Sol Times Newspaper issue 325 Roquetas Edition by nigel judson

roquetas & almerimar

SolTimes issue 325

22-28 FEBRUARY

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Market Schedule Meets Approval

c a r n i va l c o me s t o spain Page 17

The Spokesman of the Plenary of the House, Chairman of the Committee on Ambulatory Commerce and Vice President of FECOAM (Itinerant Trade Federation) Juan Torres, expressed his satisfaction with the agreement of the full City Council of Roquetas de Mar to allow the market on every Thursday, not only on three per month, as had been happening to date. This market, which has been held near the auditorium of Roquetas de Mar, will be extended to all the calendar Thursdays of the month, according to the new municipal ordinance passed in the last full City Council of Roquetas de Mar, at which Gabriel Amat was presiding. This market has over 300 stalls, and provides the main livelihood for more than 200 families and street merchants.

Ecologists concern for reservoir

photo by Richard Davies of Aguilas Carnival 20-2-12 WWW.RJDFOTOGRAFIA.COM

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In the Urb of Roquetas de Mar, just off Avda de Mediterraneo in the square near La Gamba Toscana & Theos

The road to the Benínar reservoir is covered with residues of all kinds, mainly agricultural and debris, oils, etc., and not for the first time Ecologists in Action-Adra has denounced this situation, which demonstrates a lack of control by local authorities. After their last denuncia in March 2010 the Council installed a control system, but this has lapsed due to the financial situation. Ecologists in Action would like the Council to: Develop a Local Waste Management Plan, with program management and control of municipal waste, and to collect any type of waste generated in the municipality; create a guide for businesses and citizens, as to what should be done with the waste generated; support initiatives in the workplace to collect waste separately and/or recycle waste – which will be another source of wealth and employment; develop ways of collecting waste such as paper, provide a calendar of doorto-door collection as is done in some municipalities, thereby reducing the numbers of containers in the street. Ecologists in Action calls on the City Council to do away with the Berja municipal landfills and to stop the daily practice of dumping

future dry port for nijar

The City of Níjar has asked the Department of Public Works of the Junta de Andalucía, to rule expressly on the future dry port which might be located in the municipality of Níjar. The reason for this consultation, said the Mayor, Antonio Jesús Rodríguez, is that ‘we fear that given the response of the Government of Andalucia for another project in the region we have heard rumours of the possibility of rejection. It is decisive for the future of the town and the creation of jobs.’ The project will cover a total of 350 hectares, will generate 800 jobs and will cost 40 million euros.

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

‘WHO’ re-elects Spain to run LOCAL GIRL TO COMPETE IN World Transplant Registry ‘MISS LONDON’ COMPETITION combat organ trafficking and transplant tourism. “Very important” results have been achieved in the war against organ trafficking, said Matesanz. Despite the difficulty of obtaining reliable data on organ trafficking, Dr Matesanz explained that earlier this century WHO estimated that about 10% of transplant activity in the world “was done under some form marketing “, a significant figure when you consider that each year there are over 100,000 such interventions. The latest available data show that this figure has dropped to 2-3%. As well as forcing organ trafficking figures down, WHO’s work has meant that many countries, such as China and India, have passed laws against organ

marketing. “They have taken very important steps, which does not mean we’ve finished with the issue, the problem is enormous and is the result of the economic inequalities that exist in the world.” The ONT has also done substantial work in Latin America, increasing donation on this continent by 32% in recent years. Spain “has broken all records” said Matesanz, adding that despite the reduction of preventable deaths (primarily traffic and workplace accidents), which were “a good source of donations for twenty years,” donors have continued to rise, meaning that “the system has improved and that Spanish society is becoming more aware.”

local news.......... Almería

Three firemen from Almería suffered smoke inhalation while rescuing a person with limited mobility from a fifth floor flat in Calle La Marina. Some of the firemen were taken to Hospital Torrecárdenas, but did not require treatment. The rescued person suffered slight bruising. The room in which the fire originated was completely burnt out. The rest of the building was smoke damaged, but structurally undamaged.

Almería

The Association ‘Amigos de la Alcazaba’ is calling for the home and studio of the artist Jesús de Perceval to be protected, restored and developed as a cultural centre. Francisco Verdegay, Spokesperson for the Association, said that they ‘can not accept the abandonment of a place like the house of Perceval. Despite the economic circumstances, we can not afford to lose it, especially when there is nothing in the city to honour his memory and his work.’ This request comes in line with an initiative by the artist’s grandson, Javier de Perceval. He asked that the value of this and similar housing be taken into account when drawing up a catalogue of goods protected under the General Urban Plan, saying that ‘the progressive and total disappearance of this architecture would be a waste of our heritage and our history.’

Almería

About 6,000 people, according to the organizers, protested in Almería to demand the withdrawal of labour reform which, according to the Unions ‘encourages the dismissal of workers and which is ineffective for the economy.’ The demonstration began at Puerta Purchena and continued along the Paseo de Almeria and finished in the Plaza de las Velas. The Secretario General of the CCOO Almería, Juan Pallarés, notes that the new rules encourage further instability. They facilitate cuts and dismissals and the lowering of wages, rights and social benefits. Pallarés also warns that ‘youth is doomed to unemployment and labour without rights.’ Secretary General of UGT Almería, José Ginel, stated that ‘the Government has failed to take action.’ A second protest will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 29, and will be promoted

as a ‘European Day of Action’.

Albox

At the moment work within the Agricultural Employment Promotion (PFEA) is taking place at the Fuente Seca, on the surrounds of the Fuente del Madroño and in clearing and repairing the ditches on the La Hortichuela road. The primary objective of this work is overall improvement and reorganization. When it is completed it will improve road safety due to reinforcement of the road surface and the cleaning and appropriate placing of signs. According to the Mayor of Albox, José Garcia, ‘One of the benefits of such programs is to create jobs locally. We have based these interventions on employment generation.’ The Councilor responsible for PFEA, José Campoy, said ‘throughout the year various initiatives will be launched, aimed at the overall improvement of the sources, fencing, paving and general maintenance of the infrastructure as required.‘ The PFEA allows municipalities, such as Albox, to improve its infrastructure while at the same time acting as a stimulus for local economies, resulting in direct benefit to the public. The PFEA focuses primarily on the execution of works of general and social interest. They cover projects in agriculture, livestock, industrial and services from the building of social facilities, parks or gardens, to the modernization of irrigation, improved street lighting, and the preservation and maintenance of the streets.

Molly Houlihan entered Miss London 2012 and has now been selected as one of the finalists for the competition to be held in March at the Cafe de Paris in London which is being held by Celebrity Publicity and UK Model Folios. Molly moved to La Cinta in Arboleas, when she was eight years old with her famaily, she attended school in Arboleas for three years before moving onto Cardinal Cisneros Collegio in Albox where she studied for a further five years. Molly worked part time in Cafe bar Rumores in Albox where she was a popular member of staff, Molly also did part time translation work for family and friends. Molly went onto study Travel and Tourism and had work experience with Thomas Cook and British Airways. Molly said “ Moving to Spain completely changed me as a person, adapting to their culture and experiencing an entirely different way of living really opened my eyes to how different lives can be lead. Although I loved the nine years I spent in Spain,I decided to move back to London as I felt there were more opportunities regarding the career path I wanted to follow but Im always going to come back to Spain as that’s where I was brought up and lets face it, it’s a lot better weather wise !!!” Molly originally from Twickenham West London is hoping to win the title and a place in the Miss England National final. During the last three years of Miss England contestants around the country have raised in excess of 200,000 pounds for various charities. This year the organisers have chosen Deloitte National Charities - Cancer Research, Children with Cancer and Help for Heroes and also Thai Childrens Trust. Apart from the Judges votes, part of Molly’s campaign is to raise as much money as possible for the charities, EVERY penny goes directly to them. Molly needs your support to help her campaignand is asking all her friends here in Spain to donate as little or as much as you can. It would mean a great deal if you would take the time to visit the fundraising pages: www.justgiving.com/MissLondon2012 (to donate to Thai Childrens Trust) www.justgiving.com/Miss-London-2012b (to donate to the Deloitte National Charities) If you would like to make a donation ensure you quote Mollys name in full (Molly Houlihan) as a reference for the Judges at the final event... Thanks for your support!

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The Department of Nature Conservation (SEPRONA) of the Civil Guard, while on a routine patrol observed vehicle tracks on the road along the dam. The agents conducting an investigation, found and searched the vehicle, inside which they found a small inflatable boat, a winch, seven fishing rods and two trammel nets with several carp (Cyprinus carpio). The Civil Guard conducted an interview, during which it became clear that the fishing operation had been conducted all night. As a result of the interview the Civil Guard officers seized the fishing gear, the boat and the fish, and issued appropriate charges for violation of Law 8/2003 of 28 October, flora and fauna. The Civil Guard delivered the fish, 19 in all and weighing in at 14’750 kg to an Old People’s Home in Huércal Overa.

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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reappointed Spain’s National Transplant Organization (ONT) to manage the World Transplant Registry, a task it has been charged with since 2008. The director of the ONT, Rafael Matesanz (pictured), said the collaboration between the WHO and the Spanish transplant agency had been “very fruitful”. “Spain takes the lead in this partnership and we are on the front line,” stressed Matesanz, who underlined that country is the leading collaborator with WHO transplantation. The result of this cooperation, which began nine years ago, was the creation in 2004 of the WHO Transplant Group, whose primary goal is to

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

General Franco in a fridge art sparks controversy

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A sculpture of former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco set inside a fridge has divided opinion in Spain.

A sculpture of former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco set inside a fridge has divided opinion in Spain. The work is by Spanish artist Eugenio Merino who sparked controversy at the fair in 2009 with a sculpture depicting British artist Damien Hirst shooting himself in the head - and is a star attraction at a major contemporary art fair which opened today in Madrid. Merino depicts the general

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wearing a green uniform and dark sunglasses with his knees bent inside the fridge, which is decorated with a white and red design similar to the Coca-Cola logo. Merino said his piece “Always Franco” is meant to be a comment on how the former dictator, who ruled from the end of the Spanish Civil War in 1939 until his death in 1975, continues to make headlines in Spain. “It represents the idea that in Spain people are keeping the image of Franco alive. We don’t stop talking about him, debating about him. A fridge is where things are kept alive and fresh,” he said. He cited the trial this month of top judge Baltasar Garzon for trying to prosecute Franco-era atrocities, and a controversy over the publication last year of a favourable biography of Franco by Spain’s Royal Historical Academy. The sculpture - made of resin, silicon and human hair - was one of the most sought after by photographers, television crews and visitors to the five-day fair, which features works from 215 art

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galleries in 29 countries. “There are people who really like it, others who can’t stand it. Spain is very divided on the topic of the dictatorship,” said Merino, who was born just months before Franco died at the age of 82. Barcelona-based gallery ADN is asking £25,000 for

the sculpture. In 2010 the Israeli embassy in Madrid protested over his sculpture “Stairway to Heaven”. It depicts an Arab man on his knees praying, with a Catholic priest on the Arab’s back also knelt in prayer and a Rabbi in turn standing on the shoulders of the priest.

Spain cuts salaries of rescued bank bosses

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While debate continues to rage in the UK about bonuses, and bank bosses defend their payouts, their counterparts in Spain are taking a rather more pragmatic and popular approach, according to a report in this week’s Guardian newspaper. Rodrigo Rato’s position as a former boss of the International Monetary Fund and now one of Spain’s senior bankers would normally put him among Europe’s highest-paid financiers. But then his bank took money from the taxpayer so Rato has agreed to have his executive chairman’s salary at the Bankia group slashed by threequarters. His €2.34m (£1.95m) package will be cut to €600,000. The cut has been ordered by the new conservative People’s party government of Mariano Rajoy, which is clamping down on pay to bankers who have had to seek help from the state. “Naturally, I will obey,” said Rato, who heads Spain’s third-biggest lender. Bankia’s number two, Francisco Verdú, will also see his salary reduced to €600,000 from €2.2m. Non-executive directors will be limited to €100,000. “Bankia and all of us who work in it will, of course, comply with any government decision,” said Rato, who is also a former PP finance minister. Where the Spanish government has nationalised or part-nationalised a bank – as happened with Britain’s Lloyds TSB or the Royal Bank of Scotland – the salary cuts are even greater. The upper limit for these banks is €300,000, with non-executive directors capped at €50,000. That will be a blow to Adolf Todó, head of the CatalunyaCaixa savings bank, and Jordi Mestre of Unnim. Their wages are €1.55m and

€960,000 respectively. The measures announced by the finance minister, Luis de Guindos, will hurt a handful of senior bankers, but have been widely approved of by Spaniards. “We are asking society as a whole for sacrifices and those of us who have most should set an example,” De Guindos, former banker who once worked for Rato, told El País newspaper. Bankia received a €4.5bn loan from the Spanish government’s FROB bank restructuring fund, which has been used to support consolidation and part-nationalisation of banks. CatalunyaCaixa and Unnim were both nationalised as they sank under the weight of toxic property loans. The salary measure was part of a fresh round of banking reform earlier this month when De Guindos ordered Spanish banks to put aside some €50bn for bad loans and write-downs on toxic real estate. This will bring further consolidation and more use of FROB money. The fact that the measure was passed by De Guindos rather than his socialist predecessor, Elena Salgado, has raised eyebrows. Spain’s leading political blogger, Ignacio Escolar, said: “She made a feint at capping these salaries but her plans never came to fruition.” He noted that the head of a bank rescued by taxpayers would still earn 10 times the average wage. “In one year they will earn as much as someone on the minimum wage will get in their life, if they work for 33 years.” Rajoy has also raised income tax, especially for higher earners, and come out in support of the financial transactions tax introduced by the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy. He took over the reins of government in December from José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s socialists.

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

Garzón bribery charges dropped

The Supreme Court in Madrid has decided to drop bribery charges against Judge Baltasar Garzón, who had been accused of being paid by Banco Santander chairman Emilio Botín to organize a series of lectures at New York University in 2005 and 2006 in return for shelving tax fraud investigation against the bank. Justice Manuel Marchena announced yesterday that the third case against Garzón had been dropped because the statute of limitations had run out. Garzón had potentially faced a five-year prison sentence and a 30year suspension from the bench. Last week, Garzón was suspended for 11 years after he was convicted of breaching his judicial duties and violating the constitutional rights of several public corruption defendants linked to the Gürtel inquiry when he ordered wiretaps of their jailhouse conversations with their lawyers. The suspended High Court judge has said that he plans on appealing the case

before the Constitutional Court and even the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Garzón still faces charges of breaching an amnesty agreement, in a complaint brought by right-wing organisations, for opening an investigation in 2008 into crimes committed during the 1936-39 Civil War and the subsequent 1939-75 Francisco Franco dictatorship. That trial concluded on last Wednesday.

Manchego town reintroduces the peseta

A small rural town in Castilla-La Mancha has decided to stimulate the local economy by reintroducing the peseta. Villamayor de Santiago, with its cobbled main square and grazing sheep, is more a symbol of the traditional Spanish heartland, reminiscent of the tales of Don Quixote, than a hotbed of monetary revolution, but its shopkeepers have found a way to use the past to help fund the future. “Lots of people still have pesetas left at home,” explained Luis Miguel Campayo, head of the local business association. “We wanted to persuade them to spend them.” More than a decade after the peseta was formally replaced by the euro, Villamayor’s shopkeepers have started accepting the old currency in their establishments, in an effort to get more cash circulating in the local economy. So far, they have taken more than a million pesetas (over €6,000). “It has come mainly

in small amounts, but there are rumours that someone spent 80,000 pesetas (about €480) in one go,” says Campayo, who copied the idea from the northern town of Salvaterra. “People have come in from other towns. What we did not count on was that it would put such a smile on their faces.” Mayor José Fernández says the money has helped the town cope with high unemployment – a quarter of its 3,000 inhabitants are out of work – as building work in nearby Madrid, Toledo and Guadalajara has ground to a halt. “People come to buy manchego cheese, lamb, mutton and olive oil – the things we are known best for,” he says. At the end of each month, the pesetas are taken to the Bank of Spain in Madrid, where they can be exchanged for euros. So would Villamayor be happy to see the back of the euro? “No, I don’t think so,” says Fernández, a socialist. “We all have to stick together.”

Illegal levels of tar and nicotine found in contraband cigarettes

The Health Ministry has found dangerously high levels of tar and nicotine in contraband cigarettes coming into Spain illegally from China. At the Health minister’s instigation, numerous tests have been carried by the National Consumers’ Institute on illegal Chines tobacco imports seized by the police. These tests were done to check not only for traces of plants other than tobacco, but also to test for traces of animal products, neither of which have been found. What scientists did discover, however, were levels of tar

and nicotine well above the legal limits in Spain. Large quanitities of the contraband cigarettes are

coming into Spain from Morocco via the autonomous city of Ceuta on the African mainland.

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012 case the emotional occasion got the better of him and his delicate health. Originally from Granada, but with plans to go and live alongside his sisters in Málaga, Montes Neiro said he going to take fine art classes to brush up his skills in order to make a living from his talent. He claims to have forgotten all about the hunger strikes he embarked upon to draw attention to his predicament and says: “Life has passed me by and I haven’t started living yet”.

Photo: www.20minutos.es

His life is now going to be the subject of a book and possibly a film, although he says he won’t be narrating it “so as not to cause anyone any harm”.

Spain’s longestserving prisoner released

Miguel Montes Neiro, widely considered to be Spain’s longest-serving prisoner left Albolote jail in Granada today convinced that he was about to embark on his “first opportunity” at life and promising not to fall back into criminal ways. Montes Neiro was visibly moved as he left prison, accompanied by two of his sisters and his two daughters, along with other relatives and friends and some 30 members

of the press. “I feel free,” he proclaimed, “I’m not vermin”. The now ex-prisoner, who began a long series of sentences back in1976, said he was going to dedicate the rest of his life to his two daughters - “my goddesses”. After spending what will hopefully be his last night in prison, 61-year-old Montes Neiro, appeared at the prison’s main gate at 11.30am to rapturous applause. An ambulance was on stand-by in

After talking to the press, he walked away from the prison with this friends and relatives, until it was “out of sight”, as he had planned, then he went for lunch at a restaurant in Alhendín. Since he was first jailed in 1976, Montes Neiro had one custodial sentence after another (interspersed with six break-outs between 1978 and 1986) before being granted parole in 1994. He was back in jail in 1997 after committing a number of different crimes, escaping twice more - in 2003, after which he was on the run for three years, and the last time in 2009, when he took advantage of special leave to attend his mother’s funeral, although he was apprehended three weeks later.

Castellón airport farce continues

The main landing strip at the controversial regional airport in Castellón - which was inaugurated in April last year, but still hasn’t seen a single aircraft land or take off - is soon to be ripped up after it emerged that it was too narrow for planes to turn round. Regional officials have known about the narrow runway problem since April 2011, but have kept it under wraps ever since. The airport, the brainchild of former provincial

leader Carlos Fabra, has never actually opened for business because it still doesn’t have the proper permits to receive air traffic. Fabra, who is president of Aerocás, the company responsible for building the airport, suggested recently that it might open in May, although no official start date has been given. The private contractor hired to run the airport for 50 years is demanding that the Valencian government

reimburse the airport management firm the sum of 80 million euros for cancelling its contract. The airport has caused huge controversy since its inception. Many have doubted the necessity of a third airport in the Valencian Community and most believe the 150 million euros of public money used to build it could have been better spent elsewhere in times of economic crisis.

British drug dealer arrested in Estepona Officers from the National Police arrested two men in Estepona (Málaga) on Monday on suspicion of drugs trafficking. One of them, a 58year-old Briton, is wanted on drugs trafficking charges in the UK. The two were spotted dealing drugs during a routine police anti-drugs trafficking exercise. 78-year-old A.J.S. was found to be carrying hashish and more was

found in his car. According to the investigators, he was already known to police for his role in a previous drugs trafficking case, in which drugs had been hidden in tinned food. Police then found that there was a European Arrest Warrant out against the other detainee, 58-year-old T.W., who was found guilty of trafficking hashish, cocaine and ecstasy in Glasgow in 2000.

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

Ronald Fraser Dies Aged 81 Gifted and prolific historian of Spain who helped establish oral history as a discipline in its own right

Moody’s slashes ratings for six eurozone nations

Moody’s slashed the debt ratings of Italy, Spain and Portugal as well as Slovenia, Slovakia and Malta LAST WEEK - France, Britain and Austria were warned that they were at increasing risk of downgrades due to the eurozone debt crisis Moody’s on Monday chopped the debt ratings of Italy, Spain and Portugal and put France, Britain and Austria on warning, saying they were increasingly vulnerable to the eurozone crisis. Casting doubt over whether Europe’s leaders were doing enough to reverse the downslide of the region’s economy and financial sector, Moody’s also cut its ratings for Slovenia, Slovakia and Malta. The ratings agency cited the region’s weak economic prospects as threatening “the implementation of domestic austerity programs and the structural reforms that are needed to promote competitiveness.” Market confidence “is likely to remain fragile, with a high potential for further shocks to funding conditions for stressed sovereigns and banks,” it said. Moody’s also questioned whether Europe was pulling together adequate resources to deal with the crisis. “To a varying degree, these factors are constraining the creditworthiness of all European sovereigns and exacerbating the susceptibility of a number of sovereigns to particular financial and macroeconomic exposures,” it noted. Austria, France and Britain all retained the top AAA rating but were put on negative outlooks, a warning that if conditions worsen they could be hit with full downgrades. Italy was cut one notch to A3 from A2; Spain two notches to A3 from A1, and Portugal one step to Ba3 from Ba2. Slovakia and Slovenia both went down one step to A2, while Malta moved one step to A3. The downgrades came a day after Greece and Europe appeared to

pass a major hurdle when the Greek parliament agreed to a tough austerity package despite rioting in the streets of Athens and other cities. That appeared to open the way for a comprehensive debt restructuring and second massive bailout of the country, avoiding a default that could have sparked more turmoil in the eurozone. “The negative outlooks reflect the presence of a number of specific credit pressures that would exacerbate the susceptibility of these sovereigns’ balance sheets, and of their ongoing austerity programs, to any further deterioration in European economic conditions and financial landscape,” it said. Moody’s said it had limited the magnitude of the rating cuts due to the “European authorities’ commitment to preserving the monetary union and implementing whatever reforms are needed to restore market confidence.” It cited the agreement by EU leaders on a framework for disciplined fiscal planning as well as the measures already adopted to lower the risk of contagion in the region emanating from the most troubled countries. In putting France on warning – the country’s top rating has already been cut by Standard & Poor’s – Moody’s said Paris’s debt situation was deteriorating, and was “now among the weakest of France’s Aaa-rated peers.” It pointed to “significant risks to the French government’s ability to achieve its fiscal consolidation targets, which could be further complicated by a need to support other European sovereigns

or its own banking system.” French Finance Minister Francois Baroin “took note” of Moody’s decision, saying in a statement that Paris was “determined to pursue measures that boost growth, competitiveness... jobs and public deficit reduction.” As for Britain, Moody’s said there was “increased uncertainty” over the pace of the government’s efforts to cut its fiscal deficit due to slower growth prospects. “Any further abrupt economic or fiscal deterioration would put into question the government’s ability to place the debt burden on a downward trajectory by fiscal year 2015-16.” In London, British Finance Minister George Osborne said Moody’s negative outlook was a “reality check” for anyone who thought the country, which is in its second year of an austerity drive, could duck tackling its fiscal deficit. “This is proof that, in the current global situation, Britain cannot waiver from dealing with its debts,” Osborne added. Italy was downgraded due to similar reasons, that weak economic growth could prevent it from hitting targets for closing its budget gap and slashing debt. Spain, it said, faced the problem that the country’s regional governments were not closing their local spending gaps fast enough. “Moody’s is skeptical that the new government will be able to achieve the targeted reduction in the general government budget deficit, leading to a further increase in the rapidly rising public debt ratio.”

