QFocus May 2021 Magazine

Dep. Legal A-685-2016

E FR E

MAY 2021

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

Mr View on turning 70

The Night Sky & Your Phone

SKIN CARE

FOR MEN

: d n a r B Jo lly fit’

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QFocus Magazine May 2021

THE NIGHT SKY WITH YOUR PHONE

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Hello again, this month I'll continue with the basics of using your smartphone to photograph the night sky. I'm assuming most readers will have read last month’s article and hopefully have downloaded the apps I recommended for enhancing your smartphone camera. If not, this magazine has an excellent website where you can read previous articles, just ask Mr. Google.

Ok, on with the practical stuff. There are a couple of basic rules, firstly, the phone must be held perfectly still when taking a night sky photo, this is because you're taking longer exposures than usual and any phone movement will blur the picture. There are 3 simple ways you can do this, firstly, you could use a tripod with a phone attachment, secondly, the obvious way, you prop the phone up on something, facing the right way. Third and best you get an adaptor to hold the phone to your binocular’s eyepiece. I'll come back to that.

One more thing, touching the button to take the picture can wobble the phone, so use the self timer, it will allow any wobble to settle before the picture is taken.

Using the phone on its own can produce some remarkable pictures, you don't have to take a close up of the moon, just use it as the subject in a night photo perhaps framed by some trees, buildings or whatever, use your imagination.

Regular readers who use their binoculars will already know about the advantages of a tripod to take the weight, and hold them steady, so you might like to get the device I mentioned that holds your phone to one of the binocular eyepieces. If you search the internet for 'smartphone telescope adaptor' you'll see lots of them, take your choice.

Mine cost about 12 Euros and works well. What you need to do now is practice, get used to exposures and settings, there is no substitute for trying things out.

Don't be surprised if the image looks small on the phone screen, it can be enlarged later. Don't waste your time trying on a misty or unclear night, you need a clear sky. And very importantly, don't be put off if you don't get instant results, it takes a little luck and effort. One last tip, if you're photographing the Moon, the best pictures are taken when its half to three quarters full, you get shadows that enhance the detail.

Lastly, a competition, please email us your pictures, I'll give 3 months for submissions, the best picture will be published in this column, and on our website. We will also invite the winner to join the group at a star gazing night with our telescopes, when such things are possible again. There's only one rule, the pictures must be taken on a phone. Good luck, let me know if you have any questions.

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

my Group

Vega Baja Astrono

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understand that there are still different versions of what is required under the Brexit terms for remaining in Spain. Please make sure that you take legal advice and not just listen to various people’s interpretation. The rules are quite simple but very rigid and believe me, the Spanish are not playing a game. It will be very easy for them to discover who has adhered to the rules and those who have not, so take care.

I am sure there are many that have been reassessing, not only their lives, but where to live and checking all their paperwork is in order. Please make sure that you have a very good house insurance and if you are eligible, life insurance would be a very good investment to have in place, especially a Liberty Seguros life insurance, which amazingly works out at half the price of the banks and for a better product, to protect the ones you love.

Although the life insurance we offer includes a certain amount towards the funeral costs, it is far better to have a funeral plan to work alongside. There are two ways to be protected from the high costs of a funeral in Spain, and the speed with which you have to have the money in place. Never forgetting that bank accounts tend to be frozen for a while.

My company is able to offer you either a funeral insurance or a funeral plan, whichever is best suited to your needs and age. The insurance policy starts from as little as 100€ per year, so you could very easily, I’m sure, commit yourself to this amount. Unfortunately age restrictions do apply for the funeral insurance. However, funeral plans have no limit on age or health and an easy payment scheme is available and this policy is dual country, so even if you are limited to a 90 day stay in Spain, you will be covered in the UK as well.

Please call one of my staff who will be able to help you make the right decision for your family.

· For more information, visit the website www.jennifercunningham.net or email: info@jennifercunningham.net.

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It is great news that we can now dine out and drink until 10pm (allowing for time to get home), a very welcome outcome for the bars and restaurants who have always been hit hard during the pandemic. We now all await with anticipation as to when we will be allowed tourists again. One thing for certain is that the area will once again be booming when this is allowed, possibly in ways we have not seen for a very long time.

Normality has also started to recommence in our household with the start of dance competitions now being permitted. No doubt it will be a busy few months ahead as the dates come in thick and fast to make up for lost time. My angel was preforming her 1st solo dance on stage in Valencia recently and we were both so excited to travel to a different area as well as for the competition itself, where she was placed 3rd!!!

Next stop is Murcia so fingers crossed it is just as successful. Don't worry I am not breaking any laws, we have permission to cross the borders for the event.

The Spring / Summer issue of Focus on Professional Services publication is now out on the streets, a fantastic pick up and keep for all your essential needs. Thank you to all involved and the confidence and trust advertisers have once again placed in us.

Congratulations to Rose Foster from Guardamar del Segura who won last month's competition after spotting the Curry On Cooking logo. Please visit www.curryoncooking.com for their amazing curry kits.

Michelle

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

Discuss your advertising with your local representative:-

Sales Manager Michelle 663 178 228 michelle@femalefocusonline.com

QFocus Magazine Office: Mon to Fri. 10am - 2pm Tel. 657 501 055 Pick up your next issue on 1 June Deadline for advertising & editorial -17 May

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

Like and Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/FemaleFocus/ & Instagram @FemaleFocusPublica�ons Female Focus is proud to have been voted the third most popular magazine worldwide in the independent Expat Survey Consumer Awards

Female Focus Publications are supporters of www.aldeasinfantiles.es

QFocus Magazine May 2021

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This time last year (March 2020), in regard to the stock market crash brought on by the Pandemic I wrote the following in this magazine: [“The global COVID-19 outbreak has sent global stock markets into chaos.

