QF Focus - March 2021

Dep. Legal A-685-2016

E FR E

MARCH 2021

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

Happy Mother's Day Also inside this issue:-

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Priyanka Chopra Jonas: I didn look in the mirror for days

A NEW LEASE OF LIFE FOR YOUR HOME See page 7 and back page!

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

QFocus Magazine March 2021

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ECLIPSES OF THE SUN Regular readers of these little articles will know that I've been banging on about our Sun for the last couple of months. As you might have guessed, I've been leading up to something, that's partly why last month I showed a way of observing the Sun safely.

As the title this month suggests, we are heading toward an eclipse, on 10 June this year we will have an annular eclipse at 11.42 am. What's an annular eclipse? It's when only a small part of the Sun is hidden by the Moon, the path of the Moon is at an angle and just obscures a small area of the solar disc. The eclipse in June will only be a tiny nibble out of the Sun but if you use the simple set up I showed last month to see sunspots, you will be able to watch it happen for yourself.

Well, that's all very interesting, but nothing to get too excited about, but observing this will give you some practice for two events that are about as rare and spectacular as anything in the history of astronomy.

Total solar eclipses are very rare events for Spain, the last was about 114 years ago, even I wasn't around for that one! So, to have two total eclipses within one year is an amazing thing, and that is exactly what is going to happen. The areas of totality, i.e. completely dark, begin about 80 kilometres away from Torrevieja, but even here about 96% of the Sun will be hidden. Now for the catch, this doesn't happen until August 2026, and August 2027.

The reason I decided to talk about it now is simple, to get the best out of these events anyone who hasn't used equipment to observe the Sun will need to practice or you will miss what's going on as you mess around with your binoculars, telescope or whatever. As this is a good time to look at the Sun with its increasing number of sunspots, you might as well get the practice in while there is something interesting to see.

If I'm still around and writing about astronomy in four years time, I'll return to eclipses again and persuade one of my astrophotography friends to write about how to photograph these rare events, some amazing things have been achieved by amateurs in the last few years.

I've had some emails and calls about astrophotography over the last couple of months so next month I'll start a beginners guide to the subject, and give you all some idea what can be achieved with quite ordinary equipment. Even your normal smartphone might surprise you with what it can do. ● To find out more about observing and astronomy, email us at vegabaja.astronomygroup@gmail.com.

Oates Charljaes Astronomy Group Vega Ba

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Be Wise. Do It Now. I personally am feeling very upset about Brexit as no lorries seem to be getting here and English supermarkets are getting emptier and emptier. Let us hope that they will still be able to continue supplying us with some of our favourite foods at some stage. Due to COVID, very little is mentioned in the press about Brexit but there must be many companies distraught about the trading conditions.

In Spain it is all a little confusing regarding the vaccine. Sadly due to the EU, Europe is going to be well behind the UK with recovery because until the vaccine is distributed to the vast majority, nothing is going to happen to make it safer for us.

Due to Brexit regulations, health insurance has been extremely busy as this is part of the residencia application. I understand some are refusing to insure their vehicles. Even if your car is off the road, or you are not in Spain to drive it, it still needs to be insured – this is Spanish law.

At the same time, please make sure that you have adequate house insurance cover – a cheap price will not give you what you need, especially as there are a lot of desperate people around. You need to take precautions regarding leaving anything in your car and if you are absent from your property, you do need to consider an alarm linked to the police. It is all about protecting yourself, your family and your assets.

Can I suggest that your partner/family discuss the merits of a funeral plan. I appreciate that it is not a nice subject, but I understand that there are many people without a will or funeral plan. This, of course, makes it very difficult for your loved ones. Lack of a will creates an on-going situation and is difficult and costly to resolve.

Exactly the same applies when no funeral plan is in place. It is worth it to protect your loved ones.

Handling grief is very difficult and provokes so many emotions. Try not to make it more difficult for each other. Come and talk to us. We are there to help you make the right decisions.

● Visit one of our offices, telephone or email info@jennifercunningham.net, or visit www.jennifercunningham.net.

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As it is lent this month I have decided to go for 40 days of clearing clutter rather than the traditional giving up chocolate, sweets or wine. The idea being, each day filling a bag of items no longer needed and donating to charity, therefore helping a really good cause as well as having a much needed clear out. I think I will probably be able to fill these bags with my teenage daughter's clutter alone, so should have no issue filling 40 bags. Although the intention is to do it throughout the house, I may well need 40 weeks to do that rather than 40 days!!!!

In doing so, it will make room for my charming Mother's Day presents that I am bound to recieve from my loving children!!!! And may also be able to get on top of my wonderful filing system.

It hopefully won't be too long before we can once again enjoy a “proper” coffee on the terraces and begin to see life on the streets again. There certainly seems to be light at the end of what has been a very long tunnel. It will be nice to be able to have a stroll along the promanade of the local beaches and stop off for a cool drink and tapas, which has almost felt like a thing of the past.

Congratulations to Marianne Hunt from Torre de la Horadada 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.

Michelle

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

Sales Manager Michelle 663 178 228 michelle@femalefocusonline.com

Pick up your next issue on 6 April Deadline for advertising & editorial -22 March

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

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Female Focus Publications are supporters of www.aldeasinfantiles.es

QFocus Magazine March 2021

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Have you been cast adrift by your UK based financial institution?

What's NOT INCLUDED in the Free Trade Deal between UK and EU for Financial Services; • The current passporting arrangements which allow U.K. firms access to EU markets (therefore EU residents) has ended.

• There will be no new mutual recognition regime.

