Spain’s summer tourism boom shows no signs of slowing, with the Southern Costa Blanca breaking records alongside the national surge. July and August 2025 saw 22.3 million visitors across the country, surpassing 2024’s 21.8 million. In August alone, 11.3 million international travellers arrived, a 2.9% increase on last year, following a record-breaking July with 11 million arrivals.
Over the first eight months, 66.8 million international tourists visited Spain, up nearly 4% on 2024, with the Southern Costa Blanca emerging as a hotspot, driven by British, French, and German visitors.
This growth continues despite warnings from the British press about overcrowding and overtourism, proving that their doom-laden dispatches were wildly overstated.
BENIDORM AND TORREVIEJA SHINE
Benidorm, long known as a magnet for sun-seekers and nightlife lovers, has seen record visitor numbers this summer, filling hotels, beaches, and entertainment venues to capacity. One hotel manager said, “We’ve never seen September bookings this strong. People are staying longer and spending more.”
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Monday 6th - Sunday 12th October 2025
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SPAIN’S TOURISM SURGE
Meanwhile, Torrevieja has experienced a surge in family tourism and cultural visitors, drawn by festivals and the region’s popular coastline. Local businesses report booming restaurant, bar, and hotel activity, while apartment rentals remain in high demand.
Residents welcomed the tourism boost but stressed that infrastructure must keep pace with demand. “Tourism is vital, but we need sustainable growth,” said a local business owner.
Seasonal patterns are shifting, with more tourists extending their stays into September, keeping the Costa Blanca South busy well after the traditional summer peak.
AUTHORITIES ACT AMID GROWING PRESSURE
The rise comes amid ongoing anti-tourist protests and government measures to curb overcrowding. Authorities removed 53,000 tourist flats from rental registers nationwide, converting them into permanent housing.
Barcelona plans to phase out short-term tourist apartments by 2028, while Malaga and the Balearic Islands have introduced stricter visitor behaviour rules.
On the Southern Costa Blanca officials are monitoring short-term rentals and implementing local campaigns to ensure tourists respect public spaces, noise ordinances, and environmental regulations.
RESIDENTS FEEL THE PRESSURE
Despite these measures, locals warn that infrastructure and housing are under strain. In Torrevieja, rising accommodation demand has led to competition for housing, while Benidorm’s beaches and streets are crowded during peak periods.
Protesters emphasize the need for sustainable tourism policies, including ecological tourist taxes and limits on new hotel developments, to protect local
TORREVIEJA
HOSTS
Caleta beach, Cabo Roig, attracts visitors all year round
resources and ensure residents’ quality of life.
CHANGING HOLIDAY TRENDS
Shifting travel habits are extending Spain’s tourism season. Fewer than 40% of Spaniards took holidays in August, while one in six chose September, a pattern mirrored by international visitors.
Hotels on the Costa Blanca South have also seen rates rise, reflecting strong demand: prices are up 25% from 2019, with continued growth year-on-year.
SPAIN’S TOURISM RESILIENCE
Despite anti-tourist protests and warnings abroad, Spain—and particularly the Costa Blanca South—continues to thrive.
Benidorm and Torrevieja lead the way, showing that the region can welcome millions of visitors while cautiously addressing overtourism concerns.
Officials, businesses, and residents are working to balance the economic benefits with sustainable community planning, ensuring Spain remains Europe’s ultimate holiday destination.
FIFTH STREET FOOD MARKET FROM OCTOBER 8–12
The Parque de las Naciones will welcome the fifth edition of the Street Food Market from October 8 to 12, offering free entry to a vibrant program of gastronomy, live music, children’s activities, and a vintage market. Organizers expect around 20,000 visitors over the five-day event.
The festival will feature 12 food trucks serving national and international cuisine—including Spanish, Venezuelan, and Argentine dishes—alongside 20 vintage market stalls.
The opening celebration on Wednesday, October 8 at 7:00 p.m. will include the official inauguration party, followed by a concert by the legendary Valencian band Seguridad Social at 9:30 p.m. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROGRAM:
THURSDAY, OCT 9: Storytelling by Alexandre Morera, tribute concert to The Rolling Stones by Control Stone, and acoustic sets by FYC and Dias de Radio.
FRIDAY, OCT 10: Children’s activities and a live performance by Demonios (tribute to Estopa).
SATURDAY, OCT 11: Magic show by Mago Kachinocheve, tribute to El Canto del Loco by La Esencia del Loco, and evening performances including Queen tribute band Kenng and DJs Las Hienas.
SUNDAY, OCT 12: Children’s show with Payaso Edy and live tribute to U2 by The Fly.
The event aims to create a family-friendly space where residents and visitors can enjoy culinary delights, cultural activities, and quality live music in a safe environment. Torrevieja City Council highlights the market’s role in boosting local culture and leisure, establishing Parque de las Naciones as a key city venue.
"The Bored Room"
I have witnessed boardroom coup Yet no army have I seen I have observed some heads roll But no Madam Guillotine.
I have seen the minutes passed Although they seemed like weeks. I've chewed the fat, had food for thought And suffered boardroom leaks.
I have often seen the chair speak And heard the table talk. Never had a taste for soup Yet had my share of stock.
A rider has been added
Though no horse is yet in sight
And phew! Those strong amend-mints
My God! This schedule's tight.
Motions have been carried
Suggestions have gained weight
Yet no one is pumping iron
Though it's been a strong debate.
Although I'm not a blushing bride
My successor you must groom I hide beneath this balance sheet I'm just a bored boardroom!
John McGilvray
La
Europe’s Worst Blackout in 20 Years Triggered
by
Rare Voltage Surge
Spain and Portugal were plunged into darkness on April 28 in what experts now call Europe’s worst power blackout in two decades. The cause wasn’t wind or solar energy, as some feared, but a rare “surge cascade”
— a runaway chain reaction of rising voltage that overwhelmed the Iberian grid in seconds.
The findings were published by the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (Entso-E), which represents grid operators across Europe. Its first report describes the blackout as “a unique event in the world” and the first time such a cascading surge has ever been recorded on the continent.
“This has never happened before in Europe,” said Entso-E president Damian Cortinas. “A total blackout in two countries has huge consequences for citizens and society. We must understand it and make sure it never happens again.”
RENEWABLES NOT TO BLAME
The report is clear: renewable generation was not the culprit. Instead, the crisis exposed the need for all types of power — including solar and wind — to provide voltage control, the basic ability to keep the grid’s “electrical pressure” stable.
“The problem is not that there were renewables, but that we need generation with voltage control,” Cortinas said. “The good news is that it can be done, just as with traditional plants.”
Voltage imbalances are a classic cause of blackouts, usually because of sudden drops. This time, however, voltage spiked. Several renewable units disconnected automatically, interconnections with Morocco and France shut down, and defense systems failed to contain the surge.
A CHAIN REACTION IN SECONDS
The morning of April 28 looked normal enough: renewable generation was rising, prices were falling, and Spain was exporting a hefty 5 gigawatts of electricity. But by mid-morning, the system showed signs of strain.
At 12:03 p.m., the grid came under stress. Operators tried to ease the pressure by cutting exports to France and reconfiguring power flows. The tweaks calmed fluctuations but left the Iberian system with dangerously high voltage.
AT 12:32 P.M., THE COLLAPSE BEGAN:
12:32:00 – 208 megawatts of wind and solar went offline, along with 317 MW of rooftop solar demand.
12:32:57 – A transformer in Granada tripped, cutting supply to solar and wind plants. Seconds later, 725 MW of solar
power disappeared in
Moments later – Another 950 MW of wind generation dropped out in Segovia, Huelva, Seville, and Caceres.
In just 20 seconds, 2.5 gigawatts of renewable power vanished. Much of it had been providing “reactive power” to help keep voltage in check. Without it, voltage surged uncontrollably, the grid lost synchronization, and automatic protections could not save the system.
Five seconds later, Spain and Portugal went dark. Portugal restored its grid by 12:22 a.m. the next day; Spain followed at around 4:00 a.m.
NO FINGER-POINTING — YET
Entso-E insists its role is to explain, not to assign blame. Liability questions, it says, belong to national authorities.
The investigation involved 45 experts from across Europe and relied heavily on Spain’s transmission operator, Red Electrica de España (REE).
REE welcomed the findings, saying they confirm its own analysis.
The company stressed that the transmission grid was within safe operating limits and that the first disconnections happened in distribution networks, outside its control.
Still, the analysis was incomplete. While 33 companies agreed to share data, eight refused, limiting the investigation.
WHAT’S NEXT
This first report is labeled “factual” and focuses on the sequence of events. A final report, with a deeper rootcause analysis and recommendations for how to prevent similar disasters, will be published in early 2026.
