Week 139

Edition 139

www.thecourier.es

Friday, October 18, 2013

GET THE NEEDLE Life-saving flu jabs available

By Alex Trelinski The annual battle against flu has been fired up across Spain, with a special focus on the elderly and vul­ nerable being vacci­ nated against the virus.

Taking the jab is said to reduce hospital admissions by some 79% for the over­ 65 as it vastly cuts down the chances of catching some­ thing like pneumonia.

Despite those figures, only about half of the area’s sen­ ior citizens take advantage of the injections from their

local hospitals and health centres. That’s despite the fact that sufferers of other conditions like diabetes could face death if they are hit by flu. There’s also been

a similar low­take up by chil­ dren aged under 14 who could also suffer from com­ plications if they caught the flu virus, whilst suffering from a chronic illness or

condition. Figures for last year showed that half of all the cases of flu affected the under­14’s. After the injec­ tion, the vaccine takes a fortnight to kick in, and the effects of it last for up to 6 months.

Just under 300 thousand doses have been allocated to the Alicante Province region by the Valencian Region Department of Health, which is around 15 thousand less than last year.

Elche is distributing over 52 thousand injections through its hospitals and medical centres, whilst Torrevieja’s allocation is 32 thousand.

The effectiveness of the vaccine is said to be around 80% with the investment in it for Alicante Province said to be 2.9 million Euros.

Meanwhile Murcia’s vaccine campaign starts on Monday, with 225 thousand doses available in the region.

Valencia’s Health Minister, Manuel Llombart, says that this winter’s flu strain is less virulent than in previous years and is rec­ ommending that all people aged over 65 and the chron­ ically ill should be immu­ nised in addition to pregnant women; young children; carers for the elderly; police officers and firefighters.

Murcia’s Director General

of Public Health, Francesco Garcia, said that like his counterparts in Valencia, his region would be ordering some 20 thousand less doses of vaccine for this

winter, based purely on the take up of last year. He added that would be prob­ lem in ordering more sup­ plies should there be a heavy demand.

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Friday, October 18, 2013

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96 692 1003 679 096 309 965 99 66 66 E­MAIL office@thecourier.es WEB www.thecourier.es HEAD OFFICE Calle Luis Canovas Martinez 1. Urb Aguas Nuevas, Torrevieja 03183, ALICANTE PHONE: 96 692 1003 Email: office@thecourier.es OPENING HOURS Mon ­ Fri 1030 to 1730 EDITOR Alex Trelinski CONSULTANT EDITOR Donna Gee ADVERTISING SALES 966 921 003 office@thecourier.es TELESALES 966 921 003 679 096 309 Sally Los Alcazares, San Javier 618 391 491 Myra Quesada, Rojales, Torrevieja, San Miguel Tel. 618 583 765 Jean La Zenia, Playa Flamenca, Cabo Roig Tel. 618 898 034 Patrick International Rep 5 Languages Tel 685 901 265 Writers Donna Gee Sally Bengtsson Jeanette Erath Alex Trelinski Dave Silver Tony Mayes John McGregor

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Picture of the Week

JUNGLE DRUMS

Our little dog wearing her 'doggles' because of eye problems with the sun. We all wear sunglasses so why not her?

She is called Kizzi and is now almost eight years old. We had her from the SAT Rescue centre and she brings much joy and laughter. PHOTO BY TRISHA FRULLO

MAD MUM’S Powered down LIES BACKFIRE

A time­wasting Mallorcan mum fed the police a load of baloney that her baby had been kid­ napped but got more than she bargained for, with a 1 year jail sentence after fully armed cops dashed to what they thought was a hostage situation. The 31 year old woman lied to the police that her 20 month old baby had been kidnapped by her ex who she claimed suf­ fered from depression and had a history of abuse. She went on to tell authorities that he had locked her child up in the ground floor of the building where they lived. When the cops arrived at the scene they discovered something com­ pletely unexpected: a family party full of happy children, with the 'kidnapped' baby found to be in perfect health.

"You can't do this: you lied to us," the shocked head of the police operation told the mother at the time. "I know. But it was the quickest way," she replied.

On Wednesday, a Majorca court sentenced the mother to a year in prison for reporting a kidnap­ ping that had never happened.

The judge also ordered her to pay 1,800 Euros in damages to

her ex­partner who needed treatment for stress and anxiety after the police assault squad interrupted his family party.

"I thought there must be a hid­ den camera somewhere," one of the police officers who attended the scene told the court. He added he thought his colleagues must have been playing some kind of trick on him. During the court hearing, it also emerged the woman had already visited the children's party an hour earlier on the evening in question. Witnesses said she punched and kicked at the door where the party was being held before screaming to her ex­partner to hand over their child. At that point, the father actually called the police who attended and confirmed the child was in no danger. But the mother continued to beat at the door until police warned her she would be detained if she didn't stop. It was then that she went to a police station in Palma and made the false alle­ gations about her husband.

This was despite the fact she knew her ex­partner planned to return the child shortly after the party.

A British pilot had to bring down his small plane after hitting power lines near Mutxamel. The 72 year old man, who was flying solo, clipped the lines last Tuesday morning, but he managed an emergency landing, avoiding some sta­ bles and an urbanisation. 3 fire crews from San Vicente del Raspeig attended the scene, with the pilot taken to Sant Joan d'Alacant Hospital suffering from head injuries that were not viewed as serious.

Winning hospital To r r e v i e j a Hospital has won 3 key national awards putting it amongst some of the best in Spain, as it got recognised for its work in dietary and respiratory surgery, as well for its man­ agement.

The IASIST TOP 20 awards that took place in Madrid last Tuesday

are recognised as benchmarks for high quality hospital care in the country.

Hospital bosses said that the recognition for Torrevieja showed the “com­ mitment of profes­ sionals to provide the best possible care for the patients”.

WANTED – MORE HEADLINE NEWS! DO YOU have a story that might grab the headlines?

What’s all the gossip about round your way? A spate of robberies, perhaps – or maybe you’ve spotted a celebrity in the neighbourhood. Whether your news involves fire, police, ambulance, accidents – or hap­

pier events like family weddings (particularly Golden and Diamond ones!), Just phone the Courier office on 966 921 003 or email office@thecourier.es We’re waiting for your call…and next week’s Front Page story.

Friday Sunny High 27 Low 17° Chance of rain 0% Monday Partly cloudy High 27 Low 17° Chance of rain 0%

Tuesday Sunny High 27° Low 19° Chance of rain 0%

Saturday Partly cloudy High 27° Low 17° Chance of rain 0% Wednesday Sunny High 26° Low 16° Chance of rain 0%

Sunday Partly cloudy High 26° Low 15° Chance of rain 0% Thursday Sunny High 26° Low 16° Chance of rain 0%

Friday, October 18, 2013

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PEOPLE SMUGGLERS SOMETHING’S OFF NABBED

FOUR alleged people smugglers operating in Alicante province have been arrested by the police as part of ‘Operation Alacant’. Six others in the Spanish enclave of Melilla have also been detained for their part in a smuggling ring that used French passports to ship in Moroccans into Spain and then onto other European countries.

The year­long operation led to police tracking two Alicante province­based Moroccans who would travel on a regular basis between Morocco, Alicante, and Barcelona, in addition to France. The men would charge around 7 thousand Euros for a fake passport, and a net­ work of safe­houses was created where the gang would “mind” the illegal immigrants before they

moved onto another European country. Police tracked down safe houses in Formentera del Segura and in Murcia, before arresting the gang members this month, including two at Alicante­Elche airport.

The four detainees have made court appearances in Elche and Orihuela accused of forgery and conspiracy, with the police operation still remaining open, as two more gang members are still on the run.

A recently deceased Catalan woman lived with her father’s decomposed body for over a year. Police in Manresa found the 37 year old woman’s corpse in the flat she once shared with her father. Cops were called in after neighbours complained about the stench coming from the apart­ ment, and apparently it wasn’t the first time that the police had got complaints about the smell.

Before passing away from what experts

HOT PURSUIT

Murcia’s new Brit deal

Murcia City Council has promised a bet­ ter deal over policing for ex­pat Brits liv­ ing in rural parts of their area. The local police have created a neighbourhood security plan, with both residents and the police appointing liason officers for each area. That’s in addition to opening up new ways of communication and giv­ ing talks.

Murcia Council acknowledged that things had changed over the years with the arrival of foreigners with different

customs and languages and that they were trying to do more, including get­ ting the local police to improve on the service that they offer. The Mayor, Miguel Angel House, launched the new initiative this week, adding that it was important that the area was presented across the rest of Spain and Europe as a safe and pleasant place to live in.

Corvera and Sucina are amongst the communities that will be benefit from the plan.

FOUR men led the police a merry dance from San Fulgencio to Dolores, as they escaped into a field, after they threw a chain­ saw at a pursuing police car. The chase was on during the early hours of Wednesday morning when San Fulgencio officers spotted two men behaving suspiciously around a car in the village, which they had broken into. The suspects fled to another vehicle, which had been stolen, with two other people waiting for them, and sped off towards Dolores, chased by local police and Guardia cars. The gang threw out a hammer, a chainsaw, and a piece of hydraulic machinery at the chasing vehi­ cles, one of which was hit. The men aban­ doned their car and ran away through a field, with the officers unable to catch them, but they did discover marijuana plants in their abandoned car.

ELCHE CRASH Don’t be surprised

FIVE people were injured in a two­car crash on Tuesday night on the CV856 between Elche and Las Bayas. Two cars collided 2 kms outside Las Bayas when a Mercedes car driv­ en by a woman and a Peugeot vehicle with four people in it, were involved in a head­on smash. A young woman, who was travelling with three men who had been football training in Las Bayas, was trapped in the Peugeot and had to be freed by Elche firemen.

ARTICHOKES are cool! That’s the message from the Vega Baja branch Artichoke Association who’ve been in Madrid this week at a Fruit and Vegetable trade fair. Around 12 growers from the area, including Almoradi, were at the “Fruit Attraction” show for the very first time, which promotes produce across the continent as well as Spain. The Association was also given the seal of approval in Madrid by Spain’s agriculture minister, José Císcar, alongside Almoradi’s Mayor, Antonio Angel Hurtado.

believe were natural causes, the woman told local police that her father had moved back to his native Aragon, the region west of Catalonia. Forensic analysis shows that her father’s body was probably there when the officers visited the woman at her apart­ ment, with evidence suggesting that the woman died a month before she was found. Her father, however, could well have been kept in his room for more than a year after he passed away.

Dead man The body of a 23 year old man has been found in a Torrevieja flat.

Guardia Civil officers made the find after being called to check out a first­ floor apartment on Calle Ramón Freixa on Tuesday evening. A rela­ tive had called in the authorities after spotting the motionless man through a window.

Firefighters helped the Guardia by breaking into the home, and discovered the man, from the Asturias area of Spain, who had apparently been dead for three days. There were no immediate signs that he had been assaulted.

REPEAT AFTER ME 60 non­Spaniards have been learning the local lingo in courses organised in Pilar de la Horadada. 40% of Pilar’s residents are foreigners, including a strong British contingent, and so the council has been holding two language courses, paid for

by Alicante Province. Pilar officials also hope that a better knowledge of Spanish will encourage people to play a bigger part in local affairs, as well as registering on the municipal pardon.

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Friday, October 18, 2013

GANG REFORMED BIGASTRO DEATH

The Guardia Civil has broken up a gang that was importing heroin from Belgium and Holland into the northern part of the Valencia region. The drug would be shipped into Oropesa del Mar in Castellón province for distribution around the country including Alicante province and Andalucia.

9 people have been arrested after Guardia officers started tracking the gang members back in the spring. Operation Reform seized over 4.2 kilos of heroin from the gang, as well as 4 cars, 31 mobile phones and more than 51,000 Euros in cash.

The pride of Cehegin Ana Carrasco, from Cehegin in the Murcia mountains, has become the first female in the his­ tory of Spanish motorcycle racing to score a point in the World Motorcycle Championship. Up until last weekend only four women in the world had ever scored points in any motorcycling World Championship race before Carrasco's achieve­ ment.

When she came 15th the Moto3 Malaysian GP she wrote her name into the history books. "I'm really happy, I think I had a great race, although I struggled a bit at the start", she stated. "It was a real hard fight to make my way back through the field, but when there were six or so laps left I moved to the front of my group and I made sure no one overtook me", she continued.

Rag trade to riches 24 people have been arrested by the National Police in Alicante Province, accused of defrauding almost half a million Euros over the last five years.

They allegedly falsely claimed grants and benefits for 14 textile companies, some which were based in the Murcia

region as well as in Alicante Province.

A whistle­blower alerted the authori­ ties to what had been going on with a systematic programme of faking invoices, which were used to falsely declare income in order to claim state grants.

Walking pink

Pedestrians are going to get a better experience in the Cabo Cervera area of Torrevieja, thanks to a major pavement improvement and extension. Torrevieja council has green lit a project that will link the beach to the main body of the area, which will include some 60 metres of pink­coloured paving, as currently laid down on Avda. Notario Juan José Martínez Román.

TORREVIEJA’S TEMPLE

A 35 year old Cieza man died on Sunday morning at a major music venue in the Vega Baja. He collapsed on the dance floor in Bigastro’s Metro Dance club.

Emergency services attended the scene at

BREACH OF TRUST

A Cuban carer took advantage of her patient by stealing over 200 thousand Euros of jewellery from her since 2012. The 40 year old woman worked in Alcoy taking care of her elderly charge, whilst ripping her off by taking the items and pawn­ ing them in stores at Alcoy, Alicante, Onil, and Villena. Cops say that the Cuban had pocketed 15 thousand Euros for some of the items, though oth­ ers had still to be recovered.

ELCHE TAPAS

70 Elche businesses are taking part in the ninth Destápate, which offers a chance to sample tapas across the city. The event

BIG KEBAB

A truck carrying fruit and vegetables caught fire on the A7 it was passing through the Elche area heading towards Murcia City. The driver noticed that his load had caught fire at 3.30am on Tuesday and he uncoupled the front of his vehi­ cle and called in fire­fighters to put out the blaze.

Torry tapa dates Tapas fans can look forward to this year’s second staging of the Torrevieja Tapas Run between November 21st and 24th, and November 28th through to December 1st. A drink and a tapa will cost just 2 Euros, with customers able to vote for their favourites so long as they have been to 10 bars, restaurants or cafes. It’s also been confirmed that Torrevieja’s Christmas Market will be staged between December 19th and 22nd.

starts on Monday and runs through to November 18th, with 20 thousand tapas passports being produced which will be stamped by the

participating bars and restaurants, and which peo­ ple can use to vote for their favourite tapas. Elche coun­ cil say that 100 thousand snacks were served during last year’s event, with visi­ tors spending 425 thousand Euros.

Toll of desperation

Spain’s financially struggling motorway toll companies have suggested that the Madrid Government should charge on all major trunk routes, saying the move would make an extra 10 billion Euros a year for the public coffers.

The toll firms association, ASETA, claims that it is 'inevitable' that free­to­use motorways would eventually A commemorative become toll roads 'sooner or later', because it is 'not econom­ stamp is to be issued ically viable' for the State to continue to pay for the mainte­ which will celebrate one of nance of its estimated 12,000 kilometres of main roads out of Cartagena’s major attrac­ public funds. Depending upon the type of toll – whether it is tions:­ the Isaac Peral along sections of motorway, at certain hours of the day or for submarine, which was certain vehicles, or whether it is a blanket fee for all road­ moved indoors to the users – such a move could earn the State between 1.7 billion city’s naval museum this and 10 billion euros extra per annum. year. The stamp will com­ ASETA’s chairman José Luis Feito says Spain is 'compet­ memorate 125 years since the “father of the modern” submarine came up with his ing with countries like France and Germany' and has a road­ invention. Its new home was officially opened by Prince maintenance budget of 'double or treble' that of either nation, Felipe during the summer, and the Madrid Government’s and still does not spend enough on keeping the main high­ Culture spokesman, Juan de Dios Ruano, visited the muse­ ways in good condition. He adds that by charging for motor­ way use, 'foreigners who do not pay taxes for maintaining um on Monday to formally launch the stamp.

Spain's roads' will be contributing to be able to drive on them.

Toll companies have reported plummeting profits in the last year or so as a result of price increases, since more and Car keys were put away and pedal power or good old more drivers opt to take minor roads and save money on fashion walking was last Sunday’s priority as Orihuela fees. Opponents of tolls on motorways – which has to date City celebrated Car Free Day. 250 people took part in an included the Valencia regional government – say these fees 8km walk alongside cyclists to show that there are alter­ inflate the prices of goods because delivery costs are higher, having to take into account the cost of using motorways. natives to using four wheeled transport.

Sub has it licked

The Vega Baja’s first Hindu temple, based in Torrevieja, opened last weekend. A number for priests travelled espe­ cially from the UK for the first service in the building on the Casagrande Business Park, which was then followed by a long celebration featuring food and dancing.

9.30am and pronounced him dead, after trying to revive him for half an hour. He was said to have been suffering from heart problems, and a formal autopsy was ordered.

Return of shanks’s pony

Friday, October 18, 2013

BAD GRANNY

A Cantabria grandmum lost it when her granddaughter’s face was covered in paint at school, as she punched her teacher in the face. She’s been given a one year jail sen­ tence as well as a 430 Euros fine. The grumpy gran won’t have to go behind bars though, assuming it was a first offense.

The fuming relative went to the Matilde de la Torre primary school in Muriedas, near Camargo in Cantabria to pick up her grand­ daughter and, seeing the child's face was covered in paint, lost her temper at a teacher for 'failing to meet her 'obligations' and then hit her. The teacher was floored and suffered a swollen face and lower back pains. It

wasn’t made clear whether other kids in the class were face­painting as well, or whether the child had been singled out. The incident happened back in April 2010, and was only just tried in court.

The feisty grandma claimed she did not know the woman she hit was her grand­ daughter's teacher, but the court said that she was a liar and that she 'knew perfectly well' whom her victim was. The charges were considered to be more severe than if the accused had hit a member of the public, since teachers along with public service workers are offered extra protection by the law.

Buyers get better deal

On­line buyers are to get more protection under a new law, which will also extend the time when you can get a refund or return faulty goods. Until now, a buyer who wanted a refund had to ask for it within a week, but this has now increased to a fortnight or, where the seller does not specifically inform the customer of the time limit, it will extend up to a year.

Greater rights for the consumer concerning delivery timescales and the risk of loss in the post or damage to the product are included, and the law also covers purchases made by telephone.

These are not considered binding until the customer has either signed the offer papers or sent his or her written agree­ ment via fax, letter, email or text message. Ana Mato, minis­ ter for health, social services and equality is behind the new law and says it will heighten buyers' confidence in online transactions, which in turn will give businesses who sell their products and services on the internet a boost in trade as cus­ tomers' lack of trust in the medium reduces.

Train passengers could be told to clunk click on every trip after last summer’s train tragedy in Galicia, which cost 79 lives. Spain’s government is looking at installing seat belts on trains, with Minister Ana Pastor saying that she was seriously looking at the idea after being lobbied by those who travelled on the fatal Santiago train.

Research from 6 years ago showed that a passenger wearing a three­point seat belt would suffer less serious injuries than an unrestrained passenger. But there was still a recommendation that the belts should not be intro­ duced for seats that were not designed for them to be used, as that would cause even further injury in a seri­ ous accident.

BELT UP

MyCurrencyTransfer Platform Lets You Shop Around For Money Transfer Deals With the help of OPP award winning for­ eign exchange comparison site MyCurrencyTransfer.com, you can now log online to help find the best value money transfer deals. Last year, the money transfer comparison website helped over 600,000 expats & overseas property buyers find a fairer, cheaper and more transparent deal on currency.

Whether you are buying an overseas property in Spain, making expat money transfers or require travel money, it’s impor­ tant not to settle for the first deal you stumble across. In just a few clicks, the MyCurrencyTransfer dynamic platform let you access multiple quotes from some of the world’s leading FCA authorized and regulate currency brokers.

Banks charge a lot for the simple privilege of making an international payment. Did you know, the average banks can apply hefty margins of up to 3­5% away from the real exchange rate? This means that on a £100,000 money transfer to Spain, the real cost of transfer can be up to £5000. Non­ bank foreign exchange companies will let

you obtain better­than­bank exchange rates and help you mitigate against the risk of adverse currency fluctuations.

As part of a new wave of innovation in the money transfer industry, MyCurrencyTransfer.com’s currency aggre­ gator aim to increase competition and reduce the cost of sending money to & from Spain. The site carefully vets it’s partners & recommends transacting with a currency broker who is FCA authorized & operate segregated client accounts. According to Co­ Founder Daniel Abrahams, ‘‘ only consider a currency specialist who has a minimum three to five year track record in business.

On larger international payments, consider the use of a forward contract, which lets you stick to a budget, & helps minimize against currency swings which go against you.

Above all, ditch the bank & shop around for a better money transfer deal.’’

The comparison site has been live since early 2011 and has already won industry awards, including ‘Best Online Service’ at the OPP (Overseas Property Professional) Gala Dinner. See their ad on Page 9.

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Friday, October 18, 2013

editor@thecourier.es COURIER POSTBAG: YOUR VIEWS ON OUR NEWS

What a time of waste CAN anyone enlighten me about the total deterioration of the garbage collection service here on Orihuela Costa?

The newspapers are full of the problems of the accumulation of green waste and the corresponding smells of rotting vegetation and fly infestations.

This situation is atrocious but until recently the collection of normal household garbage was acceptable. However, over the past few weeks the refuse collectors have decided to miss collections on various

days of the week.

In Calle Nicaragua, El Presidente/Las Filipinas the household collection service has virtually halted this week. Several days there has been no collection in this street resulting in residents depositing bags of rubbish by the side of the bin. One day the accumulated bags were removed but the bin was not emptied so residents were forced once again to deposit garbage bags by the side of the bin.

Can anyone tell me what Orihuela is

doing to ensure that residents have a hygienic and clean environment to live in?

Further, what is our money being spent on?

The only real service residents of Orihuela Costa have previously received was a semi­decent garbage collection serv­ ice. Now even this is being eroded.

Residents on the coast pay their local taxes and expect to live in a clean environ­ ment, not one that would put Third World countries to shame.

BARRY BUCKINGHAM, Orihuela Costa

THANKS BANKS, YOU ARE ON THE MONEY!

A 50-euro bus ticket to ride...

IN reply to the letter on banks (Issue 138), I couldn’t disagree more!

My husband and I had an account with the Bank of Valencia, who helped us sort out what to do for our Padron, our Residencia and SIP card and lots of other useful things.

Just being called by our Christian names (and they remembered them) made us feel welcome to the community.

Then in April, my husband was taken to hospital and died that night. I was in shock but went to the bank the next morn­ ing and explained and the support I received was incredible.

My husband did all the banking and I had never used the computer. The manager said ‘Come back after closing and I will show you how to do online banking’. She helped me with a mountain of forms I had to fill in and genuinely stopped me from drowning. The bank pay all my bills and I have never had a problem.

Then Caixa Bank took over; they invited clients to send in comments after a while I sent the letter off complimenting them on a smooth takeover and the efficiency and the helpful friendly staff.Just today I received a nice letter from head office thanking me for my recognition of the wonderful service.

In England you don’t meet your Bank Manager, so it would­ n’t be nearly as personal.

I have been so impressed with the warmth and friendly way the Spanish treat us English. Doctors, hospital staff, the funeral people­ I’ve met with nothing but kindness.It would be my worst nightmare to have to live in England again.

JOYCE HILL, La Marina

Get yourself a Deutsche treat

A FEW words I hope, of constructive comment to "Frustrated Fiona" (Issue 138).

You escaped from Bank Inter and the dreaded Cam, so you are through the worst of it. We just managed to escape the clutches of the Cam Bank with monies intact, but it was touch and go.

We found light at the end of our banking tunnel, by becom­ ing customers of the Deutsche Bank’s Los Alcazares branch.

A 20­minute run down the AP7 from home, but most worth­ while.

No queuing, or queue­jumping. A dedicated telephone number to the branch manager. No exorbitant charges.

Debit and credit cards. Internet banking also, if that is your forte Fiona.

Manager Marina Bolt can be reached on 968 17 14 00 (marina.bolt@db.com). Tell her Robert said to call!

ROBERT W BARNES.

JUST had a lovely five weeks in Spain. We found ourselves on a bus with only a 50­euro note. The bus driver sad he couldn’t change it so we got off.

Two minutes later, the driver got off bus, took the 50 euros and said: “I will go change it at the bar over the road. You get on the bus.’’