• The obligations on the parties to review their legal framework and work together on non-conforming measures do not apply to financial services.

see advert below for more information

The above is why many UK financial institutions such as Barclays Wealth have found it's too difficult to organise, maintain and service EU resident clients, so they have decided it is easier to ask the clients to liquidate their investments and leave.

What to do? - As disappointing as this is, you can always call me for a solutions but please note, I cannot help if the investment sum is below £20,000.

Elche Children's Care Home Charity.

I have completed the Year End Accounts for the charity for 2020 and I cannot heap praise upon the volunteers enough for their ingenuity and hard work when fund raising this past year. Praise and thanks also go to the public who donated funds, held summer fund raising events or participated in the €1 per week Christmas jar donation.

Fund raising was down by 26%, or expressed another way, was 74% of the previous year (2019) but given the terrible year everyone has suffered this is still a really incredible feat.

Expenditure was only slightly down on previous years as 24 teenagers still consume food, clothing, health and personal hygiene needs and activities with a cost whether there is a pandemic or not. I'm a volunteer too but I'm not at the sharp end so again, well done to all our fund raisers and volunteers. I am in awe!!!

This year is going to be just as challenging so any funds you can donate – such as participating in the successful Christmas Jar idea, then please do. See Facebook page @ECCH.Charity for more information.

Reminder; the Modelo 720 (overseas assets reporting) needs filing by 31st March relating to 31st December 2020.

Please call me for information on investment solutions for your circumstances (minimum £20,000/€25,000) or about pension transfers to enable flexible access (take what you want when you want rather than being drip-fed your own money).

David Diggle C.A.T., DipFA Telephone: 615 607 278 / 865 751 713. Email: info@daviddiggle.es. Website: www.daviddiggle.es 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.

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A NEW LEASE OF LIFE FOR YOUR HOME WWW.MAHERSOLHOGAR.COM

info@mahersolhogar.com

There’s no getting away from it, we’re spending more and more time at home. And with that comes the realisation that maybe it’s time to pay a bit more attention to indoor living. It’s amazing how much a tired sofa starts to look ready for a change.

At Mahersol Hogar, we have an extensive range of sofas, beds, accessories, decoration, interior design, garden... in fact everything you may need to give your home a new lease of life.

Seeing is Believing Our furniture range is carefully selected to balance top quality, style and of course price. However, we know and understand just how important it is to check for comfort, get a proper look and feel and envisage any piece in your home. We also understand that taking your time to stroll around a showroom can be truly inspirational. That’s why we have 3 very large showrooms throughout the Costa Blanca in good in-town locations (no more traipsing to a retail park!). In our showrooms in Torrevieja, Almoradí and Calpe, you’ll find large pieces and of course accessories such as occasional tables and pictures, and so much more.

We’re Here for You We’re a Spanish company and have been established for more than10 years. We have cultivated impeccable relations with our suppliers which means our service is second-to-none! You’ll find helpful and professional English speaking staff in all our stores who will answer any questions you may have.

So, if it’s time to give your home a new lease of life, it’s time to visit a Mahersolhogar showroom. We also have an online presence where you can find links to Google Maps which means finding us is even easier. Our stores are located in Torrevieja, Almoradí and Calpe, the addresses can be found on our advert on the back page!

We can’t wait to meet you!

QFocus Magazine March 2021

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Why it is essential all Energy Performance Certificates must be registered to market a property All Energy Performance Certificates must be registered to be legally valid in Spain.

The registration process is carried out at the Regional Governments after paying a registration tax.

This way the government can check that a property has had an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) issued, therefore rather than a knock on anyone's door requiring the document, they just search for any advertised property within their records of registered certificates.

The reference used to identify a property is called the cadastral reference and is the same used in the property council tax (SUMA).

In Valencia, the Decree 112/2009 regulates the registration process, and it is the owner of the property who is responsible for having the certificate registered.

Martinez de la Casa undertakes the owner's responsibility to have the certificate registered and they complete the registration process within 72 hours sending the certificate.

Everything is included within their fees of 121€, including IVA and the registration tax.

If your solicitor or agents are studying your case, ask them to contact Martinez de la Casa Architects to provide them your registered Energy Performance Certificate and we will make the whole process easier, faster and cheaper with our fixed published prices and guaranteed deadlines.

The cost of an Energy Performance Certificate is 121€ IVA included and discounts are available if you also require Retrospective Licences for your pool (205€ IVA inc.) or/and extensions (302€ IVA inc) or Habitation Licence (from 118€ IVA included, Registration Tax not included) or any other of our services, done at the same time.

If you want to have YOUR Energy Performance Certificate for your property Martinez de la Casa Architects will arrange an appointment and guarantee the delivery of the EPC within 48 working hours after our survey.

For all enquiries, or to arrange an appointment if you want to have your pool or extension certificate now and protect yourself against future law changes that may affect you, please call 665 810 411 or visit www.martinezdelacasa.com to see an impressive list of nearly 200 client's testimonials.

“Antonio, from start to finish it was utter professionalism. You kept in touch and submitted the finished product at the time you stated. A good deal of Spanish firms could take a lesson from your customer service approach”. Roger Bates.

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Age in Spain launches Friendline Age in Spain is a nonprofit organisation offering free information and support to English-speaking people for later life in Spain.

Making new friends often gets harder as we get older.

That’s why Age in Spain launched Friendline.

Friendline is a free telephone friendship service for people who would enjoy getting a call from a Friendline volunteer on a regular basis. In a world where new technology can make us feel left out, Friendline is a simple way to make a new friend. “ As we get older there is a real risk that our worlds get smaller and we have less chance to make friends.

Friendline is a way to do something positive about that.” Helen Weir, Director - Age in Spain.

