QF Focus - January 2021

Dep. Legal A-685-2016

E FR E

JANUARY 2021

Female Focus Publications serving the English speaking community throughout the Costa Blanca since 1993

y p p a H New Year!

Also inside this issue:-

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Your Horoscopes - Your Local Community News Puzzles - Recipes - Legal - Astronomy A View From The Top - Finance - Health & Beauty - Violet King - Local Business Reviews BROUGHT TO YOU BY....

Club & Charity News Prize Compe��on Classified Adverts And So Much More

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Book Review by Ivor Kindle Title: Bob Willis.

A Cricketer and a Gentleman Author: Mike Dickson

Robert George Dylan Willis, born 30th May 1949 - died 4th December 2019.

This book is an excellent homage to one of the greatest players to ever play cricket for England. Bob's TV persona was one of being the grumpy old man of English cricket, however that persona was just not the man.

Those of us who love the game of cricket will always remember the 1981 Test Match at Headingly against the old foe... The Australians. Willis came steaming and took 8 Aussie wickets for a meagre 43 runs to set up a famous England win.

All in all, Bob Willis took 7, five wicket hauls against the Australians during his Test career. A complex character and as his name suggests, a lifelong fan of the music of another Bob... that being Bob Dylan.

This is an easy read about a true great of the great game of cricket. Enjoy.

Keep reading, Ivor Kindle.

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QFocus Magazine January 2021 Page 3 Lyrical Mixed Voice COSTA BLANCA SOUTH Choir: The choir are hoping to re-start weekly rehearsals again mid to late January in preparation their spring Note from Benny: Same old, same old. Some performance for concert which they cancellations, some positive bookings, and some adaptations for more social-like activity just to keep things together. Nice to read hope to perform in April 2021. Exact date will be advised in the that a few groups are also trying to adapt to radio and video next Diary, once Covid restrictions are clearer. New singers are productions instead of just shutting down until things get better. always most welcome. An ability to hold your own tune in four Unfortunately, some will disappear from the amdram scene part harmony and to read music a distinct advantage. For more altogether as the future does not seem to be very promising until information, please contact Philip Mitchell: 865 750 465 or Trent late this year – and even then, not a definite turn of fortunes Harris: 650 764 127. is forecast. We need the amdram and music scene, we need their wonderful charity funding, and we need this true-brit determination to continue regardless that the average age in most groups is in the older high-risk category. Please support these groups wherever they are in whatever way you can.

Actors Community Theatre Society: After the successful performance of the ‘Vagina Monologues’, the Company were asked for a repeat performance. They are pleased to announce that they have secured a venue, fully COVID compliant, for the end of January.

Exact date to be confirmed but full details will be posted on their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/1568693883460095.

Cantabile Ladies Choir: At present time, the Choir do not know when rehearsals will commence. Further details next month when hopefully arrangements can be made. New members in all parts, are always welcome especially sopranos, the only requirement is the ability to sing in tune in this friendly, threepart female choir. For more up-to-date information, please contact: valbeange@gmail.com or valcantabie@gmail.com, phone: 966 795 816, mobile: 648 034 232.

Harmonisers Barbershop: Whatever your singing talent, a warm welcome awaits you at Harmonisers.

They are a friendly international group and a funloving harmony chorus, singing in the Barbershop Style. They have just commenced Thursday rehearsals at 11am at Casa Contenta Rojales, near the Rojales Market and are particularly looking for tenors. If you are interested, please contact Michael Hume at: michaelhume4814@gmail.com for more information.

Rojales Pantomime Group: The Group are hoping to be able to start rehearsing `Treasure Island´ in the spring, for staging in December or January for all panto deprived people. They are rallying the cast and will hold social events to keep everyone motivated.

However, they need new members to keep panto alive, so if you would like to join this fun and happy group, email: rojalespantomime@gmail.com and have a chat.

Studio 32: Rehearsals recommence for the musical, `South Pacific´ on Sunday 17 January at Casa Ventura. They hope to stage the production at the end of May 2021. Due to various circumstances, including Brexit and COVID they have lost a few members and so are actively seeking new faces to join the group either as cast members, backstage crew, technicians or front of house. No previous experience is necessary as coaching will be given. Anyone interested please contact them at: studiothirtytwo@icloud.com or telephone: 607 424 299.

If you would like your group to be part of the Stage Diary please email editor@femalefocusonline.com.

Deadline for copy is the 15th of the month prior to publication. Stage Diary Costa Blanca North information can be found online at www.femalefocusonline.com

QF���� Maga���e Ja��a�� 2021

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We had a lovely family Christmas, although it was very different to previous years, and like everyone, made the best of the situation under the restrictions imposed. Lots of delicious food and alcohol was consumed whilst playing the many board games kindly delivered by Santa. It was almost like being back in lockdown!

We are very proud parents of our little angel who competed in her 1st solo dance competition, held online, and was placed 2nd in the advanced 14 – 18 year old category. To say that this has boosted her confidence is an understatement, and she will now no doubt go on to compete in many more. It is just a shame that these are only being done online at the moment and we cannot watch, cheer and give our support, however, hopefully it won’t be long before this can be done once again.

With 2020 being the strangest year I have ever experienced, hopefully we will not have to endure anything like it again in our lifetimes, and it is now a thing in the past. It will definitely go down in the history books and in years to come, no doubt our grandchildren will be asking lots of questions about how we coped in the situation.

