Mellow Magazine June 2008

June 2008

Free

Mellow Magazine Inside This Month Are you psychic?

Learn Spanish News from Yesteryear Power surges and your pc/tv Inheritance tax for non residents The festival of the dead rats Classified adverts, Quiz, jokes, sudoku & much more

From The Editor Welcome to the June edition of the Mellow Magazine. We are constantly being told by our readers just how much they love the magazine and so I send you our thanks.

This month the pages are packed with wonderful articles and lots of new advertisers. Remember to use their services whenever you can because without them there would be no magazine, and there are some really good special offers as well.

On page 4 we tell you about a new service beginning next month . Quite a number of people have suggested this would be a useful page in the magazine, and so we have taken your request on board and done something about it.

Another new addition this month is the announcements of births, marriages and (sadly, yet a certainty in all our lives) deaths.

The fiestas of Hogueras de San Juan take place in the city of Alicante from 19-24 June. If you have never seen it then it is well worth a trip one evening. However, it is advisable to go by tram rather than try to take the car, but whatever way you decide to travel enjoy the experience!

Until next month, take care.

Lorraine...x Read the magazine online or download a copy at www.mellowmagazine.com.

See the local weather forecast for the day or week. Check for flight arrivals and departures. Look at the “What's On� guide to check out local events. Don't forget, as an advertiser you can add your own planned events to the listings - Call Jerry for more information on doing this.

If you have anything that you want to submit to us, be it a short story, poem, recipe or even an article that you feel may be of interest please contact us on the telephone numbers below or by email, also supplied below.

Mellow Magazine Telephone 965 635 538 Email Jerry 647 597 319 Advertising ads@mellowmagazine.com Lorraine 607 489 815 editor@mellowmagazine.com

Please note the closing date for receipt of adverts is the 15th of the preceding month.

The Mellow Magazine accepts no responsibility for services, work or goods provided by any of our advertisers. This magazine must not be reproduced or used for any purpose without first obtaining written permission.

Dear Liz Here at the Mellow Magazine we are well aware that although life in Spain is warmer and generally sunnier than in the UK, not everything runs smoothly and all of us, at some time, need help. For the practical issues there are many places we can go and many help agencies advertise with us. But for the emotional crises in our lives it is often not so easy. It is for this reason that we have started up our own help column which we have called “Dear Liz”.

Liz is well qualified as a counsellor with many years of experience so if you have a problem that you would like a frank and impartial answer to then write, in confidence, to us at

Liz Mellow

Urbanizacion Alkabir, 6K

El Campello 03560

Alicante

Or email to liz@mellowmagazine.com

Letters we receive, along with Liz’s reply, will be published in the magazine subject to space (but no names will be published). If you would like a personal reply then please let us know. Sorry, but we cannot take requests by phone.

Mellow Magazine

To Place An Advert Call Jerry on 965 635 538 or 647 597 319 or email your details to ads@mellowmagazine.com Advertising in the Mellow Magazine starts from as little as 5€ per week See our website at www.mellowmagazine.com where you’ll find classifieds, job vacancies, news, weather reports, flight checks etc.

Send your letters, recipes, short stories etc. to editor@mellowmagazine.com

Local Market Days

Monday

Elche

La Nucia

Santa Pola

Tuesday

Altea

Jijona

Castalla

Wednesday

El Campello

Muchamiel

Benidorm

Thursday

Alicante

Villajoyosa

Agost

Friday

Alfaz del Pi

Finestrat

Tibi

Saturday

Alicante

San Juan

Castalla

Sunday

Benidorm

Aigües

La Nucia

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Friday the Thirteenth Any month that begins on a Sunday will have a Friday 13th, and every year there will be at least one. The only one of 2008 is this month - June. Last year there were two Friday the thirteenths and 2009 will see three of them.

Being superstitious is common amongst many people, especially those who believe in fate, astrology, or those who tend to be of a vulnerable personality. Common superstitions include avoiding walking under ladders, the breaking of mirrors, spilling salt, opening of umbrellas indoors and the placing of new shoes onto a table.

The correct name for Friday 13th is Friggatriskaidekaphobia.

Here in Spain it is not Friday 13th that is thought of as unlucky, it is Tuesday 13th and the Spanish have a saying “No te cases ni te embarques” which translates as do not marry or embark on a journey.

The number thirteen may be considered unlucky because of the biblical reference to the Last Supper– Judas Iscariot was the thirteenth person to be seated at Christ’s table.

In opposition to superstitions of Christian faith, witches will often be in groups (covens) of thirteen.

A pack of Tarot cards consists of 78 cards made up of the major and minor arcana and they contain a card called Death – this card is given the number 13.

The mass murderers Charles Manson and Harold Shipman have thirteen letters in their names. Leaders Margaret Thatcher and Fidel Castro were both born on Friday 13th.

The day Friday is deemed unlucky because it is believed that the following events all happened on that day – • Eve offered the apple to Adam in the Garden of Eden.

• Jesus was crucified (Good Friday).

• It was the day of executions in ancient Rome.

• It was the day that hangings took place in Britain.

Hospitals have chosen not to give operating rooms the number thirteen. Hotels have also been known not to have a thirteenth floor (built in 1966, the Cavendish Hotel in London is one of them) and many hotels and hospitals may not have rooms numbered thirteen.

