www.shiftmypetsandstuff.com
to & from uk
Thermal lined & controlled ventilation ideal for pets
200€ dog 100€ cats & birds
heavy loads welcome 4700kg with speed limiter fixed price quotes Fully legal operation Shop & offices to visit px goods to offset costs
call: 634 368 430
ISSUE 429
costa almeria
SolTimes CK ME UP’est. SINCE 2005 YOUR ESSENTIAL WEEKLY ‘PI
your free weekly newspaper
albox
26 MAR - 1 APR
www.soltimes.com
insurance est 7 years Award winning agent For all your Insurance Needs Please contact
Glenn & jayne 950 121 943
infoalbox.libertyseguros@gmail.com
Number one
broadband internet provider in the area
1.9m & 2.4m dishes in stock
call now for best prices Tel Martin: 678 813 505
eurosatwiz@gmail.com www.eurosatwiz.es
Humbugs arboleas simply scrummy food
Menu Mothers Day Menu Sunday 30th March
Including a free glass of wine & plant gift for every lady!
Starters
Barbequed Chicken Salad Creamy Garlic Mushrooms served with French bread Soup of the Day served with fresh local bread
camping los gallardos www.campinglosgallardos.com
Mobile Homes for sale and rent long and short term
miraflores restaurant
Book now for Mothering Sunday 30th March Choice of 6 Starters Carvery for €7.95 or upgrade to lamb for €9.95 (booking essential 48 hours before)
Choice of delicious homemade desserts - €3 each Remember Pie Night Tuesdays Curry Bonanza Thursdays Fish and Chips Fridays
€625
Booking essential - Phone: 679 970 399
Main Course
Roast Beef, Chicken & Pork served with fresh seasonal vegetables, roast & mashed potatoes, homemade Yorkshire puddings, stuffing, apple sauce & gravy
Desserts
Syrup Sponge Rhubarb Crumble 12.95€ Raspberry & Apple pie served with cream, custard or ice cream Book Now to avoid disappointment Open: Mon - Thurs: 9.30am-5.00pm / friday 9:30am-9pm Saturday 9.30am-3.30pm / Sun 10am - 3.30pm Find us in Arboleas 200m from Hostel Meson Telephone 676 604 008
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URGENTLY REQUIRED properties for sale in Albox, Arboleas, Mojacar, Mazarron and surrounding areas. Belguim, French & Dutch clients waiting to buy your property Contact us now 615 282 151 salemyproperty@gogoestates.com skype:gogoestates1
Mojácar Playa A1174
Open Mon-Fri 9.30am-6pm
Price 120,000€
€429 A complete range of garden furniture, gas bbq’s and accessories available soon in Arboleas, opposite Amigos Bowling Centre
Superb south facing apartment of 68m2 + huge terrace of 39m2 in walking distance of the beach with outstanding sea views. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Private garage. Community pool. Furnished.
VERA LV675
price 99,950 €
A beautiful 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, townhouse of 75m2 in a pretty urbanisation. Community pool & gardens. In walking distance of all amenities, beaches & the local bus route. Excellent rental potential.
2
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SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
Sunergy Almeria
Established 2002
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Independent systems, solar water pumps, pool filter pumps reduce electric bills, best quality equipment
For all solar and wind power products
Call Phil for competitive prices
636 261 240
Email: info@sunergyalmeria.com www.sunergyalmeria.com
News
Passport fees for British nationals overseas reduced by 35%
The fees for a UK passport for British citizens applying from overseas countries, including Spain, will fall by 35% from next month. James Brokenshire, Immigration and Security Minister, has announced that from 7th April the passport fee for customers applying for a UK passport from overseas will be reduced by £45 for adults and £28.50 for children. The new fees are: · Adult 32 page passport £83.00 · Child 32 page passport £53.00 · Jumbo 48 page passport £91.00 (Adult / Child / Veteran) The 35% decrease in passport fees is the result of efficiency savings made over the last three years by bringing back the processing and issuing of overseas passports to the UK, including from the former passport processing centre at the British Embassy Madrid. Will Middleton, Consular Director for Spain, said: “This is good news for British citizens applying for a UK Passport from Spain. The repatriation of overseas passport centres means overseas applications can now be handled more efficiently and at significantly lower cost. “The new fees will benefit some four million Britons living overseas, including many of the estimated 800,000 who live in Spain for all or
part of the year.” If you need a new or replacement passport, go to the Overseas British passport applications page on www. GOV.UK where you can make an overseas application. You need to apply and pay online and send your supporting documents direct to the UK (no longer to the nearest Consulate or Embassy). The turnaround time is four to six weeks, and applications are accepted up to nine months before the expiry of your current passport. The new fees for overseas applications remain marginally higher than the equivalent fees for UKbased applicants because on average overseas applications take longer – and therefore cost slightly more - to process. This is because it is often less straightforward to establish whether or not an overseas applicant is entitled to a UK passport. Overseas customers will also continue to pay a courier charge in addition to the passport fee. British nationals can get more information and advice on living in Spain by “liking / following” the British Embassy’s popular new social media channels on: Facebook - www. fac e b o ok.c om/B rit slivinginSp ain or Twitter www.twitter.com/ BritsliveSpain Source: fco.gov.uk
SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
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News
Russia has promised not to attack east Ukraine
Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu promised his US counterpart Chuck Hagel in a telephone call on Thursday that Moscow would not assault eastern Ukraine. Hagel voiced concern about Russian military movements but Shoigu assured him that “the troops he has arrayed along the border are there to conduct exercises only and they have no intention of crossing the border into Ukraine and that they would take no aggressive action.” Hagel also asked how long the military “exercise” would last but Shoigu “didn’t have a firm time frame for that.” Hagel also renewed US calls for Russia to de-escalate tensions and restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Washington has watched a Russian buildup on Ukraine’s eastern border with growing concern after Moscow’s intervention in Crimea. Moscow’s promise to Washington came as Ukraine warned it would respond with military action if Russia tries to seize the country’s mainly Russian-speaking eastern regions. Nato secretary-general Anders Fogh Rasmussen said on Wednesday the alliance was concerned Russia might push beyond Crimea into eastern
Ukraine. President Barack Obama announced fresh punitive sanctions earlier over Moscow’s annexation of Crimea, while Russia responded by issuing its own list of sanctions against nine US officials. Amid the worst East-West crisis since the end of the Cold War, Obama has ruled out the use of military force in Ukraine while vowing to isolate Moscow through diplomacy and sanctions. Russia’s lower house of parliament on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a treaty to annex Crimea from Ukraine, leaving just one legal obstacle for the Black Sea peninsula to cross before it is formally absorbed by Moscow. Only one deputy in the almost full chamber of the State Duma voted against the treaty, which was passed by 443 to 1, and the Federation Council upper house is expected to complete ratification on Friday, signed by President Vladimir Putin and Crimean leaders on Tuesday. The Crimean port city of Sevastopol is home to the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Russian forces are now in control of the peninsula, which has an ethnic Russian majority and voted for union with Russia on Sunday. Approval of the treaty in the rubberstamp parliament had never been in doubt once it was signed by Putin.
Telephone: 950 460 999
MUNDI
Ronda de Las Buganvillas, Local 22, (nr Garrucha) www.mundiabogados.com info@mundiabogados.com
ABOGADOS
Maria Maroto Perez: Solicitor/Barrister - Esther Serrano Saez: Solicitor/Barrister
• NIE Cards • Residency Cards • Social Security Cards • • Company Setup • Insurance • • Conveyancing • Translations • Litigation • Wills & Inheritance Tax • Tax Returns • We are pleased to introduce ourselves MUNDI ABOGADOS SOLICITORS. We are a multidisciplinary law firm based in Vera (Almería) and as such we deal with many different aspects of law, specialising in litigation, conveyancing, taxation, civil, commercial and fiscal law. Our aim is to provide a personal, quality service, in plain English and to do so promptly, efficiently and in a friendly manner. We will keep you up to date and fully informed throughout and all at a very competitive price. We can also arrange the following if needed: • Open a Spanish bank account • Connection of utility services • If you are considering renting your house or land we will negotiate your letting agreement, ensuring that the terms of your contract meet your requirements • Write your Spanish will • As your Fiscal Representatives, we will assist you in any dealings with Spanish Tax Office and explain to you all the taxes that you are liable to pay. For those that become residents of Spain, we can also assist in other legal matters, such as matrimonial issues or business contracts.
3
Exhibiting 28 - 30 March 2014
Property fair in Utrecht
FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS OF THE PROPERTY SHOW IN BELGIUM, WE URGENTLY REQUIRE ALL TYPES OF PROPERTY FOR SALE IN ALL AREAS
• • • • •
Cortijo in the Arboleas area
Villa in San Juan de los Terneros
Reformed semi-detached cortijo 4 beds, 2 baths Separate casita Splash pool Walking distance to bar/restaurants
• • • • •
APB513 - 140,000€
Detached villa 2 beds, 1 bath Garden Small select complex Walking distance to beach
APB506 - 84,900€
For further information call Cathie or Antonio 950 43 16 24 or 658 811 628 or email us on info@almeriapropertyfinder.com www.almeriapropertyfinder.com
id’s v a D
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3* City Centre Hotel B&B Reduced to 112€ 3 days April 2-4 & 14-16
3* Hotel Half Board & ww
Almuñecar
FERIA DE SEVILLA
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4* Hotel
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Half Board inc WW 6 days June 16-21
Selected coaches from Los Alcazares, Balsicas, Valle de Sol, Totana & Puerta Lumbreras, Albox, Arboleas & Vera
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SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
ort he cut out t and n middle ma om the fr t c e buy dir urer manufact
mobile: 638 900 949 office: 950 930 520 www.themetalworksspain.com info@ themetalworksspain.com
The Metal Works
shot blasting and powder coating service available for new & old metalwork
between Amigos Bowling & Mora oil, polgono industrial, arboleas
security grills - garden gates & railings spiral staircases - motorised sliding gates garage doors - ornate gazebos
News
Health Charges and changes
The Regional health authority said this week that in 2013 it had issued bills totalling almost €300,000 to foreign visitors who needed medical treatment and who did not have any form of insurance cover. In the case of visitors from other EU states it was their failure to obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) that led to them being charged for the treatment they received. The regional health authority in Valencia has announced a new scheme for obtaining healthcare. Under its Convenio Especial - a scheme that is part of wide ranging reforms to the health system - anyone who currently lacks the right to state healthcare can now get themselves covered. The scheme is open to working age people - those under 65 - and those people over the age of 65 who for any reason have no access to public
healthcare. However, it is by no means a ‘free handout’. In the case of people under 65, the cost of the insurance scheme is €60 per month while those over 65 will have to pay €157 per month. British Consul in Alicante Paul Rodwell has welcomed the implementation of this new scheme which provides a solution and peace of mind to a significant number of British residents on the Costa Blanca. Martyn Standing of the healthcare team at the consulate in Alicante said: “This is great news. It means almost everyone who currently lacks the right to state healthcare can now get themselves covered.” Information and forms for this scheme (Spanish only) are available on the regional government website: http://www.gva.es:80/es/inicio/ procedimientos?id_proc=17044
The Rain is Spain!
The almost non-existent rainfall registered in the Valencia Region since the summer has left watering deposits at critical levels and created a severe fire risk in the mountains. In addition, the regional farming trade is complaining of severely dwindling crops and grazing problems for livestock. Citrus fruit, artichoke, cauliflower, broccoli, olive, almond and grape plantations are suffering from lack of water and abnormal weather that has led them to flower before time. This week’s light rain has done little
to calm concern over the fact that this winter has seen 85% less rainfall than usual. Up to 11 districts have been placed on alert in northern Valencia Province and southern Castellón. In Andalucía the statistics show that the province as a whole is graded as Very Dry in the north and west, with the rest of the province coming in as Moderately Dry, tending to be nearer to normal towards Almería City.
SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
www.soltimes.com
News
Albox Ayuntamiento denounces extortion racket
Albox council has taken the unprecedented step of denouncing an alleged extortion racket targeting local businesses. According to the council, an unspecified number of shop owners and restaurateurs in the town have recently been subjected to “threats and blackmail” by individuals. The local authority issued a statement last week, saying it had taken the decision to “defend residents”, while calling on the public to “step forward”
and help police with their enquiries.
A Bristol man ripped off by a Gumtree seller got his revenge by texting him the entire works of Shakespeare. Edd Joseph, 24, was furious when he bought a PS3 games console for £80. However, the vendor failed to deliver the goods. So Mr Josephs decided to take his revenge by texting the entire works of the Bard to the fraudster - all 30,000 words, reports the Bristol Post. Mr Joseph discovered he can copy the words from the internet and paste them into a text message - without costing him a penny on his unlimited mobile phone package. He sends it as one text but his victim can only receive them in 160 character chunks - meaning the 37 works of Shakespeare will buzz through in 29,305 individual
texts. So far Mr Joseph has sent 22 plays including Hamlet, Macbeth and Othello, which have been delivered in 17,424 texts. He reckons the remaining 15 works will take another few days to send - meaning his adversary’s phone will have been constantly beeping for nearly a full week. Mr Joseph said: I’m going to keep doing it. If nothing else I’m sharing a little bit of culture with someone who probably doesn’t have much experience of it. “I’m not a literary student, and I’m not an avid fan of Shakespeare but I’ve got a new appreciation you could say - especially for the long ones.” Mr Joseph bought the console and bundle of games by direct bank transfer - giving him no protection when the seller failed to send the goods or provide a refund.
Alcalde Rogelio Mena revealed that two men with previous convictions were under suspicion. He conceded that the council had taken a “highly unusual step” by interceding on behalf of the alleged victims – a sign, he said, that the accusations were “very grave”. The alleged perpetrators are subject to a court order which prohibits residence in the town until a final judgment, and a restraining order.
Getting his own back!
Cheapest in Almeria
Construction and Reformation Warehouse
High gloss Inverter
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Boiler 80L
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only 483,16 m2 7.23€ per pack
Pavement Fabiola cream Interior 47 x 47 cm. 1.83m2 / Box. Sold by the case. (10408930)
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SOLTIMES march 2014
New In Stock!
2 free sunloungers when you spend 1500€ in store
new in store: trendy 4 seater patio set €420
new in store: a beautiful range of sofas. These are a genuine major uk retailer brand... attractive, very comfortable and the best
new in store: solid oak table €420 Free Delivery
offer available
part.... prices start at just €299.
www.facebook.com/ inspired home and garden furniture
until the 31st march 2014
for each sofa you buy, we will donate €10 to puppy rescue in albox
All Rattan Furniture is UVA Protected
Monday - Friday 10am till 6pm Saturday 10am - 3pm Address: Crra Lorca - Baza Km 72.5 04800 Albox (Almeria) Tel 950 091 153
www.ecocorpshop.com Autoconsumo “Mini kits” these plug and play new systems will be available form next week. Incredibly easy to install and you can just keep adding as and when required. Using the highest quality panels from Eurener (Spanish manufactured in Alicante)
250W Complete kit with cables and fittings - everything only 595€ 500W Complete kit with cables and fittings - everything only 1045€ 1000W Complete kit with cables and fittings -everything only 1495€
Start small and keep adding as you save money on your electricity bills!!! Utilize free solar energy and save money in the process!!
Special Offer 5kw complete system with batteries. Only 6995€ A generator or mains electricity can be wired into this system also 5Kw 48V/5000W.../50A Inverter charger/built in solar charge controller 9 x 240W Panels (25 year warranty) Panel mounting structure for 9 panels (Inox aluminium) 4 x 12V/250Ah Tabs batteries (48V/250Ah @ C100) Cables, breakers and fuses. All for just 6995€ Alternatively, you can have this system with 8 Trojan L16G-AC batteries (6V/433Ah = 48V/433Ah) for an additional 1495€
Special Offer 3kw complete system with batteries. Only 4995€ A generator or mains electricity can be wired into this system also.
ECOCORP are proud to support Vera & District Lions Club 3Kw 24V/3000W/...50A Inverter charger/built in solar charge controller Helping local charities 6 x 240W Panels (25 year warranty) & other good causes Panel mounting structure for 6 panels (Inox aluminium) www.veralions.com Welfare 4 x 12V/250Ah Tabs batteries (24V/500Ah @ C100) Call 634 338 322 Cables, breakers and fuses. All for just 4995€
WE SERVE
Alternatively, you can have this system with 4 Trojan L16G-AC batteries (6V/433Ah = 24V/433Ah) for an additional 795€
Contact us via the web for a FREE, no obligation consultation and survey, alternatively call 950 930 187, 671 716 597 or for UK numbers call 01332 896510 We now accept all major credit cards !!!
SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
www.soltimes.com
local news
plas-tech
Scientists discover another cause of bee deaths
Scientists have struggled to find the trigger for so-called Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) that has been decimating bee colonies throughout the world over the past several years. Suspects have included pesticides, disease-bearing parasites and poor nutrition. But in a first-of-its-kind study published in the journal PLOS ONE, scientists at the University of Maryland and the US Department of Agriculture have identified a witch’s brew of pesticides and fungicides contaminating pollen that bees collect to feed their hives. The findings break new ground on why large numbers of bees are dying though they do not identify the specific cause of CCD, where an entire beehive dies at once. The researchers behind the study, Jeffery S. Pettis, Elinor M. Lichtenberg, Michael Andree, Jennie Stitzinger, Robyn Rose, Dennis vanEngelsdorp collected pollen from hives and fed it to healthy bees. The pollen they were fed had an average of nine different pesticides and fungicides, and the bees had a serious decline in their ability to resist a parasite that causes Colony Collapse Disorder. Further, the researchers discovered that bees that ate pollen with fungicides were three times more likely to be infected by the
parasite. The discovery means that fungicides, thought harmless to bees, are actually a significant part of Colony Collapse Disorder. While neonicotinoids have been linked to mass bee deaths this study opens up an entirely new finding that it is more than one group of pesticides, but rather a combination of many chemicals, which makes the problem far more complex. It is not just the types of chemicals used that need to be considered, but also spraying practices. The bees sampled by the authors foraged not from crops, but almost exclusively from weeds and wildflowers, which means bees are more widely exposed to pesticides than thought. While the overarching issue is simple - chemicals used on crops kill bees - the details of the problem are increasingly more complex, including what can be sprayed, where, how, and when to minimise the negative effects on bees and other pollinators while still assisting in crop production. It will still likely be a long time before solutions are uncovered and put into place. When economics come into play, an outright halt in spraying anything at all anywhere is simply impossible.