On a much more positive note, I am looking forward to what the New Year brings... Fingers crossed for good health, wealth and prosperity to everyone. It certainly can’t be any worse than last year was... Surely?

Congratulations to Carol who won last month's competition after spotting the Curry On Cooking logo. For your chance to win a selection of Curry Kits this month, see inside for full details. Good luck.

Congratulations to Sally Webster, winner of last month's Pure Organic CBD competition. lle

Miche

QFocus Magazine covering the Alicante South region and the Female Focus covering the Alicante North region.

Discuss your advertising with your local representative:-

QFocus Magazine Office: Mon to Fri. 10am - 2pm Tel. 657 501 055

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Pick up your next issue on 2 February Deadline for advertising & editorial -18 January

Please send editorial to editor@femalefocusonline.com Advert content to adver�sing@femalefocusonline.com

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STORMS FROM THE SUN

QFocus Magazine January 2021

It's been a while since I wrote anything about our Sun, it just sits there in our beautiful blue sky keeping us all warm. It would be easy to forget that the Sun produces a lot more than heat and light, there is a huge range of other radiations, some deadly and some that can fry anything electrical.

I suppose I should start at the beginning. The Sun is what's called a G type main sequence star, sometimes called a yellow dwarf. In other words it's quite ordinary, but even safe stable stars like ours can and do vary their behaviour a little bit. Ours has a sequence of change that lasts about 11 years, although this can vary quite a bit.

The change is called a solar cycle and it means that when the Sun is at its most active it affects us here on Earth.

We have just come out of a period of very little happening on the Sun, a solar minimum, no sunspots, few eruptions on the surface, all pretty quiet.

Relatively suddenly we are seeing sunspots on the surface, and more importantly, large CMEs. What? Coronal mass ejections, astronomers with a sense of humour call them solar burps. These are huge eruptions of the Suns surface that send out dangerous radiation, electrons and plasma. Try to imagine 20 million nuclear bombs going off, and you're getting close.

Naturally, it's not as serious as it sounds, most CMEs miss us altogether and also the Earth is protected by its magnetic field, most of the dangerous stuff is swept around us harmlessly, that's what the Northern and Southern lights are, lots of energy glowing in the sky, mother nature’s greatest light show. The worry is that occasionally when a large eruption takes place and all the nasty stuff heads straight for us we can have real problems.

Obviously, you and I are safe, humans have been around a long time, it's all our electrical and electronic systems that suffer.

About 30 years ago, a CME took out much of the power system in the east of Canada and the USA, fried by all that extra energy from space. Satellites suffer, navigation is affected, the list goes on and on. About 150 years ago, electricity was not much used, but there was a telegraph system, and that was burned out. It was this event, combined with astronomers noticing the changes in the Sun that led them to put the pieces of the puzzle together and begin our understanding of the Sun. We've been waiting for a while for the next Solar cycle to begin, and over the last couple of weeks it finally has. Great sunspots, and wonderful CMEs are being observed, whether these are harmless, or whether we will have a dangerous event we'll just have to wait and see, but it's a good time for us amateur astronomers who have been waiting impatiently for something to observe.

Now the practical stuff, don't look at the Sun, especially don't look at it through binoculars, that's guaranteed to burn your eyes from your head. Those of you with the right equipment need no help from me, but for everyone else, there is something you can do to see sunspots. You can use your binoculars to project an image of the Sun on to a sheet of paper. Next month I will be showing a simple way anyone can do this safely.

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

WORD SPIRAL

WORDSPIRAL 1 - CLUES

Vega Ba

BY PA PUZZLES TEAM

&

Starting from 1, fill in the grid in a clockwise direction with four-letter words. The last letter of each word becomes the first letter of the next word.

If you have correctly filled in the grid there should be a seven-letter key word reading across from 8.

Oates Charljaes Astronomy Group

&

1. Fibber 2. Roster 3. Slightly open 4. Corrode 5. Heavy combat vehicle 6. Potter’s oven 7. Religious sisters 8. Auction 9. Gaelic 10. Fencing sword 11. Hearing organs 12. Cleansing agent 13. Chrysalis 14. Opera song 15. Nagging pain 16. Flat Key word clue: Surname

WORDSPIRAL 2 - CLUES 1. Trout, say 2. Vestibule 3. Look lasciviously 4. Tumult 5. Group of players 6. Masculine 7. Epochs 8. Strongbox 9. Deserve 10. Naked 11. Consumes food 12. Mortuary table 13. Tub of water 14. Maori war chant 15. Gifts to the poor 16. Smack Key word clue: Office Item.

Answers to puzzles in the classified pages

QF���� Maga���e Ja��a�� 2021

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QUARTERLY ANNOUNCEMENT - 25th November 2020 - provided by

www.femalefocusonline.com

an Investment Product Provider extremely well known to British expats: There is no change to net Expected Growth Rates (EGR) of the International Bond applied daily, as follows: Growth (Sterling) Fund 3.3% p.a.

Cautious (Sterling) Fund 2.4% p.a.

Growth (Euro) Fund 2.4% p.a.