Euro chiefs consider bailout delay until after Greek polls Eurozone finance officials are examining ways of delaying parts or even all of the second bailout programme for Greece while still avoiding a disorderly default, several EU sources said on Wednesday.

Germany contracts while France shows surprise growth Germany’s economy contracted slightly in the last three months of the year while France eked out an anaemic level of growth, suggesting the eurozone may succumb to a mild recession with its high debtors still deep in the mire.

China pledges to keep buying eurozone debt China’s top central banker has expressed confidence in the euro and pledged to continue buying European sovereign debt, as the Asian giant seeks to shore up support for its biggest trading partner.

Britain named an economy ‘at risk’ by EU Indebted mortgage holders, high property prices and shrinking global exports represent “risky and harmful” imbalances in the British economy, the EU warned last Tuesday.

Ronald Fraser, who has died aged 81, was one of the most respected, gifted and prolific British historians of Spain. His best-known work, Blood of Spain (1979), is a peerless account of the Spanish civil war, carefully constructed from interviews with participants on both sides. Conducted with a steady and consistently courteous voice, the book helped establish oral history as a discipline in its own right. Ronnie disliked the description – “as though it were a category of historiography on a par with ‘economic’ or ‘political’ history rather than what it actually is: the creation of new sources to further historical research.” His last work, Napoleon’s Cursed War (2008), a magisterial reconstruction of the Peninsular war of 1808-1814, followed the same principle, but this time he was compelled to dig deep in the archives to find the voices and actions of common people. Ronnie was born in Hamburg to a Scottish father who worked for a shipping line and an American mother, an heiress whose fortune helped to purchase the manor house at Amnersfield, Hampshire, in which they lived after they left Germany in 1933. His brother Colin was born two years later. His father was determined that his boys should acquire the outlook of the conservative gentry. Neither of them did. If Ronnie never got on with his father, nor did his mother. She divorced him and married a New Zealand doctor. After the sudden death of her second husband, she settled down with Tom Harper, an RAF bomber pilot. Years later, Ronnie returned to the English countryside to investigate “the intimate sense of nullity that an English childhood had left me with”. In Search of a Past (1984, reprinted in 2010) connected memories of his own childhood, aided by psychoanalysis, with those of the eight domestic staff who had collectively parented him during his early years. It is an unusually gripping memoir. He went to local prep and public schools and, under paternal pressure, served as a Guards officer for a few months, after which he spent a short time working for the Reuters news agency. The world of deadlines, however, did not agree with him. It left too little time for serious reflection, and he had already begun his lifelong love affair with Spain, inspired by the writings of Gerald Brenan, who later became a close friend. After his mother’s death, and with an inheritance, Ronnie moved to Andalusia: “It was 1957 – the year, as I later learned, that Spanish agricultural output reached pre-civil war levels. Nothing in the impoverished Andalusian mountain village of Mijas where I had come to rest indicated recuperation from the war which had ended 18 years earlier.” It was here, purely by chance, that he met a young Frenchman, André Gorz, the author of Le Traître (The Traitor), an exploration of autobiography and theory. He developed an intellectual intimacy with Gorz, who was then a journalist with L’Express and was later celebrated as a social philosopher and pioneer of political ecology. This led Ronnie to Paris. The political mood on Paris’s Left Bank was difficult to resist. It was the ideas of Jean-Paul Sartre and his circle that turned Ronnie into a lifelong socialist. And it was Gorz who introduced his new English friend to Soho and the New Left Review in 1963. There he met fellow political outcasts; home at last. The magazine was in the process of being transformed, and Ronnie’s previously untapped business skills enabled it to survive. He became the business manager and later helped to set up New Left Books/Verso. For the magazine, he pioneered interviews with working people, pre-dating Studs Terkel on this front, describing what work was and what it meant to their lives. In 1968 Penguin published a collection, Work: Twenty Personal Accounts, which was unique for its time. Ronnie’s political conscience never waned. As a senior member of the New Left Trust, he would regularly ring to inquire about the financial health of the two outfits. He had two children, Mark and Jessica, with different partners – his first wife, Fern Fraser, and Rosalind van der Biek, but for the last 25 years lived happily with his second wife, Aurora Bosch, a historian, in her native Valencia. Ronnie would ring me and rage at how provincial the Valencians were, even more so than the English, but they loved him nonetheless. He was the Spanish Englishman who knew their country better than most and a very elegant and, in some ways, old-fashioned Englishman at that. He is survived by Aurora and his children.

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Europe Cold Snap Death Toll Tops 650 As 100-Car Pile-Up Is Blamed On Snow Seven people have died in Romania in the past 24 hours, bringing the total there to 86 deaths. In Lithuania, there have been 23 deaths. Deaths were also reported in Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro and Slovenia.

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In hard-hit Romania, some 23,000 people remain isolated in 225 eastern communities where more than one week of heavy snow has blocked roads and wreaked havoc on the rail network. Residents were worried that their houses could collapse under the heavy snow as authorities struggled to bring them food, water, medicine and wood.

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More than 650 people have died during a record-breaking cold snap in Eastern Europe, as officials in the Czech Republic blamed two massive car crashes on blinding snow

Since the end of January, the region has been pummeled by the deep freeze, which has brought the heaviest blizzards in recent memory. Tens of thousands have been trapped in often-freezing homes and villages by walls of snow and unpassable roads, and officials have struggled to reach out to the vulnerable with emergency food airlifts. Authorities in Russia and Ukraine alone reported Wednesday that more than 300 people have died in the bitter cold.

About 100 damaged cars blocked a major highway in the Czech Republic connecting the capital, Prague, with the eastern part of the country and Slovakia. It is not clear if there were any fatalities. Seven people were injured in two separate accidents, authorities said. Some 40 cars crashed before midday Wednesday during a heavy snowstorm 188 miles east of Prague, injuring two people. Dozens of vehicles, including a bus, were involved in a separate crash southeast of Prague, which injured five, according to Czech public CT24 television. Authorities in Russia said 205 people have died this year in the frigid cold, while Ukraine has had 112 cold fatalities and Poland had 107.

A flight instructor flew his homemade powered parachute - a motorised vehicle that flies at low altitude - making several 45 minutetrips to deliver bread and canned food to people who have been cut off for days.

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!

A five-month-old girl with severe pneumonia was taken to a hospital early Wednesday by sled and an army vehicle after authorities struggled for six hours to reach her. Romanian farmers - faced with up to 15 feet of snow in some areas this week - are concerned about their sheep, goats, horses and cows. One farmer said he dug his pigs out of the snow and brought them into his home.

Berlusconi says judges out to ‘destroy’ him

Italy’s Silvio Berlusconi launched a public attack on Thursday on the country’s judges, accusing them of being out to “destroy” him after prosecutors called for the tycoon to be jailed for bribery. “It’s judicial persecution, an endless attempt to smear me, which has turned the court into a special court which aims to take Berlusconi out of politics and destroy him as a person,” the media magnate told Italy’s Channel 5 television. Berlusconi’s legal woes returned to haunt him on Wednesday when prosecutors asked he be sentenced to five years in prison for paying his former tax lawyer David Mills 450,000 euros to provide false testimony in the 1990s. He has denied the charges and accuses prosecutors of a plot against him. “Only the prosecutors’ witnesses were admitted, those of the defence were chucked out ... Can there be worse

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justice than this?” Berlusconi said. “I am treated like a criminal,” the party-loving 75-year-old said, slamming a national justice system which he has repeatedly accused of being left-wing and has said “even blind people” can see is in urgent need of reform. Berlusconi, who remained a member of parliament after stepping down in November, is a defendant in four ongoing trials for bribery, tax fraud, sex with an under age prostitute and abuse of power, and violating official secrets. In his most high-profile case,

Spanish hostages in Algeria, Somalia are alive The Spanish government has proof that two Spaniards kidnapped in Algeria and another two held in Somalia are alive, Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia Margallo said Wednesday. “In both cases, we have proof that they are alive and the Spanish government is making all efforts to free them,” he said during an visit to Algiers. Two Spaniards and an Italian were kidnapped in western Algeria’s Sahrawi camp in October last year and are being held by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). In another incident the same month, two Spanish employees of Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) were snatched from the world’s biggest refugee camp in Dadaab, Kenya, by Somalia’s Shebab Islamists. They were later transferred to Somalia

the ageing playboy risks 12 years in prison for having paid for sex with a young Moroccan dancer known as Ruby and abused his position to protect her after she was taken into custody for alleged theft. “That trial should not even begin, because Ruby herself has always denied the things I am accused of,” Berlusconi said. “Milan’s prosecutors have demonstrated their persistence against me in every possible way, but I will defend myself,” he added.

Briton dies in Granada apartment fire A 30-year-old British man died in a fire in his

apartment in the Zaidín district of Granada. The exact cause of the fire has not yet been established, although initial reports suggest the apartment’s heating system might have been the source. The victim, whose identity has not been released by the emergency services, apparently died of carbon monoxide poisoning. He was alone in the apartment at the time the fire broke out, but neighbours believe the flat was rented out to students. Firefighters said the Briton was found about three metres away from the front door, suggesting that he had been trying to get out when he was overcome by smoke. The inhabitants of all the remaining apartments on the eighth and those on the floor above evacuated as a precaution, but have now been allowed to return home.

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ALMERIMAR & surrounding area ASSOCIATION OF ANIMALS IN BERJA....

On Sunday, 19th February, members and friends of the Association of Animals in Berja had a stall at the new Sunday market in Adra to increase awareness of the

Association and raise some much needed funds. The Association of Animals in Berja is a new society set up to raise funds for the welfare of all street animals in Berja.

They aim to raise money in order that they can arrange for stray animals to be neutered to help stop the number of abandoned stray puppies and kittens. All donations, ideas, and help would be gratefully received. Please contact Elizabeth on (0034) 648 637 419 or e-mail on ursamarine@gmail.com if you would like to help the Association and/or adopt one of the stray pups. Further details and photos can be found on Facebook – Asociacion de Animales de Berja. Left is the latest puppy rescued by the Association. “I was left on the

doorstep, the vet has checked me over and treated me. I’m called Buddy, I’m 4-5 weeks old and I’m hoping someone out there could give me a home?”

................... EL EJIDO

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10am – 1pm: Almerimar Walking Club - Meet at Mercadona

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José Alemán, the alleged mastermind of the plot being investigated by Operation Poniente has been removed permanently from his position as an officer in the municipality of El Ejido, as reported by the Government spokesman, José Francisco Rivera (PP). According to Rivera ‘it has been proven as fact that Alemán charged to the 2007 budget a total of 35.7 million and another 7.2 in 2008 for urban uses in areas where, according to reports ‘There was nothing.’ Alemán is charged with the alleged commission of the crimes of embezzlement of public funds, influence peddling, bribery, forgery and money laundering. He had been admitted provisionally to prison after being arrested during the course of Operation Poniente, but left months later after paying bail of 600,000 euros. The mayor of El Ejido, Francisco Góngora (PP), said that he had ‘full legal confidence’ that the reports made by the technicians and in the Municipal intervention to remove Alemán from the office of comptroller, even though an appeal has been filed before the courts

against the measure. Gongora has reiterated that this administrative decision took the form of a decree by the Mayor after scrutiny of the ‘very serious facts’ of this case

EL EJIDO

The Department of Agriculture has estimated 100 hectares of crops have been affected by the cold temperatures recorded last week. The sharp drop in temperatures has caused serious damage to many farms, with most damage being caused to cucumbers, peppers and eggplants. It is thought that up to 50 families have had their livelihood affected. The Agriculture Councilor for the City of El Ejido, Manuel Gómez Galera, lamented at a press conference that ‘every day more farms are affected by frost. The greatest damage becomes evident in the days following the drop in temperature.’ The Department of Agriculture is preparing the first reports of damage to affected farmers, which will be referred to the Agency for Tax Administration so that deductions may be obtained.

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Friday Golf Society Almerimar Friday Golf – 17 february

We had 48 people taking part in the Friday golf this week. It was a tough day on the course as a number of the tees were at the back in preparation for an official competition on the Saturday. Plus there was a strong cold wind blowing for much of the round. We played a Best 2 stableford competition with 2 hidden holes. First place went to the team of Jacqui Mays, Mel Moody, Joy Dobney and Frank Retchless with a score of 85 points. Last place and chocolates went to Herbert Piest, Judy McQuillan, Terry Green and Jan Ljung with a score of 66 points. Nearest the pin was won by Walter Thorley on his return to the Friday competitions. The distance was 1.75m which is pretty close but he didn´t manage to sink the putt. Thanks again this week to Luis Escorial, the manager of the Almerimar course, for the donation of a bottle of red wine specially bottled for Almerimar Resort for the winning team to drink in the clubhouse.

You can see the full results at www.fridaygolfsociety.es. If you would like to take part in the friendly Friday competitions at Almerimar you can put your name up on the entry list by the pro-shop or contact info@fridaygolfsociety.es

image courtesy of www.cordobainformacion.com

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

Día de Andalucia, a r are but significant civil r ather than religious day, is celebr ated throughout the Andalucian region. The day honours Blas Infante, the founding father of the ‘Estatuto de Autonomia de Andalucia’, which roughly tr anslates as the ‘statute of the autonomous region of Andalucia’. So, what do people do on Día de Andalucía? The answer is bound to be found in the heart of your nearest town or city where municipal bands are generally called out to play the regional hymn (el Himno de Andalucia) and speeches are made on behalf of regional traditions and politics. The day is regarded as a fiesta holiday often falling during the February half term known as Semana Blanca (White Week). Schools however do not let this important day pass without mention and celebrate the week before. At this time Andalucia’s green and white flag can be seen all around the region, with municipal bands parading, playing ‘el Himno de Andalucia’ (the Andalucia Hymn) with towns and villages providing samples of typical local cuisine....so there you have it - another reason to celebrate!

The Hymn of Andalucia La bandera blanca y verde, vuelve tras siglos de guerra. A decir Paz y Esperanza, bajo el sol de nuestra tierra. ¡Andaluces, levantáos! ¡Pedid tierra y libertad! Sea por Andalucia libre, España y la Humanidad. Los andaluces queremos volver a ser lo que fuimos. Hombres de luz que a los hombres, Alma de hombres les dimos. ¡Andaluces, levantáos! ¡Pedid tierra y libertad! Sea por Andalucia libre, España y la Humanidad.

The green and white flag, again after centuries of war. To tell the Peace and Hope under the sun of our land. ¡Andalucians, arise! Ask for land and freedom! Andalucia is free, Spain and Humanity. Andalucians want to become what we were. Men of light to men, Men gave them soul. ¡Andalucians, arise! Ask for land and freedom! Andalucia is free, Spain and Humanity.

Biogr aphy of a Revolutionary Blas Infante : The Father of Andalucia

Proclaiming Andalucia as the most fertile land in Spain, he continued to write articles promoting his cause for the magazine ‘Betica, and presented a speech at the Ateneo in Seville on ‘The Andalucian Ideal’, subsequently writing a book of the same name. In 1916, the first Centro Andaluz was established in Seville, which is today located on O’Donnell street, where the Blas Infante foundation can also be found. In 1918, the Assembly of Andalucian Provinces was held in Ronda, this was Andalucia’s first ever assembly. The official Green - White - Green equal horizontal bands of the Andalucian flag was unveiled. Variations of it were frequently used and documented from Al Andaluz and the Moorish times. Green being the colour of the Omeya dynasty representing the consensus of the people. The white was frequenty used in Eurpean Heraldry represents peace or parliament. The emblem of Hércules was inspired by Cadiz, Andalucia’s oldest city and is called “Las Insignias de Andalucía”. The hymn of Andalucia was also published. In 1918-19, Blas Infante was elected Diputado (Council Representative) for the district of Gaucin-Casares-Estepona. In 1919 he also married Angustias Garcia Pradas and eventually fathered three daughters and a son. The newlyweds moved to Seville, where Infante founded the Abante Library. In 1931 he created the Liberal Junta of Andalucia in Seville. It was in 1936, after the February elections, that the Andalucian campaign intensified in favour of the Autonomy Statute. Blas Infante was proclaimed President of the new Assembly and the following week in Cadiz, the Diputacion was celebrated with a meeting where all villages of the province were represented. The Andalucian flag was subsequently raised at the Town Hall of Cadiz, Seville. Unsurprisingly, Blas Infante’s ideals and achievements fell foul of the fascists under General Franco, and he was imprisoned during the Civil War. On the 2nd August 1936 he was arrested in his house in Cora del Rio by various members of the Filange in the early morning of the 11 August, along with two others, he was taken to the side of the Seville - Carmona road where he was shot dead. As he fell to the ground, he shouted out his

Born in Casares, Malaga in 1885, Blas Infante attended school in Malaga and Cordoba, and went on to obtain a law degree from the University of Granada where he also studied philosophy. In 1909, he returned to Casares where he worked as an assistant to his father who was employed as Secretary to the Municipal Courts. It was in 1913, during the celebration of an International Congress in Ronda, that Blas Infante presented his famous speech that started with the words “The moment has come for the privileged to die…”

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Ever gone shopping only to realise you have forgotten where you parked the car? Scientists say they are on the verge of creating a treatment that could banish this dilemma. A team from the University of California, Los Angeles, have revealed they can strengthen spatial memory in patients by stimulating a critical junction in the brain. The finding, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, could lead to a new method for boosting memory in patients with early Alzheimer’s disease. The team, led by Dr Itzhak Fried, focused on a brain site called the entorhinal cortex. Considered the doorway to the hippocampus, which helps form and store memories, the entorhinal cortex plays a crucial role in transforming daily experience into lasting memories. ‘Every visual and sensory experience that we eventually commit to memory funnels through that doorway to the hippocampus,’ Prof Fried said. ‘Our brain cells must send signals through this hub in order to form memories that we can later consciously recall.’ The team followed seven epilepsy patients who already had electrodes implanted in their brains to pinpoint the origin of their seizures. The researchers monitored the electrodes to record neuron

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activity as memories were being formed. Using a video game featuring a taxi cab, virtual passengers and a cyber city, the researchers tested whether deep-brain stimulation of the entorhinal cortex or the hippocampus altered recall. Patients played the role of cab drivers who picked up passengers and traveled across town to deliver them to one of six requested shops. ‘When we stimulated the nerve fibers in the patients’ entorhinal cortex during learning, they later recognized landmarks and navigated the routes more quickly,’ said Prof Fried. ‘They even learned to take shortcuts, reflecting improved spatial memory. ‘Critically, it was the

stimulation at the gateway into the hippocampus – and not the hippocampus itself – that proved effective,’ he added. The use of stimulation only during the learning phase suggests that patients need not undergo continuous stimulation to boost their memory, but only when they are trying to learn important information. This may lead the way to neuro-prosthetic devices that can switch on during specific stages of information processing or daily tasks. Six million Americans and 30 million people worldwide are newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease each year. The progressive disorder is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and the fifth leading cause of death for those

aged 65 and older. ‘Losing our ability to remember recent events and form new memories is one of the most dreaded afflictions of the human condition,’ Prof Fried said. ‘Our preliminary results provide evidence supporting a possible mechanism for enhancing memory, particularly as people age or suffer from early dementia. At the same time, we studied a small sample of patients, so our results should be interpreted with caution.’ Future studies will determine whether deepbrain stimulation can enhance other types of recall, such as verbal and autobiographical memories. No adverse effects of the stimulation were reported by the seven patients.

Cold baths ‘ease aching muscles, but may be risky’

Taking a cold bath after exercise can soothe sore muscles but it is unclear whether this is safe, say experts. Plunging into chilly water can provide a shock to the system and may even be harmful, researchers at the UK Cochrane Centre warn. After looking at available trial evidence - 17 small studies involving 366 people - they say there is not enough evidence to back the technique. There may well be other better ways to ease muscular aches, they suggest. This might include a spot of light jogging or a dip in a warm bath, they say. The idea behind submerging the muscles in icy water, sometimes referred to as cryotherapy, is to reduce swelling and the associated stiffness and soreness that comes with working the muscles hard. The trend started in elite level sport, but it is becoming increasingly popular amongst amateur athletes too. In the studies that the Cochrane team looked at, participants were asked to get into a bath or container of cold water after

running, cycling or resistance training. In most trials, participants spent between five and 24 minutes in water that was 1015C, although in some cases much lower temperatures were used or participants were asked to get in and out of the water a number of times. Lead researcher Dr Chris Bleakley, of the University of Ulster, Northern Ireland, said: “We found some evidence that immersing yourself in cold water after exercise can reduce muscle soreness, but only compared to resting or doing nothing.” But there were too few studies that compared cold baths with other interventions to say that it is the best strategy for sore limbs. And safety concerns remain unanswered. Dr Bleakley said: “It is important to consider that cold water immersion induces a degree of shock on the body. “We need to be sure that people aren’t doing anything harmful, especially if they are exposing themselves to very cold water for long periods.” Leonie Dawson, professional adviser to

the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, said: “This isn’t advisable for everyone. If someone had an underlying heart condition then the shock could be damaging. “And for anybody with Raynaud’s - a problem of the circulation - it would have a devastating effect on them.” She said it would also be important to ensure that the water was clean for hygiene reasons: “Some rugby clubs have a wheelie bin filled with cold water that the players will use one after the other, even if they have open cuts and injuries from the playing field.” She said, generally, applying something cool on the skin to reduce pain and swelling was safe. “It makes up part of the PRICE guidelines - Protect, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation - for managing soft tissue injury. “But it is worth remembering that some of those gel ice packs you can get go down to temperatures of minus 20 and if you go to sleep with them on you can get a rather nasty ice burn.”

