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chemical fire plunges almanzora valley into darkness

the mini still reigns supreme page 37

wonders of retirement page 17

antas ~ Arboleas

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The recycling plant, Geocycle in Albox, was ablaze from early Sunday afternoon; white smoke could still be seen discharging from the plant on Tuesday morning. The flames reached more than 15 metres in height, with constant small explosions, and the pall of smoke was visible from most of the Almanzora region.

The Fire Service, the Guardia Civil and ambulances were dispatched to the Polígono Industrial La Teriguera, where the plant is situated.

Although one of the fire engines was rendered almost useless by the conflagration no-one was injured. The fire occurred when there was only one person, the Security Guard, on duty at the plant. Inside the plant there were highly flammable materials, but at the moment the cause of the blaze is not known.

The Guardia Civil has closed the access roads to the Polígono, only allowing access to emergency vehicles; they advised all local residents to stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed.

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SOLTIMES MAY 2011

Sport

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SOLTIMES MAY 2011

Landslide victory across Spain for PP A LANDSLIDE victory for the right-wing Partido Popular (PP) means radical changes in town halls and regional governments throughout the country.

Although the full count is not over, the PP has netted an average of 47 per cent of the votes in all regions so far.

Galicia, Andalucía, the Basque Country and Catalunya are still being counted.

Only Asturias and Navarra do not now have PP governments, the regional elections here having been won by the FAC and the UPN respectively.

In terms of local elections – by province – only Barcelona, Lleida, Tarragona, Pamplona, Soria, Cuenca, Guipúzcoa (of which San Sebastián is the capital) Toledo and Vizcaya (of which Bilbao is the capital) did not see the PP leading, meaning that the party received the majority vote in 43 out of Spain’s 52 provinces.

This historic landslide on the part of the PP is thought to be a response to the recession and poor state of the job market.

In terms of regions, Francisco Camps continues

as president of the Comunidad Valenciana, and Esperanza Aguirre as leader of the Comunidad de Madrid.

The 2011 elections saw 550,000 blank votes – 2.54 per cent of those participating – the highest in Spain’s history and believed to be an act of protest.

Also this year, 800,000 youngsters who have turned 18 since 2007 were able to vote for the first time.

Non-Spaniards are only able to vote in their local town elections, not in the regional ones, and will not be able to vote in the general elections in 2012.

Despite the PP’s sweeping the board, Spain’s president and socialist leader José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero – who announced recently he would not be standing again next year – has refused to stand down and bring forward next year’s elections.

Lorca sets wheels in motion for repairs to first 500 houses

LORCA town council has already processed 500 applications for home repairs – and complete rebuilding, in some cases – for those left without a roof over their heads following the devastating earthquake on May 11 which left nine dead and nearly 300 seriously injured.

The council has set up 35 temporary ‘customer service’ desks to handle enquiries and

requests for assistance from the victims of the horrific quake, which measured 5.2 on the Richter scale.

Already, 1,200 people have been attended to and 900 appointments made, but an estimated 1,500 people a day have been applying for help.

Dedicated desks are open from 09.00hrs to 20.00hrs, Monday to Saturday, although booking an appointment first

is necessary due to the huge volume of affected residents.

A free-phone telephone line has been set up – 900 117 816 – for those who are unable, or prefer not, to attend the town hall in person.

The council website, which previously attracted between 1,500 and 2,000 hits a day, is suddenly receiving around 200,000 daily.

Spain is still revolting... for another week at least

PROTESTORS who have been camping in the main squares of most of Spain’s provincial capital cities since last Sunday – May 15 – say they intend to stay there for at least another week.

The revolt is at its most intense in Barcelona’s Plaza de Cataluña and Madrid’s Puerta del Sol square, where every inch of road and pavement is occupied by indignant residents sleeping under the stars.

Some have set up tents; barbecues and paellas are being cooked in the open air, and in a number of cities even films have been shown al fresco to keep the campers entertained.

Segovia’s protest is made up of just 10 people, camping under the arches of the famous aqueduct, with televisions set up.

In some cities, shifts are being organised to ensure that the revolt does not end just because the participants are tired and want to sleep in a proper bed.

This means the protestors can take it in turns to go home without the peaceful demonstration having to end or dwindle.

They have also been taking it in turns to vote throughout the course of today.

Whilst business-owners complain that the campers are costing them customers, no riots or other disorderly

behaviour has been reported – in fact, in Barcelona, participants have organised a rota to sweep up and tidy the square every morning.

Although the ‘Spanish Revolution’ has been arranged to coincide with the regional and local elections for maximum impact and visibility, it is not directly related to any party in question.

The countrywide demonstration – which extends as far out as the Balearics and the Canaries – is a cry for help from Spain’s so-called ‘lost generation’ – highlyqualified, skilled and capable, a massive percentage of them have been out of work for months if not years, and are simply unable to find even menial jobs.

Once their dole money has run out, they are not entitled to free State healthcare or any other benefits, and once they stop work, they also cease to contribute to their State pension.

The minimum retirement age has recently been lifted to 67, but as nearly 50 per cent of the under-30s and over a third of the 18-40 age-group are not able to work or pay into the system, they fear that even by age 67 they will not qualify to retire.

And whilst even most thirtysomethings still have to live with their parents, banks all over Spain have repossessed literally millions of homes where their unemployed owners cannot pay the mortgage, forcing these people to either sleep on the street or on a friend’s or relative’s sofa.

carrier bags ‘tax’ negatively received

The new tax on plastic bags that came into force on 1st May has been received negatively by traders, who feel that there are many unresolved problems in the implementation of the scheme.

Problems include the payment of the tax, which is due quarterly, and whether the inclusion of the charge to the customer should form part of the VAT charge; the exclusion of some small shops due to special tax arrangements, the treatment of plastic bags stocks already held by small shops before the commencement of the tax and the inclusion of otherwise of bio-degradable bags.

The Comisión de Comercio de la Cámara (Chamber of Commerce) is to inform traders of the order of the Ministry that outlines the certifications and requirements for bags designed for reuse and for biodegradable bags, which are exempt from this tax.

According to the law, businesses must pass the full amount of the total tax on consumers.

At present this is five cents for each single use plastic bag, but in 2012 it will rise to 10 cents.

Almeria........................................

Figures from the Servicio de Estadística de la Delegación Provincial de la Consejería de Agricultura y Pesca show that Almería’s olive harvest of 64,000 tons is a 72.6% increase over the previous season.

This translates to an oil production of 12,000 tons, with an estimated value of 22 million euros, and around 2,000 tons of table olives.

The area of land used for the cultivation of olives has remained steady, at around 19,120 hectares, about 135 hectares up on the previous season. Of this total area just over 12,000 hectares are irrigated, while more than 1,000 hectares are organically grown, without irrigation.

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SOLTIMES MAY 2011

Rise in foreign visitors to Spain picks up steam

A rise in the number of foreign visitors to Spain picked up steam in April as arrivals from its two main markets, Britain and Germany, posted doubLe-digit growth, official data showed.

Spain welcomed 4.7 million foreign tourists last month, a 20.95 percent jump from the same time last year, bringing total arrivals in the first four months of 2011 to 13.8 million -- up 8.5 percent, the tourism ministry said.

The number of arrivals last month was boosted by the fact that the Easter week holidays this year were held in April while last year they were split between the end of March and the start of April, it said in a statement.

The number of tourists from Spain’s main market Britain soared 42 percent in April over the same time last year to 1.15 million while the number of visitors from

Sport

Germany rose 11.4 percent to 817,000.

The tourism industry, a mainstay of the economy, received a boost this year as the unrest in the Arab world cause tourists to switch to Spain rather than risk booking a holiday in a potential trouble spot.

The economic recovery underway in several northern European countries, especially Germany, has also contributed to the rise in visitor numbers to Spain as more people from those nations go on foreign holidays.

The Canary Islands archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, where resorts tend to offer all-inclusive packages like those available at seaside resorts in Tunisia and

Egypt, saw the biggest jump in foreign tourist arrivals.

The archipelago received 912,977 foreign tourists in April, a 19.3 percent increase over the same time last year, bringing total arrivals in the first four months of 2011 to 3.7 million, up 26.7 percent.

Spain slipped from third to fourth place among the world’s most visited countries in 2010, behind France, the United States and China, according to figures from the UN World Tourism Organisation.

It received 52.6 million foreign visitors last year, up slightly from 52.5 million in 2009.

24 arrested in Barcelona after posing as policemen to rob tourists The Mossos d’Esquadra have detained 24 people suspected of being members of an organised group responsible for robbing American and Asian tourists in Barcelona in over 80 separate incidents, by passing themselves off as police officers and demanding fines.

According to the press statment given by the police, the thieves had made off with at least 80,000 euros in cash and credit card fraud.

As well as the 24 detainees, of whom all but one have been released on bail, a further 14, all of Rumanian nationality, are being sought by the police.

The gang targeted tourists in the area around Camp Nou, the Olympic Stadium, the Palau Sant Jordi, the Montjuïc fountains, Parc Güell and the biggest tourist sites in the Ciutat Vella (Barcelona’s historic old town).

Police have been investigating the gang since last November, but their task has been complicated by the fact that the perpetrators live in hostals or B & B’s, moving frequently from one address to another.

One of the gang members

would disguise himself as a tourist in order to strike up conversation with other tourists, to ask them directions, or to take a photo of him in front of one of the main sites, at which point other gang members dressed as police officers would come over and ask for the tourists’ documentation.

The disguised tourist would immediately produce his, prompting the others to do the same.

When the victims handed over their wallets, the thieves would take advantage of the situation and steal money.

According to the victims, they then asked for credit cards to check that the identity papers were correct. Some were even asked to punch in their PIN numbers into a mobile ‘phone and then the thieves would simulate telephone enquiries to check the data.

All the victims complained of feeling intimidated and bullied.

Four of the 24 detainees, all of whom have criminal records, were arrested when a similar gang of Rumanian thieves was broken by the police in Barcelona in 2009.

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SOLTIMES MAY 2011

Spain bail out Portugal to tune of 5 billion euros

The Spanish Econonmy Minister, Elena Salgado, has confirmed today that Spain will provide between 4.5 and 5 billion euros to the rescue programme drawn up for Portugal, which will total some 78 billion euros altogether.

Salgado explained that Spain’s contribution would be “in the form of guarantees” and not a loan and was 12.7% of the 26 billion euro rescue fund as corresponded to Spain as a member of the Central European Bank and of the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) created a year ago by the Eurozone member states.

The minister’s announcement came on the back of a decision by the EU finance ministers

to give the green light to Portugal’s rescue package, after accepting the conditions demanded by Finland.

The 78 billion euro iad package will cover Portugal’s finance needs for the next three years and will be provided in equal parts by the IMF and the EU’s two financial bodies in these circumstances, the EFSF and the European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism (EFSM).

Salgado calso commented on the situation in Greece, after members of the Eurozone said yesterday that the country had to make a bigger effort to cut costs if it wanted more aid in addition to the 110 billion euros that were pledged last year.

Anti-crisis protests shake up Spanish elections

Protesters fuming over Spain’s economic crisis and sky-high jobless rate camped in Madrid and across the country to vent their anger ahead of the local elections.

More than 1,000 demonstrators turned out in Madrid’s central square Puerta de Sol last Tuesday night and knots of protesters remained the following morning, some vowing to stay until the vote.

Others rallied in scores of cities including Barcelona, Valencia, Zaragoza and Palma de Mallorca, responding to calls on online social networks, television coverage, and the Real Democracy Now protest organization.

“We are tired of the unemployment, the corruption of politicians. It is always the same thing. I have no job and I don’t see how I can get one any time soon,” said 25-year-old Jordi Perez in Madrid.

“They have to know how we feel,” Perez said.

Spain’s jobless rate hit 21.19 percent in the first quarter of this year, the highest in the industrialized world. For the young the situation is more desperate: 44.6 percent unemployment for under-25s in February.

Carrying placards reading “Make the guilty pay for the crisis” and chanting “They call this democracy but it is not”, the protesters hope to be heard in regional and municipal elections Sunday.

Mostly peaceful, the protests began May 15, lamenting Spain’s economic crisis, politicians in general, and corruption.

They seem to have caught political parties by surprise.

Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero’s ruling Socialist Party was “alarmed” by the protesters, fearing them to be

5

Demolition goes on in Lorca as Real Madrid players visit

Work to demolish unsafe buildings and remove all the rubble carries on in Lorca today, as the town prepares to receive the Real Madrid football team before their charity game against Murcia to raise money for those affected by the earthquake last week.

Some time after 8am last Wednesday, three buildings in the La Viña and Alfonso X districts, two of the most badly damaged areas of the town, were pulled down on the instructions of the inspection team, which has carried out no fewer than

six inspections over the past days and has come to the conclusion that the buildings cannot be saved.

Previously, demolition workers tried to pull down another building in the La Viña district, which ultimately collapsed, but not without

disaffected left-wing supporters who would abandon the party in the ballot box, the leading daily El Pais said.

Weekend polls forecast devastating losses for the Socialists as voters punish them for the government’s handling of the economic crisis, including painful austerity measures.

Mariano Rajoy, leader of the conservative Popular Party, which stands to make huge gains in the elections, said he could understand the protesters’ motives.

The youth unemployment rate was “terrible,” and unacceptable

causing significant damage to the neighbouring Cristo Rey church.

The Real Madrid players visited the district of La Viña, before heading off to Murcia to play the charity friendly at the Nueva Condomina stadium at 7pm, with the aim

of raising money to help those left bereaved, injured and homeless by the disaster.

The players, with club president, Florentino Pérez, will arrive around midday and will visit the area most damaged by last Wednesday’s earthquake, which left nine people dead and more than 300 injured.

After meeting some of the residents, the players attended Lorca town hall, to take part in a symbolic act of support for the people of the town.

For their part, the residents evacuated from their homes after the earthquake spent their first night last Tuesday in a new specially-built, camp set up in the Torrecilla sports centre.

In total, just over a thousand people have been relocated, after those who have drifted into the Lorca camps from other towns in search of free hand-outs like food, clothing, beds or tents, were sent back home.

in a country like Spain, he said.

“Zapatero made a mistake. First he did not see the crisis, then he was wrong on the measures and then he spent money we did not have. And he has put us in a very difficult situation,” Rajoy said.

“I think things can change and sincerely I am in politics to try to do so,” he said.

Polls published in the centre-left El Pais and the conservative El Mundo tipped broad losses for the Socialists including in strongholds such as Barcelona, Seville and the Castille-La Mancha region. The Socialist Party is “on the edge of a catastrophe,” El Mundo predicted.

Zapatero announced on April 2 that he would not stand for a third term in general elections scheduled for March 2012.

Some in the party believe a new leader could halt the Socialists’ plummeting popularity.

But while the Socialist Party touts its tough economic reforms internationally as a sign that it is repairing Spain’s finances, analysts say they will have to pay the price at the polls.

“What worries me really is the future of our children and our youngsters,” said one government worker, Maria Jose, whose salary was cut by five percent along with the rest of the public sector as part of government efforts to rein in Spain’s public deficit.

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SOLTIMES MAY 2011

Spanish economy picks Spain’s Gamesa touts big up pace in last quarter Indian wind turbine deal

Spanish economic activity picked up gently in the first quarter of 2011, official data showed on Wednesday, but could not prevent the jobless rate shooting to a record high.

Boosted by a surge in exports, gross domestic product rose 0.8 percent in the quarter from a year earlier, the National Statistics Institute reported. That compared to 0.6-percent growth the previous quarter.

Exports supported the lift in activity, rising 11.2 percent in the first quarter from a year

earlier.

But domestic demand remained weak, the figures showed, as households buckled under the high unemployment rate.

Spain’s jobless rate hit 21.19 percent in the first quarter of this year, the highest in the industrialised world. For under-25s the unemployment rate was 44.6 percent.

Economic output expanded 0.3 percent in the first three months of 2011 when compared to the previous quarter, the figures showed. That was up from a 0.2 percent pace in the final quarter of 2010.

Sport Spanish journalist freed in Libya

The Libyan government says it has freed Spanish photojournalist Manu Brabo and three other foreign journalists detained for illegally entering the country.

The others freed with the Spanish photographer were two Americans, James Foley and Clare Morgana Gillis, and a Briton named as Nigel Chandler. The fate of a

South African photographer also being held by Libyan authorities is unclear.

Government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said those freed had been given permission to stay and report in the country but would be escorted to the Tunisian border if they wanted to leave, adding, “If anyone was mistreated then we extend

our apologies.”

He said: “We know that there are foreign, special, European army experts fighting with the rebels so the army do not know immediately that these people are journalists, that they are harmless.

Manu Brabo (a photographer), James Foley (who works for GlobalPost) and Clare Morgana Gillis (who is a freelancer) were detained April 4th.

Ms Gillis, who writes for the Atlantic and USA Today, told the Associated Press news agency the four were at Tripoli’s Rixos Hotel and were fine. She said a judge had given them a suspended one-year sentence. The fate of South African photographer, Anton Hammerl, also held on 4 April, is still unclear.

WELLBEING CHECKS

Spanish wind turbine giant Gamesa has won a 1.4-billion-euro deal to supply turbines in India, touting it as one of the largest contracts of its kind in the world

Gamesa signed an outline agreement with Caparo Energy India Ltd to deliver wind turbines with a combined capacity of 2,000 MW over the next five years, it said in a statement.

The agreement was one of the largest wind turbine contracts signed in India and among the biggest in the world, Gamesa said. It was valued at $2 billion over the five years, a spokeswoman told AFP. The announcement pushed Gamesa shares up 1.99 percent to 6.40 euros in afternoon trade.

Gamesa said it would produce the turbines at its factories in India, supplying 150 MW of turbine capacity in 2012 alone.

“The deal represents a turning point in the

Indian wind energy market and heralds further progress in the industry’s rapid growth in India,” the company said.

Wind turbine capacity totalling 2,500 MW was installed in India 2010 and the country’s targets call for the 5,000 MW a year through 2015, it said.

The wind sector in India had been growing at 30-40 percent annually in the past five years and this was set to accelerate, the company said.

Gamesa announced earlier this month that net profit rose 67 percent from a year earlier to 13 million euros (18 million) in the first quarter of 2011, notably because of surging wind turbine sales in India.

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SOLTIMES MAY 2011

cordoba......

More than 150 home have been evacuated in Villa de Río and Cañete de las Torres (Córdoba) because of the torrential rain that has fallen in the area and that have already left one woman in her eighties dead.

Between 40 and 70 homes have been evacuated in Villa del Río and a further hundred or so in Cañete, some of which had floodwater over two metres deep.

Firefighters, residents and neighbours are all working together to pump the rain water out and clean the affected properties and streets, which have have been converted into rivers by the torrent of rain that began at about 5.30pm last Wednesday evening.

The emergency services working in Cañete have described the situation as an “complete disaster” with two streets “in a terrible state” as the gushing flood water “ripped off” iron gates and dragged dozens of cars in its wake.

They also confirmed that the woman found dead had been dragged by the sheer force of the water over a kilometre and a half from her home to neighbouring fields where she was found.

Firefighters are concentrating on the biggest properties at the moment, to prevent large structures becoming unsafe or load-bearing walls collapsing.

Work is also being carried out to clean out the gutters, which are currently blocked with up to 40cm of mud.

Residents of Cañete, where it is still raining lightly, say they have never experienced a situation like this before.

The torrential rain also forced the closure of the railway line in Villa del Río, where 140 passengers had to be evacuated and transferred by bus to their destination and the A-4 motorway has now reopened after being closed in both directions in the area yesterday.

The Spanish Met. Office (AEMET) still has the area on orange alert for rain and storms.

7

Britain’s Royal Society wins Spanish prize

Britain’s centuries-old science institute The Royal Society has been awarded Spain’s prestigious ‘Prince of Asturias’ Prize for Communications and Humanities for promoting “knowledge for the benefit of humanity.”

“The Royal Society is the longeststanding scientific community in existence in the world and the most prestigious institution of human knowledge in the history of Great Britain,” the Prince of Asturias Foundation said in a statement.

“Since its beginnings, the Society has combined the role of a research institute with that of a centre for the exchange of knowledge for the benefit of humanity.”

The Royal Society, founded in 1660, describes itself as “a fellowship of the

world’s most eminent scientists and ... the oldest scientific academy in continuous existence.”

It aims “to expand the frontiers of knowledge by championing the development and use of science, mathematics, engineering and medicine for the benefit of humanity and the good of the planet,” it says on its website.

Members have included Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, James Watson, Benjamin Franklin, Albert

Einstein and Stephen Hawking.

The Asturias foundation annually hands out eight awards, each worth 50,000 euros (70,000 dollars) in the fields of communication and humanities, scientific and technical research, social science, arts, letters, international cooperation, international understanding and sport.

The Communications and Humanities Prize rewards “the scientific, technical, cultural, social and humanistic work performed at an international level by

individuals, institutions or groups of individuals or institutions.”

Previous winners have included the Internet search engine Google, the National Geographic Society and Cable News Network (CNN).

Merkel wants southern Europeans to work more

Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel has said people living in southern European countries – such as Greece – will have to retire later and take fewer holidays.

Responding to voter anger in Germany at euro zone bailouts, Merkel said “We cannot have a (common) currency and one person gets lots of holiday and another very little. That doesn’t work in the long term.”

Speaking at a political event for her conservative Christian Democrats in the state of North RhineWestphalia, Merkel added: “Germany will help, but only when the others try.”

Greece will raise its retirement age to 65 for

men this summer. It is currently possible to stop working there in one’s midto late-50s.

The official German retirement age is being raised from 65 to 67.

Speaking at a political event for her conservative Christian Democrats in the state of North RhineWestphalia, Merkel added: “Germany will help, but only when the others try.”

Greece will raise its retirement age to 65 for men this summer. It is currently possible to stop working there in one’s midto late-50s.

The official German retirement age is being raised from 65 to 67.

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SOLTIMES MAY 2011

Almeria Angels Peace of Mind for just one hour of your time…

Almeria Angels Emergency Support System is fastly approaching their 1st anniversary so we caught up with Lee Wakeman (Managing Director) to see just what has happened in their first year.

