure 1:55pm Rebound 2:55pm Tipping Point 3:55pm Bear Grylls Survival School 4:25pm The Living Daylights 7:00pm ITV News London 7:15pm ITV News 7:30pm The Chase Celebrity Special 8:30pm Harry Potter and the

Half-Blood Prince 11:25pm ITV News 11:40pm Judge Rinder’s Crime Stories 12:40am Take Me Out

7:00am Kirstie’s Vintage Gems 7:10am Last Man Standing 7:35am Cycling 8:00am Motorsport 8:30am Motorsport 9:30am Frasier 10:00am Frasier 10:30am Sunday Brunch 1:30pm George Clarke’s

Amazing Spaces 2:30pm The Simpsons 3:00pm The Simpsons 3:30pm The Simpsons 4:00pm UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 7:30pm Channel 4 News 8:00pm The Mystery of the

Crossrail Skulls 9:00pm Diana 10:50pm The King’s Speech 1:00am The Anomaly

7:00am Childrens TV

7:00am Rude(Ish) Tube 7:25am Couples Come Dine with Me 8:20am Couples Come Dine with Me 9:30am Hollyoaks Omnibus 12:00pm Made in Chelsea 1:05pm Binky and Jp’s Baby:

Born in Chelsea 2:05pm Kevin Can Wait 2:35pm New Girl 3:05pm New Girl 3:35pm The Goldbergs 4:00pm The Goldbergs 4:35pm The Goldbergs 5:00pm The Big Bang Theory 5:30pm The Big Bang Theory 6:00pm The Big Bang Theory 6:30pm The Big Bang Theor 7:00pm The Big Bang Theory 7:30pm The Big Bang Theory 8:00pm The Big Bang Theory 8:30pm The Big Bang Theory 9:00pm Night at the Museum 11:10pm Don’t Tell the Bride 12:15am Tattoo Fixers on Holiday

7:00am The Hour of Power 8:00am Futurama 8:30am Futurama 9:00am Futurama 9:30am Futurama 10:00am Futurama 10:30am Duck Quacks Don’t Echo 11:00am WWE Raw 12:00pm MacGyver 1:00pm MacGyver 2:00pm MacGyver 3:00pm MacGyver 4:00pm MacGyver 5:00pm Modern Family 5:30pm Modern Family 6:00pm Modern Family 6:30pm Modern Family 7:00pm Modern Family 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm David Attenborough’s

Natural History History

Museum Alive 10:00pm Ross Kemp: Extreme World 11:00pm The Force: North East 12:00am James Corden’s

Late Late Show UK

BBC1

BBC2

7:00am Breakfast

7:10am The Spanish Main 8:45am The Magic Box 10:30am World Athletics

Championships 2017 3:00pm Food and Drink 3:30pm Flog It! 4:20pm Mastermind 4:50pm University Challenge 5:20pm Only Connect 5:50pm Gardeners’ World 6:50pm The Sweet Makers:

A Victorian Treat 7:50pm Proms Extra 2017 8:30pm Royal Cousins at War 9:30pm Dad’s Army 10:00pm Billy Connolly:

Portrait of a Lifetime 11:00pm World Athletics

Championships 2017 11:30pm What We Did on Our Holiday 12:55am Golf

11:00am Saturday Kitchen Live 12:30pm Nadiya’s British

Food Adventure

1:00pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News 2:15pm Homes Under the Hammer 3:00pm I Am Bolt 4:30pm The Heroes of Super

Saturday: Jess, Mo and Greg

5:25pm Escape to the Continent 6:25pm Pointless 7:10pm BBC News 7:20pm BBC London News 7:30pm World Athletics

Championships 2017

11:00pm BBC News 11:20pm Mrs. Brown’s Boys D’Movie

ITV1

CHANNEL 4

SUNDAY 6th August BBC1 7:00am Breakfast 10:00am BBC News 11:00am Sunday Morning Live 12:00pm Homes Under the Hammer 1:00pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News 2:15pm Wallace and Gromit:

A Grand Day Out 2:40pm Frozen 4:10pm Escape to the Country 4:40pm Songs of Praise 5:15pm Pointless 6:00pm BBC News.

6:20pm BBC London News 6:30pm Countryfile 7:30pm World Athletics

Championships 2017 10:00pm Poldark 11:00pm BBC News 11:20pm BBC London News 11:30pm Match of the Day 12:15am The Recruit

8:05am Gardeners’ World 9:05am The Beechgrove Garden 9:35am Countryfile 10:30am World Athletics

Championships 2017

6:00pm Britain’s Ancient Capital:

Secrets of Orkney

7:00pm Steve Backshall’s Extreme

Mountain Challenge

8:00pm Inside the Factory 9:00pm Secrets of Silicon Valley 10:00pm World Athletics

Championships 2017

11:30pm Gareth Thomas:

Hate in the Beautiful Game

12:30am Golf

11:20am Football on Five 12:05pm Football on 5 12:30pm Cheaper by the Dozen 2 2:20pm The Royals 3:15pm Inside Buckingham Palace 4:15pm Inside Buckingham Palace 5:15pm Inside Buckingham Palace 6:10pm Dirty Dancing 8:00pm Cricket on 5 8:55pm 5 News Weekend 9:00pm Dads Make You

Laugh Out Loud

10:00pm Celebrity Big Brother 11:00pm The Last Days

of Patrick Swayze

12:05am Point Break

31

television

4th-10th August

MONDAY 7th August BBC1

7:00am Breakfast 10:15am Animal Park Summer Special 11:00am Homes Under the Hammer 12:00pm Medicine and Me:

70 Years of the NHS 12:45pm Rip Off Britain 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News 2:30pm BBC London News 2:45pm Red Rock 3:30pm The Code 4:15pm Escape to the Country 5:15pm Flog It! 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm The Bug Grub Couple 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm World Athletics

Championships 2017 11:00pm BBC News 11:30pm BBC London News 11:45pm Have I Got Old News for You 12:15am Have I Got a Bit More

Old News for You

BBC2

ITV1

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 5

E4

Sky1

7:00am The TV That Made Me 7:30am Animal Park Summer Special 8:15am Bargain Hunt 9:00am The Sheriffs are Coming 10:00am Victoria Derbyshire 12:00pm BBC Newsroom Live 1:00pm Golf 2:00pm Triathlon World Series:

Montreal Highlights 3:30pm A Taste of Britain 4:15pm Patagonia:

Earth’s Secret Paradise 5:15pm The Life of Mammals 6:15pm Antiques Road Trip 7:00pm World Athletics

Championships 2017 9:30pm Nadiya’s British

Food Adventure 10:00pm Man in an Orange Shirt 11:00pm World Athletics

Championships 2017 11:30pm Newsnight 12:15am Is it Safe to be Gay in the UK?

7:00am Good Morning Britain 9:30am Lorraine 10:25am The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30am This Morning 1:30pm Loose Women 2:30pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:55pm ITV News London 3:00pm Judge Rinder 4:00pm Tenable 5:00pm Tipping Point 6:00pm Cash Trapped 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV Evening News 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Countrywise 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm Car Crash Britain

Caught on Camera 11:00pm ITV News and Weather 11:30pm ITV News London 11:40pm Britain’s Busiest Motorway 12:10am Sugar Free Farm

7:00am Countdown 7:45am Will and Grace 8:10am Will and Grace 8:35am Everybody Loves Raymond 9:00am Everybody Loves Raymond 9:30am Frasier 10:00am Frasier 10:35am Frasier 11:00am The Big Bang Theory 11:30am The Big Bang Theory 12:00pm The Simpsons 12:30pm The Simpsons 1:00pm Channel 4 News 1:05pm Couples Come Dine with Me 2:05pm Posh Pawn 3:10pm Countdown 4:00pm The Question Jury 5:00pm A Place in the Sun 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm Come Dine with Me 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Animal Rescue Live:

Supervet Special 10:00pm 999: What’s Your Emergency?

11:00pm Eden 12:05am 60 Days in Jail

7:00am Childrens TV 10:15am The Wright Stuff 12:15pm The Yorkshire Vet 1:10pm 5 News Lunchtime 1:15pm Celebrity Big Brother 2:15pm Home and Away 2:45pm Neighbours 3:15pm NCIS 4:15pm The Gourmet Detective:

A Healthy Place to Die 6:00pm 5 News 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm Cricket on 5 9:00pm All New Traffic Cops 10:00pm Celebrity Big Brother 11:00pm Make or Break 12:05am Celebrity Big Brother’s

Bit on the Side

7:00am Hollyoaks 7:30am Coach Trip 8:00am Made in Chelsea 9:00am Melissa and Joey 9:30am Melissa and Joey 10:00am Black-Ish 10:30am Black-Ish 11:00am Baby Daddy 11:30am Baby Daddy 12:00pm How I Met Your Mother 12:30pm How I Met Your Mother 1:00pm The Goldbergs 1:30pm The Goldbergs 2:00pm The Big Bang Theory 2:30pm The Big Bang Theory 3:00pm Melissa and Joey 3:30pm Melissa and Joey 4:00pm Baby Daddy 4:30pm Baby Daddy 5:00pm Black-Ish 5:30pm Black-Ish 6:00pm The Goldbergs 6:30pm The Goldbergs 7:00pm The Big Bang Theory 7:30pm The Big Bang Theory 8:00pm Hollyoaks 8:30pm Coach Trip 9:00pm The Big Bang Theory 9:30pm The Big Bang Theory 10:00pm Made in Chelsea 11:00pm How’d You Get So Rich?