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

keep swivelling those hips

Every year around 73,000 Britons undergo a hip replacement. In most cases, this is because the cartilage — which cushions the hip joint — has worn away through wear and tear. More than half those aged over 50 will have some degree of this damage. Many will resort to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, but taken long term, these carry a risk of gastric bleeding and ulcers — they may also increase the risk of heart disease. ‘Our aim is to help people maintain joint function and keep them away from surgery for as long as possible,’ says Dr Rod Hughes, a rheumatologist at the Ashford and St Peter’s Trust in Surrey. ‘But we also want to encourage patients not to take strong conventional painkillers for long periods.’ So are there any alternatives? One hope is that the patient’s own stem cells — which have the capacity to turn into different cells in the body — could soon be used to regenerate cartilage in the joints. Human trials are already under way at the new £6 million Arthritis Research UK Tissue Engineering Centre at Newcastle University. In the meantime, what else can you do to tackle hip pain — and try to postpone the need for an op? We asked the experts . . .

SHELLFISH

One of the most popular remedies for joint health is glucosamine, a dietary supplement usually derived from mussel shells. Glucosamine is often combined with chondroitin, a substance found naturally in cartilage, but manufactured from animal sources such as bovine

cartilage. Laboratory studies have shown that it nourishes cells — the theory is this helps preserve cartilage in the body. Glucosamine is also thought to act as an antiinflammatory. Vegetarian varieties are available for those allergic to shellfish. DOES IT WORK? In a study reported in the New England Journal in 2002, glucosamine was shown to reduce the speed at which damage to knee joints develops. The six-month trial involved patients taking 1,500 mg daily, and this was found to be more successful in reducing arthritic pain in knee joints than a placebo or paracetamol. Another more recent U.S. trial found that it helped reduce pain in some patients with severe arthritis, but made no difference to those with mild to moderate arthritis. Then in 2010 a review of studies on hip and knee arthritis found glucosamine made no difference.

COLLAGEN

Collagen is the most common protein found in our bodies and it is the loss of this with age that leads to wrinkles. However evidence is emerging to show it helps keep our connective tissue flexible, enabling our bones and cartilage to bear weight. DOES IT WORK? Taking collagen hydrolysate (a form of collagen supplement) appears to slow collagen loss, according to some studies. A German review of 16 studies involving 2,000 people with osteoarthritis of the hip and knee found that taking collagen hydrolysate a day for at least three months reduces pain and improves mobility.

JOINT INJECTIONS Hyaluronic

acid,

which

is found naturally in joint fluid, is increasingly used to treat joint pain. A synthetic form is injected into the joint to lubricate and act as a shock absorber. Doctors believe in osteoarthritis, the molecules of hyaluronic acid become smaller and their concentration is reduced. Injecting it into the joint replaces what has been lost and helps slow the progression of the disease. The jabs need repeating every six to 12 months. DOES IT WORK? After examining 76 trials of varied size and quality, the respected Cochrane Collaboration, based in Oxford, supported its use in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Pain relief comes on slowly but can, in some cases, last up to six months. Although the Government’s health watchdog the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has found the injections have a small beneficial effect in treating osteoarthritis, from a cost-effectiveness point of view the efficacy of the injections would have to be three to five times greater before it would recommend their use on the NHS. For this reason the injections are only available in the UK privately, costing around £200.

ROSEHIPS

The active compound found in some rosehips is thought to have an antiinflammatory effect, helping to reduce joint pain. DOES IT WORK? More than 80 per cent of participants in one study, reported in the Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology in 2005, experienced pain relief in three weeks, and 40 per cent were able to cut the number of painkillers they

Body clock ‘alters’ immune system

The time of the day could be an important factor in the risk of getting an infection, according to researchers in the US. They showed how a protein in the immune system was affected by changes in the chemistry of the body through the day. The findings showed the time of an infection changed its severity. An expert said drugs were likely to take advantage of the body clock in the near future. Plants, animals and even bacteria go through a daily 24-hour routine, known as a circadian rhythm. Jet lag is what happens when the body gets out of sync with its surroundings after crossing time zones. It has been known that there are variations in the immune system throughout the day. Researchers are now drilling down into the details. The immune system needs to detect an infection before it can begin to fight it off. Researchers at Yale University School of Medicine were investigating one of the proteins involved in the detection process - Toll-like receptor nine (TLR9), which can spot DNA from bacteria and viruses. Prof Erol Fikrig, who conducted the study at

Yale University, said they had found a “direct molecular link between circadian rhythms and the immune system”, which could have “important implications for the prevention and treatment of disease”. He added: “It does appear that disruptions of the circadian clock influence our susceptibility to pathogens.” Dr Akhilesh Reddy, who is researching circadian rhythms at the University of Cambridge, said it was “known long ago” that timing had an impact on the immune system, but this was “one of the first forays” into the reasons why. The implications for healthcare could mean that drugs need to be given at certain times of day in order to make them more effective, or drugs could be made which actually target the body clock to put the immune system into its most active phase. Dr Reddy said drug companies were “all switching onto this” and were “now screening drugs at different times of the day”. He could see the body clock impacting medicine “within 10 years”.

were taking. A more recent review, published in the journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, looked at three rosehip studies and concluded that the traditional remedy had a ‘small-to-moderate shortterm effect’ in reducing pain in people suffering with osteoarthritis compared with a placebo

COD LIVER OIL

Fish oil has long been used as a natural treatment for arthritis. It’s now thought the omega-3 fats it contains could reduce the inflammation that causes pain and swelling. DOES IT WORK? A study by Dundee University three years ago compared the effects of cod liver oil in 97 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were already taking NSAIDs. Forty-nine were also asked to take two teaspoons of cod liver oil daily. The remainder took a placebo. After nine months nearly 40 per cent of those taking cod liver oil were able to reduce their dosage of antiinflammatory drugs by over 30 per cent. Only ten per cent of those in the placebo group were able to do this.

Farrow’s Hair Design La Peluqueria

Tel: 950 643 346 Unisex Salon Arboleas

· Roots €30 inc. cut & blowdry · Gents Trim €5 · Ladies Trim €8 · Ladies Cut and blowdry €18 · Foils from €40 · Perms from €33 (fully inclusive) Farrow’s is an English hairdressers in Arboleas run by Julie, who has over 32 years experience. Julie has run the salon for 5 1/2 years now using both modern and traditional techniques. They use quality products, yet offer great prices all year round!! Find Farrow’s by the bakery, go straight over the bridge to Arboleas & head for Centro Urbano. Open Tues - Fri 9-3 and Sat 9-2 For further information and to book an appointment Call 950 643 346

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

Mars slims down Spain clothes chain

Manufacturers to stop selling bars with more than 250 calories in them

Fans of bumper chocolate bars beware - confectionery giant Mars Inc. has announced plans to cap the calorie content of its chocolate. The maker of Snickers and Twix candy bars will stop selling chocolate products with more than 250 calories in them by the end of next year on a worldwide basis, a spokeswoman said. The McClean, Virginia-based company, which also makes M&Ms and Skittles candies and Juicy Fruit chewing gum, said the goal is part of an ongoing effort to improve the nutritional value of its products and to sell them in a responsible way. The new calorie limit target means fans of the 540-calorie king-size Snickers bar might want to enjoy the big bar while they can. By 2014, it’s going to be gone, part of what Mars says is a broader push for responsible snacking. It will not include ‘duo packs’ or larger family bars, which will be allowed a higher calorie allowance because they are designed to be shared, a spokesperson said. In 2007, the privately held company said it would stop buying advertising time or space if more than a quarter of the audience was likely to be under 12 years old. Mars has also said it will reduce sodium

levels in all its products 25 percent by 2015. Spokeswoman Marlene Machut said the plan to stop shipping any chocolate product that exceeded 250 calories per portion by the end of 2013. The company has a record of reducing the size of its bars without a drop in the price in what some have criticised as a ‘back door’ price rise. However it insists the initiative is a genuine attempt to help combat obesity. It was a target first announced last year and is part of Mars’ ‘broad-based commitment to health and nutrition.’ Several media organisations, including National Public Radio, reported on the chocolate bar down-sizing this week. Mars is one of the world’s leading food manufacturers. In addition to candy, it makes Uncle Ben’s rice and Dove ice cream bars as well as Pedigree and Whiskas brand pet food. A Mars spokesman added: ‘We believe that all of our products can be enjoyed as part of a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet. ‘Our commitment to making all our chocolate products no more than 250 calories per portion reflects this.’

Lawyers - Conveyance - Tax Consultants - Accountancy wills - mortgages - insurances

• Purchasing or selling a property in Almeria? •U nsure about the tax implications when selling your

property? • Illegal builds? • Compulsory purchase? •P urchasing off-plan? Seeking to cancel the contract and recover your deposit? • Difficulties with your bank? Mortgage matters? •N on-Resident taxes applicable when you own a property in Spain? •T hinking of setting up your own business or becoming self-employed? •S panish Wills. Are you aware of the inheritance tax implications in Spain? • DO YOU NEED TO TALK WITH SOMEONE THAT SPEAKS YOUR LANGUAGE? • PICK UP THE PHONE TODAY, WE ARE READY AND WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU! • WE ARE SPECIALISTS IN PROVIDING PEACE OF MIND.

Avda. Rector Gustavo Villapalos, 12 Bajo, 04740 Roquetas de Mar Tel: (+34) 950 31 92 72 Mob:(+34) 610 31 11 30 Fax: (+34) 950 31 92 73 roquetas@delpradoandpartners-es.com

www.delpradoandpartners-es.com Alhaurin el Grande - Nerja - Fuengirola - Antequera

Mango expands to Sri Lanka

Spanish high-street clothing chain Mango has opened its first store in Sri Lanka, expanding its worldwide presence to a total of 106 countries, it said on Friday. “Mango is pursuing its international expansion and staying true to its aim of being present in each of the main cities in the world with the opening of its first store in Sri Lanka,” in the capital Colombo, it said in a statement. The low-price fashion chain launched in the Barcelona area in 1984 and has expanded worldwide since its first stores outside Spain opened in Portugal in 1992. It now has 2,400 stores in 106 countries. Its stores outside Spain accounted for 81

percent of its turnover in 2010, according to its latest annual results. That year the Mango group logged sales of 1.27 billion euros ($1.67 billion). Mango is the second-biggest Spanish clothes exporter after Inditex, the world’s largest clothes retailer and owner of high-street competitor Zara. Inditex has more than 5.400 stores in 78 countries and has profited recently, despite an economic downturn in Spain, thanks to its overseas operations. Inditex said it opened hundreds of new stores overseas last year and reported turnover of 9.71 billion euros in the first nine months of its current financial year

Children’s cereals so sugary ‘they should be in a supermarket’s biscuit aisle’, says watchdog Children’s breakfast cereals are so full of sugar they would be better placed alongside chocolate biscuits on shop shelves, it has been claimed. Consumer watchdogs accused manufacturers of failing to do enough to reduce sugar levels. The research group Which? said: ‘Cereals aimed at children were particularly disappointing, with high levels of sugar found in 12 out of 14, meaning that many would be more at home in the chocolate biscuit aisle.’ Kellogg’s Frosties came out worst on the basis it is 37 per cent sugar. Supermarket chocolate rice cereals came a close second. A high-sugar diet is implicated in rising obesity and tooth decay among the nation’s children. Overall, 32 out of 50 cereals were high in sugar, including several that are marketed as healthy or slimming options, such as Kellogg’s Special K. Executive director at Which?, Richard Lloyd, said: ‘Parents will be particularly surprised by the fact the majority of children’s cereals contain so much sugar. More action is needed by retailers and manufacturers to provide a wider choice of healthier cereals.’ He said a lack of consistent labelling across brands makes it difficult for families to quickly identify the healthier options. Many companies print nutrition information on packs, but they use different serving sizes

as the basis for their calculations. The consumer group is a supporter of socalled traffic light labels, which identify when products are high in sugar, salt or fat using red, amber and green icons. Mr Lloyd said: ‘The Government needs to encourage manufacturers to take action over sugar levels and provide consistent nutrition labelling that includes traffic light colour coding so it is easy to see exactly what you are buying.’ Nestle’s Shredded Wheat was the healthiest cereal, with low levels of sugar, fat and salt. Which? experts said they were pleased to see reductions in salt across the majority of breakfast cereals. Kellogg’s rejected the criticism, saying it provides clear information on sugar and salt levels and gives shoppers a huge choice. The Breakfast Cereal Information Service, which speaks for manufacturers, denied there was a link between sugary cereals and obesity. It said: ‘A huge number of studies show that consumers who eat breakfast cereals have a lower body mass index than non-consumers and are at less risk of being overweight. ‘A recent study looking at children confirmed that breakfast cereals are the most nutritious choice. The study found that prevalence of obesity was higher in breakfast-skippers than cereal consumers.’

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

PHOTOS: VINCENTIUS FERDINAN/cATERS nEWS

Incredible insects

This set of striking i m a g e s show the dif f iculties faced by a group tiny ants who are making a journey across a small stretch of water. The river reflects their bright orange bodies in a stunning mirror image as they make their way from one stone to another. In one photo the first pioneering ant stretches out almost his entire body length to reach the other side. Another shot shows one rescuing his friend from a watery grave. Another shot shows an ant as he appears to be peacefully taking a drink from the river. Photographer Vincentius Ferdinand, 39, captured these amazing pictures the insects in Kepulauan Riau, Indonesia, in December. ‘These pictures were taken near to

where I live,’ he said. ‘I have always been interested in ants because I find their behaviour so fascinating. The way they can all work together to produce a force for the good of the colony is inspiring. ‘I started photographing them back in 2009. I enjoy macro photography and these snaps are among my favourite because the colours are so interesting. ‘I think the orange of ant looks stunning against the grey and green background. ‘I also like the way the picture is reflected in the water below. I think this certainly adds a different dimension and I always find that I feel more tranquil when I look at the images.’ Ants have colonised almost every landmass on Earth. The only places lacking indigenous ants are Antarctica and a few remote or inhospitable islands. Their success in so many environments has been attributed to their social organisation and their ability to modify habitats, tap resources, and defend themselves.

In many ways, ants can outwit, outlast, and outplay humans. Their complex, cooperative societies enable them to survive and thrive in conditions that would challenge the individual. Ants are capable of carrying objects 50 times their own body weight with their mandibles. Ants use their diminutive size to their advantage. Relative to their size, their muscles are thicker than those of larger animals or even humans. This ratio enables them to produce more force and carry larger objects. If we had muscles in the proportions of ants, we’d be able to heave a Hyundai over our heads!

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

LEGAL CORNER WITH MICHAEL DAVIES, ABOGADO/SOLICITOR

If you wish us to print an article about a particular topic, please e-mail info@daviessolicitors.com

Q: DO I NEED A SPANISH WILL

A:YES...and here’s why... 1. Your estate will be left to the people of your choice and not to those determined by law 2. You can mitigate inheritance tax by planning the distribution of your estate. A will can be the single most cost-effective document you will sign during your lifetime. 3. You will have the peace of mind of knowing that things are in order for your heirs and that your heirs will not end up dealing with a complicated and costly procedure in a foreign country. I like the challenge of complicated inheritance work but we will never stop insisting that all our clients should make a Spanish will. Since setting up office in 1993, I have been surprised by the amount of people who have come to ask whether it is convenient to make a will in Spain concerning their Spanish assets.The answer to this is most definitely yes. In England if you do not make a will, then the law has rules, which will determine the distribution of your assets.These rules could mean that your assets are distributed in a way very different from what you would have liked. In Spain the situation is the same, with an additional factor.Your heirs will have to deal with a foreign language and legal system. All the more reasons to leave everything as organised as possible. Some people include their Spanish assets in their English will. This is legally binding, but to obtain probate in Spain, it will be necessary for the will to be translated and legalised. This is a long and costly procedure. My advice on the subject is to have two separate wills, one in England for your English assets and one in Spain for your Spanish assets. Drawing up a will in Spain does not take long and is not expensive, and will definitely save your heirs a lot of time, problems and money.Your Lawyer will draw up a rough draft, and then he will make an appointment at the notary to sign the final document. One copy is sent by the notary to the central register in Madrid. He will hold on to the original copy.You will be given a copy that I suggest you inform your heirs and lawyer in England about, and then put it in the bottom draw, with the peace of mind of knowing that everything is taken care of. At Davies Solicitors we will listen to your wishes and advise you on the most tax efficient way of dealing with your Spanish estate.We will explain in detail the tax implications of your decisions for your heirs and ways to deal with it.We will prepare a will in both English and Spanish for signature and in general we will provide you the peace of mind of knowing that everything has been left organized for your heirs. Please call or email us for an appointment Michael Davies is a Spanish Abogado and has been practicing law in Almería since 1993. He is member of the Law societies of Almería and Madrid and has offices in Mojacar and Almeria High Street.

DETACHED VILLA for sale

solar

venti

w w w. c a r l o s s a l i e n t e . c o m

carlos.saliente@gmail.com

No running Costs!

Controlled by the sun’s energy, the Solar Venti system starts and stops automatically and doesn’t require electrical input. It is ideal for houses or buildings that are periodically unoccupied. There is nothing that can leak or cause damage while you are away. Ventilation with heating The SolarVenti fan has a capacity of approximately 15 – 200 m3/hour. It ensures that the air in the building is continuously refreshed with warm dry air. Any humidity or odour is quickly removed. Surplus energy can be used to heat the building Simple, efficient and inexpensive!

“No problem” maintenance

SolarVenti is solar controlled & solar maintained, so each time the sun shines the fan will blow fresh, warm, dry air into the building. There is no running cost the system is driven by a solar cell.

free installation (for a limited period only) For more info or free no-obligation quote, call, email or pop in & see us. Open Mon-Fri 10am-3pm. Cortijo Pipa, Avenida de Limaria, 1, Limaria, Arboleas (next to the Welcome Stranger)

Tel: 968 969 962 wwww.carlossaliente.com carlos.saliente@gmail.com

Detached villa shell built up to - and including roof - 125m2 as a completion project. Secluded position, unspoilt countryside with views across orange and lemon groves to front and rear.

priced to sell Front View

75,000 euros

Rear View

Fully Legal & Escritura

• 3 beds / 2 baths - Size 125m2 • Space for pool (12m x 6m) with open views • Exceptional, uninterrupted views of orange and lemon groves to front & rear • Situated between Almanzora & Arboleas, overlooking Almanzora valley • 10 minutes to nearest town with all amenities • only 30 minutes to coast • Ideal for builder to complete internals

Must be viewed to appreciate this golden opportunity

75,000 euros

Tel: 609 199 394 / 647 379 878 / 950 064 801

It’s Carnival Time!

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

Spain is a country with a well-known Catholic tradition. The carnival is, therefore, celebrated before the 40 days of Lent as a way to let loose before the prohibitions of the upcoming religious holidays. .com

Carnival season starts on or around Shrove Tuesday, which takes place this year on 21st February. Most towns stage some kind of parade, and there is usually lots of music and dancing as well as a “Carnival Queen” contest.

Aguilas

photo: www.flickr.com

photo: www.tqn

As the dark nights of wint The carnival is a “fiesta of the people”; a reaction against abstentions and prohibitions of all types. To get er sta rt to recede, the streets of involved just submerge yourself in the carnival celebrations, let go of all inhibitions! Hardly surprisingly, during the Spanish Civil War, General Franco abolished the Carnival in rebel areas. Aguilas are filled with colour, And after the war, of course, there was still much opposition to the Carnival, so Franco abolished it once laughter and music when the again from 1937. However, in true Spanish style, the celebrations continued in Cadiz and some other towns annual carnival hit town . namely: Ayamonte, Isla Cristina, Fuentes de Andalucia, Trabujena, and Benamahoma. Culminating on the In today’s Spain, carnival is a perfect opportunity to celebrate life! last night, Saturday 25 th, as hundreds of brigh tly costumed revellers pa rade thr ough in est thi bigg s the of one ch is arm ival carn ing lva The Hue sea sid an e mbi to wn Colu the to as wn the kno is so and un d of Andalucia whistles, cheering and liv her Carnival, in honour of Christop ely lva to music. Columbus, who sailed from Hue

Huelva

The City of Jaen organi ses a full calendar of carnival events. This is a carnival with six centuries of history behind it with a man named Condestable Iranzo credit ed with founding the Cádiz Carnival is undo event. As in other areas, ubtedly the largest it was prohibited for and mo st prominent on mainla many years during Franco nd Spain, ’s rule of Spain, but almost world famous! Outsid today the Jaen Carnival e of Cádiz is going strong. capital, carnivals take pla ce throughout the province. The Puerto de Santa María carnival, for example, is a major event. This town is most famous for its “Co mparsas” (singing te to dedica groups) and many of the ville is known m Se also par ticipate in of ty l ci al e Th ions with the big provincial contes rnival celebrat t held at the Teatro s ce an m February to ca rfor Falla in Cádiz. As in oth and dance pe er places, everyone the usual song ival that ’s dresses up for the rn ca s n’ re ild ch a fes tiva so ls and there is a al is e er of and th e town parade on the last day. e weekends! Th th on d le du sche lle province is Pedrera in Sevi carnival with known for its ge dressing up the entire villa sday for the on Ash Wedne urial of the traditional “b sardine”.

photo: www.noo zhawk.com

Jaen

Huelva discover the New World. The co’s Fran ng duri n dow d close carnival start to s year few a took it and on prohibiti took it up again, even after democracy over until e, efor ther not, was It try. the coun a 1983 that this carnival re-started after s a long sleep. Like Cádiz, Huelva host es major contest for all the different genr to wn of carnival singers and has been kno ps! grou rent diffe 70 attract up to

Cadiz

Seville

Lundgren www .pbs

.org

usually a Carn The Granad includes a week and lasts about sts that nging conte the usual si other an the theatres d of activity in are held in petisers ty en pl so al its “tapa” ap is r e fo er s h u T o m fa is venues. at th ng a parade. nada (a city arge), includi ch a tr ex streets of Gra o n ny drinks at that accompa

photo: Justin

Granadivaal

LONG AND SHORT TERM PARKING ALICANTE AND MURCIA AIRPORT

Reservations: 966 840 289 / 65 65 32 490 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. Also available for short Term (small fee applies)

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

ADVERTISING FEATURE

More Spanish holiday home owners are looking to rent out their properties this summer with data showing that the supply of holiday rental accommodation in Spain grew sharply in the last quarter of 2011, according to a report from www.propertycommunity. com

Demand from holiday makers has stayed strong, according to the UK’s largest holiday home rentals website HomeAway. Its latest report shows that Spain is the tenth best performing market in terms of growth in inventory on its website, the first time the country entered the top ten last year. Due to the tough resale market in 2011 it would seem more Spanish holiday homeowners looked to rent out their properties to help cover costs, it suggests. Now, as property prices are largely thought to have bottomed out, Spain is again becoming one of the most attractive investment options for Brits. The country also performed well on the demand side too. Overall, booking enquiries for Spain in 2011 were up 27% compared to 2010 and Malaga was the fifth most popular destination for holidays in the last quarter of the year. On the other hand, after rapid growth and a promising performance in 2010, Morocco, Egypt and Turkey all saw booking enquiries fall following the Arab Spring. Meanwhile, eurozone countries recovered as people switched back to traditional destinations to take advantage of the good exchange rate and stable environment.