Imagine giving a bus driver in the same. What do you think he would have done?’’

JEAN HUGHES (via Courier

DON’T FORGET, WE NEED YOUR DETAILS Letters and emails will only be considered for publication if an address and contact number are provided to confirm authenticity

THE COURIER DOES NOT NECESSARILY AGREE WITH THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THE LETTERS ON THIS PAGE

Butterfly Ball was a belter

I AM surprised that no write­up has appeared in any of the English free papers about the charity ball at Camping International La Marina in aid of The Butterfly Children.

It was an excellent evening from the champagne recep­ tion, tasty food charmingly and efficiently served through to the MC and the entertainment by Bella Luna – who are always well worth seeing.

There was a short film to explain what the charity is all about, the whole evening was carried out in a very enjoyable and professional manner and I believe some­ where in the region of €4,000 was raised. This is the fourth year that the Ball has been run and Rose and I will definitely be going to next year’s Ball – God willing.

The Butterfly Children, so named because they suffer from a condition that makes their skin as fragile as a but­ terfly’s wing, is a very worth­ while cause. The official name of the charity is DEBRA and they have a charity shop at Pueblo Bravo, Quesada near the Budapest Restaurant just off the Lemon Tree Road.

JOSEPH BILLET(AkaJoe The Cat Man), Quesada

The quality of Murcia

I have lived in have banked with the Bank of Murcia, now titled BMN, for 23 of the 25 years I have lived in Spain.

I have always had excellent serv­ ice ­ all standing orders paid on time with no problems.

I am with the Torrevieja branch.

Make an appointment to see Paula ­ she will help you set things up. She speaks excellent English, and is good at her job and such a helpful

person.

If you find the parking dreadful, you can open account at Murcia Bank in Los Montesinos. Ask for Vanessa, another brilliant helpful lady. Remember there is no free banking in Spain. You will pay an annual card charge, so better to have one card between you, if you have a partner. There is also a charge to maintain your account, but Murcia's charges are modest

compared to some other banks.

Many of my neighbours and friends have been with this bank for years. I do online banking with them; they supply a card and pass number, that service works well in English also.

I can’t guarantee you will stop the local Spaniard jumping the queue, they were born that way. Hope this helps.

KATHY KELLY, San Luis

Friday, October 18, 2013

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A FINE TAX MESS IF anyone out there is planning to switch their income tax liability from Britain to Spain, I suggest they have a rethink.

I became fiscally resident this year…and my stress levels have never been more taxed. So much so that I am ready to do a quick about turn, regardless of the fact that returning to the UK system will leave me considerably out of pocket.

I decided to switch on my Spanish finan­ cial adviser’s advice after he told me my tax bill would drop by £1,000 or more if I paid the Spanish ‘Hacienda’ instead of HM Revenue and Customs. He said it would also mean I’d no longer be faced with an annual Spanish demand for ‘Wealth Tax’ – and would receive my future state and com­ pany pension payments gross.

It all seemed so simple so I applied for fis­ cal residency from January 1, 2012 and duly received a rebate of just over £2,000 from the UK tax office. This was earmarked for payment to their Spanish counterparts once all the paperwork was in place.

The demand for the 2011­12 tax year, when it came, was for 4,039.56 euros – around £3,430 sterling and considerably lower than I had originally been charged in

It’s payback time - Spain is hitting me in the Hacienda the UK. The Hacienda was even prepared to allow me to pay in three monthly instalments – on September 20, October 20 and November 20. All I had to do was ensure I had sufficient funds in my Sabadell Bank account and the money would be taken by the tax people on the due days. Or so my financial adviser assured me.

I topped up my balance accordingly and on September 20 the account held more than double the amount due to be syphoned off for the first instalment. You guessed it ­ September 20 came and went and nothing was taken. I stupidly assumed the Hacienda people were working by the traditional

10 years driving and clean licence - but Leo struggled for UK cover

HOW would you feel if Spanish companies refused to insure you to drive on their roads until you’ve lived here for three years?

Well, a friend of mine has just faced faced exact­ ly that dilemma this – only he happens to be Spanish.

It’s the English who are making him as welcome as a cabinet minister at a police union meeting.

Leo Asis is smart, intelli­ gent and speaks four lan­ guages. Yet, like 50 per cent of young Spaniards, he has struggled to find work in his homeland.

A spell working in France convinced him his future lies outside Spain – and last month he decided to go for broke and move to England. Permanently.

After going through the formalities of residency and finding himself lodg­ ings in Manchester, he was last week offered a job with good prospects as a cur­ rency trader. So far so good.

The problems began when he tried to obtain insurance to drive a car in

the UK – namely a little 998cc Kia Picanto I own which remains taxed and insured but is rarely used these days.

I had no qualms about adding Leo’s name to my Axa policy as an additional driver. He’s held a full European licence for almost a decade without a blemish – and I assumed it would just be a matter of paying an additional annu­ al premium of perhaps £100.

I managed to add his name to my existing online online as an extra driver, choosing the ‘Less than one year’’ option from the ‘length of residence in the UK’ menu. Back came the message ‘Cannot insure.

UK resident less than three years’.

No questions about Leo’s driving experience and claims record in Europe…just a blanket ban on ALL new arrivals until 2016. Knowing Leo would need access to a vehicle sooner rather than later, we took a look at some tempo­ rary sites. The cost was ridiculous – around £350

for 28 days.

As a last resort, I logged in to Gocompare.com. hop­ ing one of the 123 insurers on their list might just be prepared to cover me with Leo as an additional driver.

No fewer than 32 said yes – and for an extra £80 on Axa’s annual premium, Leo is now an accredited driver for the Kia. Axa? They’ve been axed – after charging me £52.50 for forcing me to cancel their policy. But not before I squeezed a comment from them as to why they won’t insure new arrivals from overseas but 32 of their rivals will.

Said a spokesman: “We are unable to give reasons why we don't insure over­ seas drivers as this is com­ pany sensitive information.

Each insurance company have their own Underwriting Criteria, therefore each insurer may take the risk to insure driv­ ers when we cannot.’’

Come on guys, you can’t blacklist everyone just because they lack experi­ ence in the art of sitting in traffic jams.

Spanish clock and running a day or two behind ­ but I eventually called my financial adviser, who said he would give them a nudge.

The Hacienda’s tale was that they couldn’t access the money because my account had

non­resident’s status and they could only take from residents’ accounts. Yet nobody had bothered to tell me – financial adviser, tax people or bank.

Of course, none of them had to pay, unlike muggins, who found her first instalment pre­ dictably hiked by €67 “due to not paying on time’’.

Now I’m waiting anxiously to see if the same thing will happen with the October pay­ ment. And I’m more or less resigned to being caught out by another cunning plan to relieve me of a few dozen more euros on top of the official payment.

I arrived back in Spain on Wednesday night with a visit to the bank my top priority – and just three days to the deadline for my second instalment.

But I’ll wager my entire tax bill for the 21st century that the Hacienda won’t receive the payment until they’ve had time to slap on another late­payment fine.

Still, after seven years in and out of the country I’ve learnt to live with the frustrations of the Spanish system. As many veteran expats will tell you, when it comes to dealing with bureaucracy here, the mantra is sim­ ple...

Some you lose, some you lose.

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Friday, October 18, 2013

Friday, October 18, 2013

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Friday, October 18, 2013

COALMAN’S COLD CALL

I went out the other day and a pigeon pooped on my head. I immediately thought of my Aunt Rose.

Stretching out in her sickbed all those years ago, she grabbed my wrist and whispered: 'David, you are the son I never had and that is why I have left you nothing in my will.

'However, I do bequeath you these words of wisdom: Never catch snowflakes on your tongue until all the birds have flown south for the win­ ter.'

Okay, okay, I'm lying. My Aunt Rose never said that.

Indeed, I never had an Aunt Rose. But I HAVE known a couple of bad winters. One very cold day in December 1962, my mother sent me out into the backyard to check that our coal merchant hadn't tried to diddle us again.

She wanted me to count carefully the number of bags being emptied

into our coal shed by the merchant who had hauled the laden sacks from his lorry parked at the end of the ginnel. The shed was situated next to our out­ door loo and opposite the damp and dark air­raid shelter which nobody had fled

into during the Blitz more than 20 years previously because the building was, well, too damp and too dark even then.

Our coalman had a brilliant smile but whether that was because he had particularly white teeth or whether it was merely because his gnashers contrasted starkly with his grime­ingrained complexion, I never found out.

What I did find out, or rather what Mother discov­ ered, was that the guy grinned whenever he deliv­ ered five sacks of coal and then went and charged her for six. What a dirty trick, lit­ erally.

Anyway, at Mother's behest I stepped off our kitchen back step into our yard ­­ and plunged head­ long into three feet of snow.

(The coalman probably would have smiled and claimed it was four feet.)

Fortunately, Mother heard my muffled shrieks.

Further fortunately, my father was at home.

Because the horse rac­ ing calendar had been

hit by the bad weather, Dad had no need to be propping up the counter at the betting shop. So Mother summoned Dad who dumped his smoul­ dering Woodbine and raced into the kitchen.

Observing his son flailing about, Dad removed his slip­ pers and socks and was about to divest himself of his shirt and trousers when Mother exclaimed: 'Husband, what the hell do you think you're doing? Our David is not struggling in a raging tor­ rent of water. You don't have to dive in like you're Johnny Weissmuller. Just reach down and pull the boy out of the snowdrift.'

Dad grimaced as Mother's sharp words punctured his bubble of anticipated heroic endeavour and growled: 'Hold onto my ankles, then.

I'm going in.'

He crouched on the kitchen step, grabbed hold of the nearest bit of my appendage, the right ankle, and pulled me out of the snow. 'Are you all right, Son?' Dad asked as he carefully inserted his index finger into

my facial orifices and with­ drew clumps of body­heated slush. I coughed a couple of times and wheezed: 'Who's Johnny Weissmuller?'

Mother interjected: 'Weissmuller is an American actor best known for playing Tarzan in films of the 1930s and 1940s and for having one of the best competitive swimming records of the 20th century. But that's not impor­ tant right now.'

Dad put his socks and shoes back on and asked Mother if he was required for any further domestic duties as he had an important appointment at the pub and needed to dig out his wellies so as to get there in time.

'Yes,' said Mother. 'I want you to check on the coalman. He was smiling a lot just now.'

'Oh, I've already sorted him out at the front door,' said Dad, removing a packet of fags from his shirt pocket and squeezing melted snow out of a wet Woodbine. 'I paid him for six bags but the next time he delivers remind him he took back only five empty sacks.'

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Friday, October 18, 2013

SAY IT IN SPANISH Learn the lingo - with a little help from JEANETTE ERATH Spanish 93 How are you finding your Spanish? I really hope that you are making the effort to speak with Spanish people and maybe even invest in a few lessons, there are times when we all need a push and it´s a worthy investment.

So I´ve been taking things slowly with the preterite tense so as not to overwhelm you, there is a lot to learn and I hope it has been going in bit by bit. Here are the answers to last weeks translations: I practised Spanish for one hour – yo practiqué español por una hora, what are you going to do tomorrow? ­ ¿qué vas a hacer mañana? , Did you see the car that my father gave me? – ¿viste el coche que mi padre me dio? , I haven´t seen the new shop but I believe it´s very modern – no he visto la tienda nueva pero creo que es muy moderna, Don´t pay the bill! ­ ¡no pagues la cuenta!, I will be able to do it tomorrow – podré hacerlo mañana, I began to learn Spanish – empecé a aprender español, we didn´t do any­ thing yesterday – no hicimos nada ayer, I asked three times for the folder – Pedi la carpeta tres veces. I know Philip, he lived in our road for three years – conozco a Philipe, vivió en nuestra calle durante tres años, you lied to me – me mentiste, I walked to school last Tuesday – anduve a colegio el martes pasado.

Next is the paragraph I asked you to translate into Spanish, how did you do?

Last week I went to a shopping centre near to where I live.

There are lots of different shops and I like to go in them all.

In one clothes shop I bought a shirt and two skirts, and in another I wanted a coat but on that day it was too expensive,

I think I´ll wait until the sales! I ate at a café in the shopping centre, it was delicious. I hope I can go again next week as I forgot to buy some shoes and I need a new pair.

La semana pasado fui a un centro comercial cerca de donde vivo. Hay muchas tiendas diferentes y me gusta entrar en todas. En una tienda de ropa compré una camisa y dos faldas, y en otra quise un abrigo pero aquel día estuvo demasiado caro, ¡creo que esperaré hasta las

rebajas! Comí en un cafetéria, ¡fue delicioso! Espero que puedo volver la semana que viene porque olvidé com­ prar zapatos, y necesito un nuevo par.

Then I gave you a paragraph to read in Spanish, this is the translation: Spanish is an international language. Its more than 300 mil­

lion speakers are found all over the world; in Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America. The biggest country in the world that speaks Spanish is Mexico, with 88 million Spanish speakers, and the second largest is Spain, with 38 million. Apart from Mexico, eighteen other countries in Latin America have Spanish as an official language. In others it is the second official language. In the United States there are 22 million Spanish speakers, the majority of whom are of Mexican ori­ gin, Puerto Rican and Cuban. Spanish is the second language of the United States and its importance grows every day.

I hope you have noticed that I did not translate the paragraph word for word, but that I wrote it to flow like English. That is a big part of Spanish/English translation. Sometimes you can write a sentence word for word, but other times it sounds wrong to do so, I hope those of you who maybe did translate the paragraph did so to make it flow rather than word for word.

Please ensure that you are happy with all the Spanish we have learnt so far before next week as we are going to start with the Imperfect tense, this is the other past tense and I will explain when and how it is used next week.

In the mean time, keep practising, remember your verb endings, they are the most important part of speaking Spanish and what will differ­ entiate you from a foreigner who hasn´t tried remembering them, and will make you sound more fluent and above all will make you understood!

Have a great week, enjoy this fantastic weather and prepare to study hard again next week. ¡Que tengas una buena semana!

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Friday, October 18, 2013

BREATHING SPACE HELPS YOUR DOG

I watched a TV programme this week about dogs and separation anxiety, with the results showing that a huge number of dogs suffer from this, which I found as no surprise.

For me, part of the charm of a dog is that they always want to be with us. Dogs will never understand the fact that sometimes we have to go out to places without them.

So it is much fairer if we make it easier for them to be on their own at times, rather than to let them pine for you until you return.

How you do that is simple. You don't make a big deal of going out or coming back. Many people talk to their dogs before they leave and give them treats and plenty of fuss. By doing this you are making the event of you com­ ing and going into a big deal for your dogs. When I leave my house or when I return, I never make a fuss of my dogs, because I want them to be calm and balanced while I am away. Some people tell me that they have to make a fuss of their dog when they get home. They want to do it and they will do it. I explain to them that if they break down their actions, they are fulfilling their own needs and certainly not the needs of their dogs. When I get back to Spain from working in London, I want to jump on my dogs, I love them so much. But if I was to do this, I would be doing it to fulfil my own needs and that would be a selfish act on my part.

I know my dogs love me, but by me not making a big deal of my leaving and returning, they stay relaxed when I'm not

at home. You could say that I suffered from separation anxi­ ety when I was younger. Due to certain events, I simply could not handle my Mum leaving me even for the shortest amount of time. I would cry myself to sleep and I certainly do not want my dogs going through anything like that form of stress that I once had.

If your dog does suffer from separation anxiety, you first of all need to reduce the dependency your dog has towards you. As hard as it may sound, you need to create a little bit of distance between the two of you, which will benefit your

dog hugely. Don't keep giving affection to your dogs when they are anxious. Affection should always be given to a dog when they are calm. Another little tip that worked really well when I was last working in London, was to get a kong toy and fill it with peanut butter. The dog who was suffering from separation anxiety always went into her crate when my client went out. So all I did was put the kong filled with peanut butter inside her crate and closed the door, so that she could not go into the crate to eat the tasty filling. She so desperately wanted to get inside the crate and just before my client left the house, she opened the crate door and the dog rushed inside to get the kong and there was never a hint anymore of separation anxiety.

I am available for consultations throughout the Costa Blanca region, if you are having problems with your furry best friend. To book a consultation you can E­mail me at peter@thedogyouneed.com and I will contact you straight away. We can also look after your dogs while you are away. Please contact us for details. We have also set up an animal charity, where we help the most severely abused and injured animals in Spain. If you would be kind enough to donate anything to this special cause you can do by PayPal, where the account details are peter@thedogyouneed.com or to our Nat West charity account, where the sort code is 60­ 16­03 and the account number is 73754900. Even one Euro will help, so please, please, try and support us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

PETS’ CORNER: CAN YOU TAKE IN A HOMELESS DOG OR CAT? APAH has lots of lovely cats and kittens, many of the adult cats have never known a loving home. Would you be willing to accept one of them into your heart and your home? If you would like to visit the APAH Cattery, please contact Yvonne on 630 422 563.

This lovely Podenco type dog is looking for a new home, she is about three years old, spayed and her injections are up to date.

She has a lovely nature, loves people and she is good with other dogs.

She loves to belong to a family and she is missing that at the moment.

Contact 616655789 for more details www.catsndogsaid.com

Maisie

Kushti.This lovely dog was left to fend for himself on a main road. Rescued by a kind gentleman who saved him from an accident. He is about nine months old, very good looking and playful He is very loving and is loo­ king for an owner who will take care of him forever.

Contact 616655789 for more details

Kushti

Lola is a nearly three year old cross Labrador/Alsatian mix we think. She is super friendly and loving to her current owners and loves playing with children. The only problem is that Lola does not much like other dogs. She needs to be in a one dog home as she thri­ ves on attention. Please call 650 304 746 or Email: p.e.p.a.animalcharity@gmail .com

BELLA loves being with peo­ ple,is fine with other dogs and is very affectionate and placid in nature. She is a small dog about the size of a spaniel and is about 1 year old. Please contact K9 or PHONE 600 84 54 20 for more info www.k9club.es

Rex is about 2 yrs old his owners got him as they wan­ ted a guard dog, unfortuna­ tely for them he is a sweet gentle dog that loves ever­ yone and likes other dogs as well, so now he is looking for a new home, he just needs someone to love him.

For more info call 650 304 746 or Email: p.e.p.a.animal­ charity@gmail.com

Billy and his brother Bobby are 2 years old. They were rescued when they were 8 weeks old, so have never known a loving home.

Although they are large dogs, both of them are very friendly and sociable. If you would like to meet Billy and Bobby, please contact Yvonne on 630 422 563.

Lola

Bella

Rex

Billy

Friday, October 18, 2013

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Friday, October 18, 2013

SEEKING A BETTER LIFE

How lucky am I to have British citi­ zenship. With my EU passport proud­ ly stating that I belong to the United Kingdom I am free to travel around Europe unhindered.

I can come and go backwards and forwards as many times as I like and I can also apply for a visa, which I imagine wouldn´t be too difficult to obtain for any country in the world that my “get into Europe free” card won´t allow. If I want to go to America on holiday for example, I send off some details and there it is: ­ a shiny visa for a holiday to the sunshine states.

I was actually born in Canada but got British citizenship through my mother when I was around seven, and thereafter the gateway to Spain was flung wide open. I appreciate the Spanish are making it harder for foreigners to come and live in their not so green but still pleasant land, however it is not because of a piece of paper, rather lots of them, and they are green, and blue and brown! However I am digressing, for those of us lucky enough to have been born in a free country where we have the right to pick and choose, it is all too easy to take the lifestyle for granted.

We are quick to criticise the African caught on a small boat trying to paddle his way over from some oppressed state, or the migrant caught running across the lines to get into Britain, or hiding in a lorry. We share no empathy with the thousands who want to make a European country their home, but who are we to judge? In the week that a boat, carrying hundreds of refugees sank near the coast of Italy the feeling is still one of, well they shouldn´t have been trying to get there! Even

when the death toll rose above two hundred and thirty we still sat in our villas and comfortable houses saying “well they shouldn´t have been on the boat in the first place” The European commission is now proposing a Mediterranean­wide search and rescue mission to intercept any boats that may be carrying asylum seekers. This is whilst also saying that those who survived the horror, face being fined and then deported back to their country, as if returning them alone wasn´t enough, let´s really show them who´s boss and give them big fat financial penalties too!

Of course the search and rescue has been billed as being in the migrants favour and to try and prevent another tragedy like that at Lampedusa, because a tragedy it was. However you look at it and whatever side of the fence you sit, you

surely cannot agree that hundreds of men, women and children dying like that is anything less than a catastrophe. I wonder how many of those complaining about immigration took a moment to look at the coffins laid out side by side, including the smaller, white ones contain­ ing the bodies of innocent children, all of whom were just after a better life.

It´s believed most, if not all of those on the boat were from Eritrea, how many of us even knew where it was prior to this, how many of us know now? Who knows what their human rights record is like, who cares? As long as apa­ thy is allowed to continue, along with a self­ worth and importance far greater than deserved, nothing will change.

It is thanks to a quirk of luck that you and I are here in the sunshine, but remember we are immigrants too. We weren´t born here, many have never worked here, but we still, quite rightly, consider it our home and agree that we have every right to live here, even though the country we left behind is, if anything, more advanced than this one, which allows free­ dom of speech, worker’s rights and the freedom to choose.

Things that those on that boat died for, yet we take for grant­ ed. I´m not saying we should open the gates to everyone who wants to live here and of course that would be difficult. What really needs to change are the governments in those African countries who treat their people with contempt and execute them as soon as look at them. What I am trying to say is respect everyone and try, for just a while, to imagine that you live in Eritrea, or any other African state. Wouldn´t you want something that’s better?

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Friday, October 18, 2013

U TURN TO WIN VOTES

If it’s a good idea and works, then oppose it at first and then with a sniff of an election say that you’ll keep it going!

That’s always a good mantra for politicians, and we’ve just had a classic example over free schools in England.

Labour kept on bashing Tory education boss Michael Gove back in 2010 for introducing them, and now Labour’s new education spokesman, Tristram Hunt has done a U­turn by say­ ing that they won’t

shut them. A free school is run by parents and others, and is out of local authority control, which based on my knowledge of councils, isn’t a bad thing. Gove is a big backer of the free school and they seem to be working, despite the odd crackpot sit­ uation here and there like with a Muslim school in Derby which education watchdog OFSTED has rightly rubbished on a variety of counts.

Hunt was made Labour education guru in Miliband’s

shadow reshuffle replacing the useless Stephen Twigg, who’s only claim to fame was dumping Michael Portillo out of Westminster in the 1997 General Election. The prob­ lem for Hunt is that he has to put up with quotes being thrown back at him, like describing free schools 3 years ago as a “vanity proj­ ect for yummy mummies”… .whatever that meant! The historian turned politician should know better than oth­ ers that old quotes come back to haunt you, but on first viewing, he’s in a differ­ ent class from Twigg, which is what Ed Miliband wanted.

The Labour boss was also after people who he wants “on message” which is code for saying that he won’t put up with people who don’t toe the party line, which explains the sacking of Diane Abbott as a junior health spokesman. Abbott’s plain speaking was always going to end in tears, but the great news for political watchers is that her removal means

she’ll have more time to spend on the TV political sofa alongside Michael Portillo on a Thursday night!

So well done Ed, because I miss her!

Why is nobody sur­ prised that the newspa­ per editors will not sign up to the new Press Charter, despite at long last the politi­ cal parties agreeing all the details? Are they so out of

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touch with public opinion that they feel they are beyond the law and decent taste?

Meanwhile, the under­fire Mail editor, Paul Dacre, has played his regular BBC­ bashing card, saying that the broadcaster has been biased in being pro­Miliband over the dreadful article over his father. Dacre doth protest too much and should put his own house in order!

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Tony

Friday, October 18, 2013

HE ALWAYS HAS SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT

Mayes WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBSH!

I thought Spain was bad enough when it came to graffiti but our recent visit to Poland demonstrated that it could actually be worse.

Poland is a country which suffered badly through WW2 and then for decades under Communism which left lovely old buildings needing a great deal of TLC but their appear­ ance has been made so much worse by the antics of the brainless hell bent on making buildings look like a war zone. Here in Spain, there have been some improvements to deter the "artists" but much still needs to be done to rid walls of scribblings which make places look horrible. Piles of uncollected rubbish also makes places so uninviting.

The graffiti pictured is on a wall just off the seafront in La Zenia and the rubbish is where thousands walk by each week beside the car park near Mercadona super­ market in Playa Flamenca.

Councils cannot be expected to deal with all the eyesores.

Isn't it about time public­spir­ ited people got together to sort it out? Now there's a challenge!