11:55pm The Big Bang Theory

7:00am The Flash 8:00am The Flash 9:00am NCIS: Los Angeles 10:00am NCIS: Los Angeles 12:00pm MacGyver 1:00pm NCIS: Los Angeles 2:00pm NCIS: Los Angeles 3:00pm Hawaii Five-0 4:00pm MacGyver 5:00pm The Flash 6:00pm The Flash 7:00pm Futurama 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm The Simpsons 9:30pm The Simpsons 10:00pm A League of Their Own 11:00pm Micky Flanagan

Thinking Aloud 1:00am A League of Their Own

Pick of the Week The Jeremy Kyle Show 10.25am ITV1 TUESDAY 8th August BBC1

BBC2

ITV1

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 5

E4

Sky1

7:00am Breakfast 10:15am Animal Park Summer Special 11:00am Homes Under the Hammer 12:00pm Matron, Medicine and Me:

70 Years of the NHS 12:45pm Rip Off Britain 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News 2:30pm BBC London News 2:45pm Red Rock 3:30pm The Code 4:15pm Escape to the Country 5:15pm Flog It! 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm EastEnders 9:00pm Holby City 10:00pm Trust Me 11:00pm BBC News 11:30pm BBC London News 11:45pm New Tricks 12:45am The Bug Grub Couple

7:00am The TV That Made Me 7:30am Animal Park Summer Special 8:15am Bargain Hunt 9:00am The Farmers’

Country Showdown 9:30am Great British Menu 10:00am Victoria Derbyshire 12:00pm BBC Newsroom Live 2:00pm Coast 2:15pm Two Tribes 2:45pm The Super League Show 3:30pm A Taste of Britain 4:15pm Patagonia:

Earth’s Secret Paradise 5:15pm The Life of Mammals 6:15pm Antiques Road Trip 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm World Athletics

Championships 2017 11:30pm Newsnight 12:15am The Mash Report

7:00am Good Morning Britain 9:30am Lorraine 10:25am The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30am This Morning 1:30pm Loose Women 2:30pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:55pm ITV News London 3:00pm Judge Rinder 4:00pm Tenable 5:00pm Tipping Point 6:00pm Cash Trapped 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV Evening News 8:00pm Emmerdale 9:00pm Midsomer Murders 11:00pm ITV News and Weather 11:30pm ITV News London 11:40pm UEFA Super Cup

Highlights 12:40am Play to the Whistle

7:00am Countdown 7:45am Will and Grace 8:10am Will and Grace 8:35am Everybody Loves Raymond 9:00am Everybody Loves Raymond 9:30am Frasier 10:00am Frasier 10:35am Frasier 11:00am The Big Bang Theory 11:30am The Big Bang Theory 12:00pm The Simpsons 12:30pm The Simpsons 1:00pm Channel 4 News 1:05pm Couples Come Dine with Me 2:05pm Posh Pawn 3:10pm Countdown 4:00pm The Question Jury 5:00pm A Place in the Sun 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm Come Dine with Me 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Animal Rescue Live:

Supervet Special 10:00pm Get a House for Free 11:00pm Eden 12:05am Naked Attraction

7:00am Childrens TV 10:15am The Wright Stuff 12:15pm The Yorkshire Vet 1:10pm 5 News Lunchtime 1:15pm Celebrity Big Brother 2:15pm Home and Away 2:45pm Neighbours 3:15pm NCIS 4:15pm Spirit Riders 6:00pm 5 News 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm Cricket on 5 9:00pm The Dog Rescuers

with Alan Davies 10:00pm Celebrity Big Brother 11:00pm Make or Break 12:05am Celebrity Big Brother’s

Bit on the Side 1:05am Celebrity Big Brother:

Live From the House

7:00am Hollyoaks 7:30am Coach Trip 8:00am Made in Chelsea 9:00am Melissa and Joey 10:00am Black-Ish 11:00am Baby Daddy 12:00pm How I Met Your Mother 1:00pm The Goldbergs 1:30pm The Goldbergs 2:00pm The Big Bang Theory 2:30pm The Big Bang Theory 3:00pm Melissa and Joey 3:30pm Melissa and Joey 4:00pm Baby Daddy 4:30pm Baby Daddy 5:00pm Black-Ish 5:30pm Black-Ish 6:00pm The Goldbergs 6:30pm The Goldbergs 7:00pm The Big Bang Theory 7:30pm The Big Bang Theory 8:00pm Hollyoaks 8:30pm Coach Trip 9:00pm The Big Bang Theory 9:30pm The Big Bang Theory 10:00pm Tattoo Fixers on Holiday 11:00pm 8 Out of 10 Cats 11:50pm The Big Bang Theory 12:20am The Big Bang Theory 12:50am Gogglebox

7:00am The Flash 8:00am The Flash 9:00am NCIS: Los Angeles 10:00am NCIS: Los Angeles 11:00am Hawaii Five-0 12:00pm MacGyver 1:00pm NCIS: Los Angeles 2:00pm NCIS: Los Angeles 3:00pm Hawaii Five-0 4:00pm MacGyver 5:00pm The Flash 6:00pm The Flash 7:00pm Futurama 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm A League of Their Own 10:00pm Groundhog Day 12:00am Modern Family 12:30am Modern Family

32

television

4th-10th August

wednesday 9th August BBC1

BBC2

ITV1

7:00am Breakfast 10:15am Animal Park Summer Special 11:00am Homes Under the Hammer 12:00pm Matron, Medicine and Me:

70 Years of the NHS 12:45pm Rip Off Britain 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News 2:30pm BBC London News 2:45pm Red Rock 3:30pm The Code 4:15pm Escape to the Country 5:15pm Flog It! 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm Fake Britain 9:00pm Super Small Animals 10:00pm My Family, Partition and Me:

India 1947 11:00pm BBC News 11:30pm BBC London News 11:45pm My Big Gay Jewish

Conversion 12:35am I’m Coming Out

7:00am The TV That Made Me 7:30am Animal Park Summer Special 8:15am Bargain Hunt 9:00am My Friend Jane 9:30am Great British Menu 10:00am Victoria Derbyshire 12:00pm BBC Newsroom Live 2:00pm Two Tribes 2:30pm A Taste of Britain 3:15pm Natural World 4:15pm Patagonia:

Earth’s Secret Paradise 5:15pm The Life of Mammals 6:15pm Antiques Road Trip 7:00pm World Athletics

Championships 2017 11:30pm Newsnight 12:15am Secrets of Silicon Valley

7:00am Good Morning Britain 9:30am Lorraine 10:25am The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30am This Morning 1:30pm Loose Women 2:30pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:55pm ITV News London 3:00pm Judge Rinder 4:00pm Tenable 5:00pm Tipping Point 6:00pm Cash Trapped 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV Evening News 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Love Your Garden 10:00pm Long Lost Family 11:00pm ITV News and Weather 11:30pm ITV News London 11:40pm Car Crash Britain

Caught on Camera 12:40am British Touring Car

Championship Highlights

CHANNEL 5

E4

Sky1

7:45am Will and Grace 8:10am Will and Grace 8:35am Everybody Loves Raymond 9:00am Everybody Loves Raymond.

9:30am Frasier 10:00am Frasier 10:35am Frasier 11:00am The Big Bang Theory 11:30am The Big Bang Theory 12:00pm The Simpsons 12:30pm The Simpsons 1:00pm Channel 4 News 1:05pm Couples Come Dine with Me 2:05pm Posh Pawn 3:10pm Countdown 4:00pm The Question Jury 5:00pm A Place in the Sun 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm Come Dine with Me 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Animal Rescue Live:

Supervet Special 10:00pm 24 Hours in A and E 11:00pm Eden 12:05am 999: What’s Your Emergency?

