Focus On Costa Blanca North March 2022

E FR E

MARCH 2022

COSTA BLANCA NORTH

Serving the community since 1993

LAS FALLAS Enjoy parades, music, fireworks, cremas....

RECIPES

Try two mouthwatering Indian recipes

DRIVING

Do you know the drink driving regulations in Spain?

Focus On Costa Blanca Magazine March 2022

Page 2 www.femalefocusonline.com scope will need setting up very precisely, nearly right is not good enough. You can do And what to do with it. this in the daylight, looking egular readers will have noticed that this is actually at a distant tree, or whatever the fourth part in a little series about choosing a through the main scope, then starter telescope for astronomy, so I think it’s time to adjusting the finder so it is start using it. New readers will find the previous parts on the precisely on the mark. Later when you are looking for a magazines website. star in the sky, you’ll be glad There’s a great looking box in your room with your pride and joy of the time you spent getting in it, you look at the instructions and get the telescope and mount this right. One last little note, you probably already knew that an out, put it together, and there it sits looking rather impressive, so astronomical telescope shows things upside down, if you didn’t, what to do now? The temptation is just to take it outside on the don’t worry, it’s perfectly normal. first clear night and look at the sky, this is a bad idea. What will That’s the absolute basics, but what comes next depends on what probably happen is that you'll put it down, then wonder how to set you bought, you need to know what controls you have and what it up for viewing, the instructions will be repeatedly consulted, they do, and how to place the telescope for viewing. If your but it’s dark so everything is awkward. You will get cross, and telescope has electronics, you should have an easy life setting it eventually you’ll go back inside, perhaps you had a quick look at up, read the hand book and practice until you’ve got the basics, if the moon, but that’s it. it’s a manual ‘scope, place it where you’ll use it at night and try What you should do is to read the instructions again, then take it the controls. Getting familiar with what you’ve got is the aim, so outside in daylight and learn to use the controls. You will be able practice. to see what you're doing and you won't be cold, not here in Spain My space here is running out, so next month I’ll give you some anyway. This might sound crazy, but the next thing is to teach your easy targets to point your new toy at, in the meantime, the Moon eye how to see through the eyepiece. I’ve seen everything over the should be perfect for viewing in the week this comes out, so spend years, people who can’t see anything because they’re closing the some time learning a few features, and look along the terminator wrong eye as they get near the eyepiece, people who have their (the dark edge), you might catch a sunlit peak, hanging like a little heads sideways then squint, and several who bashed their head light above a shadow covered mountain, quite magical the first and eye on the eyepiece. These people were not idiots, just trying time you see one. something new for the first time, sometimes it was funny to watch If you get really stuck with something I always answer emails, just though. not very quickly.

Your telescope will have a little gadget on the side called a finder up Vega Baja Astronomy Gro scope, there are different types, but they all do the same thing, help you point the main telescope in the right place. The finder

YOUR NEW TELESCOPE

R

Charles Oates,

● To find out more about observing and astronomy, email us at vegabaja.astronomygroup@gmail.com.

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On a number of occasions, I have extolled the virtues of Liberty’s fully comprehensive house policy. When asking the right questions, you will discover that many house insurance policies are inadequate.

You do need to read the small print on your house policy, including checking that you have the correct policy with Liberty Seguros. Years ago, when I first started, Liberty did not offer a house policy as they were studying the British policies to discover what we, as Expats, were used to.

What they offer today is the best but only if you have the updated version. There will be a number of people, that for various reasons, have stayed with their original policy, although the staff in my Renewals Department ask if you would like to know the advantages of upgrading. The other very important issue when discussing house insurance is the amount of contents cover, always remembering that with Spanish Home insurance the kitchen is included in the contents, not the buildings. Also there is a wonderful extra you can add to your policy and that is accidental damage, which is unique to Liberty Seguros and covers many breakages and claims within the home. Therefore can I please ask you all to double check the coverage of your home policies, whether you are with Jennifer Cunningham Insurance and Liberty, or another company, to understand the cover you actually have. Finding out you have the incorrect and insufficient coverage when you want to make a claim is far too late.

My ladies are currently working on assessing the home policies, and if they feel you would benefit with increased, additional coverage, they will contact you. In the meantime, if you have any concerns or questions, please contact one of my offices and we will be able to give you the advice you require and answer any questions.

Just remember that your property is probably your most expensive asset, but also your home, which of course, needs the right protection.

If you require any further information or a quotation, please contact one of my offices, email info@jennifercunningham.net or visit the website www.jennifercunningham.net.

●

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With Easter just around the corner with luck this will see the start of a true return to holiday makers to the area. As I write the UK has just suffered with some very bad weather, so it would be great if they could look forward to a summer holiday without too many hoops to jump through. As the vaccination take up has been so good, hopefully this will be possible.

Pre-Covid as a family we made a conscious decision to do more fun stuff together and we lined up a whole host of things to do including concerts, fiestas, geocaching treks, immersion adventures etc. At last some of them are taking place and great memories are being made.

Take care and be kind, until next time. esley

L

Our Publications are available from over 1000 distribution points throughout the Costa Blanca, making us the largest Free English language magazine publishers by far!

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We are proud supporters of www.aldeasinfantiles.es Pick up your next issue on 5 April.

Deadlines: Editorial & Advertising - 12 noon - 21 March.

To discuss your advertising needs in Focus on Costa Blanca North or QFocus Magazine (covering the southern Costa Blanca), contact your local representative:-

Gandía to Jávea Roddy 688 815 405 or 96 575 6833 roddy@femalefocusonline.com

Finestrat to Moraira Alan 689 358 232 alan@femalefocusonline.com

Focus On Costa Blanca Magazine March 2022

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The N-332 are a group of Spanish Traffic Police Officers who decided to create a Facebook group to inform all ex-pats and tourists about Spanish traffic laws as they think it is unfair to fine them for breaking rules they didn't know about. You can find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DrivingSpain/ and follow them to keep up to date as they only share official information.

Drink driving regulations in Spain

Did you know that the breath alcohol limit in Spain is lower than in the UK? Spain; 0,25mg/l - UK; 0,35 mg/l It’s impossible to say exactly how many drinks this equals. It’s different for each person. The way alcohol affects you depends on: - Your weight, age, sex, and metabolism (the rate your body uses energy) - The type and amount of alcohol you’re drinking - What you’ve eaten recently - Your stress levels at the time Remember that Spain applies a points system to Spanish driving licences.

Depending on the result you will get one of these penalties; - If the result of the test is between 0,25 and 0,50 mg/l. You will face a 500€ fine and a loss of 4 points.

- If the result of the test is over 0,50 mg/l, you will face a 1000€ fine and a loss of 6 points.

- If the result of the test is over 0,60 mg/l, you will have committed a criminal offence, therefore, there will a trial and the judge will ban you from driving for a long period of time. Besides, there will be a heavy fine depending on the test result and the damage caused (in case of a traffic accident).

Those non-resident drivers, or those who can not prove that they are residents, will have to pay the fine before moving the vehicle.

Safety Tips To help keep you safe on a night out: - Have a designated driver - Find out about public transport options before you go out - Budget for a taxi or have a backup plan for getting home – a friend or parent you can call.

- Arrange to stay overnight - Don't accept a lift from someone who has been drinking

SUPPORT LOCAL SHOP LOCAL SPEND LOCAL

RoadSafety is a thing for everyone.

Drive responsibly!

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Focus On Costa Blanca Magazine March 2022

FINANCIAL ADVISORY FIRM OF THE YEAR!

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e are very pleased to announce that Logic Financial Consultants recently Having previously won the “Excellence received confirmation of another award win, this time for the Prestige in Client Service” award for Europe, Awards 2021/22, hosted by Corporate Livewire. hosted by International Adviser, we are very proud to add this new award We were included and then recognised as the overall winners of the following category: to our growing collection. As many of the regular readers will know, we strive - Financial Advisory Firm of the Year (Spain) 2021/22. to deliver the best possible standards of advice, in accordance with UK best practices and feel that our family-run business model, based on honesty and transparency, really does set us apart.

The Corporate Livewire Spain Prestige Awards recognise small and mediumsized businesses that have proven to be the best in their fields over the past 12 months, so it is extremely satisfying to receive our award and be recognised for our efforts.

As a fully regulated and licenced company, we can assist clients with: 1) Wealth Management 2) Tax concerns/ planning.

3) Pension Audits and/ or transfers 4) Tax-efficient Investment Vehicles Through our professional connections, we can also help clients with crossborder tax planning, funeral plans, private health insurance, currency exchange and Wills.