Listen to Labour and you would think the majority of UK people are destitute, living from hand to mouth. But the reality is extremely different. The recent Royal Mail sell­off is a perfect example, with the shares many times over­sub­ scribed in a buying frenzy. It was the same with shares in Barclays Bank. You would have thought that with the banks being so vilified by the public, their cash call would have been a damp squib, but not a bit of it! It's probable that people are rushing to mop up cheap share deals in the hope that they will get a better return on their money rather than keeping it in sav­

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government is on their backs, whilst huge sums could be saved by cutting out waste and reducing services to the essential. In that way perhaps those who are gen­ uinely struggling to pay would be spared from having to appear in court for non­ payment. But are most of these, the sort of people who prefer to spend their money on booze, fags and gam­ bling, with paying essential bills far down the list of prior­ ities?

I looked at a news story this week and thought I had finally lost my marbles. I read that, in a bid to slash Britain's giant welfare bill, there's to be even tougher measures on the UK's long term unemployed. Those under 25s who have been out of work for over a year would have to take a guaran­ teed job offer or face losing benefits. Over 25s would have to take a job after two years of unemployment.

Have I heard this before? Of course I have. Good Tory principles you may think, but no: ­ this is the plan of Labour's new work and pen­ sions secretary, Rachel Reeves, who you may think has just been on a Conservative good govern­ ment course. But wait a minute ­ she's reverting to style by saying the cost would come from reintroduc­ ing a tax on bankers' bonus­ es. Sorry, this particular pot of gold has been well and truly raided ­ just the same way as Gordon Brown's raid on Britain's gold reserves.

Sorry Labour, you can't keep bashing bankers forever ­ don't forget, the financial sec­ tor is the last remaining big money earner for Britain. The rest of Europe would love to get their hands on it and would succeed if muddle­ headed Labour got their hands on the UK economy again.

Now here's something which should get every­ one voting UKIP in Britain. Its news that more than 600,000 unemployed EU citizens are living in Britain at a cost of

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ings, earning virtually nothing in interest. There's no doubt that there is plenty of money in Britain ­ it's amazing how it comes out of the woodwork when people can see a good deal to be struck, as in these share offers. During the recession people made the situation far worse by putting down the shutters and not spending. Now we are see­ ing people opening their bank accounts and purses again and all of a sudden Britain's finances are on the up.

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That buffoon Ed Balls has had to change his tune about the economy now that all the measures are showing that the Coalition's policies are right and Britain was turning the financial cor­ ner. Now all he has left is to claim money is not trickling down from the rich to the poor quickly enough. It's a fair point to make, but as the economy improves and there are more jobs on offer, it’s up to people to get off their bums and help themselves to a better life by working.

There are jobs in the UK for people who actually want them. The Coalition is doing

the right thing by making it increasingly difficult to live a life on benefits, but one thing is important, and that's to ensure that those who gen­ uinely cannot work because of illness are properly cared for. They have been system­ atically tightening up the ben­ efits system, to wean people out of the benefits culture, and have had considerable public support for it.

However, there have been howls of protest from Labour claiming that thousands of people have been taken to court for non­payment of council tax because of changes and reductions in benefits.

The Coalition reduced funding to councils and urged them to make sav­ ings so that there was no need to pass shortfalls onto council tax payers. But some councils, being the money wasters they are, and may I suggest that many of them are Labour controlled, did not spend less but passed the costs to tax­payers, and along comes Labour to try to score points on the fact that more people are being taken to court.

So what can councils do to stop so much money being

wasted? Museums and art galleries could be run by not­ for­profit trusts rather than being a yearly drain on coun­ cil funding. They would have to impose an entry charge, but is that such a bad thing?

More than a third of the pop­ ulation now have Kindles or other electronic devices for book reading and the num­ bers of these gadgets are ris­ ing at a huge rate. Every charity shop invariably has hundreds of books for sale for virtually nothing. So, do we still need to have mil­ lions of pounds spent annu­ ally on public libraries up and down the country, or are they a relic of the past? Does every town and city have to subsidise theatres out of the council tax? Providing such entertainment costs a small fortune and in my book should either be self­support­ ing or closed. Sports centres, swimming pools are all very well, but should they be run by councils or private enter­ prise? And those flower dis­ plays and Christmas decora­ tions in town centres? They are provided to encourage people to shop in towns and that's fine ­ it benefits the traders, but should the cost not be borne by traders through Chambers of Commerce rather than on the council tax? British peo­ ple pay a fortune in tax because national and local

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£1.5billion to the NHS. The European Commission says the number of European migrants who have moved to the UK but do not have jobs has risen in five years and non­active migrants in the UK has risen by 42 per cent.

According to newspaper reports, it is believed the European commissioner for employment, social affairs and inclusion, Laszlo Ando, who ordered the report, is planning to bring a case to court which would make it even easier for migrants to claim benefits in the UK. The Department for Work and Pensions has said if suc­ cessful, it would make the UK a more popular place for migrants to live where they can claim benefits easier.

Conservative backbencher Douglas Carswell said: 'These figures show that the wave of benefit migrants has become a tsunami of eco­ nomic refugees fleeing the Eurozone crisis to try and find jobs here." The NHS is struggling to cope with the demands put on it and doc­ tors and managers are warn­ ing that this winter the NHS could be put beyond break­ ing point. There is supposed to be a reciprocal arrange­ ment where the NHS can claim the money paid out by treating EU citizens in UK hospitals. But is the NHS making a claim in every case? Are all the EU coun­ tries coughing up the money they owe? I wouldn't mind guessing the answer to both questions is no. The problem is that Britain is more of a magnet for economic migrants than most other countries in Europe ­ it's got a lot to do with English being the international language in Europe, making it easier for foreigners to live there, and Britain has an envious NHS, as well as a more generous than most benefits system and charities on every corner with volunteers who see it as their mission to help all and sundry, whether they deserve it or not. To put it another way, Europeans see the Brits as a soft touch.

Friday, October 18, 2013

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Friday, October 18, 2013

RICHARD CAVENDER

Bluemoon Solutions www.bluemoonsolutions.es

BlueMoon Solutions is the computer and IT services com­ pany on the Costa Blanca, they provide quality computer services at realistic prices and specialise in working with home users and small businesses.

Richard moved to Spain seven years ago hav­ ing left his management background behind in the UK and decided to use his IT skills to help home users and small businesses with their PC problems. Now a relaxed 'computer man' he is out and about in the Spanish sun every day, making house and shop calls and using his vast experience and qualifications to (usually) sort out the problem there and then. Computers are his hobby as well as his work so don’t be surprised to get an answer to your email in the early hours!

ADVICE: Lesley was worried that he would lose his ADVICE: Robin was having problems with one of the Google search in a few weeks. iGoogle alternatives we published last week.

Hi Richard, people are telling me that Google as my search engine will be shut down in a couple of weeks but Google Chrome will be ok. I have downloaded it but it will not accept my password although it does accept my email address. If I can.t sort it, will you be at Moncayo on Saturday, if so I will bring computer over. Many thanks, Les

Q

Hi Richard, like millions of other people, I keep get­ ting the message that igoogle is closing down soon.

Hi Leslie, first things first, you came to the right place to check the facts, don’t listen­ After reading your article in ing to gossip – it’s almost always untrue. the Courier today, I went No Google are not closing down, they are simply stopping one of their services – into the suggested alterna­ iGoogle. tives website. No problem iGoogle has been running for years, however its less popular nowadays, it’s the service from there. But after trying 3 of Google that allows you to customise your home page (the first page that your web browser their suggested alterna­ displays when you go onto the Internet). iGoogle allows you to add widgets (weather, news, tives, ighome ­ my yahoo ­ stock prices etc.) to your Google home page and it’s this functionality that is being retired on and protopage, I became the 1st November. disillusioned, and gave up. They all use accuweather, and I can’t get it to accept a Spanish The Google search, Google email (Gmail), Google Calendar and the large majority of its postcode or even Alicante Spain, Not really interested in the weather in Chicago. Any ideas? other services will remain running, as will the multi­billion pound company – so don’t worry, you don’t have to download Google Chrome (although it’s a great web browser so I would Hi Robin, I’m not sure what you are doing with ighome (my personal favourite), but recommend it if you don’t already have it) to continue to use the Google services. it certainly does accept Spanish towns, I have mine set to Almoradi, but have also tried Alicante and Santa Pola and they all work fine, try typing the name of the town ADVICE: Sheila was seeing some scary messages after rather than the postcode or the country. upgrading AVG Update: Thanks Richard, yes, this will now be my home page. I now have Santa Pola weath­ er, and am adding the other gadgets that I have been used to. I notice that the top line is very My AVG came up as needing updating so duly got it done. Now I have had a box like the iGoogle one with gmail & maps etc. come up saying Sypware and Others and Malware Protection are out of date.

Now what do I do? Sheila.

ADVICE: Allen wasn’t getting words underlined for mis-

Q

A

A

Q A

spelling in outlook.com when he typed emails

Hi Sheila, without more information about the “box” that you refer to its going to be hard to help.

In the 4th October issue of the The box “could” be windows just telling you that the newly installed AVG is out of Courrier you stated that date (after the installation AVG needs to download its latest virus definitions), if this "outlook.com automatically under­ is the case then you will not see a repeat of the box after you restart the computer. If it comes lines mispelt wotds". It doesn't in my case as up regularly then you should come back to me. demonstrated above. What am I doing wrong? Allen

Q

office@bluemoonsolutions.es www.bluemoonsolutions.es Mobile: 655 044 970

Office: 902 906 200

Don’t forget you can follow me on twitter @bluemoonspain Alternatively why don’t you sign up for my newsletter. You can do this by going to:­ www.bluemoonsolutions.es and fill in the form that is on any page except the front page.

A

Hi Allen, it seems that the underlining of words in outlook.com is reliant on your web browser having a spell check facility built into it – some don’t.

If you don’t already have it, try downloading and installing Google Chrome, you can get a free copy from here…

https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/browser …it does have a built in spell checker and your outlook.com words should start to get under­ lined when you use it to check your email.

Regards

Friday, October 18, 2013

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Friday, October 18, 2013

STORECUPBOARD RECIPES

You'll be surprised how many recipes you can make from the contents of your cupboards, fridge and freezer.

PESTO & TOMATO PASTA WITH CRISPY CRUMBS Ingredients

1 onion, finely chopped 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped or crushed 4 tbsp olive oil 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes 2 tsp sugar 190g jar basil pesto few capers or olives (optional)

140g white bread ­ stale or fresh, whizzed into crumbs (or 140g/5oz breadcrumbs) 50g pine nuts, roughly chopped 4 tbsp grated parmesan, or vegetarian alternative (optional) 25g butter 350g/12oz­400g/14oz linguine, spaghetti, tagliatelle or what­ ever you have in the cupboard

Method

1. Gently cook the onion and half the garlic in 2 tbsp olive oil for 10 mins until soft. Stir in the tomatoes and sugar and sim­ mer for 15­20 mins until saucy. Stir in half the pesto, some seasoning and a few capers or olives, if you have them.

Cover and keep warm.

2. While the sauce is sim­ mering, heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Toss the crumbs in a large baking tray with the remaining 2 tbsp olive oil, the rest of the garlic, the pine nuts and Parmesan, if Simple yet special storecupboard sup­ per using. Bake for 10 mins, stirring a few times, until golden. Dot over the butter and return to the oven for 2 mins more.

3. Meanwhile, bring a pan of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta. Drain, reserving a little cooking water. Stir through the sauce with a splash of cook­ ing water to loosen, if you

need to, ripple through the remaining pesto and serve scat­ tered with golden crumbs.

CHEESE BACON AND ONION PUFF Ingredients 1 quantity of batter small knob of butter, plus extra for greasing 2 tbsp finely grated parmesan 8 rashers smoked streaky bacon, chopped 4 spring onions, thinly sliced 140g cheddar, grated (this is about 200ml/7fl oz)

Method

1. Heat oven to 230C/fan 210C/gas 8. Make up the batter as stated in the pancake recipe and set aside. Grease a large, round, ceramic dish, about 22cm wide, and dust it with the grated Parmesan.

2. Heat the butter in a frying pan. Sizzle the bacon for about 5 mins until crisp, then leave to cool. Tip the bacon, onion and cheddar into the batter and stir until completely com­ bined. Tip the batter into the prepared dish so it comes almost to the top, then bake for 30­35 mins until puffed up and golden.

Bring piping hot to the table and serve straight from the dish with a crisp salad.

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Friday, October 18, 2013

STORECUPBOARD PASTA SALAD Ingredients 2 tsp finely chopped red onion 1 tsp caper 1 tbsp pesto 2 tsp olive oil 185g can of tuna in spring water, drained 100g leftover pasta shapes 3 sundried tomatoes, chopped

Method

Mix the onion, capers, pesto and oil. Flake the tuna into a bowl with the pasta and tomatoes, then stir in the pesto mix.

REAL TOMATO SOUP Ingredients 2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, chopped 1 garlic clove, finely chopped 1 tbsp tomato purée 400g can chopped tomatoes handful basil leaf pinch baking soda 600ml milk

2. To finish the soup, tip the tomato mixture into a pan. Spoon the baking soda into a small bowl and pour over 1 tbsp or so of the milk. Mix together until there are no lumps, then tip into the tomato mix and pour over the milk. Bring up to a boil (the mixture will froth, but don’t worry – it will go away). Gently simmer for about 5 mins until ready to serve.

CHEAT'S CHILLI PRAWN NOODLES Ingredients 2 tbsp olive oil 1 medium onion, roughly chopped 1 heaped tbsp corian­ der purée (from a tube) pinch of crushed dried chillies, to taste 400g can chopped tomatoes with garlic 1 heaped tbsp tomato purée 1 tbsp vegetable bouil­ lon powder half a 250g pack Chinese egg noodles 400g frozen prawns (large North Atlantic ones are tender and juicy)

Method

Method

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pan, then tip in the onion and garlic. Cook over a moderate heat until the onion has soft­ ened, about 5 mins. Stir in the tomato purée, then pour in the chopped tomatoes and basil leaves, and bring up to the boil.

Turn the heat down and leave to simmer for about 15 mins until thick and full of flavour. If you like a smooth soup, whizz the mixture at this point to form a smooth sauce. Can now be cooled and frozen for up to 1 month.

1. Heat the oil in a wok or deep frying pan. Toss in the onion, squeeze in the coriander purée and sprinkle over the crushed chillies to taste (go easy at this stage). Stir fry for 5 minutes until the onion is softened but not browned.

2. Pour in the tomatoes and 11∕2 canfuls of hot water, add the tomato purée and sprinkle over the bouillon powder. Season well. Bring to a bubble, stirring, then lower the heat a little and let the sauce simmer for about 15 minutes until slightly reduced but still sloppy. While the sauce is simmering, break the noodles into a bowl and pour in enough boiling water to cover. Stir and set aside.

3. When the sauce is ready, drain the noodles and tip them into the sauce with the frozen prawns. Stir well and heat through for 2 minutes only – just to defrost and heat the prawns. Taste for seasoning and add more chilli flakes and a little sugar if you like. Serve in bowls with spoons and pass round chunky hot bread for scooping up the last of the sauce.

FOR THE FRIDGE OMELETTE Ingredients 1 courgette 1 tbsp olive oil 4 eggs half a teacup frozen peas (no need to defrost) handful grated or sliced cheese (cheddar, feta, ricotta or goat’s cheese work well)

Method

1. Trim the ends off the courgette, then cut into slices about the thickness of a £1 coin. Heat the oil in your smallest non­ stick frying pan (around 20cm). Tip in the courgette and cook for a couple of mins, just until it starts to turn golde. Break the eggs into a bowl and beat with a fork. Season with a little salt, if you like.

2. Add the peas to the pan, then pour in the eggs and sprin­ kle with the cheese. Turn the heat down really low and cook for about 10 mins until the egg has almost set. In the mean­ time, heat the grill to high. 3 After 10 mins on the hob, pop the pan under the hot grill for a min or two until all the egg has set. Place a cutting board or plate over the pan and flip over. Cut the omelette into wedges and serve warm, or leave to cool and serve with salad or coleslaw. Can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days.

22

Friday, October 18, 2013

Water, water, everywhere!!!

Probably the simplest thing that every­ one can do to improve their health and help the body acid alkaline balance is to drink plenty of good health giving water.

Regretfully most people are dehydrated which has very negative implications for our health in both the long and short term.

Our bodies are made up of 70% water, consequently it is very important to keep that water intake healthy if we are to keep the cells in our body, which are sur­ rounded by water, and our brains healthy. Our brains are 85% water and are particularly sensitive to dehydration­ that is why brain fog and memory impairment is increased when we are dehydrated.

When we do not take in enough water we get acid build up in our cells we get clas­ sic signs of pain including heartburn, anginal pain, lower back pain, migraine, colitis, fibromyalgic pain, and bulimia.

Do not believe that a dry mouth is the first sign of dehydration the body can suffer from deep tissue dehydration inside its cells without manifesting as a dry mouth. As we grow older we lose our perception of thirst and fail to drink ade­ quately until the plum like cells in our

vital organs become prune like and can no longer sustain us. This is one reason why many elderly in hospital die, they simply do not have enough water to keep them going. The volume of water that you need depends on body weight and climate.

Roughly this means 3 litres of water for every 90kg person per day. Water should be consumed through the day but at least 500ml should be taken first thing in the morning to replace the fluids lost during hours of sleep. It is best to drink separate from our food, ideally at least half an hour before meals or 2 hours after to give us the best chance of water being used to its maximum benefit and also to allow our digestion to work cor­ rectly. It is also essential to maintain body electrolyte levels and this includes salts. If you feel slightly unwell and know that you haven’t drunk enough water it is worth asking your pharmacy for electrolyte powder and take this daily until you feel well and step up your water intake to the advised levels.

WHO NEEDS THE FLU JAB? DR MACHI MANNU’S ADVICE CLINIC Email your questions and comments to contact@medb.es

The winter season is just around the corner, and with it comes the flu. Short for influenza, flu is caused by viruses that attack the respi­ ratory system, causing symptoms such as high fever, cough, congestion, headaches and chest dis­ comfort. Health institutions recommend vaccinating vul­ nerable members of society­ children, the elderly, preg­ nant women, and those with immune suppressing dis­ eases – to better protect them against the flu virus.

But is there any evidence in support of this claim? A well­known fact is that the flu virus is not a single strain of microbe, but several differ­ ent strains that vary from For further information on the benefits location to location. Worse of water or any nutritional aspects of health email us info@slimfit­europe.com still, these strains are capa­ ble of mutating or changing their form from one season to another, and this makes finding the right vaccine a matter of guess work – that is according to the leading manufacturers of vaccines!

Furthermore, most flu vac­ cines contain thimerosal – a preservative that is 50% mercury by volume (mercury destroys the nerves), deter­ gents, antifreeze, and sever­ al inactive viruses. You don’t need a medical degree to realise that this is really bad science. The flu jab can cause very serious compli­ cations such as blood pres­ sure abnormalities, muscle pain and paralysis, as well as autoimmune diseases.

So how can you protect yourself? Vitamin D boosts

immunity, and half an hour spent in the early morning or late evening sunlight will provide you with your daily dose. Colostrum is the most powerful natural immune enhancer known, and con­ tains antibodies – such as IgM that attaches itself to viruses to destroy them.

Colostrum also contains antibiotic and healing factors ­ PRP (Proline Rich Polypetide), Lactoferin and numerous Growth factors to promote the repair of dam­

aged organs. Colostrum will protect you all through the flu season, and in the event that you catch the flu, it will help you recover quickly.

Colostrum powder is an effective natural antibiotic to have around just in case you run into trouble. The cap­ sules are used for prophy­ laxis.

Available from Douglas laboratories as cap­ sules (60 capsules, €28), Powder (150g €85) Call 965071745, Delivery is free.

Friday, October 18, 2013

23

A VERY ANGRY READER

Last weekend I received an email from a very angry gen­ tleman. According to him, I mentioned in my Courier article last week that Pectasol can be used to detoxify the body.

However when he checked the website of Douglas laborato­ ries (manufacturers of Pectasol) he found… ‘Nothing about detoxification….. You have been fed some bum information’ he added. He also said that he had purchased Laminine for his wife and she felt no effect and when he also checked online he found it was a pyramid scheme making no claims for the product. And he ended with …’I suggest that you do some research before recommending that courier reader’s waste money on snake oil salesmen products. By the way what doctorship do you hold?’

Wow, that really threw me aback because up until now I had never received such a bitter complaint from a reader.

But the incidence presents an opportunity to point out the proper way to search for information online. There are laws – some of which make no sense­ that limits the claims man­ ufacturers can make about a product. Because Pectasol is made from natural substances, it has been classified as a food supplement by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the United States, and this restricts what can be published on the manufacturer’s website. A good way to find informa­ tion online about Pectasol­ or any other supplement or health product – is to search in Google Scholar (scholar.google.com). Google Scholar will only display links to publicly available scientific research and clinical studies associated with what you are searching for. If the gentleman had searched for ‘Pectasol’, he would have come across dozens of published scientific papers that prove the effec­ tiveness of Pectasol as detoxification agent capable of elim­ inating from the body arsenic, aluminium, mercury, lead, and

many other toxins. The studies show that Pectasol increases the excretion of heavy metals and other toxins by as much as 560% when taken on a daily basis.

On the same page on Google scholar, you will also find other published studies showing how Pectasol binds to a cancer causing chemical in the body – Galectin­3, and can be used to effectively treat and prevent prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, melanoma and many other types of cancer.

Other studies still showed that Pectasol was effective for protecting the body against radiation. These studies cannot be included in the website of the manufacturers because Pectasol is classified as a food supplement. Laminine is the other supplement the gentleman mentioned, and when I inquired further to find out what benefits he was expecting, he revealed that he had been told Laminine would help tired­ ness, headaches and aching joints. Personally I would not prescribe Laminine for tiredness and headaches, and would use it together with MSM (Methyl Sulphonyl Methane) to treat aching joints. Laminine is unique among supplements because it contains FGF (Fibroblast Growth Factor), a pro­ tein that stimulates the production of new cells to replace damaged organs in the body. It is also rich in amino acids and peptides necessary for the optimal functioning of the nervous and hormonal systems. Laminine is one of the most versatile supplements in my experience; capable of healing a wide range of illnesses, but it is still not a ‘cure all’ as dis­ eases can be caused by many factors. And without proper medical investigations, it can be extremely difficult to find out the exact cause of an illness. Laminine is manufactured in the USA, but because the company has its origins in Asia, they made a choice to market their product based on the popular Asian system of Network Marketing, which aims to

keep product costs down by eliminating advertising and Middlemen. Network marketing is no pyramid scheme because there is a real product on offer to the public. Of course there are a number of people selling all sorts of remedies for a quick bob (Pharmaceutical companies includ­ ed!), but as I informed the gentleman, he would have done well to ask me if Laminine would have helped his symptoms before spending his money. I receive a number of emails from readers wanting clarification on certain articles, and even requesting scientific literature to validate my claims about a certain product, albeit in a very polite manner.

Furthermore, it is important to realise that there are many causes of any symptom you may experience­ the reason why I prefer to perform a full body diagnostic scan to find out what’s wrong rather than practice ‘Guess­work Medicine’ as is performed in GP practices and Health centres. I appreci­ ate the fact that the gentleman informed me about his wife not getting better after taking Laminine, even though he did­ n’t buy from me – As a doctor I am always happy to receive feedback from my patients as this helps me keep tabs on therapy. But it made me wonder how much our healthcare system will improve if patients complained each time a med­ ication from a doctor didn’t work as expected! Since then I have exchanged polite emails with the gentleman, and have informed him that I have a Bachelor’s in Medicine and Surgery as well as other diplomas. Pectasol is available from MedB Health Shop for €83.98 (112g), MSM ­ €60.65 (300g powder), Laminine ­ €36.00 (60 Capsules). Call 965071745, Delivery is free.

PLEASE SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO contact@medb.es or to the editor of the courier.

:

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Friday, October 18, 2013

Focus on

LA MARINA

Cook in Style with the Kitchen Shop The Kitchen Shop in La Marina Urb is a family run busi­ ness who supply quality fitted kitchens, wardrobes and bath­ rooms and have been established on the Costa Blanca since 2002. Choose from an extensive range of top quality doors in many colours and designs.

From modern to traditional, high gloss to dark oak there is something to suit everyone, including our range of stylish high quality German Kitchens.

If you would like to just modernise or brighten up the look of your kitchen, then why not consider replacement doors and worktops. Worktops come in a variety of colours and are available in Formica, Laminate, Granite or Silestone.