7:00am Childrens TV 10:15am The Wright Stuff 12:15pm The Yorkshire Vet 1:10pm 5 News Lunchtime 1:15pm Celebrity Big Brother 2:15pm Home and Away 2:45pm Neighbours 3:15pm NCIS 4:15pm Broken Trust 6:00pm 5 News 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm MotoGP 9:00pm GPs: Behind Closed Doors 10:00pm Celebrity Big Brother 11:00pm Make or Break 12:05am Football on Five

7:00am Hollyoaks 7:30am Coach Trip 8:00am Made in Chelsea 9:00am Melissa and Joey 10:00am Black-Ish 11:00am Baby Daddy 12:00pm How I Met Your Mother 1:00pm The Goldbergs 2:00pm The Big Bang Theory 3:00pm Melissa and Joey 3:30pm Melissa and Joey 4:00pm Baby Daddy 4:30pm Baby Daddy 5:00pm Black-Ish 5:30pm Black-Ish 6:00pm The Goldbergs 6:30pm The Goldbergs 7:00pm The Big Bang Theory 7:30pm The Big Bang Theory 8:00pm Hollyoaks 8:30pm Coach Trip 9:00pm The Big Bang Theory 9:30pm The Big Bang Theory 10:00pm Don’t Tell the Bride 11:00pm First Dates USA 12:00am The Big Bang Theory 12:30am The Big Bang Theory

7:00am The Flash 8:00am The Flash 9:00am Road Wars 10:00am NCIS: Los Angeles 11:00am Hawaii Five-0 12:00pm MacGyver 1:00pm NCIS: Los Angeles 2:00pm NCIS: Los Angeles 3:00pm Hawaii Five-0 4:00pm MacGyver 5:00pm The Flash 6:00pm The Flash 7:00pm Futurama 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm Freddie Fries Again 10:00pm Colony 11:00pm Ross Kemp: Extreme World 12:00am Modern Family 12:30am Modern Family

CHANNEL 4

thursday 10th August BBC1

BBC2

ITV1

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 5

E4

7:00am Breakfast 10:15am Animal Park Summer Special 11:00am Homes Under the Hammer 12:00pm Matron, Medicine and Me:

70 Years of the NHS 12:45pm Rip Off Britain 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News 2:30pm BBC London News 2:45pm Red Rock 3:30pm The Code 4:15pm Escape to the Country 5:15pm Flog It! 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm EastEnders 9:00pm World Athletics

Championships 2017 11:00pm BBC News 11:30pm BBC London News 11:45pm Stacey Dooley Investigates 12:15am Queer Britain

7:00am The TV That Made Me 7:30am Animal Park Summer Special 8:15am Bargain Hunt 9:00am Nadiya’s British

Food Adventure 9:30am Great British Menu 10:00am Victoria Derbyshire 12:00pm BBC Newsroom Live 2:00pm Two Tribes 2:30pm A Taste of Britain 3:15pm Coast 3:55pm Viva Las Vegas 5:15pm The Life of Mammals 6:15pm Antiques Road Trip 7:00pm World Athletics

Championships 2017 9:00pm 10 Puppies and Us 10:00pm Top of the Lake 11:00pm World Athletics

Championships 2017 11:30pm Newsnight 12:15am Golf

7:00am Good Morning Britain 9:30am Lorraine 10:25am The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30am This Morning 1:30pm Loose Women 2:30pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:55pm ITV News London 3:00pm Judge Rinder 4:00pm Tenable 5:00pm Tipping Point 6:00pm Cash Trapped 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV Evening News 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm The True Cost of Parking 9:00pm Emmerdale 9:30pm James Martin’s

French Adventure 10:00pm Inside London Fire Brigade 11:00pm ITV News and Weather 11:30pm ITV News London 11:40pm Schofield’s South African

Adventure 12:10am Lion Country: Night and Day

7:00am Countdown 7:45am Will and Grace 8:35am Everybody Loves Raymond 9:30am Frasier 10:00am Frasier 10:30am Frasier 11:00am The Big Bang Theory 11:30am The Big Bang Theory 12:00pm The Simpsons 12:30pm The Simpsons 1:00pm Channel 4 News 1:05pm Couples Come Dine with Me 2:05pm Posh Pawn 3:10pm Countdown 4:00pm The Question Jury 5:00pm A Place in the Sun 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm Come Dine with Me 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Animal Rescue Live:

Supervet Special 10:00pm Princess Diana’s

‘Wicked’ Stepmother 11:00pm Eden 12:05am 24 Hours in A and E

7:00am Childrens TV 10:15am The Wright Stuff 12:15pm The Yorkshire Vet 1:10pm 5 News Lunchtime 1:15pm Celebrity Big Brother 2:15pm Home and Away 2:45pm Neighbours 3:15pm NCIS 4:15pm Willed to Kill 6:00pm 5 News 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm All New Traffic Cops 9:00pm Nightmare Tenants,

Slum Landlords 10:00pm Celebrity Big Brother 11:00pm Make or Break 12:05am Celebrity Big Brother’s

Bit on the Side

7:00am Hollyoaks 7:30am Coach Trip 8:00am Made in Chelsea 9:00am Melissa and Joey 10:00am Black-Ish 11:00am Baby Daddy 12:00pm How I Met Your Mother 1:00pm The Goldbergs 2:00pm The Big Bang Theory 3:00pm Melissa and Joey 4:00pm Baby Daddy 4:30pm Baby Daddy 5:00pm Black-Ish 5:30pm Black-Ish 6:00pm The Goldbergs 6:30pm The Goldbergs 7:00pm The Big Bang Theory 7:30pm The Big Bang Theory 8:00pm Hollyoaks 8:30pm Coach Trip 9:00pm The Big Bang Theory 9:30pm Kevin Can Wait 10:00pm Body Fixers 11:00pm The Inbetweeners 11:35pm The Inbetweeners 12:10am The Big Bang Theory 12:40am The Big Bang Theory

Sky1 7:00am The Flash 8:00am The Flash 9:00am NCIS: Los Angeles 10:00am NCIS: Los Angeles 11:00am Hawaii Five-0 12:00pm MacGyver 1:00pm NCIS: Los Angeles 2:00pm NCIS: Los Angeles 3:00pm Hawaii Five-0 4:00pm MacGyver 5:00pm The Flash 6:00pm The Flash 7:00pm Futurama 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm Duck Quacks Don’t Echo 10:00pm A Premier League

of Their Own 11:00pm Karl Pilkington:

The Moaning of Life 12:00am Modern Family 12:30am Modern Family 1:00am A League of Their Own

Last weeks puzzle answers (Issue 927) Cryptic Solution

Easy Solution

Soduku Solution

Quiz Solutions Solution to 927

Codebreaker Solution

1 Snowy 2 Laika 3 Cujo 4 K-9 5 Bulls-eye 6 Buck 7 Fang 8 Cerberus 9 Sergeant Stubby 10 Nipper 11 Toto 12 Tock 13 Pickles 14 Buddy 15 Cavall

Life

33

Battle of Passchendaele LYDIA LOBB is the great-granddaughter of John Butcher, who served Australia for the Allied forces in World War 1.

John was wounded three times in action, at the battles of Pozieres, Bullecourt and Passchendaele. The latter’s 100th year anniversary is this year (July 31st 1917 - November 10th 1917) and it is also where he was severely wounded. He was subsequently sent back to England to receive an honourable discharge and returned to Australia where he married the following year and fathered four children. His eldest daughter, Lydia Butcher was to become the mother of six children. Lydia Lobb is the eldest child of her youngest daughter, Pam.

To mark the 100 year anniversary, Lydia has shared with us some excerpts from John Butcher’s diary and says: ‘It’s an incredible privilege to have this 100-year-old, firsthand account from a brave, but ordinary Australian man, without whom, of course, I wouldn’t be alive.

Throughout my great-grandfather’s diary, I was particularly struck by his seeing beauty in his surroundings. Despite the hellish circumstances which brought him there, he is constantly remarking on the friendliness of the local people, the flora (he later became a great home gardener) and the wondrous sites of the places he was sent.

I have been able to learn about his thoughts of his family - in particular his younger brother Rob who he talks of twice in the context of wishing that he never has to be involved in war.

I also learned a little more of the timeline - or, his personal timeline - of World War 1. He was injured first in the battle of Pozieres and was sent back to the UK. After recovering and being sent back to the front, he was then injured again in the Battle of Bullecourt. Once more he came to England to recover and finally, was sent back again to fight - this time in the Battle of Passchendaele. He then suffered a severe head wound which would subsequently leave him with partial paralysis on one side for the rest of his life. Despite this injury, he refused to take a veterans pension and worked for the rest of his life at the Melbourne Board of Works.

JULY 27TH 1916 - during the battle of Pozieres, just prior to John being injured for first time: Slept in shell hole. Country ruined with shell holes. German dugouts very deep and well made. Dead bodies and pieces of same lying about. Artillery all around us, 18 pounders 4.7 and 5 inch guns galore. On ration fatigue to 22ND Battalion through shell fire. Tommies, Australians and Germans lying dead all along the road. Shall consider myself lucky if I get through.