If you live in Spain and are interested in making a new friend through Friendline, or know someone you think might benefit from receiving regular Friendline calls, then get in touch with us at www. ageinspain.org/friendline or call 932 209 334.

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QFocus Magazine March 2021

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Book Review by Ivor Kindle Title: The Iraq War Author: John Keegan Publisher: Ted Smart

An interesting book written by one of Britain's foremost military historians John Keegan. This book is a fact filled account of the issues around the 2003 conflict, indeed a conflict that to this day still beggars the question "Did Saddam have weapons of mass destruction?".

The politics of the decision to wage war on Iraq is discussed, as is the relationship between Bush and Blair and other world leaders, as the decision to invade or not to invade was debated at both the United Nations and in other governmental forums. In depth tactical analysis of the actual invasion

by USA and British forces and allies is outlined, as is a very brief but informative summary of the issues surrounding the death of David Kelly.

All in all an interesting read especially the in depth political machinations of World politicians, some who supported the war and some who did not support the war.

The book also gives a good, although brief history, of the rise of Saddam Hussien and the internal politics of the B'aath party within the Middle East.

Keep reading, Ivor Kindle.

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Looking for the perfect escape after a tough year?

What better way than to curl up with a good book. View Amazon Kindle for 'FLAWED HERO' a romantic thriller with an edge written by fellow expat Eve Williams (pen name).

I’d like to share with you the thrill of receiving an email from Kindle/ Amazon informing me that my debut novel ‘Flawed Hero’ is now live and available, in eBook and Paperback in their store.

I started writing the book, many moons ago, with some help from my husband who also wanted to write but, complained that as he found women such unfathomable creatures, he doubted his ability to make any heroine of his own creation, sufficiently convincing.

However, he was confident that he could be of great help to me with regard to any male character I was working on.

After a large G&T I managed to calm down and face facts — Bill was husband number four, it was blatantly obvious that a little more insight into the male psyche would do me no harm at all!

Sadly, Bill became ill while work was in process and died in 2015.

Since then I have done many re-writes.

The book (which is a Romantic Thriller with an edge) owes its completion to a combination of: Loneliness, Brexit and Covid.

It is sometimes funny, sometimes sad but, hopefully, always a compelling read.

The story is about Ex. Special Forces soldier, Nick Burrows who is suffering psychological problems and is being bribed to commit a murder. Broke and embittered he finally decides to take the financially life changing job. But things don’t go quite to plan when he becomes obsessively attracted to his prey.

The story has an unexpected outcome, which might break your heart, but not the bank.

Flawed Hero is available now from Amazon and half of any net proceeds are to be donated to Cancer Research.

QFocus Magazine March 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.

A Day in the Life.

Once a month I sit at my desk in "View towers" and play with my instrument, settle down Dear Reader, the instrument in question is of course my Laptop.

Once it is set up on WordPad I normally proceed to rummage through my notebooks that sit just to the right hand side of my machine. In these notebooks I tend to scribble and jot down thoughts and ideas in respect of preparation for the coming month’s words of wisdom namely "A View From The Top".

The problem I have is that my copy has to be in a couple of weeks before the QFocus magazine is published, and as such I always seem to be chasing the latest matters of interest. Not for me the fabled cry of "hold the press" as I struggle to keep up to date with the latest machinations of Orange Trump or Infidelity Boris, the stories are always flying past me. Well as I sat and pondered over the topic of interest for March in respect of the "View etc", the telephone in the house rang. Now I can hear you thinking, so the telephone rang what's so different about that? Well what is different is that the telephone in question was the land line (fijo), and normally if I am wanted, I am called on my mobile. In fact I keep saying to ‘er indoors, why do we still have a land line? Email we both have, mobiles we both have, so a land line seems one ring too far. Anyway on the other end of the land line was a friend (yes, I do have friends) and his reason for calling was to ask me if I could pop round to his house and pick some of the oranges from his orange tree.

He is in the UK and did not want the oranges to go to waste. With scrumping of oranges in mind I set off on the short journey to my friend’s villa. Oh the joy of getting out after seemingly months, or in fact probably a year of, if not full then certainly partial incarceration. Yes of course I have been out, but shopping hardly qualifies as an adventure, and this Dear Reader was an adventure, scrumping and all.

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Well I pulled up outside said villa, and armed only with a plastic carrier bag and sharp secateurs I entered the orchard (or is that apples?), anyway there she was, a single orange tree laden with fruit. About an hour later I was in possession of about 20 decent sized and juicy looking Valencias. As I was out and was full of the freedom of youth I decided that I would sit at my friends pool side table and simply enjoy the peace and quiet of a Spanish garden whilst I listened to the chirp of birdsong and enjoyed the sunshine showering me with Vitamin D. Then fate took a hand and the wind got up only for a fleeting moment, but a fleeting moment was enough for several large palm fronds to flutter down from the heavens and alight ever so gently in my friends nice clean swimming pool. Now, had the season been of a more temperate nature, high summer for instance, I would have removed my clothing and got into the pool to fish the offending fronds out of the water in keeping with my spirit of adventure. However as it was in the deep midwinter the prospect of death by cold shock immersion in water meant that another method of frond removal was needed.

On searching I came across the pool net, just the right tool for removing debris from the pool, or so you would think. I proceeded to fish about and in fact removed all but one of the offending fronds when disaster struck, my hands being by now very cold meant that I dropped the pool pole and its attached net into the pool. It, the pole and net, sat there on the pool bottom… my next thought was how do I get the bloody thing out. Note the change in language Dear Reader, my adventure was turning sour. A search of the garden proved fruitless (see what I have done there) until I came across a garden rake. Thankfully the rake was of sufficient length to enable me to fish the pool pole and net out of the pool by using the rake as an extended hook device. To enable me to reach the bottom of the pool I had to perch on the edge of the coping stones and lean in to attempt to hook the offending pole and net.