Cautious (Euro) Fund 1.6% p.a. (note: 1.2% p.a. more than published rates above for clients invested over 5 years) In ADDITION to the above the following instant unit price uplifts were applied on 25th November 2020: Growth (Sterling) Fund 4.08% Cautious (Sterling) Fund 2.50% Growth (Euro) Fund 3.87%.

Cautious (Euro) Fund 3.15% This was very pleasing news indeed, particularly to new investors in this bond.

• Option to give a regular monthly or quarterly withdrawal of 5% p.a. penalty free, giving peace of mind for the regularity see advert below of a set income. for more information • Avoidance of Spanish inheritance tax liabilities between spouses if written as a joint policy which is all held in Ireland i.e. outside of Spain.

• If your Spanish will contains the UK law of succession clause then your UK resident heirs will only pay inheritance tax per UK rules on the passing of this bond.

In most cases this will be Nil. • All income tax deduction and reporting and Modelo 720 asset reporting is done for you in Spain by the Product Provider. This is very simple for investors.

• Portable, should you move back to UK. • Investment in € euro or £ sterling (minimum £20,000 or 25,000€) • 1.5% allocation bonus for investments over £150,000 (immediately worth £152,250). 0.5% allocation bonus for investments over £75,000.

Below is a summary of key benefits our most popular Spanish Tax Compliant investment product for Spanish resident ex-pats in addition to the returns applied daily, as shown above: • Mechanism employed by the Provider smooths returns. Excellent for inexperienced investors and historically vastly better than bank interest returns.

Please call me for this or any other investment products.

David Diggle C.A.T., DipFA of Blacktower Financial Management (International) Limited. Tel: 615 607 278 / 965 058 212.

Email: dave.diggle@blacktowerfm.com. Website: www.theblacktowergroup.com. Location: Costa Blanca. The Blacktower Group (formed Jan 1986 UK) has been offering sound, independent advice for 34 years.

The above information was correct at the time of preparation and does not constitute investment advice and you should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity.

Blacktower Insurance Agents & Advisors Ltd is authorised and regulated in Cyprus by the Insurance Companies Control Service and registered with the DGS in Spain. Blacktower Financial Management (Cyprus) Ltd is authorised and regulated in Cyprus by the Cyprus Securities & Exchange Commission and is registered with the CNMV in Spain.

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QFocus Magazine January 2021

SUDOKU Here are four Sudoku puzzles of different skill levels for you to try.

It is not a maths game at all - it is a pure logic game.

Fill in the grid so that every 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.

Answers to puzzles in the classified pages

QFocus Magazine January 2021

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Some Common Questions Answered

Are Habitation Licences Required To Sell A Property In Almeria Or Murcia Area?

Actually, an occupation licence is not a document required to sell a property at the notary within the Murcia Region, but you may find that solicitors from Alicante area ask for it, even if it’s not legally essential to sign a sale. Having said that, a habitation licence is only required in Alicante.

Why Is The Average EPC Rating So Low? This is basically due to poor insulation in local building methods.

Ratings in Southern Spain are generally very low but this fact doesn’t affect the marketing process or the property´s price.

What Is The Difference Between An EPC In UK And Spain?

There is little difference between the UK and Spanish standards or protocol with an EPC. Surveyors in UK take into account light bulbs whilst in Spain we are not allowed to include light bulbs and other installations that are not likely to be permanent during the 10 year validation of the certificate.

Have The EPC Inspections Started?

Yes, the inspection process has started for properties offered for sale or rent. A couple of years ago 42 agencies were fined regarding most of their clients in Catalonia. In Murcia, inspections have started activated by ‘denuncias’ between estate agents and also to detect false or unqualified technicians. In Madrid full inspections and fining has officially started, revealing that 20% of the cases were actions against the unqualified “technicians”, 40% were cases against falsified documents, and the final 40% were for cases

of properties that didn't have the obligatory EPC prepared for the purposes of marketing for sale or leasing. In Alicante we have only heard of cases where fines have been given to agents or sellers after neighbours, purchasers or other agencies have reported them.

Is It Obligatory To Have A Retrospective Licence?

There is no law that makes it obligatory to have a Retrospective Licence (also known as a Certificate of Antiquity), but as a matter of fact now all purchasers or solicitors are asking to have licences correctly in place. Most vendors prefer to have a Retrospective Licence when a pool or extension has been done without a licence or without the proper licence. Vendors benefit from having this done sooner rather than later, as explained before, to avoid trying to organise such things at the last moment (when sales are already very stressful) and to avoid additional “in panic” expenses. Plus, we are seeing an increase of vendors having these licenses done to prevent losing the confidence of a potential purchaser due to the existence of illegal parts of the property. Likewise agents are now more likely to expect a vendor to have this license for the sake of their reputations, so as not to sell a property that is only "partially" legal and prevent having possible disgruntled clients later on.

What Do I Need To Have A Retrospective Licence?

The conditions needed in Alicante area to obtain Retrospective Licences / Antiquity Certificates for extensions or pools is that the extension or pool needs to be over 4 years old, before the 20 August 2014, and without having received any objections from authorities.

Martinez de la Casa Architects is the Number 1 company in EPC Certificates (121€ inc IVA) and Number 1 for Antiquity Certificates/ Retrospective Licences for pools (190€ +IVA) and building extensions (270€ +IVA). We also offer superb discounts to groups of 2 clients or more on the same visit, or if you require a combination of legal certificates/services.

