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Royal princess named as Charlotte page 3

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May 2015

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Royal princess named as Charlotte 13-pounder field guns.

At the same time, the Honourable Artillery Company will leave their Armoury House barracks in the City of London to fire a 62gun salute at the Tower of London from three Ceremonial 105mm light guns.

The princess, who is fourth in line to the throne and a sister to Prince George, was born at 08:34 BST on Saturday at the private Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, and weighed 8lbs 3oz (3.7kg).

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have named their daughter Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, Kensington Palace has said. The fourth in line to the throne will be known as Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge.

The duke and duchess left the hospital with their daughter on the same day and returned home to Kensington Palace. They are to remain there before travelling to their country home, Anmer Hall, on the Queen’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

There had been speculation that the couple would include the name of Diana in honour of Prince William’s mother.

A Kensington Palace spokesman said on Sunday: “The duke and duchess are hugely grateful for the messages of congratulations they have received from people all over the world. It means a great deal to them that so many people have celebrated the arrival of their new daughter.”

Charlotte was born on Saturday in the Lindo Wing of London’s St Mary’s Hospital.

Gun salutes will take place in London later to mark the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s baby girl. Volleys will be fired by soldiers in Hyde Park and the Tower of London to honour the arrival of the new princess.Prince William and Catherine have not yet announced the name of their second child, who was delivered on Saturday.

Among the first visitors to see the new princess at Kensington Palace on Sunday were the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, and Catherine’s parents.

Gun salutes are a tradition on the birth of every prince or princess.

They will be accompanied by the Royal Artillery Band and their 71 horses will pull six World War One-era Ordnance Quick Fire

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall spent more than an hour with their new granddaughter. The duchess’s parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, and sister Pippa also met the princess.

Prince Harry, who narrowly missed the princess’s birth after returning to Australia to finish his secondment to the country’s military, said his new niece was “absolutely beautiful” and he could not wait to meet her.

Bookmakers say Charlotte and Alice have emerged as the favourite names for the princess, followed by Olivia, Victoria and Elizabeth.

Source: BBC

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4

First post office strike took place monday 4th may

news

THE first in a series of mail office strikes began today (Monday, May 4) timed to coincide with the start of postal voting for the local and regional elections in three weeks' time.

of six which will be 24 hours long.

Correos' 52,000 workers have been called upon to down tools in protest over mass redundancies – 15,500 in five years – wage freezes and a failure on the part of the State-run firm to reach agreements during union negotiations.

The deadline for postal votes for the local and regional elections is Wednesday, May 20, but strikes are also planned for May 14, 15, 21 and 22, and in Madrid, on May 13, because of May 15 being a bank holiday in the region – an extra day's closure that will have an impact on international post to and from Spain.

ort

A partial strike, of two hours, took place on Thursday (April 30), but today is the first

Anyone hoping to send mail or collect parcels today should phone their post office to see whether they will be open, or leave it until tomorrow.

Source: thinkspain

May 2015

Easy Horse care centre update

Easy Horse Care Rescue centre cofounder appears as witnesses in starved horse court case.

hearing and authorities will now decide whether there is enough evidence to push for full prosecution.

Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre cofounder Sue Weeding has appeared before court as a witness for the prosecution in a case against a man who allegedly left his horse to starve to death last March.

“Although it was too late to save this young horse, it has created a situation to move animal welfare another step forward in Spain. The terrible treatment of this horse has not been forgotten,

Sue attended court on April 23, along with the rescue centre’s veterinarian and a local resident who witnessed the alleged cruelty and made a statement to police.

The rescue centre became involved in the case on March 19 last year, when three police departments called Sue and husband Rod, to a falling-down building on waste ground in San Louis Torrevieja, where the young horse was being kept with several other horses and donkeys.

The horse was in a terrible state,”Sue said” starved and extremely dehydrated. Together with our vet Dorothea we tried everything possible for him but sadly we had arrived to late to save him, so this poor young animal had to be put to sleep.

“The police were horrified by what they saw, as we all were, and they vowed to take the matter further. We are very impressed that they stayed true to their word, ” Sue said.”

The court date was a preliminary

“This again just proves how important it is for people who witness animal cruelty to go to the police and make an official statement, which is called a denuncia here in Spain.”

The Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre relies on donations to fund its important animal welfare work, including the feeding and care of the more than 90 horses, ponies and donkeys that live at the Rojales centre.

Donations of cash or items for the centre’s network of eight charity shops across the Alicante province are gratefully welcomed. Please contact the charity shop hotline on 652 021 980 for more information about furniture pick-ups and volunteering.

The Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre opens to the public on the first Sunday of every month between 1pm and 4pm. The centre is located just outside Rojales at Partido Lo Garriga 59. For more details and directions, please visit www.easyhorsecare.net.

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entertainment & celebs

May 2015

Romeo Santos & Enrique Iglesias Win Big at 2015 Billboard Latin Music Awards

Riding on the tails of major releases that circled the globe, Romeo Santos and Enrique Iglesias dominated the 2015 Billboard Latin Music Awards presented

by State Farm, taking home 10 and nine awards, respectively.

Santos was the top winner of the evening, grabbing 10 awards -- including artist of the year -- during the ceremony, which was broadcast live on the Telemundo network in Center BankUnited the from Miami. Santos also won for songwriter of the year, producer of the year, Hot Latin Songs artist of the year and for Top Latin Album and tropical album of the year for Formula, Vol. 2.

After securing his first award, Santos thanked all the musicians who collaborated with him on his album, naming Carlos Santana, Nicki Minaj and Drake. the winning After big award for artist of the year, he said he'd forgotten to name-check someone "very important. I had the great privilege of recording with a man I admire so much. More than an artist that I admire, he is like a brother to me. Thank you, Marc," he said. Marc Anthony blew him a kiss from the seats.

Iglesias' "Bailando" won Latin pop song of the year, digital song of the year, streaming song of the year, Hot Latin Song of the year, vocal event, and airplay song of the year.

Iglesias' awards also included Latin pop songs artist of the year, solo and Latin pop album of the year for Sex and Love. He made like an airplane and flew onstage to

The ceremony took pause for reflection, and for a call to action, when Fernandez highlighted the earthquake in Nepal that left 5,000 people dead and millions affected.

"This is indeed a night of celebration, however we could not fail to mention the devastating earthquake that shook Nepal," he said. "Everyone can help remake this nation, donating to the International Red Cross with a click at www.redcross.org."

The Billboard Latin Music Awards were the culmination of the Billboard Latin Music Conference, which took place April 27-30 at the Ritz Carlton South Beach.

grab his first two awards. went He onstage again a little to later receive his five awards for the hit "Bailando."

Newcomer J Balvin, who for the first time was a finalist at these awards, took home three trophies including new artist of the year.

Banda Sinaloense MS de Sergio Lizárraga also received at hattrick of awards. Carlos Santana and Wisin each won two awards, and there was a b r a c e of posthumous honors for Jenni Rivera.

Santana, who was also feted with the Spirit of Hope Award for his work with the Milagro Foundation, performed with his pal Juanes who presented him with the award he quickly dedicated to his daughter, Angelica Faith, and labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta, who he called the "patroness of justice and truth."

"I invite all of you to change the world with your own light," said the spiritual Santana. "May the heavens open up and the angels bless each and every one with a deep awareness of your own light.”

Finalist s and winners the to awards are determ ined their by performance the on Billboard charts.

Danny Dyer takes break from EastEnders

Danny Dyer has been granted some much-needed time off by his bosses at EastEnders after some of the show’s biggest storylines that have kept him on screen more than any other character in the soap.

Since turning up in the Square on Christmas Day 2013, Dyer – who plays Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter – has proved to be such a hit with viewers that he’s been written into as many episodes as possible.

So, the 3 7- y e a r- o l d actor has jetted off to the Caribbean for a family holiday with wife-to-be Jo Mas, 37, and kids Sunnie, seven, and 18-month–old Arty.

A source told Mirror Online: “Everyone has been delighted with Danny’s first year on the show – he has thrown himself into the role of Mick wholeheartedly.

“But appearing in a soap isn’t really that glamorous – it is pretty full-on and can be a real treadmill of early starts, late-night filming and reading scripts.

“It can be a real shock to the system for newcomers and everyone needs

some time away occasionally to recharge their batteries and relax.

"Danny told producers he wanted to enjoy an Easter break with his family, and his filming schedule was sorted to allow him to do so.”

On The Jonathan Ross Show back in March, Dyer told the chat show host how EastEn ders had taken over his life…

feeling."

" I t ’ s comple tely engulfed my life,” he said.

“It’s just taken over my life and it’s like I’m getting a bit of recognition all of a sudden, it’s a strange

Dyer also revealed how filming emotional scenes in the fallout of Dean raping Linda has affected him…

"I’m sick of crying,” he said. “The thing for me is I go there, I go to some dark places in my nut so that’s real tears so you go home and you’re still half crying.

“I’m not going to lie, it affects your nut.”

www.soltimes.com

More migrant rescues in the Mediterranean

IN THE latest episode in the ongoing Mediterranean migrant crisis, 21 north Africans on a toy boat were rescued off the Cabo de Gata (Almería province) and two young Guinean men were seen swimming into shore using lorry tyres to keep themselves afloat when they got tired.

This comes just hours after Italian coastguard workers say 5,800 would-be immigrants were rescued off the coast of Libya whilst heading for Italy, and 10 bodies recovered. Coastguard rescuers in Spain say their branch in Andalucía sighted a jerrybuilt raft some 17 miles out to sea from the Cabo de Gata at 01.20hrs this morning (Monday).

They were seen by a helicopter pilot, and a ferry was sent out to rescue the migrants and bring them to shore.

All 21 of them, said to be men, reached Almería port at 04.36hrs in a good state of health.

Later this morning, two young men from Guinea Conakry reached the coast of the Spanish-owned city-province of Ceuta on the northern Moroccan coast after swimming across the bay from the east.

They were using lorry tyres to keep them afloat when they became tired. Both men reached the Benzú coast and climbed out onto the beach in Ceuta before they were seen by border guards, and having managed to give CCTV cameras the slip.

Several local residents who saw them swimming in to shore called emergency services.

Paramedics examined them on site and

news

found they were in a good state of health and did not need to go to hospital. As they were already on Spanish soil when they were found, it is up to the Spanish authorities to attend to them.

7

Woman and her boss shot dead by her husband

They were both taken to the immigration centre in Ceuta, where illegal migrants are held until the paperwork has been dealt with to deport them or they have successfully managed to seek asylum.

So far this year, over 1,750 would-be migrants have lost their lives trying to sail across the Mediterranean in unseaworthy crafts, usually wooden rowing boats, small motorboats or motorised dinghies.

In just one weekend – over April 12 and 13 – authorities in Spain and Italy rescued 6,500 immigrants. The death toll is already 20 times that of the same period last year, when 96 migrants lost their lives.

A MAN who shot dead his wife and her male boss in the province of Almería has handed himself in to the police.

of Níjar.

Francisca had worked there for 15 years and her boss, Manuel T.B., 57, was already on the premises.

Now that the warmer weather is on its way and the sea is likely to be less choppy, an upsurge in immigrants trying to sail to Europe is likely to be seen. The majority are from sub-Saharan Africa, especially countries devastated by war, poverty and disease – Guinea Conakry, for example, is one of the main countries hit by the Ebola outbreak. A rising number are now coming from Libya, Iraq and Syria, attempting to escape the armed conflict.

The accused, 50, is said to have come up behind 47-year-old Francisca Herrera in the garage of her mother's home in the hamlet of Barranco de los Lobos, on the outskirts of Sorbas, early this morning (Monday) and opened fire.

Relatives of the victim say she used to go to the house in Barranco de los Lobos every weekend to care for her mother, who has Alzheimer's, and her brother, who lives in the same house and is disabled.

Neighbours of the couple say they had not heard anything about a possible separation or impending divorce between Francisca and her killer and that they had always seemed to be 'happily married'.

Many spend months or even years crossing the African continent overland to reach its Mediterranean shores, frequently with the 'help' of mafia-style organisations.

She and her husband, D.G.G., from Mizala near Sorbas, lived in Níjar all their married life and have two children aged 18 and 22.

Initial speculation centres on Francisca possibly having had an affair with Manuel, or that her husband believed this to be so even if it was not the case – although at present, this is no more than theory and nothing has been confirmed.

They often spend years saving up to pay criminal gangs for a place on a rowing boat.

Source: thinkspain

After killing his wife, D.G.G. went to a seed factory in the Bayo Lirola area near exit 387 off the A-7 motorway, between Las Negras and Campohermoso, both in the outskirts

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He was also shot dead.

The mayors of Sorbas and Níjar said the victims were well-known and much-loved members of the community.

Source: thinkspain

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May 2015

The hidden wildlife of Spain’s cities Urban spaces harbor an unexpected diversity of flora and fauna, which need protection It’s a gray, early spring morning in Madrid, and people are hurrying by, most of them staring at the ground or into their smartphones. Arantza Leal, however, is looking up into the sky, focused on a tall building close to the capital’s Retiro park. She’s looking for a pair of peregrine falcons that have nested in the area in previous years.

There are at least eight pairs of these protected birds in Spain’s most-populous city. As life becomes harder in their original habitats, they have steadily moved into urban areas, where they find shelter in the many tall buildings, and are able to feed off pigeons, or the parakeets that

– there are growing calls, among them from the United Nations and the European Commission, for conservation strategies to protect urban biodiversity.

A squirrel in the Retiro park in Madrid. / SAMUEL SÁNCHEZ A number of cities in Spain, among them Santander,

self-sufficient ecosystem. This means greater numbers of older, leafy trees, along with areas filled with wild flowers, rather than manicured lawns, able to provide an ecosystem for a wide range of creatures.

“They are part of a greater whole, with independent areas. Any loss is a loss for the whole,” explains Real about one of the most basic principles of how ecosystems work – the idea that each life is related to that next to it. Ladybirds eat the bugs that attack plants; nightingales and other birds eat the insects that damage plants and bother people, as do toads, which also clean ponds when they are tadpoles. The birds of prey that hunt at night, such as the owls in Madrid’s Retiro park, reduce mice populations, while during the day, the falcons keep pigeon numbers down.

Conserving these delicate balances means an end to fumigation, and cutting back trees, as well as dealing with the presence of invasive species such as tortoises and parakeets.

An estimated 1,000 common midwife toads live in Pamplona’s Ciudadela. / CSIC Walking along the newly created riverside by the Casa de Campo, the huge park o n Madrid’s northwestern edge, Juan Carlos del Moral and Luis Martínez of SEO Birdlife, explain the dangers presented by monk parakeets, which first appeared here at the end of the 1970s, when people released them into the wild or they escaped. There are now thousands of them, and as well as being noisy, their large nests damage trees. “This is something that could have been dealt with easily a long time ago, but now getting rid of them is going to be very costly,” says Del Moral.

have also settled here. There are few other birds able to compete with them, says Leal, a biologist at the SEO Birdlife NGO, who keeps a close eye on Madrid’s avian population. “I’ve seen goshawks and even vultures,” she adds.

One of Madrid’s falcons. / LUIS GIL “ T h e city is not a desert. In fact, it is much more populated than we imagine,” says Raimundo Real, professor of biology at the University of Málaga. Humans, he explains, alter their environment, expelling many other species as we take over areas, while at the same time leaving spaces open for others, creating new ecosystems that birds, rats, squirrels, rabbits, hedgehogs, and bats, not to mention toads, frogs, lizards, insects and, perhaps most surprisingly, owls and even foxes are able to occupy. A study carried out by Rutgers University in around 150 cities worldwide last year estimated that each had an average of 112 species of birds, and 766 trees and plants, the majority of which were native.

That said, cities are not the friendliest of environments for flora and fauna: the Rutgers study showed that only five percent of plants and 20 percent of birds worldwide live in urban habitats. But in a world that is becoming increasingly urbanized – 54 percent of humanity now lives in cities, a figure expected to rise to 66 percent by 2050

Barcelona and Vitoria, are already drawing up biodiversity plans. Vitoria now belongs to a network created by the University of Virginia School of Architecture that includes San Francisco, Birmingham, Oslo and Singapore.

Barcelona’s biodiversity plan includes “ecological, environmental, social and even economic measures” that range from conserving nature, the physical and mental wellbeing of the population, reducing pollution and regulating temperatures and the water cycle, to research and education, generating value from buildings, and promoting tourism.

According to Joan Puigdollers, the head of Barcelona’s environment department, these cities recognize that plants are the main means by which the Earth captures CO2 and converts it into oxygen. A city’s green spaces can’t be compared to a rainforest, but in an increasingly urban world, we all have to do our bit: “It’s about taking advantage of any space, such as rooftops, gardens, squares, balconies…,” he says.

A heron in Barcelona’s Turò park. / TEJEDERAS The Catalan capital’s plan calls for “environmental infrastructure as part of a complete system, with plant and animal life.” That’s to say, the idea is to move from purely decorative green spaces toward a

Aside from the raucous parakeets, the pair of ornithologists are also able to identify storks, swifts, wagtails, starlings, tits, and many other species here. But they point out that the river walk is hardly an example of how to create an inclusive urban environment that helps wildlife and flora: there is no river bank, there are no flowers on the grass areas, and the lack of birds around indicates the problem. “Birds are a good indicator of the health of a city,” says Del Moral, explaining that blood samples from sparrows are an effective way of measuring air quality.

Parakeets in Madrid’s Casa de Campo. / MIGUEL PÉREZ The sparrow has already largely disappeared from many European cities, including Madrid, although a few still hold out.

As we look up to the Madrid sky, a flock of swifts passes overhead, returning from southern Africa after the winter. But most of the people around us seem unaware of this curious animal that spends most of its life on the wing: they eat, sleep, and breed in the air, only resting to incubate and raise their young. When summer comes, they will be a great help to us, eating the huge amounts of bothersome insects that also appear with the warm weather, such as mosquitoes, flies and moths.