Based on a survey by Home Away this January, some 56% of respondents said they’re planning a trip to the eurozone this year to profit from the strong pound. The rising star in Europe during the last part of 2011 was Croatia, which experienced a 35% increase in property listings at the end of 2011 compared to the same period the previous year, as well as strong increase in booking enquiries. The company said that it expects the Croatian property and travel markets will grow even further this year, as the country benefits from more UK flight arrivals and gets set to join the European Union in July 2013. Both Monarch and Ryanair have announced new routes. Monarch has announced flights from London Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester to Dubrovnik, while Ryanair has also established a brand new route for 2012.

BUYING, SELLING OR RENTING YOUR PROPERTY...

Julio

Contact: 607 705 085 or 687 938 466 C/Llanos, Bedar

Tel:

674 711 137

Cantoria: Two houses fully refurbished. Two wood burners, swimming pool, 180m2 build..

(Next to the Miramar Restaurant) Open: Monday-Friday 10.00-3.30 Closed Thursdays

www.olivehouse-es.com

OLV415 Vera

Olive

This modern 4 bedroom villa with pool is set in 5,000m2 of countryside just a few minutes drive from the popular town of Vera.

106,000€

It is great value at this price.

Tel: 958 003 391 or 784 6000 900 To Rent (0044) Ideal as a large family home with business potential

4 bed, 2 bath unfurnished villa with kitchen/diner, lounge, conservatory & jacuzzi. Also a separate furnished apartment with large kitchen/diner, lounge, bed and bathroom and a seperate, furnished, studio apartment with kitchen and own garden. Overlooking Arboleas village. WiFi available if required.

600€ per month

299,000€

Julio

Tel:

674 711 137

Fines: Totally reformed, large 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom property 1st floor 116m2, lounge/diner/kitchen with new fitted appliances, rejas.

46,000€

LONG TERM LET 4 BEDS, 2 BATH VILLA IN VERA CAMPO 5MINS DRIVE FROM VERA TOWN

VERY TRANQUIL AND PRIVATE WITH GOOD VIEWS ~ FIRE PLACE, AIR CON, POOL,MATURE GARDEN, ROOF TERRACE, GARAGE

€700 PCM + BILLS

CALL: 603 768 835

Villa for sale ideal for builders to complete internals fully legal & escritura beautiful location

75,000€

must be viewed Telephone: 609 199 394

Equestrian Properties Urgently Required icasainfo@gmail.com

...CALL 902 750 190 OR 950 121 936 ~ EMAIL: SALES@SOLTIMES.COM

Photo: www.holiday-rentals.co.uk

Spain & Croatia Popular For Holiday Home Rentals In 2012

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

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 Vera Playa

€95,000

Mojacar Playa

€99,000

mojacar playa

€105,000

palomares

€105,847

reduced

2 bed / 2 bath Fully furnished Penthouse Apartment. Parking place. Large terrace. Lift. Indoor & outdoor pools. Ref. 1022

bedar

€110,000

reduced

3 bed / 1 bath newly renovated village House close to all amenities & parking. Coastal & village views. Ref 1486

La Alfoquia

€114,950

3 bed / 2 bath semi-detached Townhouse. Immaculate condition. Plot 107 m².Car port. Many extras. Communal pool . Ref. 1051

mojacar playa

€119,000

1 bed / 1 bath Penthouse Apartment. Private garage. Fully furnished. Communal pool. Unrivalled Sea views. Ref. 1398

5th floor 2 bed / 1 bath Apartment within 300 meters to promenade. Terraces. Sea views. Lift, communal pools. Ref. 1139

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

Turre

€120,000

mojacar playa

€120,000

3 bed / 2 bath Townhouse + 2 bed / 1 bath Guest Accommodation. Jacuzzi. Private parking. A/C. Ref. 1104

Mojacar Playa

€110,000

reduced

2 bed / 1 bath fully furnished ground floor Apartment near beach & commercial centre. Underground parking. Ref 1460

mojacar playa

€118,000

reduced

2 bed / 1 bath south facing linked Bungalow with terraces & large solarium with sea views. Near communal pool. Ref 1450

vera playa

€139,000

2 bed / 2 bath fully furnished Apartment. Private garage. Large terrace with beautiful sea views. Communal pool. Ref. 1400

3 bed / 2 bath Townhouse set on a quiet residential street. Fully fitted kitchen. Terraces & parking area. Ref. 1063

2 bed / 1 bath sea facing fully furnished Apartment in front of the beach. Terrace. Communal pool & gardens. Ref. 1023

3 bed / 2 bath Fully furnished Townhouse. Parking place. Garden & Terraces. Indoor & outdoor pools. Ref. 1026

mojacar Playa

Mojacar Playa €165,000

mojacar playa

€150,000

€167,000

€195,000

reduced

3 bed / 2 bath south facing Townhouse. Underground private parking. Fully furnished. Front line complex near commercial centre. Ref 1405

2 bed / 2 bath sea facing Townhouse with private garage within 200 meters from the sea. Communal pool. Ref 1009

2 bed / 2 bath south facing Apartment within meters to beach. Private parking. Fully furnished. Communal pool. Ref 1472

3 bed / 3 bath Townhouse with garage & private gardens. Community with pool & tennis court near beach . Ref 1004

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.

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

Spain is most popular place Rents Up by 0.8% in January for currency transfers undobutedly caused fear to spread, but for those considering buying property abroad, the reduction of the value of the single currency means a place in the sun is now once again a worthwhile investment. However, some firms say France is still more popular than Spain on their books. “We observed a higher amount of interest, in 2011, for France than in Spain,” said William Poole, of FC Exchange. “This is in line with research by uSwitch.com. “But in the second half of 2011, we did see a 24 per cent increase in the amount of high value transactions to Spain when in comparison to the first half of the year. This would indicate that although France is still the most popular option for overseas property purchases, Spain is looking ever-more interesting to expats.” The firm also saw an increase in the repatriation of funds to the UK – 65 per cent in December 2011, compared to 41 per cent in January 2011. “With 2012 seeing the pound trade consistently around 16 month highs against the single currency, there is every chance that we will see a further increase in property being purchased in the eurozone,” Mr Poole said. In general, investors should rest assured that unrest in the eurozone should not necessarily hold up property purchases. “There is a lot of confusion and scaremongering going on in the euro at the moment,” said Mr Haynes. “But, in spite of this, overseas property buyers should rest assured that the single currency devaluation will mean that they will currently be able get more than eight per cent more for their money than if they were buying euros in July last year.”

The increase in rental rates stands at 1.2 points below the overall CPI, which started the year at 2% and was just 0.1% higher than in December. Navarra and Murcia were the only two regions to lower their rents, both by 0.4%, while the biggest increases were experienced in the Basque Country, with an increase of 1.6%, followed by Catalonia and Asturias, both with 1.3%, and Andalusia, with 1.1%. Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha and Melilla all had increases of 1%, while Galicia recorded a rise of 0.9%. Next came Cantabria (0.8%), the Canary Islands (0.7%), Aragon

UK Offshore Centres Under Attack Again?

January was a very positive month for the major equity markets as they enjoyed a strong start to 2012. The FTSE 100 index posted its best monthly performance since October and European shares had reached a 6-month high by 1st February. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 indices recorded their best start to the year since 1997. The MSCI Emerging Markets index posted a gain of 11%, the best start to a year since

2001. High yield bond funds also recorded strong inflows. Fears surrounding Italy or Spain being dragged down by the Eurozone crisis subsided. The risk associated with holding Italian and Spanish government bonds decreased and this increase in sentiment was reflected in the strong equity market performance. Decisive policy decisions by central banks

have helped improve sentiment. The European Central Bank’s injection of €489 billion into the banking system in December helped boost liquidity and remove some financial risks in the region. The US Federal Reserve Bank has adopted a very transparent stance and recently announced an extension to their ‘lower for longer’ interest rate policy. Over January we also saw a variety of policy measures in emerging markets aimed at

(0.6%), Extremadura (0.6%), the Balearic Islands (0.5%), Valencia (0.4 %), La Rioja (0.4%), Madrid (0.3%) and Ceuta (0.3%). Apart from the regions of Navarra and Murcia, rents fell in the provinces of Alicante (-0.6%), Castellon (-0.3%), Almeria (-0.2%) and Ávila (-0.1 %). In contrast, the highest increases were found in Guipúzcoa (2.5%), Palencia (1.8%), León (1.8%) and Cádiz (1.7%). As far as the costs for house maintenance were concerned, El Mundo reported that prices rose 1.6% year-on-year, which is four percent less than the overall index, and remained stable for the month of December. The revision of rental income is usually associated with the general CPI as the Housing section of the Consumer Price Index does not reliably reflect the fluctuations of the real estate market. photo: www.flickr.com

Spain remained the most popular destination in terms of volume of currency transactions in 2011, with favourable FX rates on the euro likely to encourage even more expat investments this year, according to a report in the Telegraph. Research from Currency Index showed that large volumes of currency were exchanged, for example by investors and those buying property overseas or transferring money to new accounts in Spain, the US, the UK and France. But the company expect investments to pick up even more in 2012, with current calculations showing that expats can get eight per cent more for their money than they would have dnoe buying euros in July last year. Almost a quarter of all FX transactions in 2011 (24.99 per cent) were sent to Spain, which reinforces the country’s appeal as a top holiday and second home destination. However, while France took the third spot with 14.83 per cent of all transactions followed by the US in fourth place at 9.01 per cent, one of the most surprising results was the volume of transactions sent to the UK last year – with 18 per cent of all transactions made going back to Britain. “This is most likely a result of people returning home from overseas or in a few cases sending currency to UK-based euro accounts,” said Robin Haynes, managing director of Currency Index. “In Q4 2011, there was a 15 per cent increase in people bringing money back to the UK, probably due to the euro crisis which sparked panic and saw people moving money back to locations seen as safe havens.” The eurozone sovereign debt crisis has

According to data from the National Statistics Institute, in a report featured on www.kyero.com, the average price of renting a home in Spain increased by 0.8% in January compared with the same month the previous year.

by BILL BLEVINS, FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT - Blevins Franks

maintaining demand and growth. Further encouragement came from the increasingly better performance of the US economy. In Europe the economic data was less bad than feared, with better data from Germany in particular. Risks within Europe do of course still exist, as do challenges to growth, but the positive news is that Europe is not falling apart at the seams as predicted by some late last year. Where next?

Until there a more definite resolution to the Eurozone crisis we can expect some more volatility and sideways trading, but let’s not forget that markets are forward looking and have the ability to rebound strongly once a bottom has been hit. There is a lot of money sitting in cash waiting to be invested. These views are put forward for consideration purposes only as the suitabilityofanyinvestment is dependent on the

investor’s objectives, time horizon and attitude to risk. Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Seek personalised advice from a professional wealth manager like Blevins Franks.

To keep in touch with the latest developments in the offshore world, check out the latest news on our website www.blevinsfranks.com

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

Does your living room need updating but you don’t know where to start? You want to work hard at getting it right but the result has to look as though it’s been thrown together in five minutes, right? So where do you start? Inspiration Start with a fabric you love and then worry about what to do with it! Whatever you choose, this will form the basis of your colour palette for the room and gives you something to build on.

Highlight! Use ‘pattern’ to pick up colours; patterned fabrics are great for dressing up a room and giving it a fresh look and can be used to cover furniture or parts of furniture, from a chair cushion to an entire sofa.

the walls but can make a feature of an armchair. Similarly, a small-scale pattern could add a delicate look to a large room or make a smaller room appear more spacious. Try taking samples of fabric and placing them in different areas to get an idea of how it will look.

Texture Texture is important when building a room because it adds homely ‘layers’ and movement. Textures to

consider include velvet; sheer; fake fur; suede; leather; flocked cottons and silks; chenille or crewel.

Easy Does It A successful room needs balance; too much of one colour, pattern or texture and a room can look busy and you don’t want this for your main living space. The trick is to blend well, so offset a small-scale pattern with a large-scale one nearby. Use neutral tones to break up brighter colours & remember – less is more!

Balance

Dos and don’ts

Create a floor plan – it doesn’t have to be a professional job - you just need to be able to see where windows, lighting and furniture are positioned, helping you to decide which fabrics work best where. If you keep large objects, such as the sofa, in a fairly plain fabric - particularly if the room is small – you then have the perfect canvas for colourful accessories such as cushions and throws.

Do... use magazines for inspiration. Tear out pictures of furniture items, rooms, colours and patterns and create your own mood board which you can use as a point of reference. ...have furniture of varying heights to add interest to a room and create a homely effect. ...place lighting at different levels in the room. A combination of uplighters, table lamps and standard lamps will add warmth and atmosphere. D o n’t...w o r r y about what your friends will think - this is your room so please yourself, literally!

Bold or Delicate? Consider the scale of the pattern when deciding its use; a larges c a le patter n m a y be too much for a small living room if u s e d on all

Don’t be afraid of colour or patterns... have fun! You can a lw ay s change it back again!

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LITTER, LITTER EVERYWHERE!

Report by TONY MATTHEWS

Over the last five months (20 weeks in fact) I have been trying, with some success I might add, to ‘clean up’ some of the most litter-strewn areas of Almeria province – namely Turre (the worst), parts of Mojacar, off the playa (second worst), Garrucha (near Buganvillas roundabout and on road through to Villaricos), Vera (side roads off the main highway) and Los Gallardos. Some parts of Turre are still looking decidedly filthy. I’ve sent letters to the respective Mayor of all each of these five towns, have had two meetings with an English councillor (Jessica Simpson) and have also called to see the head mistress/ governor of Turre school, asking her, if possible, to inform the children NOT TO DROP LITTER and pick it up on their way to or from school or both! The roads around this specific school have quite a bit of litter on them, some of it paperwork belonging to pupils! I have noticed, so too have many my helpers, that builder’s waste is fast becoming an eyesore. This is totally out of order. Surely they can find a designated area to toss away their unwanted materials, rather than dump on the side of a cemetery, near a golf course, even on a main road. What’s the matter with these people?

As for the other litter louts, there are enough official rubbish bins (black, green, blue and even white) available - over 800 covering the towns mentioned earlier, with 400 alone in and around Mojacar playa and the pueblo. So why not throw your rubbish in these instead of elsewhere? Keep the place clean – please! I’m sure you don’t want rats, cats, stray dogs, a few wild boar, foxes, even scavenging through the rubbish YOU’VE left lying around.... because this is what’s happening right now! I’m hoping – keeping my fingers crossed – that I might, just might, be getting through to the local councils (with the help of Jessica). And hopefully in mid to late March there will be one clean-up day (perhaps on a Sunday 10noon) when we can ALL get out there and help clean up the place before Easter. Watch this space.

Sponsor A Dog Appeal During the last two years, The Dog House Foundation has taken into its care many dogs with disabilities and medical conditions, which, through no fault of their own, will probably never be lucky enough to find a permanent ’forever home.’ To help with the care of these dogs, The Dog House Foundation is putting in place the facility to Sponsor A Dog. Money donated through this scheme, will go towards those dogs in our care that for one reason or another, will probably live out the rest of their lives in the care of the centre. Below are listed just a few of the dogs you could help: Dannyboy, Nelson, Coco, Rufus, Jake, Kiara & Amber. By donating JUST 10 Euros a month to the care of these dogs, you can help them receive the medication, grooming and specialist socialising that these dogs require to help them hopefully one day, be the

lucky one to be re-homed. The centre also has in its care many dogs who have reached a certain point in their lives where re-homing them is more difficult, due to their age. Many of these dogs are ex-hunting dogs, faithful to the end to their masters, having worked tirelessly for their masters, only to be kicked out, or worse, when their working life has come to an end. Despite the mistreatment, these dogs are loving, loyal and their only requirement is for someone to love them again, and let them live out their days in a ‘forever-home’ safe secure and loved.

Please help all these dogs by donating, volunteering or perhaps even offering them a loving home. Your Sincerely. Paul Mr.P Tighe Chairperson.

The Living Water Church had inspiration for singing from David Ian Weir playing the Highland Pipe supported by Brad from Wales on the keyboard at the Sunday service on the 19th. of February. The duo played the Welsh hymn,” Hyfrydol” and the vigourous “To God be the Glory”. Excellent supporting harmony was given with the keyboard in various rhythmic styles and a saxophone stop enriched the tuned pipe using an enhanced Niall competition pipe chanter. The congregation of over thirty found singing powerful and inspìring. A short address was given by David Weir on the evolution of the pipes from the Siver Pipes of Ur of the Chaldees and the uniqueness of the pentatonic scale through to the Hebrew CHALIL pipe with the continuation of the present bagpipe pentatonic three octave scale - David Ian Weir

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My Third Ear ‘The Dog That Is Not Ours’ insists on living with us for at least some of the 24 hours that make up the day and night. Some days she disappears off with her friends, who wait for her outside our gates with all the stoic patience of members of the public lining the route of a walkabout by Royalty. Some days she is gone all day. Other days, especially when the weather is iffy, she disappears into the campo just long enough to do what a dog has to do before returning, pleading hypothermia, and going back to bed. But without fail, no matter where or for how long she has gone, she is there at sundown. Before the weather went Siberian we endeavoured to keep her outside in her fully weather proofed luxuriously upholstered detached palace, but she quickly showed us the error of our ways by barking at regular intervals throughout the night. Had she been a human baby I would have accepted getting up 3 or 4 times a night to sush her, but with babies broken nights are a phase, whereas dogs, who spend much of the day asleep, can afford to spend most of the night vocalising their opinions. So in the interests of my sanity she was brought in at night and the Biggs household, con perro, slept the sleep of the innocent once more. Then she suffered a kidney infection and her bladder, which had previously had the capacity of a camel’s hump, would need emptying before daybreak. She solved this problem by creeping into the bedroom, standing in the doorway and licking her lips with an almost inaudible smack. I would be out of bed and opening the front door in a sort of reflex action, which has been fine tuned to

viewpoint

perfection over many years of attending to the needs of animals during the night. That tiny noise, a signal of need, would be tuned into my ever wakeful subconscious and, no matter how deeply I may be sleeping, my body would respond and get me to the front door before Lake Superior is released onto our bedroom floor. I have an ear that is tuned to discern even the quietest of sounds if they signify the need of immediate human intervention, yet I can sleep through storm and tempest! It’s a variant on the old joke ‘How many ears has Davy Crockett?’ ‘Three – a left ear, a right ear and a Wild Frontier.’ I also have three ears – a left ear, a right ear and a Dog Ear!

By Jos Biggs josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk

No worries, leave it to the Israelis I have been waking up recently with the stone of uncertainty deep down in my stomach. You know that stone, it’s the feeling you get when there is something distressing that is eating away at you, or when you have a particularly nagging worry in your life. It’s only a smallish pebble admittedly – not the full size brick that you experience when the UK tax man is investigating your affairs, or when you suspect the boil on your bum could be the first signs of smallpox – but it’s there all the same. Look, life is good. We are still able to put food on the table or eat out pretty much wherever and whenever we like. Apart from the niggling little aches and pains and the limp, we are both in reasonable health as far as I know and we don’t have black mould in the undies drawer. The faithful Peugeot is still motoring on like a five year old - well it is a five year old actually – and the Torrevieja chapter of the Hells Angels haven’t moved in next door. I doubt if they would have us for neighbours. So

what exactly can it be that I find so worrying? It’s all very worrying. I have had a good thunk about this and have come to the conclusion that it can be nothing more than the minor aggravations of modern day living that are giving me this early morning disquiet. I mean, yes, there is always the nuisance of mindless bureaucracy, that is part of Spanish life hanging over our heads and the possibility that the washing machine may decide to go on permanent strike, or even that one of the cats will return home minus yet another collar . . . We have spent a fortune on ritzy little shirts for our two, along with engraved discs that state name rank and number and informing anyone who finds it along with the attached moggie, that he has indeed been micro chipped. Then there is also the concern that comes with the knowledge, if you are pulled over by the Guardia - no matter that your paperwork is in immaculate order, with your motor in a similar condition and you are wearing the regulation footwear with backs to your shoes - they will find something to fine you for as sure as huevos are huevos; even if it’s for playing Steppenwolf on the car stereo. But all of these things are no more than

By Colin Bird badbirdnow@gmail.com

mere irritants in the scheme of things and are common to all of us. But no, on further reflection I find that it can only be this trifling everyday stuff that I am inexplicably getting into a state about, after all I even worry about the 0.1% of germs that no household cleaner is able to tackle for goodness sake. And then it hit me. It’s precisely because I have no major issues in my life that I have reverted to agonizing about these inconsequential and mundane things. It’s all part of human nature I guess, that no matter what our status in life or however comfortable we become, there is always something we find to worry about. Not enough money and how to get more, or too much money and how to keep hold of it – they are simply opposite sides of the same coin. There isn’t likely to be an air raid at any time in the near future and I don’t need to fret about contracting the flu this winter and die in a puddle of sweat and other bodily fluids, because the miracle of modern day science has ensured that with my annual jab, this will not happen. The great plagues of history have been all but eradicated and if the roof blows off tonight, I am secure in the knowledge that my house insurance will cover the cost of putting a new one back on. The sad fact is, we have never been able to shake off

the curse of worry; it’s inbuilt, we are programmed to torment ourselves silly over what would have appeared to our parents as petty and trivial. From the time when man’s biggest concern was bringing home the woolly mammoth steaks without ending up as dinner for a T Rex in the process, it has been imprinted in our genes. That’s why we have stress counselling and life coaches, to help the pampered classes cope with the worry of having no worry – at least not those worries that are worth worrying about . . . if you see what I mean. But have no fear, when the Israelis decide soon, to end Iran’s nuclear programme with a few well placed missiles of their own, we will all have more than enough to worry about.