Lee, you and your family have lived in Spain for 4 years – where did Almeria Angels start?

Nicki and I moved over here and initially lived in Valle Del Este Golf resort. Nicki was a registered nurse in the UK and moving over to Spain she began working in a bar on the golf course. Serving customers each day she began to realise that the ‘general public’ needed help with medical care – be it translation services, hospital visits or just a friendly face to confide in.

Within a couple of months Nicki saw a business opportunity and for the first 3-6 months Almeria Angels was a one man (or woman) band!

Within a year the Angels had increased to 20 – 30 staff including carers, physicians, and translators and of course nurses. This was before the Emergency support systems even started!

How far afield do the Angels go?

We started in this area and within the first year we spread to Mazzarron, Camposol, and all surrounding areas. Our major client base comes from word of mouth – friends of friends and when we first began we spent a great deal of time canvassing, handing out leaflets and talking to people. The public began to know us – and we got to a point where we had gone

as far as we could with ‘Almeria Angels’.

So where did the idea for the Emergency Support System come from?

We could see a demand in the people we were meeting. We could see what they were missing – and we knew we could become the missing link. We were getting phone calls at 5am in the morning from concerned people, needing an ambulance, needing a translator – or even just needing advice. We could see that there was a missing link – and we wanted to be there to bridge the gap.

The Emergency support System was launch just under a year ago – how has this progressed?

We have added a mobile phone package to the house support system – so now we can be contacted wherever you are. Be it a jelly fish sting on the beach, or some confusion at the airport! Our clients said they needed more freedom, more independence – and we answered that need.

All of our members also receive free legal advice from the Emergency Support Systems Lawyer.

It all sounds a bit exhausting! How do you and Nicki cope with it all?

We have a management team in place which is a fantastic support network for all of us.

There is Angie our office manager and also our community nurse, also we have Sandra who is our lead nurse. Together with Nicki the clinical director they run and are in charge of the nursing aspect of Almeria Angels Emergency

support. I over see the management side of the business, the day to day and Cristina our lifestyle manager, running our experienced and professional team of Lifestyle Consultants Our members turn to the angels for anything – the package isn’t just for ill people! If they want to change their diet, their lifestyle, discuss medication, exercise programs, the angels are the missing link – a friend – not to replace what you already have – just someone to put your mind at rest.

And what to you see happening in your second year?

We have now set up an office in Malaga and are in the process of hand picking nurses and staff – this office opens on 1st July and will be called the ‘Sol Angels’. The Idea is to develop the system all over Spain and have Angel offices in every area.

Any Regrets or advice to our readers?

You pay for what you get in this life and getting the correct information at the beginning will save so much time and hassle. Our commitment nearly a year ago was that The Angels will be here for many years to come, and over the last year the support and course of the business has shown that we do is needed. Not just in the area but throughout Spain.

Regrets? That we didn’t open the Support System sooner. So many people have gone back to the UK because they didn’t speak Spanish and they felt out of touch when one or both partners became ill. All I needed was an hour of their time and I could have explained why they didn’t need to move back. #

All I needed was an hour…

Watch out for news of their 1st Anniversary Party on 21st July!!

Peace of Mind for You & Your Loved Ones In A Language You Understand

Someone to turn to for: • Instant Support With Our 24hr A Day British Angel Operators • Translation Service • Unlimited Wellbeing Checks • Medical support - Hospitals & Doctors • Secure Medical History Held For Instant Access In Times Of An Emergency • Members Community Nurse • 24hr Member On-Call Nurse

Almeria Angels Emergency Support System

Call The angels on

Tel: 902 02 64 68

info@almeriaangels.com www.almeriaangels.com

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

plas-tech Thousands face volcanic ash cloud flight cancellations

Windows

UK Window, Doors, Conservatories, Patio Doors and Guttering Enclosures Specialist Happy in the knowledge that they didn’t buy a fly enclosure because they’re going to be nice ‘n’ warm this winter just as they were nice ‘n’ cool this summer!

Thousands of passengers face UK flight cancellations because of drifting ash from an Icelandic volcanic eruption.

Airports likely to be affected from 1300 to 1900 BST include Londonderry, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Prestwick, Durham Tees Valley, Newcastle and Carlisle, air traffic services company Nats said.

European air traffic controllers said 252 flights had been cancelled so far.

Ryanair said it had carried out a test flight over Scotland and challenged a ruling some flights should be grounded.

The carrier said its one-hour flight at 41,000ft showed there was no visible volcanic ash cloud or evidence of ash on the airframe, wings or engines.

It claimed the “red zone” over Scottish airspace where ash has been classified “highdensity” was a misguided invention by the Met Office and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Meanwhile, the UK’s emergency response committee, Cobra, will meet at 1530 BST to discuss the knock-on effects of the ash cloud.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond, who will lead the talks, said although there would be widespread disruption for Scottish airports, it was unlikely to last long.

He told the British press he expected Edinburgh and Glasgow airports to be clear by afternoon on Tuesday, and northern Scottish airports by Wednesday morning.

“At the moment the model suggests that disruption later in the week is likely to be limited, but of course the weather patterns are changing all the time,” he said.

At 0800 BST on Monday the Met Office said the ash had already reached northern Scotland and would spread to Wales, northern England and Northern Ireland by midday and across much of the UK by the end of the day.

But forecasters said changing wind patterns make it hard to predict its exact path and concentrations would vary between regions.

The following airlines have announced cancellations: British Airways is not operating any flights between London and Scotland until 1400 BST KLM cancelled flights to and from Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Newcastle as well as flights from Durham Tees Valley Airport EasyJet cancelled flights from Glasgow until lunchtime Ryanair said it has been advised by the Irish Aviation Authority not to operate flights from Glasgow Prestwick, Edinburgh or Aberdeen until at least 1300 BST on safety grounds, but believed that was no basis for the cancellations Aer Lingus cancelled 12 flights to and from Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh Flybe cancelled 11 flights to and from Scotland BMI said flights to and from Aberdeen were subject to delay but services in and out of

Glasgow and Edinburgh were unaffected Glasgow-based Loganair has cancelled 38 flights. Only inter-island routes in Orkney are unaffected Eastern Airways will not be operating any services in or out of Scottish airspace Elsewhere, US President Barack Obama has been forced to shorten his visit to Ireland because of the ash.

And the situation is being closely followed by Barcelona FC, whose players are due to fly to London for Saturday’s Champions League final against Manchester United at Wembley.

The cancellations come just over a year after another volcanic eruption in Iceland caused widespread disruption across Europe, including the closure of UK airspace, amid concerns about the damage volcanic ash could cause to engine aircraft.

This year, in the UK, the decision on whether to fly or not in ash cloud conditions is down to individual airlines, although they have to apply to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for final approval.

The CAA said procedures were “totally different” compared with last year and although no airlines had applied to fly in high-density ash, some had applied for, and been given, permission to fly in medium ash.

Andrew Haines, from the authority, said: “It’s a very fluid situation, partly because of the nature of the volcano, but also because the north of England and Scotland - as we’ve seen - have had very exceptional, windy conditions.”

The Grimsvotn volcano in Vatnajokull National Park began erupting on Saturday and closed Iceland’s airspace for a period.

Experts say the eruption is on a different scale to the one last year and ash particles are larger and, as a result, fall to the ground more quickly.

Frances Tuke, from travel industry body Abta, urged passengers to contact their airlines, which he said had legal obligations to their customers.

He said passengers could have a claim under European “denied boarding” regulations.

These state that if a flight is cancelled or delayed for more than five hours, passengers are entitled to be either re-routed, given a replacement flight, or a refund.

Since last year, the CAA has graded ash levels as low, medium or high, and airlines are notified if levels reach medium or high.

All British aircraft can fly in medium-density ash but the airlines need to consider whether to fly, according to risk assessments.

The Foreign Office is advising passengers to remain in regular contact with their travel agent or airline for the latest news on the status of flights and bookings.

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10

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

GARDEN & HOME Opening or preparing your pool for summer........

If this your first pool it may be advisable to call the pool engineer to do the job, but if you want to do it yourself here are a few tips to help.

Terrace / Conservatory suites. Various designs. sofa, 2 chairs, coffee table & side table

€68959

Use a skimmer net to remove any debris and leaves from the surface water

Check the pump house for damp or condensation and check all trips. Reset the timer to correct time and timer to run for correct time 4 plus 4 hours.

This is providing you have had a winter cover on Remove any surface water and debris from the cover and then carefully take it off. Clean and dry the cover ready for storage, it will last longer.

Check the skimmer baskets and clean out , check the bottom drain and vac point check the pump basket and

B BBaby B asics

Baby equipment for hire

€75

Andirondack Style Chairs

travel cots * high chairs baths sterilizing units * push chairs booster seats * car seats carry cot * gates * bed rails

950 104 345 or 637 582 697

Opposite the Dia Supermarket, Albox

r get you home or ready f r summe

750ml

€11.95 5 Litres

€68.35

Xyladec or Teak Oil

Wine Rack - 20 Bottles

(1 only)

€95

1 Litre

€9.87 5 Litres

€42.75

Xyladec

or

special offers

Tel: 950 633 051

POOL SHOP

Chaise Longue Sofa, 2 Chairs & Coffee Table

Albox Football Ground

da

ni o

nt

x

pa

Atrium

Le

Peugeot Garage

de

Tel: 648 608 799

Mercadona

e Av

Avda. Lepanto 36, 04800 Albox Open MonDAY - Sat 10am - 2pm

€995

Total Entertainment

we are here !

ALBOX BP Garage

Pool Leisure

Products & Services Pool Parts Sourced & Ordered Pool Maintenance Pool Covers Sand Changes

Opening Hours Mon - Fri 9 - 2pm & 4 - 7pm Sat - 9 - 2pm

In Longo’s Courtyard

950 104 345 or 637 582 696

clean

Set all the valves to normal running ie bottom drain ½ open skimmers fully open the selector valve to filter and run for 5 mins then stop, now open the selector to recirculate and run for 5 mins.

Turn off the pump and turn the selector to waste and connect the vac, moving the valves to the vac position i.e. skimmer off, bottom valve off, vac on and clean the bottom of the pool, then when you finished that, set the valves to recirculation again for a couple of hours and turn off, If there is more debris’s on the bottom of the pool vac to waste.

Chemical time Shock the pool with dicloro granulara run the pool on normal for 2 hours, then turn off and leave for 12 hours.

The water should now be clear but you still need to revac the bottom again, do this to waste, when finished return the selector to filter and reset the valves to normal running.

Now run your pool on the timer for 48 hours and then test your water.. Check your PH is between 7.2 and 7.6 and your chlorine is is between 1 and 3 ppm adjust these until correct and your ready for the summer.

Note if your sand is older than 4 years it would be advisable to change it especially with the condition of hard water in the area.

There is a alternative option which is crystal sand , this is recycled glass ,it comes in different colours but lasts approx the life of your filter.

Being glass it will not absorb your chemicals therefore you will not use as many, the debris collected will easily backwash using less water so crystal sand is more expensive but a greater saving in the longrun.

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

In an ideal world, you’d be able to balance work, family, friends, personal time, fitness and everything else in your life without ever breaking a sweat.

Start scaling down your life, to give you more time to spend with family or doing all the things you love but you don’t think you have time for.

Identify what’s really important to you: Chances are good that there are things in your life that you’re committed to or involved in that you really don’t have a true attachment or investment in doing. Evaluate your priorities and determine what things can fall by the wayside and what things you want to bring to the forefront in your life.

Scale Scale Down Down Your Your Life!

Life!

Appreciate simple things: It’s easy to get caught up in all the complications in your life, sometimes so much so that you forget to take time, slow down and appreciate all the little things that make your life great. Whether it’s discovering a new favourite restaurant or finding 5€ in a jacket pocket, make sure your life is designed to allow you to appreciate every good thing that comes your way, not just the big stuff.

Do what you love: By putting the focus on doing things that you love instead of drudging through things you hate, you’ll enjoy life more, be happier and much less stressed. Do your best to think of creative ways to make even the most painful tasks more bearable by integrating elements of things you love into them.

Make your time count: Perhaps one of the easiest ways to simplify your life and to have more time to spend doing things you want to do is to make the time you spend on anything count. By concentrating on the task in hand and getting the most out of the situation you’ll be able to finish more quickly or enjoy what you’re doing more fully.

Learn what’s enough: Don’t’ constantly be on a quest for perfection! Figure out what is good enough to get the job done but doesn’t leave you up all night, pulling out your hair and stressing over it.

Live deliberately: Once you realize that no-one is in charge of your life except for you, then you’re ready to get the most out of every situation that’s presented to you. Make choices that help you find the greatest amount of happiness and that eliminate all the things that don’t really matter to you so you’ll have more time for the things that do.

Create routines: You can help to streamline and scale back your life by creating routines. These will save you time,

Tel: 950 478 320

For Her & Him With an enthusiastic team of twenty - five people, on May 13th, Gatsby’s Boutique, presented a very novel Fashion Show at the Hotel Punta del Cantal, to celebrate twenty - five years of business in Mojacar.

The theme was a Retrospective of 25 years and Summer 2011.

In an ideal venue, over fifty different outfits were shown in the Retro section from the first collections bought in 1986 through to 2010.

The second part of the show focussed on exciting Summer 2011 collections available now at Gatsby’s.

Jo would like to extend her sincere thanks to the ‘team’ and loyal clients whose willing collaboration helped to make the show an enjoyable success, and to the receptive audience for their support.

A donation of four hundred euros will be made to the A.E.C.C. (Mojacar Branch of the National Cancer Society)

Easy Parking at: Hotel el Puntazo, Mojacar Playa OPEN: Mon-Fri 10am-1.30pm & 5pm-7.30pm Sat 10am - 2pm email: gatsbysmojacar@gmail.com

11

help reduce stress, and won’t leave you running around trying to get things together at the last minute.

Make time to do nothing at all: For many workaholics, sitting around doing nothing can be a hard thing to accomplish.

But if you want to scale back, it can be just the thing to get you started. Time to rest and relax is important so don’t let the tasks in your life eat into it.

Turn off the TV: Studies have shown that most homes have more TV than people and families spend hours upon hours watching television each day. While watching TV is fine, it also can eat into time that could be better spent talking, playing games or going for a walk with your family. Get the most out the time your family spends at home together by turning off the TV, even if it’s only for a couple of nights a week.

Slow down: Most people spend a good part of their day and their lives rushing from one place to another, trying to cram in as much as possible in one day. Besides not being healthy, this isn’t really fun either. Scale back by making sure your day includes a little bit of time to slow down, relax and simply be you – you are in Spain!!!

Get rid of time wasters: The Internet is a great place to get all kinds of things done quickly and easily, but it’s also full of millions of great distractions. This, along with the dozens of other distractions that tempt us each day, can make getting the stuff we actually need to get done impossible. Try getting rid of a few of these time wasters. You’ll get more done, and feel much less stressed.

Take control: You can’t scale back if you let others make decisions about your life, so step up and take control of everything that’s going on. When you’re the boss you’ll be able to figure out what really matters and cut out what doesn’t.

Ask for help if you need it: You don’t have to go through life trying to do everything on your own. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t be too proud to ask for help. It can be a great way to get things under control without stretching yourself too thin.

Prioritize: Figuring out what is most important to you in your life is a big part of how you can pare things down. Spend more time doing the things that matter most, then let the rest get done if you have time. Don’t spend hours on tasks that don’t really matter to you when you could be doing things that do like spending time with your family.

By Award Winning Toni & Guy Stylists our Hairdressers

Beauty treatments

by Sandra

Plus nail art for fingers or toes

Beauty Rooms Special offer

Monday - Friday 9.30am - 5pm Saturday 9.30am - 3pm. No siesta

25€

lois benson

BSc (Hons) Podiatry (Chiropody)

many years nhs for all foot problems expertly treated

ch icure ........13€ ea Manicure OR Ped 3€ .2 ...

Underarm wax 1/2 Leg, Bikini & yebrown tint Eyebrow wax / E 0€ er lip wax...........2 pp U / t tin sh la ye E Calle Malaga - Albox (100m from Mercadona)

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Dry, sun damaged hair?

Deep conditioning/ repair treatments available Phone for details

Call for an appointment

950 633 086

Prices are subject to change without notification. Please confirm on booking. We reserve the right to withdraw offers at any time.

12

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

Look Good Feel Great Sticking plaster

Can you eat your way to better sight?

Can eating carrots really help you to see in the dark?

The eyes are not just a window to the soul; they may be a surprisingly reliable guide to how healthily you eat. While there is no correlation between refusing to eat your carrots and actual night vision, nutrition and optical health are closely linked, with scientists currently looking at the role played by vitamins and minerals in the prevention of eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts.

The julie bruce dance academy and zumba fitness mojacar

Classes in ballet, tap, disco, cheerleading, street dance, musical theatre the new fitness craze Zumba fitness in Mojacar, Vera, Los Gallardos, Garrucha, San Juan, Turre & Arboleas Classes in the evening and during the day so “ ditch the workout and join the party” For details of any of the above classes

Tel Julie on 950 462 215 / 697 861 071

JAX Hair&Beauty Formerly J.D. Hair Design

Jacqui is back! ∙ New Lower prices ∙ Celebrating 9 years ∙ Jacqui is looking forward to seeing you Calle Parrales (Opposite Bar Toni) Plaza Nuevo, Albox

645 560 367 Kennedy Financial Services

Secure your future Retiement Via Qrops (Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme)

Our services are available throughout Spain.

You have been eligible since April 2006 to transfer your froxen UK pensions via Qrops and take huge benifits they offer.

You may now receive your whole retirement fund providing you are between the ages of 18 and 75, not resident in the UK and are not in receipt of an income from your pension.

What are the choices UK Pension vs QROPS? UK Pension “Leave things as they are and receive a tax free lump sum and an income you cannot live comfortably on for thr rest of your life.”

OR QROPS “Transfer your pension via QROPS and receive your whole fund as a lump sum, this could then be invested to produce a better tax free income for your retirement. There are no restrictions on what your money may be spent on.”

Too many things are against UK pensions, Taxation, Charges, Commissions, Poor growth, exchange rates to name but a few. In addition you can no longer contribute to your pension so this has a damaging effect.

An average annuity rate calculates that it would cost 26,000 pounds of your pension pot to produce 1,000 pounds gross income per year.

Therefor a fund of 100,000 pounds would give you 25,000 tax free and an income of 187.50 permonth. Could you live on that in retirement?

To find out more and how you could benefit email info@kennedyfinancialservices.com or go to www.kennedyfinancialservices.com www.kennedyfinancialservices.com complete the free assessment form or telephone David on 951219576 or 678035992.

Aptdo de Correos 129, 29100 Coin, Malaga

That a link exists has long been understood: the eye condition xerophthalmia, a common cause of blindness in developing countries, is known to be caused by a lack of vitamin A, which is found in sources such as meat and fresh vegetables.

In fact, vitamins and minerals are crucial to eye health, as they are constantly required to help ward off damage caused by UV light rays. A healthy blood supply is necessary to supply nutrients and oxygen to the eye. So, conditions such as high cholesterol, which clog arteries elsewhere in the body, are also important in the eye region.

Professor Ian Grierson, head of ophthalmology at the University of Liverpool, is one of the pioneers in nutritional research. He says: “It is quite difficult to show real benefit to an individual, that by changing their diet it will benefit their sight – the studies needed would be too big and expensive.”

However, Prof Grierson approaches the idea from a different angle: “My interest is in AMD. For a lot of sufferers of this condition, there are no treatments at all, so it occurred to me to look at the risk factors for the disease instead, with a view to prevention.

“These risk factors don’t just make you more prone to developing AMD, but to it becoming more severe if you do have it.”

He explains: “AMD is on the march as we are all living longer [according to the Macular Disease Society, AMD affects 30 million people worldwide, half a million of them in the UK], and it is undoubtedly lifestyle related.

“The main risk factors are gender (females are more susceptible), your age (the older you are, the more likely you are to develop it), whether you smoke or have done, your weight, and your diet.”

Problems occur because the macula (the centre of the retina) works so hard to give us colour and fine vision, it also produces by-products called free radicals that damage the cells. Prof Grierson explains: “It is like a factory in there. The antioxidants which we get from food protect our cells from these toxins by neutralising them, but if the diet is deficient in the right ones there is no safety net, and the macula suffers permanent damage.

“We really need to increase levels of the right antioxidants in patients and the general population.”

Osteopath Naturopath Enrique Arias, N.D, D.O

Tel. 629 289 385

for info and appointments

Health Care For Adults and Children • Emergency Home Visits • English • Spanish • French • German • 20 Year’s Serving the community

UK Registered - Treating

Sciatica - Back Pain - Sports Injuries Digestive and Cardiovascular Disorders Headaches - Arthritis - Skin Conditions Centro Cueva Del Lobo Paseo Mediterraneo 10, Mojacar Beach Centro Medico Indalo C/ Manuel Azaña, Almeria

that can repair damaged hearts using cells

A sticking plaster to heal damaged hearts has been created by scientists.

Packed full of healthy heart cells, it could be used to shore up areas damaged by heart attacks, cutting the odds of further ill health.

This would improve the quality of life of some of the 100,000-plus Britons who have heart attacks each year by averting a second attack and preventing potentially deadly heart failure, in which the organ struggles to pump blood round the body.

More than 750,000 people live with heart failure in the UK alone.

For many, everyday tasks such as eating, dressing and getting out of bed leave them breathless and exhausted.

Treatments range from drugs to transplants but with up to 40 per cent of those affected dying within a year of diagnosis, heart failure has a worse survival rate than many cancers.

To create the inch-long patch – which is as thin as a human hair and resembles a black sticking plaster – the U.S. researchers first built a scaffold of extra-thin carbon fibres.

In experiments in a dish, healthy heart muscle, nerve and other cells ‘crawled’ on to the framework, repairing damage to the heart.

In other words, it was able to bring regions of the heart left ‘dead’ by heart attack back to life, the journal Acta Biomaterialia reports.

David Stout, the study’s lead author, said: ‘This whole idea is to put something where dead tissue is to help regenerate it, so that eventually you have a healthy heart.’