With massive drops followed by huge rebounds day after day, volatility has become an ever-present force that investors have to manage. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that investors avoid making decisions motivated by fear. The importance of staying invested cannot be overstated, even as markets continue to plunge.

Why should investors stay invested during turbulent times? ...… The history of the MSCI World Index since 1980 shows us that the best strategy is often just to leave your investment where it is during periods of crisis – the aftermath of each has seen markets exceed pre-crash values. After all, everything from Black Monday in 1987 to the Greek debt crisis caused panic at the time, yet their impact is now barely remembered by many investors. “] So one year on, what actually happened to our investment performances?

I don't have a crystal ball but I do have professional experience and most retired clients have a “Balanced” risk profile, so indeed, many of my clients benefited by holding the above Multi Asset fund. If appropriate, you can too, if you call me.

Notes for Diary; 20 May 2021 Free See advert below for more information Information Service relating to Residency/ Tax- 10.30am including a free breakfast- Benijofar Plaza Purple Parrot Cafe. Call or email me to book. No adhoc arrivals I'm afraid.

Finally, with a huge degree of sadness, after just over 7 years I have left Blacktower Financial Wealth Management and accordingly I wish both Blacktower and all my old colleagues well. For personal reasons I have decided to accept an offer from my old friend at Seagate Wealth Management to join his well established and busy firm, and I look forward to helping customers from the comfort of Seagate's large office situated at Avda. Federico Garcia Lorca 101 Benijofar, 03178, Alicante.

My product offerings and solutions for pension transfers or Spanish compliant and non-compliant investments will not change so 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).

See www.david.diggle.es for more information

David Diggle C.A.T. DipFA TEL: 615 607 278 / 865 751 713 Email: dave.diggle@seagatewealth.es Website: www.daviddiggle.es / www.seagatewealth.es We work in conjunction with fully regulated and authorised companies.

ELCHE CHILDREN'S CARE HOME: Some of you know that I have been the volunteer accountant for the Elche Children's Care Home charity since April 2014.

There are 24 children currently living in the home and as one can imagine, fund raising for the benefit of these children has ceased due to lock down. But their needs don't stop, so please help us to help them and donate on-line on their website www.ecch.es or email info@ecch.es to donate by bank transfer.

Can you spare just 10€?

I must clarify that no funds whatsoever, raised for the children by donations from the incredibly kind public, have been invested as that is not the remit of my position as volunteer accountant.

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QFocus Magazine May 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 May 2021

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The Ultimate Easy Guide to Building Licences in Spain

In the UK, licences are pretty straightforward and easy, allowing the building of minor extensions or other buildings with a simple and basic process. However, that doesn’t happen in Spain and all building work needs one of the following three types of licences.

Major Building Work Licence Required whenever there is: ·Extensions either attached or detached, such as garages, work sheds, etc. ·Any building work that implies building a roof with over 1.5mts height. ·Any structural building work inside or outside the property, such as putting new beams, structural repairs, knocking down loadbearing walls. ·Any internal change of layouts, such as making rooms, kitchens or toilets bigger or smaller, subdividing rooms etc. ·Pools - Even small or fibreglass ones.

Major building work licences always need to be signed off by a qualified architect and the paperwork required is usually vast. The process can be long and bumpy. Town halls take months to issue the licence and they also require that the builder is qualified and registered.

Minor Building Work Licences Minor building work licences are those needed to do any building work that doesn’t imply structure, doesn’t increase the build size of the property or doesn’t involve a roof, for example, tiling, repairing, cladding, plumbing, electricity etc. They are generally easy and cheap to obtain.

Retrospective Licence/Certificate of Antiquity This is can be obtained whenever the property has been extended, altered or had a pool built without a proper building licence (prior to building).

To be able to obtain a Retrospective Licence / Certificate of Antiquity, the building work needs to meet two conditions: A. It has never been challenged by any Spanish Authority B. It has been built with over certain years, depending on each region: ·Alicante: The extension or pool needs to have been completed before August of 2010 (minimum aprox 9 years). ·Murcia: The extension or pool needs to be over four years old. ·Almeria: The extension or pool needs to be over six years old.

By having a Retrospective Licence/ Antiquity Certificate, building work already done becomes unobjectionable for the authorities. ·Vendors use it to avoid putting off potential buyers, due to the existence of undeclared or unlicensed building work. ·The Certificate of Antiquity is also the document needed at the Notary to update the Title Deeds (Escritura) with any alterations introduced to the property.

Martinez de la Casa Architects is one of the most prominent and respectable practices in the area, providing all types of certificates and licences, amongst other services. We are the Number 1 company in EPC Certificates (121€ inc IVA) and Number 1 for Antiquity Certificates (pools 229€ inc IVA, extensions 326€ inc IVA) and Habitation Licences (from 118€ inc IVA, Town Hall tax not included, depending on each municipality).

For all enquiries, or to arrange an appointment, please call 665 810 411 or visit www.martinezdelacasa.com to see over +200 testimonials on our services.

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QFocus Magazine May 2021

Marcus Rashford and chef Tom Kerridge unite for cooking tutorials on a budget By Ryan Hooper, PA

England footballer Marcus Rashford and Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge have joined forces with their celebrity friends to offer back-to-basics recipe ideas and culinary tips for low-income families to help tackle food poverty.

The Manchester United striker, who last year forced the Government to extend free school meal provision for hard-up children, said he wanted the social-media based weekly tutorials – which will also feature famous faces from the worlds of sport, music and television – to inspire people to make easy but healthy meals on a budget.

His latest campaign, named Full Time: Get Cooking With Marcus And Tom, launches this Sunday coincides with the Government’s Healthy Start payment scheme, which supports low-income households with grocery shopping.

The duo’s 52 tutorials will be posted on Instagram every Sunday, and cover recipes including fish pie, Mexicanstyle chicken, and Rashford’s childhood favourite, spaghetti Bolognese, as well as lighter courses such as overnight oats and sandwiches.