Source: el pais

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May 2015

THE RBL AT THE SAINT GEORGES DAY EVENT The Orihuela Costa and District Branch of The Royal British Legion were at The Emerald Isle on Thursday 23 April to celebrate Saint Georges Day. The day started with a parade by the Torrevieja Pipes and Drums leading the way.

This was followed by standards of the Branch, the Royal Naval Association, the Royal Marines Association and the Royal Air Force Association.

The highlight of the parade was heralded by the Chelsea Pensioners from London who came over especially for the event.

All association members then marched to the Emerald Isle.

Eddie Coleman the Branch Vice Chairman and organiser of the day welcomed everyone and invited The Counsellor for the coast Martina Scheurer to officially open the event.

There were many stalls which were kept very busy throughout the day along with many acts. The afternoon the was hosted by Simon Morton.

Finally the raffle was drawn and the day raised €850.00.

Thank you for everyone who supported the day.

Further information is available at the Orihuela Costa Branchof the RBL at: www.britishlegion.org.uk/ counties/spain-north

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PRESS RELEASE. PRESS RELEASE

A HAT TRICK FOR SPANGLES

Spangles Ladies’ Harmony Chorus has done it again: for the third time in succession, they have become barbershop champions of Spain, gaining their third gold medal. Led

by Musical Director, Gail Grainger, the chorus travelled to Benalmádena, Málaga to compete on Saturday, 18 April. Spangles first won gold in San Pedro del Pinatar in 2011, then again in Benalmádena in 2013. Choruses are not allowed to compete in the year following a win, so their next chance of a medal was at this year’s convention, organised by the Spanish Association of Barbershop Singers (SABS).

“We are all delighted with our third championship win and I am especially proud of the chorus, because this was my last assignment as Musical Director of Spangles and they pulled out all of the stops” said Gail, who returns to live in the UK in May. “I couldn’t have wished for a better farewell”. Gail joined the chorus as Assistant Musical Director in January 2008 and took over the role of Musical Director in September the same year.

Since then, she and her management team have worked tirelessly to ensure that the chorus continues to improve and move forward. Starting in 2004 with just five ladies, the chorus now boasts more than 40 members and continues to grow.

The past year’s hard work paid dividends in Benalmádena, with Spangles sweeping the board, not only winning the contest, but scooping up the trophies for highest scores in singing, presentation and music. “This couldn’t have been achieved without the specialist coaching we received and the dedication of

each and every member of the chorus to achieve excellence” commented Gail, who hands over her baton to two joint chorus directors, Dawn Ritch and Wendy Grant, who will be supported by the Assistant Musical Director, Liz Lewis. “I know that I am leaving the chorus in good hands and I look forward to watching their continued progress from afar.”

Spangles welcomes new members so, if you’re looking to make new friends and enjoy singing, why not visit Spangles when they rehearse at Las Claras? They meet every Thursday from 10.00am to 1.00pm.

Please call Lyn on 968 574 987 or Anthea on 968 334 527 to book Spangles or to find out how to join, or visit the website: www. spangleschorus.com.

EDITORS' NOTES: Photos attached to this email. Photographers: Eric Ideler and Donna Walsh For further details, contact: Lyn Baines Calle Helena 735 Los Narejos 30710 Los Alcázares Telephone: 968 574 987/968 334 527 Email: info@spangleschorus.com Web: www.spangleschorus.com

pals PRESS RELEASE

After 15 years of fundraising, PALS have, after much deliberation, decided to cease their activities and advise that next years Sponsored swim on News Day will be the final event, to round off a superb record of support, for what is the Mazarron areas oldest legally registered charity.

PALS have over the years provided over 250000Euros worth of life saving equipment used locally in the Saluds, in ambulances, in emergency vehicles and at various strategic locations throughout the area. The equipment was provided as additional but essential to the budgetary requirements of 112, Cruz Roja, and FAST, and included defibrillators, inshore rescue craft, mobile emergency hospital tents, pulsometers and a host of other machines, all identified by the recipients as needed. In addition PALS were instrumental in creating CAFÉ whose efforts provided a new state of the art ambulance to the local Ayuntamiento , now used locally by Cruz Roja. Money for the ambulance came from mainly, a series of Concerts held annually in October but the bulk of the balance came from a PALS contribution. PALS also initiated a concert following the Lorca earthquake disaster and together with CCIR raised 6300 Euros for medical equipment; this money is in addition to the quarter of a million already mentioned. Finally PALS have helped various other local charities and organisations in their start up times with advice and expertise. We have constantly tried to get people to sign for the Padron in an effort to improve

the facilities available So why stop, well the committee are not getting any younger , some members have moved away and there has been no ‘’new blood’’ for some time, also we feel that we have done what was necessary at the time when the area was expanding and that we have achieved all that could be expected of us.

The Committee of PALS remain in place to oversee the outstanding events, the trip to Portugal and the Cruise around the Mediterranean this year and as stated the swim on New Year’s Day next year for which we already have entrants. The funds that are held will remain upon deposit whilst negotiations take place to place the monies to good effect and within the constitution rules that PALS have abided by throughout the years.

It remains for us to thank all PALS members throughout the years, some of whom have been there since the charity was first initiated, the unstinted input of the various committee members both past and present and mostly to you, who have supported us, and become our friends. Without you the whole exercise would have been pointless. Thank you again, to the friends, and supporters , the various bars and hotels where we have held our ticket sales and enjoyed the functions, those who sponsor, those whose businesses have contributed, and of course the media for their continued coverage PALS wish you all a great enjoyable healthy life.

Dalí's 'illegitimate daughter' files paternity suit

A WOMAN who believes she may be the daughter of surrealist painter Salvador Dalí has had her case accepted by a Madrid court judge.

Pilar Abel, who will be 59 this year, was born in Figueres (Girona province) after her mother reportedly had an affair with the artist.

Sra Abel says her mother was working as a home help for a family who used to spend their summer holidays in nearby Cadaqués when she and Dalí met, and she fell pregnant in 1955.

The case notes say Pilar's mother told her 'on numerous occasions' that her father was Salvador Dalí, and a statement from Pilar's mother's carer in her old age, signed by a notary, says she had been told by her charge about the affair with the artist in her youth.

Pilar gave DNA samples in Paris, and these are now in the custody of Nicolas Descharnes, whose father Robert used

to be Dalí's secretary.

To compare the DNA, strands of hair and skin cells which remain in a plaster mould of the painter's face will be extracted.

But if it is not possible to garner sufficient genetic information from the mask, Dalí's body may have to be exhumed.

Pilar's lawyer says she is likely to find out either way within a year at the most.

If she is indeed Dalí's daughter, Pilar will be able to legitimately use his surname and will also be entitled to a slice of his inheritance and to the copyright of his paintings.

The paternity suit has been brought against the ministry of the treasury and the Gala Dalí Foundation, who now have three weeks to respond. thinkspain

12

technology

This Beer Gadget Gave Me Perfect Head

Fizzics is a new gadget that’s precision engineered pour also has a significant to perfectly pour your beer. It’s an impressively de- affect on the flavor of the signed toy. I just tried it, and OK, maybe I’m a little beer, as we’ll see below. drunk, but I think I’m in love.

Does it make a differIt’s Friday afternoon, you’ve made it through the ence? long week, and it’s time for Happy Hour, Gizmodo’s Yes! Totally. I tried a weekly booze etc. column. A cocktail shaker full of side-by-side compariinnovation, science, and substances. son if a Brooklyn IPA that was handThe new Fizzics is a tabletop gadget that the com- poured and one that was poured by the Fizzics. The pany founders told me delivers a “better-than-draft gadget really does make beer taste different. It’s a pour from canned or bottled beer. (More on this difference you can see. On a regular hand pour, the anon.) It’s useful to think of Fizzics as the a la cart head dissipates quickly, whereas the super dense counterpoint to the popular Krups/ Heineken Beer- Fizzics foam hangs on top your beer like sudsy skin.

Tender. If you’re not familiar, it’s basically a table- Even on cursory inspection, the bubbles in the Fiiztop keggerator, that takes mini proprietary kegs of zics beer are smaller and dissipating at a slower rate Heineken of New Castle. They keep your beer cold, compared to the hand-poured beer. and pump it full of CO2 to give it a draft-like carbon- The taste and “mouth feel” of beer also changes ation and head. They’re fun pretty, if sort of fatally substantively when you pour it from the Fizzics. limited gadgets.

The smoother bubbles make the beer smoother and So here’s how the Fizzics works: Open it up an in- less astringent. By comparison, the hand pour feels sert the beer of your choice. Plug in your beer with sand-papery on your tongue. When your tongue a in a little plastic tube. (Fizzics supports most cans isn’t chewed up by the usual raspiness, the carbonaand bottles up to 26 ounces. The production ver- tion is less over-powering to the flavor of the beer. sion will apparently take a whole 64 ounce growler.) Of course, if you’ve been drinking beer like an unWhen you close the lid, the beer gets sealed in an civilized chump your whole life, your probably like it airtight chamber. when your beer has the overpowering carbonation When you’re near the top of your pour, push the of a soft drink. It’s what you’re used to. I’m just lever back, and the Fizzics pumps high-frequency saying that if you take some time to try something sound waves through the beer, and pours luscious, different, you too might taste the difference. thick foam. Your milk mustache will be jealous.

You do not need this gadget to enjoy beer. Not even close. It’s probably not worth it to most people. But Why? Why the hell don’t you just pour the beer into the does it work? Yes it works. glass like a normal human? Well, sir, we live in a world where craft beer is rapidly gaining traction. I like to think of this as people seeing the light. Beer doesn’t have to be terrible!

With craft beer we’re faced with a condundrum of habits. We’ve been drinking beer forever like it was all Natty Ice, which is to say, drinking it as quickly as possible for the effects. Open can pour beer into gullet, repeat, and eventually, you can’t feel the crushing pain of real life any longer.

This method works for drinking fine brews as well, but there is additional enjoyment to be had. Much like you take the time to decant good wine, you might also take steps to ensure your beer is properly delivered to maximize the potential of the brewer’s hard work.

Hand pours and draft pours both have disadvantages, but the bottom line is that the foam and pour as a whole is thinner and the carbonation vanishes more quickly. This means flatter beer that doesn’t taste as good as whole. But the consistency of the

http://gizmodo.com/

Isro Carrying Out Development Tests on High-Thrust Cryogenic Engine

May 2015

Windows Media Center Won't Make It to Windows 10

Microsoft last week at its annual Build developer's conference made some major announcements ahead of Windows 10's summer release on PCs. A Microsoft executive at the side lines of the Build conference also confirmed that the venerable Windows Media Center app will not be available in Windows 10.

While talking to ZDNet, a Microsoft executive revealed that there will be no update for the Windows Media Centre for Windows 10.

The news may come as a surprise for some, though considering that Microsoft stopped developing Windows Media Center back in 2009 it was just matter of time when the company finally pulled the plug on the app.

This also means that any desktop that is upgraded from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 can no longer run the Media Center. ZDNet also points out that the last released Windows Media Center build "isn't compatible with Windows 10."

To recall, Microsoft's Windows Media Center was a digital media player developed by Microsoft. It could play and record live television while could also organising and playing digital images, music and video. It came pre-installed in Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate editions, and all Windows 7 editions (not included in Starter and Home Basic versions). Later, it was also available as an add-on for Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8.1 Pro. Last week, Joe Belfiore, Corporate Vice President, Operating Systems Group at Microsoft, revealed that Microsoft was "on track" for a summer release of Windows 10 and clarified that it would initially arrive for PCs followed by other devices - smartphones, HoloLens, Xbox, and Surface devices. He suggested that Windows 10 for PC will miss out on some features at launch.

Unfortunately, Microsoft is yet to reveal an exact time frame for the Windows 10 PC release.

GSLV MkIII launch vehicle, Isro has posted on its Facebook page.

The completion of successful long duration hot test has once again proved Isro's capability in mastering the complex cryogenic technology, it said.

Sharing details about the test, Isro said all subsystems of this engine such as Thrust Chamber, Injector, Gas Generator, LOX & LH2 Turbopumps, After successful test of the high-thrust cryogenic Control Components, Pyro systems etc, and the engine recently, a series of development tests on ground Test Facility systems performed very well the engine are being carried out to validate the and the parameters are well within the prediction. performance and to prove its design, Indian Space It said a series of development tests on this engine Research Organisation (Isro) has said. are being carried out to validate the performance Successful long duration hot test (635 seconds) of high-thrust cryogenic engine (CE20) was carried out on April 28 at Isro Propulsion Complex in Tamil Nadu's Mahendragiri. The achievement is considered as a major milestone in the development of next generation launch vehicle, GSLV MkIII, Isro said.

and to prove the design of the engine, adding, two cold start tests and four short duration hot tests were already carried out on this engine at Isro Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri.

The indigenously developed cryogenic engine will help India put satellites of up to four tonnes in The CE20 cryogenic engine is being indigenously geostationary orbit. developed by Isro to power the cryogenic stage of Source: http://gadgets.ndtv.com/

health & beauty

www.soltimes.com

Look Good

13

Feel Great

Tel: 950 121 936 sales@soltimes.com

insects and bugs that bite or sting

Buzzing bees, marching ants and swarms of midges are becoming as much a part of summer as swimming pools, the beach and ice cream.

Wasp and wasp sting The humble wasp (and closely related hornet) can give a nasty sting if it feels threatened, leading to itching and swelling. And wasp stings aren’t always harmless. Stings from wasps cause the most allergic reactions.

You won’t have an allergic reaction after your first sting by a wasp, but you can develop a serious allergic reaction (also known as an anaphylactic reaction) after one or more stings have “sensitised” your system.

Prevent wasp stings: Don’t try to swat wasps away. You’ll just make them cross and more likely to sting you. Instead, calmly and slowly move out of their way. Like other stinging insects, wasps love bright colours so wear white or neutral clothes to deter them.

Look out for wasps’ nests in your home or garden and have them removed immediately when you find them.

Bee and bee sting A bee sting feels similar to that of a wasp. The difference is that the b e e leaves its sting inside you and it’s important to remove it to stop infection setting in.

Bee stings are painful, but unless you have an allergy to bees, they’re unlikely to cause serious damage. If you’re allergic to wasp stings, don’t assume you’ll also be allergic to bee venom. Bee and wasp venoms are different and people who are allergic to wasp venom are rarely allergic to bee venom.

Prevent bee stings: Stay still and calm while a bee buzzes around you. Bees love sweet drinks and the last thing you want to do is swallow one, so be sure to look before you sip your drink at picnics and barbecues.

Mosquito and its bite Mosquitoes are a nuisance. Their bites cause intense itching and swelling. But while they transmit deadly diseases in other parts of the world, they don’t cause major harm in Spain.

Prevent mosquito bites: Smells and bright colours attract insects. Avoid using scented hand or body creams and strong perfumes and sparkly, colourful jewellery if you’re going to spend time outside.

Insect repellents are also effective. Don’t forget to cover up and use repellent at night Midge and midge bites Midge bites don’t transmit illness but they’re painful, itch intensely and can swell up alarmingly.

Prevent midge bites: Midges tend to attack in swarms, especially in hot weather, so use an insect repellent and cover up at dawn and dusk.

Bedbugs and their bites They don’t carry disease, but their bites cause itchy red bumps. Some people have a serious skin reaction with blisters that can become infected.

What to do: If you think your home is infested with bedbugs (tiny black spots on your mattress and bed are a giveaway), get them treated straight away. Don’t be embarrassed – bedbugs are not a sign of a dirty home.

Horsefly and its bite A large, hairy fly whose bite can be extremely painful, the horsefly tends to bite on warm, sunny days, especially the head

and upper body.

Prevent

horsefly

bites:

The horsefly doesn’t spread disease, but as its bite cuts the skin rather than piercing it, horse fly bites are very painful, take longer to heal than other insect bites and can easily become infected, so cover up and use insect repellent.

Source: Almeria Angels.

Benefits of Hatha Yoga

The regular practice of Yoga postures (asana) focuses on building strength and flexibility which is an incredible benefit to your body.

The postures are meant to strengthen your body from the inside-out, so you don’t just look good, you feel good too.

Each of the yoga poses is built to reinforce the muscles around the spine, the very center of your body, which is the core from which everything else operates. When the core is working properly, posture is improved, thus alleviating back, shoulder and neck pain making the body strong, supple and healthy.

Many common physical ailments can also be improved through the regular practice of yoga, and it is never too late or too early in life to take it up.

Yoga has a profound effect on the circulation and on the functioning of the inner organs, glands and nerves, the digestive system gets back on track when the stretching in yoga is coupled with a healthy diet. Keeping all systems in radiant health and leading to greater energy, better

AREA

in mA ZARRON d e r i u eq staff r

concentration, and a happier, more fulfilling life.

Yoga is for everyone, whatever your fitness level or age and is not attached to any religion. And another one of the benefits of yoga is that it can complement all other forms of exercise.

For more information on the benefits of Yoga contact Hatha Yoga Te a c h e r Lianne on 686400331 or solyoga centre @ hotmail.com

Kim Clar k 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

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14

May 2015

Hello and welcome to CanDu Computer be slower, that have Bytes. As most of you, who are regular taken several previous readers of this column, will know, I’m articles to explain, so one of the one and a half million (1.5 no space today!

Million) testers of the new Windows 10.

Option three is the What might be less obvious is that, like one that I have chosen. so many of you, I have only one working It involve creating a computer. I do have second computer that ‘Virtual Drive’ onto is constantly in bits as it is my test bed for which you install the testing computer parts from other peoples new operating system. machines but that is about it. I love my XP The one I choose, not because it is the and am not interested in “upgrading” to 7 best but because I have used it for many or 8.x! So how am I able, as an authorised years and I’m comfortable with it, is called tester, to use their new Operating System ‘VirtualBox’. without replacing the system that I have What is ‘Virtualbox’? It is simply a special and love? environment that VirtualBox creates for There are a number of options that are your guest operating system while it is available. Today, I hope to show what they running. In other words, you run your are and demonstrate the pro’s and con’s guest operating system “in” a ‘Virtual of each system. Finally I will talk about Machine’. What is a ‘guest operating which one I have decided to use and why. system’? Let me use a practical example.