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

oh, by the way....

Reality television! Well, in the first place anybody who has a life will know that reality shows have nothing to do with reality. They are in general staged and feature characters with complete lack of social and common sense. The latest of these shows, flickering through the Spanish airwaves, is called “¿Quien quiere casarse con mi hijo?” (Who will marry my son?) How daft! I mean, any young women with just a quarter of a brain, would decline the offer. But of course, appreciating the considerable diversity of the human specie, the producers of the show seem to have found some candidates. Without going into details – cannot do, because I admit I have only watched clips from the show as more than a couple of minutes viewing would leave my brain numb – the show has reached the point, where the mothers are showed footage from their sons first dates with the candidates. My, my! They are young bucks, so the mommies are shown some raunchy scenes. The looks of shock on these mother-in-law-from-Hell’s faces are hilarious – I mean, how did they get their offspring? Were they delivered by a stork? Style and dignity cannot be bought; they are qualities one is born with. I have recently found out that Spain is the home of one of the world’s super-rich. According to Forbes’s list of the World’s richest people, the founder of Inditex and owner of the Zara chain of shops, Amancio Ortega from Galicia in northern Spain is the 7th richest man in the world. You never really hear anything about the family or read about them in the sensational press, even if the daughter, Marta, counts Athina Onassis and Carlota Casiraghi among her close friends. How come they are not in the gossip-press? You just need to look at them to understand why. Amancio looks like anybody’s neighbour, like a typical down-to-earth village dweller that enjoys growing his own vegetables. I do not know whether or not he grows his own vegetables, but used as a metaphor we all know that there is not much excitement about cucumbers and tomatoes – even if there is a millionaire involved. Has Sarcozy decided to leave Merkel for Cameron? They seemed to have fallen out when Cameron vetoed the new European treaty, but during last week they were falling over each other with declarations of ‘love’ for the other. Comments like “David Cameron was right to “defend Britain’s national interest”, and “I believe it’s a relationship easily strong enough to survive the odd bump or bounce when we sometimes have a disagreement” flew between them on pink little clouds. Wow, I half expected to see them looking deep into each other’s eyes, while a stringquartet played Beethoven’s Violin Romance No. 2. Yes, we definitively have a new couple in European politics, even if it like all great love stories might have a tragic ending – I mean Sarkozy is behind in the opinion polls and as the French are annoyed with Britain for lecturing Europe over the financial problems his new bed-fellow might potentially alienate him even further from the French voters. Whitney Huston was laid to rest in a private ceremony, with just the closest family and friends invited – Hollywood style! Whitney’s ex, Bobby Brown, did attend amid speculations whether he was invited or not. However, he and his family left rather early because, as Bobby complained, security had them move so many times that he in the end felt rather un-welcome. No wonder – if he wanted to exercise he would probably have gone to the gym and not to his exwife’s funeral. Biggy is an independent advisor, translator/interpreter and professional writer. She has lived in Spain since 1992 and has aquired indepth knowledge of Spanish law, administration and culture - Email: 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.

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coffee break STANDARD CROSSWORD

Down

1 Remarkable things or people (10) 2 Monetary unit of Slovakia (6) 3 Wild African sheep (4) 4 Burial tunnel (8) 5 Expunge (4) 6 Stupefy with infatuation (5) 8 Trawl net (7) 12 Painful grief (5) 14 Senseless behaviour (10) 16 Piano keys (slang) (7) 17 Evident (8) 21 Plane drivers (6) 22 Flogged (5) 24 Cure (4) 25 Uterus (4)

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

9 A revolutionary enters the empty river, for the one giving knowledge (7) 10 Mediocre record as a cricketer? (7) 11 Experienced in the movement of trade, externally (7) 12 Result of coot and emu reproduction (7) 13 Symbol seen in a story (9) 15 Leaves football team in alien society (5) 16 Zealous head of department vetoed changes (7) 19 Prepared to be in padre’s sedition (7) 20 Worship without a don’s relation (5) 21 Those working on a flat floating structure go after carbon artificers (9) 25 Liken firm politician to a soldier (7) 26 Book put into court again? (7) 28 Go to any of these to do whatever it takes (7) 29 Belch internally embraced by ladies, mostly received with gladness (7) Down 1 Unusually, student’s last cat is resting (6) 2 Snatch back an African leader’s fruit (6) 3 Avoid some British universities (4) 4 What students are rarely found in? (6) 5 Was on the side of our senior journalist, under fire initially with a bit of vinidication (8) 6 Colony fixed tent around the French

motorway (10) 7 Gas that is second for metric units (8) 8 Let go of meadows without grass? On the contrary! (8) 14 Are they produced by NASA tutors? (10) 16 Dreadful court left first year without a turn? (8) 17 A and B, say, left out of essential minutes, in short (8) 18 Reduce a college head’s degree - that’s bad (not good) (8) 22 Weapons are nearly getting on top of arguments (6) 23 Graduate line to include recipe for soft tissue (6) 24 River turns into northeastern delta as required (6) 27 Deceive Sierra, the Spanish pupil (4)

Very Hard!

CRYPTIC crossword

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

Across

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.

6 Bedchamber (7) 7 Not behind (5) 9 Not new (4) 10 One-sided (10) 11 Criterion (8) 13 Choosing (6) 15 Location (4) 17 Without advance preparation (5) 18 Spouse (4) 19 Small talk (6) 20 Mild rebuke (8) 23 Taking money out of an account (10) 26 A slow-witted person (archaic) (4) 27 Breed (5) 28 Fully ripe (7)

Friedrich von Schiller (1759 - 1805)

HARD SUDOKU

Across

“Keep true to the dreams of thy youth”

STANDARD SUDOKU

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

Cheers, Your Majesty food news The £100,000-a-bottle Jubilee whisky that has been maturing for the Queen’s 60 years on the throne

Sixty years ago, as the Queen was preparing to accede to the throne, distillers on her Balmoral estate were taking care of preparations of their own. And yesterday, as Her Majesty celebrated 60 years of her reign, the final touches were put on a whisky especially produced to mark the anniversary. The blended malt and grain ‘Diamond Jubilee’ whisky, which was distilled in 1952, was finally bottled at the Royal Lochnagar distiller. Only 60 bottles were made at the distillery on the Balmoral Estate in Ballater, Aberdeenshire. One will be gifted to the Queen and the others will be sold around the world for £100,000 each. The whisky’s creation was overseen by master blender Jim Beveridge at John Walker & Sons. He said: ‘The whisky was first distilled in 1952 and there was a great deal of care and attention at that stage. ‘It was then stored in our distilleries until about the beginning of last year when we started to think about what whiskies we would use in the project. ‘We tested the whiskies and we felt it would be good to marry the blends in a special oak cask, and the process will be completed today when we decant the whisky into the glass.’ Mr Beveridge, who has worked at Royal Lochnagar distillery for 30 years, said it was a ‘privilege to be involved in such a unique project’. He added: ‘It’s a very special blend and all the craftsmen that have been involved in the creation of the project and all the things that surround the whisky are really very special as well.’ Each crystal decanter is accompanied by two hand-engraved lead crystal glasses, enclosed in a wooden cabinet made from oak and pine from the Queen’s Sandringham and Balmoral estates. All the profits fromt he sale of the remaining 59 bottles will go to the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (Qest), a charity which provides grants and training to craftspeople in the UK. Some of the craftsmanship is the work of former Qest scholars. Qest chairman Richard Watling said: ‘The creation of this beautiful work, a monument to the skills of its craftspeople and t h e

definitive tribute to 60 years of Her Majesty’s reign, is of enormous significance to Qest. ‘Someone asked how we define craft, and I said, “Look at the royal wedding and Westminster Abbey; take out all the things that would not be there were there not a craftsman to do it, like the pews, the dresses and the uniforms, and you are left with nothing”. ‘Craft has a really important role in the culture and success of our country and someone has to make all these things that we all see and enjoy, and it’s these people we aim to help.’ The charity provides around 15 scholarships each year across the UK. The price of the whisky means, however, that few people can enjoy it. David Gates, who grants the Royal Warrant for Johnnie Walker, said interest among buyers was high. He said: ‘Apart from people who have a few spare pennies, the kind of people who will be interested in this will want to buy a piece of history. They will be getting something completely unique and very rare. ‘We are talking to people all across the world, whisky lovers and people with an affection for the Royal Family. The level of interest has been quite extraordinary.’ Smiling, he said: ‘As Royal Warrant holders, we are not allowed to talk about the supply or consumption of whisky in the Royal Family. But I think you can expect that our products are well received in the household.’ Meanwhile, another whisky specialist is selling an £8,000 60-year-old single malt to mark the Queen’s Jubilee. Gordon & MacPhail in Elgin, Moray, has produced 85 bottles called Glen Grant 60 Years Old which were distilled on February 2, 1952, four days before the Queen acceded to the throne. It was bottled on February 2 this year, making it exactly 60 years old. This drink is described as having aromas of Cox’s Pippins and Granny Smith apples, laced with cinnamon and root ginger. It comes in a pyramid-shaped crystal decanter with a diamond-shaped stopper. The decanter comes in a hand-made box made of elm wood, felled a short distance from Holyrood House, the Queen’s official residence in Scotland.

Cucador

VidaRestaurant&Venue

Great prices, great wine Comfortable relaxed atmosphere plenty of leg room. attentive waitress service as standard

Steaks, Mixed Grills. Surf & Turf, & Fresh Fish wed ~ Sat

6pm - 9pm

Stunning views of olive groves & mountains. 5 minutes off the main road sign posted to Cucador (see map below)

delThursday, Noche Bookings now Menu Wednesday, & Saturday being taken for Friday Served 6pm-9pm

St. Patricks Dinner Dance Dancing to JC’s

60’s, 70’s, 80’s Music

and

Mothers Day Special Lunch - Come and be spoilt at La Vida Weddings, Birthdays Private Parties

Call us for details mon

Quiz Night with cash prizes - 7.30pm

tues NEW Line Dancing from 4 till 6pm

Eyes Down

7pm Play Your Cards Right & Cash Jackpot to be won

wed

Yoga

with Liz Hill - 2.30pm - 4pm

Darts

Ladies - All welcome 7.30pm

thur

Please note

Sat 25th private party from 7pm in the restaurant

fridays

cod & chips ALL DAY

Beer-battered cod, homemade chips & peas

from

5.95€

(in the bar)

Sunday lunch 1pm - 5pm

VidaBar Cucador

LUNCHTIMES 12.30 - 3PM

mENU DEL DIA

THREE COURSE HOME COOKING AT IT’S BEST!!

3 courses €7 2 courses €5 Mon - Thurs & Sat

LIVE

Ladies get together

Watch Loose Women group 2pm - 4pm premiership ubo t football SAXON REAL ALE BUD On € matches 2.40€ PER PINT tap

We are here

Albox Arboleas Zurgena La Alfoquia

Mojacar

E15

1km

La Vida

Cucador Junc 547 Huercal Overa

See board for match times

Open everyday 12pm - late

Tel: 950 634 562 lavidacucador@gmail.com

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

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

fabulous food 6 tbsp olive oil

INGREDIENTS

1 tbsp chopped fresh mint

For the vegetables:

Salt

1 vanilla pod, scraped out

Crushed red peppercorns

2 cups snap peas, or sugar peas

For the eggs:

16 green asparagus

4 extra fresh eggs

4 leeks, white part only

1 tbsp white wine vinegar

2 tbsp sherry vinegar

Salt vinegar and a pinch of salt. When the water is boiling, drop the eggs carefully in the water. Cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and tap them with a knife, holding each in one hand. Remove the shell carefully.

METHOD Steam the vegetables for 5 minutes and rinse them under cold water; set aside. In a bowl, whisk together the vinegar with the oil. Add the vanilla seeds, mint, salt and red peppercorns. Serve on top of the warm vegetables.

Serve on top of the vegetables and sprinkle with red peppercorns. Serve with crusty bread on the side.

Boil water in a pot with the white wine

cafe bar Los Mellizos from 1pm - 6pm

Sunday roast 3 courses for

qu o f l A

live music with abbie lou

Sunday lunch menu 3 courses for

Spring Green Vegetables With tartER Soft- Cooked Eggs s

€6

plus rock n roll throughout the years every friday from 8pm

€10 karaockoe & Dis

every saturday

from 9pm - 1am

New menu del dia €6 Available everyday from 1pm to 5pm

We now accept all major credit and debit cards

Open every day 9am - Late

menu del noche

everyday

monday - saturday 7pm - 11pm

4 courses including wine and coffee Daily roast cooking Mon: Roast Lamb Shank

Tues: Rabbit in garlic & beer Wed: Roast Pork Knuckle Thurs: Roast Pork Loin Fri: Roast Lamb Shank Sat & Sun: Roast Lamb Shank & Pork Knuckle

vegetarian menu available

Tel: 638 889 520

MENU DEL DIA

4 Courses with Wine & Coffee

INGREDIENTS For the fish and vegetables 4 small fresh tuna steaks 2 courgettes Salt and pepper 1 tsp fresh chopped coriander 2 tbsp olive oil 1 small fresh beetroot 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar 2 tbsp hazelnut oil A few sprigs of fresh dill A dash of lemon juice (optional) For the coating of the fish 1 tsp fennel seeds 1 tsp pink peppercorn seeds 1 tsp coriander seeds 1/3 tsp black peppercorns

METHOD Take a mortar and crush all the spices seeds together. Wash the courgettes. Cook one courgette cut in pieces in boiling water for 10 mIns or so. Mix it well with a hand processor (30sec is enough). Chop in small cubes the other courgette. Add salt and pepper, the mixed courgette, and the fresh chopped coriander. Add 1 tbsp of olive oil and set aside. Take your tuna steaks & press gently in the crushed seeds. Take a large frying pan and heat one tbsp olive oil. Sear on each side for

about 30 seconds or less. Make sure the tuna flesh stays rosé-coloured. Grate your peeled beetroot. Add salt and pepper. Mix together the balsamic vinegar with the hazelnut oil. Mix with the beetroot and set aside. Take a plate and in the middle, place a small portion of the courgettes (the size of your tuna steaks) in the middle. Place the tuna steak on top and finish with some grated beetroot salad. Sprinkle with a few dill sprigs. Sprinkle over a few more drops of olive oil and serve without waiting, with a dash of lemon juice.

Monday to Saturday inclusive Lunch 1pm - 4pm Dinner 7pm - 10pm

all nights...

Grilled 14oz Entrecote Beef Steak Grilled 20 oz T-Bone Beef Steak Slow roast shoulder of Lamb Slow roasted knuckle of Pork

sunday roast menu del dia

4 courses with bottle of ESTE wine per couple & coffee included Roast Lamb Shoulder & Pork Knuckle, 12oz Entrecote, 20oz T-Bone, 10oz Pork Tenderloin, Roast Potatoes & Fresh Vegetables Freshly Baked Bread

Lunch 1pm - 4pm

Open Mon - Sat 8am - 24pm, Sun 10am - 17pm 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

w w w.me s onde i re ne.com

main

Seared Spiced Tuna with Courget te

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

Baked Pears With Lemongr ass, Ginger & Vanilla

iNGREDIENTS 4 small pears, peeled, halved and cored, drizzled with lime juice 3 tablespoons blond cane sugar 1/2 vanilla bean, split open and seeds scraped out 1 inch ginger root, peeled and finely grated 1 inch lemongrass stick, finely grated 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 to 3 tablespoons coconut milk 1 tablespoon lime juice Chopped unsalted green pistachios, to serve

Method Preheat the oven to 350F/180C/GAS4. In a small bowl, combine the ginger, lemongrass, vanilla seeds and sugar; set aside.

DESSERT

In a pot, melt the butter and add the sugar mixture and coconut milk. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sugar is dissolved. Add the lime juice. Place the pears, face up, inside a dish and pour the sauce over. Add the vanilla bean and bake for 40 minutes, or until the pears are tender. Serve with the sauce, chopped pistachios and plain Greek yogurt on the side.

Victorian desserts make a glorious comeback... ...as Brits turn to comfort food in hard times British bakers are turning to Victorian desserts in a bid to banish money worries. Spotted Dick, Bakewell Tart and Steamed Treacle Puds are all leading a remarkable revival that comes during the bicentenary of the birth of the period’s eminent author Charles Dickens. Experts say the renaissance of vintage favourites, which also includes Coconut Pudding, Eve’s Pudding and Bramley Apple Tart, points at people turning to comfort food during uncertain times. Food historian Caroline Yeldham said Victorian puddings went out of fashion in the 1920s and 1930s because of the time it took to make them. Better refrigeration techniques also meant that simpler and lighter sweets, such as ice cream, could be kept easier: ‘The Victorian era was a time of boom and bust. It was of irresponsible bankers and businessmen, as satirised in Anthony Trollope’s The Way We Live Now. What people wanted from their food was comfort, and this is solid, comforting food.’ Leading retailers seem to agree, with Asda saying sales of steamed puddings

Bar trabalon

Day Time Specials

Gammon Bap & Salad .....................€2.50

cod & haddock

Lasagne, Garlic Bread & Salad .....€3.50

buy 1 get 1 free

3 Sausages, Mash, Onions & Gravy.................................................... €3.50

On small, medium or large portions

sunday lunch ~ from 5€ beef, pork, gammon, chicken & lamb* (*at an extra cost)

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 11AM - LATE

Calle Granada, La Alfoquia

Tel: 634 365 731

Corner Bar

Bar Trabalon

La Alfoquia

Tandoori or Cajun Wrap, Coleslaw & Crisps ...............................................€3.50 Fish, Chips, Mushy Peas or Salad €3.95 Homemade Cottage Pie, Chips & Peas ................................................................€4.50 Chicken, Chips & Curry Sauce ......€4.50

Avda Lepanto 26, Albox 04800

Tel: 950 120 261

TEL: 626 893 799

Ali & Mick welcome you! FREE WIFI

Delicious home-cooked food Traditional Sunday Lunch A Choice of finest roast top side of in a cosy & intimate surroundings A la carte menu British beef, roast pork and crispy or succulent roast chicken. served every evening Sunday crackling Served with stuffing, mash, crispy

lunch served from 1.30pm - 5 pm roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding,

new winter warmer menu now available

BOOKING RECOMMENDED

Freshly made-to-order from 7pm Eat In or Take-Away

SUNDAY CARVERY Now doing 2 sittings 1.30pm and 3.30pm BOOKING ESSENTIAL

Home-made Pies, Pasties & Quiches To Order

Saturday 25th February All

Our 4th Anniversary Live music with Darren Antony

welcome to celebrate!!

Private Functions catered for

Sky Sports shown on Large Screen TV

Quiz Night Thursdays 8.30pm Karaoke Fridays 8.30pm

only €5.95 MIS AMIGOS

Homemade Steak Pie, Chips & Peas ................................................................€4.95

dai ly S nack m enu a l so avai l ab l e

PARTALOA

Tapas - Snacks - Breakfasts - Evening Menu

pizzas

Chicken, Chips, Peas or Salad ......€4.95

Next door to Los Rizos Fruit & Veg shop

MIS AMIGOS Restaurant Los Gallardos Tlf 950 398 799

in jam, coconut and syrup flavours are up 33 per cent year on year. Sponge and Currant Spotted Dick is up 39 per cent on last year, Bread and Butter Pudding up 25 per cent and Bramley Apple Crumble up 56 per cent. Waitrose has also seen similar rises, with Bakewell Tart up 43 per cent, Treacle Tart up 30 per cent and Eve’s Pudding, made with apple and sponge, up 23 per cent. High-brow restaurants, including Heston Blumenthal’s Dinner and Mark Hix’s eatery, are also introducing the cuisine. Ronnie Murray, group pastry chef at Hix Restaurants, said: ‘We are going back to old classics, reinventing those and making sure they’re done really well.’ And the National Trust, who worked with Yeldham and breadmakers Allinson, revived the lemon-flavoured Winifred Pudding at its properties nationwide last autumn. It is based on a recipe by Victorian breadmaker and former doctor Thomas Allinson, who was struck off the medical register in 1892 for his radical views which saw him promoting healthy eating!

Jumbo Hot Dog & Onions ..............€2.50

every wednesday

Cepsa

SEND US YOUR FAVOURITE RECIPES AND WE’LL PUBLISH THEM FREE OF CHARGE! EMAIL: EDITOR@ SOLTIMES. COM

fresh seasonal veg & chefs delicious homemade gravy.

home cooked food booking booking recommended recommended

NEW OPENING TIMES: MON - SAT 6 - 10PM - SUN 1.30 - 7pm OR Private Parties

Bar + Tapas - all day, everyday

Steak specials

including free bottle of wine per Couple

rock n’ roll & soul mothers dinner dance Bookings Now Being Taken For

day

Sunday 18th March

Saturday 24th March 15€ per person incl. 3 course meal

Menu del Dia & Menu de Noche Open 6 days a week - Closed Monday Tel: 950 475 127 or 659 109 379 Avenida del Mediterraneo 6, (next to Lua) www.restaurantefantasia.com restfantasia@hotmail.com

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

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

Charity19th to 26th Week February 2012 Tuesday Charity Bingo Day at Burty’s 21st February Wednesday Charity Race Night (Dogs) & Grand Auction 22nd February at Pub Chaplin’s Wednesday Grand Charity Dinner at Lady Lay 22nd February Friday Charity Tapas Day at La Bodeguina 24th February Donations would be most welcome from individuals and businesses alike.

place during the ke ta ill w n io ct Au nd ra The G g and help raise on al e m co so al rv te In Race Night money for the Charity. e ade and opened on th m be ay m ds bi ed al Se if you are not able to e, nc se ab ur yo in g in even attend the Auction.

n be handed in at Donations or Prizes ca hments. the above establis

Pledged items to be auctioned:

Minerete Holiday Apartment for Seven Days (Ann Lloyd Holiday Rentals), Joint of Meat (Europa Foods), Hair Cut & Blow Dry (Linsey Hair Stylist), Two Green Fees at La Envia Golf Club (Envia Property Services), Chauffeur Driven Trip to El Corte Ingles (Barry - transport only), 1.5 Litre Bottle of Southern Comfort (Burty’s Bar), Jug Beer & 6 Tapas x 4 lots (La Bodeguina), 2 Breakfasts for 2 people (La Bodeguina), Wine Bundle (Chris Bone), Meal Package for 2-2 x ribs, 2 x Fish & Chips, 2 x Sunday Lunch (Chaplins Pub), Case of Wine (Bar Aurora).