A young John

AUGUST 1ST 1916 – the day John was injured during battle of Pozieres: Back from fatigue at daybreak. Had a good breakfast and also some rum. On fatigue again at night but got hit on the way up. Crawled into dressing station and waited for stretcher bearers.

MAY 3RD 1917 – the second time John was injured during Battle of Bullecourt Over the top. A great sight. Fritz’s barrage ahead of ours.

Our guns splendid also men. Enemy’s barrage solid also his M.G’s. Men dropping but we push on to barbed wire which is blown to pieces. Get a crack and make back through a hellish barrage. Notice effects of enemy bombardment etc. Fine to see the manner in which carriers, stretcher bearers and others advance. Reach Casualty Clearing Station about noon and depart for Rouen, arriving there in the morning of the 4TH.

John Butchers Diary

After he recovered, John writes: AUGUST 1ST 1917 Warned for draft to proceed overseas. Raining like the devil.

Read of another big battle on the Western Front Note - this warning above referred to Battle of Passchendaele SMILE FOR THE CAMERA: Lydia shared her greatgrandfather’s story with Victoria Derbyshire for her BBC2 show this week and BBC World Photo credit Lydia Lobb

My family have told me that they feel very lucky that he returned able to still have a laugh and remained a kind, patient man. You hear so many stories of returned soldiers who were, justifiably, never the same. My family have said that they’re sure he had his demons but yet their memories are all of his warmth.’

JULY 12TH 1916 Hope that Rob will never be in the same tonight that I was (Rob being the younger brother whose birthday fell on 12th July). Colonel Fethers tells us we will soon be in it. ”For King and Country” not so nice as it sounds. Looks well in books and on paper, honour rolls etc, but should be tried first.

SEPTEMBER 21ST 1917 Took over line from 7TH Brigade. Wounded about midnight.

Lydia highlighted the next entries as the most stirring for her – they were her great-grandfather’s final entires JANUARY 1ST 1918 Starting the new year well by going home. Last year nearly frozen, this year dodging the sun as far as possible. No late train this time.

JANUARY 9TH 1918 Noticed the Southern Cross for the first time since the last time!!!!

FEBRUARY 11TH 1918 Land sighted about 3PM. Disembark on Tuesday (12th February). Oh. Happy. Day.

A cross for Grandad at Passchendaele

34

people

Going for gold Last week saw the celebration of yet another Golden Wedding Anniversary from the ever-expanding membership of U3A Moraira-Teulada.

This time, the golden couple were the Vice President and his wife, David and Eileen Haxon.

David and Eileen started dating when they were both aged 21. Though they had lived in the same street in Blyth, Northumberland, their paths had never crossed.

David worked in his family’s business and Eileen had just qualified as a Home Economics teacher.

They married on July 19, 1967 and went on to have two children.

Both were involved with the local operatic society and the local dramatic group, playing leading roles and David even producing some of the plays himself.

During the 1980s the recession hit the local mining and shipyard community, forcing David’s family to shut up shop.

David then became an agent selling Spanish properties and was involved with agencies in the North of England, visiting Spain with clients.

THE HAPPY COUPLE: David and Eileen married in July 1967 Photo credit: U3A Moraira-Teulada

Eventually, this resulted in David and Eileen moving to a villa south of Alicante in June 1989 before moving north to Moraira in 1994.

They joined the Moraira-Teulada U3A some 15 years later in 2009 and became active members, soon joining the committee.

Currently, Eileen is Speakers Liaison and David is Vice President.

They are also involved as Group Leaders, having taken over the Green Bowls Group and the popular Dining Out Group, which now boasts some 200 members.

Congratulations, David and Eileen!

Thank you, Brian and Sue! Following their fund-raising events in the UK and Jalon, Brian and Sue Tait presented Jalon Valley A.R.C. with a cheque for €1,500 on July 24.

Many thanks to Cliff and Emma at Mustang Sally Garage, Benissa who made the special cheque, which is now on display at the A.R.C. shop in Jalon.

To raise these funds, two coffee mornings were held at Brian and Sue’s houses, one in Jalon in May and one in the UK in June, followed by the Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge, for which Brian trained very hard and completed between June 22 and 24, riding across the North of the UK from Whitehaven to Tynemouth.

Brian is one of A.R.C.’s regular dog walkers and Sue is a committee member, so their support for the animals is constant.

A.R.C. would like to thank Brian and Sue for all their hard work and of course, all the kind people who donated at the coffee mornings and sponsored Brian for the Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge.

These funds all go towards the animals in ARC’s care and are greatly appreciated.

For more information on all the rescued animals in A.R.C.’s care, please contact Sally - 625 985 689 or Jayne - 649 310 285 or call in to the A.R.C. charity shop on Carrer Valencia in Jalon between 10.00am and 1.30pm Monday to Saturday.

Flower power

Photo credit: La Nucia Ayuntamiento

FINCA les Palmeres in Benidorm will play host to the third edition of JOVEMPA Marina Baixa’s ‘Flower Power Solidarity Party’ on Friday August 4. Tickets cost €25 and include a sit-down dinner, free bar and an array of performances. Tickets are available from JOVEMPA Marina Baixa – 619 385 317 / marinabaixa@jovempa.

org or at the kiosk on Plaza Triangular in Benidorm.

Funds raised at the event will be split between four local charities – AECC La Nucia, Anemone, Centro Doble Amor and Medicos sin fronteras. CELEBRATING SOLIDARITY: JOVEMPA Marina Baxia representatives and La Nucia councillors.

SAY CHEESE: Sue Tait, committee members Jennifer, Jayne (secretary) and Maggie and Brian Tait on right.

Rev your engines

The ‘Big Heart of Javea’ classic car and motorbike event is coming to the town again on Sunday September 17, promising to be ‘bigger and better’ than last year.

The event was a massive success last year and funds raised this year will again go to the local bomberos and the Red Cross.

There will be a BBQ, food and drinks, music and much more – promising an enjoyable day out for all the family.

For more information, contact Peter – 649 864 436 or John – 600 890 865 / johnlesueur@msn.com.

If you are interested in having a food and drink stall at the event, contact Stephen – 698 356 595 / thebigbadbbqcompany@gmail.com.

Gates will open from 9.00am.

35

learn spanish

Basic Spanish for everyday needs by

Jane Cronin

Tengo que Last week you had some more homework to do, so here are the answers as usual. This time you had to translate into English.

Necesito firmar esto para comprar mi casa.

I need to sign this in order to buy my house.

Voy a volver a casa para ver el fútbol.

I’m going to return home to watch the football.

Quiero aprender español para hablar con mi vecino.

I want to learn Spanish in order to speak to my neighbour.

Notice that sometimes it’s appropriate to say “to” and sometimes “in order to”, as the two have the same meaning.

This week we’re going to look at one more “first person” expression, before moving on to pastures new in the next lesson. This time the expression consists of two words: tengo que. Tengo que means “I have to”, so therefore expresses an obligation. We all have obligations; I know I have plenty, though sometimes I despair when I’m teaching students who tell me they left all their obligations behind them when they moved to Spain! I think I’ll tell you some of my obligations so you can feel sorry for me as well as learn some more Spanish.

Tengo que levantarme temprano.

Tengo que llevar a mis hijos al instituto.

I have to get up early.

I have to take my children to school. (Instituto is secondary school).

I have to tidy up the house.

I have to prepare my classes.

I have to feed my cat (nearly forgot her).

I have to speak to my students (always helps).

I have to drive a lot.

I have to do the shopping.

I have to use the computer.

I have to write this article.

¿Tienes que trabajar hoy?

Do you have to work today?

Tienes que tomar este medicamento.

You have to take this medicine.

Now I’d like you to rack your brains for things you have to do. There must be something like: Tengo que usar el mando de distancia. (I have to use the remote control). Please – I’m only joking.

Some people find it strange that by adding the word “que” to “tengo” we can change the meaning

That’s what life is all about

Javea U3A member Colin Rogerson wrote to RTN to say some thankyous and some goodbyes and showed us that members of Javea U3A certainly know how to enjoy themselves!

‘Only a day after members of the Wine Appreciation Group met at La Cocina restaurant in the Port, more than 70 members of the Dine and Dance Group danced the night away at Javea Golf Club.

The wine tasting group – affectionately known as WAGs – run by leader Trevor Rush, enjoyed a presentation by Steve Sanchis, from Bodegas Leopoldo in Ondara. Steve, who supplies La Cocina with most of their wines, brought along four wines for members to taste: one white, one rose and three reds.

Steve gave an interesting and informative description of how each wine was produced – and then left it to members to judge for themselves just how good it tasted! The overall verdict was extremely favourable and members were more than happy to wash down their meal with another glass of red.

So popular is the wine tasting group that the following day, Trevor ran a

from “have” to “have to”. This is only strange if we are still expecting to be able to translate word for word between the two languages. “Que” does not generally translate as “to”. It usually means “that” or “what”. The point is though that individual words, and especially these small linking words, have to be understood in a context as part of a whole expression.