If you have any questions or queries about your financial position, why not get in touch?

● Logic Financial Consultants are fully regulated & licensed financial advisers, covering the Costa Blanca, Murcia and Canary Islands. We can travel to you, or you can visit our office at Calle Andres Lambert 24, 1B, Jávea.

Tel: 965 020 444. Email: info@logicfc.com Web: www.logicfinancialconsultants.com.

Focus On Costa Blanca Magazine March 2022

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We have a spring in our step at the Homes Gardens & Lifestyle Show HQ and we are making huge strides in progress organizing the May Show! You really will want to put these dates in your diary Friday 6th & Saturday 7th May, the only place to be is with us at the Villa Gadea Hotel in Altea on the N332, exit J.64 AP7 for the most exciting event we have ever had!

We are having so much fun filling the show with amazing products and services for you to discover and explore ways to transform you, your home, garden and lifestyle with fresh ideas, on-trend solutions, inspiration, information, gadgets and goodies galore for you to see, touch, try, taste and buy! And quite possibly shop till you drop! Ohh and did we mention the generous Show discounts and special offers many of the exhibitors are offering over the two days!

We aim to bring you the best services and products on offer here on the Costa Blanca and we still have a few opportunities for participation in our feature attractions, one place left for a restaurant/outside caterer to participate in the Tapa Trail with us, and one place left for a chef/restaurant to share their culinary flare at the Cooking Demonstrations.

There are just a couple of talk/presentation slots available on the ‘Wellbeing’ subject matter and now just 8 places left in the Art gallery… So if you would like to have more information on any of these, get in touch and please do pass the word around to your friends, local restaurants and businesses that you frequent!

Expect to see over 80 exhibitors, enjoy free prize draws, our local Artists Gallery, the terrific free Tapa Trail, cooking demos, and listening to live music by Lady Jazz! We’ll have Jaccuzis to jams, beds to BBQ’s, food and wine to kitchen design, garden baskets and blooms to interior décor, pool maintenance to mosquito deterrents! Health checks to healing hands, fire-pits to financial planning, high heels to home fragrances, and new for 2022 you can enjoy our dedicated ‘Wellbeing Zone’ where it’s all about you and your wellness with ways to nourish you from top to toe, your mind body and soul is being catered for in the Salon Mediterraneo with free health checks by the Lynwen Nurses, wonderful wellbeing talks and demos, to taster treatments, beauty enhancers to fitness and fashion plus a whole host of relaxation techniques. Talking of which, our FREE prize draw to win the ultimate in luxurious relaxation to stay a night at the Villa Gadea Hotel and experience the Spa is up for grabs.…. Now that’s relaxation!

We will be open for TWO days 6th & 7th May 10.00 – 17.00 with free entry and there is free parking both front and back of the hotel.

Put the dates in your diary, tell your friends and come along to join us at the Costa’s biggest and best LIFESTYLE EVENT in our community…. Join us here next month as we reveal our Show chefs, tapa trail participants and who our Wellbeing speakers are going to be!

For any information on the Show, and the

LAST CALL TO BOOK A STAND

contact us for availability.

Details on www.gmpromotions.es, Facebook @HomesGardensandLifestyleShow, Tel 695 399 841 or email: office@gmpromotions.es

www.femalefocusonline.com Page 9 estled between the Sierra B e r n i a Mountains and the Beaches of Altea in the hills above Altea La Vella, Altea Golf Club is a simply stunning location for enjoying a round of golf. But what if you’re not a golfer but would still like to enjoy the beautiful surroundings?

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Altea Golf Club has recently introduced The Country Club at Altea Golf so that non-golfers can enjoy its wide range of non-golf facilities. From just 8€ a week gives you access to all the club’s facilities, discount in the restaurant, full gym membership (see ad for Animae on this page) plus invitations to all club social events and activities.

The restaurant and terrace bar has simply stunning sun-drenched views over the course and down to the sea, perfect for meeting friends over relaxing drinks. Nearby are 2 full sized petanca pistes if you want to play a sport without breaking a sweat. Upstairs is the fully equipped gym. There really is so much to do and enjoy for non-golfers.

To find out more, call or email the club, or better still, drop in and see for yourself, the bar and restaurant is open to everyone with a warm welcome, a refreshing drink, and some great food.

Easy to find, take exit 64 of the AP-7, or head towards Altea on the N-332, follow signs to Altea La Vella and take a right on the first roundabout as you come into the village.

See advert alongside for more details.

FITNESS TIP OF THE MONTH

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ollowing up from last month's article, we can't stress enough the need to exercise and get fit the right way. The way you bend, the way you stretch, the way you use your muscles, the way you balance, all of these can cause damage if not done correctly.

So our tip of the month is to thoroughly research your fitness routine. Better still, join our gym and get some coaching from a personal trainer, even if it's just to get you started on the extensive range of gym equipment.

Our staff are professionally trained to help you get fit using safe and effective routines which will help with overall fitness, health, weight loss and generally feeling more alert and better all round.

If you're worried about whether this is the right thing for you, come along for your free assessment.

If you're comfortable with your routine and have experience with gym equipment, and want a gym with stunning views and a wonderful atmosphere, then join the Club. It costs just 35€ a month for full access.

See advert alongside for contact details.

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The peri-menopause can be one of the trickiest times for women to get their head around. One minute you’re 30, full of energy to do all the things you want in your life. Yes, there may be challenges but none of them seem unmanageable.

All of a sudden it seems life and age have snuck up on you. You’re just not quite the same person you used to be. You notice you get tired more easily, some days you’re literally dragging yourself through the day, you’ve lost your get up and go for no reason, the weight you used to be able to lose in the runup to an important event stays stubbornly in place no matter what you try, and you can’t seem to shift that foggy feeling in your brain. But it can’t be the menopause, right? You’re too young…

The menopause actually refers to a time when you haven’t had a single period for at least a year. The run-up to it can last for years and it’s called the peri-menopause. Think of it as the menopause transition. It can take eight to ten years! Women typically start to experience it in their 40s – and often the most obvious signs are that your periods go a little crazy - though for some it can even start in their 30s.

In the peri-menopause, levels of one of the main female sex hormones, oestrogen, rises and falls unevenly. The length of time between periods may be longer or shorter, your flow may be light to really heavy and with worse PMS than ever before, and you may even skip some periods – before they come back with a vengeance.

You might also experience some of the symptoms traditionally associated with the menopause, like night sweats, hot flushes, sleep problems, mood swings, more UTIs like cystitis and vaginal dryness. Around this time, you might begin to notice that weight loss becomes trickier and your digestion gets a little shaky.

The way some talk about the peri-menopause, you’d think it was a disease. There’s no need to go to your doctor to get an official diagnosis – although it’s definitely worth booking and appointment, if you notice any of these specific symptoms, as they can point to other problems and it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Fibroids are something very common at this time.

- Spotting after your period - Blood clots during your period - Bleeding after sex - Periods that are much longer or much shorter than normal.

Have you booked your space in the Coast's leading Print Directory?

Marina Alta Edition: 15,000 copies per issue on high quality gloss A4 paper every six months.

Vega Baja Edition: 15,000 copies per issue in high quality gloss B5 paper every six months.

This has to be one of the most successful magazine launches on the Costa Blanca, incorporating professional and trade services.

Demand is high for this magazine. Pages are sold on a first come first served basis. The magazine is also published as an online digital magazine with ‘live’ links, where readers are one click away from your website and Facebook page therefore one click away from becoming your client.

Marina Alta and Vega Baja editions Out for Spring 2022, don't miss your chance!

See page 4 for contact details of your local representative

&

continued on next page

www.femalefocusonline.com Page 11 Focus On Costa Blanca Magazine March 2022 If you are really struggling with your energy levels, it’s also worth getting your thyroid checked, if it hasn’t already been because peri-menopausal and menopausal women are at greater risk of thyroid dysfunction. Added to this, thyroid symptoms can mimic menopausal symptoms. The ovaries, uterus, adrenal glands and the brain require adequate thyroid hormones to function.

Whatever your specific symptoms are, a tailored nutrition plan can really help.

I work with women who are done with dealing with feeling a shadow of the person they used to know and love. This month I am offering 10 FREE 30 minute “Health & Energy Reviews”, all you have to do is click the QR code in my advert below and schedule your session now!

But I want to give you something to help you get started. Maintaining a stable blood sugar level can help. To do this: • Eat three meals a day at regular intervals • Eat a palm-sized portion of protein at each meal • Don’t worry about healthy fats, like olive oil and avocados • Eat a minimum of five portions (three heaped tablespoons) of non-starchy vegetables / salad per day. The ideal options are anything that grows above ground.