The first option is that you might want to I run a Windows XP computer and want look at is the simplest. It simply requires to test the new Windows 10. I don’t like you to remove the Operating System that the option of ‘dual booting’ or losing my you are currently using and replace it with favourite Windows XP, so what did I do? the new one. The pro’s of this method I downloaded and installed ‘VirtualBox’. is that you now have a new, dedicated By now, you will have downloaded and system, ready to use. It will work at the installed hundreds of programs that I’ve best speed that you computer is capable recommended over the years and will of. feel ‘at home’ doing it. I created a Virtual The con’s of the method are: If you Box – an empty space that the new haven’t made a backup system image operating system can go into. Just using first, then once you have installed the new the default settings will give you a suitable system, it is permanent and you have ‘working environment’. By running the permanently lost the old, familiar system newly created environment ‘The Box’ that you had. If an update fails (Microsoft immediately starts looking for the ‘Guest’ updates going wrong – never!), then you Operating system. Now is when you put will have to start from the very beginning, in the CD/DVD with the OS to be tested, and this can be a long process! and allow the system to install just as you Option two is the ‘dual boot’ method. would with any OS. This is simply where two or more I have been running ‘Windows 10’ in this Operating Systems are available, at ‘boot virtual box for 3 months now and this new time’ (when you first start the computer), OS is looking promising. If they continue on the same computer disk! So what are developing it as they are doing, by listening the advantages? The first is that there is to you and me, it will be something that not swapping disks to use the different might be well worth having!! systems. Second is being able to access Anyway, enough techno-babble from your old, favourite system and data me. If you want to know more on anything without losing anything. Last, if it goes I write about or just want to become part ‘belly up’ then you still your favourite of my new beginners group, contact me system still up and working. for advice or to arrange an appointment, So what are the disadvantages? You at the address or phone number below. lose valuable free space on your first For further information or advice on operating system. computing,contact Trevor on 689 892 745 or There are reasons canducomputing@hotmail.co.uk your system will

Ho Chi Minh Trail I

With an almost mythical reputation, the trail used to exist in my mind as a narrow precarious mountain path which made its way from Hanoi in the north to Saigon in the south. Although the trail was based on ancient trading paths that meandered through Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia; it was so much more than a path.

During the First Indo China War in 1946-54 The Viet Minh used the then basic trail as a means of communication and for moving men south. After the Geneva accord in 1954; Vietnam was divided into two. Elections to unite the country were promised yet neither America nor the non communist South Vietnamese signed the agreement.

Instead America supported Ngo Dinh Diem when he declared himself President after ousting the Emperor of Vietnam. In retaliation the Viet Minh activated sleeper cells in the south and started a guerrilla campaign against the American backed South Vietnamese.

Soldiers trekked south to fight and initially it took six months to make the perilous journey.

In 1959, soon after the North Vietnamese took control of the east of Laos; a secret military division called

REGISTERING YOUR VEHICLE IN SPAIN. SPANISH LICENSE PLATES AND REGISTRATION DOCUMENT. Registering a non-Spanish vehicle in Spain is a complex and potentially costly procedure.

However, you may be exempt from Spanish registration tax by getting Spanish number plates within one month of entering the country. But to do this, you need to become a resident. Linea Directa has been insuring expat drivers in Spain for over a decade and understands all the steps involved. Below we outline this process.

STEP 1: OBTAINING A CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMITY This is a statement by the car’s manufacturer that it conforms to EU regulations.

You will need the car’s chassis number to complete this straightforward process online at www.eurococ.eu/ en/certificate_of_conformity.

The charges for this service will vary according to type of vehicle, make and country of 1st registration.

STEP 2: CURRENT LOG BOOK The vehicle’s original log book showing your name as the owner, the vehicles age and a valid UK address. You will also need the bill of sale for the car.

STEP 3: RESIDENCY IN SPAIN The Spanish residency certificate (Certificado de Empadronamiento) is your official proof of residency in Spain. Your local town hall can provide you with this document. You will need to take your passport and proof of Spanish address (rental contract, contract to purchase

or property deeds).

STEP 4: OBTAINING A SPANISH MOT CERTIFICATE All vehicles over 4 years old must be roadworthy and clearly display a valid ITV sticker. The ITV (Vehicle Technical Inspection) must be tested at an authorised centre, just as for an MOT test. You can find out the location of your nearest ITV centre on DGT website (equivalent to the DVLA). You can also call your local centre to make a booking.

If the centre is busy, especially pre-summer, this can save a lot of time. The cost can vary but generally is around 40€ for petrol-engine cars and 56€ for diesel-engine cars.

Step 5: OBTAINING A SPANISH EQUIVALENT OF A TAX DISC The Spanish Tax Agency can provide your vehicle with a valid “tax disc” for Spain, which must be carried in the car when in use. You will need to complete the relevant form online and pay the amount according to your car’s tax band.

You can carry out all these procedures yourself or you can seek the assistance of an accountant to do this for you.

We hope the information provided in this article is of interest. If you would like to contact Linea Directa please call 902 123 161. More information on Linea Directa online at www.lineadirecta.com

Enjoy Stephens musings? Pop over to www.findmeahome.eu 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: info@findmeahome.eu Telephone: 636 266 641

559 was set up. Starting with 440 soldiers their mission was to improve and expand the trail. By the end of the year they were 6000 strong and that’s without counting the troops protecting their operations and civilian labourers.

The trail was mainly used for troop movements as it was faster and easier to transport materials by ship down the east coast of Vietnam. About 5000 troops trekked south each year between the years 1961- 63 and in1964 12,000.

Originally the tracks were made of earth and people moved on foot, bicycle or used carts. With the rainy season running each from May to October, the dirt tracks and roads became impassable. Division 559 set about improving and expanding the trail network. Roads were asphalted so making year round use possible. Vehicle bridges became invisible from the air as they were built just under the water level.

Along the network were built camps or Binh Trams, the camps provided shelter, food and medical facilities.

Built underground or by using natural camouflage the camps were built a day’s march apart from each other.

There were also fuel and ammunition dumps and lorry parks as by late 1961 trucks began using the trail. Material movements grew all the time and by 1964 about 25 tonnes of material moved south every day.

In 1965 the Americans started operation Market Time aimed at stopping North Vietnamese sea shipments down the coast. So the trail was further expanded and within a few months about 200 tonnes a day was ferried south. Truck convoys started off at dusk when American planes returned to base and would stop again when the American night bombers were patrolling. As these bombers returned to base just before dawn; the lorries would start again aiming to get to a Binh Tram before the American day shift arrived overhead. At each stop the cargo would be unloaded from the arriving trucks into fresh ones which would then take the next stage south. Any damaged or destroyed trucks were replaced by the next camp to the north and so on till the domino affect meant a new truck was available in Hanoi.

By 1966 the Americans estimated there

was 1000km of useable roads and about a third of these were all weather.

There was a huge increase in troop movements with about 90,000 travelling south that year. The North Vietnamese started moving goods in barrels which were dropped into rivers and collected downstream by nets.

The Americans noticed that truck movements along the trail had jumped from 500 to over 3000 a day

by November 1967. 200,000 troops and over 80,000 tonnes of supplies were moved south ready for a future offensive. The CIA correctly estimated that in the south; the North Vietnamese had over 400,000 combat ready soldiers. This figure was suppressed by the military chief in Vietnam and the American President. If the news had leaked it would have proved that the war was far from over. So on January 30th Lunar New Year 1968 the largest military battle of the war was launched, the Tet Offensive!

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15

16

May 2015

PATIOS N I L A V I T FES A B O D R Ó C Every spring Córdoba bursts into bloom with special festivities for the month of May. Starting off with a parade known as the “Battle of the Flowers”, the city officially launches into its spring celebrations with the May Crosses festival usually taking place during the first week of the month, followed by the Patio Contests that can easily continue well past the middle of the month – which just gives residents time to get ready for the annual fair at the end of May! PATIO CONTEST The Patio contests is sponsored by the Córdoba City Hall and began in 1918.

But to really understand why a contest of this type was created in Córdoba you must know something about the local architecture.

Floral patios of Cordoba.

Due to a hot, dry climate homes in Córdoba were built with a central patio even back in the days of the Romans. This tradition was continued by the Moors and persists in many homes even today. Filling the central patio with plants and water features has always been a way to keep local homes cool. But, thanks to human creativity and ingenuity, patio decoration ended up taking on a life all its own and at some point, someone realised that these hidden treasures were just too good to be kept tucked away behind heavy doors and iron grates. So, once a year, the doors open and everyone is invited in to see the wonders of Córdoba’s patios.

These patios not only offer a visual feast of colourful flowers, stone mosaics and ceramic decorations, but also bring out the classic scents of Córdoba: jasmine and orange blossom mixed with a myriad of scents from the many other flowers and plants that bring the city – and this festival – alive.

A visual feast of colourful flowers.

A visual feast of colourful flowers.

A vast range of patios await your viewing in Córdoba every year, with not only private, single-family homes opening their doors to show you the lovely courtyards around which their old-style homes centre. There are also larger, lowbuilt, apartment-style buildings that have amazing courtyards where often many gardeners will work together all year to cultivate the special gems that are their shared meeting areas.

However, the patio displays go even beyond the wide array offered by the private sector to include numerous “monument” patios. For example, the Viana Palace, a 14th century edifice, is actually known as the Patio Museum and offers around 12 different patios to its visitors. It has also been classified as an official “Historic Garden” and is high on the list of recommendations for those wishing to see the best of Córdoba.

There are numerous convents and religious buildings in Córdoba with must-see patios and these include: the

Encarnación, Santa Isabel de los Ángeles, Las Capuchinas, Santa María, Santa Cruz, Jesus Crucificado, Nuestra Señora de las Nieves, Corpus Cristi and San Pedro Real.

There is also the “Círculo de la Amistad” building and the “Facultad de Derecho” (law department) at the local university.

Fun for all the family at the Cordoba Patio Festival. © Michelle Chaplow .

Fun for all the family at the Cordoba Patio Festival.

As would be expected, the May Patio Contest in Córdoba is more than just a contest. At the city’s tourism website, it is officially the “Córdoba May Patio Festival” and, true to form, the locals offer a host of entertainment throughout this spring celebration. Some of the best names in flamenco are known to travel to Córdoba this time of year to add sound to the sights, smells, textures and tastes enjoyed by locals and visitor alike. Yes, Córdoba is genuinely a feast for all five senses this time of year – but don’t miss the year round sights to see in Córdoba while you’re there.

PRACTICAL INFO FOR TOURISTS The 50 or so Patios from the competition are freely open to the public. Just download a list and a map (or pick up one for the tourist office) and devise you own route. There is no entrance charge but there is a collection box by the door for a tip. On Friday Saturday and Sunday of the competition you will neeed an advance online ticket. (See below). The Patios have unusual opening hours, they closed between the hours of 2pm until 6pm in the evening. Locals will tell you that they need to have time to spruce up their patios and take the essential Spanish siesta, so beware that you don't miss out on this amazing festival. The patios are generally open from Sunday to Thursday from 11am to 2pm and from 6pm to 10pm; and Friday and Saturday from 11am to 2pm and from 6pm to 12am.

There are three patios in Siesta that are open from 14.00 to 18.00 so that you can visit and take a siesta. Palacio de Orive (Plaza de Orive s/n), Zoco Municipal (C/ Judios s/n), Rey Heredia, 22 (Espacio cultural). Since 2012 a smaller selection of Patios have also been open over Christmas from about 19 December to 4 January. Group visits can also be made at tther times.

TICKETS Since 2013 there is a free ticketing system for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. (No need to book on other days; just turn up). To get your ticket, you just fill in a form online, stating which patio group you want to see, and when. On each day, there are three sessions - morning 11am2pm; evening 6-9pm; and night 9pm-12 midnight Friday and Saturday (6-10pm Sunday) - you can choose one, two or all three. For each session, you choose one of six areas: Regina-Magdalena, Santa Marina-San Andres, San Lorenzo-San Agustin, San Pedro-Santiago, Juderia and

Alcazar Viejo, each of which has around 10 patios to visit. (See map) You can book up to ten tickets for each day, although they must all be for the same sessions and areas. This ticket is free. Online,once you've made your choices, you submit the form, and your tickets are emailed to you.

Each ticket, which you print off yourself, shows the date, session(s) and area for each session, as well as a QR code and the list of patios for each area. When you're walking around the patios, you need to keep your ticket to hand, so that the

volunteer in each patio can scan it. Tickets were available from this site in 2014.

FESTIVAL PROGRAMME There is also a festival of several music and dance performances every single day during the pation contest. Many of these take place in the patios and are free, others in municipal buildings and tickets must be purchased. Here is a link to the programme on the Patios website. http://www.andalucia.com/

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 www.daviessolicitors.com Less inheritance tax for non resident heirs starting 2015: Inheritance tax discrimination of non residents finally ended this Christmas: Q. I have been told that non resident heirs now pay less inheritance tax if the inherit from their parents or spouse. Is this correct?

A. On the 3rd of September of 2014 the European Court of Justice sentenced Spain to pay a specific person back some of their inheritance tax on the basis that if they had been a resident in Spain they would have been allowed higher exemption rates. (In Spain each autonomous region has created extra exemptions for their residents , and as non residents can not take advantage of this they are discriminated (more or less depending on which autonomous region we compare their situation with.).

Unfortunately the sentence itself did not change the SPANISH legislation and did not provide a system establishing who could claim money back or any way of non residents not having to pay their inheritance tax as usual. All it did was recommend that Spain adapt it´s legislation.

In other words after the sentence of 3rd of September of 2014 non residents still had to pay as usual with the only

difference that if they took the Spanish government to court after a few years they may obtain a similar sentence by the ECJ. We wrote about this when the sentence was dictated and you can find it on www.daviessolicitors.com (on the blog) Spain in this case has acted quickly and has adapted it´s legislation.

We have just got back from the Christmas Holiday to find a new norm signed during the holiday (31st of December 2014) that creates new forms for non resident heirs that allow them to apply the deductions that they would have been entitled to if they had been a resident of the autonomous region of Spain with higher exemptions (1. as long as they consider that a. they are indeed being discriminated which is not always the case and 2. and that they invoke the autonomous region with the largest connection (mainly where the assets are situated which is easy when their is only one or they are all in the sam autonomous region).

For further information about this and who is actually affected by the situation, please read our previous article which we printed back back in September of 2014 (copy on our blog) when the sentence was issued by the ECJ.

Michael Davies is a Spanish Abogado and has been practicing law in Almería since 1993. He is member of the Law societies of Almería and Madrid and has offices in Mojacar and Almeria High Street.

PROPERTY supplement

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17

SOLTIMES PROPERTY SUPPLEMENT

THE ONLY PROPERTY SUPPLEMENT ON THE COSTAS!!!!

LOOKING TO BUY OR RENT? FIND YOUR DREAM HOME INSIDE! You can experience the sunshine which all holidaymakers look for on a Spanish holiday, plus a buzzing city with beautiful architecture and mountainous backdrops. Sit back and relax in one of the many bars and restaurants lining the Murcian coast as you watch the Spanish sun set. Once you have visited this wonderful place it will be clear to see why so many people are choosing Murcia and the surrounding areas as venues to buy their second homes.

Sightseeing in Murcia On the Spanish coast, Murcia is a beautiful destination for sightseeing as well as sunbathing.

You can visit a range of great places from the relaxing Costa Calida (“the warm coast”), with beautiful sandy beaches, to Mar Menor. This is the worlds’ largest salt-water lagoon and said to be 5 degrees warmer than the sea! There are many fantastic watersports to try out here including sailing and windsurfing. If watersports don’t ‘float your boat’ then why not try out the cycling... or head for the bar!

Murcia is a great mix of the old and new with a modern city full of shops, cafes and bars. La Traperia has some of the best stores if you fancy

You can also hire out water sports equipment if you want to do something a little more energetic.

Nares Beach gets a bit busier than Bolnuevo in the summer but also has calm waters making it ideal for children.

DESTINATION MURCIA

some holiday shopping as well as a range of fantastic restaurants to eat out in the evening. You could try your luck at Murcia’s Casino also found along this main street. A popular place to visit is the 18th century square La Glorieta situated in the centre of Murcia and the magnificent architecture of the Cathedral of Santa Maria always attracts visitors. The Museum de la Ciudad featuring historical artifacts of Murcia is worth a visit, as

is the Museo de la Ciencia y el Agua which has interactive exhibits.

Fun Seekers in Murcia Beautiful sandy beaches, the world’s largest salt-water lagoon and waterports like sailing and windsurfing are all good reasons for visting Murcia. Castillicos Beach is popular with young people whether you want to bask in the sun or get involved in watersports at the nearby harbour of Tomas Mestre.

Great nightlife in Murcia Murcia is a fairly relaxed destination but still has it’s fair share of nightlife. As a university town, it has plenty of bars and pubs with the best ones found around the University in the Barrio de la Merced area. There are a few nightclubs where you can dance till you drop like Lennons, playing the best in recent dance tunes, and Rockfellers where you can ride the mechanical bull! The Spanish start their nights out late though so don’t expect the clubs to fill up till after midnight! KM Disco Garden is Murcia’s main club with a huge capacity, 12 bars and the best garden area to chill out in with a drink or two during the hot evenings!

For a night out with a difference try catch a dinner show at Murcia Palace where you will be served a delicious 4 course meal while enjoying a spectacular show!

Family Fun in Murcia Murcia makes a great family holiday destination where you can enjoy good weather all year round. There are plenty of safe beaches where the kids can have fun making sandcastles and paddling in the sea whilst Mum and Dad have a well-earned rest on the sun loungers with a cocktail in hand! Bolnuevo Beach, with calm waters and soft golden sands, is popular with families and has all the necessary amenities such as a snack bar and picnic area.