BUDGET CARS
AT 459 MOJACAR PLAYA TEL 667 702 887 HAND PICKED CARS AT REALISTIC PRICES 2005 CHEVROLET MATIZ 1.0L PETROL IDEAL TOWN CAR 59,000KM ONE OWNER
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2005 renault kangoo choice of 2
2002 NISSAN TINO AUTOMATIC VERY NICE
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2004 OPEL CORSA AUTOMATIC 5 DOOR
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2004 renault clio 1.5 dci diesel burgundy
3000€
2005 skoda fabia diesel
3000€
7
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SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
Clare Shirley
Spanish Lessons and Translations Email: jade2031@yahoo.com
Tel: 609 888 991 See my editorial for further information
STEVE HAYES INFORMATICA
Serving the local community since 2003
• PC’s • Laptops • Printers etc... • Sales & Repairs • On-site Call Out &Tuition • Consumables www.shinform.net info@shinform.net
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Telephone 950 120 900
Contact us on Skype at Shinform
THE NEARLY NEW SHOP Tel: 642 953 309
Avda. 28 de Febrero No 30. Albox C.P 04800 (Almeria - Espana)
puntodecasinuevo@yahoo.com www.puntodecasinuevo.com
Britz Bitz are UK products at below UK prices from tin openers to accessories for your car and household goods. All under one roof
10% OFF EVERTHING ENDS ON FRIDAY
mon - Fri 10am -2pm / 5pm - 8.30pm Sat 10am -2pm, sundays closed WE ALSO OFFER A FANTASTIC RANGE OF MUST HAVE ITEMS
we offer uk transport inc pets at great rates
SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
www.soltimes.com
local news
TRE CEN
Tyres, Services, Spare Parts & Rapid Mechanic repairs Neumaticos y Servicios Albox, S.L Behind the BP, 04800 Albox (Almeria) Tel: 950 430 855 - Fax: 950430 855
albox@grupo-driver.com
www.serendipitycrafts.es
An Aladdin’s Cave for all your crafty needs
New Dies & Embossing Folders arriving soon • Hunkydory • Stamps / Embossing pad • Crafters Companion • Peel Offs • Pick ‘n’ mix wallets • Decoupage sheets • Card packs • Ribbons galore Much more stock just come and see
OPENING HOURS: MON, TUES, THURS,FRI & FIRST SAT of every month 10-2PM
CALL MARGARET ON 634 338 832
e-mail serendipityal@hotmail.com Avda. 28 de Febrero, Albox (Between Sol y Mar / The Post Shop & Jacks)
New Delhi
BUFFET NIGHT
MONDAY - WEDNESDAY
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9
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THURSDAY - FRIDAY 12,95 € 6 COURSES 10% Discount on all takeaways Open 1-4pm Monday-Saturday & from 6pm Everyday
Tel. 950 431 705
under new ownership kim & jim welcome you
specials served daily live sports
all day breakfasts & snacks
Bar lepanto Lepanto 26, Albox Tel 642 906 638 email: kimking09@outlook.com
British woman to ride motorbike around the world
A North Wales woman is gearing up for a roundthe-world challenge that will see her become the first woman to ride a motorbike on all seven continents. During her epic trip Steph Jeavons, 38, from Colwyn Bay, will visit 42 countries and travel 56,000 miles. She will be riding a lightweight Honda CRS 250 on the ride, which has been given the title ‘One Steph Beyond,’ and her £10,000 budget gives her just £5 a day for food and supplies. The trip will take her 15 months to 2 years, and she will be avoiding all motorways and main roads and living mainly in her two man tent with only the things she can carry on her bike. Ms Jeavons will be raising funds for Rally 4 Life, a charity set up to raise money to help tackle the problems of third world poverty. Beginning her trip on March 23, she will leave from
London before heading across the Channel. After covering Europe, Ms Jeavons will travel through Turkey, Iran, UAE, India, Nepal, Thailand, Australia, South America, North America and Canada before heading across to Africa and eventually home. She said: ‘It’s something I’ve wanted to do for more years than I care to remember, and so after much deliberation I finally decided that this is the year.’ “The support I’ve had from everyone has been amazing and while I’m no stranger to riding off-road or remotely, having been an off-road instructor for several years and travelled extensively overseas, it is still a very daunting prospect given the extremities of the terrain and climates I’ll be riding through.” To find out more about this remarkable woman and her truly epic journey go to rally4life.org/supporters/ advocates/steph-jeavons
Pensions are being radically transformed under plans announced in the Budget. From April 2015, savers will be given total freedom over how they withdraw pension money. In the meantime, temporary measures will be put in place to ease the strain on those seeking a retirement income. Here we explain how the changes affect savers: What is changing now? From March 27, the Government will introduce arrangements to give savers greater access to their pensions. Savers whose total pension savings amount to £30,000 will be able to take the entirety as cash, which will be taxed at marginal rates. Savers with larger amounts in pension savings will be able to take up to three pensions worth £10,000 each as cash, rather than two worth £2,000. Savers who use “income drawdown” will be allowed to take larger sums as income. This is likely to be several thousand pounds extra a year from each £100,000 in savings. An individual will need just £12,000 of secured pension income from other sources to make unlimited withdrawals through “flexible drawdown”. When can I make full withdrawal? The temporary reforms introduced next Thursday will fade away in April 2015, when savers will be able to access the entirety of their pension at any time after age 55, subject to income tax at marginal rates on three-quarters of the money. The ability to take the whole pension as one lump of income would mean someone with a £100,000 pension could take £25,000 tax-free and then withdraw the remaining £75,000 to spend or invest as they saw fit. The £75,000 would be treated as income for that tax year, pushing the individual into the higher-rate tax band for the year. Will I be able to withdraw more slowly to limit tax? The alternative will be to take the money in annual lump sums. This might mean keeping the money invested in the stock market and going into “income drawdown”. From April 2015, there will be no cap on the amount of money that savers can withdraw from this arrangement, so income can be varied to stay within the basic rate tax or even nilrate threshold for the year if desired. Will I still be able to buy an annuity? Yes. Those who want to guarantee an income for life will still be able to purchase an annuity. The difference is that they will now do so on their own terms, rather than effectively being pushed down this route due to the restrictions on accessing small pots and the high costs and caps on income drawdown. Insurance companies have for many years made sizeable profits from selling annuities. Some of the biggest margins are on selling poor value contracts to those in poor health, who should qualify for a boost to account for a lower life expectancy. With this revenue stream now under threat as
annuity sales tail off, the danger of firms trying to sell these contracts inappropriately is as strong as ever. The City regulator is investigating and is acutely aware of the need to protect customers. The plus point could be a rise in annuity rates as providers are forced to compete to attract a smaller pool of customers. What’s the catch? The price for savers will be that access to their pension pots will be pushed back, at the same pace as the State Retirement Age. Initially it will move to age 57 in 2028. This could affect those around age 40 and under. What if I have already taken a pension income? The millions of savers who have purchased an annuity already will be tied to that contract. They will be trapped in the old system. Those who have gone into income drawdown will be able to increase their incomes by calling an emergency “review” with their pension provider or financial adviser. However, this can only take place on the anniversary of the last review. What will happen to other assets? From next April, there could sudden drop off in annuity purchases; pensioners who withdraw the money instead will be able to spend it how they wish. This could be other investments, such as buyto-let property, but equally it could involve paying down debt. Those on interest-only mortgages will have the chance to square off debts left by poorly-performing endowment policies, for example. Others may want to spend a small amount of the money on a holiday or to give an early inheritance. The average amount of money in defined contribution pension savings is £30,000. How do I decide which is the best route? The new rules could trigger a wave of demand for independent financial advice. While the Government is giving £20m to insurers and other pension providers to give “impartial face-to-face guidance”, it remains to be seen how this will work in practice. Each individual’s circumstances will be different. I’m just about to buy an annuity, should I wait? Yes, at least until Thursday. Seek financial advice with a qualified expert through Unbiased.co.uk and Pick-A.org. Look for “chartered financial planner” status. If you have access to guaranteed annuity rates which are only available for a short period at your named retirement date, it may be worth purchasing. For others, there is no requirement to take an income. Explore the temporary measures, but also consider waiting a year – if you can – for the full reform. Some annuity providers, including LV and Partnership, will accept cancellation if you are in the cooling off period. LV has extended this window to 60 days.
More about Pensions
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KOALA
SALE NOW ON
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POl.ND.EL REAL C/VENTE VACIO E-14 04628 ANTAS - ALMERIA TEL: 950 392 307 MOVIL: 617 478 344
www.KOALAFURNITURE.ES monday to friday 10:00 to 19:00 saturday 10:00 - 14:00
Taller DAYDO
The Bitterness Of Poor Quality Is Remembered Long After The Sweetness Of The Lowest Price Is Forgotten
Repair - Service - Buy - Sales - Import Aircondition Service for all Types
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Tel & Fax: 950 459 116 - Mob: 607 373 298 tallerdaydo@hotmail.com Poligono El Real de Antas, 04628 Antas
Koala Furniture A friendly furniture company in Antas Ind. Estate specialising in leather sofa and garden furniture. With a huge selection of fantastic leather and fabric range of sofas with electric recliners, manual recliners or fix, in response to your needs. Fantastic range of quality garden furniture make with synthetic wicker, aluminium, mosaic or wood. Looking for a new bed? You can find all that you need for your home and have all the best quality mattresses + memory foam mattresses , combining them with a solid base , electric base or divan to storage it depending what you need. Come along to our showroom and look at our special offers on home and garden furniture, a warm welcome awaits you. Call 950 392 307 www.koalafurniture.es
SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
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Hispavan is based in Antas, Almeria in Southern Spain. The company offers a small range of used Motorhomes, Campervans and Caravans of various makes and models on site. These include Hymer, Knaus, Bailey, Swift and the well known English And European manufactures. We can help you to choose the ideal vehicle to fit your requirements, whether you are looking for a compact weekender to spend lazy hours on the beach or a fully equipped luxury motorhome to enjoy some serious long term travelling around europe. From servicing and repairs to sourcing those extra luxuries to improve your travels. Contact us now with your enquiry. Buying Power. Hispavan offer a comprehensive purchase plan for your second hand Motorhome, Camper or Caravan. We can also act as european agents
Moving forward in 2014, Lifestyle Enclosures S.L have seen an extremely positive start to the year with clients benefitting from the wide range of products and services offered by the Company. Based in Antas since 2005, the owners and staff have seen many changes and have adapted to ensure that they can offer the best products for you, with our extensive contacts and solutions at realistic prices. throughout europe and our growing If you want to enclose an outside area, then Lifestyle Enclosures are your online database. one stop shop. All types of glazing Selling Power. Hispavan currently offers a broad range of leisure tours, From exclusive to the more functional explore, required for two people on their European adventure.
Car wash by hand Cleaning of interior & seats Motor cleaning Collection & e Waxing delivery servic
vera
Metalube /Navigation aids Accessories / Seat covers
Pool Safety Fencing
TYRE KING The Best Deal for Miles
car - motorcycle - van - 4x4 Motorhome quad - trailer - wheelbarrow
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Poligono El Real, Calle El Garcel F19, Antas, Almeria 04628
Tel: 950 459 253 e: tyreking@ymail.com
10th Year on El Real!
Repairs to lights Xenon & LED lights / Wheel trims
In Est. El Real, Antas Tel: 603 398 706
Open: Mon - Fri: 9.30 - 17.30
or insect screening products are available and can be discussed with their knowledgeable staff. Lifestyle Enclosures are now also the areas only official stockist of the entire range of Neater Heater products, offering an affordable way to instantly heat your home in these chilly months. Take a look at the Company Facebook page to see the wide range of products and installations www.facebook.com/ Lifestyle Enclosures Europe
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glass curtains
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Tel: 950 459 060 M. 638 063 196 / 649 482 677 info@lifestyle-enclosures.com Find www.lifestyle-enclosures.com us on
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SOLTIMES march 2014
t a e d r o o G G l e k e o o F L
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Dementia – signs and symptoms
Dementia often develops slowly and is not always obvious in the early stages. Symptoms similar to dementia can be seen in other illnesses. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell apart dementia from the usual mild forgetfulness seen in normal ageing. You should see your GP if you or your family and friends are worried about any changes in: • Memory • General mental functioning
Other signs and symptoms of types of dementia include: •R egularly forgetting recent events, names and faces. • Regularly misplacing items or putting them in odd places. • Confusion about the time of day.
• Ability to carry out daily tasks
•D isorientation, especially away from your normal surroundings.
• Personality
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vascular dementia and dementia with Lewy’s bodies and frontotemporal dementia.
Your GP will be able to either reassure you or, if necessary, refer you to a specialist. Diagnosing dementia early is important to allow you to get the right help and treatments and to plan for the future. Everyone with dementia will experience symptoms in their own way. Other types of dementia include Alzheimers,
• Getting lost. • Problems finding the right words. •R educed judgement, for example, being unaware of danger. •M ood or behaviour problems such as apathy, irritability, or losing confidence. • Becoming slower in thinking. •D isorientation, especially away from your normal surroundings. •D ifficulty finding words or using inappropriate words. •M emory problems like regularly misplacing items or putting them in odd places. • Becoming more emotional. •D ifficulty walking or a change in the way a person walks. •V ariation in attention, alertness and confusion. These fluctuations can be very noticeable from hour-to-hour or day-to-day.
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•V isual hallucinations. These can often involve seeing people or animals that aren’t really there.
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Sciatica - Back Pain - Sports Injuries Digestive and Cardiovascular Disorders Headaches - Arthritis - Skin Conditions Centro Cueva Del Lobo Paseo Mediterraneo 10, Mojacar Beach Centro Medico Indalo C/ Manuel Azaña, Almeria
kim clark benefits consultancy Do you suffer from mobility problems, breathlessness/pain or falls/stumbles? Do you need help washing / dressing or supervision? You could be entitled to extra income by claiming UK sickness / disabililty benefits while living in Spain
For advice or to book a consultation call 950 169 729 or 663 297 568 or visit www.ukbenefitsinspain.com
Black Pink Silver
Monica Algañaraz Over 40 years experience in physiotherapy and osteopathic treatment. General postural assessment and holistic health checks available English spoken PLEASE CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT MONICA ALGANARAZ: 695 355 381 Email: monica@centrophysis.net www.centrophysis.net In Commercial Centre No. 3 Next to Valle del Este Hotel
• Movements during sleep and vivid dreams. •S ymptoms similar to Alzheimer’s, memory loss and disorientation.
including
• Fainting and falls. •P ersonality changes, such as loss of inhibition, rudeness, apathy, impatience or inappropriate behaviour, of which the person is often unaware •L oss of emotional warmth and empathy for others. The person may seem selfish and unfeeling. •D ecline in language abilities – including difficulty getting words out or problems with understanding less common words and people’s names. •O vereating or changes in dietary preference, particularly cravings for sweet food. •C hanges in sexual behaviour. •D ay-to-day memory remains intact in the early stages, but the decline in the ability to communicate may give the impression of memory problems.
SOLTIMES march 2014
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Alzheimer’s, dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia are all neurodegenerative diseases. This means that the symptoms get worse over time. This is usually the case with vascular dementia too. The speed of change varies between people and also between different diseases, but in most dementias symptoms progress slowly over several years. Prevention Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia are complex. It’s becoming clear that they don’t have a single cause. It is likely that a mixture of our age, genes, environment and lifestyle contribute to whether we develop dementia. The risk of developing most dementias increases with age. That means as we get older, we are more likely to develop dementia. About one in 20 people over the age of 60 have dementia, but this rises to about one in five people over the age of 80. Dementia is not a normal part of getting older or an acceleration of ageing. Dementia is caused by different diseases – most commonly by Alzheimer’s. We can’t change our age and there is currently no way we can completely prevent dementia, but research suggests there may be some simple things we can all do that might help lower our risk. A risk factor is anything that can increase your chance of developing dementia. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease (like heart disease and stroke) are also risk factors for all types of dementia. So it’s a good idea to keep
healthy by: • exercising regularly • not smoking • achieving and maintaining a healthy weight • controlling high blood pressure • reducing your cholesterol level • controlling your blood glucose if you have diabetes • eating a healthy, balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables and low amounts of saturated fat. Some studies suggest that enjoying an active life, with lots of interests and hobbies might be beneficial. Other researchers have found that spending more time in education is associated with a lower risk. It’s not yet known whether eating oily fish or taking B vitamins can reduce the risk of dementia as studies so far have had mixed results. It is not advised to take NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen) or HRT (hormone replacement therapy) to protect against dementia, as research is continuing in this area. You should talk to your doctor before taking any supplements or drugs that claim to prevent dementia, as most are unproven and they can have serious side effects. You might read or hear about other risk factors for dementia. Despite occasional publicity, research has shown that meat, aluminium or living close to power lines are not risk factors for dementia. There is also no evidence that turmeric, gingko, ginseng, statins or coffee can protect against dementia. Source: Almeria Angels.
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open 9-3pm mon-thur
13
PAMPER YOURSELF THIS MOTHERS DAY
OUR hair, BEAUTY & MASSAGE THERAPISTS ARE FULLY UK TRAINED Facials & Massage
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Benefits of massage include: Luxury Elimis Facial Feelings of deep relaxation 1h 15min Relief from stress and anxiety Brisa Sculpting Improved sleep pattern Gel Nails Treatment Reduced muscle tension and joint pain Improved blood circulation Pedicure Gel Enhanced sense of health and well-being Nails, Waxing Hopi Ear Candle Treatments Priadara 1hr facial 17€ - 30 min massage 12€ Monday - Thursday 9am to 3pm Be Pampered & Revived Abilgale - 632 779 082 Tues 9am to 3pm Melissa - 626 144 680 Fridays 9:30am - 6pm Call Sandra 661 858 949
Hair by Teri Teri is fully qualified with over 20 years’ experience Salon open Wed &Thur from 9 am Call 619 467 295 Formally Cutting Edge, Albox
We are a self-contained private suite of rooms on the right hand side of La Vida Bar, El Cucador
30
Daily Lenses FOR ONLY
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IVA ON SUNGLASSES has increased to 21% but our prices are stayIng the same!
mercadona
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hospital
salas opticos
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Tel: 950 135 081 salasopticos@Yahoo.es
need a lift?
a nourishing
acid perm Was €57
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til friday 28th deep conditioning treatment & blowdry plus a mini manicure
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€39.95 jump into april Gift Vouchers with anna 20% Always Available on all waxing off Pop in or phone for more details
i.e. 1/2 leg 12€ - 20% = 9.60
open saturdays by appointment only Call for an appointment Calle Malaga - Albox (100m from Mercadona) 950 633 086 Monday - Friday 9.00am - 6pm i iF W FREE
Prices are subject to change without notification. Please confirm on booking. We reserve the right to withdraw offers at any time.
14
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES march 2014
braben’s blog...