• Eat two portions of low glycaemic fruit per day • Should you still feel hungry or if you are working out, have one snack per day – something like oatcakes with cream cheese, crudités and hummus or a small pot of natural yoghurt with berries.

You would be also amazed the difference a really good sleep can have on symptoms as it helps managing stress levels.

But are you actually doing anything about it?

This is already a lot for you to think about so I will leave you with this. Choose to work on ONE thing only this week. It doesn’t really matter what it is. Don’t take on too much at once.

Which will you choose?

Please see advert below for contact information and QR Code.

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Wedding hair on THE COSTA BLANCA So, what would you say were the most important things on your wedding day? I would say, dress first.

Wouldn’t you? Most brides’ priority would be to get out and buy the dress.

2nd, I would say hair? What’s a dress without the perfect hairdo? And what’s the perfect hairdo without the perfect hairdresser?

3rd, Makeup? What’s the perfect look without the dress, hair and makeup? A bride needs to look her best on her day. She could wear an amazingly expensive dress, but if her hair looks like it’s been dragged up and showing more pins than style, then it’s a disaster! The guests will be counting them; each pin or each hair strand needs to be accounted for.

Would you invest in a thousand pound dress and then want a 30 euro hairdo? Oh No! Take your investment all the way to the church. You want to look the complete goddess! All your guests will remember and all of your photos will show proof of that day until you are ancient!

How to find that perfect hairdresser? And that perfect style? Instagram and Pinterest seem to be the most popular for ideas these days, or a specialist website. Check out the portfolio of potential hairdressers as this is always a good lead. But also you can’t beat a recommendation.

So, once your dress is bought you then need to meet your hairdresser; Jo Black is our wedding hair expert at Mimis Kru. As a professional she always recommends a wedding hair and makeup trial. During this trial she goes through a list of questions, it’s always so important to understand the bride’s needs and to have her confidence. Photos or pictures are a great way to get ideas flowing. Jo has had a natural artistic flare with brides and their hair for many years now. She can create a style in minutes, dresses the hair a section at a time, communicating with the bride whilst the style takes shape. Listening to the nays and yays of the bride and taking suggestions and criticism on board, always remaining calm and creative whilst she works. It's no wonder all her brides have been delighted with their wedding hair and are happy to recommend Jo and the Mimis Kru team to future wedding parties, as Jo can cater for the entire bridal group.

If you are planning a wedding on The Costa Blanca I can recommend a good wedding planner, Marcella at www.yourdreamweddinginspain.com.

For further details on wedding hair contact Jo at Mimis Kru Jávea ● Local 12, Edificio Caribe, Av del Pla 129, Jávea. Tel 965 793 584. www.mimiskruhairandbeauty.com Facebook Mimiskru. See our advert on the Horoscopes page.

all the Spanish words from the word list in the puzzle grid. Words may be found WORD Find going forwards, backwards, up, down or diagonally. Answers can be found in the back

SEARCH of the magazine. Good Luck.

CLEANING

ASPIRADOR - HOOVER BAYETA DISH CLOTH CEPILLO BRUSH CUBO BUCKET DESENGRASANTE DEGREASER DESINFECTANTE DISINFECTANT DETERGENTE DETERGENT ESCOBA BROOM ESPONJA SPONGE ESTROPAJO - SCOURER FREGONA MOP GAMUZA CHAMOIS LEATHER GUANTES GLOVES JABÓN SOAP LEJÍA - BLEACH LIMPIACRISTALES GLASS CLEANER MOPA - DRY MOP PLUMERO DUSTER QUITAMANCHAS STAIN REMOVER RECOGEDOR - DUSTPAN

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3 NEW MACHINES

NOW AVAILABLE AT ZEN SMILE SPA 1.COOL SCULPT 360 2ND GENERATION FAT FREEZING! Have you experienced stubborn fat that just won’t go away – no matter how well you eat or how many spin classes you go to? Say hello to Cool Sculpt 360.

with minimal to no downtime.

The Cool Sculpt 360° is the latest generation of fat freezing technology for advanced noninvasive fat reduction and cool body sculpting

Compared to the previous generation 2-sided fat freezing machines Cool Sculpt 360 has a new advanced professional surround freezing design enabling us to freeze a greater surface area in each session, hereby increasing results. With different size and shaped interchangeable applicators we are able to adjust to any part of the body.

Benefits: • Simple and Comfortable • 360 surround cooling • Cooling temperature can reach -13 after just 3 minutes • No limitations for the skin type, body area, and ages • Safe and Effective • No downtime • Proven results that last • No surgery or needles • Mini applicator for double chin and knees fat removal • Multiple areas can be treated in 1 session

2. HYDRAFACIAL SKIN CARE MACHINE Our multifunctional skin care system is a must for effective, focused facial treatments. The variable functions of the unit can be used to address specific concerns including exfoliation, hydration, collagen stimulation and the firming of lax skin.

Functions: • Microdermabrasion • Premium jet peel • Oxygen therapy • Fractional Radio frequency • Photon LED Light therapy • Full Hydrafacial

F���� O� C���a B�a��a Maga���e Ma��� 2022

DR CAROLYN CARBASSE B.D.S. MSc (GUY'S LONDON) Specialist in Dental and Facial Aesthetics Director of Zen Smile Spa by C.C.

WWW.SPAJAVEA.ES WWW.ESTETICAJAVEA.COM WWW.BOTOXJAVEA.COM 3. EMSCULPT/EMSELLA PERINEAL AND PELVIC REHABILITATION

EMSELLA is the first technology able to create lasting strength in the pelvic floor, the set of muscles holding up the pelvic organs.

This works both for incontinence after prostate surgery as well as uncontrolled urinary dripping that occurs as we age, a condition that affects more than 200 million people worldwide.

In a study presented at the 2018 American Society, more than 67% of patients saw reduced use of hygienic pads after EMSELLA treatment.

Together, EMSCULPT and EMSELLA provide “Core to Floor” therapy, a fantastic combination of HIFEM stimulation designed to build and strengthen the core muscles and pelvic floor specifically to combat conditions such as incontinence and abdominal separation.

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Regatta from Dénia to Ibiza to attract hundreds of sailors

Around 300 yachts and 2,000 sailors are getting ready to set sail from Dénia and Barcelona for this year’s salt race to Ibiza. Sailors will be hoping the wind is in their favour when they leave Dénia on Thursday April 14 for the 120-nautical-mile sale to the Balearic island.

The 34th annual Ruta de Sal will be a competitive - and fun - event with trophies handed out for the fastest times as well as an excuse to enjoy a weekend on the party island of Ibiza.

The race commemorates the annual shipping of white gold - salt - in the 19th century. In May 1846, the army imposed a blockade on Barcelona, which caused a severe shortage of salt.

A savvy Barcelona businessman came up with the idea of challenging sailors to transport salt from the Salinas Pitiüses in Ibiza to El Garraf in Barcelona. The first to arrive back would be paid in gold. But the last may not even have been able to pay their sailors' wages.

In 1989, the first Ruta de Sal race was held from Barcelona to Ibiza with 36 boats taking place. In 1990 65 boats took part and in 1991, the east version of the regatta was created, starting from Dénia Yacht Club.

Today, more than 300 boats with more than 2,000 sailors take part in the deep-sea regatta.

It is now an important part of the Spanish regatta calendar, both in terms of the number of competitors and the challenge of the long deep-sea crossing.

Article by Sarah Farrell - www.sarahswritestuff.com

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Liberty unveils eyewear collection exclusively at Specsavers Ópticas

ICONIC and quintessentially British luxury brand Liberty has launched an eyewear collection exclusively at Specsavers Ópticas.

The new range combines Liberty’s signature heritage-inspired designs with vibrant prints creating a modern and unique collection. There are thirteen optical, three sunglasses and four children’s styles. Kids’ glasses are from 59€ and adults’ glasses are priced at 159€ and come with a covetable, timeless Liberty print case.

Each style has been inspired by the instantly recognisable, classic print archive. Intricate Art Nouveau details in enamel, including Liberty’s signature Iphis motif on the temple, combined with modern shapes and clever use of colour make for an effortlessly stylish approach to glasses design.

Madeleine Macey, CMO at Liberty, says: ‘We are thrilled to be partnering with Specsavers on this exclusive collection that perfectly captures the heritage of Liberty’s, remastered for the now. The design focus has combined the rich cultural heritage and vast textile history of Liberty fabrics, creating a modern and relevant interpretation of the Liberty style.