No luck first time so I knelt down next to the coping stones, then I bent forward to lay my chest on the coping stones and disaster, my knees slipped and my chest fell forward onto the coping stones and crunch as I felt a rib or maybe two break under the weight of my ribcage coming into contact with the pool surround. However, like the trooper I am, I managed to hook the offending pool pole and net out of the pool (hurrah for Mr View) before I let out several expletives of the not so polite kind. Incidentally my knees slipped because I like to wear shorts all year round here in Spain, so in reality I was part of my own downfall. Anyway I made my way home. That night’s sleep was not too bad but when I woke in the morning the pain was really quite bad. Doctors are not really an option, I have broken several ribs over the years playing Rugby, treatment is simply rest and the passage of time with large doses of Paracetamol. Of course rib damage means that sleep becomes almost impossible. Once you have found a "sleep position" you have to remain in that position as to move is to be instantly awoken with pain. Another thing not needed is a fit of the sneezes as every sneeze rattles the ribcage and causes pain.

During the pandemic of course I have been staying in and only going out to do the occasional shop, now rib damaged I decided not to shop and to live off the in house supplies, what I did not take into calculation was the fact that eating through tins of food and frozen bits and pieces means that the diet changes and yes, you have guessed, I became constipated, not a pleasant subject for a magazine piece but also not a pleasant condition if one is sitting on the throne with broken ribs and constipation. My thoughts were of the "What have I done to deserve this?" etc.

The remedy came in the guise of a large bag of muesli, after an excursion to the shops, along with wholemeal bread to further enhance my intake of fibre. Now as I type this I am almost a month from my rib injury and am at last able to sleep in my normal contorted position, and all is once again well with the world, apart from the pandemic and all the other ills of the planet. I have written before that a teacher of mine said to me many years ago "View you should not be allowed out on your own", I think they may have a point.

Keep well and keep safe everyone.

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our ARIES At the moment there is so much going on that there is no time to sit around. Don't ruin someone's day with your short temper this month. You don't need to prove to anyone just how dedicated you really are, it is plain for all to see.

TAURUS Keep thinking outside that box, it really is bringing you so many more ideas. Looking on the positive side of things can be a challenge at the moment, but it really will help you get through.

GEMINI Opening your mind to new experiences will give you so many opportunities to create new connections. Keep trying different things and you will find the one for you.

CANCER Keep an eye on any dates and deadlines which are important, with times being as they are it is really easy to lose track of things. Be careful of starting an argument over something silly, if you are feeling irritable then stay at home.

LEO When giving someone the benefit of the doubt make sure they are not taking advantage of you. Figuring out where something went wrong in the past can finally bring you the closure you need.

You don't need to lay blame to get past this.

VIRGO Slow down and concentrate on this moment, not the past or the future.

Opening your mind and exploring new ideas and topics will lead you to rediscovering that energy and interest you have been missing for so long.

Talking with like minded people will really help.

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oroscope LIBRA Even though you are full of energy and ideas, don't go ploughing into something without giving a thought to others first. Giving them the chance to put their opinion forward and getting them onboard will make things go much more smoothly.

SCORPIO There are lots of ways you can help right now which don't involve money. Giving your time and support can be just as important. In relationships listen more than you talk, otherwise you will end up getting the wrong end of the stick.

SAGITTARIUS In order to move forward from the past you must completely forgive and forget. Stop letting it be part of your present and leave it behind once and for all. It has been long enough, now you need to move on with your dreams and goals.

CAPRICORN Enthusiasm will make up for your lack of attention to detail in most cases. Everyone is willing to help and guide if you would only ask instead of struggling. Rekindle a friendship that has been neglected lately.

AQUARIUS Although you do not care what other people think, it still doesn't hurt to ask their opinion. Discussions which you would rather leave will be forced on you, actually solving a lot of niggling issues before they get out of hand.

PISCES Don't be told what you can't do by someone who is trying to bring you down. Keep those positive thoughts and go out and prove them wrong.

Then rethink your friendship, maybe it is time to move on.

QFocus Magazine March 2021

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COSTA BLANCA SOUTH

Note from Benny: Now looking forward to possibly easing of restrictions for maybe spring, summer productions. All groups are suffering from lack of activity, some even have full productions, sets, costumes and all, waiting in the wings for the all-clear. Zoom and bubble meetings still in progress. 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 high-risk category. Please support these groups wherever they are in whatever way you can.

Actors Community Theatre Society: The Company are keeping everything crossed in the hope that a reading of ‘The Vagina Monologues’ at the Madhouse will go ahead as soon as possible. With ‘Ladies’ Day’ still on hold as their next major production, they are hoping to arrange a number of small events, including both a ‘Comedy Night’ and a short one-act play, The ‘Bespoke Overcoat’ in the not-too-distant future - all subject to Covid restrictions of course. Exact date to be confirmed but full details will be posted on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/1568693883460095.

Campoverde Theatre Group: The group are still alive and well but unfortunately not kicking at the moment.

Unable to perform, or even to rehearse their production originally scheduled for last November. However, they do intend to stage their Hollywood musical extravaganza, described as, lightly sprinkled with comedy, at the first opportunity, Covid permitting. So please watch this space for further details and confirmation.

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, three-part female choir. For more up-to-date information, please email valbeange@gmail.com or valcantabie@gmail.com or call them on 966 795 816 or mobile 648 034 232.