Sightseeing attractions for Family Fun El Castillo (The Castle) is a fun place for the whole family to visit, dating back to the 13th Century.

You can take in amazing views across Murcia from the castle which often holds interactive workshops for children in the summer months.

Beautiful Beaches in Murcia Spend your days lazing on the golden sands of one of Murcia’s glorious beaches or wandering around the historical old square La Glorieta, stopping off for an ice cream at one of the parlours on La Traperia. In the evening take a romantic stroll alongside the beach which is lit up beautifully at night, especially at Christmas time.

Sample the local cuisine in Murcia Murcia has a lot of good restaurants that cater for all tastes and if it’s typical Spanish cuisine you are looking for then stews, salads, roasted meat, rice, and great seafood can be found in restaurants lining the coast. Wash this down with a glass or three of the high quality Murcian wine and you are all set for the perfect holiday!

For a luxurious romantic meal then try eating at the Hotel Rincon de Pepe for delicious traditional cuisine with sweet red pudding wine, Monastrell, to wash it down.

Only 20 minutes from Murcia airport is the exclusive resort of La Manga, where sport stars and sun seekers alike flock to frequent the trendy bars and restaurants. With great beaches and plenty of terrace bars this is the perfect place to grab a cocktail and do a bit of people watching until the sun goes down.

PROPERTY supplement

18

Spain top for golfing destinations where properties hold their value

MALLORCA, the Costa Blanca, Tenerife and the Costa del Sol have all earned a place in the top 10 best golfing destinations in Europe, with the outright winner being Palma, the Balearic Islands’ capital, according to a recent survey.

The Avios Airmiles Value Tracker poll put the province of Alicante third and, although the Region of Murcia does not get a mention, it has long been considered one of Spain’s best locations for a round of golf.

Likewise, the province of Valencia is hugely popular with those who enjoy practising their swing: Oliva Nova, a resort on the southern border, is a venue for international tournaments and local amateurs alike thanks to its course designed by the late golfing legend Severiano Ballesteros – and the complex has the added bonus of hosting global-level showjumping and dressage events throughout the spring and autumn, bringing in Olympic and Nations’ Cup riders from every continent.

Gibraltar, the Algarve and Lisbon came second, fourth and sixth respectively.

In fact, properties near golf courses hold their value – and increase in price, having continued to climb even during the housing market crash – second only to those right on the seafront in popular beach resort towns.

Investing in a property next to a golf course means lucrative holiday guests as well as a perfect location for practising – figures from over 3,000 estate agencies specialising

in homes in Spain show that when fans of the sport choose a quality destination for their getaways, they tend to be prepared to push the boat out.

They are often tourists with a high level of spending power, or at least those who save up all year to ensure they do not have to scrimp during their holiday – restaurants, spas and shops in golf resorts all report buoyant takings from golfing visitors.

Curiously, many property owners in and visitors to golfing resorts do not actually play the sport – they are merely attracted to the luxury these areas offer, the huge expanse of green surrounding them which makes them attractive and calm places to live or travel to, and the superior facilities and infrastructure found in golfing resorts because of their being very geared up to tourists from all over the world.

Golf resorts are ideal retirement locations because all necessary facilities are already on site and close at hand.

And in Spain, there is no shortage of properties near golf courses to choose from – ranging from luxury villas to small apartments, and many near the coast allowing residents and visitors to enjoy the best of both worlds, once you have decided to buy a home near a green the only problem you’ll face is trying to decide from the massive selection of perfect abodes on sale Source: com/

http://www.thinkspain.

May 2015

Brits love 'bargain' homes in picture-perfect green Cantabria

BRITS make up two-thirds of holiday home buyers in the verdant northern region of Cantabria, knowing they can lay their hands on excellent deals and a way of life that differs vastly from that seen on the Spanish Costas.

Rolling green hills, dairy cattle, central European-style chalets in gardens with lawns and hedges, clean and attractive towns and cities, picture-postcard villages and dramatic countryside for walking, cycling or riding horses mean Cantabria often appears at first glance to resemble Switzerland, France or Germany rather than Spain as many Brits know it – and, in fact, quite a lot like the more attractive and less agricultural rural parts of the UK and Ireland.

Perhaps a feeling of 'home from home' – seeing grazing cows and emerald hills may be less of a culture shock than palm trees and pinecovered rocky mountains, although the 1,000-metre-high Picos de Europa range adds a more exotic feel – or perhaps the fact it has not been invaded by mass beach tourism is some of the pull of Cantabria for British buyers.

Or perhaps it's the fact you can buy apartments with two to four bedrooms in the stunning Victorianstyle seaside city of Santander for as little as €58,000, or a comfortablesized villa with a plot size of over 1,000 square metres for between €115,000 and €150,000, making a home in Cantabria an excellent investment for the future as well as a more affordable holiday destination than the tourism belts.

Whilst the Costas are blessed with sun-drenched, idyllic golden beaches, superb tourist facilities, over 300 days a year of bright sunshine and a guaranteed three- to four-month summer, as well as a more exotic, holiday feel and winters where you can sit in a pavement café with a coat on and not suffer as you would doing the same in the UK, Cantabria is a perfect option for those who are not so fussed on sweltering heat and in-the-shade temperatures soaring to 35ºC in July and August.

If you don't mind a bit of rain and cooler winters – which are still warmer than in Britain and with more hours of daylight, given that it does not get dark until nearly 18.30hrs even on the shortest day – you'll be rewarded with a much more temperate summer but with less unpredictability in the weather than in the UK. In a nutshell, you can plan a barbecue a few weeks in advance without having to make contingency plans for moving the whole ensemble to the kitchen grill, but you won't be dripping uncomfortably in suffocating humidity, either.

And you still won't have to sacrifice beach life – Santander has been compared to Brighton (East Sussex) because of the style of its seafront buildings, and this is largely because wealthy British visitors in Queen Victoria's time were borne in mind when designing homes and hotels.

Unlike Brighton, however, you won't have to lay on stones, because the 250-kilometre stretch of sand is as soft and golden as it is on the Med. Cantabria sits – funnily enough – on the Cantabrian Sea, which is on the eastern edge of the Atlantic, meaning great wind-surfing and kite-surfing conditions.

Riding and walking country is excellent, and ski resorts are a short drive away.

Given its coastal location, fish is a staple part of the diet – bonito, a type of white tuna, is commonly served up in restaurants or sold in supermarkets or harbour stalls, and is full of flavour and versatile for cooking with.

Traditional cakes and confectionery include sobaos, corbatas and quesadas.

Fun attractions in Cantabria include the prehistoric-style Cabárceno safari park, where animals roam freely in huge, open spaces; the decorative towns of Santillana del Mar, Potes and Comillas, among others; the Picos de Europa, and the restaurant in Comillas designed by Gaudí, the flamboyant architect who was the brains behind the highly-colourful Güell park and the striking Sagrada Família cathedral in Barcelona.

Despite its rural charms, Cantabria is well-connected with good roads, including motorways both within towns and between other regions, and low-cost carriers fly into Santander airport from the UK. For those who are not keen on flying and have previously ruled out a holiday home in Spain because the long drive through France does not appeal, Cantabria's piéce de résistance is the frequent ferry connection between Santander and the southern UK cities of Portsmouth and Plymouth.

The journey takes just 24 hours, and enables you to bring your car and also your pets as long as they have the requisite passport, which any good vet will be able to assist with in both countries.

Once off the ferry, anywhere in Cantabria is less than an hour by road.

Popular though the Costas are – and they continue to ooze with bargains – Cantabria is cheaper still and boasts a very different type of charm, showing Spain really is a huge melting pot of scenery, culture, weather and people.

Clichéd though it sounds, the polar opposites of Cantabria versus the Costas show Spain really does have something and somewhere to suit any homebuyer's tastes, whether they end up in Torremolinos, Torrevieja or Torrelavega.

Sorce: http://www.thinkspain.com/

PROPERTY supplement

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Building Permits for New Homes up 48.2% to February

The number of building license applications for the construction of new housing in Spain grew by 48.2% in the two months to the end of February 2015, with 7,640 permits being issued, after registering their first upturn since 2006 at the end of last year which, according to data from the Ministry of Development, points to a certain recovery in property developer activity.

However, the figures are still far from those achieved prior to the bursting of the housing bubble at the outset of the crisis when, in the first two months of 2007, a total of 124,335 licenses were registered for the building of new homes.

El Mundo reported that more than two-thirds of the total number of building permit applications up

to the end of February relates to houses built in blocks, amounting to 5,556 permits, which represents an increase of 64.6% compared to the previous year.

Nearly all the remaining authorizations (2,079) were for the construction of individual family homes, a figure which is 16.9% higher than in the first two months of 2014.

During the same two month period, a total of 3,670 licenses were also requested for home reforms or restorations, resulting in an increase of 5.7% compared to last year, while the number of license applications for home extensions fell by 6.4%, to just 247 requests. news.kyero.com/

Rental Demand Rises for May Holiday Weekend

According to data from a report prepared by leading online holiday rental company, HomeAway, which forecasts the national demand for rental accommodation this May holiday weekend (between 30th April and 3rd/4th May), compared with the same holiday weekend in 2014 demand has increased by 31%.

National destinations account for 79% of the reservation enquiries made via the company’s online booking system, with Andalucía leading the ranking of destinations most favoured by the Spanish, receiving 29% of the enquiries registered for this holiday weekend, followed by Catalonia (11%) and then Valencia (10%).

El Mundo reported that also near the top of the ranking of preferred destinations in Spain for these four days are Castilla y León, with 7% of the enquiries for these dates, Castilla-La Mancha and Aragón (6%), both registering considerable increases in numbers of enquiries compared to last year, and Madrid, with 5% of the reservation requests, confirming the Spanish tendency to choose interior regions of the country for this holiday.

As for holiday rental enquiries

19

for international destinations, Europe continues to attract the greatest interest of the Spaniards. With regard to the level of reservation requests, and where distance plays an important part, Portugal tops the list, with 26% of the requests registered for this period, followed by the Netherlands (13%), the United Kingdom and France (both with 12%), and Italy (10%). It is worthy of note that, compared with the May holiday weekend last year, the national demand for holiday rentals in Portugal has increased by 48%. news.kyero.com/

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PROPERTY supplement

20

May 2015

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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

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PROPERTY supplement

More signs of recovery in Spanish property market

The Spanish residential property market is showing further signs of recovery with the latest national figures showing that completed sales in February were higher than 2014 and 2012. But the data from the National Institute of Statistics also shows that sales were lower than 2013. However this was when tax breaks for buyers inflated registered sales. According to property consultant Mark Stucklin of Spanish Property Insight it looks like the market bottomed out in 2014, and is now on the road to recovery, in volume terms at least.

Year on year, the market has increased 14% as a whole, but by 53% in the resale market, a substantial increase by any standards. But sales of new builds are not doing well, down 30% compared to the same month last year.

Stucklin believes that sales of new homes are crashing as the inventory of properties that people actually want to buy dries up.

‘It’s reasonable to assume that overall sales would have been even higher if the new build inventory was more attractive,’ he said.

There is also considerable regional variation.

For example, the growth in homes sales in coastal areas that attract foreign buyers has been generally above the national average, as foreign demand is boosting sales in most of those areas.

Sales increases were particularly strong in Cadiz province, home to the Costa de la Luz, and Barcelona, a city that is steadily becoming Europe’s number one ‘urban resort’. At the other end of the scale, sales continue to fall in Castellón province, home to the Costa Azahar.

‘There are several structural reasons, including an almost non-existent sales channel, to explain why this attractive coastal region is failing to capitalise on growing foreign demand for holiday homes in Spain.

Structural problems take time to sort out, so I don’t see this coast turning into a property hotspot anytime soon,’ Stucklin explained.

In the Balearics property market new home

sales fell 47% whilst resales increased by 82%. ‘With the pipeline of new developments in the regions bone dry, demand for attractive new homes is completely frustrated,’ Stucklin added.

But at least, in general, seven years of consecutive declines in sales have been halted even although Spanish data is not regarded as totally reliable.

Prices seem to be rising in some areas.

According to one of Spain’s largest property appraisal companies, Sociedad de Tasación, prices rose by 3% in the first quarter of the year. That represents three consecutive quarters of house price increases based on valuations carried out by this company.

Sociedad de Tasación also said that the number of mortgage valuations it is doing have increased into double digits although the firm’s chief executive Juan FernándezAceytuno believes it is too early to celebrate as there is still much to do to bring the market up to scratch.

At the same time, the latest index of asking prices for all types of residential property listed in the Idealista.com database shows that seller expectations increased by 0.2% in the first three months of the year to €1,597 per square meter.

A breakdown of the figures show that asking prices increased in nine Spanish regions, and falling in seven, with one unchanged. But, on an annualised basis asking prices still fell by 3.5%.

‘The data shows that the worst of the real estate crisis is behind us. The two speed recovery is now a reality, and whilst some market segments have started to see modest price increases, in others owners still have to reduce their expectations in order to make a sale,’ said Fernando Encinar, head of research at Idealista.

Source: http://www.propertywire.com/

Advance moves reports on Spanish housing market resurgence International removals company ‘Advance Moves’ has reported a resurgence in the Spanish housing market throughout 2014, and with continued growth forecast throughout 2015. The Murcia based removals company that is well known as the market leader in both the UK to Spain, and the Spain to UK removals sector, has seen continued strong demand for their household removal services between the two countries.

It appears that with the UK housing market becoming continually more active and the added factor of the weakening of the euro against the strong pound, has meant a lot more UK residents have been able to sell up, and are coming to Spain where their pound suddenly goes a lot further. This, combined with the lower prices of houses within Spain from the recession has fuelled the market.

But the increased workload for Advance moves has not stopped there, as many British expats and Spanish residents who are now able to sell their houses in Spain are using Advance moves to move their effects to the UK. Advance moves have had to expand their fleet of vehicles both in their Spanish and UK depots to

cope with the increased demand.

It’s not just the increased activity of the housing market that has pushed up demand for Advance Moves removals services, Advance moves are the only Spanish removals company that are members of the British association of removers (BAR), the Road Haulage association (RHA) and hold a Spanish transport licence (Tarjeta de transporte).

With highly trained staff, a fleet of modern vehicles and state of the art containerised and bar-coded storage facilities in both countries, Advance moves are set for another busy year.

Further details of Advance moves services can be found at www.advancemoves.com or by calling 0034 968 654 667.

Resale Housing Prices Rise in April

21

balanced out by the declines registered in the other regions.

Also reporting price increases, although more moderate, were Murcia (+0.5%), Aragón (+0.4%), Valencia (+0.4%), Madrid (+0.2%) and Andalucía (+0.1%).

A total of nine of Spain’s regions registered increases in the average price of second hand housing in April, according to the latest price index from Spanish property portal, idealista.com, while the remaining regions registered declines.

The report points out that the average price per square metre closed April at the same level as the previous month, which means that it has stabilised after the slight increase of 0.2% registered in the first three months of the year, although year-on-year the average price has fallen by 0.3%.

The steepest increases in the average price per square metre were registered in La Rioja (+4%), Castilla-La Mancha and the Balearic Islands (both +1.5%), and the Canary Islands (+1.3%), while the average prices remained stable in the country as a whole, compared with March, at 1,597 euros/m2, being

The declines recorded in the average prices per square metre were for the regions of Galicia (-1.1%), Castilla y León (-0.6%); Asturias, Navarra and the Basque Country (all -0.3%); and Cantabria, Catalonia and Extremadura (all -0.2%).

The property portal’s April price index lists the Basque Country, Madrid and Catalonia as the three regions with the highest average prices for second hand homes in Spain. Specifically, the average price per square metre stands at 2,624 euros in the Basque country, while in Madrid it reached 2,360 euros and in the Catalonia, 1,876 euros. In contrast, the regions with the lowest average prices per square metre are Castilla-La Mancha (996 euros/m2), Extremadura (1,000 euros/m2) and Murcia (1,078 euros/m2).

Source: keyero

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PROPERTY supplement Telephone: 950 460 999

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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 • Visit us now at our new office: Local 22, Ronda de Las Buganvillas.

Situated between Victor´s Bar and Cajamar Bank.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

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.

COMPLETE HOLIDAY HOLIDAY CARE CARE COMPLETE MOJACAR PLAYA

RENTALS - SALES -MANAGEMENT - MAINTENANCE

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Ref. FM/RW – Lovely 2 bedroom/1 bath, furnished duplex, solarium, 3 pools, a/c, near shops, bars and beach (400m).

VERA PLAYA reduced €79,950

Not since the 1980s, when Margaret Thatcher introduced the right to buy council housing, has this particular subject been such a hot political potato.

In England we have the current coalition government firmly behind a new right to buy movement while the SNP in Scotland is actually looking to buy back previous council housing. So, what are the pros and cons of the right to buy given to various council tenants around the UK? Encouraging home ownership While many people may not be aware, the US market has historically been dominated by the rental sector although this is slowly but surely changing. This is a situation we take for granted in the UK where the home ownership market has historically been much larger than the rental arena. This situation is beginning to change with house prices moving out of the reach of many first-time buyers but there is no doubt that the 1980s right to buy movement did encourage more home ownership across the UK. It will be interesting to see how the very different views on right to buy are introduced across the UK with some regional authorities very much for the movement while others are firmly against the idea.

Feeding the rental market The Conservative government of the day back in the 1980s firmly believe that the right to buy council property would encourage homeownership. If we look back 30 years there is no doubt that this policy has had an enormous impact on the UK market but perhaps not the type of impact many had foreseen.

It is now common knowledge that potential first-time buyers in the UK are struggling to raise the required deposit, let alone a mortgage, with house prices moving out of the range of many people.

Olive

VERAPLAYA €179,950

In what is becoming something of a selffulfilling prophecy, with more and more people moving out of the parental home predominately into rented property, this is feeding the buy to let arena. As more buy to let investors enter the market this pushes house prices higher and higher, further and further out of the reach of first-time buyers. Are we seeing the creation of a vicious circle?