And so, on a final note, should you choose to stay indoors away from any possible outside influences on Friday 13th June, or whether you are one of the folk who turn a blind eye to superstition, all that remains is for me to wish you good luck and a happy and healthy Friday 13th.

Please tell our advertisers you saw them in the Mellow Magazine

Hatches, Matches and Dispatches

Congratulations To Christine Mason & John Chubb of La Cova Restaurant, El Campello on their wedding day June 2nd 2008.

Louise & Carl Moss became the proud new parents of a daughter, Isabelle on May 3rd 2008.

Congratulations from the Mellow Magazine

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Readers’ Poem Don’t drink and drive I went out on a Friday night and had too much to drink A taxi driver took me home and i filled the kitchen sink (I don’t remember eating that ) As the room went around and round, I thought my end had come And as I moved towards the stairs, I landed on my bum I woke up in the morning, oh my aching head As I tried to raise myself, I fell out of my bed I had a nice cool shower, by now I’m feeling good I need to drive into town. My bravado said I could As I drove along the road, a police car I did see And just to make the matter worse, the copper inside saw me “Pull over “ he said politely “your driving is erratic” “Sorry officer” I replied “this car is automatic” “Blow into this” was his request . I should have stayed in bed.

Cos as I blew into his bag, the bloody thing turned red “What have we here” the policeman said “You had better come with me” “And when your in my station your going to have to pee” And pee I did - two bottles full There called a water sample Two bottles full he wanted, surely one was ample?

I was charged and finger printed and locked up in a cell To think that my stupidity had turned my life to hell Four hours passed and then I heard a key turn in the door “You can go now” the nice policeman said “I bet you won’t do that no more” But as I left I noticed the two bottles of my pee so I slipped them in my pocket Well they did belong to me I went home in a hurry. My samples I knew they would miss Then I got re arrested - For taking the bloody piss

Jeff Sizer, Coventry England.

(Roll on my next vacation) Local Translator / Interpreter Supplied by email Per s onal a nd bus iness, meetings, pho ne c a l l s , vi s i ts , l e tte r s , documents....

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Have you seen the new classified ads section and messageboard on our website? Leave your message or Buy & Sell online now. www.mellowmagazine.com IT’S EASY! 11

Quiz Break

Solve the answers to the clues, the number is how many letters and the letter is the last letter of the answer. e.g. change the lime to go the distance, 4 e answer - mile 1. A fertile spot in the desert 5,S . What word can go in front of or at the end of these to make new words?

Gang, Daisy, Mail 5, N . Eye of the student 5, L . Does this animal get the biggest share? 4,N 6, E . A fruity colour 6. It’s strange and not even 3, D . Bad timer to send 5, T 8. Ivy’s pal 5, Y 9. The line where the earth and sky seem to meet 7, N 10. The last letter of the Greek alphabet 5, A 11. Close thus 4, T 1 . Teach the express 5, N 1 . Try out the exam 4, T 1 . How long it takes for the earth to orbit the sun 4, R 1 . It’s full of fruit trees 7, D 16. Your forefinger in alphabetical order 5, X 1 . Mix up grab and boast 4, G 18. Sounds like this meat is a fence post 5, K 19. Do we drink or eat your health 5, T 0. This bird gets the worm 5, Y 1. Change the thing when day is over 5, T . Sounds like these letters are masculine 4, L 6, W . This bandit is not related by marriage . What word can go before or after these to make new words?

Pen, Edge, Bread 5, E . Gets cross about range 5, R All 25 first letters of the answers make up an anagram of 6 words of 3, 4, 5, 5, 3, and 5 letters.

Clue - Get out of my kitchen, you’ll ruin the soup.

Footnote - Saint Lawrence is the patron saint of cooks. His feast day is 10th August.

He was one of the seven deacons martyred under the persecution of the Roman Emperor ‘Valerian’ in the year 258 by being roasted alive, after enduring much pain and just before he died, he is said to have called out ‘ It is well done, turn it over and eat it’ Find the answers on page 27 Many thanks to Sheila Harris of the Ayora Valley for her quiz breaks.

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Well, whadda ya know?

Monday is the only day of the week that has an anagram: dynamo It takes 4,000 grains of sugar to fill a teaspoon.

The first chalk board was used in school in 1714.

One cord of wood (4 ft x 4 ft x 8 ft) will make 75 million toothpicks.

There is 10,800 feet of film in a two-hour movie.

The smallest, shallowest ocean on Earth: The Arctic Ocean.

A buffalo can jump as high as six feet off the ground.

The ball on top of a flagpole is called a “truck.”

Dolphins can hear underwater sounds from as far as 15 miles away.

In the year 2000, Tiger Wood’s caddie made $1 million.

A pineapple is actually a very big berry.

A potato’s closest edible relative is the eggplant.

The city of Edinburgh, Scotland is built on top of an extinct volcano.

Lions and Tigers can’t purr. Cougars can.

The first vertebra of your neck is called the ‘Atlas,’ because it holds up your head.

Monkeys given paint and paper on which to draw will scream in anger when an unfinished work is taken from them. But they don’t object to having a finished painting taken.