We offer DIY­ supply only service with free local delivery.

Why not visit our showroom to see our selection of kitchen displays. We are open Monday ­ Saturday, please call or email for opening times.

Protect Your Smile with Ruver Dental Clinic The Ruver Dental Clinic in La Marina Village was opened approximately one year ago by Spanish Orthodontist Dr Rufina Parres Garcia. The Dental Clinic has new modern facilities and specialise in children’s and teenagers dentistry, including fillings, providing braces, and carrying out X­rays when required. Staff in the clinic speak 5 different languages and provide a friendly relaxed atmosphere for anxious clients who may have some fears when attending a Dentist. The Clinic has a large international clientele who are extremely happy with the service they receive. Ruver Dental Clinic is very easy to find with easy off street parking available. The Clinic provides a 24 hour emergency service which is avail­ able during week­ends and Fiestas. Ruver Dental Clinic is open Monday to Friday from 09.30am to 8pm and the first Review Appointment is absolutely Free! For further informa­ tion and advice Telephone 965 419 527.

Enjoy Some TLC At ATM Wellness Centre!

ATM Wellness Centre in La Marina Village is well worth a visit. There are 8 toning tables that are designed to tone your muscles and enhance your flexibility without corporal effort and are especially beneficial for people with arthritis. Many other beauty treatments are available including Anti Cellulite Treatments (Body Wrapping, Sauna Belts, and Vacu Trimmer), Facial Skincare, Permanent Make­Up, Waxing, French Manicure, Acrylic and Gel Nails, Chiropody and relax­ ing Aromatherapy Massages including Syogra, which is a unique massage experience with warm stones of Jade aligned along the spinal column. On sale in the Centre is a large selection of Professional Cosmetics and Forever Living products. The ATM Wellness Centre is open Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm. If you feel like pampering yourself then pop along to the Centre and enjoy your preferred treatment in a therapeutic relaxing atmosphere.

Sandra's got News 4 You Sandra the owner of News 4 You Shop based in La Marina Urb has been in Spain for just over 3 years. News 4 You is open 7 days a week, Monday to Saturday 8.00am to 5.30pm and 8.00am to 1pm on Sundays. News 4 You is even open on Red Days so you can still pick up your daily newspapers. In store there are 3 computers for Internet access with the facility to be able to print off boarding passes etc. News 4 You sell Newspapers and Magazines (English, German, Norwegian, French), Greeting Cards, Gift Wrap, Ink Cartridges, Cabin Bags and Eurodirect Cards. There is also a wide selection of Gifts, Helium Balloons, Sweets and Drinks. They stock unlocked Mobile Phones, Sim Cards and do Mobile Phone Top Ups. Also now in stock are refillable Electronic Cigarettes and E­liquids. News 4 You are agents for the UK postal system for letters and parcels, and also offer a UK Passport Renewal Service. They provide a photocopying and laminating service, and are also agents for the Free Blanket Factory Tours.

The Bell tolls again The Bell Bar in La Marina has re­opened after being close for a long time. Alice and Tony along with their daughter Linda and her husband Matt and their children Ryan and Holly. The 3 generations of a family are hoping to provide a friendly, fam­ ily run bar with reasonably priced drinks. You will find the Bell Bar on the top strip opposite Jacks Bar between Lolas Bar and The Deutsche Bank, and then up the slope overlooking Cagney and Lacey’s Bar. Look out for the Orange Palm Tree at the entrance to the Bar. You can watch all live football and sports on the large 55” 3D T.V. and also in the outside Bar area. On Thursdays you will be entertained by Jimmy Dene, the Music Man with his wide range of music. Saturday evenings is Karaoke Night with Ann and Russ of Legally Blonde and starts at 8pm till late. Every Tuesday evening you can watch the Bell’s Darts Team in action and starting soon on Monday afternoons will be a Quiz followed by Bingo.

Friday, October 18, 2013

Focus on

LA MARINA

Jennifer Cunningham for sure insurance With all the worry and concerns about the banks in Spain, why not pop into Jennifer Cunningham’s La Marina office and ask for an insurance quote from one of the world’s largest Insurance Companies, Liberty Seguros (part of Liberty Mutual Group). At the same time, if you discover you have no health cover, we can offer special terms and prices on both Health and Funeral Plans.

Staff at Jennifer Cunningham are much more than a voice on the phone. So why not drop into the office in Avenida Londres, La Marina Urb and discover what excellent policies and prices are avail­ able? The office is open 9am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday.

Tel: 966 795 082

Lounge around with Beauty Jan and Frank owners of The Lounge Bar in La Marina moved to Spain 11 years ago, and opened the Lounge Bar 5 years ago.

A family run bar with friendly staff there is something on offer for everyone. Famous for it’s Sunday Dinners, The Lounge Bar is a thriving bar that is very popular with the locals. Live entertainment is provided with Quiz and Fun nights, Karaoke every Friday and on Saturday nights there is an optional meal deal for only 5.00€ per person with a bottle of wine on offer for only 4€, if dining.

Upstairs the bar boasts a large comfortable games room with Pool Table, Pinball Machine, Darts Board and TVs showing all footie matches. For reservations Tel: 626 501 147. Jan has also operated successfully for the last 10 years a Beauty business.

She has an ITEC certificate which is recognised world­wide. Jan has installed a CACI non­surgical face/body lifting machine in her Beauty Rooms and uses only top class products that are also used in the Melia chain of Hotels in Spain. To make an appoint­ ment Tel: 966 790 506

Smart Furniture Solutions are “Second 2 None” Second 2 None, the new quality used Furniture Outlet was launched in August 2012. Steve, the owner who is originally from Leicester, moved to Spain with his family over 20 years ago, and has been in this line of work for many years.

Since opening, Second 2 None has gone from strength to strength, with clients from all nationalities looking for a bar­ gain. Second 2 None boasts an excellent choice in new and second hand furniture, beds, and various other household items. Steve also buys quality used furniture from single items to house clearances.

Second 2 None is based on the Santa Ana Industrial Estate, Guardamar del Segura (next to Pick and Pay). So why not pay a visit to the new Second 2 None Outlet today and see what special deals are on offer.

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Friday, October 18, 2013

SOME ENCHANTED Mabs grab a grand EVENING The sing­along songs of South Pacific like Happy Talk and There Is Nothing Like A Dame will be raising the roof of Torrevieja’s Muncipal Theatre on Wednesday November 20th, all in aid of the homeless charity, Reach Out Torrevieja.

The classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical is going to be put on by the Footlights Theatre Group, with the night being promoted by the Torrevieja Costa Lions Club. The curtain goes up at 8.00pm with tickets priced at 12 Euros.

They can be bought now from the Teatro

Box office in the Plaza at the front of the theatre or online at www.servicam.es where you click on Teatro Municipal Torrevieja, and then click on South Pacific and follow the instructions.

Lamp ready for rubbing

Studio 32 are now well into rehearsals for their first production, Aladdin, in aid of La Asociación de Alzhéimer de San Fulgencio, at San Fulgencio’s Cardinal Belluga Theatre.

Show Director, Edith Smith has put togeth­ er a cast which has both experience and youth. Heading the cast will be Susan Zillah Wilson as Aladdin. Susan Zillah, who is new to the area, has performed in numerous panto roles as a professional singer and dancer in the UK, and she’s going to be very busy because she also the company’s cho­ reographer!

The chorus will include a number of well know local performers and Totally Dance school of Benijofar will be performing new exiting dance routines.

Tickets are now available by calling Ann on 966 318 019 or E­mail liz@alpha9.co.uk Performances will be on Friday December 13th at 7.30pm and Saturday December 14th with a matinee at 2pm in addition to the evening performance at 7.30pm. Tickets priced at 6 Euros and 4 Euros for children at the Saturday matinee performance.

The MABS Cancer Support got a welcome boost of 905 Euros thanks to a new quiz night at La Rosa Bar in San Cayetano. Julie and Mark McCluskey who run the bar for a few years wanted to start a charity quiz in the summer, and so with many of their customers impacted by cancer, they decided to do some fund­ raising for MABS. At the end of the evening Julie and her son Dean

presented Janet Bell, Area Co­Ordinator, for MABS with a cheque for 905 Euros, with one of the reg­ ulars donating another 95 Euros to make it up to 1 thousand Euros, which rose still further after a bit of fun with “Open the Box”.

Janet Bell thanked every­ one who had taken part in the Quiz Nights over the summer especially Julie, and Mark and said "It is only because of people

like all of you here tonight that MABS is able to con­ tinue helping all Cancer patients and their fami­ lies".

Mark & Julie's next Fundraising Event is a 24 hour Pool Championship, so if you would like to take part contact Mark on 636 619 481. If anyone needs help and support MABS is only a phone call away and can ring their helpline on 693 275 779.

Friday, October 18, 2013

27

HOTEL’S ANCIENT LINK

By Andrew Atkinson

When it comes to offering an Olive branch Spain has done much more than that ­ as the leading olive oil producing country ­ with the province of Jaén having 150 million olive trees! Indeed when it comes to olive trees Spain protects its oil types – with nine protected designations of origin in Andalusia, Catalonia, Castilla, La Mancha and Aragon. And farmers have recently been harvesting two, 2,000 years old olive trees, in situ at The Hotel La Laguna Spa & Golf at Avda. Antonio Quesada, Doña Pepa 2, Quesada.

"We have two olive trees ­ over 2,000 years old ­ one came from Jaen, Andalusia, and other from Teruel," as Hotel Manager, Sofía Madrid Quesada, told "The Courier".

The Olive tree Picual ­ from the Spanish root "Pico" ­ means peak. Picual, originally from Jaén and surrounding areas Granada and Cordoba, are the most highly sought producing oil known for its floral aroma and distinctive flavour.

"Today, we have a traditional farmer in the region harvesting these olives for olive trees and olive oil

consumption," added Sofia. Picual represents 50% of Spain's olives and trees. During the15th and 17th century distribution expanded ­ with Andalusia the main producing region in the world ­ especially the provinces of Jaen, Cordoba , Seville and Granada. The celebrated Spaniard Federico García Lorca, author of 'Blood Wedding', 'Yerma' and 'The House of Bernarda Alba', was executed by a fascist firing squad in Granada during Spain’s Civil War in 1936.

Spain is the home to many ancient olive trees ­ deemed 2,500 years old, said to be worth between 10 thousand 100 thousand Euros each! And with rich pickings to be made it's not surprising that thieves have been known to go to great depths in stealing Spain's ancient olive trees ­ to be sold throughout Europe. "The two, 2,000 year old olive trees joined us from the beginning, when the Hotel opened in 2002," said Sofia., "Jaen, Andalusia, and Teruel are both traditional counties of olive oils and high quality in Spain."

The Hotel La Laguna Spa & Golf website address is: www.hotellalaguna.com

BEWARE OF THE Tops for Elche kids MAGIC BEANS A local bar is hosting a weekly fund­ raising event for the Elche Children’s Home. Bar Carmens in the El Chaparral area of Torrevieja

Jack and Simple Simon will be trying to outwit the nasty giant once again in Stagestruck’s Christmas presentation of Jack and the Beanstalk at the Cardenal Belluga Theatre in San Fulgencio. The show, at the end of November, will feature quite a few twists on the tradition­ al tale, including tap danc­ ing villagers and a some­ what unusual local police force! Stagestruck will be donating all the proceeds from their production to the Alzheimer’s Association and the San Fulgencio Ambulance Appeal.

There’ll be four perform­ ances, kicking off with a special matinee show for local schoolchildren on Thursday November 28th at 3.00pm, followed by 8.00pm outings on Friday November 29th and Saturday Novemebr 30th. And finally, there’s an extra matinee show on Sunday December 1st at 3.00pm.

All Tickets are 6 Euros for adults and 3 Euros for under 12’s, and a pre­show free drink of wine, or a soft drink is included in the price, with drinks on sale during the half time intermission. Tickets are available from Stella on 965 076 700 or from The Card Place in Benimar or The Post Room in Benijofar.

Local teenage singer Stefanie will be belting out some great show tunes to raise money for teenage cancer patients at the end of the month. Backed up by the performers of the Los Montesinos­ based Footworks Dance team, she’ll be performing at the Los Rosales Restaurant on Lemon Tree Road, Guardamar on Sunday October 27th.

“An Evening at the Musicals” will feature Stefanie singing favourites from Miss Saigon, Evita, Les Miserables, Chess, and Phantom of the Opera amongst a big list of musical classics! All money raised on the night will go to HFAF, who are funding a special cold room for terminal­ ly ill teenage cancer sufferers.

The show starts at 8.30pm and costs 5 Euros, but there’s a supper and show option from 7.30pm which is priced at 10

Euros. For more information call 966 292 392 or visit http://www.stefaniesings.info

STEFANIE SINGS

is putting on a Table Top Sale every Sunday from 10.00am, with the set­ ting­up starting an hour earlier.

Table space costs 5 Euros.

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Friday, October 18, 2013

UK HEADLINES

FALSE WIDOW ALERT: Deadly venom SQUEEZED out of tot after hospital turns mum away

FOUR­YEAR­OLD Sophie Harris from Daily Baschurch, Shrophire, was a victim of the ven­ omous false widow spider, who are rampaging throughout Britain in their MILLIONS. Mum Amy, 28, was horrified to discover the red raw bite on her daughter's back and rushed her to Shrewsbury Royal Hospital to seek treatment.

She said: "Sophie had come back from school, I had got her undressed and then she complained of having something hurting her on her back.

"When I looked I discovered a lump of black in the middle with yellow around the outside about the size of a 5p piece.

"She said a spider bit her but because she is four and she's got a wild imagination I didn't know whether to believe her.

"I'd read all about these spider bites and showed people on online forums pictures of the wound and they were sure it was a false widow bite.

"They posted links to people who had been bitten by false widow spider's and the bites looked identical to Sophie's.

"I looked them up and the more I read about them the more I worried.

"She was in a lot of pain with a temperature and was sleepy and upset as it was really hurting her."

But Amy was stunned when doctors at the hospital sent her home and told her to take allergy tablets Piriton because they had no idea how to treat the frightened child.

She fumed: "They didn't have a clue about this spider.

"They said we haven't been given any warnings so it can't be that serious.

"The doctor checked her breathing and lymph nodes and just said take her home and give her some Piriton.

"She was in agony and they just sent her on her way ­ I couldn't believe I had to be the one to treat her."

The flesh­eating bite from a false widow is potentially

Star

LETHAL, and the mum­of­three was understandably worried about Sophie's safety.

After the hospital failed to treat the bite, Amy grew increas­ ingly concerned as Sophie's pain got worse and worse, so she ended up SQUEEZING out the venom from her daugh­ ter's back herself.

She added: "The wound had got really nasty and I couldn't just sit and let her suffer.

"I didn't know what would happen if I left it. I just panicked thinking if this poison is still in her and I leave it it's going to get worse and she might have to get operated on.

"So in the end I was forced to deal with it and squeezed the venom out myself.

"After that it went down and within a matter of hours she was fine again.

"I don't understand why the hospital couldn't have just done that in the first place."

Blind man jailed after City Centre chase

A blind man who led police on an 85mph chase through a city centre has been jailed.

Mulazum Hussain, 21, who can only see a few feet ahead, refused to stop, sparking an 8km (five­mile) chase through Sheffield in the dead of night.

He sped over roundabouts, went through red lights and was going so fast his

Vauxhall Corsa left the ground at one point and did a 360­degree spin.

When Hussain was finally stopped, he got into the passenger seat and told offi­ cers: ‘It wasn’t me driving. I’m blind.’

He admitted charges of dangerous driv­ ing and having no insurance at the city’s crown court and was jailed for nine months.

Amy said she was now worried that her other young children, one­year­old Thomas and two­ year­old Alfie, may also be bitten.

She said: "Thomas isn't walking yet so I'm not letting him on the floor as much as I would do because I don't know if I've got them all.

"It's a big worry. The more I've heard about them and the people who have been bitten and needed surgery I felt really lucky that hers didn't get to that."

Last week, Essex man Ricki Whitmore was attacked by one of the spiders causing havoc across the UK. He almost had to have his leg AMPUTATED after it swelled up with venom.

His wife Carrie said: "They tried to put a drain in his thigh.

"The skin ruptured and pus oozed out.

"It was revolting – it smelt like someone had died."

False widow spiders have a distinctive 'white skull' on their back and usually only bite when they feel threatened.

Britain’s most poisonous spider, it arrived in bananas from the Canary Islands early last century, but until now has always kept itself hidden in the warmer south west of England.

Experts claim climate change has led to a surge in num­ bers, with the arachnids now spreading as far east as Norfolk and as far north as Birmingham.

The colder weather has now brought the critters INSIDE homes across the country.

Although nobody has ever died from a spider bite in Britain, the false widow has now hospitalised dozens of peo­ ple in the UK and medics fear it is only a matter of time until somebody extremely allergic suffers a fatal anaphylactic shock from a bite.

Hanged again?

Drug offender Alireza M, 37, was pro­ nounced dead after he was left hanging for 12 minutes on his first execution.

He was taken to the prison morgue while his family prepared to collect him for burial.

But he was discovered to still be breathing the day after he was 'executed', and his fam­ ily were thrilled to find him still alive.

One relative said: "When we went to the coroner’s office we found him alive again

which made his two daughters very happy."

He was rushed to hospital to recover ­ but it is all in vain as Iran will execute him again once he's well again.

An Iranian official said: "The verdict was the death penalty and it will be carried out when he’s well."

Iran has the second highest­rate of execu­ tions in the world ­ with China topping the death table.

Friday, October 18, 2013

UK HEADLINES

29

HEATHROW DRUG RING SMASHED

SCOTLAND Yard Wednesday smashed a suspected The Standard multi­million pound cocaine smuggling racket based at Heathrow airport.

In a series of co­ordinated dawn raids detectives swooped on 11 men ­ including at least four cargo handlers employed by British Airways.

The international drugs trafficking operation is said to have used corrupt insiders at the UK’s biggest airport to allow millions of pounds worth of cocaine to be imported into Britain.

A British organised crime gang based in west London are alleged to be at the centre of the plot while police are also investigating links to notorious Mexican drugs cartels.

The gang are suspected of bringing in at least £4­5 mil­ lion worth of pure cocaine each year through Heathrow’s cargo shed.

The drugs were destined for the streets of London and the Home Counties and had a street value estimated to be tens of millions of pounds.

The 11 men were seized in raids on addresses in London and Essex and those held were aged between 25 and 53. long intelligence­led operation to dismantle ”a well­estab­ Among the arrests was the alleged ‘Mr Big’ of the drugs lished, organised criminal network” responsible for importing ring, a man said to be in his 40s who drives a top of the and distributing millions of pounds worth of cocaine. range Porsche.

Police say the drugs would be hidden in legitimate cargo A number of those arrested lived at addresses in Southall containers on BA flights to Heathrow from Mexico City. near Heathrow.

Once the aircraft arrived at the terminal, handlers would Scotland Yard said the arrests were the climax of a year­ quickly remove the drugs from inside the legitimate cargoes

and package them into new containers.

Couriers would then liaise with the cargo handlers, collect the drugs and pass them on to criminals for dis­ tribution in London.

The gang “embedded” insiders within the organisa­ tion of Heathrow’s cargo handling operation to allow the drugs to be moved out of the airport without raising sus­ picions.

Insiders were paid by the gang to create false paper­ work for containers to transport the drugs so they would appear legitimate if they were checked by managers.

Further arrests are expected abroad.

Detective Superintendent Stephen Ratcliffe, of the Met’s Serious, Organised and Economic Crime Command, said: “These arrests are the culmination of a year long operation and a lot of planning and hard work.

“We have dismantled what was a sophisticated, well oiled, well established operation involving a network of criminals from the cargo handlers to the couriers to the distributors all the way up to the top of the pile.

“This was a sophisticated operation to evade what is a high level of supervision at Heathrow’s cargo handling facil­ ity.”

Detectives believe the gang have used the smuggling route through Heathrow for several years.

A British Airways spokesman said : “We are giving the Metropolitan Police our fullest support in this investigation.”

Drug baron's spoils put on sale LUXURY assets confiscated from a cage fighter turned drug baron are being sold on eBay by the police.

The proceeds of the ill­gotten gains of Southport father­of­ 10 Vincent Graham, 35, will be ploughed back into crime fighting.

The items including several high­performance cars were seized as one­legged Graham's cocaine importing operation from South Africa was uncovered by the authorities.

He was jailed in 2011 at Preston Crown Court for seven years after he admitted supplying cocaine.

A luxury watch and jewellery, with bids starting at a com­ bined total of £6,550, are the first lots to be auctioned online.

A number of vehicles also seized in raids on Graham are expected to be sold in future on eBay. Among the cars the drugs boss drove were a Lamborghini Gallardo, worth more than £40,000, a Nissan Skyline, val­ ued at £35,000, and an Audi Q7 worth more than £20,000.

Half of the money gained from the sales will be split

between Titan ­ the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, the region's police forces, the Crown Prosecution Service and Her Majesty's Courts Service.

The remainder will be returned to central government.

Graham was said to have made an estimated £926,981 from the drugs conspiracy which also led to the jailing of three other men who were part of his gang.

Detective Superintendent Jason Hudson, head of opera­ tions at Titan, said: "This is just the start of us selling the ill­ gotten gains of convicted major criminals and re­investing the proceeds back into tackling others like them.

"Expensive jewellery, luxury furniture, fast cars ­ these trappings of wealth are things that most ordinary people can only dream of yet serious organised criminals have been enjoying them while blighting communities with their drugs and violence.

"Law enforcement agencies are using the Proceeds of Crime Act and court confiscation orders to their full potential

and hit criminals in the pockets as well as with prison. By using eBay we hope to sell criminals' assets at the highest price we can.

"Titan tackles some of the most serious organised crime groups operating in the region and we are expecting to be able to auction off lots of other high­value things in the com­ ing months, which can only be good news for our communi­ ties."

In the first lot, currently on sale at the Titan eBay shop, is a white gold diamond­set bracelet valued at £3,200, a Jacobs & Co diamond­set watch worth £2,000, a white gold stone­set line necklace valued at £1,000 and a white gold diamond­set ring valued at £350.

Graham lost his right leg in a motorbike accident when aged in his 20s.

When arrested he was renting a five­bedroom detached house in Brockhall Village, Lancashire, near to the training ground of Blackburn Rovers.

30

Friday, October 18, 2013

SPANISH NEWS

AIR BERLIN IN DOGHOUSE GERMAN carrier Air Berlin has caved in to the demands of a dog owner, after his pet died during a flight. The compa­ ny initially said that his animal was worth just 100 Euros, and gave him a flight voucher for that amount after the pooch died en route from Sevilla to Mallorca. A court hearing in Palma this week saw the man awarded compensation of 2635 Euros plus his legal costs.

Fernando Javier Ramos last saw his pet British bulldog Nano alive when he was due to board an Air Berlin flight in Seville on a hot summer's day in July. Airline staff refused to put a bowl of water in Nano's cage while the animal waited to be loaded along with the rest of the cargo, Ramos claims.

He insisted they keep an eye on his pet's health as it waited for over an hour in a glass box in the sweltering heat.

But Air Berlin personnel allegedly told him they weren't allowed by law to give water to animals before and during flights. The pet owner watched on helplessly from the board­ ing gate as Nano struggled without air, water or shade in his glass box. When the flight landed in Majorca an hour later, Ramos waited in vain for over fifteen minutes by the convey­ or belt. Nano was nowhere to be seen. Air Berlin staff waited for all the passengers to leave before taking Ramos to a qui­ eter part of the airport. They then told him it was likely his pet

TOUGH ASK

RAIL operator RENFE is after workers that can speak up to four different languages fluently. It’s become a condition of its waiting staff and attendants' jobs that they speak flu­ ent English and dog would need some help from a vet. whichever regional lan­ "Finally, after he insisted they bring him his pet as soon as guage the trains they work possible in order to save its life, they handed over the dead on pass through. And if they animal," consumer rights group Reclamador.es told Spanish are on a cross border line, newspaper La Voz de Galicia. they’ll have to speak either "Air Berlin only provided Ramos with a discount voucher fluent French or Portuguese, for his next booking with the airline," Reclamador added. in addition to perfect "The German low­cost company didn't even pay for the ani­ Spanish. mal’s incineration."