Rashford, a self-confessed novice in the kitchen, will take part in around 20 video “how-to” sessions, with celebrity guests such as broadcaster Fearne Cotton and fitness guru Joe Wicks among those substituting in to join Kerridge, 47.

The pair said they were inspired to join forces due to their personal experiences of growing up in single-parent households on low incomes.

Rashford, 23, told reporters ahead of the launch: “Is it fair if people go hungry?

“No it’s not, it’s unfair if somebody goes to sleep without eating a meal.

“I want it to get to a stage where, worst case scenario, everybody has to be at least eating three meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner, that’s my aim.”

He said the Full Time campaign sought to dispel any fears of cooking for those with limited skills.

“Sometimes a lot of people are afraid of mistakes (in the kitchen), so if a lot of kids engage with it then it will be a lot of fun,” he said.

Drawing on memories of going hungry as a child, Rashford added: “I remember sometimes at school I would fall asleep – I just hadn’t eaten food, I wasn’t awake, so I would just literally fall asleep.

“So I can see how it has an effect on their ability to learn and concentrate in class.

“Some of these kids may dream to be a scientist but imagine if they’re in science class but they’re always tired – I don’t want that to happen.”

Rashford said he wanted the initiative to help remove the sort of “embarrassment” his mother Melanie felt when using food banks, and described the stigma attached to state-funded programmes such as Healthy Start vouchers as “the most silly thing I’ve ever heard”.

Kerridge praised Rashford for his enthusiasm in the kitchen, and described the other household names taking part in Full Time as “a total mixed bag” in terms of their culinary ability.

“Some are pretty component, others used a bit of creative licence adding their own personal touches to the recipe which as a professional chef I absolutely love,” Kerridge said.

“I don’t care what level anyone is – just get in the kitchen and have some fun, it’ll all be fine and you’ll have something tasty to eat – what I can say is Joe Wicks is on the same page as me concerning pineapple and pizza.”

Healthy Start vouchers equate to £4.25 per child under the age of four each week to spend on items such as fruit, vegetables and pulses – ingredients celebrity chef Kerridge said are fundamental to the Full Time campaign’s recipes.

Kerridge, well known for his two Michelin-star Hand And Flowers in Marlow, told reporters: “Normally the audience I reach out to is a foodie audience, they already know how to do things, they just want to improve.

“This is like learning to ride a bike – right at the beginning, with stabilisers – it’s learning peeling carrots, peeling potatoes, dicing onions, it isn’t making tagines or braising beef briskets.”

He said there was “no silver bullet that solves the issue” of food poverty, but added: “What we are trying to do is encourage those who are in that more disadvantaged area … to get more for their money.”

Recipes will be posted weekly on the @FullTimeMeals Instagram page.

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Book Review by Ivor Kindle Title: Gurkha..."Better to die than live like a coward" Author: Colour Sergeant Kailash Limbu.

Publisher: Abacus This is both an unusual and interesting read, unusual because the British Army normally do not allow individual soldiers, while still serving, to publish stories about their life whilst still being under orders.

It is also interesting because Colour Sergeant Limbu shares with the reader his account of both his time serving in Afghanistan, and also talks about his life at his home village in the mountains of Nepal.

His time in Afghanistan is an account of a life under fire and of his and his fellow Gurkha soldiers, as they fight to keep the Taliban from over running their basecamp.

His time in Nepal is the story of how the young Men of Nepal compete with each other to become a serving Gurkha Soldier within the British Army. The Gurkha as soldiers are feared by enemies all over the World. This book opens up the World of Gurkha service.

Keep reading, Ivor Kindle.

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Freemasons support 'Help at Home' The Worshipful Master of local Freemason’s Lodge, Las Salinas, Keith Carter presented a much needed hospital style bed to “Help at Home” General Secretary Susie Brice recently at their premises in Cabo Roig. President Patricia Muirhead thanked the Freemasons most sincerely for their support, adding that the new bed would be put to good use right away.

“Help at Home” is a registered charity that offers short term support and assistance for people of all ages in their own homes. Voluntary services include transport to medical centres, respite care, shopping, companionship, advice on social services and welfare benefits, legal matters, and translation. Housekeeping services can be arranged at a cost of fifteen - twenty euros per hour, and can include assistance with personal needs and meal preparation if desired.

“Help at Home” has an office and furniture shop at Cabo Roig, and a charity shop at Playa Flamenca and Quesada. Further details can be found at www.helpathomecb.com. Volunteers can be contacted by email: helpathomequesada@gmail.com or telephone: 711 039 558.

Picture Foreground: Worshipful Master Keith Carter, and General Secretary Susie Brice.

Picture Background: President Patricia Muirhead, Welfare Officer Sheila Powell and Shop Volunteer Lynette Johnson.

Page 11 QFocus Magazine May 2021 This year people are being encouraged to take part in the Big Lunch over one month in any way they feel comfortable –

By Jemma Crew, PA Social Affairs Correspondent outdoors, online, over the fence or on the doorstep.

Comedian Jo Brand has called Brand, a Big on the nation to get “socially fit” Lunch ambassador again after months of lockdowns for five years, by making time to chat with said: “Whilst I’m chomping at the neighbours.

Brand, 63, said she can relate to bit to see family the concept of ‘re-entry anxiety’ – and friends again; people worried about socialising I certainly won’t be front of the queue dishing out hugs when my as restrictions ease as part of the local rave club reopens.

“Everyone has their own social roadmap to what they will feel Government’s road map.

She is an ambassador for the Big comfortable doing. We all need to go at our own pace and that’s Lunch, a National Lottery-supported initiative from the Eden just fine.”

Peter Stewart, executive director of the Eden Project, said: “The project that this year will take place over a month.