Other materials were not as successful. The researchers believe the carbon fibres

worked because they conduct electricity well.

The first animal tests will take place this year but it is likely to be ten to 15 years before the plasters are routinely used to patch human hearts.

Researcher Thomas Webster of Brown University, Rhode Island, told the Daily Mail: ‘When someone has a heart attack, part of the heart dies. The heart compensates for that, placing it under more strain.

‘What we wanted to do was develop a material that could be inserted wherever the damage is, maybe through a catheter or small tube, so that new, healthy tissue can grow on top of it.’

While it would be best to insert the device soon after a heart attack, it may still help if it is put in up to several years later, Dr Webster added.

The approach is one of several being explored around the world.

The British Heart Foundation wants to raise £50million within five years to fund research into repairing hearts.

The charity is pursuing the idea of heart patches as well as pills to trick the organ into healing itself, and injections of stem cells.

Launching the appeal earlier this year, Professor Peter Weissberg, the BHF’s medical director, said: ‘The biggest issue that still eludes us is how to help people once their heart has been damaged by a heart attack.

‘Scientifically, mending human hearts is an achievable goal and we really could make recovering from a heart attack as simple as getting over a broken leg.’

EasyCare Mobility.es

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Scooters, Wheelchairs, Walking aids (frames, tri-walkers, rollaters and crutches) Other mobility aids: Call for availability.

Servicing and repair of all types of mobility aids

Free delivery within the radius of 50km of Arboleas Call us for our range of mobility products

Tel: (0034) 650 626 460 www.easycaremobility.com enquiries@easycaremobility.com

Now available at Sophia Wellness Centre

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

Beauty that won’t break the bank 15 great tips to keeping up your beauty routine when money’s tight!

Use every drop of beauty products...

Add a little rose or orange flower water (from pharmacies) to almost-empty pots and shake gently to loosen creams from hard-to-access corners. The flower waters soften skin, too.

See advertisment of page 27 for map

Cucador

Wednesday ~ 2.30-4pm First Lesson is a FREE try out All Welcome

Train dry skin not to gulp moisturiser...

Podiatrist

Lois Benson BSc (Hons) MChs

Tel: 617 878 864

(Chriropodist)

Before applying expensive face cream, celebrity facialist Emma Hardie massages a few drops of vitamin E oil on to skin (break a capsule and swallow the rest). She says: ‘You’ll use less cream and help strengthen your skin’s anti-dehydration barrier too.’

Clinics in: Albox at Cutting Edge & Arboleas at Sophias.

Mobile service available in Mojacar, Vera and surrounding areas.

Opt for a multi-tasking hero...

‘The most important daytime anti-ageing ingredient is a highfactor sunscreen,’ says dermatologist Dr Stefanie Williams. ‘I always use a moisturiser with built-in sunscreen rather than layering sunscreen and moisturiser, which can clog pores.’ Try SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial Defense SPF50, £34.50 (www.skinceuticals.co.uk). We also rate No7 Protect & Perfect Day Cream SPF15, £20.50, (www. boots.com) with very high levels of UVA filters, as these rays can even penetrate glass in winter.

Get great skincare for under a fiver...

Nivea has gone one better - you won’t pay more than £3.99 for any of its Visage Daily Essentials. Best-selling Rich Moisturising Day Cream, £3.99, from the Dry & Sensitive range even gets an upgrade to SPF15. Likewise, Johnson Rehydrating Night Cream for dry skin and Oil Balancing Day Fluid for combination skin are both £3.99.

Die-hard soap and water fans could trade up to the Dove Cream Bar, £1.15 for two, which is especially for delicate skin. (all available from www.boots.com)

Go for handbag size...

The sensual, expensive-smelling perfumes from new British perfumer Daniel Vaudd start at a mini-sized £14.95 for three 10ml sprays. And if you fall in love with fresh and flowery The Guilty Mind, citrus and leather The Guilty Act or classic rosy Our Loving Embrace, trading up won’t break the bank at £35 for 60ml (www. danielvaudd.com)

Make scent last longer...

Help your fragrance linger longer, suggests perfumer Lyn Harris: ‘Spray your favourite scent on to your hands and run your fingers through your hair. It is incredibly porous, and holds scent for longer than skin.’ In cold weather, a few sprays on your scarf mean you’ll enjoy your scent all day. Try the trick with the comfortingly woody Miller Harris Terre de Bois Eau de Toilette, £44 for 50ml - a winter classic with staying power, so even a little goes a long way. (www.millerharris.com)

Create your own bespoke scent...

Fine fragrance expert and perfumer Roja Dove put us on to the Neal’s Yard Baseline range - un-perfumed, no-nonsense natural and organic bath and body products to which you can add your favourite essential oil, such as classic rose. At last, a bespoke body collection we can actually afford! We love the Body Oil, £5.70, Massage Oil, £8.30 and Bath & Shower Gel, £5.70. (www. nealsyard.co.uk)

Multi-task eye shadow...

‘Dampen one half of your regular powder eyeshadow and use it as beautifully intense, co-ordinating eyeliner,’ says Sharon Dowsett,

UK make-up director, Maybelline New York.

• Nails • Callus • Corns • • Diabetic Footcare • Biomechanics • • All Foot Problems •

Stop buying not-quite-right lipstick...

Instead, stick to a simple rule for everyday lip chic and go for a colour similar to your lips. Look out for L’Oréal Paris Color Riche Boosting Serum Nude Collection, with active anti-ageing ingredients to moisturise lips in very wearable soft rose pinks and beiges, for £8.67. For evening, go up a notch - a warm or pinky red is always glam.

Make your pencils last...

Buy a proper sharpener that won’t crumble them to stubs try the double barrelled Space NK Pencil Sharpener, £5 (www. spacenk.co.uk) You can adjust the blades to make a sharp point for brows or a rounded shape for eyeliner.

Buy the best tools you can...

Bad brushes ruin make-up application and make you question whether your products are up to scratch. We like the Ruby & Millie Mini Brush Set, £10 at Boots - professional standard and great value (www.rubyandmillie.com)

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Dental Clinic

On-site Dental Laboratory Dr med. dent Hubert Hillenbrand 20 years experience

Get more out of lipsticks & concealers...

950 32 64 52

Even when you think you’ve worn sticks down, there’s always about a third left in the base. Dig the good stuff out with a cotton bud and transfer to a pill case. Try the clear plastic Muji PP Pill Case, £1.50 (www.muji.eu)

Plump for affordable eye make-up...

The brilliant ‘baked’ formula of Bourjois Eyeshadows, £5.99, now includes delicious new shades that are so light, silky and easy to blend, you could do it with your eyes closed...

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near Hotel Zoraida Garden

Try the less-is-more look...

Mix your lipstick with a touch of Vaseline Lip Therapy, from £1.11, and dab it on cheeks as well as lips for a youthful, dewy-fresh glow. Try it with Maybelline New York Color Sensational Lipstick in Mystic Mauve, £6.99.

Master mascara...

Hate the way it goes dry and clumpy before you finish it? Try not to pump the brush and force air into the tube, and hold the wand briefly under hot water. ‘It de-clogs the brush and dilutes the mascara inside the tube to give it a new lease of life,’ says Lancôme make-up artist Ashley Ward.

Don’t chuck it away...

If it’s out of season - improvise. Rimmel Sun Shimmer Duo Bronzing Powder, £5.99, can be used all year round to warm you up on washed-out days.

Have you tried it yet?

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for your nearest meeting

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14

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

Lifestyle

With our frameless, top hung Glass Curtain system you can make the most of your home by using the outdoors all year round.

They are adaptive to any terrace or balcony area & turn little used areas into valuable extra space.

Reduce air conditioning and heating bills and forget about dust, rain or dirt. When the sun shines, the system can be fully opened up. On balconies they offer easy cleaning from inside.

Our system provides the most aesthetic enclosure solution, advanced technology and security.

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

enclosures Europe S.L

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We are Andalucia’s largest stockist of Flo Plast rainwater products in 3 styles and 4 colours. We offer a full installation service or DIY. We also supply and install retractable and non retractable polycabonate or glass roofs, aluminium or UPVC doors and windows.

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SolorVenti is ideal for the dehumidification of your House, Apartment, Casita, Park Home etc.

The SolarVenti will exchange stale damp indoor air with dry, fresh and warm air between 20 and 120 sqmtrs. per hour each time the sun shines depending on the relevant model. The air will continue, year after year without any running costs.

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www.lifestyle-enclosures.com info@lifestyle-enclosures.com

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

Shopaholic alert!

Here you can be anything from hippy to sophisticated.

Go for posh; ‘pijo’ (pronounced ‘pee ho’) and dress with sophistication. They are always smart with shirts, jackets, expensive shoes and not a hair out of place.

At the other end of the spectrum there’s the hippystyle dress code in Madrid. A large proportion of the 20–30 age group are relaxed and bohemian in their style.

For stylish designer goods go to the Salamanca barrio (district) in the North East of the city. It’s about 10 to 15 minutes from the centre on the metro; here you’ll find wall to wall boutiques and designer outlets.

For younger and funky hippy styles go to the barrio of Chueca, and the streets Fuencarral and Calle Hortaleza. They both start at Gran Via, and head up towards the Tribunal area.

The further away from Gran Via you get, the more alternative the styles; towards Tribunal you’ll find more shoe shops too.

Between Gran Via and Puerta de Sol, the streets are bursting with shops like Mango, Zara, Pimkie, Bershka, H&M (on Gran Via) and the department store El Corte Ingles.

Head down the Calle Mayor and Calle Arenal directly off Puerta del Sol, and on the Arenal, look for ‘Blanco’ and at Calle Mayor, 37 ‘Custo Barcelona’ – the über trendy store that clothes stars such as Christina Aguilera and Julia Roberts. This store is a must, if not to buy then just to look into - their prices match their styles in terms of outrageousness, and they are the beloved of the celebrity names.

Shoeholics go to Calle Serrano in barrio Salamanca,

15

It’s been a long winter, but now the flowers are blooming, the birds are nesting, and shopping is in the air! And where better to shop than Madrid? Flights start from as little as 25€ so what are you waiting for!

for ‘Farrutx’, famous in Madrid for hand-made shoes, very Spanish, very elegant, very pricey! Calle Augusto Figeroa has hip and unusual styles, try ‘Caligae’, less of a shock to the pocket! Carolina Herrera on Calle Serrano is brilliant for bags, while you are in the area.

Men looking for sports gear go to the huge Nike shop on Gran Via; there is not a sport that represented! For smart casuals, stay on Gran Via and try H&M. Huge, well laid out, and reasonably priced.

For luxury clothes, find Calle Argensola for Loreak Mendian. Trendy, and sells clothes exclusive to Spain.

You can be sure that you’ll end up with something unique and ahead of the fashion, and the prices are affordable too. Kwaleon, an excellent place for denim and sportswear, especially for the skating and boarding set.

Or men, go for the ultimate statement and pop into Justo Algaba, Calle de la Paz. This is where Madrid’s toreros come to have their traje de luces - suit of lights - the traditional glittering bullfighting suit) made in all their intricate excess.

A custom-made suit starts at around 2500€ while the sexy pink tights and the little ballet pumps are a good deal more affordable!!

If your man is going to do a Juan Belmonte (arguably Spain’s greatest living bullfighter) then ladies hasten to Calle del Maestro Victoria, to Maty for anything related to flamenco.

Founded in 1943, its endless rails display ‘faralaes’ (typical flamenco dresses), shoes, ornamental combs

a n d any other accessories you can think of, but also stocks anything needed for ballet and gymnastics.

They also do regional costumes, and have their own workshop where the flamenco dresses are made.

But if you think that that is al Madrid has to offer the dedicated shopper, then think again – I haven’t even ventured into the delights of the rastro, Spain’s largest open-air market! ...time for a coffee. yes?

16

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

Riddle of the whales who disappeared in the night Pod of 60 vanish after two died

The pod of 60 pilot whales at risk of beaching themselves on the Scottish coast vanished yesterday after two died.

The creatures swam off after the body of a female, killed by an infection, washed up in Loch Carnan in South Uist.

A second dead whale was spotted on a nearby islet but could not be reached last night due to bad weather.

Members of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue were on stand-by in case the pod returned. But storms and winds of up to 70mph scuppered their plans to search by helicopter.

A post-mortem examination on the female found ‘potential evidence of an infection’ in a fatty region of its forehead.

The examination showed that grisly scrapes and cuts on the whale’s body were not enough to cause its death.

Alisdair Jack of the BDMLR said last night: ‘It is very disappointing to have found the second stranded whale.

‘It was spotted through binoculars at around 4pm. Our fear has been that the first dead whale would not be the last.’

The pod was first seen in the loch on Thursday. Around 20 of the whales were suffering from head wounds that may have been caused by boats or by rocks close to

the shore.

At the end of October last year, 33 pilot whales came close to being stranded in the same sea loch.

Less than a week later, they were found dead on a beach in Co Donegal.

Pilot whales prefer deep water but come inshore to feed on squid, their main food.

Calum Watt, senior inspector for the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said the whales’ strong social bonds meant healthy animals within a pod would follow sick and injured ones on to shore.

He said, before the second dead whale was found: ‘This could be the first of many other whales coming in - we hope it’s not.

It would be great if this is the only one to come in.’

Cult of Apple

why the must-have brand triggers brain reaction ‘similar to religious devotion’ Fans of Apple products are known for their extreme devotion to the technology brand.

But a new TV programme suggests that this desire for iPods and iPads can occasionally border on the religious.

An MRI scan of an Apple fanatic’s brain has found the same part lit up as a believer’s did when they gazed upon religious imagery.

Journalist Alex Riley carried out the test for the BBC documentary Secrets Of The Superbrands, during which he also attended the opening of Apple’s Covent Garden store.

He likened the scene to ‘an evangelical prayer meeting’, as staff hysterically cheered hundreds of delirious customers flooding the store, many of whom had slept outside

overnight or travelled from other countries despite their being no free products or discounts on offer.

To understand their fervour, he commissioned a team of neuroscientists with an MRI scanner to look inside the brain of one such fan.

‘The results suggested that Apple was actually stimulating the same parts of the brain as religious imagery does in people of faith,’ he said.

During the programme, Riley also spoke to the Bishop of Buckingham, who reinforced his claims.

The bishop explained that Apple stores contain a lot of religious imagery, such as stone floors, altar-like product stands and arched windows.

are you an apple fan?

tell us why you wouldn’t swap it for a pc! editor@soltimes.com

www.europa-network.com

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

Merkel Calls for EU Harmonisation on Retirement & Holidays.................

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, launched a controversial proposal last week to harmonise the holiday Merkel’s comments appear to have little foundation in the case of entitlement and retirement age in the pensions and retirement if you compare the data, as both countries various European Union countries, have many similarities. especially in those countries where The life expectancy of men is 78.6 years in Spain, compared with 77.8 the debt crisis has hit hardest. years for German men. Spanish women live on average 84.9 years and However, according to figures German women, 82.8 years. produced by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and In both countries the legal retirement age is 65 years and both have Development (OECD), the Spanish also approved an amendment to raise it to 67 years progressively. worked an average of 1,653 hours However, the actual retirement age in Spain is actually higher. Spanish annually in 2009 compared to an workers retire on average after 62.8 years while the Germans work an average of 1,389 hours worked by average of 61.5 years, according to the report “Pensions at a Glance” Germans, representing 19% more published by the OECD last April. hours, but which was not reflected in the remuneration, as the average German salary was 42,400 euros compared with 23,200 euros in Spain.

Thus, productivity per hour worked was 93.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the average German compared to 82.2% for Spain.

However, the holidays were similar in both countries: 24 days in Germany and 30 days in Spain.

The problem with productivity is also due to the dramatic difference in unemployment rates. The Spanish unemployment rate reached 21.3% of the workforce in the first quarter of 2011, while German unemployment fell to 7.1%, the lowest percentage since the Reunification.

Spain, with 45.9 million inhabitants currently has almost five million unemployed, while Germany, with 81.8 million of a population, has fewer than three million unemployed.

Regarding the tax burden, direct taxes and for Spanish companies, according to the OECD. Social Security payments accounted for 19.7% However, one area where Spain fares better than of Spanish workers’ salaries in 2009, while the Germans Germany is that the wage gap between men and women contributed 41.3% of their salaries. However, German companies pay less tax: 1.3% of GDP compared to 2.2% is lower at 16.1% and 23.2% respectively.

The Spanish Retire Later........................................

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Los Carasoles Zurgena (Almeria) On the Baza Road. www.rusticoakfurnitureelpinar.com www.rusticoakfurnitureelpinar.com

950 10 42 72

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Vera Branch Office: Ronda Las Buganvillas Local 24, 04621 Vera (Almeria, Spain)

TEL. +34 - 950 617 017 / FAX. +34 - 950 133 342

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Tel: 678 813 505

Announcing the new Wills and Inheritance process office now open in Translations / Interpreter Corvera: Purchase / Sale private contracts C/ Actor Francisco NIE’s, Residencia, Medical Cards....

Rabal, 3 Bj X Corvera (Murcia) Land property and Catastro registration 30153 Vehicle registration / driving licenses Please telephone: Conveyancing / Notorial documents 629 412 446 Mortgages Payment of taxes (local rates, rubbish collection, vehicle, tax returns for residents and non residents and refund of the capital gains tax).

Special offer

Wills €125 per person - Including Notary Fee

Yearly contract €145 Including VAT 18% Yearly tax returns (no increase if more than one owner, or more than one property) Legal and fiscal advice FREE throughout the year Free assistance / advice for any visitors staying at your property Free visit from a technician / architect to offer independent expertise on matter such as: putting in insurance claims, confirmation of the legality of an extension / building work, free estimate for any work to be carried out If you introduce another client to us you will not be charged your next annual fee Vera Advisors, S.L. C/ del Mar, 33 - Local 11 Vera 04620 (Almeria) Tel: 950 39 06 21 Fax: 950 39 02 12 email: dcasesores@notin.net

18

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

www.bricomart.com

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

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British food supermarket

Gb´s

950 431 410

Olive

Sales office now open in Bedar

OLV249

Bedar

This new development situated at the edge of Bedar village has been built to a very high standard by a highly respected local builder. There are 1 bed, 2 bed and 3 bed properties all with roof terraces and private garages.

Prices range from 59,000 to 159,000 59.950€ OLV090

Bedar

...it’s all in the detail

OLV323

Alfaix

Fabulous renovated Cortijo with 3 bedrooms in a quiet location ten minutes from the coast with a separate detached 2 bedroom property included-TWO PROPERTIES FOR THE PRICE OF ONE. 315.000€ OLV373

Lubrin

225€

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Bedar, 04288 (next to Miramar Restaurant) Tel: 950 469 624 or 687 938 466 Email: info@olivehouse-es.com www.olivehouse-es.com Mon - Tues, Wed & Fri 10am-3.30pm

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Domotiendas

This unique property minutes from Bedar village has great views towards the coast. It has private parking, large plot and private pool with feature “snail” shower.

319.000€

This fabulous cortijo is situated close to Lubrin town. It is is a very small hamlet with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and has been renovated to a very high standard.

159.950€

20

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

UK Inflation And Interest Rates

Interest rate forecasts have been changing from one month to the next, sometimes from one week to the next. The lesson to be learned here is that we cannot rely on such forecasts and if you need your savings to generate more income for you, you should discuss your options with a wealth manager rather than just hoping for rates to improve.

On 11th May the Bank of England released its quarterly Inflation Report. It warns of downward pressures on economic growth combined with continuing upward pressure on inflation - a combination which makes interest rate decisions rather difficult for the Monetary Policy Committee.

Inflation is forecast to remain “uncomfortably high” and is on track to hit 5% this year and be higher than the Bank’s 2% target next year.

At the same time the BoE downgraded its growth forecast for 2011 yet again, and also downgraded its 2012 forecast.

Even with the weak outlook, King signalled the possibility of a rate rise this year, saying that the Inflation Report “does suggest that the Bank rate cannot stay at this level indefinitely”.

However he also said that “I don’t think it tells you which month it will rise” and

Blaumar Estate Agents Huercal Overa Avda. Guillermo Reyna 53

Tel/Fax: 950 135 512 Mobile: 678 002 006

If you have a property to sell in Huercal Overa or the immediate surrounding villages & countryside, contact us NOW!

www.inmoblaumar.net b124

Large Villa €169,000

• 3 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms • 118m2 plus conservatory • 1,769m2 landscaped garden • Splash pool • Aircon & heating • 30 mins to the coast

Large Villa €179,950

B214

• 4 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms • 283m2 build & small garden • Large garage & sun roof • Walk to restaurants • Close to motorway • 30 minutes to the coast

B165

Country House €216,000

• 4 bedrooms / 3 bedrooms • Fully renovated • Full of character • Swimming pool • Mains & solar power • 45 minutes to the coast

by Bill Blevins, Financial Correspondent, Blevins Franks advised that we should not read too much into rate projections.

Money left in the bank is almost guaranteed to be eroded by inflation when low interest rates and tax are taken into account. Savers are becoming tired of waiting for interest rates to improve and are moving money into assets like corporate bonds. As more money moves across, prices are rising.

Also positive for high yield corporate bonds is the increased confidence in financial markets which translated to a near record quarter in new issuance, with some bonds experiencing strong capital appreciation. Performance is helped by a steady income stream. Some high yield bond funds could produce income yields close to double digits – significantly higher than bank interest rates.

When moving money out of cash into other investment assets you should aim to have a balanced portfolio which reflects your objectives, risk tolerance and investment time frame. You should discuss your situation with a wealth management firm like Blevins Franks to get personal recommendations.

Spanish banks offer 100% loans to clear distressed property

Whilst over in the UK the tightening of lending conditions has made securing a home with less than 25% deposit an impossiblity for most would-be buyers, over in Spain banks are making it easier than ever for investors to get in on the market without the difficult commitment of an initial lump sum - as long as you’re willing to buy distressed.