‘It was important for us to partner with Specsavers and be able to make our collection available to customers throughout the country and around the world. With Specsavers years of experience in bringing affordable style to eye wear and Liberty’s iconic textile and cultural heritage, it is a perfect partnership.’

The Liberty Eyewear collection is now available at the 6 Specsavers Ópticas stores on the Costa Blanca, in Javea, Calpe, Benidorm, Torrevieja, Guardamar and La Zenia.

Visit www.specsavers.es to find your nearest store or see the range.

Focus On Costa Blanca Magazine March 2022

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Podiatrists, also called Chiropodists, are professional healthcare workers who diagnose and treat conditions of the feet and lower limbs. They specialise in the treatment of diabetic patients who often suffer with wounds on the feet due to the disease, correct deformities such as bunions, treat infections like athletes foot, warts, troublesome nail fungus and verrucae.

Verrucae although common are very persistent and challenging to treat, so it is essential to have them treated professionally as if left can spread quickly. Some can persevere for years, growing deeper and impacting more and more on daily activities, causing pain when walking. Most people have tried some form of treatment available from the pharmacy without success.

You may also be advised to see a podiatrist if you are suffering from an ingrown toenail, cracks on the soles of the feet or suffering from foot or heel pain. Tailor-made insoles can be made for footwear to help realign the foot, correct posture, and relieve pain and pressure on the foot if necessary.

A session can also be to simply assess the feet, trim the nails and remove any calluses on the soles of the feet to relieve any pressure points.

Don’t suffer with foot problems, contact a Podiatrist who can help put that spring back in your step.

● Clinica Britannia, Ejércitos Españoles 16, 1st Floor, Calpe.

Tel 965 837 553 or 607 255 755 24 hours a day - 365 days a year.

We understand that it is more important now than ever to support charities.

If you’re a charity and holding a charitable event, we’ll support you by getting the word out.

Simply email information to editor@femalefocusonline.com, gemma@telitec.net or call Gemma on +34 626 939 223.

It will be shared on the charity section on Telitec's website, on Pure Gold FM (every Friday) and with us here, and between us, we’ll help you help others.

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Focus On Costa Blanca Magazine March 2022

Orthodontics for Children & Adults

Orthodontics in dentistry is dedicated to building beautiful smiles and faces by bringing teeth, lips and jaws into proper alignment. Straight teeth function better, are easier to clean and are more likely to last your lifetime. An attractive smile is a wonderful asset to display giving self-confidence and pride in caring for your set of gnashers!

Braces are not just for children. More rapid orthodontic treatments are also popular for adults who miss the opportunity when young, or to just align the front teeth to have a beautiful smile, this can be done at any age.

Children should be assessed from age 7/8, from this age we can help determine any tendencies that may be developing, note general growth trends and give advice. Children should have at least a yearly dental check, especially to detect any problems which can be solved early.

It is ideal to get children into treatment at an early age so that facial profile, growth pattern and tooth alignment can be influenced during treatment and optimal results obtained.

Types of braces we use include; - Rapid expanders to widen the arch giving corrected crossbites and giving more space for crowded teeth.

- Functional orthopedic braces to improve jaw alignment and correct big overjets (‘bucked’ teeth).

- Fixed brackets bonded to your teeth can be either metal or clear ceramic, though metal is the recommended, with colourful elastic ties with which you can express yourself and have fun. You can change the colour at every visit.

- Removable invisible clear aligners can be used, as long as you are a good candidate.

- Removable rapid aligners can be used on adults to rapidly align crooked front teeth called Inman Aligner.

Treatment time varies greatly among patients. Limited or interceptive treatment might only last a few weeks, while comprehensive correction usually takes one to three years. Every patient has a unique situation, needing a personalised treatment plan and associated treatment time.

We encourage anybody interested in changing their smile to come to our office for a free consultation and find out what types of orthodontic treatment are available to them.

With health benefits, a pleasing appearance and more self-confidence, orthodontic treatment gives people a lot to be happy about. l Article supplied by Karen Gardner at Clinica dental la Plaza, Jávea.

Telephone: 96 646 1120 and ask for your free ortho visit...

F���� O� C���a B�a��a Maga���e Ma��� 2022

Page 18

Walk Your Way Well

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with Niamh O'Sheehan

This month I have asked Kirsty Mills to write a little review on each of the walks from last month as she took part in all of them and can give a taster from a participant’s point of view.

“Walking with Niamh, never fails to make me feel energised and more than anything motivates me beyond words. Every walk tends to end up with hatching plans for future adventures that I personally would never have the confidence to embark on by myself.

The Walk 'N Talk - Jesus Pobre

The idea behind the walk and talks is that they really are for anyone. The pace is nice and slow, due to the amount of talking!

The group was a real mixture of all ages and a joy of a walk. The ethos was to breathe and really take it all in. Our lives are often so busy that we don’t tend to spend time making those connections with the people or nature around us. The fact that we visited the ancient Olive Tree and each spent a moment to make a wish was so beautiful.

The Mountain Walk - Monduver

I’m the kind of person that constantly sees these beautiful mountains on the Costa Blanca and my initial thought is always the same; I want to hike it!! The Monduver stands so proudly that it is totally awe inspiring and needs respect. What I mean by this is that for me, I would never be confident enough to just undertake something like this on my own. Having the security of being in a group just took all the nerves away and enabled me to just enjoy the paths and views.

The Wonderful Walk- Chulilla In one word- WOW! This walk had it all, hanging bridges, rivers, forests. This walk has been on my bucket list for ages but one I have never got around to, but so worth the wait. Fitness wise, you need a moderate level of fitness as even though I would classify it as easy terrain with no real incline hiking involved, it’s not a short walk. Although the 4 hours flew by, a certain amount of stamina is needed.”

So there you have it, no need to just take my word for it! If you are interested in joining any of the future walks visit facebook.com/walkyourwaywell or whatsapp +34 676 507 791 and ask to join the WYWW events group (alerts only – no chat).

I hope you will join us and Walk Your Way Well.

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Focus On Costa Blanca Magazine March 2022

It's a Mad March at Kawana!

Spot the odd one out

A

B

C

D

Oh my goodness! We never take a breath here at Kawana, there is so much going on!

Continuing this month are our: - Sunday Roast Lunches served 1pm – 4pm, from 13.95€.

- Wino Wednesdays… A glass of house wine and a selected tapa all day, only 2€.

- Free Mini Golf with every fish and chips order every Friday in March.

- Live Entertainment on Friday Evenings 8pm – 11pm.

- Showing the 6 Nations Rugby Matches at the Weekend on our 3 large screen TVs… And we now have GUINNESS on tap, serving a perfect cold pint every time.

- And especially for UK Mother's Day (Sunday 27th March) with every meal, every Mum gets a free glass of Cava and a Plant in a Pot!! Book your table now!!

- And finally, our Brand new sexy Pool Table has just arrived, so stylish! Come and have a play.

See advert below for more details and contact information.

E

F

Staff needed at KAWANA Bar, Jávea Kitchen Staff Waiters / Waitresses Call Tracy for details on 626 728 377.

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Page 20

Adopt a

Pet

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If you have spare time on your hands please contact your local pet charity to see how you can help out. They are always in need of more volunteers to walk the dogs, stroke the cats, meet the horses or help with cleaning out the kennels and stables. If you have an idea for fund raising they would love to hear from you.

Cachito has lived happily with a small male dog. He is house trained and walks well on the leash. It is a very sad case as he cries at lot at finding himself in the shelter and desperately needs his forever home. If you would like more information on any of our animals please contact Akira on 657 689 567 or email akirashelter@aol.com.

Frida is one of many new lovely cats. Shelter open every Sunday 10am - 12pm, whatsapp Luisa 669 376 113 for more information. Denia Cat Protection League – Aldea Felina, please visit www.aldeafelina.es

Rocky, alsation mix, DOB 11/10, 54cm. He is not used to living with other dogs. He likes people and being taken for long walks. He is quite intelligent, so regular training would be beneficial. But we suggest that he is kept without other animals.

Please call 618 754 635 or visit www.apasa.eu.

Sweet young Daphne is in a foster home with dogs and cats (she loves them!). Daphne is great at home, loves walks, but needs to learn to cope in busy areas. More info about her, or our other dogs, please contact us by email (stichtingtanamera@gmail.com) or on facebook (Tanamera Rescue).

Ada a 4 year old young lady who has been in a loving foster home and is now ready for her forever home. She is a sweet little dog and gets on well with other dogs and cats. To read her story please visit www.pepaspain.com Tel: 650 304 746 or email p.e.p.a.animalcharity@gmail.com

This is Max, he is a gorgeous young dog. He is very friendly and looking for his forever home.