Hello and welcome to CanDu Computer Bytes. First an apology. Sol Times had to reprint a previous article due to my negligence. The article you read last week was supposed to have been emailed for inclusion. So next week’s article is about how to make sure you have attached your attachments and not “do a Trevor” :-) Today I am writing this from a country who’s corruption make the Spanish attempts at corruption seem infantile. Where am I? England of course. Why such an opinionated opening? As you might have come to understand from reading my articles over the years, I’m very much for the freedom to choose. I choose not to have speed cameras every 300 yards, not because I am a speed merchant but because I’ve learned that getting somewhere 2 minutes sooner by travelling 20 MPH faster isn’t worth it (what can you do in that 2 minutes – part boil an egg!). By the same token, I choose to be able to use the internet without being told where I can and can’t go! So what in the name of Sam Hill has gotten under my skin? I am using the technology that is “torrent” to download, from a friend, an enormous package of programs that he has spent the past 3 years writing. I am one of a number of people who is trusted enough to test, “to destruction”, his programs and offer suggestions in the re-coding to resolve these problems. Because of the size of these files it is easier for a number of testers to download parts of the files from him and the rest from each other, thereby making downloading much faster, easier and allows us to really get on with what we are there for – helping my mate produce effectively. Richard Branson has been bullied by the courts, who have in turn been manipulated by the film and music industries to prevent access to the websites that are used as an
access point for the dissemination of these programs. The arguments used in court are that the people downloading movies and music are in breach of copyright laws. Let’s ignore, for now, the fact that there are people who do this, because it is a fact that this goes on! We can ignore the fact that music and film companies have, over the many years that they have had the unrestrained monopoly, now completely lost control! Although both of these statements are completely true and in other circumstances would be a wonderful fireside debate, today we have to consider the following statement: 1) It is wrong to prevent the access to any place, physical or electronic, where lawful and proper interaction is accepted and acceptable? 2) Further, should the legal system be able to create a sweeping statement (law) that prohibits the actions of all because of the actions of a few. 3) Should we, the lawful taxpayers, allow this travesty to continue because it is “the law”? I’m classed as a trouble maker in england by the authorities because I, not only, dare to think “outside of their box”, but tell the world and his best mate my thoughts! Forgive me but I was under the strange impression that being able to share files was sacrosanct, an act of free expression that is only compromised in Neo-Socialist and Communist countries. Welcome to the Soviet Socialist State of Lesser Britain and you are welcome to it! I will be back at Jack’s bar in Albox on Friday 21st March for the computer clinic. Bring your computer related problems for: free advice; free assessment and clearly priced solutions (more than most can / will offer you)!
For further information or advice on computing, contact Trevor on 689 892 745 or canducomputing@hotmail.co.uk
Vladimir Putin
Putin was born in 1952 in Leningrad (now St Petersburg) to a factory working mother and a Navy conscript father. During WWII his father served in the feared NKVD; forerunner to the KGB. Putin had 2 older brothers, both died before he was born. Other than a grandfather, a chef not much is known about Putin’s ancestry. Putin was/is a keen sportsman enjoying judo at school. He attended Leningrad State University and joined the Communist Party; he joined the KGB after graduating in 1975. After training he monitored foreigners in Leningrad. He married an ex Aeroflot hostess Lyudmila (Putina) in1983; moving to Dresden in 1985 working alongside the East German Stasi (Secret Police). Putin recruited students from Dresden Technical University, aiming to send them to the US as agents once graduated. BND (West German intelligence) records show that ironically his wife spoke to a BND agent in Dresden saying her husband was violent towards her and had affairs. The couple returned home in 1990 at the collapse of the East German Communist regime. Putin was stationed at his old university in Leningrad again as a recruiter. He resigned a year later when the KGB tried to overthrow President Gorbachev. Politically this was a sound move as he then worked for the Mayor’s Office in St Petersburg. There have always been rumours of Putins’
Spare Time Suggestions!
Stuck for something to do in your spare time? I know that many of us are satisfied with simply enjoying being a couch potato. But even that has its competitive edge. Earlier this year three fit young chaps in Las Vegas broke the world record for sitting watching television. They lasted over 85 hours before they ran out of the room, gibbering wrecks! Can you imagine, sitting in front of the television for so many hours. I wonder how many times they lost the remote control. But, if spending endless hours in front of the television isn’t your thing, don’t despair. I’ve been doing a little research and found all manner of fascinating frivolities to help while away the hours. How about Yak farming? You’ve never considered it? Well, consider away. Yak meat is supposedly delicious, according to that well known body, the International Yak Association no less. Okay, not everyone is a Yak fan so, if, for some unaccountable reason, Yak farming doesn’t grab you, how about a far more sensible suggestion? Mooing. Mooing, as in the noise various cows famously make, is a popular hobby in America- the land of plonking yourself in front of the television for over eighty hours! Not only do people enjoy mooing, with other consenting mooers, they can also compete for a prize of 1000 dollars at the Wisconsin State Fair. They’re not so daft after all! I know that spending your spare time mooing may not be everybody’s cup of tea-or mouthful of grass. In that case, how about extreme ironing? Now ironing is my least favourite thing in the world so I find it very difficult to understand why some half-baked people go to dangerous locations to do their ironing When I say they’re half-baked, I think I ‘m being kind. They iron whilst hanging by ropes, from a sheer cliff face, on a surf board and even on top of moving cars. I’m Graham is married not sure what they get out of it; certainly to Helen and has a not nice creases, their irons aren’t even daughter, Alice. He plugged in! lives part of the year So, next time I’m sitting by the pool near Albox, but works relaxing, or simply reading a book, I’ll in Qatar, teaching. If think of those people who might be tearing you wish to contact dementedly after a Yak across a muddy Graham regarding field, ironing on top of a speeding car, or this article email: mooing for all they’re worth, and just be helenandg@yahoo. glad that I enjoy sensible things. Now, co.uk where’s my Buzz Lightyear costume?
Enjoy Stephens musings? Pop over to http://findmeahomeinspain.wordpress.com as the articles are posted on there too...and they’re a bit longer too! Findmeahome are always looking for quality homes for their sales and rental portfolios, please contact Stephen for a valuation: stephen@findmeahome.es Telephone: 636 266 641
vast hidden wealth and here maybe the start. An investigation recommended Putin be fired after he approved $93 million of exports of which payment was apparently never made. Strangely he kept his job for another five years. Then in 1996 came a potentially lucrative job in Moscow transferring property assets from the old USSR to Russia. A year later, Boris Yeltsin made him Deputy Chief of Staff. At the same time Putin bought a 7000m2 Dacha (Country estate) on the lake shore in Solovyovka. 7 friends also bought locally and they all built residences there gaining planning permission to turn it into a gated community. Putins neighbours include Yuri Kovalchuk (net worth $1bn), Vladimir Yakunin (President of Russia Railways), Andrei Fursenko (Govt Aide) and his brother Sergey Fursenko (President of Zenit St Petersburg FC and director of a Gazprom subsidiary). In the wake of the annexation by Russia of Crimea, international financial sanctions were announced recently on people close to Putin (his inner circle) including those above. Others becoming obscenely wealthy under Putins patronage have also been targeted. The winter Olympics in Sochi cost $50bn to construct and stage, Putins friend and ex judo partner from the 60s Arkady Rotenberg won lucrative building contracts for the
games and has sanctions against him as does Gennady Timchenko. Timchenko is co-founder of Gunvor an energy trading company responsible for nearly 10% of all oil and gas deals worldwide. The Americans say they have proof that Putin is an investor in Gunvor. Putin was Prime Minister in 1999 and Yeltsin named him as his successor; he was President of Russia from 2000-8 but the constitution prevented him assuming a third term. So Putin became Prime Minister instead. Whilst still President, Putin changed laws in anticipation of this, transferring more powers to the PMs Office. Since 2012 he again has been President, this time for longer as he changed the constitution to enable a 6 year term. Putin is separated from his wife Putina and although they have 2 daughters, they have never been seen in the press. One lives in Holland with her Dutch husband. Putin has been linked romantically to an ex ballerina and Anna Chapman who was arrested in 2010 as a Russian spy in New York. Putin recently granted Snowden temporary asylum in Russia and Chapman asked Edward Snowden to marry her via her twitter feed. Putins wealth is officially reported as $150,000 although it’s alleged it’s closer to $70bn!
SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
www.soltimes.com
15
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. Please explain the situations in which a resident qualifies for non-payment of capital gains tax.
A . The first thing is to be able to prove to the notary the day of the sale that you are in fact a Spanish tax resident. It is very important to realize that having what everyone calls the “residencia” issued by the police does not in fact prove you are a tax resident of Spain, and that if this is the only document you take to the notary to prove tax residency , the notary will consider you a non resident and you will be subject to a 3% retention. To prove you are a tax resident your solicitor needs to request a certificate from the tax authorities, which can then be taken to the notary. If you suffer the nasty surprise of them saying that in fact you are a non resident, you will need to get this amended by proving to them that you are in fact a resident before they will issue you with the correct certificate for the notary. The best way to secure tax residency status is making a resident income tax declaration in Spain in June of every year. If you are going to sell shortly, request this certificate in advance to avoid last minute surprises. 1. The possible total or partial exemption from capital gains tax due to reinvestment (roll-over): If you
are a resident and sell one property to purchase another of the same or higher price you can claim 100% exemption from capital gains tax. To benefit you have to have been a resident for at least 3 year before the sale takes place, and you must purchase the next property within 2 years of the sale. If you are moving to a smaller property, you can claim exemption of a percentage of the capital gains tax. 2. Claim of total exemption if you are over 65 years old: If you are over 65 and sell your main home (where you must have lived for at least 3 years as a resident), you can claim 100% exemption from capital gains tax even if you do not reinvest. If the property is owned by a couple and one member is over 65 and the other is not, you are allowed to claim the exemption in respect to half the price. Michael Davies. Abogado.
Michael Davies is a Spanish Abogado and has been practicing law in Andalucia since 1993. He is member of the Law societies of Almería and Madrid. For a short period of time leading up to 2007 he was also Honorary British Consul
COMPLETE HOLIDAY HOLIDAY CARE CARE News COMPLETE
ECB supervisory Nouy rejects EU ‘split’ over banking union
one of the three elements of the eurozone ‘banking union’ created in the wake of the debt crisis. The SSM allows for direct supervision of the eurozone’s largest banks, notably those with assets of more than €30bn and those that have major cross-border activities.
The newly appointed chair of the European Central Bank’s supervisory board has said she is making it a “personal issue” to ensure that the creation of a eurozone “banking union” does not lead to a split between eurozone and non-eurozone countries. Giving evidence to the Economic Affairs Committee on 18 March 2014, Daniele Nouy told MEPs she was keen to encourage non-eurozone states to optin to the so-called single supervisory mechanism (SSM). She insisted, “the best way of making sure this will happen is for the SSM to do a very good job”. The supervisory board which Ms Nouy chairs oversees the SSM, which is
Other elements of the banking union include a single resolution fund and a common method for winding up failing banks at minimal risk to the taxpayer. Responding to a question from Portugal’s Elisa Ferreira, Ms Nouy said the timescale towards setting up a fund, which could be as long as ten years, was “far too long”, saying she would like the fund established within three to five years. Ms Nouy joined the Bank of France in 1974, and became the country’s senior bank regulator in 2003. She was appointed as the first Chair of the Supervisory Board last November, for a non-renewable five-year term. Source: www.bbc.co.uk
MOJACAR PLAYA
RENTALS - SALES -MANAGEMENT - MAINTENANCE
We urgently need more properties for sale and rental for waiting clients Properties of the week
NEW
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Paseo del Mediterraneo 19, Mojacar Playa, Almeria (near the Hotel Best Indalo)
Tel: 950 478 612 / 610 808 631
info@almeriaholidays.com
www.almeriaholidays.com
A
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SOLTIMES march 2014
Buy Buy SUBASTA
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REST. Balabona & Petrol Station
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Directions: we are only 5 mins from Arboleas, Zurgena, 10 mins from Albox, Huercal Overa and 20 mins from Mojacar & Vera. From A7 jct 543, direction to La Concepcion for 3.5km on the right.
buybuyauctionsubasta@gmail.com www.buybuyauctionsubasta.com
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SOLTIMES march 2014
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SOLTIMES march 2014
Legal Matters
Help for Expats in Spain
Your Belgian Estate Agent for the inland area like Arboleas, Albox & surroundings. After a successful exhibition in Belgium, we are urgently looking for Legal properties for clients that are coming to buy.
Cucador Very nice villa with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a private pool with beautiful views! Price is 149.000€
Albanchez Nice villa on a plot of 852m² with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, pool. beautiful views. Price is 140.000€
Willemsens Karel web: www.immo-carlos.com
email: info@immo-carlos.com
Tel: 950 090 875 – Mob: 648 505 938
All words you may have heard since arriving in Spain, but never been quite sure what they mean, either in English, or for you as a resident. If so, read on for more information and the numerous reasons why registering on the padrón may just be worth your while. The padrón is, quite simply, the municipal register, a list of all the people who live in a certain town, while empadronarse is the act of registering yourself on this list with your local town hall. Officially, all residents in Spain are required by law to register on the padrón, yet many British ex-pats still have not done so. Perhaps some view the padrón as a means of vigilance by the state, in ‘big-brother’ fashion. However, it is simply a way for the town hall to know how many people live in their area, without entering into investigations as to a person’s official residence status or financial affairs. The information provided is confidential and protected by data protection laws. You don’t even have to own your house to register, just have an address where you usually live, whether you are the owner, you rent, or live with family or friends. Nor is registration a long, drawn-out process. Simply go to the padrón office at your town hall and fill in the form they provide. Take along identification, such as a passport, and also your NIE or residence certificate, a recent utility bill in your name, and the deeds to your house or a copy of your rental contract. Although you may have to return to collect your certificate, the actual registration is completed all on the same day. And once you’ve completed this simple process, you can begin to enjoy all the advantages being
THE PADRÓN, EMPADRONAMIENTO, EMPADRONARSE. on the padrón offers. To highlight a few, we’ve listed the top five as follows: For better public services: Central government allocates money to municipalities according to how many people are on the padrón. Therefore, if you are not registered, your town hall is losing money for the provision of health centres, police officers, firefighters and schools. To access benefits and social care: You must be on the padrón for a certain period of time to take advantage of some incomerelated benefits and other aspects of social care available through social services at your town hall. For a reduction in taxes: Being on the padrón could mean up to 50 per cent off property tax, and reductions in community charges and inheritance tax. Furthermore, those on the padrón often enjoy discounted courses, leisure and cultural activities run by the town hall. To have your say: In order to register to vote in local or European elections, you must first be registered on the padrón. To make life easier: You’ll find you need your padrón certificate to carry out various administrative tasks, such as register for healthcare, register your car with Spanish number plates or enrol your children in school. And, remember, it is compulsory, under Spanish law, for all residents in Spain including Spanish nationals to register on the padrón. (Artículo 15 de la Ley 7/1985, de 2 de abril, Reguladora de las Bases del Régimen Local)
Tlf. 646 844 708 E: 4wayconnections@gmail.com For all your legal needs www.4wayconnections.webs.com
SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
www.soltimes.com
uk Budget 2014: The Key Points You Need To Know
The Chancellor George Osborne has delivered his fifth budget. Here are the key points. Savings • Tax-free ISAs to be boosted to £15,000 per year from July. Junior ISAs up to £4,000 a year. • Stocks and shares ISAs can be tranferred to new single ISA scheme. • Premium Bonds cap lifted from £30,000 to £40,000 in June, and to £50,000 next year. • 10p rate of tax for savers to be abolished. • Zero tax band to cover £5,000 of savings. Reliefs • Alcohol escalator to be scrapped for all alcohol duties, instead a rise with inflation. • Scottish whisky duty to be frozen as it is “a huge British success story”. • Cut of 1p in duty per pint of beer. • Export finance lending interest rate to be cut by a third and lending doubled to £3bn. • From 2015, all long haul air passenger flights carry same, lower, band B tax rate. • Right to Build scheme for builders of their own homes including £150m of finance to support it. • New £200m fund for councils “to bid for” to fix potholes across Britain. • Additional £140m help for flood damage. • September’s fuel duty rise will not be brought in. Taxes • Duty on fixed-odds betting terminals to rise to 25%.
• Horse race betting levy to be extended to bookmakers based offshore. • Bingo duty will be halved to 10% “to protect jobs and protect communities”. • Tobacco duty to remain at 2% above inflation and escalator will not be stopped. • Increased disclosed tax avoidance schemes scrutiny for the wealthy. • City fines over Libor rate-rigging to continue going to military charities and emergency service charities. • From midnight anyone buying home over £500,000 through corporate entity to pay 15% stamp duty to “avoid abuse”. • “We will expand the tax on residential properties worth over £2m to those worth more than £500,000.” • Private jets, previously not taxed, will see tax levied on flights. Income Tax • Personal tax allowance rises to £10,500 next year, giving average saving of £800. • 40p tax rate threshold to rise from £41,450 to £41,865 from next month and then up by further 1% to £42,285 next year. • Transferable tax allowance for married couples rising to £1,050. Pensions • All retirees on defined contribution pensions to be offered free, impartial, face-to-face advice. • No need for pensioners to buy annuities if they do not wish to. • Removal of all remaining tax restrictions on how pensioners have access to their pension pots. • Income requirement for flexible
KAREN OLIVER + TEAM WELCOMES YOU TO THE NEW
info@solymarspain.com - www.solymarspain.com
Contact us now on
950 064 584 Mob: 677 667 722 / 635 979 829
we urgently require rental properties 33,000€
SOL 149
Land in albox 1867m2 in a small hamlet tarmac road access with permissions to build water and electric on site
250€ pw
MAR991
SELF CONTAINED APARTMENTS 1/2 bed 4 bath self contained stunning views and access to private pool
39,950€
SOL 050
CUCADOR 3/4 bed 1 bath all major work has been carried out but needs finishing detached & garage 1700m² of land
draw-down from £20,000 to £12,000, raised cap draw-down limit from 120% to 150%. • Lump sum small pot level lifted fivefold to £10,000. • Almost doubling total pension savings as a lump sum to £30,000. • £20m to be spent in next two years working with consumer groups over pension advice. • New Pensioner Bond paying market leading rates, issued by National Savings and Investments, open to everyone aged 65 or over. Available from January next year. Spending and Welfare • Foreign aid to be 0.7% of national income. • Public sector spending reduction to reach £1bn by 2015-16. • A permanent cap on welfare, excluding state pension, set at £119bn in 201516, rising in line with forecast inflation to £127bn in 2018-19. Growth • Independent OBR growth forecast revised upwards to 2.7%, up from 2.4% in Autumn Statement. • Growth next year is also revised up to 2.3%, then 2.6% in 2016 and 2017, with growth expected to return to long-term trend of 2.5% in 2018. • 1.5 million new jobs forecast in next five years. Borrowing • Deficit this year of 6.6% reduced to 5.5% next year, then expected to be 4.2%, 2.4% and finally 0.8% in 2017-18. Following year forecast surplus of 0.2%. • Expect to borrow £108bn this year, £12bn less than forecast last year. No
borrowing from 2018-19. • OBR forecasts public debt to be 74.5% of GDP this year; 77.3% next year; peaking at 78.7% in 201516 - lower than the 80% previously forecast - before falling to 78.3% in 2016-17, then falling to 76.5% and then 74.2% in 2018-19. • The new £1 coin to thwart forgery and “In honour of our Queen”. Jobs • Support for more than 100,000 new apprenticeships. • New Alan Turing Institute for computing “big data” to boost Britain’s IT prowess. Business • New allowance for ultra high pressure, high temperature oil field for North Sea oil and gas. • Tax relief of up to 25% for touring theatrical productions. • VAT relief on fuel for air ambulances and inshore rescue boat services across Britain, and a new air ambulance for London. • Accept recommendation to move collection of Class 2 NICs into selfassessment, abolishing for 5 million people “this wholly unnecessary bureaucracy”. • Corporation tax - high street stores will get £1,000 off their rates, and businesses the £2,000 Employment Allowance. • From next year, corporation tax to drop from 21% to 20% and under21s taken out of the jobs tax. • Business rates discounts and enhanced capital allowances will be extended for another three years. Source: www.web.orange.co.uk
Properties
Houses Wanted in Huercal Overa/Vera Urgently Required & surrounding areas For Sale & For Rent 400€ pcm
MAR982
PARTALOA PIEDRA AMARILLA Pets allowed 3 bed 2 bath fully fenced and secure with stunning views
59.995€
SOL11
OLULA DEL RIO 4 bed 2 bath in a typical little spainish hamlet marvelous views plunge pool reformed and ready to move into
350€ pcm
MAR666
INCLUDES UTILITY BILLS 2 bed 1 bath fully walled and gated fully furnished pool
67.500€
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SOL152
LA ALFOQUIA Village house in need of reforming 3 bed 1 bath 100m2 build on a 600m2 plot
550€ pcm
MAR890
ALBOX Cortijo 4 bed 2 bath no pets fully walled and gated
49.950€
SOL390
PURCHENA 3 bed 2 bath village house small garden but has two terraces to enjoy the views
OUR OFFICE ADDRESS: AVENIDA 28 DE FEBRERO, 44 BAJO, ALBOX (A334 ALBOX TO BAZA ROAD) opposite Albox Online
20
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
property group
Paseo del Mediterraneo 197 - Mojacar - Almeria
Tel: 950 472 430 / 610 053 563
www.veritashomes.co.uk info@veritashomes.co.uk You can find us on Mojácar Playa
€79,950
Mojácar Playa
€79,950
1 bed / 1 bath south facing Apartment with underground private parking and store room. Terrace of 19,30 m² with sea views . Ref. 1561
3 bed / 2 bath fully furnished Apartment with sea views near golf and beach in Marina de la Torre. Ref. 1559
Mojácar Playa
mojácar playa
€115,000
Villaricos
€105,000
2 bed / 2 bath Townhouse plot of 135 m² near amenities & beach. Terrace, garden & roof solarium. Communal pool. Ref. 1006
€229,950
Mojácar Playa
€109,950
3 bed / 1 bath Apartment with terraces with sea views. Gated complex with tennis court and pools near promenade. Ref.1527
Mojácar playa
€120,000
THE BEST INVESTMENT PROPERTY:
3 bed / 1 bath south facing Apartment within walking distance to promenade. Terrace with sea views. Communal pool. Ref.1562
End of terrace 2 bed / 2 bath Townhouse with sea views within walking distance to beach and amenities. Communal pool. Ref.1534
Cantoria
Mojácar playa
€149,000
Lovely 3 bed / 2 bath Penthouse Apartment set across the road from the promenade. 2 Terraces with sea views (45 m² & 25 m²). Underground parking place. Air con. Ref.1509
Charming 4 bed / 2 bath detached Villa with pool on walled plot of 2.620 m². Mature garden. Lovely mountain views. Ref.1517
Agua Nueva
€159,950
Mojácar Playa
€165,000
Mojácar Playa
€170,000
2 bed / 2 bath Villa with pool on plot of 500 m² near all amenities of Turre. Conservatory, patio & solarium. Ref.1550
Lovely 2 bed/2 bath apartment set nr promenade & amenities. Large terrace,sea views. Store room & underground parking. Ref.1556
Opportunity! 3 bed / 2 bath large Villa with garage on plot of 513 m² in La Parata. Needs a little refresh. Ref 1533
Mojácar Playa
Mojácar Playa
turre
€245,000
Quality 3 bed / 2 bath Villa on plot of 500 m² close to beach and amenities. Carport, terraces and garden. Prime location. Ref.1560
€295,000
3 bed / 2 bath Villa with garage. Plot of 417 m². Living with fire place. Separate dining room. Terrace with jacuzzi & solarium. Ref.1062
€150,000
Charming 2 bed / 1 bath east facing townhouse with lockup garage, front & rear terraces a& roof solarium. Sea views. Ref.1548
Velez Rubio
€199,000
Newly built 3 bed / 2 bath Villa with pool on plot of 30.200 m² on the outskirts of the village. Sold fully furnished. Ref 1104
€345,000
4 bed / 4 bath amazing Villa with pool on fenced plot of 10.648 m² within 2 minutes drive to town. Mature garden. Mountains views. Ref.1551
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.
SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
www.soltimes.com
21
“It has been a great start to the year so if you want to sell your property in our area then contact us now”
VH510 €149,950 REDUCED • 3 bed, 3 bath Semi Det House • San Juan de Los Terreros area • Fully Furnished • Swimming pool and garden
VH565 €144,500 REDUCED • 3 bed, 2 bath Villa • 8m x 4m swimming pool • 887m2 landscaped gardens • Walk to amenities
VH475 €149,950 REDUCED • 3 bed, 2 bath Modern Style Villa • 450m2 walled garden • Space for pool etc • Walk to amenities
VH523 €114,950 REDUCED • 2 bed, 2 bath Large Villa • 400m2 garden • 6m x 3m swimming pool • 3 mins drive to Huercal-Overa
PROPERTIES WANTED
VH94 €64,950 NEW LISTING • 5/6 bed, 2 bath Village House • Garage and small patio • Renovated but needs TLC • 2 min drive to amenities
Urgently wanted properties in the San Juan de Los Terreros, Huercal-Overa, Taberno & the Zurgena areas We really have clients waiting on all nationalities.
VH334 €89,950 BARGAIN • 4 bed, 2 bath Village House • Country Views • 3m x 4m splash pool • 4 mins drive to amenities
VH92 €159,000 BARGAIN • 3 - 5 bed, 3 bath Country House • 21,000m2 of flat land • Stable building • 10 mins drive to Huercal-Overa
VH635 €89,950 NEW LISTING • 3 bed, 2 bath Duplex/Town House • Communal swimming pool • Village location • Walk to amenities
VH598 €89,950 BARGAIN • 3 bed, 2 bath Villa • Country / hamlet location • 520m2 fenced plot • 8 mins drive to Huercal-Overa
VH629 €90,000 REPOSSESSION • 3 bed, 4 bath Huge Villa • 200m2 build, 627m2 plot • 8m x 4m swimming pool • 3 mins drive to amenities
VH63 €189,000 BARGAIN • 5/6 bed, 2 bath Village House • 8m x 4m swimming pool • 1,500m2 plot • Walk to amenities
VH479 €109,950 REDUCED • 2 bed, 1 bath Apartment • SAN JUAN DE LOS TERREROS • Communal swimming pools • Walk to amenities and Beach
22
SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
Our Business is Growing Specialists in:
Landscaping - Irrigation - Garden Maintenance Lawn work - Tree Trimming
Call: 666 847 583 or 950 699 984 gardenworks.bates@gmail.com
selecciones NEW STOCK ARRIVING DAILY
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
homes& gardens Benches and Chairs
Benches and chairs are important garden features because they literally allow us to sit and enjoy the garden. When I realized I didn’t have anywhere to relax in my own yard, I immediately went out and bought a lightweight wooden bench that I could easily move around my garden until I found the perfect spot for it. If you already know where you’d want a bench or chair in your yard, I recommend getting a really nice one in wood, concrete or even stone. Or you can stick with a lightweight chair that’s easy to move. As long as it gives you a nice place to spend more quality time in your garden, you’re good.
Night Lighting
OPENING TIMES: mON - sAT FROM 10AM - 3PM
Mojacar - Bedar - Vera
Triton Pool cleaning prices from 60€ per month
Triton Property Services Triton Security Services When you want something done, professionally, reliably and on time then you need people who pride themselves on providing the service you need with total trust and commitment. Pool Cleaning Landscaping Property Management Key Holding Property Maintenance Vacant Property Checks Gardening & Strimming Home SecurityImprovements Painting & Decorating Plus Home Care Services
Providing the right people for the job!
Call us on: 634 326 322 www.tritonspain.com NASH CONSTRUCTION
Complete Construction, Landscaping and Digger Hire Now is the time to get a free quote for renovation work on your house/pool for the summer season. Need a new Kitchen? Bathroom? Roof? Driveway? Over 30 years experience Our workshop repair all kinds of construction and gardening/farming machinery welding : gates, rejas. Collection and delivery service from a mower to a 4x4 vehicle. Call Andy Nash T. 66193418 email: nashconstruction51@gmail.com
For those of us living in hot or humid (or both) areas of the country, late afternoon and twilight are about the only time we can stand to be in our gardens. Night lighting doubles your outdoor time. There are several ways to add night lights to your yard. Candles add an air of romance, while tiki torches give your garden that fun tropical feel. Christmas lights strung in trees or through arbors give a space some sparkling ambiance. And more expensive, inground systems highlight artwork, paths and plantings, giving you endless evenings to experience the wonders of moon gardens and night pollinators, such as giant hawkmoths.
Garden Art
Although I’m one of the last to admit there are other things to put in a garden besides plants, garden art can add a lot to your outdoor enjoyment, too. And the best part is that most art requires no maintenance. I want both beauty and function from art, and the way I get this is by incorporating beautiful furniture and structures – like arbors for vines and other climbing plants. So create an air of whimsy (and low maintenance) with fantastic
and functional art.
Entertaining
Gardens are perfectly well and good in their own right, but sometimes you need a pat on the back for all your hard work. Create an excuse to invite people over for a garden party. Don’t worry about the weeds – focus on a small area of your garden or on a newly installed feature such as…oh, I don’t know…night lights! Keep the celebration simple. Focus on fresh food, and use art to attract the eyes of all your guests.
Water
Water is cooling and refreshing on hot summer days, and it appeals to our senses of sight and sound. “Grownups” often think that water gardens are the only way to invite this life-giving source to our outdoor spaces, but children know that sprinklers and kiddie pools are fun and easy water garden stand-ins. If you’re worried that the neighbours will call the men in little white coats if they see you jumping through your sprinkler, confine yourself to the back yard. Whatever the neighbors think, you’ll be cool and invigorated by your romp!
Cut Flowers
Bring the outdoors in by cutting some of the precious (and possibly wilting) flowers from your garden. Cut your flowers in the morning or evening, but not in the middle of the day. Don’t worry if you’re not a professional floral designer. Flowers are beautiful in their own right, and there’s nothing like being able to say you grew a bouquet yourself. These are just a few ways Carratera Lorca - Baza, 56 (Albox) to enjoy your garden for Tlf: 950 431 738 Email: carpinteriametalicatyt@hotmail.com the remainder of summer. • Exterior gates & fencing Pull up a seat on your new bench, relax among • Electronic opening gates your flowers and think • Rejas for fire escapes in various designs from 150€ about it. If you’re not too • Ornamental metal gazebos next to Bazar Oriental distracted by the beauty • motorised up & over garage doors that surrounds you, I’m T&T sure you’ll be able to think • Fixed or concertina window & door grills of lots more fun ideas • Specialists in Stainless Steel – either for now or next CTRA. Lorca - Baza • Spiral staircases season!
TyT
Carpenteria Metallica Juan Chacón
A CHIMNEY OR FLUE NEEDS CLEANING ONCE A YEAR! WHY? • T O REDUCE THE RISK OF A CHIMNEY FIRE BY REMOVING SOOT AND TAR
• TO REMOVE A BLOCKAGE SUCH AS A BIRD NEST! • TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF YOUR APPLIANCE (ESPECIALLY WOODBURNERS)
FOR PEACE OF MIND BOOK YOUR SWEEP TODAY FOR A FRIENDLY, PROFESSIONAL, CLEAN, SERVICE CALL PAUL ON 617150300 OR 850993057
A CL E A N C H I M N E Y I S A S AF E C H I M N E Y !
SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
www.soltimes.com
23
Home Sweet Home property SERVICES NEW YEAR NEW BUSINESS? 3 WAYS TO ADVERTISE RING 950 121 936 OR 902 121 936 OR EMAIL YOUR ADVERT TO sales@soltimes.com
Bill’s Carpentry & Shop Fitting
Hanging Doors Flat Pack Furniture Fitting Kitchens - Tiling
No Job Too Small Free Quotations Tel: 633 507 165
O Olive
Contact: 607 705 085 or 687 938 466 C/Llanos, Bedar (Next to the Miramar Restaurant) Open: Monday-Friday 10.00am-3.30pm
www.olivehouse-es.com
bedar El Pinar 59,950€ This new and spacious 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom townhouse is located in the popular village of El Pinar, just 5 minutes from the beautiful village of Bedar and under 15 minutes from the beaches of Mojacar. ONLY ONE LEFT AT A KNOCK DOWN PRICE
OLV711
CALL 902 750 190 EMAIL: SALES@SOLTIMES.COM
The Right Way To Buy A Home Abroad
What is the biggest mistake you could make when buying property in a foreign country? Why pay for an independent lawyer when you’re already using a notary? Viewing trips – do they really take much planning? Exactly how can exchange rates affect your buying power abroad? Powerful questions like these will be tackled at the A Place in the Sun Live show this month, when international property experts, including Richard Way of The Overseas Guides Company, take centre stage for a seminar about the right way to buy a home abroad. “These free seminars are an ideal way for propertybuyers to get free advice and ask any niggling questions – and we all have them – about an overseas purchase,” said Richard Way, Editor at the Overseas Guides Company. “Deciding to spend your life savings on a home abroad can be as daunting as it is exciting, so it’s incredibly important to get reliable, first-hand information and meet the right people from the outset. Bringing together experts from different fields of the international property
BUY SELL RENT MAINTAIN industry creates the perfect environment for buyers to do just that and do invaluable research.” A Place in the Sun Live takes place from 28th-30th March at Olympia in Kensington, London. The “How to buy overseas property the right way” seminar, featuring Richard Way and other trusted overseas property experts, will take place on all three days of the event in the exhibition’s central hub, where visitors will also be able to watch live interviews with the presenters of the Channel 4 A Place in the Sun TV series. “The Overseas Guides Company will be shining the spotlight on Spain at this year’s show, complementing the seminars by bringing together experts from the Spain Buying Guide and offering free, info-packed leaflets and guides to anyone who registers on our stand at the exhibition,” continued Richard Way. “We’ll have literature on buying safely, how to get the most from a viewing trip, currency exchange and more. And along with members of our knowledgeable resource team, visitors can come and chat to our recommended bi-lingual Spanish lawyer, Raquel Perez, who has helped hundreds of British people purchase safely in Spain.” Visit Richard and the Overseas Guides Company team on Stand A53 at A Place In The Sun Live, 28th - 30th March, or contact the Resource Team for more information on 0207 898 0549. Source: smartcurrencyexchange.com
David
665 517 643 Steve
610 905 173 valleyconstruction2008@gmail.com Fully Legal & Experienced Builders All Building Work Undertaken No Job Too Big or Small!! Phone or email for a no obligation quote
Urgently wanted properties for sale in the Huercal-Overa, Zurgena, Taberno & San Juan de Los Terreros areas. Call 0034 950 616 827 / 0034 678 002 006 155a Carretera Estacion, Huercal Overa.100m from LIDL
www.vosshomesspain.com
The Window Doctor For all those window problems
Fly Screen Repairs, Stain Glass Windows
The flies are coming so get them sorted!! Broken locks, draughts, broken down units, condensation in windows etc.
CALL SEAN 630 231 644 Building and Bespoke Carpentry Specialist 41 yrs Experience
•Fiberglass Swiming Pools •Regelling
Call Roy 634 306 455
Office hours 10am – 2pm Mon-Sat
24
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES OPEN FOR BUSINESS
SOLTIMES march 2014
TJ Carpentry & Construction Fully Qualified with over 25 years experience
B&B carpentry designs
TJOLIVER@HOTMAIL.CO.UK PIEDRA AMARILLA ALBOX, ALMERIA
619 584 405 635 979 829
Kitchens • Wardrobes Made To Measure • Pergolas Windows & Doors • Fittings & General Maintenance call 646 101 712 bybdesigns@hotmail.com
Block Paving Specialists
● Driveways ● Footpaths ● Patios ● from 33€ sqm
Basketweave
45 Herringbone
For a free quotation
SAMPLES OF POPULAR PATTERNS USED IN BLOCK PAVING
ArboleasPaving
call: 636 092 632 90 Herringbone Stretcher Bond arboleaspaving@hotmail.com Many colours available
DAMP PROOF SOLUTIONS
Are you fed up with peeling paint & render coming off your garden walls caused by rising damp? The permanent solution to stop this is to have a Damp Course injected into your walls
5€ per meter all work guaranteed
Bugs
HIRE A HUSBAND Professional, reliable, handy man available...
...for all the jobs he doesn’t get round to, including Van Removals, Painting Exterior/Interior, Small Plumbing Jobs, Persianas, Shelves, Garden Clearance, All Outside Work - Walls, Stone Cladding, Rendering etc... Property Maintenance Good hourly/daily rate - 7 yrs in the area.
Call Jim 677 557 190
References available & Pics of work completed
www.hireahusband.es
Mosquito Screens & Blinds
replacement windows & doors Aluminuim & UPVC fitted & made to measure
Supplying & fitting windows & doors for 25 years
• Pull down / Sliding Blinds & Screens, Windows & Patios • Vertical Blinds • Security Grills • Awnings
All areas covered ~ speedy Response Call now for your no-obligation quote Get The Best For Less
Tel: 600 049 515
John: 677 700 843
John The Painter All aspects of P&D Interior & Exterior Gates, Rejas & Boundary Walls Free Quotations john.colbert@hotmail.co.uk Tel: 662 597 596
Monthly contracts, one-off pool clean, summer contracts, Procare holiday rentals, pools sand changes, minor pools repairs and much more For VERY competitive rates call
642 370 681 or email:
procarepropertyservice@gmail.com
Steven Smith - Arboleas Builder
Building Maintenance & Property Repair No job TOO Big nor TOO Small
Happy to provide a Quotation without Obligation Blockwork - Plastering - Damp Proof Concreting - Tiling - Roofing Painting - Cladding - Rejas...
City & Guilds & ACS qualifications, CORGI registered with 10 years experience
Chris: 637 82 97 87 / 618 06 20 80 Gas & Oil Fired Central Heating - Gas Appliances Plumbing - Servicing - Repairs - Installations
FREE QUOTATIONS & ADVICE
PAUL
MOBILE MECHANIC ALL AREAS COVERED FOR ALL TYPES OF SERVICE AND REPAIRS, ITV TESTING
OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE FULLY QUALIFIED AND LEGAL DIESEL SPECIALIST
PAUL
NO JOB TOO SMALL
Tel: 617 150 300 or 850 993 057
trifenners@gmail.com
25 years experience • Quality work guaranteed • References available
Tel: 634 327 201 / 661 129 028 Email: atpspain@gmail.com www.paulmorrison.es
POOL SHOP
10% discount
on selected items FIND US In Longo’s Courtyard
Shop: 950 104 345 or Maintenance: 637 582 696
mention code E2374 offer expires end April 2014 Fully Legal
Please Call: 950 930 536 or 634 306 690 or email: ArboleasBuilder@gmail.com
British Plasterer • 8 years in Spain with
Painting & Decorating Special Offer
UniCraft Upholstery We upholster all type of chairs & sofas • Cushion foam replacement • Large fabric selection • Over 30 years experience • Free collection & delivery • Free in-home estimates
Tel. 692 176 069 e-mail: unicraftspain@gmail.com • www.unicraft.es
ANOTHER GREAT INSTALL BY: mobile:
699 909 737 office:
950 528 334 E-mail:
solosat@gmail.com
SOLTIMES march 2014
www.soltimes.com
book review Divine Damages by Georgia Varjas.