Praxis Dr. Friedrich Centro Médico Clinic Number 04685

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Orthopaedic Surgery Physiotherapy 13

Learning Spanish Last month we talked a little about ourselves and we started to use the verb tener – to have. Tengo dos hermanas - I have two sisters, Silvia tiene mucho trabajo - Silvia has a lot of work.

Espero que no tengáis demasiado trabjao – I hope you don’t have too much work.

After all summer is nearly here, the sun is shining and school will be finished before the end of the month. It seems like a good moment to talk about the things we like.

“A mí, me gusta ir de compras. ¿Y a ti? –“ I like shopping. And you?”

“A mí también.” -“Me, too” or “Pues a mí no” – Well, I don’t.

If we want to say we really like, or even love something then we can use, me encanta: me encanta la comida picante – I really like spicy food.

Remember that “me gusta” is more like “it pleases me” than “I like it”. This means that when we talk about things in the plural, the verb (gustar, encantar) changes even though we are still talking about what I like, so me gusta – I like it becomes me gustan - I like them.

I like this colour – A mí me gusta este color, but I like cherries - a mí me gustan las cerezas.

And if we want to talk about what other people like then we change the pronoun (me, le, nos, os. les)not the verb: We really like dogs – a nosotros, nos gustan los perros.

A Jim, no le gusta madrugar – Jim doesn’t like getting up early Sheila loves reading – A Sheila, le encanta leer.

As you can see in the sentence about Jim, it’s easy to make the negative (just add no!)

When we want to make our displeasure a bit stronger then we can add “nada”: No me gusta nada el bricolage – I really don’t like/I can’t stand DIY. To ask what somebody likes we say “Te gusta viajar? – Do you like travelling? or “A tí, te gustan los animals? – Do you like animals? When our question is about a third person then as we saw above, it’s the pronoun that changes: ¿A Maria, le gusta la fruta? – Does Maria like fruit? Do you (in the plural) like wine? - ¿Os gusta el vino?

Once we can express our likes andour dislikes and ask others what they like, then it is useful to be able to say what we would like or want: Me gustaría probar un poquito – I’d like to try a little.

Nos gustaría tomar una cerveza – We’d like to have a beer.

No les gustaría nada gastar tanto – They really wouldn’t like to spend so much. ¿Te gustaría salir con nosotros este fin de semana? – Would you like to go out with us this weekend?

To say that you want something or that you want to do something we use the verb “querer” which can also mean “love”.

I want to go to the beach – Quiero ir a la playa.

I don’t want to stay here – No quiero quedarme aquí.

Do you want an ice cream? ¿Quieres un helado? ¿Qué queréis estudiar el mes que viene? What do you want to study next month?

Thanks to Nik Dunne of Lexis Idiomas for his articles. See his advert on page 34.

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Charities, Clubs And Events Asociacion Protectora de Animales El Campello has a charity shop on Avda Germanies which is open Mon - Sat 10am - 2pm. Tel. 965 633 547, 24 hr. emergency number 687 398 507. To adopt a dog call Eve on 965 699 028. For more info about APAC contact Ian on 965 634 899 or 677 993 649 Busot Ladies Club, Casa de Cultura meet from 10.00 until 13.30hrs on Mondays, apart from fiestas. For more information contact mary on 965 699 291 or send an email to john_marybusot@hotmail.com Costa Blanca Anglican Chaplaincy, El Campello hold a church service on Sundays at 12.00 in the chapel behind the main church in the grounds of Salesianos school. Everyone welcome. If directions are needed please don't hesitate to contact Flavia on 666 002 519 or Liz on 965 652 845. Alternatively you can take a look at our website at www.costablancaanglicanchaplaincy.org HELP Association, Campello, San Juan & District provides and English speaking voluntary community service for people in need of support at times of medical and other emergencies. Also has some aids such as wheelchairs, crutches etc. for short term loan. Always in need of more volunteers. Please contact Francoise Cawley, Chairperson by telephone on 965 638 259 Ladies Exercise Group, Polideportivo, Busot. Wednesdays 18.00 – 19.00 for general fitness and 19.00 – 20.00 jazz exercise. Fridays 17.30 – 18.30 general exercise and 18.30 – 19.30 jazz exercise. Get fit for free – no charge. Tel. Beatrix on 965 959 195 or 618 043 582 Rainbow Group Costa Blanca. Support group offering help and support for gay, lesbian and transsexuals. All age groups. Telephone 666 911 545 Sociedad Protectora de Animales y Plantas, Castalla runs a dog shelter near to Castalla International. For donations, sponsoring or volunteering please email marusol@fastmail.fm or call the president Juan on 646 682 209 between 08.30 & 13.00 hrs (Spanish), Sue on 690 719 675 between 10.00 & 14.00 and 17.00 & 19.00 hrs (English & Spanish spoken) or Marilene on 965 562 085 or 669 755 920 between 10.00 & 14.00 and 17.00 & 19.00 hrs (Dutch, English & Spanish).

The English Speaking Club, San Juan & District, Los Perales, Camino Real de Villajoyosa 22, El Campello. Tel. 965 943 995 or email secesc@myvicinity.co.uk Run by volunteers & with bar prices that can't be equalled. Open Wednesday & Sunday between 12 noon & 2.30pm. Come and find out about our available activities, incl. line dancing, whist, art, quilting, quizzes, monthly dinner dance etc.