I expect that most of you know that tengo on its own means “I have”, and I’m sure many are aware that this changes to tienes to make the familiar form “you have.” Exactly the same change occurs with tengo que, (I have to), and tienes que, which therefore means “you have to.”

This form can be useful in questions as well as in giving instructions:

Tengo que ordenar la casa.

Tengo que preparar mis clases.

Tengo que dar de comer a mi gata.

Tengo que hablar con mis estudiantes.

Tengo que conducir mucho.

Tengo que hacer las compras.

Tengo que usar el ordenador.

Tengo que escribir este artículo.

Tengo que ….. … well, I’m beginning to feel sorry for myself, anyway. Here’s what I just said:

HOLD YOUR FORKS: Members enjoying the Dine & Dance evening at Javea Golf Club Photo credit Ian Rogerson

second lunch for members of WAGs Too. Thanks to the warm summer weather, the Dine and Dance Group, run by Pat and Eric Johnson, were able to enjoy a three-course meal and dancing to the duo Timewarp on the outside terrace at the golf club.

The only sad moment came when it was announced that group leaders Pat and Eric had decided to retire from their duties after 10 years.

Fellow member David Main thanked them for their wonderful contribution, saying that they would be a hard act to follow. But he added that there was already a short-list of possible successors and he hoped that there would be somebody willing and able to continue running the group!’

There are many examples of how this can be used, but what I want to do is give you the general picture of how these simple forms are put together. Your homework this week is to write down all the things you have to do, beginning with tengo que. Remember that the next word is a verb in the infinitive (Tengo que estudiar español, for example). You can use a dictionary to find the words you need, but don’t get too complicated. Do what I do and keep it simple!!

Elvis Presley: Caught in a Trap

by Spencer Leigh

Published to coincide with the 40th anniversary of Elvis' death on August 15, Spencer Leigh, the renowned music historian, biographer and radio broadcaster has written another masterful account of a legend of our age, full of the insight and humour that we have come to expect from his books.

Not content to just write a biography just concentrating on the life of Elvis Presley, Spencer takes the reader on an evocative journey of time and place. He delves into the history of America’s Deep South and discusses how music became an

integral part of the location that was to be Elvis' birthplace. His career was full of controversy and Elvis Presley:Caught in a Trap sorts the facts from fiction. What separated him from his contemporaries, his bizarre relationship with his manager Colonel Parker, just how old was Priscilla when they first met, how did he reinvent himself for Las Vegas, did he have to die so young, and why does his legend endure? To answer these questions Spencer Leigh spoke to band members, songwriters, friends, fans

and many people who worked with the King, and he examines the evidence with the scrutiny of a forensic scientist.

Sponsored by Bookworld Puerto Banus

info@bookworldpuertobanus.com

www@bookworldpuertobanus.com | 952 816 084

36

Last Weeks Solutions on page 32

Horoscopes and Puzzles

POSTBAG

Kenny, why is my horoscope different in every newspaper I read?

Code Breaker

Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 2 represents Z and 11 represents B, so fill in Z every time the figure 2 appears and B every time the figure 11 appears.

Now using your knowledge of the English language work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you discover the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and the control grid.

Alma P. Good question Alma! Each and every astrologer has their own focus and interpretation as their right. Whilst the Cosmos is constantly changing, the astrologer homes in on an aspect that reaches their attention. I realise that this can mean differing information. My horoscope is cast especially for the Costa Blanca with the appropriate co-ordinates. I have such a small space to offer a casting for the entire week, but I cannot include everything. Many newspapers and magazines buy in their Horoscope, and these are very often totally computer generated!

With the support of the RTN and my loyal readers, I thank my lucky stars!

If It’s Your Birthday This Week Portents of luck and good fortune go hand in hand with some irritating delays this astrological year. Keeping your balance will be essential, and though the grass may look greener, you are best keeping your feet firmly where they now belong; and working on skills!

If you put in energy, love and commitment, as you have done; there comes a time to look back and take stock. This week sees more than a mere whiff of nostalgia, as Mercury sextiles Venus and your communicative skills are about to be rewarded. Time to take a good look back on all you have achieved with an eye now for what’s coming next!

Saturn may subdue your actions somewhat, now and in the weeks to come. The Cosmos allows for the entrance into the fifth house, where there is at least some stability right now. You have been given good advice, so take it, and listen and learn. There is something unknown to you which would change the way you are acting. Resolve is however, so close!

Backed by even your opposing sign of Gemini, nothing can really prepare you for the job in hand. The luck of Jupiter in cahoots with the Sun may make things easier, but you will still have to think on your feet. Someone has got hold of the wrong end of the stick, but you have heard all of the excuses! Haven’t they milked this for long enough now?

As the Sun takes on Neptune it is high time you got real and faced financial problems and all possible solutions. Money is often your goal, and that isn’t wrong, particularly as you have such a generous streak. However right now you have to tighten your belt and make economies all along the line, since expenditure has to cover your wants and needs.

You do not have to re-invent yourself to succeed right now, but there are some things that you have to get right before any dividends show. Start at the beginning with something new, because you have the backing of Mercury and the love and confidence of Virgo to help you on your way. Look within to make a fresh start but above all, just be you!

Your energies see you far away in your thoughts right now, the closer you come to a decision. Why should you even have to think of a compromise? The terms you offer are straight down the line, and anyone who really does love you wouldn’t want to treat you this shabby way. A time to be strong, yes, but you need to have soul searching contact too!!

Jupiter is sextiled by the Sun early this week. Such action connects you with your opposing sign of Sagittarius. It is correct to say that of all opposites across the Zodiac you have more in common with your opposite side than any other sign. Jupiter is in a benevolent mood, awakened by the Sun and so take on the new, take that risk, it will be worth it!

Your uncertainties are proved right this week, as you have strong intuition on the psychic side of your reckonings, and for good reason. Lately you seem to have been waiting for something bad to come along, but do not tempt fate. You always get a strong warning, and you always will if you believe in your innate abilities and put them into good use!

A wonderful time to think of yourself for a change. You seem busy making others happy, but let them make you happy too! It should be a reciprocal thing surely? Beware of what is behind a simple request. You hate to say NO but you are feeling uneasy, and you can’t quite put your finger on it. Jupiter squares Pluto, bringing luck, eventually!

Start the working week with the energies of the Full Moon and a chance, not an excuse, to make amends! Saying you are sorry and meaning it are two different things, but in the heat of the moment you lost your cool.

Now everything is centred around that which you need to achieve right now, and this, at odds, will mean that you have to eat humble pie.

The best of times is now, so strike while the iron is hot! Better than sitting and ruminating, or waiting for something to come along, go in and see what a difference you can make to the agenda. As the Sun drifts into Plutonian energies you can expect a delay in getting the green light, but right now you have clearance for the preparatory work to do.

Neptune, en route to Ceres, takes on Mars.

Face up to facts now because there is change out there on the horizon and you will have to be a strong part of it. This is a time to eliminate that which you no longer wish to be responsible for, and to enlist reasonable support for that which you do want. Be firm and decisive, your spiritual energies guide you.

Cryptic Crossword

37

Across 1 Party clobber (4) 3 Unusual play with Act I translated (8) 9 Platform that is provided with small flowers (7) 10 Fun and games for birds (5) 11 Majestic sort of lager (5) 12 Where sacrifices may be made involving one star (6) 14 In Armagh a stoic is dismayed (6) 16 A dog caught Stan’s partner (6) 19 Animals approached outskirts of Leeds (6) 21 Container, as required by brass band members (5) 24 Going on, a part of a yard (5) 25 Defence in boats at sea (7) 26 Oil installation engineers with best bib and tucker? (8) 27 The alcoholic’s partial cure (4)

Down 1 Tot swallowed by fish it’s a nightmare (3,5) 2 Rock star’s undercover operation (5) 4 Italian trade union has to read document (6) 5 One-off programme for aviator (5) 6 Warm drink (7) 7 A little animal is terribly lean (4) 8 Fliers flapping arms (6) 13 Fashion on sale as at certain periods (8) 15 Avoid result of decapitation (4,3) 17 Stupid baronet plunged in river (6) 18 A biro’s deployed to make a line on a weather map (6) 20 John the singer is left in school (5) 22 Trees , we hear, that will cover billiard table (5) 23 Just blonde (4)

Quick Crossword Across 1. Genuine (4) 3. From the New World (8) 9. Unauthorised absence from school (7) 10. Courageous (5) 11. Grossly overweight (5) 12. Solution (6) 14. Horizontally (6) 16. Game bird (6) 19. Sum of money (6) 21. Licit (5) 24. Acknowledge, concede (5) 25. Make unclear (7) 26. Breed of terrier (8) 27. Apartment (4)

Misnomer Quiz 1 From which country did French horns originate?