“ The air tortured her skin. She felt daggers attack her and pierce her flesh but she resisted. ‘ I know what you did, I saw you. Now, I am your tormentor.’ “ This is an interesting selection of 10 modern, tongue-in-cheek stories of feminism taken to an absurd extreme using male and female caricatures. In Stalking Patty we are looking at revenge and female empowerment. Patty is approaching middle-age and we discover how gullible she was at 17, discovering boys and sex for the first time. What ensued inevitably, was an unplanned pregnancy followed by a tragic miscarriage. A simple D&C was needed to clean her out but she was left infertile and with permanent psychological damage.
Whilst under the anaesthetic she remembered the nurses laughing at her and the surgeon wielding a huge carving knife. Consequently, she was doped with medication for the next decade when her self-esteem had reached rock-bottom and full of despair. In time a new relationship with Brian petered out when she was unable to conceive leaving her feeling angry, guilty, depressed and of course, abandoned. She blamed Dr Death for her misery. In time life improved. Patty weaned herself off the medication, got a job and put on weight. Things started to look up until that fateful day at the British Museum. It was a chance encounter, twenty years later: “This was the man who had crippled me, spoilt all my chances of happiness and fertility. Winthrop had permanently crucified it.” How sweet is revenge? She wanted to hound him, torment him. Exploitation and ultimately ruin were her objectives. She adopted the role of the femme fatale. “I got him and I damaged him and the satisfaction was all mine.” But did she succeed in regaining some personal power and inner strength? Was revenge really so empowering for Patty?
You decide….
Sweet Claudine shows a woman completely detached from her marriage and husband. She is self-sufficient and happy to bake and promote her business. She takes relish in the sun sparkling over the sugary coatings of her pastries but lacks the warmth or passion to engage in a romantic or sensual relationship with Didier, her husband. Didier marries for selfadvancement wanting an indolent lifestyle. Over time he became critical and insulting at work gaining a reputation of being mean and arrogant. Inevitably, he became bored with his dead-end job and Claudine. As a sharp contrast she became successful and popular. People praised her business prowess. This just fuelled his resentment and frustration. He demeaned her business as a silly hobby. His mind was pre-occupied over his future-a luxurious life in the south of France-once he has sold her house, her delivery van and her business. But single not married or tied down. Does he manage it? There is a twist to the finale and Varjas introduces a touch of the supernatural and a dramatic climax. For one of them there is freedom; the other is doomed. But is that the full story!? And for a dose of sexual frustration there’s Righteous Val who seems to have lost her way and behaves in the most crude and unrighteous manner. At 49 years of age we can initially sympathise with her plight-abandoned by a Lothario of a husband who shacks up with a 20 years old babe from Essex- frumpy, fat and altogether, shabby. You can see why the husband absconded can’t you? But he does leave her with a generous alimony and a lovely house.
“How does a woman get what she wants? Wasn’t I kind and considerate?” Perhaps it’s just the injustice of being “dumped” or boredom that motivates her into cleaning up the streets and preventing physical abuse to women or children. A crusader. Armed with a small hammer, a pair of pliers, a Phillipps screwdriver, sharp kitchen scissors and masking tape.
Seriously, she was on the warpath confronting drunks and ugly schoolboys believing they would give the least resistance. She saw herself as a bit of a saviour without the religious connotation-a version of Mother Theresa or a Batman without the ridiculous costume of course. And then it went a bit pear-shaped. It seems that she gets easily turned on by attractive, foreign males called Carlos. Why are the pretty ones always called Carlos? Enough is enough. Let’s have some fun. So how does she tackle her “cream cake in the bathtub variety” with rusty methods of seduction? Does she have to knock him over the head to entice him into her lair or boudoir? And why does Varjas end the tale with a mischievous hint (or is it a moral?) about using a “plentiful supply of Viagra?” It sounds kinky to me. Publisher: Wordplay. ISBN: 978-1482796-858
REVIEW it by Carol Naylor. www.carolnaylor.blogspot.com / www.carolesleynaylor.wordpress. com naylorcl@hotmail.es
25
pause for thought We do of course all like to be popular and necessarily therefore many of us are sometimes tempted to pull off some sort of stunt to grab attention. Trouble is however, that as I’ve often noticed from watching television ads, there are times when a dramatic performance can actually detract from the ad itself, leaving me remembering the advert, but having no idea what product was actually being advertised. So Jesus, during his 40-day period in the Wilderness, which as mentioned before, we Christians remember during this period of Lent, similarly faced the possibility of throwing himself from the top of the highest building in the area and walking away unscathed. Some publicity-stunt that one; bound to make people sit up and take notice! But Jesus rightly rejected that option as one that would lead people to believe in and follow him for all the wrong reasons, remembering the stunt but missing His message completely. And how often, sometimes in very subtle guise, we who claim to serve Him find ourselves tempted to use the power of His Holy Spirit to glorify ourselves rather than Jesus Christ, our Lord and master. It’s so easy to speak or write aiming to please others, hoping they’ll think well of me, whereas my task as a Christian is to make much of Christ and nothing of myself. For as John the Baptist remarked, “He must increase whilst I decrease.” So whenever called upon to act, speak or write on His behalf, I always pray to be spared that temptation, using the words of a hymn learnt years ago: “Not I, but Christ, be honoured, loved, exalted. Not I, but Christ, be seen, be known and heard: Not I, but Christ, in every look and action: Not I, but Christ, in every thought and word”. For if I leave others with a clear impression of myself and little of Jesus, then I have failed; whereas if from my words/actions others learn of Him, but little of myself, then indeed I have succeeded in my task. Details of a number of English Language Churches are given in Sol Noticeboard for any wishing to Worship, whilst additionally, further information about the Anglican Church in this area 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
properties for sale houses and land can be separated with own escrituras or sold as one lot.
Two detached villa shells built up to and including roofs 125m2 built on flat 3000m2 plot. Secluded position, unspoilt countryside views across orange and lemon groves front and rear.
Fully Legal & with Full Title Deeds
• E ach villa spec: 3 beds / 2 baths. Size 125m2
•S pace for pools (12mx6m) • E xceptional uninterrupted views of orange and lemon groves to front & rear •S ituated between Almanzora & Arboleas overlooking Almanzora valley • 1 0 minutes to nearest town with all amenities • I nland country setting, but only 30 minutes to coast. • I deal for builder to complete internals.
Private sale - Priced to sell Must be viewed to appreciate this golden opportunity
Tel: 609 199 394 / 647 379 878 / 950 064 801
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
1. T om’s mom had three children. The first was named May, the second was June. What was the third childs name? 2. The manufacturer doesn’t want to use it, the buyer doesn’t need to use it and the user doesn’t know he’s using it. What is it? 3. The word CANDY can be spelled using just 2 letters. Can you figure out how? 4. Bill bets Craig $100 that he can predict the score of the hockey game before it starts. Craig agrees, but loses the bet. Why did Craig lose the bet? 5. What is the next 3 letters in this sequence? o t t f f s s _ _ _ 6. FOUR is HALF of FIVE. Is this statement True or False? 7. A woman shoots her husband. Then she holds him under water for over 5 minutes. Finally, she hangs him. But 5 minutes later they both go out together and enjoy a wonderful dinner together. How can this be? 8. What do these 3 have in common? Superman, Moses, The Cabbage Patch Kids 9. What is black when you buy it, red when you use it, and gray when you throw it away? 10. Can you name three consecutive days without using the words Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday? 11. I can sizzle like bacon, I am made with an egg, I have plenty of backbone, but lack a good leg, I peel layers like onions, but still remain whole, I can be long, like a flagpole, yet fit in a hole, What am I? 12. This is an unusual paragraph. I’m curious how quickly you can find out what is so unusual about it? It looks so plain you would think nothing was wrong with it! In fact, nothing is wrong with it! It is unusual though. Study it, and think about it, but you still may not find anything odd. But if you work at it a bit, you might find out! Try to do so without any coaching! 13. Hi! Ma and Pa told me I’d better say that all the two-letter words in this paragraph have something in common ...... or else! What’s the common factor here? 14. What falls but never breaks? What breaks but never falls? 15. This one’s a tuffy! There is a common English word that is seven letters long. Each time you remove a letter from it, it still remains a common English word - from seven letters right on down to a single letter. What is the original word, and what are the words that it becomes after removing a letter at a time? 16. In olden days you are a clever thief charged with treason against the king and sentenced to death. But the king decides to be a little lenient and lets you choose your own way to die. What way should you choose? Remember, you’re clever! 17. What is it that when you take away the whole, you still have some left over? 18. What six letter word in the English language contains ten other words without rearranging any of its letters? 19. Name an English word of more than 2 letters that both begins and ends with the letters “he” in that order. There are two possible answers. “hehe” is not acceptable. 20. A man was found murdered on Sunday morning. His wife immediately called the police. The police questioned the wife and staff and got these alibis: The Wife said she was sleeping. The Cook was cooking breakfast. The Gardener was picking vegetables. The Maid was getting the mail. The Butler was cleaning the closet. The police instantly arrested the murdered. Who did it and how did they know?
Brain Teasers Answers
SolPUZZLES
Amazing Facts on the human body
APPENDIX TO LIFE: Recently it has been
discovered that the appendix is very useful to the bacteria that help your digestive system function. They use it to get respite from the strain of the frenzied activity of the gut, somewhere to breed and help keep the gut’s bacterial inhabitants topped up. SUPERSIZED MOLECULES: Practically everything we experience is made up of molecules. The biggest molecule in nature resides in your body. It is chromosome 1. A normal human cell has 23 pairs of chromosomes in its nucleus, each a single, very long, molecule of DNA. Chromosome 1 is the biggest, containing around 10bn atoms, to pack in the amount of information that is encoded in the molecule ATOM COUNT: It is hard to grasp just how small the atoms that make up your body are until you take a look at the sheer number of them. An adult is made up of around 7,000,000,000,00 0,000,000,000,000,000 (7 octillion) atoms. GOOSEBUMP EVOLUTION: Goosepimples are a remnant of our evolutionary predecessors. They occur when tiny muscles around the base of each hair tense, pulling the hair more erect. With a human’s thin body hair, it just makes our skin look strange. EYELASH INVADERS: Depending on how old you are, it’s pretty likely that you have eyelash mites. These tiny creatures live on old skin cells and the natural oil (sebum) produced by human hair follicles. They are usually harmless, though they can cause an allergic reaction in a minority of people. Eyelash mites typically grow to a third of a millimetre and are near-transparent, so you are unlikely to see them with the naked eye.
AMUSED ANNOYED ANTSY ANXIOUS CARING CONTEMPT CONTENT CONTRITE DELIGHT DESPAIR DISLIKE DOUBT EMPATHY ENVY EUPHORIA GLUM GREED GROUCHY GUILT HATRED HORROR INFATUATED JOYOUS LEERY PRIDE RAGE SAD SATISFIED SERENITY SHAME
logic puzzle
After a local Post Office burglary, five suspects were being interviewed. Below is a summary of their statements. Police know that each of them told the truth in one of the statements and lied in the other. From this information can you tell who committed the crime? Brian said: It wasn’t Charles, It was Alan Derek said: It was Charles, It wasn’t Alan Charles said: It was Brian , It wasn’t Eric Alan said: It was Eric, It wasn’t Brian Eric said: It was Derek, It was Alan
logic puzzle solution:
wordsearch
Moods & Emotions Find and circle all of the words that are hidden in the grid. The remaining 11 letters spell an additional word.
Answer:The hidden word is: DISCOURAGED
Fun Brain Teasers with Answers to Challenge your Mind
Answer: Derek was the culprit
SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
Looking at Brian’s statement if it was Charles, then Brian was lying in his first statement, which makes the second statement true. Which would mean that it was both Charles and Alan. So it can’t be Charles. Which means Derek was lying in his first statement, which makes the second statement true. Therefore it can’t be Alan. So Eric’s second statement must be false, meaning his first statement was true, therefore it was Derek.
26
1. Tom Tom’s mom had three children, June, May, and Tom. 2. A Coffin 3.The answer: C and Y 4. Bill said the score would be 0-0 and he was right. Before any hockey game starts, the score is always 0-0. 5. “e n t “ They represent the first letter when writing the numbers one thru ten. 6. It’s True. The Roman Numeral FOUR (IV) is in the middle of the word Five: F(IV)E 7. The woman was a photographer. She shot a picture of her husband, developed it, and hung it up to dry. 8. They were all adopted! 9. The answer is Charcoal. In Homer Simpson’s words: Hmmmm... Barbecue. 10. Sure you can:Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow! 11. A snake.
12. The letter “e”, which is the most common letter in the English language, does not appear once in the long paragraph. 13. All the two-letter combinations are abbreviations of U.S. States: Hi:Hawaii, MA:Massachusetts, PA:Pennsylvania, me:Maine, in: Indiana, I’d: Idaho, or:Oregon 14. Night and Day! 15. The original word is “Snowing”. It decomposes to: sowing, swing, sing, sin, in, and I. 16. I think I would have chosen to die of “old age”. Did you? 17. The word Wholesome. 18.The word is Spared. The ten words are: Spa, Spar, Spare, Pa, Par, Pare,Pared, Are, Re, and Red. If you got this one you are good! 19. Headache or Heartache. 20. It was the Maid. She said she was getting the mail. There is no mail
SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
STANDARD CROSSWORD
ACROSS 1 Diabolical cast in a play (7) 5 One eating little head of lettuce held by cook in hot water (7) 9 Aquatic plant providing a variety of materials (5,4) 10 Carrying on thus, for some reason I create a sort of boom (5) 11 One who takes after beggarman (5) 12 Able to contend, not being disheartened (9) 13 Noble start to resistance in French resistance movement (7) 15 They teach large groups of swimmers (7) 17 Object for trial (7) 19 Refuse to reveal how old clothes are (7) 21 Form of address valued for the auditor taken unawares (9) 23 Argue about something boring (5) 25 Record left by teacher in Siam (5) 26 Page with scope for truism (9) 27 Mount seen the day before the others (7) 28 Thrash Elia a second time (7)
ACROSS 1 Counting device (6) 4 A forceful consequence (6) 9 Deport (5) 10 Relished (7) 11 Act of deliberate betrayal (7) 12 Movable staircases (5) 13 Easily handled or managed (6) 15 Lithe (6) 19 Device in a brass wind instrument (5) 21 Oval (7) 23 Slowly moving ice mass (7) 24 Large artery (5) 25 Throws out (6) 26 Sternutation (6)
Down 1 Turned away or aside (7) 2 Similar (5) 3 Kitchen implement (7) 5 Commissioned military officer (5) 6 Unfathomable (7) 7 Periodic rise and fall of sea level (5) 8 Deceive by mock action (5) 14 Assemble in proper sequence (7) 16 Scoundrel (7) 17 Promote (7) 18 Prolonged period of time (5) 19 Undefined (5) 20 Live (5) 22 Sum of money offered as a prize (5)
27
CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
www.soltimes.com
Down 1 A sign Tommy’s upset about patrol leader (7) 2 Bones sailors found on island (5) 3 Instrument making snout feel odd (4,5) 4 Risks making Chinese detective dry up (7) 5 Sausages from a Greek island (7) 6 Publication for children (5) 7 Curiously, Maine’s not an American state (9) 8 Eric, having set off, repeats something memorized (7) 14 Reading or writhing in river (3,6) 16 Flora collected metal she owns (9) 17 Father’s wise migration (7) 18 Drunkard turns to observe drunkard (7) 19 Duck turning up initially looking like a Walt Disney animated goose (7) 20 Art deserving a pledge? (7) 22 April keeps providing material for a poet (5) 24 A couple upset after end of big cheese (5)
SUDOKU PUZZLE s
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.
squiggle SUDOKU
standard SUDOKU
easy SUDOKU
CRYPTIC crossword
CROSSWORD
squiggle
standard
SOLUTIONS
easy
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
28 SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
Tasty food for everyday, special occasions and for sharing with friends Pepper, tomato and basil pasta A gorgeous supper dish inspired by flavours from the Mediterranean - roasted peppers, tomatoes and a simple basil sauce. Serve with your favourite pasta.
Ingredients
3 long sweet peppers, red, yellow, and orange 12 cherry tomatoes 2 cloves of garlic, peeled 7 tbsp olive oil large bunch basil 400g/14oz orecchiette pasta salt and pepper
Preparation method
Turn the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Slice the peppers lengthways and trim any odd edges to form neat little boat shapes. Lay them in a fairly large roasting tin facing upwards. Halve the cherry tomatoes and place them inside the peppers roughly managing four per boat. Finely slice the garlic and tuck them in with the tomatoes and also add any pepper trimmings you have. Now generously drench the peppers in a good four tablespoons of olive oil, season and put in the warm oven for half an hour. Meanwhile take all but a small handful of the basil and blitz in a food processor with three tablespoons of olive oil and a little salt. When 30 minutes or so have passed and you can see a slight softening of the peppers and tomatoes, pour over the basil dressing and return to the oven for a further 20 minutes. Now for the pasta, I have chosen orecchiette because the little dips help absorb and contain the juices, but any similar shape will do. Cook in boiling salted water according to the packet instructions. When the peppers and tomatoes are completely soft, wrinkled and starting to brown at the edges; they are ready. Lift them onto a serving plate. To make the most of the oily goodness tip the cooked drained pasta into the roasting tin, stir well ensuring that you dislodge any sweet caramelised peppery bits, as well as letting the pasta soak up all the flavour of the oil. Finally tear in the remaining basil and serve the peppers and tomatoes on a bed of the sweet oily pasta
Grilled Asparagus & Red Onions with Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar
Ingredients
2 medium red onions, peeled 1 ½ pounds asparagus (about 24 medium
stalks), ends trimmed 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided Kosher salt Freshly ground black
½ teaspoon sugar 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, best quality
Preparation method
Mesón de
Irene
winter crazy offer
Free Bottle of wine
per couple to take away after having our night menus Valid only with this voucher dinner 19.00-22.00 until 31ST MARCH
1. Preheat grill to high. 2. Prepare red onions: Cut onions in half from root to tip, then cut halves into ½-inch slices. Pull slices apart and tumble into disposable grill pan; toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. 3. Prepare asparagus: Place spears in baking dish and toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. 4. Place pan of onions and asparagus spears on the grill (be sure to place spears perpendicular to grates so they don’t fall through!). Set asparagus dish next
#
#
pepper
Restaurant from
OX
ALB
COD N’ CHIPS
5.95€
Fridays & Saturdays From 12 - 9 PM
Desserts from 2€
2 Courses from 3 Courses from
6.95€ 8.95€
HOME-MADE AND DELICIOUS WAITER SERVED BOOKING RECOMENDED
showbar & restaurant
The Irish Rover
Your No1 Entertainment Venue in Mojacar for All the Family
great entertaiment with
1 course 8.50€ 2 courses 11€ 3 courses 13.50€
for the first time in mojacar
will sparkle
from
6.95€
a fabulous drag & comedy act on april 4th
Book our function room with private patio garden for your parties, weddings, birthdays etc.