If you are interested in more information please call 965 856 268 or visit Benidorm Animal shelter Mon-Sat 10am to 1pm.

Meet Our Horses! Join us on Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings at APAC Rescue Horses to see the horses and help support us. Everyone Welcome. For more information email apacprotectora@gmail.com, visit www.apac-cv.com or Facebook: Apac Rescue Horses.

Christina is about 3 years old and in great health. She is a typical Podenca, shy and nervous, she has been in a foster home and is learning life with humans is not so bad. She needs a home with another dog, a fenced garden and a family with love and patience, who are happy to let her progress in her own time. Please contact apropego@gmail.com or call 654 616 043.

Spot the 13 differences (answers in the classified pages)

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Focus On Costa Blanca Magazine March 2022

CHURCH ON THE MOUNTAIN - CUMBRE DEL SOL

Benitachell Christian Fellowship extend a warm and bright welcome to all at our new building, adjoining the Fire Station on the Cumbre del Sol. After 2 years of not being able to meet together in person, as a church we are very happy to be in our new home on the beautiful mountain setting of Cumbre del Sol, just a few minutes away from Benitachell town centre.

Thanks to the Mayor of Benitachell we can now meet every Sunday in the hall within the Civil Protection building “El Puig,” just next to The Lady Elizabeth School. The hall is adjacent to the CP offices and it’s the very visible green and white building which provides a wonderful setting for Sunday worship. There are plenty of parking bays and good ventilation too!

Founded in 2010, we continue to welcome all who are looking for a church, whether living in Spain, have a second home here or just visiting for a holiday.

A very warm welcome is extended to everyone, whether you’ve been a Christian for a few or many years, or just wanting to find out a little more about faith and Christianity. Our congregation come from a wide range of backgrounds and we are truly inter-denominational.

We host breakfasts, lunches, prayer meetings (sometimes in homes, sometimes in beautiful outdoor areas), Bible studies, Alpha courses, games mornings and other events.

Benitachell and the surrounding area has a large ex-pat community and we also enjoy the constant support of regular visitors from the UK and other countries, who have made this church their holiday place of worship in Spain. Holidaymakers are especially welcome and if you would like to join in with us any Sunday, you will be more than welcome. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Further Directions: From the main road up the Cumbre, TURN UP HILL at the VAPF Pre Owned Homes tower/office and take the FIRST TURNING LEFT into the parking bays in front of the El Puig building. If you have a Sat Nav you will find us at GPS 38degrees 43’45.0 N 0 degrees 09’44.9E. You can find us on Facebook.com/BenitachellChristianFellowship or www.benitachellcf.com. Telephone Sue on +44 7770 372879 or Lorraine on +44 789 181 6442 or you can email sue_hunton@hotmail.com for further information or directions.

Full address: El Puig es Calle Jacinto Benavente num. 3 Benitachell 03726.

Focus On Costa Blanca Magazine March 2022

www.femalefocusonline.com Page 22 Oliva Drama: The COSTA BLANCA NORTH Company is pleased to announce they are working hard on their next production, scheduled for early Note from Benny: Seems like things are getting back to April. This will be a near normal, but unfortunately it seems that covid and short 1-act play - 'The other local problems has made it very difficult for some of Book Club of Little the groups, so please, let's support them and their charities Witterington' - and some musical interludes. They would love to now more than ever. hear from any prospective new members who would like to be Caprice Ladies involved, either on stage or behind the scenes. Simply contact Choir: The choir are them via the website olivadrama.com. organising dates and venues in Calpe and the Jalon Valley for their next concert in May, 'A Million Dreams', featuring songs from films and shows.

They look forward to entertaining you once again. For more information contact Aileen on 696 514 613 or via their website www.capriceladieschoir.com

Cantãmus: The choir is looking for new members, in all voice groups, to join them for their next set of music. Members are provided with all the music and tracks to learn to, so you can practice at home between rehearsals. Now would be a great time to contact Philip on 638 734 285 or Eileen 607 706 904 and they will be happy to give you all the details about the choir.

They rehearse on Monday mornings 10:45 to 13:00 and will be happy to welcome you.

Careline Theatre: They would like to thank all their wonderful audiences for attending their panto 'Sleeping Beauty'. Their next production, the fun packed, 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' in which the Careline Drama & Dance performers together with some of their very talented older actors, will join the youngsters to make this a fabulous Careline production. Dates to be confirmed shortly. For any information call 686 320 435.

Costa Blanca Male Voice Choir: The choir's first appearance this year, will be at a concert organised by Jalon Valley Help at the Salones Canor, Teulada on 1 April, featuring the visiting Lisburn Ladies Choir - see JVH and their Facebook page for details. Their own 'Concert at the Cave' is planned for 17 and 18 June, subject to covid restrictions. The online box office will be open nearer the time.

Jávea Players: Don’t miss Sue Townsend’s hilarious comedy, 'Bazaar and Rummage'. To be performed at their Studio Theatre, Wed 27th Sat 30th April and Wed 4th - Sat 7th May. Three agoraphobic women are encouraged by a neurotic do-gooder and a trainee social worker to finally leave their homes to help run a rummage sale.

Funny and poignant, with lots of laughs.

Tickets 12€, bookings only online www.javeaplayers.com.

Spaced seating, Covid QR codes will be checked, and masks must be worn.

Phoenix Dancers: Rehearsals are in full swing for the Dancers upcoming charity shows. It is not too late to join them. They are looking for new dancers and singers who would be interested in performing with them throughout the year. If you are interested, please contact Phaedra by email: info@marciasdancecentre.com All new members are welcome, both male and female. If you have any charity events where you would like the Dancers to perform, please let Phaedra know.

Sounds Familiar: The Company are currently rehearsing their next production 'Magic Of The Musicals', which will be performed at the Auditori Municipal in Ondara on Thursday 31st of March.

If you are interested in this show, in joining the group for future productions, or would like more information, please see their website www.soundsfamiliar.es or contact Philip on 965 581 483 or email philip@soundsfamiliar.es Vall del Pop Singers: The Singers are currently inviting new singers to join them on Tuesday afternoons in Alcalalí.

There is no requirement to read music and the group sing a selection of popular songs. This is a friendly group who welcome new singers and it is open to anybody of any age. Please contact the group for more information at valldelpopsingers@gmail.com Valley Voices: The Voices have started to meet for live singing rehearsals at their home in Alcalali.

Preparations are continuing for their '10th Anniversary Concert' later this year.

If you’d like to join them, particularly if you are a soprano, please ring them on 665 203 384 or 634 354 409 for more details.

If you would like to be part of this band of charitable entertainers, please email editor@femalefocusonline.com.

Deadline for copy is the 15th of the month prior to publication.

Full details of all Stage Diary entertainment groups are available online at www.femalefocusonline.com

www.femalefocusonline.com

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Focus On Costa Blanca Magazine March 2022

SUDOKU

Here are two Sudoku puzzles of different skill levels for you to try. It is not a maths game at all - it is a pure logic game.

F i l l i n t h e g r i d s o t h a t e v e r y r o w, e v e r y c o l u m n a n d e v e r y 3 x 3 grid contains the digits 1 through to 9 with no repeats, which means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.

CROSSWORD

Across 1 Spotted (7) 5 La Scala cry (5) 8 Basra native, perhaps (5) 9 Type of pasty (7) 10 Energetic (7) 12 Bristles (4) 14 Conclusion (3) 16 Puzzling Tower of --- (5) 18 Sticky substance (3) 19 Froth (4) 21 Dixie city (7) 24 Marsh marigold (7) 26 Boredom (5) 27 Part of a cake mixed early (5) 28 Family line (7) Down 1 Superficial (4-4) 2 Small hard particle (5) 3 Victory (7) 4 Sawbones (3) 5 Inception (5) 6 Permanent (7) 7 Hawaiian island (4) 11 Cuban dance (5)

13 Solitary juggler supports the King (8) 15 Portal (7) 17 Ailment (7) 20 Grinder (5) 22 Present time (5) See back pages for 23 Dieter's measure (4) answers 25 Cushion (3)

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Page 24

CarpetDecor Celebrates its

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15th Anniversary!

Thanks to each and every one of our clients that have come to us during these 15 years, we have grown as a company and we are still going strong with great reviews on Google, Facebook and groups such as Javea Connect.

We offer great quality in all our carpets giving our customers peace of mind that they’re buying something that is going to last, look and feel good. Also, with over 5.000 carpets in stock there are plenty of styles and colours to chose from!