Referencing the popular NHS Couch to 5K running programme, idea of things opening up again and us being able to get together, chat and even hug brings with it natural anxieties as well as she said: “It’s time to get ourselves socially fit again.

“Forget training for a Couch to 5k, it’s all about getting from anticipation and excitement.

Couch to 5 conversations now… and what better place to start This year we want to support people and communities as we emerge from the toughest of times and start to reconnect with the than on your doorstep?”

She added that if anyone is feeling anxious “about diving back into world around us. the socialising pool”, then the Big Lunch is the “perfect way to dip “That is why this year the Big Lunch is spreading out across a whole month of community, giving people the chance to ease a toe back in the metaphorical shallow end”.

More than four million people took part in the Big ‘Virtual’ Lunch themselves back into socialising with a focus on neighbours and 2020, as the event moved online for the first time in its 12-year community.”

The Big Lunch will take place from June 5. history. www.femalefocusonline.com

Jo Brand: Get ‘socially fit’ after lockdown by chatting with neighbours

QFocus Magazine May 2021

www.femalefocusonline.com Page 12 become gentrified in the early to middle sixties, we were moved to a nice Maisonette in Churchill Gardens where stage two of the life of Mr View kicked into gear. elcome to my monthly column “A view from Now at the tender age of eight / ten years I started to explore the top”. Hopefully you will find my rambling my surroundings. The London underground Tube System readable (maybe even enjoyable). You may agree became my personal mode of movement as I wandered far and or you may disagree with my views, I care not. wide around London Town. The Tower, Hyde Park, Piccadilly These are my views long held and forged over a life time of work, Circus, Leicester Square were all within easy reach of a street travel and experience. Now that’s over let’s have a look at what kid. 'Ticket' I hear you cry. What ticket, in those days pre steel is really winding me up. crocodile gates and Oyster cards, the Tube system was mine Feliz Cumpleaños. Happy birthday to Me. to roam not only as free as a bird, but literally for free as well.

The crowning glory of my roaming was when I discovered South Hi Dear Reader, well I Kensington Underground Station. South Ken is adjacent to have made it, today as I Exhibition Road and Exhibition Road and Cromwell Road House, sit here slaving away at London's collection of wonderful museums. For a ten year old my keyboard to bring street kid who should have been at school but was always playing you, my Reader, all truant, well Museums are the place to be. Warm and fascinating, the very best from here Dear Reader was where I gradually became aware that the pen of Mr View, learning and education were the key to later life. it is my 70th Birthday Then along came Father Hadfield. Now Father H as my mum (setenta), yes three called him was the local Parish priest, and as a good Catholic score years and ten family he, Father H, was always round our house asking the are mine. I thank God question...'Mrs View (My Mum) why is not young View (Me) at and the skill of the school? His education and Catholic upbringing is suffering' My medical profession mum would answer that she had placed me in the nearest local for reaching this school. Not Catholic I should add, to which Father H would reply. biblical milestone.

'We cannot have that!' It appears that my soul was at risk from How do I feel on this Protestants. This went on until Father H used his influence and the momentous day? Well young View (me) was given an interview to attend Westminster as usual my right knee is killing me, which in turn is causing me to walk like a duck which Cathedral School. in turn causes my "gate" to be out of true which in turn causes my Due to my self education via London's Museums at a very early age, hip to hurt. Before you think 'well rub something on it' - my knee I could read and discuss science terms and Natural history et al so that is, I cannot use any ibuprofen type rub because I take heart I flew into the Cathedral school and life for me, for a while, settled medication that does not go together with ibupro type pain rubs. down to learning and socialising and generally becoming able to The solution is either to get a new knee or to get on with it. Of live in a social setting rather that being a "Lone Wolf". I have never course during the current pandemic other medical issues are more quite understood how education for me became so important. I important than my knee so I will just have to grin and bear it. have written in this column before about how I used my education Now where have I come from during those post WWII days of to further my career, remember I am a 'Working Class Boy from a 1951. St Mary Abbot's hospital in Kensington is where it all began Working Class poor background'. What my parents gave me and for Mr View. The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea no my siblings was love, warmth and by example good manners and less, and there Dear Reader is the reason for my lifelong love of the awareness of common humanity. They (my parents) were as Chelsea Football Club. Oh yes, I support the team from where I poor as Church mice so to speak, but they were, as far as parents was born, not for me coming from London and supporting a team go, marvellous and caring. Us kids wanted for much in financial terms but we never wanted for anything in emotional terms, we from Manchester. were loved and myself and my sisters both knew and felt it.

From the hospital it was home to Charlwood Street in Pimlico, London SW1. During my adult years on a visit to London Due to the lack of money and because I was now in a good I actually took my eldest son Ryan and showed him where his school I got the chance to go on holiday via a sponsored charity. father had spent the first 10 years of his life. Puzzled he looked at So from the age of about nine, and for the following two years, the magnificent Edwardian house that our family shared with two I was packed off to live in a large bell tent with several other other families and looked at me and said. 'You are joking Dad, working class poor kids via the scheme run by, I think was, this house is much too posh for you!' In fact as Pimlico started to continued on next page

A View From The Top

W

&

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......continued from previous page 'The Sunshine Homes for the London poor'. We were sent off to an abandoned WWII Fighter Squadron airfield, Hawkinge, high on the cliff tops of Walmer / Deal in the county of Kent in Southern England. To this day I still remember what a wonderful time I had, was it rough and ready? You bet it was, but then so was I and so were the other kids. It was marvellous to be under canvas and out in the open air all day long every day for a full week. Oh and Father Veal (Catholics again) took care of our pastoral wellbeing via outdoor confession. On Friday afternoon, he, Father Veal, would walk back and forth along the cliff top while we kids took it in turns to walk beside him and confess our sins.