As a result, a waitress or barman on a high­speed long­distance train running from Barcelona to Perpignan in France would need to speak fluent Spanish, per cent of the average buy as much fresh food as English, Catalán and person's salt intake. possible, season food with French; staff on a train from Common myths are that spices – pepper or cumin Bilbao to the other side of York ham – the typical powder, for example – or the Pyrénées must converse 'sandwich' ham found in with lemon juice, reducing in Spanish, English, French the UK – has less salt than salty food and drink gradual­ and Euskera, the Basque Serrano ham, Spain's ly so that the palate adapts, language, whilst employees answer to Prosciutto, and to read nutritional infor­ attending to customers on a merely because it does not mation labels on packaged train running from Santiago taste as salty, or that sweet produce. Whatever the sodi­ de Compostela through to foods like cakes, pastries um content is, this should be northern Portugal must have and biscuits do not have multiplied by 2.5 to get the a near­native level of any salt in them. actual figure for salt in Spanish, English, Martell added that the best grams, the SEH­LELHA Portuguese and Gallego, the way to cut salt intake is to says.

“HIDDEN” SALT WARNING

PEOPLE in Spain are eating far too much salt.

That’s the verdict of a medical expert who says that twice as much salt as is safe is being con­ sumed, which increases the risks of high blood pressure and heart prob­ lems. The Spanish High Blood Pressure Society and Spanish League for the Protection against High Blood Pressure (SEH­ LELHA) says 80 per cent of salt consumed is 'hidden' in processed foods.

To keep blood pressure to an acceptable level – lower than 140/90 – and thus cut­ ting the risk of strokes and heart conditions, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a maximum of five grams of salt a day. But Spaniards eat around 10 grams, says Dr Nieves Martell of the SEH­LELHA. Salt is a necessary mineral as it regulates body fluids, maintains a correct blood PH balance and helps transmit

nerve impulses and relax muscles, but in excessive quantities and combined with a low potassium consump­ tion – typical facets of a Western diet – increase the risk of blood pressure rising, as does carrying excess body weight or leading a sedentary lifestyle. Too much salt can also cause dehydra­ tion, which can damage the kidneys.

Dr Martell warns that peo­ ple should not just assume they eat a low­salt diet mere­ ly because they do not use it in cooking or add it to food on their plates, given that these actions only account for 20

language spoken in Galicia.

This has come about after Catalunya’s regional govern­ ment heard about a man travelling on a high­speed train between Barcelona and Figueres who spoke to an employee in Catalán and was asked to revert to Spanish – which is the sec­ ond native language of all inhabitants of Catalunya – since the staff member did not understand the vernacu­ lar. The passenger filed an official complaint, given that the law of Spain says any resident in a region with a co­official language has the right to use this tongue in any public situation. It was agreed that RENFE had breached the passenger's right to speak his language of choice by its employee not being able to reply in Catalán.

DAMNING REPORT

The gap between Spain's richest and poorest is now the widest in Europe with some three million people living in extreme poverty, according to a new study. The richest 20% of people in Spain now has seven and a half times more wealth than the poorest 20 %, according to a new poverty report by the Catholic charity Cáritas. It says that this is the widest gap in Europe and 30% worse than before the recession hit.

These findings demonstrate "a situa­ tion of neglect, injustice and the dispos­

session of people's most basic rights", said Cáritas General Secretary Sebastián Mora. The most vulnerable members of Spanish society were also the hardest hit, Mora added.

This was because the crisis had "led to weaker family ties and other safety nets, especially in the public sector".

The report reveals that around 3 million Spaniards were living in extreme pover­ ty — or on 307 Euros a month — in 2012. That's twice the levels seen in 2008, or before Spain's recession hit.

Cáritas added that the recession had hit purchasing power: the country's aver­ age 2012 salary of 18,500 Euros was lower in real terms than that of 2001, said the charity. Average salaries, meanwhile, had fallen 4% since 2007 while prices had jumped 10% in the same period.

The charity also reported that the number of homes where all household members were unemployed had climbed from 380,000 before the crisis to 1,800,000 at the end of 2012.

Friday, October 18, 2013

SPANISH NEWS

31

LONG FIGHT TO FINISH OVER half a century since the drug thalidomide was used by expectant mothers, a Madrid court has started to hear Spain's first lawsuit against German firm Grunenthal, the manu­ facturer of the morning sickness drug Thalidomide.

The lawsuit was filed by Avite, an association representing Spaniards born with severe defects after their mothers took the drug during their pregnancies. The group is seeking compensation of 204 Euros from the company for its 180 members. Avite says that it hoped that the "historical lawsuit" would "appease the suffering of Spanish victims, which began in their mothers' wombs and continues today, with the amputa­ tion of their arms and legs".

Thalidomide was originally marketed as a sedative, but

from the late 1950s was prescribed to women around the world to combat morning sickness. Many of the children of the mothers who took the drug were born with abnormally

Church courts controversy

THE Roman Catholic Church in Spain has beati­ fied 522 people, most of them priests and nuns killed

by Republicans during the Spanish Civil War. Thousands of people attended the outdoor event in Tarragona, presided over by a senior Vatican cardinal.

Left­wing groups had object­ ed, saying the ceremony amounted to a glorification of the Franco dictatorship, but the Church said those honoured were martyrs killed because of their faith.

Beatification is the final step before sainthood.

The Spanish Church played an important political role in the 1936­1939 civil war, supporting the national­ ists led by General Francisco Franco who even­ tually defeated the strongly anti­clerical republicans.

Sunday's ceremony was conducted by Cardinal Angelo Amato and a record­ ed video message from Pope Francis was played to the large congregation.

"I join all the participants

in the celebration with all my heart", the Pope said to long applause.

Those present included some 4,000 relatives and descendants of those being beatified. The youngest of the "martyrs" was only 18 years old when he was shot by militiamen in Madrid in 1936. The oldest, an 86­ year­old nun, was executed in the same year.

The killing of Catholics by republicans remains a high­ ly controversial period in the modern history of Spain, and Sunday's event came amid a growing debate over how to address atrocities committed during the last century. Last month, a UN delegation called on Spain to open a full public investi­ gation into those who died at the hands of Franco's

henchmen, and to revoke an amnesty law passed in 1977 that prevents the prosecution of crimes com­ mitted before 1976. Critics of the Catholic Church argue that while it is happy to honour those killed by republicans, it has failed to address the far higher num­ ber of republicans who were murdered by Franco's forces.

short limbs and in some cases without any arms, legs or hips. In late 1961, the drug was withdrawn from the British and German markets. But it continued to be sold in other countries including Spain, Canada and Japan for several more months. The drug is estimated to have caused deformities in up to 40 thousand babies in some 40 countries.

Grunenthal has refused to accept liabili­ ty but last year it issued its first ever apol­ ogy for the scandal, saying it was "very sorry" for its silence towards victims of the drug. Avite estimates up to 3,000 babies may have been born with deformities in Spain because of Thalidomide.

"If the verdict agrees with our complaint, the German firm Grunenthal will officially be considered for the first time in history as being responsible for what has happened," the association said on its website.

RAJOY’S RESPITE Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy will not have to be called as a witness in the case involving corruption in the ruling Partido Popular.

Investigating judge Pablo Ruz said it was not neces­ sary to hear Rajoy and sev­ eral other top PP officials as requested by the plaintiffs.

The so­called Barcenas affair kicked off in 2009 as a judicial investigation into alleged kickbacks involving PP members. It exploded in January when a newspaper published copies of account ledgers purportedly showing irregular pay­ ments from a secret slush fund to top party mem­ bers, including Rajoy who has led the party since 2004 and took power in 2011. The allegations come from the party's former treasurer, Luis Barcenas, who has named Rajoy in the scandal.

Rajoy has denied that he or other party figures received illegal payments and has said he will not step down over the affair but admitted when he was grilled in parliament over the affair that he had been wrong to trust Barcenas. In testimony in July, Barcenas named Rajoy among Popular Party offi­ cials who benefited from the party slush fund. The El Pais newspaper calculated that Barcenas paid a total of 343,700 Euros to Rajoy over two decades.

Barcenas was jailed in June pending an investiga­ tion into a separate corruption case, in which he is alleged to have held 47 million Euros in secret Swiss bank accounts.

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Friday, October 18, 2013

Horrorscopes Aries March 21 ­ April 19 Horses, cows and hens are all well starred apart from their manure, which is particular­ ly badly starred especially in incidents in which it comes into contact with clothing or shoes: there's a global open toe shoes warning in place all month. Hard pointy hats (the dangerous to birds landing on them variety) will increase in usefulness by a fac­ tor of 5 between Monday and Thursday.

Taurus April 20 ­ May 20 Mayonnaise is about to come into its own this week in any of its various full fat to no fat incarnations. Indeed, this week the sheer variety of goods in the supermarket is set to either inspire and invite poetry, or start to become overwhelming. If the latter then this is nothing to do with the planets ­ you have been working too hard and are approximate­ ly 0.7% away from a nervous breakdown.

Gemini May 21 ­ June 20 Playing the bottles ­ that is taking a spoon and banging bottles and condiments on the dinner table ­ is better starred today than when you first came across this activ­ ity when you were 8. Tap carefully, my friends, and make your beautiful tappy music with care. This week your destiny is reading the new Dan Brown, and very good it is too.

Cancer June 21 ­ July 22 Whilst it's still a little too early to think of chest­ nuts roasting on an open fire, and Jack Frost is busy nipping noses in other colder coun­ tries at the moment, now might be the time to start to preparing the more sweet sticky December treats. This week your destiny is happier than of late and has his feet up by the poolside and a drink with an umbrella in.

By Pandora Leo July 23 ­ August 22 Partying, not in the paper hats sense, is well starred this week and your chatting up techniques will come under the helpful influence of a fatherly Jupiter. You will take a Do Not Try This At Home warning on a television show or movie as a challenge and do everything in your power to try this in your home to no adverse effects, to your surprise.

Virgo August 23 ­ September 22 A popular internet chat room is simply filled to bursting with strange and deceitful people, especially on Tuesday. Go in with a healthy skepticism and treat the experi­ ence as some kind of research project in understanding human nature. A purchase on an internet auction site could go spec­ tacularly wrong this week, keep your cool and everything will turn out so­so.

Libra September 23 ­ October 22 Exciting moments will be interspersed with ultra 'how about I knit some socks' boring bits this week. Attempts to cheer yourself up after a sudden shock or birthday cele­ bration, will be foiled if you have eaten too much birthday cake ­ beware pink icing in all of its forms. Trains traveling in a south­ easterly direction are well starred, but only travel north­easterly at your peril.

Scorpio October 23 ­ November 21 Traffic cones, especially orange ones with white stripes, are badly starred especially if flying in through the air from the east.

Refrain from putting your windscreen washers on during any cone based storm, a common driving error. Your enduring confidence that 45rpm records will one day make a comeback will be knocked once more this week.

Sagittarius November 22 ­ December 21 Yellow birds, green birds and black birds are all averagely starred as long as they are not seen on the same branch as blue birds, which is a bad omen in the standard Damien sense this week. An item of elec­ tronics could exhibit signs of depression ­ give it a friendly but firm tap to shake it out of its funk. This week your destiny has Hippopotamus Flu.

Capricorn December 22 ­ January 19 Saturn and Mercury both cast a furrowed brow this week to all Capricorns intent on self improvement programs: Now is not the time, disregard any smiley faced pos­ itive self motivators who try to persuade you otherwise ­ they are probably on commission. This week your destiny has started holiday shopping already.

Aquarius January 20 ­ February 18 Levitation, mind control and speed eating are all highly starred this week, and Jupiter is currently pondering the merits of taking control of your stomach around Thursday. A joke involving an Irishman, a Polish man and a horse may make you wish you had not laughed so hard on Friday.

Pisces February 19 ­ March 20 Flashes of light, strange low humming noises and possibly even close encoun­ ters of the third to fifth kind, are likely as Saturn transects a literal supernatural plain of wonderment. Beware the colors red and yellow until up to the holiday sea­ son especially if a person wearing this colour combination has shiny white teeth.

Friday, October 18, 2013

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Friday, October 18, 2013

FOUR NEW ELECTRIC SPEED RECORDS FOR THE UK

Lord Paul Drayson has set a new World Electric Land Speed record for sub­ 999kg electric vehicles with an average speed of 205.139mph over the fly­ ing mile.

This represents a modest 1mph increase over the pre­ vious record – which Drayson set last year in the same Drayson Racing Technologies all­electric prototype. But the ‘Lord of Speed’ (as we’ve just dubbed him) also broke four other records in the process.

These other records – all of which are still subject to final homologation – include the all­electric flying kilome­ tre, which saw Drayson average 333.271kph, and the all­electric standing start acceleration World Record, measured at 9.742 seconds for the quarter­mile with a terminal speed of 92.383mph.

The fourth and final record was for the fastest speed over a measured mile for a wheel­driven car of any kind ever seen in the UK – in other words a new overall British Land Speed Record.

Not bad for a day’s work.

What’s even more impres­ sive is that the records were

all set on a runway at Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire which is just 3km (1.8 miles) long, leaving very little room for accelera­ tion and braking before and after the measured distance.

The conditions were also very windy; the maximum speed records are an aver­

age of two runs in opposite directions, which must be made within an hour of each

other – unofficially, Drayson peaked as high as 219.1mph during the test.

This suggests there’s more to come from the car, which has received tweaks to its “DRT 4×2 620” electric drivetrain and aerodynamics since the previous record in June.

A plan to try and find out just how fast the car can go using the 15­mile course on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah had to be cancelled recently due to flooding, hence the decision to run again at Elvington.

Lord Drayson had this to say after setting the new records: “We are continuing the testing and development

programme of our electric drivetrain technology and we are delighted with the results achieved today.

“Drayson Racing is a lab­ oratory for novel EV technol­ ogy such as the high power Qualcomm Halo wireless charging system, testing it to the most extreme levels and that’s why we do this.

“The engineering chal­ lenge of accelerating a 995kg electric car to these speeds and then stopping in time on such a short runway is pretty intense, but it’s a great proving ground for our technology.

“It’s also an exciting way of demonstrating what’s possible with a state of the art electric vehicle.”

Caterham in surprise motorbike racing move

Caterham Tuesday revealed it is moving into motorbike racing, with the launch of a Moto2 World Championship team that will debut in 2014.

The two­bike team will compete in the feeder series to the ultra­popular MotoGP championship, with one rider – American Josh Herrin – already being confirmed for one of the race seats.

Caterham will team up with Swiss motor­ cycle racing experts Suter Racing Technology to design the new bike.

While Caterham owner Tony Fernandes has long supported motorbike racing through his airline AirAsia, it seems the move into officially creating a bike racing team isn’t simply to please the chairman – it’s part of bigger Caterham plans to expand into motorcycles.

Today’s announcement “marks the beginning of Caterham Group’s foray into the two wheeled industry,” said the firm in a statement.

“Motorcycle product by Caterham Bikes will add to (the) already established four wheel roadcar partnership with Renault

and Caterham Cars.”

Caterham Group co­chairman Dato’ Kamarudin Bin Meranun added: “Through AirAsia, Tony Fernandes and I have been passionate supporters of motorbike racing for many years and the establishment of our own team in Moto2 is the natural next step for Caterham Group.

This is just the start of our ambitions on two wheels. We announced in November 2012 that Caterham Cars is now in a joint venture with Renault to build a new range of roadcars, and we will soon be making further announcements about our plans for taking Caterham’s two wheeled inter­ ests from the track to the road.”

Two wheels good for Caterham? We didn’t see it coming, but we’re excited by the prospect – particularly given the deal Caterham recently established with Suzuki to supply engines for the famous Seven road car. Could this now be extended into road bikes too?

Very much a case of watch this space with interest…

Friday, October 18, 2013

35

36

Friday, October 18, 2013

CODE CRACKER Code Cracker is a crossword puzzle with no clues; instead, every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number, the same number representing the same letter throughout the puzzle. All you have to do is decide which letter is represented by which number. In this week’s puzzle, 6 represents J and 20 represents Y, when these letters have been entered throughout the puzzle, you should have enough information to start guessing words and discovering other letters.

QUICKIE

Across

Down

1 Eye part (4) 4 Dreads (5) 9 Identical (5) 10 Release (3,4) 11 Defraud (7) 12 Hours of darkness (5) 13 Delight (6) 15 Sour (6) 18 Fundamental (5) 20 Animate (7) 23 Most important (7) 24 Lower leg joint (5) 25 Less (5) 26 Friend (4)

2 Procedure (7) 3 Hard (5) 4 Fix in place (6) 5 Transmitting aerial (7) 6 Twig (5) 7 Jewels (4) 8 Passionate (6) 13 Small rock (6) 14 Division (7) 16 Ball game (7) 17 Mosquito­like flies (6) 19 Involuntary muscular contraction (5) 21 Throng (5) 22 Level (4)

Last weeks Solution

Across: 1 Praise, 4 Walrus, 8 Rigid, 10 Appal, 11 Dealt, 12 Agree, 13 Hairy, 14 Nasty, 17 Sash, 19 Lamb, 21 Scent, 24 Share, 25 Waste, 27 Crime, 28 Louse, 29 Links, 30 Scared, 31 Depend.

Down: 1 Perhaps, 2 Anger, 3 Sadden, 5 Apathy, 6 Replica, 7 Silly, 9 Bags, 15 Arc, 16 Tan, 18 Spatula, 20 Blessed, 21 Secede, 22 Edit, 23 Twelve, 24 Sells, 26 Since.

Scribble Pad

DOUBLE CROSS-WORD Solve the Double Cross­Word puzzle using either the standard or cryptic clues, the answers are exactly the same.

CRYTPIC CLUES Across 1 Found the coal Ted dis­ tributed (7) 5 The Fates contrived a spread (5) 8 Is rat back for the bones?

(5) 9 Dud is confused if miser (7) 10 As I lean out in North Somerset (7) 11 Nothing in Kansas squeals (5) 12 Good men digest small Scottish bonbons (6) 14 Some Wrens ignore US officer (6) 17 Welshman in the van, snoozing (5) 19 Holiest organisation has become unfriendly (7) 22 IT gangster in charge, endless typeface (7) 23 Do the French point to benefits (5) 24 Bloodied Libyan leader captured in triumph (5) 25 Treats with contempt a relative by marriage (7)

Down 1 Romance language turns up, to crown it all (5) 2 Mix cider to make explo­ sive (7) 3 Attempts to score points in rugby (5) 4 Humiliate within the wide meaning of the word (6) 5 So often destroyed deco­ ration (7) 6 Scandinavians reveal their birdlike qualities (5) 7 The first motive for betrayal (7) 12 Apparent visit to Chinese dynasty (7) 13 Confirm exam, if the end of July (7) 15 Cecil is made from freezing water (7) 16 Monkey from right, he’s American (6) 18 Guatemala mob in siege (5) 20 Plant at the southern border (5) 21 German town makes sense (5)

STANDARD CLUES Across 1 Found (7) 5 Banquet (5) 8 Anklebones (5) 9 Fail to explode (7) 10 Town in Somerset (7) 11 Pig sounds (5) 12 Bonbons (6) 14 Military flag (6) 17 Welsh surname (5) 19 Unfriendly (7) 22 Cursive script (7) 23 Distributes (5) 24 Exaltation (5) 25 Son of your spouse by a former marriage (7)

Down 1 Roman language (5) 2 Explosive powder (7) 3 Attempts (5) 4 Reduce in dignity (6) 5 Hang with garlands (7) 6 Relating to birds (5) 7 Lese majesty (7) 12 Apparent (7) 13 Give evidence (7) 15 Frozen spikes (7) 16 Variety of macaque monkey (6) 18 Famous mission in Texas (5) 20 Grass­like plant (5) 21 Chief city in Ruhr valley (5)

Last weeks Solution Across: 1 Drop, 4 Folio, 9 Asphalt, 10 Muted, 11 Medoc, 12 Economy, 13 Remedy, 15 Urgent, 19 Congeal, 21 Liken, 23 Rarer, 24 Cremate, 25 Aphid, 26 Skip.

Down: 2 Rapid, 3 Pranced, 4 Fitter, 5 Limbo, 6 Outdone, 7 Hammer, 8 Eddy, 14 Minerva, 16 Rollers, 17 Tender, 18 Placid, 19 Carp, 20 Earth, 22 Khaki.

FILL IT IN

Complete the crossword grid by using the given words:

2 letter words As At Ma Or 3 letter words Act Any Art Axe Bat Bit Dab Eat Emu Era Ere Gab Ion

Mat Moo Nay Nov One Ore Pep Pro Ran Rev Spy Tar Tee Ten Tie Toy Use 4 letter words Alms Aloe

Ante Area Axis Bees Blue Clue Coat Cons Cool Data Envy Lilt Line Mire Name Nets None Okie Ours Over Past

Peer Post Rely Roar Said Sane Seat Side Skew Sloe Time 5 letter words Amass Amaze Aspen Buyer Caput Genie Matte Obese

Renew Sprat State Strap 6 letter words Assess Bleary Mantra Nuance Proved Tattle 7 letter words Cartoon Seaside 8 letter words Absentee Oversize

SPANISH-ENGLISH CROSSWORD

Improve your Spanish ­ clues in Spanish, answers in English or vice versa.

Across 1 Cup (vessel, amount) (4) 4 Mother­in­law (6) 8 Licencia (documento) (7) 9 To water (plants) (5) 10 Seda (4) 11 Atletas (8) 13 In love (9) 17 To listen to (8) 19 Appointment (with client, bank manager etc) (4) 21 Otra vez (5) 22 Avestruz (7) 23 Patatas fritas (de bolsa) (6) 24 Royal (4)

Down 2 Mayor (7) 3 Ass (donkey) (4) 4 Boniatos (5,8) 5 To enrol (8) 6 Derecha (5) 7 Cepillo (para ropa, dientes, pelo) (5) 8 Último (4) 12 Falcons (8) 14 Office (workplace) (7) 15 To kiss (5) 16 Baño (en bañera) (4) 18 Silla (asiento) (5) 20 Remover (sopa) (4)

37

Friday, October 18, 2013 Across 1 What name is usually given to dramatic works in one or more acts, set to music for singers and instrumentalists? (6) 5 Which musical term means ‘an unconnected note, which is short and detached’? (8) 9 In the Australian televi­ sion series that ran from 1966 to 1968, what sort of creature was Skippy? (8) 10 Which word of Latin ori­ gin means ‘relating to or resembling the stars’? (6) 11 Released in 1964, was was the title of the third film in the James Bond series?

(10) 12 Of the three films in which James Dean played the male lead, the only one to have been released dur­ ing his lifetime was entitled ‘East of (What)’? (4) 13 What was the first name of the character played by actor Robert Vaughn in the television spy series The Man from UNCLE? (8) 16 What is the title of the BBC television series, first broadcast in September

2008, which features actor Colin Morgan in the title role? (6) 17 Pete Brady, Susan Stranks, and Tony Bastable were the original presenters of which children’s televi­ sion programme shown on ITV from the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s? (6) 19 What is the surname of the FBI Academy student played by actress Jodie Foster in the 1988 film The Silence of the Lambs? (8) 21 What first name is shared by World War II singer Lynn, Psycho actress Miles and Coronation Street character Duckworth? (4) 22 Bernard Schwartz was the real name of which famous Hollywood actor who died in September 2010, aged 85? (4,6) 25 According to Michael Bentine’s 1960s television comedy series, It’s a (what shaped) World? (6) 26 What was the name of the Avenue that Eddie Grant sang about in 1982?

(8) 27 What was the name of the television information

SUDOKU (Very Easy)

Quiz Word

retrieval service developed in the UK in the early 1970s that offered a range of word­based information, typically including national,

international and sporting news, weather and televi­ sion schedules? (8) 28 Which word means ‘relieve or ease pain’? (6)

Down 2 With which musical instrument would you princi­ pally associate Count Basie, Dave Brubeck, Ray Charles and Russ Conway?

(5) 3 Which word means ‘unable to bend or be forced out of shape’? (5) 4 The former name of BBC Radio Four was the Home (What)? (7) 5 What type of wedding did Roy C sing about in 1966 and again in 1972? (7) 6 Often used in cryptic crosswords, what name is given to a word, phrase, or name formed by rearrang­ ing the letters of another, such as ‘star’, formed from ‘arts’? (7) 7 First performed in 1935, the verse drama by T S Eliot that portrays the assassina­ tion of Archbishop Thomas Becket in 1170, is entitled Murder in the (What)? (9) 8 What name is often applied to an actor who specialises in tragic roles?