Social housing shortage Each and every political party readily acknowledges that there really is a significant shortage of social housing across the UK. This shortage is feeding the private buy to let market although there are plans to build more social housing in the short, medium and longer term. Indeed we have seen promises that all funds raised by the right to buy policy will be ploughed back into the social housing new build market. There are also many promises relating to the number of overall new builds across the UK with some political parties suggesting up to 300,000 over the duration of the next Parliament!

Conclusion The right to buy council property certainly encouraged homeownership across the UK but has predominately led to increased demand for private rental properties. This in turn has increased investment in the buy to let market, pushing prices out of the reach of many first-time buyers and creating something of a vicious circle. There will always be peaks and troughs in the UK property market, and indeed any other property market, but those with a sensible long term buy to let strategy would seem to be extremely well positioned going forward. propertyforum.com Bedar, 04288 (next to Miramar Restaurant)

Tel: 607 705 085 or 687 938 466 Email: info@olivehouse-es.com

www.olivehouse-es.com

Monday - Friday 10am - 3.30pm

Sales office now open in Bedar

OLV912

los matreros

This spacious, beautifully restored 5 bedroom,

ref: PB/RH -Fantastic 4 beds triplex, sea views, private gardens, 4/5 pools/gardens next to beach, solarium, private parking, basement, a/c, furn

May 2015

How does ‘right to buy’ effect UK property prices?

O

22

3 bathroom Cortijo style property with wonderful views also boasts a separate casita, land and a private pool, just 25 minutes to the coast.

...it’s all in the detail

This fantastic, fully renovated former Olive Press is situated minutes from the busy market town of Lurbin. It sits on a good sized plot of over 8,000 m2 of flat land with mature trees and has four double bedrooms and a stunning large open plan living area.

275,000€

OLV961

Ref: SO/PP - Beautiful det villa, 4 bed, 3 bath, pool & sun terr, peaceful village near Mojacar.

SOPALMO reduced €268,950

Lubrin

OLV692

275,000€

tabernas

OLV965

bedar El Pinar

Ref: GV/EB Perfectly located, furn, 1 bed 1st floor apart, a/c, pool, UKTV, parking, 50 metres from beach

MOJACAR reduced €69,950 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

This stunning, unique 6 bedroom property needs to be seen to be appreciated. There are few properties on the market with this style and attention to detail. Designed by an award winning international architect the property boasts many features.

Located in the popular former mining village of El Pinar de Bedar, this sizable and rare property was originally built for the one of the mine managers, the property boasts some wonderful features and includes 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.

395,000€

240,000€

www.soltimes.com

buying property in spain

The very first step on your journey to buying property in Spain is putting pen to paper! Start to think about exactly where you want to go and what you're looking for... and if you don't know, start researching!

Think about what kind of property you want – what would be the perfect home? Where is your perfect location?

How many bedrooms or bathrooms you need? Do you want a terrace, garden and/ or a swimming pool?

Do you want to rent the property out for part of the year?

Your dreams and intentions may change throughout the process, but organising your initial plans (even if they turn out to be off the mark!) is a great place to start. Writing these things down will give you the best chance to successfully start your research. You can start thinking about budget and the

sums you need to do, research information and gather data from a variety of sources; all to help you begin to accurately set your objectives.

PROPERTY supplement

23

Home Sweet Home Property Services

BUY SELL RENT MAINTAIN

CALL 950 121 936

EMAIL: SALES@SOLTIMES.COM

The people who begin this journey without knowing exactly what they want are the people who end up with something that’s not ‘perfect’ – if they get anything at all! The more time you take on this, on thinking about what you want, why you want it and when you want to achieve it, the easier it will be for you to set your ambitions – ensuring you get a better outcome than if you just ‘wing’ it.

For example, you might want something like:

and less hustle and bustle to

write

I would like to buy a property in Spain because: I want somewhere to visit that improves my quality of life, somewhere I can go to enjoy more space, more sun and warmer weather, better food

VERA APARTMENT FOR 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

3 bed park home for sale

price €59,000

Situated a short walk from the village of Los Lobos, the property comprises of 3 bedrooms, 1 with en suite bathroom, a large lounge/diner, fully fitted kitchen, shower room, private garden and parking.

The rear terrace benefits from a spacious lifestyle enclosure with mountain views.

Tel: 634 351 907

TREE SURGEON & GARDENER EST. OVER 25 YEARS Tel: Nick (+34) 634 396 327 (+34) 699 107 072 Email: rockatree@hotmail.co.uk

detatched cortijo reduced

bargain

€125,000

20 mins from mojacar, 4 beds, 2 baths, Open plan living areas, kitchen & diningroom as well as a workshop, courtyard front & back & room for a pool. Mountain views.

649 186 107

or email thunderpaul2003@hotmail.com

I want somewhere I can go to enjoy memorable holidays with family and friends I’ve always wanted to live in Spain and I don’t want to get to a point when I’m looking back on my life, never having made the move and regretting it Source: spainbuyingguide.com

PROPERTY supplement

24

How Spain became the West’s superstar economy

FOR BUSINESS

McDonald’s announces shake-up plans McDonald’s has said it will restructure its business and increase its number of franchised restaurants globally.

The fast-food chain reported poor results for the first quarter of 2015.

Chief executive Steve Easterbrook said he wanted to move away from its “cumbersome” structure and increase “digital engagement”.

“The numbers don’t lie,” he said.

“I will not shy away from the urgent need to reset this business... and how we galvanise competitive threats.”

Mr Easterbrook said the turnaround plan was aimed at creating a leaner management structure with more “hard-edged accountability” that was less built around geography and more on “commercial logic”.

“In the last five years, the world has moved faster outside the business than inside,” he added. “We’re not on our game.

“We’d

May 2015

like

less

simple

talk

millennials [people born between 1980 and the mid-2000s] as though they are one simple group with shared attitudes.”

The company also announced it would be focusing more on regions that earned McDonald’s the most namely the US, which brings in 40% of operating income.

Mr Easterbrook also said its top international markets, such as Australia, Canada, France and the UK, would become a priority.

The firm also identified high-growth markets in countries such as China and Poland, where new stores will be opened to boost its share in the market of “IEO” - Informal Eating Out. Mr Easterbrook added: “We can no longer afford to carry legacy commitments, legacy structure or legacy attitudes.”

of

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Spain has become Europe’s comeback star, growing 18 times as fast as the US and three times stronger than UK in the first quarter Now starting to recover from a protracted slump, Spain looks poised to lead the euro area out of its stagnation.

Credit Suisse says it’s “harvest time” for the Southern European economy. “[It] is strengthening significantly and the healthy recovery has made Spain the showcase for structural reform efforts.”

Praise has come from Nobel prize winners as well as the Swiss bank.

Michael Spence said late last year that Spain had pushed through reforms, “and the growth is starting to come”.

While monetary stimulus from the European Central Bank has helped the entire euro area, Spain has already been well positioned to take advantage of the extra firepower.

By contrast, economists have declared France “lost in stagnation” due to the meagre progress it has made in modernising its economy since the crash.

Spain however, has managed to beat expectations. Both private analysts at the Bank of Spain expected the economy to only deliver growth of 0.8pc in the first quarter, 0.1 percentage points below the actual outturn.

After the strong numbers were released, HSBC upped its forecasts for economic growth this year from 2.1pc to 2.7pc, just shy of the government’s own expectation for a 2.9pc expansion.

What has been done?

Unlike some of its peers, Spain got stuck into labour market reforms in 2012. These now appear to be paying dividends.

Spain’s unemployment rate has dropped like a stone as a result.

However, it still remains high as the second highest in the euro area at 23.8pc in the first quarter.

Holger Sandte, of Nordea, said: “The reforms done in the economy begin to be visible in Spain, such as the tax reform that came into force in the beginning of the year.”

From the start of this year income taxes were cut, with the highest rate shaved

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from 52pc to 47pc and the lowest from 27pc to 24pc. The government plans to cut these to 45pc and 23pc respectively in 2016 if it remains in power.

This doesn’t mean the Spanish economic landscape is free of any hazardous terrain. The country has been in deflation for 10 months, with prices falling by 0.6pc in the year to April.

For now sliding prices have been coupled with strong economic growth, and have not caused a headache. But the economy remains vulnerable in its deflationary position to a fairly nasty slowdown if growth did decline.

Deflation has been prompted by a slump in oil prices, and has not broadened out to other goods or services. In this way, it has acted as an effective tax cut and a boon to consumer spending.

As in the UK, Spain faces serious electoral challenges this year.

The changes to the political landscape are also somewhat similar. A tradition of two heavyweight parties slugging it out for supremacy has been interrupted by the emergence of third party candidates.

Tom Rogers, an economist at Oxford Economics, said that the emergence of the radical anti-austerity party Podemos has made the Spanish political scene “even more interesting”.

Since 1982 “the two [largest] parties have formed the national government at every election for the past thirty years, either with an absolute majority, or on an informal ‘confidence and supply’ arrangement” Mr Rogers said.

Now the dominance of the left-wing Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) and the right of centre Popular Party (PP) seems to have come to an end. With eight months until polls open, neither looks strong enough to form a majority government when the dust finally settles.

Analysts worry that the progress made by Spain’s current centre right government could be undone, or that a “Syriza event” echoing the ascent of the populist Greek party could cause government borrowing costs to spike. telegraph.co.uk/

DAVID THE PLUMBER Prompt and reliable service, no job too small.

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The Creature from the Greeny-Black The Río Verde flows or rather struggles past the eastern barrio of Lagoon Alqueria. The point at which it flows

into the Mediterranean had for years been treated as an illegal effluent outlet. The Junta de Andalucía had spent tens of thousands in numerous unsuccessful clean-up attempts before discovering their mistake.

The River is a strange mix of water from the high sierra, the outflow from the bad drainage of Alqueria itself and the last resting place of defunct plant and animal life from the adjacent valley. From its depths many strange creatures have evolved. These range from the Alquerian Trout, inedible and hideous to the strange Fifteen Toed Newt which produces a hallucinogenic toxin and emits a strangled barking sound when cornered. The River’s ability to mutate life is staggering. It was the first place that Enrique Stenchio, the minister responsible for flora and fauna of Alqueria, looked the day the strange footprints appeared.

With seven toes, all webbed, the footprints led from the river and into the village.

Sightings from villagers included one from Rodriquez. Rodriquez reported seeing a figure with bulging bloodshot eyes, green scaly skin and large pointed ears through his kitchen window. This sighting was immediately dismissed as being Rodriquez’s own reflection in the glass.

Suspicion was then thrown onto Loco Paco who had a history of keeping rather strange pets, of the animal variety that is. Enrique found him on his patio happily throwing a stick for his pet Saharan Dung Beetle which he had reared from a pup. A check of his cages and enclosures saw them all occupied or their occupants accounted for.

When pressed other inhabitants came forward with sightings. The sight of hideous

individuals wandering the streets of Alqueria was not that unusual. On this occasion many thought the apparition was simply a visiting politician of which there had been many since the village’s declaration of independence.

A bait was laid, rotting fish, raw steak, a saucer of Remitroot Beer and a well thumbed copy of NiceBits the magazine for men. All things to all creatures. The next morning the fish was still rotting and the steak browning in the early sun however the beer and magazine were nowhere to be seen. A tracking device cunningly hidden between the pages of the glossy publication led the brave Enrique to a dwelling in the Calle Horno.

There in a dimly lit living-room turning the pages of NiceBits and sipping Remitroot Beer from a saucer was Blythe Gruntmore, the village’s resident Englishman. Rubber seven toed boots lay at his feet. Gruntmore’s explanation lay in the celebration of Hanging Monkey Day. A tradition from the north east of England where participants wander abroad in comic monkey costumes. The rubber seven toed boots bought from a fancy dress outfitter in Almería were the closest Gruntmore could manage.

Enrique didn’t doubt his story just his sanity.

Reflections on a life of opportunities

As I sit here at the side of the pool with the sun going down, having enjoyed a great day, a very nice evening meal and a swim. I cant help thinking about how lucky my generation have been.

Not quite baby boomers born in the mid fifties into a poor and what would now be considered a slum household.

They appeared to have hope of betterment, parents who because of the war had no formal qualifications having to leave school early, been evacuated from the docks of Liverpool to the relative safety of Wales ( I say relative because of the abuse endured at the hands of their “new families”.

The house a two up and two down with the ubiquitous outside loo and small cobbled yard. Myself and cousin sleeping in different drawers in the bedroom. My grandparents two married children with grandchildren and a brother all sharing the living space.

Through hard work, determination and self education my parents left the slums for a council house in a huge new town, some of you might remember Z cars based in Newtown, (actually a town called Kirkby). Then brand new luxury housing, ( now an area of great depravation) un heard of inside pluming, gardens one family per house. Still a time if I found a halfpenny I could buy some black jacks or fruit salad.

This is only lasted a short time before hard work brought the their own house, a car, telephone, TV (without the slot on the back) and other such luxuries

as a washing machine, a fridge,m a hoover, I could go on but to stress these were luxuries not necessities.

Time went on I was well educated along with millions of others, no wars or conflicts to worry about, ( nor National Service)no shortages or depravation, just having a good time and taking my parents luxuries as necessities along with passing my driving test and having a car. Foreign holidays had started at age six and had continued all be it camping and caravanning. The good times continued.

I am now retired (58) living with my wife in Spain in what would have at on time been consider un reachable luxury, a swimming pool was only for Hollywood stars. I think of the progress made in technology ( I am writing this on my I pad using cloud technology at the side of the pool) and the, the advances in medicine and standards of living all of which have been huge.

Will my two boys and Grandson see such monumental changes to their lives? Is the expectation that life will be better for them as my father thought for me?

I hate to say this but I don't think life will provide the opportunities for them within a single lifetime. Still I hope this to be untrue, however I think myself luck that I was privileged to live during this period in history.

by Steve Conroy

25

Blood and Spit

Somebody Else’s Cat, Sayyida al Hurra, Queen of Darkness, came flying through the catflap with that **** stray cat hell-bent on violence right behind her.

In her haste she took the flap at an angle, knocking it out of true and catching her hip on the surround, which left her with a small bald patch around a nasty sharp cut.

We are going through a perverse period of life at the moment – if it can go wrong, it does, and true to form, the cut got infected.

I explained the situation to her, put her in the catbox with multiple apologies and headed vet-wards.

I explained to the vet that she was not pleased - the Queen likes to be treated with respect – and that the encounter was not going to be easy.

Suspecting trouble I shut the examination room doors, which were open to the world, as the male assistant grabbed her by the scruff of her neck and the vet inserted the thermometer. She exploded in a wailing fury of claws and teeth, left her mark on the bare arms of the vet before managing to bite the assistant on the hand.

She seemed to have at least 8 legs, all able to bend in any direction and all armed with 3 inch razor claws, while her mouth and teeth would have made a White Shark jealous. She was lighting speed fury personified, the whole incident made more surreal by her earpiercing screams.

To do them justice, they held on to her, though there were several cries of human pain, and more than a few Spanish swear words.

Examination over, iodine was

By Jos Biggs

josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk applied liberally on the vet, the assistant and the cat, while I wondered why on earth they had embarked on the examination without even sleeves to protect them, bothering to shut the doors, or indeed take any heed of my warning.

As she was shoved unceremoniously back into her box the vet said ‘This is not a cat that you can give antibiotics to orally.

You can inject.’ This last was not a question, it was a command – his look dared me to say ‘Oh dear me, no. Can you do it?’

Once home again, I thought about it, and called Nancy to my aid. With due respect and gently Nancy wrapped Sayyida in a towel while we explained to her what was going to happen, and how it was necessary for her health.

And then I gave her the injection – just like that!

‘Idiotic’ driver pictured playing guitar

Motorist crticised after being spotted playing tune on what appears to be five-string Warwick bass guitar on dual-carriageway in West Sussex A man has been spotted strumming away on a guitar while driving down a busy dual-carriageway.

The motorist, who has not been named, was pictured by bus passenger Nichola Carr on the A27 near Chichester, West Sussex.

The driver was wearing a suit as he played a tune on what appeared to be a five-string Warwick bass guitar worth approximately £500.

Ms Carr said: “I did not know you could drive and play the guitar.”

The man has been branded “idiotic” by musician Andrew Lord, who owns a guitar shop in Brighton, East Sussex.

Mr Lord said: “You need both hands to play - how on earth are you supposed to drive?

“This is an absolute first for me. I have heard people doing other things while they drive - having sex, drinking, being on their phone, watching television -

but never playing the guitar.”

• Woman pictured reading book at wheel on M1 • Motorist drives off with wheelclamp attached to car Neil Greig, director of policy and research at the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), said: “You cannot drive and play the guitar at the same time.

“We always say you cannot do two things at once if one of them is driving - this is the first time I have heard of someone playing guitar at the wheel.” telegraph.co.uk

puzzle pages

26

May 2015

Take That are heading out on a MASSIVE arena tour

alan carr

Yapping his way around the UK with his brand new stand

The Open 2015

across the UK

up show Yap, Yap, Yap!

from £10

take that

Experience The Open at the Home of Golf.

Practice day tickets

GET YOUR TICKETS TO THESE plus MANY OTHER EVENTS AT WWW.SOLTIMES.COM sol picture quiz ! can you name these doggie breeds?

4

5

wordsearch washing a car

Find and circle all of the words that are hidden in the grid.

The remaining 13 letters spell something that you wash off of a car.

soltimes general knowledge Quiz

1. Based on the total number of passengers per year, the two busiest metro (subway) systems in the world are in which cities?

One point for each correct answer................

2. Which popular dried fruit is named after a port city in Greece?......................................

3. The two amiable lawbreakers Robert LeRoy Parker and Harry Longabaugh were better known as what?.................................