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

They really are a very friendly international group and a funloving chorus, singing in the barbershop style. At the present time, the chorus do not know when rehearsals will commence. Further details next month. If you are interested, please contact Michael Hume at: michaelhume4814@gmail.com for further information.

www.femalefocusonline.com Lyrical Mixed Voice Choir: Lyrical continue to think very positively about the future and are aiming to perform a ‘Spring Concert’ at the end of April or in May. Rehearsals for this concert will start just as soon as present Covid restrictions are eased. New singers are always welcome. An ability to read music and to be able to hold your own tune in 4-part harmony are distinct advantages.

For more up-to-date information, please contact Philip Mitchell (Musical Director) on 865 750 435 or Trent Harris (Chairman) on 650 764 127.

Rojales Pantomime Group: Just like every other theatre group they are all missing the thrill of the theatre, learning lines, rehearsing parts, costume fittings, and, of course, the camaraderie of the group. At the moment they cannot even get together for social gatherings, but they assure all their followers that they will bounce back to make their audiences laugh at their traditional panto antics and eventually get together again with their fellow thespians. If you would like more information then please email: rojalespantomime@gmail.com.

Studio 32: The Company have had to temporarily postpone rehearsals for ‘South Pacific’ at Casa Ventura due to recent changes to the Covid regulations.

However, they are confident that the show will go ahead as planned at the end of May. Due to various circumstances, including Brexit and Covid they have lost a few members, so are actively seeking new faces to pop along to join 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 on studiothirtytwo@icloud.com or Tel: 607 424 299.

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

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QFocus Magazine March 2021

Hello, I'm Sarah and love skin care I'm passionate about it and love nothing more than seeing my happy clients with fabulous results!

Exclusive to Lush Beauty & Skincare, the Ultimo Facial is an amazingly luxurious facial, where science meets indulgence!

The Ultimo is designed to; deeply exfoliate and polish the skin, flush toxins, boost and stimulate the skin's natural collagen!

The crème de la crème of facials, the Ultimo includes; *Microdermabrasion *Mesotherapy *RF (radio frequency) *Collagen mask *LED photon therapy The Ultimo is tailored to each individual client's skin type.

Results are fantastic after just 1 treatment!

The Ultimo; reduces fine lines, wrinkles and frown lines, tightens and tones, reduces puffiness around the eyes, tightens loose skin on the neck and décolletage; all this making you look and feel noticeably more youthful!

HALF PRICE this month - ONLY 50€ ● For a salon appointment or more information call Absolute Hair, Nails & Beauty on 966 731 336 or see our advert.

Amata makes buying real craft work easier About half a year ago, craft association Amata created a Virtual Craft Village (www.puebloartesano.es, in Spanish and English), to offer their members an alternative to all the craft markets that had been cancelled because of Covid. Ever since then, they have been improving their Village, moving in more workshops, tutorials and even virtual fairs. And now they have also introduced one single cart to do your shopping in all the different craft shops.

The “normal” Amata fairs are well known, because the participants are only allowed to sell their own work, and most of them are at work in their stalls. To maintain this special atmosphere of craftsmen and artists at work, they started a Virtual Village, where all residents invite you into their workshops to share with you the love they have for their crafts. This makes their website into quite something more than a mere online store; it is a complete village with many delightful corners.

They have made videos to show you the different techniques, tools and materials they use in their workshops. You can follow simple craft classes or visit the virtual fair. And, last but not least, you can buy original hand made products for very reasonable prices, because you buy straight from the artisan or artist. You can even place special orders!

Up until now, there were no shopping carts in the village, if you wanted to buy from two different artisans, you had to go to their individual shops online, or even get in touch with them by phone or email. That has now been made much more simple. You can put all your purchases in one shopping cart and pay for everything together in one go. Taxes and Post & Package inside of Spain are included in the prices and if you spend over 50€ you don’t have to pay the 4€ handling fee.

Of course, buying in an actual street market, where you can see and talk to the artisans in person, is much more fun, but at the moment a visit to the virtual craft village of Amata is the nearest thing, and you can go there whenever you want and wherever you live!

QFocus Magazine March 2021

www.femalefocusonline.com

Page 16

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

QUICK

CROSSWORD By the PA puzzles team Across 7. Tell (6) 8. Droll (6) 10. Scorn (7) 11. Pretence (5) 12. Talk (4) 13. Desert (5) 17. Circumference (5) 18. Unaccompanied (4) 22. Faithful (5) 23. Burdensome (7) 24. Servile (6) 25. Moody (6)

Down 1. Fruit (7) 2. Heavenly (7) 3. Deviate (5) 4. Plethora (7) 5. Polite (5) 6. Affirm (5) 9. Beginning (9) 14. Hoodwink (7) 15. Eye-glass (7) 16. Assent (7) 19. Fat (5) 20. Mendacious (5) 21. Disprove (5)

See classified pages for answers HIERODULE A Temple slave B Ruler in holy things C Worship of saints

INCORRIGIBLE A Outrageous B Beyond correction C Not influenced by bribes

ANSWER: A

ANSWER: C

BY PA PUZZLES TEAM

GARTH A Man of great strength B Hindu demigod C Enclosure or yard

ANSWER: B

The word may sound familiar, but do you know what it means?

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Page 17

’t Priyanka Chopra Jonas: I didn look in the mirror for days

By Hannah Stephenson, PA

The actress and humanitarian talks about overcoming racism, bullying and a disastrous nose operation, to find an inner calm with husband Nick Jonas.

Even on a Zoom call Priyanka Chopra Jonas looks every inch the Bollywood/Hollywood star – oozing class, from her royal blue and black leopard-print silk shirt to her warm, intelligent conversation.