Due to the extreme oversupply of homes still plaguing the mainland in particular, the country’s major financial institutions have begun offering special 100% mortgages on the many repossessed properties they have on their books. Whilst loans for any new properties appearing on the market are being severely tightened in terms of eligibility criteria, those who agree to purchase the dispossessed properties stand to receive between 90 and 100% finance over up to 40 years, with deals currently being offered by Santander, BBVA, Caja Madrid, La Caixa and CAM, according to the Financial Times.

With many developments having sprung up rapidly just before the 2007 crash, most of the properties the banks are selling are in fact new build or close to it. Santander’s Altamira division, which sells homes from developers whose projects fell into administration in the crisis, is offering up to 100% over 40 years on its many new build properties in a bid to rid itself from exposure to mortgages as per the government’s restructuring efforts. The seven major Spanish banks were estimated

by AFP to hold 45 billion euros in risky assets at the beginning of 2011, and to avoid seeking

financial bailout, says the central bank, they must clear at least 15 billion euros of this.

The largest proportion of debt reduction must come from ridding the institutions of bad mortgage debt, hence why even the more reputable banks in the country are now eager to offload properties great and small.

For the canny investor looking for a cheap way into the second home market - and a potential long-term asset once prices begin to rise again - the amount of great value, bankassured property deals in Spain appears to be getting better and better.

Article courtesy of www.themovechannel.com

www.blevinsfranks.com

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

property group Paseo del Mediterraneo 197 - Mojacar - Almeria

Tel: 950 472 430 /+44 208 180 3240

www.veritashomes.co.uk info@veritashomes.co.uk You can find us on antas

€80,000

2 bed / 1,5 bath Penthouse Apartment.

2 Terraces + Private roof solarium. Fully furnished. Lift Ref.1071

vera playa

€120,000

2 bed/2 bath fully furnished Apartment.

Separate kitchen. Utility room. Terrace.

Parking, 5 mins drive to beach Ref.1469

almanzora valley €140,000

3 bed/2 bath Villa on plot 740m². Pool.

Veranda. Gardens. Village with all amenities. Ref. 1085

agua nueva

€150,000

vera playa

€95,000

2 bed/2 bath fully furnished Apartment.

Exclusive gated complex with indoor & outdoors pools. Near amenities Ref 1449

valle del este

€95,000

2 bed / 2 bath Penthouse Apartment.

Build 109m². Terrace & Roof terrace 81m2 Private parking. Pool. Lift. Ref. 1049

more properties needed Due to a huge increase in enquiries and actual sales we are looking to expand our portfolio of properties. If you are thinking of selling please contact us urgently.

We offer a free valuation antas

€164,950

arboleas

€170,000

2 bed / 1 bath detached Villa on plot 419 m². Fully fitted kitchen. Gardens & pool. Close to all amenities. Ref 1493

3 bed / 2,5 bath immaculate Townhouse.

Build 124 mts². Plot 246 mts². Private Pool. Garage. Mountain views. Ref 1055

3 bed / 2 bath Villa on walled plot 637 m². Large living with wood burner. Pool.

Terrace & gardens. Ref.1503

cabrera

mojacar playa

mojacar playa

€199,000

2 bed / 2 bath Villa on plot 1,000 m².

Garage. Gardens, summer kitchen & terrace with beautiful views. Ref.1103

€220,000

3 bed / 2 bath linked Villa close to sea & commercial centre. Private garden 100 m². Community pool. Ref 1044

€230,384

3 bed / 2 bath Townhouse. Private garage direct access from house. Sea views. 200mts to beach. Ref 1483

garrucha

€99,950

3 bed / 2 bath Apartment in heart of village, close to all amenities, promenade & beach. Fully furnished. Ref. 1499

mojacar playa

€130,000

2 bed/1 bath Apartment. 200mts from beach. Front & back terrace. Private covered garage. Store room. Ref 1395

mojacar pueblo €150,000

3 bed / 2 bath charming Cortijo. Large terrace. Clear coastal views. Build 111 m². Plot 65 m². Store room. Ref 1492

palomares

€187,950

3 bed / 3 bath Townhouse. 750mts from beach. Double garage. Large solarium.

Sea views. Plot 110 m². Ref.1005

mojacar playa €349,000

3 bed / 2 bath Villa with unrivalled sea views. Garage & utility room. Terrace with jacuzzi. Close to promenade. Ref 1062

Please visit our office or refer to our website for more “bargains”. Vendors: If you are seriously considering selling your property please visit our office to discuss effective ways of achieving your goal.

As per decree 218/2005 the “Documento de Información Abreviada” (D.I.A) for any property sold

by Veritas Homes is available at our office.

21

22

... remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

www.bricodepot.es www.bricodepot.es

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

TAXES FOR OWNERS OF PROPERTY IN SPAIN Do you own a property in Spain as a non-resident? Did you know that you should be paying income tax in Spain?

There can often be confusion around the taxes that are to be paid in Spain when you own a property but do not live here.You pay tax when you first buy the property, and from then on you will not only have to pay local rates once yearly, and rubbish tax quarterly but also a NON-RESIDENTS TAX.

23

new home from home Quality Home Furnishings

From single items to the full package available

everything pictured is in our sale

The Spanish tax office class ownership of a property here as an income, even if you are not renting the property out and only use it for personal use. This LEGALLY OBLIGES YOU to pay a tax based on the cadastral value of your property every year between the months of January and December. Many people are not aware of this tax, and it should be known that if it is not paid annually, you may be liable for FINES, and the legal requirement of back- paying every year that you have not paid it. The good news is that the Spanish Authorities abolished the Wealth Tax in 2008, so the amount you have to pay now is around 60% less.

BATH & SHOWER SCREENS SUPPLIED & FITTED

sale now on to make room for new stock

If you don´t speak Spanish or don´t want the hassle of dealing with the Spanish tax office, at MUNDIABOGADOS SOLICITORS we can advise you regarding the taxes in Spain that are applicable to you and your particular situation. We can also prepare all the tax forms for you and pay them on your behalf.

LOOK OUT FOR THE ORANGE STICKERS

We run a friendly, efficient, bilingual (English and Spanish) office at Buganvillas roundabout, Vera Playa. Feel free to call in or telephone us for an appointment and more information.

Office opening hours: 9am-2pm & 5pm-7.30pm (From June 14th- 24th September our hours are 9am- 2pm) Telephone: 950 460 999 Fax: 950 460 998 E-mail: mariamaroto@mundiabogados.com christina@mundiabogados.com

Maria Maroto Pérez, Solicitor

Maria Maroto Perez solicitor / barrister Christina clarke British department

Urb. Las Buganvillas, Local 23, (nr Garrucha) Tel: 950 460 999 www.mundiabogados.com

Christina Clarke British Dept.

Pol Ind El Real de Antas, C/ Interior, Nave 9, 04628 Antas (Almeria)

Mundi

Tel: 950 459 017 Fax: 950 459 018 Tel Marie: 634 341 943 Dave: 634 319 656 9am - 8pm

abogados

Showroom hours: Monday to Friday: 10am-2:30pm Sat 11am-2pm ~ Other Times By Appointment

Property Sales & Relocation Specialists Ref VAL2AT04

GIVEAWAY! 2 bed 2 bath apartment on Valle del Este. Fully furnished with full aircon, garage parking, lock up storeroom, communal pools and great view.

Now offers invited around €89,000 REF ARB3VCC01

Stunning detached 3 bed 2 bath villa in Arboleas now further reduced. Amazing elevated views and fantastic value for money. This quality home offers just about every extra possible including a pool.

Now reduced to €161,000

Ref ARB3VML01

Cancellation builder special offer. 3 bed 2 bath detached villa in Arboleas. 104m2 build size with a plot of 631m2. Now reduced even further and the property has a mortgage of around €100,000 that could be taken over subject to affordability. Now €129,000

Ref CAB2V02

Detached villa in the Cabrera with the most amazing views! 2 bed 2 bath with a communal pool area. The property has terraces and covered car port.

Now reduced to €135,000 unbelievable value for this area

Ref VER2ARB01

Distressed sale on Vera Playa. 2 bed 2 bath apartment with terrace, air-con and allocated parking. The community also has both indoor and outdoor pool. The apartment has a special offer of 20% deposit, balance on a mortgage and nothing to pay for 3 years. Just €85,000

Ref ARB2VC04

2/3 bed detached villa in Arboleas. A very impressive property with many striking features including private pool, games room, covered terrace area and garage.

Now just €172,500

Ref ARB3VH08

Very high quality detached villa in Arboleas.

Includes air-con, central heating, private pool, roof solarium, BBQ area and a huge luxury kitchen.

A must view property at €179,000 Ref VAL2TP02

2 bed 1.5 bath duplex on Valle del Este golf. Coming fully furnished with aircon, garage parking, lock up storeroom, communal pool, solarium and private garden. Now further reduced to just €99,950

For more information, property viewings or no obligation valuations please call 950 469 592 mobile 697 640 681 e-mail info@colespain.com or go to www.colespain.com

24

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

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149 622

www.soltimes.com

dad’s army..............

When we first arrived in Spain, the one thing that struck me was how friendly all the ex-pats were towards each other. People who we had never laid on eyes on before would invite us round for drinks or dinner, and it seemed a case of here we all are in the same boat and “Hey, let’s make sure we start as we mean to go on”. But have you noticed that often, something seems to happen to change that.

Oh sure, for the most part people are still friendly and open, but it’s noticeable how some inexplicably slip back into the bad old ways of back home. Niggles with neighbours, perceived injustices and petty difference rear their unpalatable heads time and again – many of our friends living in other urbanisations report the same thing, and you only have to read the papers to see that this is so.

It’s almost as if we cannot live without conflict.

And yet, when a major conflagration affects our very existence such as the two world wars, everyone pulls together and previous differences are put into context and seen for what they really are. Pathetically unimportant.

I have no personal memories of the last war – I was not even a glimmer in the milkman’s eye back then - but my Dad would regale me with tales from war time Britain.

We all know of the stories of heroism and hardship on the front line, but there were thousands of men and women who were not called on to fight because they had equally important work to do. They had a vital part to play in the country’s war effort in the munitions and supply factories throughout Britain and were the invisible army. Nevertheless they became a constant target for

enemy bombers, and so in their own way, they were also very much in the front line.

Although my family had always lived in Berkshire, my Father’s job took him to Banbury in Oxfordshire where he was involved in the aircraft inspection department at the Northern Aluminium Company’s plant situated nearby.

The factory must have been massive, because in the company’s newspaper, ‘Safety First’, there are sections dealing with their football; bowls; angling; athletics; rugby; tennis; cricket and rifle clubs. Not to mention the company male voice choir and women’s circle. The 1939 September edition is particularly interesting to me because, under the heading, “Best Wishes”, the marriages listed includes Mr B.A.Bird to Miss B.Norris on the 7th August – my Mum and Dad. I remember my Father telling me that because of the very real danger from air attack on such a priority target, once war had been declared a full scale replica of the plant was erected some miles away in the Oxfordshire countryside. It covered the same ground area as the real plant, the difference being that the dummy version stood only two or three feet off the ground. It did not take long for the Luftwaffe to locate the scale model and destroy it, satisfying the Germans that they had obliterated a major aircraft factory, and leaving the genuine article free to continue its important work.

The building of new planes involved the dismantling of downed enemy aircraft, and some of the finds in the wreckage were somewhat gruesome – severed limbs being fairly common. Another important aspect of this work was to ascertain German technological developments, and each aircraft

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

viewpoint

was scrutinised minutely before being re-cycled into parts for new British machines. Nothing was wasted.

Whilst Dad was doing his bit at the factory, Mum took in two evacuee children from Coventry, and I can only guess at the terrible emotions when night after night enemy aircraft bombed Coventry mercilessly, with the huge fires clearly visible in Banbury.

There were also some humorous moments, and one which I like, involved a period of illness for my Dad when he had a bout of pneumonia and was in bed feeling very groggy.

Mum had a strange habit of locking the bedroom door if she had to go out, because she had this weird notion that Dad was more secure that way, and presumably safer from German abduction. Their house backed onto the railway goods sidings, and one day when Mum was out shopping and Dad locked in, a stray German bomber decided to offload his deadly cargo on this Oxfordshire backwater, and must have decided that the goods yard was a tempting target.

One minute dad was dozing and the next he was running round the bedroom in his nightshirt like a man possessed; broken door handle in his hand, unable to get downstairs to the shelter.

He told me that he got himself back to work at the earliest opportunity after that, because Mum was a bigger worry to him than Hitler.

There are few saving graces to war, but there is a part of me that would like to have experienced the comradeship, solidarity and sense of purpose that is so sadly lacking today.

So there you have it. Let’s have a good war and all become friends again.

oh, by the way....

Most of us have done something stupid in our lives. Sometimes so stupid, that we have a problem admitting it even to ourselves.

Embarrassing – best to be forgotten! A while ago I was in Camposol, having been in the shop of Best Wishes. On leaving and entering the round-about, I was far, far away in my own thoughts (always wondered about this “in my own thoughts”, because you can hardly be in someone else’s thoughts; that is, if you are, they feel sorry for you, and you are not sorry for yourself, when you are in your own thoughts, so …………. Ah! Never mind!). Back to my own thoughts and the round-about!

Well into the round-about, a “blip” interrupted “my own thoughts”, something like “Hey, Lady! Something is wrong here!?!?” And then it dawned on me. I was going the wrong way round! Well, in Britain it would have been the right way round, but I am not British, and I have not even lived in Britain. I took a quick look around – had anybody seen me? –, ducked deep behind the wheel, dipped into the parking lot, and swung confidently, head held high, out in the round-about; this time the right way round! I, Biggy Marshall, solemnly swear that I will never, ever shake my head in despair if I see somebody going the wrong way in a roundabout, or by mistake find themselves on the left side of the road. I have named it a “British moment”, adding it to my “senior moments”, and “blond moments” (yes, I am “legally” blond).

I have been an interpreter on a Cruz Roja First-Aid course.

Though interpreter on the course, I also went through the training, and was a bit apprehensive about learning CPR. I mean, once you have the certificate, you have an obligation to admit CPR when necessary – and I felt it was holding another person’s life in your hands –so to speak.

I did know what CPR is, but wanted to find out exactly what the abbreviation stands for, so I looked it up on Internet. Next time you look something up on Yahoo, have a look at the sponsors’ adverts on the right hand side of the page. On this occasion I was promised “First Aid Cpr at Amazon.co.uk – Low Prices on First Aid Cpr. Free UK Delivery on Amazon Orders”. Wow! Isn’t it amazing what you can buy at Amazon? And, if you should have a heart attack in the UK, you get the CPR delivered for free!

Awesome! – or “Cpr – Fantastic prices on golf equipment, Buy it.

Sell it. Love it. Ebay” Huh! Well, I do know some golfers, who would benefit by having CPR on the golf course; especially if they constantly end up in the bunkers, or are slicing at every tee. Love it? I doubt anybody would not love it, as it prevents brain and organ damage. Can you imagine if I had searched for terrorists?

Well, you do not need delivery of terrorists in UK; they seem to

have home-grown ones!

Like all other nations the Spanish national characteristics have good and bad sides. Their solidarity was very visible when the whole of Spain rallied in aid of Lorca after their devastating earthquake earlier this month.

Real Madrid brought “A drop of happiness in a sea of sadness” when they visited the area. All the heavy-weight stars were there, Ronaldo, Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Mou etc. They met with the residents, had their picture taken, signed autographs, and proceeded to play a charity match at Nueva Condomina against Murcia. 31,000 spectators watched the match, with all the money from the ticket-sale – a whopping €600,000 - going to Lorca. Guess that football can be other things than 22 guys chasing the same ball, and then kick it away when they finally get it!

But, charity was invented by the Brits, and also the Brits in Murcia had charity events in benefit of Lorca. In Puerto de Mazarrón, the expatriates organised a concert in supersonic time, which took place last Saturday. I visited right after the doors opened, and the hall was already ¼ full, and the raffle-prizes stacked on a huge table. Performers were entertaining for free, and people streamed in, some with their picnic boxes, prepared to have a great evening.

Biggy Marshall is educated within law and administration and has been writing most of her life. She has been published in the Danish press as well as in local English publications. She has lived in Spain for nearly 20 years, the last 14 years in Murcia. Biggy can be contacted on lbtmarshall@yahoo.com DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this column are the opinions of the columnist and not the opinions of Sol Times Newspaper Group. The newspaper takes no responsibility for the content or the opinions of columnist.

By Colin Bird

colinbadbird@hotmail.com

Caveat Emptor...........................

Generally speaking, I am careful with my clothes and accessories. It is unusual for me to throw something a w a y because it is worn out.

The usual reasons for me parting with something is either that I have put it down somewhere and forgotten where, or in the case of clothing, it has shrunk in the wardrobe.

I don’t understand this phenomenon. I put my summer clothes away at the commencement of winter, and they remain untouched until the warm weather encourages me to get them out again. Yet when I do, I find that they have inexplicably shrunk, and no longer fit. How can this happen?

However, I do go through sunglasses quite quickly. After a lifetime that only lasted 2 years I dropped my first Spanish pair, and cracked the lens. My second pair succumbed to a broken arm after only 1 year of very careful handling.

Thus I had the option of either squinting at the world through a broken lens or walking around like a female Jack Duckworth, my glasses held together with sticky tape. Neither option was really satisfactory, so I saved my pennies and purchased a pair for 3.50€ in the Chinese shop.

I reasoned that at only 3.50€ it wouldn’t break the bank if they only lasted a year. They lasted

4 days, and then a crack appeared in the frame, and the lens fell out.

Muttering ‘faulty goods’ I went into a different Chinese shop and bought another pair for 3.50€. 4 days later a crack appeared in the frame, and the lens fell out.

Bored by my bleatings about having wasted a perfectly good 7€ on shoddy workmanship, Pete took me into a proper opticians to buy a ‘decent’ pair of sunglasses.

Cautiously I enquired the price. ‘110€’ the pretty girl assistant replied.

I staggered weakly, but abruptly pulled myself together when I remembered that the shop was full of fragile goods, and breakages would have to be paid for.

Seeing my distress the girl offered a cheaper option, and whilst still in shock I found myself to be the owner of a robust pair for just under 50€, a present from my ever-loving, with instructions to ‘take care of them’.

Mathematics is not my strong point, but according to my calculations if these glasses were to have the same rate of deterioration as the previous pairs, they should last 56 days. I fully expect them to last longer, or else!

The moral of this cautionary tale is: Caveat emptor - You get what you pay for!

By Jos Biggs josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk

25

www.hotelcostanarejos.com

26

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

Eleanor Roosevelt

Very Hard!

SUDOKU PUZZLE

SUDOKU PUZZLE

Sudoku is a placement puzzle. Enter the numbers 1 to 9 in each row and column of a grid, made up of 3 x 3 subgrids. The catch is that each row, column and grid must contain only one instance of each number or letter.

coffee break

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

STANDARD CROSSWORD

Across

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

1 Some of those party pestering sorts! (5) 4 Put on grand soiree, losing concerning disruption (9) 8 Did our credit damage one inside? (7,3) 10 One time round a fancy clerical part (5) 13 Fight quarters resulting in grazes (7) 15 Follow the course (5) 18 See 21 Down 20 Figure independent one inside (4) 22 I, with hesitation, follow returning parts for antimony (7) 23 Undecided on including gym (4) 25 The two make a mess of copyright withdrawal (4) 26 Face impudence (5) 30 Continually annoying bird? (7) 33 Great-grandparent’s first appearance in “Real Deal” (5) 36 Nose saint’s ill-feelings (10) 37 In a decade when northeast lost pointless things (9) 38 Fly to new high! (5)

16 Take away in bird (5) 17 Join the French out of stroke (4) 19 Lead a timeless beginning (4) 21/18 Man’s in on time to get married, replaced by daughter - hush-hush! (2,3,4) 23 Morally, part of a hole in the face (4) 24 More recent name taken for vessel (4) 27 Come out slowly, or half-ounce egg starter will follow! (4) 28 “Fashion centre in setback” is a dissertation (6) 29 Cruel but right within a lake (6) 31 Potter’s danger of being in one new figurehead?

(2-3) 32 Nearly manage pen, lacking practice (5) 34 One shifting after a long time (4) 35 Good one in a foreign bird (4) 36 Ready for some games? (3)

Down

HARD SUDOKU

...

Whoops d be sor te l l i w s i Th week by next

STANDARD SUDOKU

...

Whoops ed l be sor t l i w s i h T week by next

CRYPTIC crossword

1 Cigarettes (slang) (6) 2 Pertaining to a clan or family (6) 3 Hawaiian island (4) 4 Japanese cheer (6) 5 Nighttime footwear (8) 6 European country (10) 7 Relating to Sicily (8) 8 Nagging (8) 14 From first to last (10) 16 Lives together (8) 17 Not on an island (8) 18 Person who is habitually sullen (8) 22 Religious doctrines (6) 23 Crazy (6) 24 Contraptions (6) 27 Fifth book of the New Testament (4)

CROSSWORD

Down

9 Fortified wine (7) 10 Boorish (7) 11 Collective farm (7) 12 Commit (7) 13 Card game (9) 15 Fifty-eight in Roman numerals (5) 16 Photographic equipment (7) 19 Not the sixth (7) 20 Form of Japanese poetry (5) 21 Never stopping (9) 25 Hotel employee (7) 26 Having passed (7) 28 Found in mouths (7) 29 E asing of tensions between nations (7)

SOLUTIONS

Across

1 Hear DJ Folds (5) 2 Universal first raise put in for each cleaner (5) 3 Blue little devil within containing little excess (6) 4 Most senior Celts do without key change (6) 5 Insect fan finally put on a tank top (3) 6 Instant decapitation is uncertain (4) 7 Be up for wickedness! (4) 9 Part of member’s posh second-class sodium (4) 11 In part of Saatchi collection?

(4) 12 Bridge player ran off with Garner! (4) 14 Clearly defined policeman takes important person back (5)

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

THE WONDERS OF WINE

This column hopes to introduce and clarify some of these different Spanish wine regions, their characteristics and what makes these wonderful wines and areas worth searching for.