If your Solicitors are studying your case, ask them to contact us to provide any of these documents and we will make the whole process easier, faster and cheaper for you. For all enquiries or to arrange an appointment please call 665 810 411 or visit www.martinezdelacasa.com to see an impressive list of over 150 testimonials by different clients.

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If you are learning Spanish or have a love of poetry, Barbra Dean has a book for you.

Barbra Dean was Assistant Fashion Editor on a woman's magazine, as well as freelancing for newspapers and publications. She also wrote the letters for an agony aunt, and was a film extra, appearing in many soaps for television. She did a University degree when she was 55, in English, Psychology and Computing, with a bit of Drama.

She has worn so many hats that it seems appropriate that her children's book should be called The Multicoloured Hat. It is a lovely story of a hat that gets caught up in the wind. It gives the children who find it self confidence and well being.

The book has been translated into Spanish,

by Berlingua, called El Sombrero Multicolor, it has one page in Spanish, and English on the facing page. Because of its simplistic language, it is suitable for adults too who are learning Spanish.

Barbra has a twin sister and as they live apart, they wanted to do something together as a legacy for their families. They have written lots of poetry through the years and decided to call their book Twins Reflections. The poems relate to people and things that have meant something to them.

It is a heart warming collection and some of the poems are very emotive.

All three books are on most Amazon sites, but she is also happy for anyone to pick up a copy from her direct, and she will sign it. Please contact her by email: babsiedean@gmail.com and she will get right back to you.

QFocus Magazine January 2021

QFocus Magazine January 2021

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A View From The Top

W

elcome to my monthly column “A view from the top”. Hopefully you will find my rambling readable (maybe even enjoyable).

You may agree or you may disagree with my views, I care not. These are my views long held and forged over a life time of work, travel and experience. Now that’s over let’s have a look at what is really winding me up.

Through the Glass Darkly.

It's the middle of December and I am sitting at my laptop thinking about the subject matter for my first piece of the new year... ie, the January edition of the QFocus Magazine. I can almost feel the astonishment of the readership, yes I know that it's not as if anything is not going on in the World, what with Covid, Brexit and that idiot Trump still bemoaning the fact that he got stuffed in an election.

The problem I have is that I really just want it all to go away so I can write about things that make me happy... My Grandchildren for example, my two dogs or my life in this wonderful, adopted country of Spain. I understand that I could write a piece with a nice warm feeling... Did someone mention sunny uplands and something about a deal being a piece of cake etc...

See what just happened? I just cannot get the last few years, months out of my mind. Now I am an optimist by nature, that said I do have a streak of melancholy that every so often, for a day or so, just takes over my thoughts and leaves me with a sinking feeling about life at the present. I know other people like to hear good news... Good news can, and does, brighten my life as I am sure it does yours, Dear Reader.

www.femalefocusonline.com The problem is that for the past X years the World seems to have been going to "Hell in the Handcart" so to speak. As I write, Christmas 2020 is on the horizon and should normally be a time of good cheer with hope and optimism brought into focus by the upcoming festival of the "Birth of Jesus"... Peace and goodwill to all men and women as we look forward to the beginning of a new year. My thoughts however are concentrated on all the terrible things that seem to be going on in this World of ours. Covid 19 is a plague (pandemic) that hopefully will be mitigated by the use of several vaccines that have been manufactured by the genius of the medical professionals from all around the World. The hope is that the untold pain and suffering of the World’s people can be arrested, and the World can find a way to get back to some form of normality. There I can find a sliver of optimism... Where did that come from?... Perhaps, just perhaps, once Covid has been arrested and managed out of harm’s way, the World can just take a while to ponder and contemplate its "Where to next" in respect of the Human race. Yes, all the people of the World need time for reflection and contemplation in the aftermath of such a cruel and unforgiving pandemic. Of course here the Pessimist that lurks deep within me rises up and asks the question... Do we, the people of the World, have the Politicians that we deserve? Can they, the political class, move our societies forward in a peaceful and constructive manner? Can they, the politicians, put away their lust for power and find a shred of human compassion and a moral compass that points towards a good for all aspect of political aims and achievements? Put simply, politics should be about the good that men and women can do for others while they strive toward the betterment of man/ womankind.

Have a wonderful New Year, difficult yes in these uncertain times, but I do detect the future, with a little effort, can be a future that bears happiness after so much sorrow of the past year. Keep well and keep safe.

Kaavan.

As the new year comes upon us a wonderful story of compassion and kindness can be reported. The story is about the so called World’s loneliest elephant. A male elephant named Kaavan who has been living alone since his mate died in 2012. The singer Cher championed this magnificent 36 year old, 9,000lb goliath, and her efforts have been rewarded as Kaavan has now been moved from his solitary compound in Pakistan to a new home in an animal sanctuary in Cambodia. Kaavan received a warm welcome by chanting Buddist monks upon his arrival in Cambodia, before being sent to his new home. A wonderful picture of Kaavan making contact with another elephant by touching trunks together was published. A good news story to start the new year... Well done Cher and all who fought for the rights of Kaavan.