2 What mineral is an Alaskan diamond?

3 The Portuguese Man o’ War (a sea-dwelling jellyfish-like invertebrate) alludes to a warship design devised in which country?

4 In the story of Cinderella (the French medieval version, which gave us the modern Western version) what were Cinderella’s slippers made from?

5 What is the main ingredient of a mince pie?

6 From what type of creature is Bombay duck made?

7 What colour is orange blossom?

8 According to the Bible how many (of each) sheep, cows and goats were taken onto Noah’s Ark? 9 Where did Panama hats originate?

10 What type of animal inspired the creation of Bugs Bunny, Brer Rabbit, and the Easter Bunny?

Down 1. Reasoning (8) 2. Sharp (5) 4. Distress signal (3,3) 5. Picture puzzle (5) 6. French castle (7) 7. Necessity (4) 8. Heavenly spirits (6) 13. Recklessly determined (4-4) 15. Countryside walker (7) 17. Enjoy to the full (6) 18. Leisurely walk (6) 20. Single (5) 22. Thin porridge (5) 23. Long story (4)

Word Wheel

There is 1x10 letter word and 62 others!

Make as many 3 or more letter words as you can using any letter combination just once and you must use the central letter in every word!

Fill the grid so every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1-9

38

health

Beauty More E-smokers tips are ex-smokers

Where’s that tomato?

Chlorine can damage your hair, especially if you’re blonde or have highlights. It can also add an awful greenish tinge.

To protect your colour, coat your hair with leave-in conditioner or sesame oil before swimming. Always remember to rinse your hair after getting out the pool and wash in cold water to boost shine.

For a post-swim remedy, coat your hair and your scalp in tomato juice for 5-10 minutes before washing with shampoo and conditioner. This will help fade the greenish hue if you have one.

Three habits that cause wrinkles Sleeping on your stomach or side Did you know that doctors recommend sleeping on your back to prevent back and neck pain, reduce acid reflux, maintain perkier breasts… and minimise facial wrinkles?

Rubbing your eyes Dermatologists agree, the skin around your eyes is the most delicate skin on your body. Treating that area roughly will likely result in wrinkles and sagging.

Eating too much sugar The connections between sugar and weight gain or sugar and cavities are well documented, but eating excessive amounts of sugar may also make you look older. Sugar causes hormonal changes in the body which damage your collagen and elastin fibres.

The recent rise in e-cigarette use among adult smokers is associated with a significant increase in stopping smoking, finds a study published in The British Medical Journal (BMJ).

This study, based on the largest representative sample of e-cigarette users to date, provides a strong case that e-cigarettes have helped to increase smoking cessation at the population level.

Currently, the scientific community is divided over whether e-cigarettes are an aid to quitting smoking. Some suggest that e-cigarettes will have a positive impact on smoking rates by acting as a nicotine replacement therapy, while others argue that they could reduce the urgency to quit smoking.

So a team of researchers, led by Professor Shu-Hong Zhu at the University of California, set out to examine whether the increase in use of e-cigarettes in the USA, was associated with a change in overall smoking cessation rate at the population level.

They base their findings on five population surveys dating from 2001 to 2015. E-cigarette users were identified from the most recent survey (2014-15) and smoking cessation rates were obtained from those who reported smoking cigarettes 12 months before the survey.

Rates from this survey were then compared to four

earlier surveys.

Of 161,054 respondents to the 201415 survey, 22,548 were current smokers and 2,136 recent quitters. Among them, 38.2 per cent of current smokers and 49.3 percent of recent quitters had tried e-cigarettes.

The results show that e-cigarette users were more likely than non-users to make a quit attempt (65 per cent v 40 per cent) and more likely to succeed in quitting for at least 3 months (8.2 per cent v 4.8 per cent).

This study has certain limitations, which is common for population surveys. For example, survey questions were limited, which prevented detailed analysis of the quitting process and lack of information on the type of e-cigarette product used. The

main strength is use of the largest representative sample of e-cigarette users among the US population.

Nevertheless, the study has two key findings. First, in 2014-15, e-cigarette users attempted to quit cigarette smoking and succeeded in quitting smoking at higher rates than nonusers. Second, the overall smoking cessation rate in 2014-15 increased significantly from that of 2010-11.

VAPING: E-cigs are the next step for many quitters.

Photo credit: Twitter

Beach workout Remember that the Healthy TeuladaMoraira campaign is offering free exercise classes on the beach until September 15.

Schedule: Monday - l’Ampolla 07.45am – 08.45am – Pilates 08.00am – 09.00am – Tai Chi 09.00am – 10.00am – Swimming 10.00am – 11.00am – Aqua aerobics 7.30pm – 8.30pm – Circuit training Tuesday – el Portet 08.00am – 09.00am – Tai Chi 09.00am – 10.00am – Swimming 10.00am – 11.00am – Aqua aerobics 7.30pm – 8.30pm – Running Wednesday – l’Ampolla 08.00am – 09.00am – Tai Chi 09.00am – 10.00am – Swimming

10.00am – 11.00am – Aqua aerobics Wednesday – el Portet 7.30pm – 8.30pm – Circuit training Thursday – el Portet 07.45am – 08.45am – Pilates 09.00am – 10.00am – Swimming 10.00am – 11.00am – Aqua aerobics Thursday – l’Ampolla 7.00pm – 8.00pm – Running Friday – Platgetes 09.00am – 10.00am – Swimming 10.00am – 11.00am – Aqua aerobics 7.30pm – 8.30pm – Circuit training Saturday – l’Ampolla 08.00am – 09.00am – Tai Chi All classes are free of charge.

39

health

Why every woman should see her doctor annually If you're like most women, you either lead a busy life in Spain - one that might not have the time to squeeze in a regular check-up with the doctor – or you’re simply so relaxed that you just forget. After all, you feel healthy, so isn't that enough? The answer is no, it’s not, and it’s time for you to be a well-woman that has no issue with visiting their doctor once a year.

Even if you need to take a trusted translator with you, it’s worth the time and the modest expense to have the chance to monitor your health, get needed screenings if required and just have a general check and chat about your day-to-day lifestyle.

Like any check-up or exam, you should always go prepared.

Write down any questions you may have so you make sure

CHECKUP: Time to make time for that allimportant visit Photo credit: OBGYN

to cover anything you are concerned about. When you make the appointment, you may want to ask if you'll be due for any tests which may include cancer screenings, blood tests, or even a check for sexually transmitted diseases.

Even if you don’t see your doctor, the local clinics will also cover some basics: take your temperature and blood pressure,

Men’s health

Gout – not an uplifting experience In a recent study, researchers followed nearly 48,000 men for an average of 10 years, some with gout and others that were healthy. They discovered that men with gout were 31 per cent more likely to report erectile dysfunction (ED) than men without the condition.

What’s more, the problem can pop up before the painful joint issues even surface: those with gout were 63 per cent more likely to report erectile dysfunction in the year preceding their diagnosis and within two years of a gout diagnosis, the risk of ED was 77 per cent higher than with healthy guys.

One of the most painful forms of arthritis, gout occurs when too much uric acid builds up in the body. That’s known as hyperuricemia. Deposits of uric acid cluster in the joints, often in the big toe, and can hurt so bad it can wake people up during the middle of the night. The affected joint can be red, swollen, and feel warm to the touch.

STIFFNESS: Big toe joint is the most common gout location

The link in the study persisted even after the researchers adjusted for factors that could contribute to erectile dysfunction and gout, including smoking status, higher body mass index (BMI), and alcohol consumption. The build up of excess uric acid in the blood can affect the blood vessels, possibly by triggering vascular smooth muscle proliferation,

and that has been linked to plaque build up. While more research needs to be done to confirm a cause-effect link, the researchers believe that the findings suggest that erectile problems can point to underlying gout before the painful joint issues even rise to the surface. So that’s one more reason to see your doctor when you start to notice such problems.

weigh and measure you The well-woman visit is one every woman should make time for in her busy schedule. The ability to stay on top of your health with annual checkups is integral to preventive care. If you haven't considered a well-woman visit to your doctor recently, now's the time to do it.

40

food & drink

Lassi came home cool as a cucumber

The recent spell of prolonged heatwave conditions has everyone reaching for rehydration liquids throughout the day and night.

Water is good, well very good, but quite boring, well very boring actually, whilst

alcohol is good, but bad, well very bad actually and could make you even more dehydrated.

So, what are the healthy alternatives, to carbonated and mass produced sugar or sweetener loaded soft drinks,

that will quench the thirst and keep the’ lipsmackin’ taste buds happy too?

Here are a couple of delicious ways to keep refreshed and boost your vitamin count at the same time:

Mango Lassi

Lassi is the milkshake of the Indian subcontinent. Creamily nourishing, it’s also thirst-quenching. Mango, the archetypal tropical fruit, abundant at this time of year is the most favoured choice in most Indian restaurants, with it’s cool, creamy texture.