Usually my sins related to stealing sweets from any unsuspecting sweet shop, but hey-ho, as stated I had three years of this as a holiday and I enjoyed every minute of every day of every year.

Time moves on and the young adolescent boy View grew into Teenage View, oh and how I loved the so called swinging Sixties. In 1961 I was ten years of age so before me were what, in my opinion, were the most progressive decades of post War Britain, especially if like me, The Kings Road in Chelsea in London was part of your playground. The early Sixties rushed by, from 12 years of age I was what in those days was called 'an associate schoolboy' footballer. Training whilst not at school and playing evenings and weekends, remember

QFocus Magazine May 2021 in today's world the football environment is vastly different.

Now young prospects are full time in Football Academies however, in the early Sixties it was so very different. However fate and a couple of broken legs ended the not so superstar football career of a 16 year old. It was out into the wide world for an unemployed young teenage Viewster.

My mum using the mums network of influence, asked around and found me a job working in a garage as an apprentice do it all. Not any old garage you understand but Dolphin Square Garage on the Pimlico embankment in London. It was here that I really grew up.

For the first time in my young life I was mixing with young men and adults in a disciplined work environment. I had to do what I was told when I was told, and do whatever it was in a safe and practical manner. I worked my way along the mechanical pathway and became, although I say it myself, quite adapt in things that required mechanical repair.

What stopped me becoming a fully trained mechanic was my itchy feet. I was always looking out for another job and at the ripe old age of 18, I became an assistant Schoolkeeper at the local Secondary school, sweeping playgrounds, cleaning toilets, and generally carrying out maintenance of the school fabric, coupled with the obvious attractions for a young man at a school that had a Girls Six form. Lots of overtime locking the school after the Evening Institute had finished made that life of a growing Mr View fairly comfortable.

From the rigours of Schoolkeeping I applied for a job with, what in those days was called the General Post Office - GPO as a Trainee technician. As I was now 18 years old I missed out on becoming an apprentice but was employed as a TIT, rather unfortunate, however Technician in Training it was.

Well Dear Reader that's it for the time being, for the next instalment of the life of Mr View please see the next edition (June 2021) of QFocus magazine...

QFocus Magazine May 2021

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COSTA BLANCA SOUTH

Note from Benny: Now looking forward to latest easing of restrictions that hopefully may allow productions in mothballs to be unwrapped and be staged by either late spring, or summer. Some groups are using Zoom and bubble meetings to keep together. 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: Exciting news! ACTS are holding two ‘Comedy Review’ events featuring a wide range of cast members, all excited at getting back in front of a live audience after so long waiting in the wings. The performances are on 20 May and 24 June, both at Lakeview in Quesada from 2pm. Tickets, priced at 12 euros with a two-course lunch, are selling fast. If you would like to attend, please contact Susie on 602 575 273.

Campoverde Theatre Group: The Group, although still not able to get together for rehearsals, are still keeping in touch by weekly Zoom meetings.

Unfortunately, not all members are able to use this technology, but they have devised alternative systems for everyone to keep in touch.

Like everyone else, they are just waiting for the heads-up to start performing again and hope it will be soon.

Cantabile Ladies Choir: At the moment, the choir, based in Torrevieja, are hoping to begin rehearsals again in September providing restrictions have been lifted. 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 who perform a very varied selection of music. For further information please email valbeange@gmail.com or telephone 966 795 816 or mobile 648 03 42 32.

Harmonisers Barbershop: The singers meet at Goyo's in Quesada on Monday mornings at 10am, and at Casa Contenta in Rojales near the market on Thursday mornings at 10.30am. Why not pop along and join them for an interesting and entertaining morning. Beginners most welcome, help and tuition provided if needed.

www.femalefocusonline.com Lyrical Mixed Voice Choir: Lyrical continue to think very positively about the future and are aiming to perform a ‘Spring Concert’ as soon as possible. Rehearsals for this concert will start when Covid restrictions allow.

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: Roll on summer and vaccinations so that the Group can get back to rehearsing their next production, ‘Treasure Island’, which they hope to be able to perform early next year for everyone to enjoy - Oh yes you will!

If you would like more information, email: rojalespantomime@gmail.com.

Studio 32: The Company have had to temporarily postpone rehearsals for ‘South Pacific’. Under the current circumstances, they aim to stage the show towards the end of November. 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 at: studiothirtytwo@icloud.com or call 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

Page 15

www.femalefocusonline.com

SKIN CARE FOR MEN

QFocus Magazine May 2021

Razorzz barbers offers skin care for men using Non-rinse peel off masks and particularly, black peel off masks, also effectively removing blackheads that may be clogging your pores. As the mask dries off on your skin and becomes tighter, it'll also extract dirt and bacteria.

We also use a clay face mask that has the potential to absorb oil from your skin and prevent mild forms of acne, such as pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. These types of acne form when your pores are clogged with excessive dirt and oil.

Also using Collagen eye masks has the benefits of boosting the production of a protein known as elastin in your skin which helps in improving the elasticity of the skin. Not to mention, elastin also increases the cell turnover that provides you with smoother and plumper skin. It reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eye area as well as dark circles.

As we know men are taking better care of themselves now and want to feel confident by looking good. Razorzz Barber isn't just about making you look good with your hair and beard, but also giving you the proper skin treatment to give you the glow you deserve.

Black peel & Collagen eye mask face massage 15€ Clay mask & Collagen eye mask face massage 15€ Black peel & massage 10€ Clay mask & massage 10€ Collagen eye mask & face massage 8€ ● For a salon appointment or more information please call Absolute Hair, Nails & Beauty on 966 731 336 or see our advert alongside.