To celebrate our 15 years we are offering the biggest discounts to date on over 1.500 of our carpets leaving them at unbeatable prices.

We also have a fantastic selection of art, hand painted by an amazing artist who interprets all his paintings and themes (marine, figures, abstract, landscapes and portraits) many of which with textures. All our canvases are made of pine wood with a thickness of 3.5cm and most importantly, the quality and price are very competitive.

NOW WITH 15% DISCOUNT on PAINTINGS for anyone who presents FocusOn Magazine to celebrate our anniversary!

Dirty rugs? We have the latest generation machine that cleans all types of carpets and rugs for 7€ per m² no matter the thickness or depth. The machine dusts and eliminates solids from the surface, pre-treats stains and very dirty areas, then the carpet or rug is washed and dried at a controlled temperature, brushed to loosen the hair/fibres and then it is packaged in plastic and delivered to your home like new.

CLEANING 7€ PER M²

We look forward to seeing you in our shop on the N332, in Gata de Gorgos.

START YOUR DAY WITH A

GREAT NIGHT’S SLEEP

Quality Beds & Linen from Budget to Luxury

Where dreams begin C.C. Biblos Local 8 Ctra. Calpe-Moraira, Los Pinos 1K (Coast Road) Calpe Showroom Hours 10am-5pm Mon-Fri 10am-1:30pm Sat

VISIT ONLINE or IN PERSON

Email: info@thebedcentre.com

www.thebedcentre.com Tel: 965 836 814 695 708 101 FREE DELIVERY Gandia to Alicante

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Focus On Costa Blanca Magazine March 2022

SPEND LOCAL SHOP LOCAL SUPPORT LOCAL

“The Liverpool Band” in concert Magnum Concert Productions are proud to present once again, and by popular demand, “The Liverpool Band” in concert. This highly acclaimed local band have been thrilling audiences with their tribute to the Beatles for many years, and have indeed played regularly in the Cavern Club in Liverpool! If you are a Beatles fan, and who isn’t, don’t miss this great show featuring a superb tribute to the Fab Four.

The show will be held in Espai La Senieta, Moraira on Sunday the 20th March and is scheduled to start at 6:30pm. All Covid 19 restrictions regarding safety that may be in place at that time will be strictly observed.

Tickets can be reserved by calling 634 355 204 or by email: magnum.concerts@gmail.com So come along and see a great show, in a lovely theatre and especially as all profits will go to local charities including the Alzheimer’s centre in Teulada which is a great local cause.

Many thanks for your support and I hope to see you soon.

You can join our mailing list which will give you prior notification of all our future events by emailing: magnum.concerts@gmail.com

Focus On Costa Blanca Magazine March 2022

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www.femalefocusonline.com

Natural Grass and New Properties.

I still get asked quite often by new clients about installing natural grass “Real Grass” into their brand new built villa garden. I always try and steer clients away from natural grass because I have been involved with gardens in Spain for 23 years. I still sometimes think clients think I am pulling their leg and that a natural lawn is possible. It’s as simple as this, a natural lawn in Spain is possible, but here is why I don’t suggest it, especially on a new build property.

If you think to make a lawn all you need is to level the ground a bit, throw down some topsoil, a bit of compost and seed, then you are sadly mistaken. Doing it this way will make something that resembles a lawn, but very quickly it will suffer. As someone who has built gardens at Chelsea Flower Show and some of the most prestigious homes in the UK, I am telling you, you cannot have a lawn that looks that good and especially in any short time, unless you have an artificial grass lawn.

If you have a new home or are in the process of building one, have a good look at the ground around you, my guess is it's full of builder’s rubbish, cement wash outs, lumps of concrete, rocks etc. This is not a good basis for a lawn or any garden really. The simple facts are that to have a quality lawn, something that looks good, then you have to have prepped the area correctly, meaning a sufficient depth of topsoil, 30-40cm minimum, free of contaminants, then you have to import tonnes of silica sand, then you have to import tonnes of compost, this then has to be rotavated, treaded, raked, re-treaded, raked again, before you have any kind of workable surface.

Don’t forget by the way that you would have first had to have installed a good irrigation system to supply the area with thousands of litres of water per hour. The cost and the labour cost for all this isn’t cheap. Then we have the seeding and plug ritual, if done properly again, not cheap and a lot of labour time will be consumed. Now you can take a deep breath, you have the beginnings of a lawn, the BEGINNINGS. It will then take two to three weeks for things to get started, then months before it starts to settle, and then if you’re lucky two years of constant maintenance and watering costing thousands a year to get what looks like a good lawn.

Please bear in mind that most customers want a usable space, quickly and something that looks good, not some patchy thing where weeds grow all the time and that discolours because it can’t grow in winter. Do I need to go on?

Let me take you back about 20 stages in the process, you have your new home, look at the builder’s waste in the garden, not a problem, artificial grass is artificial, it doesn’t need good soil, or compost or irrigation. We can go straight over the rubble with our sub-base to the desired height and a day or so later your perfect artificial grass lawn goes down, we finish our install and that’s it, perfect, green and lovely to walk on bare foot, it’s even better to look at.

Why would anyone consider a real natural lawn? Don’t get lost in the nostalgia or the misbelief that you can keep a natural lawn good in Spain, save yourself the years of cost and heart ache of it never looking good and do the right thing, install Artificial Grass in Spain. You won’t be disappointed.

Have a look at www.artificial-grass-spain.com and see some of our previous projects then get in touch. Let’s give you an instant beautiful green lawn, not a patchy nightmare you can’t and don’t want to use. ● For more information please give us a call on 696 283 704, or visit www.artificial-grass-spain.com

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Focus On Costa Blanca Magazine March 2022

Delighted with our Power Lift Chairs from Harris Furnishings

There comes a time when a little extra help is needed to do the things that we used to take for granted.

Recently it has become a struggle to get in and out of our swivel recliner chairs. Our various conditions meant that we are not as strong or flexible as we used to be, and because the old chairs rocked and spun, it was tricky to keep them still enough to be able to position ourselves comfortably or to safely dismount. It had come to the point where we were having to take turns to pull each other out of them!

It was time to visit Jayne at Harris Furnishings to try out their range of Power Lift Chairs.

We were delighted that they keep an extensive range in stock so there were plenty of models to choose from. It was re-assuring to be able to try them out before buying. We made our choice and placed the order, also choosing to get some extra fabric to have head and arm rest protectors made by the in-house upholstery team.

A little over a week later our new chairs were delivered and set up and our old ones taken away – we would never have managed it ourselves!

We are delighted to recommend the entire experience to anyone considering a power lift chair – now we have them we wished we’d bought them sooner!

So don’t wait, treat yourself - they were less than we thought they’d be.

Colin and Chris Pawley, Jesus Pobre

Everything you need to know about Power Lift Chairs

Lift chairs are recliners used to assist a person in standing up. Also known as power lift recliners, lift chairs are fitted with an electric motor to raise and recline the chair itself.

A lift chair can be perfect for people whose mobility challenges make it difficult for them to rise out of a chair from a sitting position, or to sit down from a standing one due to pain or lack of muscle strength. They can help seniors maintain their independence.

The power recliner feature facilitates leaning back and sitting up with just a push of a button, and the power lift feature will effortlessly tilt up from the floor and gently tip you forward onto your feet.

Harris Furnishings in Pedreguer stock a fabulous range of power lift chairs to suit all tastes and budgets. With express delivery on selected models, and a personal home delivery and installation service, you could be experiencing the benefits of a power lift chair within days!

Drop in anytime Monday to Friday 10am to 5.30pm or Saturday by prior appointment. See advert below for contact information.

Focus On Costa Blanca Magazine March 2022

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Fiery Las Fallas Fiesta In March

The explosive Fallas fiesta returns to the Valencia region after a two-year absence. The exciting programme has been designed to be equal to the fiestas before the pandemic. There will be parades, flower offerings, music, fireworks and Ninots put up in the streets to be burnt on the final night to commemorate St Joseph.

The best place to see the Fallas fiesta is in Valencia. For a whole week, the city becomes an enormous open-air gallery with around 700 gigantic statues handcrafted by local artisans along with marching bands and the sounds of gunpowder explosions.

From March 1, the Plaza del Ayuntamiento in Valencia is the scene of the almighty Mascletà. At 2pm each day, specialist pyrotechnicians produce the Mascletà when around 100 kilos of gunpowder explode to create a symphony of sounds filling the entire city with music.

Later in the month, the Fallas will be 'planted' in the streets where these satirical statues stand for just a few days before the Cremà, when the magnificent works of art are set alight on the evening of March 19.