For now, the April 28 blackout stands as a warning of how quickly Europe’s electricity system can unravel.
“This was new. This was different,” Cortinas said. “And we must learn from it.”
Badajoz.
Under Pressure: Why Frequent Tyre Checks Could Save Your Life
Every October in the UK, motorists are reminded of one of the most critical — yet often overlooked — components of vehicle safety: the tyres. The “Tyre Safety Month” campaigns are not just symbolic. They highlight a stark truth: many tyre-related incidents result from neglect, not dramatic failure. This is a lesson worth importing into Spain too. According to TyreSafe, more than 51,500 breakdowns in 2023 were directly attributed to tyre defects — a 14% increase year on year. In fatal crashes linked to tyre problems, 75% stem from lack of maintenance. These figures underline that a worn tread, underinflation, or unnoticed damage can prove fatal, especially when paired with autumn and winter weather.
WHY TYRES MATTER MORE WHEN THE SEASONS CHANGE
As temperatures drop and rain becomes more frequent, the grip of your tyres weakens. Braking distances increase, and water builds up under worn tread, raising the risk of aquaplaning. Research on tyre abrasion shows that tyres can lose 0.8–1.4 mm of tread per 10,000 kilometres depending on driving con-
ditions. JRC Publications Over time, what seems like gradual wear can push a tyre from safe to illegal.
In the UK, a sizeable proportion of tyres are replaced before they fall below 3 mm of tread — partly in reaction to changing EU safety regulations. The goal is to promote safer tyre performance in wet conditions, where grip is crucial.
MAKE TYRE CHECKS YOUR ROUTINE
You don’t need to be a mechanic. A few minutes per month can make all the difference.
CHECK FOR:
Correct inflation pressure (adjust for load and temperature)
Even tread wear, cuts, bulges, or embedded objects
Condition of sidewalls and no cracks
Presence of a spare, or repair kit, if applica ble
BRIDGING TO SPAIN
Here in Spain, the changing seasons bring new risks: early morning damp roads, sudden showers, and shifting temperatures.
If you’d rather not check them yourself, visit a trusted garage and request a “tyre health check” — it’s a small investment for peace of mind.
In short: tyres are not just wheels — they’re your final point of contact with the road. Treat them accordingly, and through the gloom of autumn and winter, they’ll keep you rolling safely.
Maintaining properly inflated tyres gives you one of the greatest safety margins possible on the road.
San Luis C/Aviles Local 2 San Luis, Torrevieja
is “Tyre Safety Month”
There is so much more to putting on any show than the actors who appear on stage, comparisons with floating swans and icebergs come to mind!
The ADAPT Theatre Group is always on the lookout for new people to come along and help, and not only those who like to make fools of themselves on stage!
After our open day held last May, we were delighted to welcome new members to work on prop construction (a particular challenge for Jack and the Beanstalk!) costume making as well as marketing and publicity drives, and
we would like to thank them all now for coming along and lending us a hand.
Our door is always open for new members and there are many opportunities to help out, including front of house support, ticket sales and general moving and carrying.
Only with that help can our dame, our principal boy and all our other traditional characters strut their stuff with confidence on the stage.
The ADAPT Theatre Group has now moved to the bigger and brighter Geli Albaladejo theatre after 14 years of sell-out performances in the town’s Casa de Cultura.
Eviction Fear finally drives British Pensioner to suicide
The El Portus Naturist Campsite near Cartagena is in crisis, with over 200 long-term residents trapped in a nightmare of eviction, intimidation, and despair.
Since new owners Newtown Capital S.L. took over in September 2023, residents report illegal tactics, including home demolitions and restricted access to their properties. Basic services like water, electricity, and medical care have been cut, leaving some stranded outside their homes.
Tragedy struck Friday night when 82-year-old Margaret Stewart, known affectionately as one of “the grandparents” of the campsite, was found dead in her home. Civil Guard investigations point to suicide.
82-year old Margaret Stewart was found dead on Friday evening
Margaret, who had lived at El Portus for 30 years with her 89year-old husband Colin, had reportedly been crushed by eviction pressures. Neighbours describe the couple as virtual prisoners in their own chalet, too afraid to leave for fear they wouldn’t be allowed back.
Residents speak of widespread depression and anxiety, with many relying on antidepressants to cope. Once a thriving naturist hub, El Portus is now a ghost town, with fewer than ten people remaining.
Locals and human rights groups are demanding urgent intervention. Margaret’s death is a grim warning of the human cost of forced evictions: how many more lives must be shattered before action is taken?
This change will be exciting and full of new technical and artistic challenges, thus enhancing the audience experience.
The performances of Jack and the Beanstalk will be on 28th November at 7 p.m. and 29th November at 12 noon and 7 p.m. at the Geli Albaladejo Theatre, Avda de los Flamencos,
San Pedro del Pinatar.
Tickets priced at 5e are available from: Bar Amigos Avda Las Salinas, San Pedro; Mail Pinatar (SEUR) c/ Reyes Catolicos, San Pedro and they can also can be reserved by WhatsApp or phone from Eric on 656
98.
Orihuela: How Power Corrupts Leadership and Betrays Democracy
There is an old saying: “If you want to know a person’s true character, give them power.” Nowhere does this ring truer than in Orihuela.
Political parties and individual leaders arrive with promises of renewal, pledges of honesty, fairness, and equality, yet too often, the moment they gain power, those principles vanish.
What began as a commitment to serve becomes an obsession to control.
POWER CHANGES PEOPLE
In Orihuela, elections bring a familiar cycle. Candidates campaign on reform, claiming they will listen to residents, distribute budgets fairly, and give equal attention to the city, the countryside, and the coast. Many start with good intentions. But once in office, the taste of power changes everything.
Suddenly, their priorities shift. Instead of serving the people, they serve themselves. Budgets become tools of political favouritism. Decisions are made not for the long-term benefit of the municipality, but for short-term gain, party advantage, or private interest.
Projects are announced with great fanfare but quietly stall or vanish when scrutiny arises.
The coast, particularly Orihuela Costa, continues to be starved of resources, while the old power networks in the historic centre are protected. This is not leadership. It is misleadership — the abuse of authority to maintain control rather than deliver justice, politicians are a Dime a Dozen, BUT, a true Leader is priceless.
FROM DEMOCRACY TO SELF-PRESERVATION
Democracy is supposed to mean power in the hands of the people. But when leaders abandon honesty, democracy becomes theatre.
Elections are still held, manifestos are still printed, speeches are still delivered — but it is all performance. Behind the curtain, the reality is that too many parties and individuals use their position not to represent, but to preserve themselves.
The result is democracy in name only. Ordinary residents feel abandoned. Voices from the 24 pedanias are ignored. Orihuela Costa, home to thousands of residents, and the economic engine of the municipality, is left underfunded and under-policed.
Promises of equality are broken, and citizens are treated as a problem to be managed, not as equals to be respected.
MISLEADING VOTING FIGURES: A COASTAL FANTASY
The greatest test of democracy is the vote. Yet here too, honesty is too often sacrificed. Parties not only inflate past results but also mislead the public with exaggerated claims about potential voter numbers, especially on the coast. It is the duty and the responsibility of a political party to be honest with residents — not to mislead them or give false hope. Yet in Orihuela, we have seen precisely the opposite.
Take the last election: PIOC received just over 1,800 votes on the coast, around 48% of those who turned out.
Now, its president speaks of 14,000 coastal votes waiting to be mobilised. That is a staggering leap — an increase of nearly 678%, or eight times the number of ballots they actually secured in 2023.
That is not strategy; it is a fantasy. A pipe dream. A fallacy sold by the party to inflate expectations and maintain influence.
Numbers matter in politics, but dishonest numbers corrode trust. If parties can-
not be truthful about the most basic democratic fact — how many people voted, or could realistically vote — then their credibility collapses.
A WARNING TO LEADERS
The taste of power does not excuse betrayal. Leaders must remember that power is a responsibility, not a privilege. Those who change once in office — who forget their promises, inflate their support, and mislead the public with false voting figures — should know this: the people of Orihuela are watching. Their patience is not infinite.
CONCLUSION
Leadership without honesty is betrayal. Democracy without honesty is tyranny in disguise.
Orihuela deserves better than leaders and parties who change with power. It deserves representatives who remain true to the principles they campaign on, no matter how tempting the privileges of office become.
The lesson is simple: power reveals character — and nowhere more clearly than in the dishonest inflation of voting figures, especially on the coast.
TRIAL OPENS OF O RIHUELA BUSINESSMEN ACCUSED OF DUMPING ILLE GAL WASTE
The Alicante court in Elche has opened proceedings against several Orihuela business figures accused of an environmental crime for allegedly burying hundreds of thousands of tons of waste in agricultural land instead of sending it to the La Murada treatment plant.