4. Philip Pirrip is the central character in which famous novel?....................................

5. A black Perigord is an expensive example of what?.......................................................

6. What was the only number one UK hit song from the year 2000 with a colour in the song title?....................................................

10. Plus or minus 30 minutes, what was the Concorde’s record time from New York to London?.......................................................

Answers

CRYPTIC crossword

6. Black Coffee (All Saints) 7. Greta Garbo 8. Volgograd 9. The Red Baron 10. 2 hours. 55 minutes. 15 seconds.

CROSSWORD

1. Tokyo and Moscow 2. Corinthians 3. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid 4. Great Expectations 5. Truffle

SOLUTIONS

GRIME HEADLIGHTS HOOD HUBCAPS LICENSE PLATE MIRRORS MUD PREPARATION REAR RINSE ROOF SCRUB SIDES SOAP SPONGE

wordsearch answer

standard SUDOKU

9. The Canadian Captain Arthur ‘Roy’ Brown is credited with bringing which man down?..

easy SUDOKU

8. What is Stalingrad called today?...............

BRUSH BUCKETS CHAMOIS CHROME CLEAN DEAD BUGS DIRT DOOR HANDLES DOORS DRIVEWAY DRY OFF FENDERS FRONT GARDEN HOSE GLASS

SQUEEGEE SUDS TAIL LIGHTS TIRES TOP TOWELS VEHICLE WASH WATER WAX WHEELS WINDOWS WINDSHIELD BIRD DROPPINGS

7. Which world famous Hollywood actress does one associate with the words “I want to be alone..”?.............................................

ANSWERS

soltimes sports Quiz

1. London hosts/hosted the 2012 Olympic Games. In which previous years have London hosted the games?..

2. In 1994 Winter Olympics, how many athletes represented Israel?..............

3. What connects the following athletes: runners Zola Budd and Bernard Lagat and basketball player Becky Hammon?..................

4. How old was Linford Christie when he won gold for the 100m in Barcelona (a record age)?........................

5. Which Olympic sport is played with stones and brooms?........................

6. Which racket sport made its Olympic debut in 1992?..

7. What colours make up the Olympic rings?....................

8. Which Summer Olympic Games was the first to be televised live?.....................

9. Considering that India has a population exeeding one billion people, how many gold medals did India win at the Beijing games of 2008?.................................

10. How many national Olympic committees exist (Plus or minus five)?............

Answers

squiggle SUDOKU

3

6. Badminton 7. Blue, Black, Red, Yellow and Green 8. 1936 9. One 10. 204

2

1. 1948 and 1908 2. One 3. Changed their citizenship 4. 32 years old 5. Curling

1

1. Labrador Retriever 2. Shar-Pei 3. Briard 4. Boston Terrier 5. Shi-Tzu

on this day 9th may

1671 – Thomas Blood, disguised as a clergyman, attempts to steal England’s Crown Jewels from the Tower of London.

1874 – The first horse-drawn bus makes its début in the city of Mumbai, traveling two routes.

1901 – Australia opens its first parliament in Melbourne.

1927 – The Australian Parliament first convenes in Canberra.

1942 - Holocaust: The SS murders 588 Jewish residents of the Podolian town of Zinkiv (Khmelnytska oblast, Ukraine). The Zoludek Ghetto (in Belarus) is destroyed and all its inhabitants murdered or deported.

puzzle pages

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Sales Vehicles always in Stock

car of the week

TDi Servicing & Repairs all makes & models 2003 - 4x4 Opening Hours: Climate Control Mon~Fri 9.30am - 7pm & Parrot Sat 10am - 2pm 5,995€ Workshop: 950 459 209

Antas across 1. Respond (5) 6. Permit (5) 7. Long-winged songbird (7) 9. Small snake (3) 11. Mesh (3) 12. Consumed (3) 15. Those people (4) 17. Smile (4) 18. Limited anaesthetic (5) 19. Unit of weight for precious stones (5) 20. Zealous (4) 22. Father (4) 23. Expanse of water (3) 24. Was seated (3) 26. Paddle (3) 27. Lassitude (7) 30. Discovered (5) 31. Thick woolen fabric (5)

phone or check

Mitsubishi Montero our website for Sport 2.5 more cars

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Down 1. Uncooked (3) 2. Panache (4) 3. Narrow street (5) 4. Young horse (4) 5. Deuce (3) 7. Particular (7) 8. Soldier (7) 9. Book of maps (5) 10. Jostle (5) 13. Crown-like headdress (5) 14. Go in (5) 16. Insane (3) 17. Fuel (3) 21. Undefined (5) 24. Precipitation (4) 25. Melody (4) 28. To the rear of a ship (3) 29. Singular (3)

STANDARD CROSSWORD

STANDARD CROSSWORD CLUES

Parque Ind El Real, Antas 04628 Tel: 950 459 136

27

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.

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

standard

ACROSS

easy

squiggle

7 Laver returns to reportedly employ rates again (8) 9 Get away from some bloke’s cap easily (6) 10 Tie dimples all over the place don’t go any faster! (5,5) 11 Storage tower is back to blue, almost (4) 12 Leo takes insect to shed (4-2) 13 Sociable expenditure? (8) 14 Turn in a ring - maybe a weapon (3-3) 17 Festival of the orient before midterm? (6) 19 Had an impact on new deft face (8) 21 China’s first Romeo has some headgear for Kings? (6) 23 Stepped back into mud or trash (4) 24 Funny Mel enters instant partpayment (10) 26 Fast train starts to move at great lick, entering Vienna (6) 27 Increases guns with meat destruction (8)

Down

1 Place to worship part of your head? (6) 2 See 17 3 Demolish and pluck feathers?

(4,4) 4 Music group playing eastern texts? (6) 5 S. Rossi returns with empty cross cutters (8) 6 Open clue to provide wealth (8) 8 Sign of hearing an instrument?

(6) 15 Hellish plant surrounded by broken nail (8) 16 Grasping, grasping - I left in a grasping sort of way (8) 17/2 Switch value - what you get for your money abroad! (8,4) 18 Some characters from Rhodes sail for European city (6) 20 Eve hit out at Rob (6) 22 Number of men in etymology (6) 25 Come across flesh, we hear (4)

FOOD & DRINK

Prawns with starter garlic butter

cky sauce This simple recipe for prawns in a garli spread s tapa a to tion addi ious makes a delic d. brea ty just add lots of crus

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil 50g/2oz butter 12 large raw prawns 2 garlic cloves, crushed salt and freshly ground black pepper small handful parsley, chopped

Method:

and butter.

In a wok or a large pan heat the oil well.

Add the prawns and garlic and stir ut 4-5 Stir fry until the prawns are pink (abo . minutes) freshly ground black pepper and salt with on Seas ped parsley over. chop the and scatter at Serve once.

Catalan fish stew

May 2015

Grilled squid with lemon, garlic and cumin

Squid is a great sustainable fish that is easy to cook in seconds.

Get your griddle as hot as possible to get those char marks without overcooking the squid.

Ingredients:

4 squid weighing about 250g/9oz each, cleaned 1 lemon, zest only good pinch cumin

pinch sea salt olive oil 1 garlic clove, pasted ½ handful of fresh coriander, chopped

Method:

Take the prepared squid, make a cut down one side of the body tube and open it. If you have had to use chunks of a large squid, then just lightly score the insid e of the flesh, which will help tenderise it.

Mix the lemon zest, cumin, sea salt, garlic and olive oil and rub into the squid and leave to marinate for a minimum of two hours in the fridge.

Heat your grill plate until white patc hes start to appear.

Remove the squid from the marinad e and grill either side for no more than two minutes to ensure that you get those lovely black grill lines across the flesh.

Push the squid down with the back of a fish slice and do the same with the tentacles.

Take the squid off the hot grill and serve on a plate with a sprinkling of sea salt, juice of the lemon and sprinkling of fresh chop ped coriander. Serve with a mixed green salad.

Enjoy the delicious flavours of Spain with this healthy fish stew.

Serve with new potatoes or steamed greens.

Ingredients:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/

6 tbsp olive oil 1 large Spanish onion, chopped 2 fennel bulbs, chopped 150g/5oz chorizo, diced 1 red chilli, finely chopped 1 tsp fennel seeds, ground 2 cloves new season garlic, crushed ½tsp sweet paprika powder 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves 1 tsp saffron strands (optional) 3 fresh bay leaves 1 tin plum tomatoes

100ml/3½ fl oz fish stock or water 150ml/5 fl oz white wine 500g/1 lb 2oz mussels, cleaned 650g/1 lb 7 oz firm white fish (bream, pollock, cod, monkfish), filleted, dredged in flour and fried in olive oil 100g/3½ oz toasted almonds, 1 lemon, cut into wedges steamed potatoes and spring greens

Method:

s n i a M

Heat the olive oil in a large pan and sauté the onions, fennel, diced chorizo, chilli, ground fennel seeds and garlic for a few minutes.

Add the paprika, thyme, saffron, bay leaves and tomatoes and cook unti l reduced to a thickish sauce.

Add the fish stock (or water) and whit e wine and bring to a simmer.

Add the cooked mussels and cook until they are all open. Discard any that have not opened.

Put the fish pieces into the stew and stir in the almonds.

Heat for a minute or two and serv e with seasonal greens, steamed potatoes and wedges of lemon.

FOOD & DRINK... FOOD & DRINK...

FOOD & DRINK... seafood

28

FOOD & DRINK

FOOD & DRINK... dessert

http://www.spain-recipes.com/

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Leche Frita

Spanish dessert recipe. It’s quite Leche frita (fried milk) is a traditional lar! If you want to impress your easy to do, and the results are spectacu ulent dessert, try this easy recipe. guests with a non-conventional, yet succ

Ingredients:

29

Crema catalana

Because of its crisp, caramelized topp ing, this creamy Catalan dessert is often compared to the French crèm e brûlée. Sweet Catalan cream, however, is not as heavy or rich as its French cousin, and thus makes a more pleasant ending to a heavy pael la dinner.

Ingredients:

32 fl. oz milk 6 fl. oz olive oil 1 spoonful of sunflower oil 2 eggs 2 oz corn flour 2 oz of light flour 1 stick of cinnamon 4 oz sugar

2 cups (15 fl. oz) milk 1 cinnamon stick Rind of 1 lemon 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 4 medium egg yolks 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 cup (7 oz) superfine sugar

Method:

flour and sugar in 1/4l of milk.

Dilute the flour together with the corn n stick for ten minutes and amo cinn Boil the rest of the milk with the e made earlier. add it, after straining, into the past , without stopping stirring, for a Simmer the mixture on a low heat greased with sunflower oil and period of 10 minutes. Put it on a tray allow it to cool. rectangles of about 10 x 5cm, Once the mixture is cold, cut it into egg and frying them on a medium putting them into flour and beaten the excess oil and sprinkle them off Dry heat in the 2dl of olive oil. with sugar and ground cinnamon.

Dessert Wine Production (Part I)

The history of wine production can be traced so long back that production techniques have varied immensely from the beginnings to the current methods. The first evidence of wine production is from the Egyptians, who favored beer but also produced wine for religious ceremonies. The whole process was manual, and from their techniques to the current days’ a lot has changed. Wine production is a long process and requires hard work, especially if the quality has to be at least acceptable.

If you’re ever travelling to Spain, you can’t miss the opportunity of practicing wine tourism around the area, you’ll be sure to learn this process first-hand from some of the best wine makers in Spain.

Destemming and crushing/pressing The grapes are the first step of wine production. For the wine to be good, the grapes also have to be of good quality. The harvest normally takes place during September or October, after the heat of summer has ripened the grapes. After the harvest comes the destemming, which consists in taking the stems off the grapes. This can de done manually or mechanically. The huge volume of grapes harvested by most of the vineyards, especially those who produce a lot of wine, makes manual destemming impossible, but this method is still used in smaller wineries. Destemming is not compulsory; white wines are often fermented with the stems and leaves, but these are always removed in red wines because they contain tannins and they leave a vegetable taste on the wine.

After the destemming (in some cases these steps are done simultaneously) comes the crushing/pressing. This part of wine production consists in extracting the juice from the berries by squeezing them gently until they release their juices. In red wines, the berries are crushed and the skins are left with the must (the initial grape juice) so they absorb the tannins for their rich deep red color. The skins are taken out after fermentation. In the case of white wines, the grapes are squeezes, not crushed, to limit the absorption of tannins which would color the wine. With rosé wine, the process is a mix of both: the skins are left in long enough for the must to gain the color the wine maker wants, and then they’re removed. The rest of the process is the same as for white wines.

Fermentation Once the must is extracted, it’s time for the fermentation. This part of composes most of the process of wine production, and it’s the most important part. In fact, without fermentation wine would only be grape juice! The main purpose of fermentation is to

Method:

In a saucepan, bring the milk, the cinnamon stick, lemon rind, and vanilla extract to a boil. Simmer for several minutes the discard the cinnamon stick and lemon rind. Set the flavored milk aside.

In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks toge ther with the cornstarch and 3/4 cup (5 oz) of the sugar until the mixt ure is creamy. Gradually pour this mixture into the saucepan with the milk, mixing continuously.

Slowly heat the mixture until it begi ns to thicken, taking care that the mixture does not boil. Pour into four shallow heatproof serving dishes, allow to cool, and refrigera te for several hours.

Immediately before serving, preheat the broiler and scatter the remaining sugar evenly over each serving. Place the dishes under the broiler until the sugar topping begi ns to caramelize. Remove from the broiler and serve.

turn the must sugars into ethyl alcohol, and this takes place thanks to the yeasts.

Fermentation is done in huge tanks, now made of stainless steel, and it takes place in four steps: Lag phase: the yeasts become acclimatized to the conditions of the must, high sugar concentration, low pH, temperature and sulfur dioxide. This normally takes around 2 or three days.

Exponential growth: the yeasts are already acclimatized to their surroundings and start multiplying in an exponential growth until they reach their maximum density of population, around 100 million yeasts per centimeter squared. The yeasts consume the high sugar levels and the sugar concentration starts to descend quickly. This phase normally lasts around 4 days.

Stationary phase: The yeast has reached its maximum capacity, which makes it stay stationary and fermentation continues at a steady pace. The heat released by the fermentation keeps the wine at a stable temperature.

Declining phase: During this phase the lack of sugar and high alcohol concentration starts killing the yeasts, and the pace of the fermentation slows.

Fermentation is affected by several factors like temperature. It can only take place between 5ºC and 38ºC. The fermentation of white wines takes place at a lower temperature, between 8ºC and 14ºC; and red wines ferment between 25ºC and 30ºC. The fresh and aromatic flavors are best achieved with lower temperatures. Other things that affect fermentation are the levels of sugar, the acidity levels, the presence of micro nutrients like vitamins and even the airing of the barrel.

The malolactic fermentation takes place at the same time as the regular fermentation.

During the malolactic fermentation, the tart-tasting malic acid naturally present in grape must is converted to softer-tasting lactic acid. Malolactic fermentation tends to create a rounder, fuller mouthfeel in the wines.

After the fermentation, which in total takes around 30 days, the bigger, solid particles still in the wine (in the case of the red wine, in which the skins of the berries are left during fermentation to let the wine develop it’s color) are taken out and pressed to extract all the liquid. This is called “pressed wine” and must never be mixed with the other wines.

Source: http://www.spanish-wines.org/

30

Flamenco

May 2015

EVOLUTION

Part 1

Flamenco history has only been documented for the past two hundred years or so, and anything before this time is open to debate and speculation.

Much of what we know from before this time comes from stories and legends that have been passed down through family dynasties, in a similar way to the flamenco song itself.

One thing we can be sure of is that flamenco in its original form was only voice, a primitive cry or chant accompanied only by the rhythm which would be beaten out on the floor by a wooden staff or cane.

These styles are known as Palo Secos, or dry styles, and they are the oldest forms of song known today.

The Toñas are the family of songs which represent these style and they include the toña, one of the oldest known styles, the martinetes, which are the songs of the blacksmiths, the rhythm being supplied by the hammer beating on the anvil, the carceleras or prison songs, and the debla, which at one time was thought to have had connections with a gypsy religious rite.

The saeta is a song of ardent devotion, which is sung to the scenes of the passion during Semana Santa, and is thought to have Jewish origins.

Although the saeta is not strictly flamenco, it has all the spontaneity of flamenco, and has been added to the flamenco repertoire of many jondo singers.

Cante jondo means “deep song,” and these are the styles of which most of the other forms derive.

Flamenco is made up of four elements, CanteVoice, Baile-Dance, Toque-Guitar, and the Jaleo, which roughly translated means “hell raising” and involves the handclapping, foot stomping, and shouts of encouragement.

It whichever way jaleo presents itself, it is performed by the audience as well as the artiste and anyone else who feels the urge to participate.

The handclapping or Palmas is an art in itself, and although it may look easy, it is not, and the palmeros will weave intricate rhythms around the bases of the song, and in the tablaos this is used in conjunction with the zapateado.

The zapateado is the tap dance style of footwork, the dancers show piece where he will demonstrate his skill with his feet, and the noise created by this and the palmeros will be ringing in your ears long after you have left the tablao.

The addition of the guitar is surrounded in apparent mystery as the exact date is not known, but gradually the guitar was introduced as an accompanying instrument for flamenco.

Another important component of flamenco is the element known as duende, and this is shrouded in as much mystery as flamenco itself.

Writers and poets over the years have given duende

a magical and mysterious meaning, a spiritual significance that goes beyond human understanding.

The poet Federico Garcia Lorca romanticized duende saying, “Duende could only be present when one sensed that death possible.”

Many will say that duende can only be experienced in certain surroundings like an intimate flamenco session where a singer will be possessed by the dark tones of the song and the spirit will enter the mind and soul of anyone who opens up to it.

“Duende a strange presence that everybody senses but no philosopher can explain ,” or, “All that has dark sounds has duende.”

What ever you believe, duende does exist, and to experience it, is one of the wonders of this mystical art.