9AM-LATE MON-SAT (Tues 8:30) 10-6 SUN
950 120 718
jacksalbox@gmail.com
SEE OUR MAP ON PAGE 30
daily
Eagles tribute 1st may homemade michael buble tribute 17th may specials book now for mothers day
SUNDAY LUNCH 12noon - 5pm
to grill (do not clean). Cover and cook vegetables for 2-3 minutes. Open cover and turn asparagus (use tongs to press and roll). Cover and cook 1 -2 minutes more, until asparagus spears are nicely browned and tender-crisp. Remove asparagus from grill and place back in baking dish. Stir onions, cover, and continue cooking for about 15 – 25 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until tender and caramelized. In the meantime, transfer asparagus spears to cutting board and cut into 1½-inch pieces. Place back in baking dish and toss with finished grilled onions. Add sugar and balsamic vinegar and toss well. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary (I usually add a good ¼ teaspoon more salt). Transfer to serving platter and serve hot or room temperature.
for just
5€
all major sports events shown here inc gaa sports
telephone: 950 473 135 mojacar playa between Lua & Moma Beach
Open 10am till late 7 days a week
SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
www.soltimes.com air-conditioned
Chipotle Popcorn Chicken
La
VidaRestaurant&Venue el Cucador
present for all the mums on
Marinating the chicken in buttermilk overnight ensures juicy, flavorful meat under the crunchy, tangy-spicy interior. Adding chopped cilantro makes it look even less like you microwaved frozen popcorn chicken, as does serving the bites with any of our homemade dipping sauces.
mothers day
sunday lunch
Thursday 3rd April
Hypnosis, magic andfrom fun 9pm evening
30th march
entrance
6€
12.30pm-5pm
traditional sunday lunch
bookings now being taken
from
available pre-show - from 6pm
8.95€ Ingredients
Preparation method
2 chicken breasts 1 cup buttermilk 1/2 cup canned chipotles in adobo sauce, pureed 2 cups flour Salt and pepper 1 bunch cilantro, chopped
1.Cut chicken breasts into 1 ½-inch pieces. Place in mixing bowl and cover with buttermilk and pureed chipotle chilis. 2.Cover and refrigerate overnight. Once the chicken has had time to sit in buttermilk, dredge the chicken in seasoned flour and fry in a 350 degree fryer. 3.Once out of fryer, season with salt, pepper and chopped cilantro.
Home cooked with all the trimmings served 12.30pm-5pm includes a complimentary coffee & chocolate booking recommended
evening bar
MENU DEL dia
4 COURSES WITH WINE & COFFEE Monday to Saturday inclusive Lunch 1pm - 4pm
MENU DEL NOCHE 4 COURSES WITH WINE & COFFEE
20oz T-BONE STEAK, 16oz BEEF ENTRECOTE 12oz PORK TENDERLOIN, ROASTED LAMB SHANK & SHOULDER, ROASTED PORK KNUCKLE & MORE DINNER 7PM-10PM
BOOK YOUR MOTHERS DAY sunday roast menu del dia
4 courses with bottle of ESTE wine per couple & coffee included: Roast Lamb Shoulder & Pork Knuckle, 16oz Entrecote, 20oz T-Bone, 12oz Pork Tenderloin, Roast Potatoes & Fresh Vegetables Freshly Baked Bread SERVED 1pm - 4pm vegetarian menu available
Childrens menu available
homemade pies & lite bites menu
menu oche N
Del
sky sports
LIVE - shown in the bar
10.9 5€ pp pp
A choice of
5 Starters
specials served 6-9pm
Mon : Chill & Rice 5€ Tues: Cod n Chips 5€ or chicken curry 5€ Wed: Chicken & Chips or Gammon Ham & Chips 5.50€ Thurs: Pie Night 5.50€
ly oonnly
5 Main Dishes 5 Desserts
All home-made. Includes Glass of Wine or Tubo
thursday - saturday 6pm - 9pm
fish n chips Beer battered Cod home-made chips & peas
from om fr
5.95€
FRIDAYS 12.30pm - 9pm
lite bite snacks FREE WI-FI
OPEN 7 days a week Booking Recommended Spanish Speaking 950 430 145 English Speaking 647 730 103
Poligono Industrial Albox, Near the ITV Garage w w w.me s onde i r e ne.com
29
Specials, Burgers, Wraps
open for lunch 12pm - 4PM
menu del dia 2 COURSE LUNCH 12:30 - 3:30pm
6€
Tel: 950 634 562 lavidacucador@gmail.com
o pen e v
ery d 12pm - l ay ate We are here
Albox Arboleas 1km
Zurgena La Alfoquia
Mojacar
E15
La Vida
Cucador Junc 547
Huercal Overa
30
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
out & about
ALBOX
ing r E H T MO day sun
Give Mum a rest on Sunday 30th March
Come to Jacks for our Very Special Sunday Menu
Three Courses including complementary Glass of Wine or Tubo or Soft Drink Only 8.95€ Starters: House Salad Or Vegetable Soup Mains: Succulent Top Side of Beef Or New Zeland Lamb* Or Tender Chicken Breast. All Served with roast pots and fresh seasonal vegetables. Desserts: Just like Mums Brandy Bread & Butter Pudding Rhubarb Crumble. Served with Ice Cream or Custard. *1€ supplement **Alternative starters and desserts available priced individually Booking Essential to avoid disappointment Regular Sunday Menu offer also available two courses from only 6.95€
adness market day m
Tuesday Market Day
STANDARD BREAKFAST
Only 2.50€
& add cup of tea or coffee for 50 cents
Bacon or Sausage
in a floury bap or sandwich, tea or regular coffee
ONLY €3
Order BEFORE 11.30am Mon - Sat
wednesdays
Homemade Pie Day
from midday
Cod ‘n’ ChipS
Bar Menu & Snacks 9AM-4.30PM (except Sunday) friday & SATURDAY ALL DAY BREAKFAST from 9AM includes free tea or coffee Only 3.75€ + new Daily Specials Monday
SERVED 12-9pm
Beer-battered Cod, Home-made Chips, with Mushy or Garden PeaS
Bookings Advisable Takeaway option available
Activities
• Line Dancing from 2:30pm with Eleanor & Gilly • ROCK’N’ ROLL 7:30PM
5.95€
PLUS
Art Classes, Computer Club, Tuesday • easy peezy spanish lessons Keep Fit • with Avril at 5pm • Darts Night from 8pm - All Welcome Geneology Wednesday
• Line Dancing with Carrie 7pm
Thursday
• Ceroc Classes 8pm
Please call into Jacks to check Timetables
Friday
• CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH 6pm
SUNDAY BREAKFAST AM-12.00AM 10 ED RV SE
ample parking Free Wi-Fi 9AM-LATE MON-SAT (Tues 8.30) 10-6 SUN
@
950 120 718
The Beachcomber John and the team at The Beachcomber always ensure your food is beautifully cooked and is served with a smile. With fish and chips to die for plus all the traditional favourite meals you would expect. John has also added a Slimming World breakfast to the menu, which is the perfect way to enjoy a meal and not feel guilty! Here are details of some forthcoming and regular events: Spanish lessons, held every Monday and Tuesday morning from 10:15am. Tai Chi classes every Wednesday and Thursday morning from 10:30am. Line dancing lessons Monday afternoons from 4pm. Art lessons every Friday morning from 10.30am. Free computer and electronic workshop every Saturday 10:30am1pm. Telephone now to find out more about any of our many events: 950 473 099.
from 8:30 to 11AM
NOW SHOWING PREMIER LEAGUE FOOTBALL ON LARGE SCREEN Home Made Burgers, Jacket Potatoes, Home Made Puds & much more
...to advertise on this page call 950 121 936
jacksalbox@gmail.com
BP Garage
•••
← ARBOLEAS BAZA → Av••• AL .L B ep OX an → to
free wifi
Downstairs on the sea front next to the Irish Rover Look out for our live entertainment evenings
day the day of the nu of menu me 3 courses 3 courseS - €12.00 €10.50 Beach Opening Times
Menu del noche
10am til close Food served 10:30am til 10pm
regular TRIBUTE SHOWS see website for details
La Cena in Albox is a fine dining experience without the expense. A beautifully decorated restaurant, run by husband and wife team Simon and Carol. At the moment they are serving a superb Menu Del Noche for only 10.95€ which includes a Caraffe of wine and you can now choose from a choice of 7 Starters, 6 Mains and 5 Desserts. Full A La Carte is also always available. Please call 950 430 930 after 5.30pm today and reserve your table, you will not be disappointed!
tel: 950 473 099 www.beachcombermojacar.com
La Cena
Restaurante
Albox
menu del noche €10.95
Includes a caraffe of wine per couple 7 starters, 6 mains & 5 Desserts Full A La Carte also available Monday - Saturday 7pm - late. Closed Sunday
Call 950 430 930 after 5.30pm
Find us across the old bridge from Palza Mayor Albox, opp Bar Wassy
Rare visit by international artiste in the area The
on s w a R e v a D rience Expe
for a night of fun and entertainment
introducing his number 1 gameshow from Ibiza (for the last 3 years)
“press the buzzer”
book now!
Thursday 10th April
5€ entrance (incl free drink)
31
SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
www.soltimes.com
COMMUNITY NEWS
Living Water Church Mojacar Lady Vicar - Mojacar An Evangelical informal service at 4.00pm every Sunday, opposite Red Cross Centre on Mojacar Playa. Contact Pastor David Hamilton 697 522 521 John 950 529 321 Margaret 950477063 For more info visit www.livingwaterchurchmojacar.com
DAMES IN TURRE
On Saturday March 8th, 63 members and friends of Dames in Turre, celebrated International Women’s Day with a delicious three course meal with wine and coffee, prepared by the staff at Hostel Rural Turre. Chairman Soo Wallace welcomed everyone and in between courses introduced Val Carrington who started the entertainment off with her humorous monologue’s, Soo then introduced our Guest Speaker Adele Land who shared some amusing stories of her 20 years working in the travel industry. Soo then presented Brenda Appleby with a gift token from the Dames for her outstanding contribution to the group, unfortunately Brenda has decided to retire but will always be welcome at forthcoming meetings and events. The afternoon would not have been the same without the saucy jokes from Doreen Woolton and she had everyone in stitches. The afternoon was rounded off with a raffle and music and singing provided by Anne Anstey who got people up on their feet dancing and singing with golden oldies from the 60’s and 70’s. A big thank-you must be given to Lesley Barton and Sylvia Baker for organizing the whole event. Our next meeting will be held Monday March 31st at Centre de Usos Multiples Turre at 11am when our speaker will be Gerry Hughes. Gerry was a Red Coat so I am sure he will have plenty of interesting tales to tell us, so come along I am sure we are in for a very amusing meeting. For more information contact Secretary Pam Smith Telephone Number 950 475 418 or President Lesley Barlow Telephone Number 950 478 633.
URGENT HELP NEEDED AT THE DOGHOUSE
Due to Paul, the owner of The Doghouse Foundation, presently being ill and also suffering from long term illness, we are in great need of assistance of all types, volunteers and organisations, and possibly donations of dog food. At present there are only two volunteers travelling quite a distance doing a rota system of looking after the dogs, this would become difficult long term. Without further help the situation could become impossible and the poor dogs would suffer. If you can help in any way please contact Shirley on mobile 650 105 166 or email shirlcrawford@hotmail. com
On Saturday 29 March 2014, the new lady Vicar of the Church of England of Mojacar, Rev. Pauline Williams will be telling of her very varied and interesting life, leading up to where she is now. Born in Wick, in the Vale of Glamorgan, S o u t h Wales, she was employed by the Dept., of Employment and Productivity (later called the Job Centre), and when first married she lived and worked in South Africa for a few years for a Building Society. Upon returning to the UK the family settled in Cornwall for some 10 years before finally returning to Wales. She very openly says she has done all sorts of jobs, ranging from Bar work, Waitressing, has even driven tractors and painted houses, in order to assist with the family income. She and her husband, Noel, have 4 children and 4 grandchildren, all of whom live in Wales. Rev. Pauline Williams was ordained on her 50th birthday at Llandaff Cathedral and prior to coming to take up her position here in Spain, she served as a Deacon and Priest in the Church of Wales, Llandaff Diocese. She has been termed by many as “a breath of fresh air”, and those who attend the F.G.B.M.F.I Breakfast we are sure will recognize a very genuine, caring lady, who is seeking to be used of God in Spain.
connexions
950 479 502
Don’t lose your TV channels solution: Android TV boxes available No Satellite dish needed
call in now for more info ORDERS BEING TAKEN
New wireless BROADBAND internet
service available 8&16mb from €25 p/m No landline required Call us for details if you are a part time resident to find out if your area is covered go to
www.connexionsonline.net computers ~ laptops full repair service Distributor for
mobile phones, sales, repairs & unlocking area distributor for hits
sim cards
Check our new website out www.theoutletshop.net Call into our shop in Turre town square just along from the Cajamar bank
The full English Breakfast costs 6 Euros, including Toast, Orange Juice, Tea or Coffee, (a Vegetarian Breakfast is also available) and there is always a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, with people from all areas attending. The venue is the Delfin Dorado Restaurant, Mojacar Playa (opposite the Hotel Continental) and the Breakfast Meeting commences at 10.00 a.m. sharp. Come along, all are welcome and we know you will not be disappointed. Booking is required for catering and seating purposes. Please contact: David Templeman Tel: 950 168 349, Mobile: 661 140 481, or email:- mojacar@fgbmfispain.org
The Fundraiser Charity & Community Shops
The people’s charity, The Peoples Choice
Helping the disabled Cancer Research Vera Orphanage Run totally put our hearts Asprodalba Weinto by volunteers helping and many more
come in and browse our massive changing stock IN OUR NEWLY FURNISHED SHOP IN TURRE
Opposite Super Turre in Turre & Just before the Guardia Civil in Vera Open 6 days a week... times on shop doors Contact 664 620 288
taekwondo Martial
arts
La NEW
Vida El
Cucador
now serving
breakfast Sunday 10am -12pm traditional sunday lunch - served 12.30PM-5PM NOW SERVING ROAST LAMB (2€ SUPP)
adults Mon: 7.30pm - 9pm Wed: 5pm - 6.30pm Fri: 5.30pm - 7pm KIDS 4 - 8yrs Wed: 4 - 5pm Fri: 4.30 - 5.30pm
Tel: 646 844 708 www.tkdspain.webs.com Indigo Gym - Mojacar Playa
Open Every Day 12pm - Late
Tel:950 634 562 • lavidacucador@gmail.com
book the Venue: For your Private Parties, Weddings and Birthdays etc.
32
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
SOLTIMES www.soltimes.com
SOL CLASSIFIEDS Air-con
see us online
everyday FOR SALE
advertise all your unwanted items for sale in this section
any single item up to 300€ free of charge
email: sales@soltimes.com Perfect DINING ROOM SUITE Channels. new condition,
Beautifully patterned American Pecan Wood. Elegant expanding table plus 6 chairs (inc. 2 carvers) in gold coloured upholstery. 2 matching tall units – buffet units to lower sections and glass / illuminated display cabinets to upper sections, with masses of storage / display space. Imported from the UK. Excellent condition.
Cost over £4,700. Bargain at €1,750. Tel: 650 442 462
ink cartridges refills or buy a at compatable prices. great we love to save money. you ics shop inside liberty seguros insurance, calle malaga (next to puppy rescue) or call 609 199 394 R otovator Honda Engine, Good Working Condition, 120€, Cement Mixer 55 Cubic Capacity 10 0 €,Petrol Chain Saw 15 “ Blade,100€, Tel: 634 321 062 (Albox) for BOAT Sale 3m Zodiac inflatable rib, oars and life jacket. Good Condition 300€ Tel: 620 112 193 Bosch Ceramic Hob Model No Pkf 651 R14,Four R i n g ,To u c h C o n t r o l / T i m e r, C o l o u r Black. 6 Months Old. New Price 280€, Now 150€ Ono. Tel: No 950 475 901 / 678 567 814 (Mojacar) 1 . 6 mtr Satellite Dish Plus Stand And Lnb 200€ O.N.O. Tel: 699 727 138 Wind Turbine 12volts 400w
Brand New Never Good Used Quality 299€ Tel; 619 744 516 Swl Yuasa Agm 2500 Batteries 12volt 90a Suitable For Power, Solar Boats,Campers Etc Cost Over 300€ New 90€ Each Only 3 Left Tel: 6197 445 16 Single Duvet. Natural Feather/ Down Filling Still In Packet With New Duvet Cover/ Pillowcases. Cost Over £70 Will Accept€25. Tel: 650 442 462 M i c row ave Oven. Exc Con. Used Twice Only €30. Tel: 650 442 462 Ladder – 2mtr Long, Folds In Half Was €40 New Now €20. Tel: 722 514 242 P a n a soni c Nv-Ds 27 Eg Silver Mini Digital Camcorder As New Inc. Accessories And Case. €80 Tel: 617 711 872 Bidet with matching taps. Tel: 634 339 184 (Vera) Fender Frontm a n Guitar 15R Amplifier.Clean Distortion and
hardly used 65€ Tel 670 309 878 Petsafe Pet Containment For SystemLarge/ Medium Dog- Brand NewWith Unused Extras Many Cost Over £200 Now €100 Tel: 617 711 872 W hi c ker / Backpack Picnic Hamper Crockery With Serves 4 Perfect €25 Condition Tel: 617 711 872 T e l evision 32 Inch Good Working Order Hd Toshiba Model 100€ Tel: 627 206 462 Hand Basin with taps, marble top, oak wood unit with matching mirror & lights 50€ Tel: 634 339 184 (Vera) 2 x Venetian Pale Blinds. Green. 90 x 120cm. 15€ each. Tel: 634 339 184 (Vera)
wanted
MD Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration S.L.
