Blanca 410

ISSUE 410

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13 - 19 jan

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January 2016

‘Strictly’ Christmas Special

With no less than 4 previous strictly winners taking part in this years special, it was always going to be a fight for the trophy. The theme being pantomime so some great costumes too! As always the special judged only by the studio audience, the judges votes didn’t count.

Series 6 winner Lisa Snowdon and Pasha opening the show with Alice in Wonderland and a Quickstep. Despite it being some time since she last danced, Lisa had retained her core fairly well apart from being slightly forward in her upper body in promenade position a great start to the show. I gave her 8

and the judges 37. Next to dance was Alison Hammond and Robin from last years show.

They were Hansel and Gretal and a Cha Cha Cha. Unfortunately a performance littered with errors and very flat footed. I gave her 6 and the judges 31. Paraplegic Cassidy Little the Peoples Strictly winner dancing with Natalie then performed a Jive from Puss in Boots. An excellent display of basic jive steps, well danced and considering Cassidy has a prosthetic leg an excellent job. I gave him 9 and the judges 35.

2013 Winner Abbey Clancy with Brendan and a Waltz from Rapunzel then danced. A beautiful soft fluid performance with excellent line extensions, very elegantly danced the only distraction for me was the flapping hair but then again due to Rapunzel. I awarded her 10 and the judges 39.

Next to dance was 2011 winner Harry Judd and Joanne with an American Smooth from Jack Frost. Very clean links between the dance sections and lifts showing excellent coverage across the floor, smooth and lyrical. I again awarded a 10 and the judges a maximum 40. Closing the show

was 2008 winner Tom Chambers and Oti with a Charleston from Scrooge. Who can forget his Quickstep in the final! I still remember it well. Tom never danced a Charleston as when he competed it was not in the syllabus of required dances and true to form was head a shoulders above the rest in his performance.

His character and personality are so superior to anyone else and he always looks calm cool and very confident. I gave him 10 and another maximum 40 from the judges. But my winner by a mile.

The audience however thought differently and had Harry Judd as this years winner. Its funny I never agree with the winner of the Christmas special and this year was no different. Well that’s all for another year, can I wish everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous 2016. Our new courses will commence on Tuesday 5 January so if you’re looking to learn to dance, keep fit, have fun and meet new friends come and join us at one of our 3 venues. Until next years ‘Strictly’ Keep Dancing!

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Passport-sized royal portrait lands cheeky Catalan councilors in court

One republican-minded town in Catalonia came up with a nifty way around a law that requires the portrait of the monarch to be displayed in every council chamber.

The council passed a motion to downsize the image of King Felipe VI to one little bigger than a passport photograph.

But their act of defiance has led to a legal complaint being filed by the state prosecutor in Tarragona.

All 17 town councillors of Torredembarra, a small municipality outside of Tarragona in Spain’s

Northeastern region of Catalonia have been called to appear before a judge for passing the motion to downsize the portrait of the monarch.

Torredembarra town hall displayed a passport sized photo of the monarch.

The council is run by the far-left separatist party CUP, which stands for an independent Catalonia and which is currently blocking the candidature of Artur Mas as the region’s leader, making it likely that fresh elections will be called.

Lluis Suñé, an independent councillor complained that the investigation

Fears for Spanish pilot as cargo plane crashes in remote Lapland

A pilot believed to be from Spain was on board a cargo plane that crashed in a remote area en route from Sweden to Norway, the aircraft’s operator has confirmed.

West Atlantic’s CEO, Gustaf Thureborn, told a press conference in Gothenburg "with great sorrow" that the accident had taken place on Thursday night.

A Spanish pilot, aged 42, and a French first officer, 34, were both on board the flight.

The captain of the aircraft - who has so far not been named but was said to reside in Spain - joined the company in 2011 and had over 3,000 flight hours under his belt.

"What should not happen and may not happen has happened," Thureborn told reporters.

The aircraft was understood to have been carrying mail for the Norwegian postal service. It was on its way from Norwegian Gardemoen to Tromsø when it sent out a distress signal in Swedish airspace at 11.31pm, Thureborn said.

However the company said it had not yet been established whether or not the crew had died in the crash.

A Norwegian F16 plane located the wreckage on the ground between the north-western edge of Swedish lake Akkajaure and the Norwegian border, in an area often known as the Swedish alps. Thureborn told reporters he had been woken up by a phone call two minutes after the airline was alerted

into the tiny portrait which has been on display since October was entirely politically motivated.

“It’s a political decision because there is no article (within the law) specifying the size of the portraits beyond that that the King must be of equal or greater dimensions than the regional president,” he told news agency Efe. “We are absolutely convinced that we have not violated any law.

Both the portrait of the King and that

of the President of the Generalitat (Artur Mas) are exactly the same size”.

Both the portraits of King Felipe and Mas are displayed side by side on the lintel above the door of the council chamber.

Barcelona city hall sparked outcry when its new leftist mayor Ada Colau removed a bust of the old King from city hall in July, describing it as an “anomaly” given his June 2014 abdication. www.thelocal.es

about the crash and was at the office 15 minutes later. Police and mountain rescue teams were dispatched to the scene amid sub-freezing temperatures.

"The terrain is mountainous and it's -30C, so it's going to take a while before we get there," police spokesman Maria Jakobsson told the TT newswire shortly before 8am.

"They sent a very brief 'mayday' and then the plane disappeared from our radar. (…) The weather conditions weren't harsh," Daniel Lindblad, Swedish Maritime Administration press officer, also told TT. “The crash site is very clear. Its total diameter is about 50 metres and there are no large parts but only small fragments left of the aircraft,” he added.

Police and mountain rescue teams arrived at the site at around 1pm on Friday, after being delayed by treacherous conditions.

The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ-200, is registered in Sweden, but travels between Norwegian destinations. It was manufactured in 1993.

Thureborn told reporters that all of the company’s planes of the same model had been grounded as a precaution.

“In light of the ongoing investigation we can’t give you more information about what has happened, but we’ll have to await its results. We’re happy to offer more information as soon as we have it,” he added www.thelocal.es

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January 2016

DAVID BOWIE DIES OF CANCER AGED 69

Singer David Bowie has died at the age of 69 from cancer.

His son, film director Duncan Jones, confirmed the news and a statement was issued on his social media accounts.

"David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer," it said, asking for privacy for his family.

Tributes have been paid to Bowie, one of the most influential musicians of his era, from around the world.

Bowie's hits include Let's Dance, Space Oddity, Starman, Modern Love, Heroes, Under Pressure, Rebel, Rebel and Life on Mars.

He was also well known for creating his flamboyant alter ego Ziggy Stardust.

The singer only released his latest album Blackstar on his birthday on Friday. The album, which includes just seven songs, has been well received by critics.

His son wrote on Twitter: "Very sorry and sad to say it's true. I'll be offline for a while. Love to all."

Bowie's long-time friend and producer Tony Visconti wrote on Facebook: "His death was no different from his life - a work of art.

"He made Blackstar for us, his parting gift.

"I knew for a year this was the way it would be.

I wasn't, however, prepared for it. He was an extraordinary man, full of love and life. He will always

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Flowers have been left in tribute to Bowie at a mural in his birthplace of Brixton, south London Comedian and actor Ricky Gervais, who convinced Bowie to star as himself and ridicule Gervais in an episode of 2006 sitcom Extras, simply wrote: "I just lost a hero. RIP David Bowie."

Scottish musician Midge Ure, who helped organised the Live Aid concert in 1985 - at which Bowie performed - told ITV's Good Morning Britain: "He wasn't just a brilliant songwriter and an amazing creator, he excelled at everything.

"He gave us the point to run towards, we are all still trying to run towards that, everyone."

Bowie was born David Jones in Brixton, south London, on 8 January in 1947. He changed his name in 1966 after The Monkees' Davy Jones achieved stardom.

His career spanned six decades.

He was in several bands before he signed with Mercury Records, which released his album Space Oddity in 1969, with the title track becoming his first UK number one His breakthrough came with 1972's The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars.

He also carved out a successful

acting career, including his role as an alien seeking help for his dying planet in Nicolas Roeg's The Man Who Fell to Earth in 1976.

He did a three-month stint as The Elephant Man on Broadway in the 1980s, with other roles that decade including Labyrinth, Cat People and The Hunger.

Bowie also starred in Marlene Dietrich's last film, Just a Gigolo (1978), and played Pontius Pilate in Martin Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ (1988).

The late 1980s were dominated by Bowie's involvement with his new band, a postmodernist heavy metal outfit, Tin Machine.

The 1990s saw David Bowie flirting with drum-andbass on the Earthling album, while his 2002 album Heathen saw a long-awaited return to form for the singer.

Bowie changed his name in 1966 He had headlined Glastonbury in 2000 - his first appearance there since 1971.

Bowie's last live performance was at a New York charity concert in 2006.

But after a decade without a studio album he released The Next Day in 2013, surprising fans who thought he had retired. It became his first UK number one for 20 years.

He co-wrote Lazarus, a musical featuring his songs and inspired by his role in The Man Who Fell to Earth, which opened in New York last month.

And a truncated version of Blackstar, the title track of his new album, appears as the theme music for the TV show The Last Panthers.

A retrospective of Bowie's life, originally staged at London's Victoria & Albert Museum, is being shown at the Groninger Museum in the Netherlands, which was opening its door specially on Monday to allow fans to remember the star. - BBC

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January 2016

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space outside your windows.

Brightly colored elements can also last into the spring and summer, so you’ll get more bang for your decorating bucks.

Reflective State With the shorter days, it’s time to maximize what natural light is still available. Hanging a large mirror on a blank stretch of wall or above a mantel display will reflect light throughout your space. Turn the mirror into a decorative display by painting the frame an eye-catching color.

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Rascals

New Year!New Look!New show!New Members!

Rascals, Costa Blanca's l e a d i n g musical variety group, will bounce into the New Year with a new look!

Commencing in midJanuary, they will be starting rehearsals for a great new musical and comedy show, to be performed in May 2016.

The Show, entitled ‘Saturday Night at the Movies’ is being put together by Show Director Annette Baldwin with assistance from Michelle Grocutt and Julie Schofield.

Annette has many years experience in musical theatre, and whilst in the UK took on leading roles in shows such as “Me and my Girl” and “Anything Goes” to name just two.

If you are a fan of the silver screen then you will be tapping your feet and singing along to such classics as ‘Sherry’ and ‘Can't take my eyes off of you’ from the Jersey Boys, ‘Under the Boardwalk’ from the Drifters, a classic James Bond medley as well as some great comedy!

The picture above shows Rascals wearing their ‘new look’ polo shirts in preparation for a series of membership drives which will be held in January at Los Montesinos, San Luis, Almoradi,

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We are seeking new members to join us so If you would like to know more about us, the good work we do for charity and how you can help then why not come along for a chat.

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January 2016

MONEY CAN GROW ON TREES !