M a n y believe flamenco to be the invention of the gypsies, and although they have been the main protagonists of the art, they are not its sole creators.

Flamenco song can be broken down into two categories- Cante gitano, gypsy songs, and Cante andaluz, andalucian songs.

When the gypsies arrived in Andalucia from India around 1425, they brought with them many song and dance styles that have strong Indian connections. At this time Andalucía was still under Arab rule, and along with the Jews and the moors, the gypsies were soon to be persecuted by the Catholic monarchs and the inquisition.

The moors were forced to convert to Christianity, and failure to do so resulted in expulsion from Spain, the Jews suffered a similar fate, and the gypsies were subjected to some of the worst atrocities in an attempt to exterminate them as a race. Many laws were passed by various monarchs, which forbid

them anything to do with their identity.

They were to stop wearing their style of dress, cease speaking in the Romany language, and to stop their wanderings and seek steady employment, which prohibited them obtaining money by the usual gypsy traits like horse dealing, trading at fairs, and sorcery.

These laws and restrictions resulted in bands of gypsies, moors, and Jews taking refuge in treacherous mountainous areas, which were too desolate for the authorities to pursue them.

These different cultures lived in relative harmony for many years, and the fusion of their music and dances are what we know today as flamenco.

In the eighteenth century attitude towards the gypsies changed c o n s i d e ra b l y, w h i c h resulted in numerous bands of gypsies descending on the small villages and towns, bringing with them their exciting, seductive music- flamenco.

At first this music was not considered worthy of attention, and flamenco was only performed in the homes and private get together of the gypsies. Their mysterious music and stimulating dances were soon to catch the attention of the romantic writers of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Stories abound of these strange people performing their wild and erotic dances and of the harsh unusual tones of their songs. It wasn’t long before the gachó, those not of gypsy lineage, became intrigued by this music, and gypsy singers were hired to entertain the señoritos, or “toffs” in private parties, know as Juergas, where the rich would entertain themselves with prostitutes, alcohol, and flamenco.

Around this time, there were many flamenco singers who were making a name for themselves as flamenco was suddenly becoming popular.

Source: http://www.andalucia.com/

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Tel: 950 121 936

- community news -

Home Owners and PASO A PASO DANCE Residents in Camposol CLUB APRIL/MAY UPDATE are invited to join “Camposolers Political” in FaceBook. Burying ones head in the sand is tantamount to putting ones hands up and surrendering your fate to “some” self serving politicians that, when in Office with a fat pay cheque, could not give a rat’s behind that your investment, and in a lot of cases life savings, continues to go down the drain as the condition of the failing infrastructure deteriorates further with each day.To join just copy and paste…. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ camposolers.poltical in your Browser or email reg_rogers@hotmail.com

50+ SOLOS Is open to ladies and gentlemen over 50 years of age who are on their own and wish to get ‘back into the social scene.’

We meet normally twice a month at different restaurants for lunch and a chat at 1.00-1.30 hrs.. There are no subs or fees, just the cost of the meal. There may be a fun quiz or a raffle. For information and to book please contact Ruth on 966789063

Casa Tom Community Choir: Casa Tom Community Choir meets every Monday at 2.00pm for 2.30pm.

It is a mixed choir and all levels are welcome. No auditions, no solos.

Make new friends and have a good time. Location: CASA TOM, Avenida JACA 31, San Luis, Torrevieja. Phone or email Terry for further details. Phone: 647-189-135. Email: casatomsanluis@ gmail.com.

Modern Dance Fusion.

Modern Jive that is similar to Salsa, Le Roc, Ceroc and Swing Jive.

Our easy fun sessions are being held MONDAYS 7.30pm The Maymar Restaurant, (behind Dia supermarket) CATRAL. NEW CLASSS TUESDAYS 7.30pm Europa Restaurant and Show Venue, Cl Salvador Dali, Via Pk 1, Nr Le Zenia Boulivard. Commences 21st April.

NEW CLASS WEDNESDAYS 11am El Castillo Restaurant, Avda San Fulgencio (Forest Road) 03177 La Marina Urb. Commences 15th April THURSDAYS 7pm Los Rosales Restaurant, CV895 aka Lemon Tree Rd, GUARDAMAR Just €5 for a whole night of easy to follow classes, plus practice and social for all levels with music from Dance Junction Disco.

Food available at all venues SATURDAY SUPPER DANCE Every OTHER Saturday 5pm-8pm 9th/23rd May. The Club, Cl El Pino / Cl Abedul, QUESADA. Newcomers always welcome even if you have never danced. No partner required. All welcome to come along including non dancers. €3 entry or €7 including a one course meal. Dancing with Dance Junction Disco.

ANNUAL SHABBY AND CHIC SUMMER PARTY 7pm Saturday 18th July at Los Rosales Restaurant, cv895 Guardamar. €12.50 includes two course meal with a drink.

Entertainment with Susana Colt and Oscar plus Dane Junction Disco.

Glad rags at the ready to dress up or dress down the option is yours.

Non club members please call or message us to reserve your table All updates and venue information Tel Maxine 670 711 408 or Adam 638 330 342. www.modern-jive-spain.com or find us on facebook

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Pilar Christian Community Church

COSTA COBRAS RFC

31

new rugby club based at Daya Vieja Calle Canalejas 3. Pilar de la Horadada. sports ground.

Training juniors Monday and Wednesday Sunday Service at 11am, and Thursday 18.00-19.30, seniors 20.00-21.30 at 5pm for Prayer and Praise and For more details contact Garry 692 767 Worship 242 or Robert on 697 286 416 Home groups meet during the week.

All welcome from any church Strictly Dance background or none.

Strictly Dance classes every Tuesday For further information contact 8-10pm at the Club, Quesada and every PilarChristian.CommunityChurch@ Friday 3-5pm at the New Asturias, Punta gmail.com Prima. Beginner and Intermediate 966 849 448 - 966 848 806 tuition, new courses every 3 weeks.

Singles welcome. Private tuition by La Bamba’s - Ballroom appointment. For more info contact / Latin / Sequence Lyn on 966188430 or 635584431 or Dancing email lynatdenelledance@hotmail.com Los Rosales Restaurant, Guardamar CV895 [near Lemon Tree Sunday SPIRITUALIST CENTRE, Market] BENIJOFAR (formerly Spiritualist Monday - SOCIAL DANCE 8.30pm - Church, Quesada) 10.30pm [SEQUENCE CLASS 7.30pm Meets at NEW ADDRESS: with - 8.30pm] immediate effect at Hamilton´s Bake Friday - SOCIAL DANCE 7.30pm - House, 62 Calle Vicente, Blasco 10.30pm Ibañez, Benijofar 03178. We hold Wednesday - New Beginners Class a Sunday Service at 11.30 a.m., a 2pm -3pm Tuesday Evening of Mediumship at 7 Intermediate Class 3pm - 4pm p.m. And every Thursday there is an Intermediate Plus Class 4pm - 5pm Open Circle where you can develop For more information contact Andrea your skills commencing at 6.30 p.m. and Brian 616 478 157 Spiritual healing is available every Sunday and Tuesday after the service.

BADMINT0N AT PILAR George Lawson (UK Medium) will take the Divine Service with Mediumship DE LA HORADADA Mon, Tues, Wed and Thurs. 10-1pm. For on Sunday, 3rd May at 11.30 a.m. information ring John McGilvray on 966 On Tuesday 5th May, George Lawson will take an Evening of Mediumship 786 774 or Mobiles 634 658 506/695 at 7 p.m. Entry 5€. Anna Marie 871 707 or email carolejohn_3@ will take the Divine Service with hotmail.com Mediumship on Sunday, 10th May. COME SEQUENCE DANCING Contact Wendy on 965323028. www.

In the air conditioned Olympia spiritualistcentre-benijofar.com New Restaurant, Mil Palmeras Monday email is phoenixchurch23@gmail.com info@spiritualistcentre-benijofar. evenings at 8pm in a very congenial or atmosphere. Programme and music com Identificacion Fiscal G54713789 change weekly. New dances introduced at 7-30pm. For further details contact Age Concern Costa Sina and Terry. Tel. 96 676 9420 Blanca Sur Summer Fair.

Sat 6th June at 11am at the Centre in C/Paganini, Urb. La Siesta, Torrevieja.

Art Club, all mediums, no charge, in the CASTILLO AMIGOS COFFEE MATES Prize draw tickets are on sale at €1.00 Playa Flamenca area. Anyone interested, each. Available now from the Charity We are a friendship group for single people. If you would like to have a coffee and please contact Lyn tel: 966 189 118 Shops. Great Prizes. Donations for the Now meeting every Wednesday from 3pm friendly chat please join us at La Laguna raffle, tombola and all the usual stalls WALKING FOOTBALL at RAYZ Bar on El Raso urbanisation (off Hotel, Lo Marabu, The Playa Flamenca Walking Football will be gratefully accepted. the Lemon Tree Road, Guardamar) Friday mornings from 11am. team started, September 2014 and Please call 966 786 887 for more info.

ANN 965 070 247 – 666 747 398 ANN 965 070 247 – 666 747 398 has grown in strength ever since. If you have an interest in this game, and CRIME WATCH SPAIN

(Vecinos Colaborando Costa Blanca) would like to come and join us, we meet Reg. VG 08261/2002 Monday afternoon at 3-30 for a warm We would like to inform you that our up, and whoever turns up and wants to DATE ARTIST VENUE AREA INFO annual AGM will be held at Oasis Bar, play can play, the only stipulations are 7th Lynden B The Park Inn Quesada Start 7pm Torretas III, Torrevieja, on Thursday, 7th Dougie Munroe The Local La Florida :- over 55 and can walk if you would 21st May at 13.15hrs.

8th Andy Jones La Terraza Bigastro like to come and watch and laugh come Everyone, who's interested in helping 8th Luke Wilder Maggie OBrians Campoverde and look, you will soon want to join in. the community, will have the right to 8th Darren Jones The Final Whistle La Marina Just turn up at the Playa Flamenca vote at the meeting for a place in the 8th Dougie Munroe YOLO Cabo Roig Sports center and enroll/watch. subs Association's Committee.

9th Fun Race Night The Market Tavern La Romana are only 5 euro a game, to pay for the You don't need to pay anything to be 9th JJ Soulman La Manga Camping La Manga facilities. The members are soon to be a member; you don't need to be a 9th Red Strokes Tavern Lo Crispin playing an away event, in Benidorm, so member to collaborate with your own 9th Rob Roberts Black Bull Castalla International 9th Kick Back The Garden Bar Los Alcazares Rock Band some fun and social activities there, our community. Just keep an eye around 9th Andy Jones Inn at the Green Entre Naranjas and report any incident to us, or to team secretary is Maggie.

9th Rob Bonovox Shenanigans Marquesa Golf the Police or FASHION SHOW 9th Booters & Scooters Breeze Bar San Miguel Rock Band 112 Emergencies. Your name will not 10th Woody Sports Centre La Marina IN AID OF AGE CONCERN appear anywhere.

10th Lynden B La Taberna Entre Naranjas Thank you AT THE CENTRE 11th Richie Alexander The Final Whistle La Marina Start 2pm Located on C/Paganini Sizes S-XXXL Crime Watch Spain 12th Debbie Slater Vistabella Golf Entre Naranjas colaborando.crimewatch@ Tickets 2€ to include a drink and cake. Email: 12th Gemma Arches Cafe Bar Los Alcazares Start 3pm skynetlink.com 4th May 2015 2pm

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32

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pool tables

snooker tables, table tennis tables, darts. Tel: 666 933 726 www.spainpool.com LITTLE USED 42 INCH L.G. PLASMA T.V. Great picture, language converter, record & playback with timeshift etc. 100€ Tel: 693 814 929.

(Murcia) Contents of workshop,saw table 1000w rise/fall/tilt, multispeed drill, jigsaw, anglegrinder, screwwdriver,etc,etc Cost over £1000 as new. Selling for only 300€ Tel: 602 675 408 Villa Martin area TAP SHOES BLACK LEATHER size 5 & 5.5, 25€ per pair. Tel. Quesada 966 716 599 BLACK & DECKER DRILL 10€. Tel. Quesada 966 716 599 EXTENDING GARDEN LOPPERS 10€. Quesada 966 716 599

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Kiko is a beautiful 3 year old Yorkie and was rescued from a Perrera.

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electricians

Electrician available for all works Small or large.

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Jimmy is a 3 yr old Chihuahua cross and was found on the streets. He has been to the vets and is negative for all Mediterranean diseases. Jimmy is good with other dogs and cats and has been neutered.

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33

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De Lima’s

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20mins from mojacar, 4 beds, 2 baths, Open plan living areas, kitchen & diningroom as well as a workshop, courtyard front & back & room for a pool. Mountain views. €125,000 649 186 107 oremail thunderpaul2003@hotmail.com

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fortnightly SERVICE TO & FROM UK FULL OR PART LOADS

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From a parcel to a small house move Professional,Friendly & Caring Fully insured, scheduled monthly door to door service

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James & Son Removals / Storage

UK, France & Spain personalshoppingfromtheUK (Argos,Screwfix,Wickesetc) Pet Transportation & Competitive Rates

0034 627 968 434 0044 7874 638 330 Email: jsinternational@mail.com

263 Paseo del Mediterraneo Mojacar Playa, Next to Sal Marina Hotel Mon-Fri: 10am-3pm sat 10am-2pm Tel: 950 615 364 Call Marc on 647 006 183 or Brian on 674 280 268 or e-mail enquiries@delimas.biz

TEL: 667 235 205

Pick up/drop off locations Throughout UK, France and Spain

sat/tv services Rainbow Satellites for all your TV needs with clients all over the Murcia Region. Contact Matt or Alan on 686 358 475 or rainbowsats@ gmail.com

spas euro spas Spas at factory prices.

Used & Ex display models.

Spares & repairs.

Part exchange Telephone 650 722 905

motoring section LWB Sprinter van going from south to North of the UK & back every 2 weeks, based near Murcia Airport. Tel: 610 846 260/ 0044 7519 186 355. or email: van.man@ hotmail.co.uk

Do you have a caravan, vehicle, boat or motor bike for sale? advertise in this space

wanted

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Knitmaster knitting machine in working order, please telephone, Torrevieja Tel: 683 058 558

wigs Salon Mar garethas 24 years in Torrevieja hair / wig specialist for medical illness and hair loss problems.

We offer different hair replacements, top fillers, hair prostheses, toupees & wigs.

Natural & artificial hair & much more.

Also fashion /festival accessories.

TV/TS are welcome to our service.

Call Margaretha on 966 921 846 for an appointment.

situations vacant

SOLTIMES newspaper group are looking for a Bright, enthusiastic entrepreneur

Send your CV to cmm@soltimes.com or rob@soltimes.com

We have a business opportunity in our costa blanca area

semi skilled/skilled mechanic required full time position good rates of pay plus contract for the right applicant for more information

Do you enjoy a fast paced working environment?

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34

May 2015

animal corner

To advertise here call : 950 121 936 Dog owners put on high alert as flesh-eating disease Alabama Rot continues to sweep UK

There have been 46 cases of Alabama Rot in the UK since December 2013 and numbers are on the rise Dog owners have been told be on high alert as flesh-eating disease Alabama Rot sweeps across Britain.

Vets are warning pet owners to be vigilant as the disease can be fatal unless treated and often results in kidney failure.

Recently we reported how 30 dogs over here have died of the disease, which is usually found in greyhounds. None of the 30 were of that breed.

Symptoms start with skin lesions or sores that appear without injury and the number of cases have quadrupled in the UK in the last two years.

Huw Stacey, head of clinical services at Vets4Pets, said: “Most commonly these sores are found below the elbow or knee and appear as a distinct swelling, a patch of red skin or are open and ulcer-like.

“If a dog becomes infected the best outcome will come from early and intensive veterinary care, which has resulted in some dogs successfully recovering.

“The concern among vets in the UK is that unlike the Alabama Rot that affected greyhounds in America, the disease in the UK does not seem to target any specific breed, age, sex or weight of dog.

“While there is currently no known way to prevent a dog from contracting the disease, our preventative methods might help put a stop to it in the UK.” The disease first appeared in the USA in the 1980s but has now spread to 16 English counties, including Kent, London, Hampshire, Greater Manchester and Dorset.

APAH

Space for a little one?

Cara is a gentle young girl who has lived with APAH since she was rescued as a tiny puppy.

She has a lovely nature and will make a great family dog. To arrange to meet her please call 630 422 563 or 616 210 850.

Beautiful blue eyed Tansy is one of APAH's mature ladies.

She is a delightful cat, who loves nothing more than being stroked and sleeping the day away in a patch of sunshine.

If you want a companion cat without all the chaos of having a kitten, she will be a joy to adopt as she is very friendly. To meet Tansy please call 630 422 563 or 616 210 850

Tansy

www.apahrescue.org

You shaved my dog!': Furious owner blasts grooming salon that 'almost scalped' pet Pomeranian Yew Tree Dog Grooming claims Natasha Farrell's complaints are unfounded as staff acted on her instructions and the dog was ‘volatile’ during the groom. A disgruntled dog owner has blasted a grooming salon that 'almost scalped' her family pet during a hair-raising trim.

Natasha Farrell said she was devastated when she picked up Pomeranian Lola from Yew Tree Dog Grooming, in Fallowfield, Manchester.But the business claims her complaints are completely unfounded as staff acted on Natasha’s instructions and Lola acted in a ‘volatile’ way during the groom.

There have been 46 cases of Alabama Rot in the UK since December 2013.

After skin lesions appear there is a 25 per cent chance that the dogs will develop kidney failure.

The vet added: “Any dog owners who think their pet has Alabama Rot symptoms should contact their nearest vet immediately.”

Alabama rot: What to look out for, what to do Typically the skin lesions have been below the knee or elbow of the dog, although they are occasionally seen on the face or bottom of the chest or abdomen.

They may present as a focal swelling, a patch of red skin or a defect in the skin (like an ulcer).