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QUICK

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QFocus Magazine January 2021

CROSSWORD By the PA puzzles team

Down 1. Tiring (9) 2. Stupid (9) 4. Jeer (4) 5. Drive out (5) 6. Make smaller (6) 7. Certain (4) 9. Derrick (5) 11. Faction (5) 12. Open to discussion (9) 13. Arouse (9) 17. Asylum (5) 19. Streak (6) 22. Subsequently (5) 23. Yield (4) 24. Lower (4)

DALLES The word may sound familiar, but do you A Head of the Buddhist hierarchy know what it means?

B Rapids between high rock walls C Censure ANSWER: B

BY PA PUZZLES TEAM

CABOTAGE

FRUCTED

A Coastal navigation

A Fusty, offensive

B Foolishly ignore

B Bearing fruit

C Damage or destruction

C Hulled wheat

ANSWER: A

See classified pages for answers

ANSWER: B

Across 3. Gloomy (9) 8. A paradise (4) 9. Self-possession (9) 10. Holiday town (6) 11. Carried on (5) 14. Reception room (5) 15. Trim (4) 16. Soil (5) 18. The aggregate (4) 20. Startle (5) 21. Get lost (5) 24. Particular (6) 25. Divergence (9) 26. Conspiracy (4) 27. Discouragement (9)

QFocus Magazine January 2021

Meet Wendy

Page 12

Hi everyone, I would like to introduce myself to you, my name is Wendy and I am a licensed medical acupuncture practitioner.

I gained my license to practice in 2016 and I'm proud to say that I passed with a distinction. I am a registered member of the British Academy of Western Medical Acupuncture (bawma.co.uk) at the university of Liverpool where my post grad course was taken.

Since graduating I ran a successful clinic and in that time, I have helped many people with various conditions from plantar fasciitis to migraines and everything in between.

Acupuncture is used to treat a wide range of health conditions, it is often used to treat pain such as headaches, back pain, muscular strain, sciatica, frozen shoulder, dental pain and pain from arthritis and autoimmune disease. It is also commonly used to help with conditions such as infertility, hormonal imbalances, asthma, IBS, thyroiditis, stress, anxiety and PTSD but to name a few...

I am happy to have joined Samantha and the team at Absolute Hair & Beauty in Pueblo Bravo where I am practicing acupuncture, electro acupuncture, facial rejuvenation acupuncture, TDP magnetic heat therapy and moxabustion and also Caflon ear piercing.

If you feel that you have exhausted all other forms of treatment and are still suffering, then why not give medical acupuncture a try... it maybe all you need to help you get back to full health, or better manage long-term chronic conditions more successfully.

For more information and appointments please contact me - Wendy Greensmith Lic.Ac on telephone number 722 830 241. â—? For a salon appointment or more information call Absolute Hair, Nails & Beauty on 966 731 336 or see our advert.

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our ARIES Start the year as you mean to continue by keeping on top of things rather than leaving everything until the last minute. Things are slow at the moment but use the time wisely looking to the future and planning for it. By putting a plan in place things will run much more smoothly.

TAURUS You know what you want to achieve but are having problems making others understand what you are heading towards. Explain and explain again rather than just ploughing on, they may have some great ideas as well.

GEMINI You are only focused on reaching your goal with as little effort as possible. On finding yourself at a crossroad choose wisely, decide carefully why is one path better than the other?

CANCER Aim high this year and plan well to accomplish your goals in an organised manner. You need to be more honest with yourself about your needs this year in order to be happier than you have been lately.

LEO Life will not be boring for your this month as your spontaneity will lead to some interesting results.

Be careful to take into account the consequences of these actions on others though.

VIRGO With things set firmly in your head it will be hard for anyone to change your mind. Even though you listen to their reasoning it rarely affects your decisions. With this mind set you must be ready to take full responsibility for the outcome so make sure you choose the right path.

QF���� Maga���e Ja��a�� 2021

oroscope LIBRA It is going to be all or nothing at the start of this year with no middle road.

You want the best and you are willing to work hard for it but not when others are not pulling their weight. Be careful boredom doesn't lead you towards something you would normally steer clear of.

SCORPIO Slow down, life does not have to go at 100 miles an hour. Lowering your expectations is not always a bad thing as you have been setting the bar far too high recently. You have nothing to prove. Those who are important to you know your worth.

SAGITTARIUS Your attention span is short at the moment don't miss an important announcement as it is one that will impact you greatly. Write things down or you will be doing a lot of apologising when things get forgotten.

CAPRICORN If you have been feeling a little fractured lately, now is the time when things will start coming together. You will be facing some challenges this month, but nothing you can't deal with.

AQUARIUS Change is coming and although you prefer stability, when it comes you will see the benefits and relish it. Others may not be as happy as you are and may need help seeing all the good it brings.

PISCES Putting the final touches on a project will highlight some flaws. Even though no-one else sees them you have to decide if they are worth starting over or if you can live with them. If people want to start an argument try to use it as a time to learn and /or educate rather than fight.

QF���� Maga���e Ja��a�� 2021

Have wne all bee a born fonr? reaso

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If that sounds a strange question to ask, let me explain. The vast majority of people are not interested in anything but getting through the day. They aren’t interested in what makes things tick, they wouldn’t grab an opportunity if it got up and bit them, they don’t care about what is going on except what is on T.V. or what they had for dinner last night, and the daily routine of life.