She has so many strings to Ian West/PA her bow, it’s difficult to know where to start – former Miss World, actor and producer, social media sensation, Unicef goodwill ambassador and humanitarian, named as one of Forbes’ Most Powerful Women.

She was also a guest at Meghan Markle’s wedding to Prince Harry, but I’ve been instructed not to ask about that today.

And, of course, as fans will know, she’s also the wife of singersongwriter and actor Nick Jonas. Last year, lockdown enabled the couple to settle into their new home in Los Angeles and spend five months together.

“We got a new dog, and it was almost like nesting. It’s time I don’t think I would have had with my husband because my career is insane, as is his,” she explains.

The couple met via social media in 2016 – he direct messaged her on Twitter after seeing her starring in the TV series Quantico – and they finally met in person at the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party in 2017, marrying in a lavish three-day celebration in Jodhpur in 2018, featuring both Hindu and Christian ceremonies.

“My husband is a very calming influence on me,” she says. “He is a very mature, introspective man. He makes me feel a sense of strength because he always pushes me to be more, to be ambitious – and I haven’t experienced that before except with my parents.”

She has lived a superstar lifestyle for so long, was it strange hunkering down like the rest of us in lockdown?

“Lockdown made me start caring about my wellness, working out and eating great. There was a lot of streaming movies, comfy clothes and ordering in great food from various places.”

Spending those months together, what did they learn about each other?

“That he’s very neat and I’m not, that he loves to eat at the dining table, and I don’t,” she says wryly. “But we are totally compatible.

A lot of people have had adverse effects of being stuck together for a long time, but we still really like each other.”

For now, though, she’s living in a rented house in Notting Hill, London for a year, while filming the rom-com Text For You and Citadel, a thriller series with Richard Madden.

Work takes her around the world although she spends much of her time between Mumbai, where her family and friends live, and LA, the marital home and the first she has bought in 15 years.

During lockdown, she also finished her autobiography, Unfinished, charting her life, from her peripatetic childhood in India to her teenage years of education in the US and her return to India, where she entered the world of beauty pageants, winning Miss India, then Miss World, which opened doors for her in the movie world. To date, she has appeared in more than 60 films produced in India and the US. The daughter of military doctors whose work often took them away, Priyanka spent some of her teens being educated in the US, where she fell victim to racist bullies in one school, who yelled taunts of, ‘Brownie, go back to your country!’ and ‘Go back on the elephant you came on’.

“I remember the feeling when those girls looked at me. I didn’t want them to see me. I wanted to be invisible, which is so opposite to who I am by nature. I love being the centre of attention. It killed my spirit,

QFocus Magazine March 2021 my confidence. It made me a shell of myself,” she recalls now.

“The racist comments made me so aware of my ethnicity, something I didn’t even think about. I was always just trying to live my best life.

It made me acutely aware of the fact that I was different.”

As a result of the experience, she returned to her family in India, then two months before her 17th birthday won a local beauty pageant, which she entered largely to escape the pressure of her forthcoming exams. So began her road to success, first as Miss India and later as Miss World.

“It changed my life completely,” she explains. “I grew up really quickly. I went from being this high school girl with dusty knees from a small town in India to wearing a crown and talking to heads of state and having an opinion on the world that matters at 18.

“I recognised that this opportunity was a gateway to a career. I saw that it could open doors for me.”

Bollywood came calling but, she explains in Unfinished, her acting career was almost stopped in its tracks when sinus and breathing problems led her to have a polyp removed from her nasal cavity in what was supposed to be a routine operation, but which led to disaster when the bridge of her nose collapsed.

When the bandages were removed, she was horrified, she recalls.

“My original nose was gone. My face looked completely different.

I wasn’t me anymore. I felt devastated and hopeless,” she writes, although she didn’t come out about it publicly at the time, feeling it was a private matter.

Following the polypectomy she had several corrective surgeries, garnering accusations of ‘Plastic Chopra’ in newspaper articles.

Today, she confesses: “It’s terrifying to even talk about it to you right now. I have been teased and heckled and written about so much my entire career without people knowing why. With the book, I try to tell my version of that.

“Maybe all of the people who have referred to me with really vile names, maybe they’ll see the humanity behind how traumatic it actually was, specifically when you are in a profession where your job pretty much is about your face and physical appearance.”

She was dropped from two big movies – her first acting jobs that were to have launched her career – after the producers heard rumours that she looked different post-surgery. The producer of a third movie she’d been signed up for changed her role to a supporting one.

“I’d had these gates of heaven opened for me, then slammed in my face,” she recalls. “I didn’t look in the mirror for days. I wouldn’t want to. I felt helpless, I felt the permanence and burden of it, and the opportunity that dazzled in front of me was now gone – and not for something I did.

“It was terrifying. Thankfully both my parents were doctors, thankfully my dad was a surgeon, thankfully he knew what to do and got alternative measures, thankfully I kept a little bit of good work and people still took a chance on me.”

Over time, she got used to her new appearance and made peace with herself.

“Now I’m on the other side of 35, as a woman I have reached a place where I’m content with who I am. I have the ground beneath my feet. I feel strong and stable and have confidence in what I bring to the table. And it only took 20 years to get there!” she says, laughing.

Today, she says she wants to further hone her skills as an actor and producer, and to use her public profile to be a platform for a variety of causes. She’s been a Unicef goodwill ambassador for 10 years, is a strong advocate of multiculturalism and runs her own education foundation.

She has made no secret of the fact that she and Jonas, who is 10 years her junior, want children. At 38, does she feel the biological clock ticking?