QUICK

CROSSWORD By the PA puzzles team Across 1. Quote (4) 3. Power (8) 9. Sailor (7) 10. Bogus (5) 11. Squandered (4,3,5) 13. At full stretch (3,3) 15. Pester (6) 17. Mediation (12) 20. Precise (5) 21. Grinding corn (7) 22. Theft (8) 23. Commotion (4)

Down 1. A comic (8) 2. Cast (5) 4. Objective (6) 5. Without exertion (12) 6. Irritating (7) 7. Attention (4) 8. Helpful (12) 12. Adolescent (8) 14. Ancestry (7) 16. Sharpness (6) 18. Imbecile (5) 19. Headland (4)

See classified pages for answers LABRET A Small library B Lip ornament C Roman military standard

GARNER A To collect B Hoisting tackle C Projecting spout

ANSWER: B

ANSWER: C

BY PA PUZZLES TEAM

PIASSAVA A Egyptian coin B Italian bagpipe C Broom fibre

ANSWER: A

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

QFocus Magazine May 2021

Page 16

www.femalefocusonline.com

Can we be making ourselves feel ill?

H

ow many of us, I wonder, are suffering the results of hanging on to pain, envy, regret and guilt about things that have happened in the past? Do we perhaps not realise that unless we can confront those things within ourselves, forgive and let go, that these things can only work against us, not only mentally and emotionally, but physically too?

Who to forgive? Could it be that a number of people, or is it just one, has damaged us? Unless we can address this situation and forgive, we could be on the road to making ourselves seriously ill.

I personally do not believe in literal confrontation at all times, but in the quiet of whatever situation you choose, you can think seriously and deeply about the offences you are clinging on to, and mentally care enough about yourself to let it all go, and forgive. Clear all the garbage out, no one can do it but you! Imagine having a literal dustbin full of garbage inside you, and the harm that would do? Not difficult to imagine, is it?

Well that can be the very situation you are inviting into your life by harbouring all the old enmities and hatreds. Care enough to let go and forgive. Move on and appreciate the new peace you will definitely experience in your life.

ALL ANGER COMES FROM PAIN. Think about that for a moment. How many of us are keeping fires of anger burning because we are hurting about things that have happened in the past. For every angry person I have met there has been pain in their lives. It sometimes helps just to discover that. However, there is NOTHING we can do about the past, that is why it is vital to let the negative things go. Life can be pretty wonderful if you realise and accept that you are in control of the kind of things that can make changes in your life. It's never too late!

Work on TODAY – the first of all your tomorrows!

Until the next time! t King

Viole

Page 17

www.femalefocusonline.com

QFocus Magazine May 2021

Reach Out Extienda La Mano celebrates its Tenth Anniversary this year and due to the retirement of our current Treasurer we need of a replacement in the near future.

Spot the odd one out

A

B

C

D

This Voluntary post involves normal Treasurer procedures, accounting for donations and shop income and paying bills etc, and in conjunction with our Accountant producing tax returns, Annual Financial Reports etc.

Our current Treasurer will of course complete an in depth handover including use of the Accounting software currently in use. Hours of operation in our Centre in Calle Bella Antonia would be between 9am & 2pm any weekday.

Interested parties should enquire by email in the first instance to president@reachouttorrevieja.eu with a basic experience background.

E

F

We are still in need of VOLUNTEERS! Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday are a priority.

Also anyone with Admin type skills for Thursday would be very welcome.

Page 18

QF���� Maga���e Ma� 2021

our

oroscope

ARIES Family commitments will have to come first even if it takes you away from a pressing personal matter. It doesn't mean you have to give up on your dreams, just put them on hold for the time being.

TAURUS You are starting to plan a trip which has been long overdue. People entering your life now will bring new experiences opening your mind to ideas that you would never have thought of before. This may change your initial plans for your travels.

GEMINI A budget plan will put things back into perspective and will make everything more achievable. You must all stick to it though to see it through so don't make it an impossible one.

CANCER Stop and take stock of where you are and what you have achieved. Dwelling on the past will not help. Looking at the positive rather than the negative will help you move forward to even better times.

LEO Rekindling friendships will make you realise just how isolated you had become over time.

Reconnecting with old friends will renew your enthusiasm for life and introduce you to some new hobbies and interests.

VIRGO Taking time to step back and look at your life as an outsider would see it will open your eyes to some changes you need to make. Let your loved ones help you get back to the person you were before. Circumstances out of your control are just that and need to be dealt with once and for all.

WORD SPIRAL

LIBRA This month you will feel that everything is going in slow motion and that you are the only one going at a normal speed. Don't try to speed things up, it really will not help matters and will only frustrate you more. One bonus, you will be able to save some energy at this pace.

SCORPIO Pretend no one is watching and let your hair down a bit.

Don't be so hard on yourself, you judge yourself far too much and try to aim for a perfection which just cannot be met at all times. Relax a little.

SAGITTARIUS Even though you cannot see it right now, you are having a profound effect on your future direction. Each of these small changes you are making are adding up and will come together to see you reach those goals.

CAPRICORN Letting someone mentor you has given you such knowledge that you are eager to mentor someone else. Passing these skills along is a great way to pay it forward and will give you a renewed excitement.

AQUARIUS Taking out your frustration on someone close is not the answer. Work out where things are going wrong and sort them out rather than plodding on, which is what you are doing now. Not everyone will like the outcome but it is what you need to do.

PISCES Count your blessings and look at what you have and what you have achieved rather than complaining and moaning. This will free you to enjoy yourself once again and get out of the negative rut that seems to be bombarding you at the moment.

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.

WORDSPIRAL 1 - CLUES

www.femalefocusonline.com



1. Cod, say 2. House or flat 3. School test 4. Is obliged to 5. Domesticate 6. Compass point 7. Unfreeze 8. Past tense of go 9. Rip 10. Roster 11. Points a weapon 12. Fizzy water 13. Opera song 14. At the summit 15. Tablet 16. Quiet spell.

Key word clue: Boy’s name.