Why own teak?

Teak in particular offers one of the best values and highest yields in the timber sector. It is a small niche segment of the timber industry and is managed by smaller, privately owned companies rather than by big institutional operators.

While there is growing demand and decreasing supply for timber in general, the imbalance may be even more dramatic for teak. Rapidly developing nations including Brazil, India and China are some of the largest consumers of teak, ensuring that demand will continue to increase.

Meanwhile, international legislation has banned or severely restricted harvesting of native teak in most countries, while an insufficient number of plantation programs have been established to replenish the supply of teak.

Formed in 1988, the team at I.T.A.S. Limited (“ITAS”) have gathered a wealth of experience with over thirty years within the timber Industry.

ITAS Limited specialises in direct tree sales and the supply of processed timber products on a international platform.

ITAS holds the leasehold title interests of a number of plantations in the Northern Brazil. ITAS through it’s local Brazilian operations provides opportunities emerging from the plantations on which assets are grown ensuring local labour is used which provides some economic sustainability for the local economy.

With a choice of several ownership products, the potential returns are based upon both growth and the length of ownership. From purchasing seedlings and watching the growing asset flourish into a thick plantation to purchasing a mature plot on existing established plantations. When the trees on each plantation are harvested they provide an environmentally conscious source of timber to the

international markets. Once sold the net proceeds are returned to the plot owner, thus providing their return on their purchase.

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January 2016

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January 2016

All motor vehicles must be insured by law DO I NEED TO INSURE MY VEHICLE EVEN IF IT’S OFF THE ROAD? Some insurance policies like medical cover are not compulsory, others such as fire protection for your property, are. Your vehicle however, must be insured at all times, even if it’s kept off the road in a garage. The minimum legal compulsory insurance is Civil Liability to cover any damage to or claims from a third party, resulting from your vehicle. The existing legislation (Royal Decree 8/2004) states that any car that is kept in Spain must be insured. Trailers and other special types of vehicles that weigh less than 750 kg and cannot be driven on Spanish roads are not required to have insurance. This also means that they cannot be parked on roads or kept on private land.

If you own a vehicle that’s not insured you could face a fixed penalty from €601 up to €3,005, and your vehicle may be seized and immobilised.

WHY DO I NEED TO INSURE MY CAR IF ITS KEPT IN A PRIVATE GARAGE The owner of a vehicle has a civil responsibility towards their neighbour and their property. Civil responsibility extends beyond car accidents on Spanish roads. If a vehicle, for example, kept in a communal garage, has a fire due to a short circuit, the owner will be responsible for any resulting damages to third parties. The owner will also be liable for a fixed penalty fine, the amount will depend on the gravity of the situation, the length of time the vehicle has been without insurance, and if this is a repeat offense.

IN WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES IS INSURANCE NOT COMPULSORY? If your vehicle has officially been temporarily or permanently taken out of circulation, for example it has been scrapped, then no insurance is required. If you own a vehicle that is not being used and you wish to avoid paying for insurance, then you can apply to have it temporarily taken out of circulation.

However, to do this the vehicle needs to have passed its MOT. If the MOT has expired, then it must be taken again and passed, before applying.

HOW CAN I AVOID ANY FIXED PENALTY FINES The best option is to ensure you have adequate insurance protection for your vehicle at all times.

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Spain’s Princess Cristina tried for fraud

Spain’s Princess Cristina has become the first member of the country’s royal family to be put on trial.

She is charged with being an accomplice in an alleged embezzlement scam involving her husband and 16 other defendants, who all deny the charges.

Princess Cristina, 50, faces eight years in jail if found guilty by a three-member panel of judges.

The trial in Palma, Majorca, is seen as an embarrassment for the royal family.

Princess Cristina arrived at the court in Palma on Monday with her husband, Inaki Urdangarin, who is accused of embezzlement and money laundering.

They made no statement to reporters. A small group of anti-monarchists protested outside.

As the judges read out the charges, the princess sat at the back of a makeshift courtroom at the public administration school in Palma. Her husband sat in the same row but court rules prevented them from sitting together.

Three rows of six defendants sitting in court on blue chairs, facing the panel of judges.

But in the third row, at one end, sits Princess Cristina, sixth in line to the Spanish throne.

It’s something many people in Spain thought they would never see - the powerful being held to account.

Princess Cristina’s lawyers will try to get charges against her dismissed. But in a country where corruption has become a huge political issue, this is a big moment.

Mr Urdangarin’s supposedly non-profit Noos Institute sports foundation was allegedly used as a vehicle to win falsely inflated contracts from regional government bodies, before channelling the money to personal accounts via tax havens.

Noos is alleged to have received more than €6m (£4.4m; $6.5m) of public money, most of it from the Balearic Islands and Valencia regional governments.

If found guilty, Mr Urdangarin could face 19 years and six months in jail.

Bbc.com

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black and white

Checks, stripes, diamonds, zeb Rorschach-style motifs all camra print and this fashion month. Black and e into play at Valentino, Saint Laurent and white prints created an optical style illusion,Emilio Pucci reflected on the street in myr ready to be iad ways.

Reefer jackets

Based on the U.S. Navy’s double-breasted blue coat, the reefer jacket is back for Fall/Winter 2015-2016.

In a seafaring echo to the military trend, at ChloĂŠ the reefer was worn ultra long, while Nina Ricci paired it with a sheer lace skirt. At Michael Kors it was thrown over the shoulders, Italian-style.

Looking artfully disheveled has become an obsession in the beauty world. We pay good money to have our hair color appear grown out, strive to create styles that look like bedhead, and like our makeup everso-slightly imperfect. How delightful it is to receive a hair compliment, then casually reply with, "Oh, these textured waves? I slept on them."

It's safe to say that looking like you don't give a shit has become a trend. So much so, one could argue that the most provocative beauty statement you could make right now is to show up without a hair out of place. This may be why many of the spring 2016 runway shows featured just that: the return of "done" hair.

Hairstylists at DVF, Balmain x H&M, Victoria Beckham, and more sent models down the runway with hair that looked like it took time, effort, skill, and a range of products to achieve. Could this be the end of gym hair as we know it?

The Most Shocking r i a H 6 1 0 2 Trend

A big, fat trend spotted in dresses at Fendi, skirt suits at Chanel and Nineties brights at Moschino, the padded jacket was everywhere this fashion month. Wrap up warm, your below-zero wardrobe is covered.

Over-The-Top Volume At Balmain X H&M

Affordable More affordable Balmain wasn't the only thing to come out of the collab that rocked the fashion world this year. Models at Balmain x H&M's show wore big, side-parted curls that screamed "rich-girl hair." Cop the look using this how-to, then finish with a heavy application of volume spray. http://www.refinery29.com/

Quilted jackets

14

January 2016

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Building Permits for New Homes Rose by 29.2%

Data released by Spain’s Ministry of Public Works last week indicated that the number of building licences authorised for new construction for residential use in Spain between January and October 2015 amounted to a total of 39,871 permits, which represents an increase of 29.2%, compared to the same period of the previous year, when a total of 30,858 permits were issued.

Of the total number of permits authorised in the whole of the ten month period, some 27,827 were for apartments in blocks (with a year-on-year rise of 32.8%) and 12,028 were for individual family homes, representing a year-on-year increase of 21.6%.

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In addition, El Mundo reported that there were 16 building permits authorised for other types of building works not intended for family dwellings, which is one less than in the same period of last year. The significant increase registered to October comes after, in 2014, the number of permits for new builds broke a streak of seven consecutive years of declines, registering an increase of 1.7%, and reaching a total of 34,873 permits authorised.

This real estate market indicator marked an all-time low in 2013 of 34,288 licences issued, a figure which represents a decline of 96%, since the peak levels reached in 2006, when a total of 865,561 permits were authorised. kyero.com

Spanish Residents Took 58 Million Trips in Q3

Residents in Spain made around 58.36 million trips in the third quarter of last year, 55.6% of which were for leisure, 34.4% to visit family or friends, and 5.1% for work reasons, according to the results of the Residents Tourism Survey published last week by the National Statistics Institute.

The Institute’s data show that the average duration of the trips made between July and September was 6.4 overnight stays, and that 90.6% of these trips were within the national territory, while the remaining 9.4% of the trips were to foreign destinations.

With regard to types of accommodation, staying in the homes of friends or relatives was the most popular choice for domestic destinations, accounting for 47.1% of the total, followed by owned second homes (18%) and hotels (18%). On the trips made abroad, hotel accommodation was the most used, with 46.3% of the total.

The top preferred regions for trips made by residents in Spain in the third quarter of 2015 were Andalucía (18.8%), Catalonia (12.5%) and Valencia (11.3%), while the least popular destinations for Spanish residents were La Rioja (with 0.8% of the total number of trips) and Navarra (1%).

Regarding the origin of the traveller, residents in the Madrid region accounted for 20.3% of the journeys, followed by those from Andalucía (16%) and Catalonia (16%).

Discounting the effect of the differing sizes of each region, the residents of Madrid made most trips (with 1,801 trips per 1,000 inhabitants) followed by the Basque Country (1,513 trips), Aragón (1,460 trips) and Navarra (1,451 trips), while the fewest trips were made by residents of the Canary and Balearic Islands, with around 750 trips per 1,000 inhabitants, and the autonomous city of Melilla, with 808 trips. kyero.com

House Prices Rose by 1% in 2015

Compared with 2014, the average price of housing in Spain rose by 1% in 2015, which is the first increase since the beginning of the crisis, according to the IMIE Local Markets Index for the fourth quarter of last year, published last week by the property appraisal company, Tinsa.

The regions where house prices rose most in 2015 were Catalonia (5.3%), Madrid (3.3%) and the Balearic Islands (2.7%), while the greatest price declines were registered in Navarra (-8.5%), Murcia (-4.3%) and Aragon (-3.6%).

With regard to Spain’s provinces, the most significant year-on-year price increases in the fourth quarter were recorded in Girona (10.7%), Barcelona (5.8%) and Lleida (5.3%), followed by Albacete (4.5%) and Madrid (3.3%). In contrast, the greatest decreases were noted in Navarra (-8.5%), Córdoba (-7.7%) and Palencia (-7.1%). Among the large cities, the greatest increases in housing

prices in the fourth quarter, compared to last year, were those recorded in Barcelona (8.7%), Badajoz (5.7%), Ávila (4.3%) and Madrid (3.8%), while prices fell most in Zaragoza (-4%) and Seville (-3%).

The report indicated that the average time it takes to sell a home in Spain currently stands at 10.2 months, compared with 10.6 months six months ago, and that Cantabria is the province where most time is required to sell a home, at 18.6 months. Moreover, the provinces of Alava, Segovia, Ávila, Salamanca, A Coruña and Vizcaya also have longer terms than the national average for selling a home, all at above 14 months on average.