The trial involves the administrators of multiple companies who, according to prosecutors, illegally disposed of waste on eight farms in Los Vives (Orihuela) and one in Abanilla (Murcia) between 2005 and 2011. They reportedly covered the waste with soil and planted citrus trees over some sites to conceal the deposits. The buried waste included urban, organic, and even medical waste, with official estimates confirming at least 388,000 tons, though actual volumes may be higher.
KEY DEFENDANTS AND CHARGES:
Francisco Poveda – seven years in prison sought by prosecutors.
Antonio Angel Fenoll, Francisco Fenoll, Angel Fenoll Pastor – five-year sentences sought.
Ex-councilor Javier Bru and entrepreneur Jose Vera – also facing fiveyear sentences.
Angel Fenoll, the main suspect and former landfill manager, will not face trial due to illness.
The prosecution is also seeking compensation for the cost of removing and properly treating the illegally buried waste.
The case is connected to the Brugal investigation, which exposed irregularities in waste management contracts in the Vega Baja, following complaints from La Murada residents. Proambiente, the landfill operator at the time, allegedly lacked capacity to safely process contracted waste. Formal charges were brought by the Orihuela Council in 2012, nearly a decade after the illegal activity began.
Despite the closure of the Proambiente landfill, thousands of tons of buried waste remain on farmland, highlighting ongoing environmental and public health concerns.
Former Chief of the Orihuela Local Police files lawsuit against City.
Former Orihuela police chief Jose Maria Pomares is suing the City Council to overturn his forced retirement at 65 and remain in service until 67.
Representing himself, he seeks reinstatement and compensation for lost salary and unpaid mandatory shifts. Pomares argues retirement at 65 is voluntary. Meanwhile, disciplinary proceedings were closed with Ruben Selma named the new police chief.
Zenia Boulevard to host Greenwalk Awards
Zenia Boulevard will host the Greenwalk Awards on October 10, showcasing sustainable fashion and emerging talent. Twelve designers from nine fashion schools will present eco-conscious collections, judged by industry experts, actress Vanesa Romero, and host Maria Verdoy. Winners will receive opportunities at Central Saint Martins and Elle Education. Now in its fourth edition, the awards highlight innovation, recycling, durability, and responsibility, inspiring new consumption habits.
Past finalist Maria Martinez Alcaraz will unveil her sustainable collection “Flor de Sal,” inspired by Murcia’s natural landscapes.
Zenia Boulevard’s initiative reflects its commitment to sustainability, community engagement, and cultural innovation. More at zeniaboulevard.es
The accused in the Elche courts on Friday
WHAT ON EARTH HAS GONE WRONG WITH BRITAIN?
Shocking new figures reveal that more than one million 16- to 24-year-olds are not in employment, education or training, and even worse, one in 10 working age adults are on sickness or invalidity benefits.
To sum up, Britain, it seems, has become benefit barmy, and unless something is done to radically change the situation, the cost will be a staggering 70 billion pounds a year by the end of this decade.
How on earth did Britain get into this mess?
When I was aged 14 I decided to walk down my local high street and ask shopkeepers, owners of restaurants, etc, whether they had any work I could do during weekends and school holidays.
I ended up clearing tables at Joe Lyons teashop and lo and behold I got my first payslip at the end of the week and remember I was miffed at seeing that I was having to pay a few pence towards a graduated pension.
Back then for every £7.10s paid in you got an extra few pence added to your pension on retirement. Didn’t value it then, but it’s given me a better State pension now.
Shame by 1976 the government decided it would cost too much to fund and scrapped the idea!
I put some of my wages into Post Office savings and saw the money grow and by the age of 21 I had saved enough to put a 20% deposit to buy our first home.
When I had a hernia, I was back at work in a week after the op – I couldn’t stand moping around at home – OK I loved my job as a journalist.
Work provides rewards and gives purpose. So why are so many people today prepared to simply do nothing, or spend every waking hour on computers or mobile phones playing games? OK, my neighbour, in his 30s, was pleased as punch to show me his Ferrari he had just bought from a big win by gaming – I wouldn’t know where to start – but it’s not work is it and it’s hardly helping getting Britain out of its current financial mess.
I have never had to seek one penny in benefits, thanks goodness, but it’s my guess that with so many people in the UK living on benefits it’s become far too easy to get and become bone idle. And we all know what idle hands do.
Perhaps if political parties exercised their brains and resolved to get Brits back to work we would not have the need to import the vast number of immigrants into the country,
Tony Mayes Rant
something which is creating tremendous friction – especially when it’s revealed that up to 30% of the population of some UK cities are now Muslim.
TOO STRESSED TO ARREST
It has been revealed that thousands of serving police officers in the UK are off work due to mental health or on psychological leave. An average of 74 officers per force are sidelined due to mental health issues, with the leading police federation fearing numbers could be "far bigger than official figures suggest".
In the worst examples, officers have been off work sick for up to four years. It doesn’t surprise me, being a copper today must be a thankless task especially when they are taken off investing real crimes to interview someone who has put something on social media which someone else doesn’t like.
Barmy Britain gets worse by the day!
PIPELINE TO PUTIN’S POCKET
It’s not often that I agree with anything that Donald Trump says or does, but one thing he has pontificated against recently - and I say good for him - is the number of European countries, while helping Ukraine’s war against Russia, are still prepared to buy Russian fuel. France, Belgium and Spain have poured more cash into buying Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) than they’ve donated to war-torn Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in 2022, says Greenpeace Belgium.
To me this smacks of total hypocrisy, and Trump is quite right to call it out.
The investigation claims that these three nations, along with the Netherlands, accounted for a staggering 95% of LNG imports into the European Union. Between 2022 and mid2025, they forked out an eye-watering ˇ34.3 billion ($40.2 billion) for Russian LNG – a figure that far eclipses the ˇ21.2 billion in support pledged to Ukraine.
There are only two ways Putin is going to be beaten – one is by a massive armed intervention which could easily lead to WW3, or to hit him in his pocket to a point where ordinary Russians feel such a financial squeeze they rise up against the regime.
And European countries carrying on as if it’s still business as usual is doing nothing to bring about peace.
UK DRIVING: WHERE PATIENCE GOES TO DIE
I couldn’t believe what I was reading last week in the Spanish press – that a woman in Mallorca drove down a motorway for 14km with the left-side tyres of her car missing, causing a spark display down the road!
She was lucky she didn’t cause a horrific accident. Last year I wrote in my column how bad I thought some drivers were in Orihuela Costa and I suggested that if you can drive here without having an accident then you could drive anywhere in the world!
Well, I’m sorry to say that the bad drivers in the Costa are now eclipsed by those in the
UK. Where we are in West Sussex there seems to me more old farts dithering about than ever before and I am sure that if many of them had to take a driving test they would fail.
My wife is with me most of the time and she says it seems the worst drivers are women –either dithering about, driving slowly or being ultra cautious. But nowadays there seem to be two types, the former who I have mentioned and girl racers who appear hell bent on trying outpace young male drivers.
We’re seeing more vehicles with dents and scratches, and more accidents too and to add to the total frustration of driving on UK roads there are road works everywhere.
It seems that there was a lack of maintenance over the past 14 years of Tory government and it’s catch-up time now.
How about this for a statistic? The number of roadworks in Britain has more than doubled in the past two years - and frustrated drivers are more likely than ever to get stuck behind temporary traffic lights.
There were 425,524 miles of roadworks across the UK last year. That's enough to stretch around the world a whopping 17 times – and there seems to be even more now!
And if this is not bad enough we have the utterly lazy brigade – those who cannot be bothered to use their driveway to park their car or van and leave it on the road instead to cause an obstruction, and don’t care or think
SENIOR OLYMPICS:
We’ve been unpacking boxes for three weeks now and still loads to do. Oh joy!
if they park directly opposite each-other causing chaos.
THE SENIOR OLYMPICS: COMPETITIVE UNPACKING EDITION
Now I have a bit of advice for readers. We recently decided to move back to the UK to live and holiday in Spain rather than the other way round. Well, if you have the same idea, for goodness sake do it well before you reach the age of 80.
Trying to cope with selling up in Spain, having everything shipped back and then trying to get it to fit into a bungalow is no joke at the best of times, but there comes a time of life when such a project is simply not on.
We’ve had packing boxes stacked to the roof in the garage and we never, ever want to see another packing box, ever! We’ve been unpacking boxes for three weeks now and still loads to do. Oh joy!
Far too much stress for 80 year olds.