MD S.L
City & Guilds Fully Qualified F-Gas Certified
25 years sole experience in Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
not a jack of all trades
For all your installation or service MD Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration S.L offers our latest including requirements info@md-aircon.com telephone 950 432 110 / 607 364 917
baby equipment hire
drainage
BABY HIRE
Drainage
Everything for the visiting baby Car seats, high chairs, stair gates, cots etc 950 436 581 or 666 375 688 expectingababy.2006@gmail.com
blinds & screens
607 364 917 or 950 432 110
bugsreplacement windows & doors Aluminuim & UPVC fitted email: info@md-aircon.com md_aircon@mobileemail.vodafone.es & made to measure tel: 600 049 515
Airport services www.AAparking.es Tel: 639 081 067
Cheap
Airport Parking
Alicante Almeria Murcia New Servicing / Repairs
Solutions
• Emergency Drain Cleaning • High Pressure Water Jetting • CCTV Surveys • Drainage Repairs • Location of Cesspits • Qualified Engineer • Expert Reports
Established 9 years in spain
Tel: 616 531 283 or 670 088 966
business for sale
business for sale in turre busy modern hair & beauty LICENSED POZO/septic tank emptying salon existing clientel, low rent • Installation of new septic Transport?? all fixtures & fittings included Legitimate reason for sale phone tanks with certificates Airport for more details 644 496 198 services • Repairs to existing pozos carpentry shopping trips your • CCTV Camera all for carpentry needs hospital Inspection appointments Call B& B designs on 646 101 Call Andy on 950 091 109 or 648 768 587 712 etc Email: blockeddrainsrus@albox-online.net
Need
Air p ort tr a ns f ers pick up all areas, c o m p e t i t i v e 663 429 521 rates. For a professional quote please visit www. spanish reliable estateagent. service com or call 661 143 871
alternative energy Solar Wind Power Solutions. Over 15 years installation experience. established 12 years in Spain. Call Phil for competitive prices 636 261 240 email:info@sunergyalmeria.com www.sunergy almeria.com
available venues
Venue @ La Vida El Cucador
Tel: 950 121 936 or 902 750 190 Ext 332 sales@soltimes.com
in Albox
WILDWOOD Bespoke Joinery
of Septic Tanks For all your carpentry requirements Cleaning ▪ Emptying of septic Tanks
Fast, efficient, competitive service. Tel: 634 328 574 james@wildwood.es chimney sweep
The Chimney sweep, for a friendly professional service Call Paul on : 617 150 300 or 850 993 057.
computers
Steve Hayes Informatica Pc’s, Laptops, Printers etc. Sales & Repairs on-site callout / tuition. Consumables
Albox, Almeria
Private parties Private parties Tel: 950 120 900 Birthday etc, Birthday etc, all events Don Robinson pc consultant all events Advice, Help, Training, Diagnosis & Repair catered for catered for 15€ per hour min charge 1 hour + parts +IVA I come to you call for more call Bar for more 2008 comp TIA A+ certified established information: information Tel: 646 587 746
Car avan, must be in good can condition, collect. Tel: 616 651 231 lady wants to buy large terracotta garden ballroom dancing pots, call 647 379 878, can collect wanted king Tea room ballroom dancing size bed must sequence with jean & derek at be in excellent el Cucador can La condition, idaRestaurant&Venue collect 647 379 878 mondays 3-5pm c onser all levels welcome vatory single or couples wi c ker afternoon to meet enjoyable settee / new friends chairs wanted must be comfy, for more info call can collect call: 950 449 617 647 379 878
950 634 562 950 120 718
& Cesspits, with high pressure cleaning ▪ Small unblockages of pipes & drainage
Pool Cleaning & Water Tanks
Contact: 675 838 808 electrician
CD electrical SERVICES Rewires & Upgrades - Fault Finding - Boletins
Emergency Call Outs for all your electrical needs!!! air conditioning & ALARMS
Call: 617 410 534or 662 414 043 info@cdelectricalservices.com www.cdelectricalservices.com
Check out our genuine reviews on
donald_gunn_robinson@msn.com
www.viva-almeria.com
construction
gardening
construction
potty finca services professional tree felling & pruning,
V
including all types of palm trees
strimming of overgrown
Mat Murray 647 841 750 matmurrayes@gmail.com established in spain for 14 years
fully legal
gardens & hedge cutting spanish registered. ring john on 616 855 294 or 950 163 930
SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
www.soltimes.com
www.soltimes.com gardening cont...
landscape gardening
• Block work • Balustrades • Paving Driveways & Paths
legal cont...
handymen handymen Painting & Building, no job to big or small Ring Ric 661075802 or Steven 655772127
health & beauty
locksmith Phil the Pick Locksmith 24 hours. Locked Out? Locks fitted/ upgraded house safes. Arboleas & surrounding area. Special weekend rates. Tel: 697 243 181
OPTICIANS
avon cosmetics Tel Claire 691 987 454 avonfromclaire @yahoo.es Optica Albox All your optical needs, eye tests, hearing tests, pamper yourself at R Retreat contact lenses Tel: 950 121 991 El Cucador, beauty treatments, hair salon, holistic massage, PAINTER / DECORATOR waxing, pedicure etc. Therapists all established & UK qualified. Email retreatcucador.gmail.com or call 647 379 878 or look at our main advert on the ladies page inside & call the friendly - professional -reliable therapists direct
painter & decorator
hobby/craft
ELAINE’S WOOLS
Quality UK Wool & Accessories. Come & view my DISPLAY. Also Available at CAT Services & Total Entertainment
Call 667 273 889 elaineswools@gmail.com
HOME HELP/CARER Mature Lady Home Help/caring, also available cleaning in Mojacar & Surrounding Areas. Experienced & Can Supply References. Reasonable Rates. Call 634 369 053
house maintenance
neat & tidy - experienced no job too small
ring for a free quote
Tel: 649 186 107 or
email thunderpaul2003@hotmail.com
albox
iron/ metal works
insurance est 7 years Award winning agent For all your Insurance Needs
The Metal works Grills, railings, gates of all types, security/sliding/ roller, rejas, Please contact concertina doors etc. Tel: Keith Glenn & jayne 950 121 943 Wood on 638 infoalbox.libertyseguros@gmail.com 900 949 T & T Metals For all quality metal works, including gates, railings, rejas, staircases, gazebos & chainlink fencing Tel: 950 431 738
legal 4wayconnectionsLegal and Translation Services. Tel 646 844 708 www.4wayconnections. com
pets section
Pet sitting in your own home, Arboleas & local area. Call Vanessa 637 061 482
pilates
Specialising in rural property with character with Sharon O’Lanlon every Whether you are buying or selling Wednesday 11am - 12 all welcome all levels at El Cucdor we will be delighted to Call for more details hear from you 638 487 314 fully UK reg: 25 years experience
PLASTERER
British plasterer All work guaranteed Tel Paul 634 327 201
plumbing
For all your plumbing needs Fully Qualified heating engineer contact barry 667 853 062 or graham 620 112 193
KNOWLES plumbing No 1 for Plumbing
All types of Plumbing
PAINTING All quality products
TELEPHONE: 950137197 / 606807797
INSIDE & OUT Make over your home this year
woodhouse boarding kennels & cattery - arboleas
Small friendly kennels, 24hr vets service, pet transporting arranged, welcome to view ministry approved Tracy Mobile 650 211 952
pet taxi TRAVELLING IN AIR CONDITIONED VEHICLE DELIVERED TO DOOR PETS STAY IN PET FRIENDLY HOTELS. ACCOMPANIED TRAVEL AVAILABLE
(0034) 667 235 205 (sp) (0044) 7850 575862
PROPERTY section
Pilates
Central Heating Gas/Oil - Solar Hot Water Boiler Servicing, Repairs & Replacements Water Leaks - Sewage Blockages Water Deposit Tanks 500-8000l Pool Pumps - Septic Tanks Osmosis Systems
Tel Graham & Barry on General house & garden 620 112 193 or maintenance, No job to small tel: 667 853 062 600 049 515
insurance
Tel: 950 121 936 or 902 750 190 ext 332
No need for kennels or If you wish us to print an cattery
article about a particular Call Graham & Barry now topic in our regular space for free estimate on pg 17, please email 620 112 193 or 667 853 062 info@daviessolicitors.com
33
Call Stephen 636 266 641 email info@findmeahome.es Find us online at www.findmeahome.es facebook.com/findmeahome
VERA APARTMENT FOR RENT Flat to rent.
SHORT-TERM/HOLIDAY RENTAL
2 BEDROOM, 2 BATHROOM, pENTHOUSE APARTMENT IN VERA PLAYA ALL MOD CONS, BALCONY & ROOF TERRACE OFFERING FANTASTIC VIEWS cALL 663 977 230 EMAIL: gedfab@yahoo.com Vera Playa Apartment
Mojacar Beach furnished flat to rent for almost a song. Short or Longterm 2-Bed + 2 Baths
Telephone: 0049 271 3757320 or ferass@freenet.de
reduced further
20mins from mojacar, 4 beds, 2 baths, Open plan living areas, kitchen & diningroom as well as a workshop, courtyard front & back & room for 649 186 107 or email a pool. Mountain thunderpaul2003@hotmail.com views.
€125,000 ono
recruitment
Experienced Live - in carers wanted
flexible rotas available east sussex coast location gatwick only 45mins from £450 to £590 per week inc
Tel: (0044) 1323 727 903 email: eastbourne @bluebirdcare.co.uk
34
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
are you a trade Business? advertise in the classified section & reach over 30,000 potential customers
Classified box from 9€. lineage only 45 cents per word Deadline 5pm Friday Contact Paulette on 950 121 936 or 902 750 190 ext 332
recruitment cont...
removals cont...
La Vida, el cucador, zurgena
SPAIN UK SPAIN Removals Friendly Reliable Service between spain - uk Fully Legal friendly, reliable
require a
creative cook/chef
We are looking for an experienced person who is passionate & innovative with food, used to working in a busy fast paced kitchen You will be able to produce delicious varied home cooked food to a high standard for our restaurant & also bar areas. Shift work is required & weekends
salary will include a contract
chrissie on 647 379 878
or email CV to: cmm@soltimes.com
part time Artworker / Designer REQUIRED
For a local newspaper based in Zurgena. The role will include: manipulating or designing new adverts from scratch. Must have a creative eye and have good layout skills. Must know Adobe Indesign & Photoshop, and be able to work to strict deadlines is essential.
Send your CV to rob@soltimes.com removals
De Lima’s
removals Local, National & international REMOVALS & STORAGE Quality Second hand furniture showroom
263 Paseo del Mediterraneo Mojacar Playa, Next to Sal Marina Hotel Mon-Sat: 10am-2pm Call Marc on 647 006 183 or Brian on 674 280 268 or e-mail enquiries@delimas.biz
www.delimas.biz
fortnightly SERVICE TO & FROM UK FULL OR PART LOADS
safe & secure transport to & from uk
thermal lined & controlled ventilation ideal for pets
200€ dog 100€ cats & birds heavy loads welcome
4700kg with speed limiter fixed price quotes fully legal operation shop & offices to visit px goods to offset costs
call: 634 368 430
BE SEEN
24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK, 365 DAYS A YEAR With an entry in the
SOLTIMES business directory
From just €15 a quarter
www.soltimes.com
Tel: Paulette on 950 121 936 Or email: sales@soltimes.com for details
tv services
removals
Special deals from UK - Spain
Office: 968 564 298 Mobile: 696 621 884 marmenorremovals@ hotmail.com UK - SPAIN - UK
From a parcel to a small house move Professional,Friendly & Caring Fully insured, scheduled monthly door to door service
uk@fmtransport.co.uk www.fmtransport.co.uk
all jobs considered all areas covered
0044 161 317 6212 UK 0034 634 368 071 SPAIN
“BRITISH TV” We can get the channels back! please contact:
Tel 950 334 614
inf@cms-propertys.com chalmersj8@hotmail.co.uk rachaelchalmers83@yahoo.co.uk Avda. Playa Serena 200, Roquetas de Mar.
Indalo Transport
Spain-UK/UK-Spain Deliveries
Best Prices Best Service
tel: 634 33 64 68
+44 (0) 1582 499 836 www.indalotransport.com +44 (0) 7977 754 389 Find us on Facebook & Twitter
yoga Yoga with Liz Hill every Wednesday 2pm - 4pm at La Vida El Cucador over 20 years experiences UK trained All levels welcome call Liz for more info on 667 979 445
advertise your service
Your business will appear as shown above and be seen by
55,000 Sol Times readers!
motoring section car for sale
car & van hire
KIA CARENS CRDI SE
Van hire
ONE WAY
UK to Spain or Spain to UK
*LOCAL *NATIONAL *EUROPEAN
* COLLECTION & DELIVERY *STORAGE
TEL: 667 235 205
Pick up/drop off locations Throughout UK, France and Spain
number plates
“RE-PLATE” MATE GB
Auto Diesel (RHD)2010 Spanish Reg’d ITV 06/15 Full Service History 1 owner
2,950€ o.n.o.
950329416 or 603195451 Please phone for more details
mobile mechanics
webuyanycarspain@gmail.com
Mobile motor mechanic
Contact us by email for a valuation on your car
covering all areas, fully qualified & legal, over 30 years experience,
E
Don’t take a chance! Don’t break the Law! Let us take the hassle away from you and re-register your vehicle on to Spanish plates WE PROMISE TO BEAT ANY GENUINE QUOTATION For a
Call Paul on 617 150 300
wanted wanted uk cars & vans bought for cash
full service contact:
Telephone
www.replatematecostablanca.com
667 235 205
Alan 662 249 159
For Sale Ford Focus Hatchback, 1.6 tdci, Dec 2006, 110,000 kms, good condition, ITV till 09/15, 4,200€ ono tel: 634 387 329
payment in cash or bank transfer send us your car details, photos if possible by email and we will send you a valuation within 24 hours price quoted will include collection and transfer to the new owner
webuyanycarspain@gmail.com Do you have a caravan, vehicle, boat or motor bike for sale To advertise This size advert is only 10€ your vehicle in the motoring section & reach over 32,000 readers call paulette on 950 121 936
SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
www.soltimes.com
I blame it all on the Spanish lady in a brown coat; last January I had parked quite legally in front of her garage and in doing so invoked her implacable wrath and an undeserved verbal battering. I don’t suffer from road rage, chocolate addiction, or any such normal crosses which we mere mortals have to bear, except for punctuality anxiety. Although I can tolerate lateness in others, being late, or even the possibility of being late myself, makes me snappy and scatty, short tempered and liable to make mistakes. I was not late for my Spanish lesson, but tight for time as I swung Del into a practically deserted Avenida Lepanto in Albox and brought him tidily to a
halt behind my classmate’s car. As I did so I noticed he was smack in front of a small and insignificant side entrance; the spectre of the Spanish lady in the brown coat sprang terrifyingly into my mind. Although I am not faster than a speeding bullet and cannot leap high buildings in a single bound, like Superman I am clumsy and mild-mannered so I engaged reverse and moved Del back a space, considerately leaving the entrance to the side turning open. Then without a backward glance I left him standing in splendid isolation, and in no-one’s way. An hour later, having covered myself in mediocrity and proved beyond a shadow of doubt that I am not linguistically gifted, I returned to find a green paper under Del’s windscreen wiper. I goggled at it in disbelief - a parking fine! I looked down – yes, I had parked
By Jos Biggs
josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk
on a yellow line! A yellow line that was exactly one car long, and situated exactly one car’s length back from the side entrance! In an instant Superman was superseded by the Incredible Hulk, and I became ******* Incapable of Normal Expression. I had done wrong, and deserved the fine BUT: I needn’t have parked there at all, there were half a dozen other spaces available, I only chose that one to keep the street tidy (and because it was nearest to my destination and I was on the verge of late) AND: If I had not moved back to free up the entrance, in front of which I could quite legally have parked, I would not be in debt to the Law to the tune of 90€. It is definitely the doing of the Spanish lady in the brown coat. She influenced me subliminally and caused me to park illegally. It is her fault!
Shot In the Line of Fibbing Not many people realise this, but I have a cluster of fading but still clearly discernable scars on my abdomen. I received these many years ago when I happened to be in the street as two masked armed robbers burst out of a Building Society office in my home town. Stupidly and without giving too much thought to my actions, I chased after one of the men as he ran for the getaway car and received a shot gun blast to my stomach for my troubles. But I somehow still managed to wrestle him to the ground and with the help of other passers by, we managed to overpower and subdue both robbers until the police arrived. Being a modest kind of a bloke, I don’t talk about it much and I still have flash backs that bring me out in cold sweats. Good story isn’t it! Bet you’re impressed. My present wife certainly was when I originally recounted the tale to her many years ago in my efforts to grab her attention and win her affections. But it’s all a total load of horlicks! Oh sure I do have those scars on my somewhat less than flat tummy - I used to have a six pack but these days it’s more of a buyone-get-one-free belly - but in point of fact these are actually the result of doctors taking a number of grafts to
By Colin Bird :
badbirdnow@gmail.com
pack round my damaged foot after I crashed my motorbike in the 1970 Isle of Man TT race. Yeah well alright, that’s cobblers as well. The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth your honour is, I had surgery many years ago for a horrendous ingrown toe nail which was removed along with a significant portion of my big toe. Grafting was deemed necessary before I was allowed to go home and a dozen or so pinchgrafts were taken from my abdomen. A routine procedure under local anaesthetic but one that had me chewing the bed pan in agony once the effect of the drugs had worn off. I wish they had emptied it first. I left the hospital two days later with a throbbing midsection, a pair of crutches and lectures about the perils of wearing winkle picker shoes ringing in my ears. I was 18 years old. The point is we chaps tend to stretch the truth when we are out to impress the ladies and so naturally, when my battle scars were noticed and remarked upon by a ravishing blond nymphet – the future Mrs Bird - on the beach some years later, something instinctively told me that the story of an ingrown toenail was not going to hack it. The trouble is, telling porkies to impress people can become addictive. One of my many jobs over the years was as a driver for a taxi and chauffeured car company, and a regular trip was taking special needs kids to various schools in Bury St Edmunds. When driving children, it is compulsory for an escort to be in attendance to keep an eye on things and help occupy your charges during the journey. It’s
also deemed as necessary security for the kids and driver in these dark times of child abuse. We would listen to Terry Wogan on the radio and have little singsongs on our way to and from school although I am not too sure what the parents thought when they heard verses from The Ball of Inverness being repeated at home. I had told my escort on several occasions that I had once been a singer in a rock band, and that we had cut an album back in the early seventies. I went to the trouble of printing a phony cassette album cover, with all the musical and production credits being given to mates from the past and supposedly recorded at The Fat Pimp Studios in Henley-on-Thames - a totally fictional entity. The cassette inside was of an album by the legendary band Ten Years After and I figured that with this particular lady’s own favourite songs being in the Twinkle Twinkle Little Star category, she would not have heard of them, let alone their music. Alvin Lee to her would probably be one of the Chipmunks. Trouble was when I faked a reluctant agreement to play the tape for her and expecting a look of stupendous admiration, she just sat there with a face like a ruptured duck, slipping me the odd sympathetic glance and shaking her head. At the conclusion of this brilliant album she cleared her throat and said, ‘Yes well, I think you chose the right profession don’t you dear’. It was one of those occasions when I wished I hadn’t bothered. Perhaps honesty really is the best policy.
John MacDonald (El Sordo) - www.caratacus.eu
fine
35
viewpoint
alqueria
Ohhh Saturday night
The Saturday night binge is a universal institution or very nearly. After a long week grafting to keep body and soul together the Saturday night blow-out is a safety valve, a reward. Alquerian Saturday nights follow a similar pattern except the term graft has little meaning outside of plastic surgery circles if of course such circles existed in Alqueria.