In contrast, the provinces where it takes least time to sell a property are Ceuta (3.7 months) and Melilla (5.3 months), followed by Soria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, both with an average term of 7 months. kyero.com

16

SOL Y MAR

Avenida 28 de Febrero Nº 44, Albox

January 2016

Tel: 950 064 584 609 199 394

Email: info@solymarspain.com www.solymarspain.com

country cortijo partaloa sol091 - 62,000€

BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED NEAR ALMANZORA sol726 - 89,995€

unique location cantoria sol137 - 108,000€

This lovely 3 bed 1 bath attached countryhouse is situated close the beautiful town of Arboleas, and a short drive from the market town of Albox.

Beautiful restored mid terrace cortijo. Features 1000m2 of land, private courtyard, 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

Delightful 2 bed, semi-detached villa with pool, set in a fenced plot of approx 611m2. In a unique location, not part of an urbanisation, only 4km from Cantoria where all amenities can be found.

stunning 360º views Cantoria sM005 - 109,000€

STUNNING SETTING Close to ALMANZORA sol150 - 119,000€

Traditional Spanish House near albox sm024 - 106,950€ r

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Detached 2 bedrooms, 2 bathroom villa with 360 degree view of the surrounding valley.

Features peller heating system, roof terrace and Jacuzzi.

This is a beautiful 3 bed, 2 bath villa located in a tranquil setting only 3 minutes outside of the lively village of Almanzora.

Traditional attached Spanish house with lots of character. Features internal courtyard, idyllic setting and 3 bedrooms plus 2 cave rooms, 2 bath & short drive to Albox

Albox SM025 - 120,000€

Walking distance Almanzora sM022 - 125,000€

IDYLLIC SETTING TABERNO sm002 - 139,950€

Traditional townhouse in prime location walking distance to all amenities to Albox. Features 3 bed, 2 bath, fully enclosed patio & available furnished.

A lovely, detached bright villa in a great location. Well maintained gardens and room for a swimming pool. Walking distance to the local amenities, must be seen to be appreciated.

Traditional restored cortijo in an idyllic setting with fantastic views. Features 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and part A/C

country home nr baza SM014 - 140,000€

close to all amenities cantoria sM004 - 160,000€

Immaculate Home near albox sM021 - 169,000€

Part cave country home, stunning setting, 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, large plot, partially fenced, stunning views

Immaculate detached 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms villa. Within walking distance to town. Features above ground pool and tranquil setting.

Detached 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom country villa with 2400m2 of land. Close to Albox and appointed to a high standard.

17

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PROPERTY OF THE WEEK re

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SM018 Now reduced price 2/3 bedrooms Swimming Pool Immaculate condition Beautiful mature garden Close to all local amenities

Only 115,000€ WE URGENTLY REQUIRE LEGAL PROPERTIES FROM COAST TO COUNTRY WE ARE LOOKING FOR ALL TYPES OF PROPERTIES FOR RENTAL OPPORTUNITIES. CLIENTS WAITING CALL US 950 064 584 Beautiful Detached villa near albox sol161 - 169,950€

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DETACHED TOWNHOUSE CANTORIA TOWN CENTRE sm009 - 186,500€

only 3oo€ PCM IMMACULATE ATTIC CONVERSION CLOSE TO aLBOX RSM002 - 200€ pcm

COUNTRY CORTIJO CLOSE TO aLBOX RSM004 - 325€ pcm

Separate one bed fully self contained attic of Spanish cortijo. Fully furnished with many traditional features.

3 bed semi attached cortijo with small courtyard and roof terrace Comes fully furnished, in a secluded tranquil setting and only 20 mins from Albox

Detached 6 bed , 2 bath , 3 storey house on the edge of town. Easy walk to Cantoria , fully insulated roof , enclosed patio and roof terrace

two living quarters Almanzora village sM020 - 200,000€

Charming villa in the heart of the village with swimming pool. Features 2 separate living quarters with 2 bedrooms in each.

STUNNING SETTING MAR620 - 350€ pcm

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IMMACULATE VILLA Near aLBOX MAR907 - 450€ pcm

IDYLLIC SETTING BAJO SALIENTE NEAR ALBOX RSM011 - 450€ pcm

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18

Spain Travels

January 2016

consider ed to be is pe ro Eu of y tr un co us Spain the most fa bulo s all ov er the wor ld. on ti ca lo er el av tr l na io the most except Spain has its own excellent history which resembles a maintained gem to it. Because many races came right here and settled out here, there were several civilizations in Spain. Spain travel guide will certainly inform you about these races. Successively these were Iberians, Celts, Celtiberians, Phoenicians, and Carthaginians and so on most of them were called and organized according to their nature of work.

An incredible city Barcelona is the most elegant city and has numerous tourist attractions to enjoy and enjoy. Barcelona has variety of clean beaches, museums reflecting the culture of Romans past in their history and has variety of parks and gardens to see. It is a grand city with contemporary design of living and has many shops and markets for the tourists and individuals out here. Now the next is the Madrid City which is another beautiful city blended with a mix up of lots of things to see. It has museums, parks natural stunning scenic gardens and lots of type of parties constantly happen day and night so that the travelers enjoy to its extreme.

There are lounges and bars for making the day cool and night thrilling for the tourists and individuals out right here.

Mediterranean Magic : An entire new world awaits you, Fiestas, wonderful

food and, the awe motivating Flamenco! Everything Spain travel has to offer, something for everybody.

Even the most seasoned visitor will discover something new and stimulating in this nation.

The great Mediterranean climate, the culture, the cuisine. A magical place, where you too can go into and feel the enchantment. Spanish life has to do with excellent buddies, and enjoying the simple, but enlightening things in life. Participation is the key, to really enjoy the Spanish experience.

Coast to Coast : Spain has much more to offer, having some of the most fascinating cities in Europe, where brandnew experiences await. Ancient Cities, steeped in history and custom, too often missed by many of those who travel to Spain.

The Real City of Madrid : Discover the heritage and what it truly feels like to be in the heart of Spain. Las Ventas, in Madrid, is the largest bullring in the whole of Spain, seen as the bull fighting centre of the world. No matter when you take a trip to Spain, something is always occurring in Madrid!

Finding new cities can be excellent enjoyable, whether you prefer to go alone, with a friend or partner, or in a group. All you need to do is look

around, Spain has something to suit everybody, no matter their choices. With the ideal guidance and incentive, new doors can be opened. You can go to locations, gain special experiences and understanding into exactly what Spain is truly about. It’s history, it’s people, and take pleasure in the amazing landscapes and coastline this country needs to offer.

A Guiding Hand : There are those who can make access much easier, to everything these cities have to provide.

Expert’s who have actually gotten to understand a city, inside out. No have to roam through the streets and guidebooks. There are guides who can give educated tours of a museum or gallery. Or discover you a table at an excellent local restaurant, with terrific music, Flamenco, or introduce you to an artist. Experience locations where visitors hardly ever go, and real Spain truly survive on. Travel Spain, like an expert.

Spain the most fabulous city of Europe is thought about to be the most outstanding tourist locations all over the world. http://tips4travel.org/

www.soltimes.com

Rojales Pantomime group’s Production of HUMPTY, DUMPTY.

H u m p t y, Dumpty is about to make a BIG FALL in Los Montesinos, when the Pantomime group hold their annual pantomime at El Escuela de Musica y Cultura Los Motesinos, but not to worry he has Magical Powers and is going to put them to good use in Nursery Rhyme Land with the help of Mother Goose, Humpty will be played by their youngest member Taylor Knightsbridge only 15 and his real life Mother Sonia Knightsbridge will be Mother Goose..

Susan Bradford has never been on stage before but has thrown all she has into the part of “Tommy Tittlemouse.” Thelma Judson has been with the group for some time and is enjoying the part of “Jack Spratt.”

Jackie Reed and Pam Derbyshire are “Mary Quite Contrary and Polly Flinders” Once again Cyril Derbyshire will take part of the King and Lynden B plays “Dame Dobb”. Lynden is no stranger to the stage and is well known on the Costa Blanca, he played one of the ugly sisters in their “Cinderella” last year. Michele Martin plays a very convincing baddy as “Grimm” servant to the sorcerer Monstro.

(Peter Blackburn) As usual there are a couple of dim

wits as guards, not to be forgotten are the back stage crew who work tirelessly on making props, building and painting of scenery and making costumes which all adds up to the making of a fun pantomime.

Terri Horvath Morris

Dates are Thursday and Friday evening January 14th 15th starting at 7,30pm with a matinee on Saturday 16th at 2.30pm.

Tickets 7 euros Adults 5 for Children Reserve tickets contact 965712829 or 678212034 shimserv@ gmail.com. Each year the money raised is given to various charities in the communities of Rojales and Los Montesinos.

practice every Friday at Campoverde Town Hall 16:00 18:00 from beginning of September until end of July. Anyone interested in joining our friendly group would be made very welcome. If you are relatively fit, male or female, any age,

with or without dancing experience, we will teach you various forms of traditional English Morris dancing. We are also available to dance out at any local charity event or fiesta throughout the coming year. The above photographs show us on two of our displays last year.

“That’s Entertainment”.

The ever-popular 70-strong chorus, Melody Makers International, are in final rehearsals for their latest show, “That’s Entertainment”. This is to be performed in the exotic setting of the Orihuela Costa Resort at La Zenia on Saturday 30th January. There will be two performances, at 2pm and 8pm, and the entire production is directed and conducted by Nigel Hopkins.

The show will feature many popular favourites which include:- Bridge Over Troubled Water (no.1 hit over CHRISTMAS)’, Fix You, Rock Around The Clock, One Moment In Time, Phantom of the Opera medley, and many, many more. Some of the finest soloists on the Costa are featured in the show which will include comedy routines, also a special performance of a small close harmony group which should prove most entertaining.

The show will be accompanied by a professional band from the UK, led by Matthew Hopkins, Director of Music at Nottingham Trent University, who will be visiting La Zenia with his famous award-winning Chamber Choir on their Spanish tour in April.

Melody Makers International are supporting the most worthwhile charity, Debra, the Butterfly Children’s Charity, for those with the serious condition Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). This is a rare disease where blisters and wounds occur spontaneously and with even the slightest touch.

As well as the MMI support there will be a bucket collection for the charity. Nigel Hopkins has even written a song about the condition (EB) called Butterfly, which will be performed by the three youngest soloists of the evening.

Tickets (Matinee: 10€ and Evening: 12€) are available from several outlets, including La Ponderosa gift shop at La Zenia, The CardPlace at both Punta Prima and Benimar, also the Debra Charity Shops at Quesada and San Fulgencio.

Excellent entertainment for all the family.

19

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January 2016

FOR BUSINESS Saudi Arabia's Aramco considering share sale

Saudi Aramco, the giant oil company owned by the Saudi Arabian state, has confirmed that it is considering a share sale.

The move would make Aramco - already the largest oil producer - the world's most valuable listed company. In an interview in the Economist, deputy crown prince Mohammed bin Salman had said a move was being "reviewed".