Tell everyone of your charity events through the Mellow Magazine website www.mellowmagazine.com Contact Jeremy for further details — 965 635 538 or 647 597 319 17

Lest We Forget- News From Yesteryear

Compiled By Robert Littler

Part 2 of a brief look at Spain’s troubled 1930s.

9th November 1936 Franco “In Madrid City Limits” After All Day Battle After an all-day battle on the river boundary of Madrid, General Franco’s forces have captured two vital bridges, and in the words of an official anti communist communiqué, “have entered the city limits.”

It is reported from Valladolid that the Civil Guards in Madrid have revolted against the communist Government and occupied the Presidential Palace...

It is estimated that 30 people were killed and 170 wounded in yesterday’s aerial and gun bombardment of the city.

Thousands of homeless, distressed men and women from suburbs are sleeping under tents and on the benches of Paseo de la Castellana with the whistling and bursting of shells still in their ears.

The war around the centre of Madrid can now be watched quite clearly, almost as a panorama, from the roof of the Telephone Exchange, the highest building in the city.

Through field glasses could be seen tanks, armoured cars, and troops moving about on the southern side of the city.

The puffs of smoke from the Government and anti communist artillery batteries form regular patterns above the haze caused by the rifle-fire, and on the whole the scene changes very little either way.

Women and children and old men are leaving Madrid in considerable numbers, taking their belongings with them.

Air Raid Havoc Madrid, Sunday. The climax to hours of shelling and air raids on Madrid came late tonight with what may be regarded as one of the most important successes so far in the advance of General Franco’s troops towards the heart of the capital. The Monasterio column, which had been attacking from due south, penetrated far beyond the Manzanares river (the boundary of the city) and cut across the Valencia road. This means that the city is surrounded by Franco’s troops. When the bombs and shells began falling on the city terror-stricken women and children crowded underground passages and cellars. At least 18 bombs were dropped and clouds of smoke hung over the city as many buildings were set on fire.

During the artillery bombardment the famous Puerta Del Sol was hit by shells, one striking the presidential (formerly the royal) palace. Another fell in front of the Ministry of War. When the first squadron of seven large anti communist bombers flew over they were so low that the pilots could be seen.

Bombs fell near the radio station which transmits all the Government propaganda, while others fell in the big market place in the Cebada quarter, killing more than 20 persons.

Eight women and children were killed when a bomb fell on a church in which they were sheltering in the Calle Segovia.

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Tonight the difficulties of both sides were increased by a terrific thunderstorm and torrential rain, which flooded parts of the city.

General Franco’s men hold the southern and western suburbs and are driving a wedge into the city from the north-west.

The big hotels of the city are packed with wounded. The streets are strewn with dead and dying. No one has time to clear them away.

A pathetic queue stood outside the entrance to the British Embassy this morning.

It was composed of Spaniards and people of other nationalities who hoped that eventually a place of safety might be found for them within the already crowded building.

No Shells Left The militiamen can no longer defend the city with their heavy artillery. They have used up all their shells.

General Franco has often said that he had in Madrid what could be called his fifth column - the men who were his supporters.

Now the “fifth column” has made itself felt. In many main streets every house is a fortress. In some cases, houses on one side of the street are occupied by communists and those on the other side by anti communists.

S O S For Children Throughout the night Madrid has been broadcasting the names and descriptions of thousands of children lost by their parents during the confusion in some of the city’s streets when fighting was taking place yesterday.

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Useful Telephone Numbers

El Campello

Casa de Cultura Post Office (Correos) Ad. Education Centre Town hall Tourist Information Colegio Pla de Barraques Colegio Rafael Altamira Instituto Enric Valor Guardia Civil Policía Local Suma Office

965636491 Hospital San Juan 965938700 965630318 Health Centre 965637106 965632927 Taxis 965101611 965637200 Railway Station 965262731 965634606 Instituto Clot L’illot 965632854 965631601 Colegio El Vincle 965632790 965630142 Instituto Clot L’illot 965632854 965636455 965630418 / 062 965637099 / 965634444 965636255 / 965636193

Busot Health Centre Social worker Police /Policia

965699487 Casa de Cultura 965698030 Town Hall 965698181/607385522

965698072 965699092

965894250 965891698 965890050 966859800 965894545

966850500 966851001 965891143 66851371

Villajoyosa Casa de Cultura Library Municipal Police Hospital Marina Baixa Taxis

Post Office Town Hall Guardia Civil Tourist Info

Alfaz del Pi/Albir Alfaz Town Hall Alfaz Health Centre Tourist Info Alfaz Aguagest (Water) Alfaz Local Police (Alfaz)

965885265 Taxis (Alfaz/Albir) 965889894 Albir Health Centre 965888905 Tourist Info Albir 965889102 965887100/7200

966810010 966864110 966867022

Transport Alicante Airport Alicante Bus Station

966919400 965130700

Renfe 902240202 Alsa (Coaches) 902422242

Other Numbers Telefonica (client attention) All Emergencies British Consulate Iberdrola (Electricity) Aguas de Alicante (Water)

1004 112 965216022 965632067 / 901202020 965637248 / 900717717

Please tell our advertisers you saw them in the Mellow Magazine 20

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CJ’s

Tel. 965 632 576 Sorry but no C/C accepted

Bar / Restaurant

Mon - Sat 9.30 to 5 & 7 to late Full Menu Sunday 9.30 to 5 Full Menu until 12 Sun Afternoon Carvery Only - Please Book An extensive menu of quality meals at prices you can afford Full English Breakfasts Children’s Menu Icelandic Cod & Chips A warm and friendly welcome awaits you on the seafront in El Campello LIDL

C/ San Bartolomé

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Farmacia beach / playa The Mediterranean

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Campello & Surrounding Areas Home Visits Available 23

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Please tell our advertisers you saw them in the Mellow Magazine

Are You Psychic?