WORDSPIRAL 2 - CLUES 1. Legal inheritor 2. Encircle 3. Percussion instrument 4. A present 5. Experiment 6. Golf pegs 7. Fly high 8. Smell strongly 9. Eager 10. Inert gas 11. Meshes 12. Lather 13. Smoke and fog 14. Objective 15. Arm or leg 16. Round deep dish.

Key word clue: Author’s surname.

Answers to puzzles in the classified pages

www.femalefocusonline.com

HAIR SHEDDING?

Page 19

QFocus Magazine May 2021

Most of us have inspected the drain after a shower (or the bathroom floor after a blow dry) and thought, Wow! That's a lot of hair. Everyone experiences hair shedding, after all. Research shows that the average person sheds somewhere between fifty and one hundred strands of hair every day. So when is hair loss normal, and when does it signify an underlying health problem?

Shedding is a natural part of your hair’s growth cycle. Every hair on your head goes through phases of growth and rest before eventually falling out. Hair loss becomes problematic if you notice a lot more falling out than usual, if your hair comes out in clumps, or if you experience thinning hair or patches of baldness on your scalp. Some causes of hair loss or thinning include: Genetics. Female- and male- pattern baldness are hereditary conditions that run in your family (thanks, Mum and Dad).

Hormones. Hormonal changes or hormonal disorders (like polycystic ovary syndrome) can cause hair loss. Many folks notice hair loss after giving birth or during menopause.

Stress. Extreme physical or emotional stress can lead to temporary hair loss. This can be caused by traumatic events like divorce, death of a loved one, surgery, or even dramatic weight loss.

Nutritional deficiency. Hair loss can also occur if you’re not getting enough of a certain nutrient, like protein, iron or vitamin B12.

Illness. Some illnesses like diabetes, lupus, hypothyroidism, and certain autoimmune disorders can make you lose more hair than normal.

Medication. Sometimes hair loss is a side effect of medication or a medical treatment such as chemotherapy.

Styling damage. Certain hairstyles that pull at the scalp like tight braids or updos can damage hair follicles and cause a type of hair loss called traction alopecia.

When this happens you must seek medical advice ASAP.

Whilst you wait for your appointment with the doctor, here are a few tips to help improve your hair and scalp.

Eat more protein. Getting enough protein in your diet is essential for hair growth.

Take your vitamins. A diet rich in iron, vitamin C, vitamin B12, vitamin D3, copper, zinc, and selenium can set you (and your hair) up for success.

Reduce styling damage. Avoid tight hairstyles, using hot tools too often, bleaching your hair, and getting frequent chemical perms or hair- relaxing treatments. If your hair has been over processed, invest in a good conditioning mask or in salon treatment that is going to repair the hair from the inside.

Sleep with a silk pillowcase. Silk is smoother than cotton, so it’s less likely to snag and pull at your hair while you sleep.

Keep your scalp happy. An itchy, flaky, inflamed scalp can lead to more shedding than usual. Try a special shampoo from the chemist to keep dandruff and inflammation at bay. ● 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 May 2021

www.femalefocusonline.com

Page 20

RECIPES by Pushpa from the Spice Hut Lamb Vindaloo

1 kilo lamb mince 1 onion, chopped 3 tspn garlic paste 3 tspn ginger paste 1 tspn tumeric powder salt 2 tspn ground coriander powder 2 tspn ground cumin powder 2 green chillies 2 tspn chilli powder small cup vinegar small cup water 4 tbsp oil few bay leaves fresh coriander Fry the onions and bay leaves in the oil until slightly brown then add the garlic, ginger, tumeric, cumin powder, coriander powder, chilli powder, green chillies, salt as required, vinegar and water.

Cook for a few minutes before adding the lamb and simmer on a low heat until the sauce is nice and thick.

Check for taste and can add extra vinegar, salt etc as required.

Garnish with coriander and serve with naan.

Enjoy ●

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

www.femalefocusonline.com

Page 21

QF���� Maga���e Ma� 2021

Neapolitan-style pizza recipe

By Katie Wright, PA

This sourdough pizza recipe creates the perfect thin and crispy base. Craving Italian-style thin and crispy pizza? This sourdough pizza recipe is topped with a simple tomato sauce, mozzarella and (optional for meat eaters) salami slices.

Ingredients: (makes 4 pizzas) For the base: 100g white sourdough starter 400g strong white flour (preferably Italian ‘00’ pizza flour), plus extra for dusting 7g table salt 260g tepid water Plenty of semolina, for dusting (flour will do, though)

For the topping: 3 garlic cloves 1tbsp good olive oil 400g tomato passata (sauce) Salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 x 125g balls of mozzarella Cured meat or salami (optional) A handful of fresh basil leaves (optional)

Method: It’s best to make your dough at least 24 hours before you plan to make pizza. The dough keeps for three to four days, at least, and I know those who always have a supply of sourdough pizza dough in the fridge, just in case. Make sure your starter is nice and healthy, and that the majority of it consists of white flour.

1. Make the dough. In a large bowl, weigh out your flour and add the table salt. Mix these together to combine, then add the tepid water and starter. Use a wooden spoon to combine everything into a wet and sticky dough. Cover the bowl, then leave it for at least one hour at room temperature.

2. While you could mix this dough vigorously, we don’t want to overdevelop the gluten. It should remain soft and sticky. I’d do a couple of stretches and folds, and watch it rise over about six to eight hours at room temperature. It should be very bubbly and sticky. At this point, cover with a plastic bag, put it in the fridge and leave it. It can be left for up to three to four days, albeit becoming slightly tangier each day. It’s best used between 24 and 48 hours.