Specialist Fallas artists spend the year making moulds, shaping the statues and painting them, only to watch them be burnt to a cinder on St Joseph's Day. The largest statues can cost more than 200.000€ to produce.

As with many traditions, Fallas has evolved over time to become a major tourist attraction. Its roots lie in the Middle Ages when carpenters used planks of wood as candleholders in the winter.

To celebrate the arrival of spring, they would burn the wood. Over time, the wood was dressed in clothes to look like a person. These carvings became more and more elaborate until the wondrous Fallas fiesta evolved.

Fallas is also celebrated in other towns in the Valencia community including Gandia, Dénia and Benidorm.

Article by Sarah Farrell - www.sarahswritestuff.com

T

TeuladaMoraira Lions supporting Caritas

eulada-Moraira Lions raise money throughout the year through our charity shop and other events that we organise. In turn, this allows us to support local individuals and charities as and when the need arises.

Throughout the pandemic, we have been particularly concerned for those whose income has been impacted by lockdown, enforced closure, loss of trade, etc.

We regularly work with our local branch of Caritas in Moraira. The Caritas organisation says that they like to think the world is a town inhabited by more than 7000 Million neighbours who know each other and help each other. What a lovely idea! Part of the way they enact this is through their provision of food to families in need.

Although they have their own donors and largely supply those in need themselves, from time to time they have issues for whatever reason and TM Lions are always ready to help out whenever we can. In recognition of the support TM Lions provides to Caritas, a presentation was held outside the Lions’ Den Charity Shop.

Representatives of other local Caritas groups were also there and it is hoped that we can extend the support we give to this excellent charity to some of the neighbouring areas which come under our area – for example Benitachell.

If you would like to know more about what TM Lions do, visit our website on www.tmlions.com or pop into the Lions Den Charity shop a couple of doors away from Letters R Us beneath the Pepe La Sal supermarket on the Centro Comercial, Moraira, just past the fountain roundabout on Ctra Moraira-Teulada.

Magic Of The Musicals

After a two year absence, Sounds Familiar are back on stage with a new musical theatre revue entitled "Magic Of The Musicals".

After various delays caused by the Covid 19 pandemic, the theatre group is ready to perform their show at the Auditori Municipal in Ondara on Thursday 31 March.

The show is filled with colour, music and some fun and laughter, from Broadway and West End Musicals. You will enjoy extracts from Les Miserables, Le Cage Aux Folles, Phantom Of The Opera, Sunset Boulevard, West Side Story and others that have graced the stage and screen.

With multiple costume changes, and some surprising outfits, the cast are keen to get back on stage to entertain you.

All Covid restrictions in effect at the time of the show will be adhered to. The cast and crew have been fully vaccinated.

The show starts at 8pm with the doors opening at 7.15pm. Tickets are priced at 13€ and are available by phone on 96 558 1483, or online at www.philipashley.com/boxoffice.php You can find more information about Sounds Familiar, including clips and pictures from past productions at www.soundsfamiliar.es

Alfaz Spiritual Friends in the Forum, Camino Del Pincho 2. 03580. Alfaz del Pi. Now reopened. Everyone welcome to our medium led service, Thursdays 6.30pm.

Alfaz Spiritual Friends Call Jane 636410858 WhatsApp only.

Any medium or tarot readers come along and introduce yourselves.

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our ARIES You are going to need all your strength to get through this month. With relationships at work and at home needing a lot of attention you are going to have to put your own needs to one side.

TAURUS Finances will cause tension, you must be prepared to listen to all sides before making a decision on an important purchase as it is not as straight forward a choice as it first seems. Once the decision has been made things will get back on track.

GEMINI Try to avoid making any major decisions this month. It is a time for some inner reflection to ensure you know where you are headed before bad choices are made in haste. Talking things through will help.

CANCER Nothing is too much of a problem this month with everything running smoothly.

Your confidence and enthusiasm is contagious making everyone else feel your energy. Enjoy this peaceful time.

LEO Work is running along smoothly giving you time to concentrate on home matters. A bit of spring cleaning will do you all some good. Getting rid of excess is always a good feeling, especially if you can pass it on to others who will benefit.

VIRGO A business meeting will turn out to be the start of something amazing, taking you in a direction you never considered. These new ideas will give you a revived energy and interest. Family and home will take a back seat but that is OK as they are happy with your new enthusiasm.

F���� O� C���a B�a��a Maga���e Ma��� 2022

oroscope LIBRA Meeting people is a priority for gaining and sharing knowledge. Your behaviour will show them how serious you are and give them confidence in you and the information you are sharing. Keep up the good work.

SCORPIO There is a lot going on this month so make sure you don’t miss anything, especially something that others are depending on you to do. Maybe delegating some things will give you more time to concentrate on the more important matters.

SAGITTARIUS A good spring clean will rid you of all the unwanted clutter in your life. As well as physical clutter it would be good to free yourself of some of your mental clutter as well in order to move forward.

CAPRICORN Finding out what works best for you has been a revelation. Every part of your life has benefited by your giving up old habits which were holding you back.

AQUARIUS You are lucky to have a very supportive network around you that looks after your wellbeing when you don’t. When things start to get chaotic they are always there to help calm the storm. Make sure you let them know how much you appreciate them.

PISCES Cooperation is the word for this month. You will have to convince others though that this is to the benefit of you all. There will be a lot of resistance so you will have to use your diplomacy skills to their maximum to get everyone onside. Good luck.

HELPLINE NUMBERS HELP OF MARINA ALTA: Tel: 966 427 004 - www.helpmarinaalta.org MABS CANCER SUPPORT: Tel: 634 311 690 - www.mabscancerfoundation.com SAMARITANS IN SPAIN: Freephone 900 525 100 - pat@samaritansinspain.com ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: C. Blanca North: 648 169 045 - www.aa-costablanca.org C. Blanca South: 625 912 078 - www.aa-costablanca.org AL-ANON BENIDORM: Tel: 634 758 539.

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U3A Calpe

Page 31

January General Meeting The turnout for the General Meeting was good despite the cold weather.

We had received, and followed, strict instructions from the Town Hall regarding Covid regulations.

Members were encouraged to wrap up warmly and come in their thermals, as all windows and doors would be open throughout the meeting. Everyone followed this advice and sported a wide assortment of winter warmers!

Our guest speaker, Carole Saunders, Advisor to the Mayoress of Calpe, provided a number of interesting updates on public works and events in the town. Carole also spoke of the Covid booster campaign for the over 50s which is currently in progress. As always, Carole repeated her willingness to discuss problems or answer queries from Calpe residents.

Our new President, Wendy Down, spoke about the work being undertaken by our Webmaster, Guy de Meester, to improve U3A Calpe’s administrative procedures, and the updating of our website to improve communication with our members. Vice-president Karen Flack now has a key role in developing communications for the association, in liaison with Guy and Publicity Manager, David Stockton. Members were reminded to keep an eye on the Facebook page and website, now for the latest information on U3A activities. Membership renewals are now due for 2022, following the moratorium on subscriptions last year because of the impact of Covid.

Places are still available for several trips which have already been organised for later in the year by our Travel coordinators. An allinclusive visit to Extremadura will take place at the end of March, a day trip to a Bodega is being organised for April and there will be a 15-day Mediterranean cruise coming up in early October for which we already have around 40 people registered. Please check the website www.calpeu3a.org for further details, if interested, and for details of deposits which are shortly due.

CHICAS AMIGAS IN ATTICO Chicas Amigas group of Moraira visited Attico restaurant in Javea for their February get together, on the top floor of Jávea Hotel, with magnificent views down the coast and to the harbour.

The food was delicious and VERY plentiful, and Luz the owner and her staff really looked after us very well.

It was great to catch up with friends and acquaintances again.

Thanks once again to Lynn and her helpers for keeping the group flourishing. Jan Adams.

Focus On Costa Blanca Magazine March 2022

Focus On Costa Blanca Magazine March 2022

Page 32

Amata craft fair

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returns to Jávea Port

After a two years' absence the artisans of Amata have returned to the Port of Jávea. From now onwards you can find them again every Sunday morning at the Paseo Marítimo (look for "Feria de Artesanía, Jávea" in Google maps or go directly to https://goo.gl/maps/ pHb3PsmSDjm.) Amata, the regional craft association that organises this small but select craft fair, guarantees that everything is hand made by the participants themselves - nothing imported, nothing factory-made, everything carefully and lovingly made by people who have chosen this way of life. And it shows!