By Ray Bailey Most people have a psychic experience without realising it, for example, have you ever been doing a simple household job, been walking the dog, been driving the car, and suddenly had the thought that a friend was going to call you, or that you were going to receive a letter from someone you hadn’t seen for years? And then within minutes, or hours, the contact is made?

When looking for a change of home, do you ‘mentally buy’ the area, before the house? What makes a house into a home? What is this ‘inner’ feeling that makes an area or a house compatible with you?

When you meet a stranger, what dictates whether they become a friend or remain an acquaintance? Could it be your Psyche or Soul telling you intuitively?

Have you ever had a problem, and immediately had an intuitive idea on how to solve it, despite ‘logic’ telling you otherwise, and subsequently, found that your intuition was correct?

Well, that is your Psychic self giving you advance notice, it is like an ‘early warning system’ and sometimes it can be very helpful. In early Primitive man, intuition helped in hunting prey, and in surviving attack, in animals this condition is called instinct, and serves a similar purpose.

As man developed and became educated he started to use logic, the theory being that what worked last time, will work again, and of course this can be correct.

However this can often reduce the use of intuition, and inspiration, which eventually can lead to intuition being `downgraded’, As an ex teacher and University Professor I can personally vouch for the greater intuitive creativity of the younger mind, that if left to develop in a ‘free from training atmosphere’ will often result in greater intuitive creativity, and problem solving.

If you catch a wild animal and keep it in captivity for a number of years it can loose some of its instinctive habits, and become reliant upon the keeper feeding it. The animal can feel more secure, free from attack, and therefore, there is a tendency to loose its ‘normal’ survival / defensive abilities.

However, in some people the intuitive response remains active throughout their lifetime; these people are called Psychics, or Sensitives. And in ancient times they were called Seers, or Prophets, and were often consulted by the rich and famous before embarking upon any ‘risky’ venture.

This intuitive feeling is felt through the Aura, and every living thing has one, however, it cannot be seen by “normal” eyesight, and the Psychic must concentrate and “feel” from the solar plexus, to see it.

But perhaps we shall talk more about the Aura next month.

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Understanding Your Computer

Power surges and your computer (or your TV).

Firstly we need to get some perspective on what exactly a power surge is. Only then can you fully appreciate the dangers concerned. A power surge is, simply, a sudden increase in voltage to your power supply. When we say “sudden” we mean in thousandths of a second. When we say “increase” we mean, in some cases, millions of volts if you are unlucky enough to have a lightning strike. Even a simple power cut can cause a surge of several thousand volts when the power is restored. This compares with 230 volts for the normal mains supply in Spain and around 90 volts for the telephone line.

So, where do these surges come from? Well, obviously, if lightning strikes any part of the power circuit (including the external lines) the energy will come down the wires, but this is rare. More commonly after you suffer a power cut, when the power is restored, it can generate what is called an induced voltage the amount of which can exceed 4,000 volts. You can even get a voltage spike when you turn a high wattage device such as your air-conditioning which, again, is induced and can reach 2,000 volts or more.

So what can all this energy flowing into you house and, thus your electronic equipment, do? This can best be illustrated by what happened in mid-October last year in our shop on the Saturday morning following the mini-gota fria. Within 5 minutes of opening the shop (following 30 minutes of mopping out the flood), two people had walked in with their computers both completely non-functional. In one case the power- supply had blown (a simple replacement) the other had blown the motherboard (a more expensive and not so simple replacement). This was followed by 2 other customers with burnt out power-supplies and in the following 2 weeks 6 burnt out modems (the phone connection part of the computer).

In a computer the normal voltage is in the region of 3.5 volts for the processor (the chip), and the power-supply in the computer provides either 5 volts or 12 volts to the various components, if you simply quadruple these voltages… Well you get the picture.

It is not just your computer that is at risk, the computers peripherals such as scanner or printer. Your TV, satellite, fax machine, your Hi-fi; basically any piece of electronic equipment is at risk. On the same day one customer came into the shop and told us that following a loud bang from outside his house, he looked at his telephone and it was SMOKING! Had he not been at home there would have been a real risk of fire which would have destroyed more than his electronic equipment!

Clearly while you have control over when you turn on your air-conditioning you are not in control of when you will get struck by lightning or when you will have a power cut. This means you have to take precautions which will cover you for all day, every day.