Burty’s B

y terrace huge sunnio ar and spac us b40 plus for indoor seating nctions rivate fu available for p welcome s n io t a t n e s e r golfers p

le Next table top sa

Live music

spanish lessons 5€

Mon 27th February

Tony Justice

Every Wednesday 11.30am All Levels

does “The Rat Pack”

10€ per person

bingo

2pm Tuesdays

quiz & bingo 2pm thursdays

11th march

Boiled Gammon Ham, Chips and Salad or Chilli & Rice, or Fisherman’s Pie & vegetables and Dessert. Some places still available. Booking Essential

sunday roast 5.95€

Served 2pm - 7pm Booking advisable

WARNING FOR PET OWNERS IN ROQUETAS DE MAR

On Tuesday 14th February, the first two of six dogs and three cats, died of poisoning in Roquetas De Mar Thelma, pictured here, a rescue dog owned by Diana Lehner, was one of the two dogs. She had been on one of her usual walks along the paseo and had swallowed poison which had been planted either on the waste ground between the Hotel Zoraida Garden and Bar Spinnaker or on the beach nearby which, worryingly, has a children’s playground on it. The Nature Protection Service of the Guardia Civil (SEPRONA) which is responsible for the protection of the environment and other nature-related issues attended the scene and will be returning again, possibly with sniffer dogs, to try to locate the actual area where the poison was laid. The name of the poison has not yet been released but, according to Diana, her Vet has confirmed that it is an extremely strong poison which he has not come across for many years. Identifying the poison could help in narrowing down those people who have access to it.

RENDEZVOUS Ba Tapas

r and Tea Room

Open from 12 noon onwards Closed Thursdays

“TRADITIONAL” TAPAS (selection changed daily)

Anglican church service 3rd Thursday of the month Next service 15th March 11.30am

Breakfast

*** SANDWICHES - HOT and COLD on choice of breads, including “French Toast” selection... *** OMELETTES ~ “Design your Own” *** “LITE BITES” MENU

Selection of Continental Savoury Lite Meals and Snacks, Including Hand Made, Original Recipe Croquettes, Meatballs and Chef`s Specials

from 2.50€

*** every friday - “SPECIALITY OF THE HOUSE” Stoofvlees (Belgian Beef Stew) reservations please

Tapas

***Fresh, Made to Order, CREPES and WAFFLES selection, Desserts, Cakes and Ice Creams.

served from 10am.

Large 50c XLarge 70c Served from 1-7pm Changed daily

sun - 11am - 7pm, mon - fri 10am - 7pm, Closed saturday

Playa Serena, roquetas de mar

Call 679 156 715

BELGIAN BEER SELECTION SPECIALITY TEA SELECTION

Situated in the Square opposite Hotel Playa Luna, Urbanisation, Roquetas de Mar.

Telephone (0034) 664 165 372

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

ROQUETAS DE MAR National and Regional Holidays in 2012 1st January New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo) National 2nd January New Year Holiday Regional 6th January Epiphany (Epifanía del Señor) National 28th February Día de Andalucía Regional 5th April Maundy Thursday National 6th April Good Friday (Viernes Santo) National 1st May Labour Day (Fiesta del Trabajo) National 15th August Assumpton (Asunción de la Virgen) National 12th October Fiesta Nacional de España (National Day) National 1st November All Saints’ Day (Todos los Santos) National 6th December Constitution Day (Día de la Constitución Española) National 8th December Immaculate Conception (Inmaculada Concepción) National 25th December Christmas (Natividad de Nuestro Señor) National

LOCAL FIESTAS IN ROQUETAS DE MAR In addition to public holidays additional dates are celebrated by fiestas which vary from region to region. The main local fiestas are: 25th April San Marcos 23rd June San Juan 7th October Virgen del Rosario 29th December Dia de las Moragas In addition to these there are other fiestas in neighbouring areas.

BAR SPINNAKER opening party

Burtys Bar............................

Tuesdays Bingo - 2pm Thursdays Quiz & Bingo from 2pm Monday 27th February Tony Justice does the Rat Pack Sunday 11th March - Table Top Sale

Bar Spinnaker......................

Monday - Pie & Mash, a drink included €5.50 Tuesday - Bingo 3pm Wednesday - Steak 7.50€, Quiz 9.30pm Friday - Fish and Chips all day 5€ Saturday - Curry meal with a beer or wine 7.50€. Sunday - Sunday Roast 1pm - 6pm

Bar Chaplins ........................ Open: 5pm - late Tues - Fri, 1pm - late Sat and Sun Closed Mondays. Wednesday: Rib Night Friday: Fish and chip Night, Quiz Night SUNDAY: Sunday Roast. TEL: 950 335 022

La Bodeguina........................

is now a drop in centre for any donations for the Mojonera Dog Sanctuary

Revita Natural Health & Relaxation Centre..........

Calle Tortola 4, Roquetas De Mar Tel 950 333 048 Wednesday and Friday 10am Tai Chi Tuesday and Thursday 10am. Yoga Sunday 9pm

lady lay................................. 1st March – St David’s Day 17th March – St Patrick’s Day 18th March – Mother’s Day Sunday Roast 28th March – Quiz Night

moves like jagger fitness party............................................. The official opening party for the new ownership at Bar Spinnaker was Saturday, 18th February, and Linda welcomed customers, old and new, to celebrate her new venture. The party was very successful with people enjoying a fun night out. Linda has reduced some of the prices previously charged – she now offers her Monday pie and mash for 5.50€ (reduced from 6.50€) and her Saturday Curry at 7.50€ (reduced from 8.50€). A pint of lager is now 2.50€, a coffee will cost you 1€ and her house spirits and mixers are 2.50€. Buskers “Tapped” a nimble duo from the UK (Eddy Allen and Carli Jefferson), visiting Almeria to escape the harsh winters of the Czech Republic, set up on the paseo to entertain with “guitar and vocals, tap dance and percussion combining to tickle the taste buds and nourish the soul”. Visit them on Facebook – CCTV Tapped.

At Salsa y Sabor every Tuesday & Thursday 19.00 20.30, Donations with 20% going to Thomas Cook Children’s Charity. Contact Michelle on 639 200 265

Mini Hollywood

Mini Hollywood, Tabernas, Carretera National 340km, Desierto de Tabernas, Almeria Open 12:00 - 18:00 0034 950 365 236 or 0034 950 362 884 A simulated Wild West town. There are daily shows of Wild West scenes, some outside depicting shoot-outs and a hanging (not a real one!) some inside with dancing and bar scenes. There is a museum, a photo gallery with costumes available for customers to wear for their souvenir photos shoot, restaurants, a train for transport around the quite extensive zoo, there is a big swimming pool and a playground for the children.

s Dance ClasVEse FUN !!!

LEARN TO DANCE & HA

Latin/Ballroom/Salsa Tue - 10.30am

NEW EVENING CLASS

Starts Thursday 9th February 7-8pm 4€ per person Playa Serena Golf Club With Paul & Caroline British Senior Champions Tel: 618 483 791 www.pacardanceschool.com

EMAIL YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS TO EDITOR@SOLTIMES.COM

B ubbles Laundry Service

Ro q u e t a s

d e

M a r

We Supply a Pick Up and Drop Off Service to apartments and hotels. Ironing Service also available.

Tel: 666 717 742

Upholstery

• We Upholster Chairs, Sofas and Wing Chairs • 30 years of experience • Large fabric selection • Free pick up & delivery • In home free estimates

Tel: 692 17 60 69

MARIA’S WEEKLY WORDS

Herramientas – TOOLS Aguja – NEEDLE Alicate – PLIERS Caja de herramientas – TOOLBOX Carretilla – WHEELBARROW Clavo – NAIL Gato - JACK Escalera - LADDER

SAYING OF THE WEEK:

Ser más fuerte que un roble…. LITERAL MEANING… ”To be stronger than an oak tree” EQUIVALENT TO…“To be as strong as an ox””

For all your translations call Maria on 633 166 709

La Grappa

Authentic Italian Restaurant

• Pizzas • Fresh Pastas • Fresh Fish • Argentinian BBQ’d Food On The Terrace

BBQ

EVERY DAY

Open 12 - 4pm 7 - 12.30am Av. Playa Serena, 37 Roquetas de Mar

950 334 188 609 337 316

to reserve your table

Property management Sales & Rentals Roquetas de Mar, Aguadulce Almerimar, Vicar, La Envia Golf

Services include Key Holding, Maintenance, Furniture Packs, Cleaning & Laundry, Apartment & Post-box Checks

Mobile: (0034) 663 426 921

info@enviapropertyservices.com

www.enviapropertyservices.com

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

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

SOL CLASSIFIEDS Airport services

Airport services Airport, social & shopping run. Tel: 677 667 722 Alicante Airport Travel - are you flying from or to Alicante airport on the 2nd or 11th of March and need a lift. Transport available Tel: 950 473 268

www.AAparking.es Tel: 639 081 067

Cheap

Airport Parking

Alicante Almeria Murcia New Servicing / Repairs

Air-con

spring savers

10% off all services & installs Service Install’s Fully Certified

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

950 432 110 / 607 364 917

alternative energy Solar Wind P o w er Solutions. 230 watt panels 450€ Over 15 years installation experience Call Phil for competitive prices 636 261 240 email:info@ sunergyalmeria. com www.sunergy almeria.com

baby hire Everything for the visiting baby Car seats,high chairs, stair gates, cots etc. Tel: 950 436 581 or 666 375 688 expectingbaby@ hotmail.co.uk

C a rlo s ( S al i ente ) plumbing & heating services. If it involves water, we can help! www. carlossaliente.com Tel: 968 969 962

blinds INTERNAL & EXTERNAL BLINDS SH A DING SPA IN, W I T H...

Call Justin at Sol Shaders for a free no obligation quote Tel: 627 907 207 www.solshaders.net Email: solshaders@live.co.uk

building

Matt Murray 647 841 750

construction

• Pool constuction • maintenance • building reforms • p roject management matmurrayes@gmail.com

business oppertunity cont...

Are you a

experienced talented hairdresser looking for an oppertunity? You must be fully qualified, a good all rounder & have lots of energy for this challenge to run a new salon in partership with a qualified beautician & a sports masseur. Call for more details:

647 379 878

New

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

CESSPIT EMPTYING

enclosures

POZO & CESSPIT EMPTYING BLOCKED DRAINS R US Installation of fibreglass Septic tanks

all areas covered

950091109 648768587

ENCLOSURE SPECIALISTS GLASS SCREENS Come and see us on the Albox road for a free no obligation quote

Call 695 118 960

computers

DON ROBINSON Steve Hayes PC hardware & software Informatica specialist. Unbiased Pc’s, Laptops, advise on purchases Printers etc. Installation, help and Sales & Repairs ontraining. Diagnosis & site callout / tuition. Repair 15€ an hour min Consumables charge 1 hour + parts I come to you Comp TIAA+certified Tel: 646 587 746 E: donald_gunn_robinson@msn.com

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

Tel: 950 120 900

market / Rastro in front of the Bull Ring in Vera.

Business For Sale

Internet Cafe, Based in Huercal Overa, Serious Enquiries Only Tel: 950135039

Popular & well established cafe for sale in Albox, very busy, genuine enquiries only, sale due to retirement, call for more details 634 315 730

chimney sweep SAMMY SWEEP

Chimney Sweep small, established bar Service in La Alfoquia for sale available covering good location, all areas

serious enquiries only call paul on 619 070 839 tel: 634 310 462

craft / hobby Elaine’s Wools quality UK wool & accessories. Also available at Camposol Mazarron & on the Arboleas forum. Call 667 273 889 elaines wools@ gmail.com

financial

Secured loans, Capital Raising, Cash Advances whilst you sell your property. Equity Release: 902 585 569/652 986 088

MINI DIGGER

For Hire

with driver drainage

Excellent Rates Telephone Tony 650 906 114

poles - serviced after last used & in good condition. 40€ ono. tel: 659 655 671 or 950 950 798 Reduced - two single beds 180 (l) x 105(w) with g.c. mattresses 17 depth, metal frames, semi-circular fretted wooden headboards. 100€ (or 50 each). Photo available. Roquetas de Mar. Carole 619 253 983 (after 4pm) G a s convector fire - black - 4 months usage. 50€. Tel: 680 768 843 Brass coal/ log bucket. 20€. Tel: 680 768 843 Sat Dish motor. DisEqc 1.2. Brand new (cost 45e) 30€. Tel: 680 768 843 Reduced dining room table, 160 (l) x 86 (w) white wood, with six high back fretted chairs, table rectangle with curved ends on two pedestal bases. 125€ Photo available Roquetas de Mar Carole 619 253 983 (after 4pm) Babys Cot, wooden and in very good

gardening

potty finca services professional tree felling & pruning, including all types of palm trees

Office to Rent Self contained office in Los Carasoles Fully Equipped Good Parking 5 minutes off motorway (Albox turning) 60€ per week includes utilities

for sale Good quality patio set for sale four fold up arm chairs, tinted glass table and 2mt parasol all in ex con. 110€ Tel: 950 473 268 SKIS ATOMIC c9 plus ‘170cm’ carvers with device 310 bindings & poles Serviced after last used & in good condition. Great for intermediate skiers, a popular choice in the skihire shops 50€ ono. Tel: 659 655 671 or 950 950 798 SKIS VOLKL syntro s30 ‘170cm’ carvers with logic m8 bindings &

for hire

Parking & Refreshments Saturdays 8am - 2pm

tel 647 379 878

all fixtures & fittings included, business oppertunity

To place your ad....call Paulette on 950 121 936 or 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.

electrical

CD electrical SERVICES

All electrical work undertaken including rewires, upgrades. We work inside or out & no job is too small air conditioning & alarms

FREE ESTIMATES & ADVICE

Office: 662414043 Mobile: 617410534

strimming of overgrown gardens & hedge cutting spanish registered. logs available ring john on 616 855 294 or 950 163 930

SOLTIMES has a post box at

info@cdelectricalservices.com www.cdelectricalservices.com Knowles & Abbott no.1 for electrics and plumbing. Re-wires, free to air UK satellite systems. Tel: 950 137 208 or 638 010 691

ELECTRICIAN Neil Godwin 25 years experience

Tel : 687 245 569 Full City & Guilds

Fully insured & legal Boletins supplied

albox and in mojacar playa you can pay for adverts, drop copy in or leave announcements for the paper!

condition complete with mattress 50€ Albanchez Tel: 950 122 409 Dehumidifier, nearly new, Rainbow Electric, two speeds 50€ Albanchez Tel: 950 122 409 Sky+ HD Digibox and remote. Excellent condition and full working order. Only 90€. Tel: 693 702 635 S a tell i te finder and signal strength meter. Gives audible and visual indication of signal. Brang new and boxed complete with connecting cable and instructions. 18€ Tel: 693 702 635 Quad Universal LNB. Technomate Super High gain .1db. Connect up to 4 standard satellite receivers or 2 x Sky+ or Freesat+ boxes. Brand new and boxed. Only 35€ Tel: 693 702 635 Pace Sky Digibox, complete with remote & latest white viewing card. Watch all the Freesat channels, including all BBC & ITV channels + Ch. 4, 5 & Sky3 etc. The best Digibox for Spain. Bargain at only 65€. Could sell card and Box separately if required Tel: 693 702 635 GAS bottle convector fire. Black. 4 months usage. 50€ Tel: 680 768 843 TV - 29” flat screen large monitor TV. 2 years usage. 50€ Tel: 680 768 843 CHAINSAW McCulloch 42cc, 18” cut. As New 85€ Tel: 680 768 843. inflatable rib alimar pioneer 420, immaculate condition with trailer & extras, open to offers tel: 676 665 168

private wanted Rolex or Cartier woman’s watch wanted must be good quality private buyer tel 647 379 878

hair & beauty a v o n cosmetics claire Tel: 691 987 454 avonfromclaire@ yahoo.es

www.soltimes.com

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

legal

heating

Norway’s answer to heating your home in Spain

Tel: 634 312 171 www.neaterheater.es Carlos (Saliente) plumbing & heating services. If it involves water, we can help! www.carlossaliente.com Tel: 968 969 962

house clearance

THE HOUSE CLEARING SPECIALIST

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**

Tel: 679 207 545

Cash payment waiting for all your unwanted goods, also business stock liquidations carried out.

call cash & carry clearances tel: 689 023 602 or 618 725 567

cashandcarry54@yahoo.co.uk

Antas & Arboleas

indoor market I’LL BUY ANYTHING TODAY! Best prices paid, no middle men & we don’t work from the bedroom!

house clearance Visit either Antas or Arboleas today! AUCTION ~ Every Tuesday 3pm - 5pm

Opposite Mora oil

637 184 625

insurance

Knight

iron/Metal works cont...

T & T Metals For all quality metal works, including gates, railings, rejas, staircases, gazebos & chainlink fencing - Tel: 950 431 738 albox@knight-insurance.com The Metal Grills, works iron/Metal railings, gates of works all types, security/ sliding/roller, rejas, concertina doors Tel: Keith Gates, rejas, etc. Wood on 638 900 fabriction 949 welding

Insurance

Albox

950 121 943

metal works

reliable service Telephone 950 069 208 or 638 449 944 email

adwelds@yahoo.com

Jewellery & repairs

Rolex or Cartier woman’s watch wanted must be good quality private buyer tel 647 379 878

locksmith Phil the Pick Locksmith 24 hours. Locked Out? Locks fitted/upgraded house safes. Arboleas & surrounding area. Special weekend rates. Tel: 697 243 181

• 35 years experience • Guaranteed to beat any quote • Quality work guaranteed

If you wish us to print an article about a particular topic in our regular space Tel Alan: 950 450 174 or on pg 16, please email info@daviessolicitors.com 600 268 176 NUMBER PLATES

“RE-PLATE” MATE GB

pets section

MY PLACE OR YOURS

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. my-place-or-yours@hotmail.com

No need for kennels or cattery, Pet sitting in your own home, Don’t take a chance! Arboleas & surrounding areas. Don’t break the Law! Let us take the hassle Call Vanessa on 637 061 482 Not just cats & dogs, away from you and All other types of pets re-register your vehicle considered on to Spanish plates

WE PROMISE TO BEAT ANY GENUINE QUOTATION For a full service contact:

Alan 662 249 159

www.replatematecostablanca.com

opticians

for sale 3 year old shetland pony great with children

400€

tel: 678 838 547 plumbing

Optica Albox All your optical needs, eye tests, hearing tests, contact lenses C a rlo s ( S al i ente ) Tel: 950 121 991 & plumbing painter / decorator heating services. If it involves water, we can help! www. carlossaliente.com Tel: 968 969 962 Knowles & free estimates Abbott no.1 for plumbing & electric. CH, solar hot water quality work guarenteed and water deposits. Tel: 950 137 197 or 606 807 797 A&E Taylor – Gas boiler & Tel: 649 186 107 or email: repairs. thunderpaul2003@hotmail.com plumbing Tel: 618 062 080

painter & decorating

Friendly, Professional, Clean, Efficient

Best prices around personal

“Readers of a sensitive disposition may find some of the advertisments in this section offensive”

Winter

Madness

house and hotel visits possible. tel. 629 483 618 sexy, elegant lady (31) with curved body,

spoils

you

without

daily

pressure

of time discreet in her luxury villa. tel. 669 101 316

all

drinks

5€ b4 12 ESPAÑAS PREMIERE CABALLEROS CLUB ABIERTO 7 DÍAS A LA SEMANA HABITACIONES PRIVADAS, ESPECTÁCULOS EN VIVO, TARIFAS ESPECIALES PARA DESPEDIDAS DE SOLTEROS Y SALA VIP DISPONIBLES. INICIO VISITA DISPONIBLE.

Struggling to sell your property? Let the

Hi Sol Times, know how Just a note to let you response pleased I am with the I placed in to the advertisement ertising my last weeks edition, adv apartment for sale. n on the My apartment has bee ths and is market for over 12 mon agents te esta 15 registered with le viewing – I have not had a sing during that time.

Tel: 607 554 984

a ttr a ct i v e couple offers exclusive erotic services for women, men and couples. also

properties for sale / rent

painter / decorator cont...

painting & decorating

woodhouse boarding kennels & cattery

arboleas Small friendly kennels, 24hr vets service, pet transporting arranged, welcome to view Tracy Mobile 650 211 952

Tel: 950 067 943 or 676 389 592

Hi my name is Lucky . if I came to live with you you’d be lucky too because I am a very handsome Pointer/Podenco X ,very loving & affectionate, enjoy lots of attention & fuss. I would really love a forever home after being abandoned. In return I would be a loyal companion to you. D.O.B 01/03/2010 You can meet me at The Dog House. Call Phil on: 626 766 073, thedoghse@hotmail.com

SolTimes help...

Within 2 days of my ing in Sol advertisement appear calls and Times, I had 2 phone for this ings view have arranged 2 coming weekend – I am over the moon!

For just 12.50€ per. week your property will be featured in a box like this and will be seen by more than 35,000 Sol Times readers

3 bed, 2 bath Villa 200m build, 800m plot, Pool, 125,000€ Tel: 123 456 789

Contact: Paulette today on 902 750 190 Ext 332

Property to Rent cucador

4 bed, 2 bath villa with small patio

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.

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

667 235 205

Hi my name is Muff. I am a long haired rough coat Terrier. I’m a friendly Girl and would make you a wonderful, loyal companion. I’m house trained and I love to go on walks. I get on well with other Dogs, Cats and Children. So perfect in every way! D.O.B 01/03/2009 Why not come meet me at The Dog House? Call Phil on: 626 766 073, thedoghse@hotmail.com

property

Apartment For Sale

€59,999

1 bedroom /1 bathroom, new kitchen & white goods, lovely views of golf course parking, Mojacar approx 7 mins.