--------------------------------------------------The river Pisuerga flows through the provinces of Palencia and Valladolid in the north of Castilla y Leon. It also runs near and dear to my heart as this is where I first landed when I came to live in Spain.

We lived in an apartment over looking fields of grain and planted “forests” of elms that ran along the river. Legend has it that Felipe Segundo (Philip II) torn up the indigenous local forests to build the Spanish Armada. Cereals were sowed in the desolate land left behind with grape vines planted along the Pisuerga. Having castles and monasteries in each pueblo the wine production remained local for private consumption and, naturally, worship.

The climate in this area is dry and harsh at an altitude of 650-800 meters the tinta del pais (tempranillo) grape literally grows a thicker skin. Traditionally, not very tasty, clarets and roses were created by mixing the red with white grapes. Things are slow to change in this part of the world and continued on for hundreds of years.

Despite the long history, the denominación de origin Cigales, named after the old capital of Castile, was created relatively

27

VidaRestaurant

La FULLY AIR

Cucador

CONDITIONED

for fine dining

La Vida overlooks stunning views of olive groves and mountains, but only 5 minutes off the main road, following the tarmac road under the bridge, you will find us up on the left-hand side.

Our aim is to give you a meal to remember with great prices, good wine and a welcoming atmosphere, with plenty of comfort and leg room.

Relax and enjoy our Menu del Noche

recently in 1991. With the rise of the wines from Ribera del Duero vintors began to search further along the river Duero and re-discovered these old vineyards of the Pisuegra, a tributary of the Duero. Old vines yield a smaller amount of fruit and tend to grow more concentrated intense grapes, many of the bodegas of Cigales have vines that are 60-120 years old.

The combination of newer techniques and older vineyards have developed into wonderful reds and excellent rosados. Wines to try that come from Cigales include the refreshingly elegant rose Val de los Frailes, and both the Museum Real Reserva and Crianza are fantastic examples of the characteristically flavourful reds to be found in the region.

Our price includes: Fresh bread, Alioli & filtered water

Booking

Sunday 5th June

From

2pm-5pm

5.50€

Red Female Vocalist Will Entertain You!

All Day Friday fish & chips

Beer-battered cod, homemade chips & peas

From

6.95€

Notes for your diary

Saturday 28th May

steve king

Sunday roast 12.30pm - 4pm including a Fish dish option Booking advisable Tel 950 634 562

Dance & Karaoke Spot Prizes from 9pm

VidaLoungebar

La

Cucador

New daytime menu

Monday - Saturday 12pm -6pm

Monday

We provide freshly cooked food to order for your enjoyment

7.30pm Quiz

See our Specials Board

this Saturday

c i w d n a s r u pick up yo ! s u m o r f h s e r f

Champions league final

Live in the bar from 7pm

tuesday

4pm line dancing

The 19th Hole Golf Society

We want new members to join our society and have some fun. Come in and see Rob, put your name on our noticeboard or call for info

Wednesday

2.30pm yoga

7.30pm bingo

Men & Women LOOSEWOMEN Darts players meet Thursdays 2 - 4pm wanted for the Ladies new season. Call in & FREE Coffee & Cake

. h s e r f t a e

put your name down!

We are here

Albox Arboleas

Paseo del Mediterraneo 227 local, Urb. Los Zahories 2 Mojacar Playa 04638 (in front of Mojacar Beach Hotel) Tel. 950 478 129 subwaymojacar@yahoo.com

8.95€

advisable Thursday, Friday & Saturday Evenings Tel 950 634 562 6pm last orders 9pm

Sean McMahon ~ Enoteca Tikar Wine Shop ~ hoteltikar@hoteltikar.com

e h t n o c i picn beach? hes

From

Zurgena La Alfoquia

Mojacar

E15

1km

La Vida

Cucador Junc 547 Huercal Overa

Come along and join in All Welcome!

Open 7 days a week - Midday - late and from 11am weekends

Tel: 950 634 562

28

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

main Salmon in a Parcel with Lemon-Roasted Asparagus

starter

SERVES 2

each foil square and evenly lay the asparagus each side of the fish. Top with the lemon slices and the dill. Season, squeeze over the lemon juice, seal up each parcel then lay on a baking sheet.

Place in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until done. (Alternatively, you can roast the asparagus separately if you prefer.)

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil 2 x 150g skinless salmon fillets 125g fine asparagus trimmed 1 small lemon ½ sliced ½ juiced 2 tbsp roughly chopped dill salt and pepper

Method

Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.

Take two sheets of foil about 25cm square and drizzle each with a little of the oil.

Place one salmon fillet in the centre of

Crab & Tarragon Fishcakes 700g (1lb 9oz) potatoes, peeled and cubed 300g (10½oz) fresh white crab meat 100g (3½oz) fresh brown crab meat 1 bunch spring onions, chopped 2tbsp chopped tarragon 2 eggs, beaten 200g (7oz) fresh white breadcrumbs Sunflower oil for frying TO SERVE 300ml (½pt) soured cream 5tbsp chopped sorrel 1 lemon, cut into wedges

METHOD

Boil the potatoes until tender. Drain and mash in a large bowl. Mix in the crab, spring onions

and tarragon. Season well.

Place the beaten egg and breadcrumbs in two separate bowls. Shape the mixture into 18 small cakes. Dip each one into the beaten egg, then the breadcrumbs. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Heat a 3cm (1¼in) layer of the oil in a large nonstick frying pan and fry the cakes in batches for 3 minutes each side.

Mix the soured cream and sorrel and serve as a dip with the crab cakes, along with the lemon wedges.

COOK’S TIP: If you can’t get hold of lemony sorrel leaves go for dill or fennel – their citrusanise flavours work perfectly with seafood.

free wifi free wifi free wifi LATE NIGHT MENU

o

To G The Place

Turre

Friday Night Quiz Night Saturday BBQ

from 5pm followed by Karaoke - late

Great Sunday Lunch

with all the trimmings from €6.50

See whats on, check us out on facebook - Bar Stop Turre or www.barstopturre.com

All sports on big screen New pool room ~ Great sun terrace

bookings: Call 950 479 593

ay 7.30 - 10.30 Full Indian Buffet every Tuesd .95 pp Fantastic Value at only €12

Now under the new management of Ali & Mick

Tapas - Snacks - Breakfasts - Evening Menu ‘Sunday Nights on the Terrace’

Sunday Carvery

Sunday 5th June from 7pm ~3 Course Set Menu 10€ with entertainment by DRIFTWOOD Home-made Pies,

Pasties & Quiches to order

from 1.30pm

pizzas

Freshly made to order from 7pm. Eat in or take-away

he Terrace’

ts on t ‘Sunday Nigh m 7pm ~ 3 Course Set Menu 10€

fro Stewart Sunday 12th June Steve Fisher as Rod by t en with entertainm Bingo Tuesdays 3pm FREE WIFI Sky Sports shown on large screen TV

Darts Wednesday 8.30pm Quiz Night Thursdays 8.30pm Karaoke Fridays 8.30pm

Bar, Restaurant and Terrace for Lunches & Drinks Wed - Sun 12 noon to 3.30pm (last orders)

We are dedicated to providing creative Indian dishes cooked with imagination, which offer diners a true taste of India, using only the finest and freshest of produce and NO artificial ingredients Opening Hours

Closed: Wed 1st & Thurs 2nd June - Sorry for any inconvenience

Roast Beef or Pork & Tea or Coffee Open Evenings Every Thursday

Wednesday - Saturday 7pm - 10pm (last orders) Evening 3 Course inclusive

TO A V OID DISSA P OINT M ENT P LEASE BOOK Find us at Centro Comercial, Valle del Este Golf Resort Urbanizacion Valle del Este (Autovia E15, Salida 529)

www.mountainsofthemoon.webs.com

Saturday 28th May

Thursday 26th May Paws Quiz night

from 7.30pm BBQ style hot and cold buffet.

Entertainment with DJ Ian. Tables of 4, 10€pp.

200€ prize fund

Sunday 29th May

5€

European Champions League Cup Final Live from Wembley on our HUGE screen San Miguel 2€ per pint 1/2 time Burger & Pint

Sunday Lunch From

8pm Classical Concert

Fresh Cod or Haddock, Chips & Peas

A la Carte Menu always available

Sunday Lunch Roast Beef or Pork 5€ or 3 Course set menus for 9.75€ Served between 12pm - 4.30pm last orders Limaria, Arboleas 4.5km from Albox Tel: 950

432 719

Venue for hire!

Private Parties, Birthdays Weddings

The Kimrick

Served Lunchtime & Dinner

& friday night is steak night 7.95€

13€

Mountains Of The Moon Tel: 637 914 632

Friday Fish & Chips

special wednesday lunch

5€

A la Carte Menu Mon - Sat 6pm - 10.30pm Closed all day Sunday Full Buffet Tuesday from 7.30pm - 10.30pm



Tlf 950 398 799

Established 6 years

Sample the delights of creative Indian cuisine at our restaurant in Valle del Este Golf, Vera, Almeria.

NEW

Los Gallardos

me Strang o c l e Restaurant er W

CREATIVE INDIAN CUISINE

4. 95€ 6. 95€

Tel: 950 475 198

9€

Large

Best location on Mojacar Playa with amazing cuisine...

Sunlight Menu-10€ Moonlight Menu-12€ Sunday Lunch

2 Courses 10.95€

~

3 Courses 13.00€

Pizza ~ Pasta ~ A la Carte Menu also available

Standard

kimrick correos farmacia red cross

Approx 300 metres

INGREDIENTS

mojacar playa

Open 7 days week

Tel: 950 475 127 or 659 109 379 Avenida del Mediterraneo 6, (next to Lua)

www.restaurantefantasia.com restfantasia@hotmail.com

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

29

FOOD & DRINK the GOOD news about coffee!

One cup cuts blood pressure, two stave off dementia... and six reduce your skin cancer risk...

We are a nation of coffee addicts — last year alone we spent almost £1 billion on it.

Our caffeine habit was vindicated last week when Swedish researchers revealed women who drink five or more cups a day could be protecting themselves against an aggressive form of breast cancer.

But with other research suggesting high doses of caffeine can pose risks to health, just how much coffee should you be drinking a day? To help you decide, we reveal the benefits — and risks — of your daily intake.

dessert

ONE CUP

Nectarines with Raspberries & Cinnamon

INGREDIENTS

6 nectarines, halved and stone removed 1 ball stem ginger, finely chopped Pinch of cinnamon 150g (5½oz) soft brown sugar Grated rind and juice of 1 lime 150g (5½oz) fresh raspberries 300g (10½oz) crème fraîche

METHOD In a large bowl mix together the nectarines, ginger, cinnamon, sugar and lime rind and juice, and stir until the nectarines are well coated. Arrange them in a heavybased roasting tin so that they sit in a single layer,

and cover with foil.

Cook in a preheated oven at 190°C/fan 170°C/gas 5 for 50 minutes or on the dying embers of the barbecue for 25-30 minutes, shaking the tin every now and again, until the nectarines are softened and beginning to blister, and the sauce is caramelised and sticky.

Arrange the nectarines on a warmed serving plate. Scatter the raspberries into the tin and coat them in the sauce. Mix the crème fraîche with the raspberries and serve with the nectarines.

PROS: Drinking just one cup of a coffee a day could reduce your blood pressure, according to a Greek study of 485 people aged 65 to 100.

The researchers found those who drank between one and two cups daily had the healthiest arteries.

The scientists believe this is due to antioxidants in the coffee increasing the production of nitric oxide, a compound found naturally in the body. Nitric oxide helps relax artery walls, and lowers blood pressure.

And a single cup could boost your brainpower, too: a Bristol University study of 600 people found those who had a cup of regular coffee performed better in mental tests than those who drank decaffeinated coffee or nothing.

This may be because caffeine causes more sugar to travel to the brain, giving it extra energy and creating a temporary ‘lift’, says Dr Sarah Schenker, a dietitian.

CONS: Even one cup during the day could keep you counting sheep late into the

night, says Sian Porter, of the British Dietetic Association. It takes around eight hours to completely remove caffeine from the body, she explains, so don’t drink a cup after 3pm to 4pm if you suffer from sleep troubles.

TWO CUPS PROS: This amount of coffee a day could keep Alzheimer’s at bay, say scientists from the University of Florida. Although the findings came from animal research, the team say that around 200mg of caffeine, the equivalent of two cups of coffee, could help prevent the build-up of proteins in the brain that have been linked to memory loss associated with the disease.

And drinking the equivalent of two cups of coffee 30 minutes before exercise may enhance your performance by providing you with more energy, suggests a study in the International Journal of Sports Medicine.

‘It stimulates the production of fatty acids in your body which you use for fuel — it’s like opening the cap on your reserve tank,’ says Dr Schenker.

CONS: ‘If you’re pregnant, your upper caffeine intake limit should be 200mg, or two cups of regular-strength coffee,’ says Dr Schenker.

‘It’s thought the caffeine causes the body to release high levels of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline, which could increase the risk of miscarriage.’

for The finest dining experience

Overlooking stunning views of mountains and olive groves. Plenty of comfort and leg room. Our aim is to give you an evening to remember

VidaRestaurantVenue

La

Cucador

Booking Essential

Fully Air Conditioned

Arboleas

sEE OUR MAIN AD ON PAGE 27

Open Midday - late everyday Tel: 950 634 562

Zurgena La Alfoquia

Mojacar

E15

1km

4 Courses with Wine & Coffee Included

Daily Roast

Mon to Sat inclusive

Monday ~ Roast Pork

Tuesday ~ Fresh Fish

We are here

Albox

MENU DEL DIA

Local Stew Specialities & Lamb roASTS

Relax and enjoy our 3 Course Menu from 8.95€ Home Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings 6pm -9pm cooking at its best Sunday Lunches 12.30pm - 4pm from 6.95€

Lunch 1pm-4pm 10 € Dinner 7pm - 11pm

Wednesday ~ Roast Pork Knuckle

La Vida

Thursday ~ Roast Pork Ham

Cucador

Friday ~ Roast Lamb

Junc 547 Huercal Overa

Saturday & Sunday Roast Pork Knuckle & Roast Lamb Shank

11am at Bar Catalan In aid of

Breast Cancer Awareness 2€ entry

Prizes for the winners

All inclusive on the menu del dia

saturday 28 may

champions league party

Open every day 9am - Late

Tel: 638 889 520

MESON DE IRENE Baza/Fines ►

◄ Albox

→

→

Petrol Station

all the trimmings Roast Pork, Beef Sirloin with roast potatoes 1pm - 4pm

vegetarian menu available →

ITV

th

Bridge

Petanca Competition

Now including Roast Lamb Shank,

→

→

Sunday 29th May

frthiday 27 may Karaoke

We also have Fresh Galician Beef Sirlon and fillet steaks flame grilled to your liking

→

ALL our usual offers

including Sunday Roast Lunch with

→

the place in the area for football on AD sports in hd

menu del dia

4 courses menu

→

cafe bar Los Mellizos

ia

qu Alfo

All inclusive in our

sunday

New Covered Smoking Terrace

We are open Monday to Saturday 7am ‘till late Sunday 9am - 4pm Booking recommended. Spanish speaking 950 430 145 English speaking 647 730 103 Pol IG ONO I n dust r i a l A l box, N e a r t h e I T V Ga r age

30

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

CAR BOOT

wh at’s h app ening in

EVERY Wednesday 9am Restaurant Car Park

P i t ch O n l y 2 €

For further information contact Julie on 646 675 297 ‘Situated on the AL8102 Huercal Overa/Taberno Road to the junction of Los Llanos & Santo Petar crossroads’

NEW STALLS inc: Fruit & veg, dvd’s, cd’s, avon & plants/flowers

MANY BARGAINS TO BE HAD!!

Menu deL dia ~ TUE-fri - 3 courses ~ 7€ el Rancho caravan park now open

send your emails to: editor@ soltimes.com

EL RANCHO

VidaVenue

La

Cucador

Wednesday is...

Bingo Night special 7.30 - eyes down 8pm Drinks Promotions, Spot Prizes: include Meal for 2, Wine, Free Drinks Food Served from 7pm 10€ for 3 books, 20€ for 6 books

Jackpot game prize 200€ See page 27 for map - 950 634 562

Lorca Earthquake Appeal........ Taekwon-do club mojacar.......

The people of the Almanzora Valley have certainly surpassed themselves this week.

An appeal went out on Sunday 15th May for the victims of the devastating earthquake in Lorca; Colin the Card, nr Albox, immediately came for the fore and offered to be a collecting point for donations. By the time he opened on Monday morning, the donations were pouring in!

Longo’s in Albox offered the use of a room for storage and a hunt began for transport to take the goods to Lorca. ‘Nibbler’ from the Arboleas Forum stepped in with his vehicle – the first of many loads were on their way! Luckily another member of the forum Gus Lopez, who lives just outside Lorca, met this load and guided it through what was left of the streets of Lorca.

As Colin said “We’d never have found our way through without Gus to show us where to go!”

The main priority in these early days was for nappies, baby bottles, wipes etc. One lady who donated told us that she wanted to give 50€ to spend on supplies, but her husband quickly upped this to 100€…and so it went on…

Carrier bags, bin liners, cardboard boxes were arriving at Colin’s thick & fast.

Jill Cockfield was sorting and labelling as best she could, but when the Royal British Legion put out a call to its members, Jill said she lost it! I was shown the storage room at Longo’s and was amazed at how generously the local ex-pat community has been; 2 single mattresses – brand new, 3 push chairs, high chairs, even an ironing board awaiting the journey to Lorca.

When it became known that a small child was unable to sleep as his teddy bear had been left behind when the quake struck, bags of teddies were brought in.

People were asking ‘what to give’ and were told ‘EVERYTHING!’ Imagine leaving your home in just what you’re wearing and nothing else and you can imagine how great the need is.

Initially, meals were being provided in Lorca for 10,000 people by volunteers; tents were set up to house the victims. This number has dropped as people have moved into unoccupied properties but it remains an ongoing problem.

The current need is for clothing, bedding, towels and toiletries.

In future, it may be household goods and kitchen equipment.

Please continue to give generously; this could have happened to any town or village here.

If possible label your donations and separate clothing from toiletries etc. as it will make distribution so much quicker and easier.

Thank you all for your generosity; something us Brits are very good at in moment of crisis!

Regards Frankie (On behalf of the Arboleas Forum)

Happy Birthday jodie

This is the first day of the rest of your life - Make a wish!

Your Dewie MKALU

RASTRO

Red Female Vocalist

EVERY WEDNESDAY 9 a.m – 1.30 p.m

Situated @ MALIBU BEACH BAR (Formally Mariella´s)

Mojacar Playa

English Branded Clothing by Donna at very affordable prices Tibetan Silver Jewellery by Julie Handmade Soaps Beautiful Designer Dolls Acessories, Bags, Scarves etc Designer Jewellery Plus many many more If you are interested in obtaining a stall, please contact

Donna on 677 542 931 or Julie on 634 323 108

Stalls must be pre-booked before the event.

Lovers of Artists Including Tribute to

The Carpenters Available for private parties, local bars & restaurants

Old &

New

Call: 628 149 340 for more information

Indigo Gym Mojacar Playa. €5 per lesson, 1st lesson FREE!!!

Come and train with us on: Mon: 7pm-8.30pm (12 yrs - adults) Wed: 4.15-5.15pm (4-7 yrs) 5.15 - 6.45pm (8 yrs - adults) Sat: 3pm - 4pm (4 - 7 yrs) 4 - 5.30pm (8 yrs - adults) Tel: 646 844 708 or see us at: www.gtfspain.webs.com

Paws Table Top Sale....................

Tuesday 31st May 1 till 3 o/c at the Dolar Bar,Vera Playa,Laguna Beach.

Lorca Earthquake Donations A huge thank you to all who donated clothes, household chattels, blankets, sheets, duvets and many other items.

People, friends and neighbours from Zurgena, Cucador, La Alfoquia and all the other surrounding villages, plus all members of the Zurgena Royal British Legion - MDF

LET’S PARTY!......................................

It is the Royal British Legion 90th Birthday this year and to celebrate, Albox Branch is holding a party on Friday 10th June at 8pm at La Parrilla Restaurant, Albox Three Course Meal with drink and entertainment by the ever popular JC and Raffle by Sue Taylor.Members €20 and €22 for non members.Tickets available from British Legion Meetings or Sandra Evans 950 06 43 34 or email her on sandraajevans@yahoo.co.uk

Events at the APSA shop in Albox ................................................

Monday 20th June - Frillies new lingerie with Lesley 10 - 2pm The shop is in Calle Ancha, just up the road from bank Santander opposite San Francisco Square. The lingerie sale will include special prices for the day, come and find yourselves a bargain and help the animal charity too!! There is a private fitting service and changing rooms

Dames in Turre..................

May 30th…Our speaker is ex prison officer Tony Stubbs who will tell us about “ A life behind bars”.

June 13th...The AGM followed by a lunch. Details will be announced at the next meeting.

One other piece of news ....In the light of the present financial difficulties that are affecting PAWS, we decided that Dames in Turre would make a donation of 500€ from the charity fund.

send your birthday & anniversary MESSAGES FOR FRIENDS & FAMILY TO editor@soltimes.com

La

VidaVenue

Cucador

EVERY monday quiz 7.30 for 8pm Quirky Quiz Questions

Have you ever wondered what a PLANGONOLOGIST does?

Perhaps they work out how to make things disappear for magicians?

But it just might be a question in next week’s Quiz!!

If thats caught your attention, then you’ll be sure to enjoy our Quirky Quiz Questions Come and join us on a Monday evenings.

We definitely don’t take things too seriously ~ it’s just lighthearted competition. Sometimes from a slightly different perspective!!!

Bring your friends ~ Beat your neighbours

Just 1.50€ to enter

Teams of 4 (penalties for larger teams!) Play your Joker to double your points. Spot prizes, Cash Prize for the winners Booby Prize for the lowest scoring team.

sEE OUR MAIN AD ON PG 27 for directions

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

... costa al m eri a

clubs & assocIATIONS A.A. Alcoholics Anonymous Call 620 165 005.

ACRAA................................................