3. Before it’s time to bake, get organised. Make your pizza sauce – peel and finely chop your garlic and place this in a pan with the oil. Gently infuse over the lowest heat for five minutes (don’t burn it). Add your passata, stir and turn up the heat to simmer. Add salt and pepper to taste. This can be prepared in advance and chilled, if you like. Chop your mozzarella into slices and place this in some kitchen paper (paper towels), or wrap in a cloth, to dry.

4. While some people like to pre-shape their pizza dough to make a very round disc, I’m a bit more rustic. Dust the work surface with plenty of semolina and a little flour, or just flour if you don’t have any semolina. Turn your dough out on top, and then add more semolina and flour again. Divide your dough using a scraper into four equal lumps, and coat each of these with semolina, too. It’s not possible to use too much. Once your doughs are divided and your toppings are prepared, you can preheat your grill (broiler) as hot as it goes with the door as close to closed as possible, and then get a cast-iron pan or surface onto your hob (stovetop) to heat as hot as you dare.

5. Work quickly. Dust some semolina on a tray or peel. Take a piece of dough and stretch it flat. Don’t use a rolling pin. Throwing the dough in the air and spinning it really does help. You want the centre of the dough almost translucent, and you should leave a 1cm-thick rim around the edge to give a good puff and stop the sauce leaking. Place this on your peel. Give the peel a good shake to make sure the dough isn’t sticking. Add more semolina if it does. Spread some sauce on top, no more than three to four tablespoons, and then a quarter of your mozzarella and some slices of cured meat or salami, if using. Add a few fresh basil leaves, if you like.

6. Give it another shake to make sure it isn’t stuck. Gently slide this onto your smoking hot pan. Use thick, thick oven gloves to move this under your grill, and shut the door (or close it as much as possible if your grill turns off when you shut it). Cook for two minutes, then check it. You want the edges of the crust to be just about blackening, and the cheese melted and bubbling but not browning. Keep going if it isn’t. Lift up the edge to check underneath.

If it’s still soggy on the bottom but done on top, put it back on the hob for a minute or two. For the next pizza (if the first wasn’t quite cooked underneath) you can leave it on the hob for up to a minute before placing under the grill.

7. Enjoy hot, as fresh as humanly possible. It takes the sacrifice of one person to make the family’s pizza, but it’s so worth it. Between each pizza, get your surface back on the hob to heat up to frightening levels again before you slide your next pizza on top. The dream is to have two surfaces, for back to back pizzas, forever.

Sourdough From Scratch by James Morton, photography by Andy Sewell, is published by Quadrille.

SPOT THE 13 DIFFERENCES

(answers in the classified pages)

Page 22

QFocus Magazine May 2021 Health & Beauty

Services

AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS For families and friends of problem drinkers. There are meetings in Torrevieja. Phone 634 349 961.

SLIM AND TONE At our new one stop Slimming, Toning and Vitamin Supplements Studio, we can offer you the Exante diet plan and the Shapemaster toning beds. Call 675 619 568.

www.femalefocusonline.com

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

Services 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.

Call 653 733 066 or email mrmpaddon@hotmail.com or find further information at www.surveyorscostablanca.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: 658 338123.

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.

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 call 671 260 204. Please visit www.simplydoors.es.

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 Sales & Rentals 1Property year contracts to park your car at Alicante airport, look at our website ALGORFA, 2 BED ATICO and click on Coys ParkingAlgorfa www.

69,000€, 2 bed atico. Garage with coysrent-a-car.com storeroom, lift, pool, roof terrace.

Furnished, no chain. Close to amenities and golf. Mobile 675 416 420.

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.

Autos 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 . w w w. s p a n i s h - i n s u r a n c e . n e t 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.

ASTRA ESTATE Sell Astra Estate, petrol blue, diesel, UK plates 2009 or swap, Spanish plated estate car.

Heather. 676 863 778. Catral area.

3 BED VILLA WANTED. I want to buy an independent villa in Ciudad Quesada, Rojales, Benijofar area, with 3 bedrooms, to reform. Please call 655 85 96 70.

www.femalefocusonline.com

www.facebook.com/FemaleFocus/ Follow & Like Us! @FemaleFocusPublications Personal

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

There are meetings in Torrevieja. Phone 634 349 961.

www.femalefocusonline.com

QF���� Maga���e Ma� 2021

Page 23

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

Property Sales & Rentals TOWNHOUSE, LA MARINA Spacious Townhouse. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen/living/dining room in La Marina. Close to amenities.

70,000€. Tel. 966 796 236.

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.)

Very easy

Medium

Easy

Hard

Pets Mila is about 3 years old and is very excitable looking for cuddles. She gets on well with other dogs but may be calmer as an only dog. 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 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.

WORD SPIRAL 1 SOLUTIONS 1. Fish 2. Home 3. Exam 4. Must 5. Tame 6. East 7. Thaw 8. Went 9. Tear 10. Rota 11. Aims 12. Soda 13. Aria 14. Atop 15. Pill 16. Lull. Key word solution: WILLIAM. WORD SPIRAL 2 SOLUTIONS 1. Heir 2. Ring 3. Gong 4. Gift 5. Test 6. Tees 7. Soar 8. Reek 9. Keen 10. Neon 11. Nets 12. Suds 13. Smog 14. Goal 15. Limb 16. Bowl. Key word solution: ROWLING. QUICK CROSSWORD SOLUTIONS Across: 1 Cite; 3 Strength; 9 Mariner; 10 False; 11 Down the drain; 13 All out; 15 Plague; 17 Intercession; 20 Exact; 21 Milling; 22 Stealing; 23 Stir.

Down: 1 Comedian; 2 Throw; 4 Target; 5 Effortlessly; 6 Galling; 7 Heed; 8 Instrumental; 12 Teenager; 14 Lineage; 16 Acumen; 18 Idiot; 19 Ness.

ANSWER TO SPOT THE ODD ONE OUT: E

Pick up the latest edition of Th e Professiona ls OUT NOW