They are easy to make at home and you can use either canned mango pulp or cubed fresh or frozen mango. Depending on how ripe and sweet your mango is, or if you are using canned and already sweetened mango pulp, you will need to add more or less honey or sugar to the lassi.

If you have cardamom pods, crush the pods to remove the seeds, then grind the seeds with a mortar and pestle.

Cucumber lime mint agua fresca Cool and refreshing agua fresca made with cucumbers, lime, and mint, is a perfect way to cool down on a hot day. Agua frescas are refreshing fruit drinks popular all over Mexico, found at almost any taqueria, as they’re cooling, sweet and great alongside spicy food. This particular agua fresca is made with cucumbers, fresh limes, and mint and it’s the cucumber juice base that seems to have the effect of lowering the body temperature.

Ingredients: 1 lb of cucumbers (about 2 good sized cucumbers), ends trimmed, but peel still on, coarsely chopped 1/2 cup lime juice from fresh limes (from about 1 pound of limes, or 5 to 10 limes, depending on how juicy they are) 1 1/4 cup packed (spearmint) mint leaves (about a large handful), woody stems removed 1/2 cup sugar Approximately 1 1/4 cup of water Method: 1. Put ingredients in blender, add enough water to fill 3/4 of blender. Hold the lid on the blender and purée until smooth.

2. Strain out solids: Place a fine mesh sieve over a bowl and pour the purée through it, pressing against the sieve with a rubber spatula or the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid out as possible.

3. Add ice: Fill a large pitcher halfway with ice cubes.

Add the juice. Serve with sprigs of mint and slices of lime.

Ingredients: 1 cup plain yogurt 1/2 cup milk 1 cup chopped very ripe mango (see how to peel and chop mango), frozen chopped mango, or a cup of canned mango pulp 4 teaspoons honey or sugar, more or less to taste A dash of ground cardamom (optional) Ice (optional)

Method: Put mango, yogurt, milk, sugar and cardamom into a blender and blend for 2 minutes.

If you want a more milkshake consistency and it's a hot day, either blend in some ice as well or serve over ice cubes.

Sprinkle with a tiny pinch of ground cardamom to serve.

The lassi can be kept refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

Whiskey steak

Preparation time – 20 minutes Cooking time - 15 minutes

Ingredients: 2 pounds beef steak, 1 inch thick, salt and pepper to taste, 2 cloves garlic, crushed, 1/3 cup sweet-hot mustard, 4 slices bacon, 1 tablespoon olive oil, or as needed, 3 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary, 2/3 cups whiskey (preferably Jack Daniels), 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice METHOD: 1. Season the steaks on both sides with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic and all but 2 teaspoons of the mustard.

Place the steaks on a plate, and spread half of the garlic mustard mixture over one side of them. Let stand for 30 minutes.

2. Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry bacon until crisp, then remove from

Cherry cloud Preparation time – 10 minutes.

Ready in 1 hour 10 minutes.

the pan, leaving the grease. Crumble the bacon and set aside.

3. Heat the bacon grease in the frying pan over medium-high heat, and add olive oil if necessary to cover the bottom of the pan.

Fry steaks mustard side down for about 5 minutes, until golden brown. While the steaks are frying, spread the remaining garlic and mustard over the top. Flip the

steaks over, and fry for about 2 minutes, until browned. Remove steaks to a serving platter, and keep warm.

4. Keep the frying pan over medium-high heat, and stir in the rosemary, whiskey, remaining mustard, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and lemon juice. Simmer for about 2 minutes. Top steaks with crumbled bacon and the sauce, and serve.

Ingredients: 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk, 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened, 6 ounces frozen whipped topping, thawed, 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained, 1 (20 ounce) can cherry pie filling, 1/2 cup pecans Method: 1. Beat sweetened condensed milk, cream cheese, and whipped topping together in a bowl. Stir pineapple, cherry pie filling, and pecans into the milk mixture.

2. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 1 hour.

23rd-29th June

41

42

home and garden

Herbs of beauty

We all love fresh herbs in our food, whether it be mint with our lamb and mojitos, basil in our insalate tricolore or dill with our smoked salmon.

Growing herbs in pots or containers is becoming very popular, as there is nothing quite as satisfying as popping onto your terrace to snip a few fronds of chives for your summer supper.

However, herbs are not just perfect for culinary uses and AL FRESCO: Kitchens move outdoors for the summer

alternative medicine, many of them bear subtly beautiful flowers that lend a loose, unstudied air to gardens, terraces and flower arrangements. With flavourful leaves and gorgeous flowers, these plants provide a feast for the eyes.

Here are nine of the best herbs to grow this summer, that will add colour and texture to your garden spaces and be as beautiful to look at as they are to eat:

Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis) Grow this drought-tolerant shrub, which blooms in early summer, as an annual in cooler regions. For best results, start with a plant, not seeds.

Pineapple Sage (Salvia Elegans)

Outdoor kitchens

It’s the time of the year when more and more people in Spain eat al fresco during the summer evenings. Many have taken the extra step to move all their cooking facilities outside and create an outdoor kitchen complete with everything, including the kitchen sink!

Perhaps you’ve been to a function with friends and neighbours at a house that has a little more than just a charcoal barbeque to cook the traditional sausages and burgers, and you fancy something similar for your garden? Before investing in such a potentially expensive project, here are a few ideas and suggestions.

An outdoor kitchen is an excellent way to equip your backyard for entertaining and feeding hungry friends and family. Outdoor kitchens range from small areas with little more than a built-in barbeque grill to large, fully equipped kitchens complete with one or more grills, countertops, sinks, bars and storage cabinets.

When planning an outdoor space, you'll need to think about how many people you intend to accommodate, your entertaining needs, and your budget. The next step is to determine the best location for your kitchen, the size requirements, design layout, countertop placement, and the appliances you'll need. Finally, you must choose the best materials and equipment for accomplishing all your goals.

Dill (Anethum Graveolens) Annual

Thai Basil (Ocimum Basilicum var. thyrsiflora) Annual This exotic variety, with a strong licorice scent, boasts reddish-purple flower spikes in late summer. Note: The leaves may start to lose some flavour once blooming begins.

By midsummer, vivid chartreuse-yellow blossoms appear atop tall stems with feathery foliage.

To ensure a steady supply, sow new seeds each month.

Catmint (Nepeta X Faassenii)

True to its name, this tender perennial emits a sweet pineapple fragrance and, as summer begins to wane, sends up stalks of vibrant scarlet blooms.

With its smallish gray-green leaves, arching habit, and lavender-blue flowers in summer, catmint has few medicinal or culinary attributes, but it does make a lovely cut flower. It is often irresistible to cats, so you may find a euphoric feline friend lying in the center of your plants from time to time.

Spearmint (Mentha Spicata)

‘Tutti Frutti’ Anise Hyssop (Agastache ‘Tutti Frutti’)

This refreshing member of the mint family flaunts cones of lilac-pink bells by midsummer. Since mint's invasive, be sure to contain it in a pot or raised bed.

Greek Oregano (Origanum Vulgare subsp. hirtum)

With a low mounding habit, this fuzzy-leaved herb makes for a good-looking ground cover. Expect clusters of pale, pinkish buds midsummer.

Garlic Chives (Allium Tuberosum) A superb companion for ‘Tutti Frutti’ is the gorgeous perennial herb garlic chives.

It’s hard to miss this plant in late summer when its lovely starry-white flowers are in full bloom. The seed heads are great for decorative use indoors, while the flat, garlic-flavored leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season to add to soups, sauces, and dips.

Another herb that attracts a great deal of attention in the border is ‘Tutti Frutti’ anise hyssop. Its stunning raspberry-red flower spikes reach up to a foot long and offer appealing color in late summer. Its individual flowers are delicious, with a taste like sweet anise, and are fantastic when added to salad.

43

Book your advert now 952 561 245

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INTERNET

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ITEMS WANTED

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44

pest control

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and Moraira, Tel 671 202 985 www.morairapoolcleaning.com PROPERTY FOR SALE

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45

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46

motoring

Tim Saunders Motoring journalist www.testdrives.biz

Road Test - Volkswagen Transporter Trendline

It is necessary to adapt your driving style when behind the wheel of a vehicle that does not have a rear view mirror.

This becomes clear when I am sat in the Volkswagen Transporter Trendline 2.0 TDi Bluemotion. It is the white van man’s dream vehicle, tough and robust, fast and efficient. And although it very much does feel like a car to drive with fairly light steering and a good driving position, the fact remains that there are no windows at the rear and no rear view mirror. The driver must rely on the wing mirrors. Now that is all very well but it is still not possible to see behind the back of the vehicle so any reversing must be done with extreme care. On the centre console where the radio and sat nav can be found, there is also ParkPilot which automatically appears when reverse is selected on the five speed manual gearbox. But this is not a camera feed which I think would be really helpful in a vehicle like this. However, it will bleep thanks to sensors in the rear bumper should anything get in the way.