(Association Cultural Recreaiva Amigos de Arboleas)

Will be presenting a “FUN DOG SHOW” on Sunday 5th June at 10am. To be held at The Paladares Pool Bar Tennis Courts Arboleas. All dogs welcome to bring their families along, providing they are well trained and behaved.

12 Different show classes: Most handsome dog, Prettiest Bitch, Cutest Puppy, Scruffiest Dog etc. etc Dog Display, Stalls, Refreshments, Raffle plus Best in Show Entry 2 euro per class. Come along and join in the fun All profits to “The Doghouse Foundation” Dog rescue facility

Puerto Lumbreras Christian Fellowship......................................

Georgie

sadly passed away on 14th May 2011.

“Gone from our sight, forever in our hearts” Rest in Peace Love always from all of your friends xxx

“The Little Owls”..................

is a voluntary practical support group formed in memory of the founder member’s husband who died of a brain tumour last year. The volunteers provide emotional and practical support to those, who for example, are living with terminal illness, people who are bereaved or lonely, or indeed anybody who may need help, and cover an area from Arboleas to Partaloa.

“The Little Owls” can provide a listening ear and talk through any worries people may have. They can provide information on local services available to those needing further help and can offer practical help from shopping, ironing, giving lifts to the doctors/hospitals or simply dropping in for a coffee and a chat. They can also offer carers a short break from their caring role, even if it’s just for a couple of hours a week, which can make things just that little bit easier. Being able to leave your loved one with someone you can trust, so you can take the dog for a long walk, or go shopping, or just sit quietly in the garden with a book, can make such a big difference.

If you find you need help in some small way, please contact Little Owls on 648 278 546 or email littleowls@hotmail.es All personal information will be treated with the utmost respect and confidentiality.

now meet every 1st and 3rd Sunday each month at 11.00 am in the premises of the Spanish Evangelical Church Puerto Lumbreras Tel 619 453 283 Paul and Sandra

Animal Protection Society Albox (A.P.S.A.) Homing Officer - Call 662 000 378 Mon-Sat 10am-2pm. Charity Shops are: ALBOX Calle Ancha, (just up from Santander bank) & TIJOLA Calle Vulcan (near the police station) General Enquiries: 663 762 642 Amigos de los Coches Clasicos del Levante A classic car club situated in the Almeria/Murcia region of Southern Spain. For more information www.a-c-c.es, Harry 629 529 656 or Hans 968 419 256 or email: acclevante@hotmail.com AUAN - Abusos Urbanisticos Almanzora No - meet on the 3rd Saturday of each month 11am at La Parilla in Albox.

Tel: 617 118 209 www.almanzora-au.org - New members always welcome!

Betty’s Garden Club 12pm, 2nd Monday of the month at Camping Los Gallardos. Contact: 950 398 162 Cabrera Lawn Bowling Club Secretary Doreen Sandscall 950 064 791

Classic Automobile Club For further information call: Monique: 699 961 002; Hans: 968 419 256; Peter: 968 419 222

It was a last minute decision of Margaret’s to keep Serendipity open, after Adele and Richard made up their mind to move back to the UK. Now situated on the main Baza Road, next door to Sol y Mar, Serendipity is now the only craft shop in the Albox area.

Margaret has two card-making workshops a week, plus once a month an all-day Parchment workshop, all of which are well-supported by her customers.

Every two months there is an all-day craft workshop, which teaches many different aspects and techniques of card-making.

Margaret is always interested in what her customers want and will do her very best to get hold of whatever you are looking for.

Serendipity has many new products such as Hunkydory, Dufex, and Sheena Douglas paint fusion and stamps, Tim Holtz distress papers in 36 colours and the famous Martha Stewart punches.

Serendipity also stock a huge selection of general craft, art and card-making materials, including card packs, Pergamano, PCA tools and Crafter Companion stock.

Dames in Huercal Overa meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at the Tennis Club. 10.30 til 12.30. For further details please contact Pam 677 273 736 Dames in Turre Call Lesley 950 478 633 or email lesleyiom@yahoo.co.uk Dames in Spain Meet at Kimrick Mojacar 3rd Monday of the month 11am. Guests welcome. Contact Gail Creasey Chairman 950 472 225 or Iris Hamilton Secretary 950 475 863 Elderberries Lunch Club For elderly, lonely, handicapped etc. Tel: Margaret 950 477 063 or Marianne 950 472 349.

Expatriate Ostomates of Spain (EOS) Have you had surgery on the digestive or urinary system for cancer or other disease? If you would like to help someone, or receive further information, please call our local contact Dee 950 064 322 Forum Golf Society plays organised friendly games at local courses twice a month. Contact Phil Elam on 666 847 840 or philjelam@yahoo.co.uk, or see www.arboleas.co.uk/forum Indalo Bowling Club Los Gallardos visitors welcome.

Please contact Toni Watts, Club Membership Secretary 950 468 165 Indalo Players Theatre Group All enquiries to Sue 950 133 655 / 666 133 217 Model Aero Flying Club For further information contact: Johnny Hayes 950 478 899.

Mojacar Cricket Club For further information call: Dave Redpath 950 617 606 or Sam Lewis 632 132 487 mojacar taekwon-do club Indigo Gym, Mojacar Playa.

Lessons on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Call or see our website for more details, and times of lessons.

Tel 646 844 708 or www.gtfspain.webs.com

Ink Cartridge Solutions

Santa Irene Club de Vela Sailing for all! Tel: John Talisson 950 475 157 or Email: sailrway@hotmail.com

Refill Your Empty Cartridges.

Why Replace When You Can Re-use?

Environmentally Friendly & Cost Effective

MUsiC & ENTERTAINMENT Pamela’s Line Dance Club Call Pamela: 950 398 076 Dancing Classes In Vera and Los Gallardos for adults and children. Information contact Anita Watson Tel 950 453861

at your side

i n v e n t

Tel: 617 118 804 Open Mon - Fri 9.30pm - 2pm

Located within Knight Insurance Office, C/Malaga 6, Albox

OPENING HOURS: MON, TUES, THURS,FRI & FIRST SAT of every month 10-2PM

CALL MARGARET ON 617 588 417

BHS Qualified

www.rancholuzdelsol.com Tel: 678 838 547

SPECIAL OFFER for

HUERCAL OVERA residents ONLY

Saturday 4th June

WITH THIS VOUCHER



• /2 hour lesson 12€ • 1 hour treck 20€ • Sunset ride & bbq 40€ per person • Weekend pony clubs 20€ • (Family discounts offered) • Special loan deals available • Livery from just 160€ per month 1

Quad bikes available for hire from 1 hour to a full day

Julie Bruce Dance/Drama Academy Call 950 617 545 or 697 861 071

Avda. 28 de Febrero (Between Sol y Mar/The Post Shop & Rumores)

British Family-Run business based just outside the pretty mountain village of partaloa

(groups of 4 minimum)

The Almanzora Group of Friends 44 Avenida Lepanto Albox - 634 343 147 OpenTues, Thurs & Sat 10am -1.30pm www.almanzoragof.org

Cantoria Residents Association For further details www. residentsinspain.com or phone the secretary on 662 413 075

Save Money With...

Sunday Special 1 hour hack followed by 3 course Sunday lunch at Mis Amigos just 25€

31

32

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

SOL CLASSIFIEDS Generator Es 8000 power system Honda gx390.

13hp petrol 6.5kva 115/240v very little use 950€ Tel: 659 685 133 G a r d e n Shed – Buyer to dismantle & collect 6ft x 6ft 120€ Tel: 646 520 880 (Vera) 2 WHITE W OOD E N V E N E T I AN BLINDS, Brand new (sizes 49.5” wide by 90” drop and 41.75” by 76” drop) 35€ each. Tel 950 462 146 G E ORG E F OR E M AN LEAN MEAN FAT GRILLING MACHINE, used twice 25€. Tel 950 462 146 U n u se d , u n w a n te d present. Lovely girls red Hitenframe Jumper Bike with twist grip gears.

Pump included. All as new. Suit child aged between 7 and 12 years of age. Bargain at 100€.

Mojacar area. Tel: 950 472 119 or 697 255 642 Sky dish 1.2 with LNB and wall bracket sky box and remote 120€

for sale

Grundig 20” caravans / colour television motorhomes good working order continued 60€ Tel: 950 449 Caravan and 637 motor home spares and repairs.

B-square 3.2m for information call inflatable, 2 seater 950 459 007 - 647 kayak with paddles, 587 855 or visit us at excellent condition. caldera spas, antas New, in stock, 40€ o.n.o. Terreros caravan motor area. 950 466 281. movers. no more fitting Mobile 627 046 struggling. service available. call 150.

Two single pine beds with mattresses, protectors, pillows, 4 sets of bedding all new 175€. Tel 659 381 670 2 Stainless security steel lights with sensors €25 699727138 Albox barbecue gas (make thermos) v. g . c . i n c l u d i n g cover hardly used 60€ o.n.o. Tel: 950 475 455 mobile 661 016 366

950 459 007 - 647 587 855 Caravan & motor home insurance. most competitive prices. call now for details 687 845 730 Vehicle Imports & Matriculation Fast & competitive rates. Call 687 845 wanted for cash. any age & condition, uk/ spanish reg ring 950 459 007 / 647 587 855

Airport services cont.

www.AAparking.es Tel: 639 081 067

Cheap

Airport Parking

Alicante Almeria Murcia New Servicing / Repairs

alternative energy

C a r l o s (Saliente) plumbing & heating services.

If it involves water, we can help! www. carlossaliente.com Tel: 968 969 962 Solar Wind P o w e r Solutions.

SPECIAL OFFER on large solar panels. Over 15 years installation experience Call Phil for competitive prices 636 261 Airport 240 email:info@ sunergyalmeria. services com www.sunergy A I R P OR T almeria.com S ER V I C E S : A l l airports, anytime, reliable, reasonable ● Solar Panels rates. Tel: 629 097 ● Batteries 057

FOR SALE

Black calor gas heater and ● Inverters silver gas bottle 50€ A i r p o r t s e r v i c e s Tel: 600 098 533 Good Quality

WANTED

Airport, social & Solar Equipment 2 New white shopping run. Tel: Tel: 619 744 516 677 667 722 sun plastic

Air-con

loungers 20€ each Tel: 600 098 533

Golf clubs.

Wilson Full set with bag, nearly new.

120€ ono. Tel: Ron on 966 790 105

bed settee for sale. orange.folds easily into large double bed.vgc.cost 650€ sell 450€.la Tel: 682 527 204 alfoquia Tel: 670 or 950 132 409 595 932.

Z i mm e r bath/ Frame with 2 Over front wheels, seat glass shower & basket - used screen. Little used few times – 45€ - 40€ Tel: 680 189 Tel:617 821 085 981 GOLF CLUBS 3 ITEMS FOR x McGregor Tourney SALE Lots & lots MT Hybrids/ Recovery Clubs. of different things 19, 22 & 25 degrees for car boot for sale. loft. UST Mamiya 45€ the lot. Tel: 600 Regular Graphite 890 631 Shafts.

B a r b e cu e , Headcovers. Gas, includes cover New and unused. and trolley. Used € 50 each. Will sell once vgc 65€ Tel: separately. Tel: 950 950 449 637 633 029.

Sales Service Install’s Fully Certified

MD Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration S.L info@md-aircon.com

950 432 110 / 607 364 917

auctions Location Auctions, Antas El Real Ind. Est. Every 2 weeks. Next auction Wed 25th May. Starts 5pm. Viewing Mon / Tues and all day Wed. House clearances speciality. Tel: 950 391 412

bouncy castles

Courtney Castles. Bouncy Castles & Dome Hire. Generator Hire & Supervised hire available.

Photography services available. “Like a Rubber Ball, you’ll come bouncing back for more!”

S a tellite Tel:649300865 email: courtney. dish 1.2m with castles@gmail.com LMB and wall blinds bracket 120€ ono Tel: 950 132 409 or Internal & Pace Sky INTERNAL & Digibox Model 682 527 204 EXTERNAL BLINDS E x t e r n a l 2200with remote caravans / control, 40 Euros. motorhomes Blinds Call Tel: 965 725 573 Complete set of M2i Irons. Great condition. 60€. Tel 950 529226.

SHADING SPAIN, WITH...

two 250 watt speakers 15in with horns cost e500 new will sell for e300 only used once phone johnny 647 202 599

Large range of discount caravan, motorhome, boat and engine batteries in stock now. ring for details - 950 459 007 - 647 587 855

Justin

Shaders

at

Sol

for

a

free no obligation

Call Justin at Sol Shaders for a free no obligation quote Tel: 627 907 207

quote on 627 907 www.solshaders.net 207

Email: solshaders@live.co.uk

To place your ad....call Paulette on 902 750 190 Email: sales@soltimes.com or in person, we’re above New Horizon Villas, Los Carasoles, on the main Albox-Baza road from the motorway.

Private sale ads are free under 300€ (3 ads per week) email: sales@soltimes.com

builders Ross Regan We cover all aspects of work from total reforms, new builds, interiors, exteriors design & build Call for a free no obligation quote 671 843 155 / 646 234 222

Neil Bates Builder City & Guilds Qualified

All aspects of building work

Tel: 950 137 621 or 639 435 141 Competitive Prices

RR

ross regan s.l.

Building, Reforms and General Maintenance & Roofing

summer is here!

Are your BBQ’s, Pool Surrounds,

Patio’s & Pergolas ready?

Paul on 671 843 155 Terry 646 234 222

Email: rossreganspain@gmail.com

construction

Swimming Pools Terraces All building reforms

Matt Murray T: 950 069 065 m: 647 841 750 matmurrayes@gmail.com business opportuniy

Bar for rent in the Port of Roquetas de Mar. Call 600 585 789 for details Business for Sale TOTAL ENTERTAINMENT ALBOX FOR SALE Internet Cafe, Newspapers Magazines & Books. DVD Rental/Sales & 12 Seater Mini Cinema. €27,500 Tel: 625611498 email: totalalbox@hotmail.com

computers DON ROBINSON

PC hardware & software specialist. Unbiased advise on purchases Installation, help and training. Diagnosis & Repair 15€ an hour min charge 1 hour + parts

I come to you Comp TIAA+certified Tel: 646 587 746

Steve Hayes Informatica

Pc’s, Laptops, Printers etc.

Sales & Repairs onsite callout / tuition.

Consumables Opening hours Mon-Fri 10am - 6pm & Sat 10am until 1pm

Tel: 950 120 900

E: donald_gunn_robinson@msn.com

cleaning

SPARKLES Property Care Service,

craft / hobby

Elaine’s Wools quality UK wool & Key Holding, Holiday Change Over Cleaning. accessories. Also at Let us take good available care of your C a m p o s o l property!

Mazarron & on Tel: 627 279 584 the Arboleas sparkles2@live.com forum.

Call 667 273 889 curtains elaines wools@ gmail.com

Soft Options Curtains, & Soft Furnishings. Made to measure curtains & blinds.Cushions & accessories. Also Roman, Blinds

cycle hire

Rainbow Rentals Electric cycles €10 per day Competitive Prices w w w . r a i n b o ws Telephone Workshop: Tel: 968 959 632 endmojacar.com Mobile: 686 377 172 saxbee@hotmail.co.uk Tel: 608 719 015

collectables

Ray’s Collectables

Call Ray:

634 671 887

FLY SCREENS - Cheapest in the area!

Sliding & pull down.

Free quotes: 620 112 193 / 630 493 817

funeral F u n e r a l Insurance Deaths – no-one likes talking about it but it is essential to take out a policy in Spain.

Call Sol y Mar 950 064 584

for hire

For Hire

drainage

or 666 375 688 expectingbaby@ hotmail.co.uk

gardening

Gardening

maintenance by qualified English speaking Spanish Gardener.

Contact Victor (mob)

619 034 313 Roquetas / Almeria

handyman electrical

Suckling Electrical Mojacar & surrounding areas

- Mains Electrical Installation - Electrical Repairs Been cut off - ICP - Fault Finding - Surge Protection problems Call Us! - Water Pumps

- Econo-Heaters (supplied & fitted)

663 660 409 (Eng) 677 672 144 (Span)

garysuckling@yahoo.co.uk

ELECTRICIAN

Buy, Sell & Part Exchange, Coins & Billets, Military Medals, Pocket Watches, Small Gold & Silver Collectables

fly screens

MINI DIGGER

based on €140,000

Boot sale at El Rancho, Taberno.

Every Wednesday, pitch only 2€ lots of stalls and bargains, for more information call Julie: 646 675 297

Secured loans, Capital Raising, cash advances whilst you sell your property.

Equity release. 902 585 569 / 652 986 088

To Baby advertise Professional Equipment Hire. your FREE delivery business & collection. here or your Tel: 649 332 134 items enquiries@thebabyhirecentre.com for sale, www.thebabyhirecentre.com with driver contact Everything for Paulette the visiting Excellent Rates at the baby. Car seats, SolTimes: high chairs, stair Telephone Tony cots etc.

950 121 936 gates, 610 345 725 Tel 950 436 581

Easy to run family bar for sale. FREEHOLD. 8th year trading. Open for business to be sold with all fixtures and fittings. Offers

car boot sale

financial

digger hire

LittleRoquetas Red Lion de Mar

Telephone Mark: 0034 663 426 921

fibreglass Fibreglass Supplies.

See our main advert on Page 38

HANDYMAN elegance and beauty Keep mosquitos away with Skin So Soft dry oil spray.

Just €4.50

CLAIRE

691 987 454 avonfromclaire @yahoo.es

Neil Godwin

enclosures

Tel : 687 245 569

ENCLOSURE

25 years experience Full City & Guilds Fully insured & legal Boletins supplied

SPECIALISTS Knowles & Abbott no.1 GLASS SCREENS for electrics and Come and see us on the plumbing.

Re- Albox road for a free no wires, free to air UK obligation quote satellite systems.

Call 677 114 576 Tel: 950 137 208 or 950 135 564 or 638 010 691

Painter / Decorator Interior & Exterior Property maintenance Over 30 years experience.

All work considered, driving etc. Honest & Reliable Call Dave: 950 064 342 Mobile: 617 621 729

hEATING

C a r l o s (Saliente) plumbing & heating services.

If it involves water, we can help! www. carlossaliente. com Tel: 968 969 962

house clearance

H o u s e Clearance, all items wanted.

Large or small. Tel: 615 214 562

www.soltimes.com house clearance

HOUSE CLEARANCE

We buy anything, single items, clothes, furniture, bric-a-brac, etc.

Contact Gordon:

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

locksmith

Lock, Stock and Barrel, Fully qualified locksmith. Change any lock, upgrade, break-in or lockout. 24 hour service. No call out charge. Tel Dave: 608 673 086

gordon.lanham@yahoo.co.uk

Pick 24 Locked Locksmith, new locks, hours. safes, security grills, Out? Locks fitted/ upgraded house window locks fitted. safes.

Arboleas Call 950466438 & surroutnding Special or 676306269 area. weekend rates. www.casaserve.com Tel: 697 243 181

Antas ~ Arboleas

number plates

693 480 411 or email:

CASH CONVERTOR

We will buy, exchange or sell your unwanted items at Mercamundo 7 day indoor market visit us at El Real poligono Antas from 10am-till late we can also offer local removals & transport to and from UK

Phil

the

24 HR CASASERVE Locksmith

“RE-PLATE” MATE GB

NEW SHOWROOM IN ARBOLEAS

Opposite Mora oil

637 184 625

THE HOUSE CLEARING SPECIALIST

E

Immediate Cash. Quick decision. * We cover all areas * We turn up, give cash & carry * We buy almost anything – The Highest Cash Prices Paid **ONLY serious & immediate sellers should call please**

Don’t take a chance!

Don’t break the Law! Let us take the hassle away from you and re-register your vehicle on to Spanish plates

iron/Metal works

WE PROMISE TO BEAT ANY GENUINE QUOTATION

Tel: 679 207 545

The Metal works Grills, railings, gates of all types, security/sliding/roller, rejas, concertina doors etc. Tel: Keith Wood on 638 900 949 T & T Metals For all quality metal works, including gates, railings, rejas, staircases, gazebos & chain-link fencing - Tel: 950 431 738 Metal Works, Gates, rejas, fabrication, welding, reliable service.

Tel:950 069 208/615 132 136 email: adto777@aol.com

insurance

Almerimar Insurance Your local insurance broker Tel: 950 498 000 or 667 479 940 E: info @almerimar insurance.com Insu r a nc e agents – for all your insurance needs call Sol y Mar on 950 064 584

Jewellery & repairs

Jewellery (Not Scrap) Silver and Silver plated items Antiques and small items of interest.

English prices paid.

Also Jewellery repaired by Hatton Garden Jeweller Tel: 0044 7963 020 106 & 620 773 954 English dealer living in Spain Rolex or Cartier woman’s watch wanted must be good quality private buyer tel 647 379 878

kitchens

For complete Kitchens or refurbishments contact Ventanas Y Puertas, Mojacar. See our main ad on page 17

Dog & Horse Sitting Service Ex RSPCA Inspector. Dog day sitting Going away? Let us take care of your pets, either at your home or ours.

Dogs kept in house or kennels.

Pet passporting service.

Just outside Albox.

Tel: 607 554 984

my-place-or-yours@hotmail.com THE KENNELS & CATTERY Family run. Fully legal, Nr Huercal Overa discounts available pet passports transportation to UK. Tel: 950 168 508 or 651 519 307 Email: thekennels@mail.com

Animal Hotel, Aquilas every Saturday afternoon, dog training courses Twice weekly obedience classes Tues & Thurs mornings.

Call: 639 722 197 WOODHOUSE BOARDING KENNELS & CATTERY ARBOLEAS Small friendly kennels, 24hr vets service, pet transporting arranged, welcome to view Tel: Tracy

Loving care of small & medium Home: 649 333 226 sized Mobile: 650 211 952 dogs Palomino in safe home Kennels environment. exclusive boarding 4000m2 of kennels / cattery.

Warm, friendly fenced land in secure countryside Arboleas environment. by Tel: 950 431 852 Now managed APSA New Mob: Tel 673 503 086 or 950 067 051 664 721 903 www.palominokennels.com

www.replatematecostablanca.com

opticians

Optica Albox All your optical needs, eye tests, hearing tests, contact lenses.