“No, because we live in a great time. I’m a believer in destiny and I don’t like to challenge it. I’ve always been fond of children and I would love for it to be a big chapter in my life, but if you want to make God laugh, tell Her your plans. I’m just going to keep my fingers crossed and be grateful for whatever we get.”

Unfinished by Priyanka Chopra Jonas is Michael Joseph/PA published by Michael Joseph.

QFocus Magazine March 2021

Page 18

www.femalefocusonline.com

Do You Know You Can Choose To Be Happy???

I have said this many times over the years and I will probably say it many more times, as it is an unfailing truth…..

Do you know that you can "choose to be happy"? You can't just say to yourself, "Be happy" and magically become happy; but you can choose beliefs, thoughts, and actions that will lead to happiness.

CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY BY MAKING HAPPINESS YOUR TOP GOAL. If you make money, success, a good lifestyle, your top goal in life, yet are not happy... What have you gained? To maximise your chances of being happy, make overall happiness for yourself and others your top goal in life. Happiness is different from pleasure. It isn't selfish the way pleasure can be. Happiness requires love, truth, getting higher needs met, and inner harmony.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN HAPPINESS. Do not allow any other person or external condition make you happy or unhappy. You control your own happiness by your own thoughts and actions. Your happiness is in the palm of your hand.

OVERCOME YOUR GREATEST FEARS, and LEARN THAT YOU CAN BE HAPPY IN ANY SITUATION. What are your greatest fears? Poverty, loneliness, rejection, failure, blindness, sickness, death? Develop plans and clearly imagine what you would think and do to make yourself happy in any awful situation. Our thoughts give us the feelings we find hard to deal with, and so accept the fact that we are the only person in control of our thoughts and change the way you think.

Try to make some changes! Until next time!

Violet King

www.femalefocusonline.com

Page 19

QFocus Magazine March 2021

The Hair Colour Trends

Set To Be Big In 2021 From warmer balyage to vivid reds, spiced brown tones and the latest colour trend at Máximo beauty… Smoky Ash Hair, there’s a new wave of hair trends rolling in for 2021. Which one would you like?

Warmer Balyage Hair condition and quality has suddenly become paramount, so choosing warmer tones compliments this look, and not having to lift the hair to a super light blonde will prevent any damage to the hair. Hand-free balyage is popular among those wanting to transition from previously having highlights to a more low-maintenance shade. The best bit? Any hair type – from coarse, fine and curly can try this as it’s about embracing what you have.

Renaissance Red Red is going to be a huge trend for 2021, think beautiful, deep, rich reds that are renaissance-inspired. It can be quite versatile too, with undertones of rich copper and bronze. The beauty of this as a trend, is you can decide with your stylist how deep or subtle you want it to look. The key, however, is to ask for it to have rich undertones so it looks very healthy. Lighter complexions will suit reddish-copper tones, medium skin tones can get away with nearly every red, while darker complexions should seek out plum and cherry shades.

Smoky Ash Hair Grey never really went away as a trend but it’s definitely back again and bigger for 2021.

Smoky hair is a new colouring technique were your stylist uses three different tones of ash brown starting with the darkest at the roots and finishing with the lightest at the ends.

This colouring technique is done by a L’Oréal Professional Colourist using the most exclusive colouring products in the hair industry.

At Máximo Beauty it is our passion to keep on training and learning new colouring techniques to be able to deliver to you the latest hair trends and the best hair experience. ● 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 March 2021

Page 20

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RECIPES by Pushpa from the Spice Hut

Vegetable bhajiyas (vegetable fritters)

info k; e t a d -to- Faceboo p u r o F our sada. e e s e e pleas ice Hut Qu Sp

225gms gram flour (chick pea flour) 2 tspn chilli powder 2 tspn lemon juice Fresh coriander 1 tspn of garlic paste 1 tspn of ginger paste Oil for frying Salt Water Few florets of cauliflower, cooked Aubergine, sliced in circles Courgettes, sliced in circles Potato, sliced thinly Any vegetable thinly sliced Mix all the ingredients except the vegetables and add the water slowly to make a batter, not too thin or thick, enough to coat the slices.

Heat the oil, dip each piece of vegetable in the batter and fry until brown.

To test oil first, fry one piece, if it is too oily once fried then the oil is not hot enough.

Serve hot with mint yoghurt dip. Enjoy.

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

●

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AS SEEN ON TV

QF���� Maga���e Ma��� 2021

Page 21

Aloo Paratha Indian Potato Stuffed Flatbread

Aloo paratha is a whole wheat flatbread stuffed with spicy mashed potatoes. Aloo paratha is a popular breakfast dish in Indian households but obviously can be eaten anytime! It’s usually eaten with butter, yogurt and a spicy pickle.

Parathas can be stuffed with anything from cooked lentils, meat, veggies or just plain with a smattering of butter or ghee. They can be square, round or triangular.

Method The Dough - In a mixing bowl place the flour and add half of the water.

Ingredients Using your fingers knead into a dough; add more water when needed until For the Dough it becomes flexible enough to roll. Knead to form a smooth, medium-soft • 200g chapatti/whole wheat dough. Cover and leave to rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes. flour. Plus, extra for dusting/ The filling - In a bowl, with a fork mash the boiled potatoes. Add the rolling ginger, onion, salt, black pepper, garam masala, cumin seeds, chilli • 200ml cold water powder, fresh chopped coriander and fresh chillies. Mix until everything is well combined. The filling is now ready.

For the filling The paratha - Knead the dough before dividing into 4 balls. Roll between 2 potatoes boiled your palms, until the balls are smooth and without cracks. Apply gentle pressure to flatten.