(9) 14 In ballet, what name is

given to the posture in which one leg is extended backwards at right angles, the torso bent forwards, and the arms outstretched, one forwards and one back­ wards? (9) 15 The 1999 film Cider House Rules, is principally set in what type of institu­ tion? (9) 18 Which American rock band reached number two in the British singles charts in 1991 with More Than Words? (7) 19 The Canadian­born US film­maker, who was the innovator of slapstick come­ dy in films, was Mack (Who)? (7) 20 The BBC radio ‘soap opera’ described as ‘a con­ temporary drama in a rural setting’ is better known as The (What)? (7) 23 What general word means ‘imitative of a style or fashion from the recent past’? (5) 24 What nationality, by birth, are the actors Brenda Fricker, Pierce Brosnan and Liam Neeson? (5)

SALLY’S SIMPLE SPANISH

CRIMEN ­ CRIME

Match these words with their Spanish translations then find them in the wordsearch.

(Answers below)

el abogado

el robo

el acusado

el testigo

el acusador

la carcel

el asesinato

la fianza

el chantaje

la justicia

el delito

la llamada

el juez

la pistola

el jurado

la policia

el policia

las esposas

el rescate

la sospecha

general QUIZ

ANSEWRS: 1. Curling 2. Lighthouse Family 3. The Rocket 4. Special Air Service 5. Wimbledon Centre Court 6. T ­ Negative 7. Disney's Fantasia 8. The Czech Republic 9.

Richard Nixon 10. Chinchilla 11. Your thumb, thus the rule of thumb. 12. A Device For Measuring Wind Speed

Last Week’s Solutions Code Cracker Last weeks Quiz Word Solution Across: 8 Concerto, 9 Avatar, 10 Herd, 11 Apple, 12 Amen, 13 Fourteen, 16 Temple, 18 Plug, 20 Corky, 21 Oboe, 22 Gloria, 23 Eggheads, 26 Diva, 28 Alibi, 30 Beck, 31 Police, 32 Pea­green.

Down: 1 Bolero, 2 Acid, 3 Grease, 4 Soap, 5 Tapestry, 6 Gaga, 7 Waterloo, 14/17 Roger Moore, 15 Nurse, 19 Lollipop, 20 Charades, 24 Guitar, 25 Docker, 27 Aria, 29 Imps, 30 Bart.

Empareja estas palabras ­ Match the Spanish and English words You will find the answers at the bottom of the quiz.

1.el abogado, 2.el acusado,

17.la pistola, 18.la policía,

k.the police force, l.the prison,

3.el acusador, 4.el asesinato,

19.las esposas, 20.la sospecha.

m.the justice, n.the jury,

5.el chantaje, 6.el delito,

o.the rescue, p.the witness,

7.el juez, 8.el jurado,

a.the gun, b.the blackmail,

q.the prosecutor, r.the judge,

9.el policía, 10.el rescate,

c.the murder, d.the bail,

s.the crime, t.the robbery

11.el robo, 12.el testigo,

e.the defendant, f.the suspicion,

13.la cárcel, 14.la fianza,

g.the handcuffs, h.the lawyer,

15.la justicia, 16.la llamada,

i.the phone call, j.the policeman,

Soduko

Span ­ Eng

Quizword

Answers: 1h, 2e, 3q, 4c, 5b, 6s, 7r, 8n, 9j, 10o, 11t, 12p, 13l, 14d, 15m, 16i, 17a, 18k, 19g, 20f.

1. If you had 2 eight enders in one bonspiel what are you playing?

2. Who Took A Drive To The Ocean With Their Kin to See The Ship Safely In? 3. Which Steam Locomotive Won The Prize For Providing The First Regular Passenger Service?

4. What does the Abbreviation SAS stand for?

5. Where Will You Find The Only Digital Rolex Watch In The World?

6. Mr Spocks blood was green. What was his blood group?

7. What was the first film to use stereophonic sound?

8. From Which Country Does Pilsner Beer Originate?

9. Who in 1973 said, 'There can be no whitewash, at the Whitehouse'?

10. Which Small Rodent , Highly Valued For It's Fine , Silky Fur, Lives Almost Exclusively High In The Andes?

11. According to old English law, you can't beat wife with anything wider than what?

12. What Is An Anemometer?

Fill It In

38

Friday, October 18, 2013

TRELI ON THE TELLY with ALEX TRELINSKI News of the demise of Jonathan Ross as an ITV chat show host seems to have been somewhat pre­ mature despite what some tabloid newspapers were predicting at the start of the year.

Ross signed a new extended deal with the net­ work and returned on Saturday night in a clean­ look and new floppy hairstyle that had him looking like a David Walliams love child!

Fashion notes aside, Ross had a new set and a

WOSSY’S RETURN TO FORM

great line up of guests to pro­ duce easily his best show since he joined ITV two years ago. The guest list led by Tom Hanks a n d

Sandra Bullock took you straight back to his old BBC days, and that’s been one of the problems with his ITV shows. They have failed to attract the A­list that he once got, with Graham Norton a n d even Alan Carr on Channel Four easily beating him in that regard. The

gloves seem to have come off and Ross looked relaxed and in form, though you noticed him glancing into the wrong camera a few times, as the guest sofa has been shifted the other way!

The end credits, which often reveal a lot to me, had the last name listed as Bea Ballard. In her days at the Beeb, as head of creative Entertainment, she devised the music competitions fea­ turing Andrew Lloyd Webber, and brought

Michael Parkinson out of her retirement, amidst a big line up of achievements, which also included reuniting The Two Ronnies. You could tell that somebody has polished the Jonathan Ross Show up and it was as good, if not bet­ ter than Graham Norton’s BBC1 return the previous evening.

Norton is hilarious espe­ cially with the unique mix of guests all sat next to him at the same time, but he cer­ tainly earned his money with the risky (if not foolish) book­ ing of Harrison Ford for the first of his new series. Ford is notorious for his monosyllab­ ic appearances on US chat shows, which he only does because his movie producers demand it. Old Indiana has roasted some of America’s finest hosts, so full credit to Norton for getting him to have a good time, even

though he could not speak a sentence that was longer than 10 seconds. But there was a slight bit of unease about it all, which was not Norton’s fault, and neither was the late appearance of Benedict Cumberbatch who was caught up in a traffic jam. I’m sure things will be miles better tonight with Paul McCartney and James Corden on the sofa, but I sense that he would have killed for either Tom Hanks or Sandra Bullock, both of whom have been Norton reg­ ulars. The battle is most cer­ tainly on between the Norton and Ross teams to get the best guests, and that’s got to be good for the viewer, and for yours truly, as I’m a fan of both hosts. If I had to pick one, it would be Graham Norton, but it’s good to see the old Jonathan Ross back and beardless.

The Courier Friday TV 00:35 01:20 01:25 07:00 10:15 11:00 12:00 12:45 13:15 14:00 14:30 14:45 15:15 15:45 16:15 17:00 17:30 Mouth 18:15 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30 22:00 22:30 23:00 23:25 23:35

This Week Holiday Weatherview BBC News Breakfast Fake Britain Homes Under the Hammer Real Rescues Britain's Empty Homes Bargain Hunt BBC News; Weather Regional News and Weather Doctors Keeping Up Appearances Keeping Up Appearances Perfection Escape to the Country Put Your Money Where Your Is Pointless BBC News BBC London News The One Show Ronnie's Animal Crackers EastEnders Miranda Have I Got News for You Citizen Khan BBC News National Lottery Update The Graham Norton Show

bbc2 00:20 01:20 01:50 05:00 Out

Stephen Fry: Out There Panorama This Is BBC Two Schools ­ Labrinth's Speak

06:00 Schools 07:00 Homes Under the Hammer 08:00 Real Rescues 08:45 Britain's Empty Homes 09:15 Wanted Down Under 10:00 Flog It! Trade Secrets 11:00 Question Time 12:00 BBC News 12:30 BBC World News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 Mastermind 14:30 Weakest Link 15:15 Great British Menu 15:45 Floyd on Fish 16:15 Are You Being Served?

16:45 'Allo 'Allo!

17:15 Cagney & Lacey 18:00 Flog It! 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Strictly Come Dancing ­ It Takes Two 20:00 Rick Stein's India 21:00 Mastermind 21:30 Gardeners' World 22:00 Natural World 23:00 QI 23:30 Newsnight

00:40 Wild Britain with Ray Mears 01:10 Jackpot247 04:00 Tonight 04:25 ITV Nightscreen 06:05 The Jeremy Kyle Show 07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:55 ITV Meridian Weather 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 ITV Meridian Weather 17:00 Tipping Point 18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News Meridian 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Gino's Italian Escape 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Piers Morgan's Life Stories 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 ITV News Meridian 23:35 Bowfinger

BOWFINGER Comedy starring Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy and Heather Graham. Struggling film­maker Bowfinger has found his dream script, but he can only make the movie if action star Kit Ramsey agrees to be his leading man. Unfortunately, Kit has major pre­ occupations of his own, so Bowfinger decides to adopt some very unorthodox methods to ensure his film reaches the screen.

00:05 999: What's Your Emergency?

01:10 Random Acts 01:15 Diary of a Teenage Virgin 02:10 Embarrassing Bodies: Live from the Clinic 03:05 Dogs: Their Secret Lives 04:00 Unreported World 04:25 SuperScrimpers 05:20 Deal or No Deal 06:15 Countdown 07:00 The Treacle People 07:10 The Hoobs 08:00 According to Jim 08:30 Will & Grace 08:55 Frasier 09:55 Everybody Loves Raymond 11:00 Four Rooms 12:00 A Place in the Sun 13:00 Channel 4 News Summary 13:05 Gordon Ramsay's Home Cooking 13:35 Jamie's 15 Minute Meals 14:05 Murphy's War 16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Four in a Bed 18:30 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:30 Unreported World 21:00 Marvel's Agents of SHIELD 22:00 8 Out of 10 Cats 22:30 Man Down 23:00 Alan Carr: Chatty Man

October 18

00:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 00:55 Inside Hollywood 01:00 SuperCasino 04:55 Nick's Quest 05:20 Michaela's Wild Challenge 05:45 House Doctor 06:10 Divine Designs 06:35 Wildlife SOS 07:00 Bananas in Pyjamas 07:10 Igam Ogam 07:20 Fireman Sam 07:35 The WotWots 07:45 Peppa Pig 07:50 Olly the Little White Van 07:55 Little Princess 08:10 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 08:20 The Mr Men Show 08:35 Thomas & Friends 08:45 Noddy in Toyland 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:35 Toby's Travelling Circus 09:45 Bananas in Pyjamas 09:55 Milkshake! Monkey 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Cowboy Builders 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Police Interceptors 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 The Mentalist 16:15 Gracie's Choice 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 NewsTalk Live 20:00 World's Strongest Man 21:00 Criminals: Caught on Camera 22:00 Hens Behaving Badly 23:00 Celebrity Wedding Planner

39

The Courier Saturday TV

October 19

02:40 Question Time 03:40 This Is BBC Two

00:20 Bluestone 42

06:00 Live MotoGP

00:50 Poltergeist

07:00 Animal Park

02:40 Weatherview

08:00 Carnival Story

02:45 BBC News

09:35 The Lady Vanishes

07:00 Breakfast 11:00 Saturday Kitchen Live 12:30 Paul Hollywood's Bread 13:00 Football Focus

11:10 Reel History of Britain 11:40 The Life of Birds 12:30 Fred Dibnah's Industrial Age 13:00 The A to Z of TV Cooking

13:45 Sportsday 14:00 BBC News; Regional News and Weather 14:15 Inspire: The Olympic Journey

13:45 Follow the Fleet 15:35 Shall We Dance 17:20 Urban Jungle 17:50 The House That £100K Built 18:50 Flog It!

14:45 MotoGP

19:50 Count Arthur Strong

15:45 Bargain Hunt 16:15 Escape to the Country 17:00 Final Score 18:20 BBC News; Regional News and Weather 18:40 Pointless Celebrities 19:30 Strictly Come Dancing 21:20 Atlantis 22:05 The National Lottery Live 22:15 Casualty 23:05 BBC News; Weather 23:25 National Lottery Update

00:00 Weather 00:05 Later with Jools Holland

20:20 Natural World 21:20 Sir David Frost: That Was the Life That Was 22:20 Frost on Satire 23:20 The Sarah Millican Slightly Longer Television Programme

01:20 Jackpot247 04:00 Murder, She Wrote 05:30 ITV Nightscreen 07:00 Babar and the Adventures of Badou 07:10 Matt Hatter Chronicles 07:35 Dino Dan 08:00 Canimals 08:25 Sooty 08:35 Horrid Henry 08:50 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 09:15 Bottom Knocker Street 09:30 Munch Box 10:25 ITV News 10:30 Saturday Cookbook 11:25 Murder, She Wrote 12:25 ITV News and Weather 12:29 ITV Meridian Weather 12:30 Surprise Surprise 13:30 All Star Family Fortunes 14:15 Doc Martin 15:15 Catchphrase 16:00 Star Wars Episode I: the Phantom Menace 18:35 ITV Meridian Weather 18:45 ITV News and Weather 19:00 New You've Been Framed!

19:30 Fool Britannia 20:00 The Chase 21:00 The X Factor 23:05 The Jonathan Ross Show

00:05 Was It Something I Said?

00:55 Gogglebox 01:40 London Irish 02:05 The Runaways 03:55 Random Acts 04:00 The Big C 04:25 2 Broke Girls 04:50 2 Broke Girls 05:10 Don't Trust the B**** in Apartment 23 05:35 Deal or No Deal 06:30 Countdown 07:10 FIA GT 08:05 VW Racing Cup 08:30 River Rat Race Stockton 09:00 The Morning Line 10:00 The American Football Show 11:00 Frasier 11:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 12:00 The Big Bang Theory 13:00 The Simpsons 13:30 Heston's Feast 14:30 Channel 4 Racing 17:30 Come Dine with Me 19:30 Channel 4 News 20:05 Marvel's Agents of SHIELD 21:00 Grand Designs 22:00 Die Hard

THE JONATHAN ROSS SHOW Chef Gordon Ramsay talks about his latest proj­ ects, Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard discusses life on and off the pitch, and Julie Walters provides a preview of her forthcoming film roles, which include One Chance, based on the story of the first Britain's Got Talent winner, Paul Potts. QPR manager Harry Redknapp is also on the sofa, and rapper Dizzee Rascal chats and performs.

01:10 Point Blank

00:00 Angels & Demons 02:30 SuperCasino 04:55 Motorsport Mundial 05:20 Michaela's Wild Challenge 05:45 House Doctor 06:10 Divine Designs 06:35 Wildlife SOS 07:00 Peppa Pig 07:05 Roary the Racing Car 07:15 Fifi and the Flowertots 07:25 Bubble Guppies 07:40 The Mr Men Show 07:50 Chloe's Closet 08:00 Roobarb and Custard Too 08:10 Bananas in Pyjamas 08:25 Make Way for Noddy 08:40 City of Friends 08:55 Little Princess 09:10 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 09:25 Angelina Ballerina 09:45 Hana's Helpline 10:00 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 10:15 Toby's Travelling Circus 10:30 Roary the Racing Car 10:45 Jelly Jamm 11:00 Power Rangers: Megaforce 11:35 Slugterra 12:00 The Dog Rescuers 12:30 Animal Maternity 13:30 Columbo: Death Lends a Hand 15:00 Operation Crossbow 17:15 Operation Daybreak 19:30 Lost Heroes of World War One 20:00 WW1's Tunnels of Death: The Big Dig 21:00 War Hero in My Family 21:55 5 News Weekend 22:00 Pale Rider

The Courier Sunday TV

October 20

06:30 Live MotoGP 08:05 The Velvet Touch 00:55 The Football League Show

09:40 The A to Z of TV Gardening

02:10 Weatherview

10:00 Gardeners' World

02:15 BBC News

10:30 The Beechgrove Garden

07:00 Breakfast

11:00 Saturday Kitchen Best Bites

08:30 Match of the Day

12:30 What to Eat Now

10:00 The Andrew Marr Show

13:00 What to Eat Now

11:00 Sunday Morning Live

13:30 EastEnders

12:00 Sunday Politics

15:25 MotoGP

13:15 MOTD2 Extra

17:00 Flog It!

14:00 BBC News

18:00 The Flying Scotsman: A Rail 14:10 Weather for the Week Ahead Romance 14:15 Bargain Hunt 19:00 Great British Railway 15:15 Escape to the Country

Journeys

16:15 Ronnie's Animal Crackers

19:30 The Ginge, the Geordie and

16:45 Points of View

the Geek

17:00 Lifeline

20:00 The Great British Bake Off

17:10 Songs of Praise

21:00 Dive WWII: Our Secret

17:45 The Great British Year

History

18:45 BBC News; Regional News

22:00 The Ottomans: Europe's

and Weather

Muslim Emperors

19:15 Countryfile

23:00 The Wrong Mans

20:15 Strictly Come Dancing

23:30 QI XL

21:00 The Paradise 22:00 By Any Means 23:00 BBC News; Regional News and Weather 23:25 Match of the Day 2

00:00 Frost/Nixon 01:55 Leaving 03:15 This Is BBC Two

00:10 ITV News and Weather 00:24 ITV Meridian Weather 00:25 Take Me Out 01:20 Jackpot247 04:00 The Jeremy Kyle Show USA 04:45 ITV Nightscreen 07:00 Babar and the Adventures of Badou 07:10 Matt Hatter Chronicles 07:35 Dino Dan 08:00 Canimals 08:25 Sooty 08:35 Horrid Henry 08:50 Big Time Rush 09:15 Bottom Knocker Street 09:30 Fort Boyard Ultimate Challenge 10:25 ITV News 10:30 Ade in Britain 11:25 Columbo: Swan Song 13:25 ITV News and Weather 13:35 Inside the National Trust 14:35 The X Factor 16:40 Fool Britannia 17:10 All Star Family Fortunes 18:10 Downton Abbey 19:10 You've Been Framed!

19:35 ITV Meridian Weather 20:00 Surprise Surprise 21:00 The X Factor 22:00 Downton Abbey 23:05 ITV News and Weather 23:20 Women Behind Bars with Trevor McDonald

BIGFOOT FILES Leading geneticist Bryan Sykes and presenter Mark Evans embark on a global quest to solve the riddle of mysterious creatures such as the Abominable Snowman and Sasquatch, which have fascinated cryptozoologists and confounded scientists for decades. In the first edition, Mark travels to the Himalayas to investigate the real story behind the centuries­old Yeti legend, while Bryan reveals the results of the DNA tests on hair samples he has col­ lected.

00:40 The Way Back 03:00 Hollyoaks 05:15 Deal or No Deal 06:10 Kirstie's Handmade Treasures 06:25 Countdown 07:10 Ironman 2013 07:35 The American Football Show 08:30 Cardiff Half Marathon 09:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:00 Frasier 10:30 Sunday Brunch 13:25 The Big Bang Theory 13:55 The Big Bang Theory 14:25 The Big Bang Theory 14:55 The Simpsons 15:25 The Simpsons 15:55 Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging 17:55 Journey to the Center of the Earth 19:45 Channel 4 News 20:05 World's Weirdest Weather 21:00 Bigfoot Files 22:00 Homeland 23:05 Was It Something I Said?

23:40 Toast of London

00:25 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 01:15 SuperCasino 04:55 Michaela's Wild Challenge 05:20 Make It Big 05:50 Roary the Racing Car 06:00 Angels of Jarm 06:05 Hana's Helpline 06:20 Angels of Jarm 06:25 The Funky Valley Show 06:40 Roary the Racing Car 06:50 Hana's Helpline 07:00 Peppa Pig 07:05 Roary the Racing Car 07:15 Fifi and the Flowertots 07:25 Bubble Guppies 07:40 The Mr Men Show 07:50 Chloe's Closet 08:00 Roobarb and Custard Too 08:10 Bananas in Pyjamas 08:20 Mio Mao 08:25 Make Way for Noddy 08:40 City of Friends 08:55 Little Princess 09:10 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 09:25 Angelina Ballerina 09:45 Hana's Helpline 10:00 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 10:10 Toby's Travelling Circus 10:25 Roary the Racing Car 10:40 Jelly Jamm 11:00 Great Birmingham Run 13:15 Jungle Babies: Tarsier Tails 13:45 Are We There Yet? 15:35 Big Daddy 17:20 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 19:10 Royal Babies 20:00 5 News Weekend 20:05 The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen 22:00 The Rock

40

The Courier Monday TV

October 21

00:15 MOBO Awards 2013 ­ Highlights 01:45 Weatherview 01:50 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Fake Britain 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Real Rescues 12:45 Britain's Empty Homes 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News; Weather 14:30 Regional News and Weather 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Keeping Up Appearances 15:45 Keeping Up Appearances 16:15 Perfection 17:00 Escape to the Country 17:30 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 BBC London News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 Inside Out 21:00 EastEnders 21:30 A Question of Sport 22:00 Murder in the Alps 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News and Weather 23:35 Have I Got a Bit More News for You

00:15 00:45 02:40 03:35 04:35 07:00 07:05

Never Mind the Buzzcocks Glory Road Countryfile Holby City This Is BBC Two This Is BBC Two Homes Under the Hammer

08:05 Real Rescues 08:50 Britain's Empty Homes 09:20 Wanted Down Under 10:05 Watchdog 11:05 James Martin's Food Map of Britain 11:35 Click 12:00 BBC News 12:30 BBC World News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 Inspire: The Olympic Journey 14:30 Cash in the Attic 15:15 Great British Menu 15:45 Floyd on Fish 16:15 Are You Being Served?

16:45 'Allo 'Allo!

17:15 Cagney & Lacey 18:00 Flog It! 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Strictly Come Dancing ­ It Takes Two 20:00 Rick Stein's India 21:00 University Challenge 21:30 Tom Kerridge's Proper Pub Food 22:00 Iceland Foods: Life in the Freezer Cabinet 23:00 Never Mind the Buzzcocks 23:30 Newsnight

00:20 The Cube 01:15 The Store 03:15 Motorsport UK 04:05 ITV Nightscreen 06:05 The Jeremy Kyle Show 07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:55 ITV News Meridian 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 ITV Meridian Weather 17:00 Tipping Point 18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News Meridian 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Countrywise 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Doc Martin 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 ITV News Meridian 23:35 The Agenda

00:10 Alan Carr: Chatty Man 01:10 Paddy's TV Guide 01:55 American Football Live 05:45 Ironman 2013 06:15 SuperScrimpers 06:30 Countdown 07:10 The Hoobs 08:00 According to Jim 08:30 Will & Grace 08:55 Frasier 10:00 Everybody Loves Raymond 11:00 Four Rooms 12:00 Undercover Boss USA 13:00 Channel 4 News Summary 13:05 Gordon Ramsay's Home Cooking 13:35 Jamie's 15 Minute Meals 14:05 Kirstie's Vintage Gems 14:20 The Violent Men 16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Four in a Bed 18:30 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Dispatches 21:30 Health Freaks 22:00 999: What's Your Emergency?

23:00 Date My Porn Star

HEALTH FREAKS Members of the public try to convince a panel of three GPs that their homespun cures for various health problems actually work. In the first edition, Pixie McKenna, Ayan Panja and Ellie Cannon meet builders Simon and Andy, who believe WD­40 could help millions of people with arthritis in Britain.

Mother­of­two Sophie presents her remedy for child teething, and Carl claims to have finally rid himself of a verruca using duct tape.

00:40 Highlander 02:55 SuperCasino 05:00 Michaela's Wild Challenge 05:25 Make It Big 05:50 Roary the Racing Car 06:00 Angels of Jarm 06:10 Hana's Helpline 06:20 Angels of Jarm 06:30 The Funky Valley Show 06:40 Roary the Racing Car 06:50 Hana's Helpline 07:00 Bananas in Pyjamas 07:10 Igam Ogam 07:20 Fireman Sam 07:35 The WotWots 07:45 Peppa Pig 07:50 Olly the Little White Van 07:55 Little Princess 08:10 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 08:20 The Mr Men Show 08:35 Thomas & Friends 08:45 Milkshake! Monkey 08:50 Noddy in Toyland 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:35 Toby's Travelling Circus 09:45 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Cowboy Builders 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 War Hero in My Family 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:20 Castle 16:15 They Come Back 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 NewsTalk Live 20:00 Beat the Ancestors 21:00 The Gadget Show 22:00 Shoplifters & Proud 23:00 Under the Dome

The Courier Tuesday TV

October 22

00:20 00:50 01:35 01:40 07:00 10:15 11:00 12:00 12:45 13:15 14:00 14:30 14:45 15:15 15:45 16:15 17:00 17:30 Mouth 18:15 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00 23:00 23:25 23:35

Citizen Khan The Graham Norton Show Weatherview BBC News Breakfast Fake Britain Homes Under the Hammer Real Rescues Britain's Empty Homes Bargain Hunt BBC News; Weather Regional News and Weather Doctors Keeping Up Appearances Keeping Up Appearances Perfection Escape to the Country Put Your Money Where Your Is Pointless BBC News BBC London News The One Show EastEnders Holby City DIY SOS BBC News National Lottery Update Fox Wars

00:20 The Ottomans: Europe's Muslim Emperors 01:20 Horizon 02:20 The Story of the Jews 03:20 This Is BBC Two 05:00 Schools ­ How to Write 05:30 Spark 06:00 Schools ­ Bringing Books to Life

07:00 This Is BBC Two 07:05 Homes Under the Hammer 08:05 Real Rescues 08:50 Britain's Empty Homes 09:20 Wanted Down Under 10:05 Antiques Roadshow 11:05 James Martin's Food Map of Britain 11:35 HARDtalk 12:00 BBC News 12:30 BBC World News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 Mastermind 14:30 Cash in the Attic 15:15 Great British Menu 15:45 Floyd on Fish 16:15 Are You Being Served?