Tel: 950 121 991

Cattery Open !

Ashlove’s Pet House E verything your pet needs Male Massuer Men only Relaxing and All pet supplies, treats & accessories affordable. Tel: 676 902 388

LIBIDUS

Herbal alternative to Viagra, Cialis, Kamagra etc.

Guaranteed to work. No chemicals or side effects. funinthesun1950@ yahoo.co.uk

Phone Ken: 634 336 024

painter/decorator

painting & decorating

Tel Alan: 950 450 174 or 600 268 176

PAINTER: 400€ for 3 bed, 2 bath villa. Rejas not included.

All quality products. Tel: 620 112 193 / 630 493 817 Professional Interior & Exterior Decorator Coving etc.

Competitive rates only top quality materials used Call Barry on 664 753 280 / 950 634 593

Experienced Interior & Exterior Decorator Using quality materials.

This fast, friendly, clean and efficient service will never be beaten on price. EG: Interior rooms form 80€ & Villas from 475€ No payment until complete satisfaction.

TRAVELLING IN AIR CONDITIONED VEHICLE DELIVERED TO DOOR PETS STAY IN PET FRIENDLY HOTELS. ACCOMPANIED TRAVEL AVAILABLE

0044 7533 285 918

email: pettaxitransport@hotmail.com

personal

Sexy books for the adult reader. Over 40 books for your selection. A choice from word or PDF. All FREE at www. adultreading.es

post boxes

Doggy Day Care, Cattery, Cat Bathing & Grooming Dog grooming & clipping

Tel: 950 475 502 Open all day: Mon-Fri 10am - 7pm, Sat 10am - 3pm Multicentro Mojacar Playa (The old square behind Sol Bank)

Ken & Jackie Dog & Cat Sitter service Your home or ours.

Honest & trust worthy.

3 years experience of all types of animals.

References available on request.

Tel: 950 0 67 943 or 676 389 592

residential services

Fed up with losing your post in Spain?

Get a secure mailbox for just 35€ a year at All the Post Shop. Call 950 064 584

RIDING STABLES Rancho Luz Del Sol, Retamar, Partaloa.

One to one or group lessons, latest EN standard hats provided. Escorted hacking and treks.

Qualified BHS Instructor.

Call Erika Drew on 678 838 547

To advertise your business here or your items for sale, contact Paulette at the SolTimes:

home services including painting, tiling, gardening, in & around the Albox/Arboleas area.

Excellent daily rates. Call 654 197 014

satellite television

A1 Sky Television Systems

Satellite TV installations, alignment of dishes etc.

902 750 190 Also Spanish “freeview”systems supplied rentals & installed 950 121 936

Office to rent on Mojacar Playa. Front line Tel Dave: 628 607 778 next to Restaurante Mediterraneo. 30sqm – Tel: Sky digi box, 659 109 379 Desperately seeking villas to PACE with white rent – clients waiting! Call Sol y Mar on 950 sky card bbc1,2,3,4, 064 584

Kitchen for rent

Mojacar Playa - Front line In a busy well established bar - Inside & outside seating. Extremely competitive rate.

Call: 666 197 219 removals

Alan 662 249 159

• 35 years experience • Guaranteed to beat any quote Private buyer pays cash for all silver items • Quality work guaranteed

Tel: 603 633 138

MY PLACE OR YOURS

For a full service contact:

Silver wanted

Large or small, I will by it, I also buy gold

pets section

33

DAVES TRANSPORT & REMOVALS

Fully Insured – Totally Legal 7.5 ton with Tail Lift Full/Part Load, Self Load. Unload. Spain to England & Local For a competitive quote call

620 049 524

woodnco@hotmail.com

Large van. Spain - UK. Full or half loads, plus car transport.

Tel: 0044 796 912 3588

Hilton Cattery. The best care for your cat.Call. 950 163 489

plasterers

GT Plasterers Time Served British Plasterer Variety of Skills – rendering, coving, etc 25 years experience Free quotation, no obligation Tel: 663 606 965

itv1,2,3 ch4 & 5.

120€ can deliver. tel: 667 235 205 or 667 478 771.

T . V . s t a n d suitable for up to 32” television. wood with glass shelves €30 699 727 138 Albox 4 surround sound speakers Toshiba 2 free standing + 2 on stands €20 699 727 138 Albox

swimming tuition

Personal swimming teacher

ASA. Qualified, CRB checked.

Patient, sympathetic, excellent with timid learners Tel: 674 490 474 seeking work Couple available for work

plumbing

Property Carlos (Saliente) plumbing maintenance/ & heating services. If it involves management, water, we can help! www.carlossaliente. housekeeping/ com Tel: 968 969 962 villa changeovers Skills include: Knowles & Abbott no.1 for plumbing Office/Admin/PC, & electric. CH, solar hot water and water DIY, Driving, deposits. Tel: 950 137 197 or 606 807 shower screens / bathrooms Personal Caring, 797 For shower screens and complete bathroom Looking, Teaching A&E Taylor – Gas boiler & plumbing

repairs. Tel: 618 062 080

property management ‘Let Us Take the Worry Out Of Your Property in Spain’

We are introducing a NEW and sincere service for the care of your property in Mojacar and surrounding area...

• Key holding package,/property care…

• Garden maintenance,/watering etc…

TEL IAN: 617 904 774 • Airport Collection and drop off….

• Regular Security checks….

• Rental reception,management etc…

• Reforms arranged and ‘project managed’..

We are long-term residents in the Mojacar area,fully legal,reliable and trustworthy… You will be impressed with our rates and packages!

Tel, 950 131816/629 097057 for more details

conversions contact Ventanas Y Puertas, Mojacar. See our main ad on page 17

English.

Conscientious & Reliable

situations vacant

iainunett@gmail.com

Lifestyle Consultant Required:

situations vacant

Full time position- ContractCompany Car- Mobile Phone Seeking a target driven sales professional. Ideally you will have a minimum of 3 years sales experience, be charismatic, outgoing and be an excellent communicator.

Opportunity to grow with the company on a long term basis. Only Serious applicants considered, driving license is essential for the role.

Email CV to

info@almeriaangels.com Tel: 902 02 64 68

Tel: 674 490 474

Full time or part time staff required for busy warehouse, preferable with some kitchen experience and computer skills, must be open minded/hardworking and ambitious: Tel: 636 411 540

34

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

motoring section

situations vacant

Landrovers Wanted

Sales Staff Wanted Canvasser’s, part time required for

buyandsellpropertyinspain.com Would suit out going personality, good commisions, team players with ability to work on own initiative email: admin@buyandsellpropertyinspain.com

Call 0034 950 109 699

English or Spanish.

Any condition Telephone: 659 685 133 tiling

Floor and Wall Tiling Specialist

Translator Need a translator?

Call Anna on 679 079 977 For all your translation needs, including residencias, NIE numbers, hospital visits, telephone calls.

Call Sol y Mar Tel: 950 064 584

windows & doors For all your window and door requirements contact Ventanas y Puertas, Mojacar. See our main ad on page 17

25 years experience

Not a jack of all trades, just a master of one!

Call Steve Holman

Tel: 697 678 708

Car Air Con

INTERGLAZE DOUBLE GLAZING SPECIALISTS

The people you can trust

Prices to suit your pocket!

Windows • Conservatories • Doors

• Patio Enclosures ~ arches are our speciality

• We supply & fit top quality Aluminium, UPVC and Wood

Re-gassing from €35

• Free home survey, professional advice & 10 year guarantee • With 30 years experience, quality & satisfaction guaranteed • All types of building work undertaken • No job too big or small

Tel: 678 813 505

To advertise your business or any items for sale please call: 902 750 190

TOP PRICES PAID. DVLA notified. Also 4x4’s breaking. All parts available.

Distance no object. Will collect and deliver.

Buyers of all metals - Brass, Copper, Lead, aluminium and top prices paid for Gold.

Tel: 645 094 339or 950 064 763

Phone Kevin on 950 121 909 or 680 743 311

SCRAP CARS WANTED

wanted

WANTED JCB’s, Mini-Diggers (All Makes), Tractors, Trailers & all other types of plant machinery. Any age, any condition.

Cash buyer All 4x4 vehicles for cash, Mitsubishi, Landrover, Suzuki, Nissan etc Tel: 645 094 339 or 950 064 763

WANTED FOR CASH

Caravans & Motorhomes Any age, condition UK plates or Spanish LHD/RHD All considered Tel. 647 587 855 caravanantas@gmail.com

for sale

JT METAL RECYCLING Turn your old or unwanted CAR into CASH. We will dispose of in our Authorised Depollution End of Life Treatment facility.

Certificates issued CARS, VANS, LORRIES, TRACTORS, TRAILERS, PLANT MACHINERY

WANTED

Spanish or English Also buyers of COPPER, BRASS, ALUMINIUM, LEAD, STAINLESS STEEL & GOLD

TEL: 645 094 339 / 950 064 763 Mikes

for sale

Kia Sephia 1.5 Spanish Reg One lady owner from new. 123,000kms (76,000miles) Year 2000, Full service history, drives beautifully, €2,200 OVNO

mechanic

Mobile

Mechanics All types of service, repair & ITV testing. Fully qualified and legal with over 35 years experience. Ring Mike or Chris: 628 350 178 / 636 824 974

van hire

Tel: 627 279 584

fiat stilo jtd 2003 5 door diesel,ac, lhd , spanish reg , 133000 km or 83000 miles , very clean not your usual spanish cars no dents or scrapes, 3500€ Tel: 677 114 576

PROPERTY TO BUY OR TO RENT Blaumar Estate Agents Huercal Overa

advertise here!

sales@soltimes.com

Avda. Guillermo Reyna 53 Tel/Fax: 950 135 512 Mobile: 678 002 006

www.inmoblaumar.net

Villa - Reduced to €195,000

• 3 / 4 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms • 210m2 house / 6,500m2 • Mains elec & agricultural water • Phone & internet connected • Private, but neighbours nearby • Garage & Outbuildings • 3 mins drive to bars & shops etc • 10 mins to Huercal Overa

Arboleas 3 Bed, 2 Bath villa €161,000 If you’re looking to buy, sell or rent a property call us on: 950 091 137 or 616 760 409

info@indalorealestate.com www.indalorealestate.com

Your one stop agent for all of your property needs!

Legal Villas urgently required for sale

€155,000

Property For rent FOR SALE €120,000 or nearest offer

or email: margaretlevey@hotmail.co.uk

Villa in Arboleas 3 beds, 2 baths, 200€ p/m + bills

Our Ref: A1569

with solicitors fees, notary fees, taxes, 0% Commission, Brilliant.

A happy buyer and seller with Buyandsellpropertyinspain.com

950 109 699/661 433 443

950 469 592 mobile 697 640 681

e-mail info@colespain.com or go to www.colespain.com

Contact: Brian 678050359

Tel: 630 471 422 property for sale

sold!

Ref: AR606

Carly & Keefe: Arboleas Property Sales & Services +34 637 909 800 or +34 619 745 886 info@arboleas-villaresales.com Skype: arboleas.property.sales

Now an amazing €109,950 • Just Reduced.

3 bed 2 bath detached villa • 10 mins Albox.

• 120m2 build with a plot of 2000m2 • Great mountain views • Covered terrace

199.000€

200m Villa split into 2 independent apartments with own parking / gardens 5 beds, 4 baths, Gas CH, Mains Utilities.

600m urban plot Village location

Tel: 666 341 517

Duplex in Garrucha - 2 Beds, 1 Bath

Kitchen/diner/lounge, Roof Solarium, BBQ. Fully furnished, sleeps 6, white goods & Sky TV. Gated community, 2 swimming pool areas (adult & children’s pool). 5 mins to beach, 15 mins to Garrucha Harbour. Shops/bars/ restaurants. Easy reach of the new Vera AVE railway station with intended shopping precinct.

O

Contact: 607 705 085 or 687 938 466 C/Llanos (Next to the Miramar Restaurant) Bedar Open: Monday-Friday 10.00-3.30 Closed Thursdays www.olivehouse-es.com

Olive

Restaurant in Bedar

OLV372- €399,950

Great opportunity to run a successful restaurant in the village of Bedar with an amazing terrace and fabulous sea views. 35-40 covers. The business has been running for 9 years and includes living accommodation with 2 beds, living room, kitchen and bathroom.

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

‘Cast Off’......with Robbie France Another busy weekend. Another horde of people frequenting the beaches on the Costas…and another opportunity for everyone to get involved in the most blissful sport man ever invented. Sailing.

How many of you have been down the ‘playa’ and peered out to see and wished beyond wishing you ‘were out there’ sailing across azure blue seas, wind billowing the sails and yearning for a chance to actually use ‘our backyard’ and do it! Well. Fear not.

That’s what we’re here for. We’re gonna go sailing.

That addictive splash of the sea lapping the bow (pointy end) of your craft, while you sit at the stern (flat end) holding the tiller(steering thingy) and maneuvering her on to a course which, at first, noisily flaps the canvas (sail)… followed by a stifled creek of the mast (the stick in the middle of the boat) you rest a hand on the boom( the bit of wood attached to the mast, which can knock a bloke out if it get’s across a bit lively!) and then you realize…you’re under sail.

And for you lovers of the more exotic craft, (We’re talking motor boats now),we’ll be giving you all the tips you’ll need to navigate our beautiful coast safely with a series of nautical translations for steam and

sail.

We’ll be visiting the Audi MedCup in Cartagena.

We’ll be talking through simple tips to get you on your way.

That’s right, ladies & gentleman.We’re going sailing.

Cast off…and sail with us.Tight sails to all and I’ll see you next week!

Fernando Alonso to stay with Ferrari until 2016....

Spanish Formula One driver Fernando Alonso, has renewed his contract with Ferrari until the end of the 2016 season, according to a statement released today by the Italian team.

“I am delighted to have reached this agreement,” said Alonso in the press release. “I’ve felt at home with Ferrari right from the word go and the team now feels like a second family to me.”

“I have a huge amout on confidence in the men and women who work at Maranello (Ferrari headquarters) and in the people running the team: it was therefore natural for me to take the decision to extend our relationship for the long term, with what will be the last team in my Formula One career”, he added.

Alonso, who currently lies fifth in the Formula One world ranking with 41 points, joined the Italian team for the 2010 season, signing a an initial three-season deal after a

somewhat controversial season with McLaren in 2007 and a brief return in 2008 to Renault, the team with which he won two world titles in 2005 and 2006.

“We are very satisfied to have been able to extend the contract with a driver who has always shown his desire to be a winner, even in the most difficult circumstances”, confirmed Ferrari president, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo.

“Fernando has all the qualities, both technical and human, to become part of Ferrari’s history, which we hope will soon be enriched with new successes”, he added.

In his first season with Ferrari (2010), Alonso, who has not managed a single victory so far this season, ended up second overall, just four points behind Germany’s Sebastian Vettel.

35

UK Positive retail sales just a blip Strong UK retail sales figures, US GDP figures from the first

driven by warmer weather and the royal wedding (apparently), gave Sterling a lift in early trading yesterday. But it was not enough to sustain the trend once America woke up and the Pound duly gave back any gains to finish the day broadly flat. Once the dust had settled the consensus was that April’s data is likely to be just a blip in an otherwise disappointing trend. Also yesterday the Bank of England’s chief economist, Charles Bean said the bank had accepted higher than target inflation in an aim to rebalance the economy towards exports and business investment and he suggested that to achieve their two percent target would have required a markedly higher bank rate and with it a higher level for Sterling. What he was implying is that if the Bank had raised rates, the squeeze on consumers would have been worse than is now, and shows just how tight the path the bank is currently walking actually is.

No Sterling data is due today and the next important figure is UK GDP figure early next week.

A large amount of data on the US economy was released yesterday. Better than expected weekly jobs data and a very disappointing Philly Fed reading caused Dollar gyrations for most of the afternoon. The market seems to be trying to work out what the end of Quantative Easing 2 means for the Dollar at the same time as trying to guess from the data whether there may be further on the horizon – and the result is high volatility across the Dollar pairs. Next week sees

quarter so we may finally get see the market clarity of what direction it expects the Fed to pursue.

Eurozone leaders seem to be playing a high stakes game of poker with the market over the potential (or not) restructuring of Greek debt. On one side, the market is betting that some sort of restructuring, either soft via extending bond maturities or hard via hair cuts will have to take place. On the other we have EU and ECB officials suggesting any restructuring would block Greece from accessing funds because its collateral (government debt) would not longer be accepted at the central bank. Given the lifeline that central bank funding has given Greece, this is no empty threat. But the uncertainty this is creating keeps investors away from periphery Eurozone debt and Euro sentiment remains on the bank foot going into the weekend.

The contents of this report are for information purposes only. It is not intended as a recommendation to trade or a solicitation for funds. Currencies Direct cannot be held responsible for any loss or damages arising from any action taken following consideration of this information.

Information provided by Currencies Direct, leading providers of foreign exchange.

Call to find out how we can help you get the best rates and save your transfer fees. Contact the Mojácar office on 950 478 914 or 0871 218 5001 (UK) or email almeria@currenciesdirect.com

swimming pools

pool sureste sl made with “Gunite” FREE Dolphin & Seal Mosiac Design on base of pool. Ask for details.

Al

l sh & SIZES apes eg.

8.500 €

8m.X 4m. pool Repairs Terraces Pool Covers

968 461 404 - 630 810 299 E-mail: ppsl@ono.com www.poolsureste.com

LONG AND SHORT TERM PARKING ALICANTE AND MURCIA AIRPORT

Reservations 968 566 410 / 656 532 491

24hrs Alicante 656 532 725 / 24hrs Murcia 656 532 724 Email: info@planeparking.es www.planeparking.es Alicante and Murcia Dual Contracts UNLIMITED TRANSFERS Fly into Alicante and out of Murcia or vice versa Your vehicle will be waiting for you at the airport of your choice.

Available for Long & Short Term Clients NO HIDDEN CHARGES

Parking couldn’t be easier or more secure Offering 24hrs parking, 365 days a year from as little as 82cent per day Unlimited transfers Just 2 minutes from San Javier (Murcia) and Alicante Airport Latest state of the art security system Complimentary external clean We also offer a complete car care services including ITV’s

www.carsupermarket.es

We have over 20,000 square meters of secure parking

36

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

Now that IS fast!

Scientists transfer 700 DVDs of data down a single fibre-optic cable in ONE SECOND

A new speed record has been set for transferring data down a fibre-optic cable using a single laser.

Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany succeeded in sending 26 terabits of data - the equivalent of 700 DVDs - down an optical fibre in one second.

They used a ‘fast Fourier transform’ to separate more than 300 colours of light in a laser beam, each encoded with its own string of information, said the journal Nature Phonetics.

Attempts to perfect higher data transfer rates in light-based telecommunications technologies have led to significant developments in recent years.

Early optical fibre technologies encoded

data as ‘wiggles’ within a single colour of light but in recent years a number of other methods have been used to increase speeds.

‘Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing’, for example, uses a number of lasers to encode strings of data on different colours of light then sends them through the fibre together.

At the receiving end, another set of laser oscillators is used to reverse the process.

Using this method the rate at which date can be transferred is limited only by the number of lasers used, said Wolfgang Freude, a co-author of the institute’s study.

‘Already a 100 terabits per second experiment has been demonstrated,’ Mr Freude told BBC News. ‘The problem was... they had something like 370 lasers, which is an incredibly expensive

SOLTIMES NEWSPAPER GROUP

...are looking for Special People to join us...

Field Sales:

A sunshine person who enjoys meeting business people and can bring energy and purpose to the role Experience is not essential as full and on-going training is provided. Excellent conditions apply including high commission package, mobile phone & expenses.

Positions currently available in

Costa Blanca South & Mazarron a part-time telephone sales person: Working from our heAD OFFICE IN LOS CARASOLES NR CUCADOR If you have an excellent telephone manner, are organised and work well as part of a team, we would like to hear from you. Experience is not essential as full ongoing training is provided.

An exciting opportunity for the right person

Are you..? t t t t

t

C onfident & energetic?

A ble to work to deadlines?

S miling when the pressure is on?

W ell-organised and able to work on your own initiative?

A team player with the ability to work with existing clients but also generate new business?

Then we want to meet you!

Albox - Call Chrissie on 647 379 878 Costa Blanca - Call Greg on 618 530 767 Mazarron/Camposol - Call Rosemary 647 379 795 or email your CV to: rob@soltimes.com Due to a request from the owners of Dolphin Solutions the SKY DIVE will now be in aid of P.A.W.S Patas AND M.A.C.S Cancer Support!

Two fantastic charities in our local area that are desperately in need of funding!

Claire - Sol Times Scott - Subway Mojacar Damian - Lifestyle Enclosures Antas Julie - PAWS Volunteer Serge - Indigo Gym Taekwon-do Instructor Jodie - Sol Times Production Alex - Chef at El Olivo Jess - The Emporium Leanne - The Emporium Richard - SOL TIMES Production Lucy - Global Currency Exchange STEVE - The Tiler Only the people featured here are officially registered to do the Sky Dive! Any one else collecting money..... tell them to ‘go jump’ !!

Any questions drop Claire a line on: 677 993 717!!

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES thing.

‘They fill racks and consume several kilowatts of power.’

But Professor Freude and his colleagues have now worked out how to replicate similar speeds using a single laser with extremely short pulses. A number of discrete colours of light, known as a ‘frequency comb’ exist within these pulses.

Once sent into an optical fibre, the colours can add or subtract, mixing together and creating about 325 colours, each of which can be encoded with its own data stream.

Professor Freude’s team demonstrated how a smaller number of these colours could be used to transmit more than 10 terabits per second last year.

At high speeds traditional methods used to separate the different colours at the receiving end do not work. In their latest experiment, the team successfully received and unpicked data streams after sending them down 50km of optical fibre.

The Fourier transform extracts the colours from an input beam on the basis of when the

different elements of the beam arrive.

Professor Freude’s team does this optically rather than mathematically, which would not be possible at such high transfer rates - by splitting the incoming beam into different paths that arrive at different times and recombining them on a detector.