Firstly, let’s say, unplugging the computer is NOT the answer. If you are going away for a period of time, yes, it is a good idea to unplug your equipment. However, for daily protection unplugging your computer will simply put you at risk of losing the 26

charge needed to keep the motherboard of your computer active (even when it is off). The computer continually uses a very small current to maintain this charge (there is a small battery when you unplug it for a short time). The best (and simplest) answer is to use a “surge protector” attached to all of your electronic devices. These are available from many outlets (SandS Computers included). If you are looking for one of these yourself the Spanish you will need is as follows: Power surge - sobretension Surge protection – protección sobretension Many of these surge protectors allow you to protect your phone and satellite lines, as well as providing more outlets to plug items in.

Understanding Your Computer is supplied by Steve Watson of SandS Computers.

You can contact him direct with any queries, questions or problems.

See his advert on page 34

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Oasis Chain Pupil Lion Orange Odd Remit Holly Horizon Omega Shut Train Test Year Orchard Index Brag Steak Toast Early Night Mail Outlaw Knife Anger

Answers To Quiz Break on Page 12

Answer - Too many cooks spoil the broth.

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30

Legal Page LEGAL ADVICE

BY EVA SEGURA ABOGADO - LAWYER C/. JUAN SEBASTIAN ELCANO NÂş35 03560 EL CAMPELLO. ALICANTE TLF: 965.63.63.57 esegmar@hotmail.com Business hours: 10:00-14:00 hours

INHERITANCE TAX FOR NON-RESIDENTS ACCORDING TO THE SPANISH CENTRAL LEGISTLATION Dear readers, in this article, as I promised last month, I will concentrate on the inheritance tax for non-residents in Spain.

This means that when the successor, the person that has passed away, or the inheritor, the person who inherits, are non-residents in Spain, the declaration of the inheritance tax would have to be carried out according to the Spanish Central Legislation – contrary to the case that when the successor and the inheritant are residents in Spain, the declaration would be carried out according to the autonomous legislation, as explained in the previous article.

The Net Tax Base would be the value of the received properties, advising you to declare the real values of these properties, since the Administration has got the faculty of checking the declared value, and if they consider it very low compared to their evaluations they could open a fine record against you.

To this Net Tax Base, some reductions will be applied in function with the grade of relationship and disability, which the inheritor could have and also in the cases where economic rights do exist due to the extinction of the right of life interest, or the usual home of the person passed away.

In order to calculate the amount of this tax a progressive rate is being applied on top of the Net Tax Base in connection with the amount of the acquisition.

Once this amount is calculated a coefficient is applied to it which combines the grade of relationship and wealth compared to the situation of the inheritor before the death of the successor.

As you can see, it is not that easy to calculate the inheritance tax following the Spanish Central Legislation, since it will vary in relation to the grade of relationship between successor and inheritor, the disabilities they could have, also it can vary due to the property being the home or the existence of interest of life as well as the coefficients to be applied depending on the grade of relationship and wealth before the time of death of the successor.

I always like to end my legal advice graphically with examples, but the truth is to explain it now in a an example would not be including the majority of these tax declarations, since we understand now that they vary very much depending on various facts that have been explained in the previous paragraph.

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What I can advise you though is that should you unfortunately have to declare an inheritance tax of a non-resident successor or because the inheritor is a nonresident, you know at least what I have been trying to explain in this article and are more than welcome to get in contact with our office in order to get the paperwork done correctly, which with no doubts whatsoever would have to be presented in the Liquidation Office in Madrid.

The Legal Page is Supplied by Eva Segura.

For further information contact her direct on the above telephone number.

Red Flag Means Danger Summer is here at last. Long, hot days lazing beside the pool or on the beach with a nice cool beer or two. Just remember to use a high factor sun screening lotion to give you the best protection against burnt skin and more importantly skin cancer.

If you go to the beach take care not to drink alcohol or eat heavily before swimming in the sea as stomach cramps can and do occur - people have been known to get into difficulties with cramp and drown. If you want to stay healthy while on the beach then avoid alcohol completely. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

Check out the colour of the flags at the beach before venturing into the sea. And for tourists who do not know the law here - if you go in the sea when the red flag flies, be warned - you can be arrested for this. The red flag is there because of danger and you could be placing a lifeguard or other person in danger by disregarding the flags and this is taken very seriously.

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A Guide To Spain’s Maddest Fiestas The Festival of the Dead Rats

Where? El Puig, north of Valencia.

When? The Last Sunday in January

Neighbourliness in El Puig requires an increased level of tolerance. I mean, you don’t find too many places in the world where neighbours take delight in throwing decomposing rat corpses at each other.

El Puig (pronounced El Pooch) have squirmed and screamed for many a year as they celebrate their fiesta, and with good reason!

Most people are aware of a piñada, the stuffed toy filled with sweets and goodies that is suspended by a rope, and bashed by a blindfolded kid with a stick, until it splits open and spills forth its tooth-rotting innards. A great reward for a little effort.

“Real Life” is not so easy however. In El Puig, the piñada is known as a cucaña, and has a far more realistic, (philosophically speaking) fifty-fifty ratio to it.

In days of old, when these things were hung up, it is fair to imagine that they would have been filled with all form of tasty comestibles, nuts, fruit etc. but little in the way of sweets and chocolate bars, the corner shop still some years from being invented.

“Real Life” for a rat is no barrel of laughs either, and so, it is also fair to imagine that the contents of these cucañas were equally appealing to the town’s rat population.