The company released a statement on Friday confirming it was looking at a number of options regarding a sale. "Saudi Aramco confirms that it has been studying various options to allow broad

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public participation in its equity through the listing in the capital markets of an appropriate percentage of the company's shares and/or the listing of a bundle its downstream subsidiaries."

Aramco has crude reserves of about 265bn barrels - more than 15% of global deposits and with falling oil prices a sale would raise revenues for Saudi. icit nearing $100bn (£68.4bn) due to the collapse in oil prices over the past 18 months.

The deputy crown prince told the Economist he favoured listing Aramco shares on the stock market. "Personally I'm enthusiastic about this step. I believe it is in the interest of the Saudi market, and it is in the interest of Aramco, and it is for the interest of more transparency, and to counter corruption, if any, that may be circling around Aramco."

He did not say how much of the company could be sold. Analysts have estimated that a full listing of Aramco would be worth more than $1 trillion. The world's most valuable company currently is Apple, worth about $543bn.

Aramco produces more than 10 million barrels of oil per day, three times as much as the world's largest listed oil company, ExxonMobil.

Mohammed bin Salman, who as chairman of his country's new Council of Economic and Development Affairs has broad authority over the economy, said the government would sell a range of state assets in healthcare, education and some military industries. "It will decrease some of the pressure that the government has, and some of them may create good profit," he told the Economist.

Fadel Gheit, analyst for Oppenheimer & Co, said an Aramco flotation "makes a lot of sense".

Even if, say, 20% of Aramco was sold it would fund Saudi Arabia's budget for a year. http://www.bbc.com/

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Samsung’s operating profit forecast misses expectations

Samsung Electronics says its operating profit is likely to rise 15% in the fourth quarter from a year ago, missing market expectations.

The preliminary figures show that operating profit will be 6.1tn won ($5.1bn; £3.5bn) for the October to December period, from 5.29tn won a year earlier.

Analysts had expected the amount to be 6.6tn won, fuelling growth concerns.

Samsung products have been hit by weak demand in China and currency woes.

Operating profit fell 7.5% from the previous quarter.

Sales at the world’s biggest maker of memory chips and smartphones also missed forecasts at 53tn won for the period.

Samsung does not break down its earnings results in the preliminary report, leaving analysts to speculate on how each business division is doing.

But analysts predict that the latest forecast is a sign that the tech giant will face another tough year of weaker gadget sales as the smartphone market is saturated.

Samsung is facing stiff competition at the top end of the market from Apple, while cheaper Chinese rivals are gaining ground in the mid to low level range for mobile devices.

On Monday, chief executive Kwon Oh-hyun had warned that the firm faced challenges on weak global economic growth prospects.

Final earnings results for the quarter are due to be released at the end of January. http://www.bbc.com/

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Book review

“So many secrets, lies and burdens of shame.

The truth was like the tide: no matter how far it might ebb, it would always make a return.”

One of those easy reads but infuriatingly incredible to believe. Lies, deception and hypocrisy emerge to shatter the cosy existence of Eva, a famous ex-model living in the lap of luxury having shunned the limelight. The reason? The book begins by disclosing details about a vicious knife attack by a psychopathic maniac who had been stalking the beautiful Eva during the height of her fame. The attack was barbaric and life-threatening more so because Eva was pregnant at the time. She was fighting for her life but miraculously survived to give birth to a son.

She was left badly disfigured.

“There were so many of them, cruel jagged gashes torn into the flawless fabric of her skin, grinning, like silent, gruesome mouths.”

Eva’s cold-hearted and selfish rejection of her son, unable and unwilling to love and cherish him resulted in his immediate adoption and once Eva recovered it was something she lived to regret. Nick, t h e father of the child rejected Eva immediately after the attack and Eva’s vengeance in punishing such a callous act was in turn to abandon his son-her own flesh and blood.

This chick-flick romance begins in an interestingly dramatic way then plunges into mediocrity and ends on a cringingly predictable

No Turning Back by Susan Lewis happy-ever-after note. As a beach-read it is more than adequate but too contrived and spoiled by this predictability.

To an outsider, Eva’s world seems perfect then crash, bang, wallop reality sinks in to a topsyturvy hell before divine intervention falls on them like manna from heaven. Forgiveness, cloaked as a religious almost divine analogy absolves the betrayal of trust and loyalty. Just like that. It ends on a hopeful note typifying Susan Lewis’ craft as a writer of romance. Forgiveness transcends sin.

“Where are They Now?” Who would have thought that an article written 16 years later would have reminded Eva of a painful time in the past that she had hoped had been buried, that sometimes the past invades the present and can impinge on the future?

The story moves on 16 years where life is looking good for Eva although she is secretly pining for the son she gave away. She married her “rock” who turns out to be the biggest hypocrite in the story alongside sister Patty. Eva has been naïve, what an understatement! When she has a pitiful showdown with Don she cannot accept his infidelities: “Don would never cheat on her, or lie, or do anything to hurt her, he wouldn’t lie, he never lied!”

Even Jasmine, Don’s daughter had warned Eva: “You know what they say about men who dump

pause for thought 2016 already! Just where did 2015 go? It seems no time at all since last January; and now that year has past; Christmas has been and gone; and we’re into another New Year, doubtless marked by the traditional making of resolutions for some change to our lives, in which ideals many of us have probably already failed.

The trouble with making New Year resolutions is that whilst they’re usually pretty easy to make, they are, if they’re worth anything at all, almost by definition, incredibly difficult to keep. Whether to give up alcohol, tobacco or food, to get fit or simply to learn Spanish, the concept of such resolutions is generally to give motivation to help us achieve something where determination or good sense alone has failed. But, as I’m sure we’ve all experienced, even the best resolutions, supported by the utmost determination, too easily slip, often leaving us with feelings of inadequacy or failure.

But God knows and understands our weakness and is quick to forgive our failures, giving us strength to overcome as we turn to him in prayer. So how about a resolution this year to give some time to our faith, to spend a few seconds at least each day in prayer, even if all we can manage is a few lines from the ‘Lord’s Prayer’, and with His help, His forgiveness and His strength we may well find ourselves enjoying this brief communion and wanting to increase our time in His presence. And possibly, dare I suggest, we may find it helpful to meet with others, struggling in similar fashion, gaining strength from each other. For Church, surprising though it may seem, is not a group of highly successful religious experts, but rather a collection of folk who acknowledge our frequent failures and together seek to find the strength and capacity to learn more of the God we appreciate so little.

Details of a number of English Language Churches are given in Sol Noticeboard for any who wish to Worship, but further information about the Anglican Church and details of forthcoming events may be seen on the web site www. mojacarchurch.org Duncan Burr is Licensed Lay Reader for the Anglican Chaplaincy of Costa Almeria and Costa Cálida and may be contacted at djburr@avired.com

Full Alarm System Full CCTV Fully Insured You are welcome to visit our premises to view before parking

21

their wives, if they’ve done it once they’ll do it again.” Her own mother had been dumped by Don so she knew what she was talking about!

The truth can sometimes hurt and in Eva’s case it almost destroys her. She had been betrayed by her husband and Patty, her sister. Shocked.

Incensed. Foolish. Torn apart and filled with vengeance. A myriad of powerful emotions to contend with. Her life seemed to be inexorably falling apart.

The fashion industry and the world of glamour and its expensive trimmings seem superficial.

The adult world is characterised by insecurity, confusion and paranoia. Patty is downright irritating, wearing her heart on her sleeve, carrying the guilt of the world on her shoulders in a saintly fashion when she is relishing the love and physical contact of her sister’s husband.

Don just seems to enjoy changing partners, like a ping-pong ball that bounces from one court to another. He deserves to be rejected. Two wives down. Next? Not to be trusted anywhere near a pretty female. The worst type of male surely?

So, whilst the major part of the novel focuses on Eva’s betrayal and deception, the other development concerns her search for her long lost son with the possibility of a reconciliation from the love-rat, Nick. I suppose anything is possible. But there is a happy-ever-after if you believe in those sorts of things…Enough said.

Publisher: Random House. ISBN: 978-0-09955072-3 REVIEW it by Carol Naylor.

REVIEW it by Carol Naylor. www.carolnaylor.blogspot.com / www.carolesleynaylor.wordpress.com naylorcl@hotmail.es

SolPUZZLES

22

January 2016

pub quiz

1. What country is Pecorino cheese from?...............................................

2. Which vegetable is in fact the

sports quiz

flower of a large thistle?...................

3. Which food additive is made from

1. Perform a Rudolph and

the bones & skin of animals?............

a Randolph......................

4. What name is given to a dish

2. Throw stones at

originating from France primarily

houses............................

made from aubergines and green

3. Use a mashie or niblick

peppers in a tomato sauce?..............

4. Stand at silly point.......

5. Which type of pasta name means, ‘Little worms’?..................................

5. Start at the south stake

6. What seafood is known as

6. Sit in a sulky................

Norwegian lobster?...........................

7. Employ the O’Brien

7. Which drink is Worcestershire sauce traditionally added to?............

shift................................

8. Which Food of the Gods is said to

8. Win the Sam McGuire

bestow immortality?.........................

Trophy.............................

9. What is the name given to beef

9. Abide by the

Omelette Arnold Bennett? ...............

Answers

STANDARD CROSSWORD CLUES

10. What type of fish is in an

ACROSS 1 Used to spin yarn (7) 5 Atomic (7) 9 Stamping (9) 10 Delineated (5) 11 A public speech (7) 12 Of little importance (7) 13 Stardom (9) 15 Gapes (5) 17 Amounts of medicine (5) 19 A style of physical comedy (9) 22 Complain (7) 25 Every evening (7) 26 Permeate (5) 27 Craft (9) 28 Misbeliever (7) 29 Able to see (7)

DOWN 1 Varnish (7) 2 Dummies (9) 3 Annoy (7) 4 Widespread outbreaks of disease (9) 5 Not daytime (5) 6 A deliberate thinning of a herd (7) 7 Boredom (5) 8 Brain-teasers (7) 14 Prolonged unfulfilled desires (9) 16 Vest (9) 17 Like a canine (7) 18 In school, math or English (7) 20 Autographing (7) 21 Paddled in a type of boat (7) 23 Medium to dark brown (5) 24 Moral principle (5)

Cartwright Rules..............

10. Trim your sheets.........

Answers

1. Trampolining 2. Curling 3. Golf 4. Cricket 5. Croquet 6. Harness Racing 7. Shot Putt 8. Gaelic Football 9. Baseball 10. Yachting

cooked in puff pastry?......................

SUDOKU PUZZLE s

10. Smoked haddock

5. Vermicelli

9. Beef Wellington

4. Ratatouille

8. Ambrosia

3. Gelatin

7. Tomato juice

2. Artichoke

6. Scampi

1. Italy

squiggle

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

squiggle SUDOKU

standard SUDOKU

CROSSWORD

SOLUTIONS

standard

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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.