I have personally witnessed glazed expressions go across people’s eyes if the conversation changes to anything with more depth than that. No problem! I am not being critical here, or saying that it is wrong to be like that. I am just stating a fact.

Some people will not get involved in any discussion that would reveal what they feel about things, or what they believe in. They just listen, then if it is a controversial theme, they change the subject of the conversation at the first available opportunity!

People who have impressed me and motivated me and helped me make changes in my way of thinking have always endeared me to them by presenting a different point of view and one that I could see makes sense. I love that. There is not one thing that I think now that I wouldn’t change if someone could present me with a better option, and a different way of seeing things. Not fickle, just not happy about being stuck with a rubbish point of view! I love change, I love variety, and I love learning different things about life. We aren’t around long enough at the moment to risk being bored, and the world is full of people with different points of view, different experiences, and I love to hear about it all!

Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's how you handle things, and what you want to get out of life. It also has to do with how you see life and how you see yourself. If you want to, you can make changes, and maybe that way we can find out what our own life is all about. No one else is in control of how we handle things, but us.

Until the next time, take care!

Violet King

We’ll be back!

Theatre and live performance across the world is struggling to survive and so many venues have been closed down by the Corona restrictions. Networks Theatre in Orihuela city, is one such theatre. Back in March, and with only 3 weeks to production week they had to stop rehearsals for their musical Psychedelic Cool. Artistic Director Nick Moore said, "It was tough on everyone. The actors had dedicated so much time to rehearsing the show and to have it all taken away was a real blow.

I received so many messages of disbelief that this was happening to everyone."

Networks has been producing theatre in Orihuela since 1999 and they produce 6 shows a year, 3 of which are open to the public. Nick added "It's not only stopped our public shows, like our pantomime (we've produced one every year for the last 18 years,) but it's scuppered our educational work as we can't rehearse under current restrictions nor can we invite an audience into our studio theatre."

It's hard to make plans at the moment as there's little news that allows them to make plans but they are ready to go with new shows once the conditions are right. "We'll be back", said Nick, "bigger and better than ever. What an emotional day that will be."

You can sign up to Networks Theatre mailings by visiting their website www.networksthreatre.com

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Page 15

New year, new hair?

R

QFocus Magazine January 2021

egardless of whether you've had the same look for years, or only for a few weeks, you may be feeling like it's time to make a change.

When is a good time to switch up your hair style, you ask? Whenever you want. But, if you don't particularly like styling your hair, pulling it back every day, or feel like your look is "dull," it's a safe bet that a change may be good for you.

When switching up your hairstyle it's important to pick a hairstylist that you can trust. If your stylist cuts your current hair well but you don't trust them to transform your look, or you're less than confident about them, it's time to go shopping for a new one. Getting a new look requires that you put your identity in the hands of another person, and you want to find a stylist who aligns with that vision. Ask friends, co-workers, or family members with great hair for recommendations, or just use a site on the internet like Pinterest.

When you go in, as with anything, it's important to know what you want and where your limits are. Look through photos of hairstyles, save them on your phone or print them out, and take them with you to your appointment. A picture provides a much better explanation than you ever could.

It's also really important to listen to your hairstylist, and give them a little freedom to make suggestions. However, it's still most important that you get a new style that you love.

At Måximo Beauty, both Laura and Megan are great at big hair transformations so please don’t hesitate to contact the salon and book in for a free consultation. � Please don't hesitate to visit us at the salon or contact us on 965 724 671 to book your appointments! See our advert below for more details.

QFocus Magazine January 2021

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Page 16

RECIPES by Pushpa from the Spice Hut Chicken and peas

Ingredients; 1kg of chicken, diced 100gr of frozen peas Small onion, diced 2 tbsp of tomato puree 1 tbpn of garlic paste 1 tbpn of ginger paste 1 tspn of garam masala

1 tspn of chilli powder 2 chopped fresh chillies 1 tspn of turmeric powder Salt as required 3 tbsp of cooking cream 2tbspn of natural yoghurt A cup of water a little oil Fresh coriander

Method; 1. Mix the tomato puree, garam masala, garlic, ginger, chilli powder, turmeric, salt and the cream.

2. Heat the oil, fry the onion, add the mix into it and cook on a low heat for few minutes then add the water, and bring to boil.

3. Add the chicken pieces and stir well and cook for about 10 minutes on a medium heat. Add the peas and fresh chillies and mix well and cook for a further few minutes.

4. Add the yoghurt, heat through and garnish with coriander.

5. Serve hot with naan

Enjoy The Spice Hut Quesada. Tel. 966 731 063 or visit www.spicehutspain.com.

●

Ciudad Patricia Officially Recognised for Excellence During Covid19 At Ciudad Patricia, we take the welfare and safety of residents very seriously. During the Covid19 lockdown, we worked hard, taking extra measures to keep everyone safe and sound.

It was a great honour to have received recognition for this at a formal ceremony on 6 December, when Nadine Sweers (Manager Apartamentos Ciudad Patricia) and Barbara Acevedo (Director Geriatric) were presented the official acknowledgement from the Mayor of Benidorm, presented by Councillor of Wellbeing and Third age, S.ª D.ª Angela Llorca Seguí.

We continue to take all necessary measures to keep our Residents as safe as possible to protect them from becoming infected. Together we look forward with hope that soon we can gather communally, have parties, and socialise again with more freedom.