So, I’m sure that you can picture that, come the great day of the fiesta, when giving the cucaña an almighty thwack with a convenient stick, in order to break it open, the chances were fair to middling that what was spilled from the battered cucaña was not a torrent of goodies, but instead, a rather dazed, somewhat podgy rat.

And it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realise that, what with sturdy stick still being in possession of our hungry and disappointed cucaña-attacker, the said fat rat would then be subjected to the same treatment as befell his previous harbourage.

The rat, (once bucket well and truly kicked), would be tossed aside to general hilarity and disgust. (The distinction between hilarity and disgust being relative to whether the splattered rat landed on one, or on one´s near neighbour) These things have a way of getting out of hand, and in a year where the rats were particularly successful in their endeavours to invade the cucañas, the square must have been littered with the corpses of dozens of rats, all being merrily tossed around.

As human nature has been for thousands of years, retaliation is expected on being attacked. Therefore, when someone throws a dead rat at you, it is virtually de rigueur to then pick it up and throw it back. I suppose you could march forward and crack the thrower over the head with your cucaña stick, but that would hardly be in keeping of a good fiesta, and probably not have grown into the spectacle we see nowadays.

For the Spanish, in all their good-natured looniness, have found this to be a splendid way of spending an afternoon, and now commemorate the occasion annually by actually putting rats in some of the cucañas! Naturally, they still throw them about with mucho gusto and total disregard for hygiene.

(For the more squeamish, remember that today, in our enlightened times, only frozen, Continued over the page..... previously-prepared corpses of humanely-killed 33

rats are contained within the selected cucañas, which must come as a relief to some.) and that only 50% of the cucañas contain a defrosted, decomposing rat corpse.

Fireworks at inappropriate hours, loud music, raucous dancing and the obligatory boozing it up confirm this occasion as a true Spanish fiesta. There is food available too at this Dead-Rat-Inspired fiesta. Personally, I take sandwiches. The Fiesta of the Dead Rats - Charming!

Next Month – Get out your Barry White album – Love is in the air!

Chris Whewell Thanks to Chris for sharing his fiesta knowledge with us all.

Contact him via his website shown directly below.

Find Your Perfect Holiday Property at

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Travel guides to all major resorts, theme parks, golf courses and more.

Ed. Pescadores C/ San Bartolomé, 128

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03560 El Campello

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Centro Comercial Poble Nou Calle del Muro El Campello

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Brown’s BROWN’S 1 WAS YOU WANT WATCH

II JUST A TASTER TO PARTY? THIS SPACE...

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Jokes and Sudoku A young man excitedly tells his mother that he has fallen in love and is going to be married. He says, “Just for fun, Mam, I’m going to bring over two other female friends as well as my fiancee and you have to try and guess which one I’m going to marry.”

The following day he takes three beautiful women into the house and sits them down on the sofa and they chat for a while. He then says, “Okay, Mam, Guess which one I’m going to marry.” She immediately replies, “The red-haired one in the middle.”

“That’s fantastic, Mam. You’re correct, but how did you know?”

“I don’t like her.”

Q. A.

How do you keep your husband from reading your emails?

Rename the mail folder ‘Instruction Manuals’

A man walks into a bar and asks for a beer. After drinking it, he looks into his shirt pocket and asks for another beer. After drinking that one, he looks into his shirt pocket again and asks for another beer. This happens about half a dozen times before the bar person asks him, “Why do you keep looking in your pocket?”

The man replies, “I have a picture of my wife in there and when she looks good enough, I’ll go home.”

Dear Lord I pray for wisdom to understand my man; Love to forgive him; And Patience for his moods. Because, Lord, If I pray for strength, I’ll beat him to death.

AMEN

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A husband and wife in their sixties were celebrating their 40th anniversary. On their special day a good fairy came to them and said that they could have just one wish each. The wife wished for a trip around the world with her husband. Whoosh!

Immediately she had her airline/ cruise tickets in her hands.

The man wished for a female companion 30 years younger than himself..... Whoosh!

Immediately he turned ninety!!!

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Who Were You? Have you lived before?

The answer is Yes. And did you know that your previous lives can have an effect on how you live now?

Want to know more?

Then contact me for details of past life regression.

965 635 538

EAGER INSURANCE AGENCY Do you require help organising Residencia, NIE, a Funeral, Repatriation, Health Insurance Call Evelyn On 965 63 08 71 or 607 32 11 98 Email: evelyn@eagerinsurance.com 40

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TO ADVERTISE IN THE CLASSIFIED PAGE CALL 965 635 538 OR 647 597 319 OR EMAIL YOUR ADVERTS TO ads@mellowmagazine.com ALTERNATIVELY, SEND THEM VIA THE WEBSITE. ADS FOR THE WANTED SECTION ARE FREE. PRIVATE ADS UNDER 100€ ARE FREE ONLINE AND WILL ALSO APPEAR IN THE MAGAZINE WHERE SPACE IS AVAILABLE. ITEMS OVER 100€ ARE 6€ FOR UP TO 20 WORDS, 9€ UP TO 30 WORDS, 12€ UP TO 40 WORDS. NO PETS/LIVESTOCK ADS CAN BE ACCEPTED IN THE CLASSIFIED SECTION. PAYMENT MUST BE MADE BEFORE ADS APPEAR. DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT/PAYMENT OF ADS - 15TH OF EACH MONTH