BOOKMARK OR BONUS? THE GREAT NECTAR FIASCO
Finally, on a lighter note, in the UK we shop in Sainsbury’s and often get printed vouchers offering Nectar points on certain purchases. Last week we were given a voucher giving triple points on purchases. But when we got to the store we couldn’t find the voucher. Three days later a very sheepish Mrs M said she had found the voucher – being used as a bookmark in a book she was reading. Staff at Sainsbury’s thought it very amusing but we got our points.
LA MATA BEACH CELEBRATES RELEASE OF 16 YOUNG LOGGERHEAD TURTLES
La Mata beach in Torrevieja became a hub of conservation activity this Wednesday as sixteen young loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) were released into the Mediterranean.
These hatchlings, born in 2024 from the nest of the female turtle “Pura Vida” on Los Locos beach, spent their first year under the Oceanografic Foundation’s Head Starting program in Valencia, receiving veterinary care, a controlled diet, and environmental supervision to boost survival rates.
The original nest, discovered last summer with 64 eggs, was closely monitored by volunteers and environmental technicians.
Six eggs were sent to Valencia for rearing, while the rest were incubated locally, culminating in the release of sixteen turtles.
The ceremony drew local residents, schoolchildren, municipal officials, and conservation staff, all celebrating this symbolic and ecologically significant event.
Loggerhead turtles, classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, face threats from habitat loss, pollution, and fishing gear.
By returning hatchlings to their natal beach, conservationists support the turtles’ natural philopatric instincts, aiming to strengthen Mediterranean populations .
Torrevieja launches e500K Shopping Campaign
Torrevieja will roll out its 11th bono consumo campaign this year, investing e500,000 of municipal funds between mid-November and Christmas to boost local trade and hospitality.
Residents can double their spending power, paying half the price while the municipality covers the rest. This year, provincial funding is unavailable, but Torrevieja will proceed independently, managed by Apymeco.
Despite past scrutiny over subsidy use and criticisms of indiscriminate access, the program remains popular. Other municipalities, including Orihuela and Pilar de la Horadada, will also continue similar initiatives.
Residents Demand Speedy Action as Orihuela Council Signs e800,000 Ravine Cleanup Deal
Coastal residents are pressing Orihuela City Council to clear and maintain the Rio Nacimiento and Barranco Rubio ravines after the municipality and the Segura River Hydrographic Confederation (CHS) agreed to invest e800,000 in urgent riverbed work.
The Costa Campoamor Residents’ Association warned that overgrown vegetation, debris, and urban development are creating serious risks of flooding, wildfires, and public health hazards.
Dense undergrowth along the ravines could block drainage during heavy rains, while pests and mosquitoes proliferate in neglected areas.
Recent fires in 2023, 2024, and 2025 forced evacuations of nearby homes.
The four-year agreement between the council and the CHS earmarks e480,000 from Orihuela and e320,000 from the CHS to restore urban channels.
Planned actions include removing obstacles, stabilizing eroded banks, pruning vegetation, restoring old river meanders, and controlling invasive species.
Residents stressed the urgency of starting work immediately, particularly in areas where new housing developments are planned close to flood-prone river-
Overgrown vegetation is creating serious risks
beds.
“Delays could put lives and property at risk,” the association said.
Civil Guard Officer caught selling Police info to criminals in Almoradi
ACivil Guard officer from Almoradi has been permanently stripped of his rank after admitting to leaking sensitive police information to criminals for cash.
The shocking revelation came during a trial at the Provincial Court of Elche, where the officer confessed to tipping off a suspect about an ongoing investigation into a burglary gang in Vega Baja.
The case involved three defendants charged with bribery and revealing
classified information. All three struck a plea deal with Spain’s Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, resulting in reduced sentences and the suspension of the trial.
For the officer, the punishment was severe: permanent dismissal from the Civil Guard, a year in prison, a e1,080 fine, and twoand-a-half years disqualification from public office.
His accomplices received identical prison terms and fines, but shorter
bans from public positions.
Investigators traced the leaks to a “mole” inside the force.
The officer, stationed in Pinto, Madrid, routinely accessed police databases—including the SIGO system—to track suspects and vehicles under surveillance.
He shared the information with a middleman known as “Mi niño,” who passed it to the gang.
The officer even ran unauthorized checks while on sick leave or vacation, receiving undisclosed cash payments in return.
Ironically, while the mole has now been punished, the original investigation into the burglary gang collapsed.
Courts in Orihuela ultimately shelved the case, meaning the butroneros—criminals who drill into businesses to steal—never faced trial.
The scandal exposes a breach of trust at the heart of the Civil Guard, showing how one insider’s greed can compromise months of painstaking police work and let criminals walk free.
Guardia Civil Recovers e27k in Stolen Bling!
San Javier police hit the jackpot in Operation Sisagold, recovering nearly 100 stolen jewellery pieces worth over e27,000. Six suspects, four women and two men, were arrested for theft and fraud. The crooks targeted homes they had access to, including jobs as domestic workers or even an alarm system installer who stole from clients.
Stolen items were traced to gold-buying shops in San Javier and San Pedro del Pinatar, identified through engravings and photos.
Many victims didn’t even know their jewellery was gone—until authorities returned it. All six suspects are now facing serious charges.
KNIFE ATTACK SHOCKS TOWN CENTRE
Almoradi was rocked on last week when a 38-year-old man allegedly plunged a knife into a victim in broad daylight, leaving bystanders horrified.
The victim survived after several days in hospital and is now back at home recovering.
The Civil Guard acted fast: an off-duty officer spotted the suspect in Orihuela Costa on September 23 and detained him until backup arrived.
Investigators quickly traced the weapon supplier, a 25-year-old man, both men boasting lengthy criminal records.
Orihuela courts have ordered both jailed pending trial. Almoradi residents remain shaken as authorities stress vigilance in public spaces following this brazen, daylight assault.
Finally ‘letting the fire go out ....’
If I asked you to paint a picture in your head of an ‘open fire’, you would probably see an image which evokes warmth, comfort, hospitality and romanticism.
Such a picture represents a connection to the past, where its charm continues to endure.
Most Irish people, of a certain age, fondly remember gathering around the kitchen fire as children; with nostalgic recall of listening to music, telling stories and perhaps even reciting the family rosary.
Like so many other things in life, the open fire has more or less been ‘raked’ for good, but its legacy lives on in the hearts of the people.
The open fire of my boyhood – or for thousands of years BC (before Comaskey) was much more than a focal point of pleasure. No, the large open fireplace was the heart of the home.
Not only was the solid fuel fire the only heating for the entire house, but all the cooking, baking, clothes-drying and water heating originated just above those hearthstones.
Everything centered from or around the fire; overseen by Bean an Tidgh.A soot encrusted ‘crane’ could be swiveled back and forth, carrying its varied energy-giving load along the heating assembly line.
The one constant was the black kettle, ever humming a tune as it waited to
serve the next pot of tea. A black pot would be hanging there as well. This might be potatoes for the dinner, heating water, or even boiling towels or sheets to ‘bring back the whiteness.’
And this wasn’t all; at the far end of the crane you might observe a large skillet, filled with potatoes (the poreens or ‘rubbish’) turnips and so on; otherwise known as ‘the pig’s pot.’
A three-legged oven sat on a bed of coals close to the big fire, with fresh coals spread on the oven lid.
This was the ‘bakery’ from which emanated that glorious smell of freshly baked home-made bread. I can also see the ‘griddle’ bread and potato bread being made by my Granny down in Ballinock.
This fireplace was so large that I could
sit on a forum inside the hob at the edge of the fire. I just loved that spot. At night you could hear the crickets chirping up in the chimney.
I wondered why we had no crickets in my own house; but anyway, at home we got a Stanley #9 range when I was aged nine or ten.
Over every fireplace was a mantle-piece where anything you didn’t want to get damp was stored; along with a clock and a few favourite photos.. Above the hob, a clothesline stretched the width of the fire and this line served to dry or air clothes. Here is a ceist for the Gorls. Have you ever had ‘brackets’ on your shins? Do you even know what shin brackets are?
Brackets were an occupational and inescapable hazard for women back in the day. It was caused by the heat of the fire and looked like red triangular images painted up and down the front of a woman’s leg.
Women of course tried to hide this blemish on their beauty, but not even a darker shade of nylon stocking could do the job. This was strictly a woman’s affliction on account of the man wearing long trousers … and besides, he never did a tap inside the house anyway!
This was where we all came to warm our frozen hands (setting off an attack or ‘pins and needles!’) This is where the neighbours gathered round when they came in to ceili – and especially when kith and kin arrived on visits from England and America. This is where our grandparents took a nap in the chair or where we tried to toast chunks of bread held on the end of a long fork.
My Granny would sometimes bake a ‘currant cake’ in the oven. She would ensure there was mix left over to make buns and funnily enough, my only memory of the buns is how easily they got burned!