● For any further information contact Amanda Hobbs on 673 064 288 or email ahobbs@ciudadpatricia.com

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AS SEEN ON TV

Page 17

QF���� Maga���e Ja��a�� 2021

Easy Cheesy Peasy Egg Masala Muffins

These low carb, protein packed cheesy egg muffins are healthy and so easy to conjure up. Made with eggs and cheese anything goes – any cheese, spice and ingredient combo can be used! They are great as a healthy breakfast, a grab and go snack, or served hot or cold with a salad! The adding of chillies, cumin and garam masala gives these mini crust-less quiches a tasty twist. The egg muffins keep for up to a week stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Can be frozen for up to three months.

Ingredients 8 Eggs 20ish spinach leaves 1 onion, finely chopped 1 green pepper, diced 6-8 cherry tomatoes, chopped 25g sweetcorn 4 mushrooms, chopped

1 tps cumin seeds 1 tps garam masala ½ tps chillies, chopped( optimal) 1tbs coriander, chopped Salt to taste ½ tsp black pepper 75g cheddar cheese grated 3 tsp milk

TIME: Prep 10 minutes, cook 20-25 minutes. MAKES 12 A Curry On Cooking spice kit of your choice can be used to replace the spices (use about one quarter to half a sachet depending on taste).

Recipe - Preheat oven to 180°C/ 160ºC fan/ Gas Mark 4 and grease a 12 cup muffin tray, if using silicone cases place on a baking sheet.

- In each muffin cup line the bottom with the spinach leaves.

- Place the tomatoes, green peppers, mushrooms, sweetcorn and onions equally in each cup.

- In a mixing bowl whisk the eggs and milk. Add the spices and seasoning including the green chillies and coriander mix really well.

- Mix in half of the grated cheese.

- Pour/ spoon the mix into each of the wells.

- Top with the remaining cheese and bake for 20-25 minutes or until set.

If you fancy rustling up a storm in the kitchen The Spice Sisters have launched a three-month subscription curry club. With new and old favourite recipes to cook at home. Visit www.curryoncooking.com for more information. ● Recipe supplied by The Spices Sisters from Curry On Cooking. Don’t forget to

like them on Facebook 'Curry On Cooking'. You can purchase their currylicious kits from www.curryoncooking.com.

P��� 18

QF���� M������� J������ 2021 Health & Beauty AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS For families and friends of problem drinkers. There are meetings in Torrevieja. Phone 634 349 961.

SUFFERING FROM HAIR LOSS, Alopecia, male pattern baldness, scars? I have helped thousands of people regain their confidence.

Non-surgical, permanent hair loss solution. Book a 100% free no obligation consultation. 628 101 711 or www.scalpmastery.com PURE ORGANIC CBD sells the finest quality, 100% organic, Swiss Made CBD oil online. We carry Full and Broad Spectrum CBD and CBD for pets. Visit us at www.pureorganiccbd.com!

Business Opportunities FOR SALE – HARRY’S BAR, Quesada. Unique opportunity to purchase this well established popular bar /restaurant. Freehold.

Call Joanne for more information on 693 494 951.

Services CYCLOGICAL QUESADA your one stop family run cycle shop for all your cycle sales, repairs, spares and cycle hire. Contact Gary or Lynn on 637 487 377. www.cyclogicalcostablanca.com.

Q U A L I T Y B L I N D S S PA I N www.qualityblindsinspain.com is a family run business, supplying and fitting made to measure blinds on the costa. Tel: 96 57 01 984 Mobile: 65 83 38 123.

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S I M P LY D O O R S . F a m i l y r u n business our products range from external Doors, internal doors, sliding wardrobe doors, upvc windows and conservatories tel 96 671 8738 or 671 260 204. Web: www.simplydoors.es

NEED A SURVEY? Call Advantage Building Services if you are buying a property, or have structural problems with a property you already own. Subsidence cases investigated, insurance claims mediated and processed.

653 733 066 or email mrmpaddon@hotmail.com or find further information at www.surveyorscostablanca.com WATER FILTER SYSTEMS Whole House & Undersink Water Filter Systems. Reduce Your Plastic Waste & Have Clean Filtered Water From All Taps In Your Home While Also Protecting Appliances From Limescale Buildup. Tel: 681 315 659.

Web: www.aqualyze.es.

BUILDING WORK, All types of small or large building work undertaken including bathroom and kitchen refits, patios & terraces, painting, pool repairs, extensions and underbuilds, plumbing and electrics.

Call 96 671 2832 or 662 455 960 for a free no obligation quote or email s_sconstruction@yahoo.co.uk

GLAZE N SAVE convert your single glazed windows and doors to double glazed units without changing the frames. Very cost effective and a clean process. This is not secondary glazing. For more information call Gary on 662 455 960 or 96 671 2832 email gary@glazensave.es. Web: www.glazensave.es SPANISH INSURANCE: for all your insurance needs in English.

Home, health, travel, motor, funeral c o v e r, c o m m u n i t y, b u s i n e s s . www.spanish-insurance.net Tel: 96 673 0694. Offices in San Javier, la Zenia and Quesada.

TRANSLATOR AND INTERPRETER English/Spanish. All legal, medical and business matters. Covering the Costa Blanca. Contact: 658 957 404 or ejbtranslations@gmail.com.

www.femalefocusonline.com for more adverts COYS RENT A CAR is an independent Car Hire company operating from Alicante airport, Torrevieja and the surrounding areas.