CASTILLA AMIGOS

We are a friendship group for single people. We meet every Wednesday from 3pm at RAYZ Bar on El Raso urbanisation (off the Lemon Tree Road, Guardamar) ANN – 966 717 390 - 666 747 398

COFFEE MATES

If you would like to have a coffee and a friendly chat, please join us at the La Laguna Hotel, Lo Marabu every Friday morning from 11am ANN - 966 717 390 - 666 747 398

Strictly Dance Ballroom and Latin

with the Professionals. ** New Classes Added**.

Every Tuesday at Alfonsos, Playa Flamenca 3-4pm Argentine Tango Tuition commencing 10 November. Tuesday The Club, Quesada 8-10pm Ballroom & Latin Tuition All grades. Wednesday at Alfonsos, Playa Flamenca 1:45-2:45 Jive Tuition commencing 11 November.

Wednesday, The Emerald Isle, La Florida, 3-5pm Ballroom & Latin Tuition All Grades1 Hour Classes Continual, 2 Hour Classes New Courses Every 3 Weeks. Singles Welcome. Come and join in the fun with professional training and keep up with the ‘Strictly’ gossip as a when it happens. Hope to welcome you soon. For more details contact Lyn on 966188430 or 635584431 or email lynatdenelledance@hotmail.com Info: 966 188 430, 635 584 431 or lynatdenelledance@hotmail.com

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION, Orihuela Costa Branch, covers the area from Punta Prima to San Javier and inland. The branch meets on the 3rd Thursday of every month at the Olympia Restaurant in Mil Palmeras at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. You do not have to be ex military to attend or to join. Everyone is welcome. More information can be found at the branch website - http://branches.britishlegion. org.uk/branches/orihuela-costa

THE ROYAL ASSOCIATION,

NAVAL

Torrevieja Branch, meet at 1700 on the first Wednesday of each month at the Restaurante El Paraiso, Urb. Jardin del Mar 3, (behind Carrefour), Torrevieja.

Contact Paul Edwards, Chairman, 618 644 934 or Margaret Forshaw, Secretary 966 921 996.

PASO A PASO DANCE CLUB DATES FOR YOUR DIARY CLASSES DURING JANUARY

Classes continue every Tuesday 11am as normal at El Castillo Restaurant, Beg/imp and lots of practice time. Av San Fulgencio, Urb La Marina Thursday 7pm at Los Rosales, Lemon Tree Road, cv895, CHINESE NEW YEAR. Sunday 7th February 2016 from 8.30pm.

Come and enjoy bringing in the YEAR OF THE MONKEY at the Rojales pato pekin Av Constitucion, 55. 03170. Rojales. Entertainment with Maxine and all your favourite dance tracks with Adz. ALL WELCOME please contact the restaurant to reserve your party table to avoid disappointment or dance club members book asap with Maxine.

NEIL WIFFEN Guest teach Thursday 21st April and Saturday workshop..TBC plus more details to follow.

DANCE CLUBS MAY WEEKEND TRIP TO MORAIRA 27th-30th May 2016 15 twin rooms have been reserved please let Maxine know if you would like to come along, we had a fantastic time last year and we are sure the weekend will be just as popular.

More details of price available on request. Car sharing where possible.

Well its going to be a busy exciting year plus plans for our third venue ..so many people want us to be south of Torrevieja its just a case of getting the right venue in the right area and a time that works for us all.

Wishing everyone a very happy Christmas and looking forward to a fun and exciting 2016.

Maxine and Adam 670 711 408 / 638 330 342 www.modern-jive-spain.com or find us on face book

La Bamba’s - Ballroom Modern / Latin / Argentine Tango / Sequence Dancing

Los Rosales Restaurant, Guardamar CV895 [near Lemon Tree Sunday Market] Monday - SOCIAL DANCE 8.30pm 10.30pm [SEQUENCE CLASS 7.30pm - 8.30pm] Friday - SOCIAL DANCE 7.30pm 10.30pm Wednesday - New Beginners Class [new beginners starting Wednesday 13th January 2016] 2pm -3pm Intermediate Class 3pm - 4pm Intermediate Plus Class 4pm - 5pm Andrea Murphy [0034] 616 478 157

race night in connection with paul cunningham nurses

Come along and enjoy the fun of Race Night at Reflections Bar, San Luis on 16th January At 7.00 p.m. This is on behalf of Paul Cunningham Nurses Charity. Tickets are 7Euros and to include dinner of Chilli Con Carne and Baked Potatoes.

To book your seat please telephone 688 387 490. Plus charity raffle.

BADMINT0N AT PILAR DE LA HORADADA

Mon, Tues, Wed and Thurs. 10-1pm.

For information ring John McGilvray on 966 786 774 or Mobiles 634 658 506/695 871 707 or e mail carolejohn_3@hotmail.com

TABLE TENNIS AT PILAR DE LA HORADADA

Sports Centre every Monday at 10am Five tables equipment supplied, coaching given if necessary, all standards welcome.

Contact George on 965 326097 or Gordon on 966 848304 or e-mail drewgeorge49@yahoo.com.

I nternationa l Christian Assembly evangelical church,

FRIENDS FOREVER- WE CARE Calle Urbano Arregui 23, Torrevieja Friends Forever-We Care is a non profit 03185. Meets every Sunday, 11am, making mixed club that meets the 2nd includes Sunday School for children. and 3rd Thursday afternoons 2-4pm at Prayer meetings, craft and computer clubs, Bible study groups. Also house “The Club” Quesada. groups at La Siesta: Tuesdays, 3pm.

We play Bingo, have a speaker and go Call 674552754 for details. La Zenia: to different restaurants for Menu del Wednesdays, 3pm,. call 620318964.

Dia on the 4th Thursday of the month. Torrevieja: Thursdays 5.30pm. Call If you would like to make new friends 608283661, and in church and have a fun afternoon come along building, Tuesdays, 6pm 617591399 and and join us. You can phone JOHN on call Thursdays, 5.30pm call 626 905 853 for more information.

608283661. For other church matters call Pilar Christian pastor, Rafael Restrepo, Community Church on 966799273 or mobile Calle Canalejas 3. Pilar de la Horadada. 660127276.

23

SPIRITUALIST CENTRE, BENIJOFAR

Meets at Hamilton´s Bake House, 62 Calle Vicente, Blasco Ibañez, Benijofar 03178.

We hold a Sunday Service at 11.30 a.m., a Tuesday Evening of Mediumship at 7 p.m. And every Thursday there is an Open Circle where you can develop your skills commencing at 6.30 p.m.

Spiritual healing is available every Sunday and Tuesday after the service.

The Divine Service with Mediumship, on Sunday, 17th January, will be taken

by Ray Bailey. David Darnbrough will take the Evening of Mediumship on Tuesday, 19th January. Anna-Marie Blyth will take the Divine Service, with Mediumship, on Sunday, 24th January.

Contact Wendy on 965323028. www. spiritualistcentre-benijofar.com New email is phoenixchurch23@gmail.com or info@spiritualistcentre-benijofar.com Identificacion Fiscal G54713789.

THESE VELVETONES JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN!!

The ladies could not wait to return to rehearsals after the Christmas and New Year break. They need to start fundraising again for concerts in May and December. They love to sing and raise money for good causes.

They would welcome any potential singers or social members to swell their numbers as many of the singers spend their time in Spain and their mother countries. So if you are living near Torrevieja (or farther if you don’t mind travelling) join us for a free coffee and listen to the hobby that fills them with joy. They do not meet in July and August so - if you are in Spain 6 months on and off - they can still train you up! Singing a capella in 4 part harmony (think of Gareth Malone’s Naked Choir) will lift your spirits and boost your health and they have great social outings and more!

They rehearse Weds mornings at El Paraiso, behind Carrefour Torrevieja and you will be met with a warm welcome, in an uncompetitve and fun atmosphere from approx 10am to 12.30.

See the website or facebook pages www. velvetonesharmonytorrevieja.com or call Ena on 965 707 598 Have a Happy and Healthy 2016

El Raso c.c.El Campico 622 434 912

Sunday Service at 11am, and Thursday at 5pm for Prayer and Praise and

COSTA COBRAS RFC

Worship Home groups meet during the new rugby club based on the beach.Training juniors week. All welcome from any church Monday and Wednesday background or none. For further 20.00-21.30, seniors information contact PilarChristian. 20.00-21.30 For more details contact CommunityChurch@gmail.com. 966 Garry 692 767 242 or 849 448 - 966 848 806 Robert on 697 286 416

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24

January 2016

FOOD & ENTERTAINING...

Healthy eating Smoky Beans On(Serves Toast 1)

Forget shop-bought cans of baked beans, this homemade version is tastier and healthier, with an impressive 4 of your 5 a day Heat the oil in a small pan, add the onion and pepper, and fry gently until soft, about 10-15 mins. Crush half the garlic and add this to the pan, along with the tomatoes, paprika, vinegar, beans, sugar and some seasoning. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10-15 mins or until slightly reduced and thickened.

Toast the bread, rub with the remaining garlic and drizzle with a little oil. Spoon the beans over the toast, drizzle with a little more oil and scatter over the parsley.

Ingredients: ½ tbsp olive oil , plus extra for drizzling ½ small onion , sliced ½ small red pepper, thinly sliced into strips 1 garlic clove, halved 227g can chopped tomatoes ½ tsp smoked paprika 2 tsp red wine vinegar 210g can butter beans or chickpeas, drained ¼ tsp sugar 1 slice seeded bread a few parsley sprigs, finely chopped

Ruby’s

URBANISATION EL RASO, CAMPO DE GUARDAMAR, JUST OFF THE CV895 LEMON TREE ROAD, 03140

TEL 622 434 912

Opening times 10am till Late Tuesday - Sunday

Continuing with our New Year New You recipes, here we have a sample of super delicious and healthier eating options from BBC Good Food.

Indian Winter Soup (Serves 4-6)

Ingredients: 100g pearl barley 2 tbsp vegetable oil ½ tsp brown mustard seeds 1 tsp cumin seeds 2 green chillies, deseeded / finely chopped 1 bay leaf 2 cloves 1 small cinnamon stick ½ tsp ground turmeric 1 large onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 parsnip, cut into chunks 200g butternut squash, cut into chunks 200g sweet potato, cut into chunks 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp ground coriander 225g red lentils 2 tomato, chopped small bunch coriander, chopped 1 tsp grated ginger 1 tsp lemon juice

This warming winter soup is high in fibre, low in fat and can be frozen for ultimate convenience Rinse the pearl barley and cook following pack instructions.

When it is tender, drain and set aside. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed pan. Fry the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, chillies, bay leaf, cloves, cinnamon and turmeric until fragrant and the seeds start to crackle. Tip in the onion and garlic, then cook for 5-8 mins until soft. Stir in the parsnip, butternut and sweet potato and mix thoroughly, making sure the vegetables are fully coated with the oil and spices.