Every Sunday morning, starting at 11am and finishing at 2pm or even later, there will be people with soft and wooden toys, water colours, ceramics, some very original jewellery made from recycled beer tins or sea shells.

You won't know exactly what is there on any given Sunday morning, since every week there may be different stalls, but there are always the odd dozen stalls (as long as the weather is OK, because craft people can't risk that wind or rain damaging their work).

For more information, ring Elvira on 639 979 678 (she speaks English). Last minute changes and other news items about this fair will be published on the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/feriaartesaniajavea.

I BUY RECORDS LPs, EPs, SINGLES. 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s years. Good prices paid. Tel. 962 851 809 - 622 750 117.

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

For Sale 2 Beautiful oak chairs with new upholstery.

Height 40inch/ 100cm, Width 24inch/ 60cm, Depth 24inch/ 60cm, Seat height 22inch/ 55cm. More photos available Jávea, Price €350 each.

Mobile +31 653 531 334.

CROSSWORD SOLUTIONS Across: 1 Sighted, 5 Bravo, 8 Iraqi, 9 Cornish, 10 Dynamic, 12 Hair, 14 End, 16 Hanoi, 18 Goo, 19 Foam, 21 Atlanta, 24 Cowslip, 26 Ennui, 27 Layer, 28 Descent.

Down: 1 Skin-deep, 2 Grain, 3 Triumph, 4 Doc, 5 Birth, 6 Abiding, 7 Oahu, 11 Conga, 13 Royalist, 15 Doorway, 17 ANSWER TO SPOT THE ODD ONE OUT: D Illness, 20 Molar, 22 Nonce, 23 Kcal, 25 Pad.

Easy

Medium

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Page 33

SEEING THROUGH THE EYES OF HORUS An Arts Society Marina Alta Lecture by David Rohl Thur, 3 March, 2022, 11am Salones Canor, Cami del Assagador de Canor, Teulada

By David Glover, Chair Doors open at 10am for registration, and coffee will be made available before the presentation begins at 11am. All proceedings will be held in accordance with obligatory Covid rules on the day.

Please note that this lecture differs from that contained in our 2022 programme, as we are very sorry to inform members and friends that Neil Faulkner recently passed away. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends on this sad loss of a well-respected and liked member of the Arts Society.

David Rohl……Seeing Through the Eyes of Horus.

Illustrations and photographs provided by Andrew Ward.

This lecture is focused on the development of Egyptian art from before the birth of pharaonic civilization to the death of Cleopatra.

Ancient Egyptian art reached considerable sophistication in painting and sculpture and was highly stylised and symbolic.

David Michael Rohl is a British Egyptologist and former director of the Institute for the study of Interdisciplinary Science. The Daily Express has quoted that “when it comes to exploring, David Rohl makes Indiana Jones look like an under-achiever”. David is not only a bestselling writer, who has produced several unconventional theories relating to the chronology of ancient Egypt, but also an explorer, TV presenter, renowned public lecturer, composer, rock musician, record producer and photographer.

VISITORS ARE WELCOME for a fee of 15€ and doors open at 10am for registration by 10.50am. Complimentary wine and soft drinks are provided after the lecture.

NEW & RENEWAL MEMBERSHIP ANNUAL FEE 50€.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on The Arts Society Marina Alta, to include the lecture programme for 2022, venue directions, events and trips, membership, presentations, articles, our committee, sponsors and own sponsorship, visit our website: www.marinaaltaarts.com.

This presentation is once again sponsored by Blevins Franks, which is much appreciated.

Focus On Costa Blanca Magazine March 2022

Focus On Costa Blanca Magazine March 2022

Page 34

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Jávea, the fashion hotspot of the 70s

J

By Rhona Wells - rhonawells@hotmail.com

ávea has attracted many well-known personalities through the years and over the next few months the town will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of one of most famous of them all, the internationally famed and feted high fashion guru, Cristóbal Balenciaga, who made the town his home for several years until his death, in Jávea in 1972, on 23rd March.

It says much about the world famous couturier that another celebrated icon, Christian Dior noted: “We other couturiers are the musicians and we follow the directions he (Balenciaga)gives.”

Even Coco Chanel acknowledged: “Balenciaga is a couturier in the truest sense of the word. Only he is capable of cutting material, assembling a creation and sewing it by hand. The others are simply fashion designers.”

Cristóbal Balenciaga was born in the Basque region of Spain, and was expected to follow the family tradition of becoming a fisherman, like his father, or a priest, like his uncle. But Cristóbal wasn’t having any of that: he knew from any early age that he wanted to work with clothing, following in the footsteps of his dressmaker mother. Completely self-taught, he opened his first salon – Balenciaga y Compañía – in 1918, and almost from the word go royalty and aristocrats were beating a beautifully shod path to his door.

Like so many, Balenciaga fled the Spanish Civil War – in his case, moving his HQ to the world’s fashion capital of Paris, in 1937. A year later, he opened his beautiful neoclassical flagship store at 10 Avenue George V. Paris loved his bows and boleros, his flamenco ruffles, the extraordinary precision of his cut, his finish, and especially his embroidered toreador jackets. Among the glamourous beauties clamouring for Balenciaga fashions were a variety of movie stars, including Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Ginger Rogers and Carole Lombard.

Balenciaga reigned supreme over Paris’s couture world for decades, inspiring many with his talent. Paco Rabanne, André Courrèges, Emanuel Ungaro, Hubert de Givenchy and Oscar de la Renta were not only key fashion figures of the 20th Century, they were all students of Balenciaga, learning their craft as dressmakers in Balenciaga’s atelier.

This super-talented couturier insisted that only women of strong character would wear his exotic creations.

Over the years however, Balenciaga‘s designs evolved to become simpler, more pure. But as the 1960s rolled on, he came to believe that the new wave of frenzied consumerism clashed with his uncompromising vision.

In 1968, after living and beathing his trade to the fullest, Cristóbal Balenciaga retired, leaving dozens of elegant women heartbroken. It’s said that Countess Mona Bismarck mourned by shutting herself in her room for three days. When he died in 1972, the American fashion industry bible Women’s Wear Daily ran the headline ‘The King is dead”.

Jávea will be celebrating his life and achievements with a special exhibition “El Siglo de Balenciaga” at Casa del Cable, from 1st July until 30th September 2022.

AFPO, Association Of Foreign Property Owners, will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, 1st March, in the Diamante Beach Hotel, Calpe, 10am for 10:30am.

Light refreshments will be served afterwards.

The guest speaker will be Marcus Iglesias, a British citizen who practises law in Spain. Marcus graduated in law from the university of Salamanca, and he has a Masters in political science, and a PHD in judicial anthropology.

Marcus has been practising law for 22 years, having offices in Salamanca, Alicante and Vigo. The topics Marcus will be talking about are: inheritance tax in Spain, plus valia, and obtaining a residencia. New members welcome. For more information call 639 637 520, or email calcalpe@gmail.com

SAVE MONEY ON YOUR OVERSEAS MONEY TRANSFERS

Call Sherry Fraser-Currie 96 626 5072 or email:sherry.f@currenciesdirect.com

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Who is buying property on the Costa Blanca?

Page 35

Focus On Costa Blanca Magazine March 2022

Nearly one out of two second homes sold on the Costa Blanca is being snapped up by people from Madrid, while British and Belgian buyers are the dominant forces from overseas.

Madrilenos bought 2,097 properties in the Alicante province between January and September last year, according to government figures. That is 50% up on 2020, although it should be taken into account that this period coincides with the months of confinement due to Covid-19.

Last year, residents from Madrid bought nearly the same number of houses in Alicante province as British buyers who bought 2,101 homes. Belgian buyers acquired 1,547 homes, the Swiss bought 1,269 and 1,108 were sold to Germans.

The pandemic has played its part in the change in the population on the Costa Blanca. Many people living in large cities, such as Madrid, have decided to take up residence - full or part-time - in areas where they can enjoy a better quality of life away from the stress of city living.

The pandemic also saw a sharp rise in home working and many people are now looking at teleworking on a more permanent basis, so they can live in a convivial area. Other people are eyeing Alicante properties as a long-term investment for retirement.

Alicante city remains a favourite destination for Madrilenos, who are particularly drawn to the areas around Alicante Golf and San Juan beach as well as flats in the city centre. Guardamar and Santa Pola are other towns benefitting from the demand from Madrilenos. However, buyers from the Basque country and northern Spain in general usually settle in and around Benidorm, figures show.

The age of property buyers is falling with more young couples and single people looking to buy apartments in Alicante province.

Article by Sarah Farrell - www.sarahswritestuff.com