We didn’t know it then, but despite all the romanticism of the olden fire, all was not well. As well as the slavish work for housewives the open fire was not healthy – especially as we liked to be ‘on top of the fire.’ Old people suffered more from respiratory problems, so it’s demise is better for that reason at least.
It is estimated that three Billion people in today’s world still cook and heat their dwelling with open fires. Here in Ireland, EU energy directives and regulations have rendered the open fire as being an inefficient enemy of the environment. Newly built houses don’t have a fireplace any more.
One of the greatest crimes that we boys could commit if our parents were away was to ‘let the fire go out!’ The fire was raked with ashes overnight and rarely was extinguished.
We have to move with the times and now, after thousands of years, we have irreversibly ‘let the fire go out’.
DON’T FORGET
The warmth of a home is not necessarily determined by its heating system.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO IMPROVE YOUR MOBILITY
The older we get the more our body deteriorates. It doesn’t always perform the way we want it to. Maintaining our mobility, flexibility and becoming pain free becomes our main focus. By now we have probably quit smoking and only drink in moderation. Typically as we get older, we exercise less and rest more.
Rest and relaxation is good, but our bodies need to move, our muscles need to stay active but not in the same way they did when we were young. Our joints, heart and all our internal organs have been working hard for 60, 70 or 80 years, we cannot punish them the way we used to. We need EASY Exercise not hard exercise, or equally damaging, no exercise.
At EASY Exercise (La Regia) Cabo Roig we have 26 motorized machines designed to work all our major muscles without putting any body weight or pressure on our hips, knees or ankles. There are 3 different circuits designed to offer a variety of exercises to suit individual needs, each circuit is comfortable and easy to use.
EASY Exercise is open Monday to Friday 8:30am to
1pm, all year around. The atmosphere is friendly, the temperature is carefully controlled and there is always a qualified person in attendance.
You do not require special clothing or footwear; all you need is a bath towel and a pair of socks for hygiene purposes.
Ask us about our 55e monthly flexible memberships. You don’t have to pay for time while on holidays or sick. Typically members use the centre 2 or 3 times a week for 45 minutes per session.
EASY Exercise is not about achieving a young athletic body, it is about keeping your body working without pain, retaining mobility and flexibility.
You and a friend are invited to try out our EASY Exercise facility FREE OF CHARGE one time so you can decide for yourselves if it will benefit you or not. Call 663 771 345 to arrange a FREE TRIAL appointment.
TRIVIA QUIZ
1. Which Hollywood child star played the little girl in the 1947 film Miracle on 34th Street?
2. Mitchum and Pepper are both examples of what?
3. The fairy with turquoise hair appears in Carlo Collodi's book, The Adventures of Pinocchio. What is she called in the Disney film?
4. Which edible product was created to celebrate a French victory over the English at Port Mahon?
5. Who said it? a: "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." Whose take on life? b: Who explained his theories thus: "When a man sits with a pretty girl for a minute it seems like an hour. But let him sit on a hot stove for a minute - and it's longer than any hour." c: Of what was General Bousquet speaking when he observed, "C'est magnifique, mais ce n'est pas la guerre" (It is magnificent, but it isn't war)? d: Which king modestly asserted "L'etat, c'est moi"? e: Who supposed that "Golf is a good walk spoiled"?
6. In Brazil, what is Pelada?
7. What is Jabulani, first introduced on the 5th of December 2009?
8. What do the film characters Vince Vega (Pulp Fiction) and Donald Genero (Jurassic Park) have in common?
9. Which old fashioned weapon is found on the flag of the Barbados?
10. Ceylon, now known as Sri Lanka, was a colony of which three European countries?
11. With the aid of the following lyrics, name the girl in each song. a. Who's trippin down the streets of the city smilin at everbody she sees. b. That gypsy with the gold capped tooth. c. She was a red hot hoochie coocher.
12. Who painted the work of art entitled 'The Great Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed in the Sun' found in the film Red Dragon?
13. The U2 song 'Angel of Harlem' is a tribute to which woman?
14. The British Queen, Queen Elizabeth II has met eleven of the last twelve US Presidents during their term in office. Which of the last twelve did she not meet?
15. The following words are from which Christmas songs? a. Star with royal beauty bright. b. Follow me in merry measure. c. I don't care about presents underneath the Christmas tree. d. Please have snow and mistletoe, and presents on the tree. e. The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing.
16. Who has won a record five Golden Raspberry awards for worst actress?
17. Former Communist Party member Traian Basescu (pronounced: Try-Yan Bar-Sess-Goo) was relected as president of which country on the 6th of December 2009?
18. The character Dr. Heywood Floyd appears in which two films?
19. For which film or films did each of the following people win Oscars: a: Hilary Swank, Best Actress (x2 films). b: Steven Spielberg, Best Director (x2 films). c: Robert Duvall, Best Actor. d: Louise Fletcher, Best Actress. e: Warren Beatty, Best Director
20. Which four Beatles songs have the word 'bird' in the title?
SUDOKU CHALLENGE
QUICKIE CROSSWORD
ACROSS ACROSS
1.Document (10)
7.Small weight (5)
8.Revel (7)
10.Make easy (8)
11.Fad (4)
13.Inflict (6)
15.Seek (6)
17.Standard (4)
18.Soporific (8)
21.Adjective (7)
22.Month (5)
23.Consistently (10) DOWN DOWN
1.Musical note (5)
2.Unnecessary (8)
3.Conflict (6)
4.Foray (4)
5.Ewer (7)
6.Moral sense (10)
CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
ACROSS ACROSS
1.Criminal fellow with an agent (10)
7.Don't prevent Lola getting diverted to the west (5)
8.Keep out of sight at one time in a short visit (7)
10.How to offend against religious laws completely (8)
11.They cool down ardent followers (4)
13.Works as a budding producer (6)
15.The minister is Father S. Hill (6)
17.Conservative attempt to hold the ring (4)
18.Puppets used at the students' carnival? (3-5)
21.They provide sustenance for consumers about the end of the afternoon (7)
22.On no occasion producing a piece of Alexandrine verse (5)
23.These areas will produce the pansy (6-4) DOWN DOWN
1.Mail diverted to north Italian location (5)
2.Actions to fulfil the requirements in the regulations (8)
3.It's easy to keep the account in line (6)
4.See 20 Down.
WORDSEARCH
9.Tumbledown (10)
12.Liking (8)
14.Porch (7)
Find answers and solutions on page
16.Kine (6)
19.Late (5)
20.Footwear (4)
5.Be too dramatic concerning a law (7)
6.Presumably not describing close observers (3-7)
9.What remains when all other holiday places are fully booked! (4,6)
12.Flowering plant requiring a change in the drainage (8)
14.Organise a place for shooting, we hear (7)
16.Goes beyond the mountain routes (6)
19.Early reception on the Embankment! (5)
20 and 4Dn. These could revolutionise the bar scene! (4-4)
TYPES OF GEMSTONE
YOUR
HOROSCOPE 6 to 12 October, 2025
General Energy
This week blends steady reflection with sudden sparks of change. The first few days call for patience and fine-tuning your routines, while midweek surprises could shift your priorities or outlook.
By the weekend, creative and social energy rises, encouraging connection and play. Flexibility will be your strongest ally—adapt to changes rather than resist them, and opportunities will reveal themselves.
Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 19)
You’re ready to push forward, but slowing down helps you make wiser moves. Midweek insight could reshape a goal. Listening deeply strengthens relationships.
Taurus (Apr 20 – May 20)
Finances and stability take focus early in the week. By the weekend, joy flows through creativity, romance, or indulgence. Stay open during money talks.
Gemini (May 21 – Jun 20)
Your mind is sharp and conversations feel lively. Around the 9th, expect surprising news or an inspiring idea. Revisit an old project with fresh perspective.
Cancer (Jun 21 – Jul 22)
Your emotional balance matters more than rushing ahead. By the weekend, family or home needs your care. A small daily shift could ease stress.
Leo (Jul 23 – Aug 22)
You shine in social settings, inspiring others with ease. Around the 11th, a creative spark lights up. Playful romance brings warmth and joy.
Virgo (Aug 23 – Sep 22)
Long-term security is highlighted. Midweek may bring financial or career shifts—pause before deciding. Simplifying routines prevents overwhelm.
Libra (Sep 23 – Oct 22)
Confidence rises, helping you lead in personal matters. Relationships may shift midweek, calling for balance. The weekend favors celebration and artistic expression.
Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21)
Your focus turns inward. Trust your intuition, especially around the 9th, when clarity emerges. By the weekend, you’re ready to act with renewed purpose.
Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
Friendships and teamwork are central. Midweek could bring exciting news through your network. The weekend invites fun, but pace yourself to avoid burnout.
Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
Ambition is strong, and authority figures may notice. Be flexible when priorities shift midweek. By the 10th, recognition or insight strengthens your path.
Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
Curiosity draws you to new experiences and ideas. A sudden realization midweek broadens your perspective. Embrace expansion while staying grounded.
Pisces (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
You’re more sensitive to undercurrents this week. Old patterns, especially in intimacy or money, may surface. The weekend brings healing and deeper bonds.
The week’s lesson: stay adaptable, nurture connections, and welcome the unexpected. rejuvenation.
U3A KICKS OFF AUTUMN SEASON WITH TRAVEL TALK
The Torrevieja branch of the University of the Third Age (U3A) held the first session of its autumn season at their headquarters in the CMO building, near the Habaneras shopping centre.
Despite warnings of bad weather and busy roads, a good turnout of members attended to hear updates on upcoming events and enjoy a Menu del Dia at the end of the meeting.
The session featured a captivating travel presentation by long-time member John, who shared details and photos from his trips to Vietnam and Cambodia.
Among the highlights was the Bayon Temple, showcasing Cambodia’s intricate architecture. Condensing years of travel into a 45-minute talk is no small feat, but John held the audi-
ence’s attention throughout, allowing time for questions and discussion afterward.
Torrevieja U3A meets on the last Monday of each month (excluding July and August), wel-
ORIHUELA TO SPEND e46,500 ON CITY AND COASTAL HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES
Orihuela City Council has allocated e46,500 for Halloween celebrations across the city and coastal areas this October, with activities organized by the Youth Department, led by Vox.
The budget is divided into e30,100 for the city center and e16,400 for the coast, managed through a tender to hire a company to coordinate the events.
In the city, festivities on October 31 include themed workshops at the Gabriel Miro
Roundabout, a large parade featuring dance groups, batucadas, floats, and costumed characters, as well as attractions such as a themed train, photocall, laser tag, and Halloween decorations.
Coastal activities will follow a similar program, adapted to local spaces, centered in the parking area between Capricornio and Escorpio Streets.
Last year, Halloween was canceled due to severe floods in Valencia, with Orihuela
coming anyone interested in learning about the group’s activities or joining as a member. More information is available at torreviejau3a.org.
instead hosting a solidarity campaign that collected over 800 kilograms of essential supplies for victims.
Benejuzar Presents it’s Program for 2025 Festivities
Benejuzar will celebrate its annual Fiestas and Romeria del Pilar from October 8 to 12, combining religious devotion, tradition, and cultural events.
The program was unveiled by Mayor Vicente Cases, Festivities Councillor Cayetano Jara, the Hermandad del Pilar, parish priest Francisco Berna, and the town’s Maña and Mañica Mayores.
Highlights include the Pregon and II Folkloric Festival (Oct 8), the Bajada de la Virgen and civic procession honoring the Real Senyera (Oct 9), the children’s Farolata parade (Oct 10), and the Flower Offering, Serenata, and La VisperaFest (Oct 11).
The celebrations culminate on October 12 with the Romeria, drawing thousands to the sanctuary.
Mayor Cases described the fiestas as a time of faith and community pride, while organizers praised volunteers’ contributions and emphasized the Virgin of Pilar as a unifying symbol across generations.
Cambodia’s Bayon Temple
CHURCH SERVICES
Church of JESUS CHRIST of LATTER-DAY SAINTS
We meet at 10am each Sunday in the chapel at Rambla Juan Mateo Garcia, 104. Torrevieja
Phone or whatsapp 659 016 733
THE SALT CHURCH
Sundays at 10.30 am. A friendly church, bible centred in our teaching and informal in our worship. Coffee morning every Wednesday 1030 to noon
Meets at Calle Daya Nueva 12, Polígono Ind. Levante 11, 03187 Los Montesinos. www.Saltchurchspain. Facebook SaltChurchSpain
Int Christian Assembly Evangelical Church Calle Beniajan 14, Torrevieja
Pilar Christian Community Pentecostal/Evangelical Church
Sunday Service 11.30am C/Canalejas 3, Pilar de la Horadada
Join us for a multitude of activities, coffee mornings, excercise, bereavement group pastor@pilarchurch.com
HOPE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
English speaking interdenominational church in La Marina welcoming individuals of all nationalities and church backgrounds.
Sunday Worship 11am with Holy Communion on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month.
Calle Justo Antonio Quesada 19A. +34 966 184 728
CARS FOR SALE
AUTOMOVILES CRESPO
The Car of the Month is a 2022 FORD FIESTA STLINE HYBRID- 18,500€
Come along to our large showroom in Elche and see our vast range of new and used cars. For a small selection of our latest offers see ad on page 5. We can assure you of the biggest and best choice of new and used cars for price, choice and quality.
ENGLISH SPOKEN Tel 96 666 22 60.
CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS
AGE CONCERN COSTA BLANCA SUR
We are here to help with well being forthe over50ís. We need volunteer Drivers and people to join our Home Visiting Team to visit a Residential Home and take them out for a coffee. Call into our centre in La Siesta, ring 966 786 887 or email: costablanca@ageconcern.org.es
TRANSLATIONS/ EFFICIENT RATES
DOCTORS,HOSPITALS, EMPADRON'S.
Any documents or medical reports translated. Dates available for NIE's.
TIE Application dates : October / November. Residencia Renewals.
Driving licence UK - Spanish also available. Contact Jason : Mobile/WhatsApp 603 86 87 56
AGE CONCERN BEREAVEMENT GROUP
Are you finding life difficult after a bereavement?
Come along and chat to other people in the same situation. Every Tuesday from 2-4pm at the Age Concern Centre, Calle Paganini, La Siesta, Tel: 96 678 6887.
ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION, TORREVIEJA BRANCH
Afriendly and engaging group of people who embrace their ethos of Comradeship, Loyalty, Patriotism & Unity while enjoying a variety of social events, meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 1700 hrs at Silverstoneís 2023 (Bar/Restaurant). Av. Romero, 03176 Montebello, Contact: Membership Secretary, Carl Louden; email: carllouden@msn.com or Phone +34 678 518 202
LOS ALCÁZARES DIGITAL CAMERA CLUB. Are you keen on photography?
We invite you to come and join us at our twice monthly meetings. For additional info contact: coordinatorladcc@gmail.com www.los-alcazares-camera.club
ERECTILE DISFUNCTION
DO YOU HAVE ED PROBLEMS ?
We have the solution! Jells, cialis, sidenafil. Over 7 products for both men and for ladies! Mixed trial packs. Free delivery throughout Costa del Sol, or via post to all the other costas WhatsApp or call 603117394.
HELP MAR MENOR
Coffee & Company events are back on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at Bar / Rest Las Claras del Mar Menor, C/ Helena, Los Alcazares from 10am - Next Date 14 October
Open to all nationalities who may be feeling isolated, lonely or hoping to meet new friends. Our volunteers will be on hand on the day.
HELP is a non profit organisation, we raise money from donations to give to local charities within Murcia.
ALMORADI
SCRABBLE CLUB
Why not give SCRABBLE a try. We are a new club that meets on the first Wednesday of every month at Cafe Almoradi, opposite the health centre. From 3:00 - 5:30
For further info, contact Christine on 694 437 698
COMMUNITY CARE ASSOCIATION (CCA)
Open to residents of Orihuela Costa who are over 60 years of age. Located at the Centro Civico Alameda del Mar.
Open twice a week for a programme of English speaking activities and Spanish lessons. Activities include Games & Quiz on Mondays. Art sessions and Easy Conversation on Wednesdays. Information and advice regards living in Spain. Anyone wanting to join CCA social activities can pop along between 1-2pm Mondays and Wednesdays for more info from Eva or Norah in the Cafe area. Email: oc.communitycare@gmail.com
ROYAL BRITISH LEGIO N
A Spine-Chilling Night of Murder and Mystery
ACTS Community Theatre invites you to a thrilling Halloween experience that promises to send shivers down your spine.
This is not our usual theatre performance but something far darker — The Thing in the Cellar, a murder mystery unfolding with horror on Elm Street itself.
To get into the spirit, you are welcome to dress in eerie attire, though it is entirely optional.
Whether you come in costume or not, you will find yourself moving among spooky characters and enjoying an evening filled with suspense and entertainment.
The event takes place on Thursday 31st October at Silverstones in Algorfa, starting at 6pm. Tickets are 15 euros and include both the murder mystery performance and a buffet.
They are available in advance from Silverstones Algorfa, The Post Box in Dona Pepa, and The Card Place in Benimar.
There will be a raffle on the night, along with a prize for the best costume. Gather your friends and join us for one eerie evening only, where you may just uncover the ghoulish murderer and solve the heinous crime.