Nevertheless as a motorist who more often than not can be found behind the

wheel of a car, driving a panel van such as this does take considerable getting used to. First of all I take it for a run to the local tip, after removing two moth bitten rolls of carpet from the upstairs bedrooms. Such a van makes life so much easier; just sling the carpet in and close the double doors. It would have taken two journeys in my little Fiesta. On arrival at the tip I am told to report to the site office. “Why?” I ask.

“Because you are driving a commercial vehicle and you need a permit.” I wasn’t expecting that. Anyway, after a chat with the site manager, I am informed that as long as I am only dumping residential rubbish that it is possible to apply for a free permit from Hampshire County Council. Explaining that I only had the vehicle for a short time, the manager kindly agreed to let me deposit my waste without further ado. My two daughters Harriett (5) and Heidi (3) sit on the double passenger seat watching all of this going on and thoroughly enjoying the entertainment. “Why did you have to go to see the first aid office?” asks Harriett. Apparently it looks similar at school and the teacher wears a fluorescent top, too.

So carpet gone and hopefully the moth problem, I have another task for the Transporter. This time we need to drive to Suffolk to collect some of Caroline’s late uncle’s

Facts at a glance

Transporter panel van T28 Trendline SWB EU6 2.0 TDI 102PS 5-speed Manual Price: Total RRP incl. VAT £25,410 Top speed: 98mph

0-60mph: 15.3secs Economy: 47.9mpg Power: 102bhp

Watch the video at www.testdrives.biz belongings including his 2002 Vauxhall Corsa.

Our daughters stay with their grandparents and little Henry (7mths) accompanies Caroline and I in his car seat. It is easy to switch off the airbags in the front, one by button and the far left one by using a key on the edge of the dashboard that meets the door. There are of course no child locks to lock the doors but fortunately it is impossible for a child to grab the door handle from a rear facing car seat. More trust is required with my older daughters but there wasn’t a problem.

We leave at 6am and get to Suffolk three hours later where we load the van up with various items of furniture. It is easy to tie them down thanks to the loops that are fitted to the floor to tie straps through. The floor itself is a clever sort of rubber which also helps hold the furniture in place. The useful sliding side door is really helpful because it allows items to be lifted in from the pavement. My wife would have liked to see loops on the walls and ceiling too because she felt that that would have been even more useful.

It takes longer to travel home because traffic on the M25 is at a standstill as usual during daylight driving. I follow behind Caroline, who is driving her new Corsa with Henry in the back. It’s a bit of a challenge to drive such a distance with one following the other but during our journey we notice other vehicles doing just the same.

Despite some vigorous driving around roundabouts near home all the furniture stays upright and in the same position as I left it – nothing broken - so very impressed.

It’s been a good test and one that saw the Transporter return around 30mpg.

Tim Saunders - Car test drives and car reviews www.testdrives.biz.

Read about test drives and car reviews of all makes of cars expertly written by advanced motorist and motoring journalist Tim Saunders

SEAT in the snow In order to beat the heat in the height of summer, SEAT are going back to winter for a short spell with world rally champion Juha Kankkunen for a series of testing of the Seat Ateca on a frozen lake in the north of Finland, only 200 kilometres away from the Arctic Circle.

Winter in Finland lasts six months, making it the longest season of the year. With temperatures that reach 20 °C below zero, Kankkunen has driven the Ateca without even breaking sweat.

Lake Pikku-Nissi is one of the country’s 188,000 bodies of water. Although the summer landscape is completely

SNOW TRIALS: different, the winter cold freezes The Ateca put the surface of the lake, creating a through its paces.

90 cm thick layer of ice that cars can safely drive on.

Snow tyres, featuring special spikes, and the 4Drive total traction system greatly helped Kankkunen to stay on the SUMMER AT LAKE correct course. Aside from this PIKKU-NISSI: 200 kilometres spectacular show of skill at the away from the wheel, when driving on snow Arctic Circle or ice “it is advisable to gently work the pedals and turn the steering wheel, accelerate slowly and whenever possible, drive in high gear”, says SEAT driver Jordi Gené, who also participated in these tests carried out in Scandanavia.

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sport

Butterfly gold for Spain SPAIN had plenty to smile about as Mireia Belmonte became a swimming gold medallist.

She is the new world 200 metres butterfly world champion after beating three-time Olympic gold medallist Katinka Hosszu from Hungary who was competing on home territory at the Budapest championships.

Belmonte, from Catalonia, took the title after languishing in sixth position after the first length of the pool. In an extraordinary second half of the race, she slowly worked her way through the field passing all in her wake, apart from Katinka, showing why she won the gold medal in Rio last year as well as the European championships.

The Spaniard was behind all the way until the final stroke that took her to the top of the podium by milliseconds. She won the gold medal with a time of 2 minutes, 5.26 seconds, in front of Hentke, from Germany, who finished

Mo and Bolt bid farewell

Spain’s greatest swimming star.

Photo credit: Twitter

on 2 minutes and 5.39 seconds.

Considered one of the best Spanish sportswomen of all time and top in the country in her field in recent history, the 26-year-old star of the pool was referred to by reporters in national daily newspaper 20 Minutos as ‘a fish called Mireia’ in light of her dizzying track record.

England win, but South Africa makes history TOP TOBY: Roland-Jones hopes to add to his eightwicket start Photo credit: Twitter

OLD TRAFFORD is the venue for the Fourth Test Match between England and South Africa that gets under way today (Friday), although all depends on the weather in Manchester.

All three previous matches have seen crushing runs victories for either side, with England taking a 2-1 lead courtesy of a 239 run win at The Oval and England offspinner Moeen Ali’s hat-trick to end the game. In doing so, he became the first England spinner to take threein-three since 1938.

The Test was filled with historical significance - this

NO MOBOT: Sir Mo Farah brings his track career to a close Photo credit: Flickr

TWO of the greatest athletes the world has ever seen will be racing for the final time over the next couple of days.

Mo Farah will, like Usain Bolt, bring the curtain down on his illustrious track career at the world championships with the ambition of double golden finish.

The 34-year-old Somalia-born Briton who will switch his focus to road running - can capture his 10th successive world or Olympic title in the 10,000 metres later on today (Friday).

He then hopes to bow out in style on the track in London where he achieved his first Olympic double in 2012 with the 5000m on Saturday week and will bring to an end a sixyear period where, like Bolt in the shorter distances, Farah has dominated the field.

He broke up the previous dominance of the Kenyans and Ethiopians, lifting his own achievements well above those of legends such as Paavo Nurmi, Lasse Viren, Emil Zatopek, Haile Gebrselassie and Kenenisa Bekele.

However as many people are asking how athletics will be able to cope without Bolt and his engaging showmanship, perhaps un-

was the 100th Test at The Oval – and from a South African perspective, the visitors made their own bit of their own unwanted ‘history’ by becoming the first team in Test history - in the 2,266th Test ever played - to suffer four first-ball, or ‘golden ducks’, in their innings. This was confirmed by renowned cricket statistician Andrew Sampson.

Captain Faf du Plessis, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel were all dismissed by the first ball they faced in South Africa’s second innings.

Another England hero also hoping to improve on his eight wickets on debut in London is Toby Roland-Jones from Middlesex. “I approach every game in the same

fairly the same has not been said about the vacuum that Farah will leave in his wake.

Despite his achievements - Olympic (2012/16) and world doubles (2013/15) at 5000m and 10000m - the British public have been left largely unmoved, and when the public have been given the chance to vote, only once, in 2011, has he reached the top three for the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year poll.

It’s even prompted British triathlon star Alistair Brownlee to decry the glaring omission for an athlete whose exploits were recognised by having a knighthood bestowed on him.

“It’s really sad, because for me he is the perfect British story,” Brownlee told The Guardian after Farah finished only fourth in the poll. “It’s what we should be about: a person who comes to Britain as a young man, as a refugee, and an ex-schoolteacher (Alan Watkinson) identifies something that he’s brilliant at and he represents Britain as the best in the world. I think that’s a fantastic British story.”

way,” Roland-Jones said, on the eve of the final Test in which England need to avoid defeat to take the series.

“It’s a case of just reverting back to type, and starting from scratch again.”

In view of England’s fluctuating Test form, the need

for consistency among the bowlers has been a topic of conversation in the England group. In Roland-Jones,

that vital cog in the wheel may well have been found.

“There’s been a bit spoken about how this team has

responded to winning games and trying to stop that up-and-down nature of results,” he said. “This game

seems like as good a time as any to try to change that and really cement the series win.”