Tel: 664 291 793

Property to Rent Los carasoles

Villa with lots of land

3 large bedrooms 1 en suite, fully furnished, large pool in 2000sqm land

450€ pcm

call to view: 609 199 394

250€ pcm

call to view: 609 199 394 Spanish Hideaways, the Arboleas property shop. Established in Arboleas 8 years. Lowest prices guaranteed. Tel. 958 003 391/ 676 604 008 www.spanishhideaways.com Property to Rent Los carasoles Villa with lots of land 3 large bedrooms 1 en suite, fully furnished, large pool in 2000sqm land 450€ pcm call to view: 609 199 394 to Rent Property cucador 4 bed, 2 bath villa with small patio 250€ pcm call to view: 609 199 394

detatched Villa for sale completion project, villa with room for a pool, brick built upto & incl roof, exceptional views, 10mins to main town, fully legal & escritura,

75,000€

call to view or for more details 609 199 394 or 950 064 801 for SALE massive detatched cortijo with 50m2 workshop 20mins from mojacar This is a unique spanish country cortijo with 4 beds, 2 bath, Open plan living areas, kitchen & dining room as well as a workshop, courtyard front & back & room for a pool. Mountain views. possible B& B

Build 256 m², Terrace 100m², Plot 1200 m²

Telephone 649 186 107 email for more info at thunderpaul2003@hotmail.com

bargain! bargain! only €160,000 ono

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

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

SOLTIMES

NEWSPAPER GROUP An exciting opportunity for FIELD SALES the right person

removals DAVE’S TRANSPORT 7.5 Ton, Lorry Part loads, Self load/Unload Minimal rates, Owner Driver

Continued expansion means that we are now looking to recruit a

REPRESENTATIVE

If you enjoy meeting business people and feel that you can bring energy and purpose to the role, we would like to hear from you. spanish speaking an advantage.

We provide

Full and on-going training Good working conditions High commission payments, Mobile phone & expenses

Are you..? 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?

team player A with the ability to work with existing clients but also generate new business?

Then we want to meet you!

Call Chrissie on 647 379 878 or email your CV to: cmm@soltimes.com

Spain/uk/Local Storage available, based “Los Gallardos” &”hertfordshire” Call now 0034 620 049 524 (Es) 00 44 794 3135 214 (UK) woodnco@hotmail.com

storage

Large van SPAIN - UK - SPAIN Spain - UK Removals Full or Friendly Reliable Service half loads, Fully Legal plus car Special deals from UK - Spain transport. Office: 968 564 298

Tel: (0044) 796 9123588

M&D transport

Large Van Removals / Deliveries Spain - UK Full or Half Loads Collections e.g from IKEA Tel Mick: 950 122 447 Mob: 620 475 218

Mobile: 696 621 884 marmenorremovals@hotmail.com

satellite/ television

A1 Sky Television Systems

See our main advert on page 5

Tel: 968 654 667

Satellite TV installations, alignment of dishes etc. Also Spanish“freeview”systems supplied & installed

solar

Electricty bill too high???

install solar panels to gain CREDIT from your supplier Call Phil on 636 261 240

Tel Dave: 628 607 778

info@sunergyalmeria.com

Sky Digibox.

sTABLES

Storage Rooms for rent, 5 square meters to 15sq meters, Roquetas de Mar Urbanisation. From 5€ a week.

Tel: 650 038 251 swimming pools

Tropicana Pools

New construction & repairs. Telephone 650 906 114 tiling

Floor and Wall Tiling Specialist 25 years experience

Not a jack of

all trades, Luz Pace with sky Rancho just a master Del Sol, Retamar, card BBC 1, 2, 3, Partaloa. One to one of one! 4 ITV1, 2, 3, ch4 or group lessons, latest EN standard & 5. 95€ hats provided. can deliver. Escorted hacking and translation Tel: 667 235 205 treks. Qualified BHS Instructor. Call Erika translation Services i do it all Tel: or 667 478 771 Drew on 678 838 547 660 377 314

Call Steve Holman

Tel: 697 678 708

motoring section

for sale

Renault Scenic Megane 1.6 RHD, Petrol, 67,000 miles,Spanish Reg. ITV June 2013, First Reg. Dec03 FSH. One owner from new. €2950 Telephone 647 884 424 or 666 709 285

Hyundai Accent 1300 petrol, Ford Escort 2001, Recent new cam 1.8 TDi, 1999, belt, clutch & service, LHD, Need a part for any car Spanish reg, Spanish plates, very reliable, for sensible prices on all parts PAS, EW, itv & tax Nov, aircon, diesel, Clutches, Brakes, alternators, service kits Reduced to 1195€ ono Starter Motors, headlights economical tel: 660 655 220 Tel: 646 450 111 or 950 091 190

d.b auto p a r a me d i c s Mobile Mechanic call Dave on 678 487 689

1,200€ ono, Free quote go online or phone

Fiat Stilo estate

1.9 turbo diesel. JTD, April 2004 Taxed and ITV 1 year. 88,000 kms €3,500 inc RED/BLACK INTERIOR, ITV transfer 2013, 3 DOOR, RCL, E/W, A/C, CD PLAYER, TINTED WINDOWS, Tel: IMMACULATE CONDITION 634 342 545 reduced to sell 3100€ Roquetas de TEL: 609 199 394 mar

Are you returning to the UK? Honda Accord Vtec 2.00 L.S, automatic saloon, 4dr, UK Reg, RHD, 1999, rear parking sensors, 82,000 miles, MoT 2012, Air Con, power steering, electric windows, mirrors, Pioneer stereo, remote control locking, excellent tyres including spare, recent cam belt, handbook, service history. €1295 ono. Tel. 610 667 743/ 950 432 990.

1 set of part worn brake pads for a year 95 transit 5€. 1 new set of front pads cat number fbp1125 first line fits 310 merc plus other models 25€. 1 set new brakeworld pads cat nu BW008 FITS LDV van,iveco daily & more 25€. 1 set rear shoes ldv new 25€. 1 set of new mondeo mk2 pads 35€ (56€ plus IVA in Spain ) Tel: 627 350 665

car trailer spanish matriculation 195€ tel: 617 166 270 or 950 390 964 vera area. Ford Focus Zetec 1.6v. Hatchback. Year 1999. Silver. Taxed & MOT. Nice Car 700€ Tel: 620 131 800.

2002 FORD FOCUS ghia ESTATE (White), 1.8 Diesel Only 130,000 km, Very ecomonical, ITV due Oct 2012, great car sale caused by return to uk 2,500€ ono Tel: 676 847 309

land rover discovery 300tdi, 1996, 127,000 miles, auto, tow bar, twin sunroofs, e/windows, c/locking, mot, r.h.d, uk plated, looks & drives superb,

1495€ tel 677 667 722

Car parts

mechanic Mikes 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 or 636 824 974

Arboleas

1.6 FORD FOCUS 2004

car parts

www.carpartsinspain.com

or telephone 692 930 326

van hire

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 PART WORN TYRES FOR SALE - VARIOUS SIZES

Tel: 645 094 339 or 950 064 763

URGENTLY REQUIRED

ENGLISH & SPANISH CARAVANS, CARS, MOTORHOMES & VANS ANY CONDITION WE COLLECT! THROUGHOUT SPAIN

Man with van for regular work 1 day a week, transport required 2.5 - 3.5 tonne, clean & covered lorry Call Rob on 609 199 394 for further details. – Wanted - Citroen ZX 1.9 Diesel 5-door Saloon Car - to break for spares. Tel: 677 038 829. Los Marcelinos, Albox.

JT METAL RECYCLING

Turn your old or unwanted CAR into CASH. We will dispose of in our Authorised Depollution End of Life Treatment facility. TEL: 636 411 540 OR 664 619 819

SCRAP CARS WANTED 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 & top prices paid for Gold.

Tel: 645 094 339 or 950 064 763

We also take Certificates issued fridges, washing machines, microwaves, CARS, VANS, LORRIES, TRACTORS, all electrical TRAILERS, PLANT MACHINERY appliances

WANTED

Hou s e & garden clearances , skips supplied

Spanish or English Also buyers of COPPER, BRASS, ALUMINIUM, LEAD, STAINLESS STEEL & GOLD

TEL: 645 094 339 / 950 064 763

www.soltimes.com

spanglish Mum

Carnival, Carnival! How I love this time of year where we can stand at our window/balcony and watch the fun of the local carnival pass by. The children love it and it’s a real Latin thing, any old excuse to dress up (mainly the young guys dressing up as ugly ladies it seems!). The music is blasting and young and old alike are dressed in their set outfits. A group of hippies, Smurfs, Hello Kity’s or whatever they have decided for that days outing. Hasn’t Health & Safety stopped this kind of thing in local UK towns? Notting Hill Carnival is a famous one but in local towns I guess it’s unheard of now? Here the Police are out closing the streets to allow dancing and confetti throwing to their hearts content. One thing which was a bit sad was on Friday, after months of going to school in cold but dry weather, the day of wearing Carnival outfits to school clashed with a 9am rainshower. All the Princesses, Batmen, Ben 10’s, Nurses, Musketeers etc. had to run into school to avoid the rain. Shame mostly for us parents as I love to see who’s wearing what when the children are lining up before school starts. At least we have this Friday when they can dress up in Andaluz costumes ready for the Andalucia Day fiesta on Monday. One thing which is worrying me still at the moment is the economy. Are there any younger Brits still out here? So many I know are starting to talk of leaving because there are no jobs. I really hope new Government changes can encourage job creation. Maybe they could try lowering the national insurance payments for self employed people as it’s a lot of money to have to find each month. A lower amount might boost new ideas for companies? So many young families are now settled here and their children probably cope better in Spanish than in their native English. They wouldn’t suffer to be taken back to the UK school system but I guess it’s always going to be difficult for them and their parents if such decisions have to be made. Chin up everyone and let’s hope for a brighter future for all... If you’d like to share your thoughts with Lucy - our Spanglish Mum - email editor@ soltimes.com and we’ll pass them on!

Alqueria

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS...

Eamonn Holmes, Harry Hill, Amy Childs, James May top TV rich list

Eamonn Holmes has topped a new TV rich list after reportedly earning nearly £3 million last year. Compiled by OK magazine, Holmes’s £2.8 million for his contracts with Sky News for Sunrise and ITV for This Morning made him 2011’s highest-paid television star. TV Burp’s Harry Hill and reality star Amy Childs came joint second with £2.75 million, while Top Gear’s James May ties with BBC Two’s Hairy Bikers in fourth place. Richard Hammond, May’s fellow Top Gear presenter, sits sixth with an alleged £2.4 million annual pay package, while X Factor host Dermot O’Leary and Baking Made Easy’s Lorraine Pascale are joint seventh with £2 million each. Match of the Day’s Alan Hansen (£1.8m) and ITV’s Adrian Chiles (£1.6m) round off the list in ninth and tenth respectively.

Ronnie Corbett collects ‘pretty’ CBE honour: ‘I shall treasure it’ Ronnie Corbett has collected his CBE from the Queen at an investiture ceremony

in Buckingham Palace. The Two Ronnies star was recognised for his services to charity and the entertainment industry in the New Year Honours list. “It’s very pretty,” the 81-year-old said of his medal. “It’s a very lovely honour. I shall treasure it.” Describing his brief conversation with the Queen as a “lovely experience”, Corbett said: “She told me, ‘You make people laugh’. I think she’s remarkable for her age.” The actor, who was accompanied by his two daughters, explained that his wife Anne was absent from the ceremony due to being in hospital. Corbett himself was taken to hospital on New Year’s Day, after collapsing during a meal to celebrate his achievement. Speaking about the incident, he recalled: “I collapsed because of low blood pressure. It was one of those rare accidents. You take so many tablets these days.” John MacDonald (El Sordo) www.caratacus.eu

Bar La Casa Devante

From the Río Verde, walking west along the Calla Generalissimo one passes the bar La Casa Devante. It differs little from thousands of others in southern Spain. An outside s e a t i n g area which encroaches into the town plaza, covered with a rather ancient awning advertising Dubonnet in faded letters. The internal bar proper has its walls covered with photographs of footballers. These range from the sepia handlebar moustached version through to the coloured designer stubbled images of today. The pride and joy of the landlord was the dining room. Comfortable, intimate and decorated in a convincing pseudo Moorish style. La Casa Devante is a meeting place of El Gente del Cerro, the Hill People. It is in the bar that Manuela and her confederates drink and plot. The Landlord Horacio Stranglardeganso is a large man of Sydney Greenstreet proportions. To complement him is his waiter, Jengibre Tomás. Tomás is a tall thin man with a very prominent nose. This gives him the appearance of a tower crane when viewed side-on. He is also dentally challenged with only a single tooth in his head. This solitary piece of enamel is unfortunately at the front and top of his mouth, like a lonely tombstone. If his profile, seen from a distance is bizarre then up close and face on he is somewhat of a shock. Both men deem it their duty to recommend dishes from the varied menu. Unfortunately where their choices do not agree they have come to blows on several occasions.

These fist fights are one of the highlights of Alquerian night-life and if one can be engineered it rarely disappoints. Horacio has been a bar-keeper all of his working life as have his forbears. It shows what can be achieved with a low IQ and a liquor license. Anything or anyone that doesn’t deliver, dispense or consume alcohol is a complete mystery to him. Tomás however was tea-total before he worked at La Casa Devante, he then turned to drink. It was the making of him and he never looked back. An evening at La Casa Devante is usually a leisurely and pleasant affair. The food is well prepared and interesting and the drink, if one avoids the Remitroot liquor is mellow and satisfying. The evening breeze brings the scent of wild Honeysuckle and Bougainvillea. It caresses the diners, relieving the intense heat of the day and brings an almost spiritual calm. Remember however to leave by one. At that hour Antonio Poyato is usually horizontal along the bar-top singing about an extremely sporting young lady and elements of the Second Spanish Legion based at Viator.

‘EastEnders’ Charlie Brooks to take soap break, tipped for ‘Strictly’

EastEnders star Charlie Brooks has announced that she will take a six-month break from the soap later this year. The actress, who plays Walford schemer Janine Butcher, will film exit scenes in August before taking her time off from the show. Tabloid reports have claimed that she will be competing on Strictly Come Dancing in the autumn. Janine is currently expecting a baby with boyfriend Michael Moon (Steve John Shepherd), but news of her upcoming departure from Albert Square is likely to spark speculation over their future as a couple. Asked what is coming up for her on EastEnders, Brooks told The Sun: “Baby. I think that’s about all I can say really, as that’s all I know. I’ve got six months off in August so we’re having the bump, but I won’t have to deal with prams and stuff in extra small doors on the set.” An EastEnders spokesperson told Digital Spy this morning: “Charlie will be taking a break from EastEnders later this year. Over the coming weeks, Michael will propose to Janine, but who knows if she’ll accept? “In typical Janine style, there’ll be a lot of unexpected twists and turns during the next few months and the story is bound to be explosive.” A Walford insider added: “Bosses are keeping tight-lipped about what the future holds for Janine and Michael and whether they’ll ride off into the sunset together or not.” Brooks won the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special two months ago, and she has now been tipped to take part on the main show during her EastEnders absence. A BBC source told The Sun: “It’s more or less a done deal. Charlie would be a dream signing for Strictly. She’s high-profile and popular and judging by the Christmas special, she has natural ability.”

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

SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

pause for thought “I can’t seem to do right for doing wrong!” a friend of mine once exploded. “I bought my wife a dress she’d been lusting after for months, and she interpreted that as meaning I didn’t like any of her existing clothes! I enthused about the meal she cooked me one evening and nearly had it tipped over me as she presumed that meant I didn’t normally like her cooking!” How sad; but in many ways, how typical, for we all have a tendency at times to be negative, presuming, often quite wrongly, the worst in those around us. And how often that tendency comes to the fore when we consider our faith. So folk frequently protest that “the church is always after our money”, forgetting that in our current society, without adequate funding, the church couldn’t exist and wouldn’t therefore be available when we needed it for those baptisms, weddings and funerals. And do we not often complain that “Christmas is just too commercialised”, not realising that it’s down to me how much I allow commercialism to encroach on my wonder and worship of the Christ born in such humility. And “Easter,” many grumble, “with its emphasis on Crucifiction, is just too morbid”, entirely

missing the wonder and joy of Easter Day with it’s message of new life.

And then there’s Lent; that season within the Church’s year we’re now entering. How many people see only the negatives there (the things we enjoy, so have to give up), without appreciating the true meaning of Lent? For Lent celebrates, not just the fasting and temptations of Jesus, but his overall preparation for ministry. It is then a time when we have particular opportunity to re-commit our lives to God; to confront, with His help, our own temptations, to face those things that threaten our relationship with Him, and quite possibly to discover some new task we may undertake in His service, which will necessarily give us a greater sense of fulfilment in our lives. Details of a number of English Language Churches are given in Sol Noticeboard for any who wish to Worship, but further information about the Anglican Church and details of forthcoming events may be seen on the web site www.mojacarchurch.org Duncan Burr is Licensed Lay Reader for the Anglican Chaplaincy of Costa Almeria and Costa Cálida and may be contacted at djburr@avired.com

“LEARNING” ROAD TRIPS ARE A MUST

If the sun is shining and yet it still might be a little chilly, no better time than for taking a “road trip”. Get out and investigate those little bars and corner cafes that you’ve often driven past but were on a mission to go elsewhere. You will be surprised - I should say gobsmacked - by the excellent food you will bump into. Spain has wonderful places to eat and most of them are not the fancy restaurants but rather café’s or little bars, family run and home cooking. With my business world shut down I am reverting back to an earlier age, when all was much more simple and sincerely - fun. My wife road-tripped every weekend getting to know the all the surrounding villages. They have changed so much, I am starting again—and it is fun! I suggest pick a destination, get there and hit 3-4 bars for tapas and drinks asking where is the best place to eat? Rarely were we ever disappointed. Spanish “comida de la casa” (home cooking) is fabulous. It soon taught me how to eat and enjoy items that I normally wouldn’t have selected. I am often a little surprised that more English don’t know more about Spain’s incredible “home cooking cuisine”. Then again, you can only find it if you get out and look for it. And a difficult journey it isn’t… driving from village to village and chatting with the people where is the best place to eat? What do they serve? Year’s back I found 3 incredible places in Albox and NONE of them had a signs outside advertising their trade! You had to be told by others where to go. In the coming weeks I am going to tell you about a few I’ve found. Drop me a line and let me know of your discoveries: ric@mojacarsales.com or pop in and see me in the mornings, uncle Bob and I have some fun photos to show you! 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!

Man tells why he saved dog from icy river

An Essex man who stripped to his underpants to save his dog from a frozen river has defended his actions. Malcolm Jarvis, from Bradfield, who crawled out onto the ice in temperatures of minus 4C, said: “Any dog owner would do the same.” Mr Jarvis, 48, was walking in Dedham, Essex, when his Jack Russell, Bentley, fell through the ice after chasing ducks onto the River Stour. The company director, his wife Rachel, 46, and their two teenage daughters watched in horror as Bentley struggled to clamber back onto the ice. Mr Jarvis told the Daily Mail: “He was desperately trying to scramble back on to it, but he couldn’t pull himself up. “We were watching his little head sink lower and lower in the water and he was getting tired and slowing down because of the cold. “I was thinking, ‘We’re going to lose the dog - he’s going to die’. I couldn’t let that happen. “Then the adrenaline kicked in and I knew I had to make a decision and my gut instinct was to rescue him. Any dog owner would do the same.” Mr Jarvis fell through the ice but managed to grab Bentley by the scruff of the neck and hoist him back onto the ice before hauling himself out of the water. His actions were described as “extremely dangerous” by Essex Fire and Rescue Service.

Funky recycling bin in Seville A rented property of ours near Zurgena recently suffered a huge power surge via the Endesa power supply. Luckily nobody was home at the time but the washing machine, satellite box and air conditioning unit were destroyed and all have had to be replaced. A few days earlier Endesa engineers had visited the house and we suspect removed the ICP (Interruptor de Control de Potencia). If there had been an ICP fitted then it would have tripped and stopped the power surge. The owners are now suing Endesa for their losses. Our electrician was horrified as he had just visited another of our rental properties and again day’s earlier Endesa engineers had removed the ICP. I advise readers to check their fuse boards especially if Endesa has recently visited as its imperative an ICP is installed to protect the property and its occupants from power surges. ICPs can be set at either 3.5 or 5.5KW depending on the supply stated in the contract and they cost around 90€, then Endesa can then be asked to check and seal it to confirm it works at a cost of about 12€. If it is not sealed by Endesa then in case of a problem the house owner could be held liable for any damage. As the tenants were without a washing machine I went off on a mission to buy a replacement in Albox; here I came across a superb Junta de Andalucía backed scheme called Plan Renove! This project helps people financially when they upgrade to more efficient A+ washing machines and fridges. The discount is 25% and available for anyone with a valid NIE number. The process only took me a couple of minutes and I saved the house owner over 60€. Both El Curro (up the road from Murkys) and Electro Ahorro (near the BP) offer this fantastic incentive and both shops offer free delivery and take away the old one.

Buy a fridge – save the planet

Stephen Amore has lived in Almeria since July 2006 and owns Findmeahome estate agency. Writing on a variety of topics close to his heart such as environmental issues, animal welfare, food and drink, music and travel, as well as commenting on the absurdities of living in Spain! email: stephen@findmeahome.es - www.facebook.com/stephen.amore

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

Motoring

Mazda MX-5 Venture Edition

Luxurious limited edition gets sat-nav as standard - a first for the MX-5

Mazda has just announced a limited run, special edition of its legendary MX-5 sportscar, called the ‘Venture Edition’. Just in time for spring, the new model is available as a 1.8 litre, 5-speed manual soft-top, or as a 2.0 litre, 6-speed manual with a folding metal roof. Both cars receive an upgraded luxury spec including heated Havana Brown leather seats, cruise control and a 5.8-inch touch screen Sat Nav – a first for the MX-5. On the outside, the special editions get two new colour schemes, a chrome grille and special 17-inch gunmetal alloys. Just 250 examples of the soft top and 550 of the retractable hard-top will come to the UK - priced from £18,995 and £22,285 respectively.

Chrysler Ypsilon Red&Black Diesel prices near record high Limited edition Chrysler Ypsilon Red&Black introduced for the Diesel prices are almost back to record levels The price of diesel at the pumps averages 142.9p a litre — the record is 143.04p set last May. Over the past month, the average price rose by 0.8p a litre, while the average price of petrol went up 1.46p to 135p a litre. This was 2.43p off the petrol record high, but since the start of the year the monthly fuel bill for a two-car family rose by 5.84p. Northern Ireland had the highest average petrol prices (135.9p a litre) while northern England had the cheapest at 134.2p. Northern Ireland also had the dearest average diesel (143.5p), while the cheapest was in northern England and in Yorkshire and Humberside (142.3p). Edmund King, the AA president, said: “The UK’s rate of inflation may have fallen but that comes as cold comfort for consumers and businesses that depend on their vehicles and see pump prices nearing last year’s

records. “The fact is that, in a period of stagnant wages, petrol costs 23p a litre more and diesel 29p a litre more than in February 2010, when fuel price rises picked up pace. “A typical 50-litre petrol refill now costs £11.50 more and filling an 80-litre commercial van tank with diesel has risen £23.20. “In inflationary terms, that is a 20.5 per cent rise in two years for petrol and a 25.6 per cent increase for diesel over the same period. “Consequently, we will be reminding the Chancellor before the March Budget that his 3p fuel duty increase ear-marked for Aug 1 should be scrapped if these high pump prices persist.” A quarter of British cars run on diesel and, as most hauliers also use the fuel, the increase could force up food prices and further damage the economic recovery.