16:45 'Allo 'Allo!

17:15 Cagney & Lacey 18:00 Flog It! 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Strictly Come Dancing ­ It Takes Two 20:00 The Great British Bake Off 21:00 The Great British Bake Off 22:00 The Wrong Mans 22:30 The Sarah Millican Television Programme 23:00 Later Live ­ with Jools Holland 23:30 Weather

00:05 Piers Morgan's Life Stories 01:05 Jackpot247 04:00 Champions League Weekly 04:25 ITV Nightscreen 06:05 The Jeremy Kyle Show 07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:55 ITV Meridian Weather 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 ITV Meridian Weather 17:00 Tipping Point 18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News Meridian 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Live UEFA Champions League 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 ITV Meridian Weather 23:35 UEFA Champions League: Extra Time

THE WRONG MANS Sam and Phil take a wounded Marat to Phil's house, where his mother, Linda, proves to be uncharacteristically resourceful. However, with MI5 agent Smoke closing in on them and spies watching their every move, the hapless duo find they have brought a crisis to their doorstep and become high­profile fugitives in the process.

Comedy drama, starring Mathew Baynton and James Corden.

00:05 Educating Yorkshire 01:05 First Time Farmers 02:00 Random Acts 02:05 Duniya Na Mane 04:45 Nashville 05:30 Deal or No Deal 06:20 Kirstie's Handmade Treasures 06:25 Countdown 07:35 The Hoobs 08:00 According to Jim 08:25 Will & Grace 08:55 Frasier 09:55 Everybody Loves Raymond 11:00 Four Rooms 12:00 Undercover Boss USA 13:00 Channel 4 News Summary 13:05 Gordon Ramsay's Home Cooking 13:35 Jamie's 15 Minute Meals 14:05 Kirstie's Handmade Treasures 14:20 40 Guns to Apache Pass 16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Four in a Bed 18:30 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Double Your House for Half the Money 22:00 Masters of Sex 23:10 London Irish 23:40 8 Out of 10 Cats

00:00 Chaos 02:00 SuperCasino 04:55 HouseBusters 05:20 Michaela's Wild Challenge 05:45 House Doctor 06:10 Divine Designs 06:35 Wildlife SOS 07:00 Bananas in Pyjamas 07:10 Igam Ogam 07:20 Fireman Sam 07:35 The WotWots 07:45 Peppa Pig 07:50 Olly the Little White Van 07:55 Little Princess 08:10 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 08:20 The Mr Men Show 08:35 Thomas & Friends 08:45 Milkshake! Monkey 08:50 Noddy in Toyland 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:35 Toby's Travelling Circus 09:45 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Cowboy Builders 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Animal Maternity 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:20 CSI: NY 16:10 Mary Higgins Clark's Try to Remember 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 NewsTalk Live 20:00 Jungle Babies: Tarsier Tails 20:30 The Dog Rescuers 21:00 Cowboy Builders 22:00 CSI: NY 23:00 CSI: NY 23:55 CSI: NY

41

The Courier Wednesday TV

October 23

00:20 02:15 02:20 07:00 10:15 11:00 12:00 12:45 13:15 14:00 14:30 14:45 15:15 15:45 16:15 17:00 17:30 Mouth 18:15 19:00 19:30 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 23:25 23:35

A Simple Plan Weatherview BBC News Breakfast Fake Britain Homes Under the Hammer Real Rescues Britain's Empty Homes Bargain Hunt BBC News; Weather Regional News and Weather Doctors Keeping Up Appearances Keeping Up Appearances Perfection Escape to the Country Put Your Money Where Your Is Pointless BBC News BBC London News The One Show Watchdog The Great British Year BBC News National Lottery Update Father Figure

00:20 Trust Me I'm a Doctor 01:20 This World 02:20 This Is BBC Two 05:00 Schools ­ Pompeii: The Mystery of the People Frozen in Time 05:30 Tales from the Old Bailey 06:00 Schools ­ Life on Planet Ant 06:25 Schools: Curious Cat ­ TV,

Bricks, Crayons 06:55 Wonders of Nature: Meerkats ­ Friendship 07:00 Homes Under the Hammer 08:00 Real Rescues 08:45 Britain's Empty Homes 09:15 Wanted Down Under 10:00 Natural World 11:00 Plan It, Build It 11:30 See Hear 12:00 BBC News 12:30 Daily Politics 14:00 Lifeline 14:10 The A to Z of TV Gardening 14:30 Cash in the Attic 15:15 Great British Menu 15:45 Floyd on Fish 16:15 Are You Being Served?

16:45 'Allo 'Allo!

17:15 Cagney & Lacey 18:00 Flog It! 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Strictly Come Dancing ­ It Takes Two 20:00 Nigellissima 21:00 The House That £100K Built 22:00 Ambassadors 23:00 The Culture Show 23:30 Weather

00:35 01:20 04:00 04:45 06:05 07:00 09:30 10:25 11:30 13:30 14:30 14:55 15:00 16:00 16:59 17:00 18:00 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 23:00 23:30 23:35

The Jeremy Kyle Show USA Jackpot247 Loose Women ITV Nightscreen The Jeremy Kyle Show Daybreak Lorraine The Jeremy Kyle Show This Morning Loose Women ITV News and Weather ITV Meridian Weather Dickinson's Real Deal The Alan Titchmarsh Show ITV Meridian Weather Tipping Point The Chase ITV News Meridian ITV News and Weather Emmerdale Coronation Street Agatha Christie's Poirot ITV News at Ten and Weather ITV Meridian Weather Exposure

AMBASSADORS

00:30 The Simpsons 01:25 Random Acts 01:30 Poker 02:25 KOTV Boxing Weekly 02:50 Volleyball 03:45 VW Racing Cup 04:10 FIA GT 05:05 Cardiff Half Marathon 06:00 River Rat Race Stockton 06:25 SuperScrimpers 06:40 Deal or No Deal 07:35 The Hoobs 08:00 According to Jim 08:25 Will & Grace 08:55 Frasier 09:55 Everybody Loves Raymond 11:00 Four Rooms 12:00 Undercover Boss USA 13:00 Channel 4 News Summary 13:05 Gordon Ramsay's Home Cooking 13:35 Jamie's 15 Minute Meals 14:05 The African Queen 16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Four in a Bed 18:30 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 River Cottage 22:00 Grand Designs 23:00 Gogglebox 23:45 How to Find the Perfect Flatmate

New series. Comedy following the exploits of Keith Davies and Neil Tilly, two British diplomats stationed in the fictional Central Asian country of Tazbekistan. The pair are tasked with securing a lucrative helicopter contract, but things do not get off to a good start when the country's presi­ dent witnesses Keith accidentally shoot an ibex, Tazbekistan's national animal, and the embassy's Best of British festival fails to win over the natives.

00:50 Countdown to Murder 01:50 True Crimes: The First 72 Hours 02:15 SuperCasino 04:55 HouseBusters 05:20 Michaela's Wild Challenge 05:45 House Doctor 06:10 Divine Designs 06:35 Wildlife SOS 07:00 Bananas in Pyjamas 07:10 Igam Ogam 07:20 Fireman Sam 07:35 The WotWots 07:45 Peppa Pig 07:50 Olly the Little White Van 07:55 Little Princess 08:10 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 08:20 The Mr Men Show 08:35 Thomas & Friends 08:45 Milkshake! Monkey 08:50 Noddy in Toyland 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:35 Toby's Travelling Circus 09:45 Bananas in Pyjamas 09:55 Milkshake! Monkey 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Cowboy Builders 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 The Railway: First Great Western 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:20 NCIS 16:15 Stranger with My Face 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 NewsTalk Live 20:00 Robson's Extreme Fishing Challenge 21:00 Animal Maternity 22:00 Saving Britain's 70­Stone Man 23:00 Wentworth Prison

The Courier Thursday TV

October 24

00:05 00:35 02:05 02:10 07:00 10:15 11:00 12:00 12:45 13:15 14:00 14:30 14:45 15:15 15:45 16:15 17:00 17:30 Mouth 18:15 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00 23:00 23:25 23:35

A Question of Sport Is Anybody There?

Weatherview BBC News Breakfast Fake Britain Homes Under the Hammer Real Rescues Britain's Empty Homes Bargain Hunt BBC News; Weather Regional News and Weather Doctors Keeping Up Appearances Keeping Up Appearances Perfection Escape to the Country Put Your Money Where Your Is Pointless BBC News Weather The One Show EastEnders Waterloo Road Truckers BBC News Regional News and Weather Question Time

00:20 David Attenborough's Rise of Animals: Triumph of the Vertebrates 01:20 See Hear 01:50 This Is BBC Two 05:00 School 07:00 This Is BBC Two 07:05 Homes Under the Hammer

08:05 Real Rescues 08:50 Britain's Empty Homes 09:20 Wanted Down Under 10:05 The Ottomans: Europe's Muslim Emperors 11:05 Plan It, Build It 11:35 HARDtalk 12:00 BBC News 12:30 BBC World News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 Mastermind 14:30 Cash in the Attic 15:15 Great British Menu 15:45 Floyd on Britain and Ireland 16:15 Are You Being Served?

16:45 'Allo 'Allo!

17:15 Cagney & Lacey 18:00 Flog It! 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Strictly Come Dancing ­ It Takes Two 20:00 Nigellissima 20:30 Nigellissima 21:00 Trust Me I'm a Doctor 22:00 No Sex Please, We're Japanese 23:00 Mock the Week ­ Again 23:30 Newsnight

00:35 James Nesbitt's Ireland 01:05 Jackpot247 04:00 Murder, She Wrote: a Story to Die For 05:30 ITV Nightscreen 06:05 The Jeremy Kyle Show 07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:55 ITV Meridian Weather 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 ITV Meridian Weather 17:00 Tipping Point 18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News Meridian 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Tonight 21:00 Emmerdale 21:30 Britain's Secret Treasures 22:00 Breathless 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 ITV Meridian Weather 23:35 The Jonathan Ross Show

GEORGE CLARKS AMAZING SPACES The architect takes another look at the world of small builds. In the first edition, he meets a couple planning to transform a 1960s ambulance into a campervan, and an artist who has commissioned a giant wooden floating egg to use as a work and living space.

00:50 Up All Night 01:45 Random Acts 01:50 Sant Tukaram 04:10 Living Free 05:45 SuperScrimpers 06:40 Deal or No Deal 07:35 The Hoobs 08:00 According to Jim 08:25 Will & Grace 08:55 Frasier 09:25 Frasier 09:55 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 11:00 Four Rooms 12:00 Undercover Boss USA 13:00 Channel 4 News Summary 13:05 Gordon Ramsay's Home Cooking 13:35 Jamie's 15 Minute Meals 14:05 Wake of the Red Witch 16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Four in a Bed 18:30 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 George Clarke's Amazing Spaces 22:00 Educating Yorkshire 23:00 Up All Night

00:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 01:00 Poker 01:55 SuperCasino 04:55 HouseBusters 05:20 Michaela's Wild Challenge 05:45 House Doctor 06:10 Divine Designs 06:35 Wildlife SOS 07:00 Bananas in Pyjamas 07:10 Igam Ogam 07:20 Fireman Sam 07:35 The WotWots 07:45 Peppa Pig 07:50 Olly the Little White Van 07:55 Little Princess 08:10 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 08:20 The Mr Men Show 08:35 Thomas & Friends 08:50 Noddy in Toyland 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:25 Peppa Pig 09:35 Toby's Travelling Circus 09:45 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 The Hotel Inspector 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Criminals: Caught on Camera 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 Eve of Destruction 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 NewsTalk Live 20:00 Police Interceptors 21:00 Benidorm ER 22:00 Countdown to Murder 23:00 Person of Interest

42

Friday, October 18, 2013

AUCTIONS

ACCOUNTANTS Pro Business Support – for all your accountancy needs in English; book­ keeping, taxes, wage slips and more. We cater for companies and self­ employed people; we can deal with everything for you. Call us on 966 923 963 for first consultation free of charge.

ANIMALS Pet Travel UK family pet transporters Spain/UK. Travel with your pets for free. All air conditioned vehicles (no vans) www.pettraveluk.co.uk UK 0800 612 4922 or Spain 960130537 (141)

BOATS FOR SALE GC15: 16m Guy Couach motor cruiser, 3

AIR CONDITIONING

Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, kitchen, lounge/dining area, and flybridge. 2 x Mercedes 350kw diesel motors. 56000€. Call 966 923 963 or 651 885 200 A57: Rare Vintage 1957 Astondoa Classic Wooden motor launch, 10 m with Perkins diesel engine. All in working order. Needs TLC and re­ varnish, great project, 6000€. Call 966 923 963 or 651 885 200 .

CHURCH SERVICES International Christian Assembly, Calle Pilar de Horadada 5, Torrevieja.

Evangelical non­denomi­ national church. Sunday services 11am.

Children's church 11am.

House groups in Torrevieja, Los Balcones, San Javier. Ladies meet­ ing Thursdays 11am.

Craft club, Tuesdays, 2pm.

Pastor, Rafael Restrepo. All nationalities welcome. Call 966 799 273 or 660 127 276.

Pilar Christian Community Church Calle Canalejas 3. Pilar de la Horadada.

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

CATERING

Prayer and Praise and Worship Home groups meet during the week. All welcome from any church background or none. For further infor­ mation contact PilarChristian.

CommunityChurch@gm ail.com 968575417 or 966848806.

Reg No:2009­SG/A The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) meet at 10.00 each Sunday at their Torrevieja meeting­ house in the Torreaguas building on the corner of Rambla Juan Mateo Garcia 104, close to the windmill in Torrevieja, 667 533 597.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Modern Hairdressers and Beauty Salon to let.

Prime location in Quesada, close to numerous shops and businesses. Previously run as a very profitable business. Fully equipped and ready to open, no premium, low rental. Call 603 224 373 (139) 1st Floor unit to let, 45sqm suitable for many trades. No premium, low rental. Call 603 224 373 (139) Empty unit previously run as a very profitable nail bar. Could be used for any other business. No premium, low rental. Call 603 224 373 (139) Large shop to let, suit­ able for many trades.

25sqm, plus 80m terrace.

ALARMS

No premium, low rental.

Call 603 224 373 (139) Busy bar/restaurant in San Javier, close to air­ port, selling up due to health problems. Loyal clientele, ideal location.

Phone 634362820 for further information.

FOR SALE. Supermarket ‘Traspasa’. Fully stocked plus machines / shelving.

Been running with pres­ ent owner 7 years. Good income. In high street Guardamar. Near Weds market. 20.000€ ONO. Tel: 634 106 460

BUSINESS SERVICES Handy Mal. No Job too small, painting, tiling, small builds, gardening, ikea assembly, San Javier and surrounding areas, very reasonable rates. References avail­ able. Tel: 649 955 005 (141)

CARS FOR SALE

Car insurance quotes – new extra discount on fully comprehensive poli­ cies at the price of third party!

Excellent prices for expats, all policies and call centre staff in English. We will call you back with a quote. 966 923 963

INSURANCE CASER SEGUROS ­ for all your insurance needs, home, car, health, funer­ al. Policies available in English and German.

Call Professional Business Support on 966 923 963 for a quick quote from our friendly staff.

PROPERTY FOR RENT Viva Villa and Vacation Services, For Short or Long Term Rentals visit: www.villaandvacation.co m or Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref: 61, A lovely two bed­ roomed ground floor apartment, located in the centre of the small Spanish town of Los Montesinos, With a pleasant communal swimming pool adjacent & all amenities in walking distance. Long and short term rental available.

Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref: 104, 2 Bedroom apartment in Torrevieja, (near gypsy lane), small balcony, near all ameni­ ties and Friday market. €350pcm Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref: 112, Spacious 3 bedroom detached villa with its private pool is located on the El Raso urbanisation near Guardamar. Convenient for all amenities, shops, supermarket, restaurants and bars. Short term

rental available. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref 702: Beautiful 2 bed­ room apartment, located near los Locos beach, beautifully furnished.

Short term rentals from 175€ per week. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref: 63, Two bedroom 1st floor apartment situat­ ed in Monino Blanco. The property overlooks a superb communal pool area, in within walking distance of bars, restau­ rants and shops. Short or long term rental avail­ able. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref 114 This upstairs apartment is situated just out of the town centre on a lovely urbanisation with a good communal pool. It has two bedrooms with an open plan kitchen, diner and lounge and kitchen. €350 per month plus bills. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397

LONG TERM RENTALS WANTED! Properties, all types, in the Torrevieja area wanted for long term rentals. Call us on 96 692 3963

DANCE CLUB

CARPENTER

CAR HIRE

CLEANERS

43

Friday, October 18, 2013 CBR35 : Townhouse with garage, 3 bed­ rooms, 2 bathrooms, communal pool, near San Jaime Hospital in Aguas Nuevas area, 450 € pcm, call 966 923 963 CBR18 : Large, detached villa on 1200 m plot, beachside Punta Prima, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, private pool and garage, 900€ pcm, call 966 923 963 Ref: 709, A lovely 1 bed­ room apartment in Aguas Nuevas, within a 5 minute walk of the beach. There is a terrace outside with views to the sea. Short or long term rental available. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397

PROPERTY FOR SALE Home and Contents cover ­ Comprehensive policies for house and contents with CASER Seguros ­ excellent prices for expats; policies available in. Call 966 923 963 for a quote.

RS116 – 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom towncentre apartment in Los Montesinos, beautifully furnished/decorated, pool on solarium, 85.000€, call 966 923 963 Rare opportunity to pur­ chase on Mediterrania III, Gran Alacant. 2 bed­ rooms, 2 bathrooms, Private Parking, F/Furnished, Large com­ munal pools & Tennis courts S/W facing,

CAR BREAKERS

Dramatically reduced for quick sale to 126.000 euros. Ref No. K58 Call 627 711 155 for immedi­ ate viewing RS96 : La Mata, 1 bed­ room apartment, large solarium, communal pool, close to beach, 55.000€, call 966 923 963 RS80 : Spanish style townhouse in Algorfa, totally reformed and redecorated, 110m2, 3 lrg.bedrooms, 1 bath­ room, many extras, absolute bargain at 99,500 €, call now on 966 923 963 for no obligation viewing.

Ref: 510, €70,000.

Bungalow located in San Luis. It is close to the supermarkets, bars and restaurants and is on the local bus route. An Opel Corsa car is included in this sale. Call: 965 707

188 or 626 397 397 Lovely Corner property in Novamar V, Gran Alacant. 2 bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms Being sold fully furnished including appliances, Has secure underground parking and faces large oasis com­ munal pool. Walking dis­ tance to beach. 139.000 Euros, Call 627 711 155 and quote Ref No. K10 Ref: 104 Lovely 2 Bedroom Apartment, close to Shops, walking distance to Friday Market and Town Centre and the beach. The property is close to the Habaneres Shopping Centre and Aquapark.

Recently refurbished apartment in a good central location.

Conveniently situated for all the facilities of this modern vibrant town, and only a few blocks away from Torreviejas excel­

HOUSE / BAR CLEARANCE

lent sea front with its abundant cafes, restau­ rants and shops. Price €43950 Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref. BRJ1 – 1 bedroom top floor renovated apart­ ment in San Luis. Great sea and lake views.

45.000€. Tel. 966 923 963 Immaculate ground floor Duplex, 2 beds, 2 bath, Private Parking, Situated in Novamar, Gran Alacant. Price includes very tasteful furniture and white goods. Walking dis­ tance to all local ameni­ ties and beach. Now only 129,750 euros. Ref No K24. 627 711 155 Don Pueblo, Gran Alacant. 3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, Large Kitchen with Galleria, Secure underground parking, Gas Central Heating, Glazed in Porch, Solarium with

stunning views. Viewings absolutely essential. Very large property at reduced price of 190.000 euros.

Ref No. K38 Call 627 711 155 KBJ3 : 3 bed penthouse in Guardamar, furnished, fantastic sea views, com­ munal pool and parking, 155.000€, call 966 923 963 Opportunity to purchase at the off plan price of 195.000 euros. Large 4 Bed, 3 Bath Brand new property. Secure under­ ground parking for 2 cars and communal pool.

Situated opposite Gran Alacant and over looks projected golf course.

Ref No. K52. 627 711 155 RS1 : 3 bed large villa in Torrevieja on 950m2 plot, private pool, Jacuzzi / sauna, parking, 289.000€, call 966 923 963

HOME CARE

44

Friday, October 18, 2013

Viva Villa and Vacation Services are pleased to offer property sales for the Torrevieja and Oriheula areas of the Costa Blanca, Spain.

Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 or Visit : www.vil­ laandvacation.com Ref: 78, €120,000. Three bedroom Quad in Jardin Del Mar VII. There is off­ road parking and small storage shed in the enclosed garden area, communal pool nearby.

Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 2 Bed, 1 Bath Ground floor duplex. Central heating, Grills, Fully fur­ nished, Glazed in Galleria, 2 communal pools, private parking and walking distance to the Gran Alacant com­ mercial centre. Situated in the popular urbanisa­ tion of Puerto Marino.

Now only 96,500 euros for quick sale Ref No. K46. 627 711 155 Ground Floor Duplex, on the Monte y Mar estate of Gran Alacant.

3 Bedrooms, 1 Bathroom, Fully furnished, Private Parking, Communal pool Ref. GA0094 NOw only 83.000e Tel. 680333242 Gran Alacant Detached villa, located in a very sought after location.Situated on a 560m2 S/W facing plot and constructed in 2005.

Comprising of 3 bed­ rooms, 3 bathrooms (2 full baths), Lounge­Diner, fully equipped Kitchen, Porch and Solarium with Alicante & Sea Views. ref.L81. €258,000 neg.

Tel. 680333242

Gran Alacant Town House with a difference.

2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Glazed in Porch, Quiet Location, Extra storage areas, and South Facing Private Pool as well as 2 commu­ nal pools.

Fully Furnished, All mod cons.

Greenland Views and all local amenities close by.

Ref. No L79. 179.000 euros 680 333 242 Gran Alacant immaculate villa, 3 bedroomed, 3 bathroomed property maintained to a very high standard inside and out and the interior furnish­ ings are top quality, offer­ ing a feeling of luxury and good taste. The plot size is 400m2 and has been beautifully tiles, and grav­ eled and has established palms and plants. Oil fired central heating throughout, log effect fire place, ceiling fans in all rooms, towel heater rails, glazed in shower units, instant hot water, water purifier, free English TV, phone & internet lines, fit­ ted double hanging wardrobes, safe, glazed in front porch, vanity units and much more. The pool is an 8 X 4 m2 salt water pool, meaning mainte­ nance is much easier plus outside toilet and shower. Sea views to front with Greenland views to the rear. ref K51. €245,000 Tel 680333242 Ref: 516, €39,999. Studio apartment in San Luis, close to amenities. Open plan fully equipped kitchen. Good sized lounge, bedroom and out onto balcony which has been glazed to create

another room. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref: 709, €60,000 A love­ ly 1 bedroom apartment in Aguas Nuevas, within a 5 minute walk of the beach. There is a terrace outside with views to the sea. Short or long term rental available. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref: KP3100, €183,000.

Three bedroom, two bathroom detached villa, located in San Luis, on a 450sqm plot, with com­ munal pool. Garage to side of house. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref: 520, €85,000. Two bedroom apartment in Dream Hills, with a fully equipped kitchen, large lounge, glazed­in terrace and a large solarium.