Come along and meet the weird and wonderful characters who appear only on this most haunt-
ed night of the year. It will be a magical and spellbinding event, and your support will help ACTS continue donating to local charities throughout the year.
We look forward to seeing you there.
SAT ANIMAL RESCUE
Brockman is a gorgeous, nearly 3-year-old.
He loves to play and splash around in water.
He weighs around 24 kilos and like all our adult dogs is fully vaccinated with passport, microchipped, neutered, blood tested, treated monthly for fleas and ticks, wormed and heartworm prevention.
1. Natalie Wood, 2. Mint, 3. The Blue Fairy, 4. Mayonnaise, 5. a: Oscar Wilde, b: Albert Einstein, c: The Charge of The Light Brigade, d: Louis XIV, e: Mark Twain. 6 Street or beach football. 7. The Adidas official 2010 World Cup Match Ball (meaning 'to celebrate' in Zulu). 8. Both die while in the toilet. 9. A Trident. 10. Portugal, Holland and GB. 11. a. Windy. (Windy, The Association). b. Madame Rouge. (Love Potion No 9, Various). c. Minnie. (Minnie the Moocher, Blues Brothers). 12. William Blake. 13. Billie Holliday. 14. Lyndon B. Johnson. She would have met LBJ if she had attended JFK's funeral, but she was pregnant at the time. 15.a. We Three Kings of Orient are. b. Deck the halls. c. All I want for Christmas is you. d. I'll be home for Christmas. e. It came upon a midnight clear. 16. Madonna. 17. Romania. 18. 2001 A Space Odyssey and 2010. 19. a: Boys Don't Cry & Million Dollar Baby. b: Schindler's List & Saving Private Ryan. c: Tender Mercies, d: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. e: Reds. 20. Black Bird, And Your Bird Can Sing, Free As A Bird and Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
SUDUK SUDUK O SOLUTION O SOLUTION
K.O.CUP 1ST ROUND
2nd October
GROUP 1
CC Bees 2 - 10 Hub Hyenas Milos 5 - 7 Fire Station All Stars
Byes - Tipsy Toad Toppers, Fire Station B, Leeson St. Trotters, Mind the Gap,llly's Oldies, Leeson St. Nomads
GROUP 2
PD Queens & Jesters 2 - 10 Meeting Point Dartagnans CK 1 Tornados 0 - 12 CC Eagles Dominos Desperados 8 - 4 CK 1 Chuggers
High Finish: Brian Livesey 116 (Dartagnans), Akash Panchal 114 (Dominos Desperados), Tim Clarke 112 (Fire Station All Stars)
GROUP 1 KO
Two games played in Group 1 of the KO - CC Bees v Hub Hyenas and Milos v Fire Station all Stars while there were byes for Tipsy Toad Toppers, Fire Station B, Leeson St Trotters, Mind the Gap, Illy's Oldies and Leeson St. Nomads.
CC Bees v Hub Hyenas
Hub Hyenas started off well, 5-1 up at half time, with some good scores from Mark Timothy 135 and Cameron Nesbitt 160 of CC’s Bee’s, but they were just unable to get their finishes. Second half resulted in the same result, which meant Hub Hyenas took the first leg of the KO 10 -2.
an 86 finish on 18, 18 Bull!
POTM - Dougie Adkin - CC’s Bee’s and Jay Wilkinson - Hub Hyenas.
Milos v Fire Station All Stars
Fire Station all Stars started the season off well ending the first half up by 1-5 against Milos. Milos put up a good fight, however, with Cain Garcia achieving the only 180 of the first leg of KO games. Fire Station all Stars were just pipping Milos to those all-important finishes, especially Tim Clarke with a 112 finish on 20, T20 D16. Milos finishes improved in the second part of the game taking them to 4-4 but the All Stars came back to win 5-7.
POTM Javi De Gea - Milos and Tim Clarke - Fire Station All Stars (below).
GROUP 2 KO
Three games in group 2, Pint Depot Queens & Jesters v Meeting Point Dartagnan's, CK1 Tornados v CC Eagles and Dominos Desperados v CK1 Chuggers with 5 teams having byes, Tipsy Cow, Illy's Idols, Tipsy Tigers, Hub Hellraisers and Tipsy Cow Archers.
Pint Depot Queens & Jesters v Dartagnans
The home side started the first leg of the KO well, winning the first game. However, the Dartagnan's got into their stride ending the first half at 2-4 up. This was helped by Jem Gledhill of Dartagnan's with a finish on 94 - 4, T20 D15 and Bryan Livesey in his doubles ending on 116, T20, 16, D20!
CK1 Tornado’s v CC Eagles
Unfortunately, CK1 Tornado’s couldn’t get a full team out on their 1st leg of the KO and were therefore playing with a team of 5. As a result, the end of the first half saw CC Eagles leading 6-0. Things didn’t improve in the second half for the Tornado’s, Eagles ending the evening winning 0-12.
POTM Bill Leaves - CK1 Tornados and Paul Christopher - CC Eagles - below
Dominos Desperados v CK1 Chuggers
Dominos Desperados got off to a good start in the first half of the KO being ahead 4-2 against the Chuggers. But the Chuggers pulled back in the first 2 games of the second half winning both games bringing the score to 4-4.
Unfortunately, Chuggers winning streak was short lived with the Desperados winning the last 4 games of the KO ending the game 8-4.
However, Dougie Adkin of CC’s Bee’s did manage a win with
Unfortunately, things didn't improve for the home team with Dartagnan's winning the 1st leg of the competition 10-2. Good to see some high scores from newcomer Jan de Buyser 137 and 125.
Akash Panchal finished the night on a high, winning the final game for the Desperados with a 114 finish (T20, T14 D6).
POTM - Ben Kernahan - Desperados and Atle Vtbjoa - CK1 Chuggers.
Above - POTM Matt Cummins - Queens & Jesters and Bryan Livesey - Dartagnan's.
Courtesy: www.rydercup.com
WHEN THE TEAM arrived at their luxury hotel in Garden City, 12 miles west of Bethpage, things were less than perfect. The bedrooms let in too much light, the bedding was less comfortable than expected, and Tyrrell Hatton and Shane Lowry said the shampoo did not smell fragrant enough. Poor old Peter Alliss, carrying his own soap to the bathroom at the end of the hotel corridor, would never believe it.
JAPAN'S ONE AND ONLY PGA Tour tournament has a new name and venue. The Baycurrent Classic, formerly the Zozo Championship, takes place 9-12th October at Yokohama Country Club.
There is probably nothing quite like golf in Japan. After nine holes golfers enter the dining room for a full, sit-down meal of typical Japanese delicacies.
(I think this is
San Miguel GS at Font del Llop
“moscas moscas” everywhere not a bit of air to be had – buggy screens were up, and a lot of free protein was consumed – once home, showers had produced samples of said “gnats” in various different pieces of clothing, hair, etc. Must have been after the rain that the starter purported to have not had for 2 years…. whatever – little beggar gnats were murmuring like Starlings for the first 6-8 holes. However…. a gorgeously sunny day up at “The Wolf’s Watering hole” ensued to produce some not too shabby golf scores. If we are honest, the course was in less than fabulous conditions but did look good.
The tee boxes and greens left a lot to be desired. Very sadly this is a common complaint for most of the Costa Blanca courses at this time of year. The new “SUPER HIGH” season.. I shall say no more.
We welcomed our new Captain, Mick Pryke, on his inaugural day, and said goodbye to birthday boy Lee Eastman. Thanks , Lee, for a great year and we hope Mick has a superb year incoming.
Some super scores today – well done to all: Gold: Gavin Parke (37 pts – let’s remember he had a hole in one here the last time). Silver: Humphrey
a sample of the menu, although it might be “Please leave shoes outside”)
Lunch typically lasts around an hour, before which golfers are given a tee time for their second nine holes, avoiding difficulty if one player wants to get back underway while another is ordering a third round of noodles. Golf in Japan is savoured, not rushed, from the shoe cleaners on every tee box, the luxurious four-seater buggies, discreet ashtrays next to every green, and kiosks offering snacks.
Pity Hideki Matsuyama, his first game in England with a ham roll and packet of cheese and onion must have been one heck of a culture shock!
THE 2025 BRITISH Open Speedgolf Championships took place in September at Sunningdale Heath Golf Club, near Ascot. Winner James Hardy ran round the 18 hole course in
Kelleher (39 pts)
Bronze: Charles Jones (44 pts and total best score of the day for this near 90-year-old?! – Sandy conceded happily with her 40pts on this occasion)
A plethora of “Twos” this week shared between Phil de Lacy, Dave Rowe, Ivan Hanak, Will Hammon and Issy “Tutu” Wiggins Turner with a double – super work.