Sprinkle in the paprika, ground coriander and seasoning, and stir again.

Add the lentils, pearl barley, tomatoes and 1.7 litres water.

Bring to the boil then turn down and simmer until the vegetables are tender. When the lentils are almost cooked, stir in the chopped coriander, ginger and lemon juice.

Inside-Out(Serves Chicken Kiev 4) Menu Del Dia 12.30pm - 4pm Tuesday - Friday 4 Course 7.95€ Full Main Menu 6pm - 9pm Sunday Lunch Available 2pm - 7pm 3 Course 9.95€ / 2 Course 7.95€ Happy Hour 4pm - 6pm Wednesday is quiz night with Nick Marshall with our great 5€ meal deals for quiz players PLUS Karaoke with guest singers Last person standing, winner takes all

GREAT FUN NIGHT OUT

A quick, easy low fat recipe Place the chicken on a baking tray, with just 3 ingredients that rub with a little of the butter, season reinvents a family favourite. and cook under the grill for 15 mins, turning once until cooked through.

Mix together the remaining garlic Ingredients: butter and breadcrumbs. Remove 4 skinless, boneless chicken the chicken from the grill and top each breast with a smear of the breast breadcrumbed butter. Return to the grill and cook 3-5 mins until the 25g garlic breadcrumbs are golden and the butter, softened butter melted. Serve any buttery juices, alongside new potatoes and 25g crispy breadcrumbs peas or broad beans.

25

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Spiced Braised Venison With Chilli & Chocolate (Serves 6)

This can be eaten as stew or used in a pastry or cottage pie. The chocolate adds an extra richness and glossiness to the finished sauce Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.

Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole dish and brown the meat in batches. Add the vegetables in the dish and brown lightly, then stir in the spices, chilli and flour, and cook for a few mins. Pour in the wine, stock and tomatoes, then add the herbs. Bring to a simmer.

Cover with a lid and put in the oven for 1 hr 30 mins, then remove the lid and cook for a further 1 hr until the meat is really tender. Remove from the oven and leave to cool slightly, then stir in the chocolate and serve.

FOOD & ENTERTAINING...

Ingredients: 2 tbsp vegetable oil 1½ kg diced stewing venison 3 large carrot , roughly chopped 1 onion , roughly chopped 1 tbsp cumin seed 1 tsp ground coriander large pinch of chilli powder small cinnamon stick 1 red chilli, whole 1 heaped tbsp plain flour 500ml red wine 300ml beef stock 400g can chopped tomato large thyme sprig 2 bay leaf 50g dark chocolate (more than 70% cocoa solids)

Chicken(Serves & Leek Pies 2)

Full English Frittata With Smoky Beans (Serves 4)

This healthy baked omelette with classic fry up ingredients is versatile enough for brunch or supper Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/ gas 4. Line a roasting tin about the size of A4 paper with enough baking parchment to cover the base and sides. Fry the sausages and bacon in a non-stick pan until golden, stirring them often to stop them sticking. Scoop into the tin.

Place the pan back on the heat and fry the mushrooms for about 5 mins until golden, then add these to the tray, too. Whisk the egg whites with the milk and lots of seasoning. Pour into the tin, then dot the tomatoes on top.

Bake in the oven for 20-25 mins, until set. Meanwhile, tip the beans

Ingredients: 2 low-fat sausage, sliced 4 rashers extra lean bacon , all fat removed, chopped 150g pack button mushroom, halved, or larger ones quartered 8 egg white, or use 350ml liquid egg whites from a carton 3 tbsp milk 140g cherry tomato, halved 2 x 400g cans reduced salt and sugar baked beans 1½ tsp smoked paprika small bunch chives, snipped

into a pan with the paprika and heat through. Scatter the frittata with the chives and serve with the beans on the side.

Whole Stuffed Roast Fish With(Serves Fennel 4)

This roast fish dish was inspired by Sicily, where the aromatic spices and dried fruit of Arabian cuisine meet with the fresh fish and veg of the Med

Comfort food doesn’t have to mean calories, this superhealthy pie uses filo pastry to keep it low in saturated fat.

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. In a roasting tray toss the sweet potatoes with 2 tsp of the oil and some seasoning. Cook for 30-40 mins, until golden and crisp. Heat 1 tsp oil in a medium frying pan.

Fry the chicken until browned, remove from the pan and set aside. Add the leek and a splash of water, and gently fry until soft, about 7 mins. Add the carrot and cook for 3 mins more. Pour in the stock and boil until reduced by half, then add the mustard and soft cheese, stirring well to combine. Return the chicken to the pan, add the tarragon and some seasoning.

Divide the mixture between 2 small ovenproof dishes. Take the filo sheets and scrunch them up.

Ingredients: 1 large sweet potato , cut into chunky chips 4 tsp olive oil 2 chicken breasts, chopped into bite-size chunks 1 leek , finely sliced 1 carrot , chopped 225ml low-sodium chicken stock 2 tsp wholegrain mustard 85g light soft cheese 2 tbsp chopped tarragon leaves 2 sheets filo pastry

Top each pie with a sheet and brush with remaining 1 tsp oil.

Cook the pies in the oven with the chips for 15 mins, until the pastry is golden.

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.

Put the fennel and onion in a large roasting tin and toss with 2 tbsp oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice and plenty of seasoning. Roast for 20 mins until almost tender and starting to caramelise. Meanwhile, put the couscous in a medium bowl. Mix the saffron and hot stock, pour over the couscous and cover with cling film.

Rinse the fish with cold water inside and out, then pat dry. Slash deeply on both sides and season with salt, pepper and a pinch of the lemon zest. After 10 mins soaking, fluff up the couscous with a fork and add 2 tbsp lemon juice, the remaining zest, the dill, 1 tbsp pine nuts and seasoning to taste. Stuff the couscous into the cavity of each fish, reserving any leftover couscous for later.

Stir the tomatoes and currants into the tin. Sit the fish on top and roast for about 30 mins, depending on its size. Look for juices running from the slashes in the flesh. Tug gently on the back fin – if it comes away easily, the fish is cooked.

4 Scatter with the rest of the pine nuts, then serve from the tin, with lemon wedges for squeezing over.

Ingredients: 2 fennel bulbs , halved and finely sliced 1 large onion , halved and finely sliced 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling 2 lemons , 1 zested then juiced, 1 cut into wedges 200g couscous pinch of saffron threads 250ml chicken or vegetable stock 2 larger or 4 smaller whole fish, cleaned and scaled (we used Anglesey sea bass) small pack dill, finely chopped 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts 250g baby plum tomatoes, halved 1 tbsp currants

Serve one stuffed fish per person, or if you have cooked large fish, gently lift the fillets from the top of the fish first, then turn over and repeat. Share out the couscous stuffing and leftover couscous.

26

SOL CLASSIFIEDS

SOLTIMES 950 121 936 www.soltimes.com see us online everyday Advertise all your unwanted items for sale Any single item up to 300€ is

free of charge deadline thursday 5pm

Monday to Friday Between 10am & 5pm

or EMAIL us Send your advert or lineage to

sales@soltimes.com situations vacant

SOLTIMES newspaper group Require Sales Executives to work in our Costa Calida and Costa Blanca Areas

You will have proven sales ability, can work to sales deadlines. You will be dealing with current advertising businesses but have the confidence to build new business. You must have a computer to work from a distance, own car and driving licence.

High commission package and bonus, contract and mobile phone and expenses.

This is an exciting opportunity. If you have what we are looking for.

January 2016

Call Jane on: 950 121 936 or 902 750 190 Ext 330

alternative power

For sale

solar directa

pool tables

slash your energy bills with a solar system from

solar directa tel keith on 659 315 130

www.ecocorpshop.com are you getting frustrated at ever increasing electricity bills do you want a clean, reliable energy alternative if so call ecocorp on 671 716 597 or 950 930 187 for a no obligation quotation

sunlife solar solutions

The finest solar installations on the costa blanca sl registered company 100% legal installations we will beat any like for like genuine written quotation

tel: 965 271717

artificial grass

top quality artificial grass installed by qualified professionals

snooker tables, table tennis tables, darts.

Tel: 666 933 726 www.spainpool.com

4x2 drawer pine bedside chests 10.00€ each VGC 4 very large 2 door wardrobes with drawers underneath 60.00€ each VGC 2 office type drawers sets with 2 drawers 15.00€ each, 1 wooden type filing cabinet with 4 drawers and racking inside 30.00€, 1 large towel pine box 30.00€ 2 good nice small glass top coffee tables vgc 30.00€ each Tel: 642 431 439 Frister Rossman sewing machine.

Beaver 5.Seen working. MuiltiFunction. Hardly used 55€ Tel: 690 772 178 (San Fulgencio) Cast Aluminium Outdoor Street 3 globes, 6 positions, New, Still boxed, €50. Intendo Wii Sports & Wii Sports Resort Pack, 15 Sports, Built in Wii MotionPlus New, Still Boxed €125 Homedics Shiatsu Heated Massager suitable for most chairs New, Still Boxed €75 Tevion Digital DVD HDD Recorder, New, Still Boxed.€60, Scott & Taylor Dinner Suit, chest 44R, waist 38/40R. 65, Polyester Satin Roll collar, thin stripe down trousers. €40, Naturalife Tan Suede Zip up Jacket with warm lining Size XL(44/46”) Unworn. Bargain at €30.

Tel: 965 073 270 Los Montesinos 71 x new Glass Blocks 19x19x8 deep some coloured, 100€ the lot, 4x kids mountain style bikes age range 4 years to 7 years, 60€ the lot, Microwave oven, digital with grill 20€ Tel: 606 075 644 Can deliver if reasonable distance.

Halogen Oven New and unused 30€ Tel: 965 073 193 Orihuela Costa Area

english tv

aa free english tv

call neil on 693 496 510 mands24@googlemail.com www.artificialgrass.pro

business opportunity “Internet Millionaire Reveals Secrets Of Making £1,000 A Week & More Without Any Previous Experience” If you would like to start earning extra money now! Then the internet is definitely the place to do this. You can earn money whilst relaxing by the pool or even earn whilst you’re sleeping. This is the reality for people that are making money online.

Read why you should be cashing in on today’s booming economy and discover for yourself how you can turn your passion into a large monthly wage,

everything you need we have it

JUST ELECTRICS Domestic ● Commercial ● Industrial

Graeme Jackson

Fully Qualified 20+ Years Experience All areas covered Costa Blanca & surrounding areas 24 hour callout. graemejack45@yahoo.co.uk

661 530 372 / 966 184 674

Electrician available for all works Small or large. Call Dave 693 251 562 davendonc@aol.com

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

ELEGANT slim, sexy, naughty italian lady available home/house visits. Torrevieja, La Manga, Torre Pacheco & Mazarron, Quesada plus all other areas. Escort available home & house visits.