Parque Ind El Real, Antas 04628

Chrysler has just launched a UK with prices starting from £12,750 new special edition of the Ypsilon supermini, called the Black&Red. It goes on sale this month and comes only in a black and red bi-colour paint-job with 16-inch alloy wheels and body coloured side skirts. The engine choice is more varied though with customers able to choose between a 0.9-litre TwinAir engine, a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel unit. Standard equipment is generous too with black and red fabric seats, dashboard and door linings as well as aircon, Bluetooth and an upgraded stereo all included. Prices for the Black&Red start at £12,750 for the 1.2-litre petrol and top out at £14,950 for the 1.3-litre diesel. That’s more expensive than the SE trim diesel, which costs £14,195 but cheaper than the range-topping Limited model priced at £15,495.

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sport

Compiled by AFM

SPORTS SHORTS

• The quarter-finals of the FA Cup will feature two all-Premiership games: Liverpool (6-1 conquerors of Brighton) v Stoke and Everton v Sunderland (2-0 winners over Arsenal who haven’t won a trophy for seven years). The other ties are Birmingham or Chelsea v. Leicester and Stevenage or Spurs v. Bolton. • L ast night, under pressure Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas’ hoped his team got a ‘result’ in their last 16 Champions League game in Napoli. • In the Europa League this evening, Manchester City take on Porto and tomorrow Stoke are in Spain to play Valencia while Ryan Giggs could make his 900th appearance for Manchester United against Ajax who are now under the control of former player Johan Cruyff after the Dutch club’s board resigned en bloc. • Southampton, West Ham and Cardiff are going well in the Championship; Charlton lead League One by a mile and Southend, Cheltenham and Swindon are cracking on League Two. • Portsmouth and Rangers have both gone into administration, Pompey for the second time in two years. Both clubs have had 10 point deducted and that leaves Rangers, 17 behind rivals Celtic (68-51) in the SPL. • Managers Mick McCarthy (Wolves), Lee Clark (Huddersfield) and Martin Allen (Notts County) have been sacked. Neil Warnock has taken charge at Leeds and Keith Curle look favourite for the Meadow Lane job – but who will be next in charge at Molineux? • Ex-Sheffield Wednesday star Tom McAnearney has died, aged 79. • This weekend, Liverpool play Cardiff in the LC final and Arsenal meet Spurs in the PL. • Kevin Pietersen’s century helped England win the third ODI by nine wickets to clinch the four-match series with Pakistan. • Vitali Klitschko beat Dereck Chisora to retain his WBC heavyweight crown but after the bout Chisora and Britain’s ex-champion David Haye were involved in a brawl. Chisora was arrested and later released by German police. • Sir Chris Hoy won two gold medals at the World Cycling Championships at the Olympic Velodrome in London. • Heptathlete Jessica Ennis ran the fastest 60m hurdles this year to win gold at the Aviva Grand Prix on Saturday. Pole-vaulter Holly Bleasdale, long jumpers Shara Proctor and JJ Jegarde, 400m runners Shana Cox and Nigel Levine and high jumper Robbie Grabarz all won their events. • Harlequins defeated lowly Worcester 14-10 to stay top of the Aviva Premiership, as second-placed Saracens lost to Leicester. • Leeds beat Australian side Manly 26-12 in Rugby League’s World Club Challenge. • And China’s Ding Junhui is the 2012 Welsh Open snooker champion.

Angling News with Beachcomber John Almeria Lawn bowls..............

Shore Fishing: ‘London Bill’ has been doing quite well considering the weather has not been great. From Macenas rocks (North of the beach) he caught sea bass to 2lbs. While fish a couple of sessions from Garrucha rocks and the Lady Statue beach he bagged quite a few bream, mostly striped, dorada, cow and a twin banded. One dorada weighed over 2lbs. ‘Squiddly Sid’, ‘Dennis the Menace’, ‘West Country Dave’ and ‘Stay Behind Brian’ fished the Hotel Indalo arm and no fish were caught. Boat fishing: The only Capitano I’ve heard from is ‘Orca Steve’ who was out with ‘Chef Jeremy’. They went out for a full day’s fishing under a beautiful Azure sky but in windy conditions with a light sea swell. As the wind was from the direction of the land Steve decided to anchor up behind the Garrucha harbour wall and position the boat over the 360ft hole where they had previously some decent success. This proved to be the right decision as they hit into fish straight away landing pandoras and blue mouths onto the boat. Steve got a good take and brought in a nice hake of about 4.1/2lbs. After about an hour they noticed that their lines were being pulled by an increasingly strengthening current which eventually overcame the wind and moved the boat towards Villaricos and over shallow ground. They persevered in this area but only got a few pandoras and combers although Jeremy did land a good sized Blue mouth. They decided to pull the anchor and try drifting over the various holes in the area but Steve said the wind by this time was really strong and they moved too fast to do any decent fishing and so called it a day in the early afternoon

and left the fish for another time. One thing Steve did notice was the salinity of the water was extremely high with a reading of 38 psu (practical salinity units) also expressed as ppt, (salt parts per thousand parts water) leaving salt deposits on the boat and on his clothing. The cause of this probably being the strong currents bringing water from deeper outlying waters into shallower areas. ‘Paul the Rope’ and ‘Irish Rover Phil’ have just returned from their jolly to Cape Verde and while they were there took a trip out fishing. See photo of Paul with a wahoo. It just goes to show that our Mediterranean Sea has been overfished over the years and the people in charge are still not doing enough to change that situation. Coarse Fishing: Remember ‘Jim the Poacher’? He is fishing in the UK and tried out some new lures from Zebco. It was flipping freezing -4 Degrees! 10.2lb and 15.5lb Pike was the result and he lost a biggie, took the lure and wire trace and cut him off. ‘Baza Barry’ fished Lake Argos near Calasparra and had about 40lbs of carp and barbel during 6 hours of fishing, the average fish weighing just 1lb and the biggest 3lbs. Top weight on matches on the River Segura in Murcia was 39.1/2lbs, still tough fishing and conditions. The Albox fishing club meets every two weeks or so at Bar Wassy. For details of the next meeting call 677 655 049. 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 call 950 473 099. Tight Lines, Beachcomber John.

2012 Dyer Cup and Appleby Vase Report (Club Men’s and Ladies Single Championships) The Dyer Cup and the Appleby Vase club men’s and ladies singles respectively, commenced on a cold and windy morning of Friday 3rd February on our brand new carpet with seven preliminary games, together with one game in the ladies singles. The afternoon continued with the completion of the men’s preliminary rounds and the commencement of the ladies first round. Monday morning and afternoon of the 6t,h, games were played to reach the quarter and semi-finals for both the men and ladies to be played on Friday 10th Thanks must go to the players and markers who enabled these competitions to take place despite the adverse weather. The Dyer Cup Semi-finals commenced with the first semi-final between our ViceCaptain, John Fitzgerald and Norman Atkins who on paper was a very close game. However Norman who had played extremely well up to this stage was not on form and John didn’t give any mercy and romped home the winner. The second semi-final between Graham Patrick and our illustrious Captain, Jim Pike was an exciting game. On the eleventh end it seemed as Graham was the only player with the score at 16-4. However although Jim woke up and fought tenaciously, still couldn’t get ahead with Graham winning by three shots. The Appleby Vase semifinals were unfortunately both one way games. The first was between Catherine Patrick and Maria Pinkster, the other was Patsy Tonkin against Siobhan Herrity. Well done to Patsy and Catherine respectively for winning their games and for Maria and Siobhan for reaching this stage. The scene was set for the two Finals on Saturday 11th February. In the Dyer Cup, John Fitzgerald was against his good friend and pair’s partner, Graham Patrick

who was celebrating his 65th birthday. This was an epic final with both players playing extremely good bowls. The lead changed constantly throughout the game when on the twentyfourth end scores were 19-19. Again it was a very good head with John just squeezing the two shots required to win. Both players must be congratulated on giving the many spectators a game to be remembered. The Appleby Vase final was between Grahams other half Catherine and Patsy Tonkin who had won this competition in 2008 and 2009. Catherine started well and was in the lead after seven ends. Patsy then started to show her experience by creeping ahead end by end. Catherine played some very good bowls and made a spirited fight back on the twenty-first and second end scoring two shots on each end. However Patsy wasn’t going to lose this fight and won by three shots. As usual Jim Pike thanked all players, markers and spectators and yours truly for making these competitions go smoothly and effective. Vic Parsons ALBC Press Officer

Marina Members Golf Club................................ Monday 13 February Our competition this time was a stableford with the gentlemen playing from the yellow tees. There were two 2s. Alan Humphries on the 14th hole and Frank Varey on the 17th. The ladies results were somewhat disappointing on this occasion and the gentlemen were not much better. The results were: Ladies 1st Sandra Larkin with 31 points 2nd June Humphries with 29 points 3rd Nuala Hare with 28

points Gentlemen 1st Frank Varey with 34 points 2nd Andrew Markham with 33 points on countback 3rd Colin Padfield with 33 points Thursday 16 February Another large field of members and guests played a betterball stableford in teams of four with scores based on the stroke indices of the course. It was great to play in slightly warmer weather. The results were: 1st Jim Budd, Tony King,Elmar

Trappen, Rosalie Fardon. 2nd Martin Cooke, Frank Varey,Steve Entwistle (visitor), Hylton Smith (visitor). 3rd Colin Padfield,Brian Couper, June Humphries, Margaret Budd A Nearest the pin competition was held on the 5th hole and this was won by Alan Humphries. Visitors are always welcome to join us in our Thursday Competitions. To do this ring Jim on 950 162 727 To see further information on Marina members club go to www.marinamembers golfmojacar.com

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SOLTIMES FEBRUARY 2012

The ‘Mind Your Head’ hash

This had to be the coldest day of the year so far, but never-the-less Indalo Hash House Harriers gathered at the home of, Ageing Happy & Flower Power, near Los Cabreras, which is somewhere between the middle of nowhere and the back of beyond, but where, surprisingly, the sea could be seen between the mountains. After the usual pre hash formalities, the chalk talk and the introduction of two virgins, the hash got under way, with the walkers going one way, and the runners going in the opposite direction (sneaky). The trail was well marked and easy to follow, even the false trails, through the stunning scenery of this area, and after about 1½ hours the start/end was in sight. Refreshments and nibbles were available for everyone when they returned, and then the ‘circle’ was formed, all the usual down-downs were awarded, including, short cutting, the FRB, use of real names, watering the campo and pocket billiards. We also had two ‘naming

ceremonies’, Cosmo, for offering centimos for his subs will, from now on be called ‘No Cents’, and Don, for just being a computer geek (sorry, expert), will now be known as ‘Soft-Where’. At the ‘on-after’, Flower Power offered the group four different soups and a mountain of bread, in their old restored cortijo, which had some low doorways, and on numerous occasions the call, “mind your head” was heard, only to be followed by some naughty expletives, as the call was too late. A damn good hash, in a beautiful area and a nourishing on-after, so hopefully we’ll be invited back there soon……Hint hint The next hash will be on Sunday 26th February, in the Arboleas area For more information about this, or any other hashing matters e-mail: indaloh3@ gmail.com or see our website www.indaloh3.com And remember, if you’ve ever had half a mind to go hashing, that’s all you need!!!

Barcelona responded to Real Madrid’s solid 4-0 win over Racing Santander on Saturday, with a 5-1 drubbing of thirdplaced Valencia at Camp Nou last night, to stay ten points off the leaders. Ronaldo opened the scoring for Real at the Santiago Bernabeu, Angel de Maria marked his return from injury with a fine goal, and Benzema bagged a brace to keep Mourinho’s men on course for the title. Lionel Messi produced another dazzling display as Barcelona came from behind to defeat Valencia. The home side went a goal down within ten minutes as Piatti found away through the Barça defence, but the visitors’ joy was short lived. The Argentinian superstar produced four goals and Xavi added a fifth to deny Valencia any chance of taking home a point. There were goalfests for Real Mallorca, Granada and Rayo Vallecano too this weekend. Real Mallorca ended Villarreal’s recent revival in spectacular style with a 4-0 win at the Iberostar, and Granada moved five points clear of the relegation zone with a convincing 4-1 home win over

10-man Real Sociedad. Rayo Vallecano inflicted another blow on Levante with a 5-3 away win. Getafe and Espanyol shared the spoils after an entertaining 1-1 draw at the Alfonso Pérez Coliseum. Sevilla notched up a 2-0 win over Osasuna at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuan. A stunning four-minute scoring spree midway through the second half helped Athletic Bilbao down fellow UEFA Champions League hopefuls Málaga 3-0 at San Mames. Goalkeeper Juan Pablo was the hero as Sporting Gijón held on to claim a 1-1 draw against Atlético Madrid in Javier Clemente’s first game in charge.

sport

BOXERS GOLF SOCIETY................ Valle del Este GS....................... On Tuesday the 13th of February the society set forth in exceptionally cold conditions to compete in our fortnightly Stapleford. Starting at minus five it soaon warmed up to a staggering eight degrees though the wind chill denied us that. It was a day of cold hands, missed putts and for most low scores. However it was good to be out and some of our members made a good fist of it with our captain Tony Harwin coming out as overall winner with 37points. Steve Gilmore returned from a brief drop in form to win the first division with 36 points two points ahead of Martin Fisk on 34 points. The second division was won by our Captain, Tony on 37

points whilst the runners up were Colin Waters second with 31 points and Steve Peete on 27 points. The third division was won by Hylton Smith with 24 points and the runner up was Tom Harris on 20 points. Nearest the pins were, Les Ashton 7th, Dave France 11th and Martin Fisk 15th. The 2s on the day were Les Ashton and Bob Aylbery. Date for the Diary. Alboran on the 28th of February for the first part of the Captain’s Eclectic. Boxers Golf Society meet every Saturday morning in the Why Not bar in Albox for competition bookings and information. Guests always welcome. For membership email peterstooksd@avired.com.

CORTIJO GRANDE......................... Wednesday 15th February 2012 at Cortijo Grande and once again two divisions. The winner of the first division with 36 points John Park second with 35 points Bob Winter and third with 33 John Wardley, Second division winner with 32 David Baird in third with 31 Graham Meeks and third with 29 Carol Hardy. Ball sweep winners John Knowles Stuart Watson Brian Harwood. Sunday 19th February 2012 at Cortijo Grande and two divisions . The monthly medal winner in the first division with net 66 Stuart Watson

from Cathal Higgins71 and in third with 72 Harry Lentern. Seond division winner with 72 John Knowles second with another 72 David Baird and third with 74 Ursula Lade. Ball sweep winner John Knowles. Dates for your diary. Tuesday 21 st February we are going to play at Alboran golf cluband we have a very good price . If you wish to play at Alboran or any other Wednesday or Sunday 950 475509. Enjoy your golf with Cortijo Grande visitors and guests welcone MP

Magnificent Messi downs Valencia

The golf was the winner this week as we managed to dodge the rain, and again we had a large turnout on both days. Two divisions seems to be the order of the day. Tuesday the winners were Bob Mearing Brian Calvert and Bill Churchill. Also the other comp winners were Alan Hewitt and Doris Harrison. Friday the first division winner was Patrick Vickery 35pts 2nd Sean Halligan 34pts. 2nd Division

winner Peter Denham 33pts 2nd Sue Baggley 32pts. Nearest the pins winners Dean Fisher and Sean Halligan. May we remind all members to book in early in the coming weeks for golf as it starts to get busy. Also book your own golf buggies if you require one. Its good sportsmanship to not pick up lost golf balls while the are still rolling. Enjoy your golf at Valle Del Este.

Urcal Golf Society...................

On a bright day we played an individual stapleford competition for the Almasol Cup at the Lorca Golf Resort. In a close finish Steve Fear playing his first game of 2012 held his nerve to finish first with 37 points followed by John Smith with 34 points and Pete Boggan finishing third with 33. Nearest the pin on hole no.4 went to John Smith, nearest the pin in two on hole 13

was won by Pete Boggan and Stan Whitty took the longest drive on hole 15 Thanks to everyone for making it such an enjoyable day. Urcal Golf Society are a small friendly society who are actively looking for new members. if you would like to join or play as a guest in the first instance please contact Tony Morgan on 664 356 287

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FREE Safety / ITV check with every service 2002 Peugeot Partner, 1.9 diesel, A/C, 5 seater with windows...€2995 2002 Citroen Burlingo Van, 1.9 diesel, large roof rack VGC.......€2800 1995 Opel Monterey 4x4, 3.1 td, 7 seater, VGC................................€2995 1999 Peugeot 106, 1.5 diesel, A/C, Economical..................................€1495 FORD TRANSIT, 2.5 diesel, LWB, new ITV................................................€1495 1999 hyundai accent, 1.3 petrol, hatchback, new ITV......................€995 ALL THE ABOVE VEHICLES ARE SPANISH PLATED AND LHD Find us on the Partaloa to Oria road (A399) 1km outside of Oria on the right. Carretera Autonomica A-399 c / Paraje el Puente sin 04810. Oria, Almeria

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Reading manager Brian McDermott has emerged as the leading contender to succeed Mick McCarthy as Wolves manager

Wolves turn to Reading manager Brian McDermott for Molineux job

you don’t have drive then you won’t be very successful. “We don’t want him to go and I’m sure the fans don’t want him to go. Everyone loves him, he is loved around the club and he is a very good man.” Wolves owner Steve Morgan had hoped to name a successor to McCarthy, who was sacked on 13 February, before the game away to Newcastle on 25 February. But Moxey declined to say if they would have a new man in place for the weekend. “We have been talking to people in and out of current positions all the time,” Moxey added. “All our options, including both short-term and long-range possibilities, remain open.” Meanwhile, Wolves caretaker manager Terry Connor is demanding a positive response from the team when they return to action for the first time since McCarthy was sacked. He said: “We’re asking the players to respond positively, like they always have done at bad times, and come back ready for another fight.”

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Restaurant Bar

Sunday roast - 6.50€, giant filled Yorkshire pudding 3.50€. All meats carved to order. lunchtime & early evening meals @ 3.50€ Set evening meals and full a la carte menu available from 7.30pm - 10.30pm Tapas served Daily with Daily Specials All meals home-made on the premises by fully trained chef with over 36 years experience Forthcoming Events

1st March - St David’s day “limited places available” 17th March - St Patrick’s Day 18th March - Mothers Day, Why not treat Mum to a Sunday Roast without the washing up!!! 28th March - Quiz night “Steal Deal” - 1€ Drinks - Wine, Tubo beer, Tinto De Verano, Beer Sin & San Miguel

C/Sierra Nevada, 23, Roquetas de Mar tel: 950 333 771 or 634 526 508 reservations RecommendeD

Open: 12.30pm - 4pm,7pm - Close. Closed Thursdays. Sunday 12.30pm - 5pm (food served from 1pm)

Your property.......NOW

www.propertyinalmeria.com We have a new website that will place your property on one of its pages. We then advertise the website all over the world to get the best exposure for your listing. We place weekly adverts on Facebook, Google, Youtube, Amazon and Ebay as well as many other popular advertising agencies. We will be making videos to promote the website and placing these videos to get leads back to the main web page also increasing exposure to the website. For more information and prices go to our site or call David on 600 217 968

www.propertyinalmeria.com

Bar Spinnaker

BEACH-FRONT BAR

Tubo and Tapa €2

We are located on the paseo between the Zoraida Garden Hotel and the Port of Roquetas De Mar 950 325 867 www.barspinnakerroquetas.co.uk

UNDER NE W MANAGEMEN T Meals and tapas served 10 am – 9 pm.

Sunday Lunch 1pm - 6pm Main course with glass of wine or lager 6.50€ • 3 course lunch 10€ Tuesday Monday Wednesday Special Fillet Steak, chips or jacket pot & salad Bingo Pie & Mash 7.50€ (with starter or dessert 10€) Quiz 9pm 3pm 5.50€ inc ½ beer Saturday Curry Friday Onion Bhajee, Chicken Curry, Naan bread Fish, chips & peas & small beer or wine 7.50€ with bread & butter 5€ ALL SPORTS AND SOAPS SHOWN

CHAPLINS pub

Property management Sales & Rentals Roquetas de Mar, Aguadulce Almerimar, Vicar, La Envia Golf

27 CALLE SIERRA NEVADA, 200M FROM HOTEL PLAYA ZUL ROQUETAS

For all your property needs

Services include Key Holding, Maintenance, Furniture Packs, Cleaning & Laundry, Weekly Apartment & Post-box Checks Golf Discounts and Golf Packages Available

Rental Properties required for long or short lets in Roquetas de Mar Call or e-mail us for further information.

Mobile: (0034) 663 426 921

info@enviapropertyservices.com

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www.enviapropertyservices.com

ALL LIVE FOOTBALL SHOWN ON 5 TVS

HOMEMADE FOOD •SKY Sports & espn DAILY from 3€ •FREE WIfI WEDNESDAY RIBS 4.95€ •good pUB gRUB FRIDAY •kARAOKE FISH’N’CHIPS 3.95€ •beat THE DJ BEST IN TOWN SUNDAY •rETRO mUSIC ROAST DINNERS •Friday 9.30ish 4.95€ (Roasts 1.30pm gENERAL kNOWLEDGE qUIZ - 8pm) • Guinness & sTRONGBOW Booking Advisable ON dRAUGHT Weds, Fri and Sun

Tel: 950 335 022

Mob: 618 824 368

Opening Hours: 5pm - late Tues - Fri / 1pm - Late Sat & Sun / Closed Mon

902 750 190

BBC Radio Berkshire reports McDermott was in Wolverhampton on Monday to discuss the Molineux post. Steve Bruce remains in the frame, although Wolves have dismissed reports linking Brighton manager Gus Poyet to the job. Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey said: “All our options remain open.” McDermott, 50, has been in charge of Reading since December 2009 when he succeeded Brendan Rodgers. The former Arsenal player has steered the Royals to ninth and fifth-placed finishes while they are currently challenging for promotion after winning their last four games without conceding. McDermott has not managed in the Premier League before, but Reading striker Noel Hunt said he “would not be surprised” if he left. “They are in the Premier League and every club wants to be there. That is the same for players and managers,” Hunt told BBC Radio Berkshire. “Managers want to test themselves at the highest level against the best teams and if

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