The village republic of Alqueria produces by far the best Remitroot anywhere in the world. The bad drainage is said to be a major contributing factor. The variety of products which can be made from the plant is staggering. Remitroot Whisky and Wine are by far the most popular. Addictive and very strong aphrodisiacs they sell at premium prices on the international markets. Alquerians simply don’t have to work. This of course leaves ample time to plot subversive activities to keep the barrio feud going and adequate opportunity to carry them out. This is the preoccupation of all able bodied Alquerians who owe allegiance to one of the two barrios. So when Saturday night arrives the disruptive folk of the Pueblo believe they have earned their evening’s spree. Saturday night in Alqueria is not for the faint-hearted. Showing the world that they are alive and kicking is a serious business for the
young folk of the Pueblo. The Bar La Casa Devante is thronged with the ablest and most resilient of the Hill People. To the south of the Village similar scenes are played out at the Bar La Golondrina Verde which is besieged by Newcomers. On the fringes sneaking a clandestine drink are those too young to consume alcohol in the eyes of the law. Fortunately the law in Alqueria is in the charge of Jóse Cabrasilbido, and he was feeling no pain. The eyes of the law were bleary and fast closing due to the effects of his favourite Remitroot tipple. Then we have the youngsters of drinking age. Consuming vast quantities and swearing on stacks of bibles that they weren’t in any way intoxicated this pledge was usually taken from the horizontal position. The seasoned drinkers. These leather livered veterans put the world to rights while bemoaning the modern age and all it has to offer. Manuela holds court surrounded by the fittest and most hopeful of the young men. She drinks in moderation as selecting an escort for the evening is a serious business. Especially when you are as dedicated to your task as Manuela is. Sunday morning is a time for the revellers to try and find the roof of their mouths and to try and remember who they need to apologise to.
advance moves
Leading Removal Company reports on strengthening housing market One of Spain’s top removal companies has reported that they experienced a resurgence in the Spanish housing market during 2013 and it looks like 2014 will be an even busier year. Mat Ford-Dunn, the Managing Director of ‘Advance Moves International Removals’ pointed to the fact that many property values in Spain have now fallen to a much more realistic level and this has definitely resulted in increased house sales. This has been noticed in all regions of Spain as Advance Moves operate their relocation services throughout the mainland. Advance Moves has its main warehouse in Murcia, Spain, with an additional warehouse in Kent in the UK and has had to purchase 5 new vans and trucks to cope with the increased demand over the past year. The UK housing market is also in a state of recovery and increased house sales have resulted in more people selling up and looking to buy in Spain. There are many factors that
tempt expats to Spain, not least the recent periods of turbulent weather, which many parts of the UK have suffered. On the flip side, for economic reasons many British Expats are now able to sell properties in Spain and Advance Moves are often the first choice when it comes to repatriating them back to the UK. Mat was also keen to point out that the increase in demand for their removal services was also down to the level of service and expertise that Advance moves offer to their clients and the fact that many clients had already seen the brightly liveried vehicles on the roads undertaking their removal services. Advance moves is also a member of the British Association of Removers and one of only a few companies that export wrap furniture to provide extra protection for international removals. ‘Our clients know that they are getting a more competitively priced, premium removal service, when compared to the rest of the market. The increased volume of removals enables Advance Moves to offer their clients a more regular and flexible timetable for their individual removal requirements’ Mat sees the trend continuing throughout 2014 with the housing market in the UK and Spain continuing to make steady process. Advance Moves are gearing up for another busy year.
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SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
animal corner
The Importance of Giving Your Dog Affection Love is one of the greatest gifts we can share with our dogs.
Ken & Jackie
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possessive, dominant, aggressive, whining, begging, barking, or breaking a household rule. Don’t forget exercise and discipline. Prove your love by giving your dog what he or she needs: long walks; rules, boundaries, and limitations Give your dogs as much love as you have! Give as much love as your heart can handle and then some! But please give it at the right time.
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Volvo V40 D3 R-Design
By Tim Saunders
Laser radar.
It sounds like something off a sci-fi thriller but we’re actually talking about technology fitted to Volvo cars, those traditionally staid and dull vehicles, favoured by the flat cap brigade. Today’s hip and trendy Volvos are anything but and are packed with sophisticated technology that keeps the brand at the forefront of car design and manufacture. Its laser radar systems are a key ingredient. I’m testing the V40 D3 R-Design, a performance five door hatchback and it’s fitted with an intelligent yet simple to operate cruise control. As you might expect this keeps the car travelling at the desired speed but unlike most systems it also measures the distance of the car in front. This ensures that it keeps the Volvo at a safe distance behind. It does this by
automatically braking and accelerating thanks to the information relayed by its clever laser radar. This distance can be changed from reasonably close to quite far away depending on driving conditions. In theory this is a valuable tool that should mean that the driver can relax. Not so though. My test takes place in torrential downpours and high winds and I discover that the radar is not infallible. This becomes particularly noticeable while at 70mph round a bend on a dual carriageway. The Volvo is in the outside lane but on approaching the bend there is a car on the inside and the radar picks this up and brakes abruptly despite there being no cars in front of me. This annoys me and I cancel the function. On another occasion we are on a straight road and high winds cause a flashing red warning bar on the driver’s side of the dashboard to light up – accompanied by a really loud beep - for absolutely no reason
whatsoever. My sleeping children wake up. High side winds seem to completely throw the radar and despite there being no traffic in front the Volvo brakes sharply from 70mph to 50mph. That said this cruise control is quite impressive when you bear in mind that it can be set at say 50mph and if a sharp incline appears the resulting gear change does not cancel out the cruise control. Often this is the case in many other vehicles. Another safety feature is the Blind Spot Information System. There’s a little light on the inside of the wing mirror that glows red whenever a vehicle appears in the blind spot. This is useful because the design is prone to blind spots especially at the rear making it a little awkward to reverse but there are helpful sensors fitted that bleep to alert the driver of nearby obstacles. As a driver’s car the Volvo is engaging and the R-Design model, which comes with big alloys, a smooth power delivery for a diesel and a low chassis, corners really well. To give it a good run I drive it to Sandbanks, Poole, West Stafford near Dorchester and a lovely little village near Didcot, Oxford. All are places we had not visited before, so why not? With an average fuel consumption of over 65mpg it will easily cover over 600 miles on its 60 litre tank. It is fitted with engine start/stop. These relatively long journeys in generally heavy lashing rain allow me to experience the car in the worst conditions. At one point it rains so heavily that even with the wipers on the fastest speed it is impossible to see and thankfully traffic eventually slows to a crawl.
I find the leather sports seats too hard and not supportive enough for my lower back and there is a disappointing lack of a footrest for the driver’s left foot. I struggle with operating the heating because both left and right sides of the car are operated from a single dial near the driver – the switch that’s incorporated has to be pushed once for left and again for right. It’s all a bit confusing for a simple soul when they’re focusing on the road so luckily my wife is there to operate the more technical things. In the back eldest daughter Harriett quickly learns how to operate the electric windows (while sister Heidi dozes) but it is easy to lock them from the front. This time I remember to engage the child lock on her door. The boot is large enough for our single pushchair. This 150bhp 2-litre diesel is a gutsy car that has enough power when required. Finished to a high standard the sound of the engine can be heard on tick over, which does alert the occupants to the fact that they’re in a diesel.
Facts at a glance: Volvo V40 D3 R-Design New price: £31,780 0-60mph: 9.1 secs Top speed: 130mph Economy: 65.7mpg Fuel capacity: 60 litres Watch the video at www.testdrives.biz
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SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
37
38
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SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
SPORT
desert golf course with its very own dedicated Cricket Academy, in the Almanzora region of Almeria, Andalucía in south-east Spain.
Sussex County Cricket Club
Sussex County Cricket Club players are now back in England having completed a successful 12 days of warm weather fitness and cricket training
between 26th February & 10th March at Desert Springs Resort, Europe’s only international awardwinning luxury family resort and championship
Mark Davies, Sussex CCC Coach and his team of two staff accompanied eight players who completed bowling, batting and fielding practice as well as strength and conditioning training sessions as they stepped up their physical preparations for the upcoming 2014 season.
Forum Golf Society
On March 21st Forum scored 36 points, with finals at Las Colinas in Golf Society played an Phil Harris (35 points) May. individual stableford fifth & Maurice Jamieson Forum´s upcoming completion at Valle del (34 points) sixth. The four Este, and on another nearest the pin prizes fixtures are perfect day for golf the went to Tony Morgan, 4th April Stableford at scoring was excellent, Peter Harrington, Mick Desert Springs with the first 13 golfers Smith & Nicola Price, with all scoring in excess of Derek Manning claiming 17th April Double Par 30 points. However, only the longest drive by some Medal at Aguilon two players managed to considerable distance on 24th April Stableford at beat their handicap, with the 17th hole. La Torre Tony Morgan (39 points) This event was also For further information, the day´s winner ahead the final qualifier for the contact Phil Elam on 666 of Phil Elam (37 points). 2013/14 Ford Leagues, With a one off investment in your vehicle, 847840 / philjelam@ Yvonne Strindberg with the top 4 of Richard yahoo.co.uk, or see an ECU remap will save you fuel or your money back (third) edged out Frank Swaine, Tony Morgan, Varey (fourth) on Phil Elam & Fran Elam all www.forumgolfsociety. countback after they both advancing to the regional webs.com
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19th Hole Golf Society. Cucador. Different day with a different format for the 19th Hole Golf Society this week, playing on a Wednesday instead of our normal Thursday we visited the far off course of Lorca to play this Team Waltz. Sixteen intrepid dedicated 19th Holers arrived bright and early in order to take their position on the 1st Tee at 10.00 sharp. With four groups all keen to take the huge first prize of a fiver each, battle commenced. Mark Danson·s team of Terry Caddick , Zeta and Dave Denyer led the players round the beautifully manicured Lorca course only pausing to let Terry Caddick search for balls ( lost ones not his). All whilst the dream team of John Boulter (celebrating his 70 something birthday) Christine and Peter Dow
and Harry Eel quietly set about destroying the opposition. Christine scored a very creditable 39 points toward the team total of 84 to really impose Girl Power on the occasion and to take 1st place by the proverbial Country Mile. Rounding of a good day for the ladies, Zeta Denyer took nearest the Pin on the 4th and Nekana spanking in the longest drive on the 16th Hole and Nearest the Pin with the 2nd Shot on the 18th . Only Geoff Smith( dressed in brighter clothing than any of the Ladies) managed to take one of the Nearest the Pins to keep the men’s reputation almost intact!. Really good days fun golf in lovely surroundings, followed by a bit of a dash back down the motorway to enjoy the hospitality of La Vida at Cucador
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Cortijo Grande like more golfers low prices and the most rare thing a Hole In One. Not many of us manage to do this during our playing time, and on Wednesday we had a hole in one on the second by John Park . Our congratulations John and welcome to the club. Our first Div winner was Juan Ramon Rubio with 35 points second
another 35 John Park.Second div winner with 33 Barbara Wardley and second with 31 Carol Hardy. Ball sweep winners Julie Oliver and John Wardley Sunday 23rd March 014 and some very good scores today. Our second div winner with 41 points Ray Linforth second with 36 Janet Kay and third with another 36 Mary Higgins. First div winner
for complimentary nibble’s and 1st class refreshments Waltz Results. 1st 84 points John Boulter, Harry Eels, Peter and Christine Dow 2nd 81 points Mark Danson, Terry Caddick, Zeta and Dave Denyer Nearest the Pin. Hole No 4 Zeta Denyer Hole No 10 Geoff Smith N/Pin with 2nd Shot Hole 18 Nekana Longest Drive Hole No 16th Nekana The 19th hole G/S is now arranging weekly games at various courses in the area, our home course, which we play fortnightly, is Aguilon. If you are interested in joining the 19th hole give the secretary a ring on 610340653. Or email gs19 thhole@hotmail. co.uk
with 35 John Wardley from another 35 John Geaves and third with 34 Martin Oliver. No ball sweep winners today so more for next week. Come and join us on a Wednesday or Sunday morning on this lovely golf course. To reserve your tee time telephone Patricia on 950m 475509. Visitors and guests welcomeMP
Desert Springs St Patrick Day Competition A fabulous turnout for the day with over 50 players and a sea of green on the course not just because it’s in great condition but also to support St Patrick’s Day. With Three Categories including one for visitors the results were, Roland Grundkvist won with 36 points, Ron Pughe second with 29 and David Hadden Third with 28. In category Two Zoe Griffiths won with 38 points, John Neilan followed with 36 and Third was Sue Garrod with 36 and Neil Halliday won category one with 36 points, second place went to Freddie Beames on 35, Third was Lee
Coxon with 33. The overall winner to pick up the crystal bowl was Zoe Griffiths. She commented…”a great turnout, superb golfing conditions and thanks to all the staff in organizing the event.”
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ALBOX, ARBOLEAS, ALFOQUIA ROQUETAS, ALMERIMAR coastal & mojacar areaS EDITOR: editor@soltimes.com
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Sol Times Almeria is independent of political parties, private investment and government. Our policy is to provide readers with a news and information service that is fair, accurate and balanced. Sol Times Almeria is an independent publication. Published weekly and produced exclusively in Almeria. Sol Times News Group cannot be held responsible for claims made by advertisers, nor can it be held responsible for errors in advertisements caused by poor quality text, photographs or layout instructions. Furthermore, no responsibility can be accepted for any loss or damage resulting caused by any error, inaccuracy or non-appearance of an advertisement. EDITORIAL DISCLAIMER: Views & opinion in editorial copy are not necessarily those of the publisher. the publisher accepts no responsibility for accuracy of information, errors, omissions or statements and reject claims arising out of any action that a company or individual may take on the basis of information contained therein. Almeria Edition AL-344-2005/Roquetas Edition AL 956-2010
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SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
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sport SHORTS
FOOTBALL ROUND-UP
•A rsene Wenger’s 1,000th game in charge of Arsenal ended in a record 6-0 defeat at the hands of Premiership leaders Chelsea. This was also Jose Mourinho’s biggest win as Blues’ manager. •E arly in the London derby, referee Andre Mariner wrongly sent-off Kieran Gibbs instead of Alex OxladeChamberlain. • L uis Suarez netted his third hat-trick of the season in Liverpool’s 6-3 win at Cardiff. •Y aya Toure also struck a treble in Manchester City’s 5-0 win over Fulham. •W ayne Rooney emulated David Beckham’s long-range goal against Wimbledon in 1996, with a stunning 50-yarder in Manchester United’s 20 win at West Ham. •A ustrian Alexander Tettey also scored a cracking goal, in Norwich’s 2-0 win over Sunderland. •E verton, yet to lose a match against Swansea, beat the Welsh club 3-2. •S purs (2-0 down) came back to beat Southampton 3-2. •S toke won the 100th League meeting against Aston Villa by 4-1. •P apiss Cisse’s 92nd goal earned Newcastle a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace. •S hane Long ‘dived in’ to earn Hull a 2-0 victory over his old club WBA. • I n the Championship, Derby smashed Nottingham Forest 5-0... leaders Leicester drew 1-1 at Blackburn and Burnley (2nd) beat Charlton 3-0. •F L1 table-toppers Wolves won 2-0 at Sheffield United and Scunthorpe head FL2 after beating Burton Albion 1-0. •A world-wide TV audience of 400 million saw Lionel Messi bag a hattrick (the 26th of his career) and break the El Clasico scoring record with his 30th goal as Barcelona beat 10-man Real Madrid 4-3. Real had captain Sergio Ramos sent off for the 19th time. With mine games remaining, it’s tight at the top of La Liga with Atletico Madrid (70 points), neighbours Real (70) and Barca (69).
by Tony Matthews
•W e can have an all-English, allGerman or all-Spanish Champions League final after the quarterfinal draw paired Barcelona with Atletico Madrid, Manchester United v Bayern Munich, Paris St Germain v Chelsea and Real Madrid v Borussia Dortmund. The first legs are on 1/2 April, the return legs on 8/9 April.
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•A merican Matt Every (30) won his first title of his career by claiming the Arnold Palmer Invitation Classic in Florida. •R eigning champion Marc Marquez held off Valentine Rossi to win the first MotorGP of the year in Qatar last Sunday.
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THIS WEEK’S SPORT
The second F1 Grand Prix of 2014 takes place in Malaysia this weekend. Last year’s winner was Sebastian Vettel.
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• Former GB number one tennis star Elana Baltacha has been diagnosed with liver cancer.
On Saturday it’s Arsenal-Manchester City, Crystal Palace-Chelsea, Manchester United-Aston Villa and WBA-Cardiff in the PL and the big one, Burnley-Leicester in the Championship and on Sunday Liverpool meet Spurs.
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•E ngland (172-6) lost to New Zealand (52-1) via the Duckworth-Lewis rule after a thunderstorm caused the abandonment of their first 20/20 cricket World Cup game Bangladesh. England played their second group tomorrow against Sri Lanka.
Last night, City met United in the Manchester derby at The Etihad Stadium while Arsenal took on Swansea and this evening Liverpool play Sunderland at Anfield.
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GENERAL ROUND-UP •A record crowd for a Rugby Union club match - 83,889 - saw Saracens beat Harlequins 39-17 at Wembley last Saturday.
39
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40 SOLTIMES MARCH 2014
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Eco Center Bédar
local News
Unveils Upcoming Courses for the Spring
The Magic Flute in Almeria
Affordable Sustainable Community Education makes it’s way into the Costa Levante Area: courses for all! ‘Learn with Us’ at the Association Eco Center Bédar provides a variety of courses for members of the Eco Center. Sign up for membership and any of the following courses before the 20th of April.. Membership application details can be found on the website. You might think “I worked hard for my money. Why should I just give it away to a not for profit organization?” Although on the surface this seems like a valid concern, there are a number of benefits of donating to become a member of Eco Center Bédar. You will be able to support a cause which you feel is important, whilst taking advantage of the courses and services yet without having to become physically involved in the organization. The Eco Center Bédar is a collective concerned with unification, health and education. Another benefit of donating to a not for profit organization is that it provides you with a good feeling. You will feel better about yourself after helping to support and unlike Charities you will never be asked to donate further funding or be invited to a fundraising event! New courses for the Spring include Mindful Yoga, Biodanza, Reiki, Attunement Therapy, Guitar, Drawing in the Natural Environment and Sustainable Health and Economy. Courses begin in April with confirmation dates published on the website The courses take place in Bédar Casa de Juventud and the Bédar Sala del Ayuntamiento. The overall goal of the courses is to provide members with opportunities to come together and learn different skills and share experiences in a healthy and stress free environment. The focus of the courses is to reflect upon the topics given as a means of creating a constructive conversation towards a sustainable and a better learning environment. The courses reach out to the community with unique learning programmes that are more accessible, more affordable, more ecological and more flexible. Visit http://ecocenterbedar.com/ and use the Contact Form to receive more information.
Opera Duende returns to Almería city, this month, with a performance of its successful debut production of Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’. Opera Duende, formed last year by local opera director Jeanne Henny MBE from Bedar, is a not-for-profit opera company with a difference, involving the whole community. Ms Henny said: “We train singers in stagecraft and put on operas to showcase them and keep them in work during these difficult times when cultural budgets are slashed and foreign opera companies undercut the Spanish minimum wage. ‘The Magic Flute’ - the company’s first venture - was such a success last year that they have been invited to perform it in the prestigious Maestro Padilla Auditorium in Almería city and later this year in Murcia’s Romea Theatre. The cast includes young professional singers from Madrid, Seville, Almeria, and three guest singers from UK and Germany who are all talented energetic and fun. Together with Almería’s superb OCAL chorus, its Chorus of Lawyers and members of the OCAL orchestra this will be both an affordable and memorable evening. The performance is on Saturday March 29 at 20.00 in the Maestro Padilla Auditorium, Almería. Tickets are 10 and 12 euros and are available from the Teatro Apolo ticket office, Almería and Marysol Libreria, Parque Comercial, Mojacar. Transport from the Mojacar area is available from Costa
Almeria Tours on 646 760389. Message from director Jeanne Henny “Please come and support the singers and our efforts. We depend one hundred percent on good will and box office takings. If you cannot make it this time you could make a contribution by sending us a donation however small and become a Friend of Opera Duende.” For further details email operaduende@gmail.com.
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