1 small onion finely diced - To stop the dough from sticking, lightly coat each ball with dry flour. Using a rolling pin roll into a 1inch fresh ginger grated circle until the disc is 4 to 5 inches in diameter. If it starts to stick, dust both sides with dry flour.

1 teaspoon salt - Place 1½ tablespoons of the mashed potato mix in the centre, gather together the edges to enclose the 1 teaspoon black pepper filling, pinch to seal.

1 teaspoon garam masala - Flatten the dough, dust with flour and place sealed face down. Gently roll the stuffed ball into a circle, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds about 8-10 inches in diameter. Dust with dry flour if it begins to stick.

1 teaspoon mustard seeds - Heat a tawa/Indian griddle pan or a frying pan to a medium-hot heat. Place the paratha into the pan 1 teaspoon chilli powder 2 tablespoons fresh coriander for a minute or so. Use a spatula or fish slice to flip over. Cook for a minute. Spread a ¼ teaspoon of oil/butter/ghee. Flip over and apply oil/butter/ghee on the other side. Cook until both sides have golden 2 fresh chillies optional 2 tablespoons butter/ghee/oil brown spots on them. Repeat with the remaining dough balls.

TOP TIP: Any Curry On Cooking spice kit can be used to replace the spices. Use half of the sachet.

Prep 25 mins Personally, we love the Bombay Potato spice kit; it is perfect for the potato stuffing!

Cook 30 mins ● Recipe supplied by The Spices Sisters from Curry On Cooking. Don’t forget to like them on Facebook Makes 4 'Curry On Cooking'. You can purchase their currylicious kits from www.curryoncooking.com.

LOOKING FOR A GIFT with a difference or to learn a new skill? The Spice Sisters have a fantastic three-month curry subscription. Great "I miss you" gift for family and friends or if you fancy a virtual cook along lesson please email us keepcalm@curryoncooking.com

Spot the 12 differences (answers in the classified pages)

Spot the odd one out

A

B

C

D

E

F

P��� 22

QF���� M������� M���� 2021 Health & Beauty

Services

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.

C a l l ( 0 0 3 4 ) 6 2 8 1 0 1 7 11 o r visit www.scalpmastery.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 NEED A SURVEY? Call Advantage Building 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. Call 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. Telephone: 681 315 659. Web: www.aqualyze.es 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. Call 966 718 738 or 671 260 204. Visit the website: www.simplydoors.es.

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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 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 cover, community, business. Visit www.spanish-insurance.net or call 96 673 0694. Offices in San Javier, la Zenia and Quesada.

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

JESUS POBRE APARTMENT. Private sale of lovely spacious apartment of 70 m2, groundfloor, 1 bed, 1 full bath, open plan kitchen, living-dining area with log burner.

Roof terrace with sea- and panoramic views. SOLD with some high quality white goods. 125.000€. Call for information 966 461 784.

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.

FREE PROPERTY ADVERTS To get your free 3 month property for sale advert send your advert content (up to 40 words) to classifieds@femalefocusonline.com - Please include your name, NIE or passport number and address, this is not for publishing but we must have these details on file. And remember you can also send a photo to go with your advert that will be published with your wording on the website.

(Wording only in the Female & QFocus Magazines.)

VARIOUS GOLF ITEMS. All very well looked after and in good condition. For complete information call 696 283 704 or visit the Online Female Focus Classified’s page.

www.femalefocusonline.com for more adverts

www.facebook.com/FemaleFocus/ Follow & Like Us! @FemaleFocusPublica�ons

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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QF���� M������� M���� 2021

P��� 23

E FULL PAG from

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

ONLY

60

€

+ IVA per month

Have you booked your space yet?

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

Pets Beautiful Beethoven gets a little stressed in the kennel environment and would love a home to call his own with a garden. Good with female dogs and loves long walks. He is a 3 year old Mastin who deserves a new start.

Please call 711 075 305 or send us an email k9clubinfo@gmail.com or Facebook ‘K9Club.Es’ Smudge is an amazing cat, used to children and dogs. He came from a very loving home, and is very laid back. Smudge is about 5 years old. 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.

Very easy

Medium

Easy Hard QUICK CROSSWORD SOLUTIONS Across: 7 Relate; 8 Quaint; 10 Disdain; 11 Feint; 12 Chat; 13 Merit; 17 Girth; 18 Solo; 22 Loyal; 23 Onerous; 24 Menial; 25 Sullen.

Down: 1 Product; 2 Elysian; 3 Stray; 4 Surfeit; 5 Civil; 6 State; 9 Inception; 14 Mislead; 15 Monocle; 16 Consent; 19 Plump; 20 Lying; 21 Rebut.

ANSWER TO SPOT THE ODD ONE OUT: A All adverts must be sent with your Name and NIE or Passport Nº (not to be published).

ADVERTS SHOULD BE sent with correct spacing and spelling, the first 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 classifieds@femalefocusonline.com. Photos can be sent with your free advert, both will be published online but text only in print. Classifieds that are supplied incorrectly, all in capitals or with missing information may well be deleted.

‘Misc sales’ are for example one-off sales of second hand items to the value of 500€ or less. Maximum twenty words per advert/ item & maximum five 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.

Free Property adverts: Property sale adverts should also be emailed to classifieds@femalefocusonline.com by the property owner. They will be published free for a 3 month period and can include Property Agent contact details (and photo to be included online only).

Commercial adverts: Minimum advert length ten words. 35 cents per word plus 21% IVA per month. Payment can be made by credit card or transfer. *Free adverts will be published in print on a space permitting basis. If you want to ensure your advert appears, normal commercial rates should be applied.