Thus, stringing together the data in the various colours becomes a simpler problem of organising data that arrives at different times.

Professor Freude said that his new design outperforms earlier models simply by creating a greater separation in the time delays.

It would be possible to place the technology on a silicon chip, he added, which meant it would be ripe for commercial exploitation.

Though the idea is a complex one, Professor Freude is convinced that it will be in demand as ever-higher data rates become desirable.

‘Think of all the tremendous progress in silicon photonics,’ he said. ‘Nobody could have imagined ten years ago that nowadays it would be so common to integrate relatively complicated optical circuits on to a silicon chip.’

LADIES REVEAL “SECRETS” IN AID OF PAWS! Jackie Miles Kirby representing Bay Radio helped create another exciting evening held at the Kimrick in aid of PAWS last Saturday. The show called “Burlesque” played to a packed house and was rapturously applauded.

Jackie brought over from England her talented and long time friend Terri Maloney to “instruct” some of the girls in the finer movements of seduction, coquettish play, fun teasing, in short, a sexy “con” which we have gradually got to know as “Burlesque”.

Terri is a talented, artist, dancer, teacher and fun loving girl. She came over to give the ladies a few tips that were quite frankly allusions to what they should “suggest” and the ladies did the rest.

Terri lives in Westgate but has a major ART studio in Margate right next door to the famed Turner Contemporary Art show which will give you an excuse to visit her and see some of her work. If that doesn’t keep Terri busy enough she also helps out at the Wild Wood charity that is keeping some of the world’s almost extinct animals—safe.

Bay Radio has some other events coming up, we will keep you posted well ahead of time. With the raving success of Burlesque that show will be returning soon. Remember to listen to Jackie on Friday´s at 2 PM for special interviews with unique characters from our area: www.terriart.biz

Ric Polansky is one of Mojacar’s most colourful residents and the owner of Polansky & Assoc (www.mojacar-sales.com). His column is sponsored by Bay Radio Costa Almería: Turre 91.5 FM and Mojacar 95.5 FM Online: www.bayradio.fm. You can read more of Ric’s writing on and on www.ric-polansky.com and www.torosbravos.es, his life long passion!

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37

MINI 'Mini' leads small car boom

It’s the car that fans of the original Mini have been waiting for – and it could be the biggest-selling new MINI yet. With stringent emissions regulations and spiralling petrol prices, the demand for compact cars is going through the roof!

And the new baby MINI is set to head a new breed of penny-pinching small cars that prove you don’t have to sacrifice style and driving fun for low running costs. Based on the Rocketman concept shown at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, the ‘mini’ MINI will expand the burgeoning brand even further.

It will create a new entry point and mark the beginning of a new era, too, with a range of threecylinder engines on offer, lightweight materials throughout and an all-electric version in the pipeline.

Our images show how the pint-sized production car is likely to look – and all those who have been waiting patiently for a true successor to the Sixties model will be pleased to see this car’s tiny footprint on the road. The ‘mini’ MINI is only 40cm longer and 50cm wider than the original, and engineers are intent on making the production car no bigger than the concept.

It will make the most of every inch available to it, though, with a space-saving 3+1 seating layout similar to the Toyota iQ’s. While there will be seats for four, the chair behind the driver will only be suitable for short trips. However, the instrument cluster moves backwards and forwards with the steering wheel to boost room when necessary.

Carried over from the concept will be the dualfunction boot, which features a conventional compartment accessed via a hatch with a drawerlike storage area underneath. The centrally mounted ‘Coke can’ exhaust is also slated for production.

Predictably, however, the concept’s Union Jack glass roof will make way for a more conventional metal top. Plus, the concept’s three-dimensional ‘handlebar’ rear lights will be replaced by simpler clusters fitted flush into the bodywork.

The distinctive door hinge spikes will be smoothed

out, too, but the exposed carbon fibre sections on the front flanks and grille will be retained. Speaking in a recent interview, BMW sales and marketing director Ian Robertson commented: “MINI will never produce a car under the ‘i’ brand – this is exclusively for BMWs – but the technology we are developing for the ‘i’ family of cars will certainly be made available for the rest of the BMW Group.”

This suggests the structure of BMW’s electric i3 city car, with its carbon fibre passenger cell mated to an aluminium chassis, could be adapted for the production car. That would strip out weight, and give it benefits including trademark ‘go-kart’ handling and improved efficiency. The i3’s allelectric powertrain would slot neatly into the MINI, too, although power would be sent to the front

wheels, rather than the rears.

Electricity won’t be the only power source available – petrol and diesel versions of BMW’s forthcoming family of three-cylinder turbocharged engines will be offered from launch. Although there are no specifics on power outputs or performance, BMW claims the most efficient petrol unit will be capable of returning 94mpg.

The next MINIs to go on sale will be the Coupé and Roadster in 2012. Expect the ‘mini’ MINI to arrive in 2014 – the same time that the next-generation hatch is due.

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‘A’ Service Petrol / Diesel ‘B’ Service Petrol / Diesel

1 x ‘B’ Service (as above + air and fuel filters)

1 x ITV (Spanish ITV) 2 x 6 month vehicle inspections All paid for over a 2 year period by standing order from as little as 12.50€ per month

Pre-Summer 10 point check. Take 20 mins in our workshop includes voucher for 2 coffees, while you wait in Cafe/Bar Almanzora next door.

1. Check tyre for bulges and cuts, tread depth, and uneven tyre wear.

2. Oil levels. Check and advise 3. Coolant level and strength 4. Cooling fan function 5. Check air-conditioning - Air temp incl. IVA 6. Check all lights, front and back 7. Check security, exhaust & brackets, etc 8. Visual check brake lines & pad depth 9. Inflate tyres to correct level 10. Road test for bearing noises, engine noises & brake function

9.99€

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MOJACAR OFFICE OPENING HOURS: Mon~Fri 9am-2pm / 3pm - 7pm Car Hire: 950 069 272 AIRCON RE-GAS ANTAS OFFICE OPENING HOURS: Mon~Fri 9am-6pm Sat 10am-2pm Car Sales: 950 459 136 Workshop: 950 459 209 €44.99 www.costacoches.com

- tyre world - tyre world - tyre world - tyre world - tyre world Fact: Second hand tyres are illegal in Spain because there in no legal warranty.

Fact: Remould tyres are also illegal as the original casing date has been removed by the remoulder, the treads might be new but the tyre itself is not - and this is the part that blows out.

Fact: T here is no manufacturer warranty on Chinese tyres.

Specials

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Riken Renault Clio Citroen Berlingo Renault Megane Ford Fusion We have offers in conjunction with our main Ford Focus suppliers on genuine, legal tyres, as follows: Renault Scenic

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Michelin Renault Clio 175/65/R14 82T 54.92€ Citroen Berlingo 175/70/R14 84T 72.51€ Renault Megane 195/65/R15 91V 79.65€ Ford Fusion 195/60/R15 88V 80.95€ Ford Focus 205/55/R16 91H 89.39€ 45.11€ Renault Scenic 205/55/R16 91W 88.15€ 49.41€ All prices include IVA, fitting and balancing 56.57€ 62.79€ We will beat any like for like tyre quotation 64.22€ on legal, new correct fitment tyres.

67.09€ PUNCTURE Repairs now available.

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38

...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES

SOLTIMES MAY 2011

sport

angling newS...with beachcomber john

ALBOX FIBREGLASS We are now in full production

Manufacturer & supplier to all the largest hardware outlets in the area...

Yes, most of the fibreglass tanks, etc you see outside there were manufactured by us!

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‘Sea Sick Steve’ has bought a great new fishing boat and I suppose I had better call him ‘Captain Sea Sick Steve’ from now on. I bet his three mates, Steve, Steve and Steve think Xmas has arrived early, good luck lads and keep me informed of fish caught.

‘Brian Cuba’ took ‘Seasick Ken’ and three of his mates out on his Garrucha moored fishing boat. Poor Ken was sick before

Manufacture and full installation of all sizes of storage tanks (oil & water), swimming pools and the new three stage cleanable septic tanks.

House and shed leaking roof repairs.

leaving the dock! and stayed that way for 4 hours. Brian gave him high praise for sticking it out. They caught weavers, combers, pandoras, blue mouths, Atlantic scad and Spanish mackerel.

See photo of Ken and two of his mates. Fish in the photo are 2 x blue mouths and a pandora.

Garrucha commercial fishing boat owners have until 30th July to take a grant and take their boats out of service. Boats over 10 years old can apply for a 40% grant for fuel saving measures which can save up to 30% of fuel used.

A big turtle was washed up dead a little way down from the Beachcomber, must have weighed over 50lbs, shame.

‘London Bill’ has been fishing in and around Garrucha for protection against

the bad seas. He says he caught nothing worth mentioning, small mullet and dorada bream.

‘Girl Friday’ is going for Andalucian beach and boat fishing licenses on 2nd June so see me before if you are interested. Bring copies of your NIE and passport documents. She is also thinking about a date for the trips to Granada to organise the next batch of Andalucian coarse fishing licenses (Without you having to do the 24 hour course in Spanish) Apart from the document copies mentioned above you will also need an in date original English rod license.

‘Baza Barry’ fished Lake Negratin and caught a small bag of carp but nothing over 3lbs. Water levels are still good and the spawning frenzy is not far off.

For further information on any of the above or to find out about beach, boat or coarse fishing licenses, see me at the Beachcomber Bar Restaurant on Mojacar Playa or tel 950 473 099.

Tight Lines, Beachcomber John

the grumpy old men of los gallardos..........................

Nigel (Production) 634 368 068 Royston (Installation) 634 306 455 Jim (Sales) 600 361 055 Unit 3, Poligono Industrial Sur, Albox Almeria, Spain, 04800 Email: alboxfibreglass@gmail.com

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happened to come across Frodo, skulking in the streets of Plymouth. She enquired as to when he hope to leave for the colonies, and was told that there were still 6 places to fill at the oars and that recent “press gang” forays had only produced some very poor specimens. He hopes to depart on the voyage towards the end of the month. I can’t wait to read his first communiqué, because he never uses one paragraph when three pages will do just as well!!! Will need to do

some serious editing, I think.

Up at the watering hole, the other night, Bagpuss’s wife, “Cuddly Carole”, was telling me, quite innocently, how, at the end of a long hard day, Bagpuss likes to relax with a large G&T before he retires for the night. While she was mixing one for him one night, he fell asleep and so she put a very small amount of the liquids in his glass and set it down beside him. When he woke up, he drained his glass and said “ That’s it then, I’m for bed “ and happily stumbled off. Discovering

this fact should make a big difference to the weekly fluid account. Another little snippet that escaped her lips was, that he has a propensity, when in the casa, of wearing her fluffy pink slippers, now this really does go with his manly image. The next time I see the young lady I will ask for documentary proof, who knows this might start a new trend in male evening footwear.

They are in the process of moving casa’s, not too far away, but a very traumatic time for both.

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SOLTIMES MAY 2011

39

sport marina golf club, mojacar............... albox darts league..............................

My apologies to Nula Hare for my typing error in last weeks report which said that she won the Ladies Division with 32 pints - Sorry Nula, I must remember to wear my glasses.

Monday May 16th: Stableford Competitionwiththemen playing from the yellow tees.

Mens Division: 1st. Dickie Hare - 36 points; 2nd. George Gibson - 32 points (countback); 3rd.

Frank Varey 32 points Ladies Division: Liz Balmforth 37 points; Margaret Budd 31 points; Sandra Edwards 29

points No “twos” were scored Thursday May 19th: The full handicap Stableford Competition was organised by Margaret and Jim Budd and played in teams of three with two scores to count on each hole.

The score of the nominated player on each hole must count.

1st Peter Edwards, Geoff Owen, Jim Budd 83 points 2nd Frank Varey, Alex Elder, Geoff paddock (guest) 82

points 3rd Bill Gill, Margaret Budd, Ken Trott (guest) 80 points Our Professional Martine gives group lessons on the driving range and the practice putting green on a Friday evening from 5.00pm. to 6.30 pm. The price is 15 Euros per person and includes buckets of balls. The lessons are not exclusive to members of Marina Golf Club, anyone is welcome. Check at the reception desk for details and to book the lesson: 950 133 235

On Tuesday last week 19 members played a Single Stableford competition, with Peter Denham in 1st place with 37 points, closely followed

by John Clements, also with 37 points, but losing out on countback. Bill Churchill was third with 33 points.

Friday saw another Single Stableford, and a clean sweep for our visitor Sean Vine, playing off 11. Sean won the competition with 36 points, and also got nearest the pins on both the 6th and the 14th holes.

Well done Sean. In second place, another regular winner of

late, Bill Churchill, with 33 points on countback. In third place, welcome back to winning ways our past Captain Bryan Brown, also with 33 points.

Today we had 22 members and 1 guest playing an individual stableford on a day that was generally overcast with a cool wind but quite warm at times.

The golf course is in excellent condition as always – the course being really lush and green.

Susie Roberts was the only player who managed a two on hole 12.

Division One 1st – Graham Swift – 35 points (back 6 – 12 points) 2nd – George Crichton – 35 points (back 6 – 11 points)

3rd – Keith Stokes – 33 points Division Two 1st – John Sunstrum – 32 points 2nd – Adrian Pinder – 30 points 3rd – Chris Risbey – 28 points Well done everyone.

my source is seldom wrong, all warm blooded males should be afraid...be very afraid. This will bring their compliment up to full fighting strength again, so there must be something serious brewing!!!

Grommet had a birthday this week and it was celebrated with a few wet’s after the bingo on Friday night. He to is moving but to the other side of Spain, Turre. He is over the moon with it’s location, not because of the views or anything like that, but because one of his neighbours is the father of a Southampton first team player, what more could

he ask for.

The bowling club has been having trouble with a fox, digging up the greens. So as a deterrent, they made a scarecrow and sat it in a wicker chair on the green. I can only think that the scarecrow was a descendent of Wurzel Gummidge, because the following morning it looked as if he’s had a very heavy night, being surrounded by empty John Smith’s cans. Not sure what the fox made of it all!!!

That’s all for this week.

Until the next time.

Tight lines.

Uncle Albert.

Captain’s Meeting - Thursday 26th May at the Regency Snooker Club at 7 o’clock.

Seven tickets for each team for the end of season presentation get together will be handed out at the meeting.

If no one attends from your team tickets can be collected from Chris Weir at the Tuck Inn after meeting during normal office hours 10am to 2pm.

Champion of Champions semi finals and final will be held on night. Venue La Vida (ex White Horse, Cucador) 1st July. Full

details at the meeting.

Any more Nominations for committee vacancy The committee has a vacancy from June when John Walker leaves as he is moving elsewhere in Spain.

Election of Committee Member(s) nominations so far Rick Wright Travellers Dave Johnson El Frax Mark Drew La Cinta New & Highlights

Dave Babb from RSC got a 180 in the the third consecutive week bringing him to a total of five this season.

John Walker from Pablos managed a 180 his third this season. John of Bar International and Simon from Corner Bar both had a 100 checkouts Mark Drew – 671 188 296 For On-line results go to www.alboxinfo.com/darts

valle del este golf society................ Cortijo Grande......

Well done to all our winners ~ enjoy your golf at Valle del Este.

MEDIA GOLF SOCIETY................................

The Grumpy Old Men of Los Gallardos continued.......................

Sometimes at the end of the evening, a look of bewilderment comes over Bagpuss’s face as he tries to remember where he is supposed sleeping that night.

They’ve not moved in yet and the ferret is showing signs of withdrawal, due to the lack of corn beef snacks!!!

I have received an unconfirmed report that the Merry Widows have called up their heavy brigade (The Panzer Corp) from England. If this proves to be correct, and

SOL TIMES COSTA ALMERIA SALES HQ: 902 750 190

OPEN: Mon-Thurs 10am-5pm Fri 10am-4pm ALBOX, ARBOLEAS, ALFOQUIA ROQUETAS, ALMERIMAR coastal & mojacar areaS EDITOR: editor@soltimes.com ~ DESIGN:production@soltimes.com

Sol Times Almeria is independent of political parties, private investment and government. Our policy is to provide readers with a news and information service that is fair, accurate and balanced. Sol Times Almeria is an independent publication. Published weekly and produced exclusively in Almeria. Sol Times News Group cannot be held responsible for claims made by advertisers, nor can it be held responsible for errors in advertisements caused by poor quality text, photographs or layout instructions. Furthermore, no responsibility can be accepted for any loss or damage resulting caused by any error, inaccuracy or non-appearance of an advertisement.

Almeria Edition AL-344-2005/Roquetas Edition AL 956-2010

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POSTAL ADDRESS: ROC PUBLISHING S.L. APDO. 242, 04800, ALBOX, ALMERIA

Wednesday 18th May 2011 at Cortijo Grande and one division.

Our winner with 35 points John Park second with 34 Alan Woodward and third with 32 Grace Ward.

Ball sweep winner Frank McGovern.

Sunday 22nd at Cortijo Grande and one division.

And a good score to win

by Bob Winter with 39 points second with another good score Alan Greenfield 38 and in third for the second time this week Grace Ward 35 points.

No ball sweep winners.

Enjoy your golf at Cortijo Grande... ...visitors and guests welcome MP

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40 SOLTIMES MAY 2011

WWW.SOLTIMES.COM

Press Complaints Commission chair claims she would have told papers not to publish story if approached by footballer The Press Complaints Commission chair, Baroness Buscombe, has claimed the organisation would have helped stop publication of allegations that Ryan Giggs had an affair with a former reality TV star.

Buscombe told BBC2’s Newsnight that if Giggs had asked for the PCC’s help it would have stopped newspapers publishing the story. She was speaking late on Monday after an MP used parliamentary privilege earlier to name Giggs as the footballer identified on Twitter as having secured an injunction to prevent publication of allegations regarding his private life.

The injunction remains in place, despite the media reporting that MP John Hemming had named the footballer in the Commons.

On Monday evening, shortly after Hemming had spoken in parliament, Mr Justice Tugendhat ruled in the

Ryan Giggs story could have been stopped by PCC, says Buscombe

high court that “this is not about secrecy this is about intrusion”.

Tugendhat added that even if the level of protection now offered was limited, it was still potentially worthwhile: “If a court can stop one person or five people [from harassing the player] – not 50,000 – is there not something to be achieved?”

The Newsnight presenter, Gavin Esler, questioned the authority of the PCC, the newspaper industry’s selfregulatory body, and said to Buscombe: “You couldn’t have helped Ryan Giggs.”

However, she replied: “We could have ... If he’d come to us, as people do every day.

We have people coming to us all the time to ask us to stop information being published.

We have an almost 100% success rate in that.

“We’ve had a desist notice going out this evening. I can’t give you the details of that.

The press will not publish what we’ve asked them to refrain from in tomorrow’s press.”

Esler added: “But I still don’t understand what you’d have done for Ryan Giggs, would you have told them not to publish and they’d have agreed?”

Buscombe said: “Yes. Yes and that’s what we do. They do agree all the time ... and that is something where maybe in the past the PCC has not been good enough at explaining itself.”

Esler then said: “You are telling us the Sun would not have published this story because the PCC would have told them not to?”

Buscombe responded: “No. The whole point is we would have talked to them about the whole issue of public interest. That is what is so important in all these cases. We stop the press if we think they’re interfering with people’s privacy where the bar of public interest has not been met we stop them ... intrusion into grief, health issues.”

A spokeswoman for the Sun declined to comment on whether or not it would have agreed not to publish if the PCC had requested it.

When Esler said it was a good day for the press, Buscombe responded: “The truth is that we exist, the Press Complaints Commission, to respond to these kinds of issues. We deal with privacy all the time.”

However, former deputy prime minister John Prescott – whose affair with one of his

secretaries was exposed in the press in 2006 – challenged the PCC’s usefulness on Newsnight.

During a heated exchange with Buscombe, he said: “Instead of the judges making a decision about what is the right of privacy and public and freedom it’s the editors.

Who the hell are the editors to make that judgment and attack the judges for doing that ... and you’ve got no control over the editors ... you’re useless.”

Buscombe replied: “We’re not useless. We’ve helped you.”

She added: “The whole point about the PCC is we’re a fast, free service for the public. Our focus is on the public and we’re more active on privacy issues.”

Buscombe said the newspaper industry’s selfregulatory body has sent out around 100 desist notices within the last few months.

The PCC received “well over” 7,000 complaints from celebrities and members of the public last year, according to its annual report, published earlier this month.

However, Esler challenged Buscombe again: “If Ryan Giggs has access to some of the brightest lawyers in the

country and he chose to go down this route, that’s a vote of absolutely no confidence in you because otherwise he would’ve used you.”

Buscombe responded: “Many more people are using us than are going to the courts. We dealt with 600 privacy complaints in the last year.”

Esler then said: “If there’s someone worried about a kiss and tell issue tonight and they contact the PCC it’ll all be fine?”

Buscombe replied: “It depends on the whole issue.

Most of the time when we get issues like that coming to us we send out a desist notice and we say to the press, ‘Look, there’s an issue here, you may be in breach of the code, you got those photographs by harassment, you’ve got an issue to do with the privacy of that family, hold back’ and they do.

“But I can’t talk about those cases because they’re private and we actually are being effective where the law is failing at the moment ... David Cameron has just been talking how effective we are.”

The prime minister reiterated his belief that one potential way to deal with the issues surrounding privacy and

freedom of speech would be to “look again at the Press Complaints Commission”, in an interview broadcast by ITV1’s Daybreak on Monday, before Giggs was named in parliament.

“If people can have more confidence in [the PCC] then we can have less of this current approach,” Cameron said.

Any move to beef up the PCC’s role is likely to focus on the editors’ code of practice, which the self-regulatory body enforces and journalists are expected to abide by. The code has sections on privacy and harassment.

The privacy guidelines state editors “will be expected to justify intrusions into any individual’s private life without consent. Account will be taken of the complainants own public disclosures of information”.

The code is reviewed periodically by the editor’s code of practice committee.

The committee is independent of the PCC and is made up of editors from national and regional newspapers and the magazine sector and chaired by the Daily Mail editor, Paul Dacre.

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