This property comes with a large communal swim­ ming pool. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Lovely clean detached Villa just as you enter Gran Alacant. Very cen­ tral location, 3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, Glazed in Porch, Garden Shed, Private Parking, Attractive Gardens, Private pool Ref: K59 240.000e Tel. 627711155 Recently reduced 4 Bed, 3 Bath Villa, in Gran Alacant. Quiet Location, Exceptional Views.

Converted Under build, 2 Lounges, 2 Kitchens, Private Garage and being sold Fully

PETS

Furnished, now only 239.950 Ref: L81 Tel. 680333242 Large 4 Bedroom, 4 Bathroom, 2 Kitchens, 2 Lounges, 600m2+ plot Large Retractable Glazed in Pool for all year swimming, Private Parking for 4 cars, Very low­maintenance, Fully Furnished. 330.000e but Negotiable. Very different to the other properties in Gran Alacant and is dis­ abled friendly Ref: L80 Tel. 680333242 Corner Plot Property in the lower end of Gran Alacant. 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Under build, Roof top Solarium Being sold Fully Furnished including White goods.

Walking distance to all local amenities.

139.950e Ref. GA0087 Tel. 680333242 Limited Edition Fortaleze in Gran Alacant Exceptionally Large Plot.

4 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, Large Private Pool with Decorative Garden, Private Parking, Electric

PERSONAL

Gates, Glazed in Porch, Solarium, Under build.

Quiet sought after area.

Very tastefully furnished and all included 370.000e Ref. K52 Tel. 627711155 Mid Terraced Townhouse on Avda Polognia, Gran Alacant Furnished to a very high standard and includes White Goods. 3 Bed, 2 Bath, Lounge Diner, Fully converted Under build offering a second lounge and large storage area. Roof top Solarium, Glazed in gal­ leria with extended work­ tops. Front Garden with BBQ, Communal Pool with Gardens. 132.000e Ref. K16 Tel. 627711155 Semi­Detached Villa with Open Greenland Views to the Rear and Alicante Views to the Front, means this property in Gran Alacant would appeal to anybody look­ ing for a quiet location.

Comprising of 3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, Lounge diner, with work­ ing Fire place, Porch, Solarium, Established Gardens and Private Pool, Private Parking on a large plot. 265.000e Ref. L95 Tel. 680333242 Offers Invited on a mid Terraced Town house in Gran Alacant.

Comprising of 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Lounge Diner, Galleria, Solarium, Under build.

Communal Pool and Gardens, and with Exceptional Views of

Alicante. Being Sold Fully Furnished including White Goods. Ref. K42 Tel. 627711155 (reason­ able offers only) 2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, Unfurnished Mid Terraced Townhouse in GA. Recently decorated throughout means this property is a very clean black canvass. Has Air­ Con & Security Grills and the use of a Communal Pool. Price recently reduced to 110.000e Ref.K12 Tel. 627711155 Reduced for a quick sale to 95.000 e 2 Bedroom, 1 bathroom, Top Floor Duplex in Gran Alacant.

Very Modern Property with Many extras. Glazed in Porch, Roof Top Solarium, Wooden Flooring.

Immaculate condition and ready to move in. Ref. K15 Tel. 627711155.

Gran Alacant, Situated on the very first urbanisa­ tion as you enter Gran Alacant, this 2nd floor duplex offers taste and quality. Comprising of 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, lounge­diner, independ­ ent kitchen, full roof­top

PLUMBERS

POOL TABLES

POOLS

MAN AND A VAN

DRAINAGE

45

Friday, October 18, 2013 solarium with superb views and recently glazed in porch offering extra living area as well as extra privacy as the glass is mirrored.

Ref.K44 €108,000 Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant, Situated in the "Alto" part of Gran Alacant, this 3 bed­ roomed, 4th floor apart­ ment, offers luxury accommodation, with absolutely stunning sea views, as well as views of Alicante bay and the famous Santa Barbara Castle.The apartment is 89 square meters with open plan kitchen / living room and includes all electrical appliances & furniture also there is a utility room, open terrace, and private parking. The urbanisation also offers many communal pools, tennis courts, restaurants and bars. Ref. K20 €109,000 Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant villa located in a very quiet area , situ­ ated at the end of a cul­ de­sac means there is no through traffic.3 bed, 3 bath, 330m2 plot, estab­ lished large gardens, working fireplace, solar

SURVEYOR

panel for hot water,pri­ vate parking, south fac­ ing great views, fully fur­ nished, fantastic opportu­ nity. ref. L85. €215,000 Tel 680333242 Beach front Line proper­ ty, over looks Carabassi Beach, Gran Alacant. 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Secure Underground Parking, Fully furnished, Roof Top Solarium. 3 Large Communal Pools, Fantastic communal Gardens, Tennis Courts and much more. 125.000 Euros Ref No. K23. Tel. 627 711 155 Gran Alacant, Situated front line to the famous blue flag beaches of Carabassi, the real beau­ ty of this property is its proximity to the beach, but also on offer is a fan­ tastic communal pool sit­ uated in beautifully kept gardens with little Spanish walk ways.Comprising of 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, lounge diner, American style kitchen including all appliances, roof top solarium with stunning views, front porch area with front garden and a secure underground garage. fully furnished Ref. K23 €125,000 rare opportunity Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant limited edi­ tion villa, not very often available on the market.

Only a few of this type were ever constructed­

STORAGE REMOVALS

Very large 5 bedrooms, 4 bathroom(2 en­suit) property, situated on a large corner plot with a 10 x 5 private pool and private parking. Lounge­ diner with working fire­ place, fully equipped kitchen with utility room.

Large landing area, lead­ ing onto solarium, with extra storage external room. Front porch area leading into large well established gardens with irrigation system and fruit trees. Being sold fully fur­ nished. Within walking distance to Gran Alacant commercial centre and 5 minute drive to Carabassi beaches. ref.

K11. €270,000 Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant large detached villa with 3 dou­ ble bedrooms, 2 bath­ rooms, lounge­diner, fully equipped kitchen, large porch, roof top solarium, 400 m2 Plot, with estab­ lished low maintenance very private gardens with irrigation system, elec­ tronic gates, private park­ ing, outside wc, sink & shower, terraces, air con ( h & c ), mosquito nets,

grills, alarmed, large spa pool with separate Jacuzzi section. Within easy walking distance to Gran Alacant commercial centre and close to local bus and tram route. Ref K33. €260,000 neg Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant, detached villa in desirable road close to all amenities, comprising of 3 double bedrooms, 3 baths, lounge diner with working fire place, brand new kitchen with all appli­ ances and black granite work tops, private pool, plot of 550m2, estab­ lished irrigated gardens and fruit trees, private parking, solarium, also there is a converted under build giving more bedrooms ,bathroom & kitchen, this house has many extras and is being sold fully furnished.

Ref.k47. €280,000 neg Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant south­fac­ ing, very private villa, with woodland and Alicante views. Situated at the end of a small cul­de­sac which means this villa

RAG AND BONE

VAN HIRE

enjoys a very peaceful location.3 Bedrooms with fitted wardrobes, 3 Bathrooms, lounge­diner with working fireplace, fully fitted kitchen with including white goods, large front porch, solari­ um,workshop and stor­ age in under build, cen­ tral heating, air con H/C, ceiling fans, grills, UK T.V, off road parking and plenty of outside parking also. Due to its orienta­ tion of this property enjoys full sun, all day, something very important in the winter months.

Ref.K24. €237,000 Tel 680333242

QUIZZES Experienced quiz­mas­ ter/question setter with personality available to host quiz nights in local bars. Tel:­ 664 838 581

SITUATIONS VACANT

Butia Espana Self moti­ vated staff required in Costa Blanca, Sales experience in property an advantage. Must have own transport. Tel Spain 960130537 or UK 0800 612 7514 or info@buti­ aespana.com (141) RADIO COSTA INTER­ NATIONAL needs moti­ vated sellers. Spanish, English and German lan­ guage is a bonus but not essential. Training and good earnings guaran­ teed. For more info call 644 126 600 or email info@radicocostainterna­ tional.com Medaesthetics require a

Beautician. Must have NVQ Level 3 and working self employed email cv to sabinebrooks@hotmail.c om

REMOVALS Spanish Moves Small removals and deliveries.

Spain/UK Budget prices.

Last minute jobs under­ taken. www.spanish­ moves.net Telephone UK 0800 612 4922 or Spain 960130537 (141)

SOLICITORS Need English speaking solicitors in Torrevieja?

Let us help to solve your problems with debt recovery, divorce, prop­ erty, fraud, criminal defence. Call us on 966 923 963, give us brief details and get in touch with your specialist solici­ tor today

WIG SPECIALIST SALON MAR­ GARETHAS, 23 years in Torrevieja Hair/Wig spe­ cialist for Medical illness and Hair Loss problems.

We offer different Hair Replacements, top fillers, Hair prostheses, Toupees and Wigs, Natural and Artificial hair and much more. Also fashion/festival acces­ sories TV/TS are wel­ come to our service.

Please call our salon reception for an appoint­ ment with Margaretha on Tel no 966 921 846 Torrevieja (90)

WANTED

46

Friday, October 18, 2013

Greenside Gossip IVIE DAVIES takes a weekly look at the golf scene - golfdavies@gmail.com

Though they may be very close to the same surface, the fringe and the green are two very different places.

This is especially true when you begin talking about the rules that apply to each location. Specifically, the rules that apply to what you can and cannot do when your ball is on the green or on the fringe. Fixing a ball mark just seems like it is always the right thing to do.

After all, we have all suffered the consequences of playing on greens where people seem to always forget to fix their ball marks. They leave nasty scars that can take weeks to heal. However, before you bend down to fix a ball mark, you need to make sure that you are doing it in a legal fashion.

If your ball is not yet on the green, you are not allowed to fix any ball mark or pitch mark that is anywhere other than on the green. For exam­ ple, if you end up on the fringe and there is a ball mark on the fringe that is in your line, you may not fix it.

However, if the ball mark is on the green, then you are entitled to fix it. In fact, any ball mark that is on the green can always be fixed. But, be very careful, you have to make sure that the mark is indeed a ball mark!

As per rule 16­1c, the only other damage that you can fix is damage from an old hole plug. If the damage is caused by anything else, like

GREENSIDE MANNERS spikes, a slammed club, or just a random scar, you may not attempt to repair it until you have finished the hole.

Ball marks off the putting sur­ face may be fixed before the completion of the hole, but only after your ball has made it to the green. So, if you land your approach shot in the fringe and your ball ends up right behind your ball mark, don’t touch it. Hit your chip shot and then, only after your ball has come to rest on the green, should you go back and fix the ball mark in the fringe. If you do violate this rule, the penalty is two strokes. Quite a hefty conse­ quence for a common cour­ tesy!

Another big difference between your ball lying in the fringe or on the green is whether or not you can mark your ball. On the green, you may mark and clean your ball at any time. On the fringe, however, you may only mark your ball if you are requested to do so by an opponent.

SLEEPY RORY

If reports are true, golfer Rory McIlroy and tennis star Caroline Wozniacki have split up after she tweeted a some­ what unflattering photo of him sleeping with his mouth open.

WELL WOULDN’T YOU?

TITTER ON THE TEE A young man was due to play golf with his girlfriend.

Before the game, he went to the professional's shop and bought a couple of golf balls. He put them in his trouser pocket and met his girlfriend on the first tee. She noticed the bulge in his pocket and asked him what it was.

“It’s only golf balls”, the young man replied. “OH,” she said, “I’m sorry. Is it something like tennis elbow?”

rough with no penalty. The senior should not be penalised for tall grass which ground keepers failed to mow.

Rule 2.d.6 (B) A ball hitting a tree shall be deemed not to have hit the tree. This is simply bad luck and luck has no place in a game of skill. The senior player must estimate the dis­ tance the ball would have travelled if it had not hit the tree and play the ball from there.

Rule 3.B.3(G) There shall be no such thing as a lost ball. The miss­ ing ball is on or near the course and will eventually be found and pocketed by someone else, making it a stolen ball. The senior player is not to compound the felony by charging himself or herself with a penalty.

Rule 4.c.7(h) If a putt passes over a hole without dropping, it is deemed to have dropped.

The senior should not be penalized for gravity’s fail­ ures.

Rule 5.

Putts that stop close enough to the cup that they could be blown in, may be blown in. This does not apply to balls more than three inch­ es from the hole. No one wants to make a travesty of Rule 22­2 states that, if you or in the act of measuring and difficult to interpret, mov­ the game. are off the green, you cannot your ball. Also, if your ball ing your marker can result in Rule 6.a.9(k) just lift your ball because you marker is moved during the a costly penalty. If you want There is no penalty for so­ think it is in someone’s way, act of marking the ball, it is to have some fun, you can called "out of bounds." If you must be requested to do without penalty. This is begin to read some of the penny­pinching golf course so. And, if you are asked to important because tapping crazy rulings and decisions owners bought sufficient lift your ball, you may not down your ball marker with that apply to ball markers. land, this would not occur. clean it. You must lift it and your putter is considered to You may be surprised how The senior golfer deserves replace it exactly as it lay be part of the act of marking. easy it can be to break the an apology, not a penalty. prior to being marked. If you So, if you tap down your rules when you’re on or Rule 7.G.15(z) lift your ball when it lies off marker and it moves or sticks around the green!

There is no penalty for a the putting surface without to your putter, you are not ball in a water hazard, as golf SUGGESTED RULE the action being requested subject to penalty. However, balls should float. Senior by another player, your if your marker moves in any CHANGES FOR SENIORS golfers should not be penal­ As we here on the Costa’s ized for manufacturers' short­ penalty is one stroke in of these situations, it must be accordance with rule 18­2a. returned to its original loca­ are of an age when golf is our comings. social and regular leisure Rule 8.k.9( S) Now, once your ball is tion.

If a player replaces his ball activity perhaps we should marked, you may think that Advertisements claim that the rulings stop, but they without relocating his marker lobby the R&A to make some golf scores can be improved don’t. In fact, it actually gets to the original spot and then changes to the Rules! by purchasing new golf a little more complicated. I’ll plays from an incorrect posi­ Rule 1.a.5 equipment. Since this is A ball sliced or hooked into financially impractical for do my best to simplify the tion, he is subject to penalty many different scenarios and under rule 20­7. If the marker the rough shall be lifted and many senior golfers, one­half decisions that involve ball is moved outside of one of placed on the fairway at a stroke per hole may be sub­ the given exceptions, he is point equal to the distance it tracted for using old equip­ markers.

Basically, your ball marker subject to penalty under rule carried or rolled into the ment. may be intentionally moved 20­1 or 18­2 depending on only if it is in the line of anoth­ the cause of the motion. er player and they request for Marking your ball seems like it to be moved. Accidental a simple act, but don’t let movement of your ball mark­ your guard down just er is without penalty if the because your ball is in your movement is a result of the pocket. Although the situa­ moving of loose impediments tions become complicated

KNOW YOUR RULES QUESTION In Matchplay, Ron spots a spike mark on the line of his putt and removes it by pulling it out then brushing it away. What is the ruling?

A: Ron incurs a penalty of one stroke.

B: Ron loses the hole.

C: There is no penalty.

ANSWER Ron loses the hole (Rule 16 – 1c)

47

Friday, October 18, 2013

OH HARRY, NOW WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?

NOT my words, you under­ stand ­ they were spoken, probably many times, but in this case in 2004 by Sandra Redknapp, the long­suffering wife of Harry on his latest gaffe at the time, when he very ill­ advisedly moved from managing Portsmouth to take over their nearest, biggest and most­ loathed rivals Southampton.

The sheer volume of vile bile, the vitriolic d o g ’ s

abuse directed at the Redknapp’s even took Harry by surprise – which it should­ n’t have, considering he had spent all his life in football.

But then, that’s our ‘Arry all over ­ say it, straight out, act first, always think later – and often regret it.

With epic tim­ ing, his

Brazil bound

latest establishment­knock­ ing affront, part of his new autobiography was splashed all over last week’s dailies, tactlessly dealing with his sour summary of being passed over for the England manager’s job last time round, whilst doing well at Spurs. The fact that he had just survived a hugely­ embarrassing court case for tax evasion, largely due to his lamely­claimed infantile grasp of basic bank account maths, didn’t seem worthy of note or concern as Harry blithely vented his feelings on the FA and their very rea­ sonably­conducted decision to get the ‘right’ man for the job: which wasn’t him.

Harry was soon to lose his prestigious position at Spurs, only to quickly jump from a frying­hot seat to one on fire at nearby Loftus Road, to try and res­ cue a holed and sinking Queens Park Rangers – an impossible task which predictably ended in acrimo­ nious relegation as Harry went down wailing – pointing fingers and naming names.

In the book Harry also clumsily claims illustrious and respected senior players such as the England and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard were behind him get­ ting the England job. ‘Not so’ says Gerrard, and Wayne Rooney is making similar dis­

ELCHE BACK

World champions Spain ensured they will get the chance to defend their crown at the World Cup in Brazil next year with a 2­0 win over Georgia on Tuesday.

Needing just a point to advance, Alvaro Negredo (pictured) settled any nerves with his 4th goal in 5 interna­ tionals this season midway

through the first­half. And substitute Juan Mata sealed the 3 points with virtually his first touch of the ball 15 min­ utes after the interval.

Victory means Spain finish Group I three points clear of France and continue their remarkable record of not having lost a World Cup qualifier for over 20 years.

After the World Cup inter­ national break, La Liga rumbles into action this weekend, with Elche look­ ing to back up their two league wins with a Sunday visit to Real Betis, who are just below them in the table. Leaders Barcelona are away to Osasuna on Saturday.

Home jitters for Monte

With 2 successive away league wins, CD Montesinos continue to struggle at home as they shared the points in a nil­nil draw with Callosa Deportivo. The visitors have strug­ gled so far this season, but they took advantage of a Montesinos side that had a decent excuse that they were missing a number of key players

through injury and suspension.

Callosa edged the first half in what was largely a midfield stalemate, and though Montesinos got more possession in the 2nd half, the Callosa defence held firm, as well as looking threatening on the break.

Monte’s next match sees them trav­ el to Benejuzar this Sunday.

tancing noises. What Harry is stupidly doing to sell a few books and presumably make himself more apparently­ unnecessary cash, is embar­ rassing himself as usual, and others close to him by once again simply not thinking things through. Son Jamie, a good footballer now safely ensconced at Sky as a wor­ thy, erudite pundit must have inherited his savvy from Mum, apparently regularly on the phone to Dad pleading with him to shut up and stop revealing matters like Quickly Purchasing Relegation’s dis­ astrous financial affairs, like obscenely­high contracts entered into with average players and their avaricious agents: to call them merce­

naries is like saying Hitler wasn’t a nice man.

Spurs players, supporters and the football world were stunned when Harry got his marching orders from chair­ man Daniel Levy who is any­ thing but a financial dummy, as has clearly been dis­ played over the recent Gareth (who’s got a slipped disc?) Bale business. The word was Levy was less than impressed with Harry’s behaviour and handling of the England manager’s posi­ tion, rubbed in as it was never offered in the first place. Harry was deluded by newspaper talk and noisy acclaim from people in the street – aspects that the FA have never been influenced

TORRY DRAW

FC Torrevieja and Jove Espanol played out a goalless draw on Sunday in a tight match between two sides that have started well in the league.

Pastor and Obele had the best of the first half chances for the home team, whilst the hat­trick hero at Villarreal, Carrasco missed a great opportu­ nity from a second half

by.

Harry is now presiding over a ‘new’ Quickly Pursuing Re­election side at the top of The Championship, to prove to everyone he can still do it, and good luck to him. But his penchant for speaking too loudly, too quickly off the cuff, even in print will continue to trip him up and portray him eventually as one of the great ‘nearly’ men of football managers: Malcolm Allison, George Graham and Terry Venables also fall into this category, although the latter did actually briefly manage the country. I fear Harry never will now – and sadly that will be all his own mak­ ing.

breakaway. Gomez had a corner hit the wood­ work in the closing moments of the match, but at least Torry main­ tained their unbeaten home league record.

Torrevieja lie 4th in the table, 9 pts off the lead­ ers Eldense, but just 2 pts behind 2nd placed Llosa. They travel away to struggling Pinoso this Saturday.

Saints take point at Hondon

Despite picking up an away point in a nil­nil match, it felt more like two points lost for fourth placed regional group team San Fulgencio in their trip to Hondon.

It was a hard fought game, with San Fulgencio’s goal­

keeper Victor earn­ ing his money with a string of saves after The Saints had a man sent off. But San Fulgencio then got into top gear, and had a number of chances to come away with all the spoils.

TIGERS TAMED

ITV Orihuela RFC kicked off their season with a winning 28­13 win over the Torrevieja Tigers.

Orihuela have not lost to the Tigers in the last 4 years and went into the half­time break leading 17­10, after a first period that saw both teams make some basic mis­ takes. The home team stepped onto the gas in the second half, and picked up a try bonus point. Orihuela’s next match is this Saturday against Albacete, who destroyed Lorca last weekend, 47­5.

48

FROM RIO TO REALITY Friday, October 18, 2013

As memories of the wonderful Wembley weekend and thoughts of Rio, Roo and Roy are receding, more mundane matters mean much. We saw Montenegro mas­ sacred and proud Poland put in their place, and now England are rightly going to Brazil, ecstatic travel agents rubbing their hands and the nation mightily grateful and relieved. But now it’s back to business with the wide­open Premiership this weekend ­ and there’s some crackers to look for­ ward to. Early doors on Saturday lunchtime at St James Park, Confused.com, aka Newcastle take on second­placed Liverpool, SAS ‘n all, in arguably the match of the day ­ although later at the traditional three o’clock kick­off time there’s several more contenders.

If Arsenal can put away nervy Norwich, and they should, the Gunners will stay top – Ozil’s on­song, oth­ ers obliging ­ hasn’t our Arsene bounced back brilliant­ ly to confound his critics?

Fun Football Forum. Q1: Is painting the stadium walls on work experience good training to Tan­talisingly become the new Head of Recruitment at a Premiership club? Answer: it is at common­sense challenged

John McGregor reports

Cardiff, where Moody­less Miffed Malky Mackay will now apparently be aided in induction by the chairman Vincent Tan’s son’s mate, 23 year­old Alisher Apsalyamov. The Red Bluebirds (another Tan touch) visit The Bridge of Sighs where Miserable Mourinho meanders over his best Chelsea attack. Q2: Should MM have let Romelu Lukaku go on loan to Everton?

Answer: No, he’s looking like another Didier Drogba already, and MM needs one badly... With loanee Lukaku, the Toffees are overflowing with optimism; Saturday’s bringing Hull’s Tigers, who’ve already shown their teeth. Q3: Has the ex­Goodison gaffer Prince David leapt into the lion’s den at Old Trafford?

Q4: Are the Saints really marching in this season?

Well, we’ll find out some answers to those two as fourth­placed stormin’ Southampton visit the Theatre of Dreams to take on the Champions who are… erm, well ­ ninth, actually. If United lose, mauled Moyes will definitely feel the autumnal chill blowing down the East Lancs Road – winter draws on, David!

The M6 Midlands derby brings West Brom up the motorway to Stoke; neither are setting the Prem alight, and both badly need the points. Points sorely sought brings us ‘oop to ooh­er land – or rather down there. In the battle of the ‘S’s its Swansea home to – Sunderland! That Short­on­savvy sucker supervising at the Stadium of Light has taken another huge gam­

ble, this time appointing Gus Poyet, a man who has had no experience of managing in the dangerous depths of one of the world’s greatest leagues – the one the Black Cats are currently propping up. Watch this (Sunderland) space: starts in Swans’ Swales.

The East End of the Capital is no place for shrinking cissies ­ ask Spurs ­ and Man City’s expensive new cre­ dentials will be severely tested by Samsammers. Super Sunday similarly sees Spurs visiting Villa, and nobody takes Lambert’s lions lightly lately. Tottenham will want to get back to winning ways after the West Ham defeat and Chelsea choker, and on Monday in the bottom bat­ tle luckless Crystal Palace host temporarily­relieved Fulham, following the Cottagers’ first win against fel­ low­strugglers Stoke.

Stunning summary: only four points separate the top seven, and they’re closely followed by eleven more not far behind. Poor Palace and suffering Sunderland are showing early withdrawal symptoms, above ‘em are Norwich, Fulham, Stoke and Swansea all on seven.

Stirring stuff!

In The Championship, Burnley and Quickly Pursuing Re­election are joint top but ‘Arry’s ‘eroes have a game in hand, with Leicester, Forest, Watford and Blackpool chasing ‘em. Barnsley and Yeovil are disputing bottom place on five points, just below Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton and Bolton.