Tel: 693 357 526 Spanish lady Playa Flamenca near new Carrefour before La Florida. 37 years, attractive, classy lady, private house, parking. Offers all erotic services, massage, sexy lingerie, prices from 40€. Full discretion. Tel: Ana 865 646 437

want to know whats in the news?

go online:

www. SOLTIMES.com Pets

no dish required but a good stable 3mb internet ring pete 606 297 825 www.aafreeenglishtv.com

insurance

asssa medical

insurances Asssa Mazarron, Diane Nolan

every single month.

968 153 396

www.howtomakemoneyfrommembershipsites.co.uk

mazarron@asssa.es

For Free Information Visit

electrician

Tommy, Timmy and Tinkerbell were found abandoned in a box behind the bins at a local supermarket when they were 3 weeks old and had to be bottle fed. They are now around 6 weeks old and adorable, friendly kittens. Tommy and Timmy are Red point Siamese and Tinkerbell the girl is a Chocolate point Siamese. Call 645 469 253.

For More Information Please call 645 469 253 info@petsinspain.info www.petsinspain.com

27

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Call Jane on: 950 121 936 or 902 750 190 Ext 330 or email: sales@soltimes.com

www.soltimes.com property for sale/rent

VERA APARTMENT FOR RENT

SHORT-TERM/HOLIDAY RENTAL

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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.

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Your property will appear as shown above and be seen by almost 55,000 Sol Times readers!

Phone Jane on 950 121 936 removals

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luxuryLooking motoring for a car

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Do you have vehicle, boat or motor bike for sale?

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oPELzAFIRA 2003 - Seven seater 2.2 DTi Elegance 121,000 kms, 3 owners Full service history Alloys, Phone system ABS, CD player, A/C Rear privacy glass E. windows/mirrors Roof rails, Cruise Multi Airbags, PAS Metallic Grey

BMW Z3 2001 - Cabriolet 3.0i Auto/Tiptronic 86,000 kms, 2 owners Full service history A/C, Alloys, PAS, ABS Front fog lights E. windows/mirrors CD, Heated seats Remote locking, ASC Black soft top Light gold, full black leather

BMW 630I May ‘09 - Cabriolet 3.0 (270 bhp) Auto/Tip 67,624 kms, 2 owners Full service history A/C (Climate), Alloys Cruise, Nav, Xenon Wind deflector Memory/heated seats Park sensors, Phone Wind deflector Met champ. Full leather Black power hood

Mercedes B180 CDi Sport 2014 - 5 door hatch 1.5 Sport 6-Speed 46,700 kms, 2 owners Fully serviced A/C (Climate), Alloys PAS, ABS, Cruise E. windows/mirrors Cruise, Isofix, Head Lamp Wash, Bi-Xenon ESP, Parktronic Head lamp wash Met silver Half leather

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28

January 2016

animal corner

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APAH Sofie is approximately 9 months old. She was found two weeks ago on the side of a motorway. She is a very friendly little dog who loves people and gets on really well with the other APAH dogs, both large and small. To arrange to meet Sofie and the rest of APAH’s dogs, please call 630 422 563 or 616 210 850

Torito is around 2 years old. He is very friendly and sweet with people and makes no noise.

Torito is suitable for people who want to have

Tayta is one of the beautiful cats and kittens being cared for by APAH in it’s Cattery. Some of the cats were rescued as kittens and have never known a loving home. If you want to give a cat a new life for 2016, call 630 422 563 or 616 210 850 to arrange to meet them all.

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183-YEAR-OLD GIANT TORTOISE GETS NEW LEASE ON LIFE THANKS TO HEALTHIER DIET

Jonathan the 183-year-old giant tortoise has been given a new lease of life thanks to a healthy diet.

The famous tortoise, who lives on the remote Atlantic Ocean island of St. Helena, had suffered declining health, according to The Express, losing his eyesight and sense of smell.

The Seychelles giant tortoise was brought to the British overseas territory of St. Helena in 1882, when he was around 50 years old. He lives in the grounds of Plantation House, the official residence of the island’s governor.

Vet Joe Hollins put Jonathan, the world’s oldest living land animal, on a high-calorie, healthy diet, with impressive results.

Hollins is the first permanent vet for St. Helena and cares for a number of giant tortoises

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on the island, including Jonathan. “By observing Jonathan and his behaviour, it was clear that he was struggling to satisfy his appetite,” he told FoxNews.com, via email. “His beak, made of keratin, the same as hoof or horn, was blunt and quite crumbly, and because he is blinded by bilateral cataracts, he was mouthing and grabbing at inappropriate foods, often being rewarded with mouthfuls of leaf mould or a few straggled bits of coarse grass.”

The fact that Jonathan lost his sense of smell made his life even more difficult, although he still has a strong sense of taste and excellent hearing, according to Hollins, who consulted experts in the Seychelles and the U.K.’s Bristol Zoo before implementing the healthier diet.

“For four years now I have been feeding him once a week on a Sunday, usually a mixture of carrots for fibre, cucumber for moisture, bananas for calories, and a mixture of other items such as guava, lettuce, cabbage, and local fruits loquat and Brazilian guava,” he told FoxNews.com, adding that the results have surpassed his expectations.

Jonathan’s beak has developed a sharp edge, he has put on weight, and has become more active. “Too good to be true in an ancient gentleman of that age!” said Hollins. “I now wear welding gloves as his beak has become lethal, and on one occasion he seized one of my fingers and I lost a nail.”

“Logically what has really happened is I have supplemented him not just with calories, but with vitamins, minerals and trace elements, those unquantifiable items that we all need for healthy tissues,” Hollins added. “It’s a delight to see.”

This is not the first time that an aging tortoise has hit the headlines.

Famed Galapagos tortoise Lonesome George, whose failed efforts to produce offspring made him a symbol of disappearing species, died in 2012.

Last year a new species of tortoise was found on Galapagos.- Fox News.

29

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Hello and welcome to CanDu Computer Bytes, Your Only Stop for solutions to Your computer problems.

Continuing from last week’s article on the terrors of Encryption!

Something that you might not have known is that Windows 10 will automatically encrypt your hard drive to prevent anyone gaining access to you important information – BUT only after the ‘Bitlocker’ (Windows Vista, 7, 8.x and 10) option has been turned ON in the control panel. What a wonderful thing for them to do and they will also automatically record the passphrase used and store it on their BING servers – just in case you forget it!

Now isn’t that thoughtful of them? And should any of the security organisations mentioned last week (you do still have last weeks article don’t you?) have the desire to check the contents of your hard drive they can, without a court order! This isn’t

just Microsoft but also Apple, Google, Dell, Facebook and a number of others as they are all signed-up members of PRISM (a subject covered some months back).

How, Why, and Where Should I use Encryption? Now that is the question.

Encryption, thankfully, is becoming the default. If you’ve ever noticed that little lock icon in your web browser - congratulations!

You’re using encryption to send and receive data from that website. You don’t feel like a bad ‘un know, do you?

Speaking simply, computers and the Internet have allowed us to open ourselves up and become more vulnerable than ever before to these privacy concerns, and encryption is one of the only methods of keeping yourself safe. Many years ago, if you were speaking to someone face to face and saw nobody around, you could feel reasonably secure that nobody was eavesdropping on you. Now, without encryption, there’s basically no privacy in

John MacDonald (El Sordo) www.caratacus.eu

viewpoint

High Noon, (approximately).

Alqueria was a village in despair!

Under Rodriguez’s careful management the Pueblo went from an idyllic people’s society where the gross national product and the national Remitroot product were shared by all to a Dickensian capitalistic ghetto. Rodriquez and his cronies were in high glee while the ‘ordinary’ people were desperate. Unbeknown to the suffering population however strange forces were at work.

Manuela, during her monthly reconciliation discovered that Atlético Nijar football team was on her list of conquests and therefore Poyato’s supposed slander had substance.

She put aside the giant turkey baster and Tabasco which she intended to administer to Poyato and forgave him.

Poyato, for his part was hiding in a freak show in Mojacar wearing false testicles.

During one of his nightly performances a false testicle malfunctioned ending an otherwise promising career on the stage. Poyato headed back to Alqueria still wearing the one good testicle.

Meanwhile the last member of the ‘democratic trio’ Loco Paco who was barricaded in the basement of the townhall had an in depth discussion with his imaginary five foot rodent friend ‘Bert’.

Bert assured Paco that Poyato hadn’t kicked him and therefore there was no need to be incarcerated in the cellar. He could join Manuela and Poyato in their fight to rid Alqueria of the evil Rodriquez.

The three meet on the Spanish side of the Alquerian border in the Bar El

BuenoNosh. Differences were put to one side and the trio reached agreement as to how to get rid of Rodriquez or at least his influence from Alqueria. It was decided to confront him face-toface. The Calle Horno, being the main street of the Village was chosen as the venue for the fateful confrontation.

Manuela drafted a message to be sent to Rodriquez, it read. ‘Unless you withdraw your control of Alqueria by eleven o’clock today then a state of undeclared war will exist between us.’

The message was duly despatched by special messenger to Rodriquez’s home in the Avenida Rica.

The Bar El BuenoNosh was stifling in the Autumn heat. Flies buzzed and the ceiling fan whirred in an unequal struggle against the heat. All was quiet, the nervous silence was almost tangible.

The ‘tick’ of the huge wall clock was, although soothing almost deafening in the torpid atmosphere of the bar.

Manuela checked her watched and then double checked against Poyato’s timepiece. She would have liked a third opinion but Loco Paco had lost one of the Micky Mouse hands making his watch only accurate to the hour.

At precisely eleven O’clock, having received no reply, Manuela formally began hostilities against Rodriquez and his cronies.

any kind of communication, at all, ever!

Having suggested (read warned) that you absolutely don’t use window ‘BitLocker’ you are left you open and vulnerable. Well not necessarily! There are programs ‘out there’ in the void of webland that will offer the same protection (and maybe more) AND are free AND are easy to use! The first is a well loved and used successor to ‘TrueCrypt’ called ‘VeraCrypt’; The second suggestion is ‘AxCrypt’ which has a windows shell (Left Click) option to encrypt file or folders and dead easy to use; A surprising addition to the list is ‘7-Zip’ which as part of its compression technology can use encryption (2 for the price of 1 – compression which changes plain text to something very difficult to read AND THEN encryption – winner, winner, Turkey dinner). Finally, I would like to add ‘GPG (Gnu Privacy Guard). In it’s basic state it is quite awkward to use but once you have a ‘Front-end’ you like, it becomes a powerful, secure, stable and free, open source (look at the original code) tool for keeping everything safe! No prizes given for guessing which one I use :-) Despite what some will tell you, ‘Encryption

is Not the Bogeyman’! Hopefully we’ve worked to dispel some of the misinformation surrounding this misunderstood technology.