Nearest the Pins from Marit Ronsen, Phil de Lacy x 2 and another double by Issy Wiggins Turner. Best guests were Colin Fawcett (33 pts) and Trevor Mackay (33 pts on countback) winning a sleeve of balls. Well done you great bunch!
Our famous “McBride Bottle” was adopted by Roddy Duncan (he’s been away…) with the coveted purse of the football card taken by Terry Sharley with Wigan. Next week we are at La Serena. Keep up to date with SMGS on our website www.smgs.org. **SPONSORSHIP AVAILABILITY** If you are interested in sponsoring one of our games –please contact smgs91info@gmail.com to discuss further. We are proud to be supported by Michaela Schmidt at www.golf-hotspots.com for all your golf travel requirements.
27 minutes.
In the Speedgolf Pairs Championship at Brocket Hall Berkshire, PGA Pro golfers Luke Bone and Luke Willett successfully defended their Foursome title. Armed with a single ball and 7 clubs each they completed their 18-hole round in just under 44 minutes. I’d like to see them do it out here in August.
AFTER THE Rage at Bethpage, a return to sanity in the Scottish glens with the 2025 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship (2-5th Oct.) at St Andrews, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie, Tyrrell Hatton defending his title at St. Andrews, and hoping to become the first four-time winner.
The DP WORLD INDIA CHAMPIONSHIP takes place at Dehli Golf Club from October 16-19 with a record $4m purse. The championship forms part of the 'Back 9' on the 2025 Race to Dubai, leading up to the season-ending DP World Tour Play-Offs, with just the Korea Genesis Championship in between.
Rory McIlroy joins Tommy Fleetwood, who last played in India in 2016, a pairing that will draw the fans, although the members of the sniffy DGC will probably need smelling salts to cope with the invasion.
Opened in 1931 and set amidst historic Mughal-era ruins, the super-exclusive club was patronised by top government officials and social elite, but their summer exodus to Simla left only a few diehards to perspire on the course. A round of golf was interesting; hole 13 (Monkey Hole) was named because so many balls were carried off by a tribe of monkeys, and searching for your ball in the cobra-infested undergrowth was discouraged.
Fast becoming surrounded by the growing Delhi suburbs the course was re-designed in 1976 by Peter Thomson, who created the championship course (Lodhi) and a short course (Peacock.) Non-members are charged 6,000 Rupees a day, beyond the reach of most people. “Unfortunately, DGC is run more as a private club for the benefit of its own members,” the sports secretary commented.
The course looks exquisite with tropical flowers and trees, but a recent survey shows the air in and around Delhi is polluted by microplastics and deadly mercury poison from vehicles and industry and is the most harmful in the world. Perhaps Membership includes gas masks.
Billy Casper while on the Senior Tour. “Like a lot of the fellows round here, I have a furniture problem. My chest has fallen into my drawers.”
Until next time: Happy Golfing.
Contact Mick for re-gripping and repairs. Tel. 638 859 475
Ismail strike the difference in hard-fought Torry win
BY CHRIS PEACH
After last week’s disappointment away at Alberic Sucemart, SC Torrevieja were determined to bounce back with a strong home display against CFI Alicante.
Memories of their earlier home victory over CD Thader gave the hosts confidence, and with both sides sharing the spoils in last season’s meetings, this was always going to be a tight contest. Manager Piquero made changes to his system, opting for three at the back and recalling Matias, Loel, Abadia and Galvez. Caleb and Breno provided width on the flanks, with Ismail leading the line.
BRIGHT START FOR TORRY
The visitors threatened early but were well contained by the Torry defence. Caleb was lively from the off, forcing the keeper into a fine save on 5 minutes, before Loel missed a golden chance when put through one-on-one. Torrevieja grew stronger as the half progressed, with Caleb again denied after a surging run, and Ismail unable to convert from close range.
An injury to Breno saw Dani Muñoz introduced on the half-hour, and the breakthrough came shortly after.
On 35 minutes, a long clearance from Pizarro was flicked on by Matias to Caleb, whose pinpoint cross was calmly tucked away by Ismail for 1–0. Alicante almost levelled before the break after sloppy defending, but Pizarro and Paco combined to clear the danger. Moments later, the visitors’ task became harder: a desperate foul on Matias inside the box saw the defender
sent off. Matias stepped up but saw his penalty brilliantly saved, leaving Torry with only a slender lead at half-time.
SECOND-HALF NERVES
With a man advantage, Torrevieja were expected to push on, but the game restarted slowly. Chances came and went—Muñoz and Galvez both shooting narrowly wide, while Caleb wasted a promising counterattack with an ambitious long-range effort.
On 67 minutes, Piquero rang the changes, bringing on Ernesto, Carmona and Ramiro.
Ernesto nearly made an immediate impact, flicking goalwards from a cross, but the keeper was equal to it. The game turned scrappy, and despite their numerical superiority, Torry struggled to kill it off.
Galvez stung the keeper’s gloves from
distance, while Alicante reminded the home fans they weren’t beaten, testing Pizarro on the counter.
In the closing stages, Mataas almost sealed the win with a curling effort, only for the keeper to tip it wide.
Further substitutions broke up play, and Torrevieja held firm until the final whistle.
A DESERVED BUT NERVY WIN
The 1–0 victory was fully earned, though Torrevieja will feel they should have been more comfortable against ten men. Still, the three points are vital, and the return of Matias was a major positive.
Piquero will hope to build on this result ahead of a tough trip to Calpe next weekend.
FINAL SCORE:
SC Torrevieja 1–0 CFI Alicante
Back on the Water as Gemini leads SAMM Comeback
After having been forced to leave their operating base, CTD Los Najeros, after 17 years in residence, the sailors of SAMM (Sailing Association Mar Menor) struggled to find a new home for all their boats.
In late 2024 this changed when most of the Day Boats and the Support Boat all found berths in Los Urrutias marina and some of the dinghies in the nearby Mar de Cristal marina. This enabled a limited race program to be run in the Spring of 2025.
The Autumn Series has now started with the first race day on September 21st in which four Day Boats and one dinghy competed. It was a good day’s racing with no major incidents, although a couple of the boats fowled the anchor lines of the course buoys and were forced to do a 360 turn as penalty.
Due to lack of wind, the first start was delayed until the wind came in at 5.5 knots from the south west at 11.40. Gemini Dos got a great start, closely followed by all the others. Gemini led for the whole race, managed to lap every boat, completed 8 laps in the hour long race and recorded an average lap time of 250 seconds. Sirocco was second with 314 seconds.
By the start of the second race at 12.58 the wind had increased to 8 knots and stayed between this and 11 knots the whole time for perfect race conditions. Again Gemini
was first over the start line, again led all the way and again lapped every boat, one twice. With the increased wind she completed 11 laps in the hour, this time with an average lap at 181 seconds. The dinghy Shoestring Uno placed second with a time of 229 seconds.
A great days performance by Gemini’s crew Nick Cussell and John Sawyer (above).
SAN LUIS BOWLS CLUB
With just two weeks before the winter season leagues begin, we’ve been warming up, and getting re-acclimatised to the green. Recently we’ve played a couple of “friendly” evening matches home & away against Quesada; with pleasant company and mixed results. This was followed by a San Luis get-together bowling morning, starting with a spider and finishing with lunch and a chance to compare notes about summer highs and lows.
After all the heat and the previous non-appearance of the rain locally, the storms arrived with some force this week.
Fortunately after the downpours overnight, it stopped on Tuesday morning and after a lot of hard work by Barbara & Dave Louis with Carol & Gary Thorpe, to sweep and clear the water off the green; we were able to play our match against the mixed clubs making up the touring team from Jersey. Because the carpet had been so well soaked, the green played differently and presented both teams with challenges (from carpet v grass + outdoor v indoor!!) San Luis did win, although the results were not of any real importance, it was just a great morning with really lovely company and there was plenty of chatting after the match. Hopefully the Jersey team will enjoy the rest of their matches as they tour the area.
On Wednesday afternoons we have an “open, chicken & egg” competition and an “open roll-up” on Saturday mornings for anyone to join in. League matches start on Friday 17th & Monday 20th.
Here’s to a good, healthy season ahead for all our players and families.
La Siesta Golf Society Pink Day
Early start today with some boobie cakes and pink cava to loosen the purse strings of the La Siesta Golf Society up at the delightful Campoamor Golf Club.
The Captain's charity this year is MABS, a local Cancer charity. The golfers all wore pink which was a sight to behold. This is the 4th themed cake morning Captain Tim, Andrea and Jayne Cumming have run. Total raised e2000. Roll on the next one for St Andrews Day tots of Malt Whiskey and lots of cake.
Next event for The La Siesta gang Captain's Day always great day and night.