Over the subsequent two to ten days the affected dogs have developed clinical signs of kidney failure which can include vomiting, reduced appetite and tiredness.

If you are concerned about your dog please speak to your local vet. If your dog is affected, early recognition of the disease and aggressive management is likely to lead to the best outcome.

Source: www.forestry.gov.uk

Mountain View

Cat hotel Hondon de las Nieves/Frailes

Centrally-heated houses with large individual runs Love and care will be lavished during your cat’s stay My 29 years of experience in animal and veterinary care will give you piece of mind

Pick up & delivery service offered for coastal areas

Telephone: 966 195 816

Answerphone - we will call back: Mobile 654 155 473

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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

Mum-of-three Natasha, from Burnage, first contacted Yew Tree Grooming after reading recommendations on the website Yell. She dropped off three-year-old Lola for a groom at 9am asking for the dog to be prepared for an operation on Friday, reports Manchester Evening News.

She said: “I always go to the same groomer but Lola was having an operation on Friday and she wasn’t available so I needed to get it done.

"This guy had great recommendations but he said he’d only done a couple of Pomeranians before. “At 11.30am he called me to say she was quite nervous and he was having to take his time. MENLola the dogShort: Natasha Farrell said she was devastated when she picked up the Pomeranian “He asked to keep her for another couple of hours. So I agreed to pick her up after picking the kids up from school.

“When they brought her to the door I nearly died. I texted the groomer and said ‘she’s an absolute mess’."He didn’t reply so I left it 24 hours and he still didn’t reply.“I left a very honest review on Yell and he said Lola had bitten him and he claimed I had begged him to carry on with the groom.” Natasha, who fears Lola’s coat may never grow properly, has asked the groomer to apologise. She said: “I brought her home and my little girl Sienna, who is four, burst into tears. She’s our family pet. “I’m more worried her hair will never grow back because Pomeranians are prone to alopecia. He’s just scalped her to the skin. I don’t even want my money back, I just want an apology.”

He said the groomer was asked to ‘skin’ Lola ready for a vets appointment and she was groomed in accordance with City and Guilds instructions.

He added that the business has local support and dozens of positive reviews on Yell.com.

last hope dog rescue Mungo and Betty are 10 weeks old, they will be small when fully grown , Mungo and Betty have started their vaccinations and are ready to be adopted.

Could you offer either of the dogs a forever sofa

If you are interested please contact us either by email: lasthopedogrescue@outlook.com or mobile 634 065 540

www.soltimes.com

Book Review

Guernica by Dave Boling

The painting which I am currently working and surprisingly, thrive. on will be called Guernica. By means of it, I Justo meets Mariangeles Onati and the chemistry express my abhorrence of the race that has is strong in spite of his arrogant and self-inflated sunk Spain in an ocean of pain and death. ego. His brother, Josepe, became a successful Pablo Picasso. fisherman and Xabier was encouraged to join the Like the great artist, Boling painted his sprawling seminary where he played a significant role in the mural as a fictional piece, emphasising how closely- church and in politics. knit and struggling Basque families were irrevocably Imperfectly matched, Justo and Mariangeles were disfigured but not completely destroyed by the enamoured with each other and the birth of Miren Spanish civil war. The story inevitably shows un- complemented their happy union. necessary human suffering and loss coupled with Our second major family is the Navarros, typical acts of heroism and amazing fortitude of the nobler characters who miraculously survive the atrocities fishermen. Eduardo (Dodo) is high spirited, outspoken and vents his anger against the Guardia during the destruction of Guernica in 1937.

Civil who are pro-Franco supporters. His brother Even before 1937 Picasso wanted to shatter art Miguel is drawn into a skirmish when Dodo is and reshape it. Sadly, the opportunity came and in accused of being subversive and is physically his rage he created his famous painting. He appears threatened. He defends Dodo and both boys go in the story and expresses his anger verbally to into hiding fearing arrest. Ironically, it is Xmas time, German soldiers as well as through his paintings. a time of peace. Even nature sympathises as the Boling’s characters are inspirational, solid, good wind blew icy needles accompanied by the arthritic and noble. Not perfect by any means but strong groaning of the frozen pipes. Dodo is taken to St enough to survive the traumas of losing their loved Jean-de-Luz where he heroically risks his life in ones, homes and livelihoods. They strive towards smuggling people into Spain then onto Portugal or self-sufficiency and are family-oriented. They loved Gibraltar. life and dancing seemed to be an important part Miguel is sent to Guernica where he learns the art of their lives until it was banned by Franco. The of carpentry and romantically falls head over heels women were sensual and their dance movements with Miren, Justo’s daughter. Justo is interestingly were erotic: described as a cross between a Catalonian bull and Miren and Mariangeles began spinning in mirrored a cave bear. Typically Basque. He is overbearing orbits, doing triple kicks and turns, side kicks and and his over-protective nature towards Miren makes turns, arms upraised and fingers snapping. With it virtually impossible for courting. However Miguel each spin, their skirts rose outward only to gather is not put off and confronts Justo about his father’s tightly when they stopped and reversed, creating undying love for his wife as well as the story about castrating the sheep. Surprisingly, Justo gives his swirling eddies of red satin.

Angeles Ansotegui dies shortly after giving birth approval to a marriage and the men forge a strong to her third son, Xabier. Her husband, Pascual is relationship.

Migue, another heroic Basque, introduced an so devastated by her death that he loses the will to live and eventually disappears into oblivion. His element of eroticism into his work because of his eldest son, Justo, at 15, takes on a paternal role and love for Miren. He created finer products, with takes charge of the farm in Errotabarri, Guernica. The REVIEW it by Carol Naylor. www.carolnaylor.blogspot.com boys grow up as orphans

www.carolesleynaylor.wordpress.com - naylorcl@hotmail.es

35

greater detail and polish with lines that were subtly sensuous.

Miguel and Miren were tender lovers, fully transparent: He was power, she was grace. He solid, she liquid and once their marriage had been consummated: They were both liquid. Fulfillment arrived with the birth of Catalina. Domestic bliss is short-lived and from time to time Boling drops strong hints of revolts and arrests as the civil war rages and moves dangerously close to Bilbao then Guernica.

Xabier counsels Jose Antonio Aguirre who became the first Basque president and we learn a lot about the bloodthirsty rebels, hungry for Basque blood, the tortures and executions through his confessions.

Lieutenant Colonel Wolfram von Richthofen was one of the many Germans supporting Franco although he disliked the Spanish. To him they were a nation of bumbling procrastinators. He lost no sleep over masterminding the complete annihilation of Guernica. Arrogant. Wicked. Without a conscience.

After so much death and destruction he looked back at his handiwork with admiration and wrote: Simply terrific.

Social conditions were appalling. Rationing.

Hunger, stealing. Suspicion of informers. Arrests.

People disappearing. Out of the depths of despair comes hope. Ordinary people with extraordinary powers of resilience and strength mentally as well as physically. It is likely Boling wanted us to admire these people and learn something from their ability to keep going.

On a bench of land to the west, the symbolic oak of Guernica stands rigid and undisturbed. Somehow the rebels and Germans didn’t damage the tree, though little else escaped their influences.

Symbolic of liberation and democracy. Unmoved. It seems that somethings are indestructible including man’s spirit and determination for freedom.

Publisher: Picador. ISBN: 978-0330-460668.

REVIEW it by Carol Naylor.

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36

Home & Garden H IBISCUS HOUSE CLEARANCE BAR CLEARANCE Hibiscus are large shrubs or small trees that produce huge, colorful, trumpet-shaped flowers over a long season. Other common names include Chinese hibiscus and tropical hibiscus.

About This Plant Hibiscus are deciduous shrubs with dark green leaves; the plants can grow to 15 feet tall in frost-free areas. Flowers may be up to 6 inches diameter, with colors ranging from yellow to peach to red. Hibiscus can be planted singly or grown as a hedge plant; they can also be pruned into a single-stemmed small tree. The flowers are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.

Special Features Attracts hummingbirds Attracts butterflies Site Selection Select a site with full sun and well-drained soil. Hibiscus also adapt well to growing in www.auctionlosmontesinos.com containers.

Planting Instructions Soft Furnishings & Re-Upholstery Plant in spring, summer, or fall, spacing plants 3 to • 39 years experience in soft furnishings & re-upholstery 6 feet apart. Dig a • Gazebo COVERS made in a waterproof canvas from customers hole only as deep as own template the root ball and 2 • FOAM (All densities) superior quality cut to any shape & size • BESPOKE CURTAINS AND BLINDS all made to measure to 3 times as wide.

• All types of RE-UPHOLSTERY If your soil is in • EXQUISITELY MADE LOOSE COVERS tailor-made to fit as good very poor condition, as upholstered furniture indoor and out amend the soil • Hundreds of fabrics to choose from you’ve removed Opening Hours Mon-Fri 10am to 4:30pm Sat - 10am to 1:30pm from the hole with All our work is professionally made in our premises in The Interior Centre 1 Calle Portugal Las maromas Pol. Ind Estate. Almoradi 03160 a small amount of Contact Kim & Rick on: 625 716 063 Email: fabricflair.kb@gmail.com compost. Otherwise fabricflair.kb@gmail.com don’t amend it at

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Find us at Moncayo Market on Saturdays & we are pleased to announce we are now at Lemon Tree Market on Sundays

all. Carefully remove the plant from the container and set it in the hole. Fill the hole half full with soil, then water it well to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets. Let the water drain, then fill the remainder of hole with soil and water thoroughly.

Care Hibiscus require at least 1 inch of rain (or equivalent watering) each week. They like to be constantly moist, but not wet. Feed twice a month during the growing season and prune as necessary to control plant size and cut back errant branches. Cut branches back to just above a side shoot. Hibiscus are sensitive to cold and should be protected when temperatures dip into the 30s; container-grown plants should be brought indoors. Check plants periodically for pests such as aphids, white flies, and mealybugs.

Use a horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to control these pests.

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sport & motoring

EUROGOLF SOCIETY AT LA MARQUESA

On Thursday 30 April 54 members of the Eurogolf Society competed for the Ken Wilson Memorial trophy in a fordmed competition. Ken was an active member of Eurogolf for many years and served on the committee as Captain in 1991, 1992 and 1998.

As the fordmed name implies the first nine holes were played as a Stableford competition and the back nine as a medal, then the Stableford score taken from the net medal score to arrive at the final result.

Some good scores today but a special mention to TOFF’s organiser Alan Venables winner of the Ken Wilson Memorial trophy with a magnificent 14 points Full results were as follows: Gold Division: 1st John Barraclough 19 pts c/b 2nd Malcolm Foskett 19 pts 3rd David Gregson 21 pts Silver Division: 1st Alan Venables 14 pts 2nd John Holland 17 pts c/b 3rd Dave King 17 pts Bronze Division: 1st Eamonn Devine 16 pts c/b 2nd Claire DayeGretton16 pts 3rd Alec Relph 16 pts Best front nine Gloria Manning 19

pts best back nine Ian Turner net 32 N.T.P’s 5th Mike Gillett 11th Alan Venables 15th John Holland 17th John Barraclough Football draw winners: Sue Pegg, Alan Venables, Gill Britten, Bryan Fenwick The results of the TOFFS weekly Stableford competition played on Tuesday were as follows: Competition Winner: Bev Evans 38 points Gold Division: 1st Malcolm Foskett 35 pts 2nd John Barraclough 35 pts 3rd Tony Hitt 34 pts Silver Division: 1st Joe Curran 34 pts 2nd John Holland 34 pts 3rd Hedy Paehlig 34 pts Bronze Division: 1st Bev Evans 38 pts 2nd Eamonn Devine 35 pts 3rd Alec Relph 34 pts N.T.P’s 5th John Barraclough 11th Ian Stewart 15th Joe Curran 17th Bill Martin Best front nine Gordon Bourne 20 pts and best back nine Ian Turner 21 pts If you would like to know more about our friendly society visit us on www.eurogolf-quesada.co.uk

37

E l c h e s e a l s u r v i va l Los ilicitanos defeated Málaga 1-2 to confirm their presence in the Liga BBVA next season.

Elche CF will ply their trade in the Liga BBVA for another season after beating Málaga CF 0-2 in Sunday’s final matchday 35 clash, a result that means they have won four of their last five in the Liga BBVA. A close-fought opening period was served up at La Rosaleda, but Elche always looked the more settled of the two sides and, with the half-hour mark approaching, los ilicitanos took the lead.

A terrific counterattack by Fran Escribá’s men culminated in Víctor Rodríguez’s cross setting up Jonathas, who beat Carlos Kameni from close range. Málaga could have levelled before the break, but Juanmi could not connect properly and saw the ball bounce wide.

The second half got underway with Málaga all out to find an equaliser and Javi Gracia’s team probed persistently around Przemysław Tytoń’s goal, while at the

other end Mario Pašalić might have settled the match for Elche on 62 minutes. The game could have changed course after 71’ when Tytoń brought down Javi Guerra in the area and was sent off, but Duda saw his penalty hit substitute keeper Manu Herrera’s left-hand post.

Although down to ten men, Elche continued to give as good as they got and, on 89’, Pašalić stepped up to seal a fantastic win for the visitors, with Guerra reducing the deficit for the hosts in time added

BRADLEY BREAKERS

965 723 270 607 848 332

38

sport & motoring

SPORTS SHORTS by Tony Matthews

COMING UP *Last night we had the first leg of the Champions League semifinal between Juventus and Real Madrid. Tonight Barcelona play Bayern Munich in the other semi. *The big Premier League matches over the weekend are Chelsea-Liverpool, ArsenalSwansea, Manchester City-QPR, Crystal Palace-Manchester United, Newcastle-WBA and Hull-Burnley (a real six-point cruncher this one). * The first legs of the Championship, FL1 and FL2 Playoff semi-finals take place over four days, with Ipswich-Norwich and Brentford-Middlesbrough aiming for the Premier League. *On Saturday Glossop play North Shields in the FA Vase final at Wembley. * Lewis Hamilton and his fellow drivers will be in Barcelona for the Spanish F1 Grand Prix...

200 cyclists will ride in the Giro d’Italia... golfers tee-off in the Players Championship in Sawgrass... the Badminton horse trials continue until Sunday... and on Friday, England play Ireland in a One Day cricket international in Dublin.

LAST WEEK’S FOTBALL *Chelsea clinched their third PL title under Jose Mourinho with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, ‘Player of the Year’ Eden Hazard scoring the winner with a penalty rebound. * There were also wins for Aston Villa, Leicester City,

Manchester City, WBA (at Old Trafford), Sunderland, Swansea and West Ham. Nine-man Newcastle suffered their eighth successive defeat when losing at Leicester. * Bournemouth won 3-0 at Charlton to pip Watford to the Championship title. * Bristol City and MK Dons gained promotion from FL1, Burton Albion, Shrewsbury Town and Bury from FL2 and Barnet from the Conference. * Cheltenham and Tranmere Rovers drop into non-League football, Rovers for the very first time.

ROUND UP * Floyd Mayweather beat Manny Pacquiao on points to win the ‘Fight of the Century’ in Las Vegas. * Stuart Bingham and Shaun Murphy were battling it out in the World Championship Snooker final. * Toulon defeated Clermont to lift the European Champions Cup for the third year running, and Gloucester beat Edinburgh in the European Challenge Cup final. * England lost the third and final Test against the West Indies in Barbados by five wickets. * Rory McIlroy beat Gary Woodland to win his first WGC Match Play title at Bridgetown.

May 2015

TMGS at Villamartin 29th April

Today marked the last of the early starts for us at this Championship course, which for most, will bring a little normality to their day’s golf.

It’s well known that in high season, visitors must begin at tee 10 before 10.04, members have preference from tee 1.

The 10th hole is not really the one that you want to begin your round on at 9am! the avenue of trees always seem to be narrower at that time of the morning and that’s before it dawns on you that the out of bounds is lurking to the left, then you realise that the swimming pools, of those beautiful properties that line that side of the hole, are just waiting to devour your golf ball! Wait a moment, just 40 meters to the right is the water hazard that travels the length of the fairway, oh well; I’ll just blob this one!

The course is in excellent condition, the greens looked slow but were deceivingly fast, hence the cries of, another 3 putt, seemed to be quite common later in the club house. The day’s best scores came from the Gold category with Tove Roed edging John Eyre into 2nd place on lower handicap with both returning an excellent 37 points, 3 points further back came Paul Fairclough on 34 points and just making the prizes this week was Dag Lovas on 32 points.

The top two in the Silver category were decided by just 1 point and Roger Nilsen must have been delighted that he managed to advance his appointment at the hospital this morning to arrive at the course just in time to tee off. ( yes he was the one who blobbed the 10th) but that didn’t

stop him from scoring a very credible 35 points, that was just one point ahead of Alex Goslan, back in 3rd place was Shelia Dean on 31 points, with another lady member, Sandra Twentyman taking 4th place with 30 points. We did have a few visitors join us this week so there were 2 prizes up for grabs, this happened to be a family affair with Alan Cuddihy’s Son, Chris, beating his father by some margin, Alan 29 points and Chris 35 points.

In every competition for an extra euro, members can enter the “2’s” contest; it was won this week by new member Sandy McGee and Les Wilton, not a bad return, a tenner for a euro! The N.T.P.’s were sponsored by the Captain, John Eyre, who just happened to be the nearest on the difficult 17th, Hole 6 went to Alan Cuddihy, Raymond Eiken was closest on the 13 and Les Wilton on hole 9.

Photo: Silvery category winners On the 6th May we will be at La Marquesa for our Captain’s drive in as well as a normal Stableford, so if you fancy a knock around this delightful course set in the valley behind Ciudad Quesada, give our Match Secretary a call on 661 524 101 or visit our website www.tmgs.org Our associated club, Club de Golf El Paraiso will be at Campoamor on the 10th of May, this competition is for Federated players only, so don’t forget that you need to play in 4 Federated comps each calendar year to maintain you handicap “active” more info. www. clubdegolfelparaiso.com

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