Simply because someone chooses to keep their information private doesn’t mean that they are doing something sinister. Allowing the conversation about encryption to be entirely about terrorism and not about basic privacy and prevention of identity theft is fundamentally bad for all of us. It’s not a thing to be feared or misunderstood, but rather a tool that all of us should use as we see fit, without the stigma of being used only for evil purposes.

At this point I would like to offer a tailored hat made of tinfoil to protect you from the authorities spying into your brain. Only 1000€ - made to measure in 14 days! Don’t you feel so much secure now that you have entered 1984? Now, Where did I put my tinfoil hat?

Meet me at Olivers Bar in Albox on Friday´s 1200-1600 for free advice concerning your computer. To arrange an appointment for another time or place use the Email address or phone number below.

For further information or advice on computing,contact Trevor on 689 892 745 or canducomputing@hotmail.co.uk

The Man of My Dreams

I had been without food or drink for about 14 hours, so I would have thought that anything that needed to pass through my system would have done so already. So how could it be that, as I waited outside the operating theatre, I felt the need to pee?

‘I need to pee.’ I said to the Nursie in charge of wheeling me to my destination.

It must be a frequent request – without prevarication she wheeled me to the loo, I dismounted the bed, sat on the loo and pee’d. I could have pee’d for Britain – I had no idea my bladder could hold that much liquid.

Vastly relieved, I climbed back aboard, and we proceeded to my ultimate goal.

I transferred from the bed to the table.

The surgeon, for the severalth time, gently asked me if I had any doubts or fears – I assured him that I had every faith in his skills, and we exchanged confident smiles.

He then began to delicately and precisely draw combat plans on my boob with a finetipped felt tip pen while discussing the plan of attack with a very josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk young blond

By Jos Biggs

and be-masked girl.

‘Are you a student?’ I enquired.

‘No, I’m a gynaecologist.’ She replied.

Oops! Not a good idea to insult people who will shortly be armed with very sharp objects, and in total control!

I rallied, ‘But you look too young!’

‘I’m not as young as I look.’ She smiled.

Phew! She had taken it as a compliment!

The room was filled with people, all of whom knew what they were doing, and were doing it, when through the milling throng came a young man who addressed me cheerfully in English. ‘Helo, Cho-sefeen. I am the anaesthetist. I am the man of your dreams.’

I looked. Tall, clean-shaven, brown haired, blue-eyed and fit looking – yes, he could in general make that claim.

There were just two problems; at probably 35 – 40 years old he was plenty young enough to be my son.

‘If you are the man of my dreams,’ I countered, ‘You’ve left it a little late to come into my life.’

He laughed. Good, now I felt that my ‘team’ were happy and relaxed, and ready to give my boob their best and most sympathetic attention!

I have no idea what happened next.

The second problem with the Man of My Dreams? I’ve already got one, and his name is Pete!

30

January 2016

Los Amigos Golf Society (LAGS) Christmas Bash

In an attempt to get into the Christmas spirit, the Los Amigos Golf Society (LAGS) held their Christmas competition at Camposol Golf Course......well it would be far easier to get home for those who indulged a little too readily in the Christmas ‘spirit’! Complete with a ‘Secret Santa’ gift exchange, funny hats and ridiculous jumpers (although they weren’t meant to be!) the society was split into two teams, one representing the society secretary ‘Razor’ Ron Johnston and the other representing the Captain. Unfortunately the society captain was travelling so the dubious honour fell to vice captain, ‘mighty’ Mick Drummond.

The competition was a full handicap stableford, with all points scoring so, on a fine December morning from the first and 10th Tees, battle commenced.

Under normal circumstances modesty forbids the author of these reports commenting upon his own golf but, as it is Christmas, I’m going to make an exception.

Over many years I have become quite an accomplished golfer, never quite making single figures but getting very close on occasions. I can honestly say, without fear of contradiction that this round of golf was close to the worst I have played since taking up the game. I would have done better had I played with sticks of rhubarb; I certainly wouldn’t have lost so many balls! One of my opponents on the day quickly spotted the problem and informed me that my clubs looked slightly too long and if I cut just a few inches off them all, they would fit comfortably into the bin!! I have to say a few words about my playing partner on the day the massively unlucky Gerry McRobert.

By the time we’d completed our round he had a lump on his back the size of Quasimodo’s having carried me for a full 18 holes!

Thanks Gerry.

ENGLISH After the golf there was a very AND welcome snack SPANISH prepared by the Clubhouse of Pork Magra and Beef Stew and the first of two brief pre s e nt ations.

The second presentation being held at

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the Black Bull the following evening where we were again treated to another meal of Chicken Kiev or Sausage Casserole......and we golfers wonder why we were putting on a few pounds before Christmas even got underway!

And so to the Competition results.

Let me start with the nearest the pin winners and I have to say there was some sparkling golf played elsewhere in the course.

On hole 5 the winner was John

Tromans at 4m from the pin. Second was Alan Tipper.

On hole 13 the winner was Keith Collins at just 1m 80cm from the pin pushing Mick Drummond into second place.

On hole 11 the Winner was Don Mallett at a brilliant 80cm from the pin and forcing Mick Drummond into second place.

And finally on hole 3 the winner was Gerry McRobert at a quite

remarkable 40cm from the pin again squeezing the unfortunate Mick Drummond into second place!!!

As for the overall competition result it will probably come as no surprise that ‘Razor’ Ron Johnston’s team prevailed driving a luckless Mick Drummond and his team into a valiant second place. Regardless of the result and the trials and tribulations of the day, a great time was had by all!

EUROGOLF FIRST MEDAL OF 2016

On Thursday 7th January 39 players played their first monthly medal off the plates and 9 players played a stableford fun game.

It was perfect golfing conditions and although some good scores were made only 1 player broke par. Also on the day was Vice Captain Debbie Weedons 60th birthday so she was transported on the course in a buggy decorated with bunting and balloons and enjoyed smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwiches washed down with cava with freshly squeezed orange juice. Now that’s the way to play golf! The results were as follows Gold category 0-19 1st Franz Berndt 73 2nd John Barraclough 74 3rd Bob Buckeridge 75 Silver division 20+ 1st Tony Stanley 70 2nd Ian Stewart 3rd Colin Hobden 76 January medal winner Tony Stanley Best front 9 Cindi Green 36 Best back 9 Gloria Manning 35 NTPs 5th Keith Wright 11th Gloria Manning 15th Bill Martin 17th Steve Darlington Football draw Ken Enever Franz Berndt Tony Stanley Chris Stanley and David Gregson TUESDAY TOFFS On Tuesday 5th January over 50 players played the normal stableford with Toffs and the results were as follows Bronze division 1st Chris Stanley 35 pts 2nd Cindi Green 35 pts 3rd Sue Pegg 35 pts Silver division 1st Tony Stanley 34 pts 2nd Bruce Gordon 34 pts 3rd Gordon Bourne 34 pts Gold division 2nd 1st Paul Manning 36 pts 2nd David Gregson

35 pts 3rd Pino Perito 34 pts.Toffs overall winner Paul Manning Best front 9 Gloria Manning 20 pts Best back 9 Geoff Evans 19 NTPs 5th Cindi Green 11th Lorraine Walker 15th Geoff Evans 17th Bev Fairhurst Football draw Tony Stanley Hedy Paehlig Frances Buckeridge and Geoff Evans.

Congratulations to all our winners and a happy and healthy New year to all our society If you would like to play with Eurogolf at La Marquesa on Tuesdays and Thursdays please visit the website www. eurogolf-quesada.co.uk Both ladies and men welcome.

La Zenia Golf Society

We turned out at La Torre on Thursday for the Decembers President Trophy. A smaller than normal turn out as many members still away. The Weather was very good again bright warm sunshine. La Torre was in fine condition, the par threes where a bit shorter than normal, and the greens were a little slow. We played full handicap stableford , two n/ t/ p's, and the two's pot. Jim Fegan won the day on count back against his wife Marie with 35pts. Ray Pryce and Jim Fegan shared the two's, the pins No 3 Ray Pryce, No 17 n/r. Diary Dates: Tuesday 12th January at Saurines first tee 10-06, Thursday 14th at Riquelme first tee 10-06. Benidorm trip April 29th for three nights is now fully booked. All future date and info is on the web site, updated every Sunday night. There is also information on the notice board outside Gogarty's.

Guests are invited to all our games, clubs can be hired. Contact details: Eric 667196178, Maurice 690268711

BRADLEY BREAKERS

965 723 270 607 848 332

Eric Lucas, secretary

31

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new fords available

Calle Mallorca, San Javier Call us: 968 146 158 or 618 628 511

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•VW California edition 2.0TDi Auto, 2015, Delivery kms. €POA •BMW X5 M-Sport, 40D x-drive, 2014, New shape, 48,000km..€67,950 •BMW 428 coupe Luxury Auto, 2014, 4,700km...................€39,950 •toyota fj cruiser 4.0l petrol, auto, 2009, 87,000km.....€poA •Audi Q7 S-line, 3.0 TDI, diesel, 2007, 170,000km..............€19,950 •Renault Captur 1.5DCi, Diesel, Auto, 2013, 44,000km, €16,950 •renault scenic 1.5dci, 2012, blue, 19,000KM............... €13,950 •hyundai i30 1.4 Crdi 2013, 5-doors, silver........................... €12,950 •Toyota yaris 1.3 V VTi, 2012, 40,000KM.................................... €12,950 •Audi A3 2.0TDi DSG Automatic, Sportback, Automatic, Silver, Alloy Wheels, 2006, 149,000km .................................................€10,950 • MERCEDES C2 20CDI AUTO, 2006, 115,000KM............................. €9,950 •VW Beetle Cabrio 1.6, 2006, 101,000km.................................. €9,950 •Peugeout 207 sw 1.6 HDI estate, 110,000kms....................... €9,950 •SEAT ALTEA XL, 1.9TDI, 2009 , 70,000KM.......................................€9,950 •RENAULT SCENIC 1.9 AUTO, 2005 , 90,000KM............................. €5,950 •ford fusion 1.4 newport, 2007, blue, 85,000km...................€5,950 •Tata Gran Safari 2.2TDi, 2007, 62,000km.................................. €5,950 •Citroen jumpy 2.0, hdi, diesel, 2005, 183,000kms................ €5,950 •Kia Rio, 1.4 Petrol, 2006, 147,000km........................................€3,450

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opel corsa 1.2, petrol 2014, 16,000 kms €12,950

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• kawasaki eliminator 125cc, 2007, 1,400kms............€1,250

Right hand drive vehicles • rolls royce silver spirit, rhd, 51,000 miles..................€13,950 • honda frv 2.0 petrol, sport, 48,000miles............................€6,950 • renault laguna 2.0i, extreme, 2006 ,83,000 miles....€3,450 • Citroen Picasso 2.0 HDi, Diesel, 2001, 70,000miles.. €2,950

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PEUGEOT 207 SW 1.6HDI ESTATE, 110,000KM,

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32

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