Services

Classified Section

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Doctor Nicolas RICHEZ Psychiatrist/Psychotherapist Paris Faculty of MedicineStress – Anxiety – Depression – Traumas - Hyperactivity - Obsessive Compulsive Disorders - Personality Disorders - Eating Disorders Clinica Praxis, C/. Dr. Brotóns, 28 03560 EL CAMPELLO Phone: 638 852 053 English, French and Spanish spoken – 25 years of experience

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Domestic Appliance & Electrical Repairs by experienced engineer. Washing Machines, Cookers, Microwaves etc. Tel. 965 960 665 / Mobile 687 625 642

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General Plumbing & Central Heating Installations & Repairs. Established since 1979. Phone Richard on Mobile 680 190 794 / Home 965 975 019

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Mobile dog grooming service. 25 years experience. Grooming from 15€. Busot, El Campello, Muchamiel areas. Tel. Diane on 663 372 403

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Suite & Carpet Cleaning. Call Stewart Tel. 666 945 171

Property Sales/Lets •

Plot of land in Almansa - Rustico 10,000 sq. metres. Near a lake. Water and electricity nearby, with permission to build. Info. 687 357 900

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For Sale. Townhouse in old town Villajoyosa. Private seaview terrace. 3 Beds.

New electrics & plumbing. Full escritura. 120,000€ ono Tel. 666 911 545 Static mobile home to let. 8 minutes drive to beach. Short or long term let. Ready from 1st May. Tel. 679 056 626 Modern s/c furnished apartment to let within detached villa on Rio Park. Large twin bedroom, shower room, lounge/kitchen/diner, TV, Hot & cold aircon. More info contact Jeff or Irene on 965 221 124

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Large Local / Lock up wanted to rent. Must be over 300 square mtrs. Campello/ Muchamiel areas Bond available or will consider sensible Traspaso. Tel Tony 965952083 Room to let 15 minutes from El Campello and trams to Alicante. Own bathroom, balcony, parking and use of pool. A/Con. C/Heating. 10 Euros per night. Minimum stay one month. Tel. 666 945 171

Wants • • •

Record player for vinyl singles & albums. Call with details. 661 145 105 I need a mannequin - the type you find in shop windows, male or female, head not important. Will pay up to 100€. Tel. 965952083 Car Boot Items - books, toys, clothes, bric-a-brac & baby items. Will collect.

Tel. Sally on 635343867 MORE CLASSIFIED ADS ON THE NEXT PAGE 41

Classified Section

Sales

CLASSIFIED ADS CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

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Superb modern caravan. Bailey range 4 berth 1998. Hardly used, lots of extras including full awning, air con & full size cooker. End bathroom. Ready to go.

4,000€. Telephone 652 333 796

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1997 Ford Transit 190 Diesel. LWB. Semi high, side door, solid rear. MOT, Tax, new exhaust & battery. Immaculate in & out. Used once to bring furniture over from UK. Bargain at 2200€. Alicante Central Area 628 147 723 or email to gretschgumail.com Pine Tallboy distressed look Unit (5 big & 2 small drawers)- 83 x 112 x 42 100€, Pine Chest of Drawers distressed look (6 drawers) - 48 x 112 x 45 - 100€ White High Back stand alone antique style bath. Purchased from Leroy Merlin Complete with chrome feet, chrome shower & taps. Cost 2000 euros. 500€ all in.

Call Shirley on 628 147 723 or email gretschguru@hotmail.com for fotos. San Vicente area Brand New Bedroom Suite. Oak Wood. Beautiful and never used.

Double bed (incl. base, headboard, mattress & footboard) - 300€, 2 Oak Bedside Cabinets 39 x 60 x 58 - 100€ each, 2 Oak Double Wardrobes 88 x 196 x 61- 250€ each, 1 Oak Double deep Drawer Unit 137 x 86 x 48 - 250€ OR 1200€ for the set.

Purchased in Debenhams for 2500 GBP last year. Never Used. San Vicente Area Call Shirley on 628147723 or email gretschguru@hotmail.com

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Complete contents of three bed two bathroom town house for sale. Please call for more information. Tel. (0044) 773479394

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Double Bed Mattress (135 x 190) Excellent condition and very good quality. 50€ (El Campello) 965637266 Childs bike, suit ages 3 years upwards. Very good condition. 30€ Tel. 663174887

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Boxed Dyson Yellow & Grey Root 8 Cyclone hoover. Never been used. Complete with paperwork, box & attachments in sealed bag. 70€ Call Shirley on 628147723 or email gretschguru@hotmail.com San Vicente area 2 white melamine IKEA kitchen wall units with doors. Brand new. 60cm wide, 92cm drop. 40€ ono. Tel. 965653983 Teka electric oven with halogen hob 100€, 2 folding beds 100€, Rowing exercise machine 50€ Tel. 965 698 067

Employment Wanted •

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Cleaner available to help with all your household chores. Experience with horses and loves animals. Very efficient & reliable with excellent references.

Own transport & willing to travel. Please call Sharon on 677332718 or email tashaclare@msn.com Experienced in waitressing, changeover cleaning, office admin., home typing, working with horses, driving, Mutxamel, El Campello area. Please email lindainspain2@gmail.com

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