To get a quote, look at our website: www.coysrent-a-car.com COYS PARKING provide 6 month or 1 year contracts to park your car at Alicante airport, look at our website and click on Coys Parking www.coysrent-a-car.com

Property Sales & Rentals 4 BED VILLA PARCENT. Villa for sale in Parcent 259.000â‚Ź. Well kept, beautiful spacious 4 beds, 2 shower rooms. Well laid out garden, gas central heated, double glazed.

For more information please call 638 176 866.

Wanted

Property Sales & Rentals BUY TO RENT PROPERTY Extended Town House La Marina (San Fulgencio). 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen /living /dining room. BBQ, 3 terraces. Close to amenities – supermarket, cafes, doctors. Close to Beach, swimming pool and airport (20 minutes). Tenant available long term. ₏75,000. Tel. 966 796 236.

MODERN DETACHED VILLA for sale in PEDREGUER. Lovely 2 bed 2 bath detached villa. All on one level. Neat garden with fruit trees, Olive tree & flowers. 15 minutes to lovely beaches. Walking distance into Pedreguer. 190.000â‚Ź or payable in ÂŁ or villa swop. Tel: 633 813 774.

3 BED APARTMENT, ALFAZ. Alfaz centre Apt. 4th floor, completely refurbished 2020, 3 beds /one as office, all new bathroom, laminate flooring, lights, Air. Con. Updated separate kitchen/ appliances, glazed utility area/ storage. All electric. Double front balconies, Sat.TV. negotiable 109,000â‚Ź. Tel: 603 811 219 afternoons.

For Sale – Harrys Bar, Quesada.

Unique opportunity to purchase this well established popular bar /restaurant. Freehold. Call Joanne for more information on 693 494 951.

Personal

AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS For families and friends of problem drinkers.

There are meetings in Torrevieja. Phone 634 349 961.

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P��� 19

E FULL PAG from

QF���� M������� J������ 2021

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

ONLY

60

â‚Ź

+ IVA per month

Have you booked your space yet?

Next issue March 2021, sold on a ďŹ rst come ďŹ rst served basis. Call Michelle to make your reservations on 663 178 228.

Very easy

Medium

Easy Hard QUICK CROSSWORD SOLUTIONS Across: 3 Cheerless; 8 Eden; 9 Composure; 10 Resort; 11 Plied; 14 Salon; 15 Neat; 16 Earth; 18 Mass; 20 Alarm; 21 Stray; 24 Detail; 25 Deviation; 26 Plot; 27 Deterrent.

Down: 1 Wearisome; 2 Senseless; 4 Hoot; 5 Expel; 6 Lessen; 7 Sure; 9 Crane; 11 Party; 12 Debatable; 13 Stimulate; 17 Haven; 19 Stripe; 22 After; 23 Cede; 24 Down WORD SPIRAL 1 SOLUTIONS 1. Liar 2. Rota 3. Ajar 4. Rust 5. Tank 6. Kiln 7. Nuns 8. Sale 9. Erse 10. Epee 11. Ears 12. Soap 13. Pupa 14. Aria 15. Ache 16. Even. Key word solution: SPENCER WORD SPIRAL 2 SOLUTIONS 1. Fish 2. Hall 3. Leer 4. Riot 5. Team 6. Male 7. Eras 8. Safe 9. Earn 10. Nude 11. Eats 12. Slab 13. Bath 14. Haka 15. Alms 16. Slap. Key word solution: STAPLER

Pets We have wonderful Danko the mastin here at K9 kennels. He is looking for that perfect home to call his own. Aged 2 years old, playful, friendly he is passported, vaccinated, castrated and free from Mediterranean diseases. Cat tested.

Please call 711 075 305 or send us an email k9clubinfo@gmail.com or Facebook ‘K9Club.Es’ Jacko was born 2016, he is a beautiful boy with a wonderful nature. Jacko is chipped, vaccinated, neutered and good with other dogs.

Call: 645 469 253 visit www.petsinspain.com or email info@petsinspain.com You’re invited to come and meet the Easy Horse Care Centre rescued horses, ponies and donkeys Call 652 021 980 or email rescue@easyhorsecare.net.

For more information visit our website http://www.easyhorsecare.net.

All adverts must be sent with your Name and NIE or Passport NÂş (not to be published).

ADVERTS SHOULD BE sent with correct spacing and spelling, the ďŹ rst three words (only) in capitals. Email addresses will not be published on the website or in the magazine unless requested or supplied as part of the main text.

FREE CLASSIFIED ADVERTS. Sell your unwanted items for FREE! Free adverts cannot be faxed, phoned or posted they must be emailed to classiďŹ eds@femalefocusonline.com. Photos can be sent with your free advert, both will be published online but text only in print. ClassiďŹ eds that are supplied incorrectly, all in capitals or with missing information may well be deleted. ‘Misc sales’ are for example one-o sales of second hand items to the value of 500â‚Ź or less. Maximum twenty words per advert/ item & maximum ďŹ ve adverts per person*, (email & web addresses count as three words). Property rental or any type of service, business opportunities, wanted, etc are not free and will be charged at the commercial advert rate.

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